I thought it might be fun to take a real life Hall of Fame player and put his abilities into a fantasy card. So would this player make the grade here? Can you guess who it might be? Many of you probably seen him play. I did have a little problem with the splits.
Range: 90
Glove 90
Arm: 88
Accuracy: 88
Durability: 85
Health: 85
Speed: 75
Patience: 80
Temper: 40
Makeup: 90
Contact: 85
Power: 5
Left Split: 50
Right Split: 50
Eye: 85
Base Running: 85
Bunting: 50
Push/Pull: 50
No one wants to guess? Well, maybe to hard at this point. Hmm, it is hard to give clues because some of the major accomplishments would give it away too easily. A 15 time All-Star might help some. Was drafted the first time by the Tigs in the 7th round but couldn't reach a deal, the second time by the Padres in the 4th. Had the worst qualified batting average in the league his second pro year. Was traded for "Jumpsteady". Did that help?
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
Crying In My Beer
Here I am sitting at the local Pub drowning my sorrows at the up coming season. It could be a very woeful season as the off-season wasn't all that kind to the Mets. It was already going to be bad with our needs in the pitching realm worsening by the day. Topping off and compounding the situation was Dom Tabaka opting out of his contract. This one mystifies me as he is only asking for another season for $6M which we would have gladly given an extension for that amount. What can you say about the overall best consistent closer the last 5 seasons other than good luck.
At least coaching isn't all that much a problem this season. The Bench Coach will probably be the weakest link in the end but then again I don't consider them much of a concern to begin with. I was expecting the Hitting Coach wanting to fly the roost, but no, he is gladly returning. The biggest question in the coaching realm is whether to promote a coach that I don't consider worthy of the organization. Guess it isn't much an embellishment.
I have decided about who is on the trade block and who is going to be catching for us this season. So with that decided, the only thing needed to make this work is a closer which wasn't on the calendar.
Merry Christmas and Happy new year everyone!
At least coaching isn't all that much a problem this season. The Bench Coach will probably be the weakest link in the end but then again I don't consider them much of a concern to begin with. I was expecting the Hitting Coach wanting to fly the roost, but no, he is gladly returning. The biggest question in the coaching realm is whether to promote a coach that I don't consider worthy of the organization. Guess it isn't much an embellishment.
I have decided about who is on the trade block and who is going to be catching for us this season. So with that decided, the only thing needed to make this work is a closer which wasn't on the calendar.
Merry Christmas and Happy new year everyone!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Looking Ahead to Next Season
The Mets have already been looking at actions for next season already. For one, we are heavily considering moving back to Shea which is probably a given for a couple reasons. So Mr Commish we will need the password to make that happen after rollover.
Salary is going to be a big concern next season. Leo Rodney will want a big contract and we are going to be more than willing to give out a 5 year $8M deal. We will have two players in arbitration for the first time and they are keepers for sure and won't cost much next season.
Now comes the hard part as we will need to trade a player.
Clarence Valentin is on our sell list. The chances of moving him are slim as he has the right of refusal. He has lost too much range to be useful in CF though he is still valuable but not as a full time starter as we have better assets and that is the problem.
Benito Ozuna is also on the sell list. Not a must as we like what he brings to the table but is hampered due to the fact we have three LF's on the roster and RF is totally out.
Omar Ordonez is also on the list though we would rather keep him and play him in RF even though his play there is uninspiring.
Dan Radke might be on the list. The problem here is that I really like him but for some reason he has just never came around at the plate like I think he should.
Major players leaving via Free Agency.
Emil Flores is a great fielder but just never came to much at the plate and was always in the dog house.
Don Zhou is probably one of the best short relievers in the game. In 6 seasons he has compiled a 26-8 record for us but we have a couple youngsters on the way which makes him expendable.
Al Limon is a pretty good medium to long reliever and has served us well for many seasons. He has always been a Met and hate to see him go but contract demands deem it necessary.
Hector Fernandez played well for us in the long run, seldom got that lucky break. He is just one of those players you just want to say "WTF happened!!?".
Danys Candelaria is one of those players that can be really good and really bad. The unfortunate part was his bad outshined his good.
