Carlos Torres has completely revamped his career and changed the complexion of the Mets bullpen since signing in 2013.

At 31 years old, Carlos Torres has established himself as the Mets most reliable workhorse out of the bullpen. Last night, Torres made his 42nd appearance of the season in the team’s 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves. He contributed one inning of scoreless relief, dropping his season’s ERA to 2.93.

In the early stages of the Sandy Alderson era, the team struggled to develop and construct a successful bullpen. After sending the daily headache that was K-Rod to Milwaukee in the summer of 2011, Alderson invested greatly in shoring up what was at the time, one of the team’s greatest flaws. In 2011, the Mets 4.33 bullpen ERA ranked 28th in the MLB with a matching 28th best .267 BAA.

In an attempt to bolster the pen, Alderson dealt Angel Pagan to the Giants for RHP Ramon Ramirez and OF Andres Torres. In 58 games for the Mets in 2012, Ramirez was 3-4 with 4.24 ERA. Additionally, Alderson signed closer Frank Francisco to an egregious 2 year, $12M contract. Considering 2013 a complete wash for the reliever, Francisco garnered only 23 saves for the Mets in 2012 while sporting a laughable 5.53 ERA. Somehow, someway the Mets 28th ranked bullpen managed to get worse, finishing with an ERA of 4.65. Only the Brewers, 4.66 ERA was worse.

However, since 2013 the Mets bullpen appears to be steadily improving. Last season, the Mets bullpen ranked 22nd in the MLB with a 3.98 ERA. This year, they are currently 9th with a team bullpen ERA of 3.25. In three years, the bullpen’s BAA has dropped from .267 to .240.

Certainly, much of the bullpen’s ascension from the depths of the league cellar have to do with the development of young arms such as Bobby Parnell, Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia. However, perhaps no one has played a bigger role in the bullpen’s reversal than Carlos Torres.

Drafted in the 15th round of the 2004 MLB draft by the White Sox out of Kansas State University, Carlos Torres had an unremarkable career before signing with the Mets. In two years with Chicago and one year with Colorado, Torres sported a horrendous 6.06 career ERA. He even spent the 2011 season pitching for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

When Alderson signed Torres to a minimal deal prior to the 2013 season, the 30 year old was pitching for his baseball life.

Just three years ago, Torres was struggling to a 6.26 ERA for the Yomiuri Giants of the NPB in Japan.

In 2013 Torres proved versatile and effective for the ball club. Torres appeared in 33 games for the Mets and made 9 starts. He pitched to a 4-6 record with an ERA of 3.44.

This year, Carlos Torres has solidified himself as the Mets go to guy out of the bullpen. His 978 pitches thrown in relief are by far the most in the MLB this season. Adam Warren of the Yankees ranks second with 856. His 58.1 innings in relief also lead the league, ahead of Oakland’s Dan Otero (55.2 IP).

At 4-4 with a 2.93 ERA, Torres has done more than just eat up innings for the Mets. He has pitched effectively in a wide variety of scenarios, justifying his use in any and all circumstances. He has finished 12 games, collected 2 saves and is by far the team’s best option for long relief in a pinch. When Jon Niese went down with an injury last week, Torres threw 81 pitches and was back out on the mound two days later.

It is safe to say that Torres arrival in New York has been mutually beneficial. He has helped reshape the Mets beleaguered bullpen and in the process he has dropped his 6.06 career ERA to a far more respectable 4.32. Though he may be rolled out to the mound until his arm literally falls off, in the meantime his contributions to this team and his value to the bullpen are to be commended.

The post The Significance of Carlos Torres: The Man with the Rubber Arm appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Daniel Murphy was in the Port St. Lucie locker room. His eyes were closed and he was in a deep meditation, envisioning a perfect swing, perfect contact, and a line drive hit to the opposite field to drive in the game winning run. He was distracted from his meditation by a disturbing sound.

Someone was crying.

Concerned, Daniel got up from his locker and soon discovered where the sound was coming from. A group of players were huddled outside of Terry Collins‘ office. The terrible sound was coming from inside.

“What’s going on?” Daniel asked.

“It’s Terry,” David said.

“I’ve never heard him so upset,” said Ike Davis.

“Esto es terrible!” said Johan Santana.

It indeed was terrible. Daniel knew what he had to do. He raced back to his locker and quickly looked around to make sure no one was looking. He reached inside his gym bag and hidden at the bottom, he pulled out his orange and blue superhero costume.

“My manager needs me,” he said.

In a flash, he was changed, and he sped off in the direction of Terry Collins‘ office, his cape with the large number 28 training behind him.

“It’s him!” said Ruben Tejada when Daniel arrived. “It’s the Superhero again!”

