Random Tidbits 11-12-07
Anything designed in the mid-80's that is used for baseball was a horrific disaster. The Orioles home was the beginning of state of the art baseball venues and they broke ground in 1989. Unfortunately, Tropicana Field was not meant solely for baseball and they need something better. Also, I love the new ownership's desire to make them a regional team. Most teams are limited to rather close surrounding areas for the most part, but they are trying to capture a much larger area the way Red Sox have all of New England. Can they do it? Probably not, but I give them an 'A' for effort. I doubt they will ever be a powerhouse in regards to media revenue, but they should certainly be able to pack in their proposed 35,000 seat stadium with some winning teams.
If you have not seen Into the Wild yet, do it. It was a solid offering and Eddie Vedder did a great job on the soundtrack.
Bon Iver's album For Emma, Forever Ago kicks so much ass I have trouble describing how much ass it kicks. Bon Iver dishes out some insanely good folk music that even the kids will enjoy. Skinny Love and For Emma are two of my favorites, but the entire album is just amazing. It is truly one of my more favorite albums in recent years.
A Yankees package of Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes and a prospect might not get it done for Santana, agreed a second major-league official. The Twins already have a plethora of young pitching, so their focus is on offense.
Cabrera, while defensively solid the last two years, put up a below-average .327 on-base percentage and .391 slugging percentage in 2007, his most complete big-league season.
Yes! Finally some sanity. Cabrera is nothing special and if he was, Hughes and him would have probably gotten it done. However, the Twins need hitting. If they trade Johan and do not get any productive bats back, the trade would be just about pointless and would make draft picks more valuable. Cano is a better start to a package as the article states, but they would certainly need more.
If they trade Santana for a bunch of solid players like Cano, Kennedy, and a lower level guy with upside, Garza to the Mets (fingers crossed) for Gomez, and Nathan for some more solid players, they would be rather well positioned for the future, no?
Look, having those guys would be fun, but this is not some alternate reality where money has no bearing. Simply stated, that would be impossible for the Mets to field a competitive team in the long term without seriously hemorrhaging money and please keep that "but this is New York" bullshit to yourself. That is going to be 30% to 40% of the Mets payroll for a looooong time and the team magically gets older in the process. That is a perfect recipe to become the aging Yankees of '01 through '06.
He does redeem himself by targeting a more realistic player for a better plan in Dan Haren.
posted by michael o. at 12:07 AM
23 Comments:
Wow, Tropicana Field is THAT old? I did not know that. If there's one thing about tonight, I want to thank you for that nugget of information.
Jeeze, a stadium designed in the mid 80's but not put into use until the late 90's, not good...
Kein Kernan with the breaking news!
Mets, Danny Haren, BLAH BLAH BLAH, A's, Billy Beane, BLAH BLAH BLAH, Lastings Milledge, sign Johan! and trade Jose fuckin' Reyes, BLAH BLAH BLAH!
Shut up. No more trade Jose Reyes talk its dumb!
There's been talk about Omar looking into Cliff Lee. Meh. He has a nice curve and from what I've seen depends on it to be sucesful. If his curve ain't working then, hit parade, COMMENCE!
He throws in the mid to high 80's, MEH!
And finally maybe we can end this Posada to the Mets bullshit because reports say Yankers and Ratatouille are close to a deal.
1:04 AM
I’ll say this for Tropicana Field, when you consider the number of people that have attended games over the years, not including parts exceeding their shelf life, it should practically be unused.
Shea was built as a multipurpose stadium and had seats that moved for the football season. The Mets were the primary tenant and the Jets always had to play their first few games on the road. At one time there was talk of Shea being a domed stadium. I recall a playoff game against the Bills where Shea was rocking so badly the announcers were afraid it would come down. But wtf it survived the Beatles.
After playing 3rd for the last few years you have to wonder whether A-Rod could still even be an average defensive SS. When he made the move to 3rd he was an outstanding defensive SS. When you consider A-Rod’s offensive capability for a SS it put him in a class reserved for the very few. It was similar to what Piazza brought to the catching position although I would equate what A-Rod brought to the SS position to what Bench brought to catching.
Even with the Yankees incredible payroll and an aging team from 2001 to 2006 they still were in the post season every year and still were extremely profitable. Over those years they managed to raise the value of the Yankees to where it is now worth over 1 billion dollars. I also read where the Yes network is valued at 3 billion dollars. Even with their huge payroll the Yankees won’t be crying poverty anytime soon.
