tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61722312011-04-21T14:09:27.971-04:00Mets AnalystAnalysis of the New York MetsMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comBlogger1041100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1145238337690245852006-04-16T21:25:00.000-04:002006-04-16T21:45:37.723-04:001,000 MILESActually, more like 1,175 miles. That's how far the kids and I drove this weekend to take in Saturday's Mets game and make it back home at a decent hour on a school night. . . . Two losses in nearly a dozen games, and it has to be the one we go to. . . . Well, the Mets should be as good at road trips as my kids. . . . We'll try again. . .Random ComplaintsOf course, I had read Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1144634674927069432006-04-09T21:29:00.000-04:002006-04-09T22:04:34.983-04:00MAGIC NUMBER: 155O.K., I'm getting a bit ahead of myself there, but 4-1 sure beats the heck out of last year's 0-5 start. Remember, they're at home and playing the division doormats, so they need to do well, but don't let that spoil your enjoyment. Here are some observations---encouraging and worrying---from Week #1.Encouraging Point #1:Duaner Sanchez looks like a great pick up. He's allowed 0Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1144114160428636782006-04-03T21:05:00.000-04:002006-04-03T21:29:20.476-04:00A DAY WITHOUT LOOPER. . . Highlight #1: A great opening day win, without a doubt, and wonderful to have it finished by a closer, especially after sitting through last year's fiasco. The highlight though, came in the top of the 5th. Glavine appeared to be struggling, getting into some trouble in every inning after the first, and walking three men while getting only twelve outs. He appeared to Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1143900850876494262006-04-01T08:21:00.000-05:002006-04-01T09:20:59.556-05:00HERE WE GO!Well, it has been a busy off-season---half the Mets starting players, one starting pitcher, a majority of the bench and almost all of the bullpen were not with the club last year---that has produced a surprisingly young (5 regulars under 30, 3 under 24, and a rookie in the rotation), and likely exciting team. Flaws are easy to find, but there is a breadth of talent on this team that, Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1138051562255969262006-01-23T15:59:00.000-05:002006-01-23T16:26:02.306-05:00Off-season SummaryAlthough I am, essentially, on hiatus during the off-season, an e-mail from a friend provoked a lengthy response from me that my friend urged was "post-worthy." So, see below Mets Analyst take on the Mets off-season moves and prospects. This was written before the Benson deal. I'll have a post-Benson update posted later this week (as my friend has asked me about that as well)Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1125484902323498912005-08-31T06:15:00.000-04:002005-08-31T06:41:42.330-04:00POST-SEASON ROSTERThe QuestionWe're just not used to it. Not programmed to think that way. Haven't really thought that through. And its not just the fans, it looks like management is the same way. The question: Who should be on the Mets post-season 25 man roster? The possibility of being in the pennant chase has been so new and intoxicating that all attention has been paid to that upcoming Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1125421781229970162005-08-30T12:57:00.000-04:002005-08-30T13:09:41.233-04:00Midday UpdateMets Analyst has moved from tapping to pounding the drum for an Anderson Hernandez call-up, and that relates to a question posed today on Mets Blog: why haven't the Mets recalled Doug Mientkiewicz yet from his rehab assignment? The answer from Mets Analyst is that they do not want to give up the post-season roster spot. As things stand, Mientkiewicz is eligible from his place on Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1125412361425737252005-08-30T10:25:00.000-04:002005-08-30T10:32:41.433-04:00GOOD KARMAA Nice Off DayWell, a good day, considering the Mets didn't play. For instance, two days after I wrote a eulogy for Flushing Local (see below), she resumed blogging. I've restored the link and look forward to her commmentary the rest of the way. . . . For another thing, the Marlins lost. That leaves the Mets with a 25% chance of ending the season as the Wild Card, the highest Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1125154629675506812005-08-27T10:05:00.000-04:002005-08-27T10:57:09.730-04:00THOUGHTS ON A RAINY SATURDAYBraggingNot the Mets, . . . me. I'm bragging. A week ago, I predicted an 8 or 9 game winning streak (see below), and while that was a little off, the Mets have won 7 of 8 over the predicted span, including the last 5 in a row. Also, Baseball Prosepectus has a "Predictaron" contest, in which you had to predict the final records of every team before the season startedMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1124966109332597852005-08-25T06:13:00.000-04:002005-08-25T06:35:09.340-04:00WOWQuick ThoughtsI only have time to jot some quick thoughts . . . which is what happens when you stay up past 1:00 in the morning watching a game two nights in a row. But wow! I mean, wow! If you haven't watched the Mets back-to-back 14-1, 18-4 victories, you have really been missing something. . . . Three Mets came to the plate last night with a chance for the cycle (Jacobs and Wright Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1124573596204105612005-08-20T17:31:00.000-04:002005-08-20T17:33:16.210-04:00QUICK PICKBefore the Mets final game with Pittsburgh on Thursday, I had an intuition that the Mets would lose that game, and the reel off a 9 or 10 game winning streak. With two right, but at least 8 more wins needed, it seemed like now was the time to put the "prediction" out there. Go Mets.Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1124361953149396542005-08-18T06:04:00.000-04:002005-08-18T06:45:53.156-04:00THURSDAY THOUGHTSWelcome Back CarlosIt was great to see (or, in my case, listen) to Carlos Beltran back on the field last night. You have to give the guy credit for coming back so quickly, as the fans at the ballpark clearly did. There was also some indication that the whole incident may turn out to be an important part of his adjustment to New York. In his first two at-bats he got a four pitch Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1123670765954477922005-08-10T06:31:00.000-04:002005-08-10T06:46:05.966-04:00BACK FROM VACATIONWhere We Stand. . .Well, as of this writing [before what turned out to be a loss to San Diego], the Mets are not too far from where we left them two plus weeks ago. After a poor road trip, they ended their homestand strongly and, thanks to the weakness of other teams, got their playoff chances back over 20%. As of this writing, the Mets actually have the greatest chance of Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1122045015724775272005-07-22T10:57:00.000-04:002005-07-22T11:10:15.756-04:00VACATION MEMOHangin’ in There. . . .Just when things are getting interesting, Mets Analyst is off for two weeks vacation in a spot where the Mets come in on the radio but internet access is dial-up only on a balky lap top. I’ve made arrangement to have the playoff chart updated daily, but the timing may slip a bit. Hopefully, other posts will remain at two per week. Here’s a long one though, to Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1121857872645855322005-07-20T05:55:00.000-04:002005-07-20T07:11:12.686-04:00RANDOM THOUGHTSPinch DelightLet's take a minute to enjoy the amazing success of Mets pinch hitters this season. Mets pinch-hitters are batting a whopping .352! And remember, pinch-hitters tend to have lower batting averages than normal because (i) they are not as good as regular players; (ii) they tend to face better pitchers than average. For example, the median team, the Reds, has its pinch Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1121682794047087982005-07-18T06:30:00.000-04:002005-07-18T06:33:15.716-04:00GOOD NEWS BAD NEWSInspired by the Mets .500 Record and a Favorite Childhood Book. . . .Fortunately, Beltran (.375 BA, .790 OPS), a notorious second half hitter, and Mientkiewicz (.500/1.000) both looked pretty good in the Braves series; we need them to play better than before the break. Unfortunately, the sample size is meaninglessly small. . . . Fortunately, the starting pitching continued to doMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1121339953258082392005-07-14T06:51:00.000-04:002005-07-14T11:21:33.873-04:00HERE WE GO AGAINShoulder to Shoulder and Backs to the Wall. . .I hope everyone had a nice break, because, emotionally, we're starting up with a bang, not a whimper. The Mets are hanging on to the precipice of contention by their fingertips, and here come the Braves, intent on grinding those fingers under their shoe. Good News: Ishii isn't pitching in the series. . . It's time for Carlos Beltran, Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1121080315561229722005-07-11T06:44:00.000-04:002005-07-11T07:11:56.213-04:00MY TRIP TO PITTSBURGHBeautiful ParkMy son and I made our road trip to Pittsburgh Friday night. What a perfect night for a game. PNC Park is beautiful . . . Everything you've heard, and better. Out of the "new" parks I've been to, Pac Bell, Jacobs Field, Great American Ballpark and Camden Yards, and now PNC, I would probably put PNC first. Great views of the river, bridges and city, no bad seats, Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1120750326076790712005-07-07T11:05:00.000-04:002005-07-07T11:32:06.116-04:00QUICK MIDDAY WORDRight Side for the 2nd Half?Checkout this excerpt from the Norfolk Tides website about last night's AAA game:. . . . [Victor] Diaz hit a three-run home run in the first inning and added a two-run shot in the 8th, as the Tides (48-40) pounded out a season-high 19 hits. The 23-year-old, who was playing just his third game all year at first base, also made several nice plays in the Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1120647402230395592005-07-06T06:51:00.000-04:002005-07-06T06:56:42.236-04:00SLIP SLIDIN’ AWAYThey Kept Fighting. . .A tough loss on Tuesday night, especially because a win would have been so sweet against the first place team and was expected with Martinez on the mound. Loaiza was great though, and the Mets did fight till the end, getting the tying run to second with one out. They had their chance, which for me, makes it a little easier to take.Wild ThingsAs the Mets Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1120127367742292682005-06-30T06:10:00.000-04:002005-06-30T06:29:27.750-04:00DEAR OMAR . . .Dear Omar:We met briefly last October 23rd. I was the guy wearing an extremely bright, official Mets warm up jacket to Fenway Park for game one of a Red Sox-Cardinals World Series. You, then the Mets newly appointed G.M., were more nattily (though, I may say, less boldly) attired. We shook hands. I told you we had to get this thing done, and you smiled and agreed. You followed up Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1119969125253295672005-06-28T10:00:00.000-04:002005-06-28T10:32:05.300-04:00QUICKIENothing Like an Off DayDon't have time to offer much analysis today. Some quick thoughts though. . . . Ouch, that last loss hurt. Though the series was a success, a sweep would have been SO sweet, and we came so close. Still, nothing like an off-day to help recover, and that helped their playoff chances too, as the chart indicates.Brian's ChanceAccording to MetsBlog, there has been no Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1119610454480292522005-06-24T06:43:00.000-04:002005-06-24T06:54:14.486-04:00HOW TO SPOT AN IDIOTOne Litmus TestThere are some excellent sites out there in the Mets blogosphere, but some others . . . not so much. I’ve read in a few places calls for the Mets to dump manager Willie Randolph. Anyone who is writing that now, in June of Randolph's first year, is an idiot. They just have no idea what they are talking about. I’m not even going to take the time to defend him hereMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1119393444392492122005-06-21T18:35:00.000-04:002005-06-21T18:37:24.400-04:00DON’T PANIC YET – REVISED I discovered a glitch in the list of how many wins a player has contributed relative to a league average player in the list below. I’ve fixed it and changed the numbers accordingly. Sorry about that; it was the first time I had done that calculation. If more than one player is listed on the same line, e.g., Heilman/Hernandez +1, that means between them they have Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1119009615890130642005-06-17T07:57:00.000-04:002005-06-17T08:00:15.896-04:00ROSTER MOVESWho Is Dauber? Well, the Mets called up Brian Daubach and started him at first base. By joining the Mets, Dauber (as he was affectionately known to Boston fans, where he was a favorite for his gritty play) comes full circle: He entered baseball as a 17th round draft choice