Ceetar

well yes..of course, the season hasn't started yet. Turns out the quality of your PR dept and how you put out messages and information and the stories people write about you don't translate to wins and losses. Behind C.C. the Yankees had A.J. who many felt could be Pavano part 2, end up injured or not pitch well, Pettitte, who may not last the entire season as he was getting older, the Joba Reliever/Starter/Reliever/Starter/Reliever/Starter/Reliever/Starter/ Rules mess and ..Hughes? Or am I missing someone..oh, right, Wang, the injury mess that ultimately did bomb. All i'm saying is, the season has yet to be played and there _are_ enough upside players on the Mets for them to have the chance at a title.

I've heard 8-12 weeks as well, which almost seems like it's feasible for opening day. I think he'll miss some time in April, but he'll probably be back by May. of course, anything can happen. I think it'll depend how he feels around March 8th (8 weeks) and he'll start seeing the docs and what not then and see about getting cleared to play. Who knows, they could carry him on the roster for the first week due to the usual only need 4 starters right away thing (playing short of course, isn't that the way it goes?) and ease him into things, pinch hits, etc. Not sure that'd be the wisest move, but hey, who knows right?

Why willing to believe Molina could be the best of the bunch but not willing to believe a rookie could have a good second season and be better than the slow-starting Adam LaRoche?

I'm kinda annoyed taht Omar still apparently has no full autonomy because while more ideas can be helpful in some regards, you still need one guy running the show and it's obviously not the case. I'm annoyed that they took a month from initial diagnosis until surgery. They should've set the date earlier so there was a higher probability Beltran was ready for Opening Day. but overall, whatever. Sign a pitcher and lets get started already. No matter what actually happens the Mets are going to be easy targets and easy stories to write about ineptitude, no matter the facts, because we'll believe them. Lets' get to baseball season so there is something legitimate and positive to talk about, start winning and fire Manuel so that we can get some positive light on the team.

It seems like they already have talked to the doc, I assume that's where the 12 weeks +/-4 weeks is coming from. This seems like it's reasonably late April/Early May which isn't the end of the world. I mean, these things could of course take longer. No one really knows until he's healed and getting back into baseball shape. Late March maybe before we have a real prognosis and target date. I don't think I like Ankiel as a steady enough guy. I'm comfortable with Pagan, who has actually played very well, even some pop, here. He had a fast start in 2008, maybe he will again. I wish they'd upgrade RF, just to be sure, but I don't think they are. At least the 3-year Francoeur extension that was floated around (by Heyman I think?) at the end of the season didn't come to be. I suspect the Mets don't want to sign another OF and completely block Fernando Martinez, figuring Francoeur can be a satisfactory run producer batting 6th, and maybe Martinez shows up late in the season after lighting up the minors and provides a spark. I wouldn't even rule out him having a fiery spring and getting the nod in April if things shake out that way, but that's a big if right now. I think pitching is the way to go. They have to do that anyway, so maybe take on one of the more risky type Sheets guy if it's not completely absurdly priced. i.e. Reduce the need for Beltran's bat by letting up less runs.

I hope not Delgado, that seems a bad idea. But I guess if he can be healthy in April and May that's what you're looking for in this case. But Delgado looks like his best months won't beu ntil summer as he'll be slow to recover from the hip stuff and wait for warm weather. I'm thinking..Sheets. He's the best talent pitcher out there. It doesn't haev to be an offensive answer, as they still havea good one, and better pitching will win games that Beltran might've via offense. If Sheets does go down, Beltran will likely be back by the, and maybe Niese or one of our other three pitchers have stepped up that we don't miss him much.

This is much less of a 'disaster' as it was orginally made out to be. The only issue is if this 'cures' him or if he'll ultimately need that microfracture surgery which if i recall means a long long recovery and possibly career ending anyway? He told Kevin Burkhardt in Nov that he had no pain. So it's not like doctor's have been just ignoring the issue. It sounds like the Mets/Beltran disconnect came from lack of decisiveness on actually getting the scope done immediately. Sounds like Beltran just wanted to hedge his bets, play it safe, have the surgery and not risk missing more time by waiting. Prognosis is still vague, 8-12 weeks could mean 8 weeks and rehabs most of spring and is healthy 4/5. or it could mean 12 weeks, extended spring training and not back until May. I imagine it depends how he feels in March. Obviously, we're all worried this could end up being a longer recovery time than reported. Let's hope not. Pagan for a month is not a big deal. Maybe Martinez lights it up and spring and is a pleasant surprise. Maybe Pelfrey Maine and Perez get off to hot starts and offense isn't as big an issue. It's no surprise he went to that doctor. He's "the best", and he's affiliated with Boras. No one criticized the Yankees for A-Rod going there, which was likely at Boras' suggestion as well. You go to the best, even if that's not your own team doctor. It sounds like the Mets doctor did give his approval of the surgery option, even if it wasn't the team's first choice. It just sounds like he went off and did it after that without telling them he was going to.

Thought I read that the Mets store will be right behind it, where previously there were storage rooms or something. Probably still can have an outside door.

My 'favorite' memories were probably when he went a whole month without a hit in late 2008.

