New York Mets Winter Report 2012-13

[syam24]

It appears to be like the trade will be worthwhile for the Mets in the long run. The catcher should solidify that position for the long term, if the projections are correct. Don't know much about the pitcher, he appears to be on the right track towards the major league level, and perhaps Alderson has another trade in mind using Syndergaard to get a proven outfielder. Lots to wait and see in future days. Sorry to see RA go, but this is probably as good as he will be, and helps get the Mets a good package of minor leaguers. Buck has been a decent catcher/hitter, no All Star, but can get the job done. Would have liked to see more from Thole last year, but was not to be, hopefully he'll get back up to speed as a hitter in Toronto.

[Ninja108]

As painful as it is..it's always better to trade someone a year too early then a year too late.

[sonny10305]

Well I have had a few days to digest all that has happened with the Dickey trade and although I now support it I still have reservations. I have been an RA Dickey fan going back to when he first came to Buffalo and I saw him for the first time and thought WOW now that some kind of pitch. I was thrilled when he came up to the bigs with us and watched him pitch on a regular basis, as a pitcher myself I have been fascinated by that knuckler and how he was able to make it do things no other knuckleball pitcher had ever done, Once called a “trick pitch” Dickey took it to a level and it is now much more legitimate pitch. So yes. I will miss watching him pitch every 5 days that’s for sure and we will see if as some of said his best days are behind him or not. My feeling is they are not I believe he still has a couple of great years ahead of him and we may have lost out on that, time will as they say tell. I was also disappointed to loose Josh Thole although we all knew that if Dickey left so would Josh who has basically become RA’s catcher a feat not easy to do Josh and Dickey worked beautifully together so it was no surprise that the Blue Jays would want that package. I understand Josh struggled especially offensively last year but he has been working so very hard in Denver since the end of the season and was making real progress, we all had high hopes for a strong season next year with the Mets. But I will always be in touch with Josh and keep you guys informed on how he is doing he is a very special kind of guy and I know he will throw everything he has into having a great return in 2013.
I would NOT have supported a trade for Jon Niese who was the other player being talked about as a possible trade, he proved he can withstand a full season in fact I think he got better as the year went along. Keep in mind his innings and win total were hindered by the six-man rotation Terry Collins started late in the year and if not for that I’m thinkin he could have exceeded the 200 inning mark in a normal rotation. Not to say he did not have his down side but every pitcher has some, Niese was efficient, steady, reliable and durable for sure Gone were the days when he’d get into trouble with either his cutter or curve, then kill the pitch which wasn’t working for him and he became a two-pitch pitcher, we did not see that in 2012. He gained a lot of confidence trusted his stuff and didn’t change the game plan for that day even when he struggled. Another important thing in my eyes is he also learned how to be more economical which of course allowed him to pitch deeper into ballgames. So yes my friends Niese is going to be important to us this year especially with Dickey gone and Santana still a question mark we don’t know yet what Johan will give us next year.

As for Travis d’Arnaud, he surly could become a franchise type catcher an offensive guy with power, this is a kid who could be behind the plate for a lot of years of course that I get that he is still a prospect we have not yet seen play in a major league game but his scout rating is huge

I think we have to have faith in what Sandy is doing we know he can in with what pretty much bare in farm system and we have known from the start that he has always been all about the prospects going back to the Beltran trade for Zack Wheeler right on up to this Dickey trade It’s all about the youth and building this team to be major contender and ya gotta love and respect that.

As to the pitching staff right now I like to think we are in good shape with Niese, Harvey (let’s not forget his great 10 starts) and Dillon Gee hopefully will be back strong after his injury and we have to see what Santana brings us, then of course a pitcher you guys have not seen yet by the name of Zack Wheeler who you are gonna be blown away by. I have watched him pitch and lemme tell you he is actually better than Harvey…seriously wait till you see this kid. Prolly won’t see him right out of spring training more likely late May early June. So I believe in our starting rotation

Frank Francisco underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. He should be cleared to throw in six weeks which is a comfortable time frame to have a fairly normal Spring Training and he is expected to be ready for Opening Day and is likely the closer for 2013

Mets have acquired righty outfielder Collin Cowgill from the Oakland A’ for AA infielder Jefry Marte. s. I did a little research on him and found he has batted .298 against left-handed pitching and .223 against right-handed pitching, so I’m guessin he could platoon for Kirk Nieuwenhuis or Mike Baxter. Ya have to think given the lack of righty-hitting outfielders, Cowgill would appear a solid bet to make the team out of spring training. As to Marte, with David Wright’s extension and Wilmer Flores and Justin Turner there to play third base, we are in good enough shape for the ole hot corner

I thought about it for a bit but decided to mention Noah Syndergaard who recently made an anti-gay slur which he has since apologized for. He used the F word him as he and a buddy were having a little conversation and it was a poor attempt at humor and he hopes he didn't offend anybody. Well all I can say is that is a Hell of a way to introduction yourself as a new Met and I can tell you it better never happen again.
I have no doubt that at least 4 Mets players I know will be reading him the riot act on that which is something not tolerated in the Mets clubhouse.

[Sausy]

Definitely appreciate your perspectives, sonny. RA meant a lot to the team and the fans...it's never good saying goodbye to a guy who really earrned a place in the hearts of Mets fans starting when we first saw him pitch in 2010.(Of course you had seen him before he was brought up and really were up on him, aying he was just not a spot starter but could be really good...you were right!) I don't know if the Mets really wanted to sign him, think they really preferred trading him instead of the much younger Niese because of his maturity and just how devastating at least for a year or so, especially in a new league, his unique and celebrated fast knuckleball would be in the front of a contendng club's rotation. I would have loved Kansas City's Wil Myers like sonny wanted to,and though they did trade him for two Rays starters including the solid James Shields, they never seemed to want to deal with the Mets for RA.

Travis D'Arnaud though is an outstanding prospect. Most like or love him on defense, citing great improvement in calling a game and glovework over the past two years...but offensively, he can be special. Most think he'll at least hit .280-.300 with 25 or so homers, but have been cautious in saying he would be an outright offensive star like his boyhood hero, Mike Piazza,but he has the desire and even keeled temperament(California cool and easy on the outside...burning desire to improve and be a winner inside) to maybe approach Piazza offensively...maybe not quite the batting average (Piazza was an outstanding hitter...Travis could be but most see him as at least a good one) but his right field power is similar, and he is surprisingly confident in his power(mention oppa tacos to him and he will know what I mean right away)Good kid, will really be loved by Mets fans once they get to know him and hopefully he will be one of the games top catchers for a long time. He has an older brother named Chase who plays for the Pirates and is more of a skilled utility guy who can really run...one of the faster young players in the game. Travis of course runs like a catcher! Travis was proud though in one minor league game he was able to throw out his brother trying to steal(think Chase was 1 for 2 against his younger bro, but they had a lot of fun with it)

Looking forward to Zack Wheeler pitching in CitiField next year....he's a great talent who like sonny says is probably even more talented than Matt Harvey, and we saw some of what that boy can do already! Was disappointed the great young pitching prospect the Mets also acquired in the RA Dickey trade(God...getting a terrific catching prospect AND an equally phenomonal starting prospect? Alderson HAD to do this!!!) Noah Syndegaard got off to such an inauspicious start as a Met with his dumb tweet to a friend using an insulting to gays expression. He seems like a good kid and was just being stupid immature as young guys can be but at least he rightly apologized for his offensive remarks...and as sonny said some of the guys in the clubhouse will definitely make sure he knows how to conduct himself or he will hear it from them. His size(said to be over 6'5" AND still growing!)and stuff if he keeps healthy and has his head on straight instead of up his ass is unbelievable...in 2014 or 2015 we could have a big four of Harvey, Wheeler, Syndegaard, Niese with Dillon Gee, Jeurys Familia, Jennry Mejia, Mike Fulmer, and that kid from the Cyclones that sonny loves from this season among others...so much depth and trading strength!