of the Mets back in 1990. After toiling in the Mets minors for a half dozen years, he left for the Marlins Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1118929971173504952005-06-16T09:51:00.000-04:002005-06-16T09:52:51.180-04:00SILVER LININGSIt Got Late Late . . .Before you read any further, ask yourself: What kind of person would stay up past midnight, when they had to get up around 6:00, just to watch a struggling, last place team finish another forgettable game? Is that the kind of peson whose opinion should interest you in the slightest? Is that the kind of person you see in the mirror? Well, if you've answered yes,Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1118776462935077842005-06-14T14:56:00.000-04:002005-06-14T15:28:28.073-04:00NEW FEATUREPlayoff ChartStarting today, Mets Analyst will be posting playoff odds for the Mets in a graph at the top of the page (which you should see above). The blue area shows the chances of winning the division, and the orange shows the chance of winning the wild card, so that stacked, they show the total playoff chance. This will be updated daily, or close to it, so you can follow the ups Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1118664637126672702005-06-13T08:07:00.000-04:002005-06-13T08:10:37.130-04:00WORDS OF ADVICE TO METS FANSRead yesterday's entry. Feel yesterday's entry. Remember yesterday's entry. Then take the day off from your caring and bring your faith back tomorrow. There's months of baseball left to play, and that's a good thing.Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1118776567973204852005-06-12T15:15:00.000-04:002005-06-14T15:23:42.163-04:00ONE FOR THE AGESMemory LaneJust a great, great win last night. A game tying inside the park home run in the bottom of the ninth (that has to be a franchise first), followed by a two-strike-two-out-come-from-behind-game-winner in the bottom of the tenth, almost five hours after the scheduled start time. That was the kind of game that lives in a fan's memory forever, making it all worthwhile and Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1118403212793491072005-06-10T07:24:00.000-04:002005-06-12T14:08:54.283-04:00SOME MISJUDGMENTSWrong RelieverI guess this is obvious to everyone, but it is hard to understand why Randolph gave an 11th inning tie game to Heath Bell instead of Aaron Heilman. Heilman has not been scored on since his move to the bullpen; Bell had allowed runs in 2 of his last three outings. I was screaming at the television as soon as Bell started the inning, and I'm sure I was not alone. ThatMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1118236397104978252005-06-08T09:01:00.000-04:002005-06-08T09:13:17.110-04:00PLAYOFF POSITIONWe're In. . .Let the record reflect that, if the season ended today, the Mets would play the Braves in a one-game playoff for the Wild Card. In other words, we would be in a playoff for the playoffs. This is the first time the Mets have been in playoff position this late in the season since . . . OK, I don't know when, but it's great. Baseball Prospectus is showing a 47% Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1118155392844408612005-06-07T10:09:00.000-04:002005-06-07T10:43:12.900-04:00FIVE QUICK HITSGet Him the GloveMets Analyst started calling for working out Victor Diaz (a former infielder) at first base even before Mike Cameron started swinging at live pitching during his rehab. The guy is young, athletic and can hit. Listening to Sunday's game on ESPN radio, I heard Dave Campbell say that the Mets are starting to have Diaz take grounders at first -- the first and only Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1118003590537320102005-06-05T16:08:00.000-04:002005-06-05T16:35:30.506-04:00WHAT A RACE!It's So CloseAs the Mets get set to throw the first pitch this afternoon, with the Braves and Marlins losing late and the Nationals and Phillies winning late, it looks as though the Mets have a chance to finish the day tied for first and a chance to finish the day alone in last, depending on how they do. That's pretty incredible for the first week of June. Indeed, it appears likely Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1117837165710576432005-06-03T17:50:00.000-04:002005-06-03T18:19:25.716-04:00GOOD FORTUNEInjury News Not All Bad. . . I'm back from my own personal west coast swing (and minor surgery), and the Mets have done very well without me, thank you. True, they would have done better had they not farmed out Diaz, but that's another story. . . . As the Giants roll into town sans Barry Bonds, it continues a pattern of Mets good fortune: they have played a remarkable number of Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1116815183104819952005-05-22T22:21:00.000-04:002005-05-23T12:52:17.713-04:00AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'm too upset to write. I need some separation. They looked better than the Yankees, they were better than the Yankees, they should have won three games, or at least two, but the fact is they didn't. AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!I'm off to take a few deep breaths, and watch Animal House on AMC. I will say, though, that this is why I said they should keep Diaz on the major Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1116585250754484492005-05-20T06:17:00.000-04:002005-05-20T12:49:22.430-04:00QUICKIEOnly time for some quick cuts this morning. With the sweep of the Reds, the homestand is back on track at 4-2. Now we need to take 2 of 3 from the Yankees for a good homestand. . . . I'm OK with the unbalanced schedule even though teams in the NL East, the best division in baseball, have a disadvantage in the wildcard. If you can't win your five team division, you're in no position to Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1116325677804151862005-05-17T06:09:00.000-04:002005-05-17T06:53:15.350-04:00TUESDAY MORNING THOUGHTSLast Night's GameAfter losing two out of three to the Cardinals, the Mets need to sweep the Reds to match expectations for this homestand. Step one was a success last night, and the game was Exhibit A for watching the Mets. There is no way reading about it in the paper can give you the feel of all the great moments. . . . Floyd's home run was CRUSHED, but up as well as outMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1115902083488026652005-05-12T08:28:00.000-04:002005-05-15T13:42:11.926-04:00MY MANTRA . . . .I will enjoy this season. . . . I will enjoy this season. . . . I will enjoy this season. . . . I