Forget making the park more attractive for Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols. One of the Mets' best players last year -- before an ankle injury ended his year -- was first baseman Ike Davis. Davis may not hold his power gains in 2012, but signing a player who blocks him, when the team has holes at second base, rightfield and a total dearth of pitching, would be a misuse of limited resources. The Mets' hands are tied to some extent due to their failures the last couple of seasons, which have shown up in lowered revenues at the new park. They also are limited by the team-owning Wilpon family's losses off the field, as well as the ongoing legal battle over to what extent the family will have to pay for Bernie Madoff's crimes. If there was a time for Sandy Alderson to invoke Moneyball principles, it's now. He has to find solutions at at least two positions -- three if Reyes, who should have been traded in July, can't be re-signed -- and make both the rotation and bullpen better, and he has a limited amount of money to spend. The one free agent who might make sense to buy is Edwin Jackson, a hard thrower who has been very durable and who is, at 28, young enough to project well over the course of a four-year deal. If the Mets are bringing in the fences, they'll need a better class of starters. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/joe_sheehan/11/02/nl.east.hot.stove.preview/index.html#ixzz1cxsvLmHH
The Na Koa Ikaika Maui, an independent baseball team based in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii, is planning a $100-a-plate dinner on Dec. 3 to raise money for youth baseball. Former New York Mets players Sid Fernandez, Howard Johnson and Wally Backman are scheduled to attend. http://randombaseballstuff.com/2011/11/07/former-mets-scheduled-to-attend-fundraiser-for-hawaiian-youth-baseball
Lucas Duda provides us ample opportunity to write a catchy headline with that fantastic last name and I simply could not resist. Anyway, he is set to open the 2012 season as the Mets opening day right fielder, qualifying in both the outfield and at first base. After posting a strong .368 wOBA over 347 plate appearances during his rookie season, will we be singing Oh Duda Day next year? Duda will be 26 next year so he should not be confused for some young top prospect. However, that just means that he is closer to his prime right now. In 2010 at Triple-A, he was fantastic, posting a .424 wOBA, making decent contact, walking at an above average clip, and displaying massive power with a .295 ISO. He was even better during his short stint at the level in 2011, proving that he was ready to become a full-timer with the big league club. http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/a-duda-day-in-queens-in-2012
Alderson said the team wouldn’t “punt” in 2012, but it doesn’t forecast to a busy winter. And, the team is at least two years from being a legitimate contender. It could be even longer if their financial situation persists, if prospects Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler don’t pan out. and Wright leaves. The Wilpons have gotten better news on that front, but are not in the clear. And, there are never any guarantees when it comes to prospects. The Mets flirted with .500 this season when Reyes was healthy, and there’s reason to believe they could take a step if their pitching improved. There’s also no reason to believe the Mets will spend in that direction. http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/11/reyes%e2%80%99-departure-could-deter-future-fa-signings-for-mets.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29
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