MMO Hot Stove Report: The Premier Edition

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• Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 9:50 pm

  Why wound the Mets trade David Wright? For young pitching? I know it seems crazy but if Ike Davis’s ankle is healed and Davis has full mobility I really like the idea of moving Davis to right field, Wright to 1st base and Daniel Murphy every day 3rd baseman.

  Ike Davis- played outfield in College and on the USA Olympic Team.

  Daniel Murphy- Long term Murphy hurts the team playing 1st base. 3rd base is more react, less thinking; more “just react.” Murphy’s bat definitely needs to be in the lineup!
  I would really like to see just how good a hitter Murphy can be playing every day in the #3 spot in the lineup.

  David Wright- I think Wright should be able to play a decent 1st base. His lack of height may be an issue but…

  The goal is to keep Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy and David Wright in the lineup every day.

  If we can keep Davis, Wright, Murphy in the lineup every day and Jason Bay has a big year we’re not horrible offensively IF Pagen and Reese havens get on base.

  Hahaha. Lots of assumptions…lots of hopeful thinking but … if not we’re looking at a possible 90-95 losses season.

  CF Angel Pagen
  2b Reese Havens
  3b Daniel Murphy
  RF Ike Davis
  1b David Wright
  LF Jason Bay
  C Josh Thole
  SS Ruben Tejada
  P
  • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    Ike is a very good defender at 1B he’s not moving. David Wright in RF makes more sense instead of moving 3 guys around you just really are moving only one – Wright.
    • NJ stuck in TX October 16, 2011 at 10:14 pm

      Agreed.
      • Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 10:45 pm

        Yes Davis is excellent at 1st base, no argument there. But the goal is to have Murphy Wright and Davis in the lineup together.

        I think the question is; Is the Met team better with Davis playing right field or Wright playing Wright field? Ike Davis, easily.

        Having a gold glove 1st basemen is not going to win you divisions.
        Overall the Mets are a better defensive team with Davis playing RF and Wright at 1st base.
        • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 10:50 pm

          I think you underestimate the value of a gold glove defender at 1B! The First Baseman is the glue to the infield just ask Keith Hernandez and John Olerud.

          C’mon man, why would anybody displace a gold glove defender at 1B with a lesser fielder and then weaken themselves at two positions? And anyway it’s not gonna ever happen. Ike is the first baseman for the Mets so forget it.
        • stick October 16, 2011 at 10:56 pm

          Ike played a minimal amount of RF. At this point, I would bet that Wright would be better in the oF than Ike, especially coming off an ankle injury.

          Major speed differential if nothing else.
          • t agee October 16, 2011 at 11:10 pm

            Ike wasn’t a good fit at RF before he hurt his ankle and is a good fit at 1B. Wright is better at 3B than anyone else and will probably be there for another two years unless we get a great offer on him. Reyes, Tejada, Valdespin could be the middle infield or Tejada, Turner, Valdespin if Reyes leaves.

            Bay/Pagan/Duda with a RH back up CFer and maybe Fern and then Murphy part time at 1B/2B/3B/LF and out of there in the 7th with a lead. Thole/Nickeas at catcher and one more guy for the bench.
    • Brian October 16, 2011 at 11:19 pm

      Absolutely correct. If you’re going to shift someone defensively, move Wright because his defense isn’t very good at 3B anyway. Why move Ike who is a plus defender?
  • NJ stuck in TX October 16, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    Havens won’t be up until injury or September (or he plays like a champion). He’ll obviously get a bigger chance should Reyes move on, as Tejada will be in the SS vs. 2B.
    • Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 10:25 pm

      well to be honest I know havens playing 2nd base for the 2012 Mets is a long sht however if we really look at the 2b position of r this team going into Spring training 2012 there is a void. If Havens can distinguish himself during spring training why wouldn’t the Mets give him the 2nd base job instead of Justin Turner … or whatever space filler you play there.
      • Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 10:38 pm

        Justin Turn 2011 Hitting 2nd
        4 home runs 54 rbi 44 walks .326 ops 49 runs scored

        We know Havens is better defensively.
        Your telling me that Reese Havens could not match these numbers?

