Sherman gives three great reasons for why Omar may be reluctant to pull off another big trade.

1) The organization is cautiously optimistic Ryan Church will soon return, making a righty-hitting left fielder to replace out-for-the-season Moises Alou the main priority. Minaya has been unable to identify a player significantly better than a Fernando Tatis/Endy Chavez platoon to make it worthwhile to sacrifice prospect chips.

2) The Mets are finding the asking prices for relievers they have interest in, such as Colorado’s Brian Fuentes, to be too steep.

3) To reach the level of contender, the Mets have expended a lot of prospect artillery the past three years, and Minaya recognizes he must protect the farm system and let it rebuild.

"We can’t keep doing four-for-one deals," Minaya said.

Minaya said he expects super-prospects Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese to possibly be ready to contribute in August, and also high praise for Nick Evans and Carlos Muniz who are already on the team.

He sees Evans developing into a .280 hitter with 20 homers and 80 RBI’s annually, and compared Muniz to Chad Cordero.

I don’t know about you guys, but I love the fact that the Mets are thinking this way. I don’t want to see them trade the farm for an over-priced aging left fielder who will be a free agent in a year or two.

Check out the rest of Sherman’s article which is loaded with plenty of quotes from our GM. In Omar we trust!

The post F-Mart and Jon Niese: Omar Minaya Is Ready To Promote From Within appeared first on Metsmerized.

The main participants in this disaster, however, were not Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph.

The General Manager was M. Donald Grant. It was June 15, 1977 when the Mets GM decided to trade away hometown hero Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds for four relatively unknown commodities. What followed was a catastrophe. Unlike the lovable losers of the 60’s, these Mets now became just losers. Shea became nicknamed Grant’s Tomb and many nights it seemed like the hot dog vendors outnumbered the spectators. With the departure of "Tom Terrific," the Metropolitans descended into a downward spiral that lasted for close to a decade. Over the next 7 endless seasons (subtracting the strike shortened season of 81), the Mets would average just 65 wins per year against 97 losses.

Thirty one years and one day later, history is repeating itself as the Mets have once again displayed a total lack of class and dignity. Yet again, a seemingly cold hearted decision by a Mets GM has tipped the baseball world on its collective ear.

As Mets fans slept comfortably safe in their beds, hours before the sunlight of a new day reached the shores of Queens, Willie Randolph was not just dismissed but disrespected. Like a thief in the night, Omar Minaya fired the first African-American manager in New York baseball history. The man who compiled the 2nd highest winning percentage in the 46 year history of our franchise was sent packing, departing to the airport for his second cross country flight in twenty four hours.

We all have different opinions on Willie’s managerial style and technique. Some are glad to see him go and some are not. Some blame him for the lack of motivation, for being too "low key." Some, in the back of their minds, would always look at Willie but see Yankee pinstripes. Whatever opinion one may have of the Mets recently departed skipper, it’s hard to argue that he was not treated well. Up until the very end—and even at the end–Willie Randolph maintained a sense of class and dignity. As pained as his heart was, with sadness in eyes and an emptiness in his soul, he still displayed the courage to speak with reporters in the hotel lobby. Good manager or bad manager, right decision or wrong decision, this midnight raid was tactless and cowardice . Reminiscent of the George Steinbrenner/Billy Martin charade of the late 1970’s, the Mets sunk to a new low in their own team history with the debacle that became the end of Willie’s managerial career. Safe to say, no one was shocked by the firing of Willie Randolph. However, no one expected it to be carried out in such a heartless, uncaring way.

We all hope that Jerry Manuel will turn things around this season but it seems unlikely. No matter whose hand is writing down the lineup card, the results will probably be the same. Even if our new skipper is the spark that can ignite this team, the end result may be bittersweet.

With Randolph gone, it is now Omar Minaya being led towards the guillotine. His head is next on the chopping block and it appears as if the Wilpon’s are already laying the groundwork for the next act of this Shakespearean tragedy. It was Minaya who built this team but yet Willie was left to take the blame. Now, Mets ownership has already planted the seed. By Fred Wilpon stating this was solely Omar’s decision, he is clearly washing his hands of the situation. Much in the way Minaya hung out Randolph, Fred Wilpon is hanging out Minaya.

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver once said, "You win pennants in the off-season when you build your team with trades and free agents." As Omar Minaya now enters the cross hairs and figures out what is needed to bring a Championship to Shea, Willie Randolph can return home to his wife and family. Unlike Minaya, Randolph already has his World Series rings.

The post Minaya’s Decision Gives Fans The Willie’s appeared first on Metsmerized.

