metirish

I'd like to see the colors change to Spring Training orange from several years ago.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Today is the first I've heard about blue walls. I think the black walls look okay, but I wouldn't be opposed to a Shea Stadium blue. Me too, I don't recall it ever being mentioned here. Of course I have stopped following all the baseball people on twitter so maybe that's why I missed it.

That's it.....I copied for any of youse that were having trouble seeing it.

Jackson (New Jersey) Adam, do you get the sense that Sandy and co take are taking the fanbase into account when they make moves? Or do you think they would do what is necessary, unpopular or not? Minaya regime failed at this and I don't want to see anymore pandering. It's one thing if they think they should paint the walls blue because the fans like it...but to not explore all avenues simply because one is unpopular with the fanbase is unacceptable to me. Adam Rubin (12:59 PM) I believe they're taking it into account, but it's not the primary determinant of moves, which may have been more the case previously. Certainly fan distaste for Oliver Perez influenced that decision. Maybe more so with Luis Castillo, since it wasn't like they had an heir apparent in Brad Emaus. Gary P (Stamford) Can you really see Daniel Murphy as an everyday 2B in the MLB? I like Murph alot, he certainly can hit, but 2B? What do you think and hear about the Mets plans for Murph? Adam Rubin (1:00 PM) He can will himself to a certain level, even if that's slightly below average. He'll never be a gifted fielder, but he's been shuffled around the field so much, it's really unfair. The motivation, though, is to find a position that gets his bat into the lineup. Chip (NYC) So when the Mets move in the walls and start losing 7-5 instead of 4-0 are they going to blame the new dimensions on the club not being able to pitch? It seems to me the stadium is fine, the talent is the problem. Adam Rubin (1:00 PM) Sandy Alderson said offense sells. I think as smart as he is, the New York market just wants the wins, and is not going to attend more games because of somewhat higher scoring.

Billy (Boston) Thanks Adam for taking the time. We all hear of the arms coming in 2013(ish) and bats we should be looking for during that time frame? When is Flores' ETA? Adam Rubin (12:57 PM) Flores didn't distinguish himself as much as people would have liked in the Florida State League. But, assumuming he sees Double-A in 2012, late 2013 or 2014 is reasonable. He still needs a position switch from SS. Let's see what outfielder Juan Lagares becomes. Brandon Nimmo from this year's draft out of high school certainly is three-four years or so away. Same with Phillip Evans, the over-slot later round pick, who probably needs to move from shortstop. If Reese Havens can stay healthy, a big if, he would be viable in the shorter term. And I'm not sure what outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis will become, but he could get a look at some point in 2012 assuming he comes back from the shoulder surgery OK.

Here's one that is sure to bring cheer to Ceetar Jordan (Wappingers Falls) Hey Adam, Do you think the Mets will try and trade Pelfrey this off season? Maybe for another SP or possibly and OF? Adam Rubin (12:53 PM) I'm sure they would listen. But I get the sense Dan Warthen believes in Pelfrey. And the Mets clearly believe in Warthen.

Guys?, same questions here Gregg (Hoboken, NJ) With Pagan possibly being non-tendered, if the Mets don't land Reyes, do you think they'd pursue Crisp for that spot if he were still out there? Adam Rubin (12:52 PM) Not sure whom, to be honest, but it's pretty clear the next center fielder is not currently with the organization. Vince (Hoboken) Hi Adam, Do you think the Mets fins a position for Daniel Murphy to start at everyday next year no matter what? Even if it's the outfield? Can he play adequate 2nd base everyday? Adam Rubin (12:53 PM) If Reyes is back, Tejada in primary second baseman. Maybe Murphy starts there twice a week, once or twice a week in outfield, once every couple of weeks spelling Wright or Ike Davis, and then is a lefty bat for the bench.

Ouch N.D. Chavez (Brooklyn) I'm certain the front office is fully aware that by most measures (including eyewitnesses) the Mets had the worst defense in the league last year. Where do you see "attention to defense" ranking among the priorities of the FO as they attempt to recraft the team for '12? Thanks! Adam Rubin (12:50 PM) Hope that last answer covered it.

Answer I would say that the dismissal of Mookie Wilson was an expression of dissatisfaction with the outfield defense and baserunning, whether or not that was expressly articulated. But if Reyes leaves and Tejada is at shortstop, that likely means Daniel Murphy at second base. And the plan is for Lucas Duda in right field. So clearly defense is not a priority. In fact, Alderson explicity mentioned that moving in the fences essentially would level the playing field somewhat between more solid defensive teams and the Mets, at least as far as the outfield. In essence: Less ground to cover neutralizes to some extent the importance of being a superior defensive team.