        Havens is 26 yrs old. If Havens plays well in Spring Training he makes the team.
        Havens played 4 yrs of college ball and 3 yrs in the minor leagues
        (injured much of that time) Havens needs to play, not learn to play.

        If Havens plays well give Havens the job hit him #2 “check off” 2nd base on your Met-to-do-list and move on to the next problem….
        • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 10:52 pm

          You have Havens already in the lineup for next year without finishing a full season at AA and/or AAA and healthy.

          Yet you’ve removed Ike Davis from 1B, no mention of Lucas Duda (who will be a 20+ HR , 280+ RBI guy next year), and Reyes already gone.
        • t agee October 16, 2011 at 10:56 pm

          No one really knows how good Havens D is. He’s never on the field. He’s 25 years old and if he has another injury marred year he’ll probably never have it all together while he’s at the height of his prime.

          I think he’ll get his chance but it probably won’t be until September at best and Valdespin will be in AAA so even if a call does come he’ll be first, not Havens.
          • Joe Diaz October 17, 2011 at 2:04 am

            Havens is considered a weak defender.He was drafted because of his bat.He still has a lot of upside with the bat but can’t stay healthy.Anyway if Reyes stays I think the 2nd base job is Tejada’s to lose.An upgrade at Catcher and CF and then we’ll be strong up the middle.
  • Vinny B October 16, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    Where’s Duda?
  • stick October 16, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    If you were trying to get these guys all on the field together, then yes, wright to RF would be more logical.

    But, I would prefer to keep duda in the lineup if I had to pick him or murphy. Lot’s more power, and a higher OBP (and not much lower BA at .292). Produced more runs in 100 less ABs.
    • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 10:55 pm

      Forget his OBP. What we need from Duda to win is for him to hit, hit for avg, hit for power, and drive in RBIs.

      Anything else offensively is gravy. I don’t want him walking when he could be driving in runs and besides he’ll probably start off the season lower in the order, maybe 5th down and since he’s a power hitter i want him driving runs home and not looking for walks so to hell with his OBP because if he hits around .280 I GUARANTEE his OBP will be around 340-360 or so.
      • srt October 16, 2011 at 11:07 pm

        No manager or GM on any of the 30 MLB teams is going to forget OBP. You might want to, but no franchise is going to ignore any stats the other 29 teams are looking at.

        They all use this and other advance stats to go along with scouting reports. This ain’t your father’s baseball anymore.

        I’d argue one the reasons Jose had such a career season is he finally realized swinging at bad pitches to try and get on base wasn’t exactly the smartest approach and it’s basically better to take the walk if you can’t get the pitch you feel you can hit. By his own admission he knew he was too anxious at the plate wanting to get on and realized a little patience went a long way.
        • t agee October 16, 2011 at 11:13 pm

          He finally stopped poping up that pitch he used to hit right off his shoelace.
        • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 11:18 pm

          But that’s a coaches job.

          And not all GMs or Managers think it’s as important as others do. Sure it’s important and was always listed on the back of a baseball card even back in the day but why in God’s name would you concern yourself with Lucas Duda’s on base percentage? If he gets 3 hits on opening day and swings at all bad pitches and drives in runs you’re just happy he’s hitting and hitting for average. He’s either gonna hit or he’s not. That’s it. Either way his OBP is going to be relative to that so just hope he SEES the ball well is in a groove most of the time and he’s hitting. He already has a pretty decent eye but just leave the rest of that to the batting coach.

          And as for that last year all we talked about here was that the Mets needed a more disciplined approach at the plate. People thought like that back in the day so don’t give me that stupid little sarcastic remark that this ain’t my father’s baseball anymore. And the batting coach did an excellent job with Reyes and evidently they were able to communicate. We’ve been hoping for Reyes to cut down swinging at bad pitches for years now and we’ve even heard the broadcasters harping on it for MANY years so what’s happened now isn’t related to any type of advanced anything except a flaw that has finally been corrected after all these years with the right hitting coach for him.

