Edgy MD

A lonely elf as a collegian, maybe. A sad angel as a Met. [fimg=500:138x0ybu]http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Matt+den+Dekker+New+York+Mets+Photo+Day+lHmWcFHpwOil.jpg[/fimg:138x0ybu]

Things don't always turn out exactly like you planned. I mean, I planned to be at National's park on Opening Day, but not at the locker I think I'm going to be at. Isn't life funny that way? You know what isn't funny? A hunnert and eighty-five pounds on a six-six frame. That's an ectomorph. That's what I am, and what I am is Jerry F. Blevins. You know what may actually be funny? You predicting my 2015 season. I dare ya'.

I think the big hat is the wave of the future, and if Keith Hernandez thinks I'm afraid, he'll see who's afraid this season. I say the man who sets himself apart for his beliefs is the bold one. [fimg=600:2cqy5lmx]http://www.foxsports.com/content/dam/fsdigital/fscom/mlb/images/2014/06/22/062214-MLB-San-Diego-Padres-Alex-Torres-JW-PI.jpg[/fimg:2cqy5lmx] What do you see happening for me this season? Will you have a Torrgasm?

A buncha yas (including d'Kong again) predicted a midseason trade. But midseason came early this year. Let no one say that den Dekker isn't in midseason form.

Strange in that what made Blevins expendable, among all the Nats' lefty relief options, was that he got hit hard his last two times out. But those last two times out were both against the Mets. Somehow, someone in the Mets organization filed a convincing scouting report that read, "I'm convinced he still has the stuff to get big outs in a tight game, just not, heh-heh, against us."

