All offseason we debate the merits of acquiring different players. Sometimes, we don’t understand why a team brings a veteran into camp when there are cheaper replacements that could do the job just as well, or even better. The Mets were accused of this when they held on to expensive veterans such as Alex Cora […]
It was late July of 2005 and the Mets unveiled their prized International signing, 16-year old outfielder Jesus Fernando Martinez. The ink was barely dry on his $1.4 million dollar signing bonus before he was taking batting practice in front of the Mets’ officials and players. It was another feather in the cap for the new […]
Pretty much all major sports, but especially, baseball, are copycat sports. If something works for one organization, then others follow the lead. However, due to the long history of baseball and the ingrained ideas and traits, it often takes longer for new ideas to be implemented. Billy Beane began using low cost players who had […]
In case I lose power from Hurricane Irene, I have posted a few pieces to go up over the next couple of days. I anticipate the pre-record audio from this week’s show to be up in a few hours. Stay safe out there and hopefully we will still be able to talk baseball here over […]
We have chatted quite a bit about Joe Girardi‘s management style this week. In a recent Sports Illustrated poll of the players, Girardi ranked as the 7th most popular manager to play for in baseball. This aligns with what I have heard, as the player perception of Girardi is far different than the media one. […]
Over at Grantland, Jonah Keri (who will appear on Sunday’s show with me) quotes Nate Silver and Dayn Perry from their book “Baseball Between the Numbers.” The authors found three characteristics that define the majority of successful playoff teams, or as they call it the “Secret Sauce.” Those traits are: - A pitching staff with a high strikeout […]
Newsday’s Ken Davidoff listed the five worst baseball markets in a recent column: Tampa Bay, Arizona, Oakland, Miami, and Washington. It made me think of the Montreal Expos and whether MLB really did their best to save baseball in the Province of Quebec. I am not sure any of those cities mentioned by Davidoff are worse than […]
Yesterday was Jose Reyes 1,000th career game in the big leagues. We learned that only Ty Cobb has more hits/triples than Reyes after 1,000 games since 1898. You may have heard that Reyes is a free agent after the season, and will probably demand a major payday. Ty Cobb‘s highest salary came in 1927 when, according […]
Jason Giambi returned to his old stomping ground last night. He collected 3 hits, including a long home run in the second inning. Listen to Giambi talk about his new role as a pinch hitter in Colorado, how Troy Tulowitzki wants to emulate Derek Jeter, and what happened to the famous “golden thong” with Michael Kay on ESPN […]
None of the fans that showed up to yesterday’s doubleheader gave up a hit, made an error, or failed to drive in runners from scoring position. Joe and Jane fan won’t see a “W” or an “L” next to their name this morning. The Mets 4-9 start can’t be blamed solely on the fans, but […]
The Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez story line is finally over. On Saturday night I tuned into WFAN’s Steve Somers in the car and heard a caller refer to releasing Perez and Castillo as the end of the “Los Mets era.” Obviously, this was a statement that was leaning towards the type of behavior ridiculously […]
While covering the Winter Meetings today I decided to turn on WFAN to see what their take was on Cliff Lee, Carlos Beltran rumors, and the Mets value additions. Instead, I was treated to Mike Francesa doing his typical “lazy radio” with a guestless afternoon of Mets bashing. He took calls so well that Debbie […]
Jon Lewin at Subway Squawkers asks this question over the weekend. Yes, as Lewin points out, Minaya’s first big move as Mets General Manager was signing Pedro Martinez to a 4 year/$52 million dollar contract. The Mets overpaid for a pitcher that was still an ace, but an injury waiting to happen. They would only […]
One of the traits of a successful general manager, in my opinion, is being able to sell stakeholders on his vision. This ranges from employees, fans, ownership, and opposing GM’s. The individual who unable to articulate even the best laid plan is doomed to fail. Just two weeks into his tenure Sandy Alderson has proved […]
Sandy Alderson has been the rumored front runner for the Mets vacant GM position for the last couple of weeks. Hearing that a second interview will come this week fuels speculation the organization has made their choice. I believe Alderson will bring discipline, vision, and respect to an organization that’s lack all three for quite […]
