Category: Latest News

Mets’ Managerial Possibilities for 2011

28 Feb 2002 : Manager Bobby Valentine of the New York mets during the Spring Training game against the St.Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals won 5-2. DIGTAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Eliot Schechter/Getty Images

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsWith the inevitable end of Jerry Manuel’s tenure in blue and orange looming down the homestretch of another dreadful Mets season, the question on every fan’s mind is who will be his successor come 2011. There are the obvious and popular “sexy” choices to take reigns, as well as the low profile names who have had success within the organization. Here’s my take on the possible candidates:

Bobby Valentine
The Mets manager from the end of the 1996 season through 2002, Valentine has proved he is capable of bringing rejuvenation to the franchise, but the question is at how high a price it would cost this time around? Bobby V. is a New York guy with a New York attitude and exercises the underdog persona that the Mets fan base can cling to. On paper, the teams he brought to the playoffs in ’99 and 2000 were very ordinary. However, he got the most out of his rosters and put a scrappy, competitive, and excuse-free product on the field. There has been a lot of speculation about how interested the organization is in bringing Valentine back to Queens. We have reason to believe that Mets people were in his ear when he bowed out of the Marlins managerial candidacy earlier in the season. Continue reading “Mets’ Managerial Possibilities for 2011”

Mets Trade Jeff Francoeur To Texas Rangers

July 18, 2010 - San Francisco, CA, United States of America - 18 July 2010; San Francisco, CA: New York Mets Jeff Francoeur.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsJeff Francoeur is done in New York. It’s not a huge surprise as he was going to be non-tendered after the season anyway.

Here’s the press release from the Mets:

FLUSHING, N.Y. — The New York Mets today announced they traded outfielder Jeff Francoeur to the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielder Joaquin Arias.

Arias, 25, hit .276 (27-for-98) with five doubles, one triple, no home runs, 18 runs scored and nine RBIs in 50 games for Texas this season. The 6-1, 165-pound right-handed-hitting infielder made starts at second base (16), first base (five) and shortstop (one) this season for the Rangers, making two errors in 121 total chances (.983 fielding percentage). He landed on the 15-day disabled list twice with a lower back strain, first from April 30 to May 16 and then again from July 31 to Aug. 16. He was designated for assignment on Aug. 24.

A career .286 hitter, Arias originally signed a non-drafted free-agent contract with the New York Yankees on July 12, 2001. The Rangers acquired him on March 23, 2004, as the player to be named later in the deal that sent Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees. Arias, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, made his Major League debut on Sept. 13, 2006, at Detroit, playing in 91 games for the Rangers over parts of four seasons.

Francoeur, 26, hit .237 (95-for-401) with 16 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 43 runs scored and 54 RBIs in 124 games for the Mets this season. Acquired from the Braves in exchange for Ryan Church on July 10, 2009, the 6-5, 220 pound Francoeur hit .268 (185-for- 690) with 21 home runs and 95 RBIs in 199 games with the Mets. http://mlb.mlb.com/scripts/webtools.js

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Video: The 2010 Mets Disappointment

July 10, 2010 - Flushing, N.Y, United States of America - 10 July, 2010: New York Mets left fielder Jason Bay.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThere’s been a lot written on ESPN by Adam Rubin about what a mess the Mets are. It’s certainly hard to dispute that notion. We all know the sources of frustration so I won’t go on and on about Oliver Perez, Carlos Beltran, Jason Bay, and the rest of the underachieving bunch.

Here’s the Baseball Tonight crew talking about the Mets and the mediocre season they’ve turned in through August this year. It’s a fair assessment of the multitude of players that just haven’t lived up to expectations. The Wilpons have to be sick watching their payroll investment go down the tubes again this year.

http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf

Dodgers Claim Rod Barajas on Waivers

New York Mets Rod Barajas reacts at the plate in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field in New York City on May 12, 2010. The Nationals defeated the Mets 6-4. UPI/John Angelillo Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets assigned Rod Barajas to the Dodgers today on a waiver claim. It’s a good move for both teams and Barajas as well. The Dodgers have absolutely no offense at catcher with Russell Martin on the disabled list, Brad Ausmus and A.J. Ellis couldn’t hit their way out of a paper bag. So they’ll gain a little benefit from having Barajas.

It seems like this is the rare win-win-win situation. The Mets unload a useless player and dump salary in a meaningless season, the Dodgers get a little more offense from the catcher, and Barajas gets to go home to L.A. Jesus Feliciano will take over Barajas’ roster spot which is much more useful for the Mets.

Barajas has done next to nothing for the Mets for most of this season. He has 17 hits since the end of May! Although he seems like a good guy, he’s wasting a roster spot at this point.

Josh Thole is doing a nice job and Henry Blanco is a capable backup that the pitchers like to throw to.

Take a look at Barajas’ stats for 2010 by month and it’s easy to see why he’s history.

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Report from Baseball-reference.com

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Is Jerry Manuel Ruining the Mets Future?

July 22, 2010 Los Angeles, CA..New York Mets Josh Thole at bat in action during the Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium July 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, California..The Dodgers defeat the Mets 2-0.Louis Lopez/CSM.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsEvery time a left-handed starter for the opposing team pitchers New York Mets Manager Jerry Manuel decides to sit left-handed hitters Ike Davis and Josh Thole.

For example, last night the Mets faced left-hander Wandy Ramirez. Both Josh Thole and Ike Davis sat and Mike Hessman and Henry Blanco took their place.

Davis has struggled since the All-Star break batting just .212. Thole has had only five at bats in the major leagues against lefties.

Manuel continues to sit the youngsters against the lefties. Last evenings win against the Houston Astros put the Mets at 59-59, 9 games back of the wild card. Continue reading “Is Jerry Manuel Ruining the Mets Future?”

K-Rod’s Injury A Blessing In Disguise?

New York Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez is escorted by police for his arraignment on assault charges at Queens Criminal Court in New York August 12, 2010. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL CRIME LAW IMAGES OF THE DAY)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsTwitter is hinting about the possibility the Mets will be able to void K-Rod’s contract. This is the first good news I’ve heard all week! Not only is he owed $11.5 million next year but the Mets also get the chance to eliminate a problem in the clubhouse and on the field.

Statistically speaking, I have always felt the closer position was the most overrated position in baseball. Correct me if I’m wrong but the average Major League pitcher will normally get out 70% of the batters they face. In the 9th inning, for every 5 batters a closer would face they technically can give up 2 hits and get 3 outs to earn the save. Is this really a tough job? Continue reading “K-Rod’s Injury A Blessing In Disguise?”

Video: Mets’ K-Rod Out For 2010

New York Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez is escorted by police for his arraignment on a third-degree assault charge at Queens Criminal Court in New York August 12, 2010. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL CRIME LAW)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsI didn’t really think there was much left in the tank for the Mets this season anyway. But the news today that Francisco Rodriguez is done for the year seals the deal. He tore a ligament in his pitching hand thumb putting a beat-down on his girlfriend’s father.

It’s really ridiculous that it’s come to this. But the word is that the Mets may try to void the rest of K-Rod’s contract for sustaining a non-baseball injury. I’m not so sure they could void 2011 and the vesting option for 2012 if he’s healthy and ready to play. I could see the Mets trying to recover the $3 million they owe him for the rest of 2010 though.

Here’s some video from ESPN on the issue:

http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf