MFS62

At this late date there were two teams looking for lefty hitting outfielders. I guess this means that Garrett Anderson will sign with Seattle. Later

="G-Fafif":67xavfsp]Daniel Murphy was a bit over five years old when Davey was fired, so I think he would have stuck with Jefferies or even Teufel at second.[/quote:67xavfsp] I think you just proved (or at least supported) Mole's original statement. Later

Sounds like I was, too. Later

Sounds like he didn't agree with the signing. Later

IIRC, Davet had a MAsters in Mathematics. So he would have remember the formula for winning expoused by his managing mentor Earl Weaver. It was "Pitching and three run homers". (He may have forgotten that defense was part of that formula, if I remember it correctly.) But, looking at the other options available, so would I. Later

While we're at it, let's not forget Competition II - lefty reliever. The Mets have invited every aging lefty this side of Che Guevarra to camp this year in hope of finding someone to share lefty bullpen duties with Feliciano. Unless they sign one of the still-free agents, the battle could go down to the wire. And I haven't the foggiest what the odds are on each of the current candidates. Should there be separate competition threads for each contested position? Later

My 1 CPF buck is on Garcia. Later

="metsguyinmichigan":1u5rkczt]Soon as you sign him, you'll start hearing about the toe issues and so on. I think Freddy Garcia is going to be our designated fragile pitcher.[/quote:1u5rkczt] This is the National League, sir. We don't like to use the word "designated" around here. Unless this Spring we read the words "The Mets have designated Luis Castillo for assignment", that is. Later seawolf17 Feb 12 2009 09:30 AM ="metsguyinmichigan":1dw1tir6]Soon as you sign him, you'll start hearing about the toe issues and so on. I think Freddy Garcia is going to be our designated fragile pitcher.[/quote:1dw1tir6] I know, but I just love the concept of Pedro. Can we bring him back as an Assistant Mascot? Centerfield Feb 12 2009 10:06 AM I'm with seawolf. How about "In Dugout Entertainer"? metsguyinmichigan Feb 12 2009 10:15 AM ="MFS62":3g6aeavl]="metsguyinmichigan":3g6aeavl]Soon as you sign him, you'll start hearing about the toe issues and so on. I think Freddy Garcia is going to be our designated fragile pitcher.[/quote:3g6aeavl] This is the National League, sir. We don't like to use the word "designated" around here. Unless this Spring we read the words "The Mets have designated Luis Castillo for assignment", that is. Later[/quote:3g6aeavl] Very good point. I stand corrected! Edgy DC Feb 13 2009 06:00 AM Daniel Murphy. �All he talks about is hitting, hitting, hitting," says J.J. Putz. "It�s not a stretch to say that it consumes about 90 percent of his day.� Benjamin Grimm Feb 13 2009 06:34 AM ]�All he talks about is hitting, hitting, hitting," says J.J. Putz. I remember reading similar quotes about Gregg Jefferies. Edgy DC Feb 13 2009 07:08 AM Hey. HEY! Shut up. soupcan Feb 13 2009 07:56 AM As long as Murphy stops short of swinging a bat in a pool, I think he'll be okay. seawolf17 Feb 13 2009 08:27 AM I'd be okay with Murphy giving us what Jefferies gave over his career. I'd hope for better, but Jefferies wasn't awful. Benjamin Grimm Feb 13 2009 08:38 AM Actually, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Murphy posted numbers similar to those of Jefferies', and that would be okay. I'd just hope he'd do it without all the drama and the pouting. Edgy DC Feb 13 2009 12:03 PM Frayed Knot Feb 13 2009 12:07 PM That's Pelfrey w/his new required headgear following an afternoon where he tipped over a golf cart. Edgy DC Feb 13 2009 12:15 PM Apparently borrowing Pedro Martinez's gut, also. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 15 2009 10:29 PM I'm starting to get the feeling that, were this a Little League Met squad, Pelf would be quite sore-of-ass from the daily wedgies. Edgy DC Feb 16 2009 06:31 AM ivan Rodriguez wants a contract to extend his legacy, and his art collection: Everybody wants Francisco Rodriguez's autograph before they boo the hell out of him the first time he walks somebody. Jerry Manuel watches gangstas work out: Two spring training traditions --- ugly wrong-color jerseys and Mike Pelfrey wrestling with his fly: Ollie the newlywed, no longer cretatively shaping his scruff: Mets visit Florida's Ministry of Silly Walks: Please wecome J.J. Putz: Don Mattingly loosens up for a turn at the plate: Livan doesn't look that old: Doesn't look so thin, either: Thank you, Mets: Here's a shot of a clearly fatter Livan throwing for the Rocks last year. Look at all four fingers flying out. Is that a palmball or a change or what? LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 16 2009 11:23 PM So that's Livan... IN shape? Rockin' Doc Feb 17 2009 11:30 AM LWFS - "So that's Livan... IN shape?" Well, technically yes. Round is a shape. Edgy DC Feb 18 2009 09:23 PM Carlos stretches Luis: "But Luis is all mine!" says Jose. "I'm out of here. I'm not a lump of meat to be fought over!" What David Wright would look like without his lower legs: Angel Pagan, looking healthy and changing his shoes (and brands): Carlos I: Carlos II: Edgy DC Feb 23 2009 07:21 PM Green, Pelfrey, Putz, Sanchez, Maine, Ruelas. Pelf looks pretty giddy for a guy whose assets have been frozen. Edgy DC Feb 23 2009 07:23 PM Posing for the Mets charity cookbook photo, Francisco Rodriguez. Rodriguez believes the first step in culinary excellence is the willingness to stir a great big pot of nothing. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 23 2009 07:25 PM ="Edgy DC"] Pelf looks pretty giddy for a guy whose assets have been frozen. That's 'cause he's free... no longer owner by his stuff, brah. Thanks for the pics, Edge. Edgy DC Feb 23 2009 08:10 PM Intrasquad game photos: Jose Reyes shows form that isn't exactly textbook: Niese shows the hose: Fill-in thirdbaseman Martinez backs up to get the good hop: Marlon Anderson gets Luis Castillo in a rundown by lulling him into a feeling of security with diet tips: But heck with that. We have some great photo day action! Wait until you see. Putz suddenly ashamed of his soul patch: Maine sticks ball in face: Pelfrey wonders what you mean about him tipping his pitches: Ramon Castro, showing hatpatch, but not shoulderpatch: Pitchman for J.R. Watkins Apothecary: 33.5: Head Gangsta: Ready to fuck your shit up: Gosh, my future looks good from here. I mean, gosh! Looking to re-establish his heat: Can I have a hat big enough to hide a head full of locks? Gracias! Maybe the carefully trimmed pencil beard didn't make me look as bad-assed as all that, but could I look any dorkier now? I'm, like, newlywed dorky. Paw, I'm a-headin' down to Floyd's shop for a trim. Say hi to Barney! I think he should stick with the chef pose. Nothign else is working: Met I'd least want as cell-mate: Something for the ladies: I mean, he doesn't shave his face, but does shave his arms. What do you do with a psycho like that? Circle change coming: Best. Photo. Day. Shot. EVER! metsguyinmichigan Feb 23 2009 09:56 PM Great shots!!! And the best part? BLUE CAPS with the white unis. Edgy DC Feb 23 2009 10:02 PM While you spooge over that, take an even closer look: I think the orange dot is gone. Gwreck Feb 23 2009 10:09 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":1lc21jvv]Great shots!!! And the best part? BLUE CAPS with the white unis.