Frayed Knot

I'd rather have Castillo than Pierre

BP's rumor mill has the Mets (and Cards) inquiring about Pirate reliever/closer Matt Capps[/url:x49legz2] Check out them walk totals!

Neither one (Santana or Sabathia) has had any significant injuries to date. CC is a year yonger but also has more mileage on his arm (about 200 IPs) due to Johan's Rule 5 history which kept him on the back of the bench for a while. CC signed thru 2015, Johan thru 2013 w/an option for 2014 -- meaning that if the option kicks in the contracts go through the same age. So any speculation about longevity and injury comes down to usage - Sabathia logging more innings more often and if one wants to draw a conclusion about body type. btw, that "In case I hate NY" opt-out clause for CC after 3 years/$69mil is apparently accurate

All of it

Rumors of an opt-out partway through CC's deal?!?

="Iubitul"]I thought I read an article somewhere saying that ESPN was working on changing its morning lineup, and working on providing live reports in the morning in order to prevent this. I think they go to a live SportsCenter at 9AM or something but their early morning telecast is still basically the same stuff they've been running since late night. So when stuff happens at 3AM (KRod) or 4AM (CC) their reports are not wrong but sometimes in direct contradiction to the up-to-date crawl across the bottom of the screen and when the two sync-up it's pretty funny. P.S. ESPN's usual tactic after that is to get one of their own guys to confirm the story and thereafter present it as; "as reported by ESPN" -- like they were the source all along.

I lke the fact that the Yanx had to go top their own offer which was already some $40mil above the next highest offer. Now it's $60mil above. Yanqui fans yesterday were pretty funny. Egged on by Francesa, who was ready to throw in the towel on CC, the minions were in full 'Fuck Him' mode, deciding that if he really wanted to pitch for them he'd have already grabbed the offer. And the reasoning was classic MFY: - we're the Yanquis, we shouldn't be chasing him, he should be chasing us!! - this proves that he's just another Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown, Ed Whitson, etc. who can't handle NYC - anyone who doesn't prefer to live in NY is wrong

Sherman apparently got the exclusive on this - but no one else is denying it so sounds like it's accurate. And, once again, ESPN makes one of its guys (Tim Kurkjian this time) look silly by airing a report by him where he says that the Sabathia thing if still up in the air while a crawl underneath cites Sherman/NYPost saying it's a done deal. (Merged from Sabathia (Split from AP Hot Stove), 12/10/2008)

Wood & Fuentes are going to get closer money and aren't going to come here for set-up duties.

="Centerfield":m7ensgxg]What's Todd Pratt up to?[/quote:m7ensgxg] My guess? About 275 John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 09 2008 06:58 PM Reds trade Ryan Freel and a coupla prospects to the O's for Ramon Hernandez. Hernandez' career needs new life, and the Reds needed a real ctacher. I'm thinking now we get Snyder and have a Snyder-Schneider platoon. How cool would that be? Edgy DC Dec 19 2008 09:57 AM Matt Treanor signs with Detroit, taking away one chance to continue getting our catching from Florida.