Glad to hear Frank Francisco is doing well after surgery and will be good to go for spring training..perhaps it was the cause to a certain extent of his wildly uneven season and he can steady himself for this year.

One thing I'm very upset to read about was that Mets fans who have received the Mets 2012 highlights video have absolutely NO moments from RA Dickey's inspiring season. NO back to back one hitters,NO highlight of 20 games won and his thrilling domination..NONE AT ALL!!!!!!!! It's classless to just delete RA from the season when some great memories were delivered by RA's incredible season. You just DON'T forget that the reigning Cy Young Award winner was an instrumental part of the season, even if there were no playoffs to be had. Classless...they gave more respect to Jose Reyes when he returned to CitiField as a Marlin(ironically who traded him to Toronto, where he will again be teammates with RA Dickey). The Wilpons can be such putzes, but then again Mets fans know that!

[sonny10305]

Very nice post Saucy

Forgot to mention DWrights birthday yesterday David turned the big 30. So how does he feel passing into his thirties? Well David said that he hasn’t thought so much about it, he feels great. He thought it was kind of a strange question, because he feels just like yesterday he was 21, and doesn’t feel any different. David has kept busy attending one friend’s wedding after another having just returned home from Turks and Caicos, where he attended yet another a friend's wedding. Next month he will attend another with buddy Jon Niese getting married. Soooo the question is when will the marriage bug bite David and when will he finally put a ring on the lovely Molly’s finger? Stay tuned
By the way, Wright is the longest-tenured Met by a good margin. He made his major league debut on July 21, 2004. The next four on the seniority list all debuted in 2008:

The boys have now officially gotten their marching orders the Mets announced pitchers and catchers officially report to Port St. Lucie, Fla., for spring training on Feb. 11, with the first workout two days later. Position players report Feb. 16, with the first full-squad workout on Feb. 18. Pitchers and catchers will take their physicals on Tuesday, February 12, and they will workout for the first time on Wednesday, February 13.Position players will report to Port St. Lucie on Saturday, February 16, their physicals will be Sunday, February 17, and the first full squad workout will be Monday, February 18.The Mets open their Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday, February 23 against the Washington Nationals at 1:10 p.m. in Port St. Lucie.

Ok so now I have to vent and once again it’s about Bobby O, if you watched Mets Hot Stove last night you heard him tell KB that Josh Thole “just did not get it done” saying that Josh had not performed well in any way and was not going to work out for 2013. First of all we all know that Josh struggled with his bat Josh himself will tell you that but as a catcher he did a great job of calling games working with the younger pitchers and of course was able to master catching Dickeys knuckler. How many big league catchers can catch the knuckler as well as Josh did? Answer NONE. Then there as that Santana no hitter which Josh clearly called. Bobby was too hard on Josh and should have given more credit than he did but true to form ole blabber mouth went off on one of his useless commentaries. He did the same thing with Murphy last year when it was announced that Murph would learn second base and play that position. Instead of getting behind the idea and whishing Daniel well num nutz said he disagreed with the idea and that as a pitcher he wants someone behind him capable at second to make the plays. This before Murph ever even had the chance to spend one single day learning the position. As it turned out a little support might have been nice since Murph [proved to do a better than adequate job in that position I have nothing to see to that jackass except “Blow Me”

[chance1]

I find the Mets treatment of R.A. Dickey to be utter bullshit

To try to make R.A. a bad guy - to say that his teammates resented him

is bullshit

Any debate of integrity that pits R.A. against the Mets organization - the former wins by a landslide

I wish R.A. all the luck in the world with his new team and I will be rooting for him

He is a man of honor, a man I have appreciated as a player and a man

I remember a game a few years ago - in his first year as a Met - I believe it was against the Nationals - line drive hit him like a shot - in the arm - he went down hard - he popped up and on his knees dove for the ball grabbed it and threw the guy out at first

and continued in the game

i remember him climbing a mountain for charity even after finding out by the mets they would not guarantee his salary if he got injured

Sandy Alderson can suck my dick

[Sausy]

A very Merry Christmas to sonny, chance and everyone reading and posting abour our Mets!

[Thad1527]

Merry Christmas!

This sweepstakes, to win tickets to next season's All-Star Game, just started. You can enter once per day. I'll try my best!

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/sweepstakes/y...5499-498068870

It runs from now to Jan. 31, 2013.

[Sausy]

Hope you win Thad, but for me the round trip to Citi Field would be kinda pointless... live so close I can take the LIRR from Penn Station to Citi Field/ Willets Point!

After the big extension for David Wright and the RA Dickey trade for promising catcher Travis D'Arnaud and promising right hander Noah Syndegaard the Mets have been quiet getting beaten out for Cody Ross by Arizona. They did earlier make an acquisition though while not earth shattering could provide something interesting when they acquired earlier from the Oakland Athletics Colin Cowgill, a 26 year old centerfielder with modest major league numbers so far in limited at bats. But though he may not have star quality written all over him the speedstar has the scrappy, hustle at all times approach that Mets fans will love even if he is as planned a platoon player/defensive and pinch running replacement or fourth outfielder. He is reasonably patient at the plate and unlike a lot of the young Mets outfield prospects doesn't strike out a ton, and has some power. He's also righthanded, which definitely is a need...just wish the Mets weren't so damned unwilling to even go two years and 10 mil or so for Scott Hairston or someone who can help hold the fort until the Mets spring for a bigger deal or bring up someone like Brandon Nimmo after a couple more seasons. David Wright must really have gotten word before he signed up for the next eight years that come the trade deadline or this winter when other major contracts like Johann Santana's and Jason Bay's come off the books the Mets will be much more active. You don't have to spend an irresponsible amount of money to succeed but you do need to build a strong foundation if you want a team poised to contend for the long haul. But sooner or later, you do need to be flexible about adding some key pieces, being complimentary star types or good role players.

[syam24]

I see the Mets signed lefty Aaron Laffey to a minor league deal. He's been with a couple of clubs with limited success. He'll be trying to win a lefty slot in the bullpen, I guess, but he has also started a few times.

[sonny10305]

Syam as far as Aaron Laffey goes I think you know he spent the 2012 season with the Blue Jays, splitting time with the AAA affiliate in Las Vegas. Prolly see him eventually as a seventh-starter kind a pitcher or maybe start a few games here and there to fill in for injuries. His draw back seems to be when he works as a starter for an extended period, he's good the first time through the order, but when batters come back again they had his number and he has a hard time throwing anything other than his fastball. Since he does not seem to have significant lefty/righty splits he'd be fine in a swingman/long role. So, his name is easy to make puns with. The Mets will continue to scour the free agent market for relievers, we ain’t done there yet.

