We've heard a few different rumors involving top-notch starters coming to New York, but neither of them made any sense for the Mets. Here's my opinion on the two recent trade talks:
Jose Reyes (in a package) for Johan Santana:
What the hell? ESPN, RealGM, and MLBTradeRumors all reported some rumors of the Mets possibly trading Reyes for Santana. If this trade went through, the Mets would need to pay Santana 20 Million over the next 5-7 years, whereas Reyes is signed for another 6 years or so to a fairly inexpensive contract. How does Omar expect to replace Reyes in the field and as the leadoff hitter? Is Anderson Hernandez the solution? I'm Andersons' biggest advocator, but he can't hold Jose Reyes's jock strap. Don't get me wrong, Santana is great and all, but Reyes will be irreplaceable for the Mets.
Carlos Gomez, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra for Dan Haren and Kiko Calero:
Just as bad as the first trade, but this one sucks for an entirely different reason. Although he was very good last year, Haren isn't quite an ace. He has been very inconsistent and is not worth three of the Mets' top prospects. Not sure if I've mentioned it yet, but Guerra is my favorite Mets prospect by far. He is very Johan Santana-like, as his repetoir consists of a mid-90's fastball and devastating changeup. His curve should become a plus pitch as well. If anyone is an untouchable in this system, it should be Deolis Guerra.
With that being said, go get Kazmir from Tampa Bay!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Which Ace?
After a monumental collapse by the New York Mets, it was clear to Omar Minaya what needed to be done. Unless you consider John Maine a stopper, which you shouldn't, Minaya's team lacked a shut-down starter the entire year. The Phillies have Hamels, the Braves have Smoltz, but who do the Mets have? While only one Type-A starter lies in the Free Agent pool, there certainly are some viable options on the trading block. Here are a few and my opinions of them:
Johan Santana: While Santana is clearly the #1 starter available, his contract remains out in the open. It's not very smart to trade away the farm for one guaranteed year of Santana. Johan is reportedly seeking a 7 year deal worth about 140 million dollars, something the Coupons, sorry, the Wilpons, wouldn't be so open to handing out. Santana's skills are undeniable, but at 29 years old, it's doubtful that the Mets will hand him 20 million per year.
Scott Kazmir: My dark horse of the offseason, this is the guy that Omar Minaya needs to target. At only 23 years old, the Mets would be able to lock him up for another 5 years or so through arbitration. Kazmir is a lefty with phenomenal stuff who has also proven himself against the monstrous lineups in New York and Boston. It may be a long shot, but the Rays have made Kazmir available in order to acquire a big prospect bat, a young pitcher with many years left, and some bullpen help. Omar could provide this in the form of Fernando Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, and Eddie Kunz.
Erik Bedard: There's not too much on Bedard, except for the fact that he racks up K's like it's involuntary. Although being placed on the 60-Day DL in September, Bedard has very good stuff and is relatively young. It will cost the Mets quite bit and I don't think he's the best option, but Omar will do what it takes to land Bedard.
Dan Haren: Much like Bedard, Haren is arguably an ace. Due to his inconsistencies are low K total, Haren hasn't quite fit the bill of a shut-down starter. He's much like John Maine and unless the Mets can get him through a few prospects, they should just tell Billy Beane to GTFO.
Johan Santana: While Santana is clearly the #1 starter available, his contract remains out in the open. It's not very smart to trade away the farm for one guaranteed year of Santana. Johan is reportedly seeking a 7 year deal worth about 140 million dollars, something the Coupons, sorry, the Wilpons, wouldn't be so open to handing out. Santana's skills are undeniable, but at 29 years old, it's doubtful that the Mets will hand him 20 million per year.
Scott Kazmir: My dark horse of the offseason, this is the guy that Omar Minaya needs to target. At only 23 years old, the Mets would be able to lock him up for another 5 years or so through arbitration. Kazmir is a lefty with phenomenal stuff who has also proven himself against the monstrous lineups in New York and Boston. It may be a long shot, but the Rays have made Kazmir available in order to acquire a big prospect bat, a young pitcher with many years left, and some bullpen help. Omar could provide this in the form of Fernando Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, and Eddie Kunz.
Erik Bedard: There's not too much on Bedard, except for the fact that he racks up K's like it's involuntary. Although being placed on the 60-Day DL in September, Bedard has very good stuff and is relatively young. It will cost the Mets quite bit and I don't think he's the best option, but Omar will do what it takes to land Bedard.
Dan Haren: Much like Bedard, Haren is arguably an ace. Due to his inconsistencies are low K total, Haren hasn't quite fit the bill of a shut-down starter. He's much like John Maine and unless the Mets can get him through a few prospects, they should just tell Billy Beane to GTFO.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Sorry for 2004...
With Scott Kazmir currently on the trade market, the name Victor Zambrano haunts Mets fans like the creeping crud. Jim Duquette, the New York Mets General Manager at the time, dealt away the phenom Kazmir for a disaster, commonly referred to as Mr. Zamrbrano. The stubby right-hander Zambrano was actually a detriment to his own team. Never before has a player actually ruined an organization in this way. His capability of being a whimp far exceeds that of his pitching abilites. Meanwhile, Kazmir has established himself as one of the top young pitchers in the game.
