It would be trite to quote Charles Dickens to open up a blog post about the Mets.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Trite? Yeah. Accurate - partly.
This was no ordinary season. Far from it. The Oliver Tolerance/Intolerance capped off what was one of the most see-sawed of emotions for a Mets fan. The big burst of wins in April/June - with the ebb of many heartbreaking losses.
It seems to be that the day before the final season, there is a big hope. '07 - Maine almost pitched a no-no, then Glavine tanked it with that Godforsaken first inning. In '08, Santana pitched a gem and then they lost in their final game at Shea. Yesterday, a nice W. Today....Typical Ollie - Walks in the winning run in the 14th.
Stan Laurel used to say, "I'm Sorry Ollie." Stan, so are we....so are we.
Rumor has it we are going to be replacing Jerry and Omar. I want someone who will be a rainmaker and get the most from their players, much like Buck Showalter has done with the lackluster Orioles. Minaya, well, he was a genius when he came on board and got Pedro Martinez and a few other good veterans to come to town, but he got lackadaisical -- and so did many of the players.
There are a few bright spots for the future. Ike Davis has shown he can play. Lucas Duda looks like he may swing a good bat and propel the cowhide with the maple ash. The heroes on the team, it goes without saying - Angel Pagan, R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi. Unexpected icing. Bring them back. Thole looks like he will develop into a good catcher.
It remains to be seen what the lineup will look like but if the above players can mesh and get it together, they can turn a once bad nucleus into a nuclear bomb that produces Ws and gives other teams Agita.
Who should go? Ollie. Castillo. Beltran (yeah, I said it), Maine and a few more ignobles. Who should come? Well, a lot of players, but we need to jerryrig the management (and send Jerry Manuel to pasture) and get the Wilpons to open their pocketbook. There are a lot of good players that are under the radar that would be perfect. (Think of the Jeff Keppingers - a former Met - of the world.
It's just 107 days before catchers and pitchers report....Oh, Ollie, that doesn't include you.
Showing posts with label Omar Minaya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Omar Minaya. Show all posts
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Sunday, April 04, 2010
2010 - Put the Seatbelt On....Gonna Be a Long Ride
Thrilled to death the season is starting. I am watching the Yankees-Red Sox game as I am writing this - but don't call me a traitor. Not hopping on any bandwagons. I'm a dyed (Blue and Orange) in the wool Mets fan through and through.
The reality is, we are going to have a tough year. Omar sat and fiddled while great deals burned about him. (Instead we are getting burned with D-List - a la Kathy Griffin - caliber players). Jason Bay is going to be a welcome addition, but he won't carry the team. Reyes. Beltran. Murphy - all question marks of what and when.
I see the pundits are putting the Amazins at third or fourth. Pitching would be the linchpin that are going to move us. And, before I start ranting, Omar, please, get rid of Perez. I heard on WFAN that at least 10 teams would be interested in him - save for that Stimlus-like salary package. If he starts to slide, time to move him. Personally, I would watch out for the Nationals. They did a lot of rebuilding with some good lunchpail players.
Going to go out on a limb here -- Eric Byrnes will be Comeback Player of the Year. Omar, you could have had him cheap. But, as Ralph Kramden, of Honeymooners fame said, "What do I know, I'm just a blogger."
And, speaking of, I am glad to be back blogging for my beloved team!
The reality is, we are going to have a tough year. Omar sat and fiddled while great deals burned about him. (Instead we are getting burned with D-List - a la Kathy Griffin - caliber players). Jason Bay is going to be a welcome addition, but he won't carry the team. Reyes. Beltran. Murphy - all question marks of what and when.
I see the pundits are putting the Amazins at third or fourth. Pitching would be the linchpin that are going to move us. And, before I start ranting, Omar, please, get rid of Perez. I heard on WFAN that at least 10 teams would be interested in him - save for that Stimlus-like salary package. If he starts to slide, time to move him. Personally, I would watch out for the Nationals. They did a lot of rebuilding with some good lunchpail players.
Going to go out on a limb here -- Eric Byrnes will be Comeback Player of the Year. Omar, you could have had him cheap. But, as Ralph Kramden, of Honeymooners fame said, "What do I know, I'm just a blogger."
And, speaking of, I am glad to be back blogging for my beloved team!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Spring Training...Where are the Off Season Moves?
Glad Spring Training is upon us. It is a better yard stick than those pesky groundhogs that predict the seasons for us.
