As is common for players of his ilk, video tributes will be shown at each ballpark when Rivera makes his last appearance in that city.  Rivera’s last regular season appearance at Citi Field (he will more than likely make his 13th All-Star Game appearance at Citi Field in July) will be in late May.  If the Mets’ brass really want to show their fans that they want them back at the ballpark, offering this video tribute to Rivera would be a good start.

Enjoy the memories, Mets fans!

I laughed out loud when I read one of the teams should be the Mets. Seriously, how could anybody write that and have the readers keep a straight face?

Regardless of Fred Wilpon’s desire to spend money next year, it won’t be on Cano for four significant reasons.

First, the Mets won’t bring in anybody for more than the $138 million package they gave David Wright. He’s a homegrown franchise player and nobody will beat that amount, at least not in the next year. Five years from now, maybe. But, not in 2014.

Secondly, the Yankees would never let them be beaten out by the Mets for a player they both sought. The Mets can’t go toe-to-toe with the Yankees financially regardless of how much money Wilpon wants to spend.

Both the Mets and Yankees wanted Carlos Beltran, but the Yankees cooled at the end. Even after getting his final offer from the Mets, Boras went back to the Yankees one last time. Boras wanted the Bronx, but for that price the Yankees were concerned about Beltran’s mental toughness in the New York market.

Third, if the opening figures are to be believed – $175 million over seven years from the Yankees and a $225 million demand over ten years from Boras – there’s no way the Mets could, or should, compete on that level.

Both numbers are excessive, and the Mets have too many holes that can be filled for that amount.

Which brings us to the final reason: As good as Cano is, he’s not enough to be the missing piece of the puzzle for the Mets. Cano will go to a team capable of winning in the present, not in two or three years. The only exception is Boston. The Red Sox are antagonistic enough to go after Cano in part to aggravate the Yankees, but also know losing him hurts the Yankees. That’s what they did with Bernie Williams andAndy Pettitte, and it is easy to see that happening with Cano.

Cano is a marvelous talent, even if he doesn’t always run out ground balls or work the count, but he’s not worth that much money. Hell, the Yankees would be smart if they told Boras their offer is of the take-it-or-leave-it variety.

Considering how they are being burned by the Alex Rodriguez contract, and the rebuilding they have to do when Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, C.C. Sabathia and Pettitte are gone, they’d be smart to spread those dollars around and let Cano go, even if it meant Boston.

Rounding The Bases is back… As we did before, we’ll highlight some of the must-read posts from the Mets beat writers, take a cruise around the Mets blogosphere, check in on our enemies, and have a little fun while we’re at it.

MMO Instant Replay

• Connor O’Brien dished out his report cards for the Mets infielders this week and gives Josh Thole a big fat D. “Josh Thole has not become the player we thought he could be. After hitting over .300 in his last two minor league seasons, and showing glimpses of a future .300 hitter over his first two years in the big leagues, his production has declined. This year, he hit rock bottom.”
• Dan Valis wonders if the Mets should consider trading David Wright for Andre Ethier if they don’t work out an extension. “If you swapped these two players, the Mets would still have a very solid middle of the order hitter to replace David. Ethier is already signed, and plays a position we desperately need to fill. They Mets already have some in-house options for third base, while they really have nobody on the roster who can play right field. With a tight budget a move like this could be very beneficial to the Mets as they begin to prepare for this off-season.”
• Is there a new manager trend, asks Jessep who lists Mike Piazza, Edgardo Alfonzo, Dave Magadan and Brett Butler as former Mets who could someday manage for their former teams.

On The Beat

• Ken Davidoff of the NY Post predicts that free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera will eventually sign a one-year, $4 million deal with the Mets. Cabrera of course was suspended 50 games for failing a test for PED’s and then tried to cover it up. The Giants washed their hands of him.
• The Mets are not close to reaching new agreements with either R.A. Dickey or David Wright, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger. Things have certainly slowed down of late.
• In the aftermath of the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, the New York Mets will be holding a food drive and offering tickets. This is a great gesture by them, and gives fans a great opportunity to help others, while also possibly getting tickets to the game.

