I May Be Wrong, But… Gary Carter, R.A. Dickey, Chris Schwinden, Lucas Duda

The Mets announced they plan to honor Hall of Famer Gary Carter on April 5 prior to the season opener vs. the Braves at Citi Field. Members of his family will throw out the first ball. Carter should have died pulling a Mets paycheck. If you can employ Wally Backman… well, you know where I’m going. Carter had his hiccup with the Mets when I was “out of the loop” recovery from a brain injury. David Rubin filled me in a few weeks ago and I then went on line and read all about the Art Howe-Keith Hernandez thing. With respect for the dead, it did seem that Carter went too far but guess you have to be there to determine if it was enough to be removed from the organization he loved. And, wasn’t it Hernandez that cried on camera when Carter died? Hmm. I hope he calls in sick on opening day. 

 R.A. Dickey wrote in his book that came out this week that he was abused as a child. Some of us that follow this team still thing he is. It takes a lot of strength to write something like this and then, publish it. Most just write it to get it off their chest and then throw the manuscript in the bottom draw of their desk. R.A. has had a hell of a twelve months… Mets, mountains, and memoirs (Dickey pitched in an intrasquad game Tuesday: 8.0IP, 7-H, 1-ER, 1-BB, 5-K, 105-P, 70-strikes). 

 Well, Chris Schwinden had one of those outings yesterday that every prospect dreads. You’re just about to be told to pack your bags and you’re coming north and you go out and toss a bad outing. I have had Chris as a long guy/SP6 that would come along in case either Johan Santana needs relief, or Mike Pelfrey doesn’t come around. Will this outing hurt him? It won’t help. 

It’s starting to come quite apparent that Lucas Duda is going to be the home run leader of this team in 2012. That makes you a #4 hitter in my book. There seems to be a good chance that Duda, David Wright, Daniel Murphy, and Ike Davis can combine for 100-HRs and 400-RBIs this season. Now, all we have to do is get 20/80 out of Jason Bay and this team may just win a few games they lost last year.

Mets: Frank Francisco, Michael Fulmer, Gary Carter, Matt Harvey

Frank Francisco - Let's welcome Frankie Frank to the team, especially since he saves us from the heartburn Captain Fastball was set to provide us. Now Bobby Parnell isn't even second on the bullpen depth chart. Suddenly, the team has a capable closer, and an obvious handcuff in Ramon Ramirez. It's the perfect setup for a late-draft strategy. Draft Francisco late and enjoy his dominance of the weaker league -- and his first time calling a non-bandbox home -- and keep an eye out for Ramirez, who will be interesting when Francisco takes his yearly vacation on the disabled list. He's going with the 234th pick (ranked 317th) and should rack up 30 saves and nice ratios. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/2/14/2795663/fantasy-mets

 2-10-12 - http://seedlingstostars.com/2012/02/10/s2s-2012-team-prospect-lists-new-york-mets/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter   - Starting Pitcher #4 : Michael Fulmer. The 44th overall pick in 2011, Fulmer is a high school righthander with a solid fastball/curve combination. For what it’s worth, he struck out ten of the 31 batters he faced in the GCL in his pro debut. He’s far away from the majors and doesn’t project as a front-of-the-rotation guy, but if things go well, he could be a mid-rotation workhorse. Grade: B

Howard Johnson remembers Gary Carter standing on the dugout steps in the 10th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series before he sparked the Mets’ famous rally against the Red Sox. “He said, ‘There’s no way I’m going to make the last out of the World Series,’ ” Johnson said after the Hall of Fame catcher died yesterday at 57. “And with Gary, more than just about anyone else, you believed him. He was the ultimate competitor.” And it was that fighting spirit that he brought to his battle against the brain cancer. “If you could mold yourself after one person, both as an individual and an athlete, it should be Gary Carter,” said another former Mets’ teammate, Wally Backman, now the manager at Triple-A Buffalo. “He was the guy. He was the perfect combination of a great player but an even better person. There was no one I would rather have as a teammate. … He was like a big brother to me.”  http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/remembered_as_warrior_on_the_field_4OevssOLDncHIcP1reKDXO#ixzz1mdvhHs1U

Matt Harvey wants to take it slow this spring: Keep the expectations modest and hope for the best. Cracking the rotation is not an option for the Mets’ 2010 top draft choice, but showing the organization enough to maybe earn a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo isn’t out of the question. Whatever the case, Harvey is out to demonstrate that his struggles last summer, after jumping from Single-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton, were more about nerves than ability. “I think I put a little too much pressure on myself moving up,” said Harvey, who finished 5-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 12 starts at Double-A. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/harvey_measuring_his_expectations_2tuNFZ39HjzOMhhlLYXw6M#ixzz1mdwDPnt7

Mets: Travis Taijeron, Zack Wheeler, Ike Davis, Gary Carter

1-23-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects   #46) OF Travis Taijeron - Taijeron (pronounced like 'Tyrone') was the Mets 2011 18th rounder selection out of Cal Poly Pomona. As the center fielder for the Tritons, the sturdy-built Taijeron (6'2", 200lbs) showed off his powerful game with 16 bombs and a ridiculous .744 SLG as he battled for Div. II Player of the Year honors. And he kept right on hitting in pro ball, leading the NYPL in slugging and ISO (.258) while placing third overall in home runs in 56 games.  It's become very clear that Taijeron possesses plus-power potential. The problem is that he strikes out...a lot. He'll have to improve that 28.5 K% if he's going to have success at the higher levels though his long swing from the right side will likely always lead to high K-rates and low averages. He does help negate that with solid plate discipline (see, 9.8 BB%). And though the athletic 22-yr old played some center for the Cyclones he profiles as a corner guy. But based on his very real raw power alone he was a very nice mid-round value and remains worth watching come 2012.

