New York Mets 2009

[sonny10305]

Ok boys and Girls it’s time for our Mets 09 thread

We had a lot of fun sharing Mets info in out 08 thread but with the winter meetings underway I felt it was time to move on to 2009.
Allow me once again to thanks all of you who contributed to the ’08 thread, we sure had fun.

So, Omar arrived in Vegas yesterday and went right to work. He had dinner with k-Rod and made an opening offer of about $24 million over two years plus a vesting option for a third year, but then agreed to guarantee the third year.
The two sides will likely meet again on Tuesday, at which point, hopefully, we will get some news. You may remember I wrote A-Rod wanted four years but the three year deal could be made today, a fourth-year option is also on the table.
They gave Wagner four years and that did not go so well, I hope the Mets won’t look back at Wagner and not agree to the four years if that what it will take to get A-Rod. I am not one of those guys who worry about his dimished fastball (they said the same thing about Santana) I was a little concerned about his intense windup, but not any more.
By the way, Rodriguez does not have any additional meetings currently set with other teams.The Mets are also going to meet with Fuentes and Hoffman today but I doubt they will make any offers to Hoffman.who is 41 years old and would be a short term fix at best. I only see Hoffman getting the job if we can’t get A-Rod or Fuentes, The only way I could get behind Hoffman is if we also get Street so we have two guys sharing the 8th and 9th spot, that would work but it’s a long shot, and I think it’s just all a game to get to K-Rod who I belive is the guy the Mets really want. Of course I much prefer and desperately want K-Rod. With the other teams who need a closer not having Mets money they will not be outbid, so it’s looking pretty good right now. The bottom line here is Omar seems determined to get a closer and maybe a set up man as well, so I am a happy camper. Getting back to Street, I think I would like to get him to replace Heilman that would work for me. Poor Aaron he had such potential and I think he still has some nasty stuff but we have not seen it in a while so I am glad to see him go. Remember he was in line at one time to replace Wagner in 2010, he was the guy who could get both lefies and righties out, but that was ten and this is now. It also looks good that we will not have to give up any prospects like Parnell, Neise or S. Fernandez it’s just money which sure works for me.
Meanwhile Ollie Perez turned down arbertarion (big surprise) so now the Mets will have to negotiate with him just like all the rest. But, they will get two draft picks if he does sign elsewhere (fingers crossed) As far as starting pitchers go, we still need to replace Pedro and Perez. With guys like CC, Lowe, Burnett, or Garland. Neise has a shot but I gotta see his stuff at spring training
CC looks more and more like he is not interested in playing in NY, the Yankees are finding that out, he appears to be waiting for the Angels to make a move and perhaps hook up with the Dodgers. Lowe will take a while and I worry the Yankees will gobble him up. I can’t consentrate on starters right now, not until we get a closer.

I just hope the meetings don’t end like last year with nothing happening except that Tigers and Marlins deal. K-Rod K-Rod K-Rod lets get it done and then move on to a second baseman (Hudson) and a catcher. I am not to concerned about a corner outfielder right now I would not have a problem sticking with with Murphy, Tatis and Church. But I am open to hearing about someone else, just not Manny.

 

[Sausy]

I'm the first to pop the cherry of this thread,yay!Before I go off track already,really good news on the K-Rod front.Looks like the Mets and K-Rod are getting close to a three year,37 million dollar deal that could go down today or tomorrow.After that,I think there will be much more movement by the Mets and other clubs at the winter meetings,so let's hope!

 

[sonny10305]

I'm the first to pop the cherry of this thread,yay!Before I go off track already,really good news on the K-Rod front.Looks like the Mets and K-Rod are getting close to a three year,37 million dollar deal that could go down today or tomorrow.After that,I think there will be much more movement by the Mets and other clubs at the winter meetings,so let's hope!

I knew you would be my first

Yeah, my phone is waitin for a text from my dad who is at home on high alert.

I also agree with you that after the k-Rod deal is done things will begin to move faster. Sooooooo exciting, why.... I'm all a twitter

 

[Absolut]

Sooooooo exciting, why.... I'm all a twitter

Holy crap. Hilarious.

I shall contribute more to this thread when I have the means to do so!

 

[sonny10305]

Holy crap. Hilarious.