          Let’s hope it lasts if he stays.

          You know what I want from Lucas Duda? 20+ HRs and driving in plenty of runs in big spots because if he’s doing that.

          Than he’s doing whatever else that you think is related to advance metrics well also
          • srt October 16, 2011 at 11:37 pm

            If Duda swings at all bad pitches odds are he’s not getting 1 hit let alone 3 with multiple RBIs on opening day. That statement is just contradictory.
        • Vinny B October 16, 2011 at 11:21 pm

          “They all use this and other advance stats to go along with scouting reports. This ain’t your father’s baseball anymore.”

          Comment From JL:
          “Do you have a sense for how much the Phillies’ front office relies on sabermetrics and cutting edge statistical analysis in evaluating players? A lot? A little? ”

          Andy Martino: “None. Ruben Amaro and his men are savvy in many ways, but they are not interesting in statistical analysis, sabermetrics, etc. The Phils are a very traditionally-minded organization.”

          http://archive.phillyarena.com/archives/2009-11-21/Phillies-not-interested-in-Sabermetrics
          • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 11:24 pm

            Sounds like Mets should be doing things more like the Phillies than the A’s but instead they’re doing things more like the A’s than the Phillies.
            • srt October 16, 2011 at 11:36 pm

              Good god – I hope not.
              • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 11:40 pm

                So you prefer to do things more like the A’s than the Phillies?

                Please explain why you would want that.
                • Joe Diaz October 18, 2011 at 3:58 am

                  No Bayonne not the A’s.The A’s suck ass.They need to upgrade their offense.The Mets with half a team from Buffalo outscored them hitting a lot less HR’s because they got on base at a higher rate.Philly also had more RBI’s than the Mets but the Mets scored more runs.
              • Met Maniac October 16, 2011 at 11:44 pm

                We’re talking about the Phillies that play in Philadelphia right?

                The ones that won 93 games in 2009, 97 games in 2010 and 102 games in 2011, right?

                Just so we’re straight, you take the New Jersey Turnpike south and then merge onto the Pennsylvania Expressway at exit 6, and get off on the third exit, that Philadelphia right?

                You think they should play like Oakland?

                Okay, gotcha.
            • Joe Diaz October 17, 2011 at 2:21 am

              Why should we,the Mets scored more runs than the Phillies despite 45 less HR’s.Maybe if Phillie paid a little more attention to OB% they’d still be playing.OB% is not just a saber stat Bayonne,I don’t know why you don’t understand the importance of it.Even Omar understood the importance of it.
              • Vinny B October 17, 2011 at 9:43 am

                “Maybe if Phillie paid a little more attention to OB% they’d still be playing.”

                That’s ridiculous. The Phillies offense has always been very good – In fact, for a few years the were probably the best in the league. Their numbers went down now because their players are getting older, and the focused a lot on getting better pitching the last few years.

                It’s not that they aren’t paying attention to OBP – It has nothing to do with that.
                • Joe Diaz October 18, 2011 at 3:54 am

                  Thats past tence.They were an offensive machine 2 years ago but the last 2 years they’ve gone through long droughts offensively as their OB% has gone down.Philly has great pitching but they need to upgrade their offense.Like I said it’s not a saber stat onlyBranch Rickey was one of the 1st GM’s to recognize it’s importance.That’s long before sabermetrics.
              • kevin October 17, 2011 at 10:07 am

                OBP had nothing to do with it. They were outplayed in three games by the Cards and Carpenter outpitched Halladay. Simple as that. And when Amaro gave that response it was in reply to what went wrong in the 5 game series not the 2011 season in which they won more games than any other team.
                • any October 17, 2011 at 10:27 am

                  no, it was in regard to why their offense has been deteriorating for the last few years, and why it killed them in the playoffs 2 years running.

                  and was specifically addressing what they needed to change for 2012.