1-27-12: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6509  2. RHP Zack Wheeler -Baseball-Reference Player Profile - Wheeler, the sixth pick in the 2009 draft out of a Georgia high school, came over to the Mets in late July, 2011 in a straight up trade for OF Carlos Beltran. Beltran wasn’t able to jump start the Giants offense and get them into the playoffs before becoming a free agent, while the Mets picked up one of the better young pitching prospects in the game. In fact, Wheeler and Matt Harvey (above) could easily be termed Top Prospects No. 1a and No. 1b, as they are very similar in raw stuff and big league ceiling, with Harvey having the slight edge due to having pitched successfully at a higher level. Harvey is also only 10 months older than Wheeler, who was an older high school draft. Wheeler, a 2008 PG/Aflac All-American, pitched for the East Cobb program in the summer and fall during his high school years and had a long track record of consistent improvement, not to mention good health and sound pitching mechanics, leading up to the 2009 draft. Wheeler is one of the rare pitchers that’s able to sit in the mid-90s for long stretches of time instead of just touching that level now and again. He throws with a pronounced downhill angle from an extended high three-quarters release point that gives his upper-70s curveball even bigger shape and makes it a second strike out pitch. His change up and slider are improving pitches. Wheeler’s command improved significantly after his trade and that could be the most significant factor in his eventually surpassing Harvey as a prospect and future big league pitcher.

 Personally, my fingers are crossed that Ike Davis comes back without any issues whatsoever, and I’m hoping for the best. But, one has to believe that there will be some kind of downgrade in performance — at the very least, more limited mobility in the field and/or decrease in Ike’s already slow running speed. If that’s the worst of his problems, it won’t be a big deal, since a slugging first baseman doesn’t need to run fast and doesn’t need to have Ozzie Smith -like range in the field. However, the feet do play a role in hitting, so we’ll have to keep an eye on Ike’s swing mechanics. http://www.metstoday.com/7403/11-12-offseason/mets-spring-training-question-21-ike-davis/

When the Palm Beach Atlantic University baseball team plays its season opener Thursday night at Roger Dean Stadium, the No. 8 jersey of head coach Gary Carter will hang in the dugout. Carter is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer that has sapped his strength at a frightening pace. So his Sailfish players don't expect him to wear the uniform or join them on the bench. But if he can make it to the game, they said, his mere presence will be as uplifting to them as it was in September, when they saw him for the first time since he was diagnosed with cancer in May. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/2134506.html

Baseball: Addison Reed, Pitchers and Catchers, Gary Carter, Cholesterol

Addison had no trouble staying under the radar as a 3rd round selection out of San Diego State University from 2010.  Being a teammate of Stephen Strasburg will do that to you.  In 2011, however, his sleeper status evaporated as he rolled through four minor league levels, starting in Single A Kannapolis through Triple A Charlotte   in 2011, eventually landing in the majors.  Reed struck out 111 batters in 78.1 innings pitched while walking only 14 over those four levels.  During 2011′s whirlwind tour through the minor leagues, Reed’s ERA never scored higher than 1.59.  Though with a pitifully low amount of data, his 7 major league innings saw his ERA jump to 3.38 while striking out 12 and walking just one with a painfully low ground ball rate at 20% and a sky-high .474 BABIP.  So Reed does have to prove that he’s ready for primetime yet. http://baseballinstinct.com/

One of the magical phrases for baseball fans is "pitchers and catchers report." This is the day when those players report for the first team workout of the year.Typically pitchers and catchers report first, ahead of other players, due the long term nature of a pitchers' work plan. When that date is within reach, fans allow ourselves to move the baseball caps and replica jerseys from the back of the closet to the front. Some of us start looking for season tickets to arrive in the mail or eagerly await single games to go on sale. You start looking at what your team has done over the past few months and start to get excited about the upcoming year. http://the42bus.blogspot.com/2012/01/pitchers-and-catchers.html

He was known as "The Kid" for his youthful, upbeat manner. A native Californian, he attended Sunny Hills High School -- how perfect -- in Fullerton before launching his professional career with the Montreal Expos at 20 in 1974. He would spend 11 more seasons in Canada before joining the Mets in 1985, the essential missing piece in a historic puzzle. Your well-traveled correspondent, a columnist for the New York Post at the time of the Mets' rise to prominence, dubbed Carter "Kid Sunshine." He seemed to like it. Things could get dark around those freewheeling, high-octane Mets at times. But there always was a light, an aura, surrounding the space occupied by No. 8. http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120126&content_id=26478476&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym

