How About Those Mets!!!!!!!

I know it's early in the season, but if your a true blue Mets fan, you have to be excited. The best start in the history of the franchise!

To me, Bannister could be the key to their rotation.


Don Cardi

They're definately off to a flying start. Barrring injuries they should at least be a contender at the end of the year. The Braves are really struggling now, so it should be a tight race. I prefer it when other teams start doing well so that it's not always the same teams in it every year.

Good luck!

I fall a bit short of being able to call myself a true "fan", but compared to the way I feel about the Yankees and my preference for NL baseball over the AL-style game, I guess I sort of am.

The key to the rotation, I think, is Pedro, because he's their best starter and the one who with a "Pedro-like" performance can lift the Mets rotation beyond the level of mediocrity.

Glavine, if he continues to perform at his present level - way beyond expectations - is a key pitcher as well.

I don't consider Bannister, Trachsel, or Zambrano to be nearly as important as Pedro or Glavine, simply because the Mets have a rotation-ready replacement available in Aaron Heilman, who might very well be better than any of the other three.

True, Heilamn's elevation to a starting role will leave the bullpen short an arm, but I think a hole like that would be a lot easier to fill than one created by the loss of a #1 or #2 starter.

The offense, though, looks strong. Although

- Nady is almost certainly hitting quite a bit over his head right now.

- With all of the games that Delgado has to play in pitcher-friendly Shea as well as Washington and Florida I don't expect him to keep up anything close to this home run pace and hit 45 or 50 homers or anything like that, and

- Floyd always worries me, with the fact that he's terribly injury prone and 35 years old

I think the ofense will be fine, because I expect

- A big year from Wright (.300+, 30-35+ homers, 110+ RBIs).

- A big improvement for Beltran, in which he has a season with numbers that are much closer to his previous seasons averages (.280 or so, 25-30 homers, 100 or mor RBIs, depending on where in the batting order he winds up hitting).

- A big improvement by Reyes, if not in his on-base percentage via walks, at least an improvement via a higher batting average. With his speed there's no reason that he shouldn't hit at least .300

Since Atlanta doesn't seem to have a starting rotation beyond Smoltz & Hudson, or a closer (or the rest of a bullpen besides), and since the rest of the division looks pretty weak, I think the Mets could actually coast to a division title - like win the thing by maybe 15 games.

Wouldn't that be amazing?

I'm not a Met fan (I don't have any thing against them, they're just not my team) but this is a great thread! As I said in the Yankee thread, I believe that The Mets will finish the regular season with a better record than The Yankees. Let's see how it all plays out.

I see what you are saying Plaw, and you are correct. However the reason that I say a kid like Bannister is key is because I am looking at it from a different point of view;

We all expect Pedro to be Pedro. And of course we know Glavine has the potential and history behind him to be a quality starter. Tracshel and Zambrano? Well in truth Tracshcel has never really gotten a fair shot under Willie Randolph, and Zambrano is too unpredictable.

But now a kid like Bannister comes along and puts three solid outings together, and one can easily make an arguement that this kid should be 3 - o instead of 2 - 0. No one expected this kid to pitch the way that he has so far. And that is why I say that if he continues to pitch like he has, then that could be key for this Mets rotation. Because it allows us to keep Heilman as a reliever ( although I always liked him when he started, potential wise )and it gives us 3 real solid pitchers in the 1-2-3 of the rotation. And having guys like Traschel and Zambrano in the mix makes this staff a respectable staff. That is why I feel that Bannister is very key to bringing this pitching staff and this rotation to another level.

His potentially being a quality starter allows a manger to utilize the rest of the staff in a more beneficial way. His potentially being a quality starter gives a manager many more options.


Let's Go Mets!!!!!!!!


Don Cardi

Either way, and I hate to put a jix on them but I don't believe in jinxes, the Mets somehow look like a lock to win the division.

That's amazing.

Just to not see The Braves win it for the gabillionth time (it gets boring) I mean they won what one W.S.! I'm rooting for The New York Mets as well. Go Mets!

AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!!

Let's Go Mets!


Don Cardi

Unbelievable about Zambrano, huh?

That deal for him - trading away Kazmir - can't wind up being the worse deal in Mets history (Jim Fregosi for Nolan Ryan will always have that honor, I think), but it might alreay be regarded as the second worst.