="Edgy DC":8cslvx2x]I believe nothing unitl it falls from the lips of Peter Gammons. NOTHING![/quote:8cslvx2x] The thing about Gammons is that he's now tied up in his exclusive agreement with ESPN to the point where his ability to break news has to fit into their schedule. So in this morning's SportsCenter, for instance, they've got a half-day-old taped spot of him talking about how the Mets are going to meet w/KRod - while at the same time a crawl is running underneath showing the news about SI/Heyman saying the deal is all but done, thus making their own man seem hopelessly behind the eight-ball. soupcan Dec 09 2008 07:27 AM I agree with the whole Craig Carton thing - woke up hearing that it was 'a done deal'. Thought about waking up soupy, jr. because he's been excited about getting Rodriguez. By the time I was done in the bathroom I figured out that, once again, Craig Carton was blowing smoke up my ass. I've said it before I'll say it again - Craig Carton is a crude, self-promoting moron and its just a matter of time before he gets himself fired. He'll bring Boomer Esiason down with him (Boomer, by the way, shows himself to be more and more of an egotistical idiot with every additional minute of airtime he gets). OlerudOwned Dec 09 2008 09:36 AM I believe nothing unitl it falls from the lips of Peter Gammons Ken Rosenthal. NOTHING! metirish Dec 09 2008 09:41 AM Newsday and SI reporting that a deal is imminent. duan Dec 09 2008 10:06 AM ="Frayed Knot":2yl19znx]Well additional Type A signings will still mean the loss of additional draft picks: round 2, round 3, round 4, whatever. Either way, 3 x $12 sure beats the original estimates of 5 x $15[/quote:2yl19znx] yes, but they're of alot less value then the two picks we'll get for Perez between 16 and 45 (i don't know where along the sandwich they'll be!) Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 10:15 AM Well, it is starting to sound like Frankie is just about wrapped up. That would be good; we can get the closer search behind us and Omar can move on to other stuff. Valadius Dec 09 2008 10:22 AM Sometimes I think that they've replaced Peter Gammons with an android. Edgy DC Dec 09 2008 11:24 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Dec 09 2008 11:35 AM So, seriously, on a scale of one to ten, one being a feeling of imminent doom, and ten being an air of teflon imperturbability, how afraid will you be (assuming the Mets ink him) that this guy's been pitching his arm off? Having just lost a big-ticket closer for a year and a third, and probably a playoff berth with him, I'm a mite wary. metirish Dec 09 2008 11:32 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 09 2008 11:43 AM I'm not really afraid of that , he has a violent motion but I don't think Wharton will try and change that . I think that's where trouble might come if they try and change him. I will put my level of concern at 4 Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 11:40 AM I'll put my level of concern at a 6. I don't know if this is realistic or not, but I hope that the Mets will be able to groom a successor from within. So maybe, if Rodriguez has an injury-plagued year in 2010 or 2011, a guy like Smith or Parnell can step up and inherit the closer role. soupcan Dec 09 2008 11:47 AM I think if you are a Mets fan and not concerned with your closer then you haven't been paying attention. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 11:55 AM I'm concerned with the whole damn bullpen. The impression I'm getting is that the Mets want to hang on to Smith, Stokes, and Feliciano and are willing to part with Schoeneweis and Heilman. If it's true that Heilman and Feliciano would have brought back Howston Street, then maybe including Schoeneweis instead would do the trick. (I'm not at all sure, by the way, why Feliciano would be more desirable than Schoeneweis.) Centerfield Dec 09 2008 11:56 AM I'm concerned. That's why I'm willing to drive to Denver to deliver Feliciano and Heilman for Huston Street. Nymr83 Dec 09 2008 12:26 PM ]I'm not at all sure, by the way, why Feliciano would be more desirable than Schoeneweis.) salary difference? Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 12:40 PM That would make sense. Edgy DC Dec 09 2008 12:50 PM There's that dropoff in his K/9 that is intimidating: 9.94 13.17 12.16 12.08 12.03 10.14 I think he's also got a few baby mommas. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 01:12 PM Is there some kind of an affinity that Venezuelans have for the number 57? Or is it just a coincidence that Johan and Frankie both wear that number? John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 09 2008 01:20 PM He's definitely not going to help the Mets' rep as poor sports. And you gotta wonder with prices down why the Angels aren't hurrying to retain him. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 09 2008 01:39 PM Yeah so reports are saying this is a done deal. And what do you know, vesting option for year 4. Edgy DC Dec 09 2008 01:43 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":30hfafmk]He's definitely not going to help the Mets' rep as poor sports. [/quote:30hfafmk] No, I suspect he won't. I've visited a few Halo discussion boards to read comments like "I'm going to miss him. Even though he's such a douche, he's really good at what he does." Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 01:45 PM ="OlerudOwned":w9avw6n8]I believe nothing unitl it falls from the lips of Peter Gammons Ken Rosenthal. NOTHING! [/quote:w9avw6n8] ="Ken Rosenthal":w9avw6n8]The New York Mets have reached an agreement in principle with All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez on a three-year, $37 million contract, according to major-league sources. The deal includes a $14 million vesting option for a fourth year that would raise the total value of the contract to $51 million. The deal is contingent upon Rodriguez passing a physical, and the language of the contract still needs to be finalized. That vesting option is within reach as long as Rodriguez pitches his normal number of innings as a closer, either in the third year of the deal or in a combination of years two and three. "Basically, he's just got to be healthy," one source said. The deal also includes performance bonuses that are considered within reasonable reach. News of an imminent deal was first reported by the New York Post. Contract figures were first reported by SI.com.[/quote:w9avw6n8] seawolf17 Dec 09 2008 01:51 PM Bingo bango. Welcome abordick, Senor Rodriguez. Now stand on the table and sing your college fight song. bmfc1 Dec 09 2008 01:53 PM Do we have to call him "F Rod"? How about "Frank", "Frankie"? Valadius Dec 09 2008 01:54 PM Now we need to rebuild the rest of the bullpen. We have the technology. metirish Dec 09 2008 01:55 PM Mr. Rodriguez , Rodriguez but not K-Rod or any variation of it. At least I will try and stick to that. G-Fafif Dec 09 2008 02:10 PM Get some decent setup men in there and they can be Frank(i)e & The Knockouts. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 02:20 PM I'll never call him K-Rod. "Frankie" sounds better to me. G-Fafif Dec 09 2008 02:25 PM Wasn't there already[/url:2wqvsdkw] a Frankie Rodriguez? sharpie Dec 09 2008 02:28 PM Let's hope our Frankie Rodriguez doesn't start putting up numbers like that Frankie Rodriguez. seawolf17 Dec 09 2008 02:31 PM "Frod" sounds good. Goes well with "Fartinez." Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 02:49 PM What uniform number would you give him? I guess he'll get his choice of all available numbers, but I'd like to see him get a 47. Or maybe 58. That way we can keep our "big splash" Venezuelan pitchers numerically sequenced. Valadius Dec 09 2008 02:51 PM 62. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 02:55 PM Mets vs. Frankie Centerfield Dec 09 2008 03:06 PM Marlon Anderson owns him. Which means that we now have one reason to retain Marlon Anderson for next year. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 09 2008 03:07 PM ]What uniform number would you give him? Mets by the Numbers is reporting he's going to go for 75. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 03:18 PM ="Centerfield":3oavbtld]Marlon Anderson owns him. Which means that we now have one reason to retain Marlon Anderson for next year.[/quote:3oavbtld] The other way of looking at it is that Marlon will no longer be facing the one guy he can hit against. Gwreck Dec 09 2008 03:23 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3v797aff]Mets vs. Frankie[/quote:3v797aff] I'd forgotten that we got one of his blown saves in 2008. 86-Dreamer Dec 09 2008 03:30 PM I'm pleased. It was a glaring need, he has been among the best at his position for several years, he is 26, and he was signed for less years and dollars than most would have guessed just a few weeks ago. I'd gladly swap Heilman and Feliciano for Howston Street if that really is an option. If not, I'd consider a one year deal to Hoffman to setup. His left/right splits are a concern, but his overall WHIP, K/9 and walk rate are still quite good. No idea if he values another 30 saves more than a chance to pitch for a contending team. OlerudOwned Dec 09 2008 04:30 PM If he went down from 57 to 54, he'd be using the number of now-former teammate and fellow Venezuelan Ervin Santana, who legally changed his name in 2003 to avoid confusion with his namesake at the time, Johan Santana. Kong76 Dec 09 2008 05:17 PM I took love it, love