Category: Latest News

Video: Olney And Kernan On Mets

ESPN’s Buster Olney and NY Post writer Kevin Kernan talk about Major League Baseball news. The Mets topics include Willie Randolph’s job is in extreme jeopardy barring a huge success in Colorado this weekend. They also talk about Johan Santana and his diminished fastball.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3409565

Francesa: Hernandez Would Manage Mets

There’s been a lot of speculation about Willie Randolph being fired. That speculation has changed since the series in Atlanta to who will be the next manager of the New York Mets and when it will happen.

I’m listening to WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog today. They’re talking about the managerial candidates for the Mets. Surprisingly, Mike Francesa says that he spoke to Keith Hernandez at Yankee Stadium last weekend. Mike asked Keith if he was offered the Mets job if he would take it, and Keith said “yes”.

The reason that I’m surprised is that I didn’t think that Keith would want the job. I thought that he enjoyed broadcasting for SNY without having to do every single game.

If Hernandez is interested in the job, that’s the right call. Obviously, he’s a Mets legend which doesn’t always translate into being a good manager. But in this case, I think it would be the correct direction to go. I’d miss seeing Keith do the games on SNY but he’s got a good head on his shoulders and a solid understanding of the game. Specifically, he understands what’s going on with this team.

One of the big reasons that Randolph is still the manager is because there haven’t been any clear cut candidates to replace him. But this revelation about Hernandez changes that. Now is the time for the Wilpons to make a move.

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Link: First Basemen Trade Market

MLB Rumors discusses the available first basemen on the trade market. Notably, the comment is that Carlos Delgado has little to no value on the market and is more likely to be designated for assignment than traded.

I agree that Delgado has no value in the trade market. He’s making $12 million (plus the Marlins are paying him $4 million) and he’s an automatic out. He’s turned into a black hole in the lineup.

Without a clear successor for Delgado at first base, there’s no way that he’ll be designated. Scott Hatteberg might be a decent option for the Mets. Even if he doesn’t hit, he can put his glove on the ball in the field. That’s one advantage over Delgado.

Mets Have Problems, I Have Solutions

The first two months of the season have proven that the New York Mets have an average record with above average talent. That’s on the manager. Beyond managerial problems, the Mets have several issues on their roster. Not every problem can be solved easily but there are some quick, inexpensive solutions.

Problems:

  1. Manager– Willie Randolph briefly lost his mind while speaking to Ian O’Connor of the Bergen Record on Sunday. If Randolph can’t keep it together better than that he shouldn’t be leading this team. It’s as simple as that.
  2. First base– Carlos Delgado has turned into an automatic out. But even during losing streaks and blowout loses he continues to smile and yuk it up at first base with the opposing team.
  3. Left field– Moises Alou is a natural-born hitting machine. He’s also chronically on the disabled list.
  4. Second base– Luis Castillo was just signed to a four year contract prior to this season, as hard as that is to believe. His legs look like they could give out at any moment. His game depends on speed and range in the field and now he doesn’t have either.
  5. Bullpen– Aaron Heilman can’t figure out how to get hitters out this season. He swings back and forth between walking batters and giving up home runs. That’s a bad combination.
  6. Starting pitching– Pedro Martinez and El Duque on the disabled list since the beginning of the season has hurt the Mets badly. The gaping holes in the rotation have exposed Mike Pelfrey, Nelson Figueroa, and Claudio Vargas.

Wow, that’s a big list of problems! Although the list appears to be insurmountable, it’s not. Continue reading “Mets Have Problems, I Have Solutions”

Mets News Today: Wilpon, Alou, and Martinez

ESPN reports that Mets COO Jeff Wilpon didn’t return Willie Randolph’s voicemail before he made his public apology for the SNY and race comments. Jay Horowitz said that Omar Minaya returned the call on behalf of Mets ownership. I think that says it all. Randolph is done, put that in the books!

Moises Alou left yesterday’s game against the Braves in the middle of the third inning because of tightness in his left calf. He’s back in New York today for an MRI. Early reports are that it’s a muscle strain and he may miss some time.

Pedro Martinez is now saying that he isn’t thinking about retiring that he wants to play for two or three more season.