The team all let out a cheer, for they all remembered how the mysterious stranger had previously saved the bubble gum from the minion of the Evil Empire.

“Can you help our manager?” Bobby Parnell asked.

“Stand aside, fastballer,” Daniel said. “Let me handle this.”

And so Daniel did.

He knocked on the door of Terry Collins’ office. “Come in,” Terry said between sniffles.

“It’s you!” Terry said when he saw the masked superhero in the doorway. “Oh, help me, please help me! I don’t know what to do!”

“What seems to be the problem, Mr. Collins?” Daniel asked.

“I’m in the last year of my contract! Michael Bourn signed elsewhere yesterday and today Frank Francisco hurt his elbow! How will I ever win enough games to keep my job?” Terry Collins started sobbing all over again.

“Now, now,” Daniel said. “It will be okay. Just let it all out.”

So Terry did. He sobbed harder than ever before.

“I think you need a hug,” Daniel said. The masked man opened his arms wide and gave Terry Collins the biggest hug in the whole wide world. “Now doesn’t that make you feel better?” Daniel asked.

“Why, yes. Yes it does.” Terry Collins said. “Thank you, Superhero! I don’t know what I would have done without you!”

“No need to thank me,” Daniel Murphy said. “Just glad to be of service.” He reached into his cape. “How about a lollipop?”

Terry Collins gave him a big smile. “Cherry flavored. My favorite. Thank you.”

Daniel gave him a nod and before Terry Collins could get a better look at him, he sped off. The rest of the players started to disperse. As they were leaving, a non-roster invitee said to a passing clubhouse attendant, “We were sure lucky the Superhero was here today.”

“Yes, we were,” the attendant said. “Very lucky indeed.”

The post Daniel Murphy, Superhero: Chapter 2 – Who’s Crying Now appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Speaking about the 30 pound weight loss that was reported in October, Sandy said, “he’s regained the weight and is about to start throwing again.”

Alderson told us that he doesn’t anticipate any problems and that he has no reason to believe Parnell won’t be ready for a full spring training.

He also confirmed a report on MMO that he was flying to New York to be examined, but said it was routine and not a post surgery follow-up.

“It’s  just an overall review. But right now we don’t have any reason to believe he won’t be ready.”

Original Post

The New York Mets don’t know whether closer Bobby Parnell will be ready for spring training as he continues his rehab following neck surgery on a bulging disc.

Parnell is to be re-examined next week.

“Hopefully he will be able to start resuming some baseball activities,’’ manager Terry Collins said.  “But I don’t know where he is at the moment.  He’s feeling better.’’

Parnell lost 30 pounds since surgery, which sapped his strength. He has to regain the weight and stamina. Collins said he hasn’t spoken with Parnell, which, honestly, comes as a surprise. You’d think he’d check in.

“We’ve got to wait to see how he shows up, where he’s at in a month,’’ Collins said.

“He hasn’t done much yet, so he’s got to get himself in shape.  I think get his legs underneath him and start throwing.  We’ll just have to wait to see.  Bobby has always been a guy that’s down there in January anyways.’’

Maybe so, but Parnell hasn’t reported before following neck surgery.

After several so-so seasons bouncing around the bullpen, Parnell seized the closer role last year when Frank Francisco went down with an elbow injury.

Parnell saved 22 games in 49 appearances, and produced a 2.16 ERA over 50 innings. Always a power pitcher with a high strikeout ratio, Parnell learned to pitch last season, and drastically improved his control evidenced by a 44-12 strikeouts-to-walks ratio.

Parnell gave up only one homer and had a 1.00 WHIP.

If Parnell isn’t ready for spring training, and at this time no assumptions should be made that he will be, Vic Black, whom the Mets acquired from Pittsburgh in the Marlon Byrd–John Buck trade, is presumably first in line to replace Parnell.

Black throws a wicked fastball, and like Parnell is a strikeout pitcher.

The Mets are looking for bullpen help and might consider released Indians closer Chris Perez, who will come with baggage.

Last year, Perez and his wife were busted for marijuana possession after he was mailed the dope to his house … addressed to the dog. Reminds me of the episode of “Married With Children” when Al Bundy applies for and gets a credit card in his dog Buck’s name.

The post Parnell Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Fellow Mets fans, the apocalypse is officially upon us.

I wish the adjective bold or a close comparable – say, courageous, fearless, forceful, even the profane, ballsy, or the colloquial, out of the box — could be used to describe the organizational steward of the Mets as he tries to navigate the franchise through these very troubling waters, a whirling turbulence (see: a drain and water flushing down it) he has been in large part responsible for making.

