Another dubious decision by manager Terry Collins could have caused damaging results, but the Mets were saved by a couple of pitching prospects who performed gracefully under pressure. In a must win series opener against the Cardinals, starter Jon Niese lasted a third of an inning as his faulty knee failed him, retiring only one of the four batters he faced. Rookies Robert Gsellman and Josh...
Mark Simon of ESPN, took to GM Sandy Alderson’s “10 win” comments from earlier this month and decided to measure that improvement in WAR. After compiling a total of 29.6 WAR last year (ESPN WAR not FanGraphs), a 10 win improvement would put the Mets a shade under an overall total of 40. According to Simon,”nine teams got at least that much WAR from their rosters in 2014. All nine won at least...
I reviewed long-term free agent deals (7-10 years) last week, and today I’ll examine last off-season’s mid-term deals (4-6 years) highlighted by the Cards’ Jhonny Peralta. The Mets are close to turning a pivotal corner in the return to relevancy with a wealth of power pitching no less than a year away from being fully realized. Bartolo Colon was brought in to fill a portion...
Major League Baseball and the players association announced changes today to their Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program, lengthening suspensions for players caught across the board, likely in response to the PR nightmare the league experienced last summer. Some of the notable changes are as follows: First time offenders will now be suspended for 80 games as opposed to 50. Second time...
A split squad of the Mets pounded the St. Louis Cardinals 10-4 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. The Mets had 19 hits in the game and went 8-for-20 with RISP. Highlights: Jonathon Niese left the game after two innings with elbow discomfort and is heading to New York for an MRI. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one in only his second spring...
Jhonny Peralta signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Cardinals this off-season. On Sunday, the former free agent shortstop revealed that he did get a two-year offer from the Mets, as well as a three-year deal from the Yankees. However, it was what Peralta said about the current Mets shortstop that sparked attention yesterday: “The Mets said they had a little problem with Tejada and they...
February 17 Ruben Tejada reported early on Sunday and manager Terry Collins was impressed today by how he looked, saying: “You can tell he’s really worked hard and trimmed down. I asked him how much faster he was. He said, ‘I’ll show you.’ And I said, ‘OK, good.’ He’ll have the chance.’’ February 16 One of the New York Mets on the hot seat is shortstop Ruben Tejada, who got into manager Terry...
February 13 Sandy Alderson told reporters today in St. Lucie, that it is unlikely that he acquires another major free agent this offseason. It’s now one of those cases where you have to do the math. A Drew signing seems very unlikely at this point and it’s not as if the Mets were ever really that close. February 12 Sandy Alderson said Tuesday afternoon that the New York Mets have the...
An MMO Fan Shot by Steven Pacchiano Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, he’s been at the helm since 1992. His reign began at in the steroid era, and that was his bad luck. He had the opportunity to protect the game at the time but chose the wrong path. He turned a blind eye to it when it served his needs and reaped all the rewards after the strike. Guys like...
Alex Rodriguez Plans To Appeal Arbitrator’s Decision A-Rod, I have a little bit of unsolicited advice. Just say, “My bad.” You see, the American public is very forgiving. Fess up, take your medicine, and we’ll eventually come back around. Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it – so what have we learned from history? Jason Giambi said “My...
Jim Bowden of ESPN (Insider Subscription) polled a few general managers about the offseason so far, and when he asked them who they thought would be busts, one American League GM picked Curtis Granderson, while Olney himself picked Chris Young. Which available free agent likely bombs with his new team and why? AL GM: “I think Ubaldo Jimenez will bomb. I don’t think he’ll ever...
The Mets have agreed to sign free agent outfielder Curtis Granderson to a four-year deal according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the deal is worth $60 million dollars or a $15 million annual average. Andy Martino of the Daily News added that the deal is a straight 4-year deal, per source. No option of any sort for 5th, vesting, team or otherwise. The...