As far as the starting rotation goes I have said that I am reasonably comfortable with what we have.
A lot depends on what we get outta Santana who left us last year not looking so good. Putting aside that no-hitter, Santana had prolly the worst season of his professional career. His 6-9 record along with a 4.85 ERA and that almost nonexistent slowed fastball worries me.
Jon Niese has shown us he can for sure be a solid starting pitcher, he had a strong 2012, going 13-9 with a 3.40 record and almost made the 200 inning milestone, he just has to stay healthy and last the full 162 game season. He is in his prime now.
Happy to say that Dillon Gee will be back in 2013, you will remember last year got cut very short by a blood clot in his pitching hand. He finished with a 6-7 record with a 4.10 ERA. While he may not be over whelming with that 90 miles per hour fastball he is a solid number four or five pitcher in a rotation that will eat innings and win about half the games he pitches in.
My boy Matt Harvey will really break out this year after that awesome job he did for us in 2012 with that awesome 2.76 ERA or 70 strikeouts in 60 innings. The kids got a killer fastball in the upper nineties and the Mets best chance at finding a new ace.
Down the line you will see Zack Wheeler a very exciting pitcher he is for sure the Mets best pitching prospect and has all of the makings of a successful MLB pitcher. I saw him pitch a 98 mile per hour fastball down in the zone, throw a wicked curveball, and then bam zoom he hit em with a lazy fly ball on a change-up. His ability to locate his fastball, throw his breaking ball for strikes, and has another off-speed pitch to daze and confuse hitters, what till ya see that kid!. Zack was added to the 40-man roster and is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. Of course The Mets would prefer to let Wheeler get a good dose of Triple-A exposure and allow him to follow the same road as Harvey. BUT do not rule out the possibility of Zack to dazzle em in spring training so much that he could earn a major league job. I keep telllin ya he is that good.
Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia are two other in-house candidates the Mets could consider for the rotation, but I dono if either of em was particularly effective as a September call-up, and there is still debate that maybe they are better suited for the bullpen.
Chris Young never can be completely discounted from the mix but could be too pricey for the Mets after rebounding from shoulder surgery

Then there is the outfield which is sorta interesting, like Saucy wrote we aren’t gonna spend money out there till 2014 and we gotta gotta resign Hairston we need him inn 2013 especially his righty bat. The Yankees are still interested in Scott and it appears the signing of Matt Diaz has not changed that position and there are other teams interested in Hairston. Scott has declared publically that he wants to return to the Mets. If Hairston signs elsewhere, who is going to be our fourth outfielder?
Mike Baxter can play all three positions capably, probably best suited to the corners. Collin Cowgill whom is basically, a right-handed-hitting version of Baxter but with a bit more speed.
Lucas Duda was somewhat of a liability in both corners but started I thought to show real promise in right field when he went to Buffalo and then there is that power
that we have only just begun to see the kid has P O W E R to spare I expect him to break out this year.
Jordany Valdespin is not as good as he thinks he is, I but don’t see anything from him to suggest he can hit enough to be something other than a utility man.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis proved he is a plus defender who should have no problems patrolling center field. The question is his lazy bat and those horrendous strikeouts. But I have known Kirk a while and have a lot of faith in him, he tore up AA in the first half of 2012, he’ll ok so maybe he started out in the majors not hitting for high average and struck out too much, but he has good raw power from the left side. Let’s see how he comes back to spring training he needs to keep performing to stay relevant. If he does, expect to see him early in 2013.
Matt Den Dekker tore up AA in 2012; hitting .340 but when he got to AAA he struggled a little hitting .256 with too many strikeouts, and not many walks. However he has a great glove and can cover ground in center field which we can for sure use. I see him as a good possibility to see him at Citifield in 2013.
So what we will prolly have is a full platoon situation that looks like Duda, Baxter, Nieuwenhuis (or Den Dekker), Cowgill and maybe Valdespin.

Hey Kirk are ya ready to play in the outfield next year? I think that’s a yes

[sonny10305]

Kevin Burkhardt, who is busy working off the 5 pounds of cookies he ate during Christmas break, returns to Mets Hot Stove tonight live at 7pm on SNY with repeats thru the week.
Kevin wishes he could delete the cookies like temporary internet files

[Sausy]

Kevin always has this lean look, but it's a killer trying to get through the holidays avoiding all the goodies around!

[syam24]

The Mets have signed a couple of more guys to minor league deals with invites to spring training, Omar Quintanilla is back, who did a useful job as a utility guy with the Mets and Orioles, and a minor league outfielder, Andrew Brown, I think. Don't have much knowledge on that guy. Still hoping for a Hairston signing and something more for the pitching staff and outfield.

[Sausy]

I'm kind of pissed about how low rent the Mets are...c'mon..I heard about their reworking a loan for $700 million...if the Wilpons can't afford the Mets, get the hell out of the baseball business! It's sickening how Bud Selig pushes the Dodgers owner mcCourt out but because it's his close buddy he won't do a thing to get Fred Wilpon to get things square or get out. It's embarassing we can't even go for established, solid major leaguers( not elite level, but competent/good)...it's like the baseball version of coupon clipping and in the New York market for chrissakes that's inexcusable and pathetic!

[sonny10305]

Still quiet in Mets land no news on any moves just the same ole rumors and BS I pay no attention to unless of course it comes from Burkhardt or Cerrone.Still on the shopping list are Outfield, Starter and Reliever
The only thing I have been paying attention to is Scott Hairston, who is free agent now, and what he will do. The dude seems not be ion in any rush to signing anywhere. We know the Yankees where interested but have sorta indicated, if you can believe it, that they are now somewhat pessimistic about signing him and don't expect he will end up in the Bronx. Still as of now the Mets and Yankees are two of the finalists for Hairston. I know that Hairston would prefer the Mets, for one reason he will be able to get more at-bats making it unlikely he will sign with the Yankees where he would be the fourth outfielder, if Hairston were to sign with a team like the Mets, he likely could play every day. I have said before I would like to see Scott back her gave us .263 with 20 homers last season and of course we really need that righty bat.

Hoping for some good news soon from Murphy and Davis who are both due for raises before this season begins with both of my boys entering arbitration discussions.Ike this year will qualify for four years of arbitration, while Murph is the first year. If you wonder how it comes down, the player and the team each submit a salary figure usually the player asks for more than the Mets wants to pay and the Mets asks for less than the player wants to accept. Then the two of em have a few weeks to settle before entering a hearing I believe is going to be from Feb. 2 to Feb. 20. During the hearing an independent arbitrator dude reviews the case from both sides and chooses a salary figure. I’m pretty sure the exchange date is Jan 18 when if the sides do not settle beforehand, the player and team will exchange their final contract demands. Basically the arbitrator would choose either the player’s submitted figure or the team’s submitted figure after a hearing in February in Florida I would expect and hope for both guys to get just about $3 million.

Another Met will be putting a ring on it when Saturday Jon Niese gets married to his girlfriend Leah, best of luck to them. Of course the other great news is that Jon who experienced an irregular heartbeat last year won't require surgery and is good to go.

Endy Chavez has agreed to terms with the Kansas City Royals on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training

I am off tomorrow on one of my field trips, this time it begins in Ohio and then on to Arizona.
I will be back in NY on the 25th in plenty of time for Ike Davis getting his well deserved honor at the Thurman Munson Dinner on Feb 5th

Not much to say about the Piazza mess, in case you guys haven’t figured it out yet I have very little use for most sportswriters and their opinion especially who get is to the Hall Of Fame. Burkhardt called it “An utter joke” and I would have to agree. And speaking of KB It’s Thursday and you kiddies know what that means another Mets Hot Stove with Kevin Burkhardt,unless that flu he's got knocks him completly out, on SNY at 7pm.

Justin Turner wrapping up winter ball with batting numbers in the interstate for Escigido. But he continued to do what he does best and hit in the clutch raking up 13 RBI's in just 21 games.

Hey JT! Why are you always so doggone happy all the time?

[Sausy]

Glad to see the updates as always, sonny. Hope we hear soon about Scott Hairston's decision. Not sure even if he's an every day player as he did much better against lefties but his opportunities with the Mets definitely would be greater than on what the Yankees would plan for him.

Have a great trip and hope you post on occasion on any news you hear. Kinda frusrating being in a holding pattern until the boys head to Florida(except for Florida resident Murph)for spring training. I'm sure seeing the guys will help get you all jazzed up for the upcoming spring training trip for you and your dad and the new season with the expectation of seeing new catcher Travis d' Arnaud and Zack Wheeler called to the Mets sometime this year.