However, I am inclined to think that when they peered out from their holes, (Pete and Phil, repping PA and NY - and somewhere there is a Staten Island "Chuck"?) they probably also had a prediction for the Mets: Six more weeks of inactivity.
If you were to grade the Mets pick-ups from the close of the World Series to now, I would give a C. True, Jason Bay is on the squad, but he still is unproven. Now, I know he had a great year with the Sox, but he struggled a bit when he was with the Pirates... Today Kelvim Escobar, it's reported, can't grip a baseball.
Wonderful Omar. What's next?
One thing that lights the ire (pun intended, with all respect to Jim Morrison) of Mets fans is that the Nationals had a pretty agressive year and picked up a few semi-solid free agents. Superstars? NO! But can each of these players in their role - be that limited or expanded - help the lowly Nationals advance? Yes.
Chess isn't won with two moves, but rather all positions working in concert with each other. That's what gives teams those cherised W's.
Irony though, the Nationals, formerly known as the Expos, was where Minaya hung his cap before the Mets. Did Omar leave his playbook in Montreal? Did the moving men box and bring it to the Nation's capital? If you are just jumping on the Mets bandwagon, you may not know that at one time Omar was a wheeler dealer.
I'm not sure, but I bet the clubhouse men in DC have a lot more uniform making and locker assigning than the Mets do.
Let's hope for a solid season and some momentum pick-up.
However, I am inclined to think that when they peered out from their holes, (Pete and Phil, repping PA and NY - and somewhere there is a Staten Island "Chuck"?) they probably also had a prediction for the Mets: Six more weeks of inactivity.
If you were to grade the Mets pick-ups from the close of the World Series to now, I would give a C. True, Jason Bay is on the squad, but he still is unproven. Now, I know he had a great year with the Sox, but he struggled a bit when he was with the Pirates... Today Kelvim Escobar, it's reported, can't grip a baseball.
Wonderful Omar. What's next?
One thing that lights the ire (pun intended, with all respect to Jim Morrison) of Mets fans is that the Nationals had a pretty agressive year and picked up a few semi-solid free agents. Superstars? NO! But can each of these players in their role - be that limited or expanded - help the lowly Nationals advance? Yes.
Chess isn't won with two moves, but rather all positions working in concert with each other. That's what gives teams those cherised W's.
Irony though, the Nationals, formerly known as the Expos, was where Minaya hung his cap before the Mets. Did Omar leave his playbook in Montreal? Did the moving men box and bring it to the Nation's capital? If you are just jumping on the Mets bandwagon, you may not know that at one time Omar was a wheeler dealer.
I'm not sure, but I bet the clubhouse men in DC have a lot more uniform making and locker assigning than the Mets do.
Let's hope for a solid season and some momentum pick-up.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
After the Fire (maybe Omar) the Fire Still Byrnes...
Hello All -
Tis been awhile since I blogged about our beloved team. Fear not, I won't recount the bad season the Mets had in '09.
But, some news has prompted me to dust off the cobwebs during the off season. It's time to look ahead.
I have always been an Eric Byrnes fan (just do a search in this blog and you will see how many times I cited him).
Well, as Ralph Kramden said to Alice about his "ship coming in," the Queen Mary is here. The Diamondbacks made a judgement call and picked up Adam LaRoche (do a quick count and see how many teams he's been on the last few years) and designated Eric Byrnes for assignment. So, that simply means they cut bait and he will be available. Az is on the hook for some $11 million, so, whoever picks up Byrnes, can do it relatively cheap.
Byrnes is a good clubhouse leader, a motivator, a hustler and a pest at the plate when he's healthy. Plus, he steals bases and plays gutsy. It's been awhile since we saw the hustling Jose Reyes, so a Byrnes would be refreshing on the basepaths. There is nothing wrong with a Dykstra-Eckstein-Brett Butler-like player.
Omar, you made a few good and a few more BAD judgement calls. I implore you to sign Byrnesie. Sheffield was a similar signing and that worked out better than expected. Eric is a team player and we need good morale.
It won't bust the budget. Byrnes will be a good ambassador for the team. Hey, the Yanks got Granderson, the Mets need a charismatic player.
Omar, fill out a contract and get Eric to sign it. He's interested in the Giants. How about pulling a player away from another team - it's been done to us too many times.
Tis been awhile since I blogged about our beloved team. Fear not, I won't recount the bad season the Mets had in '09.