the years compared to all the speculation. Shoulda just started a new thread for the poll imgaho. metirish Dec 09 2008 06:10 PM Couldn't beat this with a big stick , got to like it for the years and if it turns out golden then he gets a few more years , turns out pear shaped he's not here for long. Nymr83 Dec 09 2008 06:15 PM I voted Neutral because I feel that big contracts for relievers fail and much as they succeed, but I'm happy to have Rodriguez on the Mets for 2009. Rockin' Doc Dec 09 2008 06:25 PM Nice start to the off season. Now all Omar has to do is add a starter to the rotation, get an upgrade at either left field, second base, or catcher, and then get 2-3 more reliable arms for the bullpen to get games to senor Rodriguez. There is still a lot of work to do, but this is a great start. I like the deal quite a bit. This free agent market is shaping up to be a good buyers market. Hopoefully, the Mets can fill a few of their other needs while the market is depressed. Fman99 Dec 09 2008 07:28 PM I heart Frankie. This guy was the best closer on the market and it didn't cost any young talent. metirish Dec 09 2008 07:33 PM It will cost the Mets draft picks as you know , with the very easy vesting option this might as well be a four year deal. Kong76 Dec 09 2008 07:34 PM Ny83: I voted Neutral because I feel that big contracts for relievers fail and much as they succeed, but I'm happy to have Rodriguez on the Mets for 2009 <=== He couldn't have been had for '09 without a few more years added on. The thing to be happy with is it wasn't sick six or five years like what might have happened in a better market. The guy is young and it's worth the gamble no matter what your fantasy spreadsheets are telling you. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 09 2008 07:58 PM I think the Mets'll get good value for the money/years. Prospectus' MORP puts Rodriguez at 14.3, 10.5, and 8.3 million over the next three years. So the Mets probably overpaid a little, but they're one of the few teams that can afford to do that, and they got the best available closer. I put down "Love it". Now, Fuentes or Wood for set-up? Frayed Knot Dec 09 2008 08:10 PM Wood & Fuentes are going to get closer money and aren't going to come here for set-up duties. Valadius Dec 09 2008 08:11 PM Wood looks like he's going to Cleveland. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 09 2008 09:09 PM ="Frayed Knot":1b7mjflt]Wood & Fuentes are going to get closer money and aren't going to come here for set-up duties.[/quote:1b7mjflt] I know, I just wonder if they were offered closer money if they would accept a setup role. Fman99 Dec 09 2008 09:29 PM ="metirish":3kn98oo4]It will cost the Mets draft picks as you know , with the very easy vesting option this might as well be a four year deal.[/quote:3kn98oo4] True -- I was thinking more of the guys currently in their system that keep coming up in trade rumors - Evans, Parnell, Martinez, etc. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 07:26 AM Back page of the Daily News: K TO THE CITI. Sign of how things have changed. A year ago it would have probably been "SHEA K" I voted that I like the deal. I know you need good arms in the bullpen, so therefore this will help. But I think the importance of celebrity closers is overrated, so I don't see this as having the kind of impact they got from getting Santana. willpie Dec 10 2008 08:51 AM I went for Like. I'm on the verge of Love, especially for that amount of money. I'm worried about his arm, though. Between his antics and Reyes's, we ought to see some good fights this year. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 08:57 AM His antics really are a bit much. I don't think I've ever seen him pitch, (the Mets games in Anaheim this year were well past my bedtime) but I saw some clips last night in the opening montage of Mets Hot Stove Report. batmagadanleadoff Dec 10 2008 10:12 AM I voted "Love It". The Mets obtained one of baseball's best relievers. I don't see how any Met fan could not love this acquisition. I understand that FR might underperform, or even flop in 2009. But so could Beltran. Or Wright. Today, no one knows for sure, either way. By the way, this Mets pickup is hardly back-page headline worthy any more: Edgy DC Dec 10 2008 11:23 AM Pass the physical! Physical! You gotta pass the physical! Come on pass the physical Let me hear the trainer talk! Trainer talk! Let me hear the trainer talk! Valadius Dec 10 2008 11:39 AM C.C. Sabathia and Mo Vaughn having dinner - how much food would be consumed? Frayed Knot Dec 10 2008 11:41 AM All of it metirish Dec 10 2008 01:29 PM Some nuggets here from David Lennon. ] The Mets will the announce the signing of Francisco Rodriguez here at the