New York Mets 2009

[sonny10305]

Dave and big Mike,who looks like he's pretty hot in the crotch!

Yeah that distintion belongs to Aaron

 

[sonny10305]

The Mets have tendered offer to arbitration-eligible players Ryan Church, John Maine, Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez, and Jeremy Reed.
Those five players can all file for salary arbitration from Jan. 5-15, and the Mets must exchange salary figures with them by Jan. 19.
If both parties cannot agree to a contract in the ensuing weeks, they will enter arbitration hearings from Feb. 1-21 to determine 2009 salaries.

Church, I want him back,I got a feeling he will be back strong as he was last season before the injury. Gutsy outfielder, Great on-base percentage and home run hitter.I like that kid.
Maine, absolutely no question bout it, he was on his way to becoming an ace before that spur developed and now that it has been removed watch this guy soar. A very important part of the '09 rotation
Feliciano, nothing more than a low-end middle reliever
Sanchez, b-bye now.

Francisco Rodriguez is already adjusting to New York, claiming that his new team will win the NL East.

"Of course, we're going to try to win the division. Of course, we're going to be the front-runner. Of course, we're going to be the team to beat,"

K-Rod went on to say,"I don't want there to be a controversy or the other ballclubs in that division to take it personally or take it in a bad way," Rodriguez said. "If they ask me, 'Oh, which ballclub is going to win the National League East?' It's going to be the Mets. Easy question."

Gotta love this kid

 

[Sausy]

Yeah that distintion belongs to Aaron

Aaron....gonna miss that!Not the meltdowns,of course!I wonder if the person he's signing an autograph for noticed there was an
unsigned package sticking out!

 

[Sausy]

Yup, David and me, many a night before I go to sleep

I'm gonna be a good boy and get back on topic,I promise.....but who's the top and who's the bottom in sonny's wicked thoughts?!

 

[syam24]

While the Mets have done some good things so far, the starting pitching definitely needs a boost. I was impressed with what Randy Wolf did with the Astros after they got him in a trade. He went 6-2 in that Houston bandbox they call a baseball stadium, so he might be a good acquisition for the staff. I read where Wilpon's took it in the shorts to the tune of $300 million in the Madoff swindles. Hope the family has more of that money to keep the Mets solvent and competitive.

 

[sonny10305]

who's the top and who's the bottom in sonny's wicked thoughts?!

Usually, David is on the bottom, but whatever David wants, david would get

While the Mets have done some good things so far, the starting pitching definitely needs a boost. I was impressed with what Randy Wolf did with the Astros after they got him in a trade. He went 6-2 in that Houston bandbox they call a baseball stadium, so he might be a good acquisition for the staff. I read where Wilpon's took it in the shorts to the tune of $300 million in the Madoff swindles. Hope the family has more of that money to keep the Mets solvent and competitive.

Yeah I am pretty happy with the way the pitching has improved, but more work is needed. If you do the math, Pedro Feliciano is the only left-handed relief pitcher left on our 40 man roster. So I am sure they will want to fix that.
Randy Wolff, who is a lefty, is looking like a possibility. I think Wolff would be easier to sign than let’s say Perez, who I am on the fence about anyways.

I am beginning to believe Lowe ain’t gonna happen, the Mets are just not wanting to pay him what he is asking, but that could change. Biemel won’t be signed for the same reason

But all in all ya gotta feel good that the Mets have improved the pitching, I am anxious to see what they do next, both in relief and starting. It aint over yet.

 

[Sausy]

Usually, David is on the bottom, but whatever David wants, david would get

Yeah I am pretty happy with the way the pitching has improved, but more work is needed. If you do the math, Pedro Feliciano is the only left-handed relief pitcher left on our 40 man roster. So I am sure they will want to fix that.
Randy Wolff, who is a lefty, is looking like a possibility. I think Wolff would be easier to sign than let’s say Perez, who I am on the fence about anyways.

I am beginning to believe Lowe ain’t gonna happen, the Mets are just not wanting to pay him what he is asking, but that could change. Biemel won’t be signed for the same reason

But all in all ya gotta feel good that the Mets have improved the pitching, I am anxious to see what they do next, both in relief and starting. It aint over yet.

Sonny,I tell ya....you never disappoint!And another great David pic!

Now back to business,as promised!More relievers need to be added,certainly another tough lefty.Randy Wolf is all right but he's never had a truly consistent year.He gives the Mets problems when they faced him....now he'd be theirs and he what has he done against the rest of the competition?You get a guy who beats you,but if he isn't beating on others....what do you gain except an expensive mediocrity who always has an ERA north of 4.00?