Now I'm listening to Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio discussing the Mets possibly trading Lastings Milledge for Barry Zito.

I say "NO WAY"

First of all, the NL in general and the East in particular look so weak that I don't think the Mets even need an all-star caliber starter like Zito to make it to the World Series.

I think a mid-level starter - a guy like Kris Benson (lol), Jeff Weaver, Joel Pineiro, Glendon Rusch, etc., etc. - is more than good enough.

Pedro, Glavine, Trachsel, Bannister (when he comes back), and whoever they can pick up in a deal for a mid-level or "decent" prospect (not a Milledge-caliber guy) are fine with me, except they're still very short on depth.

(How dumb were the Mets to trade away Benson for Jorge Julio, Anna Benson notwithstanding. Who cares about her?)

Second of all, you gotta wonder if coming off his last two years (11-11, with a 4.48 in 2004, and 14-13 with a 3.86 last year) and his somewhat shaky start this year (2-2, 4.07, Zito even is an all-star caliber pitcher anymore.

And finally, he becomes a free agent after this season, so I wouldn't be willing to give up much for him unless I could sign him first.

On the other hand, you think of all of those "can't-miss" prospects....all of those "Five-Tool" guys that not only didn't become big stars, but didn't even have a career. Alex Escobar, the guy the Mets let go in the Roberto Alomar trade comes immediately to mind. Jay Payton is another one, altho he had a career at least.

I second that. You are absolutely correct.

They sure could use a Kris Benson right now. Trading a pitcher of that caliber away because of his wife. :rolleyes: Give me a break.

Now Zambrano is saying that he's had this elbow problem since he was brought over in that trade. Unbelievable.


Don Cardi

You guys can have Kris and his looney wife back. I'll make the necessary phone calls.

I would do Milledge for Dontrelle Willis, though.

You're insane.

You wouldn't trade an unproven minor league hitter for a proven left-handed major league pitcher who is only 24 years old?

Think Alex Escobar. Think Alex Ochoa

(I'm putting contract issues aside here; I have no idea what Willis' status is.}

I think you're forgetting Tom Seaver for Pat Zachry.

I would have to make that trade. I think that Dontrell is going to be one of the top super pitchers of baseball in a few more years.

To add to Plaw's list : Billy Beane. Remember what a superstar he was supposed to be? :rolleyes:

Milledge for Zito, no way.
For Willis, I take that shot.

What the Mets need to do right now is NOT panic. Let's face it, Zambrano was 1 and 4 anyway. It's not like you've lost a 4 and 1 pitcher. Yes, they have to address this problem, but at the same time there is no reason to make any panic trades that will cost them dearly down the road.


Don Cardi

You guys can have Kris and his looney wife back. I'll make the necessary phone calls. [/b][/quote]Ok, send Kris back to Shea Stadium and tell Anna to make a stop over at my house .


Don Cardi

I wasn't forgetting it.

That one was horrible too, but the Mets got four semi-decent years out of outfielder Steve Henderson (497 games, .287, 35, 217) four almost-decent years out Doug Flynn, a good-field, no-hit second baseman/shortstop (546 games, .237, 4, 141, but only 44 errors in 2788 chances, a .988 FA).

Zachry, barely 25 at the time of the deal (Seaver was 33) started off nicely with the Mets career, going 7-6 (.538) in 19 starts with a 3.76 E.R.A for a 64-98 (.395) team during the remainder of 1977.

But his career with the Mets we destined to be beset by injuries.

He went 10-6 (.625) with a 3.33 in only 21 starts in '78 for a team that won only 66 games (.407), and then spent most of '79 on the Disabled List, still managing to go 5-1 (.833) with a 3.56 in 7 starts for a team that finished 63-99 (.389).

After that, 1980-82, he was pretty much shot for the Mets, altho he never pitched really badly. He finally moved to the Dodger in 1983-84 where he had some success as a reliever.

So what's the net result here?

1043 more-or-less major league quality games at second base and in left field from Flynn and Henderson, and 69 more-or-less decent major league quality starts from Zachry.

Compare that to what the Mets got for Nolan Ryan, who arguably was a better pitcher than Seaver to begin with and who won 295 games, struck out more than 5000 batters, and pitched 7 no-hitters after the Mets traded him away for Jim Fregosi, from whom they got:

146 games in a season and change, and a .233 batting average in 464 ABs with all of 5 home runs and 43 RBIs.

