Frayed Knot

="Rockin' Doc"]Teeming millions? Is that something like the unwashed masses? Sort of - only without the somewhat negative connotation. It's how newspaper/on-line columnist Cecil Adams of 'The Straight Dope' fame refers to his readers. I stole it from him. The Straight Dope: Fighting Ignorance Since 1973 ]I also think the MFYs are an Ollie darkhorse. I'm not sure the Yanx could sign Ollie even if they wanted to. There's an 'anti-hogging' rule of sorts on the books, one which limits clubs to acquiring only 1, 2, or 3 Type-A FAs in any one off-season depending on how many are available that particular year. This year there were a lot of qualifiers so the limit was 3 - a number the Yanx already reached with Sabathia, Burnett & Teixeira. But then there's a provision which states that you can sign more if your team also loses Type-A or B guys. What I can't seem to find out is whether that means they can sign an extra (in this case 4th) Type-A simply for losing one of their own or whether they need to lose four FAs before they can claim that a 4th Type-A FA is merely replacing what they've lost. Then there's the question on whether or not they've actually "lost" Pettitte yet since he's yet to sign (ditto Pudge-Rod who's a Type and whether Mussina's retirement counts as a lost FA. Mussina did file before retiring but that's usually just a paperwork formality and maybe he has to show in uniform elsewhere before he counts as lost. I don't remember if/when these rules ever came up before so it doesn't seem to be one of those rules that even knowledgeable fans tend to know off the top of their heads.

="batmagadanleadoff":r9o9y1ku]I'll say this for Heyman in fairness -- like him or not (and I'm not sure where I stand) last season, he was by far, the most accurate reporter at predicting future Mets moves ... especially during the will-they-fire-Willie and when-will-they-fire-Willie phase of the 2008 season.[/quote:r9o9y1ku] Heyman has long been a first-rate baseball reporter as far as digging out the facts and getting them right more often than not and often getting them first. And he didn't always get the credit for his scoops due to the tendency of the national press to cite the big-city dailies while overlooking Heyman's suburban-based Newsday. It may have been those frequent slights that prompted him to leave the newspaper biz for the brighter lights of SI, WFAN, SNY, and now MLBTV. Heyman's columnist persona while he was still at Newsday tended to irk a few around here from time to time but that was usually separate from his regular reporter chores. Nymr83 Jan 13 2009 01:30 PM too much and too long for Lowe, i'm glad it wasn't us.