[/quote:1lc21jvv] Now if we could just get rid of the white uniforms and stick to the pinstripes... DocTee Feb 23 2009 10:09 PM Someone suggested the Mets were going with a Brooklyn-style WHITE dot on their caps...glad to see that has not happened. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 24 2009 09:18 AM The logo patch on the shoulder has no black at all, somewhat old-skool. I know they've introduced black to the logo in most places, not sure if it was the uni also... TransMonk Feb 24 2009 09:34 AM He is the sweetest guy. Have you ever looked into his eyes? It was like the first time I heard the Beatles. A Boy Named Seo Feb 24 2009 09:36 AM Beautiful pictures. Hi-larious captions. Maine the only guy not wearing the new hat patch. No Citi sleeve patches anywhere yet. Chef-Rod looks kinda tubby. Not even kinda tubby in shot 2, just tubby. Get that guy a colonic and 2 weeks on the Marlon Anderson diet NOW!!! I know it was for the ladies, but I'm still hopelessly locked in the tractor beam that is Johan Santana's gaze. Help. A Boy Named Seo Feb 24 2009 09:37 AM Me and TM's gay sim scores off the charts. Edgy DC Feb 24 2009 09:59 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Feb 24 2009 10:03 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":brvxqq9n]The logo patch on the shoulder has no black at all, somewhat old-skool.[/quote:brvxqq9n] I know, right? If they can only bring back the NY insignia to the logo, balance might be restored. Who is in charge of tabulating gay sim scores again? Edgy DC Feb 24 2009 10:03 AM I see Carlos Jr. returns for another season. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 25 2009 01:05 PM K-rod looks fatter than I remember him soupcan Feb 25 2009 01:17 PM ="Edgy DC":3tlgdb3t]I see Carlos Jr. returns for another season. [/quote:3tlgdb3t] I'll never understand why he doesn't remove that thng. I'm certain its responsible for at least 25 Ks per season. Benjamin Grimm Feb 25 2009 01:24 PM I used to wonder the same thing about Dale Murphy. (He finally did get that mole removed from his cheek by the time he became a Phillie. Maybe the Phils had a better dermatology plan?) holychicken Feb 25 2009 02:48 PM ="Edgy DC"]Ready to fuck your shit up: After that whole "any hole" comment he made, that's really scary comment for that picture. ]I mean, he doesn't shave his face, but does shave his arms. What do you do with a psycho like that? You study these pictures a little too carefully, methinks. ]Best. Photo. Day. Shot. EVER! LMFAO! Seriously, who was thinking that and what were they thinking? metirish Feb 26 2009 07:29 AM Reported by Rubin yesterday is that Manuel shouts " all the ganstas on the bus" when rounding up his boys for road trips. #99 for Valentin Ump getting his practice in Ouch head level , eyes on the ball and his arms extended....beautiful form Two big youngsters One skinny lad Sorry the captions are not funny like Edgy's... A Boy Named Seo Feb 26 2009 09:02 AM You channeled Fran perfectly on the Castillo pic. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 26 2009 09:22 AM Who's the skinny lad? metirish Feb 26 2009 09:33 AM Jonathon Niese , is it possible that he too lost weight. Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 10:22 PM Puerto Rico gives the Dominican Republic some love. Putz with way too much shit around his neck. Hit grand slam. Act like you do it every day. It's spring. Could the unis get any baggier? 'Cuz I don't think they could. Green looking mean and lean in Heilman's old togs. Abreu's swing has the wide open finish of a lefthander. Cool, except that it looks like he's about to run to third. The great Pam Lowe. Shrek in his home run trot. Maine hacks in his un-used playoff beard. Pitches from the stretch also.Look at these three: Are all the Mets pitchers dipping? John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 03 2009 05:43 AM Green has a very unusual delivery. Not really sidearm, but long-limbed so that his elbow is like 4 feet from his body when he throws. Like he's trying to throw a dart in double 15 metsguyinmichigan Mar 03 2009 08:39 AM F-Mart in action. My shots can't compare, but I like this one of Church. Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 12:21 PM Good news. I think I've detected a flaw in Redding's delivery. Edgy DC Mar 19 2009 09:36 AM Bobby Ojeda and Jay Horowitz: LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 19 2009 09:54 AM Is it me, or is Bobby O styling himself in Darlingesque fashion these days? metirish Mar 19 2009 09:56 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":1uix98w3]Is it me, or is Bobby O styling himself in Darlingesque fashion these days?[/quote:1uix98w3] At first glance I thought that was Ron Darling....minus the gut... seawolf17 Mar 19 2009 11:20 AM Either Jay Horwitz or Gary Cohen is my hero. I bounce back and forth depending on the day. Edgy DC Mar 19 2009 12:01 PM Thing is that accounts from the day had Ojeda being a night owl. He's not the first one I'd guess would have kept himself in shape. Teufel makes sense. Mookie, sure. Not Ojeda. Anyhow, he had a falling out with the team as a pitching instructor, so it's nice to see him put that behind him. Edgy DC Mar 21 2009 10:30 AM Training camp, 'Sixty-nine. Only photo I've ever seen of Ralphers in Met togs. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 21 2009 10:57 AM Lookit Garrett wearing 45. What do you think Tugger would say? Edgy DC Mar 21 2009 11:06 AM It was Garrett in 45 that led me to conclude this was 1969, Garrett's rookie year. I think McGraw missed that camp with military commitments. I'm thinking spring training because Ralph and Connors are in away uniforms, and the rest in home togs. Besides, "special batting instructor" is such a spring training honorific.

="LeiterWagnerFasterStronge":1xa7r3li]So does that mean that Anaheim's going four-wide and playing a beer league OF? Does Abreu play short center? After last year's injury travails in the OF, 2B and C, it would be nice to have solidified or improved, you know, ONE of those everyday positions. (The truly weird thing? We're hoping for no/minimized regression-to-the-mean to cover one of those cases-- Tatis/Murph-- and banking on DEFINITE regression-to-the-mean-- at least-- with Ol' Man Castillo.)[/quote:1xa7r3li] Haven't seen you around here before. Welcome aBordick. Later LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 11 2009 02:26 PM First-time, long-time. Glad to meet'cha.