Not even close....The Ryan-Fregosi trade was ten times worse than the Seaver deal.

Now, when you say "Aren't you forgetting it?", are you referring to Kazmir-Zambrano being worse than the Seaver deal or the Ryan deal?

I figure it this way:

The Ryan deal was by far the worst.

If they both had their careers end tomorrow, then yeah, the Seaver trade would be worse than the Kazmir trade because at this point in his career Kazmir basically hasn't done anything yet either.

But a short three years from now, when Zambrano and his lifetime Mets record of 10-14 with an E.R.A. of 4.42 is long gone, and Kazmir, even if he's still pitching for the terrible Devil Rays, has piled up 65 wins or so and is striking out a batter an inning or, better still, if Kazmir is still around 13 years from now and has maybe 200+ wins to his credit, there's no way that this trade won't be regarded as the second worst in Mets history.


StatMan

I agree the Ryan trade is the worst. I also think Kazmir is overrated. The trade was truly horrible, but the media is making Kazmir out to be Sandy Koufax. Let's slow down.

Yeah, I'd say that the NY media has been a little lavish in their praise, but compared to Zambrano.....

Fact is, if Kazmir manages to win another 40-50 games - pitched maybe another 3-4 years - and then hurt his arm and retired, this would still be one of the wrost trades in history.

Especially considering that right now, if you put Kazmir back on the Mets and got rid of Zambrano, the Mets would be a powerhouse.

Brutal loss last night, huh?

It would have been worse if they managed to get the go ahead run home from third in the 9th, and it was Wagner that threw the ball away to lose the game.

BTW, the Mets issued a statement that they will not trade David Wright or Lastings Miledge, to pick up a pitcher.

What a bummer. LoDuca had the perfect postition to make that play. What the hell was Heilman thinking there?

Delgado has just been unbelievable with his bat, especially in big game situations. Teams are going to have to start realizing that this is the guy that they NEED to get out.

I'm telling you, the way that this team makes comebacks when trailing, the way they celebrate in the dugout, and the whole overall attitude of the team really reminds me of 1986.

From my mouth to God's ears!


Don Cardi

Figures Kazmir pitched a gem tonight.
At least the Mets took care of business.

I hate to be the pessimist (OK, no I don't ), but I think the Mets could be in trouble if they don't make a deal for a decent #3 starter who can make 25 starts the rest of the season and pitch well enough for the Mets to go, say 14-11 in those 25 games.

Here's how I figure it:

Right now, the Mets are 23-13.

I figure tht Pedro and Glavine have 50 starts left between them, and I'm gonna give the Mets are generous 33-17 record in those 50 games, bringing them up to 56-30.

That leaves 76 games to divide up among the likes of Bannister, Gonzalez, Lima, and who knows who else.

If we give the Mets a generous 38-38 record in those 76 games - and I do think that's being generous - they will finish at 94-68 (.580).

So now the question is "Will that be good enough to make the playoffs?"

Well, I figure that including the Mets there are six teams in contention for the four spots.

Here's a chart which shows their current record and winning percentage, along with the record and winning percentage that they would need the rest of the way to finish at 95-67, which would beat the Mets projection of 94-68.

So in the above scenario, San Diego wins the West, St Louis the Central, and the Phils the East, leaving the Mets to battle Cincy and Houston for the wild card.


So only Houston and San Diego would have to improve on their present pace to finish with a better record than the Mets. The Phillies would have to keep winning at roughly the same rate that they have been.

If all of the teams involved keep winning at their present rates, it's the same story: The Mets lose the wild card to Cincy.

Now, if you want to say that you think Cincinnati is playing way over their heads, and they'll be lucky to finish at around .500, you could be right, BUT

The scenarios above don't allow for any other teams to unexpectedly get or stay hot and get into or remain in the race - teams like Colorado, Arizona, or Atlanta.

And the Mets could easily not go 38-38 in the games started by the group that presently comprises the bottom three in their rotation, and they could easily do worse than go 33-17 in the 50 games that I'm projecting Martinez & Glavine to start.

Big trouble in Flushing?

Could be. Right now the team I'd be watching (besides the Phillies) is Cincinnati.

I agree with you here Plaw. Of course a lot of things can happen, but barring any major injuries to any of those teams in the mix, there is a strong possibility that things can work out very closely to the scenrios that you've provided.

