Yardbarker: New York Mets

Mets trolling the garbage heap, interested in Joel Piñeiro.

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:54:52 -0500

Jon Heyman is tweeting that the Mets are interested in Piniero if his price tag falls below the $30 million mark over 3 years. The 31 year old right hander had a career year for the Cardinals this year. He was 15-12 and had an e.r.a of 3.49 over the span of 214 innings. His strongest point, only 27 walks all year. The problem is, he has been well below average for too many years leading up to this. I view him as a right handed version of Oliver Perez. He was built up so much as a young Mariner and never materialized. I guarantee you his 2010 stat line looks nothing line his 2009 stat line. I pray that the Mets do not spend money on this guy. Why not explore Jon Garland, Randy Wolf, or even Jason Marquis. All three are better than Pineiro. I would even be a fan of signing Brad Penny on the cheap and bringing his surly attitude to New York. He has electric, sinking stuff and is not afraid of anything.

This all may be posturing by Minaya as to who he really covets. Also, we can hope that the Cardinals want to retain Pineiro and sign him so all this is worthless.

Mets likely to pass on Holliday, Bay

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:44:27 -0500

Sporting News staff reports According to the New York Daily News, free-agent outfielders Jason Bay and Matt Holliday likely are out of the Mets' price range. They might instead pursue a second-tier free-agent outfielder, or explore the trade market. Newsday speculated the Rays' Pat Burrell could be a target. In other Mets news, the newspaper reported shortstop Jose Reyes is walking without crutches, less than a month after having surgery to repair a torn hamstring. Reyes,...

Livan Hernandez? Livan Hernandez?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:16:31 -0500

Livan Hernandez? Livan Hernandez? Per Nick Piecoro, "The only thing we can give you at this point in the day is a fifth-starter possibility: familiar face Livan Hernandez. We’ve heard the Diamondbacks are considering bringing him back, most likely more for his role in the clubhouse and how he can help young players than for his potential performance." "it’s clear the club needs more starting pitching depth beyond just Billy Buckner, Bryan Augenstein and Kevin Mulvey. H...

Why the Braves should sign Billy Wagner

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:23:34 -0500

The Atlanta Braves should sign Billy Wagner to be their closer... this is pretty much a no-brainer, especially after I learned that his agent is named Bean Stringfellow. I repeat, his agent is named Bean Stringfellow... and he used to pitch in the Braves organization: First off, I love the stache. Classic late-70s, early 80s middle-American tweener stache. I think I had a couple of cousins who sported such a thing. I just can't get over that name, Bean Stringfellow. It literally ...

Why the Braves should sign Billy Wagner

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:23:34 -0500

Yankees Team Signed Ball Selling For $3,500

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:39:00 -0500

Over the years, signed items from championship teams have become hot commodities for the high-end collector. In 1986, I had to get the signatures of the New York Mets myself. That’s not the case today, now that memorabilia companies do the hard work for you.

Farewell Carlos Delgado

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:27 -0500

by Frank Franklin II - AP View full size photo » Note: I have enjoyed making small tributes/eulogies for various Mets when they leave - Marlon Anderson, Ramon Castro and Billy Wagner are some examples. Carlos Delgado filed for free agency and it seems unlikely, but not totally out of the question, that he will return to the Mets for a variety of reasons. What better way to "eulogize" Delgado than by channeling Sergeant Jay Landsm...

Elias Rankings for the 183 Potential MLB Free Agents

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:05:16 -0500

The Major League Baseball Players Association today released the Elias rankings for all 183 players that have been deemed to be "potential" free agents for the 2009-10 off-season. The term “potential” pertains to contract provisions with allow options, for either the player or club, to exercise. For example, Manny Ramirez is one such player. He exercised his player option for the 2010 to allow him to remain with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Some clubs have exercised options to release players. An example would be J.J. Putz with the New York Mets. The Elias rankings are important in determining draft pick compensation, should a player sign with another team (a player that files for free agency can resign with their former club. Case in point, Alex Rodriguez who resigned with the Yankees in 2007) Players are ranked as A, B, or no ranking what so ever. Clubs that sign a Type A free agent then give their 1st-round pick to the player’s former club. The exception would be unless the pick ranks within the top 15, in which case a 2ndround pick goes to the former club. That club also gets an extra pick between the first and second rounds. If a club loses a Type B free agent to another team, that club then gets an extra "sandwich" pick. The rankings are based upon player stats as collected by Elias. Select Read More to see the complete listing

From Schneider to Snyder

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:23:50 -0500

It’s a no doubter that Brian Schneider will not be returning to the Mets in 2010. (And rightfully so) He spent some time on the disabled list, along with his fellow Mets, and when he did get a chance to play he was sub-par. He got passed over for the starting job by two rookie catchers. [...]

