Gwreck

With Castro, Murphy/Tatis and Reed presumably locked into roles, we are left with a need for a middle infielder. Anderson, whether I like it or not, probably stays. I'd really like the Mets to sign a player who is capable of playing shortstop, if only for the reason that Omar wouldn't be tempted/feel the need to put Argenis Reyes on the roster. Some FA options: Felipe Lopez (didn't he lose his full-time job when he got traded to St. Louis from Washington?) Juan Uribe Mark Grudzielanek --- Note that the bench looks a *lot* stronger if the Mets acquire a full-time left fielder and push both Murphy/Castillo and Tatis to the bench.

="Centerfield":23ew8s3z]He also had a cannon for an arm. If I remember correctly, he gunned down A-Rod in that famous Friday night 2006 game against the MFY's.[/quote:23ew8s3z] 2007, and it was Damon, leading off the game, trying to stretch a single into a double. That was the night he hit the 2-run homer to give the Mets the lead off Pettitte (Endy's only homer of 2007). Edgy DC Dec 11 2008 05:57 PM Nonetheless, some fools gave PotG to Allah Vah. http://leaptoad.com/mets/gamedetail.php?gameno=7445

Can't see why any of the non-masochists among us would want to watch that.

="Vic Sage":3roqbbwa]However, if the mets actually need him to pitch in September, that may be a bad sign as to how the new pen had done.[/quote:3roqbbwa] You wouldn't want Wagner as your situational lefty pitcher instead of Feliciano or Schoeneweis? 86-Dreamer Dec 11 2008 03:19 PM I like the trade. But I am a bit scared by the fact that Putz actually had worse WHIP in 2008 (1.597) than the man he is replacing (1.592). But then I look at his 2006 & 2007 seasons and get excited again. Lets hope he is healthy. metsmarathon Dec 11 2008 04:10 PM of course, how was heilman's '06 and '07? i'm just sayin... but overall i like the trade. and i'm surprised we don't yet have a poll asking me that question. metirish Dec 11 2008 06:27 PM ] "It's a new challenge and I'm excited about it," Putz told the Seattle Times. "I'm going to a new team that's going to be very competitive. Frankie's a great closer and with Sean Green going as well, we should have a great bullpen." Willets Point Dec 11 2008 06:58 PM Putz is perhaps the first Mets relief pitcher to come with a built-in derogatory nickname for when he blows a save. Edgy DC Dec 11 2008 08:17 PM Ah, but you're too young to recall Alain LeDouche. Those were ze days, mon ami. metirish Dec 14 2008 11:25 AM ] Mets now have terrific twosome in 'pen By Jayson Stark ESPN.com LAS VEGAS -- The New York Mets of 2008 didn't just have a closer problem. They had a bullpen problem. The Mets of 2008 didn't just have a ninth-inning problem. They had a how-the-heck-do-we-get-to-the-ninth-inning problem. Well, not anymore. Now, after a stunning 12-player, three-team, winter meetings megadeal Wednesday night, the Mets have transformed their bullpen and transformed themselves. J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez aren't merely an upgrade on Luis Ayala and Duaner Sanchez/Aaron Heilman/Scott Schoeneweis/insert your favorite other Mets setup villain here. J.J. Putz and K-Rod are an upgrade on everybody's eighth-and-ninth-inning bullpen-assassin combo. Who beats that tag team? "Nobody," said one longtime talent evaluator Wednesday night. "To me, they're the best. And they're not just a great duo. They're a strikeout duo, too. There won't be many balls in play when those two guys are out there. As big as strikeouts are in the ninth inning, sometimes they're even bigger in the eighth." True facts: K-Rod averaged 10.14 strikeouts per nine innings this season. Putz, even in a down year, averaged 10.88 whiffs per nine innings. And that was in the American League, where the lineups run nine deep. Only two National League teams had a closer-setup combo in which each pitcher racked up that high a punch-out rate in 2008 -- the Cubs (Kerry Wood/Carlos Marmol) and the Dodgers (Takashi Saito/Jonathan Broxton/Hong-Chih Kuo). Not coincidentally, those staffs ranked third and first, respectively, in the league in bullpen ERA. But now Wood is gone in Chicago. Saito is hurt in L.A. And it's the Mets who have assumed the throne. We asked around Wednesday night in a lobby packed with baseball people. Nobody could come up with an eighth-inning/ninth-inning combo as formidable as the Mets' new twosome. The reason is simple. As long as these two are healthy, there isn't a better tandem. "They can play a 21-out game now," the same evaluator said of the Mets. "I give them a lot of credit. They just made a $13 million investment [in K-Rod], and now they've bolstered it with a character guy whose character is so good, he'll be willing to pitch the eighth inning." Putz, of course, will have to be healthier than he was in 2008, when his 3.88 ERA was nearly triple his 1.38 mark in '07. But if he is, he changes the Mets' whole persona. Just consider the bullpen disaster that did in this team this season: The Mets were 13th in the league in ERA from the seventh inning on and 13th in bullpen ERA overall. They blew 29 saves -- second most in the National League, behind St. Louis. They gave up 61 home runs from the seventh inning on, tied with the Giants for the most in the league. And those aren't even the most devastating numbers that defined the Mets' season. Consider these numbers: If all games had ended after six innings this season, the Mets would have finished the year 11 games ahead of the Phillies (aka, the team that won the World Series). If all games had ended after seven innings, the Mets would have finished six games ahead of the Phillies. And if all games had even been just eight innings long instead of nine, the Mets would have finished five games ahead of the Phillies. But the rules are the rules. And the rules