LOVE JT...love that goofy, fun personality plus the way he plays, so professionally and unselfishly. Gotta be loved by his teammates....hope he continues being the cream pie prankster deluxe he has become notorious for!

[sonny10305]

Hey Saucy and JUB guys howdy from the great state of Arizona, while everyone is asleep I thought I would jump in here to see what’s goin on.

First up, the big news for me yesterday was hearing that my Cyclone boys Cory Mazzoni, Rafael Montero, Juan Centeno and Josh Satin, have gotten invites to Spring Training. In addition as if that weren’t enough to make my day yesterday Matt den Dekker got one too.
Just to bring you up to speed, Mazzoni was the Mets second-round draft pick in 2011 he spent most of 2012 in AA and finished with a 3.93 ERA pitching about 140 innings. Cory just could move in to our pen with that heater of his he’s also got an awesome split-finger that he sometimes uses as a change-up.
Montero was the Mets Organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2012, his ERA hit 2.36 in AA, and He was one of Alderson’s first moves. He’s got three pitches, a fastball, slider, and change-up. Prolly see him in 2014
Juan Centeno is decent enough catcher, maybe needs some work on receiving butwe always want catchers.
You should remember Josh Satin you saw him for a while last year when we had Ruben Tejada, Justin Turner, and Ronny Cedeno all out at the same time. He spent most of the season in AAA Buffalo, batting in the high just below .300 he can play first, second, and third base.
Then there is my boy Matt den Dekker who you also got a peek at last year and is the most likely of the five to break camp with the team. The kids got great pop and speed and could have the best glove of the bunch. Keep in mind our outfield is a bit, shall we say, uncertain.

I am so proud of Daniel Murphy having made MLB Network’s “Top 10 Right Now: Second Basemen.”
But if I hear or read one more “sportswriter” crap all over that choice I’m gonna hurt somebody. Within hours of that choice a bunch of turds starting poo pooing the idea that Murph could be included in that list. Forget that he made some outstanding plays in his very first season as a second baseman and the fact that he ranked in the top ten 2nd baseman in OPS. He was also in the top ten in walks per strikeout, slugging and on-base percentage and was second in batting average. About the only thing Murph did not give us much with was power but wait till this year. Murph is a fan favorite and has always played wherever they ask him to without complaining. As to second base he’s the best we have right now and he is full of confidence that he will be even better this year, he is sooo sure of that.
So get of his back give the kid his due and be grateful for players like him.
Speaking of Murph he is coming into NY today cause as you know not only is he a gem on the team he is also a gem when it comes to helping people in need especially kids, so he will be there helping Rockaway residents who were devastated by Hurricane Sandy as a New York Cares volunteer giving out food and supplies. Murphy will also join Kevin Burkhardt on Mets Hot Stove this Thursday he will be in the studio with KB and ya don’t wanna miss that.

Finally I want to say congrats to Jon and Leah Niese who were married this weekend. Jon had a rough year with concerns about his heart after feeling a rapid heartbeat after pitching. He sweated that out for a while but docs have said meds are working and he won’t have to have any surgery which was a big relief to all of us Jon is one of the sweetest kids in the game and we want only good things for him.




Hey! think I hear someone else finally getting up, time for breakfast see ya guys soon

[sonny10305]

Just wondering since the internet connection is wacky here I am trying to post thru my home computer someone tell me please tell me if it worked ok thanks

[syam24]

Your posts have come thru Sonny. Hear the weather is a bit chilly in AZ. Anyway, not much going on, although Alderson did go watch Brian Wilson throw in Cali on Saturday. He had nothing to report other than acknowledging his presence there. Rumors are that Hairston will make his decision this week, we shall see.

[sonny10305]

Yeah Syam it was pretty cold here for a while but it warmed up by the time I got in. Still a bit chilly in the morning but 60s and 70s in afternoon which is great golf weather!

I dono about Brian Wilson as a Met, Last week, as you wrote, the Mets watched Wilson throw a private bullpen session and were supposedly not all that impressed they saw, they are concerned that he may not be ready for a contract at this point in his rehab from Tommy John Basically sayin “Physically, he’s not ready, he’s got a ways to go.” Wilson also met with Sandy Alderson privately last week, and said he was very interested in signing with the Mets but wants a guaranteed deal, and as of now after what they saw the Mets would prefer to give him a minor-league contract.
So we shall see.

Still waitin on word about Scott Hairston who The Mets are interested in re-signing, but they would prefer to bring him in on another one-year $2 million deal, Scott wants two years and 8 Mill which The Mets rejected. So we are at a stalemate.

Guys don’t forget Daniel Murphy will be live in the studio tonight with Kevin Burkhardt’s Mets Hot Stove on SNY at 7pm. I am sure he will talk to KB about the new season which by the way he has a lot of confidence in he is not all that bothered by folks sayin not much was done over the winter and is quick to point out that they signed who he calls “The best 3rd baseman in baseball” DWright. Murph gets what the team’s needs; he has been keeping close watch on the Mets moves all winter. He is also a fan of Scotty H (Hairston) and wants him back. Thing is although he knows he has work to do it sure is nice and a pleasant breath of fresh air that this time he will go into spring training expecting to be able to play a full season not worried about making the team or hopefully get hurt again. All that will in his words will allow him to take a mature approach. After leaving NY with his wife and brother Jonathan (draft pick last year by the Minnesota Twins) he heads to Jacksonville for more work outs before he takes the three hour trip to spring training on Feb. 10, which is about a week early.

[Sausy]

Couple of good Mets news items which I'm sure sonny will have more about soon... first Ike Davis and the Mets come to an agreement for next season and avoid arbitration at a figure of a little over $3,100,000... Mets offfered 2.8 mil while Ike and his rep submitted 3.7 mil...fair compromise and it's always better to avoid the tensions of the arbitration process and gets things done before the arbitrater decides. Now Ike can just concentrate on getting ready for spring training, which is around three weeks away( already several Mets will come down a week or so earlier than the official opening of camp for pitchers and catchers).

Also congrats to David Wright on his engagement to longtime girlfriend Molly Beers...as sonny would probably razz him after all the recent teammate weddings David's been attending recently,"It's about fucking time"!


Also would like to remember Oriole managerial great Earl Weaver, who managed for 17 years and commanded many great Oriole clubs(never won the World Series but had six division and four league championship titles). Famous for his combative temperament with umps and disdain for small ball, preaching the praises of pitching, defense and the three run homer...Weaver was a tough but outstanding leader and such a unique character. Earl Weaver died on the weekend at age 82.

Stan Musial, one of the greatest left handed hitters of all time, and a career long St. Louis Cardinal for over twenty years until his retirement in 1963, died on Saturday as well at the age of 92. Musial hit a lifetime .330 with 3,630 hits, fourth currently all time .Gracious, unpretentious, humble, and always a dedicated professional playing for the Cards or in his endeavors after his career, Stan" The Man" (as he was famously nicknamed, ironically first in Brooklyn by those impressed in his performance against their hometown Dodgers) was what a hero should be. In these days of such sleazy characters as Lance Armstrong, whose legacy was his monumental cheating, lying and power plays behind his 7 Tour de France victories, we need to honor real heroes in an era when bottom line, ego and social status determine who's on top. Musial was never showy, never scandalous...just did his thing better than almost anyone ever has on the baseball field. Sustained excellence and personal graciousness and good character is what Stan Musial left behind and will always be remembered and loved in St. Louis and everywhere among true baseball fans.

[syam24]

Good update Sausy, also nice words on the deaths of Earl Weaver, and Stan Musial. I think the most remarkble stat on Stan Musial is he had 1815 hits at home and 1815 hits on the road, what unbelievable consistancy! What's old is new again, the Mets have signed Pedro Feliciano to a minor league contract. At the the Yankees paid his two years of unemployment/disabity compensation.