And I agree, the Mets really do need to go out and get another quality pitcher if they are serious about winning their division this season.

I believe that a healthy Bannister can be a real plus for that rotation, but not enough.

I think that they should try to make a deal for Barry Zito.

They just may have to give up one of these young prospects, but so be it if they are looking to win this thing this year, which is what they should be thinking about.


And come August/September, you and I both know that Atlanta will be right up in the mix for a playoff spot. They always find a way.


Don Cardi

I'm sticking with my opinion of before on a trade.

I would not trade Milledge for Zito.

I might have traded Milledge for Willis, but the way he's pitched lately, I don't know if I would anymore.

I still say the Mets don't need someone as good as a Zito or Willis.

Just someone good enough for the Mets to win 14 or 15 of the 25 games he would figure to start.

I took a quick look at everyone's roster and came up with a list of starters that I think could help the Mets.

Not to suggest that any or all of these guys are even available - but this type of pitcher is what they need, and shouldn't cost them a Milledge or Pelfrey.

Livian Hernandez
Orlando Hernandez
Joe Blanton
Dan Haren
Cory Lidle
Matt Morris
Joel Pineiro
Gil Meche
Sidney Ponson
Jason Marquis
Jeff Suppan
Kris Benson
Matt Clement
Glendon Rusch
Paul Byrd
Jake Westbrook
Ted Lilly
Gustavo Chacin
Chien-Ming Wang
Carl Pavano
Brian Moehler
Jae Seo
Kelvim Escobar
Odalis Perez

If he's healthy, Carl Pavano would be perfect.

He's had success in the NL, and if the Yankees could solidify their rotation without him, I bet they'd love to unload his contract.

Well I still won't trade Milledge for Zito either.

However I think that the Mets have enough to put some kind of an offer together for Zito without parting with Milledge.

Perhaps Chavez, and minor league Pitcher Jose Sanchez, who is 3 - 1 (+ 3 no decisions) this season with a 2.18 ERA and 22 K's in 41 innings pitched can be offered in some kind of a deal for Zito.


Don Cardi

That would be fantabulous for the Yanks.

Endy Chavez?

The 28-year old lifetime .259 hitter with almost no power?

Why would Oakland want him, a fourth outfielder at best and a non-major league player at worst?

I never heard of Jose Sanchez, which probably means that he's not a top prospect in the class of a Pelfrey, let's say, so when the trading deadline rolls around if oakland is not in contention and Zito is on the block, I think that oakland will get much better offers than those two guys.

I bet the Yankees - and I pick them only because I'm familiar with some of their prospects, but I'm sure there are other teams who could make better offers as well - would be willing to give up their top hitting prospect, AAA third baseman Eric Duncan, along with one of their top pitching prospects, Phillip Hughes (altho in all fairness, Duncan is having a disappointing season, and Hughes may still be nursing an injury from last year; I'm not sure).

Cliff Floyd for Chien-Ming Wang.

That's not what I said. What I did say was :

I never said those two players straight up for Zito. I just meant that the Mets could possibly include them in some kind of a deal.


Don Cardi

Wang for Floyd seems like a fair trade, except you gotta think the Yanks will be reluctant to give up any starting pitching unless Pavano comes back and is healthy, in which case they may prefer to trade him, which would also be a good deal from the Mets POV, I think.

I'd love to see the Mets dump Floyd and bring up Milledge.

Be-yoot-i-ful game today, huh? :rolleyes:

Now, you guys know that I've said on many occasions that I'm not that big a fan of any team except for the Nets, and if I'm in the mood to place a little wager I'll even bet against them if that's what I feel that the situation calls for.....

So this afternoon I happened to be "in the mood", and had the Mets ten times at even-6.

Ordnarily I wouldn't whine; I mean obviously, over the years of my membership here, I've made loads of bets that I haven't mentioned, and there have been other brutal losses and my share of "miracle wins" along the way, as well as simple "regular" wins and losses also (Don't you prefer losing a game 6-0 or something than losing a game like this when you have money on the line?).

I mention all of this in this thread, because JL’s -17 in Yahoo for Wagner’s brilliant piece of work and DC’s potential plus 30-something turning into a sad +14 for the Mets PS in the Salary Cap Game notwithstanding, I want you two guys to know that I was rooting for you today.