Ron Noy, a New York-based sports orthopedist, said weight inevitably increases stress on lower extremity joints, such as hips, knees and ankles, as well as the lower spine. The force across these joints increases up to eight times their weight during competition, so more weight means a higher likelihood of meniscus tears, hip labral tears and impingements. The degenerating joints then become "more susceptible to irritation that can result in swelling and decreased performance or increased need for days off," Noy said. Jeff Kotterman, director of the National Association of Sports Nutritionists, said any team that invests $200 million in a single player probably ought to hire him a personal nutritionist, too, if not a personal chef, though even that might not do the trick. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204661604577185101342728264.html?mod=djemMTIPOFF_h

Mets: Matt Harvey, Payroll Drop, John Franco, Gary Carter, Juan Lagares

1-26-12: - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?partnerId=aw-6182194846943667814-996  - Scouting report: Some were concerned about Matt Harvey’s delivery issues and the resulting command problems he had coming out of North Carolina, leading to the conclusion he might be a reliever in the future. That talk has quieted some with the success he had in his first season. He commands his fastball much better now and has a plus breaking ball as well. His changeup has improved, though there’s still room for growth there. He can still improve his overall command, though there’s more confidence he’ll do so and be a starting pitcher long term. He made good adjustments to a higher level after struggling when he first got to Double-A last year

After general manager Sandy Alderson revealed the organization lost $70 million last year, the Mets appear poised to have the biggest one-year payroll drop in MLB history -- roughly $52 million. That would surpass the former record: $48.4 million by the Texas Rangers from 2003 to 2004, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Marlins from 2005 to 2006 had the biggest reduction by percentage, trimming nearly 75 percent of their payroll, but the total was $45.4 million. http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7495383/new-york-mets-largest-payroll-dropoff-ever

John Franco will become the 26th member of the Mets Hall of Fame, the team announced Thursday. Franco, a native of Brooklyn, spent 14 years with the club, appearing in 695 games and amassing 276 saves. His 424 career saves rank fourth in major league history. “I am truly honored and humbled by this,” Franco said in a conference call. He said the induction meant more to him because he rooted for the Mets when he was a child. Franco, who retired in 2005, has stayed active with the Mets’ organization, mostly in community activities and charity events. Last season, however, he took time to advise Bobby Parnell, who was learning how to be a closer. Franco said Thursday it was unlikely he would take on any coaching duties anytime soon. http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/

1-27-12 – http://www.213milesfromshea.com/2012/01/27/get-to-know-a-mets-minor-league-player-juan-lagares/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Juan Lagares is a member of the Mets’ large group of young, far away prospects. Lagares has been in the Mets system since 2006 when he was only 17 years old (played in the Mets Dominican Team). Since then he has worked up the Mets system, reaching AA last season. In terms of his progression since playing in America (2007), his batting average and power (doubles, homers, SLG) have improved every season (with the exception of 2009, where his power dipped a bit). Statistically speaking, last season was by far his best as he destroyed A+ ball, and then did even better at the AA level:  St. Lucie: 308 AB, 51 R, 104 H, 15 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, .338 BA, .380 OBP, .494 SLG   B-Mets: 162 AB,  21 R, 60 H, 11 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, .371 BA, .391 OBP, .512 SLG  - In his last season, his hitting pace really increased as did his slugging. There has been a lot of buzz that Juan is knocking down the door to be named a top 10 prospect in the Mets system, and it will probably happen if he has another year in AA like he did last season. In 2012 he’ll be 23 and with a positive year, depending on how positive and the health of the Mets, he could be looking at a late season call up, to competing for a spot on the 2013 roster (and entering starting talk in 2014).

Mets: Matt Harvey, Payroll Drop, John Franco, Gary Carter, Juan Lagares

1-26-12: - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?partnerId=aw-6182194846943667814-996  - Scouting report: Some were concerned about Matt Harvey’s delivery issues and the resulting command problems he had coming out of North Carolina, leading to the conclusion he might be a reliever in the future. That talk has quieted some with the success he had in his first season. He commands his fastball much better now and has a plus breaking ball as well. His changeup has improved, though there’s still room for growth there. He can still improve his overall command, though there’s more confidence he’ll do so and be a starting pitcher long term. He made good adjustments to a higher level after struggling when he first got to Double-A last year

After general manager Sandy Alderson revealed the organization lost $70 million last year, the Mets appear poised to have the biggest one-year payroll drop in MLB history -- roughly $52 million. That would surpass the former record: $48.4 million by the Texas Rangers from 2003 to 2004, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Marlins from 2005 to 2006 had the biggest reduction by percentage, trimming nearly 75 percent of their payroll, but the total was $45.4 million. http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7495383/new-york-mets-largest-payroll-dropoff-ever

John Franco will become the 26th member of the Mets Hall of Fame, the team announced Thursday. Franco, a native of Brooklyn, spent 14 years with the club, appearing in 695 games and amassing 276 saves. His 424 career saves rank fourth in major league history. “I am truly honored and humbled by this,” Franco said in a conference call. He said the induction meant more to him because he rooted for the Mets when he was a child. Franco, who retired in 2005, has stayed active with the Mets’ organization, mostly in community activities and charity events. Last season, however, he took time to advise Bobby Parnell, who was learning how to be a closer. Franco said Thursday it was unlikely he would take on any coaching duties anytime soon. http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/

