As we head into the weekend, here is an update on how our boys are doing in winter league baseball. Dominican Winter League Fernando Martinez finally made his debut and went 1-3 with 2 RBIs on Wednesday. Daniel Murphy continues to rake batting .320 with four home runs and 22 RBIs. However, after just one game, his season is most likely over after experiencing pain in his knee. “I feel a lot of pain in [...]

In Doug’s Dugout today we: Give Thanks the Mets managerial search is over; talk about the hot stove, and marvel (not really) at the dream team in suits. First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to all the Mets faithful out there. Please, eat your meals with your families without bringing up another dismal campaign. It will help the digestive system. But do give thanks that the new Mets brass finally settled on a manager for 2011, [...]

On behalf of everyone at Mets Merized Online, we would like to thank all of our wonderful readers and contributors for all their amazing support over the years. It’s always such an enormous pleasure to share our opinions and interact with some the best Mets and baseball fans in the world. Our passion for the Mets binds all of us together and though we may disagree sometimes on how to get there, we all share one common goal, and [...]

In a series of tweets, Andy Martino of the Daily News revealed that a Mets insider is suggesting that the team should give embattled starting pitcher, Oliver Perez, a shot at filling a situational lefty role in the bullpen next season. Not saying he’ll succeed, but there’s absolutely no reason not to bring Oliver Perez to ST as a situational lefty, and see what happens. I also know this: at least some Mets decision-makers feel the [...]

You’ve heard the old saying where there’s smoke, there’s fire? Well in the last 24 hours there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the Mets potentially trading Jose Reyes. Nothing concrete mind you, but certainly a buzz. According to Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is definitely on the market and not only that, but that the Mets are looking for 3-4 players/prospects in return for him. Schulman, believes that’s a steep price considering Reyes’ [...]

El Nuevo Dia, a Puerto Rican newspaper, has reported the Mets and Diamondbacks are in talks over a blockbuster deal that would send Reyes, Beltran and Mejia to the desert for Justin Upton and Stephen Drew.  I can’t read Spanish, but I didn’t notice any other names involved in the trade (the article mentions Wright, but I’m betting in passing, not as part of any deal). This makes perfect sense for the D-Backs, as they would [...]

One of my biggest complaints with the Mets in the last few years has been the frequent disregard of fundamental baseball exhibited by our veterans. I can forgive a rookie for the occasional “rookie mistake”, but when I see Angel Pagan throwing to the wrong base, or Jose Reyes taking off for third base with David Wright at the plate and two outs, it just aggravates me to no end. The one thing that really ticks [...]

Sandy Alderson was a guest this morning on the Boomer and Carton show on WFAN. Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog caught most of the action and transcribed parts of what was said, Regarding going after high priced free agents like Cliff Lee or Carl Crawford: “I stand by what I said before about our free-agent activity,” he explained. ”We’re going to be active in the market, but we’re not going to be active in the top [...]

My mindset has always been one of exhibiting patience, favoring the building of a perennial playoff contender through a strong farm system, savvy trades and a few well placed free agents.  With the hiring of Sandy Alderson and the others of his new regime, such a mentality is going to be put into action.  There will be no big splash free agent signing for 2011.  Possibly not even a major trade.  And the sanity of [...]

Here is a list of all 35 free agents that were offered arbitration this year, 12 more than last year according to MLBTR.  These players now have until November 30th, one week, to decide whether to accept.  Type A – 14 players (Will cost signing team a first round pick.) Grant Balfour Adrian Beltre Carl Crawford Jorge De La Rosa Scott Downs Adam Dunn Frank Francisco Jason Frasor Paul Konerko Cliff Lee Victor Martinez Carl Pavano Rafael [...]

Though the “decision” did not have as much hype as that of LeBron James’ over the summer, it’s official: Terry Collins is the 20th manager in New York Mets team history. As a fan, I find myself as cautiously optimistic about this hiring. To be honest, I had no true preference among the four candidates for manager. Each one brought interesting qualifications to the table but also had some drawbacks. Then again, at least for [...]