Edgy MD

Among the off-season scavenging the Mets have done of late is the signing of one Wanel Mesa. This one stands out as the guy has had a mostly poor career in the lower minors in the Nationals system, followed by a release, and a run with three indy teams the last two seasons that can best be described as disastrous. Now, there's no report of a spring training invite, so that's probably no more forthcoming than it would appear deserved. And his low work loads suggest he's been injured in recent years. I typically love these signings, as I enjoy seeing a team with enough courage in their judgment to go for a guy who they see something in, even if whatever they see has been completely absent in the results. But I've got to be curious, if they see something, why not just invite him to camp and work him out for a few weeks. The idea that he's been offered an actual contract suggests that he's either drawn interest from other teams, or he has an agent that has convinced the Mets he has. And for a guy who couldn't get his ERA down to the single digits with the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings, the McAllen Thunder, or the Bridgeport Bluefish, that would be remarkable.

I'm not sure what that means. I wouldn't think of an opt-out as being a thing that the Mets would pay for in cash, and if they did, it would likely not be until/unless they exercised it. And would not be exercised unless they saw a financial incentive. A franchise being bought and moving in the middle of an agreement would seem to me to have a meaningful effect on the value of the agreement, and I would think any team should have an out option as standard fare. And with the commissioner of baseball overseeing most aspects of minor league options, I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

One wonders whether the Mets have an out in their agreement.

Has anybubs talked with A-Rod this winter?

One might suggest... work on your programming.

Adam Wogan, director of major league operatons and survivor of the Omar Minaya era, will not return. Maybe the right move, but part of me says to project stability during the delicate hours of high profile contract negotiations with two stars.

Good news/bad news from where I sit.

A mega-hit is a mega-hit. That this should be a point of contention is faceplantable. Hits make money. Mega-hits make mega-munny.

Eyerolling at the pointless gratuitous shot at Wilpon aside, Burke sure learned something last year.

I don't know if enough ink has been spilled in their honor, but if you were following the Cyclones closely this year, you gradually came to realize that every day was Dickey Day, and high strikeouts, low walks, and quality starts was the new normal, all through the rotation. Don't know how this will translate beyond the New York Penn League, but this rotation --- all Latinos (five Dominicans and a Mexican who went to the Mets' Dominican Academy) --- has put up silly numbers end to end. DudeAgeWLW-L%ERAGSIPHRERHRBBIBBSOHBPBKWPBFWHIPH/9HR/9BB/9SO/9SO/BBLuis Cessa2054.5562.491372.336421204130442002851.0658.00.51.65.53.38Gabriel Ynoa1952.7142.231376.676125191100643043020.9267.20.11.27.56.40Rainy Lara2183.7272.911268.005323226120772012670.9567.00.81.610.26.42Luis Mateo2245.4442.451273.33572220290856102880.9007.00.21.110.49.44Hansel Robles2161.8571.111272.67471490100664122720.7845.80.01.28.26.60Julian Hilario2144.5003.231055.676225201200457122511.47310.00.23.27.32.25Total20.673219.6272.3672418.6734413011014740381243916650.9987.40.31.68.25.15 That's an ERA 1.58 standard deviations from the mean. A SO/BB ratio 2.16 standard deviations from the mean. It's a world removed from the mean is what I"m saying. In another year, you might think, "Hey, this Hilario kid might be a keeper." But this year, he's a tagalong. Filler. Excess. The number six guy in a five-man rotation. We're that spoiled for riches in the group heading to St. Lucie this year. That's a nice treat to go with your milquetoast in the morning.

Kinda looks like a Dominican relation of Tiger Woods. You know he's na�ve because it looks he's wearing one of those goofy Trion-Z necklaces. I aims to get rich that way. Make a fortune by being all the rage for three months selling ion-infused pebbles that a player puts in his jock to keep his bio-energy in flux or something --- ONLY $36 AN OUNCE!

Ka!POW! No time to graph it up, but the happy additives include righties Zack Wheeler, Hansel Robles, Gonzalez Germen and Greg Burke, izquierdo Darin Gorski and infielder Wilfredo Tovar.

Back to not playing the Yankees in Florida?

Is it right wing orthodoxy that the North Koreans are a credible threat to invade the US? I mean, I guess it can be construed as right-wing propaganda to suggest that our enemies are all around us and we must remain vigilant and keep a strong military, but for that, the Chinese or the Iranis or Venezuelans will serve. The idea that they made such a stupid choice... that seems just weak. That they jettisoned the Chinese after the fact because they don't want to hurt the potential Chinese market, well, that's the sort of lilly livered coddlling of the enemy I'd expect a good propagandist to attack. So I guess these filmmakers are third rate propagandists, remaking a second-rate film. Interesting that it comes on the day the president up and throws an olive branch to the DPRK.

