Thinking Like a GM....

So, as it is getting colder than my cards at a Las Vegas casino table, I am pondering the upcoming season and what the Mets need to do.



Recently, a client and I were talking baseball (a rarity, I must say) and he suggested I read Moneyball by Michael Lewis. I am in the process of both reading it and listening to it on CD.



You know, there is a lot of merit in the points being made, and if Omar absorbs the anti conventional way of thinking about baseball, we can find some hidden gems. Of course, with hidden gems, you strike pyrite, thinking it's gold.



There is a line in the book that resonates - a team of 9 Scott Hattebergs can be the best offense. We need to get guys who get on base, take walks, have a high on base percentage and willing to hustle. Omar, go under the radar some time....there may be something there that is basically "hidden in front of our faces."

What's good for the Mets is good for our soul.

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!

Another 57!!!!!!

Today. It's. Official.
Really, there is no need to make three sentences out of the first line, but it has to sink in now that we have K-Rod for the next few years.

One thing I noticed is that he wears #57. So does Santana. This should be interesting to see who ponies up the rights to wear that esteemed numeral.

Any Bill James disciples out there? Is this the first time the #57 is a duplicate on a baseball team?

Let's hope that K-Rod lives up to his promise. The Mets have had a long tradition of high priced / high profile closers that haven't amounted to much (Looper, Benitez, etc).

Now, all we gotta do is trade Schoenweis (FOR ANYTHING) and Heilman (FOR ANYTHING, LESS)

Winter Meetings - 08

An esteemed colleague of mine who shares my initials, though the letters are of an inverse nature, said to me today, "Hey, why haven't you blogged in awhile?"

Honestly, I had no legit comeback. So, I am going to post tonight and hopefully a LOT more.

Today, outside, it is colder than penguin droppings, but that has not thawed my love for baseball or the Mets.

I was at that very last game and as painful as it was, I am looking forward to the team rebounding this year.

We need to be like snakes and shed dead skin (Heilman, Schoenweis, etc) and become butterflies and develop (K-Rod - CC Sabathia, etc). Maybe an 8th inning chap like Huston Street would be good. (Can you imagine all the photo ops on Houston St. -- and for those outta towners, it is pronounced "House-Ton" - I have no clue why, but I digress.

Let's keep the sentimentality at a minimum and build a team.

Presently, I am reading Moneyball by Michael Lewis and it is a very introspective book...not only for baseball, but for life. One of my clients and I had dinner recently at a professional event and recommended the book -- from a baseball and biz perspective.

Omar, I am only on page 60 right now, but you should read this book while in the bathroom...believe me, it will prevent you from picking up shit players (as the aforementioned above).

Spring training is coming!!!!

Let's keep talking here...I encourage all posts...

GUEST BLOG....Another disappointing year for the New York Mets. I’ll keep this guest blog short – just like the Mets’ season (OUCH!).

My good friend, MLT, who has subbed for me on occasion for this blog, would like to weigh in on his thoughts about the Mets. I agree with some, but not all. However, he's holding the saxophone and doing the solo and I am being a good sideman, instrument in hand, listening to the music..

Take it away, MLT...

Here is my take on the NY Mets:

* Jerry Manuel – Keep him but he should be monitored by Minaya. He seems kind of stoic to me (in the dugout) just like Willie. I want a crazy manager like Bobby V or Lou Piniella
* Coaches – get rid of them all, especially Dan Warthen and HoJo – see ya!
* Ryan Church – can this guy get back to early season form? The dude should have been benched for the last weekend against the Marlins. He strikes out all the time. He has potential so I say we give him another year, but I’d bench him ASAP if he doesn’t perform early on.
* Nick Evans – this guy is just NOT good enough to play for the Mets. Daniel Murphy should be getting the playing time.
* Tatis – see ya!
* Easley – adios!
* Mets Pitchers: Shea goodbye to the following pitchers: Sanchez, Heilman, Ayala, Rincon, Schoeneweis. P-Mart, Muniz, Perez (Did I miss anyone?)
* Catchers – bench/get rid of them all – Mets need to find a catcher who can crush the ball like Piazza and Hundley used to. No more weak catchers.
* Castillo – bench or trade him
* Ramon Martínez - should be starting 2B next season if Daniel Murphy is still in the OF
* Argenis Reyes – not really impressed; go back to the minors
* Marlon Anderson – never come back!
* Endy Chavez – goodbye

We need better SPs, bullpen and a corner OF who can crush the ball like [Matt] Holliday. Where in the world is Val Pascucci? It’s a joke that we had to turn to Anderson, Easley and Chavez late in games as pinch hitters – they all suck.

Here is forecasted starting pitching for 2009:

* Johan Santana – very happy with Jo-San
* John Maine – he is my “maine man”
* Mike Pelfrey – not 100 percent happy with this guy, but he def deserves another shot in 2009
(Free Agent) – Minaya’s job this winter
(Free Agent) – another job for Minaya this winter

Good luck to the Mets in 2009. I am very much looking forward to Citi Field.

Shea - It Isnt So....

