NY Mets 2014

[sonny10305]

If you are a Hockey fan and out in LA you might wanna catch the LA Kings game on another Dodgers night at the Staple Center our boy Justin Turner will be there to drop the puck

 

[Sausy]

Glad to be hearing about baseball and Lucas Duda's performance that helped MLB to a win in the series in Japan... bet he's happy with the news of the dimension adjustments for the fences in right(Sandy Alderson said Lucas would have hit 4 more homers with those adjustments, Mets 17 more overall)but stays with his smart hitting approach. When he gets his pitch, he knows now he can take it out far even going left-left center.

Always a trip to see JT, looks great and bet he's having a lot of fun ! Always look forward to your updates sonny and especially looking forward to the Hot Stove transition to a new season!

 

[sonny10305]

Ike Davis has been designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates. we had not expected Ike to be with the Pirates net year but thought they would try and make a deal for him but still not surprised he will be gone since clearly Pedro Alvarez was going to be he first baseman I mean we knew that. So now we wait and see what will happen will they trade or release him. The answer will come over the next 10 days or and keep in mind that Ike was a probable non-tender anyways by the Dec. 2 deadline cause he earned about $3 and a half million in 2014. Ike is totally prepared to move on he saw it coming especially when you consider the Pirates had three first baseman so he expected to be the odd man out. No worries about Ike he will land on his feet somewhere. I expect to see him next month when he comes to NY all should be known by then and I will let you guys know how he is feeling and what his plan is.

The Japan MLB all-star games are over MLB lost the final game and so the series. I watched all the games some live getting up at 4 am to catch it live I had to support my boy Lucas Duda although he did not play every game he finished strong on Thursday going 3-for-3 with a walk he was in base for all four of his at bats; trouble is he was left hanging out there when they could not bring him home. In fact in Thursdays game MLB left the basses loaded twice. Which brings me to my gripe about those games. It was supposed to represent the best of us going to Japan but it did not turn out that way at all most of the players on the team where in my opinion second rate at best not really the best of our All Stars. A lot of the marquee names that should have played simply said no thanks did not want to go to Japan in some cases is was the agents and the teams that said they did not want the players going there and risk injuries so the result was the guys who went did not in my opinion represent the MLB all-star players. Of course there were exceptions Like Duda who certainly fit that all-star category for sure but he was just part of a few who did. If we are going to play in those games and represent the MLBs best let’s not send all-star wannabes and send a good competitive group of guys to get the job done and not be an embarrassment and make no mistake other than for guys like Duda and a few more most were embarrassing. I found the games dull lacking in passion and excitement the Japan team had it all over us especially pitching which was awesome they brought it my friends they really brought it.
But Luca had grand ole time had some impressive at bats hit the ball well played the two corner outfield positions and a little first base he was one of the few bright spots to an otherwise very dull team. Lucas brought his dad with him and proud poppa Dave got to catch his son play and that was very cool. When I first met and spoke with Dave about Lucas and how peaceful and shy Lucas is he laughed and aid yup that’s my boy Lucas was always quiet he is so proud of his son and the man he turned out to be it was heartwarming I can tell you. Dave coached Lucas early in his baseball career teaching him balance and how to enjoy and respect the game and to understand that the game can confound you.
Of course you can always find Dave watching his son play the Dodgers in Cali where he lives and has from time to time come out here to NY to see Lucas play in NY where is where I first met him; Luas and his dad look so much alike and have the same laid back go with the flow style about them it talk about like father like son they fit that for sure Lucas is going to be heading to Florida where he recently bought a place to begin his training after a little time back in California to spent some time with his parents. One of the things Lucas wants to try and improve his bats against lefties and to that end he wanted to try throwing left-handed which could help him against the lefties. Also Lucas is going to move over a little bit more so that it makes it more difficult to pick up his arm slot, Lucas feels the more he faces a lefty, the more comfortable he will get. Hear that Collins?

Dave Duda



My good buddy Vic Black is here in NY for a week or so doing some promo work and helping Sandy victims once again on Staten Island, Vic was here last moth doing that as well, He is felling really good the herniated disk in his neck that caused him to have shoulder weakness is no longer a thing for him he is ready to get going again. And he started workouts and played some catch the hope is to start tossing a baseball every other day. It’s great to hear him say hoe everything feels good and has not had any aches or pains and for the first time in a while he can wake up in the morning and feel perfectly normal.
While here he took in the Radio City Christmas show and met him a few Rockettes

 

[Sausy]

Thanks for all the updates as always, sonny. I heard about Ike and I know you'll alert us if someone picks him up and especially once he comes to New York for the charitable stuff and to see you and some of the guys he should have a much better idea of what's going on. Hoping he lands an opportunity to really get to show what he can do.. too bad the Yankees are stuck with Hemorrhoid, er..I mean A-Roid because if he wasn't there to gobble most of the backup first base/DH time no doubt with his sweet lefty power the Yankees would have been intrigued and bring him in for a look.

Sorry to hear the MLB team we sent really wasn't the best representative squad we could have fielded, but glad Lucas played well and finished strong. Great old time mustache on Lucas' dad and always nice to hear about close father and son relationships. I know like you say Lucas will keep working hard too towards spring training and doing better against lefties. I could deal with TC using Michael Cuddyer at first base against real tough lefties but no doubt Lucas' best way to develop against lefties is to face more of them.