1-27-12 – http://www.213milesfromshea.com/2012/01/27/get-to-know-a-mets-minor-league-player-juan-lagares/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Juan Lagares is a member of the Mets’ large group of young, far away prospects. Lagares has been in the Mets system since 2006 when he was only 17 years old (played in the Mets Dominican Team). Since then he has worked up the Mets system, reaching AA last season. In terms of his progression since playing in America (2007), his batting average and power (doubles, homers, SLG) have improved every season (with the exception of 2009, where his power dipped a bit). Statistically speaking, last season was by far his best as he destroyed A+ ball, and then did even better at the AA level:  St. Lucie: 308 AB, 51 R, 104 H, 15 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, .338 BA, .380 OBP, .494 SLG   B-Mets: 162 AB,  21 R, 60 H, 11 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, .371 BA, .391 OBP, .512 SLG  - In his last season, his hitting pace really increased as did his slugging. There has been a lot of buzz that Juan is knocking down the door to be named a top 10 prospect in the Mets system, and it will probably happen if he has another year in AA like he did last season. In 2012 he’ll be 23 and with a positive year, depending on how positive and the health of the Mets, he could be looking at a late season call up, to competing for a spot on the 2013 roster (and entering starting talk in 2014).

Frank Gray - Piazza wants to be a Met in Cooperstown

The New York Mets have one Hall of Famer. His name is Tom Seaver. This time next year, that may change. Mike Piazza will be eligible next season for the tremendous honor. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball. He amassed 427 homer runs and 1,335 RBI in his career.

Of those years, he spent half of his career (eight seasons) with the New York Mets. In that time, he accumulated 220 home runs, 655 RBI and 1,028 hits. All of these rank first among Mets catchers in team history. His home runs rank second and RBI rank third all-time in Mets lore.

He spent more time with the Mets than with any other team. It's hardly a far gone conclusion that when he  enters the Hall of Fame, that he will do so as a Mets player, though. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and won Rookie of the Year honors with them.

He made six of his twelve All-Star appearances as a Dodger. As a member of the Dodgers, he made the playoffs twice, the same number as with the Mets. He reached the World Series with the Mets, though. It seems apparent that he should wear a Mets logo going into the Hall, but the Hall of Fame members have a funny way of deciding who wears what hat.

For example, it was a no-brainer decision that Mets great Gary Carter should enter the Hall as a Mets player, but they put him in the defunct Montreal Expos logo (a massive mistake they have yet to admit). If he had his way, he would've been a Met. Now it appears the same scenario has arisen with Piazza.

He went on record saying he "will wear a Mets hat" to Cooperstown.  There's just one issue to that. He doesn't have the chance to choose. Unfortunately, the Hall of Fame gets that distinction. If the Mets have a bad reputation or the Dodgers need a good headline, they'll choose L.A. despite the stats. They have a tendency to favor the original teams the given player started with. If that were to happen, it would be a travesty.

With the All-Star game coming to Citi Field in 2013 and the resurgence of the Mets farm system giving way to a competitive, young ball club at the major league level very soon, it could be a time for renewal for the Mets as an organization.

The addition of another Mets player into the Hall of Fame could be an enormous boost for the franchise at just the right time. If only the Hall gets it right. If Piazza has his way, they will.

Mets: Lucas Duda, Gary Carter, Ronny Cedeno, Juan Lagares

Lucas Duda, New York Mets — Lucas Duda will be an outfielder this year for the Mets, but he’s qualified at first base as well.  Duda hit .292 with 10 homers, one base swipe, 50 RBIs and 38 runs scored in 301 at-bats during the 2011 season and is another one that should benefit from moving the outfield fences in at Citi Field http://www.fantasybaseballdugout.com/2012/01/20/sleepers-first-base-2012/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Gary Carter’s numbers speak for themselves, as does his dexterity in the field. Indeed, entering the Hall of Fame really silences any debate about his deeds as a ballplayer. But what made this Yankees fan so nauseated on summer nights was the fact that the hated Mets, led by Carter – affectionately and appropriately coined “The Kid” based on the glee he brought to the game, his curly hair sprouting from his blue helmet – were simply better than the Yankees at nearly every position, particularly at catcher, where the Bronx Bombers had a turnstile of deficient backstops spin through Yankee Stadium, from Rick Cerone to Butch Wynegar to Ron Hassey to Don Slaught to Joel Skinner. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/01/20/keidel-time-to-salute-the-kid-gary-carter/#.Txl_nYqbLqw.twitter

