ESPN did it’s first future power rankings and established where each team stands going forward for the next five years (subscription required). They used five categories for ranking the teams: majors, minors, finances, management, and mobility (of contracts) and gave a number grade to each category. They then averaged the five numbers together based on a weighted system: full weight was placed on the majors and minors, finances and management received 2/3 weight, and mobility [...]

I sat down in front of my laptop excited and ready to start this article, because for me personally this is the equivalent of Pitchers and Catchers. And yes I purposely anointed that wonderful title a proper noun. For all those who still own an actual calendar whip out those sharpies and mark off February 19, for that will be the actual day General Big Pelf and co. will once again join forces with those [...]

I was looking around my university’s library this afternoon and I came across one of the best books I’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s a book called The Scouting Report: 1983. Just as the title implies, the book is a compilation of scouting reports on every Major Leauge Baseball player going into the 1983 season, and it is co-authored by our very own Ralph Kiner. It just so happens that 1983 was The Straw’s rookie season, but [...]

After struggling in 29 games in 2010, Lucas Duda came roaring back in 2011, posting a .292 batting average in 100 games played over 301 at-bats. Duda stroked 21 doubles, 10 home runs and 50 RBI, and showed he could be a nice cog in the Mets lineup. So after a nice showing last year from Duda, what can we expect from Lucas this upcoming season? With Ike Davis healthy and back at first base, Duda [...]

Keith Law released a list of the top sleeper prospect in each organization (subscriber required), stating these are players who he thinks can take the step forward and become top 100 prospects by 2013, and in most cases top 50 prospects. For the Mets he went with the flamethrower from the Dominican Republic. He had this to say regarding Domingo Tapia: Right-hander Domingo Tapia is 6-foot-5 and hits triple digits as a starter with some sink on the [...]

The look back at the in depth career of general manager Omar Minaya continues with his first off-season in charge. To see the full effects of the changes made in the off-season by Omar we must first take a quick look at the 2004 New York Mets. In 2004 the Mets GM was Jim Duquette, the manager was Art Howe, and the team finished 4th in the NL East with a 71-91 record. Opening Day [...]

Over at Mets Today Joe Janish tries to answer the question of who should be the Mets leadoff hitter now that Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan are gone. He looks at the players ability to get on base and their ability to maneuver around the base paths, and comes to the conclusion that the Mets might be best to go ths unconventional route and use Jason Bay because of the lack of other options. It is a very difficult question to answer and an even more compelling solution so [...]

The majority of my memories of the Mets time under Omar Minaya are positive ones. It was the first time since I began to follow baseball with a burning passion that the Mets were a truly competitive team and it was a time that saw my favorite player of all-time, Pedro Martinez, don my  favorite team’s jersey. A lot of positive memories. With the state of the Mets today, however, I decided I wanted to take a [...]

Over at ESPN Adam Rubin points out that as of right now it appears as if the Mets will cut more money in one off season than any time in history saying, the Mets appear poised to have the biggest one-year payroll drop in MLB history — roughly $52 million. That would surpass the former record: $48.4 million by the Texas Rangers from 2003 to 2004, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Wow. I had realized they were [...]

I was reading this article by John Sickels over at Minor League Ball and it got me thinking about the grade “C” of the Mets who I really like for 2012 and think could have potential breakouts, or in other words some pretty deep sleepers to keep an eye on. 1. Chase Huchingson, LHP: 7-2, 1.82 ERA, 84 IP, 91/25 K/BB (Savannah) He was signed to a big time program coming out of high school (Arizona [...]

Last minute deals: Twins sign LHP Luke French, Mets ink 3B Matt Tuiasosopo & Blue Jays sign RHP Tim Redding, LHP Bill Murphy to minors deals — Matt Eddy (@eddymk) January 27, 2012 Tuiasosopo hit just .226/.341/.394 in Triple-A Tacoma last year 14 homeruns and 77 RBI in 526 at-bats. Over eight seasons in the minors Tuiasosopo has a complete line of .263/.359/.405. In his brief time in the big leagues .176/.234/.306 and has struggled immensely making contact striking [...]