Friendly Fire

• MetsBlog reports that R.A. Dickey was named the National League’s most outstanding pitcher in 2012 as picked by the players. “It’s an extreme honor to be recognized by the people who you play against and compete against all year long,” Dickey said in a statement. “To know my peers think this highly of me is a tremendous feeling.”
• Have you checked out 2 Guys Talking Mets Baseball yet? Enjoy this behind the scenes conversation between Fred, Jeff and Sandy and you’ll be going back for more.
• Joe Janish of Mets Today wonders what if the Mets never signed Pedro Martinez. “Certainly, the magic of 2006 would not have occurred, but maybe — just maybe — the pain and suffering Mets fans are enduring now would have occurred from 2005-2009, when instead of signing people like Billy Wagner, Moises Alou, and Francisco Rodriguez, the Mets would have been stocking up on #1 picks.”
• The Rising Apple wonders if the Mets will re-sign any of their free agents and writes the following regarding Scott Hairston: “Unlikely; he drew a lot of interest on the trade market before the non-waiver trade deadline and even into August when he was placed on trade waivers. Alderson decided not to trade him because he felt there was more value in letting him finish the year with the team than trading him away. Now, with his career season, Hairston is looking to cash in with a more lucrative, multi-year deal, something the Mets won’t be able to afford.”

Enemy Territory

• In the rest of the league, there is still news. First off, David Ortiz has signed an extension with the Red Sox for two years. He might also consider sitting out the World Baseball Classic so it doesn’t interrupt him getting ready for the regular season.
• Rookie Mike Trout won the Defensive Player of the Year award in the American League, a testament to how great his defensive play was this season. Braves outfielder Michael Bourn took home the award in the National League.
• In big news for the New York Yankees, Mariano Riveraplans to return to the field next year.
• The Red Sox don’t want to offer Cody Ross a three-year deal, which could be a stumbling block in contract discussions according to WEEI.com. Jon Heyman says Ross is looking for a three-year deal worth about $25 million.

Today In Mets History

Seven members of the World Champion Mets begin a two-week engagement with comedian Phil Foster at Caesar’s palace in Las Vegas. Giving it the ol’ soft shoe are Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Donn Clendenon, Ed Kranepool, Tommie Agee, Cleon Jones, and Art Shamsky. – Mets.com

Wild Card winner getting first two games at home in Divison Series

When the Marlins won the World Series in 1997 they had the same first two games at home, which gave them an added advantage. Going up against the San Francisco Giants in the Divison Series, they won the first two games at home, and then the first game back in San Fran to complete the sweep. They later went on to win the World Series. If that series started in San Fran, who knows how it would have turned out. Expect similar upsets this year.

Not having Mariano Rivera will hurt the Yankees chances

This is a given. Mariano is the greatest closer in the history of the game, and post-season play. Aside from a hiccup in the 2001 World Series, Rivera has been flawless. When the Yankees made it to the 8^th inning with a lead in previous years, it was a lock they would walk away with a win. Don’t expect similar results this year.

The Rangers will go as far as Josh Hamilton takes them

If Josh Hamilton catches fire, the Rangers will be playing in the World Series. If he continues to slump, the Rangers will make an early playoff exit. During a contract year, if Hamilton wants to really cash in, now is the time to really step up. I think he will.

Oakland’s weaknesses will be exposed

Like Billy Beane’s great moneyball teams of the early 2000s, the Athletics will ultimately be exposed in the playoffs against the Tigers, and eliminated in the ALDS. Maybe if they continue to shock everyone, and go on to win the World Series, Brad Pitt will play Beane in the Moneyball sequel. In other news, the comedic spoof of Moneyball, The Moneyball Mets, is slated for release in 2013.

Bryce Harper

Rookie Mike Trout has been all the talk of 2012, but Harper has been lurking in the shadows waiting to get his chance to steal back the rookie spotlight. This is his opportunity to show the world that he is still the best young talent in the game. Bryce Harper doesn’t sink back into the crowd, and is going to lift his play to another level with all the national attention. He will prove why Sports Illustrated dubbed him as “the chosen one.” I wonder if he will give us a few more memorable quotes along the way – That’s a clown question ‘bro.

These were just a few things that will make for a very interesting playoff season. There are a slew of other story lines that will impact this year’s playoff picture, and I’m looking forward to seeing them all unfold.

Everyone has a clean slate starting today. Team records are reset to 0-0. Everything that happened over the course of the season is in the past. Everything is on the line, and the glory is there for the taking. Who wants it more? God I love this game…

Just one month ago at this time Jason Bay seemed to an after thought as a serious threat in the New York Mets lineup. It seemed like Bay couldn’t do anything right and everything that could wrong for Bay at the plate did go wrong.

However, since Bay was benched in mid-June he’s responded and in a big way, at a time where the Mets have needed it most.

Since June 15^th, Bay is batting .347 (25-72), with 4 home runs and 17 RBI, those 17 RBI are tied with teammate Carlos Beltran for tops in the National league in that time period.