So yes…..fantasy scores take preference over my “rooting” interest as a fan in a particular team, but when it come to having money on the line, fantasy scores absolutely take a back seat to that.

This is a good spot to rant some more about other things that leave me dazed and confused about the way baseball is played today.

Players are stronger and in better physical shape. Training methods are supposedly better and nutrition is better.

So why is it in the 50's and 60's and into the early 70's SPs started 38-42 times a year in a four man rotation and routinely pitched 280-300 innings a year with 18-20 or more complete games, and today can only start every five days, pitch only 220 innings or so, and almost never complete a game....?

And yet there seem to be even more arm injuries than ever? :rolleyes:

Willie Randolph lost the game for them today. His managing was very questionable.

I have to agree with Plaw here. What is it about today's starting pitchers that they can only go 6 or 7 innings, only throw 100 - 110 pitches which is considered high, and have to sometimes get as much as 5 days rest in between starts?

Pedro was pitching a gem today and gets pulled. OK, I'll give in to the managers decision to take him out. Don't agree with this strategy all the time, but I'll concede here and give it to Randolph.

So now he puts Sanchez in the game, who pitches a beautiful inning. Then, for reasons that I cannot understand, he takes him out in the ninth and goes to Billy Wagner. Granted that Wagner is being paid all this money and he's the Mets go to guy in the clutch, but due to the current situation that the Mets pitching staff is in, it is not a dire need to get Wagner some more work. The guy came in on Friday night and did a good job and closed out the Yankees.

But now you have Sanchez who's well rested and pitches a really good inning. So why take him out?

Ok, so Randolph does take him out. Now Wagner is looking like shit after a few batters, and then walks in a run. But does Randolph go out to the mound and take him out? No, he lets him attempt to pitch to Bernie Williams, but Wagner hits him with the first pitch and bases loaded! Now Willie Randolph decides enough is enough? A little to late there Willie, the damage has already been done. A 4 - 0 lead has just been blown, due to several poor managing decisions that you have made with your pitchers over the last 2 and maybe even 3 innings!

I always have said that when it comes to baseball, a manager can win or lose about 10 to 15 games a year for the team by the late inning decisions that he makes.

Willie just lost one for the Mets.


Don Cardi

Never say die! Anyone stay up to watch the whole game last night?


They're not called the Amazing Mets for nothing!


Don Cardi

They cost me a night's sleep. I went to bed at 8-5 because I had to get up at 4AM this morning. My friend wakes me up and tells me they tied it at 8. I stayed up for the entire 16 innings, and got about 3 hours sleep.

And another late inning comback won with a walkoff hit in the bottom of the ninth!

Never turn them off if they are losing.

This team is just so exciting.


Don Cardi

I just heard on M & TMD that Nady had an emergency appendectomy this morning, and the Mets called up Milledge.

Nady is supposed to miss 3-4 weeks, and Milledge is expected to play every day in right.

It was just about this time (a little earlier, actually) that the Mets called up Strawberry in 1983, and that era began.

Milledge made his debut last night in RF, batted 8th, and went 1-4 with a double. Left three runners on base, though.

Another newbie, El Duque, made his Mets' debut on Sunday.

He got the win, pitching 5 innings and allowing 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 7 and walking 3.

He'll need to do better; if that's gonna be his average performance, I don't think that will cut it.

Five innings means probably using three relievers. With seemingly only Pedro good for 7 innings per start, their bullpen is gonna be burned out by July.

The third newest Met, Cuban import Alay Soler, made his second start last night.

His two starts so far look like this:

Not good.....

I like the Matsui trade.

The Mets got rid of a guy who can't play, and in Eli Marrero picked up someone who can definitely help off the bench.

He can catch, play first, and all three outfield positions, plus hit with a little power.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/playerStats?categoryId=85798

On another note, El Duque's record looks a lot better after his last start:

What a road trip so far. El Duque, Soler, and today they spanked the shit out of Arizona.

My thinking is this. Going into this road trip and basically up until All Star Break, they will have played 19 of their next 26 games on the road. So far they are 6 - 1 with 19 more games to play out of those 26. If they can play around .500 ball over the next 19 games, they should be in really great shape for the second half of the season.

Don Cardi

Right now the team is scary. No more one run wins in the last at bat. Now it's blow them out of the water early, and cruise the rest of the game.

