Mets News
On this date 43 years ago, Tom Seaver signed with the Mets for a $50K signing bonus. Seaver originally agreed to a deal with the Braves, but the contract was voided due to Seaver's status as an amateur at USC. After being ruled ineligible at USC, and the Braves were forbidden from signing Seaver, any team willing to match the original $50K signing bonus were included in a lottery for the rights to the future hall-of-famer. The Phillies, Indians and Mets literally had their names placed in a cap and the Mets were selected
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com
Daniel Murphy must improve or he'll be very bad in left field. He had just 404 innings in left and cost the Mets three runs relative to an average left fielder. In regular duty, he'll get at least three times as many innings. Looking at it another way, he misplayed five deep fly balls last year and that easily could be 15 this year unless he either gets better or plays with his back near the wall. Expected cost for a full season: about a win or two.
http://web.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090331&content_id=1496897&oid=36018&vkey=9
With all the recent fascination on who is the "real Ryan Church," the Mets real Jekyll-and-Hyde character from last year has gone seemingly overlooked. On June 25th, 75 games into the season, Carlos Delgado was hitting .229/.306/.396. Suddenly, for many Mets fans, Mike Carp passed him on the depth charts. Then, returning to the lineup on the 27th as the DH, Delgado launched a 2-HR 9-RBI assault on the Yankees. From that point forward, he posted a .308/.392/.626 line and had suddenly became a MVP candidate. What happened? Did he merely respond better to his new manager? That's unlikely. Was his wrist finally healed? I don't know. Ultimately, it's hard to say. Instead we can concern ourselves with whether he can repeat his fantastic second-half numbers in 2009.
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/4/3/817645/2009-player-preview-carlos-delgado
Clearly the biggest news of the Mets 2009 season is the new stadium. The auld "Come Up With Your Best, Derisive Name Symbolising the Whorish Embarrassment Suffered By The Stadium's Sponsor" Field. Sure, every one from suicidal stockbrokers to unemployed car salesman are whingeing about tradition, dimensions, food, queues to the toilets, ticket costs, angle of the sunshine, decibel level of La Guardia take offs, absence of great pubs in the vicinity of the stadium, the 7 train, and the quality of the infield dirt of the new stadium. But it's a new stadium. Shea was destroyed. Move on. And bring a bigger wallet.
http://archiebunkersarmy.blogspot.com/2009/04/mets-in-2009-poor-mans-guide-to.html
Our projections for this year's National League standings aren't likely to receive much brotherly love from Philadelphia, the home of the defending World Champions. That's because PECOTA sees the Phillies finishing with 87 wins, second to the Mets in the NL East and a game short of the Wild Card. Their offense is slated to match last year's number three ranking in scoring, but the pitching is poised for a major drop, from third in runs allowed to 10th. It's not that the staff hasn't seen upgrades; a full year of Joe Blanton and a more or less league-average expectation from fifth-starter candidates Chan Ho Park and J.A. Happ make for a stronger back end of the rotation. Their problems begin with the improbability of Cole Hamels matching last year's 3.09 ERA over a career-high 227 innings (plus another 35 in the postseason); we've got him down for 3.65 and 180, and note that he's already paid a visit to the doctor. The system also sees considerable regression for bullpen studs Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson. If there's room for optimism, it's that 46-year-old freak of nature Jamie Moyer practically broke PECOTA, and our 5.16 ERA forecast is based upon a dearth of comparable players.
http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8688
The Mets are only too eager to leave behind Shea’s musty tunnels and outmoded facilities and move into their new digs at Citi Field, which has deluxe amenities like a new cold therapy pool, for starters. Told about the training area, which boasts an enormous sauna, a hot tub and a pool with a submersible treadmill, Ryan Church said he may consider taking his family there on vacation. “All I need is a TV,” Church said. “Can we go now? Please?”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/sports/baseball/03mets.html?_r=1&ref=sports
Prospects :
Scouting book has raised P Jon Niese to the 119th overall position…
http://www.scoutingbook.com/?rss-up4/3/2009
P Scott Moviel re-tore his meniscus and is on the way to NYC for surgery.