But, some news has prompted me to dust off the cobwebs during the off season. It's time to look ahead.
I have always been an Eric Byrnes fan (just do a search in this blog and you will see how many times I cited him).
Well, as Ralph Kramden said to Alice about his "ship coming in," the Queen Mary is here. The Diamondbacks made a judgement call and picked up Adam LaRoche (do a quick count and see how many teams he's been on the last few years) and designated Eric Byrnes for assignment. So, that simply means they cut bait and he will be available. Az is on the hook for some $11 million, so, whoever picks up Byrnes, can do it relatively cheap.
Byrnes is a good clubhouse leader, a motivator, a hustler and a pest at the plate when he's healthy. Plus, he steals bases and plays gutsy. It's been awhile since we saw the hustling Jose Reyes, so a Byrnes would be refreshing on the basepaths. There is nothing wrong with a Dykstra-Eckstein-Brett Butler-like player.
Omar, you made a few good and a few more BAD judgement calls. I implore you to sign Byrnesie. Sheffield was a similar signing and that worked out better than expected. Eric is a team player and we need good morale.
It won't bust the budget. Byrnes will be a good ambassador for the team. Hey, the Yanks got Granderson, the Mets need a charismatic player.
Omar, fill out a contract and get Eric to sign it. He's interested in the Giants. How about pulling a player away from another team - it's been done to us too many times.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
We got rid of a Dick *(heilman)* and got a Putz
WHEW.
Last night as I was hitting the hay, I heard a "THIS JUST IN" in the sports report.
2 Sentences later, I leaped for joy! (The Mets Have Traded Aaron Heilman........) and to interject here, I would have been elated if the next few lines were "for 2 pretzel vendors and an usher..."
Glad to get rid of him. He was a level of total frustration (read a slew of previous blog posts) and quite frankly, helped the Mets lose a lot of games.
What do we get in return? HOPEFULLY a bit of stability in the Pen. JJ Putz was hurt for a bit last year -- but the last few years had some stellar numbers. The good thing is that Putz said while it wasn't his ideal role (8th inning set up man), he was going to pitch like it was a save situation. Go Get em JJ!
One footnote, that, you don't have to be Kreskin to figure this out, but the man's last name is pronounced POOTZ....First time he blows the game, you can hear the fans at She--er, CitiField call him PUTZ!
The sucky part is we lost Joe Smith. Omar, please get a decent sidearmer! (And Why oh Why couldn't you have unloaded Schoenweis?)
To close, (no pun intended) - remember the Seinfeld episode with Keith Hernandez? There were two instances when it came to friendship that you wouldn't help anyone move or take them to the airport?
Well, this is an open note to Aaron Heilman....Give me a call..I will help pack your steamer trunk, take you to ANY airport and bid for the privilege to yell the loudest BON VOYAGE you ever heard.
Putz -8th. K-ROD, 9th. Shut em down!
Last night as I was hitting the hay, I heard a "THIS JUST IN" in the sports report.
2 Sentences later, I leaped for joy! (The Mets Have Traded Aaron Heilman........) and to interject here, I would have been elated if the next few lines were "for 2 pretzel vendors and an usher..."
Glad to get rid of him. He was a level of total frustration (read a slew of previous blog posts) and quite frankly, helped the Mets lose a lot of games.
What do we get in return? HOPEFULLY a bit of stability in the Pen. JJ Putz was hurt for a bit last year -- but the last few years had some stellar numbers. The good thing is that Putz said while it wasn't his ideal role (8th inning set up man), he was going to pitch like it was a save situation. Go Get em JJ!
One footnote, that, you don't have to be Kreskin to figure this out, but the man's last name is pronounced POOTZ....First time he blows the game, you can hear the fans at She--er, CitiField call him PUTZ!
The sucky part is we lost Joe Smith. Omar, please get a decent sidearmer! (And Why oh Why couldn't you have unloaded Schoenweis?)
To close, (no pun intended) - remember the Seinfeld episode with Keith Hernandez? There were two instances when it came to friendship that you wouldn't help anyone move or take them to the airport?
Well, this is an open note to Aaron Heilman....Give me a call..I will help pack your steamer trunk, take you to ANY airport and bid for the privilege to yell the loudest BON VOYAGE you ever heard.
Putz -8th. K-ROD, 9th. Shut em down!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Willie Is Still With Us - Who Else Will Be?