Don't like Jon Garland either.....one great year but has been hit hard with high ERAs despite his records.He doesn't seem to have it and I don't know if he'll ever return to his 2005 championship run for the Chisox run.I'd rather have Ollie who did pitch a good number of great games against top opponents,but worry about committing too much money to a terribly inconsistent if occasionally brilliant enigma.


I think Lowe is best in the NL....wish the Mets would make a serious run for him at least,or Ben Sheets(two years commitment isn't too out of line for this risky due to health questions but otherwise top notch competitor).I want to see the Mets really try to take hold of their destiny from the start and show their fans they are tired of the collapses and maddening inconsistencies of the past couple of seasons...they got to go in it to win it,responsibly fiscally but aggressively.


This won't happen but the Mets wouldn't be so bad off to look at Pat Burrell,who should be a more forcefully consistent offensive player but always has great streaks...and he walks a lot,pushing up opposing pitcvher's counts.He's a creditable defensive left fielder,respected as a great clubhouse guy and really works at his game.I can't believe the Phillies unceremoniously dumped him at only 32 for 36 year old Raul Ibanez,for three seasons!Let's get someone who could help us on the field and the clubhouse...and stick it to those vile Phillies!

 

[sonny10305]

)More relievers need to be added,certainly another tough lefty.Randy Wolf is all right but he's never had a truly consistent year.He gives the Mets problems when they faced him....now he'd be theirs and he what has he done against the rest of the competition?You get a guy who beats you,but if he isn't beating on others....what do you gain except an expensive mediocrity who always has an ERA north of 4.00?

Plus we haven’t exactaly had the best of luck with players from other teams who beat up on us. Can you say…Glavin

Don't like Jon Garland either.....one great year but has been hit hard with high ERAs despite his records.He doesn't seem to have it and I don't know if he'll ever return to his 2005 championship run for the Chisox run.I'd rather have Ollie who did pitch a good number of great games against top opponents,but worry about committing too much money to a terribly inconsistent if occasionally brilliant enigma.


That’s what I have been thinking about with Sheets as well, to much history with injuries.
Perez and Lowe both belong as you know to Scott Borus, they both top the Mets' list, looking to land both of em, and with interest with other teams fading, Ollie has seen his market drop to three years, which will be what the Met’s are looking for.
Then what about Pedro, I wasn’t him to retire but he wants to stay.
I just heard the Mets are looking at Freddy Garcia but isn’t he still having shoulder problems even after his surgery? Another name popping up is Eric Milton, but I think he missed most or all of last year recovering from elbow surgery. Those choices worry me,' of course we can’t leave Niese out of contention got that fifth stating position.



This won't happen but the Mets wouldn't be so bad off to look at Pat Burrell,who should be a more forcefully consistent offensive player but always has great streaks.

Yeah I don’t see that anymore than I see Tek coming in from Boston.

 

[sonny10305]

K-Rod was introduced to NY today

Jerry Manual had the best line,
when K-Rod was given the shirt with his new number 75, (reversed 57)
Jerry said, "75, that's the number of saves he will have this year"

Your lips to Gods ears Jerry
Frankie had 62 saves in 2008, a single season record, with 194 saves since 2005
Plus a mind blowing 241 career saves with an ERA of 2.24 Whew!

http://web.sny.tv/media/player/mp_t...rodpresser_800.wmv&type=v_free&vid=8852&_mp=1

 

[sonny10305]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV6BL-Gy9pA[/ame]

 

[sonny10305]

Happy Birthday to me baby David Wright who just turned 25.
Damn, I wanna blow out his candles.

 

[sonny10305]

Sorry I got he age wrong, David is 26 today.
If you like David Check out the Wright Stuff website

http://www.the-wright-stuff.com/

 

[Sausy]

Happy Birthday to me baby David Wright who just turned 25.
Damn, I wanna blow out his candles.

Sorry I got he age wrong, David is 26 today.
If you like David Check out the Wright Stuff website

http://www.the-wright-stuff.com/

Blow out his candles?Dang,sonny....you are subtle,aren't you?A belated happy birthday to David and thanks sonny as always for the great pics!

