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DocTee
Jun 27 2009 10:11 PM

DeRosa to Cards:

[url:3oagxll6]http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4292371[/url:3oagxll6]

Gotta think we could've offered a better deal. Darn.

Nymr83
Jun 27 2009 11:35 PM

thats just terrible for the Mets. DeRosa is a decent hitter who plays almosy every position, exactly what this injured roster could use. Where was omar on this??

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jun 27 2009 11:58 PM

I'm not sure what you guys mean. We're 1.5 games back in the division, and therefore have no pressing needs.

(PSST! I'm making a sarcastic face right now!)

Rockin' Doc
Jun 28 2009 06:14 AM

What would the Mets need DeRosa for? They have Argenis Reyes to fill that role.*



*Ouch! I think I just broke something. I think it was my sarcasm meter.

smg58
Jun 28 2009 07:26 AM

Chis Perez is struggling a bit after coming back from an injury, but he's outperforming most of our relievers, he has more upside than Parnell, and he already has closing experience on this level. The Mets could probably use somebody like him as much as they could use somebody like DeRosa. I'd call this a fair deal on both sides.

Kong76
Jun 28 2009 08:27 AM

ny83: Where was omar on this?? <<<

Do people never tire of ending a sentence like this (or reading a sentence
ending like this)?

Mark from Bayonne, you're on the fan ...

Schmooze, where was Omar on the DeRosa deal? Sitting in a lounge chair
in the Hamptons? I'm sick and tired of other teams movning in on Omar and
stealing players he should be getting to make this team better. Sick. Where
was he? Did he even inquire about DeRosa? We could have sent them, that
guy in AAA, whasisname. We needed DeRosa, he's exactly what they needed,
and where the hell was Omar? I'll tell ya where Omar was, dropping the ball again
while the Mets get one hit by the Yanks. It sickens me, SICKENS!

bmfc1
Jun 28 2009 11:58 AM

I'm just asking, would you have done DeRosa for Parnell? Parnell is the Mets equivalent of Perez.

Elster88
Jun 28 2009 12:57 PM

KC has it exactly right. As soon as I heard that DeRosa was traded I knew the FAN would be full of idiots crying that the Mets didn't get him. DeRosa is not the missing piece on this team. The missing pieces are named Beltran, Delgado, Reyes, Maine, Good-Perez (not shitty-Perez), and Putz. While those guys are missing, getting DeRosa isn't going to do much.

Elster88
Jun 28 2009 01:01 PM

="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2v1hxz4l]I'm not sure what you guys mean. We're 1.5 games back in the division, and therefore have no pressing needs. (PSST! I'm making a sarcastic face right now!)[/quote:2v1hxz4l]

Be careful with that logic. That's how the Kazmir trade happened.

I think it's better to look at how good the team is, moreso than how many games they are back, when considering adding pieces like DeRosa. Especially in June.

metirish
Jun 28 2009 01:50 PM

="Kong76"]ny83: Where was omar on this?? <<< Do people never tire of ending a sentence like this (or reading a sentence ending like this)? Mark from Bayonne, you're on the fan ... Schmooze, where was Omar on the DeRosa deal? Sitting in a lounge chair in the Hamptons? I'm sick and tired of other teams movning in on Omar and stealing players he should be getting to make this team better. Sick. Where was he? Did he even inquire about DeRosa? We could have sent them, that guy in AAA, whasisname. We needed DeRosa, he's exactly what they needed, and where the hell was Omar? I'll tell ya where Omar was, dropping the ball again while the Mets get one hit by the Yanks. It sickens me, SICKENS!



Great post , glad to see you are out of your slump :)

Kong76
Jun 28 2009 03:40 PM

I appreciate the kind words, but I'm not in a slump. I'm semi-retired.
Mocking NY83 and FAN posters would hardly bust a slump.

smg58
Jun 28 2009 03:45 PM

="bmfc1":dr0zyldc]I'm just asking, would you have done DeRosa for Parnell? Parnell is the Mets equivalent of Perez.[/quote:dr0zyldc]

Perez is not only more established in the big leagues, but he's also younger. I'd have traded Parnell, but if I were Cleveland I wouldn't have taken Parnell over Perez.

PS Keep in mind that the Indians sent the Cubs three borderline at best prospects who weren't in their top 20 to get DeRosa in the first place. DeRosa might not have helped them win anything, but at least they got a decent return.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jun 28 2009 06:32 PM

="Elster88":36415uu2]
="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":36415uu2]I'm not sure what you guys mean. We're 1.5 games back in the division, and therefore have no pressing needs. (PSST! I'm making a sarcastic face right now!)[/quote:36415uu2] Be careful with that logic. That's how the Kazmir trade happened. I think it's better to look at how good the team is, moreso than how many games they are back, when considering adding pieces like DeRosa. Especially in June.[/quote:36415uu2]

If by "that," you mean "using that line of reasoning, in drastically different circumstances, at a different time of the year, and involving two entirely different sorts of prospects/returns," then yes, I agree with you entirely.

The only way that this isn't the sort of trade you make (as long as it's Parnell-- I'll trade a "potential closer" for almost any other player of equivalent or better talent at any other need position 10 times out of 10) is if you believe that Beltran's being out makes this more or less a lost year, or you're unrealistically hopeful-- based on their established likely levels of production-- about how much longer guys like Cora, Santos, et. al. can continue to dance on the head of a pin. I'm not saying it was wrong not to-- apparently-- aggressive pursue this, I'm just saying that we can be pretty sure which fork in that road Omar, etc. have driven down.

Elster88
Jun 28 2009 06:34 PM

You sure can be a dick. Your original post made it seem like you were saying Omar should make the trade because the Mets were close to first place. All I said was that there are other factors that should go into that decision. And I'm right. And it looks like you agree with me based on your second post, though you may not realize it.

Kong76
Jun 28 2009 07:55 PM

Steve Phillips mentioned an inning or two ago that DeRosa might have been a
good fit for the Mets. No, he didn't actually say good fit.

Just found it funny for one of the most hated GM's of the Mets to agree with
some Omar questioners even if only for giggles.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jun 28 2009 08:30 PM

To clarify: in my opinion, the reason that a trade hasn't been more aggressively pursued is that there hasn't been enough pressure-- public or otherwise on the team to make a move. Occasional heroics from unlikely sources aside, this is far more owing to Philly's terrible play than any proficiency on the Mets' part. The proximity to first has clouded the team's judgement of exactly how much needs change/improvement. (I thought that was clear from the parenthetical. Seemingly, it wasn't.)