needed to keep repeating this watching the Mets give away yesterday's very winnable game. I will enjoy this season. . . . Even though Zambrano actually pitched very well and should have only allowed one run in his disaster inning, he is soooo painful to watch. . . . I will enjoy thisMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1115658388663530742005-05-09T12:35:00.000-04:002005-05-09T13:11:54.310-04:00WELCOME BACK MIKE!Weekend in ReviewMets Analyst has always been a Mike Cameron fan and has opposed the notion of swapping him for bullpen help. It's wonderful to see him get off to such a rocking start on his return and from all different spots in the lineup. . . . Taking two of three from the Brewers was the tougher step in the goal of a 4-2 road trip, which would be a great accomplishment. It Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1115399288628636252005-05-06T12:40:00.000-04:002005-05-06T14:14:08.186-04:00MOTHER'S DAY MUSINGSWhat's Behind, What's Ahead3-1 has to be considered a successful homestand, and replacing Jae Seo + Royce Ring with Kris Benson + Mike Cameron obviously strengthens the team. Randolph continues an amazin' run of pushing the right buttons, and it was great to see Piazza have a big day. . . . Now they hit the road (where they have played poorly) for 3 each against the Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1115127171424903052005-05-03T09:28:00.000-04:002005-05-03T10:17:39.176-04:00SHA LA LA LA LA LA, LIVE FOR TODAYLoosey GooseyOne thing about obsessively following a team, which you probably do if you are reading a Mets blog, is that you can get so caught up in where we will end up that you forget to enjoy the journey. Indeed, a leading Mets Blogger essentially confesses as much in the audio blog he posted yesterday. Who knows how many games we will win this year, but with Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1114785870450051422005-04-29T10:20:00.000-04:002005-04-29T10:44:30.453-04:00FRIDAY QUICKIELooking for a Bounce BackNo time for much "analysis" today, but the 3-3 homestand was a disappointment. Why, oh why, couldn't we have taken one of those last two games from the Braves? Sigh. . . . Anyway, now they hit the road for about as short a trip as you can have -- three days in D.C.. A business trip many New Yorkers are all too familiar with. Let's hope the Mets can take careMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1114511028910079262005-04-26T06:16:00.000-04:002005-04-26T09:18:55.506-04:00 QUICK THOUGHTS The Good Aaron showed up at just the right time, as the Mets get the jump on the Braves series . . . A split of the next two games makes this a good homestand, a sweep would make it a great one. . . . More Good Roster Moves First Heredia was replaced with Heath Bell, and now Matthews has been replaced with Royce Ring. That leaves only one more bullpen shoe to drop: Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1114163671312150742005-04-22T05:39:00.000-04:002005-04-22T06:49:26.153-04:00MISSION ACCOMPLISHEDA Successful Trip . . . Now Business at Home . . . .The Mets reached the goal of a .500 road trip. A good accomplishment against tough division rivals, particularly after their 1-5 road start. Now they return home to big Shea for their first look at the Nationals and then a return engagement with the Braves and John Smoltz. 4-2 is the goal for this homestand, particularly as Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1113780283594217462005-04-17T22:03:00.000-04:002005-04-17T22:27:53.300-04:00A HAPPY 6-6.Well, if you had asked any Mets fan one week ago -- when Pedro had just gotten us off the schnide with his complete game and Carlos Beltran had given the Mets their first lead since opening day to bring us to 1-5 -- we all would have taken 6-6 as the record a week later with great joy, and I do. We've had a fun week of baseball and the promise of a season that will remain interesting Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1113584335525202452005-04-15T12:54:00.000-04:002005-04-15T13:00:46.660-04:00SOME FRIDAY THOUGHTS. . . . If the Season Ended Today. . . .Playoff teams would be the Nationals, Brewers, Dodgers and Diamondbacks in then NL and the Blue Jays, Twins, White Sox and Mariners/Angels (tie). That would be something.Third Time in History. . . .The Mets are the third team in history (at least, since 1903) to start the season losing 5 in a row and follow that up by winning 4 in a row.Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1113230236257878432005-04-11T10:05:00.000-04:002005-04-11T10:39:52.913-04:00New Post:Holding Out HopeWell, I got too disgusted, depressed and busy to post after the Kasmir/Zambrano trade last year, and as interest started to rekindle after the Martinez signing and was back ablaze after the Beltran signing, I found that the last of these three was still true, and that the Mets Blogger world had greatly expanded (including some excellent work like that of Metsblog, with myMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1089907250035455862004-07-15T11:46:00.000-04:002004-07-15T12:37:51.150-04:00
ANALYSIS WITHOUT NUMBERS
As poor internet access from my current location keeps me from checking websites and allows only an occasional post, here are some numberless thoughts as we enter the official second half of the season.
It's Great to Be a Mets Fan We start off the second half tonight with a four game set against the first place Phillies. A big series. How many times have the MetsMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1089197942524347382004-07-07T06:40:00.000-04:002004-07-07T09:03:02.633-04:00
BRIEF HISTORY:
November 25, 2003: Mets Analyst sends open letter to Jim Duquette calling for signing of Mike Cameron and trade for Richard Hidalgo and urging that Reyes remain at SS.
December 3, 2003: Mets Analyst goes on-line
December 4, 2003: Letter to Duquette republished; campaign for Hidalgo continued.
December 13, 2003: Mike Cameron welcomed to the Mets.
December 18, 2003: Mets Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1088957813978790632004-07-04T12:03:00.000-04:002004-07-04T12:16:53.976-04:00
HAPPY STATS
With two great wins over the Yankees, the Mets find themselves in second place, 2 games out and headed for a four game showdown with the division leaders. They need another starter, and they're likely to get one soon. Benson, Batista, Hernandez (that's in order of likelihood and reverse order of preference) . . . we'll see, and probably will see soon.