Bellagio later Wednesday afternoon when GM Omar Minaya steps to the podium. Rodriguez completed his physical in New York earlier Wednesday to clear the way to make the three-year, $37-million deal official. Also, new details emerged Wednesday about the speedy negotiations with the free-agent closer: -- When K-Rod and his agent, Paul Kinzer, had dinner with the Mets on Sunday night, they were pleasantly surprised when the team executives got a call from Johan Santana, who had no idea they were meeting with Rodriguez. K-Rod, a fellow Venezuelan, idolizes Santana and was thrilled that he called. The Mets handed the phone to K-Rod and the two talked. In retrospect, it was a turning point as Santana expressed his excitement that K-Rod could be closing games for him. The Mets blew seven saves for Santana last season. -- After the Mets' initial offer of two years, $24 million, the two sides had marathon negotiating sessions on Monday that stretched until 5 a.m. Tuesday morning in Omar Minaya's suite. The clock was ticking because COO Jeff Wilpon was leaving Las Vegas on his private jet at 7:40 a.m.Tuesday and both sides wanted a deal done before then. Kinzer even brought in K-Rod for the final two hours of those talks just so he could see the urgency and stress involved. -- Just as the Mets badly needed K-Rod, he needed them too, and both sides seemed to realize that. Kinzer stressed that K-Rod is best on the big stage and that's why New York is perfect for him. A few other teams were involved with K-Rod, but not the Cardinals -- as was reported -- or the Angels, despite the bottom falling out of the closer market. -- So what number will K-Rod wear? His first choice is 57, but that's taken by Santana. Next is 37, but that once belonged to Casey Stengel and is retired. So that leaves his next favorite, the No. 17, which Fernando Tatis wore last season and was famously owned by Keith Hernandez. It's safe to say that K-Rod may be able to wrangle the No. 17 from Tatis -- perhaps with a new Rolex or some other token of appreciation. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 01:42 PM So he likes the number seven, but seems to not want an even number in the tens column. 17, 37, 57, 77, 97. 97 would be a cool number. seawolf17 Dec 10 2008 01:49 PM Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 01:56 PM ="Adam Rubin":1imbkppa]Las Vegas - Francisco Rodriguez was at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan Wednesday morning, undergoing a physical. There was no official word on K-Rod passing the physical, though the Mets hope to make an announcement within hours that he's cleared the medical hurdle. A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Rodriguez agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal Tuesday with a fourth-year vesting option based on games finished.[/quote:1imbkppa] They should all put on hardhats and have the press conference at what's left of Shea Stadium. Valadius Dec 10 2008 02:03 PM ="seawolf17":19bv4xds]Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it.[/quote:19bv4xds] This is why we retire numbers. Centerfield Dec 10 2008 02:14 PM ="seawolf17":30mm7xcs]Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it.[/quote:30mm7xcs] DAE. SUNG. KOO. metirish Dec 10 2008 02:18 PM Mr. Koo did that number proud. Zvon Dec 10 2008 02:59 PM I like this. Can't feel the love for it until I see what he does for us. I learned a long time ago not to throw my heart around like that. Landing a real closer was my number one concern, and its been addressed. The deal is at a nice price and length. So I'm really liking this. G-Fafif Dec 10 2008 04:24 PM E-mail from mets.com says K-Rod goes for No. 75. Fman99 Dec 10 2008 08:04 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":ti8ow5qk]="Adam Rubin":ti8ow5qk]Las Vegas - Francisco Rodriguez was at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan Wednesday morning, undergoing a physical. There was no official word on K-Rod passing the physical, though the Mets hope to make an announcement within hours that he's cleared the medical hurdle. A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Rodriguez agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal Tuesday with a fourth-year vesting option based on games finished.[/quote:ti8ow5qk] They should all put on hardhats and have the press conference at what's left of Shea Stadium.[/quote:ti8ow5qk] You were close. Frank et al. were at the new park, but donning the Mets hardhats, which are damn foolish looking if you're not welding something. Big "Mets welcome K-Rod" sign at CitiField. They apparently aren't reading this thread. SteveJRogers Dec 10 2008 08:39 PM =Adam Rubin]A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Interesting. They can not host press conferences, but last September advertisements in the Mets program suggested that starting this winter, i.e. now, Citi Field would ready to be hosting "events" (corporate, weddings, whatever the heck they did at Shea) and were soliciting reservations. batmagadanleadoff Dec 11 2008 09:45 AM It's still Autumn. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 11 2008 09:50 AM May also have to do with communication-type stuff and broadcasting abilities coming in later than banquet rooms. Benjamin Grimm Dec 11 2008 09:53 AM I'm guessing they have to wait until Citi Field is no longer a hard-hat zone. metirish Dec 13 2008 12:46 PM K-Rod jumps right into Mets-Phillies rivalry BY KEN DAVIDOFF | ken.davidoff@newsday.com 12:53 PM EST, December 13, 2008 Francisco Rodriguez didn't even wait for his first save to jump into the war of words between the Mets and Phillies. In a telephone news conference today, K-Rod's first interaction with the New York media, the Mets' new closer proclaimed his confidence in his new teammates. "Of course we're going to be the frontrunner," Rodriguez told reporters. "Of course were going to be the team to beat. "I don't want there to be a controversy. I don't want the other team to take it personally, or take it in a bad way. But I'm a really competitive guy. I like to win. "If they ask me, "Who's going to be the ball club that will win the National League East, it'll be the Mets." "Team to beat" has become a well-known phrase in the Mets-Phillies rivalry. Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins first used the words to describe his team prior to the 2007 season, and Rollins proceeded to win the National League Most Valuable Player award as his team lived up to that proclamation. This past season, during spring training, the Mets' Carlos Beltran, usually soft-spoken, declared his club as the team to beat. The Mets couldn't quite make Beltran look good, giving up a mid-September divisional lead. On Thursday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels upped the ante when, on an interview with WFAN, he referred to the Mets as "choke artists." Rodriguez said that his velocity did drop in 2008, as many scouts and opponents observed, but that it happened because he was working in a new pitch, a changeup that proved effective. In 2009, he said, his velocity should return to the mid-90s now that he's more comfortable with the arm action needed to make his fastball and changeup look identical out of his hand. Ashie62 Dec 14 2008 06:25 PM On Thursday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels upped the ante when, on an interview with WFAN, he referred to the Mets as "choke artists." Well..he's not totally off base But I signed up for phillienation under a bogus ID and sent Chase Utley a less than friendly "get well" email. metirish Dec 17 2008 11:29 AM Looks like Barry Bonds. Mets introduce Rodriguez. metirish Dec 17 2008 01:56 PM > Benjamin Grimm Dec 17 2008 02:03 PM He has "K-ROD" monogrammed into his shirts? Oh, brother. I'm afraid that nickname isn't going to go away any time soon. But, wow, don't Jeff and Jerry seem thrilled? You'd think a faulty bullpen caused them to miss the playoffs last season. metirish Dec 17 2008 02:08 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1i00hhby]He has "K-ROD" monogrammed into his shirts? Oh, brother. I'm afraid that nickname isn't going to go away any time soon. But, wow, don't Jeff and Jerry seem thrilled? You'd think a faulty bullpen caused them to miss the playoffs last season.[/quote:1i00hhby] That Jeff can smile like that after Dad got taken to the cleaners is admirable. I admire you Jeffy Wilpon , nothing stands in this mans way. Centerfield Dec 17 2008 02:08 PM Meanwhile Omar has a look that seems to say "This shit had better work or I'm gonna end up bantering with Kruk on Baseball Tonight." Benjamin Grimm Dec 17 2008 02:12 PM Ain't dat the troof! My concern is that Omar is fixing last year's problem, which is well and good, but not addressing next year's problem. I don't like how he's standing pat on the offense. Sure, they scored a lot of runs last year, but guys like Delgado and Tatis are both one year older (actually, everyone is, but it's more of an issue with the old guys!) and we might also see decline from guys like Church and Castillo. themetfairy Mar 30 2009 10:58 AM I couldn't find the thread where we were discussing possible nicknames for our new closer. However, I was at the Modell's in Herald Square yesterday, and there was a lot of K-Rod 75 merchandise on display. metirish Mar 30 2009 11:01 AM One of the TV guys said that Rodriguez does not like or want to be called K-Rod...I think it was keith who said it....goes by Frankie..

