Edgy MD

I'm not framing this as a poll, because we kind of need two answers: Who do you want it to be? Who do you think it will be? [list:y8mbo2xz][*:y8mbo2xz]Ramon Castro[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Chris Gimenez[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Koyie Hill[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Rob Johnson[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Dioner Navarro[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Ronny Paulino[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Ivan Rodriguez[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Chris Snyder[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]J.R. Towles[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Jason Varitek[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Eli Whiteside[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Some Other Freak[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Nodody: they'll go with Nickeas and dudes already in the system (Lucas May, Vinny Rottino, Jean Luc Blaquiere, Francisco Pe�a, Kai Gronauer, congratulations)[/*:m:y8mbo2xz][/list:u:y8mbo2xz] This is for posterity.

The amount of meaningless regurgitations every time the needle seems to move is ridiculous. Covering the Wilpons has become akin to covering the pope --- it's one long 10-million-word deathwatch of a beat, saying next to nothing to people hanging on your every word

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Tuesday that the Mets expect to have a group of investors in place shortly after the start of 2012, and perhaps as early as January... These two time frames are different how?

That would be Turner.

Lennon from Newsday tweets: "Here's what anyone knows about Santana: Could pitch Opening Day or his career as we know it could be over. Been that way since September."

Funky stuff in the new MLB labor deal. No tatts with corporate logos --- I assume that means other pro sports teams, too, and maybe colleges and universities. Teams from the same division can now meet in the playoffs before the league championship series. The possibility of players wearing microphones during games. MbtN News! No swapping numbers willy-nilly. Any big leaguer who wants to change uniform numbers without switching teams has to give notice by July 31 of the previous season. If he decides to make a sudden switch without so giving notice, he's fined for something resembling the cost of the useless merchandise with his number on it. Replay to include fair/foul calls, trapped/caught calls, but I guess we knew that. Four-day All-Star break. If you're on the 40-Man, congratulations. You get a private room during spring training. No lobbying official scorers to reconsider their decisions. MLB, however, will field appeals directly. No betting with illegal bookies on any sport. (That's new?) No offensive nicknames written on equipment. COME ON! Is this still America?! It's funny a lot of stuff in there includes things that the commissioner would already fine you and suspend you for, even though it wasn't explicitly forbidden, because the commissioner is king, but now they feel they have to explicilty tell you not to throw bats at fans. I would think it behooves them to stay unspecific in a lot of these things.

I suspect so, also. I shouldn't make too much of it that Valdy and Newey and Nicky currently have spots on the roster they haven't yet earned, when wisdom of years suggests that there are plenty of days of veteran backup shopping to go. It's just that, well, the team is busted.

