Ceetar

On Molina's double last night, Valdespin (the second baseman) for some reason ran all the way over to the third base line to stand like 6 feet from David Wright (Duda relayed in to Quintanilla who then flipped to Valdespin since he was right there). Why? What could he possibly have been thinking he was going to do? I only noted this because when Duda fielded it I looked towards second to see if they had a chance to get him and saw Murphy running to cover. It's almost like a wheel play on a double.

Yankee apple isn't at Modells yet, found this though.

those are the 'main' entrances, but what about the construction/groundscrew/delivery entrance in the LCF wall? I thought that was flat. I was going to do it if it was at Citi Field, but probably won't at Prospect Park.

Look for me, sounds like I might be one of like 7 people in the stands.

themetfairy wrote: They're going to have the run in Prospect Park. Don't ask me why. They used to have runs that ended at Shea, but not at Citi Field yet (although there was a Spartan Race there in April). yeah, hell, if they can do the Spartan race..which looked cool.. At the very least you can end at the apple.

Vic Sage wrote: So yes, the Mets are rebuilding, by default not by design, as a consequence of cost-cutting. the drop in payroll is not evidence of a rebuild; the payroll cut is a CAUSE of the rebuild. Disagree. Everything was caused by losing. (The financial stuff compounded it, but if they'd been winning you'd barely have noticed) Alderson is making decisions, financially sound ones, that convert the short term high value pieces into sustained value, because that's what you do when you're getting poor return on current value. (from a wins=money standpoint) The current value of most of those trades was little, because he knew they weren't pushing the Mets past the ~85 win (pick your own number, but the 'really competitive' line) mark. Most of the baseball value of Reyes, Dickey contracts were at the front end when it wasn't worth as much to the Mets. (You could argue the same about Wright I imagine, but people often feel speedy players provide less value later, whereas Wright was already better and likely can still provide value near the end, especially since we'll probably have the DH in the NL by then) Those are risk the Mets take if you can get the value from them early, but they aren't risks you can take proactively. But now, specifically next year, there looks to be a lot of high value baseball players with little investment. Harvey, probably Wheeler and d'Arnaud. Niese. Perhaps some of the others, like Tejada if he gets back to it. So now the influx of additional value, even at a higher price, augments the value you already have and keeps you from wasting it before it gets expensive. Even if you overpay for it. This is really where it gets interesting, and telling, about what Alderson is thinking long term. They probably weren't getting anything for Reyes fresh off the DL either. at least, not anything worth giving up the chance that they could negotiate a fitting contract for him themselves.

metsmarathon wrote: Screw Jeffy for designing a baseball stadium that's not at all conducive to runni g a 5k throught the damned field. Though I do think its a bit possible to run in the opposite way they route people for the kids run. Come in through that tunnel, then hang a right and finish next to the dugout. It'd be tight and twisty and less than ideal but totally worth it. I have no idea why they're not doing it. They've done a 5K there before haven't they? They certainly could if they wanted to. I have no idea where the kids run, but the LCF wall definitely opens up flat to the outside.

Frayed Knot wrote: Any truth to the rumor that the Rangers apple in Zucotti Park has already been covered with graffiti, tipped over and trashed because it's seen as representative of the 1% ? No, because they think it's part of free healthcare. An Apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Edgy MD wrote: Really disappointed to see Nieuwenhuis still looking like the confidence-lacking out-of-his-depth sadsack that he was the second half of last year. Well, maybe let's give him a little time to shake off the jetlag? I mean, he only struck out once after all. And he probably should've made that catch but it wasn't like it was pop fly.

metsmarathon wrote: is the yankees' apple the most uninspired, least imaginitive design possible? what ever happened to the top hat logo? or are they too busy being serious all the time? if i were a yankee fan, i'd be all about the top hat - screw the interlocking ny and the pinstripes and the nnob. the top hat is where its at. but then, if i were a yankee fan, i'd be an insufferable douche... A lot of the apples aren't up yet. I'll probably wander out at lunch looking for the Yankees and Tigers today. (Didn't see the league ones, the Miami one, or the Diamondbacks one this morning in the spots listed) I agree on the top hat logo, but it might have too much character for the modern day Yankees.

Edgy MD wrote: That's 750 feet worth of outs for Duda and Byrd. Keith seems so confident about what Ike needs to do, and how this can be a positive experience for him. Who else wants to send Keith down with him? no no, too many voices. If you want Keith, they both go out into the desert together with a bat and a bucket of balls.