After bringing perhaps baseball’s best pitcher in Johan Santana this off-season, things have gotten sour in a hurry in what was portrayed as a formidable starting rotation. Pedro Martinez was lost only 3 1/3 innings into the season, and Orlando Hernandez has yet to throw his first pitch.

And while metsblog.com suggests a Rich Harden to the Mets rumor, such speculation is hard to substantiate given the depleted crop of prospects in the Mets minor leagues, especially when you consider that Fernando Martinez is untouchable. Who the heck wants Harden anyway? He has had more stints on the DL than Pedro and El Duque combined.

Unfortunately, Omar will have to set his sights much lower and look for an available back end of the rotation starter. It’s really not a bad idea. Even if we just upgrade Pelfrey or Nelson Figueroa, it’s still a viable upgrade. With Johan, Maine and Perez in tow, the Mets do not need a big name pitcher to win the division. Just someone who can keep the team in games and work into the 7th and 8th innings.

That being said, it will still be a daunting task for Minaya.

The post Will Mike Pelfrey Force Omar Minaya’s Hand appeared first on Metsmerized.

It was long time in developing, with most analysts and sportscasters giving the Mets little chance of getting Santana from the Twins. We have had to endure countless articles that said the Mets farm system was inadequate and their prospects were sub par. However, in the end the Mets had exactly what the Twins were looking for and the topper is that they keep their best prospect Fernando Martinez, the teenage wonder.

In the end the deal costs the Mets Kevin Mulvey, Phil Humber, Carlos Gomez and Deolis Guerra. Each of them have potential but they each came with with their own baggage as well. Gomez was a speed burner who has yet to prove he can hit. Humber has talent but is not projected to be more than a bottom of the rotation starter. Mulvey is probably the most polished in the group, but has yet to do anything at the major league level, and Guerra has not pitched above A ball.

This deal was a major coup and a huge feather in Omar Minaya’s hat. For months, Omar has endured harsh criticism from many Mets fans for not doing something sooner. Even Billy Wagner voiced his displeasure twice to the media. I hope that those same people in the media like Steve Phillips of ESPN and Wallace Mathews of Newsday, now eat their words and give Omar the respect and recognition he deserves.

The only thing left for Omar to do is sign Johan Santana to a long term deal, and both sides are set to meet on Wednesday. Of course Santana will hold out for a 7-year deal, but considering he turns 29 in March, I wouldn’t be too worried about signing him to a deal like that.

The important thing is that with this deal, the Mets are now considered the odds on favorite to win the NL East and may even be the best team in the National League.

It’s a great day to be a Mets fan!

The post All Hail Johan Santana, Omar Minaya Gets His Man! appeared first on Metsmerized.

Like I said in my previous post, Omar Minaya is to smart a general manager to trade an everyday superstar shortstop for a starting pitcher, even one as great as Johan Santana. (see post below)

In a great article by Joel Sherman of the NY Post, Joel shared some great quotes that Omar Minaya made regarding the Johan Santana negotiations. I’m just going to give you some of what was written, but make sure you read the full article because it is a great read.

“I like going after the big fish, but I can’t rob Peter to pay Paul," Omar Minaya said by phone. “I’m not getting rid of Jose Reyes."

That Minnesota was still asking for Reyes likely means the Twins do not believe the Mets have enough attractive options among their prospects to make a deal.

The Mets’ pitching prospects are not viewed as generously around the majors with Mike Pelfrey and Phil Humber regressing last year. However, Minaya defended them.

“I have two 15-game winners (John Maine, Oliver Perez) that other teams gave up on," Minaya said. “If young guys have high-end arms and good deliveries, you have to ignore the stats on occasion. Pitching goes up and down. (Matt) Garza took a step back this year in some people’s eyes, and Tampa just traded for him (as part of the Young trade)."

Minaya said he is prioritizing finding a No. 1 starter.

“We would like to be able to get it if we can," he said. “But I do hate to give up young players. I would prefer doing major league player for major league player in a trade. That might not be possible. But you know me, if I had to pay a little more to get a premium guy, I would. But I won’t go crazy, though."

I hope that Joel’s article will curtail some of the crazy notions out there that are swirling around the Mets blogosphere. I am glad that Omar was so candid and ended his remarks by saying he will do his best, but he wouldn’t do anything crazy. Those are exactly the words I wanted to hear from our GM.

The post Omar Minaya Tells Twins “I’m Not Getting Rid Of Jose Reyes.” appeared first on Metsmerized.

