12/22/11

Albert Cordero, Danny Muno, GCL Mets, Jose Reyes, Mike Cameron


12-19-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/12/19/2622862/2011-mets-minor-league-season-in-review-savannah-sand-gnats - C Albert Cordero - STOCK UP - 2011 was an excellent season for the long-term value of Cordero in the catching-starved Mets organization. With growing expectations coming into the year, Cordero was slow out of the gates to say the least. However, things changed after he made some adjustments at the plate around the All-Star Break: That pretty much says it all. Oh except for his 24 of 36 baserunners caught stealing (40%). All in all, it was a very strong season for Cordero as he emerged as the top prospect on this Savannah club.

12-7-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com  - Fresno State SS Danny Muno has good plate discipline, a little bit of speed, and enough defensive chops to hang at any infield spot, though I prefer him at second. He absolutely destroyed New York-Penn League pitching – compared to all Mets minor leaguers, he came in first in both BA and OBP and second in SLG – and likely positioned himself to start next season at St. Lucie. Considering their long-standing devotion to putting together strong teams in Brooklyn, the Mets must have been thrilled to have Muno tear it up for the Cyclones. Expectations have raised some, but if this is Muno’s peak, I’m sure the Mets could live with the return they’ve already enjoyed on their $10,000 investment.

In truth, the Mets eliminating one of the minor league teams isn’t that big of a deal. Coinciding with the prevalent money issues; the upcoming Madoff trial; the $40 million bridge loan the Wilpons recently took from Bank of America; that they’ve yet to pay back the $25 million loan of a year ago from MLB itself; that they let Jose Reyes walk without a fight; and have spent little on Major League players this winter—among many other things—makes the decision to dump the single A team simply look bad. The elimination of one of the Mets nine minor league teams isn’t going to cut enough money out of their spending that it’s going to make a significant difference to organizational finances. As the Times piece says, the Mets were one of three Major League franchises with nine affiliates; the decision, as Jim Duquette says, is more philosophical than cost-cutting. I think it’s more cost-effective to keep or expand the reach into the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and even places like Africa and the Middle-East than it is to have that extra A team with a load of players who—barring a sudden growth spurt; the discovery of a new pitch; a mechanical tweak at the plate or on the mound; or some other unforeseen stroke of luck—have almost zero chance of making it to the big leagues. http://paullebowitz.com.previewyoursite.com/blog/?p=3446&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The four-time All-Star shortstop, Jose Reyes has recently signed a six-year $102 million contract with the Miami Marlins, stepping into a new team to prove his excellence as an accomplished shortstop. Prior to this multi-million dollar deal with the Miami Marlins, he was part of the New York Mets where he had an impressive .337 average, which also enabled him to win the first battling title. While the deal with the Marlins was a complex affair initially, the fogs of uncertainty dispersed with his agreeing to the six years contract. “It's a perfect situation in Miami,” Reyes said. “We have a lot of talent there and the new stadium, the weather, close to Dominican, a lot of Spanish people there, so I think I'm going to like it and enjoy it as much as I can.” http://blogs.bettor.com/Jose-Reyes-From-New-York-Mets-to-the-Miami-Marlins-a119643

Signed OF-R Mike Cameron to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. [12/21]  It looked like Cameron was at the end of the line after being designated for assignment by the Red Sox and released by the Marlins—ostensibly over a verbal altercation with a flight attendant—over a 2 ½-month period late last season. At age 38, and with two seasons of ineffective play and injury issues behind him, he appeared to be facing forced retirement, and retrospective appreciations of his largely overlooked body of work began to pop up across the internet.  As those posts pointed out, a number of factors have conspired to keep Cameron’s Q Score low. He hits for low averages and strikes out a lot, which doesn’t endear him to old-school fans. From 2000-2007, a period that contained much of his prime, Cameron played in Safeco Field, Shea Stadium, and Petco Park, three of the least favorable offensive environments in baseball. Finally, much of his value is tied up in defense, which hasn’t always garnered the proper appreciation. With a few more FRAA, Cameron could pass Gary Pettis and Jim Busby to claim one of the 10 highest fielding value figures among center fielders since 1950.- http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15723

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