Edgy MD

Anti-Beer: Valdespin -0.02 ERamirez -0.13 Cedeno -0.20 Thole -0.20 Bay -0.20 Shoppach -0.30 Torres -0.43 Turner -0.51 Davis -0.54 Murphy -0.55 Edgin -1.54 Familia -1.65 Hefner -3.74

Baxter 2.74 Lewis 1.52 Duda 1.16 McHugh 1.15 Hampson 1.04 Wright 0.70 Acosta 0.63 Carson 0.55 RRamirez 0.35 Mejia 0.16

I think I saw G-Fafif behind the Phils dugout tonight.

Rock bottom! Woo-hoo!!!

Ms. E: "No way! That's a basketball score!"

His first year after the Mets with Pittsburgh, he was a disaster. His next year, he was told that there would be a competition for his job. Derek flipped out, declaring he had never been told about the competition prior to reporting to camp, that he always hits poorly in spring training, and that he largely felt deceived and betrayed, and threatened to go into "Operation Shutdown." Two comments I remember from that report. Nobody told me nothing about no competition. Derek, it's the major leagues. Get ready for Operation Shutdown. Wide BeeGee: Get ready for Operation Unconditionally Released. Bell was very penitent about his pop-off off the next day, and practically cried that he had turned himself into a pariah, which he more or less had. I blame cocaine. Meanwhile, a lot of Mets asking to be shut down today.

Twenty hits yielded by eight pitchers --- seven of them rookies. #lookinforthatsilverlining

It's starting to depress my wife.

Josh Edgin will be shut down after one more relief appearance, according to the Mets. When did we first hear the term "shut down"? Last ten years maybe? Disabling players who aren't really out of commission. Bruised but not beaten. Worked, but not whipped. Quitting the season, but only one player at a time. It seems such a latter-day term. I feel like Santana has spent as much time "shut down" as disabled. The Mets currently have a "shut down" roster of three, I think. God knows how many fans they've shut down.

New leady-offy guy. [*:2sfa8zez]Lewis, cf[/*:m:2sfa8zez] [*:2sfa8zez]Murphy, 2b[/*:m:2sfa8zez] [*:2sfa8zez]Wright, 3b[/*:m:2sfa8zez] [*:2sfa8zez]Davis, 1b, lampshade[/*:m:2sfa8zez] [*:2sfa8zez]Duda, lf[/*:m:2sfa8zez] [*:2sfa8zez]Turner, ss, cream pie[/*:m:2sfa8zez] [*:2sfa8zez]Baxter, rf, Whitestone Bridge[/*:m:2sfa8zez] [*:2sfa8zez]Shoppach, c[/*:m:2sfa8zez] [*:2sfa8zez]Hefner, sp[/*:m:2sfa8zez][/list:o:2sfa8zez] Don't think there's any accountability in this organization? Well, Torres will tell you different. (OE: beaten by a better man)

I know. I totally pwnd you. (I wish he hit like George Foster.)

Keith's 'stache, so says the [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/sports/baseball/keith-hernandezs-mustache-is-going-going-gray.html?_r=0]New York Times. Kerwick is pissed. He lost it for a few weeks around 1987 or '88 and looked great. Twenty-five years ago, of course.