 

[sonny10305]

Blow out his candles?Dang,sonny....you are subtle,aren't you?A belated happy birthday to David and thanks sonny as always for the great pics!

he he, nothing sutile ablout it babe, I want him.....I want him bad
News out now is that when the 2009 World Baseball Classic begins this March, David Wright will be representing the United States.
He will of course play third base for Team USA, but although he may be the only Mets player on Team USA, he won't be the only one in the tournament.
Beltran, Delgado and Feliciano have all said that they would like to play for Puerto Rico. Santana and K-Rod have also said yes to the Venezuelan team, and Reyes has said that he would like to play for the Domincan Republic.
Now if only we could get those games broadcast on SNY.

 

[sonny10305]

So I have been checking out the new MLB network and so far it's pretty good. I like the Interviews and the set is awesome. I especially like the segments on baseball teaching like stealing home and playing the ball of the wall, good stuff.

But my heart will always be with my boys on SNY. They are clearly the best.

Some changes at SNY this year:

Chris Cotter is gone from Daily News Live, he could not reach a contract agreement. sorry to loose him. Jonas Schwartz replaces Chris to battle it out with crazy Joe (ya gotta love him) Biningo.

Also gone is Matt Yallof, who has handled the pre and postgame shows.
Matt is being replaced by the very annoying Chris (loudmouth)Carlin.
That will have to grow on me I liked Yallof and really don't much care for Calin.

Kenny Choi is also gone replaced by some chick.

Another one I will miss is Lee Mazzilli, word is he may be replaced by Bobby Ojeda. Bobby should bring a lot to the table so thats move is cool.

The most important thing, and I mean super important thing, is that
Gary, Keith, Ron, and Kevin are all coming back.
They are hands down the best announcing teams in the business.

Finally a note to Boros, dude, the Mets made a good offer for Lowe, TAKE IT
I know in your greedy little mind you think he is worth more, but trust me he aint.
Come down to earth , you are not gonna do better for Lowe.

By the way, are you guys aware that about 70% of the free agents don't know where they will be for spring training? I mean some high quality guys.
WTF Lets get this thing done.

 

[sonny10305]

While we wait...and wait...and wait for the Mets to sign another starter,
they instead have been focused on replacing Oliver Perez in their starting rotation.
But with that process dragging and with the team looking to increase its overall rotation depth, the Mets pounced on a 5th stater, righthander Tim Redding
But if we give up Perez shouldn't we be looking for a lefty?
Or will he replace Pedro? Plus who the Hell is this guy anyways?
Oh right, he pitched for the Nats last year, and he did pitch a career-high 182 innings in 2008.
Hey Jon Neise, don't give up your hope for 5th starter.
Whatever can we move on now to Lowe? or Wolf? Those Braves are desperate for a starter and are gunnning for Lowe. Atlanta might give Lowe more money than the mets have offered but not the guaranteed fourth year Borass wants (no I did not mispell his name)

Well at least the Manny talk has died down, funny thing is I am beginning to warm up to the idea.
I mean yeah, he is a child and a royal pain in ther ass but he is one of the best clutch hitters in the game. Im just sayin.
Without manny at left I still like the Murphy/Tatis platoon. My only concern for Murph is that this year there will be a book on him, he may not be as effective, a real test for the kid, since the opposing pitchers have his number now.

 

[sonny10305]

The Mets have confirmed the reporting dates for spring training in Port St. Lucie next month.
Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 13, with physicals the following day and on field workouts the day after that. Position players report Feb. 17, with physicals the following day. The first full day of workouts for the entire team is Feb. 19, with the first exhibition game set for Feb. 25.
Players participating in the World Baseball Classic, which includes David Wright , Jose Reyes,
Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran report in early March.

Ok so we need at least one banana Oh Hell, why not two

How about this
Billy Wagner is ahead of schedule and looking to return in August.
Billy would be an interesting late season addition.
Think about it, in September we could have Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz
AND Wagner in the bullpen.
I don't think I am going on in any limb here to say there will be no late season bull pen collapse this year.

 

[sonny10305]

Well Omar blew it and allowed Scott BorASS to run all over him and make a deal with Atlanta for Lowe. What are ya holding the money for Omar,
Savin it for Manny? Doesn’t matter cause BorASS is going to get it anyways with Ollie Perez. Tricky Scotty has Omar and the Mets just where he wants em to get Ollie cash; no way we get him without over paying for him. I don’t think Sheets in the running any more, thinking back to September’s injury makes me wonder about his old injuries. Yeah I know he pitched in the all star game, but still….

