Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Aaron Heilman

Fight for Your Rights, ESPN’s Keys to Beating WFAN, CC’s Streak, Bring Back Heilman

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Working in sports is difficult. Long hours, summer holidays are spent at the ballpark, and the pay is extremely poor for about 95% of those in the industry. You work to get an opportunity to be a member of the elite 5% who make it a living. Nowhere is this more apparent than minor league […]

How Do You Develop a Closer?

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Are closers made or born? The retirement of Eric Gagne got me to thinking about the genesis of elite closers. Over the twenty years of following baseball I have seen the local teams employ a number of top flight closers. Dave Righetti, John Wetteland, and Mariano Rivera have closed for the Yankees, while the Mets […]

New Bullpen Arms But Thinking Must Change

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The Mets won in 2006 because of a strong bullpen. Their relievers that year put up a 3.28 ERA and shouldered the load of pitching 37% of the teams total innings. Since then, especially in 2008, the bullpen has been more of a weakness instead of strength. You could blame it on injuries or poor […]

NYBD Mets “All Decade Team”

Friday, January 1st, 2010

I did the all decade team a little different. Instead of compiling the “best at each position”, I put a player who I felt had the “best individual” season on the team. This includes starting lineup, pinch hitting performance, bullpen, and manager. Here it goes, give me your thoughts. The Mets All Decade Team (2000 […]

Mets Need Overhaul Not Band Aid Solutions

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Yesterday, Andrew Marchand of ESPN 1050 reported a scenario where Omar Minaya would be reassigned this offseason and John Ricco would become the GM and face of the franchise. The staff would mostly be kept intact and I assume Jerry Manuel would survive as well. This is not an acceptable situation moving forward. The Mets […]

Odds & Ends of JJ Putz

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

In case your head is spinning from all the versions of the trade. The Mets gave up the following: Mets received JJ Putz, Sean Green, and Jeremy Reed. Those who may be confused, and I don’t blame you, have asked whom did the Mets give up to Cleveland and Seattle? The answer is Aaron Heilman, […]

Putz Trouble Brewing?

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

Quote via ESPN An All-Star in 2007 when he saved 40 games, Putz was 6-5 with a 3.88 ERA and 15 saves in 23 chances last season, when he missed long stretches with ribcage and elbow injuries. His agent, Craig Landis, said Putz wants to remain a closer. “He’s one of the top five or […]

Recapping Sunday Hot Stove Conversation

Monday, December 1st, 2008

In case you missed NYBD Radio last night, I wanted to recap some of the highlights for you. If you want to hear the entire hour (with 15 minute bonus coverage) - CLICK HERE TO LISTEN or DOWNLOAD IT AT THE ARCHIVE. Steve Jacobson, long time sports writer at Newsday, told us why he believes […]

NYBD Radio Tonight at 7pm

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

We are back at it after a along holiday weekend. Howard Megdal of the NY Observer joins me to talk a little hot stove. We will not be alone this Sunday, also joining us will be: Former Newsday sports writer Steve Jacobson. He will tell us why he won’t miss George Steinbrenner or, as he […]

Poll: Heilman Start, Trade, or Bullpen

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

You heard from me and Howard about what the Mets should do with Aaron Heilman. We want to know what you think. The results will be part of our Sunday discussion on NYBD Radio. <a href =”http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1143105/” >What to Do With Aaron Heilman</a> <br/> <span style=”font-size:9px;” mce_style=”font-size:9px;”> (<a href =”http://www.polldaddy.com”> polls</a>)</span>

11/28 Hot Stove Update

Friday, November 28th, 2008

Now that you have digested your Turkey lets get back to the Hot Stove. On Thursday, Joe Demayo and Frank Russo gave us the latest on the NYBD Rumor Mill. Joe still believes a deal can get done for Huston Street. The Mets are not going to give up two relievers for him because they […]

Memo to the Mets: Let Heilman Start

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Mets are still two reliable starters short, with only Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine assured of spots in next season’s rotation. Oliver Perez remains unsigned, and if the season opened today, Jonathon Niese (total career starts: 3) would likely be the number four man. Meanwhile, embattled reliever Aaron Heilman […]

Mets/Rockies talking Street

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

According to a league source with knowledge of the negotiations, the Mets and Rockies are still in talks in regards to the Mets obtaining reliever Huston Street. The source confirms what Joel Sherman posted today in the NY Post that the Mets had offered the Rockies Aaron Heilman for Huston Street, which the Rockies declined. […]

Ted Berg/Phil Allard On NYBD Radio Tonight at 7pm

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

Howard Megdal and I have another edition of our Sunday Hot Stove tonight at 7pm on NYBD Radio. During the first half hour Ted Berg of SNY will join us to talk about the latest happening’s with the Mets. We will discuss Aaron Heilman, possibility of Bobby Abreu, and if the catching position is something […]

Let Heilman Start… Somewhere Else

Friday, November 21st, 2008

The Aaron Heilman starter vs. reliever discussion is now going on four years old. Everyone remembers the one hit shutout against Florida in 2005, but the truth is Heilman was very average as a starting pitcher that season (2-3, 4.71). You can argue he never was given a full year to show what he can […]