G-Fafif wrote: Thanks for the heads-up on all this, C. I "borrowed" your NYG pic for FB (credit given). And now, I fear, I must have several ASG Apple figurines. At least I probably won't be spending it on WS tix. I'm concerned about how many 'several' I might want. and my house just fell through, so nowhere to put them..hmm.. I saw the Red Sox one on my way home. I guess working in Midtown I'll manage to see most of them.

how is ebay listing them for $8 less than MLB? http://shop.mlb.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=21298886&cp=&view=all

so conspiracy theories about why the (Los Angeles) Dodgers are banished way up in Harlem? They like Dino BBQ?

Apple Parade around NYC. Apples!

Vic Sage wrote: 86-Dreamer wrote: Many seem to be writing off Satin based off very small major league sample size from last year. I see a prime age player that has consistently put up a 400/450/850 line at every level of the minors who could give the team similar production as Murphy from the right side. I hope they give him a real shot. this. Well crap, I mean, he didn't get a hit in his ONLY AT-BAT last season, but yeah, maybe that's enough to write him off..Mike Francesa sure seemed to yesterday with Sandy.

Zvon wrote: That surprises me...Didn't Sandy say Ike's replacement would could from the minors and not by moving Duda or Murphy? Sandy: "Did I say I wouldn't move Duda or Murphy? Yes. Did I mean it? Yes, at the time. But the times, they are a changin'. Was it a lie? I can't answer that question truthfully." Sandy inferred it was up to Collins.

Lefty Specialist wrote: Ceetar wrote: Here, I'll a bold specific prediction. He'll have more home runs on the season this year than days in the minors. Does that include homers in Las Vegas? Because if it's major-league homers there's no way he's hitting more than 30, which is about how long I'd expect he'll be a ward of the State of Nevada. Nope, but we can see if that's true or not.

It's funny how people interpret things. I'm reading the Sandy interview transcript from yesterday now, and it feels very 'do or die' for Valdespin, not "Let's see what he can do" but "Let's see if there is anything he can do" I think Terry will have three options. I think the first is moving [Daniel] Murphy to first base, temporarily, and putting [Jordany] Valdespin at second and take a look at Valdespin and see if he can improve on his numbers with some more regular play. Basically if Murph moves to first it gives us a chance to look at Valdespin at second. That may last awhile, it may not. On Flores not being promoted. But I think we felt at this point that if we�re going to get anything out of Valdespin, we need to take a look at him now. That�s not to say that that will be a long look, but we wanted to look at that option first.

Edgy MD wrote: Nobody's suggesting that first is easy, ceetar. Or that he won't have an issue or two there. But the job is currently open, and he's current playing left poorly enough that it seemingly negates 100% of his offensive value, which is the fourth highest in the league. And that's while looking more comfortable than last season. I know. I just mean that it seems easier to me for the Mets to find someone to play first base (and at a reasonable price) than three outfielders. If Duda fits at first, then fine, sure, I'm not against it, but the idea of it just seems very haphazard and shuffling the deck chairs type stuff. Especially since the problem is offense and Duda + Satin/Turner seems better than Duda+More Cowgill. Rather than try to maximize Duda's value (unless you're looking to trade him I guess) let's try to get contributors in here and if the best way to fill out a lineup is to move Duda to first, then by all means..

Philly? I can think of a lot of bad AL first baseman too.

Here, I'll a bold specific prediction. He'll have more home runs on the season this year than days in the minors.

Edgy MD wrote: I imagine we're all more comfortable outfielders when we get to play deeper. It would be a strategic surrender to have him play generally deep as a rule, but it would be strategic. An alternative that remains is have him start coming in, and then moving over to his left, until he finds himself positioned at first base. What I worry about in that regard is something I'm starting to worry about in all regards, and I've noticed some of it in previous years too. They press when it's tight. (and it's certainly tight a lot more often) He goes for the all-in play in a tie game when he should probably just take the hop. Like how all the hitters can be patient and work walks and try to wait for their pitch to hit, then suddenly it's the bottom of the 9th (or 19th) and they're all "OMG I want to go home! SWING AS HARD AS I CAN AT PITCHES EVEN VALDESPIN LETS GO" While I'm not against playing Duda at first if that's how the roster fits best, I'm still not sure it's a net positive, and certainly not something he's suddenly going to be even passable defensively at. Defense at first is less valuable, so he hurts you less, but on the other hand, those balls in the dirt and stretching for the extra inch (although he's got plenty of inches) can be important. I think it'll be worth noting over these next couple of weeks (if Ike's demotion even lasts that long) how Wright, Murphy and even Tejada if/when he returns plays look.