But Sandy Alderson is the antecedent to bold, the polar opposite. Bland, stoic, methodical, taciturn, dispassionate – these words are more apt to describe him. Yet this is also a man who will clownishly crack obtuse inside jokes often at inappropriate times for his own cackling bemusement and often at the expense of Mets fans, has seemingly resorted to passive aggressive tactics as a defense mechanism to criticism, and who is a grand master at double talk, denial, and deflection. Oh, the enigma that is Sandy Alderson.

This off-season has been famously proffered as the winter of reclamation for the Mets franchise, when everything changes, when three large contracts come off the books and the stars finally align – and we, the loyal and beleaguered Mets fans who have been heroically patient, finally see the end of the penny pinching and the bottom feeding. But this off season, if reports such as the one above is any indication, like the off season before it, and the one before that, is beginning to shape up like yet another exercise in numbing futility, if not unadulterated madness.

In baseball’s version of theater of the absurd, its ‘Groundhog Day’ again, with one cruel exception – rather than correcting the sins of the past, Alderson and his fawning triumvirate just keep repeating them, ad nauseam, again and again and again. Sign chair-throwing Francisco to a $12 million contract, repeat with the signing of Chris Young, who wouldn’t start for another team in baseball, for $7.25 million. Any rebuilding plan that includes these two players is in truth a misnomer, a big ugly lie foisted upon the fan base for 3 seasons now – an abject betrayal of our trust and faith we collectively put in Alderson. The soul sucking reality is, given Alderson’s track record over that time, what should we have expected? The jokes on us, right Sandy? Ha, ha, ha. Stop. I get it now.

So on this day after Thanksgiving (I’ll let the bitter irony fester without comment) lets try and get to the bottom of all of this, shall we? This past Tuesday, Alderson held a press conference to ostensibly welcome Chris Young and his dreadful .235 lifetime BA and, it should be noted to all the sabermetric fanatics reading this, a miserable .315 lifetime OBP. Mind you, these are not one season aberrations but his lifetime averages. Young also doesn’t walk much, strikes out too much, but did have five relatively productive seasons for Arizona from ’07 to ’11. Still, no matter how much lipstick Alderson puts on this signing, its still a reclamation project, albeit with a very large price tag.

Of more concern to Mets fans, the signing has absorbed almost 25% of the meager $30 million budget the team has to spend. Alderson not only can’t keep promises but what’s just as maddening is he’s unfaithful to the core principles of sabermetrics and his creation, Moneyball, when circumstantially required, because Young is anything else but that type of player, and $7.05 million is hardly a bargain basement price tag.

Even more exasperating than all of that, Young’s signed for one year. Alderson must be the brightest man on the planet because that makes absolutely no sense at all to the rest of us mere mortals – if Chris Young does well, if he does reclaim his career, he goes elsewhere next year for a multi-year deal. Not even a second year option, just in case? In others words, even if Alderson is right about Young, he’s still wrong. Trade bait in June? If the Mets pick up most of his salary, which they won’t do, or salary dump him for no one in return, which is more likely (don’t let the exquisite paradox go unappreciated – dumping the salary of a player in less than a full season, who the Mets signed to the bloated contract that needed to be dumped in the first place). Young playing well enough to the point another team would even want him as a piece for a playoff run still strains percentages. For every Byrd, there are ten of these types of signings that fail. If he does poorly, which odds are he will, another $7.05 million outright wasted. Chris Young, your guardian angel is named Sandy Alderson.

But I digress for the comic relief of it all. During the press conference Alderson announced to the world that, surprise of all surprises, free agent shortstops – free agents in general — want too much money this off season. Bla, bla, bla, bla, he droned on about the state of free agency, in full and pedantic lecturing mode, and my mind began to blank out from the boredom of it all (after all, he’s sung some version of this tired song for three years now, and keeps hauling it out as if the heavens had just suddenly opened up and revealed only to him this epiphany). Then he said something quite peculiar – breathtaking in its fantastic disconnect to what had transpired last season, really. Ruben Tejada – yes, the same Ruben Tejada he toyed with like a yo-yo and banished to the minors seemingly at whim, which might as well have been Siberia, and defamed and ridiculed him for good, sadistic measure on his way out – has a real chance to be the starting shortstop for the Mets in 2014. Though my heart clutched a beat and the hair on the back of my neck stiffened at the sheer raving audacity of this man, is anybody really surprised that the slick, double talking Sandy Alderson is in full swing obfuscation mode again?