say they had to play all nine. And it was those final innings that crushed the Mets. The Phillies lost no games they led after eight innings. The Mets lost seven of them -- and lost 13 games they led after seven innings. That's how seasons slip away. That's how one fatal flaw can undermine everyone and everything. That was the story of the 2008 Mets. So one miraculous trade later, this doesn't just look like a whole new bullpen. It looks like a whole new team. Rockin' Doc Dec 14 2008 11:38 AM "If all games had ended after six innings this season, the Mets would have finished the year 11 games ahead of the Phillies (aka, the team that won the World Series). If all games had ended after seven innings, the Mets would have finished six games ahead of the Phillies. And if all games had even been just eight innings long instead of nine, the Mets would have finished five games ahead of the Phillies." Wow, those are pretty telling stats. I knew the bullpen was costly last season, but those facts really point out just how costly the bullpen actually was. Valadius Dec 14 2008 02:28 PM I warned about the bullpen all last offseason. I figured it would happen again. Frayed Knot Dec 14 2008 02:37 PM ="Rockin' Doc":2m19qgyh]"If all games had ended after six innings this season, the Mets would have finished the year 11 games ahead of the Phillies (aka, the team that won the World Series). If all games had ended after seven innings, the Mets would have finished six games ahead of the Phillies. And if all games had even been just eight innings long instead of nine, the Mets would have finished five games ahead of the Phillies."[/quote:2m19qgyh] The pen was obviously the biggest culprit in those above scenarios although the offense's habit of scoring more early than late contributed as well. The net effect was to make the pen look even worse than it really was by removing any margin of error and turning every run given up into a disaster. metirish Dec 14 2008 02:51 PM Yet Miniya thinks the offense was fine last season From the Hot Stove December 11th ] Minaya on getting more offense. Quote: "Before I start moving my dollars to offense, I have to move my dollars to pitching," the GM said."Last year was very simple guys. We had 20 blown saves. We scored the runs." Edgy DC Dec 14 2008 05:13 PM In general, it was fine. It was just disproportionately better in the front end of games, contributing to some of those numbers. Ashie62 Dec 14 2008 06:27 PM I remeber several years ago the Mets were dumoing on the Rockies Mike DeJean and McCarver said "well this inning is in De Jean" TransMonk Dec 18 2008 12:40 PM I have to say, the more I hear from J.J., the more I like him. And, I was pretty impressed to begin with. Frayed Knot Dec 19 2008 12:16 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 19 2008 12:30 PM How do you solve a problem like Putz? John Branch (never heard of him) at the NYTimes looks into the origin, Hungarian; proper pronunciation, 'Puts'; and the potential pitfalls for headline writers concerning the new set-up man. The Mets solved the problem of his introduction by boldly printing on the scoreboard: 'Mets Welcome J.J.' metirish Dec 19 2008 12:24 PM Putz said yesterday that he might ask Hojo for #20. metirish Dec 19 2008 12:59 PM ="Frayed Knot"]How do you solve a problem like Putz? John Branch (never heard of him) at the NYTimes looks into the origin, Hungarian; proper pronunciation, 'Puts'; and the potential pitfalls for headline writers concerning the new set-up man. The Mets solved the problem of his introduction by boldly printing on the scoreboard: 'Mets Welcome J.J.' Interesting that Bill Sweeney the headline writer over at the Snooze is not looking at Putz as a headline opportunity. metsguyinmichigan Dec 19 2008 01:17 PM They're probably not going to sell too many t-shirts with "Putz" on the back. And I don't like the wide soul patch. But I have to tell you, dude is saying all the right things. This might up being Omar's best move of the off-season. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 19 2008 01:31 PM What's encouraging is to hear some good things about Sean Green who came along with Putzy in the deal. Putz in the Snooze today called Green "a machine" and sincerely sounded like a strong endorsement, and Keith Law of ESPN called him the 4th most important acquisition of the winter in all of bb (behind CC, K-Rod and JJ, saying he'd be to the Mets as valuable as Bradford in 06. Benjamin Grimm Dec 19 2008 02:06 PM That would be good if Sean Green ends up being a solid bullpenner. I am glad the Mets got Putz, but I do regret losing Joe Smith for one year of Putz. So I do hope Green can contribute in 2010 and beyond. A Boy Named Seo Dec 19 2008 02:38 PM That 70/30 talk seemed kind of unecessary. Like a bone that didn't need to be thrown Putz's way. But now it's out there and expectations are kind of attached to it. Hope it doesn't bite Jerry's arse down the road. smg58 Dec 19 2008 03:02 PM If the Mets get 100 save opportunities, a 70/30 split will work out to everybody's satisfaction. Green was terrific for the first four months last year, but 58 innings in four months was more than he could handle and he imploded in August and September. If his arm has recovered and they pace him for 65 or so innings, he could have a really good year. A Boy Named Seo Dec 19 2008 03:33 PM If we get 100 save opps, we're winning like 115 games anyway, so none of this will matter.

I'd like the Mets to play hardball and keep David Wright out of the WBC if at all possible.

="Benjamin Grimm"]Apparently his contract contains an option for 2010 at over $9 million. $8.6 Million club option. The buyout is $1 Million. ]The Mets probably won't want to pay that much for a setup guy. Probably not, but I think they wait and see how 2009 goes first.