Ronny Cedeno's Pirate career did include a healthy share of playing time. He averaged over 475 PAs a year those two seasons, and he finally pushed the WAR needle past one, accruing 2.5 wins over two seasons by batting .253/.295/.362 and being a tiny bit better than scratch with the glove. Still, two wins per season is your average MLB player and .261/.314/.374 is your average NL shortstop, so he's not a first-division starter. And he's not plus enough with the glove to make up for the bat -- his lifetime UZR/150 is below scratch and he's no wizard in that department. He's better as a backup at the middle infield. Which, if Ruben Tejada does his part, is exactly what the 29-year-old infielder will be this season. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/20/2719116/2012-mets-player-profile-ronny-cedeno

1-20-11 – http://seedlingstostars.com/2012/01/20/the-problem-with-juan-lagares/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter  - It’s pretty simple. Lagares puts the ball in the field of play around 83-84% of the time, so if his BABIP randomly goes up 80 points, his batting average goes up about .08*.84 = .67. Lo and behold, the difference between his 2010 and 2011 batting averages was 70 points. It doesn’t seem that Lagares was rocketing the ball around the field in 2011, either: per Minor League Central, his line-drive rate was just 12.1%. Now, minor league batted ball data is notoriously unreliable, but Lagares ranked eighth in line-drive rate among regular batters on his High-A team and tenth on his Double-A team. There certainly seems to be little reason to believe he was significantly better at making hard contact in 2011 than 2010. What are we left with, then? An impatient left fielder without much home run power, and whose declining speed (15-for-23 SB in 2011) isn’t helping him either. Don’t get fooled by the gaudy batting average, as it appears to be very illusory; Lagares isn’t much of a prospect. http://seedlingstostars.com/2012/01/20/the-problem-with-juan-lagares/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Mets: Adam Kolarek, Jon Niese, Jason Bay, Gary Carter

1-11-12 -  MMO  48.  Adam Kolarek (LHP) Kolarek was drafted out of the University of Maryland in the 11th round of the 2010 draft. A 6’3″ lefty Kolarek put together a fabulous year coming out of the pen for the Sand Gnats. In 52.2 IP, he went 7-0 with a 2.22 ERA, and 5 saves, with an opponents batting average of .214, and a WHIP of 1.14. Kolarek throws a 90-94 mph four-seamer, a change-up, slider, and is working on a sinker, which he details in a recent interview with MMO: “I mainly throw a 4-seam fastball but I am really working on my 2-seam this offseason because I really believe that it will help me moving forward. I would say my change-up is my second best pitch because I feel comfortable throwing it in just about any count or any situation. When I throw a real good one it will have some tailing movement into a lefty or away from a righty. Finally, I feel like I made a lot of progress with my slider last year and I want to continue to build off of that. I would mainly use it when I was ahead in the count and was trying to get a strike out or ground ball, but I really want to get to the point this year where I can use my slider when I’m behind in the count in a typical fastball situation.” With lefties like Kolarek, Josh Edgin, Jack Leathersich, Robert Carson, and Ham Bennett in the pipe-line, there is some lefty relief help on the horizon with Carson most likely being the first to arrive, his ETA 2012. Adam Kolarek video

Jon Niese has had both physical and mental breakdowns in each of the last two years which have unquestionably hindered his development, and hurt the team in the process. While he’s still relatively young, I’ve found that pattern very concerning; injuries aside, he’s been two totally different pitchers before and after the All-Star break in his career. He has said this winter his focus is on getting through an entire 162 game season and prove he has the stamina to give the team more length, but he’s now 25, and like I said yesterday, the time is now for him. In fact, Niese is the one I expect more out of in terms of growth, maturity, and proving his problems are behind him simply because he’s the youngest of the team’s starters and has shown at times he “can” be a top-of-the-rotation starter http://www.metsblog.com/2012/01/15/jon-niese-his-physical-mental-breakdowns-2012/

Generally speaking, if a Major League hitter is in his 30s and not using performance-enhancing drugs, his skills are unlikely to drastically improve after they’ve drastically declined. Since Jason Bay turned 33 last September and PED use is prohibited in Bud Selig’s baseball company, it’s hard for me to expect Jason Bay to return to the form that earned him a 4-year, $66M contract. At the same time, it’s hard for me to accept the idea that Bay is a sub-.250 hitter who will be lucky to hit 15 homers over a full season of play. But, that’s my emotions thinking; from his days in Pittsburgh, I’ve loved Bay’s approach to the game and always enjoyed watching him play. I’ve had similar, irrational feelings for other Mets in the twilight of their careers, such as the aforementioned Ventura and Green, Mo Vaughn, Jeromy Burnitz, and Willie Montanez — as much as my eyes were telling me those players were finished, my heart was hoping my eyes weren’t seeing clearly. http://www.metstoday.com/7377/11-12-offseason/2011-analysis-jason-bay/

The Kid rallied again Sunday night. Just as he has done at the 25 previous events he has hosted, Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter welcomed more than 150 friends with hugs and smiles at a kick-off dinner for his 26th annual charity golf tournament. He made them laugh, too - with an assist from his wife, Sandy. Carter was seven minutes into his welcoming remarks at the Ironhorse Country Club when Sandy nudged him and whispered, "Let's eat!" "That's my wife and she knows that I talk too much, so that's it for me,' Carter said as the crowd broke into laughter. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/2104334.html

Mets – Tillman Pugh, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Randy Niemann, Gary Carter

metsmerized  - 39. Tillman Pugh (CF) As the 22-year-old Pugh prepares for his third season as a minor leaguer in the Mets farm system. He is working hard with the realization of just how important this season will be for him. This year he will get the opportunity to open the season in a long season league. Although the competition for spots in the Savannah outfield will be fierce, he should be the starting centerfielder for the Sand Gnats. He will have the opportunity to test himself and challenge himself over the course of a season that lasts well over five months. It will be nice to see what kind of numbers he can put up if he gets 450 to 500 AB’s in one year. He should do quite well. At a solid 6’0″ 190 lbs., Pugh is very fast, and athletic enough to play centerfield. His game is speed and he represents something the Mets don’t have a lot of. A three-way threat, offense, defense, and on the base-paths.

