Well I have to admit that I wasn’t able to hear the ” General” Jerry press conference yesterday. But from the comments that I saw in regards of inserting Jose Reyes into the third spot in the batting order - I do believe the man is as clueless as Col. Klink ! I have to disagree with my fellow brother in Mets Blue and Orange - Kingman25 when he says this might be a brilliant idea because it will bring balance to the batting order. The way I see it Jose - like Lenny Dykstra is a prototypical lead-off hitter. Generally when Jose first comes to bat it is usually a barometer of how the game will go ( If he gets on base he will more times than not get himself into scoring position, and eventually score). I do agree that Jose can successfully bat in any slot of the order since he has speed, ample power and good baserunning instincts. I don’t think that Angel Pagan can be trusted in number one slot neither do I believe Luis ” Slappy” Castillo can either. Speaking of Castillo, I believe he is best suited in either the two ( like Wally Backman) or the eight slot in the batting order. The problem with Luis ( or Jerry Manuel) is that he is more prone to sacrifice the runner over with no outs to put them into scoring position than to try to hit away and find a hole in the infield. Remember how that drove us fans crazy last year because it killed many a rally ?!? But the choice ultimately lies with Jerry . He is the manager ( god help us) and he makes the in game decisions. Lets just hope he is wise with this decision and let us hope that Jose really embraces batting where ever in the order he is slotted. Because a happy Jose will go along way - and remember the old saying “ As Jose Reyes goes - The team goes “.

 

                                                       

                                                     ” Who is the better  strategist?”

And now … ON WITH THE INFAMY !!!

Happy Birthday Phil Lombardi (1963), the one time fourth string catcher for the ‘89 team.

Utility outfielder and all around punk from the ‘04 team Shane Spencer is 38 (1972) .

Starting pitcher from last season - Livan Hernandez is 35 ( YEAH RIGHT !!! ) (1975) .

New York Mets signed free agent Don Aase on February 20, 1989. It’s funny because exactly a year later - The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Don Aase of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 20, 1990.

New York Yankees signed Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 20, 1996. This was the ultimate slap in the face for us Mets fans ! Yes Darryl was successful in a limited role for the Yanks. But Dwight showed flashes of the stuff that endeared us Mets fans to him - and the most painful thing is that he pitched a no - hitter for the enemy ! Look I was one of the jilted fans that called for his release after his last relapse and suspension in ‘94, but I felt that the Mets at the very least should have reached out to him to give him another shot - instead of his comeback being splashed on the covers of local papers in a Yankee uniform. And to have him shut us down in the 2000 World Series was hard to swallow!

New York Mets signed free agent Tony Clark on February 20, 2003.Tony Clark was a good addition for the Mets. He stepped in for the ailing Mo Vaughn ( insert joke here) and he played rather well.

And while we wait for Rob Barajas to sign with the Mets just remember - There are only 44 days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

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Happy Valentines Day everybody ( even if it is a B.S commercialized holiday) ! It is also four days until pitchers and catchers are to meet at Port St. Lucie for the unofficial start of Spring Training. I read yesterday that both Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel are excited about the open competition in the starting rotation, catcher, first base, center field and the General manager as well as the managers position ( oops did I just say that?) . I like competition, I think competition is good. I just feel that we are going into this years season with far to many holes to fill, and not enough able bodies. I also feel that these position are Daniel Murphy , Fernando Nieve , Angel Pagan and Omir Santos to lose. Honestly the only player of the ones that just listed that should face stiff competition is Murphy. Murphy will have claw tooth and nail to win the first base-mans job against Chris Carter, Fernando Tatis and Mike Jacobs. I think Murph will face the stiffest competition against Chris Carter, because I do believe that both Jerry and Omar see both Tatis and Jacobs as bench strength. I also see Murphy as a true competitor , who needs to be constantly challenged in order to get the most optimum results out of him.

 

                                                                               

                                                                 ” Happy Valentines Day !!!”

And with that said … HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Happy Birthday wishes goes out to one of the Mets better back up catchers from the ’90’s, Kelly Stinnett (1970) .

New York Mets signed free agent José ” IT’S LIMA TIME !” Lima on February 14, 2006. Thankfully Lima time didn’t last to long. I believe these days he pitches is a fast pitch soft ball tequila league in Mexico.