Face it. Unless Alderson drastically changes his thinking, Drew isn’t coming, Cruz isn’t coming, Cano’s coming when the Mets play the Yankees next year at Citi Field. Chris Young quickly said yes to signing with the Mets – after starting to breath again — because Alderson bribed him with $7.05 million that no one else in baseball would have paid, if half that. Hell, I think Andrew Brown could have a better year, if given the chance. One of the true bitter ironies about the absurdity of Alderson is that he has been responsible for some of the most market inflating free agent contracts in baseball over the past three seasons. Its altogether perverse to use a dime of revenue derived from the hard work of Mets fans to overpay the likes of Chris Young, Frank Francisco, Sean Marcum, and DJ Carrasco, but that’s precisely what he did. Yes, its theater of the absurd, baseball’s version — the dogmatic Alderson, on his bully pulpit, howling into the void about the insanity of free agent contracts.

That sound you hear is 29 other GM’s snickering. I’d laugh, too, but the searing bile is rising up in my throat.

Now its back to rearranging the deck chairs for the genius of Moneyball. The Cardinals had enough in the bank, and thick enough skin, to sign Perralta to a contract that apparently shocked Alderson. What was missing from the press conference was Anderson fainting from the horror of it all. The Cardinals win World Series at a pace second only to the Yankees, and get to the playoffs just about every season … so what exactly shocks Alderson about how the Cardinals conduct business? That they are successful? That they act with boldness, not whining, wimpy excuses and boldface lies?

After promising a $100 million payroll, then changing that, without a scintilla of explanation, to the rather vague $90 ish million, Alderson now is promising – promising, I say! — that the budget will go no lower than $87 million. Whatever his faults, there’s no question Alderson leads the majors in broken promises to his fan base.

I have arrived at the conclusion that the ever shifting payroll budget of the Mets is essentially Alderson’s doing. Alternately, with assets and property worth probably in excess of $3 billion, I have to believe that the Wilpons have the resources to cobble together the money they need to run this franchise like a large market team but that Alderson and his Moneyball constructs and conscripts have become a self-fulfilling prophesy. Do you really think that Alderson, with money to spend burning a hole in his pocket, would say anything else other than how shocked he is at the steep prices of free agents?

Somebody needs to wake Alderson up and tell him its not the 1970’s anymore, and free agent prices are, well, very steep. Guess what else is very steep: ticket prices, hot dogs at the stadium, beers, sodas, parking. Its $13 to get over the George Washington Bridge, for crying out loud. So if Mets fans are expected to pay steep prices to watch this team play lousy baseball, why is he so shocked that he might have to pay steep prices to get better players to help the team win more games? You know, do his job.

His latest parlor tricks twist credibility into a pretzel. No other large or mid market team, for that matter, appears to be wringing their hands with the shamelessness of poor, poor pitiful Sandy – all alone in this madhouse world, save his three devoted followers. Does anybody else wonder what these four men do on a daily basis? Again, if you want to talk about out of control spending – do the Mets really have to pay what amounts to 4 GM’s to not spend money wisely in free agency, not draft very well, and besides a couple of layups still to be determined, not trade very well? Its like Moe, Larry, Curly and Shemp.

The Tigers, in a downtrodden city mired in bankruptcy and hopelessness and hardly with the resources of the NYC market, trade Fielder, relieving themselves of his massive contract, gets Kinsler and his large contract in return, talk of moving Cabrera to first, and Kinsler to third, and then immediately contemplates bringing the $300 million man Cano out for a visit. All bold, daring, dynamic moves. I thought I’d never write these words in my lifetime, but I am envious of Detroit Tigers fans. Texas gets gargantuan Fielder, and his gargantuan contract too, and now is deciding on also pursuing Cano. Yes, bold and daring.

The Mets grossly overpay Chris Young, when nobody else wanted him, and bask in the glory of their work as if they invented baseball. Throw them a bone, any bone, and get them to stop all the damn barking! I suppose its okay to sign Young, Francisco, Carrasco, Rauch, and Marcum for $25 million dollars a year, but spending $15 million on a power hitting, slick fielding shortstop who just won the World Series isn’t smart baseball? Really?

In Alderson’s upside down world, this stands as organizational strategy. Sign this truly reprehensible group, a stain on baseball and frankly on Alderson’s reputation, who suffers no tangible consequences for squandering every red cent for less than zero production, and then pass on a slick fielding, power hitting shortstop. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

In some delusion of grandeur, Alderson must see himself as the Quixote of baseball, on a crusade with his three Sanchos to save a fiscally challenged game from its own worst `instincts – namely, greed (which is, really, one of the engines of free enterprise, whether we want to admit it or not, or call it something else).

Moneyball might have worked in Oakland – did it? — but its incorporation into a large market team is an insult to every Mets fan who buys tickets to a game, pays $20 to park at Citi Field or forks over $10 on a coke and hotdog, pays a monthly fee for cable to watch the games on SNY, or buys expensive team gear. They’re either playing us for suckers or they are simply self absorbed idiots if they truly feel Mets fans will idly sit by this time.