I'm was just listening to Joe Benigno on WFAN, and a caller suggested the following trade:

Milledge & Pelfrey to the Marlins for Willis & Cabrera.

I'd make this deal in about a half a second if I could, yet Benigno and whoever is sidekick is right now that does the updates actually were hemming and hawing about it, and unsure about whether they would do it or not.

Am I nuts, or are they?

What is there to think about? Two proven major leaguers and two of the best young players in the game for two unproven rookies?

Hell, if necessary I'd even throw in Cliff Floyd to make a spot for Cabrera in the outfield, and a couple of more prospects besides.

If the Mets could make that deal and then pick up a decent everyday second baseman, they'd be the best team in baseball.

They might even be the best team in baseball without a decent everyday second baseman if they could make that deal.

I have been saying that the Mets need to keep Lastings Milledge, he is young, can be the future with this team, and I don't like giving away the future for the now. Especiall when I see a team that IMO, is good enough to make a run this year.

However when looking at a trade like this one, I would have to be honest and tell you that I make that deal. These two proven players for two unproven rookies? Done deal. But what makes me even more willing to make this trade is that while you are giving up a young 'prospect' in Milledge, you are getting back a young, pretty much proven ballplayer in Cabrera. He's only 23 years old and has put up and maintained some nice numbers. What has he averaged, 30 HR's a year in his three year career? And has a lifetime avg. of around .300!

And as far as Dontrell and Pelfry go, well that part of the deal shouldn't even be given a second thought. We really know absolutely nothing about Pelfry. We do know that Willis can help us right now, and yet is still young enough to help us in the future.

By swapping these players, the Mets are not giving up their future because they are getting two YOUNG & PROVEN players that will make them that much better right now, and also in the future.


If I'm Omar Manaya, I make the deal.


Don Cardi

In Cabrera'a rookie year - 2003 - he hit .268 with 12 homers and 62 RBIs in 87 games. He was 23 years old, BTW, this past April.

The last two years he's hit .294 and .323, with 66 homers and 226 driven in, along with 207 runs scored.

If Milledge is even anywhere near those kind of numbers, Met fans should be thrilled.

Willis, who turned 24 this past January, has played almost three full seasons heading into this one, averaging 15-9, and 198 IPs with an E.R.A. of 3.27.

If Pelfrey is anywhere near that good, Mets fans should be thrilled.

A no brainer.

I agree. That's a trade the Mets have to make. I can't see the Marlins doing that though. From what I heard on WFAN, the Marlins have been offered multiple prospects from other teams just for Willis. I think he'll end up in L.A. with the Dodgers if he's traded.

My authentic Beltran road jersey.

I'll be at Shea tomorrow night to welcome home the Mets.

Glad you're enjoying him, Lou.

No, I'm just teasing you - I can't actually root for him, but it's good to see he's done y'all well. I won't be a bad sport about it.

I just had to respond after seeing you post a pic of a new jersey and then talk about going to a game...you've got great spirit.

If you take pics there, I'd love for you to post them - I always enjoy ballpark photos of any kind, and we don't get to see many fan pics here at the BB, so that'd be cool. Hope you have fun!

I may bring the camera since Shea is on its last years. I want to have have some good pictures before it's gone.

Great idea - wish I was old enough to know to take some pics at the Astrodome back when they still played there.

What's up with Heilmann, do you think?

If he's gonna be ineffective, the bullpen has a problem.

I think his biggest problem is he doesn't want to be bullpen, and now he knows the Mets have no intention of ever moving him back into the rotation no matter what.

So you're saying it's mental then?

In that case, where do the Mets go with him from here? Trade him to a team that will use him as a starter?

Everyone needs starting pitching; Here are three deals I just thought of with teams that can replace their second baseman:

To the Dodgers for Kent
To Pittsburgh for Castillo
To Texas for Kinsler or DeRosa

It's at least partially mental. The guy does not want to be a relief pitcher, and he sees the Mets bringing guys up and trading for Hernandez, without giving him a chance. The Mets needed a starter coming out of spring training, and he pitched almost perfect baseball the entire spring. Then they gave the job to Bannister. I've heard that his agent has asked, not demanded, that the Mets look into trading him to a team looking for a starter.

See addition to my post above

To Atlanta for Giles
To Washington for Vidro

To Florida with Milledge or Pelfrey for Willis or Cabrera

With someone else to the Yankees - not sure who - for Cano.

