Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Sunday, November 25, 2007
How to fix the Mets
At his column for Newsday Kevin Davidoff explains what the Mets needs are for the upcoming 2008 season and what the Mets have already done during the offseason.
He writes in his list of already executed aquisitions...
"1. Retained manager Willie Randolph and all of his coaches, aside from Rickey Henderson. Thumbs up. Randolph deserves a chance at redemption"
This is interesting because many people did not like Willie after the 2007 collapse. I agree with Davidoff because Willie is truly a great person and could be a great manager. People forget that he is still new to the game of managing and just carries himself like he has managed all his life. I say give him a chance next year and he will show us all the real Willie Randolph and how could he can really be.
The next point Davidoff makes many Mets fans agree with...
"4. Re-signed Luis Castillo. Thumbs down. He's a nice player, but four years? "
I agree with this statement and so do many other Mets fans. Luis Castillo is a great secondbasemen. He has speed, hitting, he can field, the only thing that gets people nervous about 4 years is his age and his knees. Towards the end of last season Castillo played secondbase with both his knees ailing him. At the end of the season he had surgery on both his knees. It good that his knees are better, but no one knows if he will be the same Luis Castillo as he was prior to the knee problems. If he isnt the same Castillo then we are stuck with an over aged second baseman who will not be able to play. If this surgery does rejuvanate Castillo then we have a all-star second basemen that can hit after Jose Reyes and can play like a golden glover at second.
another point that Davidoff makes concerning what the Mets should do with their pitching staff is...
" 1. Trade Aaron Heilman, Lastings Milledge, Kevin Mulvey and a lower-level prospect to the A's for Dan Haren."
I would rather get Danny Haren then Johan Santana. I know you're thinking i'm crazy, but Johan will cost the Mets an abundance of young pitchers and position players who the Mets are not willing to part with. Johan is also a free agent after this season. Its not gaurantteed that Johan will even resign after this season. If we acquired Haren we would be giving up Aaron Heilman, who is a good pitcher out of the pen but hasnt lived up to his potential, and Milledge and Mulvey. I do not want to part with either Milledge or Mulvey until they both play to their full potential and we truly give them a chance to play. Milledge has enourmous potential to become a great player but does not have the drive for becoming a great player. Mulvey however pitched great in the minors last year and surprised many people in the Mets organization. But imagine the Mets starting rotation with Haren.
1. Danny Haren
2. Pedro Martinez
3. John Maine
4. Oliver Perez
5. Orlando Hernandez/ Mike Pelfrey
with this rotation i think the Mets could qualify for the Playoffs in April.
He then writes his last point which i dont really think is realistic.
"2. Trade pitcher Carlos Muniz and a lower-level prospect to the White Sox for Jose Contreras and $5 million."
I have no idea how this trade could even be considered by the White Sox. Carlos Muniz is the lower level prospect that you would need to trade the White Sox. Muniz is in no way proven at the major league level. I do believe that he will be a good reliever but you cant trade him now, he does not have value. Havinf Contreras in the Mets rotation would be a good idea because he would be reunited with Orlando Hernandez, who played with him in Cuba and on the Yankees.
I would suggest reading this article over at Newsday.com. It was a very interesting article with many new ideas that could really help the Mets next year.
He writes in his list of already executed aquisitions...
"1. Retained manager Willie Randolph and all of his coaches, aside from Rickey Henderson. Thumbs up. Randolph deserves a chance at redemption"
This is interesting because many people did not like Willie after the 2007 collapse. I agree with Davidoff because Willie is truly a great person and could be a great manager. People forget that he is still new to the game of managing and just carries himself like he has managed all his life. I say give him a chance next year and he will show us all the real Willie Randolph and how could he can really be.
The next point Davidoff makes many Mets fans agree with...