In 2 of the Mets last 3 games Bay has been involved in crucial rallies for the Amazin’s. On Sunday, the 32-year-old drew what seemed to be an innocent walk against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with 2 outs in the 9^th. Then, a bloop hit by Lucas Duda and single to right field by Ronny Paulino the Mets tied the game at 2-2 courtesy of a Bay walk.

In the following inning, Bay had a chance to end the game and did so with an empathic walk off bases loaded single with 2 outs, leading to a 3-2 Mets win.

In last night’s Mets 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Bay was at it yet again. Already leading 2-0 in the top of the 6^th and looking for insurance Bay delivered with a solo home run to the left centerfield bleachers.

But it didn’t end there for the slugger, as Bay came up with runners on 1^st and 2^nd in the 8^th and all but sealed a Mets win with a 3 run home run to right field capping a great night for the Mets left fielder.

With those two home runs from last night, Bay has already tied his total from last year’s six and the former Pirate and Red Sox shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

If Jason Bay can remain as hot as he been over the last month, combine that with what Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran have been able to all year long, and add a healthy David Wright to the order, this offense could be a serious force to be reckon with in the 2^nd half.

Earlier this year Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel fawned over minor league phenom pitcher, Jenrry Mejia. Somehow through that love affair the kid surprisingly made the major league team right out of Spring. It was a desperate move then and looking back, it remains the same.

Especially considering one, the kid had barely over 200 innings of work in the minors and two, unbeknownst to him, he was anointed by Jerry Manuel and few other prominent figures around the team, a future Mariano Rivera armed with a Godly cutter and all.

No pressure there Jenrry. Here’s the ball, have fun. Nobody ever accused the Mets of being masters of public relations but this situation took the cake for me. Instead of dealing with the reality of not having a bona-fide set-up man, Minaya and Manuel decided to thrust Jenrry Mejia into the spotlight.

Why? Do I really have to ask? Remember, during Spring, both Minaya and Manuel were a Metro Card away from taking the 7 train out of Citifield. Anyway, what was done was done and yes Mejia did gain major league knowledge, but at what cost?

As of now he’s still out of commission with an injury. The plan before the injury, stretch him out to become a starter. I love that phrase, stretch him out, as if he’s a human Stretch Armstrong. That’s an old toy back in the day for you digital kids here.

It is very tempting to get an arm like his in the rotation. Just as tempting as it was for the Yankees to have Mariano Rivera go nine. If some of you remember Rivera wasn’t always thought of as a closer. He went from prospective starter to set-up man to the Mariano Rivera we know today.

He’s pretty much the antithesis of Frankie Rodriquez. He’s quiet, controlled, completely unflashy yet devastatingly effective, and oh yes, a future Hall of Famer.

Frankie Rodriguez would have fit in perfectly with the early 90′s Mets. He’s style over substance. Don’t get me wrong he was a pretty fantastic closer and at the time the Mets signed him, he was the best closer available on the market. That was then and this is now.

Then, while he was in Anaheim, Frankie was bringing the heat, regularly hitting 98 on the radar gun. Today he’s topping out at 92, but mostly around 90-91. Couple that with his erratic delivery, his arm slot is never the same game to game. It prompts one to wonder why Anaheim didn’t try to bring the single season saves record holder back?  What can the Mets do at this point? He’s signed through next year. However there are a few options, unfortunately if the team hits the skids, that could pan out.

Between now and the trade deadline the Mets would have to completely fall apart, to even entertain trading Rodriguez. None of us or the Mets are hoping for that obviously.

So let’s focus on next year, and what Jenrry Mejia could provide the Mets if they’re willing to go down that road with him. Instead of focusing on Mejia becoming a starter I’d have him when he’s healthy, working on his fastball and cutter and his command.

Mariano Rivera made his debut in 1995, appearing in 19 games for the Yankees that year, starting 10 of them. Starting simply wasn’t his forte and in 1996 Mariano Rivera became John Wetteland’s set-up man and did he ever blossom.

Pitching over 100 innings that year Rivera had an ERA slightly over 2 and racked 130 K’s. The second year stud was 12th in MVP voting that year, and earned his first of 5 World Series rings.

Jenrry Mejia next year, at some point, should join the team and truly set-up for Frankie Rodriguez. He should not be handed the empty innings that Manuel gave him earlier this season, which by the way, was a clear sign to me that he and Minaya were hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, while giving themselves enough wiggle room in case things went sour for the kid.