In this market the Mets could probably increase their revenue sources significantly to where they can comfortably increase their payroll somewhat, but it should be done intelligently.
1:55 AM
Amazing. Now you're traded Santana to the Yankees. That's just great!! I guess because we're the Mets we'll just have to settle for Garza.
If the Twins want Gomez package him with Maine and Pelfrey or Humber for Santana. Garza is NOT the answer. Santana is the guy who will stop a loosing streak. Offer the Maine, Gomez and MP or PH package, if they accept, you have the 72 hr window to sign Santana to an extension. If he signs the extension, then let the deal happen. Santana-Pedro-Perez-Orlando-Humber/Pelfrey or sign Livan or Silva.
EVERYONE!!! STOP TRADING JOHAN SANTANA TO THE FUCKING YANKEES!!! PLEASE!!!!!
- Nokes
9:21 AM
Benny...I share your sentiments on Cliff Lee. But I have a hard time thinking he will be traded simply because he had a bad year and Shapiro would be selling low. What is his incentive?
Yeah, Posada needs to stay away from Queens. They guy's .270 avg and 20 homers is nice if he is catching, but he is due for a regression putting him at first in a few years gives the Mets and extremely overprice and light hitting first baseman. I know he has 'championship pedigree', but I think the Mets could spend their money better.
2x4...I think A-Rod would be disaster at SS which is what the majority thinks as well.
RE: Yankees through '01 and '06...yes, but the Mets will not be spending $200m. If you capped the Yankees at $120 to $150 million, they are a vastly different (and much worse) team.
In this market the Mets could probably increase their revenue sources significantly to where they can comfortably increase their payroll somewhat, but it should be done intelligently.
I do not disagree with that, but adding as much as Kernan suggests between two players is insanity. Let us now forget that there will still be other guys making healthy sums of money.
Nokes...don't take it personally. I do not want them to get Santana, but they certainly have a lot of chips to give up. I just think that deal actually would have a shot if that last prospect was a Tabata or or someone young with upside. Maybe I'm wrong...
RE: your Mets deal for Santana. I still think (and it pains for me to say it) that my proposed Yankee deal would still be better for the Twins. MP or PH have little value these days.
Garza has the ability to be a very good big league pitcher. What's not to like?
10:51 AM
What's the point of trading John Maine and Pelfrey for Johan Santana?
I know Johan is the best pitcher in the game but... John Maine is pretty fucking good and in the end it's almost a wash. THe point is to upgrade from the 5th starters spot or Tom Glavine's spot not to upgrade from John Maine's who was very good last season.
Plus, John Maine is younger and under control for like 4 more years. Johan can be gone after this season. I think its dumb.
1 year of JOhan who's going to get a shitload of money is not worth the 4 or 5 cheap years of Maine, I just don't think they are, especially when Johan is going to get many years and we all know how those long term deals turn out with pitchers...
11:47 AM
Also in regards to Gomez for Garza (if that is even a remote possibility), Gomez has some upside, but I truly think he will not be a guy who hits his stride until 3 or 4 years into the league. So you would be getting four years of a productive Garza vs. another year of minor league service for Gomez and three mediocre years for Gomez learning in the bigs. He still has a ways to go and is unrefined. Garza would be a spectacular return for a guy with so much uncertainty.
Of course I have trouble believing a deal straight up could be done, but I'm just going off of what I'm reading.
12:36 PM
Benny - you trade Maine, Gomez and MP or PH for Santana ONLY IF Santana agrees to a contract extension. I know they might not seem like the brightest bunch at time, but I highly doubt that Omar and Co. would make a deal like that without a 72 hr window to sign Santana to an extension.
Basically, if Santana doesnt sign the extension, then you pull the deal off the table and move on. There is no harm in amking that offer. If the Twins accept and Santana agrees to the extension then GREAT! We've got a stopper for the next 5 years or so. If not, then like I said, you move on.
- Nokes
12:50 PM
Basically I'm just sick of the Bull Shit that is; the Yankees can get this guy and that guy, but not give up their prized prospects. But when there's any thought about makiung deal deal with the Mets it's 'oh you gotta give up Reyes.' Bull-fuckin'-shit, man!!
You're (not you guys....the stupid Pro-Yankee media)telling me that you want Johan Santana who is arguably the best AL picther 3 of the last 4 years and/or Miguel Cabrera, who is arguably one of the top 3 hitters in the NL, and at BEST you can give up Ian Kennedy?? Give me a fuckin' break!!