I have been looking over the coaching staff as well and there probably going to be a little shake up happening for next season. The same staff for two seasons with identical records, that could be a first but not an exciting one unless you make the playoffs. For one the Hitting coach just doesn't seem to be getting the job done. Me thinks we need to look elsewhere in this category. Me thinks that the First Base coach just might want the job, he is young and brash and probably not ready for the assignment but we are willing to give him a chance. Third Base could also find a new face in the crowd but it depends if Phil is going to retire or not. The Pitching coach slot might see a change but that one will be up in the air until rollover is completed. The Bull Pen slot will probably see a change as Pablo really wants to move up. I don't like paying a fortune for a Bench coach but he is good and the grooming needs to continue in the minors. I am hoping the Fielding Instructor wants to return.
Now as for the budget, I am in a bit of a quandary. There really isn't much need to spend a lot more money on scouting though I am going to raise the High School and International off the floor a bit and maybe put in a little more effort into College. Putting a whole lot into prospect would be a waste, drafting in the 20's means you aren't going to get a superstar and the budgets for prospects was through the roof for several clubs to try and vie for a quality International.
Salary is going to be a big concern next season. Leo Rodney will want a big contract and we are going to be more than willing to give out a 5 year $8M deal. We will have two players in arbitration for the first time and they are keepers for sure and won't cost much next season.
Now comes the hard part as we will need to trade a player.
Clarence Valentin is on our sell list. The chances of moving him are slim as he has the right of refusal. He has lost too much range to be useful in CF though he is still valuable but not as a full time starter as we have better assets and that is the problem.
Benito Ozuna is also on the sell list. Not a must as we like what he brings to the table but is hampered due to the fact we have three LF's on the roster and RF is totally out.
Omar Ordonez is also on the list though we would rather keep him and play him in RF even though his play there is uninspiring.
Dan Radke might be on the list. The problem here is that I really like him but for some reason he has just never came around at the plate like I think he should.
Major players leaving via Free Agency.
Emil Flores is a great fielder but just never came to much at the plate and was always in the dog house.
Don Zhou is probably one of the best short relievers in the game. In 6 seasons he has compiled a 26-8 record for us but we have a couple youngsters on the way which makes him expendable.
Al Limon is a pretty good medium to long reliever and has served us well for many seasons. He has always been a Met and hate to see him go but contract demands deem it necessary.
Hector Fernandez played well for us in the long run, seldom got that lucky break. He is just one of those players you just want to say "WTF happened!!?".
Danys Candelaria is one of those players that can be really good and really bad. The unfortunate part was his bad outshined his good.
I have been looking over the coaching staff as well and there probably going to be a little shake up happening for next season. The same staff for two seasons with identical records, that could be a first but not an exciting one unless you make the playoffs. For one the Hitting coach just doesn't seem to be getting the job done. Me thinks we need to look elsewhere in this category. Me thinks that the First Base coach just might want the job, he is young and brash and probably not ready for the assignment but we are willing to give him a chance. Third Base could also find a new face in the crowd but it depends if Phil is going to retire or not. The Pitching coach slot might see a change but that one will be up in the air until rollover is completed. The Bull Pen slot will probably see a change as Pablo really wants to move up. I don't like paying a fortune for a Bench coach but he is good and the grooming needs to continue in the minors. I am hoping the Fielding Instructor wants to return.
Now as for the budget, I am in a bit of a quandary. There really isn't much need to spend a lot more money on scouting though I am going to raise the High School and International off the floor a bit and maybe put in a little more effort into College. Putting a whole lot into prospect would be a waste, drafting in the 20's means you aren't going to get a superstar and the budgets for prospects was through the roof for several clubs to try and vie for a quality International.
World Series Time
The long awaited match up is here, Tampa Bay vs Chicago. While most of us are busy finalizing their Christmas shopping and going to lewd drunken social events (ooh wait that sounds like fun), one of us at least having been analyzing the data. On the surface it looks like a David vs Goliath series, looking at from different aspects, it still is.
We must congratulate the Rays as they failed to make the big show at just about every other seed in recent seasons. This is the Cubs first time since they won back to back titles in seasons 7 and 8.
The Cubs look like a monolithic Goliath and they are. Suzuki, Cook and Chatwood would make the Yankee greats tremble in real life. The Cubs defense was tops in the NL so don't expect fumble fingers to ignite subversive rallies. Pitching by the numbers look great but how much is because of the great offense? Nigel Li is the player to look out for in my books. And a big fact that Willie isn't broken. Cue the goat however.
The Rays on the other hand don't look as impressive in the numbers game. They spread out the long ball which could be taxing against the Cubs pitching staff. The defense is highly adequate. Believe it or not, the Rays pitching staff might be better overall. Though Shaggy should stay in the Mystery Machine keeping up with the munchies for the games. Randall Frederick is the player to watch as he might be the MVP of the series.
