Cal

I found a great article on my favorite player of all time, Cal Ripken Jr. It talks about his additude towards baseball and life. For The Article Click Here

Zito Signs with GIants

ESPN News reported a few minutes ago that Barry Zito has signed with the San Fransisco Giants for an unbelivable deal of 126 Million for 7 seasons.... 18 million a season!

It is pretty crushing to the Mets that they didnt get Zito. Though, you cant really do anything about it if a team is going to offer that good of a contract. I would have been very angry if the mets wasted that much money on that many years on Zito. The Mets really have not been looking into alot of other free agent pitchers. I guess they are going to have to trade someone because everyone knows they can not make it in the playoffs with their rotation.

Sundays

I recently recieved the Mets Sunday Ticket Plan which is tickets to all of the Mets 2007 Sunday Games. My seats are pretty good....

Upper Reserved

Section 18

Row A (First Row)

Seats 5 + 6

I am looking to sell my tickets for sunday July 29 vs. the Nationals... If you would like to purchase those tickets please contact me at debus15@yahoo.com

Closer To Signing Zito

The Mets and agent Scott Boras are talking today in LA. The Giants and Seattle are believed to have had discussions with Boras at the winter meetings, but nothing formal since. It stands to reason if they have interest they'll be some sort of meeting, which means it doesn't get done this week.

As of now, the Mets haven't made one but are discussing parameters. They like five years and $73 million; Boras is thinking six and $100 million.

http://lohud.com/blogs/lohudmets.html

Omar Places Third on GM Ratings

Mets GM Omar Minaya placed third in an ESPN poll ranking the 30 general managers.

Top 7:

1. Billy Beane, Oakland
2. John Schuerholz, Atlanta
3. Omar Minaya, Mets
4. Theo Epstein, Boston
5. Brian Cashman, Yankees
6. Kenny Williams, White Sox
7. Walt Jocketty, St. Louis

Endy Wins TYIB Award

Endy Chavez's breathtaking catch in Game 7 of the NLCS has won him the 2006 This Year In Baseball Award for Postseason Moment of the Year Award. What a catch...

Baseball Prospectus Mets Top Ten Prospects

Kevin Goldstein ranks the Mets Top Ten Prospects as followed:
Excellent Prospects:
1. Fernando Martinez, cf, Age 18,(Recieved the largest bonus in the 2005 international signing season $1.4 million,Dominican Republic)
2. Philip Humber, rhp, Age 23(turns 24 december 21)
3. Mike Pelfrey, rhp Age 22(1st round, 2005, Wichita State)
Very Good Prospects:
4. Carlos Gomez, of, Age 21(Youngest Player on Mets 40 man roster)
Good Prospects:
5. Alay Soler, rhp, Age 27, (Most Experience)
Average Prospects:
6. Jon Niese, lhp, Age 20, ( 7th round, 2005, Ohio HS)
7. Kevin Mulvey, rhp, Age 21, (2nd round, 2006, Villanova)
8. Mike Carp, 1b, Age 20, (9th round, 2004, California HS)
9. Deolis Guerra, rhp, Age 17, (Allowed three or fewer runs in all 17 Sally League starts, and three only once)
10. Joe Smith, rhp, Age 22, (3rd round, 2006, Wright State)
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I believe these are pretty fair rankings but I would make a few Changes. I would first switch #2Phillip Humber and #4Carlos Gomez. I would also move Mike Carp down to #6, Niese to #5, Soler to #7, and bumb everyone else up one. I remember going to a Hagerstown Suns game over the summer... Before the game I looked online to see if there were anyone with some potential... I spoted 17 year Fernando Martinez... At the time he was not nearly as popular and as highly valued as he was in early July when I saw the game. I asked someone is Fernando Martinez playing tonight... About a week before that he got injured and did not play.... Since then I have always been looking into Fernando to see his progress and now he is considered one of, if not the Mets best prospects. For the bio and to go to the site Click Here

Bowman Progressing in Winter League

Mets Minor Leaguer Shawn Bowman has been among the standouts in Nicaragua this winter, leading the league in home runs and RBI to earn Player of the Month honors for November.