I shall contribute more to this thread when I have the means to do so!

Thanks babe, I look forward to it.

 

[sonny10305]

It's done we got him

The New York Mets have reached an agreement in principle with Francisco Rodriguez on a three-year, $37 million contract. The deal includes a $14 million vesting option for a fourth year that would raise the total value of the contract to $51 million.

I will have more tomorrow, right now it's Budweiser time

 

[Sausy]

It's done we got him

The New York Mets have reached an agreement in principle with Francisco Rodriguez on a three-year, $37 million contract. The deal includes a $14 million vesting option for a fourth year that would raise the total value of the contract to $51 million.

I will have more tomorrow, right now it's Budweiser time

Yep sonny,agree with Abs....I'm trying to picture an overjoyed sonny in his all atwitter mode!

Great move by Omar Minaya,but it has to be only a start....this club needs to get tougher players for playoff runs and needs to fill in a starting pitcher or two along with improving the overall relief staff.But they had a plan to show patience and not bid against themselves in a market where there were far more quality closers than contending teams desperate for one.From the original outlook of five years at 75 mil,really too rich in this economic climate they got K-Rod for three years,$37 mil(with a club fourth year option at a still reasonable $14 mil)...half that and have now more financial flexibility to improve the club elsewhere,especially on the mound.K-Rod pitches well and he'll of course get that fourth year option picked up.Mets fans will be watching closely to see how much Omar Minaya gets it that the Mets have to get to work regaining what's been lost by the great disappointments of the past two seasons...of being on the outside looking in instead of playing for a World Series title.

 

[sonny10305]

Oh man sausy you got that right.

The Mets have got to now concentrate on the middle relief
Schoeneweis, Heilman and Sanchez, who blew all those leads, should be gone
They gotta Beef up the bull pen, that Middle relief killed us last season
Lets start with a set up man I would love Houston Street he can be 8th inning guy who can also close (Oakland) There was a conversation between Omar and the Rockies about a trade between heilman and Street but the Rockies would not bite.
Next up a starter, of course we want lowe.
I am hearing once again Pedro is looking to come back with Neise as the 5th starter.Pedro needs to have dinner with Maddux and follow Greg’s lead to retirement. I can’t see Pedro at Citi Field. I mean I love the guy but it’s over. Pedro does not even want to talk till January
Ollie Perez also might return, I mentioned yesterday he refused arbitration and now the Mets have to deal with him. But Perez wants four years and the Mets would be nutz to give him that.

By the way I keep hearing k-rods fast ball has slowed but if you think about he will prolly mean he has developed a killer change up (which I like to call a slow fastball)

Hey, who will wear #57 Santana or K-Rod? Of course Santana will keep it, find another number Frankie

I mentioned yesterday that although I am not too concerned about the outfield I suppose Raul Ibanez could be a good fit. We could use the leftie bat, maybe strengthen left field, and he could also play 2nd when Castillo goes down (and he will) Maybe Murph can cover 2nd with Ibanez and Tatis in left.
Yesterday Manuel hinted that he might even be willing to give Castillio the lead off spot to help him out, moving Reyes back. Oh Jerry, that’s adorable

 

[Thad1527]

Oh man sausy you got that right.

The Mets have got to now concentrate on the middle relief
Schoeneweis, Heilman and Sanchez, who blew all those leads, should be gone
They gotta Beef up the bull pen, that Middle relief killed us last season

Absolutely right. Here's hoping...

And what will the Angels do now? This is important to me - I'm from Mike Scioscia's home town, my brother was in his high school graduating class.

OK, somehow I know how you'll answer that one.

 

[Sausy]

Late night three way(I love saying that)between the Mets,Seattle,and Cleveland that lands us a top notch closer type setup man for K-Rod in J.J. Putz!We also get Jeremy Reed...a one time outstanding offensive prospect who seems to have at present stalled in development as a quality fourth outfielder but who really could hit in the minors,great reader of hitting situations and a fine basestealer with good speed.Defensively adequate but could be pretty good.You never know,we could hit gold with him!

Putz is a dominant closer type,a huge guy at 6'5,250 pounds who had an off year due to injuries but the previous two years was dominant with respective ERAs of 2.30 and 1.60.Hopefully he will have the mindset to make the adjustment to set up man,but what a 1-2 weapon between the two!