Josh Thole: Why I Left Twitter Mets catcher Josh Thole explains why he left Twitter Carmelo Anthony and Bryce Harper are other athletes who dropped Twitter Thole said he drew the line at people attacking his family By Erin Weaver, SI.com Twitter has helped bridge the gap between athletic celebrities and their fans, but not every athlete has embraced the the social media service. The list of those who have joined Twitter only to delete their accounts afterward include Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony (after allegedly tweeting a reward to anyone would beat up a woman named Kat Stacks). Anthony, as if often the case in these types of instances, later claimed he was hacked. Lakers star Kobe Bryant also made a quick appearance on the social media site, creating a profile that accumulated 35,000 followers in just a few hours, and then deleted the account. Mets catcher Josh Thole counts himself among those that joined -- and quickly quit the service. He joined early in 2011 and left Twitter that May after being harassed during a slump. Thole said he didn't mind the criticism of his game, but Twitter became too much when people started tweeting negatively about his family. "I've got no problem being ridiculed myself but when you start personally attacking my family, that's too much for me," Thole said. "At that point, it's not worth it." Some athletes enjoy engaging with followers and Twitter can be a great platform for self-promotion and maintaining a good reputation. Social media also allows fans to feel close to athletes, offering insights into the day-to-day routine of athletes and even an outlet for conversation. But the accessibility to athletes can bring out the worst in some fans. Pseudo-anonymity allows people to say inappropriate things without any repercussions. Thole says that line gets crossed too often. "It's easy to ridicule people," Thole said. "I don't have a problem with the bullying or the negative feedback. But at some point, enough is enough. There's still a human element involved in this." Thole acknowledges that the athlete-Twitter relationship is still undefined. "From [an athlete's] standpoint, I think [Twitter] is a great tool," Thole said. "It's a great way to interact with the fans, and it's a great marketing tool for the team, a player and their brand... I don't know if it's a fad, I don't know if it'll go away I'm not sure I see that ever happening." There's no question that Twitter can promote an athlete or his her team, but when Twitter becomes an impediment for the athlete or the game, according to Thole, a re-evaluation becomes necessary. "This game goes on very well without [social media]," Thole said. "It gets in the way of what the ultimate goal is. It's good to market the team and yourself but at the end of the day, you have to go out there and play baseball. That's your job." Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/more/09/19/thole-twitter/index.html#ixzz271nTssv9

As someone noted on Facebook, we are legally obligated to mention Derek Jeter in any discussion of the American League MVP.

Adam Rubin wrote: The Mets will consider trading Ike Davis this offseason as a way to upgrade other areas of the team and open a spot for Lucas Duda at his natural position, a baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com. Howard Megdal wrote: ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reported on Tuesday morning that the Mets were looking to trade Davis this offseason to make room for miscast outfielder Lucas Duda at first base. Then he proceeds to report (perfectly valid) speculation that the "baseball source" has been deliberately fed a story by the Mets (not even a Mets source, but "the Mets") as a clear and established fact. It's like his cause his so righteous, that there's no ethics he's going to allow to stand in his way.

He slimed me. I like how Megdal starts with a question, and by the end, having presented nothing definitive in pursuit of it, states the answer as fact. And by "like," I mean to say that his brand of play-journalism "just sucks."

Can you imagine if they seemed to build their offseason strategy around catering to Wright --- signing Upton over Ludwick and Bourne or even Hamilton, and made Super Joe manager? While I more or less like those moves on their own merits, such a perception could backfire and lead to a hate campaign against Wright if and when these moves fail, as most moves do.

Second-Guess Theater, in Which We Try to Look at What the Mets as a Team Could Have Done Besides Not Give up the Meatball Should Collins have squeezed (squozen?) with Torres? Should Collins have pinch-hit for Torres? With whom? Cedeno? Lutz? Should Collins/Warthan have not used up their mound visit for Wigginton, and instead trusted Edgin then and gone out to prep him regarding Howard? Should Shoppy have gone to the mound to warn Edgin what not to throw to Howard? (Did he? Would he really know?) Should Collins have ordered a pitch-around on Howard, and then, if Edgin lost him, have gone to Rauch to pitch to Ruiz? Should Collins have gone matchup-crazy, going to Rauch to pitch to Wigginton, and then Carson to pitch to Utley and Howard? Not a lot of good options among those. I think scoring more might have been a good idea.

The Second Spitter wrote: I'm always wary of blindly following a dogma. In a nutshell, Moneyball is about exploiting asymmetric information in the baseball labor market. However, the economic models which it is based on predict a return to the status quo in the long-run because in baseball terms, every team now uses the same criteria (more or less) for their drafting/trading/FA decisions. So unless you can exploit other statistics, it's a frivolous pursuit. It's clear from what Paul DeMensa has said over the last year that they are adhering to this philosophy. So they are either using (a) different, unproven metrics (I'll take a wild guess that BABIP is one of them) ( the previous metrics with minimal benefit or (c) ownership is intervening in their decision-making process which is impacting on (a) or (. I'm not sure what you're referring to here, but it seems you're hammering for the disposal of Alderson and possibly DePodesta. Seeing as his work has taken place while paring 25% from the payroll since 2010 (and the team has pared 37% since 2009), I'm going to reserve judgment on Alderson, even as I wish he was more present and available during this losing streak. Regarding DePodesta, as director of player development and scouting, it's certainly way to early to judge his work. (Has Nimmo not come fast enough?) Nearly $40 million comes off the books this year, so it's the first time Alderson's management team gets to build, rather than merely re-arrange. Under any circumstances, I feel pretty certain that neither Torres' double play, Edgin's meatball to Howard, nor Wright's final out were connected to them feeling undermotivated due to the continued employment of the director of player development.