Most everyone seems to think the Yankees are a lock, simply because Hank Steinbrenner leaked some details of their negotiations to the media. He lit a fire that is now raging out of control, and in the process left Mets fans wondering…

Why isn’t Omar Minaya talking to Minnesota? Or Baltimore? Or even the Oakland A’s?

That’s the difference between a professional general manager like Omar Minaya, and a non-baseball guy like Hank Steinbrenner. Minaya knows his craft and is very good at it. He operates in stealth mode because he knows that loose lips sink ships… and sink potential deals too.

There was not one sportswriter or analysts who could have predicted that the Mets would trade Guillermo Mota for Johnny Estrada. Not even a hint of a rumor existed. Then to shock of many, Guillermo Mota was banished without even some cash to go with him.

The fact of the matter is that the Mets have already spoken to the Twins, long before the Yankees blurted out their news and showed all their cards. The truth is that Omar may have an ace in the hole. This morning on ESPN radio, Andrew Marchand cited a major league executive who revealed that Twins GM Bill Smith has had talks with Omar Minaya regarding Johan Santana. "Don’t count the Mets out" he said.

It would be great to see Santana pitch at Shea this season and another five years in the new Citi Field. But, if it doesn’t come to pass, there are still some great options out there, and word has it that Omar is in the mix for pitchers Dan Haren or Erik Bedard.

David Lennon of Newsday had an interesting article today in which he looks closely at the Mets  possibly going Dan Haren and possibly even Joe Blanton. Either of them would be a tremendous boost for the rotation.

Next week at this time, it will be an exciting time for Mets fans who have been waiting anxiously for wheeling and dealing to begin.

By the way, it now looks like the Yankees negotiations with the Twins have hit a snag. (That’s what happens when they pop the cork before sealing the deal!)

The post Omar Minaya Not Going Down Without A Fight! appeared first on Metsmerized.

In a recent poll of 560 voters, 46% of Mets fans did not believe the Mets would win a World Series with Omar Minaya as the GM. Wow, that number is way too high in my opinion. Now all of you know by now, that we are not apologists for the Mets organization. As our slogan says, we are the "Fair and Balanced" Mets Network.

I believe in expressing my opinions openly and honestly, and at times this past year, I’ve taken my pot shots at Omar. We have no connections or ties to the New York Mets, and we can speak freely here about what moves we like or don’t like. I was completely against the Brian Bannister  and Heath Bell trades, from day one. I gave Omar a big fat "C" when we did our off season report cards last year. I thought the Guillermo Mota signing was brutal. I also said that the Scott Schoeneweis signing was a great move, hey nobody’s perfect.

Yesterday during Omar Minaya’s conference call, he said a lot of things about a lot of different topics.

All I was interested in, was what he had to say regarding his plans for the off-season. With regards to getting a top pitcher he said.

"If you’re going to trade for pitching in this market – with the way pitching is right now – you’re going to have to part with some premium guys. Our premium prospects are very well liked. We could be players in some of the pitching that might be traded. We’re always talking to clubs, we talk on a daily basis. We’ll get a deal done.”

It’s exactly what I wanted to hear, and I hope he really means it this time.

Now, back to my point…

Many of the fans who have a dislike for Omar have this fixation that Omar bases many of his decisions on race. I implore those of you who believe this to be true, to please listen to reason. The notion that race plays any part in Minaya’s decisions is outlandish, unfounded and borders on character assassination.

Would any of these conspiracy theorists have had any problem if the Mets traded for Johan Santana?

Are the Steinbrenner’s racists as well being that the only significant moves so far this off season centered around Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera?

I thought is was very sad that almost half of my comments on myspace regarding the Luis Castillo post, all referred to the majority of Hispanic players in the starting lineup, rather than genuinely being happy that the Mets re-signed the top available second baseman in free agency.

The only racists I see are the fans who choose to look at the teams moves based on race rather than the merits of the individual player. Nobody had a problem when the Mets signed Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran, who were both the best players available at their positions at the time.

But then, certain radio and newspaper personalities decided that they had nothing better to do than to perpetuate a horrible assault on the character of Omar Minaya. It was low blow, and an irresponsible and reprehensible act that was perpetrated on a fan base that was once united and proud.

It is so sad that even in 2007, we still have to deal with bigotry, racial intolerance, and ignorance. Is anybody curious as to what percentage of minorities are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan while we sit heard and read and write about the Mets? The results may astound you…

I think Omar Minaya is a great guy and a good general manager. I think he had a rough off season last year, but I also think he was the first one to admit it. I am rooting for Omar this off season. I want to see him restore some of the shine that wore off of him. I hope that this ridiculous notion that his moves are based on race will not keep him from going after guys like Johan Santana or C.C. Sabathia. If we don’t go after them, our rivals certainly will.