You’re probably wondering how Victor came to be the antagonist of the Mets franchise, correct? Well, let me take you back down memory lane to 2004. Desperate for pitching in a season where the Mets had essentially no chance, Jim Duquette decides to throw away the farm in order to get a number 4 starter. For the most part, Mets fans were pissed. That’s really the only way to describe it. Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Lastings Milledge were on the verge of joining the team, so the Mets trade away their only decent pitching prospect in the organization. Tom Glavine was proving to be nothing special, Kris Benson had just joined the team, and the bitter taste of Pedro Astacio was finally becoming an afterthought. The previous year, Duquette bit the bullet and decided to take Kazmir with the 3rd overall pick. I know what you’re probably thinking, an unestablished lefty for a guy that you know will throw 200 innings a year.
Think again. Zambrano pitched all of 38 games in 3 years for the Mets, getting injured multiple times. Yes, injuries do happen. But injuries can only be accepted when the player truly strives to rejoin the team. As it turns out, Zambrano sat on his rear end for two years, swimming in unwarranted cash and watching as the Mets tumbled further down the standings. Meanwhile, nineteen year old Scott Kazmir is throwing up snake-eyes in Tampa Bay. New York Mets fans revolted everywhere. Blaming anybody in sight, including team captain John Franco. Supposedly, Franco didn’t like Kazmir’s attitude. He felt like Scott disrespected the almighty John Franco. After the dust settled, Franco’s story proved false. The Mets parted with a champ, and received a chump in return.
When in doubt, blame Jim Duquette. Or Steve Phillips, of course.
You’re probably wondering how Victor came to be the antagonist of the Mets franchise, correct? Well, let me take you back down memory lane to 2004. Desperate for pitching in a season where the Mets had essentially no chance, Jim Duquette decides to throw away the farm in order to get a number 4 starter. For the most part, Mets fans were pissed. That’s really the only way to describe it. Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Lastings Milledge were on the verge of joining the team, so the Mets trade away their only decent pitching prospect in the organization. Tom Glavine was proving to be nothing special, Kris Benson had just joined the team, and the bitter taste of Pedro Astacio was finally becoming an afterthought. The previous year, Duquette bit the bullet and decided to take Kazmir with the 3rd overall pick. I know what you’re probably thinking, an unestablished lefty for a guy that you know will throw 200 innings a year.
Think again. Zambrano pitched all of 38 games in 3 years for the Mets, getting injured multiple times. Yes, injuries do happen. But injuries can only be accepted when the player truly strives to rejoin the team. As it turns out, Zambrano sat on his rear end for two years, swimming in unwarranted cash and watching as the Mets tumbled further down the standings. Meanwhile, nineteen year old Scott Kazmir is throwing up snake-eyes in Tampa Bay. New York Mets fans revolted everywhere. Blaming anybody in sight, including team captain John Franco. Supposedly, Franco didn’t like Kazmir’s attitude. He felt like Scott disrespected the almighty John Franco. After the dust settled, Franco’s story proved false. The Mets parted with a champ, and received a chump in return.
When in doubt, blame Jim Duquette. Or Steve Phillips, of course.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Joe Girardi
After the immense fallout between Joe Torre and the Yankees management, the Steinbrenner's went out and did about the worst thing they could do, hire Joe Girardi. This is no knock on Girardi at all, he is a very good manager. Here are a few reasons why:
1) The guy actually played with several members of the Yankees. As a player, how would you feel being talked down to by a guy that had been considered a teammate for many years? Respect won't be easy to get, as a manager like Don Mattingly would have already earned it. Joe Girardi will need to prove himself to this veteran-filled Yankees team. before they can get behind him.
2) His coaching style is the opposite of what the Yankees need. If Girardi couldn't co-exist with the Florida Marlins owner, how in the hell is he going to fit in with the Steinbrenners. This guy is a hard-nosed manager, much better suited for a young team. That's the reason he did so well with the 2006 Florida Marlins, his in-your-face style does quite well on impressionable rookies. Jeter, Mariano, Posada, Pettitte, Moose, and Giambi will not take well to Girardi spitting all over their faces.
If Arod brought about controversey in the clubhouse, imagine what will happen with Mr. Joe Girardi.
1) The guy actually played with several members of the Yankees. As a player, how would you feel being talked down to by a guy that had been considered a teammate for many years? Respect won't be easy to get, as a manager like Don Mattingly would have already earned it. Joe Girardi will need to prove himself to this veteran-filled Yankees team. before they can get behind him.
2) His coaching style is the opposite of what the Yankees need. If Girardi couldn't co-exist with the Florida Marlins owner, how in the hell is he going to fit in with the Steinbrenners. This guy is a hard-nosed manager, much better suited for a young team. That's the reason he did so well with the 2006 Florida Marlins, his in-your-face style does quite well on impressionable rookies. Jeter, Mariano, Posada, Pettitte, Moose, and Giambi will not take well to Girardi spitting all over their faces.
If Arod brought about controversey in the clubhouse, imagine what will happen with Mr. Joe Girardi.
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