="Benjamin Grimm":1shqku0d]If not Perez, it will probably be Wolf ... Or maybe even Pedro.[/quote:1shqku0d] Both a significant step down from Ollie IMO. And, if they insist on treating either of them as Ollie/Lowe substitutes, it'll give the impression that holding the payroll to a specific number (and a lower one than last year) is a bigger concern to them than improving the rotation. And THAT won't sit well with the teeming millions. Rockin' Doc Jan 13 2009 09:44 PM Teeming millions? Is that something like the unwashed masses? Gwreck Jan 13 2009 10:04 PM I think Oliver at a "decent" rate was/is clearly the plan B. I wonder if Sheets is Plan "C." Personally, I'd sign both if we can, especially if Sheets only takes a 2-year deal. We're already losing the draft pick on Rodriguez, so Sheets only costs us the 2nd round pick. (PS. Wouldn't that be a kick in the teeth for the Brewers? They don't get the MFYs 1st round pick -- it goes to the Angels -- and they don't get ours either if we get Sheets). Frayed Knot Jan 14 2009 06:41 AM ="Rockin' Doc"]Teeming millions? Is that something like the unwashed masses? Sort of - only without the somewhat negative connotation. It's how newspaper/on-line columnist Cecil Adams of 'The Straight Dope' fame refers to his readers. I stole it from him. The Straight Dope: Fighting Ignorance Since 1973 ]I also think the MFYs are an Ollie darkhorse. I'm not sure the Yanx could sign Ollie even if they wanted to. There's an 'anti-hogging' rule of sorts on the books, one which limits clubs to acquiring only 1, 2, or 3 Type-A FAs in any one off-season depending on how many are available that particular year. This year there were a lot of qualifiers so the limit was 3 - a number the Yanx already reached with Sabathia, Burnett & Teixeira. But then there's a provision which states that you can sign more if your team also loses Type-A or B guys. What I can't seem to find out is whether that means they can sign an extra (in this case 4th) Type-A simply for losing one of their own or whether they need to lose four FAs before they can claim that a 4th Type-A FA is merely replacing what they've lost. Then there's the question on whether or not they've actually "lost" Pettitte yet since he's yet to sign (ditto Pudge-Rod who's a Type and whether Mussina's retirement counts as a lost FA. Mussina did file before retiring but that's usually just a paperwork formality and maybe he has to show in uniform elsewhere before he counts as lost. I don't remember if/when these rules ever came up before so it doesn't seem to be one of those rules that even knowledgeable fans tend to know off the top of their heads. smg58 Jan 14 2009 07:03 AM At this point, I think the available player who would improve our team the most is Orlando Hudson. I would focus on bringing him in, and wait for the right bargain on the starting pitching front. Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2009 07:10 AM I too would like to see them turn their attention to Hudson. Maybe they can get him to agree to a bit of a back-loaded contract, which could lessen the sting of paying both him and Castillo too much money over the next couple of years. Presumably, Castillo will be easier to dump as the remaining years on his contract diminish. metirish Jan 14 2009 07:10 AM Hudson would be nice but would the Mets eat Castillo's contract and wouldn't they need to move him before they sign Hudson? Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2009 07:16 AM I was trying to propose a scenario where they wouldn't need to dump Castillo first. It may not be all that plausible a scenario, but it was the best I could come up with. Edgy DC Jan 14 2009 07:46 AM It's cuh-razy, and it's not like I'm advocating, 'cause I'm not, but I keep thinking that Jake Peavy is still out there. He is, isn't he? Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2009 07:53 AM He is. What kind of players are the Padres looking for in return? I don't remember who was involved in the failed deal with the Braves and the Cubs, other than DeRosa. Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2009 07:56 AM I just did a Google news search on Peavy, and the gist I'm getting is that the Cubs may make an attempt to acquire him, but it's possible that the Padres new ownership might be more inclined to keep Peavy than the previous owners were. Frayed Knot Jan 14 2009 09:04 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":2icmpe3y]He is. What kind of players are the Padres looking for in return? I don't remember who was involved in the failed deal with the Braves and the Cubs, other than DeRosa.[/quote:2icmpe3y] The Braves deal fell apart when Atlanta wouldn't include their top pitching prospect (one being described as one of the best in the minors at this point). So it would stand to reason that snagging Peavy would mean [u:2icmpe3y]several[/u:2icmpe3y] of the Met top prospects - and even that may not be enough seeing as how most of those are kinda far from being major league ready. Then there's also the no-trade provision that the Alabama-born Jake P-V has threatened to wield against a trade sending him anywhere near the north east. Centerfield Jan 14 2009 09:06 AM I'm guessing PV means Jonathan Niese, Daniel Murphy and Fartinez. Edgy DC Jan 14 2009 09:13 AM The Braves were very close with Yunel Escobar and Gorkys Hernandez and either Jo-Jo Reyes or Charlie Morton. The deal fell apart over, dependeing on your report, the Padres wanting Jeff Locke, or the Braves refusing to give Peavy a no-trade. Anybody want to put together an equivelant Met package, feel free. I'm guessing the Mets would be more willing to cave on the no-trade clause. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 14 2009 09:17 AM I don't want no Peavy, so no deal will come from me. Frayed Knot Jan 20 2009 11:51 AM So if Ollie signs elsewhere what kind of pick do we get? Well, it depends on who signs him. * If one of the following teams sign him it'll be a 1st rounder, somewhere between #17 and #33 Dodgers - certainly a prime candidate Marlins - doubt it Cardinals - decent chance unless LaRussa/Duncan think he's unworkable Blue Jays - they're pretty strong on pitching Astros - always tough to read whether they're in a signing or saving mood Twins - probably not White Sox - certainly possible Brewers - they have both several pitching holes to fill and extra picks (via CC & Sheets) to cushion the blow Red Sox - normally yes, but I think they're pretty much set on the mound right now Rays - highly doubtful Cubs - maybe, although already re-inked Dempster * Could be 1st, could be 2nd: Phillies - if Ollie ranks ahead of Raul Ibanez on the Elias formula than we'd snag the Phils' first pick instead of the Mariners. Other way around if not. Angels - same deal as above only with Ollie compared to Brian Fuentes * Any other team signing him would mean being awarded a supplemental pick plus that team's 2nd rounder smg58 Jan 20 2009 12:17 PM ="Frayed Knot":upi1nci7]* Any other team signing him would mean being awarded a supplemental pick plus that team's 2nd rounder[/quote:upi1nci7] Why? Centerfield Jan 20 2009 12:17 PM First 15 picks are protected. smg58 Jan 20 2009 01:21 PM You learn something every day. That's still likely to be two better picks than the one they'd lose if they sign Sheets instead. Frayed Knot Jan 21 2009 07:00 AM ="Centerfield":1qchhe2v]First 15 picks are protected.[/quote:1qchhe2v] Plus there's the Yanqui pick which has already been given away (they've ceded their first 3 actually) just like the Philly & Angel picks have. Only difference there is that I'm sure Ollie doesn't rank ahead of Teixeira & Sabathia. There are also, in addition to Sheets & Perez, 5 other Type-A FAs still on the market who could eat up 1st round picks if/when signed: Juan Cruz, Orlando Hudson, Jason Varitek, Orlando Cabrera, Manny Ramirez