This team as currently comprised is more than a little deficient on offense, and cannot contend for much longer without outside reinforcement; the nature of and circumstances surrounding the injuries to Beltran, Delgado and Reyes point to their full recovery being much more conjecture than certainty. One might draw the conclusion from the sort of moves that have been made of late (shuffling the bullpen; shuttling Martinez and Murphy and A. Reyes back and forth between bench and AAA and the starting lineup) that team management is trying to split the difference between contending and building for the (near-term) future, while avoiding any actual building for said future or actual contending; one might also argue that such a half-measure approach generally leads to time wasted.

And as much of a "dick" as I can be, I'm pretty sure I'm the one who didn't go ad hominem, Els.

Elster88
Jun 28 2009 08:34 PM

Your first sentence in reply to me was very condescending. I think you meant to be a dick/condescending when you posted it. That's why I said you were being a dick.

I'm not sure where I "went ad hominen". My original post and my second one after you responded pretty nicely captured what you had said up to that point. You have since clarified your position and, as I pointed out, you pretty much agreed with me that there are reasons other than the Mets are 1.5 games out to make or not make such a trade.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jun 29 2009 09:49 AM

="Elster88":3b7ouou0]Your first sentence in reply to me was very condescending. I think you meant to be a dick/condescending when you posted it. That's why I said you were being a dick. [/quote:3b7ouou0]

Eh. You have a point-- I checked my audio recordings from yesterday (yeah, I'm going through a Nixon phase) and I did make an inordinate number of snooty "haw-HAW" noises around this time.

Apologies. It felt like you were Duquette-ing me, there, and I got a little hot.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jun 29 2009 10:02 AM

Gotta love the Snooze. Today they run an OMAR MUST MAKE A TRADE NOW!!! article alongside the obligatory METS FARM SYSTEM SUCKS ASS ALOT!!! article.

metirish
Jun 29 2009 10:09 AM

="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]Gotta love the Snooze. Today they run an OMAR MUST MAKE A TRADE NOW!!! article alongside the obligatory METS FARM SYSTEM SUCKS ASS ALOT!!! article.


Wally at Newsday has three such article , it's like this weekend was nirvana for the guy.

Nymr83
Jun 30 2009 10:08 AM

]News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates have traded OF Eric Hinske to the Yankees for minor leaguers C Eric Fryer and RP Casey Erickson.

bmfc1
Jun 30 2009 10:19 AM

I don't know anything about the MFY prospects, but the early word is that they aren't top prospects. I don't think that I'm going out on a limb in saying that Eric Hinske would be a better bat off the bench than what the Mets have now. If Omar Minaya was alive today, he would have made this deal.

metirish
Jun 30 2009 10:33 AM

With this Mets team he might be an everyday player , not good enough IMO for that, nice bench player though.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jun 30 2009 10:34 AM

Does this mean they release Matsui?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jun 30 2009 10:37 AM

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":32xnc5xj]Does this mean they release Matsui?[/quote:32xnc5xj]

Just curious, or are you thinking Sheff needs a platoon stumbling partner?

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jun 30 2009 10:39 AM

98% the former.

smg58
Jun 30 2009 10:54 AM

The Mets are already well-stocked on guys who can draw walks but aren't slugging .400. Hinske's not somebody to get worked up over.

Nymr83
Jun 30 2009 11:05 AM

i'm just reporting the trade in the trades thread, i didnt particularly want hinske though i wouldnt complain about him either

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jun 30 2009 11:10 AM

="Nymr83"]i'm just reporting the trade in the trades thread, i didnt particularly want hinske though i wouldnt complain about him either


I'm with Namor. My pants aren't getting any tighter over this, but... well...

Let's put it this way: Argenis or Hinske-- who would you rather have unsuccessfully sacrifice-bunting in a key 1-out/1-on situation?

Nymr83
Jun 30 2009 11:11 AM

I'd rather have Jerry fitted with an electric collar that would zap him every time he bunts

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jun 30 2009 11:13 AM

="Nymr83":2w355zfq]I'd rather have Jerry fitted with an electric collar that would zap him every time he bunts[/quote:2w355zfq]

I am intrigued by this idea and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

metirish
Jun 30 2009 11:28 AM

I like that idea, I like to have him zapped when he gets a gut feeling or hunch about things.

MFS62
Jun 30 2009 01:14 PM

If the team performance continues to decline, and Omar stands pat, I could foresee the tone of this thread shifting from trades to tirades.

Later

OlerudOwned
Jun 30 2009 01:29 PM

Pirates strike again, with an X-Met involved.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/06/p ... ledge.html

Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett for Joel Hanrahan and one Blastings Thrilledge.

bmfc1
Jun 30 2009 01:36 PM

Why would Pittsburgh take Milledge while he's injured or recovering from an injury? They should have insisted that the Nationals call him up to see his condition.

Chico Harlan has the latest:

UPDATE, 3:30 p.m.] -- Done deal. Absolutely finalized. Look for a more detailed news story here in a few minutes. GM Mike Rizzo will address the media about the deal at 4:10 p.m.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jun 30 2009 01:37 PM

Chico added:

Fuck. And just as I was finishing my golf game.

metirish
Jun 30 2009 01:40 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 30 2009 01:41 PM

Caught napping again Omar?

Yes I'm

OlerudOwned
Jun 30 2009 01:41 PM

="bmfc1":2ayjmypm]Why would Pittsburgh take Milledge while he's injured or recovering from an injury? They should have insisted that the Nationals call him up to see his condition. Chico Harlan has the latest: UPDATE, 3:30 p.m.] -- Done deal. Absolutely finalized. Look for a more detailed news story here in a few minutes. GM Mike Rizzo will address the media about the deal at 4:10 p.m.[/quote:2ayjmypm]
I'd assume they've had scouts following him in AAA leading up to the deal. It's another low-key but solid looking move by Pittsburgh, Morgan is 29 years old already. They're certainly not a contender right now, but give Neal Huntington credit for finally being the guy with the balls to dismantle and reassemble that franchise top-to-bottom. They finally have a gameplan and some direction.

Nymr83
Jun 30 2009 01:44 PM

i dont see why the nationals made this deal

OlerudOwned
Jun 30 2009 01:48 PM

="Nymr83":k9nl4kys]i dont see why the nationals made this deal[/quote:k9nl4kys]
Because they are what the Pirates were before Huntingon/Coonelly. This trade is almost like a passing of the Stupid Torch. Which I would imagine is carried upside-down.