A lot of over-ambitious scientists, I think: Goblin, Doc Oc, Looter, Lizard, Molten Man, Morbius, Jackal... You want a right-wing plot? How about the demonizing of the scientific community in Spider-Man?

Busy day in the bushes for the Mets Signed To Minor League Contract And Invited To CampOutfielders =#FF8000]55 =#FF8000]Jamie Hoffman DoB:8/20/1984 Your Projected Opening Day 2013 Mets (Orange Indicates Players Have Options) Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]43 R.A. Dickey DoB: 10/29/1974 =#0000FF]33 =#FF8000]Matt Harvey DoB: 3/27/1989 =#0000FF]49 Jonathon Niese DoB: 10/27/1986 =#0000FF]34 Mike Pelfrey DoB: 1/14/1984 =#0000FF]57 Johan Santana DoB: 3/13/1979Relief Pitchers =#0000FF]46 Manny Acosta DoB: 5/1/1981 =#0000FF]73 =#FF8000]Robert Carson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#0000FF]66 =#FF8000]Josh Edgin DoB: 12/17/1986 =#0000FF]48 Frank Francisco DoB: 9/11/1979 =#0000FF]32 =#FF8000]Jenrry Mejia DoB: 10/11/1989Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]39 Bobby Parnell DoB: 9/8/1984 =#0000FF]62 Elvin Ramirez DoB: 10/10/1987 =#FF8000]20 =#0000FF]Anthony Recker DoB: 2/13/1983 =#0000FF]30 Josh Thole DoB: 4/28/1986 =#0000FF]29 =#FF8000]Ike Davis DoB: 3/22/1987Infielders =#0000FF]65 =#FF8000]Zach Lutz DoB: 6/3/1986 =#0000FF]28 Daniel Murphy DoB: 4/1/1985 =#0000FF]11 Ruben Tejada DoB: 10/27/1989 =#0000FF]2 Justin Turner DoB: 11/23/1984 =#0000FF]5 David Wright DoB: 12/20/1982Outfielders =#0000FF]23 =#FF8000]Mike Baxter DoB: 12/7/1984 =#0000FF]21 =#FF8000]Lucas Duda DoB: 2/3/1986 =#0000FF]9 =#FF8000]Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB: 8/7/1987 =#0000FF]56 Andr�s Torres DoB:1/26/1978 =#0000FF]1 =#FF8000]Jordany Valdespin DoB: 12/23/1987 Also on 40-Man Roster Starting Pitchers Infielders =#0000FF]27 =#FF8000]Jeurys Familia DoB: 10/10/1989 =#0000FF]35 =#FF8000]Dillon Gee DoB: 4/28/1986 =#0000FF]53 =#FF8000]Jeremy Hefner DoB: 3/11/1981 =#0000FF]36 =#FF8000]Collin McHugh DoB: 6/19/1987 =#0000FF]71 =#FF8000]Wilmer Flores DoB: 8/6/1991InfieldersOutfielders =#0000FF]74 =#FF8000]Reese Havens DoB: 10/20/1986 =#0000FF]76 =#FF8000]Juan Lagares DoB: 3/17/1989 =#0000FF]67 =#FF8000]Cesar Puello DoB: 4/1/1991 Also in Camp Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#FF8000]40 =#0000FF]Greg Burke DoB: 9/21/1982 =#FF8000]67 =#FF8000]Scott Rice DoB: 9/21/1981 =#FF8000]59 =#0000FF]Carlos Torres DoB: 10/22/1982 =#0000FF]4 Mike Nickeas DoB: 8/29/1983 =#FF8000]12 =#0000FF]Brian Bixler DoB: 10/22/1982Outfielders =#FF8000]55 =#FF8000]Jamie Hoffman DoB:8/20/1984 Free Agents Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers =#0000FF]55 Chris Young DoB: 5/25/1979 =#0000FF]40 Tim Byrdak DoB: 10/37/1978 =#0000FF]45 =#FF8000]Justin Hampson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#0000FF]52 Ram�n Ram�rez DoB:8/31/1981 =#0000FF]60 John Rauch DoB:9/27/1978 Catchers Infielders Outfielders =#0000FF]6 Kelly Shoppach DoB: 4/29/1984 =#0000FF]13 Ronny Cede�o DoB: 2/2/1983 =#0000FF]44 Jason Bay DoB: 9/20/1978 =#0000FF]12 Scott Hairston DoB: 5/25/1980 =#0000FF]15 Fred Lewis DoB: 12/9/1980 Coaching Staff ManagerBench CoachBatting CoachPitching CoachThird Base CoachFirst Base Coach =#0000FF]10 Terry Collins DoB: 5/27/1949 =#0000FF]7 Bob Geren DoB: 9/22/1959 =#0000FF]51 Dave Hudgens DoB: 12/5/1956 =#0000FF]59 Dan Warthan DoB: 12/1/1952 =#0000FF]18 Tim Teufel DoB: 7/7/1958 =#0000FF]26 Tom Goodwin DoB: 8/27/1968Bullpen CoachBullpen CatchersBullpen CatchersHead TrainerAssistant Trainer Mascot =#0000FF]25 Ricky Bones DoB: 4/7/1969 =#0000FF]78 Eric Langill DoB: 4/9/1979 =#0000FF]79 Dave Racaniello DoB: 10/15/1981 =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Ray Ramirez =#BF8080]. =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Brian Chicklo =#BF8080]. =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Mr. Met =#BF8080].