Nice update on Vic Black and glad his herniated disk seems to be healing well and he's on track for spring training. Yep I read that he really got into being a New Yorker after he was traded... loves using the subway and glad he's taking advantage of living in this great city. He also always has come across a community minded so glad he's also working on charitable projects.

 

[syam24]

I read that's Josh Satin has been signed to a minor league deal with the Reds, and Allan Dykstra has also left the Mets org to go to the Rays as a minor league free agent. Lots of optimistic talk from Mets leadership and some players looking forward to a successful 2015 season. Let's hope things swing in our favor this season.

 

[syam24]

Ike is heading west, having been traded to the Oakland A's. At least training will be in Az. Where he lives.

 

[Sausy]

Yep, read about that yesterday, syam and I'm sure sonny will update us and go into more detail soon but a terrific move for Ike. Oakland definitely is a good fit, they're already competitive and hopefully have an organization that will give Ike a chance to get back to the strong two way player he has shown flashes of but for whatever reason hadn't been able to consistently perform with the New York Mets. Ironically, his signing displaces former met Andrew Brown who had signed earlier. Good for Ike he's going back much closer to home... bet sonny goes to Oakland for a series at least once next season! Now he has JT with the Dodgers and Ike in Oakland now an American League guy, so maybe can get some at bats as a DH too.

Really busy day in baseball and we haven't even hit the winter Meetings yet. Boston Red Sox go really aggressive with two risky moves that may either greatly solidify their chances in the AL East or blow up in their faces. They sign from the Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez, often injured and difficult to handle but who has tremendous ability when healthy and motivated to a four year deal worth 88 mil with a vesting option for a fifth taking it to 110 mil... then sign World Series star Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco's personable and popular third baseman, to a five year deal worth over 90 mil. These moves are risky, with the potential to help solidify Boston in the AL East or blow up in Boston's face big time. Playing checkbook baseball has often proved to be foolish, and the recent successes of mid market powers like the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals should serve as a hint that putting up All Star squads is decidedly not the only way to go towards being consistent contenders.

 

[Sausy]

Happy Thanksgiving to Sonny, syam and all of you who read and post here...wishing you all a healthy, happy, safe and wonderful celebration with friends and family.

 

[syam24]

The Mets were oh so quiet during the Winter Meetings in San Diego, with their only get a signing of John Mayberry, Jr. today the Mets released Gonzalez Germen to make room on the 40 man roster for Mayberry. They also picked a lefty in the draft at the meetings.

 

[Sausy]

I'm really getting pissed with these coupon clipping shopping moves in the offseason. Yeah, the Mets went two years and 20 million for Michael Cuddyer, and I love that move.... he's a good friend of DWright both growing up in the Norfolk, Virginia area but more importantly he has a great character and plays the game hard. However it seems that the Mets will not push beyond 100 mil budget which for the New York area is ridiculous. If the Wilpons can't afford it, sell the god damn team. They are building up a surplus of great arms and have some position players now in their system yet they seem incredibly hesitant to make a deal. Yeah, you can try to trade Daniel Murphy or Dillon Gee, even Bartolo Colon but at best they can only expect a modest return, not someone they can bank on being more than just a decent contributor... so they just sit tight and do precious little. John Mayberry Jr isn't even half the player his dad was when he was healthy and productive. Even though he's a right handed bat I think they could have Eric Campbell doing everything he does... and I do hope this still leaves room in the outfield for the defense, all out hustle and potential solid role playing for either lefty hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis or Matt den Dekker and doesn't freeze them out altogether. Too bad syam about German Gonzalez.... he has good stuff but he did pitch really erratically in relief last year and the Mets still have a number of potentially better choices to look at in spring training including returning ex-closer Bobby Parnell.

I'm not criticizing the Mets for not giving out superlong term contracts that will cost them 150 million or more in the long run but even three or four year deals of 40-65 million here and there is something in this market the Mets should be well prepared and willing to do..other clubs are getting good, useful players at less than outrageous total costs, why can't they be creative? Will the Mets even say they can't afford holding on to the great young pitchers they have in a couple of years, when they will be forced to extend Harvey, Wheeler, de Grom if they want to keep them off the free agent market? Not saying they shouldn't prioritize but they have to be willing to go to a budget of around 140-155 million to keep some of that pitching and build a core. Signings for limited players like Curtis Granderson have to be as best as possible avoided... low average, high strikeouts are not what they are looking for but more well rounded(even if overall good, not great players) who are a few years younger and more consistent defensively and offensively most definitely are what they need.

 

[Sausy]

Sonny hasn't been around in the longest time and spring training is upon us. I've messaged him privately but no answer.. hope he is okay.

 

[syam24]

Yeah, he has been absent, with the players reporting to camp, perhaps he will make his presence known.

 

[Sausy]

Yeah, he has been absent, with the players reporting to camp, perhaps he will make his presence known.

Just hope he's okay... usually he'll start a thread but I've tried to reach him by pm and got nothing, so I hope he's okay. Had his last visit on his profile as late November, so I'm a bit worried.