As the non-tender curtain is drawn, it's hard not to think maybe the roster is a little thinner than it was a few days ago. Hopefully, there's some shoring up to come. I mean, welcome to bigs, Kirk Nieuwenhuis? Claimed Off Waivers Away From Pittsburgh Signed Away From Pittsburgh Signed Away From Kansas CityNon- Tendered And Made Free AgentsStarting PitchersStarting Pitchers Catchers Catchers Outfielders =#FF8000]47 =#0000FF]Jeremy Hefner DoB:3/11/1981 =#FF8000]36 =#0000FF]Garrett Olson DoB:10/18/1983 =#0000FF]22 =#0000FF]Lucas May DoB: 10/24/1984 =#0000FF]9 Ronny Paulino DoB: 4/21/1988 =#FF8000]23 Mike Baxter DoB: 12/7/1984Added To Projected Roster Catchers =#FF8000]13 Mike Nickeas DoB: 2/13/1983 =#FF8000]11 Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB:8/7/1987 Your Projected 2012 Mets (Orange Indicates Players Have Options) Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]43 R.A. Dickey DoB: 10/29/1974 =#FF8000]35 Dillon Gee DoB: 4/28/1986 =#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]40 Tim Byrdak DoB: 10/31/1973 =#FF8000]50 =#0000FF]Frank Francisco DoB:9/11/1979 =#0000FF]19 Danny Herrera DoB: 10/21/1984 =#0000FF]39 Bobby Parnell DoB: 9/8/1984Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#FF8000]52 =#0000FF]Ram�n Ram�rez DoB:8/31/1981 =#FF8000]60 =#0000FF]John Rauch DoB:9/27/1978 =#FF8000]13 Mike Nickeas DoB: 2/13/1983 =#0000FF]30 Josh Thole DoB: 4/28/1986 =#FF8000]29 Ike Davis DoB: 3/22/1987 Infielders =#0000FF]28 Daniel Murphy DoB: 4/1/1985 =#0000FF]11 Ruben Tejada DoB: 10/27/1989 =#0000FF]2 Justin Turner DoB: 11/23/1984 =#FF8000]62 Jordany Valdespin DoB: 12/23/1984 =#0000FF]5 David Wright DoB: 12/20/1982 Outfielders =#0000FF]44 Jason Bay DoB: 9/20/1978 =#FF8000]21 Lucas Duda DoB: 2/3/1986 =#FF8000]26 Fernando Martinez DoB: 10/10/1988 =#FF8000]11 Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB:8/7/1987 =#FF8000]56 =#0000FF]Andr�s Torres DoB:1/26/1978 Also on 40-Man Roster Starting Pitchers =#FF8000]50 =#0000FF]Robert Carson DoB:1/23/1989 =#FF8000]46 =#0000FF]Jeurys Familia DoB:10/10/1989 =#FF8000]47 =#0000FF]Jeremy Hefner DoB:3/11/1981 =#FF8000]32 Jennry Mejia DoB: 10/11/1989 =#FF8000]66 Armando Rodriguez DoB: 1/28/1988Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers Infielders =#FF8000]63 Chris Schwinden DoB: 9/22/1986 =#FF8000]27 Pedro Beato DoB: 10/27/1986 =#0000FF]77 D.J. Carrasco DoB: 4/12/1977 =#FF8000]64 Josh Stinson DoB: 3/14/1988 =#FF8000]1 =#0000FF]Wilmer Flores DoB:8/6/1991InfieldersOutfielders =#FF8000]12 =#0000FF]Reese Havens DoB:10/20/1986 =#FF8000]65 Zach Lutz DoB: 6/3/1986 =#FF8000]3 Josh Satin DoB: 12/23/1984 =#FF8000]13 =#0000FF]Juan Lagares DoB:3/17/1989 =#FF8000]22 =#0000FF]Cesar Puello DoB:4/1/1991 Also in Camp Starting Pitchers CatchersInfieldersOutfielders =#FF8000]36 =#0000FF]Garrett Olson DoB: 10/18/1983 =#0000FF]22 =#0000FF]Lucas May DoB: 10/24/1984 =#0000FF]15 Val Pascucci DoB: 11/17/1978 =#FF8000]44 =#0000FF]Vinny Rottino DoB: 4/7/1980 Free Agents Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers Catchers =#0000FF]47 Miguel Batista DoB: 2/19/1971 =#0000FF]55 Chris Young DoB: 5/25/1979 =#0000FF]18 Ryota Igarashi DoB:5/28/1979 =#0000FF]45 Jason Isringhausen DoB: 9/7/1972 =#0000FF]9 Ronny Paulino DoB: 4/21/1988 Outfielders =#FF8000]23 Mike Baxter DoB: 12/7/1984 =#0000FF]12 Scott Hairston DoB: 5/25/1980 =#0000FF]22 Willie Harris DoB: 6/22/1978 