Doesn't the article sorta contridict itself a little with talking up defensive stats and then mentioning the Phillies have no interest in stats whatsoever? (which doesn't surprise me.) And if this is the case, and the Phillies obviously played above their heads defensively last year (Howard may be genuine improvement, but Ibanez?) and the supposed downgrade of defense with Polanco, aren't they in for a regression to ~87 or so wins?

"Women of New York, start weeping. " I think Jeter has gotten old/out of date anyway. Not sure anyone's weeping. Besides, come the wedding everyone's attention will be on David Wright as defending champion in NY anyway.

I like the park, and while some of the obstructions in certain sections are just a tad too much, I like the quirks. Maybe it's too quirky for the sake of being quirky, but whatever. People criticque what's new, that's just standard practice. 10 years down the road it'll be what it'll be. Although I do recall the Mets saying they built the park to be able to move the fences 6feet in either direction, although I don't see how they could possibly move them out.. I think a lot of it was just a culture shock of change. Sure, some home runs blop off the walls for doubles (or triples if you've got Sheff out there) but we'll be used to that shortly. We talk about "That looked gone off the bat", but our minds are attune to Shea. A couple more years of watching and we'll judge that better too. As will the players. More data first please, before knee-jerk reactions to guys like Klapisch. Also, the fence height does generally create outs, even if it turns home runs into doubles. I think it creates a little more of a home field advantage in the outfield even, judging the ball height over your head to see if you should go back and try to make a play, or play it off the wall. visitors may see it so high and back up hoping it dies before the fence, whereas Bay will learn that that height will knock off the wall (in fact, given the Monster this is probably his default behavior anyway) and plays the bounce to gun the guy out at third.

Edgy DC wrote: Thank you. And it doesn't mean that the Mets won't have a potential minimum wage option or two as alternatives at Buffalo, ready to come up if they perform. (I have a 40 oz can of super-salted peanuts here on my desk that my company gave me as a Christmas gift. I don't want it and don't need it. But damned if I didn't read the word peanuts in the previous post and find myself reaching for the can and stuffing my fat face.) Unfortunately, Bengie Molina has the same problem. *snickers at himself*

Edgy DC wrote: One reason is we know he was playing hurt last season. I don't think he's locking down a roster spot. He's just as releasable as any other guy with a one-year $2 million contract. As far as guys who will give you more for less, sure, they're everywhere, but the hard part is figuring out who they are among all the guys who won't. I've been doing this a long time, and folks seem to get mad whenever the Mets sign a utility infielder. This makes sense. It's easy to tell you who would've been a replacement level league-minimum backup in 2009. It's not quite as easy for 2010. Also, you never know how the environment factor will play in. One guys butts head with his manager, doesn't do well. Another guy really clicks with a hitting coach and boom, good year. Cora's just the safe bet, for basically peanuts.

Players _do_ improve, and Francoeur certainly didn't 'decline' last year. Fluke? Probably. But not definitely. In a 'perfect' world, Francoeur has a hot April and May, reverts, and Fernando Martinez is ready in June, tears up the league, wins Rookie of the Year honors as well as World Series MVP.

Tatis _may_ have been okay as a bench guy, as may have Sheffield, but they were never used like that, even when everyone else was healthy. Reed was always on the bench, never got a chance to start, and Santos may have been a slight downgrade from Castro, but as backup catchers go, whatever.

I like Pagan. I think he's an excellent 4th outfield, I think he'll find some playing time, and it really strengthens the bench, something that was perhaps the worst part of the team last year.

metirish wrote: A scout I spoke to says Dickey doesn't evan have a fastball. Warthen will try to get one out of him, just you watch.

the NL's pitchers have about a 100 point advantage in OPS over 290ish plate appearances, whereas teh AL's DH has a 130 point advantage in OPS over about 490ish plate appearances. now back to your regularly programmed thread. This discrepancy would seem to come into play in interleague play favoring the AL. They pretty much have the same caliber of player batting in the 9th slot, but in AL parks NL teams have to use a guy that's generally not an everyday player. Teams having David Ortiz and the other Alex Cora or Angel Pagan type guys tend to have an advantage.

This sucks. I want to stick my guns and say these two teams aren't good enough for that. That Jeter is overrated, that Melky, Swisher and Damon aren't exactly scary, and that Pettitte is old and A.J. can't get it done. But they keep succeeding. bastards. I credit it to rest, which I find to be one of Mets frequent mistakes. they shut down some of their young bullpen guys when they could. They skipped a start here, and an extra day there, for Pettitte, who very well may have worn down otherwise. The Sox fading kept them from having to push. Posada could DH (stupid junior circuit) and rest. Rollins we know isn't that good, and Howard is susceptible to most lefties. Their bullpen stinks, Hamels has been average, and Cliff Lee can't do it all. Their lineup is deep with Ibanez, but Ruiz and Feliz aren't gods by any stretch, and good pitching is supposed to take care of that. (weren't the Dodgers supposed to have some of that? bah!) I want to stab myself in an eye. Top that off with some of these games being infuriating. Especially the Yankees with their slow-down tactics and throws to first, and catcher visits. Both managers make so many pitching changes I feel like George Lopez plays for the Phillies I see him so much. But I would have to prefer (notice, not root/pick/want) the Phillies. There will be no Phillies fans at thanksgiving dinner. I won't see them regularly on trains or bars or in the supermarket. They're still the team with 10000 losses, and their success would only make next season more exciting and heighten the rivalry and whatnot.