Edgy is up Bharath (NJ) [via mobile] Jose Reyes will be playing for the _________ next season Adam Rubin (12:46 PM) Pure guess: Detroit. 1986 (Flushing) Are you aware that the Mets are moving the walls in for the opponent as well? Adam Rubin (12:47 PM) The front office is bright, if nothing else. That much they've probably figured out. Heep o' Trouble (Washington, DC) Hi, Adam.Defensive metrics rarely agree on anything. But they all concur that the Mets' defense was egregiously bad this year. Worst-in-the-league bad. Do you get the impression that the front office is cognizant of this? I know it's reported that disregarding defense is an alleged article of faith in "moneyball circles," but I think and hope that's somewhat overstated. I suspect that some improvement across the board in pitching performance can come in 2012 with some adjustments to the defense. The unfortunate (but necessary, I think) dismissals of Mookie Wilson and Ken Oberkfell tell me the Mets agree with me here. What do you think?

Worst chat ever

Brandon (Cincinnati, OH) What do you expect from Jason Bay in 2012? I don't think NY cuts ties but am I the only one expecting a productive season in 2012? Adam Rubin (12:19 PM) The new outfield wall dimensions will help, but we're beyond the adjustment period to NY phase and just wondering whether his power is gone. Regardless of production, it clearly won't measure up to his $16 million a year price tag. LOLKatz (Roslyn) How are the Mets doing soliciting a series of $20 million investments? Was the financial advisor the Mets hired to solicit the minority investors in the first place behind whatever shenanigans drove away Einhorn? When is that story coming out? LOLKatz (Roslyn) How are the Mets doing soliciting a series of $20 million investments? Was the financial advisor the Mets hired to solicit the minority investors in the first place behind whatever shenanigans drove away Einhorn? When is that story coming out? Adam Rubin (12:20 PM) The Mets indicated they would not be discussing the matter. So I suppose that might offer a window into how it's going. Perhaps. Kenny (New York NY) Adam, in August you mentioned that the team will be unveiling new uniforms for the 2012 season. Any idea if and when they are revealing it?

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY) Who do you think will Close Games for the New York Mets in 2012? Adam Rubin (12:17 PM) Sorry. Chat software seemed to stop .... Not K-Rod. And not Bobby Parnell. (And not Heath Bell either. Too expensive.) I'm sure one of that second set of closer candidates will command a reasonable price and yet me competent. Joe Nathan's option was just declined by the Twins. He didn't pitch in 2010 and was limited to just more than 40 appearances this past season. That type of candidate -- capable but trying to reestablish himself -- is the most logical fit.

metirish wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Where is the chat? I don;t see it are you signed in? it seems to have gone alright

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Where is the chat? I don;t see it are you signed in?

Tony (Yonkers) Will the Mets paint the new walls blue? The current color is rather ugly and the ballpark could use more Mets colors. Jon (New York City) A bit superficial, but Metsblog reports that the Mets are considering changing walls blue. Any info yourself? Adam Rubin (12:04 PM) There's that "report" today that the Mets are considering changing the wall color. I remember when we were in St. Louis in September, I brought it up to Sandy Alderson and mentioned the fans would be appreciative, and he seemed to indicate that was the first he had ever heard of it being an issue. I have no indication they're going to do it. Frankly, I know it might sound nice, but it's so much more important at this point just to build a solid organization and not so much worry about throwing bones to the fans. If they did it, it wouldn't be because of some heartfelt obligation to connect with their fans. Walls?

