MFS62

TransMonk wrote: I don't want Lugo, Alou or Belliard on my team. Schmidt wouldn't be at the top of my pitchers list either. Not that they listen to me. So, who would you go after? Later

Edgy, do they consider comments on Mets fan sites as evidence? If so, I'm sure if you posted a question elsewhere (you just did it here)you'd get enough ammunition to support your statement. Personally, I don't think the act of joining the Mets was bad in and of itself. Like with Strawberry and Gooden, I'm sure many Mets fans wished him well while feeling sad that he had gone over to the "dark side". He wouldn't be in a position to really hurt the Mets over in the Bronx. But the turning point that IMO tarnished his Mets halo and turned Mets fans against him was when he called the attention to the "interference" in a Mets/ Yanks game. Since that time, I wouldn't pee down his throat if his heart was on fire. And you can quote me. Later

I hadn't looked at Lugo's numbers before that post. He seems to be one of those players who you think is better than he really is. Thanks, Later

Valadius wrote: With the offense we generate out of shortstop, I would be willing to settle for an average offensive player at second base with a great glove. We need to make sure our defense up the middle stays sound. Yes, defense up the middle is very important. But if they move on that front, the team still needs a righty hitter to play left to balance the lineup. And if that is going to be Alou or Lee, Omar had better have some money left over to get Beltran a pair of roller skates to cover the ground between either of them and Green. Later

Some comments: The day after the NLCS ended, Omar was interviewed by M&MD. He said that he has already been told by Fred Wilpon that he will be able to spend to improve the team. He added "within fiscal reason, of course." I don't think he will be looking at only low priced solutions. Edgy, I'm not sure if there are any middle infielders in the organization who will be ready to make a significant contribution in the near future. ABG - yes, Belliard is a free agent this year. I'd be all right with Lugo. He was a Mets fan as a kid, and has said they are the only team he'd be willing to change positions for on a regular basis. I like the idea of someone with a shortstop's arm playing second. We saw how important this was this year on Valentin's relays because of Green's diminished throwing ability in right. The first guy who volunteers to shake Alou's hand when he joins the Mets will get my vote for team captain. Later

The "stuff on the hand" incident last night reminds me of a conversation between The Scooter and Bill White when Gaylord Perry made his first start against the Yankees. It went something like this: Scooter: "Hey White, (Phil never called him by his first name) You know the National League. What does this Perry throw?" White: "He throws a fastball, slider and curve. But when he's in a jam, he comes up with something else." Scooter; "Really?" White: "Yeah. He comes up with it off his glove, his cap or his uniform." Later

The Mets trade Lastings Milledge for their regular second baseman of the future Neifi Perez. (It hurt to type that) Glavine goes back to Atlanta and leads them to a pennant. David Wright found with a dresser drawer full of boy scouts' underwear.(not his) Later

Monk, the HOF voters rarely go for defense - at any position. I can think of, um, Ozzie, Mazeroski and...., uh, that' s it recently. Two of the best all-time defensive players at their position - Hodges and Hernandez - would have received more votes if defense were highly regarded. But didn't get enough to get voted in. I agree with others above that it will be his bat that gets, or doesn't get, Pudge into the Hall. Not just his glove. Back to the series. I am so so happy that the Cardinals won. Maybe it will stop the reporters like the one in USA Today who predicted "Tigers in three" because the NL is "so bad". Later

HahnSolo wrote: Adam Eaton is a free agent, right? I know he was hurt a lot this year, but is he a middle of the rotation option? He's something like 54-45, 4.40 lifetime. I don't think he had a full ml season with an ERA under 4.10. Depends on whether he had his injury early this year, and then came back to pitch in the ML, or if the injury ended his year. I couldn't find his Dl list dates. He's already 28 yers old. He seems to be a Traschell in the making. He might be a #4, but IMO not a #3 on a team that wants to win it all. Later

One of the clauses in the new agreement will be the elimination of losing draft picks when signing a free agent. Thoughts? Later