Bowman, a 22-year-old third baseman, has powered the offense for Tigres de Chinandega, serving as the club's cleanup hitter. Entering play Tuesday, Bowman was batting .342 (26-for-76) with five homers, six doubles, 13 runs scored and 15 RBI.
In addition to pacing the circuit in home runs and RBI, Bowman ranked fifth in the Nicaraguan League in batting average, fourth in hits and third in runs scored.

Considered the top third base prospect in the Mets system, Bowman was a 12th round selection in 2002 out of high school in Canada. He was sidelined in 2006 while playing with Class-A St. Lucie of the Florida State League due to a fractured L-5 vertebrate in his back, the second consecutive year Bowman suffered such an injury.

In 32 games for St. Lucie, Bowman batted .252 with three home runs and 19 RBI. He briefly considered having surgery to repair the back but eventually settled upon a rehabilitation program, which was carried out at the Mets' Tradition Field training complex.

He is expected to vie for a promotion to Double-A Binghamton of the Eastern League during spring training, though a return to St. Lucie is possible.

Bowman's Chinandega club also features four other Mets farmhands: Ambiorix Concepcion (.241, 4 HR, 6 RBI), Caleb Stewart (.324, 3 HR, 10 RBI), Wilson Batista (.345, 2 HR, 12 RBI) and Chuck
http://mets.scout.com/2/600144.html

Funny Site

I found a funny site about our New York Mets Prospects Lastings Milledge.... Funny.....
Click Here

Mets Not Tender Zambrono

The Mets opted not to tender Victor Zambrano a contract for next year. Though, they will keep negotiating with him.

The team did sign lefty Dave Williams to a one-year contract and tendered contracts to Endy Chavez, Duaner Sanchez, Ramon Castro and Oliver Perez.

Mazzilli to Join SNY Staff

SportsNet New York announced that it has hired former Met Lee Mazzilli to work as a studio analyst for at least 85 games this summer. SNY said hiring Mazzilli allows Ron Darling to work more games and to go with a three-man team more times.

As far as being critical of Willie Randolph, Mazzilli said: ``I have to be honest. If I can't say what I feel and think I would be shortchanging the viewers.''
http://lohud.com/blogs/lohudmets.html

Spring Training Schedule

To see the Mets 2007 Spring Training Schedule which begins on Febuary 28 and comes to an end on March 31 Click Here

Fun Fact

In case you are wondering Carlos Gomez is the Youngest Player on the Mets 40 Man Roster. He turned 21 last week (December 4th).

Nationals Snag Jesus Flores in Rule 5 Draft

The Mets have lost catching prospect Jesus Flores to the Nationals in the Rule 5 draft. He must remain on Washington's major-league roser the entire 2007 season or be offered back to the Mets.
I really liked the guy.I have been following hime since mid July. Damn...

Mota Back For More

I guess the Mets did not mind Mota missing the first 50 games of the Regular Season for violating Major League Baseballs Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program. The Mets signed Mota for a two-year, $5 million contract on Thursday. He will loose about $555,000 because he will not recieve pay during his suspension.

If we did not really need him I would not like this move, but he is a good pitcher. How good will he be with out Roids, remember he was awful on the Indians earlyer in the season. And do we really want someone on the team with that image. But, he was solid so he better keep it up.

Gary is Gone

On the day '86 Met Howard Johnson officially became the Mets' first-base coach, the agent for another member of Flushing's last World Series champion confirmed his client had left the organization.

Gary Carter, who skippered high-A St. Lucie to the Florida State League title last season, had been offered the managerial position at Double-A Binghamton. Carter, not wanting to partake in the Eastern League's long bus rides, informed Mets officials he preferred to remain with St. Lucie. Told that position was going to Frank Cacciatore, Carter bolted. He already has contacted the Rockies about their Triple-A hitting coach position.

HoJo will be responsible for outfield and base-running instruction with the Mets.

Willie Randolph indicated he also considered Ken Oberkfell and Bobby Meacham for the job. Oberkfell is expected to manage Triple-A New Orleans, while Meacham became the Padres' first-base coach. Sandy Alomar Sr. will shift from first to coaching third.

