David Wright nose-dived from a career-high 33 homers in 2008 at Shea Stadium to a career-low 10 last year at Citi Field. He also struck out 140 times - becoming only the sixth player in the past 50 years to strike out that much while failing to exceed 10 longballs. The Mets will make a slight ballpark accommodation, lowering the center-field wall in front of the Home Run Apple from 16 feet to eight feet. Wright, unprotected in last year's injury-depleted lineup, should receive better protection with Bay behind him - and feel less pressure, too. The third baseman visited hitting coach Howard Johnson after Thanksgiving to adjust his swing. After being encouraged to wait on pitches and let them go deeper in the strike zone last year, Wright plans to return to a more attacking style at the plate. Health could have been a factor in '09, too, even though Wright has dismissed it. Jerry Manuel noticed Wright grabbing a groin muscle while running the bases last season. - link
The Philadelphia Phillies are hiring energetic, versatile performers to join the 2010 Phanstormers. Phanstormers entertain the crowds at Citizens Bank Park before and during Phillies' home games. They welcome fans to the ballpark, perform Happy Birthdays and participate in prize giveaways. Phillies are looking for outgoing, friendly individuals to join the crew - improvisers, comedians, jugglers, magicians, musicians, etc. A love for baseball is a plus but not a necessity.
Auditions and interviews will be held on Sunday, February 28th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call Chris Long, Director of Entertainment at (215-218-5219) for more information and to schedule an audition.
Please come prepared to have fun and to showcase any special skills & talent. This a non-union, paid position.
Apply for this position
After I'm hired, the plan is to lay in wait until the first time the Mets invade Citizen Bank Park, and then put my evil plan in place.
During the 7th inning stretch, I will unleash my Mr Met t-shirt, get on top of the Philly dugout, and set a Philly Phanatic doll on fire while mooning Chase Utley and singing Meet the Mets.
Who among you has the courage to join me?
link
In 2009, the Mets spent almost $150 million in Major League payroll. Their four-year average Major League payroll for the years 2006 to 2009 was just over $125 million. Let’s compare that to their draft budgeting. I’m limiting the quick study to four years, because that’s the amount of time that general manager Omar Minaya and scouting director Rudy Terrasas have been teamed up. For more on the Mets’ drafting, check out their draft preview. Getting back to the comparison, the Mets spent amounts of $2.5, 3.8, 6.5, and 3.1 million on their 2006 to 2009 drafts for an average annual average of $3.975 million.- link
The unfortunate truth is that draft spending almost always means successful drafting strategy. Going cheap almost never works out in terms of the volume you get out of the draft. Here’s a quick look at which teams have spent the most and least average amount on the draft under their current scouting directors, looking only at the most recent five years for scouting directors with more experience than that. New scouting directors for the 2010 draft and scouting directors with only a single draft under their belt are excluded for better accuracy.
Top Five
1. Pittsburgh Pirates – Greg Smith, $9.35 million
2. San Francisco Giants – John Barr, $7.7 million
3. Boston Red Sox – Jason McLeod, $7.44 million
4. Tampa Bay Rays – R.J. Harrison, $6.875 million
5. Baltimore Orioles – Joe Jordan, $6.64 million
Bottom Five
1. Los Angeles Angels – Eddie Bane, $3.74 million
2. New York Mets – Rudy Terrasas, $3.975 million
3. Los Angeles Dodgers – Tim Hallgren, $4 million
4. Philadelphia Phillies – Marti Wolever, $4.14 million
5. Chicago White Sox – Doug Laumann, $4.45 million – link
Based on the uncertainty of Santos and both the age and lack of production of Blanco, the Mets signed Chris Coste to add more depth and options. Chris had a long minor league career, much like Santos has. In fact, his career spanned parts of 13 seasons. He appeared to be a productive minor league hitter for the most part, rasing questions as to why he was not called up to the big leagues sooner than he was (2006). Like Blanco, he is also more productive against right-handers, although his production is significantly higher all around. Last season Coste seemed to drop off offensively, so perhaps the law of averages will play a role in a rebound for Coste this year. I do believe that Blanco will have to struggle mightily for him to receive much playing time, let alone be on the active 25 man roster.
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