                  The domination of the SP in the regular season covered over their other issues, but was not enough in the playoffs.
            • JoeSmith October 17, 2011 at 7:42 am

              What are they doing that mimics the A’s organization? Right now on October 17, 2011. What evidence do you have that they are using the A’s organization as a template other then gossip in a blog?
          • srt October 16, 2011 at 11:36 pm

            If you caught Amaro’s press conference after the Phills were bounced out, you could definitely take away from that he’s saying exactly that and to look for changes that involved a different approach at the plate instead of what they’ve been doing since 2008.

            So even if what Martino is implying was true, I’d say the Phillies are just now realizing they’ve been late to the party.
            • Vinny B October 17, 2011 at 9:38 am

              I don’t know how saying his team needed a better approach at the plate means he uses advance stats. But Ok.

              What do you think, that people who don’t use advanced stats say you should just swing at everything? Come on.

              Saying that your team needs a better approach doesn’t mean that he uses advanced stats.
          • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 11:39 pm

            That post by Vinny B should be a MetsMerized Headline story.

            MetsMerized Headling of the Day on Twitter:

            Ruben Amaro: The Phillies Are Not Interested in Statistical Analysis
            • any October 17, 2011 at 8:53 am

              As SRT pointed out, the Phils were once again bounced from the playoffs due to their offense letting them down.
              ]
              And Amaro has said, in numerous articles, that a big problem is that the team was not disciplined enough, and needed to be more patient and get their OBP up. And that he was going to stress this with the manager and hitting coach (and through whatever moves he makes).

              You seem to get confused by the concept that just because a team isn’t looking at fancy stats, that they aren’t interested in players that do well at them. Simply that they feel they can figure out who they are without looking at the #s.

              OBP is a basic, core, back of the card stat anyway. Something they know for all their players anyway. So the team not using Saber stats (WAR, etc.) has NOTHING to do with not wanting a team that is patient at bat, with a high OBP>
              • Vinny B October 17, 2011 at 11:55 am

                http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/10/11/1675821/general-manager-amaro-says-phillies.html

                I found this article, but Amaro in here says nothing about advanced stats – NOTHING at all. All he says is that the team needs to have a better approach at the plate…..And that doesn’t mean he uses advanced stats.

                “I think we have to have a different mind-set or approach than maybe we had in ’08 or ’09,” he said. “I think it’s a different ball club. I don’t think we have nearly as much power. I think we have to rely on having better at-bats, being better with two strikes, and being better situational hitters. Frankly, those are things we’ll have to change if we want to be a championship-caliber club and get to the World Series.”

                He doesn’t say anything about advanced stats here.

                “I think we fail ourselves if we just decide to accept this is what we are and we’re not going to try to get any better,” Amaro said. “I think we owe it to our fans, we owe it to our players, and we owe it to each other to try to do what we can to improve; and to change, because obviously it’s not working enough to get us to the next level. Our next level is to try to get to the World Series and win it, and there are some things we can do offensively to change that.”

                Again he doesn’t say anything about advanced stats.

                “We should have more .300 hitters or close to it. We really should. These guys have the ability to do it. It’s a matter of whether we’re committed to doing it or not.”

                And now he’s saying that the hitters should hit for a higher average – So it doesn’t sound like he’s using advanced stats.

                The Phillies do not use advanced stats.
                • t agee October 17, 2011 at 12:23 pm

                  The Phillies believe in athletes and HR’s.

                  They don’t even do much internationally.

                  They are very much an old school scouting and development based organization.
                • Joe Diaz October 18, 2011 at 4:04 am

                  Okay fine they don’t use advance stats but OB% is not an advanced stat.When the Phillies were outscoring the rest of the NL they had a much higher OB% than they’ve had the last 2 years.Their offense is not the same.A lot has to do with age and injury but they’re not getting on base like they used to.The batting averages from key players have gone down.
    • Brian October 16, 2011 at 11:21 pm

      I would opt for Duda’s power over Murphy as well. I think Murphy’s best role might be picking up 400 AB at 1B, 2B, 3B, LF.
      • Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 11:29 pm

        Murphy needs a position! 400 at bats? Why not 500 at bats?
        You would only let Murphy play 100 games? That’s nuts.. the man was on pace to lead the league in hitting! and getting better! And you want to limit him to 100 games?