1-8-11: - http://nybaseballdigest.com/2012/01/07/most-intriguing-mets-prospects-in-2012   3) Kirk Nieuwenhuis  (OF) Another guy that, if not for injury, would likely be penciled in to start in center field for the Mets to open 2012. Had shoulder surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. Average tools across the board. Could be a 15HR/15SB type talent. If healthy, should be in Queens around mid-season.

Due to his former prospect status — and his age — it’s highly likely that a team will claim Fernando Martinez. For the price of a waiver claim, it’s tough to argue with the move. At the same time, it’s tough to really expect anything of value from Martinez next season. He hasn’t been particularly impressive when he has played, and he hasn’t been healthy enough to improve his play. He’s a low-risk buy, but it’s really tough to argue that Martinez is capable of providing a high reward anymore. It’s always possible that Martinez is just a late-bloomer — which is why a team would take a shot on him — but age and performance are no longer on his side.  http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/is-fernando-martinez-worth-a-waiver-claim/

Anthony DiComo reports that longtime Mets coach Randy Niemann has accepted a job with the Red Sox, according to a person familiar with the situation, in what is believed to be an assistant pitching coach position. The new role ends Niemann’s nearly quarter-century run with the Mets. Niemann, who spent last season as New York’s rehabilitation pitching coordinator and helped oversee portions of Johan Santana’s rehab from left shoulder surgery, will reunite with former Mets manager Bobby Valentine on Boston’s staff. The two were also together from 1997-99 in New York http://metsmerizedonline.com/2012/01/randy-niemann-quits-mets-takes-red-sox-job.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29

A weakened Gary Carter will go for another MRI exam on Friday as he continues to battle brain cancer, his daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote yesterday on a family website. “Dad will be getting two MRIs — one for his shoulder that still bothers him from his fall and the other for his brain to check on the tumors,’’ Bloemers wrote. “We are praying for two good reports! ‘‘Now that baseball has begun, his spirits have lifted a bit and I believe he is excited to see his team,’’ Kimmy wrote. “His weak body limits his physical involvement, but the fact he wants to go and still teach his players is beyond amazing. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/carter_continues_battle_vs_cancer_EU5Q9TE6Qv552Dsdh2LB6O?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Xavier Nady, Ronnie Paulino, David Wright, Cam Maron, Gary Carter

Nady on the other hand would be a nice low risk pickup.  If healthy, he could bring the leadership and experience the team needs.  Championship teams need strong extra parts and Xavier Nady would be a strong fit in that regard.  As long as comes cheap and doesn’t expect to start, I would say that is a done deal.  The team may look for one or two more strong bats for its lineups, but that would not stop a potential Nady signing.  http://mlbreports.com/2011/11/27/ask-reports-nov-27

Ronny Paulino is a large, surprisingly athletic man who has been a perpetual enigma — the tools are there for him to be an above-average all-around MLB catcher, but his weight, occasional laziness, and frequent lapses in focus have made him an unreliable entity. In 2011, he managed to control his weight (without the use of illegal diet pills), and though he occasionally displayed laziness and lack of focus, those weaknesses in character didn’t significantly hamper his performance. Paulino only appeared in 78 ballgames, but when he did, he put the bat on the ball — particularly in the first half of the year, when he hit .320 with a .769 OPS. However, his season peaked in June, when he hit .364, and from there it was all downhill. By August, Paulino was a non-entity; he appeared in only 25 games in the last two months of the season. http://www.metstoday.com/7231/11-12-offseason/2011-analysis-ronny-paulino

It's sad to say it, but as of right now, there has never been an everyday player inducted into the Hall of Fame who was developed in the New York Mets' farm system and came into the major leagues as a member of the Mets. David Wright will someday have his plaque displayed in the Mets' Hall of Fame and Museum to recognize him as an all-time great Met, but unfortunately, he is not an all-time great of the game.   When fans realize this instead of trying to make him bigger than what he really is, perhaps they'd realize that he'd have more value to the Mets as trade bait than he would have as a player for the team. http://studiousmetsimus.blogspot.com/2011/11/misleading-stats-on-david-wright-change.html

11-23-11: -  http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.js p?ymd=20111110&content_id=25949502&fext=.j sp&vkey=news_milb&partnerId=rss_nym -   Catcher -- Camden Maron, Savannah (one game), Kingsport (58 games): A 34th-round Draft pick in 2009, Maron played Gulf Coast League games over his first two pro seasons before emerging in 2011. The 20-year-old New York native batted .317 overall and sported a 38-36 walk-to-strikeout ratio. "He has a very advanced approach at plate for such a young guy," DePodesta said of the Appalachian League postseason All-Star. "This was his first opportunity to play full-time and he took advantage. Defensively, he's solid and he's going to get much better."