Might be instructive to note that the hardly-hard-up-for-bucks BoSox opted for fliers on Smoltz (who may not even be ready when the season starts) and Penny (also coming off an injury) while not even offering a sniff in the direction of Sheets.

Or is this Oliver going to say; "Please Fred, I want some more"? I'm certainly not going to cry over losing out on Lowe ('specially at them prices) but this does now put more pressure on them to cut a deal with Ollie. The evidence about that they've already made him an offer to the tune of 3x$10mil seems sketchy at this point, not to mention that it sounds even less likely to happen than the 3x$12 did for Lowe. Hope they don't wind up getting too cute for their own good only to find out that when the music stops we're left without a chair and with the likes of Redding plus other filler. And, yeah, Sheets is out there too but there hasn't been a peep anywhere that they're interested in going in that direction.

A couple of university stats guys contacted Adam Rubin's blog[/url:2favriqt] (scroll to 'What's the Catch') at NYDN with the following differences of pitching to Schneider or Castro during the 2008 season: * SANCHEZ caught by CASTRO 65 ABs, allows 0 HRs and OPP SLUG%=292 caught by SCHNEIDER 108 ABs, allows 6 HRs and OPP SLUG%=454 * HEILMAN caught by CASTRO 50 ABs , allows 0 HRs and OPP SLUG%=340 caught by SCHNEIDER 195 ABs, allows 9 HRs and OPP SLUG%=456 * FELICIANO caught by CASTRO 36 ABs, allows 0 HRs and OPP SLUG%=306 caught by SCHNEIDER 134 ABs, allows 6 HRs and OPP SLUG%=455 * WAGNER caught by CASTRO 49 ABs, allows 0 HRs and OPP SLUG%=204 caught by SCHNEIDER 99 ABs, allows 3 HRs and OPP SLUG%=313 * SANTANA caught by CASTRO 333 ABs, allows 6 HRs and OPP SLUG%=297 caught by SCHNEIDER 524 ABs, allows 15 HRs and OP SLUG%=401 * PEDRO M caught by CASTRO 138 ABs, allows 2 HRs and OPP SLUG%=377 caught by SCHNEIDER 185 ABs, allows 15 HRs and OPP SLUG%=600 Real? ... Coincidence? ... Small sample size?

Yeah, something like that would almost certainly be done between seasons and only after notifying MLB and probably after waiting for permission. All Jeffy said was the OF was designed with the possibility of fine-tuning the wall height in mind (and maybe even small changes in distances in some spots) so that if minor adjustments were needed it wouldn't mean tearing out certain seats and blocking the views of others if the place started to look too hitter-friendly (or, presumably, too pitcher-friendly).

McGwire's pct went down, but so did that of Raines and Trammel The two closest to the door, Blyleven & Dawson, both got a shade closer compared to last year. Tommy John was in his final year. The <5% guys get dropped: Cone, Orosco, Vaughn^2, Bell, Williams, Gant & Plesac - all first year guys.

Offer the voters a choice where they can add a player to their favorite team who will be an exact clone of Tim Raines - same strengths, same weaknesses, same length of career - or an exact clone of Lee Smtih under the same circumstances and see which one they choose. Then ask them why their HoF vote doesn't reflect that.