Baltimore Orioles signed Steve Trachsel of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 14, 2007. I admit I have no love for the man i called ” Trash” I hated the fact that he was one of the big signings that we made after we lost the ‘00 World Series, I hated his taking five minutes to throw a pitch, and I just never warmed up to him - who could forget the botched abortion that was game 5 of the ‘06 NLCDS where he couldn’t get out of the second inning ( if memory serves me right).

New York Mets signed free agent Livan Hernandez of the Colorado Rockies on February 14, 2009. I have to admit that I originally didn’t like this signing. But for the first part of the year Livan along with Johan, were the only consistent members of te starting rotation. But as you would have to expect from a man in his late 50’s ( kidding ! kidding !) Livan flamed out and was released (it has been said it was done to save the organization from paying him his bonuses) in mid August .

And don’t forget -There is just 50 days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

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You decide.  The way the current system of free agent rankings and compensation works the amateur draft and free agent signings are linked whether we like it or not.

Omar Minaya’s first amateur draft as GM of the New York Mets was the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.  Below is a brief look at how many picks each National League team has made, what picks have been impacted by free agent signings, how many of those picks have made it to the Major Leagues, who they are and what overall # pick those players that have made it were from their 2005-2008 drafts inclusive.  The 2009 draft is not included because no player taken that year has made their major league debut.  The American League is not included because they are not the main competition from day-to-day and because they have the DH which upsets me greatly (but truthfully because I just don’t have the time).

For those who don’t know, basically a team will have more overall picks as compensation for losing major league players via free agency (Type A or B free agents), and fewer if it signs players via free agency (Type A free agents).  These picks gained or lost are early round picks which is generally when the prime talent is considered to be available.

The teams are listed in descending order based on their total number of picks made in these 4 drafts.  A team which neither signed nor lost any free agents, or maintained a balance of both, would have 50 picks annually or 200 total during the period of time being examined here should they choose to exercise all their picks, but not all teams use their full allotment of picks as you’ll see if you actually read all this.  Whether the draft picks were signed or not is not a factor.  If more than one team made the same number of total picks those teams are listed alphabetically.

So please take a look at the information below, note how many picks some teams had and how few others had due to the way they utilize Type A & B free agents and/or the way they simply decide to stop drafting, and note what these teams have thus far produced with those picks and let us know your conclusions in the comments section.  Who is balancing free agency and the draft well?  Who is not?  Is Omar Minaya?

Braves: 209 total picks, 6 have reached the majors, 3%.

In 2005 the Braves received the 41st overall pick (supplemental) and the 77th overall pick from the Yankees signing of FA P Jaret Wright.  In 2006 they received the 38th overall pick (supplemental) and the 72nd overall pick from the Yankees signing of FA P Kyle Farnsworth, and the 43rd overall pick (supplemental) and the 51st overall pick from the Dodgers signing of FA SS Rafael Furcal.  In 2007 they received the 33rd overall pick (supplemental) and the 69th overall pick from the Orioles signing of FA P Danys Baez.  In 2008 they received the 40th overall pick (supplemental) from the Royals signing of FA P Ron Mahay.  Thus the 9 extra picks.  None of their compensation picks have reached the majors.

• Year drafted 2005 overall pick # 27, Joey Devine
• 2005 # 75, Yunel Escobar
• 2005 # 107, Jordan Shafer
• 2005 # 677, Tommy Hanson
• 2005 # 1077, Tyler Flowers
• 2006 # 310, Kris Medlen

Cardinals: 207 total picks, 13 have reached the majors, 6%.

In 2005 the Cardinals received the 28th overall pick and the 43rd overall pick (supplemental) from the Red Sox signing of FA SS Edgar Renteria, and the 46th overall pick (supplemental) and the 70th overall pick from the Giants signing of FA C Mike Matheny.  In 2006 they received the 42nd overall pick (supplemental) and the 54th overall pick from the Giants signing of FA P Matt Morris, and the 76th overall pick from the Phillies signing of FA 3B Abraham Nunez.  In 2007 they received the 36th overall pick (supplemental) and the 71st overall pick from the Brewers signing of FA P Jeff Suppan.  In 2008 they received the 39th overall pick (supplemental) from the Rays signing of FA P Troy Percival.  The Cardinals chose not to exercise their final 3 picks of the 2005 amateur draft.  Thus the net of 7 extra picks.  3 of their compensation picks have reached the majors (Colby Rasmus, Chris Perez & Clayton Mortensen).