In the meantime,Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1088765442864731462004-07-02T06:42:00.000-04:002004-07-02T07:17:38.020-04:00
TRADE WINDS
Although I picked the wrong game to go down to Cincinnati, I still enjoyed a beautiful night at the Park, as the Mets remain relevant heading into July. Everyone is talking about the possibility of the Mets adding a starting pitcher, with Ty Wigginton being the main piece of bait on the major league roster. As summarized at the Raindrops, the Mets also have a strong Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1088592379908840052004-06-30T06:35:00.000-04:002004-06-30T09:03:05.053-04:00
OFF TO GREAT AMERICAN
We're making a trip down to Cincinnati to see the Mets play tonight. My second game this year, and we'll have two bobbleheads: Kaz and Sean Casey -- there's a thrill. I'm hoping to see a hall of fame performance from our hall of fame pitcher and see the Mets regain .500. . . . The right-left-right combination of Piazza batting third, Floyd fourth, and Hidalgo Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1088342335427785592004-06-27T08:49:00.000-04:002004-06-27T10:25:00.036-04:00
POP QUIZ
Q: What two things do the Red Sox, Angels, Cubs, Astros and Padres have in common?
A: Each was picked by many to win its division, and, at this writing, each is further from first place than the New York Mets. Meaningful games in June!
Q: Who is the great starting pitcher on a lousy team whose ownership is always eager to shed payroll that nobody is mentioning in Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1088170482505205512004-06-25T09:01:00.000-04:002004-06-25T09:34:42.506-04:00
POOR J.B.
At the midwestern university where I work, I have a good friend, J.B., who is a big baseball fan. So far, though, this season hasn't had much excitement for him. He's vaguely worried about the depth of his team's pitching staff: how will they handle the postseason? He wanders into my office periodically to ask me when the Mets will trade Al Leiter to his team (the answer, of Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1087995336254441212004-06-23T08:50:00.000-04:002004-06-23T09:14:26.470-04:00
LEFTY KILLER
Art Howe did a nice job managing the game last night. He started with the best hitting lineup the Mets have against a righty starter, and it paid off as having an actual bat in the 8th spot (Valent) led to two key RBI's. He got the best hitter on his bench (Spencer) up at the right moment, and he used his whole bench (except Karim Garcia), to get better defense and avoid Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1087875023131786992004-06-21T23:07:00.000-04:002004-06-21T23:34:33.630-04:00
RESULTS FROM THE FREE TALENT POOL
One of the areas that differentiates the better G.M.'s is how they do in the free talent pool. There always seems to be a significant number of players who can be had for nothing -- traded for a nonprospect, picked up as a minor league free agent, given a spring training invite, etc. -- who can make real contributions to a 25-man roster. You need your Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1087746957314121272004-06-20T11:23:00.000-04:002004-06-20T11:55:57.313-04:00
METS ANALYST HOSPITALIZED FOR PSYCH. EVALUATION!
The family of NY Mets Analyst had him hospitalized for psychological testing today in response to his recent insistence that "The Mets are going to win this thing!"
"I think it was the Hildago deal that pushed him over the edge," his teenage daughter told concerned friends and family. "He started calling for that move as the obvious one Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1086714373676608742004-06-08T12:45:00.000-04:002004-06-08T13:56:12.210-04:00
MY TRIP TO SHEA . . .
I got back to New York this past weekend, and my son and I got out to Shea to enjoy the Mets 5-2 win over the Marlins to return to .500. Some observations:
1) The Mets are certainly the "other" team in town. The silver lining though was that my nephew was able to get us excellent seats in the Mezzanine box right behind home plate on a give-away day (a "gold" game) Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1086376174735425232004-06-04T14:51:00.000-04:002004-06-04T15:21:41.973-04:00
TEAM M.V.P. TO DATE? Tom Glavine has been the best pitcher, Mike Piazza has been the best everyday player and of the two, considering Piazza has been mostly a first baseman (and not a very good one), Glavine has probably contributed the most to the Mets positive run differential of any person who has taken the field. In another view,though one might go for Rick Peterson. The Mets pitching Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1086304073433050962004-06-03T18:51:00.000-04:002004-06-04T09:20:51.820-04:00
FREE ERIC VALENT AND OTHER THOUGHTS . . .
I'm giddy. There is no other way to describe it. Forget about analysis (for today), I'm just plain rooting. It's fun!! This team is not bad and, if they finish within 0.02 of the league lead in ERA (where they stand now), would have a legitimate shot at the postseason. In that spirit of rooting not thinking, how about more starts for Valent in Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1085585466335892612004-05-26T10:58:00.000-04:002004-05-26T11:54:29.926-04:00
HOWE ABOUT HOWE, PART II
Well, if the Mets don't allow any more runs the rest of the year, they will win this thing. Seriously, though, another great game last night. The key managerial moment came in the top of the 7th. The issue was when/whether to remove Trachsel. Trachsel entered the 7th with a 3-hit shutout, but had struggled with his control and had reached 101 pitches through six Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1085506871012096112004-05-25T13:23:00.000-04:002004-05-25T14:16:46.430-04:00
ROMP THROUGH THE STATS
Some random thoughts from browsing through the statistics as the Mets head into their 12-game, 4-series showdown with the two division leaders. . . . And we beat the Big Unit. The Mets rank 7th in the league in OPS against lefties compared to 12th in OPS against righties. Indeed, their OPS is 40 points higher facing portsiders, while most teams do better against Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1085358265316444202004-05-23T20:17:00.000-04:002004-05-23T21:50:52.393-04:00
MATSUI
The Mets completed a wonderful weekend sweep of the Rockies today with another All-Star outing from Tom Glavine. They now head into series with the Phillies and Marlins with a .500 record and just three games out of first. Anyone following the team has to feel that they can do better -- particularly with a healthy Floyd and Reyes (likely to return Friday) -- so these are exciting Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1084998631611118392004-05-19T21:23:00.000-04:002004-05-25T13:42:19.000-04:00
HOW ABOUT HOWE? Part I
Is Art Howe a good manager? Analysts tend to bash him (perhaps as a result of his portrayal in Moneyball) and mainstream media are softly critical -- likely because of his blandness. It is difficult for an outsider to assess his skills as a manager of individuals -- the things apart from baseball decisions -- that can be so important in any work environment. I Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1084758149934123852004-05-16T21:29:00.000-04:002004-05-16T21:56:09.240-04:00
RAH RAH RICKY
What a great Met's game today. Watching Mike Piazza tie the game with the Mets down to their last strike, and then seeing Jason Phillips get to be the hero. I was watching the game with the Astro's announcers, who kept describing the Mets as "scrappy," "battler's" and a "team that is being thoroughly outplayed, but just wont quit." Poor Rocket! :) . . . Some quick thoughts:Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1082676112408293932004-04-23T06:21:00.000-04:002004-04-23T06:55:34.216-04:00
MEANINGFUL GAMES IN MAY?