Mets lost Aaron Heilmann and Endy Chavez(one who blew a WS appearance in that wild seventh game against the Cards giving up that homer to Molina in the 2006 NLCS,the other made a thrilling,for the ages home run robbing catch earlier in that game)and minor league hitting prospect Mike Carp to Seattle.Joe Smith went to Cleveland in that deal...Seattle got top outfield prospect from Cleveland Franklin Guttierez.

I'm sure sonny especially and our other Mets fans will have plenty to say about the new and really improved bullpen.

 

[Sausy]

Two big Mets trades and sonny isn't anywhere to be found!

 

[Sausy]

Two big Mets trades and sonny isn't anywhere to be found!

I meant acquisitionsHope everything is okay with sonny.

 

[sonny10305]

Hey guys, I did post yesterday, donor what happened to it. Polly forgot to save after I preview it and did spell check.
Anyways….
We have two closers, how cool is that.
I had hoped for something like that with Street, but I will take JJ, his stuff is nasty. By the way I am not worried about that elbow injury he had last year (my dad has been all over me about that) JJ had some great stuff and low ERAs after he recovered from the injury late in the season, so no worries there. Plus he throws strikes and gets em out.
What a one two punch for the 8th and 9th spot. If K-Rod goes down we won’t crash and burn as we did with Wagner. I love that JJ and set up and close We pretty much got the two best closers in baseball last year and this.
I hated to lose Joe Smith but considering what we go I guess I can live with it but I had a good feeling about that kid, I like his stuff, so a loss for me. I also hated losing Mike Carp did not like losing those two. Maybe draft pick Darren O’Day (side arm righty) could fill that void left by Smith, I gonna be watchin that kid.
Aaron Heilman Good riddance the poor guy needed to get out of NY maybe he can now be a starter which has been his goal, good luck Aaron.

Endy Chavez will be missed but he never really had a spot on the team.

Ok now let’s move on to starting pitching, what do we do there?
Of course we gotta keep goin after Lowe, and figure out what to do about Perez. Ollie may want a longer deal than the Mets are willing to give him and I am not sure I want a long tem deal with him anyways. Last I hear is that his market has been coming down a bit more to what the Mets had in mind. I mean the guy I so unpredictable, he had some awesome starts especially in tough situations but then there was those days when he stood on that rubber looking all dazed and confused. So someone convince me why we should resign him. We also need to firm up the middle relief a bit more. I still want to get rid of Schoeneweis and Sanchez. Maybe Schoeneweis could be sent to the Cubs for Marquis who would fit in well into the back end of the rotation. By the way, can Jason also hit and could even be a Hell-of-a-good fifth starter.

Next is an outfielder, I keep hearing Abrue and Ibanez Names tossed around and that’s fine, but as I wrote the other day my choice is still Ibanez (Bobby sucks in the outfield) and Ibanez is clearly the better situational hitter.

By the way did any of you guys hear Cole Hamels in his squeaky little girlie voice on the radio yesterday calling the Mets “choke artist”? Yeah Cole we know all about the last two Septembers, don’t need you reminding us, you’re a great pitcher, don’t turn into another punk like Rollins.

Keep up the good work Omar!

 

[Sausy]

Hey guys, I did post yesterday, donor what happened to it. Polly forgot to save after I preview it and did spell check.
Anyways….
We have two closers, how cool is that.
I had hoped for something like that with Street, but I will take JJ, his stuff is nasty. By the way I am not worried about that elbow injury he had last year (my dad has been all over me about that) JJ had some great stuff and low ERAs after he recovered from the injury late in the season, so no worries there. Plus he throws strikes and gets em out.
What a one two punch for the 8th and 9th spot. If K-Rod goes down we won’t crash and burn as we did with Wagner. I love that JJ and set up and close We pretty much got the two best closers in baseball last year and this.
I hated to lose Joe Smith but considering what we go I guess I can live with it but I had a good feeling about that kid, I like his stuff, so a loss for me. I also hated losing Mike Carp did not like losing those two. Maybe draft pick Darren O’Day (side arm righty) could fill that void left by Smith, I gonna be watchin that kid.
Aaron Heilman Good riddance the poor guy needed to get out of NY maybe he can now be a starter which has been his goal, good luck Aaron.