Gary Carter, the former Mets great currently battling brain cancer, suffered "slight bleeding" on his brain last week that is not believed to be a serious health threat, according to an entry on a private journal kept by Carter's daughter. Carter complained of severe fatigue and pain last Monday and was taken for an MRI. The MRI revealed a new "spot on the core of his brain," according to a journal entry posted by Kimmy Bloemers, to which ESPNNewYork.com has been granted access. The MRI also showed doctors that Carter's tumors "looked smaller," according to Bloemers, Carter's daughter. Further tests revealed that the "spot" was in fact "slight bleeding," not a new tumor, which was a relief to Bloemers. www.espn.com

Cutnpaste: - Manny Acosta, Gary Carter Update, Mets 2012 Closer, Retro Ratliff, Blocking The Yanks

Michael Baron: For most of the month, or really, most of the time since Francisco Rodriguez was dealt to the Brewers, I’ve said it’s been a time of learning about the current pieces in the Mets bullpen. It hasn’t been so much about finding out who these players are so much as it’s been about learning who they aren’t. In the case of Acosta, there has been a lot of growth with him as a player this season. Having said that, I think it’s clear he isn’t consistent enough to close on a regular basis. However, Acosta has most definitely proven he can be a very good setup man and a guy who could be mixed-and-matched in the seventh and eighth innings, depending on the matchups. While nothing is set in stone, I expect him to not just be back next season but to figure prominently in that role. Since June 28, Acosta has pitched to a 1.89 ERA in 38 innings. - http://www.metsblog.com/2011/09/25/what-to-make-of-manny-acosta

Medical staff treating Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter for cancerous brain tumors discovered "an abnormal and unusual spot" on his right temple, his daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote in the family's online journal Sunday night. He was immediately dispatched to get a biopsy. "When I saw the look on my dad's face, I just wanted to cry," Bloemers wrote. "This journey has been so emotional when there has been just one thing after the next that dad has to conquer. Dad did not complain; he just had look of sadness. I really hate that dad has to go through such a tough road. Dad got the biopsy and actually had several spots removed in various places. We hope to find out the results soon." - http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7021281/hofer-gary-carter-suffers-setback-cancer-battle

 The Rays took the much-maligned Kyle Farnsworth and turned him into an effective closer this season. I wonder, if someone studied the issue deeply, if relief pitchers are actually more effective working as a closer than as a setup man. Are the best relief pitchers used as closers because they’re the best relievers, or is there something about the usage pattern that makes closers the best relievers? Because the closer role is the only relief role in history that has a regular usage pattern associated with it, and there might be something to that. I guess the point is that the Mets might be better off signing a non-closer on the cheap, sticking him in the ninth, and then watching him transform into an elite reliever. Maybe it’s just the usage pattern. - http://www.patrickfloodblog.com/2011/09/26/the-search-for-a-closer/#comment-3367

 June 18, 2008 - OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Sean Ratliff homered and Cord Phelps tripled in Stanford's four-run fifth inning, and the Cardinal ousted top-seeded Miami from the College World Series with an 8-3 victory Wednesday night. The Cardinal (41-23-2) advanced to the Bracket 1 finals against Georgia, needing to beat the Bulldogs twice to return to the best-of-three championship round for the second time since 2003. Ratliff's 22nd homer of the season and fourth in 10 NCAA tournament games ended Miami starter Enrique Garcia's night after 4 1-3 innings. Garcia (7-3) had worked at least five innings in eight of his nine previous starts, but was tagged for five runs on eight hits - the last being Ratliff's high fly into the stands in right-center. - http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/061908aaf.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cstv%2Fheadline-rss+%28CSTV+Headlines%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

The last time the Mets blocked a minor league team from coming into the Tri-State Area it led to the wildly successful Long Island Ducks and the Atlantic League. Seventeen years later the Mets play the baseball grinch again by blocking the Scranton Yankees from playing their 2012 International League home schedule at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark. This time, however, I don’t believe baseball in Newark will have a happy ending. Newark baseball has a rich tradition that dates back to 1902. There were the Newark Indians, Newark Pepper of the Federal League, and the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League. Effa Manley was their owner and she was the first woman to own and operate a professional baseball team. The current Newark Bears edition, which plays in the independent Can-Am League, is a spinoff of the Yankees minor league affiliate of the same name that existed from 1926 to 1949. - http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=40312

Cutnpaste: Jeff Diehl. 2012 Rotation, Ruben Tejada, Bobby Parnell, The Kid

9-19-11: - link  - Jeff Diehl, C: Drafted in the 23rd round from high school in Rhode Island, Diehl signed too late to play so we have no stats to look at, but he qualifies as someone to watch in '12. He's considered raw but promising, with a strong arm, plenty of bat speed, and good power potential. His $135,000 bonus could be a real bargain if he reaches his maximum potential.