Don't expect a sweep this season like last as the Cubs don't like playing in Florida. That could be their downfall especially if the Rays can garner a split in the first two games. My best take on this series is the Cubs in 5 or 6, the Rays in 7.
We must congratulate the Rays as they failed to make the big show at just about every other seed in recent seasons. This is the Cubs first time since they won back to back titles in seasons 7 and 8.
The Cubs look like a monolithic Goliath and they are. Suzuki, Cook and Chatwood would make the Yankee greats tremble in real life. The Cubs defense was tops in the NL so don't expect fumble fingers to ignite subversive rallies. Pitching by the numbers look great but how much is because of the great offense? Nigel Li is the player to look out for in my books. And a big fact that Willie isn't broken. Cue the goat however.
The Rays on the other hand don't look as impressive in the numbers game. They spread out the long ball which could be taxing against the Cubs pitching staff. The defense is highly adequate. Believe it or not, the Rays pitching staff might be better overall. Though Shaggy should stay in the Mystery Machine keeping up with the munchies for the games. Randall Frederick is the player to watch as he might be the MVP of the series.
Don't expect a sweep this season like last as the Cubs don't like playing in Florida. That could be their downfall especially if the Rays can garner a split in the first two games. My best take on this series is the Cubs in 5 or 6, the Rays in 7.
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Minors
Congrats to the Minor League World Series winners.
AAA - Montreal
AA - Dover
High A - Montreal
Low A - New York
Rookie - Philadelphia
AAA - Montreal
AA - Dover
High A - Montreal
Low A - New York
Rookie - Philadelphia
Monday, December 3, 2012
Post Season Awards and One View
Okay, it is time to vote for the best players in a couple categories. So here is one persons view on how they voted and why.
MVP
Arthur Donatello - Why? More like why not! Which is better, a gold glove offensive powerhouse CF or a run of the mill power 1B?
Barry Cook - I struggled with this for a long while before choosing. It was a toss up with him and Suzuki. I liked Cook's overall offensive numbers better even though he plays a lousy 1B.
Cy Young
Mark James - I normally won't vote for a closer or reliever unless he is named Ivan with 30+ wins or has a perfect save record. A tough choice with Adcock but it was the total innings that won me over.
Victor Morlan or Alex Matos - Can I vote for both? It was a tough choice, Matos actually has better numbers across the board but is at home in a pitchers stadium. Morlan has a powerhouse behind him but in a hitters park. At 37 I chose Matos!
Rookie of the Year
Jack Root - I really wasn't enthused with the rest of the field that much.
Calvin Jung - Played a good 2B, well Chatwood played a great CF. I also liked those 26 SBs. My Bobby Forbes had a better season in my books than Jay Bravo and he isn't even listed.
MVP
Arthur Donatello - Why? More like why not! Which is better, a gold glove offensive powerhouse CF or a run of the mill power 1B?
Barry Cook - I struggled with this for a long while before choosing. It was a toss up with him and Suzuki. I liked Cook's overall offensive numbers better even though he plays a lousy 1B.
Cy Young
Mark James - I normally won't vote for a closer or reliever unless he is named Ivan with 30+ wins or has a perfect save record. A tough choice with Adcock but it was the total innings that won me over.
Victor Morlan or Alex Matos - Can I vote for both? It was a tough choice, Matos actually has better numbers across the board but is at home in a pitchers stadium. Morlan has a powerhouse behind him but in a hitters park. At 37 I chose Matos!
Rookie of the Year
Jack Root - I really wasn't enthused with the rest of the field that much.
Calvin Jung - Played a good 2B, well Chatwood played a great CF. I also liked those 26 SBs. My Bobby Forbes had a better season in my books than Jay Bravo and he isn't even listed.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
End of Season Post
Congrats to all the play off teams!
Odds
NL
Cubs: 5-1
Braves: 4-1
Marlins: 3-1
D'Backs: 1-3
Pirates: 1-2
Reds: 2-2
By all means it should be the Braves vs Cubs for the NL crown with the Cubs winning. Doesn't mean it will happen at all and probably won't if the past is any indication. Who ever gets hot at the right time wins normally. End of season wasn't a good barometer for sure.
AL
Red Sox: 3-1
Mariners: 2-1
Rangers: 2-1
Blue Jays: 1-3
Sky Sox: 2-1
Rays: 2-1
The AL is a horse of a different color and actually hard to handicap even. By all means it should be the Red Sox vs ummmm (I give up). But here again that isn't even a given as me thinks anyone can win it all.
