Here's why I have no problem with what (Jose) Reyes did: SNY, for a little over a month, gave us Jose Reyes Batting Race Updates before and after every single game. Met fans wanted this. It was the only thing to look forward to at the end of another disaster of a season. Everybody who has a personal/professional stake in the Mets wanted this to happen. So when Reyes does something to ensure this happens, he gets killed for it? Met fans turn on him and root for Ryan Braun? Is this serious? I get that people were upset that they couldn't say good-bye to Jose Reyes one final time, but we knew his departure was possible for months now and had plenty of time to cheer for him. And if this was such a big deal, then were was the giant walk-up crowd for tickets? Tell me. - http://www.metstradamusblog.com/2011-articles/september/the-jose-reyes-manifesto.html
Mike Baxter — Baxter slammed his first major league home run in the team's final game of 2011, but that's not what makes his story special. He's a local kid, who grew up in Whitestone and attended Archbishop Molly High School in Queens. He even helped the Stanners win the Catholic High School Athletic Association city title in 2002 at Shea Stadium. Baxter is living proof that dreams do come true. - http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-9174449
Alderson did not offer a ringing endorsement of outfielder Angel Pagan, who is a candidate to be non-tendered. After two strong campaigns, Pagan floundered in 2011. His .694 on-base plus slugging percentage was nearly 100 points below his average from 2009-2010. His defense regressed, according to advanced metrics such as Ultimate Zone Rating. Plus, Pagan’s injury woes resurfaced. After completing his first full big-league season in 2010, he played in just in 123 games this year. In all, he left the front office unimpressed. - http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2011/09/mets_constant_rash_of_injuries.html
9-30-11: - With the season over for the Mets, (Chris) Schwinden's offseason began Thursday as he flew back home to Visalia. He's been instructed by the New York Mets organization to not play winter ball and was told to rest during the offseason. He said he'll be in contact with the Mets' brass throughout the offseason and will follow the workout plan that he was given by the team's strength coach. "I reached and went over my innings pitched, so they're just going to have me relax and have me prepare for the offseason," he said. "The big thing, though, during the offseason is fine tuning my mechanics and getting my body in shape. - http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20110930/SPORTS/109300333
J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks -- The D'backs meteoric rise to the MLB Posteason resulted in a thorn in Mets' fans sides finally being dislodged. With Arizona KOing any chance for the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants to repeat, it means this 2011 postseason will be the first since the Collapse of 2007 in which Guillermo Mota will have nothing to do over the next few weeks. Putz didn't exactly win the hearts and minds of the Shea Faithful with an injury-plagued and sub-par tenure, but it was the comments following his departure about his handling by the team's medical staff that finally made the media focus in on what Mets fans knew what a glaring problem under Minaya. That's more than current teammates and Mets expats Xavier Nady and Henry Blanco as well as current D'Backs hitting coach and former Mets bench coach Don Baylor ever contributed, and for that, we thank him. - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/9/30/2459916/a-mets-fans-guide-to-recognizing-your-saints-in-the-2011-mlb-playoffs
Okay, we need to stop at this point and add a few names of ex-prospects that have stumbled but still should be given some kind a chance next year, or almost prospects that are great insurance policies in case someone goes down in Queens.
#36 – OF Fernando Martinez - I’m not going to spend a lot of time here. I truly believe that Martinez had the talent to excel in this business, but his body simply didn’t back up the tools. He has spent more time trying to heal than trying to improve and his only future in baseball now is as a utility bat off the bench. His arthritis has robbed him of his speed and he’s no longer an option in CitiField’s difficult right field. This is sad, but it is also true. The Mets will most probably play him one more year in Buffalo and then, all bets are off. - ETA: out of system in 2013
#37 – RP Brad Holt – let’s not talk anymore here about spilled milk. Holt is now a relief pitcher and is showing some signs that he may someday be successful in this role. He has been erratic, but we’ll give him that for the rest of the season. You will see him in the Binghamton pen next season and, if thigs go well, he’ll finish the season with Buffalo. – ETA: TBD
#38 – RP Robert Carson – Sadly, this is another ex-prospect that has gone in the wrong direction. 2011 has been a miserable year for Carson. He’s given up 82 runs in 119 innings and only has 83 strikeouts. You’re suppose to strikeout more batters than you allow to cross the plate. He also doesn’t have the velo to make it in the Mets pen. No control plus no velo equals no mas. I have him in the Buffalo pen next season, which, IMO, will be his last as a Met. – ETA: out of system in 2013
Rosters So Far:
Buffalo: (9) –SP Chris Schwinden, Collin McHugh, RP Robert Carson, IF Alan Dykstra, Reese Havens, Jordany Valdespin, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Mike Baxter
Binghamton: (9) – SP: Mike Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia, Darin Gorski, RP Josh Edgin, Brad Holt, IF Jefry Marte, OF Matt den Dekker, Cesar Puello
St. Lucie: (10) – SP Greg Peavey, Taylor Whitenton, Angel Cuan, RP Cory Mazzoni, Jack Leathersich, Chase Huchingson, IF Wilmer Flores, Aderlin Rodriguez, OF Cory Vaughn, Gilbert Gomez
Savannah: (3) – SP Akeel Morris, Alex Panteliodis, Erik Goeddel,
Brooklyn: (4) – SP: Michael Fulmer, Juan Urbina, IF Phillip Evans, OF: Brandon Nimmo
Kingsport: (2) – SP Luis Mateo, OF Vincente Lupo
Travis Taijeron:
8-8-11: - http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/news/topstories/index.html?article_id=1204 - TRAVIS TAIJERON - The 18th round selection in the 2011 Draft out of Cal Poly Pomona has been one of the hottest players in the league over the last month. He currently ranks 10th in the NYPL in hitting (.302), third in RBI (33) and home runs (7), is tied for the league lead with 21 extra base hits, and leads the NYPL in slugging (.564). Taijeron has 23 RBI in his last 21 games and is hitting .354 (28-79) since July 17th.
