Taskmaster asks: We know Niese was signed long term in ST last season and the idea of locking up the young guys is a model that is being followed. I am not sure the Mets are 100% sold on Ike yet but they are certainly leaning that way. My question is when do we see Ike given a LT contract that locks him up for 5-7 years? Jessep replies: For me, I think Ike has [...]

It seems like whenever a process that has worked for years has a fluke year, everybody wants to change the system. The problem with the Hall of Fame is not the fact nobody got in this year, it’s the fact the writers are not given a clear criteria with simple guidelines. The people who vote for the most part do take it as serious as they should. I don’t think we’ll ever see a change [...]

This week, I’m expecting to reach my boiling point when it comes to the Hall of Fame and those who vote for it. I’m expecting to see Mike Piazza fall shy of the necessary votes to enter the Hall of Fame, and in my mind – that is a crime against baseball and the fans that every writer who doesn’t vote for him should be ashamed of. I’m not going to sugar coat this. I [...]

There is this idea that gets floated around every winter that if you do not sign top free agents, you’re punting the off-season or playing (wait for it) “moneyball.” In most instances, a free agent hits the market toward the end of his prime years. You’re purchasing an unknown commodity that is likely overpriced and will depreciate the second the deal is done. There’s no doubt in my mind that free agent signings play a [...]

With the Mets still on the hunt for an outfield, we received the following e-mail from Phil: I can’t believe the Mets haven’t traded for Josh Willingham yet. After some injury issues he averaged .253/.350/.501 with 64 HRs the last two years. At worst, he’s slightly better defensively than Duda. I kept hearing the Twins would be looking for a #4 or 5 pitcher in return. Isn’t two years of Willingham worth a Dillon Gee? Or Familia [...]

Ken Davidoff has spent the last week or so getting attention, not for the quality of his work but for the shock value of his work. Most recently, Davidoff published his Hall of Fame ballot. Davidoff goes through every player in detail and does an excellent job at that. Davidoff also does an excellent job at proving why he should not be voting for the Hall of Fame. In my honest opinion, I believe he [...]

Yesterday evening, GM Sandy Alderson insisted that his team can be competitive in 2013. I heard the calls, I’ve read the tweets, and I’ve seen the comments. It seems almost unanimously fans seem to think the opposite. Some may say I’m a dreamer or some may say I’m an apologist for a general manager. I say nay. I am a Mets fan, and I’ve learned over the last few years that nothing is decided in [...]

I received this e-mail from Hitman: What do you think about the possibility of bringing in Drew Smyly of the Tigers? I’ve already touched up previously in a few comments about his great breaking stuff and if you haven’t seen a highlight video of his from the 2012 season on Youtube, watch it. You’ll be impressed in what you see. Alderson was talking about bringing in another starter that could win 10-12 games. This is [...]

First, this has to be said. As a fan of the Mets, I want to thank R.A. Dickey for everything he has done and the example he set for any player facing adversity in the game today. I thank Omar Minaya for taking a chance on him, and thank Sandy Alderson for believing in him enough to give him 2 more guaranteed years with the Mets. Dickey made watching Mets games fun when there seemed [...]

It seems like year after year the Mets are looking at upgrading their bullpen. Whether it’s Sean Green, Elmer Dessens, Francisco Rodriguez, Scott Schoeneweis, Billy Wagner, Jon Rauch, Ramon Ramirez, Jason Isringhausen, or even D.J. Carrasco. It never seems like the Mets have figured out what makes for a great bullpen year after year. Sure you can develop arms like Atlanta, but that’s probably even harder to do. Maybe it’s not so much an organizational flaw, [...]