Here’s the moral to this nightmare: You don’t hire an atheist to teach catechism, and you don’t hire a Moneyball acolyte to run a large market baseball team.

Do you know what Alderson should do this off season to rouse the fan base and make his mark as something more than a small market cult master? He should give Cano $30 million this year, and for 6 more seasons, and make do internally filling in the holes, and with trades in 2014. Move Murphy to first, trade Davis and Duda for prospects. Let Black close if Parnell can’t; bring up Leathersich, Walters and Familia for pen. Let Puello (16 HR, 73 RBI, .326. BA, .403 OPB, .547 SLG, 24 stolen bases & 8 outfield assists in ban-related abbreviated season) play right field. Maybe he’s our Puig.

Pitching-wise, start with Mejia in the 5^th slot in rotation until he hits his inning limits, then use Montero until he reaches his limit; build up Wheeler’s innings before shutting him down again, and use Torres as your 4^th starter or use one of the trade pieces for a stop gap starter in a trade. Then see where that gets you while you wait on positional player development – Puello, d’Arnaud, even Tejada — and Harvey to get well again in 2015.

I wouldn’t trade any of the Mets young, top tiered pitchers this off-season. Second tier – Mazzoni, deGrom, Matz – different story, and perhaps there is a noteworthy trade to be made from this group to help the cause.

Signing Cano would be a ballsy, out of the box, creatively bold move that would set the Mets up with two superstars hitting in their primes at Citi for the next 7 years, when, as we all know, a flood of great young pitching will be in Queens led by Matt Harvey (all under inexpensive team control for most of those years). Sounds a lot like the way the SF Giants have built two championship teams, and it would position the Mets for 7-8 year run for glory beginning in 2015 and a payroll that will remain relatively stable, probably never passing $100-$110 million.

Starting Line-up: E. Young, Murphy, Wright, Cano, Puello, C. Young, d’Arnaud, Tejada.

Starters: Wheeler, Neise, Gee, Torres, Mejia.

Bullpen: Parnell, Black, Edgin, Familia, Rice, Leathersich, Walters.

Bench: Turner, Brown, Recker, Lagares, Flores.

The 2014 payroll would break down like this: $30 million Cano, $25 million Wright, $5 million Niese, $7.05 million C. Young, $16.1 million arbitration settled contracts Gee, Tejada, Turner, Young, Jr, Murphy, Parnell, $7.5 million for base contracts on Harvey, Flores, Black, d’Arnaud, Edgin, Familia, Mejia, Recker, Rice, Tejada, Wheeler, Leathersich, Torres, Lagares, Puello, Walters.

That’s $90.65 million for 25 players or just $3.65 million more than the absolute low side of the budget according to Alderson’s latest pledge, or the equivalent to what Alderson paid Frank Francisco for each game he actually pitched in. Or a bit less than Alderson paid for the one game Shaun Marcum won.

Ha, ha, ha. Just kidding, Sandy.

The post In Theater Of Absurd, There’s No End To The Madness appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Some of things that were discussed included the Mets being in the New York market and not being able to afford two players earning $100 million, at the same time which will keep them out of the loop on most free agents at least for the foreseeable future.

He thought it was telling that that the Mets meeting with Robinson Cano led to so much joking, and that there should be nothing wrong with a New York market team meeting with a talented guy like Cano.

Also covered were the tonight’s 40-Man Roster moves. Adam believes that Jeff Walters could make an impact in the Mets bullpen next season and is very high on Cory Mazzoni.

Rubin says even if the Mets are keeping spending somewhat limited, they still need to do a better job of of signing better players and identifying the right talent. Frank Francisco has been the highest paid Met under this new regime and the Mets cannot afford to make mistakes like that.

He believes that Jhonny Peralta is high on the Mets wish list, but wonders if his price would be to high for them and force them to look in another direction. If they shy away from Peralta they may just end up with Ruben Tejada at shortstop again or Rafael Furcal who is not even close to being the Rafael Furcal he was before the injury.

Rubin also agreed with me that the Ike Davis for Ryan Braun trade rumor made no sense whatsoever and that’s why he stays away from internet sourced rumors. Even if Braun really was available, Rubin said, there’s no chance that they would do it for Ike Davis, and it totally goes against what Sandy just said about not having two $100 million players.

Anyway, listen to Adam Rubin talk Hot Stove with Steve Keane of the Kranepool Society and our own Ed “Rusty” Marcus by clicking here for Shots From Shea podcast.