There was an email I received from a colleague today and the story was such that ownership of the Mets gave Omar Minaya the carte blanche to jettison some of the coaches on Willie's staff. Does this bode for a turnaround? I don't think so, but to my gut instinct, the word scapegoat comes to the fore. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/06/16/mets.coaches/
What I am trying to figure out is why Rick Down was fired. Sure, he wasn't a superstar player, but a man who understood the mechanics of the swing and could quickly analyze and fine tune a players swing. The end result was an elevation of their ability.
A caller on WFAN the other day had an interesting point. Since Rick Peterson may be on the hook for the middle relief implosion, why not hire Leo Mazzone. He did wonders with the Braves. (Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine, Avery etc...). But that same colleague is opposed and said there is a Braves-Mets stigma. Maybe, but I rather have Leo Mazzone in my circle of friends.
Oprah had her makeovers, we need a Coach-over. (and a few other players may benefit with different zip codes)
What I am trying to figure out is why Rick Down was fired. Sure, he wasn't a superstar player, but a man who understood the mechanics of the swing and could quickly analyze and fine tune a players swing. The end result was an elevation of their ability.
A caller on WFAN the other day had an interesting point. Since Rick Peterson may be on the hook for the middle relief implosion, why not hire Leo Mazzone. He did wonders with the Braves. (Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine, Avery etc...). But that same colleague is opposed and said there is a Braves-Mets stigma. Maybe, but I rather have Leo Mazzone in my circle of friends.
Oprah had her makeovers, we need a Coach-over. (and a few other players may benefit with different zip codes)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Not to Pick on Mike Hampton, but COME ON NOW....
All right. I'll admit it. (You probably never would have guessed that I am......A big fan of Fantasy Baseball. Good feeling being perched in an ivory tower and moving your players like chess pieces (and chattel)...sometimes you look like an absolute genius (still waiting on this end) and other times -- implosion is the result.
So, in one of my leagues, I am looking for a pitcher and who is on the list of free agents? Mike Hampton. Surprisingly, he is owned by 1.2% of owners in the ESPN Fantasy League Baseball (NOTE TO SELF - Invite these 1.2% to my next garage sale and jack up the prices).
Anyway, the word about Hampton:
Hampton (pectoral) threw another pain-free bullpen session prior to Saturday's game against the Dodgers, the Associated Press reports.
Spin: "Facing competition, I'm going to think about it," Hampton said. "It's not an overnight thing. I've just got to get to where I just worry about getting hitters out. Mentally, I'm just a little timid maybe. I'm still trying to feel my way through it." Hampton threw 50 pitches, including breaking balls, during Saturday's session. There's still no set timetable for his return to the Atlanta rotation, but Hampton appears to be at least another two weeks away.
RotoWire Sat, April 19
Puh-leese. And you are getting all this money? Glad you aren't a Met anymore!
In other news, Mets held their own against the Philies today. Ollie pitched a nice game, but Schoenweis, the second coming of John Franco (that's NOT a good thing) gave up a gopher ball to Chase Utley, thereby killing the shutout.
Wright is on fire and putting up some great numbers with a hot bat.
I have noticed that Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph are really letting guys like Wright, Reyes and other "home grown" players a chance to get reaalllll good. Under previous GMs, the patience level was poor and many a great player was traded away and then performed well on other teams...
Well, Sunday night, we have an ESPN game...should be nice.
See you at the Ball Park
So, in one of my leagues, I am looking for a pitcher and who is on the list of free agents? Mike Hampton. Surprisingly, he is owned by 1.2% of owners in the ESPN Fantasy League Baseball (NOTE TO SELF - Invite these 1.2% to my next garage sale and jack up the prices).
Anyway, the word about Hampton:
Hampton (pectoral) threw another pain-free bullpen session prior to Saturday's game against the Dodgers, the Associated Press reports.
Spin: "Facing competition, I'm going to think about it," Hampton said. "It's not an overnight thing. I've just got to get to where I just worry about getting hitters out. Mentally, I'm just a little timid maybe. I'm still trying to feel my way through it." Hampton threw 50 pitches, including breaking balls, during Saturday's session. There's still no set timetable for his return to the Atlanta rotation, but Hampton appears to be at least another two weeks away.
RotoWire Sat, April 19
Puh-leese. And you are getting all this money? Glad you aren't a Met anymore!
In other news, Mets held their own against the Philies today. Ollie pitched a nice game, but Schoenweis, the second coming of John Franco (that's NOT a good thing) gave up a gopher ball to Chase Utley, thereby killing the shutout.