"I went from the infield to the outfield, so basically I had to learn how to play it," HoJo said. "I played all three (outfield positions) at Shea Stadium. They're all unique."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/

HoJo Returns

Howard Johnson has joined the Mets' coaching staff, filling a hole left by the departure of Manny Acta to the Nationals.

Johnson will serve as the Mets' first-base and outfield coach, while also instructing baserunning, manager Willie Randolph said Wednesday. Sandy Alomar will shift to become the new third-base coach, replacing Acta.

Yes, HoJo is back... This should be fun and who doesnt love the guy....

Trade

The New York Mets announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Ambiorix Burgos in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brian Bannister.

Ambiorix, 22, spent the entire 2006 campaign in the majors with Kansas City. In 68 games, one start, he posted a 4-5 record with a 5.52 ERA and 18 saves. In 73.1 innings, he gave up 83 hits, 49 runs, 45 earned, with 37 walks and 72 strikeouts.
Burgos made his first big league start, Sept. 30th at Detroit. He allowed one earned run over his last 8.2 innings (seven appearances). He was the Royals Pitcher of the Month for April and in 11 July games he allowed two earned runs (13.2 innings). The Royals were 35-33 in games that Ambiorix pitched.

The 6-3, 235-pound Burgos made his major league debut in 2005 with the Royals. He was 3-5 with a 3.98 ERA with two saves in 59 games. In 63.1 innings, he allowed 60 hits, 29 runs, 28 earned, with 31 walks and 65 strikeouts. Ambiorix has compiled 137 strikeouts over the last two seasons, most by any Royals relief pitcher.

The Nagua, Dominican Republic native was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent as a 16-year old on Nov. 14, 2000.

Bannister, 25, began this season in the Mets starting rotation, making five starts in April before being placed on the disabled list on April 28th with a strained right hamstring. Brian rejoined the Mets in August and finished the year 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in eight games, six starts. In 38.0 innings, he surrendered 34 hits, 18 runs, earned, with 22 walks and 19 strikeouts.

Sad to see Bannister go, but nice to get a young power arm... though I am a little scared about his control...

Talk of Trade and Winter Meeting Update

There has been talk about The Royals trading RHP Ambiorix Burgos for Brian Bannister… In 73 innings last season, Burgos, 22, was 4-5 with a 5.52 ERA. In his previous season for the Royals, he posted a 3.98 ERA while striking out 65 batters in 63 innings.

Recently, I have heard the mets possibly obtaining Rodrigo Lopez but I doubt this will pan out. He is also crap. I would rather get Erik Bedard from the Orioles. Good lefty and he is a graduate of Norwalk Comunity College...My dream school.

J.D. Drew signed with the Red Sox for a five-year, $70 million deal. Stupid move red sox. He is not even close to worth that money.

Zito Report: Zito is down to the Rangers and the Mets... The difference is:

Rangers: Mets:
More Money Rick Peterson
More Years Likes New York
Wants to WIN
Who Will Win?

Winter Leagues

North Shore Honu

RHP Blake Eager -- Eager finished up his HWB season on Nov. 18 by giving up two runs on three hits in two innings. The right-hander went 0-1 with a 3.47 ERA in 11 games with North Shore.

1B Mike Carp -- The 20-year-old Carp collected four two-hit games in his last six contests with the Honu. He finished with a .299 batting average and 17 RBIs in 30 games.

RHP Robert Parnell -- The 22-year-old right-hander ended his winter season with his best performance, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings and picking up a win on Nov. 20. He improved to 2-1 and knocked his ERA down to 6.21.

OF Dustin Martin -- Martin recorded his first three-hit game on Nov. 11, but he managed just three more hits in his final six games. He ended with a .269 batting average, with a homer and 13 RBIs in 26 games.

C Drew Butera -- Butera finished up his HWB season with a four-game hitting streak. The 5-for-14 stretch boosted his average from .190 to .232.