="Benjamin Grimm":2d1mi4lq]The Mets made a trade where they picked up three guys, none of whom are Hispanic. Omar's critics who think he's racist won't take note of this, of course.[/quote:2d1mi4lq] I didn't think we had any of those "critics" here. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 11 2008 09:23 AM I like this move more the more I think about it. Now, if they'd only use Putz as a relief ace instead of the 8th inning guy... John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 11 2008 09:54 AM I'd love it if they'd be more fluid, if not as a McDowell-Orosco kinda swappy closer thing than maybe Putz gets actual "fireman" status -- use him whenever the game is on the line -- with Rodriguez getting the more glamourous but easier assignment as the "closer" to protect leads. But I'm pretty sure the Mets will use them 8th, 9th like that. DocTee Dec 11 2008 09:56 AM With the Mets nabbing the two most attractive closers on the market, asking prices for Fuentes, Valverde, Lyon and others just exploded. Benjamin Grimm Dec 11 2008 10:04 AM Putz is likely a one-year Met. Apparently his contract contains an option for 2010 at over $9 million. The Mets probably won't want to pay that much for a setup guy. Perhaps they'll trade him to someone who'll let him close, but more likely he'll be a free agent after the 2009 season. TransMonk Dec 11 2008 10:11 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":3rsmur6s]Putz is likely a one-year Met.[/quote:3rsmur6s] Agreed, although factoring the money going to Wagner in 2009, the 8th and 9th innings will still be cheaper for them in 2010 if they kept Putz. Wagner + KRod + Putz = $24 million in 2009. Prolly more than the Marlins payroll will be. Gwreck Dec 11 2008 11:05 AM ="Benjamin Grimm"]Apparently his contract contains an option for 2010 at over $9 million. $8.6 Million club option. The buyout is $1 Million. ]The Mets probably won't want to pay that much for a setup guy. Probably not, but I think they wait and see how 2009 goes first. Centerfield Dec 11 2008 11:08 AM ="TransMonk":1ajjkucg]="Benjamin Grimm":1ajjkucg]Putz is likely a one-year Met.[/quote:1ajjkucg] Agreed, although factoring the money going to Wagner in 2009, the 8th and 9th innings will still be cheaper for them in 2010 if they kept Putz. Wagner + KRod + Putz = $24 million in 2009. Prolly more than the Marlins payroll will be.[/quote:1ajjkucg] The Wagner money really gets under my skin. I really wonder if they had to go four years to get him in the first place. I wish they could find some use for him in 2009 and save money somewhere else. Can he make copies? File papers? Maybe he could work a ticket booth or something. Edgy DC Dec 11 2008 11:17 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Dec 11 2008 11:51 AM ="Centerfield":7x6t2mcj]The Wagner money really gets under my skin. I really wonder if they had to go four years to get him in the first place.[/quote:7x6t2mcj] It's a little late to get too animated about that, but the Wagner deal came shortly after the O's gobbled up B.J. Ryan for five years and $47 million. It's not a cheap game to play. Just be happy that the money dropped on him in this fourth year didn't prevent the Mets from reloading with Rodriguez and Putz. Benjamin Grimm Dec 11 2008 11:19 AM Well, obviously they'll see how 2009 goes first. As for Wagner, there was a report out the other day that his recovery is going well and he may actually be able to pitch in September of 2009. Vic Sage Dec 11 2008 11:42 AM I'm sure he'll want to, to prove he can and set the stage for a new contract ... from somebody. However, if the mets actually need him to pitch in September, that may be a bad sign as to how the new pen had done. Gwreck Dec 11 2008 11:48 AM ="Vic Sage":3roqbbwa]However, if the mets actually need him to pitch in September, that may be a bad sign as to how the new pen had done.[/quote:3roqbbwa] You wouldn't want Wagner as your situational lefty pitcher instead of Feliciano or Schoeneweis? 86-Dreamer Dec 11 2008 03:19 PM I like the trade. But I am a bit scared by the fact that Putz actually had worse WHIP in 2008 (1.597) than the man he is replacing (1.592). But then I look at his 2006 & 2007 seasons and get excited again. Lets hope he is healthy. metsmarathon Dec 11 2008 04:10 PM of course, how was heilman's '06 and '07? i'm just sayin... but overall i like the trade. and i'm surprised we don't yet have a poll asking me that question. metirish Dec 11 2008 06:27 PM ] "It's a new challenge and I'm excited about it," Putz told the Seattle Times. "I'm going to a new team that's going to be very competitive. Frankie's a great closer and with Sean Green going as well, we should have a great bullpen." Willets Point Dec 11 2008 06:58 PM Putz is perhaps the first Mets relief pitcher to come with a built-in derogatory nickname for when he blows a save. Edgy DC Dec 11 2008 08:17 PM Ah, but you're too young to recall Alain LeDouche. Those were ze days, mon ami. metirish Dec 14 2008 11:25 AM ] Mets now have terrific twosome in 'pen By Jayson Stark ESPN.com LAS VEGAS -- The New York Mets of 2008 didn't just have a closer problem. They had a bullpen problem. The Mets of 2008 didn't just have a ninth-inning problem. They had a how-the-heck-do-we-get-to-the-ninth-inning problem. Well, not anymore. Now, after a stunning 12-player, three-team, winter meetings megadeal Wednesday night, the Mets have transformed their bullpen and transformed themselves. J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez aren't merely an upgrade on Luis Ayala and Duaner Sanchez/Aaron Heilman/Scott Schoeneweis/insert your favorite other Mets setup villain here. J.J. Putz and K-Rod are an upgrade on everybody's eighth-and-ninth-inning bullpen-assassin combo. Who beats that tag team? "Nobody," said one longtime talent evaluator Wednesday night. "To me, they're the best. And they're not just a great duo. They're a strikeout duo, too. There won't be many balls in play when those two guys are out there. As big as strikeouts are in the ninth inning, sometimes they're even bigger in the eighth." True facts: K-Rod averaged 10.14 strikeouts per nine innings this season. Putz, even in a down year, averaged 10.88 whiffs per nine innings. And that was in the American League, where the lineups run nine deep. Only two National League teams had a closer-setup combo in which each pitcher racked up that high a punch-out rate in 2008 -- the Cubs (Kerry Wood/Carlos Marmol) and the Dodgers (Takashi Saito/Jonathan Broxton/Hong-Chih Kuo). Not coincidentally, those staffs ranked third and first, respectively, in the league in bullpen ERA. But now Wood is gone in Chicago. Saito is hurt in L.A. And it's the Mets who have assumed the throne. We asked around Wednesday night in a lobby packed with baseball people. Nobody could come up with an eighth-inning/ninth-inning combo as formidable as the Mets' new