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Sunday, November 30, 2008

The Mets catching situation

Here's an article that appeared in today's Newsday, about a possible Mets trade for a catcher.

Ken Davidoff/Newsday

"Earlier this offseason, the Mets asked the Rangers about catcher Gerald Laird, just as they did last year, a person familiar with the situation said.There hasn't been much discussion there lately; the Mets, as we all know, have prioritized the renovation of their pitching staff. But the fact that the Mets checked in speaks to how difficult it is to build a good catching crew.Last year at this time, the Mets thumped their chest about putting together the tandem of Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro. After suffering through nearly a full decade of Mike Piazza and Paul Lo Duca behind the plate, the Mets looked forward to having strong defense at catcher.The tradeoff, not shockingly, was poor offense. Schneider, Castro, Raul Casanova, Robin son Cancel and Gustavo Molina combined for a .324 on-base percentage, 12th-best among catching corps in the National League, and a .378 slugging percentage, which placed them eighth. Thanks to the Elias Sports Bureau for the 411.

Laird put up a .329 OBP and .398 SLG in 95 games for the Rangers, a rare team with catching to trade. They have Laird, Max Ramirez, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden and are looking to trade from this surplus in return for young pitching.It's also interesting to note that Schneider did indeed help the Mets defensively. According to a statistic called "probabilistic model of range," compiled by David Pinto at baseballmusings.com, the Mets' catchers put up the majors' second-best defense, behind only the Brewers."

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving


As we all head out for the holiday, I'd like to wish all our readers a Happy Thanksgiving. Be safe, and check back next Sunday for more Mets Hot Stove.
Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

The Latest

  • MLB.com says that Jermaine Dye is able to block a trade to 6 teams shoulds he be traded, those including the Mets and Phillies. According to an Ohio radio station, the Reds are interested in Dye.
  • Omar Minaya has contacted the agents of Fransisco Rodriguez, and Brian Fuentes. It is believed that contract offers may be offered in the coming week or so.
  • Rumor has it that Omar Minaya has reached out to the GM of the Rockies about acquiring RP Huston Street. Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano have been named as being targeted by the Rockies.

BOTTOM LINE: This hot stove is starting to heat up.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Furcal rumor is just that


We have no learned that the rumor about SS Rafael Furcal receiving a very "tempting offer" from the Mets, is just a rumor.
BOTTOM LINE: Furcal will end up on the West Coast, reportedly with the Giants.


Monday, November 24, 2008

Mets lukewarm on Furcal; Hudson likes Mets

According to baseball sources, the Mets have made a contract offer to SS/2B Rafael Furcal. But, according to baseball-mega insider John Heyman, the Mets are not at all interested in the former Dodgers shortstop, who only played 36 games last year due to a back injury.

In other news, Orlando Hudson said it would be his "first choice" to play for the Mets next year.

BOTTOM LINE: Forget Furcal, sign Hudson! Hudson wants to play here. I think he'd be a perfect fit at CitiField (or whatever it may be called) next year.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Weekly Recap

This week on Mets Hot Stove:

-The Mets favor K-Rod as closer
-The Cubs re-sign Ryan Dempster
-Omar Minaya states that Luis Castillo "probably will" be our second baseman in 2009.
-CitiField could be renamed if CitiGroup is bought.

More Mets Hot Stove news ahead!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

A CitiGroup takeover would mean a name change for Mets ballpark

According to the Mets website, their pact with CitiGroup will stay, even with the downturn in the economy. One thing that could change though, is the name of the ballpark. If CitiGroup is taken over, a name change would most likely occur, affecting the name of the park.

Source

BOTTOM LINE: Don't get used to CitiField just yet.

Minaya: There is a "good chance" Castillo will be our second baseman

Omar Minaya wants Luis Castillo back at second base next year. Or so it seems.

Thats according to a Newsday article published this morning. I think this is BAD NEWS. I speak for most fans when I say that Castillo should be gone. I don’t care if you get a player who won’t ever make it to Triple-A ball, just get this guy out of New York!

BOTTOM LINE: Sign Hudson, trade Castillo to a team in need of a second baseman. You might not get much in return, but to shake up the team, this is what you need to do.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Cubs re-sign Dempster

Mets reportedly had "minor" interest.

Pitcher Ryan Dempster and the Chicago Cubs agreed Tuesday on a $52 million, four-year contract that includes a player option to 2012.
He gets a $4 million signing bonus, $8 million next year, $12.5 million in 2010 and $13.5 million in 2011. Dempster has a 2012 option for $14 million.
Dempster was 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA for the Cubs last season, then became a free agent after making the switch from the closer to starter.

Source

BOTTOM LINE: The Cubs have bolstered down another good pitcher for their rotation.

Mets favor K-Rod

According to WFAN/SI.com reporter John Heyman, Omar Minaya seems to be favoring Fransisco Rodriguez over Brian Fuentes, to fill the role as closer.

Heyman says "K-Rod loves the spotlight, and would love to pitch in New York."

There have also been reports surfacing that say the Mets are interested in Rockies pitcher Huston Street, who was the closer for the Athletics last year, to be a setup man for their bullpen.

BOTTOM LINE: A K-Rod/Street back end of the bullpen would be a potent one-two punch to close out games.

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