Luckily, this unfair argument has not affected Omar from doing what he thinks is best for the team. Let’s keep it that way.

The post Omar Minaya Should Be Judged Fairly On The Merits Of His Job Performance appeared first on Metsmerized.

Starting pitching is at a premium in this day and age. There was a point not too long ago when a team could acquire a front-line starting pitcher in a salary dump situation. However, quality starting pitching is more in demand now than it has ever been. The trade front will cost the farm, and it’s even questionable if the Mets crops intrigue any front office brass throughout the league. A free-agent market headlined by Carlos Silva and Livan Hernandez certainly is not going to send you racing with unrest through Times Square.

Every faithful follower of the Amazins has outlying hope that Minaya is going to make a splash. A question I pose however, is where this huge starting pitcher is coming from? I just cannot fathom a scenario in which any tangible pitcher is going to be brought to the Big Apple. Omar would be wise to lay off Carlos Silva along with the four year, forty million dollar pact he is said to be seeking on the open market.

You hear the names thrown out there. Johan Santana, Scott Kazmir…tear tear, Jake Peavy, but realistically, none of them are available, and if they were, Minaya doesn’t have the chips to bring to the table that would entice a team to send any of the above packing.

While innocently browsing through the list of all free agent pitchers, the realization hit me that none of them are good. There isn’t a name the Mets can possibly obtain that is better than any of their “in-house” options. Is Carlos Silva really going to be any kind of upgrade over a 24 year old Mike Pelfrey? Go right ahead, pull a trigger on a deal to get a true difference maker, a so called “Ace” but please, don’t just make a deal to make a deal.

Pelfrey along with Philip Humber are quality starting pitchers, but you would never recognize this because of the way scouts and media alike heave aside their potential, and thump them for the hand full of starts they have had. Don’t overlook the fact that these two kids don’t have a full major league season under their belts if you were to combine both of their bodies of work. Hell, they don’t even have a combined 100 innings for anyone to fairly criticize.

Any true baseball mind, Mets fan or not, would honestly say their ready to give up on the crown jewel of their system after 94 mediocre innings on the hill. Nate Robertson of the Detroit Tigers narrowly missed losing 20 games during his rookie campaign, and he turned out to be a very solid hurler and a fixture in the Detroit rotation. Not to compare the two at all, but I feel as though Pelfrey and to a lesser extent Humber, hold far more value to the Mets than to any other organization.

Bullpen is arguably a more superior necessity for the Mets going into the off-season. With Guillermo Mota and Scott Schoeneweis under guaranteed contracts, Minaya is unlikely to give any reliever on the Market more than a two year deal. Frankly, could you blame him though? Is Jeremy Affeldt or a post San Diego Scott Linebrink for the next three or four years a wise business and baseball move?

Billy Wagner will be the light at the end of the tunnel again in 2008, whether it’s bright or dim, that is yet to be decided, otherwise the roles and personnel the pen will feature is a mystery that I’m not certain Matlock could come to terms with. Again I would rather go into battle with in house options like a healthy Duaner Sanchez and Juan Padilla and depending on his development, a young flamethrower in Eddie Kunz. Those options won’t cost a dime, and really in retrospect will give you about the same production that anyone else available will bring to the table.

The post Minaya Shouldn’t Leave the House appeared first on Metsmerized.

I don’t think Lee is someone that Omar would be targeting at this stage of the game… The way I see it, Cliff Lee is no better than any of the pitchers the Mets have already, and would hardly classify as an improvement.

As long as we’re speculating, maybe Minaya has his eyes on C.C. Sabathia, a solid top of the rotation guy that could slot in right behind Pedro Martinez in 2008, and take over as the ace of the team in 2009 and beyond.

The Indians just picked up the option on Paul Byrd and given that Sabathia is in the final year of his contract which pays $9 million dollars, it’s most likely a given that the Indians will likely lose him at the end of next season when he becomes a free agent.

Sabathia is a solid left handed power pitcher who logged 241 innings pitched last season with an ERA of 3.21 and 209 strikeouts. On the Mets, he would immediately become the teams best pitcher, and at 27-years old, he still may have his best years in front of him.

Omar Minaya made a promise that he will address the Mets pitching this off season. Even yesterday he said that upgrading the starting pitching was his top priority. Given those words, I doubt very much that there was much discussion about a pitcher like Cliff Lee, and I would bet anything that Sabathia’s name came up more times than Lee’s did.