twosome. The reason is simple. As long as these two are healthy, there isn't a better tandem. "They can play a 21-out game now," the same evaluator said of the Mets. "I give them a lot of credit. They just made a $13 million investment [in K-Rod], and now they've bolstered it with a character guy whose character is so good, he'll be willing to pitch the eighth inning." Putz, of course, will have to be healthier than he was in 2008, when his 3.88 ERA was nearly triple his 1.38 mark in '07. But if he is, he changes the Mets' whole persona. Just consider the bullpen disaster that did in this team this season: The Mets were 13th in the league in ERA from the seventh inning on and 13th in bullpen ERA overall. They blew 29 saves -- second most in the National League, behind St. Louis. They gave up 61 home runs from the seventh inning on, tied with the Giants for the most in the league. And those aren't even the most devastating numbers that defined the Mets' season. Consider these numbers: If all games had ended after six innings this season, the Mets would have finished the year 11 games ahead of the Phillies (aka, the team that won the World Series). If all games had ended after seven innings, the Mets would have finished six games ahead of the Phillies. And if all games had even been just eight innings long instead of nine, the Mets would have finished five games ahead of the Phillies. But the rules are the rules. And the rules say they had to play all nine. And it was those final innings that crushed the Mets. The Phillies lost no games they led after eight innings. The Mets lost seven of them -- and lost 13 games they led after seven innings. That's how seasons slip away. That's how one fatal flaw can undermine everyone and everything. That was the story of the 2008 Mets. So one miraculous trade later, this doesn't just look like a whole new bullpen. It looks like a whole new team. Rockin' Doc Dec 14 2008 11:38 AM "If all games had ended after six innings this season, the Mets would have finished the year 11 games ahead of the Phillies (aka, the team that won the World Series). If all games had ended after seven innings, the Mets would have finished six games ahead of the Phillies. And if all games had even been just eight innings long instead of nine, the Mets would have finished five games ahead of the Phillies." Wow, those are pretty telling stats. I knew the bullpen was costly last season, but those facts really point out just how costly the bullpen actually was. Valadius Dec 14 2008 02:28 PM I warned about the bullpen all last offseason. I figured it would happen again. Frayed Knot Dec 14 2008 02:37 PM ="Rockin' Doc":2m19qgyh]"If all games had ended after six innings this season, the Mets would have finished the year 11 games ahead of the Phillies (aka, the team that won the World Series). If all games had ended after seven innings, the Mets would have finished six games ahead of the Phillies. And if all games had even been just eight innings long instead of nine, the Mets would have finished five games ahead of the Phillies."[/quote:2m19qgyh] The pen was obviously the biggest culprit in those above scenarios although the offense's habit of scoring more early than late contributed as well. The net effect was to make the pen look even worse than it really was by removing any margin of error and turning every run given up into a disaster. metirish Dec 14 2008 02:51 PM Yet Miniya thinks the offense was fine last season From the Hot Stove December 11th ] Minaya on getting more offense. Quote: "Before I start moving my dollars to offense, I have to move my dollars to pitching," the GM said."Last year was very simple guys. We had 20 blown saves. We scored the runs." Edgy DC Dec 14 2008 05:13 PM In general, it was fine. It was just disproportionately better in the front end of games, contributing to some of those numbers. Ashie62 Dec 14 2008 06:27 PM I remeber several years ago the Mets were dumoing on the Rockies Mike DeJean and McCarver said "well this inning is in De Jean" TransMonk Dec 18 2008 12:40 PM I have to say, the more I hear from J.J., the more I like him. And, I was pretty impressed to begin with. Frayed Knot Dec 19 2008 12:16 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 19 2008 12:30 PM How do you solve a problem like Putz? John Branch (never heard of him) at the NYTimes looks into the origin, Hungarian; proper pronunciation, 'Puts'; and the potential pitfalls for headline writers concerning the new set-up man. The Mets solved the problem of his introduction by boldly printing on the scoreboard: 'Mets Welcome J.J.' metirish Dec 19 2008 12:24 PM Putz said yesterday that he might ask Hojo for #20. metirish Dec 19 2008 12:59 PM ="Frayed Knot"]How do you solve a problem like Putz? John Branch (never heard of him) at the NYTimes looks into the origin, Hungarian; proper pronunciation, 'Puts'; and the potential pitfalls for headline writers concerning the new set-up man. The Mets solved the problem of his introduction by boldly printing on the scoreboard: 'Mets Welcome J.J.' Interesting that Bill Sweeney the headline writer over at the Snooze is not looking at Putz as a headline opportunity. metsguyinmichigan Dec 19 2008 01:17 PM They're probably not going to sell too many t-shirts with "Putz" on the back. And I don't like the wide soul patch. But I have to tell you, dude is saying all the right things. This might up being Omar's best move of the off-season. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 19 2008 01:31 PM What's encouraging is to hear some good things about Sean Green who came along with Putzy in the deal. Putz in the Snooze today called Green "a machine" and sincerely sounded like a strong endorsement, and Keith Law of ESPN called him the 4th most important acquisition of the winter in all of bb (behind CC, K-Rod and JJ, saying he'd be to the Mets as valuable as Bradford in 06. Benjamin Grimm Dec 19 2008 02:06 PM That would be good if Sean Green ends up being a solid bullpenner. I am glad the Mets got Putz, but I do regret losing Joe Smith for one year of Putz. So I do hope Green can contribute in 2010 and beyond. A Boy Named Seo Dec 19 2008 02:38 PM That 70/30 talk seemed kind of unecessary. Like a bone that didn't need to be thrown Putz's way. But now it's out there and expectations are kind of attached to it. Hope it doesn't bite Jerry's arse down the road. smg58 Dec 19 2008 03:02 PM If the Mets get 100 save opportunities, a 70/30 split will work out to everybody's satisfaction. Green was terrific for the first four months last year, but 58 innings in four months was more than he could handle and he imploded in August and September. If his arm has recovered and they pace him for 65 or so innings, he could have a really good year. A Boy Named Seo Dec 19 2008 03:33 PM If we get 100 save opps, we're winning like 115 games anyway, so none of this will matter.