What's the over and under number for the number of NY area papers that will report this as a "Dunn deal"? Later

="seawolf17":3n1q2cmm]Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy.[/quote:3n1q2cmm] No fear, from my POV he's all yours. Later MFS62 Mar 02 2009 11:53 AM Congrats for reaching 11,000 before me, Doc. But in his thread, he did mention something about someone else helping him with his chosen avatar. As y'all may have fugured out by now, I don't do technology well. (I can't even imbed a link or a video image). Who can help me to edit (crop) and upload the avatar image of the person I've chosen? That said, time for my final clue: Learn your lesson well. Later Gwreck Mar 02 2009 12:23 PM Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 01:38 PM ="Gwreck":2gxbhwby]Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh.[/quote:2gxbhwby] Very obvious. Very incorrect. Nice try. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 02:54 PM Stretching for JC Martin? MFS62 Mar 02 2009 03:12 PM ="TransMonk":2c4rd0i6]Stretching for JC Martin?[/quote:2c4rd0i6] Nope. Not him. I don't get how professor would be a clue to JC Martin. Even as a stretch. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 03:30 PM Hugh Martin co-wrote Buckle Down, Winsocki. Learn Your Lessons Well is a song from from Godspell, which is about JC. Like I said...a stretch. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 04:41 PM Wow! I'm old and brittle. If I stretched that far I'd break. My kudos for getting creatively analytical. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 03:41 PM Gil Hodges? can't quite connect all the clues, but here are some of the things that make me think of Gil mets fans always look to the future with hope = wait 'til next year at least one CPF'er has spoken with him - Gil was a very accesible person in his Brooklyn nabe, so can imagine several of the older members might have met him - he lived around the corner from where I grew up Winsocki - can't figure that one out, other than that it was a fictional military academy and Gil was a military man. there is probably some connection to fight songs but i cant figger it out Learn your lesson well - Gil taught Cleon a lesson. MFS62 Mar 03 2009 04:02 PM Dreamer - you connected the dots pretty well. Unfortunately, not well enough. I'm surprised nobody else has selected Gil as their post- 11,000 avatar. But I have selected someone else. Thank you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 04:21 PM Mets fans always look to the future with hope = Lets Go Mets? could it be Jane Jarvis? Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM I'm gonna bet 1,000 cranebucks that it's not Jane Jarvis. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM Need some resolution here on this.....please... soupcan Mar 03 2009 07:36 PM ="metirish":8eyqqbmn]Need some resolution here on this.....please...[/quote:8eyqqbmn] Do we? Really? cooby Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM ="MFS62"] Learn your lesson well. Ricky Nelson? Real guess: Bill Shea? DocTee Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM Davey Johnson. MFS62 Mar 04 2009 06:25 AM All good, or creative, guesses. None correct. All will be revealed shortly. I don't want to use up allthe remaining posts until 11,000 in this thread. Thank you for playing along. Later MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:13 AM I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later Edgy DC Mar 31 2009 07:20 AM soupcan Mar 31 2009 07:26 AM Thank goodness. Now I can sleep tonight. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:27 AM It was worth the wait , what a nice tribute to Cole. Fman99 Mar 31 2009 07:30 AM ="MFS62"]I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later That's a good choice, I like it. seawolf17 Mar 31 2009 07:32 AM Interesting choice; I like it. Benjamin Grimm Mar 31 2009 07:33 AM So I wasn't TOO far off when I guessed Bob Hope. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:40 AM A New York Times report from April 2nd 2001 BASEBALL; Subdued Mets Share in Loss Of Player With Major Future By TYLER KEPNER Published: Monday, April 2, 2001 ] The televisions were on in the Mets' clubhouse this morning, but nobody paid attention. Most players sat alone or spoke softly to teammates. There was a game to play, the Mets' last exhibition before opening day, but nobody seemed to care. The night before, at a team dinner, the players had learned that Brian Cole, a 22-year-old outfielder who had been with them for much of spring training, had been killed in a car accident. ''There's no doubt that baseball is definitely secondary today,'' the veteran outfielder Darryl Hamilton said. ''It's going to be like that for a little while for us. You can't just let it go.'' Cole was driving from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., with his 17-year-old cousin, Ryan Cole, on Saturday afternoon. According to the Florida Highway Patrol in Panama City, Fla., Brian Cole's 2001 Ford Explorer, which was exceeding the 70-mile-an-hour speed limit, drifted onto the grass median from the inside westbound lane of State Route 8. The car then re-entered the westbound lane, slid sideways and rolled almost two times. Brian Cole, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. He and his cousin were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Marianna, Fla., almost 20 miles east of the accident site. Brian Cole was pronounced dead there, and Ryan Cole, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated and released. The police said neither alcohol nor drugs were involved in the accident. The Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates observed a moment of silence for Cole before today's game at PNC Park, and the Mets are preparing to honor him in another way. A prayer service for Cole was held for the Mets' minor leaguers in Port St. Lucie, where workouts were canceled. Dr. Allan Lans, the director of the Mets' employee assistance program, will meet with the Class AA Binghamton Mets, the team Cole would have played for, to counsel them. ''That we were all together when we heard it, I think, is something that will make us a little stronger, that we shared our grief together,'' Mets Manager Bobby Valentine said. ''Guys know there was real emotion there, and a lot of people to share it with.'' Jason Phillips, a Mets catcher who played with Cole last season, said a driver had backed into Cole's Explorer a week ago. Cole planned to fly to Binghamton after driving hi car home so that his father and brother could take it in for repairs. ''That's the only reason he was going home,'' Phillips said. Phillips and others remembered Cole's quiet confidence and his ability to match his expectations. In an interview last month, Cole said his goals for last year had been 60 stolen bases, 18 home runs, a .300 average and 75 runs batted in. He exceeded every figure. Cole was in major league training camp for the first time this spring, and he impressed Mookie Wilson, the Mets' outfield coach, with his willingness to learn. All their conversations, Wilson said, were about how Cole could get better. Cole would sit in a corner of the locker room taking everything in, and he became friends with the veteran infielder Desi Relaford. The two played video games together, and Cole spent time at Relaford's home in Jacksonville, Fla. ''It's hard to comprehend the fact it's a life that's over,'' Relaford said. Mets General Manager Steve Phillips said Cole was projected to be an impact player in the majors, and that his talents suggested he could be an updated version of the classic leadoff hitter -- Cole could steal bases, but he also had pop in his bat. Phillips saw Cole play for the Class A St. Lucie Mets last year, and Cole put on a show -- infield hits, stolen bases, home runs. The Mets even considered promoting him last September. ''We had some of our longest discussions about him during spring,'' Valentine said. ''Most of it was about whether he was going to hit 20 or 35 homers in the big leagues.'' Cole was named the organization's player of the year last season, and he was considered the team's third best prospect behind outfielder Alex Escobar and pitcher Pat Strange. Pitcher Jerrod Riggan, a former teammate, struggled to fight back tears this morning. ''He knew he was going to make it,'' Riggan said. ''He knew he was going to be a big leaguer.'' Riggan was not the only Met hit hard by the news. Cole was a teammate for a few weeks, the veteran John Franco said, but he was part of the Mets' family. ''We all have some types of tears in our eyes,'' Franco said. ''The kid had a great future ahead of him, and it was stopped so short with a tragedy like that. It makes you realize how precious life is and appreciate everything you have. You want to go home and give your kids a big hug.'' Photo: Brian Cole (Gary I. Rothstein) MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:46 AM Thanks, Irish. And thank all of you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 31 2009 08:52 AM It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave? metsguyinmichigan Mar 31 2009 10:31 AM Tip of the cap. A fine choice. MFS62 Mar 31 2009 11:06 AM ="86-Dreamer":18grwt9a]It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave?[/quote:18grwt9a] Thanks, The key ones: Promise followed by sadness. I think our metfairy mentioned that she had spoken to him/ written about him. The lesson to be learned is to buckle up. (I took license with "Buckle Down, Winsocki") Later