        Give Murphy a postion, 3rd base and leave him alone!
        • Bayonne Mets Fan October 16, 2011 at 11:33 pm

          I agree if Murphy is healthy than we find him playing time. He can be solid gap hitter and big clutch hitter but I would move Wright for major league starting pitching because if Murphy can hold his own defensively I would trade off Murphy’s penchant for timely hitting for Wright’s power

          I think we’ll be a better team by making that move.
    • Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 11:21 pm

      You would play Duda over Daniel Murphy? Really? Murphy can hit! I mean really hit, like lead the league in hitting hit.. and seems to be getting better every plate appearance. And you would rather play a 6’4 250lb not home run hitting power hitting in his place? Really?

      The Mets NEED to play Murphy every day in 2012 to see how far Murphy can develop!

      We may be sitting on the next Bill Maddock/Wade Bogs here..
      Play Murphy at 3rd base every day and leave him alone!
      • Joe Diaz October 17, 2011 at 2:27 am

        Except Wade Boggs and Bill Madlock were above average defenders while Murphy is not only a bad defensive player he has absolutely no baseball smarts at all.Proably te worst instincts I’ve ever seen by a major leaguer with Pagan running a close 2nd.He’a a DH or lefty bat off the bench.He can hit like a MFer but the rest of his game does not warrant an everyday spot in the lineup.
      • any October 17, 2011 at 8:57 am

        Murphy hit .320 last year, duda .292. That is not that big of a difference.

        But, Duda got on base more, had a higher slg%, an OPS about 50 pts higher, more than 2x the HR/AB, more EB hits, and more RBIs in about 100 fewer ABs.

        So yes, given a choice, I want Duda’s bat in their over Murphys.
  • Metstheory22 October 17, 2011 at 7:33 am

    I hate to remind you but Ike did not play because of an ankle injury. He might not be able to run like he used to, was not fast to begin with and you want him to play right. For all we know, he could have a Bill Buckner anle now.
    • Metstheory22 October 17, 2011 at 7:34 am

      S/b Bill Buckner Ankle.
  • koos October 17, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    Fernando Martinez? Why not him too! You’re drinking toomuch kool-aid!
• Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 11:15 pm

  Why the love affair with Duda? I just don’t see it… Duda’s future in the major leagues if he has one is to hit for power. Not 15-20 home run power I mean Duda has to hit 30-40 home run power numbers to really justice playing him every day.

  I would rather have Fernando Martinez play right field every day rather then Duda.
  I would rather have Nick Evans play right field every day rather than Duda.

  Duda played 100 games had 10 home runs 50 rbi’s 38 runs scored
  This is not power numbers. I’m sorry but I just don’t see Duda as being anymore than a ho-hum major league hitter power hitter.
  Perhaps 20 home runs 80 rbis 70 runs scored playing 150 games….

  Duda’s future as a major leagues if he has one is 1st base/Outfield bench player.
  Or 1st base on a perennial 2nd division team such as the Royals, Blue Jays, Mariners etc..

  On contending teams 1st base and RF are power spots.
  • Met Maniac October 16, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    Fmart over Duda? Okay why don’t you look up Fmart’s performance in the majors and compare it with Duda. Then when you’re finished doing that ad up the total games played in last 3 years for both. Then when you’re done with that compare Fmart’s .746 OPS in the minors last year, to Duda’s .852 OPS in the majors. Now ask yourself, who’s better Samantha Fox or Joan Rivers?
    • Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 11:38 pm

      Fernando Martinez is a disinvestment. No question about that. But if Martinez can keep himself on the field he out-plays Duda hands down, easily.
      Not even a question in my mind.
      I think part of the problem here is that many are not projecting Duda correctly.
      Duda is a power hitter, not a line drive, gag hitter, not a solid fielder.
      Duda is power. Thats all. No defense, no speed, no arm, just power.
      Duda is a power hitter who does not hit for power.
      Thats how I see it. Duda is not a young upstart kid anymore. he is a major league.
      a Major League power hitter who hit 10 home runs and drive in 50 runs playing 100 games, that’s not power that’s, Steve Henderson. Remember him?
      • Met Maniac October 16, 2011 at 11:47 pm

        Steve Henderson, do I remember him? Clealry, I do, and just a couple of months ago I told my story about his grand slam in the chatbox.