Frayed Knot
Jun 30 2009 01:49 PM

="OlerudOwned":3pems25k]Pirates strike again, with an X-Met involved. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/06/p ... ledge.html Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett for Joel Hanrahan and one Blastings Thrilledge.[/quote:3pems25k]

Pirates continuing to stock up on high-ceiling yet by-no-means guaranteed players: Milledge, that guy from Atlanta whose names escapes, Tabata from the Yanx system, the younger LaRoche, plus various spare parts.
If the dice come up '7' on any of all of those guys they'll have a nice nucleus to build around. If not ... well, then they'll continue to be the Pirates.

In the meantime, Morgan was becoming redundant thanx to McCutcheon while Burnett was one of their myriad of promising pitching prospects from a few years back where the dice came up 'snake-eyes' on just about all of them.

bmfc1
Jun 30 2009 02:01 PM

Joel Sherman tweets:

nyp_joelshermanI think #Pirates win that trade. I like athletic Nyjer Morgan for #Nats. But Hanrahan is real good. I bet he is another arm hurt by WBC.

Frayed Knot
Jun 30 2009 02:10 PM

Pirates could well "win" the pitching side of that deal.
I still wouldn't be too quick on giving up on Milledge though. He's 5 years younger than Morgan and has a lot more power potential. What he needs to do is stay healthy. Plus at least, with McCutcheon there, Pitt won't be trying to shoe-horn him into the leadoff spot they way Washington did.

Fman99
Jul 01 2009 10:26 AM

Elijah Dukes sent down by the Nats to their local AAA affiliate here in Syracuse, to make room for Morgan to play.

In other news, my home insurance premiums just doubled.

metirish
Jul 01 2009 10:56 AM

Pirates actually paying some of Hinske's salary

[url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spken0701,0,2106567.column:o6fav92i]Eric Hinske[/url:o6fav92i]

smg58
Jul 02 2009 09:00 AM

I guess the Nyjer Morgan trade means that Willie Harris, with his .791 OPS and superlative outfield defense, has been relegated to the bench. I wonder how much he would cost...

sharpie
Jul 02 2009 09:22 AM

Sending Dukes down is how the Nats free up a spot for Morgan. Harris seems to still be in their plans.

bmfc1
Jul 02 2009 09:22 AM

="smg58":3ubbr6qu]I guess the Nyjer Morgan trade means that Willie Harris, with his .791 OPS and superlative outfield defense, has been relegated to the bench. I wonder how much he would cost...[/quote:3ubbr6qu]

That's a good thought. We know he has a good glove and he would be a decent bat off the bench.

metsguyinmichigan
Jul 02 2009 09:23 AM

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Houston Astros have claimed infielder German Duran off waivers from the Texas Rangers.
Duran, who had an appendectomy on June 11 and was placed on the disabled list, was claimed by the Astros on Wednesday. He is scheduled to be examined in Houston on Thursday by team physician Jim Muntz.
Once he is cleared for baseball activities, the Astros said he will be sent to their minor-league facility at Kissimmee, Fla., to begin working out.


--- Sonofabitch! Where was Omar when this was going down! Asleep at the wheel again! German Duran was there for the taking??????

:)


(Sarcasm meter turned on.)

bmfc1
Jul 02 2009 09:28 AM

Is he from the German Duran Duran tribute band?

Benjamin Grimm
Jul 02 2009 09:39 AM

="bmfc1"]Is he from the German Duran Duran tribute band?


Dunkle Nacht in der Stadt ist ein Draht Dampf in der U-Bahn der Erde ist in Flammen Sie tun das nicht tun, tun Sie dododo Dodo Dodo Frau Sie möchten, dass ich mir ein Zeichen Und fangen meine Atmung noch näher hinter Sie tun das nicht tun, tun Sie dododo Dodo Dodo In Berührung mit dem Boden Ich bin auf der Suche nach Ihnen Geruch, wie ich Sound Ich bin verloren in der Menge. Und ich bin hungrig wie der Wolf. Straddle die Zeile in Zwietracht und Reim Ich bin auf der Suche nach Ihnen. Mund lebt mit Säften, wie Wein Und ich bin hungrig wie der Wolf Gestielt in den Wald zu schließen, um sich zu verstecken Ich werde auf euch von der Seite Mondschein Sie tun das nicht tun, tun Sie dododo Dodo Dodo Hohe Blut Trommeln auf der Haut ist es so eng, Sie fühlen sich meine Wärme Ich bin nur ein Moment hinter Sie tun das nicht tun, tun Sie dododo Dodo Dodo In Berührung mit dem Boden Ich bin auf der Suche nach Ihnen Duft und Klang. Ich habe mich verirrt, und ich bin gefunden Und ich bin hungrig wie der Wolf. Strut auf einer Linie ist es Zwietracht und rh yme Ich heulen, und ich weinen Ich bin, nachdem Sie Mund lebt alle laufenden innerhalb Und ich bin hungrig wie der Wolf. Hungrig wie der Wolf Hungrig wie der Wolf Hungrig wie der Wolf Brennen der Boden kann ich aus der Menge Ich bin auf der Suche nach Ihnen Ich rieche, wie ich Sound. Ich habe mich verirrt, und ich bin gefunden Und ich bin hungrig wie der Wolf Strut auf einer Linie ist es Zwietracht und Reim Ich bin auf der Suche nach Ihnen Mund lebt mit Säften, wie Wein Und ich bin hungrig wie der Wolf

bmfc1
Jul 02 2009 09:42 AM

BG--excellent!

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jul 02 2009 09:44 AM

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7aAV5XHUkE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7aAV5XHUkE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 02 2009 09:47 AM

That's some turnaround, BeeG. Were you a short-order cook in a previous life?

Benjamin Grimm
Jul 02 2009 09:50 AM

I keep German Duran Duran lyrics in my computer's clipboard at all times, just in case...

Frayed Knot
Jul 02 2009 10:18 AM

Houston GM Ed Wade: "I've been sent by my team to find German Duran"

themetfairy
Jul 02 2009 10:26 AM

Great clip Lunchie - Animaniacs rule!

MFS62
Jul 02 2009 11:06 AM

="Benjamin Grimm":1os9xmq9]I keep German Duran Duran lyrics in my computer's clipboard at all times, just in case...[/quote:1os9xmq9]
We already knew you were a special kind of person. That confirms it.
Good job.

Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 04 2009 12:45 PM

Claim dat bitch! (3.55 ERA/125 ERA+/24 hits in 25.1 IP)

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ss ... for_a.html

Edgy DC
Jul 04 2009 01:03 PM

Word.

seawolf17
Jul 07 2009 11:37 AM

Ryan Freel is a Royal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4309328

(I would love Freel as a Met.)

DocTee
Jul 07 2009 12:40 PM

Ryan Freel is a Royal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4309328

(I would love Freel as a Met.)

I'd have preferred:

[url:23k612go]http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sweetspot/0-4-15/A-s-swipe-Hairston-from-Padres.html[/url:23k612go]

Vic Sage
Jul 07 2009 03:40 PM

what would it take to get Halladay? BJays are said to be shopping him.

smg58
Jul 07 2009 04:29 PM

At least one of Wil Flores and Brad Holt would have to be in it. Plus Parnell, their choice of Murphy or Evans, perhaps a major league PTBNL that they get after the season (like maybe John Maine). I see no harm in asking.

Nymr83
Jul 07 2009 04:44 PM

well he's signed through NEXT year, at which point they'd get 2 high draft choices if he walks away. i suspect they could get the most for him if they wait for the offseason when teams have budget room for next year and dont mind giving away major leaguers as much as they would in-season.

a realistic (offseason) offer from the Mets might be: Maine, Holt, Flores/Martinez, and a couple of guys who arent on any prospect lists for Halladay and maybe a medium size salary they don't want anymore (kevin millar or david delluci probably makes a million bucks that they'd love to make the mets eat)

that might seem like alot but he's an ace pitcher and you have to think there are teams with much better prospects to offer like the Dodgers (the Red Sox would be almost an ideal fit but i dont know if they'll trade him in the division)

Gwreck
Jul 07 2009 04:47 PM

Halladay has a no-trade clause and it would take Santana money to get him. Plus a comparable, if not greater, package of prospects.

Nymr83
Jul 07 2009 04:56 PM

="Gwreck":1asa0nfn]Halladay has a no-trade clause and it would take Santana money to get him. Plus a comparable, if not greater, package of prospects.[/quote:1asa0nfn]

yeah, i dont think the Mets have the prospects to get him without including John Maine, an already decent and fairly young MLB pitcher, alongg with the best of their prospects.
That might actually be a deal you dont love a few years from now. Halladay is 32 as compared to Santana's 29 when the Mets got him.

btw, i find it outrageous that philliesnation.com has sponsored Santana's baseballrefence page. we need to either a) get it back or b) sponsor a philly page and leave a message like "lets go mets"

Nymr83
Jul 08 2009 03:31 PM

not a trade, but toronto released bj ryan today, still owing him 10 million for next year.

metirish
Jul 08 2009 03:51 PM

That always struck me as a dumb deal to begin with, but there was a lot of bad big money deals for closers around that time.

Frayed Knot
Jul 08 2009 04:52 PM

5-year deals for relievers usually are dumb - especially for big money (of course if it were small money he wouldn't be getting a 5-year deal in the first place).

That he needed major surgery a short time into the deal obviously didn't help things.

A Boy Named Seo
Jul 08 2009 04:53 PM

I'm pretty sure I wanted BJ Ryan back when.

Frayed Knot
Jul 08 2009 05:07 PM

Maybe - although you didn't chime in [url=http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/1700/f1_t1775.shtml]during this thread[/url] one way or the other.


Nymr83 gets the prescient award on this topic:
"that is a shitload of years and money. toronto will come to regret that contract in a few years i think."

seawolf17
Jul 08 2009 09:09 PM

You know why I hat baseball? Seven hours ago, I was ready to break up this team and trade everyone not named Wright, Reyes, or Santana.

One win later, and I'm ready to deal the entire farm system for Roy Halladay and make a run at a title.

(sigh)

Nymr83
Jul 08 2009 09:20 PM

i'd be willing to deal for halladay anyway because he'd be a huge piece for next year, but unless the mets can really turn things around i wouldnt want to deal prospects for a 2009 rental anymore, the time for that has passed (for now)

metirish
Jul 09 2009 08:17 AM

="Frayed Knot"]Maybe - although you didn't chime in [url=http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/1700/f1_t1775.shtml]during this thread[/url] one way or the other. Nymr83 gets the prescient award on this topic: "that is a shitload of years and money. toronto will come to regret that contract in a few years i think."



As always it's interesting to look back....props to Nymr for Ryan and props to Edgy for his Jason Bay comment...

I had forgotten about Loiaza and that terrible deal...

MFS62
Jul 09 2009 08:32 AM

I'm still not sure about how much Halliday could help the current situation. He's played his entire ML career in the American League, so we don't know how well he can hit.

Later

Nymr83
Jul 09 2009 09:57 AM

="MFS62":3l37xz2z]I'm still not sure about how much Halliday could help the current situation. He's played his entire ML career in the American League, so we don't know how well he can hit. Later[/quote:3l37xz2z]

he'd probably turn into another Santana, 7 innings 2 runs, and a 2-1 loss. but he'd be here for next year when Reyes, Wright, and Beltran are (hopefully) together and healthy along with Delgado or some other bat at firstbase or in the outfield. and pitchers coming over from the AL to the NL tend to do well

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 09 2009 10:08 AM

="Nymr83":2tue5avz]
="MFS62":2tue5avz]I'm still not sure about how much Halliday could help the current situation. He's played his entire ML career in the American League, so we don't know how well he can hit. Later[/quote:2tue5avz] he'd probably turn into another Santana, 7 innings 2 runs, and a 2-1 loss. but he'd be here for next year when Reyes, Wright, and Beltran are (hopefully) together and healthy along with Delgado or some other bat at firstbase or in the outfield. and pitchers coming over from the AL to the NL tend to do well[/quote:2tue5avz]

I'm not going to say that it guarantees anything, obviously, but Santana and Halladay up front compares pretty decently to Johnson-Schilling. (With a better bullpen.)

If one of Reyes and Beltran come back at close to full form before month's end, with Delgado on the heels of that, that hypothetical team-- problematic though it may be-- may well get my bet for pennant darkhorse.

[And I'm still of the mind that this season is over. But it sits a bit better after last night's win... and the old-time Shea environment that accompanied it.]

Edgy DC
Jul 09 2009 10:26 AM

This season is not over.

They may well not flourish this season, but neither have they made their last run.