• 2005 # 28, Colby Rasmus
• 2005 # 30, Tyler Greene
• 2005 # 170, Mitchell Boggs
• 2005 # 230, Nick Stavinoha
• 2005 # 380, Daniel McCutchen
• 2005 # 650, Ryan Rohlinger
• 2005 # 680, Jaime Garcia
• 2006 # 42, Chris Perez
• 2006 # 166, Shane Robinson
• 2006 # 346, P.J. Walters
• 2006 # 856, Luke Gregerson
• 2007 # 36, Clayton Mortensen
• 2007 # 82, Jess Todd

Diamondbacks, 207 total picks, 10 have reached the majors, 5%.

In 2005 the Diamondbacks received the 31st overall pick (supplemental) and the 83rd overall pick from the Mariners signing of FA 1B Richie Sexson.  In 2006 they received the 34th overall pick (supplemental) and the 86th overall pick from the Giants signing of FA P Tim Worrell.  In 2007 they received the 50th overall pick (supplemental) from the Brewers signing of FA SS Craig Counsell and the 61st overall pick (supplemental) from the Mariners signing of FA P Miguel Batista.  In 2008 they received the 43rd overall pick (supplemental) from the Twins signing of FA P Livan Hernandez.  Thus the 7 extra picks.  1 of their compensation picks has reached the majors (Micah Owings).

• 2005 # 1, Justin Upton
• 2005 # 83, Micah Owings
• 2005 # 171, Greg Smith
• 2005 # 411, Rusty Ryal
• 2006 # 11, Max Scherzer
• 2006 # 55, Brett Anderson
• 2006 # 387 John Hester
• 2006 # 897, Clay Zavada
• 2007 # 223, Bryan Augenstein
• 2008 # 26, Daniel Schlereth

Marlins, 207 total picks, 9 have reached the majors, 4%.

In 2005 the Marlins received the 22nd overall pick and the 34th overall pick (supplemental) from the Giants signing FA P Armando Benitez, the 29th overall pick and 44th overall pick (supplemental) from the Yankees signing FA P Carl Pavano,  and the 79th overall pick (supplemental) from the Twins signing of C Mike Redmond.  In 2006 they received the 36th overall pick (supplemental) and the 90th overall pick from the Blue Jays signing of FA P A.J. Burnett.  Thus the 7 extra picks.  4 of their compensation picks have reached the majors (Ryan Tucker, Sean West, Brett Hayes & Chris Coghlan).

• 2005 # 16, Chris Volstad
• 2005 # 34, Ryan Tucker
• 2005 # 44, Sean West
• 2005 # 79, Brett Hayes
• 2005 # 126, Gaby Sanchez
• 2005 # 216, Christopher Leroux
• 2005 # 246, Aaron Bates
• 2006 # 36, Chris Coghlan
• 2006 # 305, Graham Taylor

Phillies, 205 total picks, 5 have reached the majors, 2%.

In 2005 the Phillies lost their 1st round pick for signing FA P Jon Leiber.  In 2006 they received the 18th overall pick and the 37th overall pick (supplemental) from the Mets signing of FA P Billy Wagner, and lost their 1st round pick for signing FA P Tom Gordon.  In 2007 they received the 37th overall pick (supplemental) and the 107th overall pick from the Indians signing of FA OF David Dellucci.  In 2008 they received the 34th overall pick (supplemental) and the 51st overall pick from the Giants signing of FA OF Aaron Rowand, and the 110th overall pick (supplemental) for failure to sign a previous draft pick.  Thus the net of 5 extra picks.  None of their compensation picks have reached the majors.

• 2005 # 97, Matt Maloney
• 2005 # 307, Josh Outman
• 2005 # 367, Mike Zagurski
• 2005 # 577, David Huff
• 2006 # 65, Andrew Carpenter

Nationals, 203 total picks, 7 have reached the majors, 3%.