The post Adam Rubin Talks 40-Man Roster, $87M Payroll, Braun Rumor, Peralta, More… appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

I came across this on MLBTR this morning:

The Mets are looking for players to buy into their offensive philosophy, and that means finding guys with discipline at the plate, writes Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.  That might help to explain why the free-swinging Daniel Murphy has found himself on the pages of MLBTR over the last week or so.

I headed over to Martino’s post after reading that, and immediately knew I was in store for something strange when I saw the title “The Mets Need Fewer Sourpusses.”

Sure enough, Martino makes his maiden voyage into MMO Fair or Foul…

In Sandy Alderson’s previous three offseasons, the GM was shackled by budget constraints, and forced to choose from an undesirable pile of free agents.  In many cases, he did not choose well, signing guys who brought a sour vibe into the clubhouse, in some cases creating more trouble than was justified by their limited contributions.

It began with catcher Ronny Paulino and reliever D.J. Carrasco in 2011; the former was uninterested in following game plans, and the latter drove the coaching staff crazy with frequent whining about his usage.  Subsequent years brought Jon Rauch’s unrelenting surliness and Frank Francisco’s unwillingness to pitch, along with attempts to dissuade youngsters from doing so.

Shaun Marcum was, well, not charming, and while Marlon Byrd arrived with a questionable reputation, he was generally a pleasant surprise in the clubhouse — save for what many Mets people saw as his overcoaching of teammates.

It is that latter point that the Mets want to address, in addition to bringing in more pleasant people. On every level of the organization up to major league hitting coach Dave Hudgens, Alderson’s staff has spent three years working to instill a hitting philosophy that stresses plate discipline and on-base percentage.  Agree or disagree with that view — many baseball folks criticize it for making hitters less aggressive, a characterization that proponents dispute — it is one that the GM insists on.

Players like Byrd and Daniel Murphy are good hitters, but operate in a mode that is far from Aldersonian.  Byrd is an aggressive swinger, unwilling or unable to draw many walks (his walk rate last year was a lowly 5.4 percent), and more than willing to encourage teammates to follow his own ideas while they worked pregame in the batting cage. That is one of the reasons the Mets did not pursue a reunion with the outfielder, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal with Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The Mets are open to trading Murphy for similar reasons.  Murphy has earned the respect of the front office by working to turn himself into a passable second baseman, but he is another aggressive hitter, whose style does not fit what the general manager, hitting coach, and organizational instructors teach.  This is one of the reasons that the team might be ready to move him.

Read the rest of this article here.

Well that was quite the mixed bag… Who knew that backstory on Marlon Byrd as well as all those other free agents that have come and gone. I thought Byrd’s coaching of the younger players was kind of a good thing, but I guess it didn’t sit well with the higher-ups.

But what bugs me most is the thought that Murphy could be shipped simply because he doesn’t comply with the program. As much as they say it’s not a one-size fits all approach, you read something like this and it makes you wonder just how much truth there is to that.

The way I see it, the Mets already have their hands full trying to replace the 40 homers they got from Byrd and also John Buck. That should be difficult enough to do. But then to also have to replace Murphy as well makes me wonder how they intend to replace all three and then begin to upgrade the offense on top of all that. Maybe Sandy has a few tricks up his sleeve…

The post MMO Fair or Foul: Mets Need Fewer Sourpusses And More Players Who Buy Into Offensive Philosophy appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

MLB Trade Rumors posted their arbitration predictions today. Daniel Murphy stands to be the biggest winner nearly doubling his 2013 salary to $5.8 million dollars.

Guaranteed Contracts

David Wright – $11.0 million (2013), $20.0 million

Jon Niese – $3.0 million (2013), $5.05 million

Arbitration 1

Dillon Gee – $527,375 (2013) $3.4 million

Ruben Tejada – $514,701 (2013), $1.0 million

Justin Turner – $504,547 (2013), $800,000

Eric Young Jr. – $492,000 (2013), $1.9 million

Lucas Duda – $504,000 (2013), $1.8 million

Arbitration 2

Ike Davis – $3.125M (2013), $3.5 million

Daniel Murphy – $2.925M (2013), $5.8 million

Bobby Parnell – $1.7M (2013), $3.2 million

Omar Quintanilla – $527,375 (2013), $900,000

Arbitration 3

Scott Atchison – $700,000 (2013), $1.3 million

Assuming each player is tendered and these arbitration estimations from MLB Trade Rumors are correct, that’s about $24.5 million in raises without adding any new players.

The total payroll for these 12 players comes to $48.7 million.

If you’re wondering what players could be non-tendered and added to the free agent pool this offseason after the non-tender deadline on December 2, here is a list from MLBTR.

The post Mets Arbitration Predictions and Non-Tender Candidates appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

In the biggest non-story of the day, the Mets plan to decline the $25 million option on Johan Santana and will pay the $5.5 million buyout instead.