Mets management's much discussed goal of playing "meaningful games" in September may be put to an earlier test, as the team's early stumbles must make one wonder whether games will be "meaningful" at the end of May. Let's assume that for a game to be "meaningful" on September 1, the Mets must be within 5 games of the Wild Card. We can add one game for each month Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1081430194194165532004-04-08T09:16:00.000-04:002004-04-08T09:20:22.326-04:00
METS ANALYST OFF-LINE UNTIL APRIL 18.
The author of Mets Analyst will, unfortunately, be away without internet access (probably the only time this season) until April 18. Please check back then. Some predictions for that day:
1) Mike Piazza will have broken Fisk's record.
2) Jose Reyes will not have started a game yet for the Mets.
3) Ty Wigginton will have a hit.
4) Eric Valent will Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1081333465223294482004-04-07T06:24:00.000-04:002004-04-07T06:28:11.700-04:00
BREAK UP THE METS!
For one night, it was all perfect. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the first place Mets. Almost everything went right for the Mets in their home opener, but the highlight was Kazuo Matsui's perfect night. Every one of his at-bats was great. The homer was a bomb, the first double was ripped down the line on an inside pitch, the second took advantage of his speed. His (unintentional)Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1081246704017192082004-04-06T06:18:00.000-04:002004-04-06T08:36:44.140-04:00
THE PLAY'S THE THING . . . .
Grasping for straws of hope on Opening Day, after the Mets depressing Florida sojurn, my mind turned to a passage from the extraordinary movie Shakespeare in Love. Shakespeare's producer (Henslowe) is violently confronted by a financial backer (Fennyman) as they face financial ruin because the theater has been closed on account of the plague. Nonchalantly, the Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1081114518212214122004-04-04T17:35:00.000-04:002004-04-04T17:57:41.280-04:00
BRADLEY IS A DODGER
Well, the Mets lost out on Milton Bradley, as the Indians have traded him to the Dodgers for Franklin Gutierrez and a player to be named later. Gutierrez is a serious prospect -- age and hitting record similar to Victor Diaz, but able to play centerfield. Baseball Prospectus ranked him the #22 prospect in baseball and Baseball America ranked him #31. He's expected to Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1081043065574307742004-04-03T20:44:00.000-05:002004-04-03T21:19:35.920-05:00
GOODBYE ROGER!
Good news on the last day of Spring Training. Jim Duquette finally achieved what Mets Analyst and many others have long considered an off-seaon imperative: Roger Cedeno is traded to the Cardinals. By all reports, Cedeno is a great guy, and we wish him the best in his new digs, but what a relief that he is not on the Mets. The two guys the Mets got in return, Chris Widger (a Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1080959879112746552004-04-02T21:37:00.000-05:002004-04-02T21:45:54.200-05:00
IT'S YATES AND ERICKSON. . .
Apparently, Tyler Yates is the Mets fourth starter and Grant Roberts will be in the bullpen. (This from the caption to two photos in the ESPN scoreboard, which you can link to from here). That would appear to mean that Scott Erickson (yuck!) will be the fifth starter and Jae Seo will be at Norfolk. Wow. The Yates move is exciting, but I really can't understand Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1080875659398055742004-04-01T22:14:00.000-05:002004-04-01T22:17:58.746-05:00
ANYONE BUT ERICKSON
Incredibly, with about 24 hours to go until the Mets must make final roster decisions, the starting rotation seems less settled than when camp started. Reports are now widespread that Jae Seo's place as the fourth starter is in jeopardy, so there are now two rotation spots up in the air. Baseball Prospectus figures Aaron Heilman as the top choice, with Grant Roberts as Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1080765165637382992004-03-31T15:32:00.000-05:002004-04-01T15:30:03.686-05:00
2004 PREDICTIONS
Since the season is, technically, underway, its time to make predictions of the playoff teams for the 2004 season. Honestly, these are more seat-of-the pants than based on careful analysis, but the same method still has me alive in my NCAA pool, so what the heck....
NL East Division Winner: Marlins Many people expect the Marlins to follow the route of the '03 Angels -- Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1080524119971563532004-03-28T20:35:00.000-05:002004-03-28T23:54:53.436-05:00
BACK FROM VACATION: ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS . . .
Mets Analyst is back from vacation, and the Mets have done some roster tinkering. First, a farewell to Timo Perez, a long time Mets Analyst favorite. Mets Analyst was calling for him to be promoted to the big club well before the All-Star break in 2000 (in the preblog days of sending e-mails) as he tore up the minor leagues. I went to a minor Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1079608687764047932004-03-18T06:18:00.000-05:002004-03-18T06:57:45.950-05:00
WHERE HAVE YOU GONE MARCO SCUTARO? METS FANS TURN THEIR LONELY EYES TO YOU.