Looking at the Mets history with two-trade days, I think two patterns emerge. First, they seem to have been a lot more common during the Steve Phillips era than at any other period in the team's history. Second, whether we realized it at the time or not, they often seem to be easy to associate with the beginning or end of a manager's era, whether the team is folding its cards one regime, or ante-ing up for the next. This could often be true even if the regime that the trades would help define wasn't yet in place. Today, for instance, could be a day that helps define an as-yet-unknown Teufel Era or Backman Epoch. April 26, 1962 New York Mets purchased Harry Chiti from the Cleveland Indians. New York Mets traded Bobby Gene Smith to the Chicago Cubs for Sammy Taylor. Cash-for-players-times-two. Sorta qualifies. May 6, 1962 New York Mets traded Don Zimmer to the Cincinnati Reds for Bob Miller and Cliff Cook. New York Mets traded Jim Marshall to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Vinegar Bend Mizell. The first housecleaning. October 11, 1962 New York Mets purchased Norm Sherry and Dick Smith from the Los Angeles Dodgers. New York Mets purchased Ron Hunt from the Milwaukee Braves. Was this some sort of roster pinch, where these teams would lose these guys if they didn't deal them off? Because this was a good day for the Mets, even if only one of these guys panned out. May 10, 1967 New York Mets traded Larry Elliot to the Kansas City Athletics for Ed Charles. New York Mets purchased Bob Johnson and John Miller from the Baltimore Orioles. This was the year Bing Devine went crazy. November 27, 1972 New York Mets traded Tommie Agee to the Houston Astros for Rich Chiles and Buddy Harris. New York Mets traded Brent Strom and Bob Rauch to the Cleveland Indians for Phil Hennigan. The first trade was a fading talent for a going-nowhere talent, but we lost an actual player in the second deal. Strom was years away from his brief period of usefulness though. December 12, 1975 New York Mets traded Rusty Staub and Bill Laxton to the Detroit Tigers for Mickey Lolich and Billy Baldwin. New York Mets traded Gene Clines to the Texas Rangers for Joe Lovitto. You can't judge the Staub trade without considering the Billy Baldwin factor... oh, wait, yes you can. June 15, 1977 New York Mets traded Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds for Doug Flynn, Steve Henderson, Pat Zachry and Dan Norman. New York Mets traded Dave Kingman to the San Diego Padres for Bobby Valentine and Paul Siebert. New York Mets traded Mike Phillips to the St. Louis Cardinals for Joel Youngblood. I don't remember these trades. How'd they work out? What time of day did they occur? June 15, 1979 New York Mets traded Bob Myrick and Mike Bruhert to the Texas Rangers for Dock Ellis. New York Mets purchased Andy Hassler from the Boston Red Sox. More or less viable mid-season veteran pitching additions... for a team desperately needing hitting. Both welcome additions, but to what end? Ellis would be dealt back to the eventual Pirates with 10 days to go in the season, as they desperately tried to stave off the Expos. Hopefully whatever post-season share he got for his late-season appearances was well-spent. April 6, 1981 New York Mets traded Ed Glynn to the Cleveland Indians for Dominick Bullinger. New York Mets traded Mark Bomback to the Toronto Blue Jays for Charlie Puleo. New York Mets sold Butch Benton to the Chicago Cubs. Puleo would become the main part of the deal that brought Seaver back two years later, so... . December 11, 1981 New York Mets traded Doug Flynn and Danny Boitano to the Texas Rangers for Jim Kern. New York Mets traded Frank Taveras to the Montreal Expos for Steve Ratzer. While the Torre era died this day, it's also notable in that Frank Cashen made noise about actually wanting Jim Kaat, but flipped him two months later in the Foster deal, without him throwing a single pitch as a Met. June 15, 1983 New York Mets traded Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey to the St. Louis Cardinals for Keith Hernandez. New York Mets sold Mike Jorgensen to the Atlanta Braves. In its own way, the far-shorter Bamberger era died this day. January 16, 1986 New York Mets traded Billy Beane, Bill Latham and Joe Klink to the Minnesota Twins for Tim Teufel and Pat Crosby. New York Mets traded Ronn Reynolds and Jeff Bittiger to the Philadelphia Phillies for Ronnie Gideon and Rodger Cole. The first one looks like a classick Frank Cashen fleecing, wherein step one is to establish your system as elite, and step two is trade minor league guys in your system who are over-valued for big-league talent. Nonetheless, for the second time, in their history (after Dallas Green), the Mets lose a revolutionary front office figure before his time. Perhaps the third, if you count Tom Grieve. August 30, 1990 New York Mets traded Kevin Brown and Julio Machado to the Milwaukee Brewers for Charlie O'Brien and Kevin Carmody. New York Mets traded Nikco Riesgo and Rocky Elli to the Philadelphia Phillies for Tom Herr. New York Mets traded Archie Corbin to the Kansas City Royals for Pat Tabler. One of the more ineffectual arming-ups for the stretch run in team history. Tabler got some key hits, but the Mets still finished four games back. March 30, 1994 New York Mets traded Steve Long to the Florida Marlins for Robert Person. New York Mets traded Anthony Young and Ottis Smith to the Chicago Cubs for Jos� Vizcaino. Shedding Torborg players for Green players. That first one is impressive, trading a never-will be for a guy who brought us five wins and Jon Olerud. November 27, 1996 New York Mets traded Jerry Dipoto to the Colorado Rockies for Armando Reynoso. New York Mets traded Rico Brogna to the Philadelphia Phillies for Ricardo Jordan and Toby Borland. The Green era... thus far and no further. July 31, 1998 New York Mets traded Bill Pulsipher to the Milwaukee Brewers for Mike Kinkade. New York Mets traded Leo Estrella to the Toronto Blue Jays for Tony Phillips. New York Mets traded Bernard Gilkey and Nelson Figueroa to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jorge Fabregas and Willie Blair. As stretch run retellings go, this one is sad � seemingly more about getting rid of distracting player than gaining missing parts, with the Mets dealing off a bloated contract with a developing drinking problem in Gilkey, a phenom sadly failing to work his way back in Pulsipher, and a homeboy who would finally appear for the Mets 10 year later in Figgy. December 1, 1998 New York Mets traded Todd Hundley and Arnold Gooch to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Roger Cede�o and Charles Johnson. New York Mets traded Charles Johnson to the Baltimore Orioles for Armando Benitez. This was two transactions, but it was really just two legs of a single three-way transaction. December 4, 1998 New York Mets traded Butch Huskey to the Seattle Mariners for Lesli Brea. New York Mets traded Willie Blair to the Detroit Tigers for Joe Randa. Brea turned out to be three years older than he claimed to be, but this wasn't discovered until after the Mets dealt him to the Orioles. Joe Randa, professional hitter, turned out to beat the Mets in Pedro Martinez's otherwise remarkable debut. July 31, 1999 New York Mets traded Craig Paquette to the St. Louis Cardinals for Shawon Dunston. New York Mets traded Jason Isringhausen and Greg McMichael to the Oakland Athletics for Billy Taylor. New York Mets traded Brian McRae, Rigo Beltran and Tom Johnson to the Colorado Rockies for Darryl Hamilton and Chuck McElroy. Gearing up for a very exciting stretch run here. July 28, 2000 New York Mets traded Melvin Mora, Mike Kinkade, Pat Gorman and Lesli Brea to the Baltimore Orioles for Mike Bordick. New York Mets traded Paul Wilson and Jason Tyner to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Bubba Trammell and Rick White. Trades that probably did more harm than good, come October. Certainly beyond. January 21, 2002 New York Mets traded Benny Agbayani and Todd Zeile to the Colorado Rockies for Alex Ochoa, Craig House and Ross Gload. New York Mets traded Alex Ochoa, Lenny Harris and Glendon Rusch to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeromy Burnitz, Jeff D'Amico, Lou Collier and Mark Sweeney. Two legs of one giant, stupid trade that was part of one giant, stupid offseason retooling. July 31, 2002 New York Mets traded Bobby Jones, Jason Bay and Josh Reynolds to the San Diego Padres for Jason Middlebrook and Steve Reed. New York Mets traded Jay Payton, Mark Corey and Robert Stratton to the Colorado Rockies for John Thomson and Mark Little. End of the Bobby Valentine era. Totally. July 30, 2004 New York Mets traded Scott Kazmir and Joselo Diaz to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Victor Zambrano and Bartolome Fortunato. New York Mets traded Justin Huber to the Kansas City Royals for Jos� Bautista. New York Mets traded Ty Wigginton, Jos� Bautista and Matt Peterson to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Kris Benson and Jeff Keppinger. Among other things, Duquette's folly shows how hard it is to deal for the stretch run with one eye on next year at the same time. March 30, 2015 New York Mets traded Cory Mazzoni to the San Diego Padres for Alex Torres. New York Mets traded Matt den Dekker to the Washington Nationals for Jerry Blevins. The first two acquisitions of 2015.