In 2005 the Nationals lost their 2nd round draft pick for signing FA 3B Vinny Castilla and their 3rd round draft pick for signing FA SS Christian Guzman.  In 2006 they received the 22nd overall pick from the A’s signing of FA P Esteban Loaiza and the 70th overall pick from the Angels signing of FA P Hector Carrasco.  In 2007 they received the 31st overall pick (supplemental) and the 67th overall pick from the Cubs signing of FA OF Alfonso Soriano, and the 49th overall pick (supplemental) for the Mariners signing of FA OF Jose Guillen.  Thus the net of 3 extra picks.  1 of their compensation picks has reached the majors (Jordan Zimmermann).

• 2005 # 4, Ryan Zimmerman
• 2005 # 114, Justin Maxwell
• 2005 # 174, Marco Estrada
• 2005 # 324, John Lannan
• 2005 # 354, Craig Stammen
• 2007 # 6, Ross Detwiler
• 2007 # 67, Jordan Zimmermann

Reds, 202 total picks, 8 have reached the majors, 4%.

In 2007 the Reds received the 34th overall pick (supplemental) and the 104th overall pick from the Giants signing of FA 1B Rich Aurilia, and the 53rd overall pick (supplemental) from the Mets signing of FA P Scott Schoeneweis.  In 2008 they lost their 2nd round draft pick for signing FA P Francisco Cordero.  Thus the net of 2 extra draft picks.  None of their compensation picks have reached the majors.

• 2005 # 12, Jay Bruce
• 2005 # 182, Jeff Stevens
• 2005 # 332, Carlos Fisher
• 2005 # 362, Adam Rosales
• 2005 # 1259, John Axford
• 2006 # 8, Drew Stubbs
• 2006 # 204, Justin Turner
• 2006 # 294, Josh Roenicke

Rockies, 202 total picks, 2 have reached the majors, 1%.

In 2005 the Rockies received the 32nd overall pick (supplemental) and the 52nd overall pick from the Nationals signing of FA 3B Vinny Castilla.  Thus 2 extra draft picks.  None of their compensation picks have made the majors.

• 2005 # 7, Troy Tulowitzki
• 2006 # 2, Greg Reynolds

Pirates, 200 total picks, 3 have reached the majors, 1%.

• 2005 # 11, Andrew McCutchen
• 2005 # 121, Brent Lillibridge
• 2005 # 241, Steven Pearce

Brewers, 199 total picks, 5 have reached the majors, 3%.

In 2005 the Brewers lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA C Damian Miller.  In 2007 they lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA P Jeff Suppan.  In 2008 they received the 32nd overall pick (supplemental) and the 53rd overall pick from the Reds signing of FA P Francisco Cordero, and the 35th overall pick (supplemental) and the 54th overall pick from the White Sox signing of FA P Scott Linebrink.  The Brewers chose not to exercise their final 3 picks in the 2007 draft.  Thus the net loss of 1 pick.  None of their compensation picks have reached the majors.

• 2005 # 5, Ryan Braun
• 2005 # 115, Mat Gamel
• 2005 # 205, Michael Brantley
• 2005 # 475, Andrew Bailey
• 2007 # 7, Matt LaPorta

Cubs, 199 total picks, 3 have reached the majors, 2%.

In 2005 the Cubs received the 108th overall pick from the Red Sox signing of FA P Matt Clement.  In 2006 they lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA P Bobby Howry, their 3rd round pick for signing FA P Scott Eyre and their 4th round pick for signing FA OF Jacque Jones.  In 2007 they received the 48th overall pick (supplemental) from the Dodgers signing of FA OF Juan Pierre, and lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA OF Alfonso Soriano.  In 2008 they received the 41st overall pick (supplemental) from the Brewers signing of FA C Jason Kendall.  Thus the net loss of 1 pick.  None of their compensation picks has made the majors.

• 2005 # 68, Donald Veal
• 2006 # 13, Tyler Colvin
• 2006 # 149, Jeff Samardzija

Giants, 199 total picks, 12 have reached the majors, 6%.