There’s still a chance that they could bring back Santana this winter on a one-year deal, but don’t count on it. It’s most likely that Johan has pitched his final game with the Mets.

He ends his Mets career with a 46-34 record, 3.18 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 109 starts including tossing the first no-hitter in franchise history.

In other news…

The Mets added seven players to the 40-man roster today by activating first baseman Ike Davis and pitchers Josh Edgin, Matt Harvey, Jeremy Hefner, Jenrry Mejia, Bobby Parnell and Scott Rice from the 60-day disabled list.

With pitchers David Aardsma, Tim Byrdak, Pedro Feliciano, Frank Francisco, Aaron Harang, LaTroy Hawkins and Daisuke Matsuzaka all becoming free agents, the 40-Man roster now stands at 35 for the Mets – as they will not be negotiating with any players during their exclusive five-day window.

They’ll use at least two of those spots to protect Steven Matz and Jacob deGrom who must be added to the 40-man roster or the Mets will risk losing them in the Rule 5 Draft.

The post Mets News: Santana, Hawkins, Dice-K and Feliciano Head To Free Agency appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Most Valuable Player Award – David Wright

There is little contest to oppose David Wright as team MVP. Harvey put up ridiculous numbers in his sophomore season, but Wright helped the Mets every day while Harvey only helped every 5th day.

With a .307 BA, a .390 OBP and a SLG of .514, there is no question that David was the most prominent offensive force the Mets had. It is hard to judge him on his RBIs considering the team often did not put any RISP on for him, but the 95 times he came to the plate with RISP, he drove in 31 runs at a .284 clip.

He hit a respectable 17 home runs, including two memorable ones: one to tie the first game of the Subway Series in May and one to tie the game in the top of the 9th off of Craig Kimbrel at Turner Field (the Mets would go on to win that one in extras). As for the defensive side, he arguably had another gold glove caliber season, which, when paired with his offense, earned him the starting spot at third in the All Star Game.

Despite the injury that took away nearly two months of his playing time, Wright had another solid season at the hot corner and at the plate, earning him the title of MMO’s 2013 Mets MVP. (Steph)

Least Valuable Player Award – Ruben Tejada 

“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” – Robert DeNiro in A Bronx Tale

That quote pretty much sums up how Mets management and the fans view Tejada, fairly or unfairly. Granted we’re not privy to the inner workings of the team but you can gather with fairly good assurance that Tejada isn’t above Sandy Alderson’s performance line – the barometer he places each player on with those above the line being keepers and those below the line being, well, you know.

Tejada came unto the scene in 2012 and showed promise at the plate and even moreso defensively. His follow up year in 2013 was a complete reversal and marred by his lack of preparation and desire to improve, two things that didn’t sit well with anyone in the organization.

It’s safe to say that Ruben Tejada may have successfully played his way off the largest stage in all sports, out of a lineup and a team that decided to use a 30-something journeyman shortstop for the majority of the season rather than call up Tejada. Great job Ruben here’s to you, the Least Valuable Player for 2013.  (Joe S.)

Catch A Rising Star Award – Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler made his long anticipated major league debut and suffice it to say he did not disappoint. The young fireballer ended his season with a 7-5 record and a 3.42 ERA, while flashing plenty of the potential that led the Mets to trade Carlos Beltran for him in the first place. From his first start, when he held the Braves scoreless while striking out seven, to his start on July 30 when he flirted with a no-hitter for six innings against the Marlins, Wheeler showed what he could do with that vaunted 98 mph fastball. The kid certainly earns our Rising Star Award along with the caveat it carries that the best is yet to come. (Joe D.)

Falling Star Award – Ike Davis

Oh, where to begin. Ike struggled (to say the least) this year, including a remarkably lousy .161 clip before his highly-publicized demotion to AAA Las Vegas. He salvaged his season by hitting .286 in the second half, but still ended the season at a very disappointing .205. His nine home runs didn’t do much to boost the stat line either. The real question, and one that’s not so easy to answer, is if Davis still has any role with this team? Who would have thunk that a year ago? (Rob C.)