Dominican Winter League

2B/SS Anderson Hernandez -- The 24-year-old infielder is hitting a solid .290 with 16 runs and nine RBIs in 25 games with Tigres de Licey.

C Sandy Martinez -- Martinez is batting .200 with one homer and five RBIs in 15 games for Licey.

Venezuelan Winter League

RHP Yusaki Iriki -- Iriki is 0-3 with a 10.67 ERA with the Pastora de los Llanos.

OF Jonel Pacheco -- The 24-year-old outfielder went hitless in 10 at-bats for the Aguilas del Zulia, but broke that string with a 2-for-3 effort on Nov. 24. He also collected a hit, drove in a run and scored once on Wednesday. Pacheco is batting .246 with seven RBIs in 19 games.
(Funny story that happend. I was at a Hagerstown Suns game over the Summer. Jonel Pacheco was playing left field and a couple of my friends and I went to the picnic area where you are 20 feet from the player. We began to call out, Cliff, Cliff Floyd, Mocking Jonel...He thought it was very funny laughing but would not give us an autograph.)

RHP Lino Urdaneta -- Urdaneta hasn't pitched for the Cardenales de Lara since Nov. 23, when he pitched a scoreless frame in relief. He has yielded just one run in his last six frames after getting charged with a run in eight straight appearances. The latest stretch has chipped his ERA down to 8.31.

LHP Edgar Alfonzo -- The southpaw upped his record to 2-1 by tossing 1 1/3 scoreless frames for the Navegantes del Magallanes on Nov. 26. Batters are hitting .387 against Alfonzo, but he has a respectable 3.24 ERA.

LHP Ryan Cullen -- The 26-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched for the Pastora de los Llanos since Nov. 4 and is 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA in five games.

RHP Rafael Cova -- The righty hasn't pitched for the Navegantes since Oct. 14.

Mexican Pacific League

RHP Brian Bannister -- Bannister turned in a strong outing on Nov. 17, nabbing a win by yielding one run on five hits in seven innings. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 3.68 ERA in six starts with the Tomateros de Culiacan.
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Miguel Pinango finished 10-7 with a 4.44 ERA for the Double-A Binghamton Mets of the Eastern League this year. His season was highlighted by a no-hitter on July 23 against Portland, which got the right-hander a number of headlines.

Pinango isn't grabbing headlines in the Venezuelan Winter League yet, but he's showing signs that he can be an effective pitcher. The 23-year-old has made 10 of his 11 appearances in relief and has posted a 1-0 record with a 2.55 ERA. In the past week, he made two appearances and tossed six scoreless frames.

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061201&content_id=1748777&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym

Minor League Signing

According to ESPN News, the Mets have signed RHP Clint Nageotte to a minor-league contract.

The 26–year-old Nageotte was a highly-touted pitching prospect for the Mariners during 2002. Last season in the Pacific Coast League, Nageotte was 7–7 with a 5.74 ERA in 19 starts sporting 51 strikeouts and 53 walks in 89 innings pitched.
metsblog.com

Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings started today.... Nothing big has happened yet.... It seems the Mets and Rangers are the Contenders for both Zito and now Vicente Padilla.... Also, their has been some talk about getting Jason Jennings from the Rockies for Bannister and Milledge or another pair.... I believe that would be a stupid trade for these reasons:
1)Only 1 more year left on his contract
2)He isnt that great of a pitcher, In 32 starts for Colorado last season, the 28–year-old Jennings posted a 3.78 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .258 average. His ERA ended above 5.00 in each of the previous seasons.
Though, He did allow three runs or less, while lasting at least six innings, in 56 percent of his starts.
3)Milledge and Bannister have great potential even though Bannister had that hamstring injury and Milledge has yet to live up to the Hype (I think he will)

Bout Time Glavine

Tom Glavine has re-signed with the Mets for a one year deal worth 10.5 million and an option for 2008. Thank god.... I was starting to get a little nervous... I mean we already lost some of our bullpen so in my opion this was a must... I'm glad we got it done... And, Glavine lived up to his word by getting the deal done before the Winter Meetings like he said he would... Now lets go get Zito!