Mets: Bay for Burnett, Danny Muno, Reese Havens, Choo Choo Coleman, Philly Fans on Wilpons

The theory goes like this: the Yankees are looking for a righthanded power bat for a corner outfield spot / DH. Why? Because everyone seems to have forgotten that Andruw Jones was re-signed earlier this winter. Additionally, the Yankees are looking to unload A.J. Burnett, who has been — put lightly — a disappointment. Further, the Yankees suddenly have a surplus of pitching, after signing Hiroki Kuroda and acquiring Michael Pineda. Burnett is excess baggage they are motivated to move for a power bat. From the Mets’ perspective, Bay has also been a disappointment, and he’s an expensive contract to bear for a business going bankrupt. Though they’re not exactly flush with outfielders, the Mets are desperate to rid themselves of any and every multi-year, multi-million dollar contract. The immediate future is looking bleak, and even if Jason Bay returns to his monster form, it’s unlikely to make much difference in the Mets’ fortunes. Additionally, the Mets have very little depth behind their projected 5-man starting rotation — and a few of those projected starters have question marks. Getting another MLB starter is a distinct need, and there are worse options than Burnett — who might benefit from a return to the National League. http://www.metstoday.com/7392/11-12-offseason/should-mets-trade-jason-bay-for-a-j-burnett/

1-20-12 - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2012/01/prospect-pulse-the-2012-st-lucie-mets.html  Danny Muno (SS) - I have been asked if Muno is ready for Advanced-A ball, and I think yes, definitely. He is a very well equipped player who comes from a 4-year, major college program that won the National championship when he was a freshman starting shortstop. He has played off-the-hook so far in his professional career, including smacking NYPL pitching around like a playground bully. I don’t think the difference between the NYPL and the SAL is all that huge, and he will not be challenged by playing in Savannah. St. Lucie will be his landing spot and he should team very nicely with Tovar. In a recent interview with MMO, Muno discussed his drive and motivation: “I plan on being in the big leagues someday in the near future and I need to work on all the little things in baseball everyday, and I particularly need to work on the mental game.”

 1-22-12 - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/#list=rhp -  he was drafted out of the University of South Carolina in 2008, the hope was he’d be a college player who would move quickly. Injuries have been the biggest obstacle, with Havens playing in just 213 games over three-plus seasons. When he has been healthy, he’s been as initially advertised, with a good approach at the plate and a solid all-around bat. He’s also played well at second after being a shortstop in college. If he can stay on the field in 2012, he could be ready for New York in a year.

Fifty years later, out of all of the members of the inaugural 1962 New York Mets team, the details about the life and career of catcher Clarence “Choo Choo” Coleman have remained mysterious, as he disappeared from the public spotlight after leaving baseball.

The 76-year-old Coleman returned to New York for the first time in 45 years for a series of appearances at various memorabilia shows this weekend and Tuesday’s Baseball Assistance Team Dinner at the Marriott Marquis.  http://www.examiner.com/baseball-history-in-new-york/for-choo-choo-coleman-it-s-a-homecoming-long-delayed

For Phillies fans, there exists no greater sense of schadenfreude than taking the utmost delight in the failings of the New York Mets. Nevermind that the club has missed the playoffs for the last five straight seasons despite being consistently over the luxury tax, because now -- in the wake of the team's unfortunate involvement with ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff -- they might not have the necessary cash to continuing over-paying their talent.  http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/NL-East-Mets-prep-lawyers-for-Madoff-hea?blockID=636010&feedID=693