Meanwhile, all I've heard is 'the Mets will go after Livan' or 'go after Garland' or 'go after Silva'. Who the fuck are these people?? Not ONE of those people is a stopper. If the Mets have a loosing streak, do I feel confident that Livan Hernandez, or Jon Garland or Carlos Silva......CARLOS SILVA can halt the Mets from loosing more? Uh, no. You get Santana and not only can you prevent that, but you can put the Mets back in the headlines with something other than 'greatest collapse in baseball' not read after it.
- Nokes
12:58 PM
Well, I think what Benny is saying is this.
If the Cubs got A-Rod but traded Aramis Ramirez to make room for him, it is essentially a pointless move when you factor the money in.
Is A-Rod better? Yes. He is MUCH better? Yes. But that still doesn't make the move a good one when you factor everything in.
Johan has a WARP1 of 9.1. Maine had a WARP1 of 5.2. That difference of four between the two players is also what separates A-Rod and Aramis.
However, when you factor into the equation that Pelfrey could stand to add in a few wins and the Mets now have to pay $14,000,000 more for those four wins (less wins actually if you add in what Pelfrey or Gomez might add in '08) and have find another player, it might not make the utmost sense when you could trade Gomez for someone and bring back that difference in wins and keep plenty of cash in the stable and retain John Maine.
Of course I would have to think about that move if it was on the table, but Santana is one of those guys that you would have to give up so much for that is almost makes a trade for him tough to stomach. There has to be a breaking point where you have given too much up and I think other options might make more sense.
In the end though, it is arguable that the Mets are better off with a Garza or Blanton (I reeeeaaaally do not like him in any trade scenario) for much less cash.
Pedro
Ollie
Maine
Garza
Pelfrey/Humber
Might be better than
Pedro
Johan
Ollie
Two of...
Humber/The Duque/Free Agent
Keep in mind that after the '08 season, the Mets would have tons of cash and the ability to chase Johan or whomever else on a pitching rich free agent market that will include Sheets, Sabathia, Burnett, Peavy, and Penny.
It cannot be forgotten that Pedro leaves after this season (which he could be retained of course) and Ollie is up as well.
That is two more spots that are vacant with the Mets paying an upwards of $18m to $20 for Johan. Now, if you have Maine and Pelfrey on the cheap for another four years, you are in good shape. Maine does get more expensive in his arb years, but his 5 to 7 wins will certainly make him a worthy investment and he will be getting paid below free agent value for his production, which is essential. It allows the Mets to have some flexibility whereas trading him and Pelfrey for Johan necessitates the Mets trolling the free agent market after '08 and paying a lot more to fill in at least two roles.
1:18 PM
You're (not you guys....the stupid Pro-Yankee media)telling me that you want Johan Santana who is arguably the best AL picther 3 of the last 4 years and/or Miguel Cabrera, who is arguably one of the top 3 hitters in the NL, and at BEST you can give up Ian Kennedy?? Give me a fuckin' break!!
I'm with you, but the Yankees would be giving up Cano, Kennedy, and someone else. Frankly, I am not a fan of Cano, but if the Yankees are building a deal around him, it gains traction.
He hit .306/.353/.488 to Reyes' .280/.354/.421 (of course Reyes steals and plays better defense) out of the second base position, which he regretfully improved at this season.
He carries some clout and was just as valuable at second base as Chase Utley was by WARP1, which seems a bit nuts to me. So at this point if Cano was getting dealt, I think it would be hard to say they are giving up nothing.
Then they are giving up Kennedy, who is above Pelfrey and Humber now, and probably another lower level prospect, that deal is not so bad.
Sorry to say it, but the Yankees are in a much better position to snag him.
That being said, the Yankes would be losing out on 75 homers between A-Rod and Cano and tons more extra base hits and would be looking to fill a second base void with the shittiest free agent market in recent memory. There has to be a breaking point for them as well.
1:28 PM
Kenny Rosenthal says Mets will most likely re-sign Paul Lo Duca, meh, I say. I would have prefered someone new but whatever.
And I'm tired of going to rotoworld.com and seeing Vomit Torreabla's name on there. Enough with this guy. Melvin Roman, said Monday that there is "no way" catcher Yorvit Torrealba will re-sign with the Rockies before he can begin negotiating with other teams on Tuesday.
Ugh, enough with this guy, I'm soo sick of him.
Ryan Braun won the NL ROY today and although Tulo was good for the ROckies, Bruan was just... well he had as many homers as Wright, and Braun played about the first 2 months of the season in the minors... amazing!