In addition to the (two?) starting pitcher(s) we need, the bench sure looks like it could use some improvement: Castro Anderson Reyes Reed Tatis or Murphy C'mon Omar. We can do better than that.

I have a fond memory of a two-run homer on May 18, 2007 against the MFYs. Was the difference in the game; Mets won 3-2 and were down 2-1 at the time. He hit it off Pettitte, pulled it straight down the line and into the loge seats near the right field foul pole.

If we ever wanted textbook-evidence that a vast percentage of Mets fans are stupid, look no further. I still think that 2008 was an aberration more than anything. Some Heilman memories not yet mentioned: May 19, 2006, the now "legendary" game against the Yankees that was won on David Wright's walk-off double. Lost somewhere between Beltran's 3-run homer that put us back in the game and Wright's hit to win it was Heilman's three perfect innings. July 26, 2008 against the Cardinals. Heilman wound up getting the loss when he gave up a homer to Pujols in his third inning of work -- but was the last man out of the pen and still pitched three innings despite having pitched both of the two previous nights. I always felt that this game shouldn't have been counted against his '08 statistics.

$5 M for 09 Club option of ~$8 Million for 10 ($1 M buyout).

Final tally: We are giving up: Heilman Smith Chavez Jason Vargas Mike Carp Ezequiel Carera Maikel Cleto Getting: Putz Reed Green

Rodriguez Putz Schoeneweis Feliciano Sanchez Stokes Green

I think it was in February of 2002, when we shipped out Todd Zeile and Benny Agbayani to Colorado and got Jeromy Burnitz and Jeff D'Amico from Milwaukee. There were some other players involved in that too -- Mark Johnson and Lou Collier, probably. Also Lenny Harris, although I don't remember if he was coming or going in that deal.

Putz is extremely valuable but won't come cheap: $5 million for '09 and $8.6 million club option for '10 (with a $1M buyout). The other 3 players combined make less than $4 million. I think we'd miss Chavez a lot.

I set up this game to record until I realized that I never actually deleted the original broadcast from the DVR.

="Benjamin Grimm":1i8wym47]="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1i8wym47]All them Seavers look alike. Pretty sure he meant Rock N. Dock.[/quote:1i8wym47] That's the main reason I'm not crazy about the forced avatars. I tend to glance to the left side of the screen to see who's posting, and when everyone's avatar looks the same it gets very confusing.[/quote:1i8wym47] That's why I don't believe in avatars. attgig Dec 10 2008 03:13 PM there's talk about smoltz interested with us. I would love to bring him in as a setup guy, but I'm guessing he wouldn't be up to that. I would also like to see pedro back as the spot starter/long reliever, but again. not sure if he'd be up for that. otherwise, it would be great to revisit heilman & someone for Street, or showenstein/jackson, though I'd prefer street because it seems like there are more sure options for the rotation in the free agent market. But yeah, I would love to see the mets putting out one year, close to closer offers for fuentes, smoltz, hoffman, and other closers who are jobless, to see if any of them would be setup guys. I know Minaya loves Cordero, and I'm kinda expecting him to sign, but I hate how he's coming off injury. Also, what's happening with Isringhausen? isn't he a FA? MFS62 Dec 10 2008 08:52 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3cwukcsb]I hope not. If I get traded to Kansas City I'm just going to retire as a fan.[/quote:3cwukcsb] But what if the Mets can get a second baseman for you? Take one for the team, man. Later Gwreck Dec 10 2008 10:04 PM Rodriguez Putz Schoeneweis Feliciano Sanchez Stokes Green smg58 Dec 11 2008 06:01 AM An upgrade on one of our two lefties would be nice. Without Vargas or Collazo, we're short on lefties in the pipeline as well. Otherwise, no complaints.

="Edgy DC":2vb3wfno]While I agree, I have to say that, while the Yankees have the classickest looking uniform[/quote:2vb3wfno] Detroit home whites? Edgy DC Dec 10 2008 11:56 AM They certainly can land some punches against the champ. metirish Dec 10 2008 11:57 AM ="Edgy DC":2bxdqcr5]Hey, just because Sabathia didn't have any surgery done, doesn't mean he couldn't have used some.[/quote:2bxdqcr5] You thinking gastric surgery for weight loss? Frayed Knot Dec 10 2008 12:01 PM Neither one (Santana or Sabathia) has had any significant injuries to date. CC is a year yonger but also has more mileage on his arm (about 200 IPs) due to Johan's Rule 5 history which kept him on the back of the bench for a while. CC signed thru 2015, Johan thru 2013 w/an option for 2014 -- meaning that if the option kicks in the contracts go through the same age. So any speculation about longevity and injury comes down to usage - Sabathia logging more innings more often and if one wants to draw a conclusion about body type. btw, that "In case I hate NY" opt-out clause for CC after 3 years/$69mil is apparently accurate metsguyinmichigan Dec 10 2008 02:52 PM ="Gwreck":d6umr4hw]="Edgy DC":d6umr4hw]While I agree, I have to say that, while the Yankees have the classickest looking uniform[/quote:d6umr4hw] Detroit home whites?[/quote:d6umr4hw] You're both kidding me, right? Mets home pinstripes with the blue cap. End of discussion, unless you want to point out that BOTH the aforementioned Yankee and Tigers uniforms, the logo on the cap is different than the one on the chest. In the Tigers' case, dramatically so! dgwphotography Dec 10 2008 04:28 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":1qa74opt]="Gwreck":1qa74opt]="Edgy DC":1qa74opt]While I agree, I have to say that, while the Yankees have the classickest looking uniform[/quote:1qa74opt] Detroit home whites?[/quote:1qa74opt] You're both kidding me, right? Mets home pinstripes with the blue cap. [/quote:1qa74opt] As long as they lose the orange button. seawolf17 Dec 10 2008 05:16 PM Who let StevieJeets steal Edgy's password? Edgy DC Dec 10 2008 09:33 PM Deserved, maybe, but I said "classickest," not "bestest." In my idyllic futureworld everyone wears Mets home pinnies.