Endy Chavez will be missed but he never really had a spot on the team.

Ok now let’s move on to starting pitching, what do we do there?
Of course we gotta keep goin after Lowe, and figure out what to do about Perez. Ollie may want a longer deal than the Mets are willing to give him and I am not sure I want a long tem deal with him anyways. Last I hear is that his market has been coming down a bit more to what the Mets had in mind. I mean the guy I so unpredictable, he had some awesome starts especially in tough situations but then there was those days when he stood on that rubber looking all dazed and confused. So someone convince me why we should resign him. We also need to firm up the middle relief a bit more. I still want to get rid of Schoeneweis and Sanchez. Maybe Schoeneweis could be sent to the Cubs for Marquis who would fit in well into the back end of the rotation. By the way, can Jason also hit and could even be a Hell-of-a-good fifth starter.

Next is an outfielder, I keep hearing Abrue and Ibanez Names tossed around and that’s fine, but as I wrote the other day my choice is still Ibanez (Bobby sucks in the outfield) and Ibanez is clearly the better situational hitter.

By the way did any of you guys hear Cole Hamels in his squeaky little girlie voice on the radio yesterday calling the Mets “choke artist”? Yeah Cole we know all about the last two Septembers, don’t need you reminding us, you’re a great pitcher, don’t turn into another punk like Rollins.

Keep up the good work Omar!

I knew you wouldn't intentionally not say somethng after the Mets getting two great closers to shut the door for the Mets...goof ups like that happen,sonny.


I agree with your take completely regarding Putz...he was throwing hard (98-99mph)in his last start and appears healthy again.He should be fine,and he naturally still prefers cllsing but seems excited by his pairing up with K-Rod to perhaps form the most dominant eighth-ninth inning tandem in baseball.I liked Huston Street a lt,but JJ is even more explosive and dynamic.

They just traded Schoenweis to the Diamondbacks,and weren't going to get that much for him anyway.I'd love to see what this means for Luis Ayala ....overall did a good job closing late in the season after the Mets lost Wagner,mybe he could be used in a deal for a quality starter.Names I'm hearing like Jason Marquis or Randy Wolf are mediocrities whenthe Mets need a really strong fourth option to get to their closer tandem....not in love with Ollie due to his maddening inconsistency but I'd take him over the other two.For a short term deal,like two years at around$20-25 mil,I'd re-sign Ollie but somehow I dream we could go after a more consistent stud like Jake Peavy.


We have to address the offense,more consistency and more smart situational hitting and baserunning.The hot and cold offense,which often required the need to manufacture runs when the big bats stalled cannot contine to fail so repeatedly in the clutch.I am glad Philly signed Raul Ibanez because he was another aging guy on a club that needs more defense and athleticism....hope they stay away from Bobby Abreu too.I hope Fernando Martinez will be ready later in the season and Josh Thole continues to develop consistency as a hitter among their promising young farmhands.

oh yes.....Cole Hamels getting into trash talking mode...."squeaky little girlie voice"?You can be so cold,sonny!Well,if that provides motivation to the Mets to rub Phillies faces in the dirt,so much the better!

 

[sonny10305]

They just traded Schoenweis to the Diamondbacks,and weren't going to get that much for him anyway.I'd love to see what this means for Luis Ayala ....overall did a good job closing late in the season after the Mets lost Wagner,mybe he could be used in a deal for a quality starter.Names I'm hearing like Jason Marquis or Randy Wolf are mediocrities whenthe Mets need a really strong fourth option to get to their closer tandem....not in love with Ollie due to his maddening inconsistency but I'd take him over the other two.For a short term deal,like two years at around$20-25 mil,I'd re-sign Ollie but somehow I dream we could go after a more consistent stud like Jake Peavy.

Yup, one more bites the dust (Schoenweis)
Sanchez.....your up next dude.
This kid Robertson was 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in nine games with Arizona this past season and is 29-13 with a 2.82 ERA in 217 career-minor league games, during which he struck out 382 batters in 305 innings. I guess that's an upgrade.