Iwase won't be a free agent, whomp whomp, the Japanese pitcher market sucks this year.
Fukudome WILL be a free agent, hurray! I see a OBP machine with good defense, I'd certainly make Milledge expendable and Gomez even MORE expendable.
Speaking of OBP, I was looking at Bonds' numbers and he had a .480 OBP? JEEZUS!
Regarding Johan, I love him, he's amazing but I just feel it doesn't make much sense to trade 4 or 5 years of Maine for 1 of Johan. BUT I would trade almost anyone else for him. Milledge, Gomez, Pelfrey, Humber, Joe Smith, Heilman, Fernando Martinez, I don't care, they can have them all. It won't get it done though, especially if the Yankees would have the balls to trade Cano.
3:19 PM
MiLB.com has a review of most teams minor league systems. They haven’t done the Mets yet but I read their review of the Yankees system and it supports Mike’s statements.
Yanks prospects to contend for title
10:12 PM
The Daily News reports that Posada has resigned with the Yankees for 4 years @ 52 million. I’m very happy the Mets did not sign him for 4 years.
When looking for a catcher first and foremost you want a solid defensive catcher that’s adroit at handling a pitching staff and calls an excellent game. A catcher with these skills upgrades a pitching staff significantly. Any offense you get is a bonus. Unfortunately, this pretty much rules out PLD.
1:58 AM
for all our hate on PLD, the mets pitching staff supposedly LOVES pitching to him and that may be the #1 reason the mets are considering bringing him back.
something to keep in mind.
i agree his skills are diminished but to say he cant handle a pitching staff i think is inaccurate.
11:19 AM
Temptation thy name is Posada.
I will be happy once he is off the market.
I have no particular problem with Paullie Ballgame. Could they have gone in a different direction? Yes, but nothing was that great and Jorge was not a good move for four years.
I won't be crying over LoDuca as long as Castro gets more time.
Also, can we get Haren and Garza? If we sell of everyone not named Fernando, could it get done? I would be down for that and the Mets could target Fukedome (sp?).
11:58 AM
During the Meltdown the best pitching performances seemed to occur with Castro behind the plate. When you have veterans out there they basically call their own games, but kids depend more on the catcher. Although I can’t give you any specific links, since I didn’t bother recording them when reading an article on the web or record the date and source of material for newspapers, etc., I have seen too many articles questioning PLD’s game calling. He’s not terrible but he’s no Jerry Grote either. With what very well could turn out to be a marginal pitching staff game calling takes on added importance.
2:31 PM
Mr. Metropolitan;
Must say I have just been checking out the Bon Iver stuff, loving it, I cant get the album though seems to be coming out next year. If you get a chance download the single by loney dear, I am John. "Dance around the house tune of the year" Love the blog, I emailed you a couple years ago regarding the stadium
6:31 PM
yeah good call on Bon Iver. any other recommendations?
if you haven't already, you should really check out Iron and Wine, Devendra Banhart, Kings of Convenience, and Joanna Newsom. All of them are freakin geniuses!
8:47 PM
DAVID LENNON AND KEN DAVIDOFF of Newsday writes:
Having lost out on Jorge Posada, the Mets are wasting no time in trying to close a deal with Yorvit Torrealba, and it looks like an agreement could be struck by the end of this week.
10:43 PM
Torrealba? please just be omar gauging the market.
its amazing we could find a guy worse than PLD.
::shakes head::
10:56 PM
Rickey agrees with the "Into the Wild" recommendation. Terrific flick.
12:16 PM
A-Rod to be now known as Gay-Rod has apparently slithered back to the Yankees like a baby trying to re-enter its mama’s womb. It was reported in the Daily News and later verified on M&MD in an interview with John Sterling that Gay-Rod contacted the Yankees and by-passed Boris and reduced his demands in-order to remain a Yankee. Francesca was as giddy as a 2-year old over the news and you can expect all Yankees fans that trashed Gay-Rod to embrace him like the prostitutes they truly are.
4:28 PM
Ah, I must have the illegal copy. My friend sent it. Email me and I can forward you a copy as well.
Not a huge Iron and Wine fan, I have Devendra Banhart, and I'll check out the other two.
I have no real issues with Torrealable over LoDuca if it means more playing time for Castro, who might be a beast. I don't see him being behind the plate as a big deal as it relates to their meltdown. LoDuca might be better, but their CERA was virtually identical.
The Yankees are A-Rod's best fit and both of them realize they need each other. The Yankees would be a far different team without A-Rod.
7:39 PM
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