Minor League Free Agents: Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers =#FF8000]28 Boof Bonser DoB: 10/14/1981 (AAA in 2011) W-L:0-0 Saves:0 G:1 GS:1 ERA2.45 IP:3.67 BB:2 SO:4 =#FF8000]93 Manny Alvarez DoB: 12/18/1985 (AA/AAA in 2011) W-L:0-2 Saves:1 G:9 GS:0 ERA8.10 IP:10.00 BB:0 SO:2 =#FF8000]10 Ricky Brooks DoB: 7/18/1984 (AA in 2011) W-L:2-8 Saves:1 G:53 GS:1 ERA3.95 IP:82.00 BB:21 SO:58 =#FF8000]33 Taylor Buchholz DoB:10/13/1981 (MLB in 2011) W-L:1-1 Saves:0 G:23 GS:0 ERA3.12 IP:26.00 BB:7 SO:26 =#FF8000]46 Gustavo Chacin DoB: 11/4/1980 (AAA in 2011) W-L:3-7 Saves:0 G:39 GS:10 ERA6.39 IP:81.67 BB:8 SO:10Relief Pitchers =#FF8000]39 Jos� De La Torre DoB:10/17/1985 (Rk/A-/AAA in 2011) W-L:2-2 Saves:0 G:22 GS:0 ERA0.99 IP:27.33 BB:16 SO:29 =#FF8000]63 Justin Hampson DoB: 5/24/1980 (AAA in 2011) W-L:3-3 Saves:1 G:52 GS:0 ERA3.41 IP:58 BB:16 SO:56 =#FF8000]49 John Lujan DoB: 5/10/1984 (AA/AAA in 2011) W-L:3-7 Saves:9 G:51 GS:1 ERA2.73 IP:69.33 BB:21 SO:66 =#FF8000]58 Brian Sweeney DoB: 6/13/1974 (AAA in 2011) W-L:5-5 Saves:1 G:32 GS:8 ERA4.34 IP:84.00 BB:22 SO:67 =#FF8000]57 Taylor Tankersley DoB: 3/7/1983 (AAA in 2011) W-L:1-1 Saves:0 G:48 GS:0 ERA5.79 IP:56.00 BB:37 SO:72Relief Pitchers CatchersInfielders Infielders =#FF8000]25 Gabriel Zavala DoB: 5/14/1987 (A in 2011) W-L:2-5 Saves:1 G:32 GS:0 ERA4.70 IP:44.00 BB:29 SO:36 =#FF8000]19 Raul Chavez DoB: 3/18/1973 (AAA in 2011) G:80 PA:256 HR:1 RBI:22 AVG:.199 OBP:.214 SLG:.253 OPS:.467 =#FF8000]6 Salomon Manriquez DoB: 9/15/1982 (AA/AAA in 2011) G:87 PA:265 HR:6 RBI:34 AVG:.268 OBP:.315 SLG:.396 OPS:.711 =#FF8000]32 Dusty Ryan DoB: 9/2/1984 (Rk/A+/AA/AAA in 2011) G:49 PA:191 HR:5 RBI:23 AVG:.252 OBP:.353 SLG:.442 OPS:.794 =#FF8000]92 Jose Coronado DoB: 4/13/1986 (A+/AA in 2011) G:76 PA:213 HR:1 RBI:11 AVG:.197 OBP:.289 SLG:.247 OPS:.536 Infielders Outfielders =#FF8000]3 Luis Figueroa DoB: 2/16/1974 (AAA in 2011) G:110 PA:442 HR:1 RBI:30 AVG:.294 OBP:.351 SLG:.369 OPS:.720 =#FF8000]25 Chin-lung Hu DoB:2/2/1984 (Rk/AAA/MLB in 2011) G:48 PA:112 HR:0 RBI:3 AVG:.160 OBP:.234 SLG:.180 OPS:.414 =#FF8000]71 Jonathan Malo DoB: 9/29/1983 (AA/AAA in 2011) G:94 PA:264 HR:3 RBI:16 AVG:.226 OBP:.290 SLG:.315 OPS:.604 =#FF8000]94 Niuman Romero DoB: 1/24/1985 (AA/AAA in 2011) G:75 PA:273 HR:0 RBI:23 AVG:.231 OBP:.294 SLG:.261 OPS:.555 =#FF8000]10 Bubba Bell DoB: 10/9/1982 (AA/AAA in 2011) G:81 PA:229 HR:2 RBI:23 AVG:.239 OBP:.292 SLG:.325 OPS:.617Outfielders =#FF8000]34 Jason Botts DoB:7/26/1980 (AAA in 2011) G:59 PA:201 HR:3 RBI:19 AVG:.268 OBP:.383 SLG:.405 OPS:.788 =#FF8000]97 Jesus Feliciano DoB:6/6/1979 (AAA in 2011) G:121 PA:437 HR:4 RBI:39 AVG:.268 OBP:.328 SLG:.334 OPS:.662 =#FF8000]21 Fernando Perez DoB:4/23/1983 (AAA in 2011) G:116 PA:414 HR:4 RBI:25 AVG:.223 OBP:.307 SLG:.310 OPS:.618 Coaching Staff ManagerBench CoachBatting CoachPitching CoachThird Base Coach =#0000FF]10 Terry Collins DoB: 5/27/1949 =#FF8000]57 Bob Geren DoB: 9/22/1959 =#0000FF]52 Dave Hudgens DoB: 12/5/1956 =#0000FF]59 Dan Warthan DoB: 12/1/1952 =#FF8000]81 =#0000FF]Tim Teufel DoB: 7/7/1958First Base CoachBullpen CoachBullpen CatchersHead Trainer =#FF8000]55 =#0000FF]Tom Goodwin DoB: 8/27/1968 =#FF8000]56 =#0000FF]Ricky Bones DoB: 4/7/1969 =#0000FF]53 Eric Langill DoB: 4/9/1979 =#0000FF]54 Dave Racaniello DoB: 10/15/1981 =#0000FF] Ray Ramirez =#BF8080].Assistant Trainer =#0000FF] Brian Chicklo