[sonny10305]

That was fast n easy
I’m talkin about the quick agreement between the Mets and Ike Davis which saucy reported yesterday. For sure it was a happy day in Ikeville Saturday when the news came in but no surprise really when you consider the Mets have to have known what a gem they have in Ike and would be fools not to lock him down and make him happy quickly and avoid unnecessary abort ration. The Ikeman has three more years of arbitration eligibility before being eligible for free agency after the 2016 season.
This would have been Ike’s first time at the arbitration table but the Mets wisely agreed to give him 6 times what he made last year and no one deserves that more. Last year Ike hit 32 homers and 90 RBIs and leeme tell ya if you think that was good what till this year… seriously just wait I have seen him recently in the cages There will be plenty more like that 435 foot bomb he hit against the Diamondbacks last July. Member that day? Ike hit three home runs, and was one of only a few Mets to do that. This year he will also have the advantage of being 100% healthy he had was said to be his last check on that valley fewer thing and it came up clean absolutely no signs of that anymore. And u can see it in his everyday life does not get as tired as easily as he once did just feels and looks great.

What is left now is for the Mets to do the same for Murphy who is still unsettled but we are only about three quarters of a million off from what Murph wants and what the Mets wanna give so it should not be long hopefully we can avoid arbitration which if there is no agreement will happen in about 2 weeks.

Saucy also mentioned the engagement of DWright and his long time girlfriend Molly, I sorta hinted to you guys last month that it was coming tellin you to “stay tuned” ? I knew that David wanted to get his career status in order first and as soon as he signed that 8 year deal and knew he was not going to moving around anymore that he could concentrate on raising a family here in NY. No date set yet and I don’t see it happin till the fall.
David will also participate in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, and he will be the only Met in the tournament. This will be his second consecutive start for Team USA.

Lucas Duda took quite the ribbing recently after that fall he took trying to lift a TV stand when he moved out in California. Apparently the Dude has troubling backpedaling, he had some mishaps at Citi field trying to do that but when he did it trying to go backwards in his apartment things got a little too funny when his heel got caught, causing him to fall to the floor injuring his thumb. At first he laughed it off thought he just sprained it but after realized it was more serious with the pain and swelling getting worse. Turned out he had broken his wrist and had to have surgery which included inserting a pin. The dude felt kinda dumb and actually got a little depressed for a couple of days till he chalked it all up as just a stroke of bad luck. But no fear everyone he is completely healed and ready to rock. I have a lot of faith in Lucas I still believe he is more than capable of hitting 30-plus homers and joining Wright and Davis to give us a great 3-4-5 in the lineup. But first as he arrived in Florida next month he has to be ready for all the jokes from the guys about his clumsiness, Murph has already texted Duda to tease him. Should be fun.

If you like the Mets pre game show you will love to hear that the show will be extended to an hour this year with Ron Darling, Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez play a big part of the show, Kevin Burkhardt will get additional time on the show and will continue to have Chris Carlin and Bobby O at the helm. There is talk about adding someone else as well. In order to make room for the extended show, “Wheelhouse” will be canceled. Brian Custer will move to anchor SportsNite along with Gary Apple. The longer show will allow more social media type segments as well as featuring beat writers from visiting teams on the show.

Pedro Feliciano is returning he has agreed to a minor league contract. This after seasons with the Yankees full of injuries He never even got to pitch one game with the Yanks spending two years on the disabled list with that torn capsule in his shoulder. Still after speakin with a couple of the players I am surprising ok with this; he can complement our up n comin lefties Josh Edgin and Robert Carson with his veteran presence. Plus ya gotta figure Feliciano is wantin to re-establish his value remember it has been two years since we saw him. I know he is getting there age wise buy Lefty relievers have the tendency to be useful well into their thirties. Josh Edgin should be a given to make the roster, but the competition is wide-open for a second left-hander in the bullpen. Another lefty Tim Byrdak, who basically took over for Feliciano departed, is recovering from his own shoulder surgery. Tim did re-sign with the Mets on a minor league deal but I don’t see him available until the second half of the season.

[Sausy]

Thanks sonny to your detailed update, and I suspect you'l be posting soon with another as Scott Hairston takes a two year, 6 mil offer from the Cubs ending speculation about his re-upping with the Mets.Seems the Mets were REALLY lowballing, a couple of million for one year which is surprisingly low, even for the budget conscious Mets these past couple of years. They do have an interest in Michael Bourn, the Atlanta free agent centerfielder who could solidify the badly deficient leadoff spot in their lineup in terms of raw speed and basse stealing ability. Yet there are many obstacles to that happening. Firstly the length ofthe contract and his agent being Scott Boras, who will try for at least 3 years, 30 mil....secondly is Bourn that good? He strikes out a LOT(155 times last year,140 times twice before in recent years)and while he walks some, isn't that disciplined a hitter as his average last year was.274, and he hasn't been above .280 in a few years. He's a known quantity and can help on the bases and reasonably good defensively in center. But leading into the third negative the Mets would have to part with their first round pick(#11) if they sign him since Atlanta put out a qualifying offer. The Mets are trying to argue their pick should really count as the 10th and be exempted for being in the first ten because Pittsburgh was awarded the 10th pick after failing to sign their own pick last year. I don't see Bourn being good enough to warrant giving up their first round pick this year for compensation of signing him. A number of other clubs are also very aggressively going after Bourn, and it's hard to see them springing the bucks even if MLB rules they can keep their pick. I would do it if it were a two or three year deal, around 20mil or so, and they were allowed to hold on to the pick. But this is the Wilpon regime we're dealing with, and at least til contracts come off the books after this year( most notably Johann Santana and the Seattle Mariners bound Jason Bay) they seem to have handcuffed Sandy Alderson in aggressive player moves.

One outfielder suggested was Jason Kubel of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he is too much a replica of Lucas Duda to make any sense. A left handed, offensively strong, athletically/defensively weak component. Makes no sense for the Mets to get him, and the price for their much more favored( but far less gettable) BJ Upton would be a couple of the super high end pitching prospects they have. Or maybe even Travis d'Arnaud, the highly rated catching prospect from the Blue Jays just arrived from the Blue Jays for RA Dickey.

[sonny10305]

Yeah Saucy I heard the news last night when Ike said “we lost scotty” I am disappointed cause I figured if we do nothing else in the outfield we should at least bring Hairston back. A dopey move by Alderson we shudda given Scott what he wanted which wasn’t all that much in my opinion. I have little interest in Bourn I just don’t see him as any kinda fix for our outfield, sure he could improve it some but I rather have the first draft pick in the draft, 11th overall, I just wanna keep building up our farm system. So for me I much rather roll the dice if you will than go with Bourne, and I don’t buy into the idea that there is a good chance those guys actually making it, don’t even go there with me. What it boils down to is The Mets should in my opinion have very little interest in signing Bourn if he cost the team its draft pick and $2.5 million piece of its allotted draft budget. The Mets are due to pick 11th in the draft, just to remind you guys the top 10 picks are protected and are not forfeited if a team signs a free agent like Bourn, who has already passed on a $13 million offer from the Braves. Then there is Alderson sayin that the Mets' pick at No. 11 ought to be protected because it would have been the 10th pick had the Pirates not been awarded an extra pick in the top 10 for failing to sign their top pick last year.

So I guess Alderson really believes that Zack Wheeler needs more time to develop in the minors and have signed Shaun Marcum, who will fill the void left after Dickey got traded. Looks like he will join Santana, Harvey, Niese and Gee. I guess this will preclude the re-signing of Chris Young.