Nymr83
Jul 09 2009 10:27 AM

that d-backs team (the 2001 WS winners) seemed very top-heavy in my mind, but i'm not sure when i look at it

you had Johnson and Schilling throw a combined 500 innings of 157/188 ERA+ and then a bunch of league average starts (or below) from other guys (Batista had a good ERA+ but i don't know how much of that was in his 18 starts and how much was in the 30 relief appearences)

the bullpen was decent with Kim, Swinfell, Prinz, but obviously Brenly didn't trust them as he went to Batista and then Johnson in relief of Schilling in game 7 of the WS (Batista and Johnson had started games 5 and 6 respectively)

on the hitting sie Gonzlez was a (steroid-infused?) monster while Grace and Sanders made big contributions, Matt Williams and Jay Bell were serviceable at the back-ends of their careers, and Tony Womack was one of the worst regulars in baseball

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 09 2009 10:54 AM

="Edgy DC":33w6rfz5]This season is not over. They may well not flourish this season, but neither have they made their last run.[/quote:33w6rfz5]

To clarify: given the no-end-in-sight DL stints of Beltran and Reyes and the mid-to-late-August return of Delgado, the team's playoff viability is down to puncher's-chance levels. ("More or less over" might have been closer to my actual sentiment.)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 09 2009 11:20 AM

="Nymr83"]that d-backs team (the 2001 WS winners) seemed very top-heavy in my mind, but i'm not sure when i look at it you had Johnson and Schilling throw a combined 500 innings of 157/188 ERA+ and then a bunch of league average starts (or below) from other guys (Batista had a good ERA+ but i don't know how much of that was in his 18 starts and how much was in the 30 relief appearences) the bullpen was decent with Kim, Swinfell, Prinz, but obviously Brenly didn't trust them as he went to Batista and then Johnson in relief of Schilling in game 7 of the WS (Batista and Johnson had started games 5 and 6 respectively) on the hitting sie Gonzlez was a (steroid-infused?) monster while Grace and Sanders made big contributions, Matt Williams and Jay Bell were serviceable at the back-ends of their careers, and Tony Womack was one of the worst regulars in baseball


If memory serves, the bullpen, deserved or no, had a bit of a can't-close-the-tough-ones rep by the WS (and Kim did blow 4 out of 23 save chances); that said, they were pretty effective most of the year.

Batista was actually almost exactly as effective that year as a reliever as he was a starter. (The splits are almost eerily alike, actually:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... &t=p#sprel)

It was one top-heavy squad (Luis' career year, with the only other above-average performances coming from Sanders and the declining Grace)... but I didn't realize how effective they were (3rd in the NL in runs).

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 09 2009 12:08 PM

="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":9nsr1ovv]Claim dat bitch! (3.55 ERA/125 ERA+/24 hits in 25.1 IP) http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ss ... for_a.html[/quote:9nsr1ovv]

http://www.purplerow.com/2009/7/4/93828 ... we-look-at

Matt Herges, still hanging around, available for league-minimum monies. Still damn effective.

Frayed Knot
Jul 09 2009 12:22 PM

]... and Tony Womack was one of the worst regulars in baseball


Except for that game-tying double in the 9th/game 7 which not only was the biggest hit in the inning that made the Yanx lose both the game and the series but also caused them to sign him to an over-priced 2-year contract a few seasons later (cuz he's clutch don't cha know).
Helluva guy if you ask me.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jul 09 2009 12:38 PM

Yes, I love Tony Womack.

I shall never forget that game -- or signing up for a nyyfans.com account immediately afterward just to witness their fans suffering.

The account still works!

Let's see now if Stevie Jeets can find out which one is me!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 17 2009 11:15 AM

Three words: Price. To. Move.

http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/7/17/9 ... y-it-while

Vic Sage
Jul 20 2009 10:27 AM

overpriced Met veterans that are playing just well enough that contending teams might ship us a prospect for some of them:
- Schnieder
- Feliciano
- Castillo
- Sheffield

And possibly even damaged or crappy goods like:
- Cora
- Redding
- Hernandez
- Wagner
- Putz,
if we thru in a bag of balls.

I still don't think we need to break up the core (Reyes, Wrights, Beltran, Santana, F-Rod), but i can't take any more of this 09 team.

I hat baseball...

Centerfield
Jul 20 2009 11:28 AM

Too bad Delgado's not going to be ready by the deadline.

I wonder if he can be a PTBNL or if we can sneak him through waivers while he's in recovery.

smg58
Jul 20 2009 02:30 PM

Felipe Lopez just got traded to the Brewers. If we were a few games closer I'd be mad. Now I'm not sure I care.

Nymr83
Jul 20 2009 03:47 PM

="smg58":2nsartq1]Felipe Lopez just got traded to the Brewers. If we were a few games closer I'd be mad. Now I'm not sure I care.[/quote:2nsartq1]

yeah i'm with "i dont care"
i dont want to give anything up for Lopez

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 22 2009 10:11 AM

="Vic Sage"]overpriced Met veterans that are playing just well enough that contending teams might ship us a prospect for some of them: - Schnieder - Feliciano - Castillo - Sheffield And possibly even damaged or crappy goods like: - Cora - Redding - Hernandez - Wagner - Putz, if we thru in a bag of balls. I still don't think we need to break up the core (Reyes, Wrights, Beltran, Santana, F-Rod), but i can't take any more of this 09 team. I hat baseball...
AA's Sam Page takes a look at some of the prospective bus-riders, including FA compensation, contract status, and possible returns: http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/7/21/9 ... -sell-pt-1 http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/7/22/9 ... -sell-pt-2 Skipping outside of ye olde box for a second... if the team is in selling mode this year, plans to contend next year, and has a big-but-limited-budget to fill holes, then... well... might a luxury closer be a bit of a luxury? Might the team be best served-- whether for prospect load or established big-league OF help-- to sell K-Rod?
]The perception of Frankie’s season is much sunnier than reality. His strikeouts and groundballs are down, and his walks are up. These peripherals are much more useful for evaluating his performance, rather than the stellar 1.90 ERA. This stat has more to do with his lucky .245 BABIP than anything, and his FIP of 3.76 and tERA of 3.47 are more precise measures... An above average position player will often be just as valuable as the most elite reliever. In his silly-good 2008 season, Mariano Rivera was a 3.1 WAR pitcher. This equals Placido Polanco’s value in the same year.

http://www.metsgeek.com/articles/2009/0 ... g-frankie/

metirish
Jul 22 2009 10:19 AM

I'd keep Rodriguez , sometimes looking so closely at numbers drivers me nuts , especially when I need to google to see what a FIP is. Francisco is as advertised I think , gets the job done but walks the tightrope doing it most nights.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jul 22 2009 10:24 AM

I wouldn't mind seeing what Rodriguez would bring.