In 2005 the Giants lost their 1st round pick for signing FA P Armando Benitez, their 2nd round pick for signing FA C Mike Matheny, and their 3rd round pick for signing FA SS Omar Vizquel.  In 2006 they received the 33rd overall pick (supplemental) and the 89th overall pick from the Cubs signing of FA P Scott Eyre, and they lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA P Matt Morris and their 3rd round pick for signing FA P Tim Worrell.  In 2007 they received the 22nd overall pick and the 43rd overall pick (supplemental) from the Dodgers signing of FA P Jason Schmidt, the 29th overall pick and the 32nd overall pick (supplemental) from the Mets signing of FA OF Moises Alou, and the 51st overall pick (supplemental) from the Reds signing of FA P Mike Stanton, and they lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA P Barry Zito, their 3rd round pick for signing FA 1B Rich Aurilia, and their 4th round pick for signing FA OF Dave Roberts.  In 2008 they received the 37th overall pick (supplemental) from the Phillies signing of 3B Pedro Feliz, and they lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA OF Aaron Rowand.  Thus the net loss of 1 pick.  2 of their compensation picks have made the majors (Emmanuel Burriss & Conor Gillaspie).

• 2005 # 372, Joe Martinez
• 2005 # 462, Alex Hinshaw
• 2005 # 852, Sergio Romo
• 2006 # 10, Tim Lincecum
• 2006 # 33, Emmanuel Burriss
• 2006 # 176, Ryan Rohlinger
• 2006 # 266, Brian Bocock
• 2006 # 1076, Matt Downs
• 2007 # 10, Madison Baumgarner
• 2007 # 284, Dan Runzler
• 2008 # 5, Buster Posey
• 2008 # 37, Conor Gillaspie

Astros, 192 total picks, 3 have reached the majors, 2%.

In 2005 the Astros received the 38th overall pick (supplemental) and the 89th overall pick from the Mets signing of FA OF Carlos Beltran.  In 2007 they lost their 1st round pick for signing FA OF Carlos Lee, and their 2nd round pick for signing FA P Woody Williams.  In 2008 they received the 38th overall pick (supplemental) from the Rays signing FA P Trever Miller, and the 109th overall pick (supplemental) for failure to sign a previous draft pick.  The Astros chose not to exercise their final 4 picks of the 2005 amateur draft and their final 6 picks of the 2007 amateur draft.  Thus a net loss of 8 picks.  1 of their compensation picks has made the majors (Tommy Manzella).

• 2005 # 89, Tommy Manzella
• 2006 # 129, Chris Johnson
• 2006 # 189, Bud Norris

Mets, 191 total picks, 9 have reached the majors, 5%.

In 2005 the Mets lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA P Pedro Martinez and their 3rd round pick for signing FA OF Carlos Beltran.  In 2006 they lost their 1st round pick for signing FA P Billy Wagner.  In 2007 they received the 42nd overall pick (supplemental) and the 77th overall pick from the Indians signing of FA P Roberto Hernandez, and they received the 47th overall pick (supplemental) and 99th overall pick from the Orioles signing of FA P Chad Bradford, and they lost their 1st round pick for signing FA OF Moises Alou.  In 2008 the Mets received the 18th overall pick and the 33rd overall pick (supplemental) from the Braves signing FA P Tom Glavine.  The Mets chose not to exercise their final 10 picks in the 2007 draft.  Thus a net loss of 9 picks.  1 of their compensation picks has reached the majors (Eddie Kunz).

• 2005 # 9, Mike Pelfrey
• 2005 # 209, Jonathon Niese
• 2005 # 269, Bobby Parnell
• 2005 # 389, Josh Thole
• 2006 # 62, Kevin Mulvey
• 2006 # 94, Joe Smith
• 2006 # 394, Daniel Murphy
• 2006 # 484, Tobi Stoner
• 2007 # 42, Eddie Kunz

Padres, 187 total picks, 10 have reached the majors, 5%.

In 2005 the Padres received the 35th overall pick (supplemental) and the 76th overall pick from the Red Sox signing FA P David Wells.  In 2006 they received the 35th overall pick (supplemental) and the 53rd overall pick from the Orioles signing FA P Roberto Hernandez.  In 2007 they received the 40th overall pick (supplemental) and the 81st overall pick from the Astros signing FA P Woody Williams, they received the 46th overall pick (supplemental) and the 134th overall pick from the Giants signing FA OF Dave Roberts, they received the 57th overall pick (supplemental) from the Mets signing FA P Chan Ho Park, they received the 63rd overall pick (supplemental) from the A’s signing FA P Alan Embree, and they received the 64th overall pick (supplemental) from the Giants signing FA 1B Ryan Klesko. In 2008 they received the 42nd overall pick (supplemental) from the Brewers signing FA OF Mike Cameron, they received the 46th overall pick (supplemental) for the Astros signing FA P Doug Brocail, and they received the 111th overall pick (supplemental) for failure to sign a previous draft pick.  The Padres chose not to exercise their final 5 picks in the 2006 draft, their final 15 picks in the 2007 draft and their final 7 picks in the 2008 draft.  Thus a net loss of 13 picks.  2 of their compensation picks have made it to the majors (Cesar Ramos & Nick Hundley).

• 2005 # 18, Cesar Carrillo
• 2005 # 35, Cesar Ramos
• 2005 # 66, Chase Headley
• 2005 # 76, Nick Hundley
• 2005 # 98, Josh Geer
• 2005 # 218, Will Venable
• 2006 # 17, Matt Antonelli
• 2006 # 61, Wade LeBlanc
• 2006 # 73, David Freese
• 2006 # 333, Mat Latos

Dodgers, 186 total picks, 4 have reached the majors, 2%.

In 2005 the Dodgers received the 40th overall pick (supplemental) and the 51st overall pick from the Mariners signing of FA 3B Adrian Beltre, and they lost their 1st round pick for signing FA P Derek Lowe.  In 2006 they received the 26th overall pick and the 31st overall pick (supplemental) from the Angels signing FA P Jeff Weaver, and they lost their 2nd round pick for signing FA SS Rafael Furcal and their 3rd round pick for signing FA 3B Bill Mueller.  In 2007 they received the 20th overall pick and the 39th overall pick (supplemental) from the Red Sox signing FA SS Julio Lugo, and they lost their 1st round pick for signing FA P Jason Schmidt.  In 2007 the Dodgers chose not to exercise their final 11 picks of the draft and in 2008 they chose not to exercise their final 5 picks.  Thus a net loss of 14 picks.  1 of their compensation picks has made it to the majors (Luke Hochevar).

• 2005 # 40, Luke Hochevar
• 2005 # 166, Jonathan Meloan
• 2005 # 196, Brent Leach
• 2006 # 7, Clayton Kershaw

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Aroldis Chapman, the 21 year old Cuban defector who recently declared for free agency, Looks to wow MLB scouts with his 100 MPH+ fastball, five pitch repertoire (fastball, slider, curve, change, cutter), and enough potential to make scouts blush. The Mets have a history of gushing over international free agents (losing out on Dice-K, Jose Contreras) and have history employing Cuban pitchers (The Hernandez brothers), with mixed results. Will this Cuban Missile be added to the Mets plans in 2010 and beyond, or will Met fans be relegated to only enjoying a new Cuban Sandwich on the Blue Smoke menu? Let’s take a look at the numbers Chapman has compiled in both the Cuban League and in International competition.

Chapman by the numbers (Baseball Reference, Baseball Prospectus):

2005-2006: 3-5, 4.33 ERA.

2006-2007: 4-3, 7 SV, 2.77 ERA, 100 K’s, 59 H, 81 1/3 IP. He led the league in strikeouts, though he also ranked 6th in walks (50).

2007 Pan American Games: 0-0, 1IP, 2K, 0.00 ERA

2007 Baseball World Cup: 2-0, 20K in 17IP. He was named to the tournament All-Star team as the top left-handed pitcher.

2007-2008: 6-7 with a 3.89 ERA, .200 BAA and 79 strikeouts in 74 innings, tied for 7th in the league in strikeouts.

2009 WBC: 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA, 8 K’s in 6 1/3 IP.

2008-2009: 11-4, 4.03 ERA 130 K’s, 118 1/3 IP. He led the league in strikeouts, was tied for 4th in wins, was 5th with 62 walks and tied for the most wild pitches (14).

4 yr totals at Holguin: 24-19 record with 365 strikeouts in 327.2 innings with a 3.74 ERA

*Using scouting reports and comparative numbers from former Cuban League players currently in the MLB, the Cuban League plays between High-A and Double AA ball competitively, but with more talent disparity among the players, meaning the overall talent equals Double-A ball, but you have outliers of Major League talent as well as Low-A or Rookie Ball talent.