Yesterday when I wrote about Duda and my strong belief that he will show us a lot this year
I forgot to mention that he is already on his way to St Lucie to work with Hudgens,talk about choppin at the bit to get started huh?
One of the things Hudgens needs to do is help Lucas do what he does in his cage swing during games, that by the way is what helped Ike a lot last year. Other things like muscle memory and the habit he has of thinking too much about the pitch, he needs to react to it instead. I think working with Dave as it did with IKe will give Lucas more confidence with the early start this year allowing those two to spend more time together. Those of us who have seen as much of Lucas as I have in the cage know his swing is powerful enough to do damage to a pitch without any added force.
You can hear Lucas talk about that tonight when he joins Kevin Burkhardt on Mets Hot stove at 7pm on SNY.

[Sausy]

Glad to hear sonny you're as skeptical about Bourn as I am. Especially if the cost is the Met's first round draft pick and a long term, big money commitment to a solid but not great player like Bourn.
Yep, hopeful too about Lucas Duda's ability to turn back last year and show much more of the disciplined hitter that hit .290 with 50 RBI in half a season as a rookie in 2011 and a far more manageable strikeout rate. Glad he's taking a page from Ike last year in rebounding off the awful start and working with Dave Hudgens. The kid is as sonny has mentioned a really good guy but very prone to self doubts but he has to trust his talent...he has a great swing when he's right and like sonny also said he's a strong kid, he doesn't have to force it to hit em a long way. The power will come naturallly, he just has to relax and believe in himself at the plate as he hit so well as a rookie.

Is it just me or is sonny the unofficial publicist for everything KB?

[sonny10305]

Is it just me or is sonny the unofficial publicist for everything KB?

There is no one's opinion I trust more when it comes to the game than KB
BUT, today he said he thinks signing Bourn is a must,a gold glove, legit leadoff hitter
Soooooooooooooo even Kevin gets it wrong sometimes
Oh yeah, it's on KB

[sonny10305]

I am sure KB will discuss his views on Bourn tonight on Hot stove. I will be interested in hearing what the other members of the panel have to say. By the way if Alderson was to get his way with MLB regarding the draft I would not be as opposed to the deal. For me it is a take him or leave him situation but not if it means losing the draft pick, I am all about the farm.

[Sausy]

There is no one's opinion I trust more when it comes to the game than KB
BUT, today he said he thinks signing Bourn is a must,a gold glove, legit leadoff hitter
Soooooooooooooo even Kevin gets it wrong sometimes
Oh yeah, it's on KB

I am sure KB will discuss his views on Bourn tonight on Hot stove. I will be interested in hearing what the other members of the panel have to say. By the way if Alderson was to get his way with MLB regarding the draft I would not be as opposed to the deal. For me it is a take him or leave him situation but not if it means losing the draft pick, I am all about the farm.

I know how high a regard you have for KB's perspectives...I'm sure he's gonna be ready for your challenge!

I'm with you sonny, not crazy about signing Bourn but if the draft pick could be maintained by the Mets, and the cost isn't hefty I'd be okay with the signing too. Still too many other things in play though to say anything for sure as Bourn isn't going to come dirt cheap like the Mets wanted for Scott Hairston to return.

[syam24]

Interesting discussions on Bourne, but without the return of Hairston, the Mets really need a righthanded bat for the outfield. My guess is that there will be a trade down the road either before of during spring training. Bourne is a decent player, but not worth whatever Boras will want to sign him, and not worth a #1 pick in the draft. I suppose Shawn Marcum is a reasonable signing, worth a gamble on him to eat some innings and hopefully provide some veteran leadership to some of the young 'uns.

[sonny10305]

Pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie in 2 weeks

Soo nothing much new, after hearing Alderson joke about the situation in the outfield most of us are wondering if maybe he has something up his sleeve or will he actually get the bourn thing done the latter being doubtful. If he does nothing we would have Lucas Duda as our everyday left fielder, Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Collin Cowgill would platoon in center, and Mike Baxter and Andrew Brown would platoon in right. Now I am going to go on the record to say I am not terrified of that. If Lucas Duda were to match last year he'd rank above the average left fielder and as hard as I know he plans on working this spring he will improve and become well above average. The Nieuwenhuis-Cowgill platoon would have to be a strict platoon, since Nieuwenhuis is a left-handed hitter, and Cowgill's a right-handed hitter. Both boys have played decently in very limited time in center field. I was hoping for a platoon of Mike Baxter and Scott Hairston but with Scotty gone we will most likely see Andrew Brown the most likely candidate to replace him. Baxter who bats left-handed hit .275 against right-handed pitching. Brown, the right-hander has been crushing left-handed pitching with a .980 OPS over the past two years in the minors. So I am not as worried as some of my friends are and we could have something better than many think. Yeah I get it, not all that sexy an outfield but it probably won't be the worst one in the game either. I am more anxious than ever to get to spring training to see what these guys will give us. Hey, I am no fool I don’t expect to win a WS but I do expect from what I know of these guys,
as Syam called “Youg uns” (love that) will give us all they got and make for some really fun baseball.

In addition it looks now that Terry Collins plans to give righty-hitting Justin Turner and Zach Lutz looks in the outfield during spring training, again the Michael Bourn signing could change that but I don’t think it should, JT needs to show what he can do out there and make himself more valuable and allow more playing time and a big Turner fan is something I would love to see happen.

Our starting pitching is pretty much in place and we have Wheeler to jump in when we need him the sooner the better. The Mets signed Shaun Marcum on Thursday to fill a hole in their rotation. I am still a bit miffed by the lack in Wheeler support from Alderson; I mean has he watched him pitch? He is so ready to be 5th starter but I am going to bow to Sandy on this for now he is after all supposed to know more about that than I do. But the Mets seem like they don’t see Wheeler making the major-league team out of spring training, which is why they signed Marcum. I have nothing against the kid he is a good pitcher a useful starter, he went 7-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 21 starts last year for the Brewers last season. It’s just that I really really want Wheeler in and not wait till mid summer.

Our Bull pen is still a work in progress. Of course who will squat behind the plate remains to be seen, Mets coaches will have to figure all that out during spring training as they get a whole new catching staff introduced to the pitching staff, they’ll have to learn our pitchers. Gussin John Buck will start the season as the Mets’ primary catcher with Anthony Recker as his backup. Look for Travis d’Arnaud to get the primary spot at AAA Las Vegas (getta get used to sayin that), backed up by Landon Powell. My heart goes out to Powell who’s five-month-old daughter died Friday, The little angel suffered from a disease in which white blood cells can build up in an organ and destroy other cells. Poor kids liver had become so enlarged it caused her ribs to break. Seriously how sad is that it is too much to accept.

Our infield will be one to reckon with Ike, Murph, David and Tejada no worries there. Still waitin on news from Murph on his contract, the Mets have not budged on the off their offer which is about three quarters of a mill less than Murph asked for. If nothing happens the arbitrator will get it in about 2 or 3 weeks and make the decision as to whether to give Murph what he asked for or what the Mets have offered. Soon as I know you will know. Justin Turner would be our backup infielder, and Brandon Hicks will prolly fill in for Tejada at short the role Ronny Cedeno had.

I expect Jordany Valdespin and Omar Quintanilla will start in AAA Vegas. Valdespin needs to spend time with Wally Backman in AAA if anyone can straighten out that knucklehead it’s Wally. Quintanilla might make it onto the roster if Turner takes well as an outfielder and Brown fails to make the Opening Day roster.

For those of you who may be wondering how Josh Thole is doing with his new job with the Toronto Blue Jays he avoided arbitration yesterday and settled. Interestingly while most arbitration-eligible players settle for a one-year contract, the Blue Jays gave Thole a two-deal at just over 1 Million per season, with an option for 2015. if everything goes the way it looks now he is expected to begin the season in AAA, That is cause Josh is behind Arencibia and Blanco on the depth chart but it’s Blanco's job to lose. Still Josh could although not likely as of today finds himself in Toronto to open the year, But If Blanco has a good spring training, he will prolly open the season as the backup catcher behind Arencibia. Blanco has not been guaranteed the job at all, which explains the non-guaranteed contract.