        If F-Mart outplays Duda, where is the evidence?

        You may need a forensic team to find it.
      • NJstuckinTX October 17, 2011 at 9:07 am

        You are basing that purely on speculation. Duda has shown to be a decent player with some pop in the bat. Until Fmart can show that he doesn’t need to have Blue Cross/Blue Shield on his speed dial, this conversation, well, isn’t really one. And should he produce a miracle and stay healthy, and play well enough to warrant a roster spot on the Major league level, well, there is your platoon with Bay. Duda is on this team, no questions asked.
  • any October 17, 2011 at 8:58 am

    but Murphy in more games with 6 HRs and 49 RBIs needs to be in the lineup at a power spot?
  • Donal October 17, 2011 at 9:30 am

    Keep in mind, Duda wasn’t playing consistently last year and early this year. He was coming off the bench.

    Look what happened when he was getting consistent playing time.
• Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 11:25 pm

  Thumbs down. you all don’t like the facts.. but no one is convincing me why there is so much optimism for Duda? What am I missing…? Make me believe Duda is worth playing over Daniel Murphy.. or even justice playing Duda t all every day.
  • srt October 16, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    IMO, the jury is still out on both.
    I’m not sold Murphy is any kind of consistent ‘league leading hitter’, especially on the strength of one half season anymore than I’m convinced yet Duda can consistently hit for power and some decent average.
    • Lifelongmetsfan October 16, 2011 at 11:48 pm

      I think Murphy is for real srt. Please Mets just play Murphy at 3rd base and either move David Wright to 1st base or RF or trade Wright genuine Grade “A” prospects.
      • srt October 16, 2011 at 11:57 pm

        I’d like nothing more than for Murph’s bat to be legit. I’m pretty sure though that Wright will be the opening day 3rd baseman. What happens mid season or during 2012 off season with Wright is anyone’s guess right now.
        • Joe Diaz October 17, 2011 at 2:33 am

          I think Murph is a legit hitter but he’s a disaster waiting to happen on the bases and in the field.The jury is still out on Both Duda and Murphy but I think Duda has real legit power potential but the problem with Duda is almost the same as Murphy.They’re both well below average defensively.Duda can not be the everyday RFer.He has to play LF and switch Bay to RF.You can’t have a bad defensive RF unless he hits like Manny Ramirez.
          • Metstheory22 October 17, 2011 at 9:40 am

            And Manny played left also.
            • Metstheory22 October 17, 2011 at 10:52 am

              So I guess by the “dislike” Manny did not play LF????
              • Joe Diaz October 18, 2011 at 4:08 am

                He played RF in Cleveland when he was younger.He played LF after.Either way Manny sucked defensively.
    • t agee October 17, 2011 at 12:08 am

      I’ve been convinced that Murphy’s bat is for real after seeing how he tore up August and September of 2009. 38 doubles in 3/4 of a season as a rookie. 12 HR’s playing half his games at Citi. The problem with Murphy though is that you just can’t trust him right now at any position full time.

      I’d really like to get a decent look at Murphy at 3B. He looks like he knows what he should be doing out there but he did have a .919 fld % in the minors at 3B and hasn’t really played a lot of it since 2008.