Steve Cohen tried to buy the Dodgers. Didn't work out. Steve Cohen took a look at the Mets. But the 'Pons were insisting on holding out. Fans decried their lousy luck. Sell, Fred! Steve Cohen saw minority shares of the Mets go on the market and bought, perhaps hoping to get a foot in the door as the next owner. Steve Cohen has been implicated in insider trading. I ask (1) Are Hedge Funders the last Americans capable of making a big enough fortune to buy a ball team? And (2) Are they all crookit?

Orange numbers are tentative placeholders, but I feel confident if Hairy successfully taps out, and Bixler taps in, that the burden of the Stearns legacy will be transeferred from the former to the latter.

Bubble players got stories Bubble players got brides Bubble players, they get cut first And take what life provides Rice is currently kicking a little bit of ass in the Dominican Winter League. I'd give Torres my heart if he has the guts to attempt to redeem 59 from the deprivations of Guillermo Mota. Signed To Minor League Contract And Invited To CampRelief Pitchers =#FF8000]67 =#FF8000]Scott Rice DoB: 9/21/1981 =#FF8000]59 =#0000FF]Carlos Torres DoB: 10/22/1982 Your Projected Opening Day 2013 Mets (Orange Indicates Players Have Options) Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]43 R.A. Dickey DoB: 10/29/1974 =#0000FF]33 =#FF8000]Matt Harvey DoB: 3/27/1989 =#0000FF]49 Jonathon Niese DoB: 10/27/1986 =#0000FF]34 Mike Pelfrey DoB: 1/14/1984 =#0000FF]57 Johan Santana DoB: 3/13/1979Relief Pitchers =#0000FF]46 Manny Acosta DoB: 5/1/1981 =#0000FF]73 =#FF8000]Robert Carson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#0000FF]66 =#FF8000]Josh Edgin DoB: 12/17/1986 =#0000FF]48 Frank Francisco DoB: 9/11/1979 =#0000FF]32 =#FF8000]Jenrry Mejia DoB: 10/11/1989Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]39 Bobby Parnell DoB: 9/8/1984 =#0000FF]62 Elvin Ramirez DoB: 10/10/1987 =#FF8000]20 =#0000FF]Anthony Recker DoB: 2/13/1983 =#0000FF]30 Josh Thole DoB: 4/28/1986 =#0000FF]29 =#FF8000]Ike Davis DoB: 3/22/1987Infielders =#0000FF]65 =#FF8000]Zach Lutz DoB: 6/3/1986 =#0000FF]28 Daniel Murphy DoB: 4/1/1985 =#0000FF]11 Ruben Tejada DoB: 10/27/1989 =#0000FF]2 Justin Turner DoB: 11/23/1984 =#0000FF]5 David Wright DoB: 12/20/1982Outfielders =#0000FF]23 =#FF8000]Mike Baxter DoB: 12/7/1984 =#0000FF]21 =#FF8000]Lucas Duda DoB: 2/3/1986 =#0000FF]9 =#FF8000]Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB: 8/7/1987 =#0000FF]56 Andr�s Torres DoB:1/26/1978 =#0000FF]1 =#FF8000]Jordany Valdespin DoB: 12/23/1987 Also on 40-Man Roster Starting Pitchers Infielders =#0000FF]27 =#FF8000]Jeurys Familia DoB: 10/10/1989 =#0000FF]35 =#FF8000]Dillon Gee DoB: 4/28/1986 =#0000FF]53 =#FF8000]Jeremy Hefner DoB: 3/11/1981 =#0000FF]36 =#FF8000]Collin McHugh DoB: 6/19/1987 =#0000FF]71 =#FF8000]Wilmer Flores DoB: 8/6/1991InfieldersOutfielders =#0000FF]74 =#FF8000]Reese Havens DoB: 10/20/1986 =#0000FF]76 =#FF8000]Juan Lagares DoB: 3/17/1989 =#0000FF]67 =#FF8000]Cesar Puello DoB: 4/1/1991 Also in Camp Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#FF8000]40 =#0000FF]Greg Burke DoB: 9/21/1982 =#FF8000]67 =#FF8000]Scott Rice DoB: 9/21/1981 =#FF8000]59 =#0000FF]Carlos Torres DoB: 10/22/1982 =#0000FF]4 Mike Nickeas DoB: 8/29/1983 =#FF8000]12 =#0000FF]Brian Bixler DoB: 10/22/1982 Free Agents Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers =#0000FF]55 Chris Young DoB: 5/25/1979 =#0000FF]40 Tim Byrdak DoB: 10/37/1978 =#0000FF]45 =#FF8000]Justin Hampson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#0000FF]52 Ram�n Ram�rez DoB:8/31/1981 =#0000FF]60 John Rauch DoB:9/27/1978 Catchers Infielders Outfielders =#0000FF]6 Kelly Shoppach DoB: 4/29/1984 =#0000FF]13 Ronny Cede�o DoB: 2/2/1983 =#0000FF]44 Jason Bay DoB: 9/20/1978 =#0000FF]12 Scott Hairston DoB: 5/25/1980 =#0000FF]15 Fred Lewis DoB: 12/9/1980 Coaching Staff ManagerBench CoachBatting CoachPitching CoachThird Base CoachFirst Base Coach =#0000FF]10 Terry Collins DoB: 5/27/1949 =#0000FF]7 Bob Geren DoB: 9/22/1959 =#0000FF]51 Dave Hudgens DoB: 12/5/1956 =#0000FF]59 Dan Warthan DoB: 12/1/1952 =#0000FF]18 Tim Teufel DoB: 7/7/1958 =#0000FF]26 Tom Goodwin DoB: 8/27/1968Bullpen CoachBullpen CatchersBullpen CatchersHead TrainerAssistant Trainer Mascot =#0000FF]25 Ricky Bones DoB: 4/7/1969 =#0000FF]78 Eric Langill DoB: 4/9/1979 =#0000FF]79 Dave Racaniello DoB: 10/15/1981 =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Ray Ramirez =#BF8080]. =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Brian Chicklo =#BF8080]. =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Mr. Met =#BF8080].