="Edgy DC":3uf4clc9]He's a workaholic --- impatient, excessively time-conscious, insecure about his status, highly competitive, hostile and aggressive, and incapable of relaxation? I dunno, sounds like a lot of relievers.[/quote:3uf4clc9] Remember what those guys were like before they started testing for Amphetamines? Worse. The Dibble, Myers and Charlton bunch in Cincy come to mind. Later Frayed Knot Feb 11 2009 01:05 PM The problem with Cruz is that you're giving up a draft pick (yes, a 2nd rounder not a 1st, but still) for a guy to slot in as your 3rd line reliever for one year. Or ... do we really want to be giving out multi-year deals for an up-again/down-again reliever while Putz is still under control for another year and F. Rodriguez for another two? Fman99 Feb 11 2009 01:22 PM ESPN now saying that Dunn is getting closer to a deal with the Nationals. Edgy DC Feb 11 2009 01:22 PM All I sez is he's still out there. Obviously, his Type A-ness (he said anus) is a big problem, which restricts his unrestricted free agency. attgig Feb 11 2009 01:40 PM dunn with nats is supposedly done. I wonder if they'd get rid of one of their RH bats in a small trade so that we can have more RH's off our bench. Dmitri was great a couple years ago but his weight scares me. and I don't get Jim Bowden at all. I don't think he knows how to put a team together. he's putting a team together like he has room for a DH. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 01:56 PM What's the over and under number for the number of NY area papers that will report this as a "Dunn deal"? Later smg58 Feb 11 2009 02:10 PM Dunn gets two years and $20M -- considering what Abreu got, he can't complain. If Nick Johnson or Dmitri Young is healthy he'd presumably play left, which makes me wonder what they'll do with Willingham/Dukes/Milledge/Kearns/Pena. They'd almost have to move one of them, if not two. Frayed Knot Feb 11 2009 02:18 PM Don't know what's happened to Kearns - and specifically his power. He and Dunn were the 1st & 2nd round draft picks in the same year by Cincy (Kearns = 1st, Dunn = 2nd) back when Bowden was the GM there. Dunn of course had the better power but Kearns was considered to be the better all-around player: better BA, better glove, etc. Now Bowden's got them back together but, yeesh, Kearns has gone downhill in recent years and Dunn probably more one-dimensional than ever feared. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 11 2009 02:25 PM Um... weren't Kearns and Dunn two of the guys ever-priced-to-move when Bowden was running the Reds' shop? And as for OUR bench options... do Nomar and Alou seem like workable names as part-time players, once Marlon Anderson is finally deemed droppable? (At midseason, perhaps-- Senor PeeHands would make a smashing bench ornament, no?) Centerfield Feb 13 2009 10:38 AM I wouldn't mind bringing him back in that capacity. Of course, if he does well, we might be tempted to let him play more, in which case, he'd hurt himself and be useless again. Manny still out there. Orlando Hudson too. duan Feb 13 2009 11:14 AM i actually came here proposing a taking the salary off washington's hands move on Austin Kearns. Last year was his first actual bad year, but he carries a bit of a whiff of unfulfilled potential that has probably turned people off. I'd love to take a whirl on him being our lefty mashing outfielder to replace Church/Murphy or even Delgado. Vic Sage Feb 13 2009 11:24 AM ]Dunn probably more one-dimensional than ever feared. OB% = .381 SLG% = .518 looks pretty 2-dimensional to me... Vic Sage Feb 13 2009 11:52 AM [u:1dsvs0fu]Big FAs to sign:[/u:1dsvs0fu] Manny Ramirez, LF - rh (36) - type (A) Orlando Hudson, 2B -rh (31) - type (A) [u:1dsvs0fu]situational lefties:[/u:1dsvs0fu] Joe Beimel, RP (31) -type ( Dennys Reyes, RP (31) -type ( Will Ohman, RP (31) [u:1dsvs0fu]rh bat[/u:1dsvs0fu] Emil Brown, LF (34) Nomar Garciaparra, SS (35) Jay Payton, LF (36) [u:1dsvs0fu]fifth starter[/u:1dsvs0fu] Mark Mulder, SP -lh (31) - worth a minor league look metirish Feb 13 2009 11:55 AM I read in the last few days that Ohman was offered a deal from the Mets and from the Phillies....what's going on there? duan Feb 13 2009 11:56 AM ="duan":cxtxds99]i actually came here proposing a taking the salary off washington's hands move on Austin Kearns. Last year was his first actual bad year, but he carries a bit of a whiff of unfulfilled potential that has probably turned people off. I'd love to take a whirl on him being our lefty mashing outfielder to replace Church/Murphy or even Delgado.[/quote:cxtxds99] to explain, I mean that he's traditionally murdered lefties whereas they don't and that having him in the mix would give us a great threat. Frayed Knot Feb 13 2009 12:04 PM ="Vic Sage"]]Dunn probably more one-dimensional than ever feared. OB% = .381 SLG% = .518 looks pretty 2-dimensional to me... What I meant was that back when they were young pups Kearns was considered the better all around player/athlete while Dunn the better hitter but only a hitter. Now years later hiding his glove is becoming more of a problem than even previously imagined and I think part of the reason the offers were slow in coming. smg58 Feb 13 2009 12:47 PM Jay's 36? That's scary. I have to think that guys like Beimel and Ohman will take any major-league offer that comes their way at this point. I can't imagine Hudson will be too stubborn if presented with even a modestly decent offer, either. If we had $36M to throw at Ollie, I can't imagine we're too broke to even look at these other guys. smg58 Feb 13 2009 12:55 PM ="Frayed Knot":3973hsgs]What I meant was that back when they were young pups Kearns was considered the better all around player/athlete while Dunn the better hitter but only a hitter. Now years later hiding his glove is becoming more of a problem than even previously imagined and I think part of the reason the offers were slow in coming.[/quote:3973hsgs] I don't think his glove has necessarily gotten worse, so much as defensive value (or the lack thereof) has become better quantified. If the defensive numbers generated in places like the Fielding Bible are credible, then the old notion that you could stick a good bat/bad glove player in an outfield corner or first base and not have to worry about his glove hurting you that much has been discredited to at least some degree with particularly bad fielders. This applies to a number of players (like Dunn and Abreu) who were free agents this year. Frayed Knot Feb 13 2009 01:47 PM Yeah that's probably part of it. Plus there were several sources this winter saying that GMs are taking an increasingly close look at OF defense in particular and factoring that in to how much they would otherwise pay for bat-only FAs - something they could have affected the likes of not only Dunn but Abreu, Manny, Burrell, too. As for Dunn himself, he may not have gotten worse with the glove as much as the early hope that he'd at least grow into a mediocre glove at some position never materialized. Both defensive metrics and eye-ball observers rate him as a virtual train-wreck wherever you plop him. Edgy DC Feb 13 2009 01:52 PM The thing about the previous generation of defensive metrics is that they seemed to undervalue outfield defense by measuring balls caught against balls fielded by the same standard as those for infielders. What they missed was that a failure to field a ball by an infielder typically resulted in a single base, while a failure to field a ball by an outfielder resulted in two or three. cooby Feb 13 2009 05:43 PM Lady Caca? LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 13 2009 08:23 PM Ladies don't caca; they perspire excrement. And speaking of excretions... with all this dancing around old friends (Stache, Pedro, Figueroa), Omar's got no room in his pay rolls for ol' Pee Hands? (I hate to repeat myself, but if we're not going hard after Ohman, and our other RH bat options are Nomar and those two... yeep.) Or, from the so-crazy-it-just-might-work department... Frank Thomas? (Still got a great eye, and could spell Delgado 1-2 times a week.) Gwreck Feb 19 2009 11:05 PM We got Alex Cora to back-up instead of Nomar? Seriously? Reyes is going to play 160 games or something, and if he gets hurt, then we can sign Alex Cora. I'd take my chances with giving Nomar the 5 starts at short we give Reyes off. Edgy DC Feb 20 2009 05:36 AM ="Gwreck":3u3fvm4z]Reyes is going to play 160 games or something, and if he gets hurt, then we can sign Alex Cora.