Ruben Tejada:
8-11-11: - http://mets360.com/?p=7550&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mets360%2Ffeed+%28Mets360+Feed%29 - You have to love Tejada’s defense, passion and smarts for the game (excluding last night’s inexplicable baserunning blunder when Tejada did not slide into home on a sacrifice fly), but he’s too limited offensively to get excited about. He’s a good complementary player and not much more than that. In 396 at-bats with the Mets, Tejada has batted .232 to go along with a career OBP of .322. In that time, Tejada has only 19 extra-base hits (one home run) for an incredibly weak .607 OPS. It’s also not like Tejada offsets his lack of power for speed, as he has only three career stolen bases
Brad Holt:
8-11-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/08/baseball-americas-mets-top-10-list-prior-to-2011-where-are-they-now.html - SP – Brad Holt: Lost his starting job because he could not find the strike zone. He was great in his first few starts, but then came the wildness. He totally lost command of the strike zone and never found it again. He was relegated to the bullpen where he has been much better. It doesn’t look like this former first round pick will ever be more than a reliever at this point. - Started 2011: Double-A Currently: Double-A
Mike Baxter:
8-11-11: - http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2011/08/11/2011-08-11_homecoming_king_baxter_makes_first_start.html - Mike Baxter was born in 1984, so when he worked in the outfield before Wednesday night's game with Mookie Wilson, it wasn't quite the dream-affirming experience that it might have been had the newest Met been a few years older. Baxter grew up in Whitestone, Queens, and his favorite Met was John Olerud, in part because the first baseman took the same train to Shea that Baxter took to school at Archbishop Molloy. -
Nadir Crismatt
8-11-11: - http://www.dplbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=244:3-dpl-players-agree-to-terms-with-the-ny-mets&catid=1:latest-news - RHP - Dec 25, 1994; 6'1, 190lb (Trainer - Miguel Delgado)- Miguel Delgado identified Crismatt in Colombia more than 2 years ago, shortly after Delgado took Nadir under his guardianship to the Dominican Republic. Crismatt showed signs of development after a few months of his arrival in DR. As his arm strength and off-speed pitches developed he was selected to play in the DPL. Presently Crismatt doesn’t light up the radar gun but he works with command and pitch ability at 86-89mph, he spins his Curveball well and his Change-up is effective.