By the way I don’t know if the Braves are getting a false sense of accomplishment getting Lowe. Granted he will help them a lot, even though Lowe is not your typical ace like Santana, he will give the Braves with a steady, consistent force at the front end of their rotation. Lowe should help them with at least 30 starts with an ERA somewhere around 3.50, which is exactly what the Braves need. Getting Lowe will also take the burden off of Vazquez, who would have been over his head leading their rotation. Vazquez will now fit in well behind Lowe in the rotation to give the Braves two deep inning pitchers at the front end of the rotation. Ya still gotta wonder what it would have been like for Lowe behind Santana, Pelfrey and Maine. I also think had Omar loosened up the money a bit like maybe $40-$42, they could have gotten Lowe who I strongly believe wanted to be a Met. I mean here is a guy who is in his last years, (35) surely he wants to be on a team that could go top the WS and get himself another championship and not the Braves who will/can not this year.
But, the NL East is still one of the tougher divisions in baseball. The Mets and Phillies both appear ready to compete for a championship in 2009. I don’t see the Lowe signing providing enough punch to make the badly depleted Braves in the company of the Mets and Phillies

In other developments, the Mets have found their replacement for Damion Easley , they have agreed to terms on a one-year, $2 million deal with Alex Cora.
I checked up on Cora and found he spent the past 3 1/2 seasons with Boston and hit .270 with a .371 OBP in 75 games at shortstop and second base for the Red Sox last year. We get another lefty and a decent fielder. Of course we gotta needa musta get rid of Castillo so maybe Cora can help us out there.

Another guy I wonder about is Mike Young who just got shafted by the Rangers. He wants out and he does not wanna go to third. He was an outstanding shortstop but he also played a mean second base
He does not wanna move to third for the Rangers I dono if he would go back to second for the Mets but he is pissed and wants to be dealt so who knows. Truth is that deal would be very expensive. More likely is if the could move Castillo they would sign Hudson which is what I really wanted all along.
Mike still has 5 years and $60 on his deal which the Mets would have to take on plus part of Castillo’s contract, and of course what would we have to give up. So I don’t hold much hope for that deal
See guys, I am always thinking when it comes to replacing Luis.

The Yankees having signed Tex will have to move Swisher to right, so where does that leave Nady? I would love to get him back, maybe platoon with Church. I am still anxious to see how Ryan comes back this year after all those problems last year.

 

[Sausy]

As promised sonny,I'm B-A-A-C-K!

Atlanta made a nice addition in acquiring Derek Lowe,and I'm pissed the Mets were too confident they were going to get Lowe they "Lowe"balled him with their offer(they did raise the numbers some,but refused to guarantee the fourth year Atlanta agreed to,dooming their chances).Lowe and newly added Javier Vazquez are not sure things for Atlanta,as Lowe is not quite a staff ace and Vazquez,though sometimes brilliant,has also been very disappointing at times.A good Mets starting pitcher pick up could put the odds back in the Mets favor.

Which leaves me to plead to Omar Minaya(as per my new custom title)to get moving on a quality fourth starter.I don't mean Randy Wolf,Freddy Garcia,or Andy Petitte.Make a really serious offer(four years,45 mil or so to Perez,swalllow hard you're having to deal with Scott Borass as sonny fondly refers to)or move on to Ben Sheets(2 years,25 mil give or take)Even with the great closer/set up man additions of K-Rod and JJ Putz,the Phillies are still the favorites til you match up better.Adding Tim Redding is nice because of his history against the Phillies,but he is almost a 5.00 ERA guy for his career,he fucks up against most everyone else)

Michael Young is a no go now that he has accepted the move by the Rangers to third base.I think at 32 we should be aiming a bit younger anyway.They don't seem to be in the hunt for Manny Ramiirez at the present time.

 

[sonny10305]

Hey sausy nice to see you back, we missed ya dude.

Absolutely, I am good to go with Perez now that we lost Lowe, I don’t want Sheets. There is a good chance that Perez will have matured enough to do the job. Remember when he is good he is outstanding, we can’t forget that. He got married and maybe he will settle in. marriage will be good for him, getting laid on a regular basis does wonders
The bad news is that they have agreed to a one year contract with Sanchez.
I want no part of the ’08 pen that blew 29 of 72 save chances. Sanchez in particular ended with an 8.64 ERA. Omar, you’re pissing me off now.
By the way, I hear now that Santana will prolly not play in the WBC. That is great news, he needs to fully recover from that left knee surgery, I want him back strong and playing in Venezuela would be a bad idea.
We have too many guys playin in that thing and I jus hope no one gets hurt.

Better news is A Reyes has been re signed to a minor-league deal. That kid deserves another shot. He really looked good in July and august although he faded after that.
We also just signed Cory Sullivan which gives us another left hander and someone who can play the entire outfield. Lovin that.