I was one of the fortunate to get a ticket for today's final game.

While I must say the outcome was disappointing - another meltdown. This one not as tragic as last year, but still, the balloon popped and the loud noise barked "NO POST SEASON! --- Again!!!"

I was sad to see the end of Shea...Lots of good childhood and adult memories. A good friend of mine and his wife and I just sat there long after the game and the ceremonies ended. I took about 180+ pics and I am guestimating there were at least 1 million pictures snapped.

My blog will continue on.

I took a break on Sept. 5. I literally ran out of perceptions and observations that day and decided to take a few weeks off.

By the way, Scott Schoenweiss is the Tom Glavine of 2008 - a Pariah we never want to see again.

As I took many a pic, the one accompanying today's blog sums it up. Let's see what 2009 brings.

We'll be talking soon and keep your eyes on this blog (as I am keeping my eye on YOU!)

A Fellow Mets Fan Spells Me (Even Cal Ripken Took A Day Off)

Well, As much as I like to write this blog, there are some days where I struggle for a topic. Well, unsolicited a good friend of mine, Mark Tordik, a die hard Mets fan sent this post to me earlier today. Sadly, I just saw it as I was at work and didn't check my personal email.

Mark, your up at bat...

I always hear that the Phillies are better offensively. Well, when it has counted this year against their division rival, the Phillies have faltered.

Mets are 10-5 head-to-head with the Phillies this year scoring 81 runs to their opponent’s 62. Mets averaged 5.4 runs a game. Nice.

Phillies have averaged only 4.1 runs each game against the Mets this year. That’s not a good number, especially against a supposed weak bullpen. I guess the Mets have stepped up their game this year and are playing like they were in all of 2006 and most of 2007.

This is a big series for the Mets and we should be VERY confident that Pelfrey, P-Mart and Jo-San (as well as the bullpen) can get the job done.

“Mr. Met is tired of playing around and wants to finish off the job. Once this series concludes, he’ll be wiping his boots clean of the Philly Phanatic’s guts.”

-MLT

Editors Note...Mark created a funny video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TyD05-P4KE

Random Met - Wayne Garrett

Ah, good ole Wayne Garrett was a solid player at 3rd Base for the Amazin's from 1969 to 1976. He and Rusty Staub were teammates and redheads.

Wayne had a brother, Adrian who played in the Majors too.

Its a slow news night, obviously.

Peruse Wayne's stats... http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/garrewa01.shtml

Back tomorrow...Let's sweep the Phils and double the 3 game margin to 6!

Mets Win. Phils Lose. Lather. REPEAT.

So I stole a semi popular but obscure tag line for shampoo that doubled sales in the 70s. If it worked for a hair care product, it SHOULD work for the Mets.

While I was slogging away at my desk today -- or in meetings. Let's say both....The Mets trounced Milwaukee 9-2 - maybe it was 9-3. I didnt see the final final on the reply.

The magic is working. I want to be far away from Philly as possible.

Day off tomorrow, but I will be back. Maybe with something interesting. If not, well, its cheaper than a bird cage liner.

Zonked. Off to bed.

Brewers - Can Make One Want to Drink

Long, but good game. Was it long? I guess when you go into extra innings and the opposition gets close to a W with two out, you kind of hyperventilate. I did. Check YouTube for the video.

Roundin' home. The finality of Shea is starting to dawn. Just 15 more games there for the end of the season (PLUS PLAYOFFS!).

Well, I'm hitting the hay and singing "Meet the Mets, Greet the Mets..." on my way up the stairs.

Hope to dream of a private concert with Jane Jarvis -- with the above theme.

Sorry I'm not that creative tonight.

Delgado - Not Hitting Skinny

If anyone ever told me back in June I would be writing praise about Carlos Delgado, I don't know what my reaction would have been. I'm not a negative person, but it seemed like the wood in his bat was infested with rotten bark.

Times changed and now Senor Delgado is clubbing home runs left and right. And he helped out the Metropolitans with a come from behind win against the Brewers. (I may add here, its good we aren't going to see the likes of C.C. (Carsten Charles) Sabathia. NOTE TO OMAR MINAYA -- Consider getting him for next year.

Once again, though, Santana was stymied for a W, but Ayala is looking good as the closer.

Here's a good article with some video: Delgado digs deep for late damage

And, in the "Whatever Happened To....(or What WILL Happen With.... for the new guys...)


9/1/08
Recalled LHP Jonathan Niese, RHP Carlos Muniz, INF Argenis Reyes and C Gustavo Molina from Triple-A New Orleans. Purchased the contract of LHP Ricardo Rincon, RHP Brandon Knight, RHP Bobby Parnell and INF Ramon Martinez from Triple-A New Orleans. Reinstated OF Marlon Anderson from the 15-day disabled list. Transferred OF Trot Nixon, RHP Matt Wise, RHP Orlando Hernandez and LHP Jason Vargas to the 60-day disabled list. Designated LHP Willie Collazo for assignment.

NOTE: If Anyone sees Angel Pagan, please notify the milk company to take his photo off the milk carton.

