Mets Payroll and Roster

CAF Give As You Earn material, May 2009
Image by HowardLake via Flickr

Sometimes I think that I should stop worrying about other people’s money. Then I realize that it’s only the Wilpon’s money that I’m concerned with. Those of you that read this blog regularly know that I frequently reference the Mets payroll. In doing so, I often find that I’m referencing abstract numbers that we all “sort of” know. For example, we all know that Johan Santana is making about $20 million per year.

A long time ago I had an idea that I wanted to add a page to this site that would give everyone the payroll numbers for the Mets. I started to do it but never finished. So I dedicated some time this week to putting it together and embedding it on the site. You can see the Roster page has been added now.

Google Docs is fantastic for tasks like this. I was able to embed the spreadsheet in the page and keep it updated remotely in Google Docs. I think it’s a perfect setup for the site.

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Mets 3 – Braves 1 April 24, 2010

Mets batter Bay follows through as he drives in a run with a double against the Braves during MLB baesball game in New York

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsThe Mets took the second straight game from the Braves to win the series an open the chance for a sweep tomorrow night on ESPN. It was bring your dog to the park day today and the Braves defense has certainly gone to the dogs. They look completely lost in the field. Today Yunel Escobar added the basepaths to the locations causing problems when he didn’t tag up from third on a fly ball that turned into a double play.

Jon Niese wasn’t great in today’s start but limited the damage to only 1 run over 5.1 IP. The downside of the start was that he gave up 5 hits and 5 walks. But he did strike out 6. It’s not an easy way to make a living giving up that many base runners. He needs to work on throwing strikes, especially with his fastball.

The bullpen saved Niese by throwing 3.2 scoreless innings. Francisco Rodriguez got his third save in three days and that includes his five out save against the Cubs on Thursday.

Another encouraging sign for the Mets is that Jason Bay was the offensive hero of the day going 3 for 4 with an RBI double. He’s 4 for his last 7 at-bats. Maybe he’s starting to come out of the funk he’s been in for the last three weeks.

Ike Davis continues to contribute going 0 for 2 with a walk and a run scored. He has 20 at-bats this season and 5 runs scored. It’s all about scoring runs and Davis is doing it at a tremendous rate.

The Mets only had 5 hits today. What else would you expect against Jair Jurrgens? He destroyed the Mets last year for four wins. But so did everyone else in the league. The true test will be what he does this season.

Box score

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Mets Catchers Barajas, Blanco Not Cutting It

The Mets made a big mistake when they signed Rod Barajas and Henry Blanco. They should have gone with a platoon of Omir Santos and Josh Thole.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

The problem that I had with Brian Schneider in 2008 and 2009 was that he was an automatic out. Now, I’m starting to long for the days of Schneider hitting .218. After watching Rod Barajas and Henry Blanco over the last three weeks, I’m wishing we had a .218 hitter behind the plate.

Mike Pelfrey has been astounding so far this season and he’s given credit to his personal catcher, Henry Blanco. And everyone seems to like what Barajas is doing in the field as well. But let’s not forget that catchers have to bat! Barajas and Blanco are rally killers.

I wrote last October that the Mets needed a youth movement at catcher. As it turns out, I was right. Although Omir Santos and Josh Thole haven’t done much hitting at Buffalo in the early season. But they aren’t doing any worse than Barajas and Blanco. Continue reading “Mets Catchers Barajas, Blanco Not Cutting It”

Preview: Braves at Mets April 24, 2010

Atlanta Braves (8-8) at New York Mets (8-9)  1:10 pm

Jair Jurrjens (0-1 6.06) vs. Jon Niese (0-1 4.32)

TV: WPIX   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: Niese’s last start against the Cubs was a good one, going 5.2 IP and giving up no earned runs in a no-decision. Jurrjens went 8 IP in his last start against Colorado giving up 3 earned runs in a no-decision. The Mets’ lineup looked pretty good with Jose Reyes hitting third in the order, so I’m sure we’ll see more of that this weekend.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

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Preview: Braves at Mets April 23, 2010

Atlanta Braves (8-7) at New York Mets (7-9)  7:10 pm

Kenshin Kawakami (0-2 4.91) vs. John Maine (0-1 10.38)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Braves are in town for a 3-game weekend series starting tonight. They just lost two out of three in Philly and they’re 5-5 in their last ten games. Kawakami lost his last start at home to the Rockies giving up 4 earned runs in 5 IP. We’ll all be watching Maine carefully. One more disaster could lose his spot in the rotation.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

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Ike Davis’ Intangibles

Chicago Cubs at New York Mets

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsLike many other famous people before him I’m wondering if Ike Davis will eventually get so big in New York he will only go by one name. Madonna, Oprah, Shaq…Tiffany?? The list goes on and on as to the famous people who are only known by one name. Ike could very well be that name in New York. Only time will tell.

After only three Major League games I’m convinced that Ike is just what the Mets need. No, he’s not a savior by any means but he does make the team fundamentally better in so many intangible ways.

Ike will make David Wright and Jose Reyes better defensively by allowing them to be more aggressive on plays to first base. No longer will they have to worry about making the perfect throw to get the out at first. Just get the ball to Ike as fast as you can. Continue reading “Ike Davis’ Intangibles”

Mets 5 – Cubs 2 April 22, 2010

New York Mets vs Washington Nationals

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsThe game was really defined by both starting pitchers going toe-to-toe for six innings. Then Tom Gorzelanny lost it in the sixth and gave up a couple of runs. Johan Santana had runners on much of his 6.1 IP as he gave up 8 hits. But he didn’t give up any walks and had 5 strikeouts and only allowed 1 run. It was a good battle of the starting pitchers.

The Mets only had 7 hits in the game but there was a key double by David Wright in the sixth that got the scoring started. He had been hearing the boo birds, deservedly so with a 3 strikeout night. But the RBI double was good to see and I’m hoping that he can get something going.

Jeff Francoeur broke out of his slump with a hit. And Ike Davis was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored. It looks like he’s pretty comfortable.

Francisco Rodriguez came in for a 5-out save for the first time as a Met. He hasn’t been getting many opportunities and the Mets needed to take this series. That was a good call by Jerry Manuel.

The Mets finally win a series for the first time this season taking three of four from the Cubs before the Braves come to town for the weekend.

Box score

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