Most notable comparables at age (Baseball Prospectus): Mike Gonzalez, Oliver Perez, Andy Sisco, Scott Linebrink, Brian Fuentes

Notice by these numbers how Chapman has had great success as a relief pitcher as well as in the Cuban League, and how he has struggled against the big boys (the World Baseball Classic). He’s like Megan Fox in a way: Give ‘em a lay-up (her role in Transformers, his role facing Cuban League hitters) and they will give you a YouTube worthy reverse, two-handed jam (Become the Hottest Woman in Hollywood, Become the Cuban Nolan Ryan). Hand them the keys to the Bentley, and they wrap it around a tree (Jennifer’s Body**, the World Baseball Classic).

**Jennifer’s Body? WHAT? Your Megan Fox’s agent. She is a STAR. She fixes a car with a tied up flannel shirt and some jean shorts on, and she blows up. So you decide the best next role for her is a possessed chick who kills everything in sight by opening her mouth Alien style? There was no other leading role you could have put her in? You really think that by just being amazingly hot and being in two Michael Bay films with billions of dollars in advertising budgets, she could carry this abortion of a film? Really?

How do the Mets handle negotiating with Chapman? Do they need a 21 year old southpaw with unlimited upside who struck out 130 professional hitters in 118 innings? YES (doesn’t everybody?). Can they afford to outbid the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels (he prefers a Southern California team…that’s nice…hey Omar, go throw $50 mil to this unproven kid who wants to pitch in warm weather and oh by the way, he might not pan out) for his services? NOT THIS YEAR. Here’s why:

1. Omar Minaya is bad at his job: Ollie Perez, 12 million a year? Sure! Thanks Omar for basing a three year contract in 2009 on one playoff game (THAT HE LOST!!) in 2006. Luis Castillo, until 2011? Why not! His bad knees will get better with time, everybody’s knees do! If Minaya didn’t waste all of his money on albatross contracts like Castillo and Perez, we could have some money to risk on a player of Chapman’s potential. Now Minaya must exhaust all of his 2010 funds on win-now players, and even that might not be enough to keep his head out of the guillotine. Side note Wilpons, if you need someone to don the Executioner garb and pull the rope sending the Ax Blade screaming down towards Omar’s melon, I’m sure you can make a pretty penny putting this job up on eBay. Just a thought.

1. John Lackey is expensive: We need a frontline starter to couple with Johan. Enough said. Unless we drug Jim Hendry into giving us Big Z and Milton Bradley for Ollie (Milton bad contract swap), Castillo, and let’s say….Holt, Parnell, and Jeffrey Marte (you wouldn’t give up those three for Big Z? Really?) or trade 35 cents for the dollar that is Gil Meche, then John Lackey will be “Showing Up at Shea” in 2010 for the Mets. (It’s not that I don’t call it Citi, I just love that tagline!)

1. Yankees! Red Sox! It’s bidding war 2010, presented by Just for Men! Stay in the game like Keith does, with Just for Men!: When the Evil Empire and the Red Sox Nation want someone, they pay to get them. Boston’s winning bid for the Dice was eight figures more than the Mets, who had the second highest bid. And the fact that Aroldis is already California Dreamin’ makes it even more possible that the Yanks and Sox break the bank for the phenom.

In closing, Aroldis Chapman would be a great value for a big market team that can afford him, and afford to develop him into a dominant talent. Unfortunately for the Amazins, Minaya’s plan for the Mets was as properly thought out as Fox giving Michael Strahan a sitcom, and that will prevent them from making an investment in Chapman’s services in return for his potential dominance of the league in three to four years. (Please don’t tell me you like Michael Strahan’s sitcom. Please.)

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ITS A TIE!!!

David Wright and Daniel Murphy both have amassed 16 MUA’s a piece. After days of deliberation and bribes(i kid…kind of..), I have decided that real men hit home runs and stay on the field. Since Murph finished with 12 home runs(Wright finished with 10 home runs) and never hit the DL list, your 2009 Man Up Champ is…

Daniel Murphy finished with 12 HR’s/.266 avg/63 RBI’s/.417 SLG. Since his first at bat in the 2nd half of 2008, Murph has always been talked about as having an outstanding work ethic. That work ethic showed up every time he stepped into the batters box and earned him a starting spot in 2009. Murphy didn’t waste any time from the close of 2008 with a home run in the season opener of the 2009 season that accounted for the only offense in the game. Unfortunately that high did not last as his defensive short comings began to take center stage. As if on cue, the classic cliche “Things happen for a reason” reared its head in the form of what would turn out to be a season ending injury to Mets 1b man Carlos Delgado. The Mets eased Murphy into the infield where he spent most of his time in AAA. Murph took the bull by its horns and improved at 1b almost on a game basis. Murphy would be only one of two players to play the whole season without hitting the DL, as most of the Mets lineup did. Murph(unexpectedly) would finish the 2009 season as the Mets home run leader. Daniel manned up more than anyone on the Mets this year and is a deserving winner of the 2009 Man Up Championship.