Not a Whitney fan. Not unless the world "Whitney" is followed by "Payson."

Farewell to Christine den Dekker and your sunkist 1970s strapless blonde look. I'm pretty sure I saw you rooting on Tanner Boyle in The Bad News Bears. Now you'll root on Tanner Roark. [fimg=550]https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/473705690117439488/EqAU2QDn.jpeg[/fimg]

We're lookin' at something pretty close to the battle crew here. Stinks to think that, in addition to losing the den Dekker and Ronzonni, we're going to have to brace for losing a PtBNL and possibly Gilmartin. But those are abstractions for now. And if Gilmartin falls away, maybe Verrett boomerangs back to us also. It's interesting that on Thanksgiving, Syndergaard and Matz were 10 and 11th among Mets starters, and now � with the drafting of Verrett, the injury to Wheeler, and the dealing of Mazzoni � they've moved up to seventh and eighth, just by standing still. Two things are always coming at you relentlessly: (1) the future, and (2) pitching injuries. Transaction Dealt To San DiegoRemoved From Projected Roster Acquired From WashingtonRemoved From Projected RosterRemoved From Projected RosterPosition=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543508.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_516714.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_460283.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543219.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592340.jpg[/fimg]NameCory MazzoniDario AlvarezJerry BlevinsSean GilmartinEric GoeddelDoB10/19/1989 #471/17/89 #686/6/83 #13?11/4/1986 #3612/20/88 #62TransactionAdded To Projected Roster And Transferred From Rotation Acquired From San Diego Dealt To WashingtonPosition=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_606160.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_456776.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_544925.jpg[/fimg]NameRafael Montero�lex TorresMatt den DekkerDoB10/17/90 #5012/8/87 #54?8/10/87 #6 Your New York Mets Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Relief Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_112526.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_594798.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518716.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518774.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_477003.jpg[/fimg]NameBartolo ColonJacob deGromDillon GeeMatt HarveyJonathon NieseDoB5/24/73 #406/19/88 #484/28/86 #353/27/89 #3310/27/86 #49MLB Stats15-13, 4.09 202.1 IP, 30/1519-6, 2.69 140.1 IP, 43/1447-8, 4.00 137.1 IP, 43/949-11, 3.40 187.2 IP, 45/138AAA Stats4-0, 2.58 38.1 IP, 10/29Rk Stats0-0, 0.00 2.0 IP, 0/2Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_460283.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_234194.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_544727.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_516769.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_606160.jpg[/fimg]NameJerry BlevinsBuddy CarlyleJeurys FamiliaJenrry MejiaRafael MonteroDoB6/6/83 #13?12/21/77 #4310/10/89 #2710/11/89 #5810/17/90 #50MLB Stats2-3, 4.87 57.1 IP, 23/661-1, 1.45 31.0 IP, 5/282-5 (5), 2.21 77.1 IP, 32/736-6 (28), 3.65 93.2 IP, 41/981-3, 4.06 44.1 IP, 23/42AAA Stats4-2, 2.16 33.1 IP, 12/366-4, 3.60 80.0 IP, 34/80A+ Stats0-0, 0.00 4.0 IP, 1/4RK Stats0-0, 4.50 2.0 IP, 0/3Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000]Catcher=#008000]Catcher=#8000FF]Infielder[fimg=90]http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_456776.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_448614.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518595.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_489232.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_493472.jpg[/fimg]Name�lex TorresCarlos TorresTravis d'ArnaudAnthony ReckerEric CampbellDoB12/8/87 #54?10/22/82 #522/10/89 #78/28/83 #204/9/87 #29MLB Stats2-1 (2), 3.33 54.0 IP, 33/518-6 (2), 3.06 97.0 IP, 38/96421 PA, .242/13/41 .302/.416//.718189 PA, .201/7/27 .246/.374//.620211 PA, .263/3/16 .322/.358//.680AAA Stats59 PA, .436/6/16 .475/.909//1.384163 PA, .355/3/24 .475/.909//1.384AA Stats9 PA, .125/1/2 .222/.500//.722Position=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_446263.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_527038.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_502517.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_514913.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_431151.jpg[/fimg]NameLucas DudaWilmer FloresDaniel MurphyRuben TejadaDavid WrightDoB2/3/86 #218/6/91 #44/11/85 #2810/27/89 #1112/20/82 #5MLB Stats596 PA, .253/30/92 .349/.481//.830274 PA, .251/6/29 .286/.378//.664642 PA, .289/9/57 .332/.403//.735419 PA, .237/5/34 .342/.310//.652586 PA, .269/8/63 .324/.374//.698AAA Stats241 PA, .323/13/57 .367/.568//.935Position=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_150212.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_434158.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_501571.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543590.