="Benjamin Grimm":3v797aff]Mets vs. Frankie[/quote:3v797aff] I'd forgotten that we got one of his blown saves in 2008. 86-Dreamer Dec 09 2008 03:30 PM I'm pleased. It was a glaring need, he has been among the best at his position for several years, he is 26, and he was signed for less years and dollars than most would have guessed just a few weeks ago. I'd gladly swap Heilman and Feliciano for Howston Street if that really is an option. If not, I'd consider a one year deal to Hoffman to setup. His left/right splits are a concern, but his overall WHIP, K/9 and walk rate are still quite good. No idea if he values another 30 saves more than a chance to pitch for a contending team. OlerudOwned Dec 09 2008 04:30 PM If he went down from 57 to 54, he'd be using the number of now-former teammate and fellow Venezuelan Ervin Santana, who legally changed his name in 2003 to avoid confusion with his namesake at the time, Johan Santana. Kong76 Dec 09 2008 05:17 PM I took love it, love the years compared to all the speculation. Shoulda just started a new thread for the poll imgaho. metirish Dec 09 2008 06:10 PM Couldn't beat this with a big stick , got to like it for the years and if it turns out golden then he gets a few more years , turns out pear shaped he's not here for long. Nymr83 Dec 09 2008 06:15 PM I voted Neutral because I feel that big contracts for relievers fail and much as they succeed, but I'm happy to have Rodriguez on the Mets for 2009. Rockin' Doc Dec 09 2008 06:25 PM Nice start to the off season. Now all Omar has to do is add a starter to the rotation, get an upgrade at either left field, second base, or catcher, and then get 2-3 more reliable arms for the bullpen to get games to senor Rodriguez. There is still a lot of work to do, but this is a great start. I like the deal quite a bit. This free agent market is shaping up to be a good buyers market. Hopoefully, the Mets can fill a few of their other needs while the market is depressed. Fman99 Dec 09 2008 07:28 PM I heart Frankie. This guy was the best closer on the market and it didn't cost any young talent. metirish Dec 09 2008 07:33 PM It will cost the Mets draft picks as you know , with the very easy vesting option this might as well be a four year deal. Kong76 Dec 09 2008 07:34 PM Ny83: I voted Neutral because I feel that big contracts for relievers fail and much as they succeed, but I'm happy to have Rodriguez on the Mets for 2009 <=== He couldn't have been had for '09 without a few more years added on. The thing to be happy with is it wasn't sick six or five years like what might have happened in a better market. The guy is young and it's worth the gamble no matter what your fantasy spreadsheets are telling you. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 09 2008 07:58 PM I think the Mets'll get good value for the money/years. Prospectus' MORP puts Rodriguez at 14.3, 10.5, and 8.3 million over the next three years. So the Mets probably overpaid a little, but they're one of the few teams that can afford to do that, and they got the best available closer. I put down "Love it". Now, Fuentes or Wood for set-up? Frayed Knot Dec 09 2008 08:10 PM Wood & Fuentes are going to get closer money and aren't going to come here for set-up duties. Valadius Dec 09 2008 08:11 PM Wood looks like he's going to Cleveland. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 09 2008 09:09 PM ="Frayed Knot":1b7mjflt]Wood & Fuentes are going to get closer money and aren't going to come here for set-up duties.[/quote:1b7mjflt] I know, I just wonder if they were offered closer money if they would accept a setup role. Fman99 Dec 09 2008 09:29 PM ="metirish":3kn98oo4]It will cost the Mets draft picks as you know , with the very easy vesting option this might as well be a four year deal.[/quote:3kn98oo4] True -- I was thinking more of the guys currently in their system that keep coming up in trade rumors - Evans, Parnell, Martinez, etc. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 07:26 AM Back page of the Daily News: K TO THE CITI. Sign of how things have changed. A year ago it would have probably been "SHEA K" I voted that I like the deal. I know you need good arms in the bullpen, so therefore this will help. But I think the importance of celebrity closers is overrated, so I don't see this as having the kind of impact they got from getting Santana. willpie Dec 10 2008 08:51 AM I went for Like. I'm on the verge of Love, especially for that amount of money. I'm worried about his arm, though. Between his antics and Reyes's, we ought to see some good fights this year. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 08:57 AM His antics really are a bit much. I don't think I've ever seen him pitch, (the Mets games in Anaheim this year were well past my bedtime) but I saw some clips last night in the opening montage of Mets Hot Stove Report. batmagadanleadoff Dec 10 2008 10:12 AM I voted "Love It". The Mets obtained one of baseball's best relievers. I don't see how any Met fan could not love this acquisition. I understand that FR might underperform, or even flop in 2009. But so could Beltran. Or Wright. Today, no one knows for sure, either way. By the way, this Mets pickup is hardly back-page headline worthy any more: Edgy DC Dec 10 2008 11:23 AM Pass the physical! Physical! You gotta pass the physical! Come on pass the physical Let me hear the trainer talk! Trainer talk! Let me hear the trainer talk! Valadius Dec 10 2008 11:39 AM C.C. Sabathia and Mo Vaughn having dinner - how much food would be consumed? Frayed Knot Dec 10 2008 11:41 AM All of it metirish Dec 10 2008 01:29 PM Some nuggets here from David Lennon. ] The Mets will the announce the signing of Francisco Rodriguez here at the Bellagio later Wednesday afternoon when GM Omar Minaya steps to the podium. Rodriguez completed his physical in New York earlier Wednesday to clear the way to make the three-year, $37-million deal official. Also, new details emerged Wednesday about the speedy negotiations with the free-agent closer: -- When K-Rod and his agent, Paul Kinzer, had dinner with the Mets on Sunday night, they were pleasantly surprised when the team executives got a call from Johan Santana, who had no idea they were meeting with Rodriguez. K-Rod, a fellow Venezuelan, idolizes Santana and was thrilled that he called. The Mets handed the phone to K-Rod and the two talked. In retrospect, it was a turning point as Santana expressed his excitement that K-Rod could be closing games for him. The Mets blew seven saves for Santana last season. -- After the Mets' initial offer of two years, $24 million, the two sides had marathon negotiating sessions on Monday that stretched until 5 a.m. Tuesday morning in Omar Minaya's suite. The clock was ticking because COO Jeff Wilpon was leaving Las Vegas on his private jet at 7:40 a.m.Tuesday and both sides wanted a deal done before then. Kinzer even brought in K-Rod for the final two hours of those talks just so he could see the urgency and stress involved. -- Just as the Mets badly needed K-Rod, he needed them too, and both sides seemed to realize that. Kinzer stressed that K-Rod is best on the big stage and that's why New York is perfect for him. A few other teams were involved with K-Rod, but not the Cardinals -- as was reported -- or the Angels, despite the bottom falling out of the closer market. -- So what number will K-Rod wear? His first choice is 57, but that's taken by Santana. Next is 37, but that once belonged to Casey Stengel and is retired. So that leaves his next favorite, the No. 17, which Fernando Tatis wore last season and was famously owned by Keith Hernandez. It's safe to say that K-Rod may be able to wrangle the No. 17 from Tatis -- perhaps with a new Rolex or some other token of appreciation. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 01:42 PM So he likes the number seven, but seems to not want an even number in the tens column. 17, 37, 57, 77, 97. 97 would be a cool number. seawolf17 Dec 10 2008 01:49 PM Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 01:56 PM ="Adam Rubin":1imbkppa]Las Vegas - Francisco Rodriguez was at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan Wednesday morning, undergoing a physical. There was no official word on K-Rod passing the physical, though the Mets hope to make an announcement within hours that he's cleared the medical hurdle. A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Rodriguez agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal Tuesday with a fourth-year vesting option based on games finished.[/quote:1imbkppa] They should all put on hardhats and have the press conference at what's left of Shea Stadium. Valadius Dec 10 2008 02:03 PM ="seawolf17":19bv4xds]Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it.[/quote:19bv4xds] This is why we retire numbers. Centerfield Dec 10 2008 02:14 PM ="seawolf17":30mm7xcs]Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it.[/quote:30mm7xcs] DAE. SUNG. KOO. metirish Dec 10 2008 02:18 PM Mr. Koo did that number proud. Zvon Dec 10 2008 02:59 PM I like this. Can't feel the love for it until I see what he does for us. I learned a long time ago not to throw my heart around like that. Landing a real closer was my number one concern, and its been addressed. The deal is at a nice price and length. So I'm really liking this. G-Fafif Dec 10 2008 04:24 PM E-mail from mets.com says K-Rod goes for No. 75. Fman99 Dec 10 2008 08:04 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":ti8ow5qk]="Adam Rubin":ti8ow5qk]Las Vegas - Francisco Rodriguez was at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan Wednesday morning, undergoing a physical. There was no official word on K-Rod passing the physical, though the Mets hope to make an announcement within hours that he's cleared the medical hurdle. A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Rodriguez agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal Tuesday with a fourth-year vesting option based on games finished.[/quote:ti8ow5qk] They should all put on hardhats and have the press conference at what's left of Shea Stadium.[/quote:ti8ow5qk] You were close. Frank et al. were at the new park, but donning the Mets hardhats, which are damn foolish looking if you're not welding something. Big "Mets welcome K-Rod" sign at CitiField. They apparently aren't reading this thread. SteveJRogers Dec 10 2008 08:39 PM =Adam Rubin]A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Interesting. They can not host press conferences, but last September advertisements in the Mets program suggested that starting this winter, i.e. now, Citi Field would ready to be hosting "events" (corporate, weddings, whatever the heck they did at Shea) and were soliciting reservations. batmagadanleadoff Dec 11 2008 09:45 AM It's still Autumn. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 11 2008 09:50 AM May also have to do with communication-type stuff and broadcasting abilities coming in later than banquet rooms. Benjamin Grimm Dec 11 2008 09:53 AM I'm guessing they have to wait until Citi Field is no longer a hard-hat zone. metirish Dec 13 2008 12:46 PM K-Rod jumps right into Mets-Phillies rivalry BY KEN DAVIDOFF | ken.davidoff@newsday.com 12:53 PM EST, December 13, 2008 Francisco Rodriguez didn't even wait for his first save to jump into the war of words between the Mets and Phillies. In a telephone news conference today, K-Rod's first interaction with the New York media, the Mets' new closer proclaimed his confidence in his new teammates. "Of course we're going to be the frontrunner," Rodriguez told reporters. "Of course were going to be the team to beat. "I don't want there to be a controversy. I don't want the other team to take it personally, or take it in a bad way. But I'm a really competitive guy. I like to win. "If they ask me, "Who's going to be the ball club that will win the National League East, it'll be the Mets." "Team to beat" has become a well-known phrase in the Mets-Phillies rivalry. Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins first used the words to describe his team prior to the 2007 season, and Rollins proceeded to win the National League Most Valuable Player award as his team lived up to that proclamation. This past season, during spring training, the Mets' Carlos Beltran, usually soft-spoken, declared his club as the team to beat. The Mets couldn't quite make Beltran look good, giving up a mid-September divisional lead. On Thursday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels upped the ante when, on an interview with WFAN, he referred to the Mets as "choke artists." Rodriguez said that his velocity did drop in 2008, as many scouts and opponents observed, but that it happened because he was working in a new pitch, a changeup that proved effective. In 2009, he said, his velocity should return to the mid-90s now that he's more comfortable with the arm action needed to make his fastball and changeup look identical out of his hand. Ashie62 Dec 14 2008 06:25 PM On Thursday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels upped the ante when, on an interview with WFAN, he referred to the Mets as "choke artists." Well..he's not totally off base But I signed up for phillienation under a bogus ID and sent Chase Utley a less than friendly "get well" email. metirish Dec 17 2008 11:29 AM Looks like Barry Bonds. Mets introduce Rodriguez. metirish Dec 17 2008 01:56 PM > Benjamin Grimm Dec 17 2008 02:03 PM He has "K-ROD" monogrammed into his shirts? Oh, brother. I'm afraid that nickname isn't going to go away any time soon. But, wow, don't Jeff and Jerry seem thrilled? You'd think a faulty bullpen caused them to miss the playoffs last season. metirish Dec 17 2008 02:08 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1i00hhby]He has "K-ROD" monogrammed into his shirts? Oh, brother. I'm afraid that nickname isn't going to go away any time soon. But, wow, don't Jeff and Jerry seem thrilled? You'd think a faulty bullpen caused them to miss the playoffs last season.[/quote:1i00hhby] That Jeff can smile like that after Dad got taken to the cleaners is admirable. I admire you Jeffy Wilpon , nothing stands in this mans way. Centerfield Dec 17 2008 02:08 PM Meanwhile Omar has a look that seems to say "This shit had better work or I'm gonna end up bantering with Kruk on Baseball Tonight." Benjamin Grimm Dec 17 2008 02:12 PM Ain't dat the troof! My concern is that Omar is fixing last year's problem, which is well and good, but not addressing next year's problem. I don't like how he's standing pat on the offense. Sure, they scored a lot of runs last year, but guys like Delgado and Tatis are both one year older (actually, everyone is, but it's more of an issue with the old guys!) and we might also see decline from guys like Church and Castillo. themetfairy Mar 30 2009 10:58 AM I couldn't find the thread where we were discussing possible nicknames for our new closer. However, I was at the Modell's in Herald Square yesterday, and there was a lot of K-Rod 75 merchandise on display. metirish Mar 30 2009 11:01 AM One of the TV guys said that Rodriguez does not like or want to be called K-Rod...I think it was keith who said it....goes by Frankie..