It was a terrible way to initiate your franchise’s supposed diamond in the rough. It was unfair to the fans but most especially unfair to Mejia. With hard work and a CLEAR game-plan, with proper expectations, Mejia could make his way back to Flushing and who knows, perhaps one day, make good on those Mariano Rivera comparisons. Only time will tell.

This is the time during Spring Training that all Major League teams start to cut down their rosters, sending some players down to their Minor League affiliates, while others are sent on their way right out of the organization.

The funny thing about this process is that there are very few surprises as to who stays and who goes. Sometimes a young player with just a little minor league experience makes such an outstanding impression that management feels that he is ready for the big leagues and they can’t envision him not being with the parent club.

Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals comes to mind this year as he has not allowed a run in three appearances so far. It was expected that the number one overall player in last years draft would start the year perhaps even as high as AAA. He did have an advantage of playing college ball under Hall of Fame great Tony Gwynn, but still there would seem to be no real reason to rush him into the fray. It’s not like the Nationals will be in the playoff hunt this year.

On Sirius/XM Radio yesterday, Rob Dibble, who I love as a color commentator and sports talk show host, said that when he was in his first couple of years of Spring Training and he knew he wasn’t going to make the Reds big club, he actually asked the team to cut him early enough so he could get more work in at the level he would be playing at. Amazing.

For the Mets as they start their cuts, the big controversy at least among the Mets faithful, revolves around whether or not Fernando Martinez and Jenrry Mejia, the young pitching sensation, should be on the big club at the opening of the season.

It has been well chronicled that Martinez, still only 21 years old, has been the Mets best prospect for the past five years and has a history of injuries. During the injury fest of 2009 F-Mart, as he is affectionately called, had what’s known as a cup of coffee with the Mets and was not very effective with a batting average just somewhat north of 100.

He was and is still slated, according to Mets General Manager Omar Minaya, to start the season at AAA Buffalo and if he does well he should see action with the Mets no later than September 1st.

The problem is that he’s tearing the cover off the ball this spring after an excellent showing in the Caribbean World Series. Right now it looks like Angel Pagan, who had a walk off home run yesterday, will begin the season in center field until the return of perennial All Star Carlos Beltran.

Newly acquired Gary Matthews Jr. is also having a torrid spring and will definitely make the team as it’s 4th outfielder  and maybe even the center fielder, again that is until Beltran’s return. If that is the case where would Martinez fit in? Personally, and what most writers and fans agree on, is that Martinez needs to play everyday and Buffalo is the obvious place for him to be.

Mejia’s situation is even more complex. From here it doesn’t look like the Mets organization has decided what their expectations are of the role that Mejia will play. Is he a starter, perhaps even a top of the rotation starter, or can he become a lights out closer?

There is a case for both sides. He can crank it up to 98 mph on the gun and is developing some pretty good secondary pitches. He has drawn favorable comparisons to Dwight Gooden who at Mejia’s age, 20, was already dominating Major League batters. That in and of itself is not too shabby.

The other comparison has been to Mariano Rivera who some are already calling the greatest closer in the history of the game. His “cutter” over the years has been practically un-hittable and his post season performances have become legendary.

Former Met and Yankee, Darryl Strawberry has said that Mejia’s “cutter” is just as good as Rivera’s and the Mets need to use him right now, this season, in the pen.

So what are the Mets to do. Jerry Manuel, not my favorite Mets manager to say the least, has said Mejia could wind up as the 8th inning specialist this year if all falls into place.

What the Mets must be concerned about is not falling into what I call the “Joba Catch”. The Yankees have perhaps marred Chamberlain’s chances for super stardom as they vacillate between having him in the bullpen and as a starter. Most pitching experts agree that the transition from starter to reliever is much easier and likely to be more successful than the other way around.

So the Mets must decide which way to go with Mejia. I just want them to make a decision either way and more importantly, stick to it. What it comes down to, as I see it, is what’s the better long term solution. You have Frankie Rodriguez as your closer for the next two years. Mejia, if on the big club, would serve as the apprentice waiting to move into the closers role in 2012 if the Mets chose not to resign K-Rod.

If he goes to the Minors he would have at least a year or maybe two to develop his arsenal of pitches and at 22 he could become the ace of the staff for the next 10 to 15 years. My opinion, which amounts to nothing more than a hill of beans, is that Mejia and Martinez need to be sent down to develop. I think that in the long run, that would give the Mets the best opportunity to compete for the playoffs for years to come.