[/quote:3u3fvm4z] How do you figure? Nobody's going to sign him? Ever? Gwreck Feb 20 2009 08:25 AM Maybe not Cora himself, but there'd likely be another no-hit, good-field middle infielder available somewhere, no? Edgy DC Feb 20 2009 08:30 AM But, for a reserve, Cora is actually a modest-hit, excellent field guy, and a rarer bird than you're giving him credit for. He's perfectly capable of stealing the second base job. Nomar remains what he's been the last couple of years --- a good enough hitter to demand more PT than a reserve infielder (five games? you think he'd go for that?), but no obvious position. Gwreck Feb 20 2009 10:15 AM I don't think Nomar would start only 5 games; I think he'd also spell Delgado occasionally against a tough lefty, and also serve as Wright's backup at third. He'd also be the primary pinch-hitting bat off the bench. The 5 games reference is that the Mets don't necessarily need a player taking up a spot on the bench, when all they require is a player who has the defensive skills to be a shortstop for about 5 games a year. I see the point about him being a good enough hitter to deserve more PT than a reserve but submit that if he's unsigned, he's not getting PT anywhere. Nymr83 Feb 20 2009 12:24 PM ]situational lefties: Joe Beimel, RP (31) -type ( Dennys Reyes, RP (31) -type ( Will Ohman, RP (31) Someone brought up in the Griffey thread what they saw as a need for another lefty. I disagree. I thought one of the problems with the 2008 Mets was that Schoenweis and Feliciano were redundant- they both got lefties out but couldn't handle righties- and this forced the managers to use them in situations they weren't suited for, leading them to fail. One situational lefty is all I want to see on the team. If theres a Dennis Cook out there who can get righties out too that would be great, but I don't see him in these guys. Ohman and Reyes both get abused by righties, Beimel actually isn't too bad for his career but he was the past 2 years. attgig Feb 20 2009 01:13 PM hudson is apparently now a dodger. Nymr83 Feb 20 2009 01:19 PM it says he signed with LA on rotoworld but the terms of the deal havent been disclosed yet. smg58 Feb 20 2009 01:51 PM According to mlb.com, Hudson is getting one year and $3.4M, with up to $4.6M in incentives. If bringing in Ollie at 3 and 36 made it impossible to offer Hudson even that little, then the Mets should have settled for Garland at half the annual salary, or even Looper for less than that. Somebody else signing Ollie would have also gotten us two better draft picks than the one Hudson would have cost. Or perhaps Minaya is not yet willing to own up to the blunder he made in giving Castillo four years. Either way, I'm unhappy. metirish Feb 20 2009 01:55 PM I just can't accept or I don't buy the idea that the Mets couldn't offer Hudson a deal because they signed Perez to a reasonable deal.Maybe they just couldn't be arsed with him. I like Hudson but am not going to be thinking about him all season that's for sure. Frayed Knot Feb 20 2009 02:01 PM I don't think it's any one reason exclusively why they sidestepped Hudson -- I think it's the extra money, on top of the draft pick it would cost, on top of the fact that they'd either have to still pay Castillo and/or have two 2Bmen who both wanted to start. Benjamin Grimm Feb 20 2009 02:05 PM I can't help but see Hudson as a missed opportunity, whatever the reasons. Hopefully Castillo will have three kick-ass seasons from 2009 through 2011 and make it all moot. (I can hope, can't I?) Frayed Knot Feb 20 2009 02:25 PM A good example of the adage about how it's easier to recover from the guy you fail to sign than it is to recover from the guy you sign at the wrong price. In this case the difference is made even more stark by throwing in a bad 1st year on top of a dramatic price fall in the market place overall. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 20 2009 04:42 PM ="smg58":jlankl2g] Or perhaps Minaya is not yet willing to own up to the blunder he made in giving Castillo four years. Either way, I'm unhappy.[/quote:jlankl2g] I think you've hit it exactly on the head. A hard head, at that. Tenuous job security-- like Omar's, after two disappointing near-misses-- tends to lead to a whole lot of good-money-after-bad-ing. Centerfield Feb 21 2009 05:29 AM It's because he's saving for Manny. Edgy DC Feb 21 2009 10:36 AM I'm going to insist on looking on the dark side with Hudson. He's two years removed from his last golden glove. He ended 2007 with a thumb injury that was listed as "day to day," but cost him the last three and half weeks of the season as his team finished a game and a half out. Then he started the season with recurring hammy problems, and ended it in August with a dislocated wrist, which is an injury that could give a man pause. Signing him costs that draft pick and means giving up pretty much on the duration of Castillo's contract, and perhaps the possiblity of transitioning Murphy over there this year, which the scoreboard shot suggests is maybe in the cards. Cheap, yeah, but I'm here to sing the praises of standing pat. I'm always here for that. Benjamin Grimm Feb 21 2009 03:48 PM And Hudson may be a free agent again after 2009. So we may have another shot at him. Nymr83 Feb 21 2009 04:07 PM a year older and possibly in a worse buyer's market. the Mets really dropped the ball here considering the price they paid for freakin Cora and the bargain rate at which Hudson signed. Edgy DC Feb 21 2009 06:10 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Feb 21 2009 07:15 PM I don't think they dropped the ball at all. They made their choice decisively --- that they were looking to buy a new starter at second only if they could deal their current one. Argue against that, but let's not imply that the Mets pursued him and failed by misreading the market. Or bought somebody else high. Kong76 Feb 21 2009 06:43 PM smg58: Or perhaps Minaya is not yet willing to own up to the blunder he made in giving Castillo four years <<< I doubt that a guy running an ~ $200,000,000 business model let's that come into play. His fish will be fried on the outcome of 2009 and not owning up to prior poor signings will have nothing to with it. LWFS: Tenuous job security-- like Omar's, after two disappointing near-misses-- tends to lead to a whole lot of good-money-after-bad-ing <<< I typed five things and backspaced five times ... never mind. Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 06:08 AM Alou hinting at retirement after the WBC. Rockin' Doc Mar 03 2009 06:14 AM Alou has been semi-retired the past two seasons.