Might be tough to deal with Minnesota for a little while.

="Frayed Knot":3fkccx50]Read something in the last day or two (I forget where at this point) that Omar may try the 'first-come/first-served' approach with the group of FA closers.[/quote:3fkccx50] About 7 posts up in this thread? (It was Buster Olney at ESPN.com). Benjamin Grimm Dec 08 2008 07:46 AM According to numerous sources, Omar met with Francisco Rodriguez yesterday, and expects to come home from the winter meetings with a deal closed for a closer. Me, I'd be surprised if he got it all done in the next few days, but he might very well lay the groundwork for an announcement some time next week. I'm still expecting it will be Rodriguez. metirish Dec 08 2008 08:00 AM It should be noted that Jeff Wilpon went with Minaya and his crew(Bernazard , Ricco etc) to the meetings , took Wilpon's jet there in fact. Benjamin Grimm Dec 08 2008 08:10 AM That's not cool. They should have driven there in a hybrid vehicle. Edgy DC Dec 08 2008 08:32 AM A golf cart with a Mets hat. G-Fafif Dec 08 2008 03:20 PM Three years reportedly[/url:10qpkdcm] on the table for K-Rod from Mets, though he's not considered likely to jump at it. attgig Dec 08 2008 04:21 PM on a totally different train.... and probably more smokescreen than anything else (a la hoffman), but how about smoltz? he's coming back from injury, yeah. he's old. yeah but, we know he can close.

Congrats! --- The Mets are still offering these seats for sale -- I wonder how many they actually sold. Seems like they definetly priced them too high.

Maddux (2013) stands to be the first pitcher inducted into the HOF on the first ballot since Eckersley (2004).

I saw this in the theater last year. My recollection is that while it was in many parts a fascinating documentary, it came across much like an inside joke -- if you didn't get it back then, you can't get it now. The whole point of the campfires was supposed to be inclusion but they were presented as outsiders-not-welcome in the film and wholly inconsistent with Strummer's core values.

Some thoughts on this today from Buster Olney's blog at ESPN: ]� The Mets' front office believes, rightly, that it is in the driver's seat in the closers market, and part of their internal discussion has been about making offers to some relievers while informing them that the first one to jump at their proposal will be signed, and the others will be out of luck. The reason why this could be such an effective strategy for the Mets is they are the only team that appears willing to spend relatively big money on a multi-year deal for a closer. For example: It is not known exactly what the Mets intend to offer to the top-flight closers, but let's say they proposed a three-year, $36 million deal to Francisco Rodriguez; a three-year, $30 million offer to Brian Fuentes; and a two-year, $18 million offer to Kerry Wood. And then they could tell all three that the first to bite gets the contract. The Cardinals, Brewers, Indians and other teams are looking for closers, but probably won't spend at the same level as the Mets. The Indians, in fact, are willing to let the market play out, and at some point, some closer will be available at a good price, whether it be one of the free agents (like Trevor Hoffman) or perhaps a trade for J.J. Putz or Huston Street.