Rice: First rounder from 1999 who has worn the duds of 18 minor league teams. Got as high as AAA three times. Six-six lefty who might be the next Byrdak. He's cut back on hits allowed in recent years, but still walks too many.

Den Dekker will have to be added, I reckon. Langill, by the way, is no longer listed as an alternate bullpen catcher, but as BP pitcher.

Yabbut, maybe a transitional Generations-type film that features the old cast mentoring some new busters for their own film run would be in order. Know who'd make a fun trio of Ghostbosters? Rob, Dick, and Barry from Hi Fidelity. How did this do in the 80s movie showdown?

GB3 delaying filming until Fall 2013 at the earliest.

Dickey gets sorely needed pub from the Huffington Post. Christopher Rosen Become a fan Christopher.Rosen@huffingtonpost.com R.A. Dickey On 'Knuckeball,' His Future With The New York Mets & 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Posted: 11/19/2012 10:03 am EST Updated: 11/19/2012 10:18 am EST In the last year, New York Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, released a memoir ("Wherever I Wind Up"), became the first pitcher in 24 years to throw consecutive one-hitters, was the focus of an acclaimed documentary, and, just last week, won the 2012 National League Cy Young award. The 38-year-old shows no signs of slowing down either: In 2013, Dickey will release a children's book, likely sign a lucrative contract (either with the Mets or another team), and possibly see his story honored by the Academy Awards. "Knuckleball!," the aforementioned documentary about Dickey and fellow knuckleballer and former Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield, is a potential Oscar contender in the Best Documentary category. Not bad for a pitcher who just two years ago was a roster filler for the Mets AAA affiliate in Buffalo. HuffPost Sports spoke to Dickey about his banner year, why he doesn't really care if people like "Knuckleball" and whether or not he wants to stay with the New York Mets. What were you feeling before the Cy Young award announcement? I know it's an epic thing, but I also have four kids running around and my wife was out of town, so I didn't have much time to devote a lot of anxiety toward it. Which was great. I'm thankful it ended up the way that it did, but I didn't have too much stress over it. This has been such a whirlwind year for you, for Mets fans and for the city. Have you gotten the chance to fully appreciate everything that has happened? It's an incredible story. To be perfectly frank with you, it's just much bigger than me. This story itself is really, really epic. I'm a player or character in this story. That I walked off the mound tying the modern-day Major League record for the most home runs given up in a game in 2006 to being the 2012 Cy Young award winner is just incredible. When you were approached for the film, were you worried at all about overexposure? That's an interesting question. I have a certain apathy about that in some regard, in that you can't live your life trying to be all things to all people. You hope to be authentic and honorable and honest, and if people don't like it, they don't like you. That's just the way that it is, and that's OK. But I've tried to do a good job of telling the truth and being vulnerable and transparent and people make their own judgements. Whatever judgement they make is OK. You keep living your story and try to be as honest as you can. I made a commitment to be like that a while ago and whatever was going to come from that was going to come from it. What did your teammates think of "Knuckleball"? A few guys came to the Tribeca Film Festival premiere back in April. They all really appreciated it. They liked it. It's a story about much more than baseball. It's a real narrative. That's why I was interested in lending my time and energy for it. If you were to come to me and said, "I want to make a knuckleball film about people striking out and how goofy it is and tricky it is," I would have told you that I'm not interested. But Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg made it in way that was very narrative driven. I was awed. As the film details, you