I have no idea what his trade value would even be right now. He probably had more value coming out of spring training.

Unfortunately from the Mets POV, you're probably right about that.

I guess it's really a two-part problem now, unless you just want to stick with him and figure he'll straighten himself out:

1) Who can they get for him that would help the team, and
2) What role do you use him in if you don't trade him?

Here are those pictures of Shea I promised. In the last one, you can see the very early beginning of the Mets' new ballpark beyond centerfield.

Beautiful stadium - thanks for posting these, Lou.

In reality, not really. It may the worst in MLB. It just looks pretty in those pictures.

Well, I never would've known, judging by those pics.

I think it's just the look of any baseball field that impresses me.

So what's the deal on the new stadium? I don't think I'd even heard about one being built. When is it due to be ready? And I suppose it'll be like the Cardinals', being set up right next door?

I really don't see what's so terrible about Shea.

Sure, with all of the brand new stadiums built in the last few years it's not state-of-the-art like it was in 1964, and because it's no longer new may now be "one of the worst", but I don't see what's wrong with it.

I'd much rather go to Shea than to Yankee Stadium. I think it's easier getting in and out and to and from your seat, and it's considerably more comfortable and roomy inside.

It will open at the start of the 2009 season. It will be located in the current parking lot, behind Shea's centerfield. The lot is now closed. In the last picture, you can see the heavy equipment they've started to move into the area. Official groundbreaking is next month, I believe.

Wow, that'd be interesting to watch it all unfold.

Thanks for that info - another baseball tidbit for me to know...which I can always use.

It's terrible. The bathrooms are a disgrace. Getting to your seat is a chore. There is no place to eat except for over-priced fastfood. Many of the Loge and Mezzanine reserved seats have a terrible view, where you can't see fly balls because of the overhang. When the game is over, if there's a large crowd, you get stuck in a large mass of humanity due to the very narrow walkways. As for getting there, I much rather travel to Shea than Yankee Stadium.

On another note, I wish they'd leave Giants' Stadium alone. I have season tickets, and have been almost every Giant game ever played there. I really don't want a new stadium. I have excellent seats, and have no complaints about the stadium.

You're right about the overhang in the loge and mezzanine.

The bathrooms can be fixed up, though. That's no reason to build a new stadium, although since they're not using taxpayer's money, I really don't care.

The walkways at Yankee Stadium are even narrower, I think, and getting in and out of there is worse, IMO.

The way you feel about Giants Stadium is the way I feel about the Nets moving to Brooklyn.

Shea will always have a place im my heart, but I'll be glad to see it go.

Hey Lou, did anyone ever tell you what a great pal you are?


Don Cardi

Yeah. It's amazing how many pals I have from September to January.

Tough loss tonight.

That's four blown saves for Wagner this year.

Five, really, except the game against the Yankees when he came in with a 4-0 lead and gave up four runs and allowed them to tie the score (and eventually win the game) doesn't count because since the Mets were up by four runs it's not considered a "Save Opportunity". :rolleyes:

Lori and I are going to the game tomorrow. I won two tix in a raffle at work (good seats.... between home and first). Hmmmm, the last time I sat there was in Chicago and I got to visit an Emergency Room. I think I'll bring my glove this time.

Pedro's pitching!

Good game, good seats, lousy weather.

It felt like it was over 100°.... the humidity was stifling. Lori asked why so many people were wearing shirts with the name "Wright" on them. Two home runs and 4 rbi's later she knew. (I told her that all the women who wore that shirt were doing so because they were looking for Mr. Right).

I'm proud that the Mets are doing so much better this year and the Yankees are really sucking, what an odd change of events The Mets rock and win or lose I'm behind them 110%. I'm a Mets fan for life.

I played golf today, and we couldn't finish 18 holes. We walked the course, and by the 12th hole we were shot.

Yeah, because being 2nd in the AL East = "really sucking." :rolleyes:

Hey, I like the Mets too, but I still love the Yanks. :p

quote:

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Originally posted by SC:
Good game, good seats, lousy weather.

It felt like it was over 100°.... the humidity was stifling. Lori asked why so many people were wearing shirts with the name "Wright" on them. Two home runs and 4 rbi's later she knew. (I told her that all the women who wore that shirt were doing so because they were looking for Mr. Right).

BTW, catch any foul balls at Shea? :p

Don Cardi