Given the organization's limited financial flexibility this winter, there's not a whole lot the Mets can do to revamp their rotation. They expect Santana to be healthy and hope he can again be an ace -- short of that, they are rooting for him at least to give them some consistent innings. Though rumors of the Mets non-tendering Mike Pelfrey may swirl this winter, I suspect the team will offer Pelfrey a contract simply because he is their best bet to deliver 200 innings. Jon Niese will be back and I'd expect more of the same from him. Dillon Gee will also be back and, the team hopes, more consistent. And I expect the Mets to sign a relatively cheap starter to fill out their rotation, a la Chris Capuano and Chris Young. Perhaps even Capuano himself will return on a less incentive-laden deal, if the money is right. - http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110919&content_id=24917188&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym&partnerId=rss_nym

9-20-11: - http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-hope-reyes-tejada-combo-is-a-keeper-1.3183457 - Tejada is listed at 5-11, 185 pounds, but in reality, he's well under in both cases. That doesn't mean he won't generate the power Collins speaks of at some point. Dustin Pedroia, after all, is officially 5-9, 180 pounds -- again, an exaggeration -- and he has 20 homers through 150 games this season. Tejada's learning curve, however, won't be measured by how far he hits the ball. What the Mets have noticed most from him this season has been his selectivity at the plate and an ability to hit with two strikes, a fear that young players must overcome. Tejada has a .335 on-base percentage with two strikes; a year ago, it was .272.

It’s one thing to throw 96 to 100 miles per hour. It’s another to do it along with a killer slider or nasty hook. Parnell gets hitters to swing-and-miss at his slider 41 percent of the time. That sounds good and it does rank well. But the really good relievers do better. Kimbrel, League, Walden, Hanrahan, and Bard all get hitters to miss on at least half of their sliders. How many times did it seem like Parnell was about to finish off a hitter, only to give up a hit? More than a few. He’s given up 28, twice as many as last season, but hasn’t gotten twice as many outs to go with it. - http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/35051/in-depth-whats-kept-parnell-down

Gary Carter's battle with cancerous brain tumors has taken much of his energy, but the Hall of Fame catcher was able to briefly help coach his Palm Beach Atlantic University baseball team this past week. Carter was due to begin taking a second, higher-dosage round of chemotherapy pills Monday night, but his white-blood-cell count was too low, his daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote in an online family journal to which ESPNNewYork.com has been granted access. "There is no doubt that dad is fighting an extremely difficult battle," Bloemers wrote. "He is exhausted, sad at times, unmotivated and frustrated that his body won't move like it used to. However, there are moments where we will see dad laugh, smile and show that determined attitude to win. - http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/6995672/gary-carter-attends-practice-palm-beach-atlantic-university-team

Carlos Beltran, Greg Peavey, Alan Dykstra, Gary Carter, TV Ratings



Photo by Michael G. Baron

 Carlos Beltran:


Yet Beltran has a full no-trade clause in his contract (something that is now redundant, anyway, since he is a player with 10 years of service time in the majors and five straight with the same club). And so, he was asked, would he accept a trade to the Red Sox should that be dangled in front of him? “They’re in first place,” he smiled. “That’s a no-brainer.” It won’t likely come to that. Both Red Sox sources and executives from other clubs who have talked to the Sox say that Boston won’t have much money to spend this summer in order to upgrade in the middle of the season. With Beltran owed roughly $6 million over the remainder of the year, he would be an unlikely target of the Sox - http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2011/07/11/beltran-accepting-trade-to-red-sox-a-no-brainer  


Greg Peavey:


7-12-11: - Greg learned Monday night that there is a big difference between a pain in the ass and total rectal destruction. Everything was rolling along just fine and then came the fifth inning. Eight runs later, his A+ ERA soared to 4.15 and Greg wished he was back in Savannah with his old team, who were off watching the home run derby.


Alan Dykstra:


7-12-11: - Okay, I’m not going to claim that Dykstra has returned to the projections he had back when he was drafted in the first round a few years ago. Yes, he still is operating below that projection level, but he isn’t embarrassing himself like Eddie Kunz is doing, who happens to be the guy the Mets drafted for Alan. Dykstra has a couple of doubles Monday night and his overall stats are slowly moving up.


Gary Carter:


Gary Carter, who on May 21 announced he had four small brain tumors, plans on returning to his head coaching position at Palm Beach Atlantic University despite still receiving cancer treatments, his daughter wrote in her online journal Monday. Carter still has six more radiation treatments, but he appears to be gearing up for his third year with the program. The school is already in the process of interviewing candidates for an associate head baseball coach to serve under Carter - http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110711&content_id=21748056&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym&partnerId=rss_nym  


TV Ratings:


But it’s the drop in ratings from last year for each team that is the most telling statistic. The Mets’ local ratings are down 29 percent from midseason last year; the Dodgers’ ratings are down 27 percent. Only the Astros (down 34 percent on FS Houston) and Rays (down 37 percent on FS Florida and Sun Sports) have seen steeper local declines. - http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/07/11/Media/MLB-ratings.aspx