"4. Re-signed Luis Castillo. Thumbs down. He's a nice player, but four years? "
I agree with this statement and so do many other Mets fans. Luis Castillo is a great secondbasemen. He has speed, hitting, he can field, the only thing that gets people nervous about 4 years is his age and his knees. Towards the end of last season Castillo played secondbase with both his knees ailing him. At the end of the season he had surgery on both his knees. It good that his knees are better, but no one knows if he will be the same Luis Castillo as he was prior to the knee problems. If he isnt the same Castillo then we are stuck with an over aged second baseman who will not be able to play. If this surgery does rejuvanate Castillo then we have a all-star second basemen that can hit after Jose Reyes and can play like a golden glover at second.
another point that Davidoff makes concerning what the Mets should do with their pitching staff is...
" 1. Trade Aaron Heilman, Lastings Milledge, Kevin Mulvey and a lower-level prospect to the A's for Dan Haren."
I would rather get Danny Haren then Johan Santana. I know you're thinking i'm crazy, but Johan will cost the Mets an abundance of young pitchers and position players who the Mets are not willing to part with. Johan is also a free agent after this season. Its not gaurantteed that Johan will even resign after this season. If we acquired Haren we would be giving up Aaron Heilman, who is a good pitcher out of the pen but hasnt lived up to his potential, and Milledge and Mulvey. I do not want to part with either Milledge or Mulvey until they both play to their full potential and we truly give them a chance to play. Milledge has enourmous potential to become a great player but does not have the drive for becoming a great player. Mulvey however pitched great in the minors last year and surprised many people in the Mets organization. But imagine the Mets starting rotation with Haren.
1. Danny Haren
2. Pedro Martinez
3. John Maine
4. Oliver Perez
5. Orlando Hernandez/ Mike Pelfrey
with this rotation i think the Mets could qualify for the Playoffs in April.
He then writes his last point which i dont really think is realistic.
"2. Trade pitcher Carlos Muniz and a lower-level prospect to the White Sox for Jose Contreras and $5 million."
I have no idea how this trade could even be considered by the White Sox. Carlos Muniz is the lower level prospect that you would need to trade the White Sox. Muniz is in no way proven at the major league level. I do believe that he will be a good reliever but you cant trade him now, he does not have value. Havinf Contreras in the Mets rotation would be a good idea because he would be reunited with Orlando Hernandez, who played with him in Cuba and on the Yankees.
I would suggest reading this article over at Newsday.com. It was a very interesting article with many new ideas that could really help the Mets next year.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Yabuta and Royals close to finalizing
According to MLB.com, the Kansas City Royals are close to signing Japenese reliever, Yasuhiko Yabuta. The deal is not finalized yet but is reportedly a multiyear contract. The only thing holding this deal back from being finalized is Yabuta passing his physical. 
Royals general manager Dayton Moore refused to comment on the situation and would only say "We are working hard to improve our bullpen." In the last 4 years as a reliever for the Chiba Lotte Marines, Yabuta, had a 2.80 ERA. Recently the Royals announced the installment of their new manager, Trey Hillman, a former manager in Japan.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore refused to comment on the situation and would only say "We are working hard to improve our bullpen." In the last 4 years as a reliever for the Chiba Lotte Marines, Yabuta, had a 2.80 ERA. Recently the Royals announced the installment of their new manager, Trey Hillman, a former manager in Japan.
Cordero signs with the Reds
According to MLB.com, the Reds have signed all star closer Francisco Cordero to a 4 year 46 million dollar contract. The Reds had the worst bullpen in the National League last year. This contract would be the largest contract ever given to a reliever in baseballs history. The Brewers were reported to have offered Cordero 42 million over 4 years but this offer was 
declined. Cordero, who is 32, was 0-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 44 saves in 51 chances. He is a two-time All-Star. The Houston Astros were also looking to acquire Cordero this off-season. The Reds closer last season, David Weathers, will most likely move back to his former role as a setup man.