      I’d really have to see more of him there before I’d feel comfortable moving Wright.
      • Joe Diaz October 17, 2011 at 2:35 am

        I’d rather trade Wright to the Rockies who have an excellent catching and 3B prospect.Rosario and Arenado plus a pitcher for Wright.Then you’ll get tosee Murph at 3rd everyday until Arenado is ready to take the reigns.Wright needs a change of scenery.
        • NJstuckinTX October 17, 2011 at 9:07 am

          I can roll with that.
• srt October 16, 2011 at 11:56 pm

  Damn Brewers.
• alex68 October 17, 2011 at 7:55 am

  now that the World series have been set, look out for Taggeee making a comment about how the mets should do things like the rangers, or how the farm system for the cards has exceeded expectations, and jesseP’s soon to be article about the rangers and how we should imitate them, etc etc…
  • JoeSmith October 17, 2011 at 7:57 am

    No worse then those making assumptions that the Mets are being run like the A’s……….

    Double standards…………..
    • alex68 October 17, 2011 at 8:33 am

      well, let’s see…. they have the moneyballers in the house, now they’re hiring the A’s coaches to be here… the way they’re running the front office is ALMOST identical as the A’s with this small market mentality… so…. yeah… the new yor A’s???? you bet…
      and stop stalking!
      • Donal October 17, 2011 at 10:02 am

        1 former A’s coach. 1. Wait, 1 that we all know was in the A’s organization.

        I wonder what we would find if we did a survey of what teams most of our players and coaches have been with.
        • any October 17, 2011 at 10:31 am

          but, they love Omar still, who practically ran a half way house (retirement home?) for anyone that ever played or worked in the Expos organization!
          • alex68 October 17, 2011 at 11:01 am

            any, some love omar the gm, others don’t, i didn’t to be honest, as a scout he was ok, as a gm he was way in over his head, when i started criticizing him ppl were against me, at the end, he dig his own tomb, with that being said, last year before getting fired, he was being murder here in this site by everyone for pretty much everything he did, fast forward to 2011, SANDY does the same sh** omar did yet he gets a pass, is called a genious and tremendous GM, i’m wondering WTF is going on!!!?? he had a HORRIBLE OFFSEASON, dismantle the team by midseason because HE GAVE UP on the season at 6.5 games out, yet, he gets a big time pass?? is DOUBLE STANDARD AT ITS BEST you know..now he’s recruiting everything A’s and that’s supposed to be OK..
            • any October 17, 2011 at 11:13 am

              I was with you through the part about Omar.

              Everything As? They added a former manager as bench coach. that’s it.

              Of course it is all personal perspective, but IMO he did not give up on the season, he was executing an organizational plan to stabalize the team for the future. That was what the whole off seaosn was about.

              And he did not saddle the team with any big $ LT deals (like Bay) to bog it down.
              • NJ stuck in TX October 18, 2011 at 7:38 am

                They should go after Gio Gonzalez. I’d take him from the A’s. Maybe Coco Crisp too!
              • alex68 October 18, 2011 at 7:40 am

                he didn’t give up on the season?? he traded the best hitter after reyes and the best bullpen guy, then, brought in NOTHING to at least show the team, forget about the fans, but the team, that there’s nothing i’ll do to help you guys.. you on your own.. plan for the future…
            • JoeSmith October 17, 2011 at 12:07 pm

              Who should the Mets have hired instead of Alderson then? Who would have done better after being here for 5 mins and had a limited budge?

              Recruiting EVERYTHING A’s? Everything?
              • JoeSmith October 18, 2011 at 7:21 am

                As I thought, no answer………
                • alex68 October 18, 2011 at 7:32 am

                  you know, i was with towers and jon daniels, also liked rick han of the white sox, but selig “advise” the wilpons to get sandy to control the payroll, you really think sandy is here to build a winner??
                  also, here’s where you guy don’t see the situation presenting, yes he’s not tying up everyone to a LT contract, but that’s because he’s getting crap, in order to acquire a good player more often than not you need to sign him to a multi year deal, but, sandy is trying to find ligthing in a bottle signing a bunch of “low risk/high reward” players to see, if maybe he finds one out of the 12 to 15 he signed that pans out, i mean, you do remember what happened in 2011 right? out of the players he signed the only one is worth mentioning is capuano, other than that, anything he brought here pretyy much stunk.. but hey, let’s give him a pass right? he had no money, well, NOW he does.. let’s see if he shows the fan base what he’s all about ..
                  • JoeSmith October 18, 2011 at 7:57 am

                    Jon Daniels would have been nice, but you really thought the Rangers were going to part with him.

