MLB - The Mets:
They were going for an old-time feel - but not that old! Spanking-new, $850 million Citi Field is already beginning to rust. A Post reporter spotted brown water from a rusty beam creeping down the wall of the front entrance of Citi Field's main gate in Flushing, Queens, on 126th Street. The Mets are set to move there in April
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01122009/news/regionalnews/queens/rusty_start_for_mets_149806.htm
The Mets are a hard team to evaluate at this point in the offseason as they're one of the teams actually looking to invest in their team, which they obviously need to do while Delgado's still decent, Beltran's not aging, and Wright/Reyes are cheap (both signed through 2011 at well below market value). The Mets, more than most other teams, would be smart to overpay for an inning eater for the rotation now that the problems with the bullpen have been filled aggressively. There are still some questions that need to be answered at a few positions, most notably 2B (as already debated over in Dialed In earlier this week). The Mets will likely stand pat with the starting lineup as much as possible. Overall, the Mets should be one of the best NL teams in 2009. Choking is overrated - the team came up short due to some holes and they've been doing their best this offseason to fill them. And yes, I know Billy Wagner's injured and not going to pitch in 2009. I know I reiterate this kind of thing every time in the disclaimer, but in my experience, disclaimers are rarely read.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/2009_zips_projection_new_york_mets
Not only did the Mets get shortchanged by their bullpen, one of their official sponsors is stiffing them as well, according to a new lawsuit. The Amazin's are suing a Canadian marketing company that hasn't paid for more than $500,000 of advertising at Shea Stadium. Vancouver's Alphatrade became an "Official Sponsor of the New York Mets" in early 2007, agreeing to pay $1,050,000 to place signs in Shea for two seasons.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01122009/news/regionalnews/mets__sponsor_stole_signs_149809.htm
One of the final pieces the Mets need to obtain prior to spring training is a left handed reliever. I would be satisfied with a rebound type of lefty on a minor league contract, they could bring back Ricardo Rincon who is a free agent or someone like that. After all the Mets have a primary lefty in Pedro Feliciano and only need another lefty for early inning situations and when Feliciano is unavailable. But the way the market is working out they maybe able to obtain another solid lefty at a price they're willing to pay.
http://metsfever.blogspot.com/
AAA – Buffalo:
Puerto Rican Winter League Playoffs - Arecibo 6, Santurce 5, 10 innings - Mets farmhand Jesus Feliciano smacked a three-run double and Jorge Padilla doubled twice, collected an RBI and scored a run to lead the Lobos, who opened a 2-1 lead in their semifinal series.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090111&content_id=3739864&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Current voting going on at MiLB.com:
Which prospect had the best winter in the Caribbean leagues?
Michael Antonini 47 votes (11%)
Juan Francisco 100 votes (24%)
Dillon Gee 58 votes (14%)
Jesus Guzman 156 votes (37%)
Gerardo Parra 60 votes (14%)
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp
A – Gnats:
The Savannah Sand Gnats will host their third annual Chili Bowl Cook-Off from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Historic Grayson Stadium. The winning chili recipe will receive a $500 first-place prize with the runner-up earning $250. The cost to enter the cook-off is $50 per team. Proceeds from the entry fee and admission to the event will help benefit America’s Second Harvest. Tickets for the event are $5 in advance and $7 at the gate. In 2007, Big Water Catering and Events of Riverview Drive in Savannah won the first-place prize of $500 out of the eight-team field. Georgetown Woods Apartments took home the second-place prize.
Low A – Clones:
Regular readers may be aware of my admiration for the PR/Fan Relations departments for minor league clubs. Far more so than at the big league level, these people must go beyond conventional means to attract crowds. So today, imagine my piqued curiosity when I learned that the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Rookie-ball team for the New York Mets (my team, my borough), will be changing their name for one night only to… The Baracklyn Cyclones. On Tuesday, June 23rd, the Cyclones will “honor” the President-elect with a day of his own (as if the guy hasn’t been honored already enough by the mass populace. I mean, not to downplay the significance, but… am I the only one who thinks that we’re already thinking about his presidency in the past tense?).
http://umpbump.com/press/2009/01/12/the-baracklyn-cyclones
Saber:
The last thing the blogosphere needs is another cleverly-named projection system for players. And that's exactly why we at Walkoff Walk decided to add our collective voice to the statistical noise: we're just a bunch of jerks. Introducing the first-ever player projection forecasting system that dispenses with the OBPs and the FIPs, instead deciding to group every single player by age and write something mildly interesting about them. We call it BONILLA, or Based On Nothing Interesting, Let's Look At Age.
http://www.walkoffwalk.com/2009/01/walkoff-walk-presents-the-boni-1.html
Fantasy:
I have seen many fantasy “experts” say that Jose Reyes’ numbers are par to sub par in many fantasy leagues. I know that he did have Some let-down numbers in 2007, and had better numbers in most of his categories in 2008, but give me a break. Jose Reyes is still one of the best fantasy shortstops out there. These guys saying he cannot compare to the likes of Hanley Ramirez and Jimmy Rollins is ridiculous. I know Rollins was out and his numbers were down a little but to say Reyes can’t compare is wrong just wrong. Look for Reyes to probably be out there possibly after round 2 or even 3 since some people are just fed up with the Mets, but his numbers are worth starting in all fantasy leagues. As far as pitching for the Mets Johann Santana will be his usual self and will put up amazing fantasy numbers. Every league has different categories, but Santana will give you solid numbers in all categories. Another pitcher who could be a good pick up in later rounds would be John Maine. I am not sure people will take him too soon but if healthy he should supply numbers that could make you happy.
http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=6141
Alumni:
Speaking of Bobby Valentine, you wonder if Rangers President Nolan Ryan might make a pitch to bring Valentine and innovative pitching coach Tom House back to the organization if it doesn't contend in Ron Washington's third season. Valentine has been told his lucrative contract won't be extended beyond 2009, which makes him a candidate to manage in the majors in 2010, if not before '09 is over. He says "when someone calls in the middle of the season, I can talk to them." -- Chicago Tribune
Today Rickey Henderson will receive a phone call telling him he's been elected to the Hall of Fame. I realize it's presumptuous to declare someone's election before the Hall elects him, but ... c'mon. He's going in and everyone knows it. He is one of the players I've been able to follow for virtually his entire career. The 1982 All-Star game was one of my first baseball memories, and in it Henderson led off with a single and scored what turned out to be the American League's only run of the game. Henderson's pursuit of Lou Brock's stolen base record that season was the first baseball event I can remember. One early memory of Henderson that sticks out for me comes from a time the A's appeared on The Game of the Week. Henderson led off an inning, and—as he was prone to do—stole second and third. When a teammate hit a routine fly out, Henderson came home to score. As a kid, I didn't think too much of it. That's what leadoff hitters are supposed to do, right? But Henderson created that run all on his own.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-wonder-of-rickey
Venezuelan Winter League Playoffs - Caracas 3, Zulia 2 - Giants prospect Jesus Guzman drove in two runs and Blue Jays infielder Marco Scutaro scored twice as the Leones improved to 5-3 in the round-robin playoffs.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090111&content_id=3739864&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
General Baseball News:
Other good hitting pitchers that I can remember are Steve Avery, Josh Beckett, and Tom Seaver; all were within the past 30 years, but to look beyond this timeframe go to the Baseball Think Factory and look at their article on pitcher hitting. In my opinion, High School and College pitchers should be held accountable to work on their hitting skills almost as much as they do their pitching. For proof, just look at players like Rick Ankiel of the Cardinals. You just never know!
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