Nice try. Thanks for putting some effort into it. Nope. Later

OK, Closing in on that magic 11,000. Time for the next clue: Winsocki Later

Yiles! No wonder she was fronting for Virgin. Who would want to .... ? Later

I wish him well. Later

Under HIPAA regulations (in force since 1996) divulging the results of a medical test without the express consent of the patient is a violation of Federal Law. The penalties are here: http://aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/pl104191.htm#1176 From information published about the A-Rod case, the tests were conducted by a licensed medical testing organization. To me, that makes them covered by that law. Those 2003 tests were conducted under the terms of anonymity. In that case, I can't believe any of the players testd signed a release/ waiver of those terms. Therefore, IMO anyone divulging those results has committed a crime and should be punished. Can any Medical folks here confirm my opinion? Later

If anyone wants to buy historic gold goins, PM me. They don't vary in price with the intrinsic (metal content) market. They have a proven track record based on their numismatic (history, beauty, etc.) attraction. Later

Way to go! Edgy - our own John McGraw. Later

="Edgy DC":3ekr2o8j] Will designated assasin Shelley Duncan be in uniform for the Yankees?[/quote:3ekr2o8j] IIRC Shelly Duncan was released by the Yankees when they signed one of their free agents this off season. I commented at the time that he might have made an nice pickup for the bench. Then someone called my attention to his stats..... Never noticed the Yanks re-signing him to a minor league contract after that. Did they? Later Edgy DC Feb 09 2009 09:43 PM I wasn't actually serious, but yes, he remains on the payroll as a non-roster player, and no, I don't want him. Fman99 Feb 10 2009 07:43 AM ="metirish":2uepqax4]Johan Santana feels great but will not play in the upcoming WBC.[/quote:2uepqax4] Perfect. Frayed Knot Feb 10 2009 07:44 AM Ichiro to pitch in WBC?!? Probably not, but maybe[/url:1a2k82o1] Edgy DC Feb 13 2009 07:29 AM Mets making the wrong sort of enemies. Chavez wants players cleared for WBC Associated Press CARACAS, Venezuela -- President Hugo Chavez urged major league baseball teams on Thursday to allow Venezuelan players to represent their country in next month's World Baseball Classic. "They take away the athlete's right and duty ... to represent Venezuela," said Chavez, speaking during a ceremony to honor Venezuela's under-20 soccer team. "It's constructive criticism of professional sports." Chavez said baseball should follow the example of professional soccer teams in Europe and the United States, which are forced under FIFA regulations to clear players when they want to join their national teams in international competitions. Edwin Zerpa, president of the Venezuelan Baseball Federation, said Thursday that he was particularly concerned that the New York Mets might not clear ace Johan Santana to pitch. "What's most worrisome is that they attempt to stop the pitchers, who are in excellent condition, from playing," Zerpa said. "Without good pitching, you cannot win in baseball." Mets general manager Omar Minaya has said he is in favor of having players in the WBC. Other big league stars on the Venezuela roster include: Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, Detroit outfielder Magglio Ordonez, and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu. Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press Frayed Knot Feb 13 2009 10:02 AM Maybe someone should mention to Hugo about the players who were thinking about not playing because they believe that bureaucrats within the gov't of Venezuela are pocketing much of the money intended for the players. Fman99 Feb 13 2009 10:07 AM ="Frayed Knot":2co5mxmt]Maybe someone should mention to Hugo about the players who were thinking about not playing because they believe that bureaucrats within the gov't of Venezuela are pocketing much of the money intended for the players.[/quote:2co5mxmt] Still you can't be mad at Chavez. He made that sick catch in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS! Oh wait, what? Frayed Knot Feb 13 2009 10:17 AM Easy to confuse the two, they're both Venezuelan lefties. metirish Feb 14 2009 04:38 PM High cost of insurance is reason why Johan will not play in WBC ] PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Although the withdrawal of Johan Santana from the World Baseball Classic was for weeks a foregone conclusion within the Mets' organization, Santana said Saturday the club never withheld its approval for him to participate with the Venezuelan team in the international tournament. Santana's remarks came one day after the Classic released a statement explaining that the issue that would deny Santana an opportunity to pitch for his country was the high cost of an insurance premium. Santana, who underwent left knee surgery Oct. 1, said he is one of a number of big league players who will not participate in the Classic because of the insurance issue. He named no others. "It has nothing to do with my willingness to play in the [Classic]," Santana said. "I was preparing myself. Everything was on the right track." Santana said he had heard from his agent, Peter Greenberg, on Friday that the Classic had made a decision. Mets general manager Omar Minaya confirmed the situation with Santana on Saturday morning. "We never had to make a decision about his participation," Minaya said. "It's tough," Santana said. "It's sad. I wanted to pitch." LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 15 2009 10:03 PM Speaking of things Venezuelan: IN (provisional roster): Victor F-ing Zambrano OUT: Freddy Garcia Really? (HAS to be a lack of interest on the Chief's part.) Edgy DC Feb 17 2009 08:31 AM Albert Pujols, out. The pattern seems that any player who had any sort of offseason surgery, and hasn't yet returned to action (like playing winter ball) is uninsurable. Nymr83 Feb 17 2009 08:41 AM ="Edgy DC":3foyo3u8]Albert Pujols, out. The pattern seems that any player who had any sort of offseason surgery, and hasn't yet returned to action (like playing winter ball) is uninsurable.[/quote:3foyo3u8] Seems like a wise policy to me. F. Garcia was injured, if he wants to make the Mets' opening day roster he's probably better off avoiding the WBC anyway and concentrating on getting healthy to the Mets' satisfaction. I hope Zambrano gets rocked. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 17 2009 10:58 PM Endy and K-Rod are playing for the 'Zuelas, too. I'll enjoy the games, I'm sure... but a little part of me will be rooting against with too many of Flushing's finest on 'em, if only in hope of fewer injuries. Also, needs more team mascots. Edgy DC Feb 18 2009 05:55 AM Endy was the unlikely star for Venezueal three years ago. Brought his power stick then also. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 01:17 PM Fare thee well, Metsies, and come back safe: Beltran Cora Delgado Feliciano Figueroa (shouldn't he be reppin' Brooklyn?) Ollie P. Putz Reyes KRod Wright Am I missing anyone? Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 01:56 PM You've got to be. I saw reports saying the Mets and Red Sox led the bigs in WBC-bound players with 15 each. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 02:01 PM Had everyone on the 40-man... but was missing a handful, yet. As broken down by country in Newsday: Australia Stefan Welch Canada Shawn Bowman Dominican Republic Jose Reyes Mexico Elmer Dessens Oliver Perez Panama Ruben Tejada Puerto Rico Pedro Feliciano Nelson Figueroa Alex Cora Carlos Delgado Carlos Beltran Jesus Feliciano United States J.J. Putz David Wright Venezuela Francisco Rodriguez So... who else is rooting for Cuba-Japan II? Nymr83 Mar 02 2009 02:04 PM Shawn Bowman (Canada), Stefan Welch (Australia), Ruben Tejada (Panama), and Jesus Feliciano (Puerto Rico) are all listed as part of the Mets' organization and are on the rosters on espn.com edit- i got beat to it, but Elmer Dessens is listed as a Brave not a Met here: [url:3izz30jv]http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldclassic2009/news/story?id=3844570[/url:3izz30jv] Edgy DC Mar 05 2009 11:17 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 24 2009 11:38 AM So, if you're the manager of Equipo DR, and you lose Alex Rodriguez, who is your thirdbaseman? Do you go to Adrian Beltre or do you move Hanley Ramirez (or Miguel Tejada) over there and free up short for Jose Reyes? Nymr83 Mar 05 2009 12:13 PM mpve Ramirez so that you have no trouble starting both him and Reyes Edgy DC Mar 09 2009 10:11 AM Answer is Tejada. Yeah, I'd move Hanley there also, or move one of them to second, keep Tejada at third and go with the three shortstop lineup. metirish Mar 09 2009 10:27 AM In his minor and major league career Rameriz has played one game at third , Alou can't just slot him in there surely. Edgy DC Mar 09 2009 10:32 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 09 2009 10:36 AM Porque no? It's about catching and throwing. If Tejada can do it, why not Hanley Ramirez? The key is getting the bats in the lineup. Given a few days to work out in the spot, will he be so much worse than a Fernando Tatis that the giveback with his offensive ability isn't worth it? Anyhow, at this point, he's the better weapon, so if you won't move him to third or Reyes to second or outfield or even one of them to first, Reyes is left to be a a pinch-runner. metirish Mar 09 2009 10:33 AM Sounds good but I wonder what his club would think about moving him. Edgy DC Mar 09 2009 10:44 AM If some alleged negative consequence of Ramirez playing third for a few games is upsetting Florida, I'd sure like Alou to push the issue to find out exactly how much kowtowing the WBC managers are expected to do. At any rate, nobody stopped him from moving Tejada over. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 09 2009 10:46 AM The Snooze tried, not very hard not very effectively, to make Reyes' remark that he's be play wherever Alou asked into a controversy which "may make Met management cringe" in a tortured allusion to the Matsui-at-SS thing in '04. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 09 2009 01:56 PM ="Edgy DC":2elgx6dp]Porque no? It's about catching and throwing. If Tejada can do it, why not Hanley Ramirez? The key is getting the bats in the lineup. Given a few days to work out in the spot, will he be so much worse than a Fernando Tatis that the giveback with his offensive ability isn't worth it? Anyhow, at this point, he's the better weapon, so if you won't move him to third or Reyes to second or outfield or even one of them to first, Reyes is left to be a a pinch-runner.[/quote:2elgx6dp] Porque no? This tournament means a LOT more to the Dominicans than it does to us. The criticism from the leadup and after game one has been so harsh, GM Stan Javier's already tendered his verbal resignation, effective after the games. One key error by an out-of-place guy, and who knows what happens to Felipe Alou's house postgame. They shoot people over dominoes in the DR. (Well, okay... the psychotic, 100-mph-armed ones whose names rhyme with "Gurgos," anyway.) Edgy DC Mar 09 2009 02:49 PM Well, like I said, they already are playing a shortstop out of position, and world stayed intact. High stakes mean high pressure. It's no place for the weak-kneed, but you still want to make the most effective decision. I think most any shortstop can play anywhere else on the infield with modest preparation. Benjamin Grimm Mar 09 2009 02:52 PM ="Edgy DC":1u447jdd]I think most any shortstop can play anywhere else on the infield with modest preparation.[/quote:1u447jdd] I would think so. And the difference between third base and shortstop is, I think, less than the difference between second and short. At third the key difference is that you have to react a bit quicker, and at second it's the trickier turn of the double play. MFS62 Mar 09 2009 06:42 PM Many years ago, I spoke with Yank utility player Gil McDougald who played in the majors for several years. http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mcdougi01.shtml I asked him about the difference in playing the three positions and about the preparation for playing each. He mentioned the things you folks said above. Then he added that it only took him a few throws during pre-game at the position he was going to play that day to get his arm ready. That surprised me. I guess that's why he was so valuable to the Yanks of that era. Later metirish Mar 18 2009 01:56 PM I like the opening paragraph. That scout for the Marlins talking about the Koreans using BP to work on moving runners over and hitting to the opposite field is what Manuel was preaching at the start of camp. I wonder if that is still a big part of BP for the Mets. Scouts See Works of Art in Asian Teams� Workouts ] By ALAN SCHWARZ Published: March 18, 2009 SAN DIEGO � He could see Meadowlark Lemon turning two, almost hear �Sweet Georgia Brown� whistling through vacuous Petco Park. As Japanese and Korean infielders gobbled up grounders during infield practice Tuesday and whipped the balls among themselves in bouncy syncopation, Mark Weidemaier sensed he was watching a different sport, a different show. �They�re the Harlem Globetrotters,� said Weidemaier, who has spent this week scouting the San Diego bracket of the World Baseball Classic for the Los Angeles Dodgers. �They�re not flashy or showy, I don�t mean that. But the footwork and timing. They�re going full bore, full speed. They go through every play that needs to be made in the game. They�ll get more ground balls than a big-leaguer takes in a week.� Baseball scouts are known for watching games, but the best in the business focus just as much on pregame practice, sometimes more. Three games can pass without getting to see how a shortstop can flash into the hole, or how well a second baseman charges a slow grounder. But when top Asian teams take batting practice, a scout�s inner aesthete awakens to the beauty of the game. Tuesday night � when Korea beat Japan, 4-1, to advance to this weekend�s W.B.C. semifinals � presented a double shot for the two dozen scouts in attendance. All of them want to be prepared in case any player becomes available to be signed, and both teams� hour of pregame drills had oodles to eyeball. �Korea has a B.P. routine they use where it�s more about moving runners over and hitting to the opposite field,� said Orrin Freeman, a longtime scout for the Florida Marlins who has watched international baseball since the 1980s. �You watch a major league team in the United States take B.P., and most of the guys are just playing home run derby.