Just got a vote of confidence from his GM. That can't be good.

"It was up -- middle up," Edgin said about the fateful pitch to Howard. "That's what he's paid to do. He's a big guy, paid to hit home runs. I give him a meatball, so he's going to do it."

Forgot about this guy: Also on 40-Man RosterOutfielders =#0000FF]15 Fred Lewis DoB: 12/9/1980 Your Projected Opening Day 2013 Mets (Orange Indicates Players Have Options) Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]43 R.A. Dickey DoB: 10/29/1974 =#0000FF]35 =#FF8000]Dillon Gee DoB: 4/28/1986 =#0000FF]33 =#FF8000]Matt Harvey DoB: 3/27/1989 =#0000FF]49 Jonathon Niese DoB: 10/27/1986 =#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]Jennry Mejia DoB: 10/11/1989Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]39 Bobby Parnell DoB: 9/8/1984 =#0000FF]62 Elvin Ramirez DoB: 10/10/1962 =#0000FF]16 Rob Johnson DoB: 7/22/1982 =#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]44 Jason Bay DoB: 9/20/1978 =#0000FF]21 =#FF8000]Lucas Duda DoB: 2/3/1986 =#0000FF]56 Andr�s Torres DoB:1/26/1978 =#0000FF]1 =#FF8000]Jordany Valdespin DoB: 12/23/1987 Also on 40-Man Roster Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers Catchers =#0000FF]27 =#FF8000]Jeurys Familia DoB: 10/10/1989 =#008000]In New York =#0000FF]53 =#FF8000]Jeremy Hefner DoB: 3/11/1981 =#008000]In New York =#0000FF]36 =#FF8000]Collin McHugh DoB: 6/19/1987 =#008000]In New York =#0000FF]45 =#FF8000]Justin Hampson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#008000]In New York =#0000FF]4 Mike Nickeas DoB: 2/13/1983 =#008000]In BuffaloInfieldersOutfielders =#0000FF]71 =#FF8000]Wilmer Flores DoB: 8/6/1991 =#008000]In Binghamton =#0000FF]74 =#FF8000]Reese Havens DoB: 10/20/1986 =#008000]In Binghamton =#0000FF]76 =#FF8000]Juan Lagares DoB: 3/17/1989 =#008000]In Binghamton =#0000FF]15 Fred Lewis DoB: 12/9/1980 =#008000]In New York =#0000FF]9 =#FF8000]Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB: 8/7/1987 =#008000]In BuffaloOutfielders =#0000FF]67 =#FF8000]Cesar Puello DoB: 4/1/1991 =#008000]In St. Lucie Potential Free Agents Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers =#0000FF]34 Mike Pelfrey DoB: 1/14/1984 =#0000FF]55 Chris Young DoB: 5/25/1979 =#0000FF]40 Tim Byrdak DoB: 10/37/1978 =#0000FF]52 Ram�n Ram�rez DoB:8/31/1981 =#0000FF]60 John Rauch DoB:9/27/1978CatchersInfieldersOutfielders =#0000FF]6 Kelly Shoppach DoB: 4/29/1984 =#0000FF]13 Ronny Cede�o DoB: 2/2/1983 =#0000FF]12 Scott Hairston DoB: 5/25/1980 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].

The Second Spitter wrote: I was referring to everybody from the GM down. (see my above edit) I would disagree with both halves of your added comment about Moneyball also. I don't think folks even agree with what "Moneyball" means, except being smart and confident enough to question and test assumptions, which I'd say has certainly worked since time immemorial, though doesn't always pay off directly for the smart and bold ones.