MLB Trade Rumors Predicts Delgado to the Orioles

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:27:12 -0500

More photos » by Henny Ray Abrams - AP Whatddya say, Carlos? Interested in donning the orange and black? (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Browse more photos » MLB Trade Rumors has released its list of the top 50 free agents for 2010 along with predictions where each will end up. They give the Orioles one player on the list: Carlos Delgado. My first instict was, "Thanks, but no thanks." Delgado is old...

HOLIDAY ? IT WOULD BE SO NICE!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:31:00 -0500

Tim Dierkes of MLBTrade Rumors has a post of the predicted whereabouts the top 50 Free Agents will land. His number one rank Free Agent is Matt Holliday has he sees the Mets making a big time signing here by going 5 to 6 yrs and over $100mil to land the coveted LF’er. This is in contrast with the Ken Rosenthal who had this in a column this weekend: The thought of free-agent left fielder Matt Holliday signing with the Mets is good for a chuckle. Some who know Holliday say he would prefer no...

Breaking Down The Mets Bullpen: Pedro Feliciano

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:20:13 -0500

Through all the twists and turns the New York Mets have taken over the past four years, one factor has always remained constant. That particular factor is relief pitcher, Pedro Feliciano. Feliciano, who has been a mainstay in the Mets bullpen since his second tour of duty with the team began in 2006, has proven to be [...]

While You Were Out: Amazin' Avenue Week In Review (11/1-11/7)

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:00:34 -0500

I can't wait to read reports from Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal about how Orlando Hudson would love to play for the Mets. The week's links: Why Omar Minaya Failed And What It Means For The Future - The post of the week. Sam compares the processes of Omar and Indians GM Mark Shapiro. Mets Winter League Update - Mark updates us on the performances of Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada, Josh Thole, Jenrry Mejia and Eric Niesen. Amazin' Avenue Refresh - Eric explains t...

Top 10 Mets prospects

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0500

Here’s the top 10 list from Baseball America… Jenrry Mejia, RHP Wilmer Flores, SS Fernando Martinez, OF Ike Davis, 1B Brad Holt, RHP Jon Niese, LHP Reese Havens, 2B/SS Josh Thole, C Ruben Tejada, 2B/SS Juan Urbina, LHP Agree? Disagree? Don’t care? [[ Home || Twitter || E-mail ]]

Mets Exercise Option On Pelfrey And Some Thoughts

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:15:38 -0500

There was a flurry of minor moves yesterday regarding the Mets, as the free agent filing period continues to move forward. Former Mets who have officially filed now include Brian Schneider, Carlos Delgado, Alex Cora and Ramon Martinez. I believe that out of that group, at least one of them stands a good chance of returning next [...]

Notes On Baseball America's Top 10 Mets Prospects

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:00:28 -0500

As you undoubtedly saw in the fanshots or somewhere else yesterday, Baseball America released its top 10 prospects list for the Mets, with Adam Rubin reprising as the author of the write-up and subsequent chat. Rubin's article didn't provide much insight into the ranking, but the chat cleared a few things up. Here are the things I found most interesting about the list with relevant quotes: Fernando Martinez, the incumbent #1 prospect for two years, drops to ...

Baseball America Ranks Mets Top 10 Prospects

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:34:28 -0500

Baseball America has just released its Top 10 Mets Prospects list and right-handed pitcher Jenrry Mejia has claimed the top spot. 1. Jenrry Mejia, RHP (ETA 2012) 2. Wilmer Flores, SS (ETA 2013) 3. Fernando Martinez, OF (ETA 2011) 4. Ike Davis, 1B (ETA 2011) 5. Brad Holt, RHP (ETA 2012) 6. Jon Niese, LHP (ETA 2010) 7. Reese Havens, 2B/SS (ETA [...]

Mets Tell Putz They Will Not Pick Up His 2010 Option

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:47:46 -0500

According to Bart Hubbuch of The NY Post, the Mets have informed reliever J.J. Putz that they will not pick up his $9.1MM option for 2010, instead paying him a $1MM buyout. Hubbuch says the club cited health concerns when breaking the news to Putz.

Don't expect J.J. back...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:54:00 -0500

Adam Rubin takes a first look at the Mets free agents and possible non-tender candidates. Rubin clarifies just how much J.J. will get paid if the Mets pick-up his option and while I'd like to have an elite closer as my set-up man, that's just too much money. I was a huge supporter of the Putz trade but it might have been the biggest bust of Omar's era, he gave up seven players for Sean Green...J.J. Putz’s option is for $9.1 million, not $8.6 million as it’s been stated in some pla...

Back-up middle infielder situation...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:14:00 -0500

James Kannengieser of Amazin Ave. posted a great article on Alex Cora. I couldn't agree more with James in that Cora simply doesn't bring enough to the table for what he cost. Cora has great intangibles and I'm sure he's going to be a very good coach but at 2M or more the talent he brings to a team simply isn't worth it. Generally back-up middle infielders with better skill sets then Cora cost under 1M. Marty Noble addressed the back-up middle infielder in his latest mailb...