� As Japan and Korea practiced before Tuesday�s game, Freeman watched from the loge seats behind first base. He saw a distinctly Korean defensive drill in which any ball that goes beyond outfielder depth draws an infielder deep onto the grass to take a relatively short cutoff throw, in large part because third-base coaches tend to hold runners if cutoff men already have the ball. After Korea left the field, Japanese infielders took fungoed grounders at almost infield-in depth, pushing their reflexes so that the real game would feel easier, not unlike how a hitter might swing three bats in the on-deck circle. Rob Ducey, a former major league outfielder who scouts for the Toronto Blue Jays, sat beside the third-base dugout and enjoyed a sonata of skills rarely seen in the majors. He saw Japanese shortstop Yasuyuki Kataoka field grounders in perfect position to turn double plays, and other infielders moving to balls on angles that would make Euclid proud. Korean third baseman Bum Ho Lee charged grounders with the intensity of October, which for many foreign players this W.B.C. might as well be. �They work their craft a whole lot more than we do,� Ducey said. �They work on their swings instead of being pull, pull, pull.� Asked how a typical major-leaguer might respond to pregame practices as intense as those of Asian teams, Ducey said: �They�d feel like it was overkill � �I don�t want to get gassed.� Major league players, not all of them, but they do enough to get by because physically they�re such gifted athletes.� Not unlike how Asia�s practices are more rigorously exacting than those in the major leagues, several scouts said that Japan�s infield drills are generally more taut than Korea�s, a difference they ascribed to Korea�s having larger players with more power and less reliance on basic run-at-a-time fundamentals. Cleanup hitter Tae Kyun Kim packs 220 pounds on his six-foot frame, while first baseman Dae Ho Lee stands a downright behemoth 6-foot-4, 264. Japan has only one regular who weighs as much as 205: catcher Kenji Johjima, who perhaps not coincidentally makes his living with the Seattle Mariners. �The Japanese, they are far superior fundamentally,� said Ducey, the Blue Jays� coordinator of Pacific Rim operations. �They take thousands of ground balls a week, not just the young guys, all of them. The Japanese run hard down the line all the time. Koreans, it�s a little haphazard at times. And Koreans are generally more physical, more aggressive at the plate. They�re more suited for our game.� And still, a few hours later, the Koreans proved that they were plenty fundamental, more so, on this night, than Japan. They beat Japan on execution alone, all in the first inning. It started with the first two batters of the game: second baseman Keun Woo Jeong grabbed a high chopper and threw to first to barely nip Japan�s speedy Ichiro Suzuki, and on the next play, first baseman Tae Kyun Kim dived to his right for a hard ground ball and threw to the pitcher hustling over to cover first. Rather than an early first-and-second, no-out jam, the inning soon ended peacefully. And in the bottom half of the inning, Japan looked uncharacteristically clumsy. After a leadoff single, second baseman Akinori Iwamura double-clutched a ground ball in the hole for what was ruled a single; later, with Iwamura trying to start a double play, Kataoka could not handle Iwamura�s low throw and got no out at all. Two batters later, Korea�s Jin Young Lee stroked a beautiful opposite-field single through the left side for two runs, a 3-0 Korea lead and San Diego�s best imitation of Tony Gwynn in years. With the loss, Japan left itself having to play Cuba on Wednesday night to stay alive in the tournament it won three years ago. Disappointing for Japanese fans, but a treat for American scouts. Just another day at the symphony. �Watching the Japanese fungo hitters is great,� Weidemaier noted. �They�re hitting every type of ball that can happen to an infielder: to the left and right, backhand, sharp one-hoppers, backspin, top spin, slow rollers. Rat-a-tat-tat, they�re so precise in all their movements. To me, that�s what makes this game so beautiful.� metirish Mar 24 2009 07:36 AM I think this quote from Davey Johnson in a way ties in nicely with the observation above from the scout. ] "I'm kinda feeling like Earl Weaver, I don't push the running game," Johnson said. "I don't think that was a big factor when I was playing in Japan. I don't think it is today. I think the stolen base and the bunt base hit, those are becoming less and less a factor in the game." Is "small ball" as Davey suggests becoming less a factor in the MLB game ? Edgy DC Mar 24 2009 07:41 AM A difficulty in such discussions is that we treat "small ball" as a monolith. Not all small ball approaches have the same merit. metirish Mar 24 2009 07:47 AM True , I shouldn't have used that term. Edgy DC Mar 24 2009 08:01 AM Not at all. It's how the writers use it. metsmarathon Mar 24 2009 08:34 AM americans love to americanize their sports. and by that, i mean that we love to turn every sport into football. american football. who needs quickness and finesse when you can have power and strength? we prefer our sports to be blunt instruments presided over by blunter athletes. Edgy DC Mar 24 2009 11:40 AM Not a bad allusion. Centerfield Mar 24 2009 11:58 AM Dae Ho Lee. Not about speed and quickness. Not to rain on the "Playing baseball the right way" parade, but am I the only one that thinks the Asian players lack fundamentals? At least at the plate anyway. They all step in the bucket, they all overswing, and some of their leg kicks are ridiculous. There isn't a short, compact swing on either team.

I saw Collins and thought Garrett. My bad. But the strategy with either of them is still the same. Later

That's cold. Funny. But cold. Literally LOL! Later

Did he or didn't he is just copious quantities of ca ca. This is the real issue: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne...o&type=lgns Whoever leaked the list could look at doing some real hard time. Later

Rowe was a righty, and looking at his records, 100 pitches doesn't seem a lot. They'll probably keep him in no matter what. They only had two lefties on that team, one starter and one reliever, who don't look that impressive. So Garrett might be an option. I'd pinch hit with the guy who had the magic in 1969 - Weis. He's the most likely of your remaining hitters to get on base. Then, you have a lefty and a switch hitter coming up, at least one who can bunt for a hit- Buddy. Then you have a good contact hitter, Jones and another lefty - Shamsky. If it comes down to Art with runners on and two out, looking out at the bullpen, Clendennon would be my choice if they bring in one of the lefties. Go get 'em tiger (no pun intended) Later