Dae-Sung Koo:
On May 21st, 2005 Dae-Sung Koo had his biggest moment in the majors when he hit an unlikely double against future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. Koo would hit a shot over Bernie Williams’ head right after Tim McCarver said that it was "the biggest give-up at-bat." He would then hustle around and score on a Jose Reyes bunt. At that moment he had the Mets fans screaming "Koooooo!" That was when Koo, became a Mets legend. Well, not really. Unfortunately for Koo, 2005 was his only season in the majors. He only pitched in a total of 33 games, and had a 3.91 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 23 innings, but at least he was able to provide Mets fans with a memorable moment from the Subway Series. - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/791417-five-mets-who-you-might-or-might-not-remember-since-the-year-2000#/articles/791417-five-mets-who-you-might-or-might-not-remember-since-the-year-2000/page/4
Mike Baxter:
The 26-year old Baxter was an intriguing waiver steal by the Mets back on July 22nd when they nabbed him from tonight's opponent, the San Diego Padres -- no doubt another player DePo kept an eye on from his time there. The Padres had been stashing him on the 60-day DL since he tore thumb ligaments back in March, but lost him to a numbers crunch when he returned -- probably hoping he'd quietly slip through waivers without any notice. The 26-yr old Queens native was originally drafted in the fourth round -- 128th overall -- in ‘05 after playing first at Columbia and then transferring to baseball powerhouse Vanderbilt. For those wondering, yes he WAS a teammate of fellow Buffalo outfielder Fernando Perez with Columbia. He also teamed with David Price in his junior year with the Commodores - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/8/8/2351884/prospect-spotlight-of-mike-baxter
Tyson Seng:
8-8-11: - http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/news/topstories/index.html?article_id=1204 - TYSON SENG- A 33rd round selection in the 2011 MLB Draft, Tyson Seng has been one of the most effective relievers in the league’s most effective bullpen. The righthander has allowed only two earned runs in 28.0 innings for a 0.64 ERA. Since July 1st, Send has allowed just one earned run and has struck out 29 while compiling a 3-1 record with two saves out of the Brooklyn bullpen.
Ruben Tejada:
8-9-11: - The Mets have seen glimpses of excellence from the 21-year-old Tejada, but still are not convinced he can hit enough to be an everyday player. Tejada, who went 1-for-4 with a single, is batting .250 with no homers and 19 RBIs in 172 at-bats for the Mets this season. Collins said he told Tejada this is his chance. "I said, 'If you approach the game the way you're supposed to here, you'll never see Buffalo again,' " Collins said. "As we've often said, 'This is your chance to show everybody this is where you need to be and where you're going to stay.' - http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/collins_to_tejada_it_your_chance_Ox4v6b4qgbZEblXT9geb1M#ixzz1UXJCPEUJ
Paying Jose:
This latest injury to Jose Reyes’ hamstring puts the nail in the coffin. There is just no way the New York Mets can sign him to a Carl Crawford-like contract with his injury history, nor should they. He’s a wonderful athlete and a wonderful player while on the field, but literally since the day he came to the majors, he’s had problems with his legs. If you recall at one point as a rookie while rehabbing, they even tried to teach him to run differently. Forget the blood disorder or any other aliments he’s had, it’s the recurring leg issues for a player whose biggest attribute is in the fact that he excels in an area of the game that you can’t teach, running, that’s the problem. Reyes had four injury free years from 2005-2008, but that’s sandwiched between years where he just could not stay on the field. Even with that four year stretch where he averaged 158 games, in his nine year career Jose has averaged playing only 113 games per year. Playing only 77 games per year on average for five years spoils the party. If you can’t stay on the field, you can’t produce. If you can’t produce, you can’t get paid. Sorry Jose - http://thexlog.com/201108090812/xtra-bases/mlb/mets-guarantee-daniel-murphy-opportunity-for-starting-spot-in-2012
Mike Baxter:
Buffalo had a horrible night last night, but they might have found themselves a new outfielder. Mike Baxter was signed a few weeks ago and has hit .438 at St. Lucie while getting the kinks out. He played his first game for AAA-Bisons last night and hit a two-run homer (Josh Satin on base after doubling)on his first at bat. The Queens born Baxter is only 26 and easily could be a AAA mainstay in the future.
Akeel Morris:
7-26-11: - http://mets.scout.com/a.z?s=228&p=2&c=1089454&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fmets.scout.com%2f2%2f1089454.html - The Mets' pursuit and eventual selection of Akeel Morris in the 10th round of the 2010 Draft is an atypical story. But in a little more than a year, the hard-throwing teenager has opened eyes throughout the system with his repertoire and his quick growth. Inside Pitch caught up with Morris and the K-Mets coaches to find out more about his story.