Back to Wheeler for a sec if you wondered just how wild and crazy a guy Zack is check out one of his rides which he gave a last wash before he heads to camp

[Sausy]

Great update as always, sonny...Mets got Daniel Murphy signed to a one year deal at a little over 2.9 mil and avoided arbitration.Now everyone can just go into camp hungry and ready for a new season...many guys should be in Florida(certainly Murph living there has the jump on 'em) starting early next week to get a head start on the new year.

[sonny10305]

Yup Saucy actually it as lookin pretty good late yesterday afternoon pretty sure we had the deal. I always expected him to get just about 3 Mill Glad he avoided arbitration cause sometimes that leads to a messy situation and Murph did not want that.

As you said a lot of guys are planning to get in early this year some are already there, Lucas Duda, Anthony Recker, Matt den Dekker, Wilmer Flores and Brian Bixler. Matt Harvey will be there next week. Lucas took live pitching yesterday and felt on ill effects on that thumb He hit in the cage for 10 minutes with Dave Hudgens, and took fly balls.



Murph will be leaving soon it’s just a three hour drive for him as soon as Vickie lets him out that is

DWright heads down Monday his bats are leaving today



Jeremy Hefner still hoping to make team as long reliever otherwise he expects to go to AAA Vegas
Bourn and Alderson still talking they had dinner the other night. Perhaps Sandy will talk more about it when he hooks up with Burkhardt on METS HOT STOVE on Thursday at 7PM.

Hey Ike! Are you ready for spring training?

[Sausy]

Nice pics, Sonny! Have any idea where Ike is in this one? Ike's looking casual but classy here!

[syam24]

Well, I see the Mets have been picking in the dumpster again, having signed Scott Atchinson and LaTroy Hawkins to minor league deals. I think, from what I've read, Atchinson's elbow is being held together with bailing wire and chewing gum, and I've never been a fan of Hawkins. He usually has one good outing, then gets lit up like a Christmas tree for two or three outings. I'm hoping the Mets are just putting bodies into uniforms with these two signings. I know Hawkins did a decent job for the Angels last year, but that is probably an aberration.

[sonny10305]

Nice pics, Sonny! Have any idea where Ike is in this one? Ike's looking casual but classy here!

That is from a visit to Harvard law school here is the full shot

[syam24]

This has been probably the most boring off season I can remember for Major League baseball. The "hot stove" league has been tepid at best for me. It might lead to a lot of spring training changes for several teams, particularly as we get closer to opening day, just 2months away.

[Sausy]

This has been probably the most boring off season I can remember for Major League baseball. The "hot stove" league has been tepid at best for me. It might lead to a lot of spring training changes for several teams, particularly as we get closer to opening day, just 2months away.

God syam, I so agree....now we signed cheater Marlon Byrd to a minor league ccontract, finding every opportunity to go coupon shopping for depth and it sucks. I really hope some decent names are let go in spring training that can help us more than the crap we're settling for now.

[Sausy]

That is from a visit to Harvard law school here is the full shot

Nice shot, sonny! Any reason in particular Ike was in the area at the time? And oh yes, LOVING the trimmed beard he's wearing nowadays...rocks the look!

[sonny10305]

Yup Saucy Ike does indeed look good in that photo. His beard looks like that now while he is home in Arizona but that’s due to the influence of mamma Millie Davis, as soon as Ike gets back here to NY that will change and his beard as he would say develop a life if its own. Ike will be coming to NY tomorrow; he will be getting the Thurman Munson Awards Dinner on Tuesday at Grand Hyatt Hotel in the City. Then the next day weds he will be leaving for Florida to begin spring training and that’s almost two weeks early, Murph is driving down this week as well. DWright, Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey leave Monday to join Lucas Duda who is already there. These guys can’t wait to get started lots of enthusiasm and hope for the new season.

Syam, I hear what you are sayin but I am not surprised by what Alderson has done or not done I sorta expected it. While I may not completely agree with sandy all the time I want to trust he is going to get the job done over time. I love what he has done with our farm system; seriously you have to give him credit for what it going on there. I mean look at the mess the Yankees have to face now they have a very weak farm and it is going to bite them on the ass now.

I had hoped for some action in the outfield but as I have written before I am not willing to give up any draft pick for guys like Bourn, YOU HEARD ME BURKHARDT! But that could still happen if MLB will protect the Mets first-round draft if the Mets sign a player requiring draft-pick compensation. Then and only then I think that Bourn will sign with the Mets. Two things however, I understand Bourn wants a long term deal maybe as much as 5 years and that ain’t happenin, also ya have to wonder if the league will protect the pick because they don’t wanna set a precedent. Bottom line the Mets will not give up their top draft pick to sign Bourn. The Mets have also now signed outfielder Marlon Byrd to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training, but again I scratch my head, I have a real big problem with dopers and Byrd got a 50-game suspension for testing positive for some crap called Tamoxifen

The only other concern is of course the bullpen. We did add some middle relief with Pedro Feliciano, Scott Atchison and LaTroy Hawkins. But what about the closer, Alderson admitted himself he is uncomfortable with Frank Francisco, and so am I, the dude blew too many games for us last year and makes me nervous when he is on the mound. That elbow is a worry for me and we need for Alderson to look at other possibilities. I still think we will have another player maybe two between now and spring training, we hear perhaps it could be Valverde who saved 35 games for Detroit last year, but didn’t he crash and burn toward the end of the season.? His ERA came down to 5 in September, and he was removed from the closer role during the playoffs. So I dono about that dude I would prefer we keep looking.

Our infield is solid with DWright strong, Murphy will continue in his tear from last year but look for him to show more power this season with more homers, and Ike Davis will surpass his numbers this year and will show us what he can do against lefties. Tejada who is currently on Long Island working with Jose Reyes can be counted on to continue making us say JOSE who? Like I said a solid infield we can be proud of.

We have 4 excellent starters in our pitching and as soon as Alderson wakes up and brings Wheeler in we will have 5, so no worries there

As far as the roster goes it gets a little crowded With Byrd on a minor league contract, the Mets have fourteen non-roster invitees headin to spring training. All of em competing for spots on the 25-man roster for Opening Day, Keep in mind that the Mets will have 39 spots for the 40 man roster so what happens if more than one player makes the team out of spring training? Well they will have to clear a spot, so If they sign a free agent like maybe a relief pitcher to a major league deal, the only lonely ole slot on the 40-man roster will be taken before the non-roster invitees even get a shot, unless of course some player on the roster ends up on the disabled list making his spot available until he's ready to return, that will then hold up any decision about who would need to be cut. Finally If the Mets remove a player from the roster, the player would hit waivers and could be claimed by any other team. Sooooo it will all be very interesting and of course you guys can count on me to keep you up to date on what shakes out.

It is getting so close to baseball I can hardly think about anything else. Seriously it is the first thing I think of when I open my eyes in the morning and the last before I go to bed. I CAN’T WAIT!

Next week KB will have his last live show on Mets Hot Stove before headin down to Florida to cover spring training which will begin the following Wednesday on SNY and will air several days a week live from St Lucie and that’s is always fun.

So with just weeks away from the start of spring training we have some football first with the big game tonight If you wondered about some of the Mets picks I can tell you that Daniel Murphy,Ike Davis, Lucas Duda and Dillon Gee going for the 49ers. Kirk Niewenhuis, Bobby Parnell, Mike Baxter, Ruben Tejada and David Wright are going Ravens

[Sausy]

Great update as always,sonny! Yep, baseball is almost here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm telling ya sonny...whoever you end up with better love baseball as much as you do!