We have to address the offense,more consistency and more smart situational hitting and baserunning.The hot and cold offense,which often required the need to manufacture runs when the big bats stalled cannot contine to fail so repeatedly in the clutch.I am glad Philly signed Raul Ibanez because he was another aging guy on a club that needs more defense and athleticism....hope they stay away from Bobby Abreu too.I hope Fernando Martinez will be ready later in the season and Josh Thole continues to develop consistency as a hitter among their promising young farmhands.

I have ben geting a lot of heat from my dad and friends about my support for Ibanez so you are in good company maybe we should just leave left field to Murphy, Tatis and Martinez, I dono, a part of me is leaning towards getting another outielder. I seem to change my mind like every hour on that.

oh yes.....Cole Hamels getting into trash talking mode...."squeaky little girlie voice"?You can be so cold,sonny!Well,if that provides motivation to the Mets to rub Phillies faces in the dirt,so much the better!

Yah know I think the Mets/Phiilies riverly in '09will make the Yankes/Red Sox pale by comparision. We haven't even heard from Jimmy (the punk) Rollins yet.
Hopefully the Yanks are done and will leave Lowe for us to grab.
Still waiting to hear what they are gonna do at 2nd, wanna bet it's Castillo?

 

[sonny10305]

Absolutely right. Here's hoping...

And what will the Angels do now? This is important to me - I'm from Mike Scioscia's home town, my brother was in his high school graduating class.

OK, somehow I know how you'll answer that one.

Well I know they want Brian Fuentes, to help fill that big hole and then maybe some kind of Scot Shields, Jose Arredondo combo. The Cards and Brewers want Fuentes too.
LA also offered an eight-year contract to Mark Teixeira.
That deal would I think be the longest and richest the Angels have made.lub history. Thats more I think than they gave Torii Hunter.

Still a lot to do.

 

[Sausy]

Yah know I think the Mets/Phiilies riverly in '09will make the Yankes/Red Sox pale by comparision. We haven't even heard from Jimmy (the punk) Rollins yet.
Hopefully the Yanks are done and will leave Lowe for us to grab.
Still waiting to hear what they are gonna do at 2nd, wanna bet it's Castillo?

I think Sheets is left on the Yanks Christmas stocking up starter's list....Lowe(Boras,really)may want too many dollars and too many years but is a big game pitcher.If he were under any other agent,think Mets would have gopne hard after Lowe from the get-go.He's my ideal choice of the available lot,think we may have to settle for a two or three year commitment with Ollie Perez again.He is just too damn inconsistent to totally feel comfortable with,but at least he probably won't cost more than three years,30-35 mil.He is young enough to get a real Boras score later,should he improve his cconsistency.

The only thing I want to hear about Castillo is that the Mets have traded him somewhere.We just can't risk another letdown/injury plagued year.

Did you see the Post article about David Wright?He damn well is motivated for a great Mets year,and is working on his explosiveness to keep up his legs in the stretch drive,says he wants to be more aggressive on the bases and on the field....and he really has taken to heart the failures of the past two seasons and is doing everything he can to help assure the Mets don't collapse again.Very diplomatic and classy regarding the Cole Hamels trash talking,saying the Phils backed it up and the Mets could not seal the deal and he is determined to change that.A great,stand up guy!

 

[sonny10305]

Did you see the Post article about David Wright?He damn well is motivated for a great Mets year,and is working on his explosiveness to keep up his legs in the stretch drive,says he wants to be more aggressive on the bases and on the field....and he really has taken to heart the failures of the past two seasons and is doing everything he can to help assure the Mets don't collapse again.Very diplomatic and classy regarding the Cole Hamels trash talking,saying the Phils backed it up and the Mets could not seal the deal and he is determined to change that.A great,stand up guy!

Thanks for that heads up babe, I missed that but fund it on line.
Great article, David is one of a kind, and needs to be captain in '09

Sooooo what-a-ya suppose big Pelf is proposing to David here

 

[Sausy]

Thanks for that heads up babe, I missed that but fund it on line.
Great article, David is one of a kind, and needs to be captain in '09

Sooooo what-a-ya suppose big Pelf is proposing to David here

Sonny's letting his imagination run wild but that is a nice intimaste shot of Dave and big Mike,who looks like he's pretty hot in the crotch!

 

[sonny10305]

Sonny's letting his imagination run wild

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