Edgy DC wrote: One thing about Oliver, even last night, his movement takes him all over the place. Do you mean the movement on his pitches or his throwing motion? I've noticed that his throwing motion resulted in different release points on each pitch when he first joined the Mets. It seems to have improved since he joined the Mets, and may be one of the "mechanical" things Peterson can continue to work with him on. Yes, I heard Omar yesterday. Regarding bringing Glavine back - the Mets will owe him around $14+M if he stays(an innings bonus kicked in), and over $7 million if he chooses to leave. That makes me apprehensive that the Braves would be willing to pay him $8 million to equalize his salary to bring him back. In addition, Omar said he has already begun gearing up the organization in their efforts to improve the team for next year. He added that he has already received the OK from Wilpon to spend money to improve the team. And they will explore trades as well as free agency to do that. He has scheduled meetings already with his scouts, player development and minor league operations staffs for the next few weeks. So, it sounds like there may be a lot of hot stove stuff (or rumors of it)happening shortly. For that reason, I'd like this thread to be come a sticky. for the reporting of all hot stove stuff. For example, in case anyone missed this day-brightening item on the transaction wire: "10/12 Jose Lima (P) Declared Free Agency " Later

A taste of what is yet to come. Later

Belliard is also a free agent at the end of the year. He's 32. Loretta has lost most of his power recently. And he's 35. Later

I've been saying "fuck Lasorda" for many years. Later

Vic Sage wrote: I'll take Carlos Lee or Soriano in LF, and maybe Gil Meche for the rotation. I'd be very ok with that. As for Soriano, I think I read that Sori and Randolph had a very good relationship when they were both with the Yankees. Willie may even been his mentor. If true, that could make him a better Met than some might be afraid of if he does sign here. Vic, if Lee (LF)and Soriano (2b) are both added to the current lineup, I'll fight you to see who gets that open starting pitcher's spot. Later

When he was hired, I had my doubts about his abilities because he had never managed before, even in the minors or winter ball. And everyone has at one time played "shoulda'/woullda'/coulda'" with a manager's in-game decisions. The improvement of the team last year was encourging, but I was still unsure. This year's regular season performance moved me more to his side. But you never really know about what a manager does in the clubhouse. They usually use "corporate-speak" (As, I think Edgy called it) in press conferences. And what we read about what goes on in the clubhouse is anecdotal, filtered through the sportswriters. But a few days ago, Willie won me over. He revealed something about what he must be like in the clubhouse. When asked what he was planning, he said "travel arrangements to Detroit". And for that reason, I picked option #3. Later

(Trying another bad analogy here) To me, Cliff is like a Faberge egg. When whole, he is valuable. When broken (as in injured), he is useless. (See wolf's numbers) Unfortunately, he keeps getting broken a lot. Sorry Cliff. Your time with the Mets should be ended. Later

Free agents at all positions: http://www.mlb4u.com/freeagency.php Get 'em while they're hot. Later

I have said "I'm sorry" many times on this board. OK, my comment was over the top. Sorry. Later

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Ducking from what? I'd be interested. Or are the Cardinals the new Braves, and anyone who wore the uniform is unforgivable? Let's not start that crap all over again. Nothing to do with his team. He's basically a .500 career pitcher without spectacular stuff who had a memorable series. Ducking because I expected a cascade of NOs. Later

Vic Sage wrote: fuck your beards and the chins they grew in on... i'm one bitter dude this morning. I feel your pain, Vic. But I've managed to crawl back off the ledge. Later

Vic, that's sorta' what my response was alluding to, too. LOL! Well put. Later

In case anyone's interested, Jeff Suppan will be a free agent after this season. ducking Later

Cards. I want TLR to win a championship, then retire, so we won't have to look at him any more. Later

No. When I typed the first one, I was (obviously) very emotional. By the time I posted this: ]Time to start the "days until pitchers and catchers" clock. Wait 'till next year. I had cooled down, and am ready to move on. And, you mean you've never used hyperbole? Isn't that an "outrageous" stretch? I don't want this to deteriorate into something for the RLF. Let it be. Later