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Andrew Keh wrote this great and quirky piece about bulpen phones in the NY Times last Saturday . Dugout Phones: Last Bastion of the Landline By ANDREW KEH Published: October 22, 2011 The seed-strewn dugouts of baseball stadiums around the country may very well end up the final bastions of corded communication in this wireless era. While landlines in homes collect dust and serve increasingly decorative functions, the attitude among baseball clubs is a familiar one in a sport tied tightly to old-fashioned ways: why change what works? �The same old phones, the same old process,� said Derek Lilliquist, the bullpen coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. �I guess they�ve been that way forever.� Dugout phones have become key instruments during postseason games this October, which have featured managers making bullpen calls with the frequency of telemarketers. In the first two games of the World Series, there have been 16 appearances by relievers even though both games were low-scoring � 3-2 for the Cardinals in Game 1, 2-1 for the Texas Rangers in Game 2. Thus far, all those calls to the bullpen have gone through without a hitch. But every now and then, over the course of a long season, problems can arise. Lance Lynn, a Cardinals relief pitcher, recalled a game earlier this season in Philadelphia, when a complex technical issue forced the Cardinals� dugout to lose communication with the bullpen. �Somebody didn�t put the phone back on the hook all the way, so it wouldn�t ring through,� Lynn said, laughing. Manager Tony La Russa had to send Jaime Garcia, a young starter, across the field between innings to relay instructions to the relievers about who needed to get warmed up � and to tell them to put the phone down properly. �And that was a long run, too,� Lynn said. When the phone lines went dead during a Mets game late this summer, Manager Terry Collins was forced to use a combination of hand signals and towel-waving to convey which pitchers he wanted to start throwing. And then there are more deliberate malfunctions. In 2003, Eric Gagne, then the closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made the dugout phone at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco an outlet for his frustrations, snapping the cord in half while swiping at the receiver and in the process earning himself a $500 repair bill from the Giants. �You have technical foul-ups,� La Russa said. �That�s why I limit my technical exploits to paper and pencil.� La Russa, in particular, has been racking up minutes on the phone. A relentless strategist, he has used 10 relievers through Games 1 and 2 after adroitly using an army of them in the first two rounds of the postseason. Last week, he was asked for his opinion of the dugout phones in Busch Stadium. In St. Louis, there are two phones per dugout: one dials directly to the bullpen, the other rings the press box. (Mets fans may remember when Bobby Bonilla dialed the press box during a game at Shea Stadium to complain about being charged with an error on a play.) The phones, manufactured by Avaya, are secured in black and white shells labeled �telephone� from top to bottom and emit a high-pitched but surprisingly discreet ring. Teams in various stadiums in the past have had issues hearing dugout phones over crowd noise. La Russa was asked whether he had any complaints about the phones and if he thought the technology could be improved in any way. �Do you work for AT&T?� La Russa said to the reporter, drawing laughter in the room. �No, I never thought about how to make it better.� But others have. In 2006, the Chicago Cubs and Motorola announced that the company�s i580 wireless phone would be used in the dugouts at Wrigley Field � �ushering in a new era for bullpen phone communication,� according to the news release, which also proclaimed that the phone used in the first game would be sent on to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. One of the phone�s features was that it could clip onto a manager�s belt. But there were issues, too, as Dusty Baker, then the team�s manager, quickly discovered. It only had half-duplex capabilities, meaning that it worked like a walkie-talkie and that only one person could talk at a time. Motorola�s engineers worked with the team and Major League Baseball to remedy the problem, introducing a new phone with full duplex capability, according to Kristine Mulford, a company spokeswoman who worked on the project, but the phone still fell out of favor with the team. Jason Carr, a Cubs spokesman, said the phone was phased out before the end of the season. And the historic i580 never made it to Cooperstown, according to Sue McKay, the director of collections at the Hall of Fame. Exactly when dugout phones began to be used in baseball is unclear. The Hall of Fame could not pin down a date; nor could Major League Baseball. A search through the archives of The New York Times found mentions of dugout phones dating at least as far back as the mid-1950s. The phones have remained largely unchanged for decades, and baseball seems ambivalent about launching any other projects to advance the technology. The few issues that arise each year have not prompted baseball officials to review the matter. According Peter Woodfork, a senior vice president for operations with Major League Baseball, the only regulation is that the phones remain a single line that connects the dugout to the bullpen, with no outside calling capability. �We�re not against them,� Woodfork said of new phones. �What we want to avoid is a situation where the communication allows one team an advantage. I think as long as it�s one line, if someone had a different device, we�d look into it.� And as some players noted, the introduction of mobile phones could bring a new set of issues, like the dreaded �Can you hear me now?� problem. �With a cellphone, you never know when you might lose your signal,� Lynn said. �I think for now the hard lines are just a little easier to work with.� Especially when Tony La Russa is your manager.

As a former customer of Green Mountain Coffee I agree with Einhorn that their K-Cups are too expensive, two years ago there were very few places you could buy K-Cups,I bought from them, factor in shipping and it was a rip off,now you can buy K-Cups just about anywhere, even Best Buy for Christs sake. At stores like Costco you can buy a big box of 80 for $35 while Green Mountain used to charge me $40+(shipping) for two boxes of 24. Some fuzzy math right there.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Edgy DC wrote: I understand the sentiment of the last sentence of that post. But I expect the best way to that end might be letting the Yankees tack on another 30-40% of that contract to retain him, and then watching Sabathia's career --- like Sabathia's body --- go all pear shaped. You gotta wonder what the appetite is to exceed what he has left on that deal. I know pitchers will be scarce but $92M is a lot to beat, and 4 years is about the limit you'd wanna give him. Like they did with Rodriguez, that deal is looking swell on his ageing body.

The Daily News had the Sox going for Sabathia on the back page today. I hope go does opt out of his contract, fuck the Yankees.

Edgy DC wrote: That Oswalt trade didn't work out for the Phillies I guess, IIRC they gave up a few good to very good prospects and Happ? I don't know. I'm a fan of Happ, but the Oswalt trade sure looked good in 2010. my mistake, I thought he was traded this year, and his 2010 numbers after the trade were great http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oswalro01.shtml

That Oswalt trade didn't work out for the Phillies I guess, IIRC they gave up a few good to very good prospects and Happ?

Lefty Specialist wrote: Wow, Thorogood knows his stuff. Talking baseball in a bar for hours with Hernandez, well, I could die a happy man after that. Nearly as good as JCL's interview from a few years back.....loved the word association in this one.