Extended Camp:.
A pair of minor-league managers have been informed they won't return to the organization in 2010, the Daily News has learned. Longtime big leaguer Julio Franco, who managed the Mets' Gulf Coast League affiliate, has been dismissed. Also out: Double-A Binghamton manager Mako Oliveras, who was an ally of fired VP of player development Tony Bernazard. --
NY Daily News
The Mets, on the other hand, convinced themselves that Ryan Church off a concussion, Daniel Murphy off one good major league month and Fernando Tatis off his first productive season in eight years could form the corner outfield of a championship team.
This, I believe, flows from the top. Fred Wilpon is a decent man who wants to see the best. His spirit has infected the organization. There is talk of a free flow of ideas and that people should not be afraid to talk up. But when general manager Omar Minaya was hired, the two most internal critical voices in the organization, Al Goldis and Bill Livesey, were removed. In their place, Minaya turned to pals Sandy Johnson and Bryan Lambe.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/realistic_way_to_re_tool_mets_eie8P66tlfn1iJr87oqsqK/0
David Wright never needed a day off more than the one Jerry Manuel gave him here yesterday. The Mets' All-Star third baseman was conspicuously absent from the 4-0 win over the Marlins, less than 24 hours after Wright's shockingly uncharacteristic lack of hustle prompted a personal apology to his teammates and a postgame Manuel tongue-lashing. Wright had loafed into home with two out in the fifth inning Saturday night, and his nonchalance proved costly because he failed to reach the plate before Jeff Francoeur was thrown out at second in an eventual 9-6 Mets loss. Manuel has seen more than his share of mental gaffes this season, but he considered this one "unacceptable [and] unallowable" for a player of Wright's stature in the clubhouse. -- NY Post
Is there any way to get rid of Pat Burrell? Short of swallowing his $9 million salary and cutting him? It's not going to be easy, but don't discount the creativity of exec VP Andrew Friedman. The Rays could slice the price by agreeing to eat some of the money, but first they'll look for trading partners seeking to move similarly bad contracts, such as Milton Bradley (Cubs) or Oliver Perez (Mets). There's also a theory that Burrell, heading back into free agency, will return much more motivated and in better shape. -- St. Petersburg Times
know Met fans will clamor for a Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, and I previously have advocated the versatility of Chone Figgins. But Figgins likely will take a three-year contract, and Bay and Holliday much more than that at huge dollars. And in a post-Madoff world, the Mets cannot afford this and a starting pitcher (think signing a John Lackey or trading for a Carlos Zambrano). Instead, they will have to do as best as they can under the circumstances. I think, for example, they could probably do Rod Barajas, Nick Johnson and Mark DeRosa for around $15 million total next year. It's not great. But neither is the Mets' financial picture. You do the best you can under the circumstances. -- NY Post
World Cup:
Team USA took advantage of a critical error by Cuba with two outs in the seventh inning Sunday on its way to a 10-5 win in the gold medal game of the World Cup in Nettuno, Italy.
After the Cubans rallied back to tie the game at 4 with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, the Americans had two on and two out in the seventh when an error by Cuba first baseman Ariel Borrero allowed the U.S. to score the go-ahead run. From there, the Americans came through with one clutch hit after another on their way to a six-run frame that assured them of a second consecutive World Cup title against the powerhouse Cubans.
Jutin Smoak and John Weber hit back-to-back RBI singles to knock legendary Cuban reliever Pedro Lazo out of the game. Terry Tiffee, Josh Kroeger and Lucas May continued the onslaught with three straight RBI hits. In all, 11 batters came to the plate, and the Cubans needed four pitchers to get through the frame
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090927&content_id=7186440&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Draft:
While Bryce Harper and Jameson Taillon dominated the reports from the USA Baseball 18-and-under team trials, a number of lesser-known players also had good performances which landed them on the roster.
Though his speed was mediocre at best, outfielder Brian Ragira impressed scouts with solid swing. Ragira is also intriguing because at 6'2" and only 175 lbs, there's plenty of room to fill out.
Taillon may throw harder than Karsten Whitson, but one scout felt Whitson's fastball was the best because of its movement. Whitson was still throwing 94, not shabby at all. His slider was also impressive, but Whitson did not demonstrate good command of the pitch.
At 5'10" and only 165 lbs, Tony Wolters is not the ideal size for a major league prospect. However, Wolters showed a solid bat at the trials along with above-average speed. His defense is good enough to allow him to play second base and maybe even shortstop.
Nick Castellanos is currently playing third base, but will likely end up at first base as a professional. Nevertheless, Castellanos' hitting was very impressive, pulling the ball and going to opposite field with equal effectiveness.
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