The Mets had another 85 win season and could have won more but the Braves and I decided to play our AAAA players in the last three games. Actually the Mets gave up when John McInerney went down with an injury in the first game against the Phils. Hard to lose your best hitter and expect to win with the way we played all season.
Normally there is something odd in the stats that indicate why a team doesn't win when you know you have a good team. Last season it was the 1-run games and extra inning games where we couldn't do anything right. This season was a complete turnaround in that regard but wins against the division (8-22) did us in. Well, that was the glaring biggie in the end.
We played horrible at the beginning of the season which didn't help one bit. Several changes was made post-haste, actually about 30 games in really. Doesn't help that what should be your best hitter in Leo Rodney was batting .186 but zoomed up to .230 after inter-league play. His average actually stayed there for quite some time until the season was almost over. He still led the team in home runs and walks. Marc Redman even had a bad year at the plate, most of the year he hit in the .240's until the end. In my mind the entire team hit below average, most well below except for Mac.
Pitching was horrible and spotty at the beginning but settled down after a while. R.J. Bellhorn and Harry Rodriguez both won only 7 games and lost 12. Both had 15 Quality Starts a piece, is that a sign of bad luck or what? Not sure how many games they pitched in where they gave up 2 runs or less and didn't have a chance of winning and most of the time they were losing.
Fielding wasn't one of our biggest concerns this season, must be because of the poor hitting. It showed also as we were one of the worst in the error department. Really it wasn't a big deal as a lot of players were put in different positions a lot. But I remember a couple of those poor plays that didn't make sense to me. Like how does a 72 range, 72 glove playing 3B guarding the lines in the 9th inning be out of position? I remember Valentin misplaying three lazy fly balls in center field. Those irked me the most and I remember them because it cost us 3 games that we really needed late in the season.
Next season the Mets are gonna be struggling for sure as we are shedding $27M in salaries and only picking up $8M. Most of that is in the pitching department. We are even going to stay out of the FA market. It is gonna be a case that the offense is gonna produce or else.
Did learn something this year. The difference between a veteran 2B with a 79 range and an 80 range is 3 minus plays.
Odds
NL
Cubs: 5-1
Braves: 4-1
Marlins: 3-1
D'Backs: 1-3
Pirates: 1-2
Reds: 2-2
By all means it should be the Braves vs Cubs for the NL crown with the Cubs winning. Doesn't mean it will happen at all and probably won't if the past is any indication. Who ever gets hot at the right time wins normally. End of season wasn't a good barometer for sure.
AL
Red Sox: 3-1
Mariners: 2-1
Rangers: 2-1
Blue Jays: 1-3
Sky Sox: 2-1
Rays: 2-1
The AL is a horse of a different color and actually hard to handicap even. By all means it should be the Red Sox vs ummmm (I give up). But here again that isn't even a given as me thinks anyone can win it all.
The Mets had another 85 win season and could have won more but the Braves and I decided to play our AAAA players in the last three games. Actually the Mets gave up when John McInerney went down with an injury in the first game against the Phils. Hard to lose your best hitter and expect to win with the way we played all season.
Normally there is something odd in the stats that indicate why a team doesn't win when you know you have a good team. Last season it was the 1-run games and extra inning games where we couldn't do anything right. This season was a complete turnaround in that regard but wins against the division (8-22) did us in. Well, that was the glaring biggie in the end.
We played horrible at the beginning of the season which didn't help one bit. Several changes was made post-haste, actually about 30 games in really. Doesn't help that what should be your best hitter in Leo Rodney was batting .186 but zoomed up to .230 after inter-league play. His average actually stayed there for quite some time until the season was almost over. He still led the team in home runs and walks. Marc Redman even had a bad year at the plate, most of the year he hit in the .240's until the end. In my mind the entire team hit below average, most well below except for Mac.
Pitching was horrible and spotty at the beginning but settled down after a while. R.J. Bellhorn and Harry Rodriguez both won only 7 games and lost 12. Both had 15 Quality Starts a piece, is that a sign of bad luck or what? Not sure how many games they pitched in where they gave up 2 runs or less and didn't have a chance of winning and most of the time they were losing.
