Frayed Knot

Considering that the deadline was just a made-up date in the first place it makes sense for Takahashi's peeps to extend it and not shut out the only team on this side of the Pacific that knows him first hand. He might still walk away but, with the front office shuffle going on, this at least gives everyone a non-rushed chance.

First WS win ever for the entire state of Texas as Houston got swept in their only showing. Prior to tonight the state had been 0-6

Ceetar wrote: G-Fafif wrote: Joe Buck sucking up to NFL during MLB's showcase. Ah, good old Fox... Because everyone watch the World Series in October is wondering what channel the Super Bowl is in February. Or that anyone has ever missed a Super Bowl game on account of being unable to find it on their TV dial.

Ceetar wrote: btw, Fox/Cablevision settled. At the bottom of a swamp I hope.

Game 3 is on -- rooting for Texas until further notice so as to avoid a quickie 4 or 5 gamer. Jonathan Sanchez v Colby Lewis Do you suppose Colby has a sibling named Cheddar or Muenster?

TEAMMgr - Sept �10STATUS / UpdatedMgr (NEW) 2011A�sB. GerenOption Picked up for 2011B. GerenANGELSM. ScosciaUnder Contract thru 2018M. ScosciaASTROSB. MillsUnder Contract thru 2012B. MillsBLUE JAYSC. GastonRetiredJ. FarrellBRAVESB. CoxRetiredF. GonzalezBREWERSK. MachaFired--- CARDINALST. LaRussaUnsigned - Re-upped for 1 yr + optionT. LaRussaCUBSM. QuadeInterim - Signed 2 yr deal 10/19M. QuadeD�BACKSK. GibsonInterim - Signed 2/yr deal on 10/4K. Gibson DODGERSJ. TorreRetiredD. MattinglyGIANTSB. BochyUnder Contract thru 2011B. BochyINDIANSM. ActaUnder Contract thru 2012M. ActaMARINERSD. BrownInterimE. WedgeMARLINSE. RodriguezInterim---METSJ. ManuelFired--- NATIONALSJ. RigglemanRenewed w/contract thru 2011J. RigglemanORIOLESB. ShowalterUnder contract thru 2013B. ShowalterPADRESB. BlackUnder Contract thru 2013B. BlackPHILLIESC. ManuelUnder Contract thru 2011C. ManuelPIRATESJ. RussellFired---RANGERSR. WashingtonUnsigned---RAYSJ. MaddonUnder Contract thru 2012J. MaddonRED SOXT. FranconaUnder Contract thru 2011T. FranconaREDSD. BakerSigned 2/yr extension on 10/4D. BakerROCKIESJ. TracyUnder Contract thru 2012J. TracyROYALSN YostUnder Contract thru 2012N. YostTIGERSJ. LeylandUnder Contract thru 2011J. LeylandTWINSR. GardenhireUnder Contract thru 2011R. GardenhireWHITE SOXO. GuillenUnder Contract thru 2011O. Guillen YANKEESJ. GirardiUnsigned - Resigned for 3 yrsJ. Girardi

From Adam Rubin's summary on the Slotting system/draft: - Major League Baseball recommends signing bonuses based on a prospect's draft position. The Mets try to be good MLB citizens and adhere to that system, but that appears as if it will change under Alderson and they will spend over the recommended amount to exploit the system, as other big-market clubs do. Sometimes, attractive players fall because of fears about their contract demands, and the Mets may now be in position to take advantage of that. "Where he makes a decision that we should go after a player that may be different than the slot says, we're going to follow that," Fred Wilpon said. Said Jeff Wilpon: "I think we've gone over quite a bit. Maybe we didn't go for that reach player, and that certainly might change." The best thing about this isn't that it's going to change the minor league system overnight (it won't) but that it appears to signal a willingness to understand that adhering to the "recommendations" just for the sake of it is a stupid idea that should be broken if/when the right situation arises.

Yeah well, numbers 8 thru 20 are all 'C+' prospects so the exact order they're in doesn't make a whole lot of difference. Plus, all he's really saying about Ceciliani is that he needs more time since there's only some many props a good year in short-season ball is going to get you. He's never been that high on Nieuwenhuis though.