                    How do you know he’s not tying anyone up to long term contracts, you simply have no proof of that today. You’re making assumptions simply because you don’t like the guy.

                    I do remember what happened in 2011 and stop with the “give him a pass”, you tell me one GM that walks in in the winter and has a championship the same year, with ALL the holes that had to be filled.

                    The point is I do NOT know what his legacy will be but neither do you and the assumptions are just ignorant.
                  • alex68 October 18, 2011 at 8:35 am

                    kevin towers in arizona made significant moves and took that team, revamped the bullpen and they made the playoffs.. executive of the year.. second of all, i am not second guessing, i am stating the fact, i could be wrong and i wish i am wrong about him and he’s committed to winning, but he’s showing no proof of that..
                  • Donal October 18, 2011 at 9:35 am

                    ” but selig “advise” the wilpons to get sandy to control the payroll, you really think sandy is here to build a winner??”

                    Yes, for that very reason.

                    Bud Selig strokes himself to sleep every night thinking about TV ratings, market shares, advertising dollars and all sorts of revenue streams. He does everything in mind with making the game profitable and relevant. I disagree with a lot of what he does, but he’s always been very clear about his motives.

                    Now, which do you think helps meet his goals better:

                    a) the NL team in New York being turned into the East Coast Royals

                    b) the NL team in New York continuing to be run in the piss poor manner it has which has produced little success but lots of punchlines, but now with a lot less money at their disposal.

                    c) the NL team in New York weathering 2 lousy years or so to become a sustainable winner
                  • alex68 October 18, 2011 at 9:40 am

                    c) the NL team in New York weathering 2 lousy years or so to become a sustainable winner”

                    how is that guaranteed? nimmo and wheeler will be HOF??? shut up man, yu’re excuses are getting old
                  • Donal October 18, 2011 at 10:01 am

                    You want a guarantee, buy a toaster- Clint Eastwood

                    I guarantee nothing. And neither do you. But, we have both seen that “spend first ask questions later” is not working and has led to option b.

                    We’ve spent HOF money on too many guys who don’t even become All Stars as Mets. Why do you want to continue that?

                    How come Gene Michaels and Dan Duquette were allowed to weather a few crappy years with their teams, but Alderson isn’t afforded the same luxury? Or are the Yankees and Red Sox now considered small market teams?
      • JoeSmith October 17, 2011 at 12:05 pm

        Give me specific examples of moves that equate to Moneyball and exactly how the A’s were run?????? How is the front office being run the same way?

        You say “look out for Taggeee making a comment” and “jesseP’s soon to be article about the rangers and how we should imitate them” and have the nerve to me a stalker?

        You are the king of double standards, talking out your buttocks for the sake of it. Facts allude you, but keep preaching.
        • JoeSmith October 18, 2011 at 7:22 am

          Still incapable of answering a direct question.

          more blah blah blah………..
      • Joe Diaz October 18, 2011 at 4:10 am

        No they don’t.Billy Beane is not in the house.
• Hodges14 October 17, 2011 at 10:26 am

  If I were the Mets I would consider Heath Bell for a 3yr/$25m deal. That will put Parnell in a less pressure role. I remember reading this summer something about Bell wanting to come back to NY because he felt he has unfinished business or something.
  • alex68 October 17, 2011 at 11:03 am

    i don’t see sandy committing to anyone for more than 2 years.. and 8 million plus for a closer for a GM like sandy is a super stretch
  • Metstheory22 October 17, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Read the same article. Maybe things work out, like he should work out a little more during off season.
  • Joe Diaz October 18, 2011 at 4:15 am

    Bells numbers have declined the last year and a half.He’s missing less bats.I wouldn’t give him more than 2 years.8 mil per.