And also, as I brought up to LWFS last night, let's just pretend the Jays get a buttload of terrific prospects for Halladay. ... How crazy would it be then to offer Santana to the team that just missed out?

smg58
Jul 22 2009 10:31 AM

What if the team that just missed out was the Phillies?

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jul 22 2009 10:33 AM

I'd listen. Wouldn't you?

TransMonk
Jul 22 2009 10:39 AM

I'd listen, but I consider Santana one of the 4 or 5 core members of the team. And I don't think we're that far away from being able to compete during his prime years.

I would want MUCH more than this 2nd place team would be offering for Halladay.

duan
Jul 22 2009 10:42 AM

="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]
="Vic Sage"]overpriced Met veterans that are playing just well enough that contending teams might ship us a prospect for some of them: - Schnieder - Feliciano - Castillo - Sheffield And possibly even damaged or crappy goods like: - Cora - Redding - Hernandez - Wagner - Putz, if we thru in a bag of balls. I still don't think we need to break up the core (Reyes, Wrights, Beltran, Santana, F-Rod), but i can't take any more of this 09 team. I hat baseball...
AA's Sam Page takes a look at some of the prospective bus-riders, including FA compensation, contract status, and possible returns: http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/7/21/9 ... -sell-pt-1 http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/7/22/9 ... -sell-pt-2 Skipping outside of ye olde box for a second... if the team is in selling mode this year, plans to contend next year, and has a big-but-limited-budget to fill holes, then... well... might a luxury closer be a bit of a luxury? Might the team be best served-- whether for prospect load or established big-league OF help-- to sell K-Rod?
]The perception of Frankie’s season is much sunnier than reality. His strikeouts and groundballs are down, and his walks are up. These peripherals are much more useful for evaluating his performance, rather than the stellar 1.90 ERA. This stat has more to do with his lucky .245 BABIP than anything, and his FIP of 3.76 and tERA of 3.47 are more precise measures... An above average position player will often be just as valuable as the most elite reliever. In his silly-good 2008 season, Mariano Rivera was a 3.1 WAR pitcher. This equals Placido Polanco’s value in the same year.
http://www.metsgeek.com/articles/2009/0 ... g-frankie/


am I wrong in thinking that if he's traded he's the right to demand a trade in the offseason or something like that.

seawolf17
Jul 22 2009 10:44 AM

="duan":15lo21u5]am I wrong in thinking that if he's traded he's the right to demand a trade in the offseason or something like that.[/quote:15lo21u5]
Yes, b/c he's in the first year of a multi-year deal.

Why the eff would you replace Santana with Halladay? That's insane.

metirish
Jul 22 2009 10:46 AM

Apparently the Phiilies would not include Drabek in a deal for Halladay . Riccardi saying that a deal is now not likely, much posturing going on one would think.


Santana has a full no trade and Rodriguez has a limited one where he can block a trade to ten teams.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 22 2009 10:48 AM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 22 2009 10:52 AM

="metirish":1eyasbe2]I'd keep Rodriguez , sometimes looking so closely at numbers drivers me nuts , especially when I need to google to see what a FIP is. Francisco is as advertised I think , gets the job done but walks the tightrope doing it most nights.[/quote:1eyasbe2]

FIP (Fielding-Independent-Pitching statistic) is an attempt to provide an ERA-type metric (it's multiplied by a league-specific number to be scaled like ERA) that measures stuff (HR, BB, and K to be exact) that's under the direct control of pitchers... the idea being to remove the influence of the defense behind a pitcher on his stats. But, yeah, ultimately, that's peripheral.

The main thrust is that even the greatest closer (Mariano last year, e.g.) is in real value less valuable than a pretty good position player virtually anywhere on the diamond... but the perception is that the closer is essential. That gap between perception and reality may be the key to extracting something worth something (Pence, e.g.) for a relatively low cost.

Although the little kid in me would hate to see Santana go, I'd be intrigued by the idea of what we could get in return, baseball value for baseball value. That said, JCL, his contract severely reduces the market for him-- Halladay's relatively affordable yet, for a year-plus (plus playoffs?). Even then, Halladay's trade value is lower now than it was with, say, 2 1/2 years of that below-market contract If Toronto really is going to trade him, it's a shame for them they didn't seriously consider doing it last year.

bmfc1
Jul 22 2009 10:49 AM

Adam LaRoche to the Red Sox. We're awaiting comment on the Pirates from Carlos Beltran.

G-Fafif
Jul 22 2009 10:52 AM

="bmfc1":zqmjc72m]Adam LaRoche to the Red Sox. We're awaiting comment on the Pirates from Carlos Beltran.[/quote:zqmjc72m]

LaRoche should retroactively express embarrassment that the Red Sox lost two of three to the Mets in May.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 22 2009 10:55 AM

At last, our long national 2-"A LaRoches"-on-the-same-team nightmare is over.

smg58
Jul 22 2009 11:03 AM

The catch with K-Rod is that money is a big issue for most teams, and it's not clear that K-Rod was in anybody else's price range when it wouldn't have taken players to get him this past offseason. Now if somebody offered a similarly good but perhaps overpaid major leaguer you might have a match, but deals like that tend to happen in the offseason.

There's also the glass-is-half-full way to look at his numbers: he's been very effective for us in a down year by his standards.

smg58
Jul 22 2009 11:25 AM

The Pirates' booty in the LaRoche deal consists of Argenis Diaz (a younger version of our Argenis, with almost as good a bat) and Hunter Strickland (finesse righty showing excellent control for a 20-year-old at AA, although homers are a concern).

MFS62
Jul 22 2009 12:46 PM

And the Bucs had shortstop Wilson sitting out today.
Is he on the block?

Later

OlerudOwned
Jul 22 2009 01:22 PM

="MFS62":qk01r3dh]And the Bucs had shortstop Wilson sitting out today. Is he on the block? Later[/quote:qk01r3dh]
They way they've been running things this season, I'm sure they'll take whatever they can get for him and laugh all the way to the bank.

smg58
Jul 22 2009 05:02 PM

In hindsight, Jack Wilson would have been an excellent pickup for the Mets about six weeks ago. Especially if taking on his full contract would have meant no significant players getting dealt.