George Springer:
MLBTradeRumors.com reports that Houston Astros first round pick George Springer met with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League on Saturday. Springer was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft after an outstanding career at UConn where he led the Huskies to an appearance in the Super Regionals. He hit .343 with 12 homers and driving in 77 runs on the year. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/07/26/uconns-springer-looking-to-play-independent-baseball
Trevor Bauer:
The Diamondbacks today signed Trevor Bauer, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, to a four-year major league contract worth a guaranteed $4.45 million. The deal includes a $3.4 million bonus and a potential value of slightly over $7 million. MLB's recommended bonus for the third overall choice is estimated as $3 million. Bauer is the first player from among the top nine selections in this year's draft to have come to terms. - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2011/07/diamondbacks-sign-bauer
Boras on Carlos:
"This decision for Carlos is about the select group of teams where he feels he has a great chance to win," agent Scott Boras told ESPN.com Tuesday. "That's what this thing is about. Looking for more information on your Mets? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. "We've given Carlos a complete dossier on this. He's a veteran player. He really understands which teams have the metrics for winning and why. If a team came to him and they were not on his short list, I don't think he would go there. I think he has a very clear vision of what he wants to do." - http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/6804972/new-york-mets-carlos-beltran-go-where-chance-win-agent-scott-boras-says?campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines
Outfielder Mike Baxter Joins Bisons
Herd Places RHP Jose De La Torre on the Disabled List
July 26, 2011 –The Buffalo Bisons today have announced that OF MIKE BAXTER has been promoted to the club form Single-A St. Lucie. The team also announced that RHP JOSE DE LA TORRE has been placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder impingement. Baxter, 26, was claimed by the Mets off waivers (San Diego) on Friday, July 22. Since then he has played four games with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets of the Florida State League and hit .438 (7-16) with four RBI. The Padres 4th round pick in the 2005 draft, Baxter led the Triple-A Portland Beavers in nearly every offensive category in 2010. Last year, the Nashville, TN-native hit .301 (145-482) with 30 doubles, 10 triples, 18 home runs, 72RBI, 22 stolen bases and 89 runs scored in 136 games. He appeared in 80 games in the outfield, 46 games at first base, three at third base and 11 at designated hitters for Portland in 2010. Baxter eventually made his major league debut as a September call-up to San Diego in 2010. He hit .125 (1-8) in nine games with the Padres last year. De La Torre is 2-2 with a 1.08ERA in 12 games with the Bisons this season (16.2IP, 13K).
Robin Ventura:
One third baseman that deserves more credit for his accomplishments as a Met than he has gotten is Robin Ventura. Before signing with the Mets, Ventura had spent a decade with the White Sox from 1989-1998. During his time there, he won five Gold Glove Awards and made the All-Star team in 1992. In one memorable moment in 1993, Ventura got hit by a pitch from the legendary Nolan Ryan and charged the mound. However, it was Ryan that punched Ventura six times in the head before the two were separated. - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/770405-new-york-mets-top-10-third-basemen-in-team-history#/articles/770405-new-york-mets-top-10-third-basemen-in-team-history/page/8
Albert Cordero:
7-24-11: - http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110724&content_id=22219694&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb#&tcid=tw_share - After struggling for the first three months of the season, Albert Cordero continued his solid start to the second half of the season Saturday. The Mets catching prospect went 4-for-5 with a homer and a career-high six RBIs as the Class A Savannah Sand Gnats rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Lexington Legends. Cordero, who signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2008, had never recorded more than three RBIs and had plated only six runs in his previous 29 games with the Mets' South Atlantic League affiliate.
Mike Baxter:
OF Mike Baxter: 3-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB; Baxter was a nice waiver steal by the Mets on Friday when they nabbed him from SD, no doubt another player DePo kept an eye on. The 26-yr old Queens native was originally drafted in the fourth round in '05 after playing at Columbia and Vanderbilt. He's no stud -- as evidenced by a career .278 average in the minors -- but he had an excellent .301/382/.517 year at Triple-A in 2010 with 18 hrs and 22 sb's. He's got a nice power/speed game, he doesn't strike out much and best of all he's got outstanding plate discipline from the left side. He was also added to the 40-man so look for him to log lots of innings with Buffalo and, probably at some point in 2012, battle for the 4th-5th OF role. - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/24/2290654/new-york-mets-daily-farm-system-report-7-24-11-lagares-to-double-a
Kyle Allen:
7-24-11: - http://scoutingthesally.com/sally-stock-watch-kyle-allen-slade-heathcott-will-middlebrooks-matt-thompson - Kyle Allen, P, New York Mets – Back in 2009, I was extremely bullish on Mets farmhand Kyle Allen as an example of the type of player the organization should be drafting instead of the low ceiling, small college pitchers they had developed a reputation for. Injuries derailed his 2010 season and he is currently assigned to Port St. Lucie working to regain the form which once earned him placement as one of the Mets top-10 prospects. Since 2009, Allen has averaged just a shade under five walks per nine innings. However, his last start was the best of his young career as Allen tossed eight scoreless innings allowing no walks, no runs and six strikeouts. Additionally, his GO/AO is once again more than 2.0 and his strikeout totals have crept back above 6.5 per nine innings.
Mike Carp:
Mike Carp homered in a second consecutive game Saturday but the Mariners fell to the Red Sox. Carp smacked a three-run homer off Red Sox reliever Franklin Morales on Friday night and took Josh Beckett deep on Saturday. The promising young outfielder was promoted from Triple-A Tacoma in mid-July and should continue seeing more playing time. Seattle, however, has now lost 14 straight games. - http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/334268/baseball-headlines?r=1