The post Omar Minaya Looking At Prized Lefty C.C. Sabathia appeared first on Metsmerized.

Much of the blame for this debacle rests with Omar Minaya. Most, if not all of his off-season moves were bad and weakened the team significantly. Here is a recap of those moves.

The Trades

November 15, 2006 – Heath Bell and Royce Ring traded to San Diego for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson.

The Aftermath – Both Bell and Ring were Baseball America’s Top 10 prospects for the Mets. Johnson and Adkins are now squandering in the minors, while Heath Bell dominates the league with a 1.48 ERA and only 28 hits allowed in 48 innings pitched, with a whopping 51 strikeouts. Royce Ring currently sports a 1.13 ERA and along with Bell are part of the best bullpen in the major leagues.

November 20, 2006 – Jason Vargas acquired from Florida for Henry Owens & Matt Lindstrom.

The Aftermath – Vargas has a 12.19 ERA after two starts and is back in New Orleans now. Henry Owens, once the Mets’ number five prospect, is 2-0 with four saves and a 1.96 ERA in 22 appearances this season. Matt Lindtrom has lowered his ERA to 3.82 after a rough April and has been unscored upon in 9 of his last ten appearances. He has 31 strikeouts while allowing only 13 walks in 38 games.

November 27, 2006 – Moises Alou signed to a one year $8.5 million dollar contract with an option.

The Aftermath – Alou was supposed to be an upgrade to Cliff Floyd. Alou has appeared in only 30 games and is batting .318 with 2 homeruns and 13 RBI. He hasn’t played for the Mets in two months. Cliff Floyd has played in 70 games and is batting .298 with 4 home runs and 30 RBI after signing with the Cubs for $3 million dollars.

December 6, 2006 – Brian Bannister traded to Kansas City for Ambiorix Burgos.

The Aftermath – Bannister was recently named pitcher of the month for June and continues to improve and get better as a starting pitcher. The 26 year old is 5-5 for the last place Royals with a 3.71 ERA. Burgos is back in the minors for the second time this season, and has a respectable 3.42 ERA in 17 games with the big league team. He is now on the DL with elbow pain.

The Free Agent Signings

December 14, 2006 – Guillermo Mota signed a 2-year $5 million dollar contract

The Aftermath – Despite admitted steroid use he was signed for two years even though no other major league team was interested in him. He now has a 7.71 ERA in 16 appearances, and has allowed 30 base runners in 18 innings pitched.

January 9, 2007 – David Newhan signed a 1-year $575 thousand dollar contract.

The Aftermath – He has been optioned to AAA after hitting .200 in 41 games with 1 homerun and 4 RBI.

January 16, 2007 – Jorge Sosa signed a 1-year $1.25 million dollar contract.

The Aftermath – After a great start his ERA is now at 3.92 despite an impressive 7-3 record. He is currently on the disabled list.

January 25, 2007 – Scott Schoeneweis signed a 3-year $10.5 million dollar contract.

The Aftermath – The 34-year old had a 5.04 career ERA before signing his lucrative deal with the Mets. His current ERA is at a little above his career norm at 5.68 and he has allowed a whopping 57 base runners in 31 innings pitched.

February 15, 2007 – Chan Ho Park signed a 1-year $600 thousand dollar contract.

The Aftermath –  He has already been released after one game and a 15.75 ERA in the majors, after he couldn’t get any batters out in the minor leagues..

Who We Let Walk

The Players – Chad Bradford, Darren Oliver, Cliff Floyd 

The Aftermath – Bradford and Floyd have become big addition for their teams at a relatively lower cost than what the Mets paid to replace them. It would be unfair to say that Cliff Floyd would have been a healthier option for the Mets than Alou, but obviously Bradford would have been better than any of the new faces in the bullpen. He could have been signed for same $10 million they gave to Schoeneweis, and Bradford is 2 years younger.

Consider this a mid season report card for Omar Minaya. He is failing miserably, but his season is still not over. Many a student (or GM) have been able to transform a failing mid term grade into at least a "B" or in some cases even an "A".

We need Omar Minaya to get on the phone and make up for some of these past blunders. We need him to bear down and inject some new blood into a team that desperately needs an adrenaline boost. Aside from Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Perez and Maine, nobody is untouchable.  Nobody…

Fix this team Omar…

Or take down that sign that reads "Our Season Has Come", because it really insults our intelligence.

The post Omar Minaya Had A Terrible Off Season, But He Can Still Make Up For It Before It’s Too Late appeared first on Metsmerized.