In a bit of a surprise, Julio Lugo is a Cardinal; Chris Duncan heads to Pawtucket.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jul 22 2009 06:04 PM

="smg58":1f7j0xfg]In hindsight, Jack Wilson would have been an excellent pickup for the Mets about six weeks ago. Especially if taking on his full contract would have meant no significant players getting dealt.[/quote:1f7j0xfg]

Yup. Cora being an injured hero was about the worst thing that happened to the Mets.

Gwreck
Jul 22 2009 11:53 PM

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1wrfg6dm]Yup. Cora being an injured hero was about only the eighth or ninth worst thing that happened to the Mets.[/quote:1wrfg6dm]

Fixed it for you.

I agree that Cora's killing the offense (maybe slightly more than Murphy or Santos/Schneider) but Cora's poor performance also reflects on Jerry and Omar, I think. It's not like his hitting .240 is an aberration.

OlerudOwned
Jul 23 2009 12:56 AM

Jack Wilson wouldn't have helped much. He's not that good.

Ashie62
Jul 23 2009 01:54 AM

="OlerudOwned":37869gxh]Jack Wilson wouldn't have helped much. He's not that good.[/quote:37869gxh]

You are correct...Unfortunately the Mets are under a do not resuscitate order

Nymr83
Jul 23 2009 05:18 AM

="OlerudOwned":1wbzyqkh]Jack Wilson wouldn't have helped much. He's not that good.[/quote:1wbzyqkh]

He'd have been an upgrade over Cora a month ago assuming he could have been had for "nothing" if we paid his salary. But he's not really good. Theres no point in getting him now.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jul 23 2009 05:27 AM

="OlerudOwned"]Jack Wilson wouldn't have helped much. He's not that good.


Look, if Cora went and got the surgery he needed Omar would have to have done something and Wilson being a good fielder and presumably available would have been a reasonable solution. In the meantime we'd have enjoyed the benefits of a 700 OPS guy vs. a 500 OPS guy; and a good fielder vs. a shitty fielder.

It's all vomit under the bridge by now, but just saying.

metirish
Jul 23 2009 08:22 AM

Chris Duncan is a meat head , or is that his brother?, either way I am surprised that the Sox got him for Lugo , or got anything at all.

Edgy DC
Jul 23 2009 08:30 AM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 23 2009 08:40 AM

I agree that allowing Cora to cowboy up (and batting him leadoff) has been terribly wishful thinking.

I think we all need to realize that the real Cora is not as bad as this. But I think the Mets braintrust needed to realize that wishing that Cora could somehow summon his best game through the injury was too much risk for too little reward.

Maybe the strong May for the team triggered a lot of wishful thinking.

Nymr83
Jul 23 2009 08:34 AM

]I think we all need to realize that the real Cora is not as bad as this


The Cora we've seen from 2005-2008 is almost as bad as this, unless you expect him somehow to become the decent player he was for LA in 03-04

Edgy DC
Jul 23 2009 08:43 AM

He's a better offensive player and particularly a better defensive player than this. And better used sparingly --- which he had been before he got hurt --- even at his best.

Always good to be patronized by you, thanks.

Nymr83
Jul 23 2009 08:57 AM

that wasnt being patronizing.
]He's a better offensive player and particularly a better defensive player than this


from 2005 to 2008 he hit .244/.309/.339 (68 OPS+)
this year its .242/.322/.295 (66+)

you want to show me that he was particularly better defensively, go ahead, but contrary to your assertion he's the same hitter now that he's been the last 4 years.

Edgy DC
Jul 23 2009 09:19 AM

]unless you expect him somehow to become the decent player he was for LA in 03-04


Yeah, talking to me like I'm a twit is pretty uneccessarily insulting.

I'm referring to way he's performed since he got off the DL (an activation that apparently shouldn't have happened). The numbers you quote are not part of my "assertion" but including the early part of the season when he played well.

His numbers that I am "asserting" about are .212 // .274 //. 244 // .518.

And the numbers that you are quoting about how he's been recently are weighed down by a season three years ago, while he's been better over the last two. To make a point of that season as speaking to who he is now, while making a crack about how I "somehow expect him somehow to become the decent player he was for LA in 03-04" is doubly insulting.

Nymr83
Jul 23 2009 10:19 AM

bottom line: he hasn't been even decent since 2004. the injury didn't cause him to suck. props to him for gutting it out anyway (but thumbs down to the mets for letting him.)
its too late now anyway. unless the mets have a better option internally it is no longer worth obtaining one for just this year.

]I'm referring to way he's performed since he got off the DL
that wasnt made clear, but he wasnt going to be an acceptable long-term replacement for Reyes to begin with, the only defense Omar has there is that he didn't know how long Reyes would be out
]And the numbers that you are quoting about how he's been recently are weighed down by a season three years ago, while he's been better over the last two. To make a point of that season as speaking to who he is now


and you get to decide that the last 2 years are the relevant time period rather than the last 4? he's been BAD since leaving LA, that was why i picked four years, that was when he left LA.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 23 2009 10:28 AM

="metirish"]Chris Duncan is a meat head , or is that his brother?, either way I am surprised that the Sox got him for Lugo , or got anything at all.


There's a bit of lunk to the galoot.



And the Cards need middle-infield depth a bit more than they need yet another backup-for-Pujols/sorta-sluggy* backup-corner OF-type.


*In 2006-07, that is. He's slugging .389 this year, and David Wright has as many home runs.

Edgy DC
Jul 23 2009 10:32 AM

This is too ridiculous

]bottom line: he hasn't been even decent since 2004.
No, it's not, because you decided to make hay over
]the real Cora is not as bad as this
] the injury didn't cause him to suck.
It appears to have made him play worse.
]that wasnt made clear
It was clear enough.
]but he wasnt going to be an acceptable long-term replacement for Reyes to begin with, the only defense Omar has there is that he didn't know how long Reyes would be out
I think it's clear that I'm with you there. Maybe not.
]and you get to decide that the last 2 years are the relevant time period


I didn't "decide" anything. You're the one who has been framing. My only timeframe was the period he has been hurt.

Do I really have to spell everything out here? He's better as an uninjured backup shortstop than an injured fulltime one. I think that's a clear position and one I'm willing to defend.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 23 2009 11:22 AM

RRRRRRROW!

smg58
Jul 23 2009 11:32 AM

Wilson's a mediocre hitter but consistently one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball. That alone would have made him an upgrade. But there's really no point now.