Last Day in Aug. Nice W

I can't believe it is the END of August. So much baseball, so little time.

I am happy the way the Mets capped off the month with a W against the Fish. The play of the game, to me, was the final where Jose Reyes stuck his glove out and caught the line drive. Hustle is key.

Tomorrow will bring a whole new dynamic to the game. The September call ups. It reminds me a lot of the gym during January. Some will stick around and be good (fit), others will drop out of sight and never be seen again (binge eaters, drinkers, etc).

Saw a graphic on Sunday's game and it looked all Latino. It's going to be a blast if Jose, Al and Argenis Reyes gets into a game. This is the ultimate call: "Ball pitched by Reyes (1); it's hit up the middle and Reyes (2) gets it and tosses it to the bag for the out, caught by Reyes (3).
1) Al
2) Jose
3) Argenis.

Ah...September. We are just a step away from October, so let's make it.

Another Heilman Appearance, Another Loss....OR, HeiLLLLLLLLman

It never ceases to amaze me how much the Mets, both under the regime of Willie and Jerry continue to use Aaron Heilman. Here is another example of why some folks don't understand a hot stove will burn you.

Duaner Sanchez gives up a tying run. UGH. Hey, did anyone get the license plate of that Taxi? I want that guy to come back and do it again...(and also take out Heilman). Not their lives, just their chances for playing on the Mets.

So, Heilman comes in,,,2 Intentional BBs and then WALKS in the winning run. All on horseshit pitches.

Is it ME? Or is he THAT bad? At least with Anthony Young, there was a bit of comic relief involved. The entire team sucked.

Belt Belt Belt Beltran

Carlos was the hero tonight and it was good to see him do it with his 8th career granny. (Uh, if you are a visitor for the first time to this blog, the previous sentence is not something that is happening in West Virginia where they do that stuff...I'm talking baseball).

In the post game interview, he had a candid admission that he wasn't trying to blast a home run. He also said with regret that two years ago he was in a situation where he didn't swing or protect the plate.

If he has games like he did tonight, we will be seeing more Ws.

Speaking of Ws. Two up on the Cheesesteaks. (Kudos to Steve Somers for that attribution).

Day Off...

Lame attempt at Poetry...

Day Off For The Mets
And Me Too
I'll Continue To Bleed
Orange and Blue

Let's pick this up tomorrow.

I will end with a rhetorical question..."Where have you gone Rusty Staub?

Gaining Ground...One Grain of Sand at a Time

Earlier in my salad days as a blogger (OK, since 2006) I may have referred to the Mets taking on a Sisyphus-like journey to the top.

Yesterday was horrendous. 13 innings and then Schoenweis gives up the ghost. (He and Heilman seem to corner the market on that).

Tonight, a decisive win. The Flip of the John Kerry Flop showed up. We like when the Mets win, but to slither down the drain like last night after being a commander on the field was, well, you fill in the blank _________________

Interesting stat popped up on SNY and it showed a dramatic drop off of average for the starters in the later innings. Are we TOO focused on middle relief to notice? Hope not. Baseball may be a diamond, but you need 360 degrees of visibility.

Let's Beat The Phillies

Im Zonked. But its the bottom of the 8th and Mets relievers are on. Pedro couldn't go much.

Mets middle relief is on.

The team blew a 7-0 lead.

When the rollercoaster ride is over, I am going to unbuckle and go to Bed.

Wake me if the Mets win.

2 Solid CGs For Pelfrey

Another Nice W you've Gotten yourself into...

If Oliver Hardy was still around, he would have said that to Pelfrey tonight. He's starting to emerge as an (GULP) "Ace." This was the first time since circa 1995 that a Mets pitcher went 2 complete games and got 2 wins in a row. This was a common occurrence up until the late 60s/early 70s when pitchers were more durable. Pelfrey, as my colleague at work said today, can "eat up the innings.

Delgado was on fire and his RBI total of 6 did NOT match the translation of his last name. (I will save you all from consulting Spanish dictionaries -- it means 'skinny.')

Maine is out and that is another hole that needs to be filled. Sept 1 is a few days away, but with a series against the rival Phillies, the art of being careful and playing strategic is a must.

Let's Go Mets! (See ya at the ballpark)

Thanks Aaron Heilman -- FOR BLOWING IT!

Whenever Aaron Heilman comes into a game..WATCH OUT! Today, against the Astros, the Mets were up and he pitches to two batters and allows the game to be tied. Is that consistent? With him, yes. Is it tolerable? No. Seems like Guillermo Mota - AGAIN.

Heilman was booed so loudly today, it was to the extent where he felt like crawling under a rock. And, as a die hard Mets fan, I wish he would. Aaron, please Hibernate from Opening Day to the Last game of the World Series. Just find something to do -- in the off season.

Resilliancy

It is the 8th inning and the Stros are ahead 8-3, but the Mets haven't folded. I see a bit of a rally and this is something that needs to carry us forward if we want to go ape in post season.

Phils won today, so let's kick it.

Sorry for the short posts of late...work, Olympics, etc...

Im going to the game tomorrow...Hope to have some fun stuff.