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_460055.jpg[/fimg]NameMichael CuddyerCurtis GrandersonJuan LagaresKirk NieuwenhuisJohn MayberryDoB9/27/79 #233/16/81 #33/17/89 #128/7/87 #912/21/83 #44MLB Stats205 PA, .332/10/3 .376/.579//.955654 PA, .227/20/66 .326/.388//.714452 PA, .281/4/47 .321/.382//.703112 PA, .259/3/16 .346/.482//.828168 PA, .212/7/23 .310/.425//.734AAA Stats2 PA, .000/0/0 .500/.000//.50010 PA, .444/0/0 .500/.556//1.056229 PA, .265/11/32 .319/.512//.83138 PA, .182/1/4 .289/.333//.623AA Stats13 PA, .182/0/0 .308/.182//.4909 PA, .250/0/1 .333/.250//.583RK Stats22 PA, .579/0/9 .591/.895//1.4868 PA, .000/0/0 .000/.000//.000 Also on 40-Man Roster Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_571927.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_570663.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592789.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_554430.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/593679/t505/180x270/593679.jpg[/fimg]NameSteven Matz =#FF0000]Not in CampHansel Robles =#FF0000]Not in CampNoah Syndergaard =#FF0000]Not in CampZack WheelerGabriel Ynoa =#FF0000]Not in CampDoB5/29/91 #638/13/90 #678/29/1992 #345/30/90 #455/26/1993 #63MLB Stats11-11, 3.54 185.1 IP, 79/187AAA Stats9-7, 4.60 133.0 IP, 43/145AA Stats6-5, 2.27 71.1 IP, 14/697-6, 4.31 110.2 IP, 43/1063-2, 4.21 66.1 IP, 12/42A+ Stats4-4, 2.21 71.1 IP, 14/708-2, 3.95 148.1 IP, 25/106Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_516714.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_502195.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_572831.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543219.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592340.jpg[/fimg]NameDario AlvarezVic BlackJosh EdginSean GilmartinEric GoeddelDoB1/17/89 #685/23/88 #3812/17/86 #6611/4/1986 #3612/20/88 #62MLB Stats0-0, 13.50 1.1 IP, 0/12-3, 2.60 34.2 IP, 19/321-0, 1.32 27.1 IP, 6/282-4, 4.28 73.2 IP, 28/590-0, 2.70 6.2 IP, 4/6AAA Stats0-1 (7), 1.45 18.2 IP, 17/183-0, 4.97 12.2 IP, 11/127-3, 3.12 72.0 IP, 16/743-2, 5.37 63.2 IP, 30/64AA Stats1-0, 0.00 5.2 IP, 0/9A+ Stats2-0, 0.00 6,1 IP, 3/101-0, 0.00 5.2 IP, 0/10A Stats7-1, 1.32 61.1 IP, 14/95Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_605333.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/592570/t543/180x270/592570.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_458730.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_599096.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_541600.jpg[/fimg]NameJack Leathersich =#FF0000]Not in CampAkeel Morris =#FF0000]Not in CampBobby ParnellDilson Herrera =#FF0000]Not in CampWilfredo Tovar =#FF0000]Not in CampDoB7/14/1990 #5111/14/1992 #649/8/84 #395/3/94 #28/11/91 #70MLB Stats0-0, 5.40 8.1 IP, 7/140-0, 9.00 1.0 IP, 1/166 PA, .220/3/11 .303/.407//.710 3 PA, .000/0/0 .000/.000//.000 AAA Stats3-3 (1), 2.93 46.0 IP, 21/79AA Stats278 PA, .340/10/48 .406/.560//.967285 PA, .282/2/29 .345/.345//.690A+ Stats309 PA, .307/3/23 .355/.410//.76523 PA, .353/0/4 .522/.588//1.110A Stats4-1 (16), 0.63 57.0 IP, 22/89RK Stats7 PA, .333/0/2 .429/.599//.929Position=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_527049.jpg[/fimg]NameCesar PuelloDoB4/1/91 #65AAA Stats371 PA, .252/7/37 .355/.393//.748 Also in Camp Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#BF0000]Catcher=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/543856/generic/180x270/543856.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/476192/generic/180x270/476192.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/594940/t400/180x270/594940.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/608703/generic/180x270/608703.jpg[/fimg]NameZack ThorntonJohnny MonellDanny MunoMatt ReynoldsDoB5/19/88 #463/27/1986 #192/9/89 #6412/3/90 #55AAA Stats3-5 (1), 3.90 67.0 IP, 22/73226 PA, .238/4/24 .301/.364//.665435 PA, .259/14/62 .372/.418//.790301 PA, .333/5/40 .385/.479//.864AA Stats242 PA, .355/5/40 .430/.422//.852 Coaching Staff Position=#BF0000] Manager=#BF0000]Hitting Coach=#BF0000]Pitching Coach=#BF0000]First Base Coach=#BF0000]Third Base Coach[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/492632.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/438989.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/123951.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/114961.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/123212.jpg[/fimg]NameTerry CollinsKevin LongDan WarthenTom GoodwinTim TeufelDoB5/27/49 #1012/30/6612/1/52 #597/27/68 #277/7/58 #18Position=#BF0000]Bench Coach=#BF0000]Bullpen Coach=#BF0000]Ass't Batting Coach=#BF0000]Strength and Cond. Coach=#BF0000]Strength and Cond. Coach[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/114712.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/111191.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/pat-roessler-1.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/mike-barwis.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dustin-clarke-1.jpg[/fimg]NameBob GerenRicky BonesPat RoesslerMike BarwisDustin ClarkeDoB9/22/61 #154/7/69 #2512/27/596/6/73circa 1987Position=#BF0000]Bullpen Catcher=#BF0000]Bullpen Catcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/534948.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/430002.jpg[/fimg]NameDave RacanielloEric LangillDoB6/3/78 #547/7/58 #18