The answer of course, is "to Oakland, on waivers." To borrow from another 60's classic: Oh when will they ever learn?" As the Mets look for a useful utility infielder so that McEwing is not their only middle infield sub, their fans recall that long time Mets Analyst favorite Marco Scutaro would have been perfect for Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1078981333596584432004-03-11T00:02:00.000-05:002004-03-11T06:38:18.420-05:00
Go Go Grant
Of course, the fifth spot in the starting rotation is easily the biggest decision facing the Mets in camp. The player who breaks camp with that role will likely have to pitch well right out of the gate, because the replacements will be ready at Triple-A. Personally, I went in thinking of Erickson and Heilman as the front-runners for the spot, but hoping that Grant Roberts would Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1078377580809824552004-03-04T00:19:00.000-05:002004-03-04T00:29:58.843-05:00
Notes from First Three Innings of Opening Day
Had a tape in the VCR, so later in the day got to watch the first 3 innings of the Mets Spring Training opener against the Dodgers . . . . Took notes . . . Ugh! Cedeno is starting and leading off. Hope Howe doesn't mean by this that Cedeno will get playing time in N.Y. . . . Cedeno swings at a ball, takes a strike, then grounds out weakly. . . Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1077889509561614622004-02-27T08:45:00.000-05:002004-02-27T11:28:12.123-05:00
QUICK HITS
Still Thinking About Rightfield: Rumors about Alfonso Soriano to the Mets still persist, and don't kid yourself, his .850 OPS would be a tremendous asset out there. He is not a perfect player -- impatient, more likely to decline than improve, less valuable as an outfielder -- but he is still, very, very good and would add significant value to the team. Indeed, he could be the bestMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1077678717508487032004-02-24T22:11:00.000-05:002004-02-24T23:52:46.903-05:00
ANOTHER REASON FOR OPTIMISM
If the Mets come up with a halfway decent fifth starter (i.e., ERA around 4.50) and all the returning Mets perform at last year's level, their new players plus a healthy Piazza, Floyd and Reyes would figure to make them a .500 club or a little bit better, based on their projected improvement in runs scored and runs allowed. (To see some of the basis for this Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1076680883795353622004-02-13T09:01:00.000-05:002004-02-24T22:20:56.233-05:00
THE LAST METS TURNAROUND
The Biblical Years: For much of their history, the Mets have resembled ancient Egypt in the time of Joseph. Feast and famine in seven year blocks. In their first seven years, they were awful, finishing last or next to last every year and only once managing not to lose 90 games (they lost 89 in '68). Then, they had a good Seaver, uh, I mean seven years (with a weak Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1076119032882730992004-02-06T20:57:00.000-05:002004-02-06T20:59:35.920-05:00
HOT STOVE IS OVER
The Mets off-season came to an end with a whimper, not a bang, as they signed Scott Erickson to a minor league contract to fill the David Cone role of washed-up-veteran-competing-for-fifth-starter spot. Unlike Cone, Erickson has neither Cone's glorious history as a Met or glorious history of any kind to make even mediocre starts at the tale end of his career enjoyable. Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1075249211840127192004-01-27T19:20:00.000-05:002004-01-28T08:58:15.843-05:00
STUPID, OR REALLY, REALLY DEEP
The Trade: Yesterday, in a swap of late round draft choices from 1998, the Mets traded Jaime Cerda (23rd round) to the Royals for Shawn Sedlacek (14th round). Despite Sedlacek's minor superiority in pedigree, this looks like a poor trade for the Mets.
Cerda, a left-handed reliever, has pitched well at every level in the minors and pitched well in 25 major Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1074857700234686402004-01-23T06:35:00.000-05:002004-01-23T10:05:25.873-05:00
A QUICK WORD ON TWO RUMORS
The New York Post reports today that the Mets have made offers to Rick Reed and Shane Spencer to come to training camp to compete for spots on the roster. The Mets official site, in contrast, states that no offers have yet been made to them. A quick comment here, befitting the mere rumor status.
Reed and Spencer would be candidates, respectively, for the Fifth Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1074658370808662572004-01-20T23:12:00.000-05:002004-01-23T09:40:40.576-05:00
THE FIFTH STARTER
As we wait for the Mets to sign the righthanded part of the rightfield platoon (how about Ellis Burks? Burks still hammers lefties, would need to field on his gimpy knees less than 1/3 of the time, and is looking for work), it's time to take a quick look at the fifth spot in the starting rotation, behind (in order of '03 quality), Trachsel, Leiter, Seo, and Glavine
The 2003Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1074132618074473122004-01-14T21:10:00.000-05:002004-01-23T09:23:49.733-05:00
LITTLE SIGNING A GREAT SIGN
Karim Garcia is going to be a Met. Bob Klapisch in the Bergen Record was the first to break the news that the Mets have agreed to a one-year, $850,000 contract with the erstwhile Yankee rightfielder. This move, which has been urged repeatedly by MetsAnalyst (see columns from December 22 and January 11 below) is a very good step in the right direction.
1)Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1073828924048112412004-01-11T08:48:00.000-05:002004-01-11T09:59:19.490-05:00IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, TRADE WITH 'EM
So, in the end, the Mets lost Vladimir Guerrero to the Anaheim Angels, who offered him a guaranteed $70 million (or a little more) over five years. Very disappointing for Mets fans, but Mets management, which did present a "vesting option" offer that would have paid $71 million if he stayed healthy, should not be blamed for not wanting to risk that Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1073684229430245132004-01-09T18:14:00.000-05:002004-01-09T18:22:03.736-05:00
WHAT ABOUT VLAD?