Danny Claus.

Probably never had one, but even the podium is without the black dropshadow. (The mics could stand to lose the Citi logo, but...)

I guess they were in the cage, but I like the thought that they went out and took some cold-weather cracks at the whatever's representing the new fences.

I don't believe the news that the Mets have sought--and received--another loan from MLB should be all that shocking. But this, combined with the recent loss of Jose Reyes to the free spending Marlins (another team with dubious finances), set off many fans' You Gotta Be Effin' Kidding Me Alarms. Am I missing something, or wasn't there only a new loan from a major bank? This morning, I even heard a WFAN caller say he would root for the Nationals over the Mets this coming season. An FAN listener writing a story about the Wilpons based on the opinions of FAN callers? Pass.

Are we having a Christmas meetup? Because I totally want Steve to show us his basket.

Defense, lefty mashing, know-the-league-type veteranness. All of these things would be nice to have in a backup. Maybe Nickeas supplies the first and Rottino the second, so maybe I lean a little toward the third, but it'd certainly be nice to find hints of all three in one body.

Willis is kind of a certain breed o' pitcher --- I count Oil Can Boyd and Jos� Lima among them --- that experience a period of success early in their careers, and develop a public persona as a successful pitcher who brings a level of panache to his game. When continuing that success proves elusive, these guys enter these long, slow, pretty declines, with brief puffs of the old goods --- but they have the dignity to fail with no less panache than they succeeded with. When folks, say, "Hey, you know, maybe you should cut that crap out --- show a little humility, and awareness that you're not doing so well, for God's sake," they seem to resond with, "You think this just about pimping out my success? This is ME, babies!" And they continue to wear their sox just so, cock their brim just slightly that way, pause mid-motion in their leg kick for just that long, even as they slide from the National League to the American League to the International League to the Mexican League to the Domincan Winter League to the Northern League to the Atlantic League. They know, no matter what uniform is on their backs, that the minute they stop looking and playing the part of a star is the minute they stop being a star. I get the idea that the Japan League has a bunch of these guys. Guys who get released at age 39 from their fourth team with a 6.90 ERA, and their first statement to the press is something along the lines of, "I disagreed with their decision. As disappointing as the results may seem, I am still the Raven, and had they paid attention to my last few starts, I was just coming fully in contact with my Mystical Raven Power Spirit for the first time in years. I have spoken to my agent and he has advised me to climb Mt. Fuji, meditate, harness the mystic bird, and await further instructions. Truly another team will want the Raven to wear their uniform soon, but I understand that they may fear unleashing all this power immediately."

David Wright's eyes just lit up. He's always hit Willis, hasn't he?

Vic Sage wrote: "shockets" ... really? Are you making up words again? Oh and you bought "skitch"? I was trying to sound like I knew what I was talking about by fabricating jargon. I got halfway home, I guess. Vic Sage wrote: And Einhorn is too smart to invest in this team without a clear path to ownership; that's what queered the deal in the first place. Yes, well, what I'm trying to sugest is that he's so crackwaddle smart, that he might find a way to outmaneuver them by finding a backdoor clear path. You should listen to me. I know words.

Well, they aren't necessary killing each other for the opportunity, but a guaranteed return on your investment in a volatile market is something. Plus there're the same appeals there always is for buying into an asset with a long established history that is nonetheless troubled. You're buying low and, if the assett rebounds, you can score big. If it doesn't, you (and perhaps some of your confederates) have a foot in the door when controlling interest is put up. Major league baseball teams have a legally protected monopoly. If you've got the skitch, they're always good investments. I wouldn't be shockets if half the $20 million investors turn out to be fronts for Einhorn.

Is it Valadius who digs hitting pitchers?

It was pretty standard fare to accuse anybody agitating through a trade union of communist leanings back in the day. But as FK intimates, a penchant for communist leanings were patronizingly accepted from the hardworking and dimly educated Johnny Lunchbucket who can hardly rub two nickles together and can't even get the grease out from under his fingernails for his wedding ceremony. A guy joining a country club agitating for his rights through a union? Come on, Tommy-Boy, are you one of the proles or one of the masses? It was a different time. And Grant (and his ilk), had he (or they) a defter touch with that media, might have been able to sell that angle to fans --- had it been anybody but Seaver.

seawolf17 wrote: Saunders didn't exactly light the world on fire last year, but I'd give him a Young-Capuano deal. I think a 3.69 ERA in Arizona over 212 innings is a pretty darn good year. As he doesn't strike out too many guys, I'm not sure how much of it is illusory, but it's not far off his career performance, and he keeps his walks down. If he'd accept a Young-Capuano deal, I'd be pretty surprised. Micah Owings? How do you tell a guy to get lost after he went 8-0 for you?

George Altman looks back.

And... Ronny Paulino and Mike Baxter join the ranks of ballplayers looking for work. Baxter's dad joins Nelson Figueroa's among the ranks of Met fan fathers of ballplayers who come to hate the Mets. Other namey names wanting work this morning: IF Jeff Keppinger C Koyie Hill RP Hong-Chih Kuo RP Jose Mijares SP Micah Owings SP Jo-Jo Reyes ("Mets Sign Reyes!") SP Joe Saunders (really?) 1B Luke Scott RP Andy Sonnanstine OF Ryan Spilborghs IF Ryan Theriot C Eli Whiteside Tony Gwynn, Jr. and James Loney get contracts from the suddenly cash-flush Dodgers. Gwynn got two years!

The people who would lend them money are people that (a) like the size of that interest, and ( who see there's still some collateral left in the team, even as they don't have the resources left to run it.