Well additional Type A signings will still mean the loss of additional draft picks: round 2, round 3, round 4, whatever. Either way, 3 x $12 sure beats the original estimates of 5 x $15

Carton exaggerating the degree of his inside information in order to draw attention to himself? ... You don't say!

SI.com's Heyman, who is also employed by FAN as their nat'l baseball reporter, apparently called in to the overnight show around 3AM to say that the Mets were firing Willie again ... sorry, that was a reflex. Actually what he said was that the Mets had "serious negotiations" with Rodriguez and expects a deal to be finalized in the next few days for 3 years in the $36-$37 range.

="*62":2ilr4dff]Can someone point me towards the final tally for Schaefer P.O.Y.? Can't seem to find it.[/quote:2ilr4dff] It's hanging with the archives in the 'Player of the Game' fourm. http://cranepoolforum.qwknetllc.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=10350

]Do we just not have the prospects to get it [a deal for Delmon Young] done? Well, if you're working on the notion that he's a stud OFer to be than they'll need something back on a similar level. Not sure who that would be. F. Martinez hopes to be Delmon Young but is 4 years behind in development so it'll be him plus probably a pitching prospect. Are you willing to go Fartinez & Niese? ]Is there something terrible that I don't know about young Mr. Young? There's the lunkhead issue: ie. the bat-throwing deal that cost him a half-season of minor league ball and valuable developmental time. Other than that the knocks are that he really hasn't developed as predicted back when he was made the #1 overall pick in the nation. He doesn't walk very often [walk rate ~ .030-.040] and the power hasn't really shown up yet either [isoP ~ .110] - both well below average particularly for a corner OF. Right now he's sort of Lastings Milledge with a better BA but fewer walks and slightly less power. On the other hand he's still only 23 y/o so there's certainly still time. But, if he really is on the market, it might say something that two orgs have had their fill of him by such a young age.

Joe Gordon and no one else. If I had to choose one off of the vet's ballot I don't think I would have gone with him.

A couple of weeks ago I speculated that Prez Obama's favorite team could be looking to get rid of some combo of Nick Swisher, Javy Vazquez, or Jermaine Dye. Well rumor has it they're going for the hat-trick as an Ohio paper is saying that Dye will wind up in Cincy in exchange for highly-touted yet disappointing hurler Homer Bailey. The 22 y/o RH, along with the Yanx Phil Hughes, comprised hot pitching prospects #1 & 1A two winters ago but has struggled even more than Hughes since. A bit of a rock head is the word on him although Chi pitching coach Cooper has a good rep for reviving head cases and Bailey is still only 22. Dye is 34 w/one year remaining plus a mutual option. So it looks like the ChiSox trade machine is pretty much tapped out. It also means GM Williams has lopped a shit-load of money off next year's payroll. Wonder if he'll be diving into one or more of the big-name FAs.

Yeah, my understanding was nu-apple inside, apple-classic on view somewhere outside.

Yeah, I knew Chass was still working. It just suxx that the Times doesn't think it's important to run a weekly baseball column in their Sunday edition since they parted ways w/Chass.

Meanwhile, it doesn't seem like the NYTimes has ever replaced Murray Chass's long-running Sunday baseball cloumn. Not that they've stopped covering baseball, but his league-wide column was always the one island of baseball refuge I could climb onto each Sunday no matter how deep in the winter or how thick the Super Bowl hype. Now, not only is it not there but there doesn't seem to be a replacement either.

More Raines love A rather lengthy treatise on why Tim Raines belongs, comparing him as a leadoff hitter to other leadoffs already in or likely headed for the HoF and reaching concluions like; Take a big part of Rickey Henderson and Pete Rose, add a good size part of Lou Brock, Paul Molitor, and Craig Biggio, and stir in some Ichiro Suzuki, Wade Boggs, Joe Morgan, Derek Jeter, and Barry Bonds, and you get a composite that is a shade inferior to Tim Raines. ... and then doing the same with Raines as #3 hitter, and then again as an overall career. I'm convinced.

Read something in the last day or two (I forget where at this point) that Omar may try the 'first-come/first-served' approach with the group of FA closers. IOW, put out more or less simultaneous (though not identical) offers to Rodriguez, Fuentes & Wood and inform tham all that the first one to accept gets the job while those who snooze, lose. So maybe KRod gets offered 3x$14, Fuentes 2x12, and Wood 1+option in an attempt to snag a closer on what the Mets consider reasonable terms. Now this is a similar tact he tried with FA catchers Ramon Hernandez and (Benjy Molina?) a few years back although neither bit. That, in turn, caused Omar to trade for LoDuca instead. So maybe the trade route involving the Putz/Street/Valverde crowd is on the back burner in case the FA gambit falls through.

Both Smoltz & Glavine intend to pitch next year.

Yeah, but while there he'll "field" the questions impeccably 18 Gold Gloves: most ever by anyone at any position.