10-10-11: - https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/132edccbf718965f - Sam Honeck began the season as the Gnats’ everyday first baseman, but side effects of a concussion ended his season in early July when he was hitting just .227/.306/.346. I feel for the 24-year old Honeck, who has had two straight seasons marred by injury after playing in just a handful of games in 2010 with a compound fracture in his leg.
The Jose Reyes free agency frenzy is going to potentially affect many teams and their fans around the league. The team with the best shot at signing Reyes is, of course, the New York Mets . The Mets know his value, but if Reyes finds a better offer on the open market, then things are going to get interesting. The Washington Nationals suddenly seem like a viable candidate to sign Reyes, but that won't be the only team interested. Other teams that could use an upgrade in offense at shortstop (and have the money to spend) include the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Even the Los Angeles Angels or Boston Red Sox could use the added offense, and that could lead to a bidding war if Reyes does hit the open market. - http://www.caribsso.com/MLB/New-York-Mets/1/Jose%20Reyes%20Auction%20Could%20Deflate%20New%20York%20Mets%20Fans%20(Yahoo!%20Contributor%20Network
Harry Minor, a longtime scout who spent 44 of his 65 years in professional baseball with the Mets, announced his retirement Wednesday. His retirement will be effective Oct. 31. Minor, who began his professional baseball career as a catcher in 1947 in Pittsburgh's Minor League system, joined the Mets as an area scout in 1967. He also served as a national cross-checker during his time with the club and was a key part of the team's '69 and '86 World Series titles. "I'll always remember the championships," Minor said in a statement. "We had some great fun building up the organization, and those World Series teams were built on a foundation of talent the Mets developed." - http://www.caribsso.com/MLB/New-York-Mets/2/Longtime%20Mets%20scout%20Minor%20retires
Deolis Guerra RHP MIN (22) – For years now, Guerra has been trying to outrun the “bust” label being thrown at him by many baseball people. As a 17-year-old in the Mets organization, Guerra’s mid 90s fastball and advanced change-up prompted the powers-that-be to move him aggressively through their minor league system. He was an 18-year-old at Advanced-A St. Lucie. Soon after, he was traded to Minnesota in the deal that sent Johann Santana to the Mets. But then, his fastball velocity mysteriously dropped from 95 mph down to the high 80s. This season, Deolis has spent his third season in New Britain (still young for the level) and the Twins moved him to the bullpen where he’s worked his velocity into the 91-93 range. In 95 innings, he’s struck out 95 batters, posting the best K rate of his career at 22.9%. His walk rate sits at a terrific 6.8%. The ugliness of his 5.59 ERA is put into perspective by his 3.94 FIP and was even better as a RP. Another season like this one and Guerra could salvage his prospect status. Look for Minnesota to start him out at Rochester to start 2012. - http://baseballinstinct.com/2011/10/19/touchem-all-eastern-league-top-mlb-prospects-pitchers
10-20-11: - http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/second-base-review-a-ball - Robbie Shields played 17 games for St. Lucie at second after he was promoted from Savannah immediately after the Gnats clinched the first half title in June. However, his season was cut short by persistent back problems. Shields, a college shortstop began the transition to second in Savannah, where he played nine games at the position. He seemed to handle the move with relative ease, but noted the change in footwork around the bag. He showed much improved plate discipline over the 2010 season which helped produce a .274/.354/.425 line in Savannah and a .269/.338/.388 line in 20 games in St. Lucie. Shields, the Mets’ 3rd round pick in 2009, will turn 24 in December, so time is becoming scarce. Put another way, he’s a year younger than Havens, but the same age as Jordany Valdespin