According to the Mets, CitiField was designed to be, at worst, neutral and hopefully favoring pitchers somewhat. But like someone said above, the proof is in the playing and all kinds of things can affect the final outcome that may not have been thought of by the planners. It's a lot more than just the numbers on the wall. Was it the new place in Philly or in Cincy (or maybe both) where open areas behind home/3rd led to wind tunnels that carried the balls out towards RF much more than anyone thought. Neither was necessarily designed as homer-happy palaces. CF is going to be more enclosed than Shea and also turned some 25-30 degrees to the north. Not sure how much/if those will factor in. I think Heyman is taking a quickie impression based on an impromptu BP session and drawing a whole lotta silly conclusions from it.

IOW, the earlier story was an agent plant.

"And that's just fine." Yeah, that's our turf!! "I'd like to think that it will be the Mets' turn next week, but of course that won't happen." I usually try to avoid the charges of claiming a paper is "anti-Met", but the NYDN - with their long-time writers and their in-game sponsorship and manager-touting ads - is so in bed with the Yanx that it's not even worthy of discussion anymore. Sunday's paper features an article touting how the new YS is NOT a drain on taxpayers but is, in fact, a terrific public policy move which will increase the city coffers. It was written by Yanqui President Randy Levine. And it's not even in the op-ed section but rather displayed as a regular news article that just happens to be written by a guy who would be the main focus of the topic were it to be penned by a regular reporter. Bet Bernie Madoff would like that sort of treatment. There's a large difference in degrees of course, but it's always nice to be given the opportunity to frame the news in your own favor.

Not exactly anything new here, but Newsday's Ken Davidoff suggests[/url:3tucfsf7] that the Mets "remain confident" that they'll wind up with either Lowe or a return engagement by Ollie Perez. He mentions the recent Braves meeting with Lowe - but that's just one team. He goes on to quote pitching-hungry Brewer GM Doug Melvin as saying that; "I haven't even talked to Scott Boras" Also the Phils recent re-upping of CH Park pretty much fills out their rotation. While the BoSox have put a retainer on the rehabbing law firm of Smoltz, Penny, & Saito.

If Mark Teixeira grew up wanting to be Don Mattingly, then I grew up wanting to be Honus Wagner. -- Mike Vaccaro, NY Post Another funny is that 'Sons of Sam Horn' is the sponsor for the Mark Teixeira page on BB-Ref.com -- tacking on the subtitle that; "Arod + Giambi + Damon + Contreras + Igawa + Sheffield + Vazquez + Abreu + Matsui + Pavano + Brown + Johnson + Mussina = 0 Yankee World Series Rings"

One thing about the series on MLBN unlike on the disc-set or the original PBS showing ... it's no longer commercial-free! So enjoy your discs.

Mets takin' a ride:

As long as the Cranks would pay 90% of the freight and expect nothing back in return, sure. (OK, maybe 70% with a throw-in going the other way would do)

Swisher switch-hits, and is better and more versatile defensively. He's also signed for the next few years which could be either good or bad depending on whether he regains his hitting from last season's off year. Nady is more likely to hit better (though walk less) and would only be for one year at a price to be determined by arbitration then would be a FA after that.

Petey comes out in favor[/url:nsem0o4a] of the Mets signing Lowe ... he also comes out in favor of the Mets signing Petey!!

I have no memories of this Dave Roberts. The early '80s are perhaps my least baseball-knowledgeable era - both for the sport as a whole and the Mets.

"Any shot at both?" I highly doubt that. Maybe one of them plus Petey, or plus Wolfie, or plus Redding, etc., but I don't see them inking two $12-$15mil/yr hurlers in the same month, not just on account of the money but also giving up the draft picks that would go with doing that.

CB: "... and the starter was relieved by Aaron Heil-Hitler-Man" (he wouldn't dare)

Omar (looking into camera): "Hi America. I'm Omar Minaya, the one who whipped Luis Castillo into shape. ... Uhhh, could we try another take?"

One thing I've only heard mentioned once so far (briefly by Gammons) is that Teixeira wasn't exactly a big ARod fan when the two were in Texas together. IIRC, he and Blalock (and maybe a couple of the other young players) got pretty sick of Alex's all-knowing older-bother routine. Being reminded constantly to get good secondary lead, to wait for your pitch, yadda, yadda, kinda grows old real quickly. He probably figures that Alex isn't the big dog in the NYY clubhouse these days and is more reluctant to pull that shit.