Only one real prediction here and that was d'KONG. Not a bad prediction either, tagging Mazzoni as trade bait, even if he got the month wrong.

themetfairy wrote: Little d vs. the little a's here. How strange to see a lower-case a on the hats and a capital A on the helmet.

Parts of two seasons as a ball-hawking specialist the Mets never really found a need for. He could have been more and may well end up being more. I always thought he looked like an angel. Kind of a sad angel.

So Sandy goes a year and a half without trading for a big league player, and then he can't wait two hours to do it again.

Snooze and lose, Baltimore.

Even in a down year, he pilloried lefties to the tune of .160 / .202 / .217 // .419. I'd hate to lose intra-divisional doubles in the gap to the glove of dD, but that is one magic LOOGy.

First Mets-Padres trade since Kunz-for-Dykstra, which happened almost exactly four years ago today, on March 29, 2011. Biggest Mets trade with the Padres? Probably the McReynolds deal. Kevin Mitchell, Stan Jefferson and Shawn Abler for Kevin McReynolds, Gene Walter and Adam Ging on December 11, 1986. That's a lot of WAR bouncing back and forth. I wonder if there was a lot of resistance when we asked for Ging? Also big, of course, was the June 15, 1977 dump off of Dave Kingman for wounded vet Bobby Valentine and nowhere-bound prospect Paul Siebert. The Mets have twice acquired once-great shortstops from the Padres � Tony Fernandez and Garry Templeton � realizing quickly both times that the hoped-for career renaissance wasn't in the offing. Most unusual transaction sequence has to be the tug of war the two teams had over Jason Middlebrook: [list:hwd872ck][*:hwd872ck]New York Mets claimed Jason Middlebrook on waivers from the San Diego Padres on October 5, 2000.[/*:m:hwd872ck] [*:hwd872ck]San Diego Padres claimed Jason Middlebrook of the New York Mets on waivers on November 22, 2000.[/*:m:hwd872ck] [*:hwd872ck]New York Mets traded Bobby Jones, Jason Bay and Josh Reynolds to the San Diego Padres for Jason Middlebrook and Steve Reed on July 31, 2002.[/*:m:hwd872ck][/list:u:hwd872ck] Guys, he's Jason Middlebrook. Relax. Relax before one of you does something stupid and deals off a future All Star for hi... Shit.

He may not be a power pitcher, but his form is very Goodenesque to me. [fimg=250:1dgt5pam]http://o0tp7mzzn32msux2jkg8kga0.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/images/2014/05/Montero-Rafael.jpg[/fimg:1dgt5pam]

Know what this game could use? A vicious five-run rally featuring... oh, wait. Just got one. Never mind.

Six innings, zero runs, two hits, zero walks, six strikeouts. Against a division rival with seven of their eight regulars in the lineup. Hard not to look at that as statement.

If not, he's sure smoking toward that seventh bullpen spot.

My feeling is generally that, while a lefty specialist who walks guys is certainly not ideal, that's the least sin to have. When you face lefty sluggers for a living, walks are part of the game. It's certainly notable that he's had a successful career against all batters though.

OE: He's the dude with the protective pitcher's cap. Keith mocked this, didn't he? OE: �If you�re scared, get a dog.�

Good challenge trade. Both of them Rawlings guys. [fimg=220]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_zhVLHKrSgs/VKCD5cJjAkI/AAAAAAAAJck/p-muAsmesn4/s1600/Alex%2BTorres(1).jpg[/fimg]

WHOAH. Always hate to give up a Cory.

No doubt. I say as much, more or less, above. But I think different.