Cora was signed to be a backup, and if he were playing only as much as the Mets originally expected him to play nobody would be complaining that harshly. Plus, he might have been given more time off to heal properly if the Mets weren't utterly desperate, and his numbers might actually look better.

Edgy DC
Jul 23 2009 11:33 AM

I'm really not quite that hot, but thank you.

Frayed Knot
Jul 23 2009 11:43 AM

="metirish"]Chris Duncan is a meat head , or is that his brother?
All Duncans are meat-heads. Including Sandy I'm told.
]I'm really not quite that hot, but thank you.


Even when you do your hair like that?

seawolf17
Jul 23 2009 12:14 PM

="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]There's a bit of lunk to the galoot.

I like how the watermark makes it look like it's "proof" that he's a galoot.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 23 2009 01:05 PM

="seawolf17"]
="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]There's a bit of lunk to the galoot.
I like how the watermark makes it look like it's "proof" that he's a galoot.


The look on his face-- half "O" face, half confused St. Bernard-- helps.

I hope he finds International League trophies just as fuckable-- by all reports, [url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090721&content_id=5976266&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos]he's headed for RI.[/url]

Ashie62
Jul 23 2009 08:50 PM

="Frayed Knot":p8keo0dg]
="metirish":p8keo0dg]Chris Duncan is a meat head , or is that his brother?[/quote:p8keo0dg][/quote:p8keo0dg]

All Duncans are meat-heads. Including Sandy I'm told.

Would that be MFY AAA meathead Shelly Duncan or the pixie actress of stage and screen possibly?

Nymr83
Jul 24 2009 10:54 AM

]The Athletics and Cardinals have completed a trade that sends outfielder Matt Holliday to St. Louis in exchange for third baseman Brett Wallace, outfielder Shane Peterson and right-handed pitcher Clayton Mortensen, sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Frayed Knot
Jul 24 2009 11:05 AM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 24 2009 11:10 AM

="Nymr83"]The Athletics and Cardinals have completed a trade that sends outfielder Matt Holliday to St. Louis in exchange for third baseman Brett Wallace, outfielder Shane Peterson and right-handed pitcher Clayton Mortensen, sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.


Wallace is the interesting name here.
Considered to be among the best college bats to come along in many years, he was passed over by a number of teams (StL got him with the #13 pick) out of concern for where he'd play. In short, he's HUGE!, and huge as in wide not as in tall (BB-Ref lists him at 6' 1" - 245). In 'Moneyball' terms (since he's headed to Oakland) "he wears a big pair of underwear".

The thought is that he'll be a DH sooner rather than later which isn't a great thing to be saying about a guy not yet 23 y/o. For now, they say his hands are at least decent and he's not as immobile as he looks. But, above all, he can rake. Already at AAA barely a year after signing, he blew through three different levels in between and will probably be in Oakland before the year is out.

But, man, Oakland sounds like they're putting together slow-pitch softball teams again. Between Giambi, Jack Cust, Daric Barton (also snagged in a trade w/StL - for Mulder) and now Wallace they've got at least 4 'stocky' (I'm being nice here) 1B/DH types not seen since the days when the brothers Giambi were teamed with Matt Stairs & John Jaha.

Edgy DC
Jul 24 2009 11:09 AM

I saw some on him. I liked his waddle. Like a lefthanded Bob Horner.

Frayed Knot
Jul 24 2009 01:28 PM

Or maybe the lefty who ate Bob Horner.

A quick peak at a Cardinal board showed an overall (though not universal) negative reaction - more based on thinking they gave up too much for a 2-month rental whose XBHs have trended from 84, 92, 65, 60 (proj) over the last 4 years than it was in thinking that either of the top 2 prospects were sure-fire studs. This Shane Peterson who went in the deal was their 2nd round pick from '08, the one right after they selected Wallace.

There's also a story (Heyman) that LaRussa pushed for this in part because he didn't like and wasn't consulted on the Chris Duncan/Julio Lugo swap (and I don't guess his pitching coach was too high on it either).



And, of course, the deal is made just in time so the Yanx don't have to see Holliday as Oakland is in NYC starting tonight.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 24 2009 01:48 PM

="Frayed Knot"]Or maybe the lefty who ate Bob Horner. A quick peak at a Cardinal board showed an overall (though not universal) negative reaction - more based on thinking they gave up too much for a 2-month rental whose XBHs have trended from 84, 92, 65, 60 (proj) over the last 4 years than it was in thinking that either of the top 2 prospects were sure-fire studs. This Shane Peterson who went in the deal was their 2nd round pick from '08, the one right after they selected Wallace. There's also a story (Heyman) that LaRussa pushed for this in part because he didn't like and wasn't consulted on the Chris Duncan/Julio Lugo swap (and I don't guess his pitching coach was too high on it either). And, of course, the deal is made just in time so the Yanx don't have to see Holliday as Oakland is in NYC starting tonight.


Just goes to show you how much of a buyer's market this is; the sheer number of potential in-it-to-win-it teams the last two years has resuscitated the good-old-fashioned deadline deal, however briefly, even in the face of cost constraints and the rising value of FA-compensatory draft picks.

(Although it kinda seemed from Day One that Beane had an eye toward Holliday's departure-- like they acquired him almost exclusively like a short-sell, either for the draft picks or the trade value-- didn't it?)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr
Jul 27 2009 01:24 AM

Consider the source, but still-- Re-heeeeeally?

]The Rangers remain in the market for a bat, with the Indians' Ryan Garko and Mets' Gary Sheffield among their targets, even though Sheffield currently is on the disabled list.


http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9854 ... -and-more-

seawolf17
Jul 27 2009 08:07 AM

I wish he hadn't gotten hurt, because I think Sheffield -- and possibly Livan -- are the Mets two best trading chips right now. I read somewhere recently that Sheffield would revolt if he got dealt, though, so as always with him, it'd be buyer beware.

Frayed Knot
Jul 27 2009 08:42 AM

Sheffield always threatens to revolt - but the thing is, this time he could easily make it stick.

He was all but ready to retire anyway after being released by Detroit; he had $14mil coming to him and nothing monetarily to gain from playing unless he's really lying and is secretly dying to play next year too only for a fraction of this year's salary.
But the Mets (he claims) were a good fit for him and so he took the gig when offered. But now if dealt somewhere he doesn't like (I don't think he has any No-Trade protection) he can simply walk-away rather than pull up stakes and move across the country for 9 weeks and not lost a thing except a possible shot at another ring.