A look at how the other Mets fared in 2009:

David Wright-16 Mua’s

Francisco Rodriguez-14 Mua’s

Jeff Francoeur-12 Mua’s

Angel Pagan-11 Mua’s

Omir Santos-8 Mua’s

Sean Green-8 Mua’s

Luis Castillo-7 Mua’s

Pedro Feliciano-7 Mua’s

Johan Santana-6 Mua’s

Gary Sheffield-6 Mua’s

Carlos Beltran-5 Mua’s

Ryan Church-5 Mua’s

Mike Pelfrey-4 Mua’s

Livan Hernandez-4 Mua’s

Brian Stokes-4 Mua’s

Bobby Parnell-4 Mua’s

Anderson Hernandez-4 Mua’s

John Maine-3 Mua’s

Tim Redding-3 Mua’s

Fernando Tatis-3 Mua’s

Fernando Nieve-3 Mua’s

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Once again it’s time to get your daily dose of TRDMB’s Mets in the Papers.

Brian Costa, “NY Mets Make Minor Changes To Staff With Eye Toward Next Season”

The Mets addressed their alarming lack of defensive fundamentals this year with the removal of Alomar, who was also the infield coach. They addressed their repeated baserunning gaffes by booting Alicea and reassigning Shines.

Bart Hubbuch, “Bring On The Knife: Reyes Opts For Surgery”

If Reyes had chosen surgery in early June, when the hamstring tendon was torn, he could have returned for the final month of the season. Instead, he kept putting it off in a failed bid to heal the injury non-surgically and ended up not playing after May 20.

Bart Hubbuch, “Mets Spare Razor Ax In Shakeup”

Manuel, who is heading into the final season of a two-year contract, faced the most scrutiny for bringing back Shines after the former major-league first baseman was a total disaster coaching third base.

David Lennon, “Jeff Wilpon Promises Improvement; 2 Coaches Fired”

As for the coaches, Manuel said he was unhappy with a number of areas. Defensive lapses in the infield, especially the problems turning double plays, led him to dismiss Alomar Sr. He said he had to dump Alicea and switch Shines because of their poor handling of baserunners.

Asked why he was allowed to return, Manuel picked a curious time to inject some comic relief into the news conference. “Depending on how you feel about the mix that we had, some might say 70-92, I should be the Manager of the Year,” he said, laughing.

“I’m just joking. But no, it was a failure. We didn’t live up to expectations, period, and that’s my responsibility.”

Wallace Matthews, “The Mets’ Problem? It’s In Your Mirror, Jeff Wilpon”

In fact, don’t expect anything to change in Flushing until the year after they change ownership. The Wilpons have got to be the only owners in the history of professional sports who can captain the Titanic as if it were the Good Ship Lollipop.

 

Steve Popper, “Wilpon: No Spending Restrictions”

 

While it has been assumed all along that the Mets’ payroll would shrink with approximately $30 million due to come off the $147 million the team spent in 2009 — and the memory of the Bernie Madoff scandal still fresh enough to explain a savings plan — Wilpon said no limits have been placed on spending.

Adam Rubin, “Mets Fire Bench Coach Sandy Alomar Sr. And First Base Coach Luis Alicea”

Dan Warthen appeared vulnerable because the Mets issued the second-most walks in the majors despite playing in a pitcher-friendly park, but Manuel offered a positive review of the pitching coach. Manuel suggested Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine had the best stretches of their careers under Warthen. Manuel partially assigned responsibility for the walks to pitchers such as Livan Hernandez, who purposely pitched around certain hitters. Manuel also suggested Maine threw more strikes in September when he returned injury-free.

Let’s Go Mets !

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