All the New York papers reported today that the Mets have made a three-year offer to superstar outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. The offer is reported to be 3 years for $30 million, with reachable incentives that could make it worth about $40 million if he stays healthy. According to the Post, there would be vesting options for years 4 and 5 if Guerrero stayed healthy. Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1073440660897184472004-01-06T20:57:00.000-05:002004-01-06T23:23:21.043-05:00GOODBYE TUG, AND THANKS!
All baseball fans, but especially Mets fans, were saddened by the news of Tug McGraw's passing on Monday. McGraw was a beloved character, who had the nerve to jump up at the end of pompous Chairman M. Donald Grant's locker room speech to his last place team and wildly parody Grant's statement to the team that they must believe in themselves, and in doing so createdMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1072754967747861002003-12-29T22:25:00.000-05:002003-12-29T23:16:53.020-05:00INSIDE JIM DUQUETTE'S BRAIN
Boy, the holidays were a relief: I got to spend time with my family instead of hanging out constantly with Jeff Wilpon. First the trip to the Dominican with him, then the winter meetings; it was really getting to be a bit much. Now I know how Brian Cashman feels. . . . Still, it wasn't the best Christmas. First, Santa didn't bring me that new rightfielder I Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1072143814399385852003-12-22T20:43:00.000-05:002003-12-22T21:24:55.300-05:00
POST NON-TENDER....
Where We Stand: Well, there were no exciting names in the nontender list that emerged following Saturday's midnight deadline to offer contracts to players eligible for salary arbitration. The most exciting player on the list, Mark Redman, was quickly signed by Oakland, the team that had nontendered him. . . . As anticipated in this space, the Mets did not offer arbitrationMets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1071832659040207612003-12-19T06:17:00.000-05:002003-12-21T15:27:50.570-05:00SPENDING MONEY
As we approach nontender day, the Mets have plenty of money left to pursue attractive starting pitchers or right fielders who might become available. How much, of course, depends on whether their payroll limit is $80 million or $90 million (reports keep changing; probably the Wilpons will decide as developments take place). Below is an updated presentation of the Mets '04 Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1071809794619147572003-12-18T23:56:00.000-05:002003-12-19T06:02:53.360-05:00ROGER FOR ...
It hardly seems worth writing about each rumored Roger Cedeno trade, since there have been so many. As of this writing, the latest rumor is Cedeno to Cleveland for ex-Met Matt Lawton. The first point is that the Mets do seem committed to removing Cedeno from the roster, a change long pushed for in this space and elsewhere. The second point is that the Lawton deal looks much Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1071719985905015062003-12-17T22:59:00.000-05:002003-12-17T23:41:03.443-05:00LOYALTY THY NAME IS WILPON...
The Mets re-signed their captain and senior member, 43-year old John Franco, to a one-year deal for $1 million plus another million in incentives. This after he had just completed a $10.5 million three-year deal he signed as he turned 40 and during which he was badly injured and pitched a total of 77 mediocre innings. Last year, coming off Tommy John surgery, his Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1071544566491885342003-12-15T22:16:00.000-05:002003-12-17T23:18:44.493-05:00RULE V DAY....
Today was the Rule V draft, in which teams can pick any player who is not on another team's 40-man roster and has been a pro for three seasons (four seasons if they started before age 18). The selecting team has to pay $50,000 for the player and, if they do not keep him on the 25-man roster all season (i.e., up in the Majors), the selecting team must offer the player back to his Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1071486625402152062003-12-15T06:10:00.000-05:002003-12-15T06:20:22.660-05:00HUFF RUMOR: SAY IT IS SO!
Its hard to believe, but both the New York Post and the Daily News report that the Mets might be able to trade for Aubrey Huff, Tampa Bays outstanding rightfielder, by giving up Aaron Heilman as the other principle in the trade. Huff may be the game's least noticed new star (late bloomer, plays in Tampa). He is everything the Mets need: a 27-year old, slugging, Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1071372591322370212003-12-13T22:29:00.000-05:002003-12-14T08:54:56.473-05:00WELCOME MIKE! (Revised)
Just as I was getting ready to write a quick post saying I was a little too restrained in my support of the Mets pursuit of Mike Cameron (see below), I read on ESPN that Cameron is signing with the Mets. This is great news. The area that I "underplayed" was how great a defensive centerfielder Cameron is. He is now clearly the best defensive centerfielder in Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1071283419939905002003-12-12T21:43:00.000-05:002003-12-13T05:57:34.310-05:00I LIKE MIKE
Unfortunately, the Mets did not get Batista -- he signed with the Blue Jays -- but the good news is that they were pursuing the right guy, and there will be places to find a fifth starter. For now, let's take the promised look at Centerfield, and hope that a MetAnlayst recommendation is not a jinx to the Mets landing the player.
The table below includes everyone who has Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1071108354697024702003-12-10T21:05:00.000-05:002003-12-11T06:31:33.666-05:00SIGN OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN FLUSHING
Multiple reports in the past two days indicate that the Mets have gotten to the footsie stage of negotiations with free agent starting pitcher Miguel Batista. This is very good news. Before getting to that though, here is the Mets current roster/salary picture for 2004 (estimated salaries in italics):
C Mike Piazza $15,000,000
1B Jason Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172231.post-1070938763548992942003-12-08T21:59:00.000-05:002003-12-10T20:37:40.343-05:00OK, WHAT'S NEXT?
Well, it's official. The Mets signed Matsui, something I really did not think would happen and it will mean moving Reyes to second, which I think is a bad idea. Those raving about the speed at the top of the Mets order should remember the cliche: you can't steal first base. Neither Matsui nor Reyes have shown much patience in their careers and hence are likely to have Mets Analysthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542855318500602771noreply@blogger.com