Wright is on fire and putting up some great numbers with a hot bat.
I have noticed that Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph are really letting guys like Wright, Reyes and other "home grown" players a chance to get reaalllll good. Under previous GMs, the patience level was poor and many a great player was traded away and then performed well on other teams...
Well, Sunday night, we have an ESPN game...should be nice.
See you at the Ball Park
Friday, November 30, 2007
Pinch Me...Tell Me this is NOT true...
So, I am at my desk working today on a project, and a colleague, a die hard Mets fan, to get my attention, sends an IM to my cell phone that the Mets just traded Lastings Milledge to the Washington Nationals.
After going into a shock of denial, I realize its real....SO, I IM back - Who did they get? Austin Kerns? Wilfredo Cordero? If so, these in my mind, maybe Ryan Zimmerman, makes a little sense. But two chaps named Church and Schneider? Where the hell is the marquee value? I don't suspect these two newcomers will make Mets management wish they did not have only 45000 seats in the heretofore still in creation CitiField. (Can't you hear the logic? -- "If we get either of these guys, we will be a perpetual sellout"
So, the word "sellout" -- is that what Minaya was thinking?
I remember last year Milledge had some good value...what happened? Is something about to break with his rap records?
I hope, come March 31, I will believe in this trade....In this case, the jury is still out. And, my mindset is that of the Star Chamber courts...It will be hard to get my reversal. OK, time here for a disclosure. Last year I squawked a few times about trading Lastings, but for SOMEONE GOOD!
After going into a shock of denial, I realize its real....SO, I IM back - Who did they get? Austin Kerns? Wilfredo Cordero? If so, these in my mind, maybe Ryan Zimmerman, makes a little sense. But two chaps named Church and Schneider? Where the hell is the marquee value? I don't suspect these two newcomers will make Mets management wish they did not have only 45000 seats in the heretofore still in creation CitiField. (Can't you hear the logic? -- "If we get either of these guys, we will be a perpetual sellout"
So, the word "sellout" -- is that what Minaya was thinking?
I remember last year Milledge had some good value...what happened? Is something about to break with his rap records?
I hope, come March 31, I will believe in this trade....In this case, the jury is still out. And, my mindset is that of the Star Chamber courts...It will be hard to get my reversal. OK, time here for a disclosure. Last year I squawked a few times about trading Lastings, but for SOMEONE GOOD!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
It's a Bit Early for a Trade - But, Let's float this by you...
Over the last few years, there have been a few questionmarks at the keystone for the Amazins. It was thought that Kaz Matsui was the panacea. Wrong. Anderson Hernandez was vying to the position early last year (and to this date, still etched a memorable catch in the wee games of 2006). Jose Valentin filled in - did an admirable job - got hurt - Damon Easley took over in the interim - done well - Valentin back.
Both of these guys are surprises - and a bit old. Nothing wrong with both. But lets think towards the future.
I have a doozy of a trade that I hope management will consider...
Brian Roberts of the Orioles puts up some nice #'s - http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/roberbr01.shtml He's a .283 hitter and steals bases. Gets a lot of hits and has a semi respectable .982 fielding percentage.
Let's get him and give up:
Lastings Milledge: http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/millela02.shtml and maybe someone like a AAA prospect. Lastings, the toast of the town last year, diminished his star quality in the eyes of many with that rap record -- Plus, he didn't hustle - something that Carlos Gomez does and so does Ben Johnson. You MUST be hungry to succeed in NY and I think Lastings, as talented as he is, will be better playing out of the limelight.
Omar, Pull the trigger and lets get Roberts.
Both of these guys are surprises - and a bit old. Nothing wrong with both. But lets think towards the future.
I have a doozy of a trade that I hope management will consider...
Brian Roberts of the Orioles puts up some nice #'s - http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/roberbr01.shtml He's a .283 hitter and steals bases. Gets a lot of hits and has a semi respectable .982 fielding percentage.
Let's get him and give up:
Lastings Milledge: http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/millela02.shtml and maybe someone like a AAA prospect. Lastings, the toast of the town last year, diminished his star quality in the eyes of many with that rap record -- Plus, he didn't hustle - something that Carlos Gomez does and so does Ben Johnson. You MUST be hungry to succeed in NY and I think Lastings, as talented as he is, will be better playing out of the limelight.
Omar, Pull the trigger and lets get Roberts.
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