had a long road to Major League success. How does what you've been through affect your view of the next year, when you'll either sign an extension with the Mets, get traded or become a free agent? The way it helps me is that I've been on both sides of the coin. I've had to hold what's great, fantastic and joyful about the game alongside what's hard and sad and disheartening and cruel about the game. Because of that, I feel like whatever is going to come up, I'm going to have the tools to be able to process it in the way it needs to be handled. Being in the minor leagues, going through a lot of adversity -- that helps shape you. So, the contract talks and trade talks are part of the story of what God is going to do with my life. I'm willing to open my arms to that and give up my control of that. Do you want to stay with the Mets? Yeah. I feel a very deep sense of loyalty to this team, which gave me an opportunity when other teams didn't. If I finished my career as a Met, I would be glad. At the same time, you don't want to be taken advantage of, and you want to be treated fairly. We're trying to work it out, and we'll see where we end up. You mentioned in the film how hard it can be for players to stay focused when the team is out of contention. Do you think the push for your Cy Young helped motivate the team to play harder in the games you pitched? Openly, nobody is going to say that they tried to perform better in games that I pitched. I don't think that is the case at all. But I think when I took the mound, the team believed we had a chance to win. Because of that, maybe just for a pitch or a single at-bat, they were checked in a little bit more. I would say for professional baseball players, you don't get to where you are by just trying hard for one guy and not the other. We're all playing for something, regardless of the record. You're playing for contracts, playing for the opportunity to play next year, playing for arbitration; you're always playing for something. This year, to be able to play for a milestone like the Cy Young, was really great. Josh Hamilton's life story is being turned into a feature film with Casey Affleck writing and directing. Would something like that interest you? Yeah! You know, I think the sharing of my story could be pertinent and relevant for a lot of people, because of some of the darkness I walked through and was able to get over. But I wouldn't be willing to relinquish complete creative control; I would want to be involved in some capacity. I really don't want a production company to sensationalize my story and make it Hollywood. I think it's inspirational enough on its own and the tendency is to use hyperbole to create drama, and I feel like my life has been dramatic enough. I'm entertaining those ideas and we'll see where it leads. You've got some experience with writing; would you want to write the screenplay? I think I could contribute. I wouldn't feel comfortable in that particular literary medium. I would certainly help proofread it and make adjustments here and there, but I don't think I have the energy to devote to it full-time. It was hard enough trying to write the manuscript for the other book. I know you're a big "Star Wars" fan. What do you want to see from the recently announced "Star Wars: Episode VII"? Man, I don't know where to begin. I think I'd like to see a little bit of the backstory of Luke and Leia; how they got where they were on Alderaan and Tatooine. I'd like to see some of that. But I'm willing to hope that whoever they put in charge of directing will want to add to the epic the way that it should be. That's a big deal. There's enough people here as far as the fan base that you don't want to mess that up. "Knuckleball!" is available now via VOD. To pre-order the film on DVD, head over to the "Knuckleball!" website.

And Ruben Tejada and the Panama Hats fail to qualify after all, losing 1-0 to the Brazil Nuts and now an unlikey country is on its way to the WBC. If the goal of the WBC is to open up new markets, it sounds like a real success story. Great to have qualifying battles pop up at different times of the year instead of the invitational format the tournament originally had.