Agree? Dis-agree? Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

It’s one thing when loony Jerry Manuel starts hallucinating about Jenrry “Wild Thing” Mejia being the next Mariano Rivera. After all, we’ve all become accustomed to way-out comments like that from Manuel who in addition to being a manager, gives the Mets some additional shock and entertainment value for their dollar. And getting bang for their buck hasn’t exactly been a Mets strong suit in the past decade.

However, while I mostly ignored and simply chuckled at Manuel’s suggestion, I can’t help but notice how so many are buying into the hype, including Darryl Strawberry who chimed in  – also believing Jenrry Mejia can be the next Mariano Rivera, as reported on MetsBlog. “There’s your closer,” says Straw Man.

What are they drinking at Mets spring camp these days? Somebody check the water supply…

Jenrry Mejia being compared to Mariano Rivera is just as bad as comparing Daniel Murphy to Hall of Famer Stan Musial. (Yes, somebody actually made that comparison last offseason when Murph was going to be our everyday left fielder.)

Here’s a kid in Mejia who was completely overwhelmed and out of his league when he was promoted to AA-Binghamton last season where he had a 1.51 WHIP and walked almost five batters per nine innings.  Does he show some ability? Yes he does… probably as much as past Mets stalwarts like Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson and Philip Humber. And let’s not forget our other closer prospect who was close to having a wing named after him in Cooperstown, Eddie Kunz.

Mejia got his ass handed to him when the Mets decided to let him face the leagues better prospects in the Arizona Fall League. Jenrry, struggled mightily and in six starts he went 1-3 with a 12.56 ERA in just 14 1/3 innings.

Can we please see some semblance of success as AA or AAA before we start with the crazy talk?

The worst thing about putting such outlandish and ridiculous expectations on one so young, is that it does nothing but mess with the kid’s head. Don’t think for a second that he hasn’t already been told by at least a dozen people who his manager compared him too?

Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in our generation, and quite possible the best in the history of Major League Baseball. Nobody even comes close. He is a baseball god.

Right now all we know about Mejia is that he has a mid-nineties fast ball with good movement and great sink. (Mike Pelfrey anyone?) Great, what else you got for me?

He hasn’t been able to keep small villages from getting on base and scoring since he was last seen in A-Ball.

Everyone who has seen him pitch live say that Mejia is “electric”, nothing else… just “electric”.

What they don’t tell you is that every organization has at least 2-3 pitching prospects whose stuff is described as “electric” as well. Don’t believe me? Just thumb through your last three issues of Baseball America for the proof. Baseball has seen so many “electric” busts that you can provide enough enough electricity to power the entire state of Texas for the next 40 years.

Everybody take a chill pill and relax…

What happened to Brad Holt and his “electric” stuff only 12 months ago?

Toby Hyde said he had the highest ceiling in the Mets organization… Baseball America said he had the best fast ball in the 2008 draft… The Mets invited him to Spring Training last year with the hope he’d win a bullpen job… Then he went to AA, and like Mejia, hit a brick wall with a 6.21 ERA.

In four years we went from Humber to Kunz to Holt and now to Mejia. Who’s next?

Man… Nobody hypes these guys more than the Mets do…

All I’m saying is that everybody needs to calm down and remember that the Mets have not had a homegrown 20 game winner since Dwight Gooden 25 years ago.

A quarter of a century without one 20 game winner from a franchise who keeps boasting these pitchers with electric stuff.

In 11.1 innings, Rivera has allowed 15 hits (4 of them homers), an un-Rivera like 3.97 ERA, and hitters are batting .306 against him. He has not allowed more than 4 homeruns in an entire season since he allowed 5 ten years ago, and it’s only 30 games in.

In stark contrast, Francisco Rodriguez who is fresh off a season where he set the all time single season saves mark, has been everything the Mets have hoped for and more.

Rodriguez is smart and knows how to save himself by relying on three plus pitches which he throws with excellent command. He is resilient and can sustain a workload that would crush many closers and make them ineffective.

He currently has a 1.32 ERA and is nine for nine in save opportunities. More remarkable than that is that he is holding the opposition to a .143 batting average. 

Even Rich Couthino of 1050 ESPN admitted as much today when he wrote,

With all due respect to Mariano Rivera, Francisco Rodriquez has replaced him as the sport’s best closer. He has the talent to possess three great pitches that can help him wiggle out of every jam but K-Rod has more than that–a burning desire to win and get another ring.

It’s time for Mariano Rivera to gracefully step aside and make room for a new number one.  He had a great run, but K-Rod is the best closer in this city now if not the whole of baseball.