Mets Alumni:
When the Cubs started trading for guys in the offseason, everybody thought it would be to stockpile talent for a run at Jake Peavy. Instead, the Cubs traded Ronny Cedeno, Felix Pie and Garrett Olson for the former New York Met, Aaron Heilman. Two good things did come out of these moves. One, the Cubs don’t have to rely on Bob "Gas Can" Howry anymore. Secondly, Ronny Cedeno is no longer over sliding second base on walks. Heilman wanted to be a starter in New York, but the Mets never really gave him a shot. So, he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners this offseason in the J.J. Putz deal. It looked like a great deal for right-hander, because the Mariner rotation was thing, and he might finally get his chance to break into a rotation. Well, you know what they say about counting your chickens. I hope Heilman didn’t sign any leases while he was Northwest, because Jim Hendry swooped in traded for a man he wanted for some time.
http://www.goatriders.org/player-previews/2009/Aaron-Heilman
Saber:
Many announcers will watch a player give up 5 runs in 5 innings of work and say he needs to make adjustments to get better, but he had 4 strikeouts and only one walk. These are often a case of tough luck hits against and bad luck. A good case is again Dan Haren, with that amazing K/BB his ERA is 4.40. As for hitters we want to see good contact rates and a good eye. Power is good, but often against lower level pitchers the power can be deceiving. A good example is Colby Rasmus who appears to be headed for a job coming out of spring (not official yet). His line right now is .280/.368/.451, but he is tied for the spring training lead in strikeouts with 25. He is an extreme case, but the point is that analysts continue to ignore numbers like BABIP and K/BB. When I read spring stats I look at strikeouts and walks for both pitcher and hitters. I pay attention to SLG, but I take it with a grain of salt.
http://www.rotosavants.com/2009/04/how-to-actually-read-spring-stats.html
Draft:
Mack’s Top 10 2B in the 2009 Draft:
2B:
1. Scooter Gennett - Sarasota HS… very strong arm, runs extremely well… 6.77 in 60… 87 mph throw to first… signed letter of intent for FSU… 2007: .440, 31 runs, 12 doubles, 5 HRs… 5-10, 170… very quick feet… also, is decent pitcher…
2. LeVon Washington, CF/2B… Buchholz HS; Gainesville, FL - Specs: 5′10, 170, Bats L, Throws R… fast… 6.21 60-yard dash… signed with Florida…
3. Greg Folgia - Junior… Missouri… 5-10, 194… S/R… 2008: led team with 63 runs scored, 4 triples, and 47 walks… also pitched and played left field…
4. Stephen Batts - East Carolina… senior… 6-0, 195… 2008: .333 (80-for -240) with 10 home runs, 45 RBI and 65 runs scored…
5. Ryan Schimpf - LSU… S/S… 5-9, 181… junior… 2008: .320 (80-for-250) with 18 doubles, seven triples, 12 homers and 54 RBI…
6. Kyle Seager - North Carolina… junior… 6-1/187… also plays 3B… L/R… second team All-America in 2008… .381 (45-118) with 32 RBI in 29 ACC games… considered a pure hitter… pro arm… had shoulder surgery in past… 2009 thru 4-1-09: .376, 1HR, 11 doubles, 20 RBIs in 28 G, .523 slug%, .461 OBP, 6-6 SB… good overall hitting ability though only limited power…
7. Chad Kettler - Coppell HS; Coppell, TX. 6′1, 190, Bats B, Throws R… current plays shortstop but prospects out as a second baseman… hits for average from both sides… some pop…
8. David Nick - Cypress HS… 6-2, 190… also plays short… BA ranks him the 49th overall 2009 prospect… verbally committed to UCLA… 6.8 60-yd dash… limited arm strength will move him to right side of diamond…
9. Brandon Sizemore - College of Charleston… senior… 2008: hit .325 with 20 homers and 80 RBI last season, while picking up 24 doubles and 11 stolen bases… named preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association…
10. Corey Jones, Junior, California State University – Fullerton junor… 6-0, 195… L/R… played half of 2008 games as DH… hit .302…
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