[sonny10305]

I'm telling ya sonny...whoever you end up with better love baseball as much as you do!

That’s cause it’s in my blood Saucy I was born with a baseball glove on my hand. I had the advantage of two baseball payers in my life with my dad and uncle both having played ball. My Uncle Joe was a semi pro pitcher who taught me the art of that position at an early age. Thru little league, Jr high and high school I mostly played third base but then decided I wanted to pitch which I have been doing for a while now with a couple of local teams. Recently I have been a part of the Cyclone organization and spend all of my summer with the team. So It’s pretty much baseball all the time in my life and would not have it any other way.

Ike Davis is in town to receive his Thurman Munson award tonight at the Grand Hyatt then he will hang out a day to appear with Kevin Burkhardt on Thursdays Mets Hot Stove before headin down to spring training. Listen to Ike talk to Kevin about how well he is feeling and what he hopes for next year among other things live Thursday 7pm on SNY. If you guys caught the outstanding interview Kevin did with Murphy two weeks ago you know you can count on more of the same with Ike.

[Sausy]

That’s cause it’s in my blood Saucy I was born with a baseball glove on my hand. I had the advantage of two baseball payers in my life with my dad and uncle both having played ball. My Uncle Joe was a semi pro pitcher who taught me the art of that position at an early age. Thru little league, Jr high and high school I mostly played third base but then decided I wanted to pitch which I have been doing for a while now with a couple of local teams. Recently I have been a part of the Cyclone organization and spend all of my summer with the team. So It’s pretty much baseball all the time in my life and would not have it any other way.

Ike Davis is in town to receive his Thurman Munson award tonight at the Grand Hyatt then he will hang out a day to appear with Kevin Burkhardt on Thursdays Mets Hot Stove before headin down to spring training. Listen to Ike talk to Kevin about how well he is feeling and what he hopes for next year among other things live Thursday 7pm on SNY. If you guys caught the outstanding interview Kevin did with Murphy two weeks ago you know you can count on more of the same with Ike.

I had to find baseball on my own, my mom kind of liked it but my dad was a soccer fan,didn't like baseball at all....glad you have a dad and uncle who really nurtured a deep love of the game,sonny.

Yep., going to catch the KB interview with Ike Thursday. Will be working but I'll tape it....KB always has a great rapport with the players and can get you some really nice perspectives. Ike definitely is a great community guy and deserves the Munson award...a very high honor and as you know, what a great kid from a great family. Ike does his family and the Mets organization proud.

[Sausy]

One thing I'm reading that looks like a definite non-story is the crap about the casino pitched for next to CitiField...it was a proposal made two years ago that has virtually NO shot of happening anytime soon and representatives from the Mets are saying it's not happening, old news. The Wilpons have thought about it but it has no legs..too many restrictions already on gambling in New York and the working agreement the Mets have with the city on developing the area seems that it isn't going in that direction. The environmental review wouldn't allow for a casino in that area, and the Mets seem far more excited about a mixed use retail, entertainment, and residential complex center which makes far more sense for the neighborhood. Guess the papers just were looking for something to grab attention and that it certainly did. But c'mon, gambling is frowned upon as is by the powers that be in MLB and whatever pipe dreams the Wilpons had a few years back they aren't going anywhere near building a casino.

[sonny10305]

Ike Davis was honored at the Thurman Munson Awards last night and as Saucy wrote was well deserved he has done so much for kids and charities










Earlier he sat down with Kevin Burkhart for his appearance on Thursdays Mets Hot Stove which I encourage all of you to watch. No reporter knows how to get the most of an interview better than Kevin.Ike speaks frankly about the decision not to send him to the minors last year which he felt would have been a mistake he just feels working out his issues here was a far better idea and we all know how true that turned out to be.
Ike has said he has a lot of respect for the other members of the team a respect that goes both ways, he is after all now one of the top overall first basemen in the game. He feels great all his health problems behind he is stronger now than last year and he expects to outdo his strong second half last summer and turn that into a full season of success. Ike’s lungs are fine, and the spores he had on them are gone and have not left him with scars. He said he's stronger than he was last year a He expects to beat his home runs and RBIs from last year based on when he thinks ahead to the possible lineup with runners on base in front of him hitting fourth behind Tejada, Murphy and Wright, not to mention the possibility of having Michael Bourn ending up a Met which Ike wants to see happen and he is excited about that possibility. One of the reason for his optimism is he expects (and I agree ) to see more fastballs if Bourne is on the team, thinking that Bourn will help out the second-hole hitter, be it him or DWright, Ike sees Bourne a huge asset to the team as a defender out in center field.
Ike will tell you he felt the off season went by a lot faster since he didn’t get 8 months off like last year. Important in that I that he didn’t lose all his muscle as he did last year laying around so much.
Ike expects to have somewhere from 25 to 35 home runs, that’s his goal in fact he hopes to hit over 30 every year with an average anywhere from the .260’s to .300 which he thinks would be great for him Oh and yes…. that 100 RBI mark. In addition he wants to continue hitting home runs to left field something we saw him start to do late last season instead of hitting a lot of home runs to center field. He is a gap to gap hitter, for sure not pure pull, he does not hit as many down the left field line as he does the right field line.
As to the team Ike thinks they have a pretty good squad and truly believes the Mets will finish above .500 in 2013 as long as they all stay healthy and have the seasons they’re supposed to have. Ike felt the signing of DWright was huge and is excited David's going to be here for a long time, and he would love to join him in changing the culture a little bit.

Ike leaves for Florida today to join the team I will have much more on how he is doing in spring training in the weeks to come.

[Sausy]

Thanks sonny for the pics from the Thurman Munson Awards dinner and the tidbits from the KB interview airing tomorrow. As fine a player a healthy Ike can be for the Mets the best thing is he is such a decent, great person and look forward to him in the not too dstant future being locked up for a good while by the Mets.

[sonny10305]

I just watched the Ike Davis interview on Mets Hot Stove and I thought it was a disaster. First of all when Ike said he was going into the studio to do the show I assumed it was with Kevin and not Gary who I thought did not come close to the warmth and information filled interview we would have gotten from Burkhardt. Secondly was the editing with much of what Ike talked about never made it to air and what did was cut an mangled into one or two sentence answers, Ike’s was edited down to short abruptly cut responses he was never allowed to elaborate on anything. Including his illness which was cut to just a few words and you can actually see how he was cut off. The whole thing was a poorly edited and executed interview and I was highly disappointed in the final air cut. Perhaps Burkhardt will make up for it by doing a proper interview with Ike live in Florida over the next few weeks.
BAD JOB SNY!

[Sausy]

Got home from work a little while ago and saw your review sonny...thanks for the heads up on the interview. Gary and SNY in particular with Keith and Ron are great usually, this appears to be really bad if sonny thinks it was a terrible job. Gonna delete and not watch it as I set it to tape after sonny plugged Ike's appearance. It's puzzling how they can do such a lame job with all that editing and screwing up the interview.

Saw a report yesterday on how many Mets were already down there in Florida....there's a great Mets fans blog called Hot Foot that had a couple of nice pics of DWright and Ike in action on Thursday and the boys seem to really be having a blast....for sure we have a real great group of guys ready to help exceed expectations for this season and give Mets fans something to cheer about!

[sonny10305]

Saucy I would suggest you and everyone else watch the interview I did not mean to suggest otherwise. It’s just that I was irritated by the way the piece was edited not letting Ike express himself fully. There were things he told Gary that never made it to air and that was unfortunate.
As to the team currently in camp it is so very heartwarming to see how many guys have already gone down as early as this. It gives you some sense of how determined and dedicated they all are to making this season a success. How many teams can say they have such a big turnout so early…not many.