The off-season minor league ranking sweepstakes have begun and Sickels gets to the Mets early. His summary: The Mets farm system is not bad; they have a large number of Grade C+ prospects*, some of them potential role players and others possible regulars who have question-marks. The exact order of the Grade C+ players is difficult to determine. If you are looking for long-term potential then you should move the younger guys ahead of Duda and Lutz. I am impressed with the depth in C+ guys. What the Mets lack are surefire elite types; even their best prospects (Flores, Mejia, Harvey, Aderlin, F-Mart, etc) have some sort of problem or doubt that prevents a higher grade at this point. There is great potential for improvement here. Aderlin-R, Vaughn, Urbina, Puello, Familia, Armando-R, Cordero and Ceciliani are all capable of having breakouts leading to higher grades next year. Recent Latin American signees Lupo and Sanchez could be excellent but I am cautious until we see them in North America. Robbie Shields strikes me as someone to watch closely the further he gets from Tommy John. Havens could be really good if he just stays healthy. The Mets are aggressive in Latin America but fairly passive in the draft. Will the new front office change that? Overall, this organization will be fascinating to watch in 2011. * see link for his explanations of what constitutes his version of A, B, and C grades. Essentially a 'C+' guy is one who stands out somewhat from the main part of the pack yet either has questions or is still too far away to award a higher grade. Topping the list: 1) Wilmer Flores, SS, Grade B+: He's coming around with the bat. How fast will the new regime push him, and what position will he play long-term? 2) Jenrry Mejia, RHP, Grade B: I'm concerned enough about his health to lower his grade a notch, but I still like him. Not a technical rookie due to service time, but under the innings limit and people ask about him. 3) Matt Harvey, RHP, Grade B: Love the power arm, but lingering questions about his command keep him from higher grade at this point. 4) Aderlin Rodriguez, 3B, Grade B-: I am very impressed with his power but concerned about defense and reports of bad work ethic. 5) Fernando Martinez, OF, Grade B-: Stock is starting to slip. Still young, still has potential, but development hampered by injuries and poor handling by previous front office. May need change of scenery. 6) Cory Vaughn, OF, Grade B-: Tools are excellent. If he maintains the improved approach he showed in the NY-P, he'll blossom. 7) Juan Urbina, LHP, Grade B-: Highly projectable but a long way from the majors. Grade is somewhat aggressive but I like what I hear about him. 8) Reese Havens, 2B, Grade C+: Would rank higher with at least a B- or a B if he could stay healthy. 9) Lucas Duda, OF-1B, Grade C+: Older prospect, turned on the power this year, should be a useful bat. 10) Zach Lutz, 3B, Grade C+: A third base version of Duda; lots of power, other skills marginal.

Re: The Free Agent Market -- it's not looking like a great year in the market and is looking (early view anyway) like a good one in the draft. Between those 'facts' and the payroll situation (three large contracts coming off the books after 2011) it's probably not a great year to dive in on FAs anyway. The "Not aggressive" quote is probably the best way to both tone down the hype for a quick-fix solution while saying that it's not the best time.

Then there was former NYM #1 Kirk Presley from Tupelo Mississippi. Supposedly was a 3rd cousin to 'The King'

Oh, I didn't read that part.

The FOX team made a big deal about Texas SS Elvis Andrus being the first 'Elvis' to appear in the major leagues. Andrus himself had apparently asked them to check that out for him. Well, you NY Mets are trying their best to keep him company: Elvis Sanchez, a power-hitting third baseman from the Dominican Republic, has signed with the Mets. Sanchez, 16, is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound righthanded hitter from La Romana who stands out for his power and arm strength. The countdown to when some FAN caller suggests trading Wright because we have his replacement will start soon. And now, for your listening enjoyment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hkIN38qnY

Edgy DC wrote: Thanks for the votes, folks. You should track the votes and score it with the standard ROY 5-3-1 points system to determine the winner.

Davis Niese Takahashi Thole Mejia

G-Fafif wrote: Walkers...Texas Rangers. Line o' the night.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Like I always say, Suzyn, you just can't figure out baseball! Like who would have picked the Giants for 20 runs (and counting) in the first two games. Their over/under for runs scored in the entire series might have not been 20.

G-Fafif wrote: Tom and Nancy Seaver, making like Journey and going separate ways...in terms of whom they're rooting for in this World Series and where they're watching it. Only Marty Noble... Dick Young is preparing an article for tomorrow's paper where he claims to have insider info that Nancy is only rooting for the Giants because she hates Ruth Ryan.

Game 2: Cain vs Abel (or maybe Wilson) Vlad and tubby Molina not in the lineup for Texas Murphy in for Vlad, Treanor in for Molina Washington refuses to say that Vlad sitting is on account of the defense last night ... but it sounds like it's about the defense last night.

I think Domonic Brown is considered a lot closer to ready than Mejia is/was. Probably would have been better if they sent him back down after their injury crises were over, but I doubt that month or so of more AAA ABs would have made much of a difference.

metirish wrote: For a guy who once hired LaRussa I am not buying the no drama angle, of course he also hired Art Howe after LaRussa. Yeah, in a separate article under just Martin's name in the same issue he quotes sources warning folks NOT to think that Alderson can be pigeon-holed into just one particular type of manager - especially into thinking that he's just interested in a Yes-man. Chip Hale is getting lots of mentions , being manager is much more than running the team on game though right?, the manager runs Spring Training and all that activity too? Oh sure. Plus running the clubhouse and all related 'people managing' skills are at least as important as what goes on between the first and last pitch of the game.

Joel Sherman & Dan Martin over at the NYPost present their list of probable/possible managerial candidates who could receive the Sandy stamp of approval http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/introducing_the_candidates_CuYP4EosaGEHCOdbw6U41L -- listing Clint Hurdle, John Gibbons, Boston bench coach DeMarlo Hale, Bob Melvin, Terry Collins, Don Wakamatsu, and Chip Hale as 'Contenders' Joe Torre (age, price), plus Wally Backman & Bobby V (too much in-dugout drama) fall under the heading of 'Longshots'

A 7 run lead and the reliever on the mound isn't capable of getting the final out of the inning?!?

Yeah, I always thought Vlad's defensive rep was overblown. He obviously wasn't THIS bad in his prime but was a mediocre fielder at best with a great arm and even that arm was scattershot. Capable of the outrageous throw but also used a lot of air-mail stamps. Frenchy is/was better .... defensively that is.

Fman99 wrote: Bone head running mistake by Kinsler there. After getting picked off in a crucial situation during the Yanx series too.