Mets: Met’s 1st ST, Wilpon’s Folly, Jason Bay, Jordany Valdespin

When the Mets reported for spring training at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg, Florida they were a collection of washed up players and youngsters not ready for the majors. In order to spark interest in the team, Weiss had used the expansion draft to acquire former New York big leaguers whom the fans remembered. Among them were former Brooklyn Dodgers Gil Hodges, Don Zimmer, Charlie Neal and Roger Craig. The team also drafted Yankees Gene Woodling and Marv Throneberry who would come to be known as ‘Marvelous.’ Despite the makeup of the roster, Weiss went into spring training with a positive attitude and tried to get Stengel to do the same. In an interview with Sports Illustrated it was reported that he though the team had a chance to be competitive. ‘I told Casey and the coaches that they have to keep telling these fellows, both the old ones and the youngsters, that they’ve got a chance, that it doesn’t take too much to be a winner in this even-up league,’ he is quoted as saying. http://calltothepen.com/2012/02/12/casey-stengel-and-the-mets-first-spring-training/

So it is time to get into the electronic age if you haven’t already. Download an e-reader or two of your choice. Head over to Amazon.com and spend the $2.51 to buy the kindle edition of Wilpon’s Folly. You will understand the Mets better. You will understand baseball better and how team ownership really works. You will learn about the business and economics of the sport. I will guarantee you that this will be the best $2.51 you will ever spend. Remember: reading is important. Reading baseball is even better. But reading baseball and getting a business and legal education at the same time- now that is taking it to a whole new level. Congrats Howard Megdal. Thank you for giving the world Wilpon’s Folly. If only the Mets had 30,000 more of you in the stands- the baseball world could really become orange and electric blue. http://mlbreports.com/2012/02/12/review-wilpon/  

Twelve months ago, after his first year with the Mets brought six home runs (that’s after he hit 36 for Boston in 2009, earning the big free-agent deal from the Mets) and a season-ending concussion in July, Bay stood in front of his locker in Port St. Lucie and predicted he would hit 30 homers in 2011. He hit 12. Now, Bay is eating an egg-white omelet in the Westchestery town of Kirkland, at a restaurant down the hill from his house. This is after he sweated and panted through a morning session with his personal trainer in nearby Bellevue. In between bites, he does it again: “Can I hit 30 home runs?” he says, reminded of last year’s prognostication. “I 100% think it’s possible. No question.” http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/big-apple-struggles-ny-mets-slugger-jason-bay-sees-brighter-days-article-1.1020983#ixzz1m7aiU7ZT

2-9-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/2/9/2786300/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects-10-6   - IF Jordany Valdespin - Much like Lagares, the 24-yr old Valdespin is a bit of a polarizing figure thanks to his hit-or-miss skill set. Specifically, his awesome raw ability was on display big time in 2011 as he finally put together all of the tools that he'd only flashed in the past. He set career highs in doubles, homers, stolen bases, slugging and OPS and most impressively did so between Double and Triple-A. Using his quick, buggy whip-style stroke from the left side -- think Brett Gardner -- he was able to shoot balls to all fields while creating more than enough bat speed to pull them over the wall. In short, he showcased the kind of all-around offensive skill set that you just don't often see from middle infielders, minors or majors. However, his dynamic style of play can tend to border on out-of-control and nowhere is that more clear than in the field. The highly athletic Valdespin possesses more than enough arm and foot speed to handle short but thus far he's had a very hard time limiting the errors there or even from second, where he's seen a lot more reps. Additionally, as has been his issue in the past his plate discipline was not good. He walked in just 3.5% of his plate appearances with Buffalo while striking out over 22%. However, he did show a very solid improvement in both categories in his time with Binghamton, though he remained susceptible to good breaking stuff. Ultimately, I think of Valdespin like the anti-Tejada: He's old, not disciplined -- in the field or at the plate -- and isn't known for great makeup. However, he features the kind of all-around athleticism, broad skill set and subsequent production in the high minors that Ruben can only dream of. While his flaws can obviously undermine him, his ceiling likely resembles the 2011 4.0 fWAR version of Erick Aybar.