Fielding wasn't one of our biggest concerns this season, must be because of the poor hitting. It showed also as we were one of the worst in the error department. Really it wasn't a big deal as a lot of players were put in different positions a lot. But I remember a couple of those poor plays that didn't make sense to me. Like how does a 72 range, 72 glove playing 3B guarding the lines in the 9th inning be out of position? I remember Valentin misplaying three lazy fly balls in center field. Those irked me the most and I remember them because it cost us 3 games that we really needed late in the season.
Next season the Mets are gonna be struggling for sure as we are shedding $27M in salaries and only picking up $8M. Most of that is in the pitching department. We are even going to stay out of the FA market. It is gonna be a case that the offense is gonna produce or else.
Did learn something this year. The difference between a veteran 2B with a 79 range and an 80 range is 3 minus plays.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
The Final Four?
We are down to the final four games, what is there left to play for?
NL
#1 seed is still a bit up in the air a bit. Cubs are up by 2 games for this prestigious spot with the Braves still sniffing around. The Cubs have been playing bombastic with the Brewers then must face the Reds for the finale.
The Braves in the meantime have been enjoying some chicken in Louisville instead of taking care of business. Their finale is with the Mets.
Here's the scoop troops, the Braves only need to tie the Cubs to take the #1 seed due to tie-breakers. The Head to Head was tied at 5-5 but the Braves own the division series in which the Cubs can't catch.
Florida is locked for the #3 seed.
Arizona is locked into the #4 seed finally.
The #5 seed is still a bit sketchy. The Pirates and Reds are playing each other at the moment in their final meeting. A win by the Pirates will lock up the seed. The catch is how problematic the loss of "Franco the Ivan Impersonator" is. The Pirates then travel to Milwaukee and might actually have to win a game.
The #6 seed is somewhat foggy yet. A Reds loss at Pittsburgh and a Mets win in Philly would institute a tie for this seed. Rougher yet, it would mean that both would have a three game series left with the top two seeds, away. Mets must have better record than the Reds to take the seed.
Unlikely scenario, Reds, Mets and Pirates end up tied. Odd man out would be the Pirates.
AL
Boston has captured the #1 seed again
Seattle has captured the #2 seed.
The #3 seed is still a little shady as the Rangers and Rays are still competing for the South crown. A Rangers win should seal the deal. A tie between the two would take it all the way to the third tie-breaker. The best part is both are in regardless. Being real it belongs to Texas.
The #4 seed can be captured by the Blue Jays with a win in any of their remaining games. The Tigers only hope is to win out and the Blue Jays collapse.
The #5 seed belongs to Colorado Springs with a win or Tampa Bay loss.
The #6 seed belongs to the Rangers - Rays loser. Being real it belongs to Tampa Bay.
NL
#1 seed is still a bit up in the air a bit. Cubs are up by 2 games for this prestigious spot with the Braves still sniffing around. The Cubs have been playing bombastic with the Brewers then must face the Reds for the finale.
The Braves in the meantime have been enjoying some chicken in Louisville instead of taking care of business. Their finale is with the Mets.
Here's the scoop troops, the Braves only need to tie the Cubs to take the #1 seed due to tie-breakers. The Head to Head was tied at 5-5 but the Braves own the division series in which the Cubs can't catch.
Florida is locked for the #3 seed.
Arizona is locked into the #4 seed finally.
The #5 seed is still a bit sketchy. The Pirates and Reds are playing each other at the moment in their final meeting. A win by the Pirates will lock up the seed. The catch is how problematic the loss of "Franco the Ivan Impersonator" is. The Pirates then travel to Milwaukee and might actually have to win a game.
The #6 seed is somewhat foggy yet. A Reds loss at Pittsburgh and a Mets win in Philly would institute a tie for this seed. Rougher yet, it would mean that both would have a three game series left with the top two seeds, away. Mets must have better record than the Reds to take the seed.
Unlikely scenario, Reds, Mets and Pirates end up tied. Odd man out would be the Pirates.
AL
Boston has captured the #1 seed again
Seattle has captured the #2 seed.
The #3 seed is still a little shady as the Rangers and Rays are still competing for the South crown. A Rangers win should seal the deal. A tie between the two would take it all the way to the third tie-breaker. The best part is both are in regardless. Being real it belongs to Texas.
The #4 seed can be captured by the Blue Jays with a win in any of their remaining games. The Tigers only hope is to win out and the Blue Jays collapse.
The #5 seed belongs to Colorado Springs with a win or Tampa Bay loss.
The #6 seed belongs to the Rangers - Rays loser. Being real it belongs to Tampa Bay.
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