Mr. Personality Award – Justin Turner

Justin Turner was indispensable for the Mets this year — who else would hit people in the face with shaving cream pies? Although his highlight of the year might have been nailing Martino in the face with a pie, Turner can play multiple infield positions and handle a defensive replacement in the outfield in a pinch, so the Mets kept him around. The world of #MetsTwitter held a grudge against Justin Turner all throughout the year, giving him the moniker “Trollner”, for his inability to get hits in big spots and for taking away starts from the younger players. I’m very mixed on Turner myself — I know he’s a good guy and appreciated in the clubhouse, but his production could certainly leave a lot to be desired. (Satish)

Bah, Humbug Award – Frank Francisco

Even though he was not even with the team until mid-September, even the mention of his name could bring anybody’s mood down a bit. Classless and crude, Frank Francisco probably dislikes the fans just as much as we dislike him. Not only did he hurt the team in the standings, but he most likely also hurt it mentally. When he’s not flipping coolers, he’s blowing games, hitting batters and causing unnecessary tension. He had some testy moments, particularly on September 12th when he drilled Jayson Werth on a 3-0 count in the midst of a 7-2 loss. The entire Nationals team thought it was intentional, and the only ones who commented on it being unintentional were Frank Franc himself and his manager, so you make the judgement call on that one. If there’s a Met that I’ll miss the least come next year, it’s Frank Francisco. (Steph)

Whole Lotta Glove Award – Juan Lagares

Juan Lagares was one of the most unexpected yet extremely pleasant surprises of 2013. By far the best defensive player in the outfield this season (which was supposed to be the worst outfield in baseball history!!!), Lagares not only led the majors in August in defensive runs saved with 12, but he finished the year with a Mets-rookie-record 15 outfield assists. He only made 5 errors, which is tremendous for a rookie in such a demanding position as center field. Not only was his ability to read the ball off the bat above average, but the jumps he got and his ability to track the ball down with fluidity made him such a joy to watch; not to mention his cannon for an arm. If he can develop his hitting, we may just be looking at an emerging star. (Steph)

What’s Glove Got To Do With It Award – Lucas Duda

Lucas Duda, he with the iron glove. I used to view Duda as a beast at the plate with the potential to mash 30 home runs — but now he seems more interested in drawing 100 walks. With the great players, they are not separate goals — but Duda seems to be a one or the other type of guy. His offense was clearly his claim to fame, as the Mets struggled to find a place for him defensively that wouldn’t hurt them too much. Duda still has a lot of value offensively as someone who can get on base at a high clip and still crush a few occasional home runs, so the Mets will stick him at first base. Or maybe not? I was on that bandwagon that believed in Ike Davis, so what do I know?  (Satish)

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our 2013 MMO Awards which will be posted on Tuesday!

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In looking at the free-agent market, the New York Mets will first consider which of their own eight they might think of bringing back.

It isn’t an impressive list, but there are several the Mets might think of returning. If they don’t bring back they can always find their replacements in the market.

The filing period begins five days after the end of the World Series. Here’s the eight:

David Aardsma: He had some decent moments coming out of the bullpen, but nothing that screams, “we gotta have him back.’’ Aardsma was 2-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 43 appearances. He allowed 53 base runners in 39.2 innings, so we’re not exactly talking about a slam-the-door reliever. Walking 19 and giving up seven homers isn’t good for such a limited time.

Tim Byrdak: He worked 4.2 innings in eight appearances because he was coming off an injury. He pitched in 72 games two years ago, but was injured in 2012. Because of his health issues, he should come relatively cheaply and might be worth offering an incentives-laden deal. If he rejects it, the Mets haven’t lost anything.

Pedro Feliciano: He is far from “Perpetual Pedro’’ but after missing the past two seasons he did find his way into 25 games. It was too small a window to measure his effectiveness. He might be worth a shot, but the Mets must ask themselves, “can we live without him?’’ Chances are they’ll answer in the affirmative.

Frank Francisco: I mention him because he’s on the list, but there’s no way the Mets want him back. Frankly, I thought the only reason they brought him up at the end of the season was in the hope of finding a trading partner.

Aaron Harang: The Mets can pick up his option and since they are two short in the rotation, he’s somebody worth considering. He started four games for the Mets, and worked six innings in three of them. Harang struck out 26 in 23 innings, so there’s some hope there. On the flip side, he also gave up five homers among his nine runs. That he gave the Mets innings is what they should look at considering he’d be a back end of the rotation starter.

LaTroy Hawkins: He’s 40 and still throws in the mid-90s. When Bobby Parnell went down he assumed the closer role and saved 13 games. Parnell is not a certainty coming off neck surgery and constructing the bullpen is a must. Frankly, I’m not sure they would get much better in the free-agent market.

Daisuke Matsuzaka: He started seven games and went 3-3 and worked into the fifth inning is all but one game. He gave the Mets 38.2 innings when they needed it desperately. GM Sandy Alderson said he was pleased with what Matsuzaka gave them. Of the eight free agents, he’s probably the most likely to come back.

Johan Santana: He wants to pitch again and Alderson said he’d keep his mind open. He’s already received a pile of money from the Mets, and unless he accepts a minor league deal, I’d be reluctant considering his health situation.

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