I do not think that the Mets ever thought about signing Cordero. The Mets also would not have wanted to offer that much money to a reliever. Personally, I would love to have Francisco Cordero in the Mets bullpen, who wouldnt. This definitely strengthens the Reds bullpen next year because they have a great pitcher in David Weathers setting up one of the greatest closers of our era.
declined. Cordero, who is 32, was 0-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 44 saves in 51 chances. He is a two-time All-Star. The Houston Astros were also looking to acquire Cordero this off-season. The Reds closer last season, David Weathers, will most likely move back to his former role as a setup man.I do not think that the Mets ever thought about signing Cordero. The Mets also would not have wanted to offer that much money to a reliever. Personally, I would love to have Francisco Cordero in the Mets bullpen, who wouldnt. This definitely strengthens the Reds bullpen next year because they have a great pitcher in David Weathers setting up one of the greatest closers of our era.
Joe Kennedy dies at the age of 28
Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports reported that former Oakland A's pitcher Joe Kennedy died early friday morning at the age of 28 years old. The cause of his death is unknown accordin
g to his agent and other major league sources. Kennedy spent seven seasons in the majors pitching for the Blue Jays, A's and Diamondbacks. Kennedey was 43-61 with a 4.79 ERA lifetime and He reached the postseason once, as a reliever with the A's in 2006.
g to his agent and other major league sources. Kennedy spent seven seasons in the majors pitching for the Blue Jays, A's and Diamondbacks. Kennedey was 43-61 with a 4.79 ERA lifetime and He reached the postseason once, as a reliever with the A's in 2006. Johan declines Twins offer
It has been reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, that Johan Santana has declined a rejected a five-year, $93 million offer from the Twins and instead is asking for $126 million.
Currently, i do not think that the Mets have a reasonable chance in acquiring Johan Santana from the Twins. The Twins would be looking to ship Johan off, on
ly if they recieve players of great caliber in return. For the Mets to recieve Santana they would have to give up many of their young prospects such as, Lastings Milledge, Fernando Martinez and Carlos Gomez, and also some pitching ( Aaron Heilman, Mike Pelfrey ect.) The Mets are unwilling to trade away that many prospects for a pitcher that is a free agent after the next season, but I could see the Mets going for a younger pitcher in Matt Garza. To acquire Garza the Mets would have to give up much less, considering that he is an unproven starting pitcher in the majors. The Mets could propose Carlos Gomez, to fill their gap in center field. Gomez would be a great fit in Minnesota but i would not like to part ways with Carlos considering how much potential he has.
ly if they recieve players of great caliber in return. For the Mets to recieve Santana they would have to give up many of their young prospects such as, Lastings Milledge, Fernando Martinez and Carlos Gomez, and also some pitching ( Aaron Heilman, Mike Pelfrey ect.) The Mets are unwilling to trade away that many prospects for a pitcher that is a free agent after the next season, but I could see the Mets going for a younger pitcher in Matt Garza. To acquire Garza the Mets would have to give up much less, considering that he is an unproven starting pitcher in the majors. The Mets could propose Carlos Gomez, to fill their gap in center field. Gomez would be a great fit in Minnesota but i would not like to part ways with Carlos considering how much potential he has. Thursday, November 22, 2007
Davey Johnson on HOF committee
At MLB.com Marty Noble writes about Davey Johnson, who can be considered to be the most successful Met manager ever. He writes that he averaged 96 victories over a six year span, one of those years the Mets won the World Series. Recently Johnson was elected
to the veterans committee elections with many other prestigous names such as Whitey Herzog, Dick Williams and Billy Martin. It is a great accomplishment for Davey and the entire Mets organization for him to be elected onto this committee. Davey spent 14 seasons in total in the Mets organization from 1984-90, 1993-97, 1999-2000. He managed thirteen seasons with at least 115 games managed and his clubs won five division flags, also finishing second six times, third once and fifth once.
to the veterans committee elections with many other prestigous names such as Whitey Herzog, Dick Williams and Billy Martin. It is a great accomplishment for Davey and the entire Mets organization for him to be elected onto this committee. Davey spent 14 seasons in total in the Mets organization from 1984-90, 1993-97, 1999-2000. He managed thirteen seasons with at least 115 games managed and his clubs won five division flags, also finishing second six times, third once and fifth once.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
