Leapin’ lizards!  For the first time since Barry Bonds left his syringe in San Francisco, the Giants are champions of the National League West.  They won their first division title since 2003 (and only their sixth NL West title overall) by defeating the San Diego Padres on the final day of the regular season, capping a tremendous second half that saw them rise from mediocrity to the top of the division. Also, by defeating the [...]

We’ve spent the last week talking about who will be our next manager and GM. As Sandy Alderson recently moved to the top of the GM list, most Mets fans are clamoring for either Wally Backman or Bobby Valentine to take over as skipper. My question is: Why not both? It seems improbable, almost impossible, but it makes sense. Bobby can be our next GM. Wally can be our next manager. Valentine had been considered for [...]

The interview process works both ways, and it would be fascinating to know the questions the GM candidates are asking of the Wilpons this week. I would think these would be some of them: During the press conference to announce the dismissals of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel, both Wilpons said ownership took responsibility. However, other than saying they hired the wrong people, what mistakes did Jeff and Fred Wilpon specifically make? Do the Wilpons [...]

The Mets will be interviewing White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn this afternoon, with both Jeff Wilpon and interim GM John Ricco expected to be present. Hahn, is considered by many to be one of the highest rated GM candidates available, and was ranked as the best GM prospect in baseball by Baseball America before the 2010 season. He is said to possess great communication and negotiation skills and combines both scouting and sabermetrics in evaluating players. Yesterday, Jeff Wilpon [...]

Before I begin this week’s post I apologize for my post last week on Omar Minaya and Roy Halladay.  When writing my post last week I had no intention to hurt anyone or insult anyone’s nationality. I promise in the future to be more careful with my posts. This is not a post bashing Johan Santana.  I know early on in the 2010 season I wrote that Santana was done and I admit I was wrong. [...]

So with the bulk of the offseason looming, there are many questions surrounding the Mets. One that fans would not think would be a huge issue is first base. Ike Davis had a solid rookie year hitting .264 with 19 HR and 71 RBI (just three behind the Mets rookie record set by Darryl Strawberry in 1983). He played a Gold-Glove caliber first base and is booming with potential. I have been hearing some possible [...]

I’ve tried my very best to call upon the better angels to guide my thoughts on the recent firings of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel.  What seems to be becoming the yearly sideshow where the Wilpons are apologizing in some fashion for the Mets abject failures, I can finally say it’s taken its toll. Normally I’m a fairly positive person; a glass is half full type of guy, but after taking some time to dissect and digest what [...]

It’s not just in Flushing. Everywhere in the league where there is no playoff teams in the hunt, these teams are starting to get into position for major moves, trades, and acquisitions. Here comes the money! GM Search A Formality? Joel Sherman thinks that Alderson is the best qualified to fix the “mess” that is the Mets. “[Alderson] would bring the Mets an intellect they have been missing plus instant organization, credibility and the perception [...]

Not too much Mets news to report the last few days, but there is an interesting article by Joel Sherman of the NY Post who is starting to sound like a campaign manager for Sandy Alderson these days. I was a little shocked by the way he began his article by saying that once commissioner Bud Selig granted permission for Alderson to interview with Mets next Thursday or Friday, “that meant he wanted Alderson to get [...]