Thursday, November 27, 2008

Kruk Hates the Mets

As I was working off the stuffing and mashed potatoes, I came across this little nugget about John Kruk yapping his fat head off about none other than the NY Mets. "I know I'm supposed to be biased because I work for ESPN, said Kruk, "but I still hate the Mets."Huh? Why does it seem like everyone associated with Philadelphia is obsessed with talking about the Mets? It's downright comical how an entire city has such a gigantic inferiority complex. But I guess that happens when one teams' fan base outnumbers the others in their own ballpark.  

It should be noted that I actually like Kruk on BBTN, and he was after all, doing a good cause as you will read in the article. So kudos to him for that. 

And the Turkeys of the Year are...


While CNN honors the year in heroes, Sports Illustrated churned out their list for Turkeys of the Year. See who made it from out beloved Mets by clicking here.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Things Mets Lifers Can Be Thankful For

It's that time of year when we reflect back on all that life has thrown at us, ignore the bad stuff, and focus on what we can be thankful for.

As a Mets Lifer, it's tough to be thankful for a team that pulled a stunt like the Mets did not once, but two years in a row. But still, here's a list of things Mets Lifers can be thankful for:

  1. David Wright & Jose Reyes - The future is still bright
  2. Daniel Murphy - The future is brighter yet...
  3. Tom Glavine is not on the Mets
  4. Willie Randolph is on the Brewers - Can you say more Guillermo Mota please?
  5. A brand new ballpark - Who cares what they name it? It's still going to look really nice.
  6. Last time the Mets collapsed the Giants won the Super Bowl! Deja vu?
  7. Moises Alou is guaranteed to not be on the disabled list this year
  8. Johan Santana - The ace you've always wanted
  9. At least we're not Cubs fans - I never believed in curses until this season
  10. The Mets have a shot at signing LeBron James in 2010 - Who needs Brooklyn? Queens, baby!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Surprise! Heilman Wants To Start

It's like daylight savings time. Every year around this time Aaron Heilman talks about being a starter. According to Newsday, Heilman spoke with Omar Minaya about his desire to be a starting pitcher.

Ok, I think it's time to grant Heilman his wish...let him be a starter on another team. Really it's a win-win situation. We'll improve our bullpen by getting rid of Heilman. Heilman will be happy because he'll get to be a starter for another team. The Mets fans across the country will rejoice as if a house just landed on the wicked witch of the West.

If a team is interested in Aaron Heilman, let them have him. He might be a young arm. He might even improve over time, but I seriously doubt it's going to happen in New York. What has Aaron Heilman shown us that warrants the Mets keeping him?

Monday, November 17, 2008

Is Bobby Jenks Worth Fernando Martinez?

Oh, the hot stove is heating up.

Today, Newsday had an article about the Mets interest in closers and cited that Omar Minaya is shying away from K-Rod and liking Bobby Jenks instead. Omar, you sly negotiator you. Is this a little ploy to get K-Rod's bid down to a more reasonable level?

I like Bobby Jenks and think he would be a worthwhile closer for the ballclub. The problem is Jenks requires a trade where K-Rod is a free agent. The word is that Jenks would cost a couple of young prospects, including Fernando Martinez.

So is Jenks worth giving up FMart? I don't think so.

With other options out there in free agency or that can be bought for less, I think the Mets are better off going for KRod or Fuentes in free agency than giving away FMart. Save him for when we need a really big deal, like trading for Matt Holliday in July 2009.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Holliday is Still Attainable

I was shocked this past week when I heard about the Matt Holliday deal to the A's. The A's are in the middle of rebuilding their franchise, so it seemed odd to me that they would unload some of their young talent for a guy who won't be around for very long.

But that's the magic that is Billy Beane.

Beane knows that Holliday is the marqee piece of trade bait for the upcoming season. Come July 2009, every playoff team will be knocking on Beane's door to find out what Beane wants for this prized outfielder. In fact, I'm willing to bet that Beane already has the players in mind that he wants for Matt Holliday.

Do you honestly see the A's keeping Holliday long term? I don't. That's why the Mets still have a chance to get him. My thinking is that Beane would rather have FMart, Niese, and Daniel Murphy than the prospects he gave up to get Holliday.

I'm pleased that the Phillies didn't get Holliday. Can you imagine that lineup if they did? Talk about power, ouch.

So be prepared for some more Holliday talk floating around Citi Field well into the next season.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wright Just Fine with K-Rod or Fuentes

In an atricle from the Associated Press, on MLB.com, David Wright talks about the Mets' need for a 'facelift' and makes his pitch for K-Rod or Brian Fuentes to come to Queens.

Clearly, everyone, including Wright, knows what this organization needs to do. Priority #1 is getting a closer. Then you sure up the rest of the relief corp with Juan Cruz RHP from Arizona who throws gas, (71k's 52 innings) and Joe Biemel LHP, from the Dodgers, and you have yourself a formidable pen. Plus, dump the remaining posion and Wright has himself that facelift he referenced and Mets Lifers can rejoice - if for no other reason - in not having to watch Blowenweis or Heilman serve up anymore victories for opposing teams.

And so Friday, free agents are open for business. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what Omar is going to do.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Willie Randolph New Brewers Bench Coach, Guarantees More Guillermo Mota

Congratulations Willie Randolph on landing a new job. That Mets' paycheck was about to run out so it's good to see you out there pounding the pavement and submitting those resumes.

So you're the new bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. Way to go. You found the only team dumb enough to take Guillermo Mota off the Mets hands. But hey, he's your guy so this must be a perfect fit for you.

I'm pleased to see you back in baseball and I'm hopeful that you'll be influential in bringing Mota into every game the Brewers play against the Mets.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Hot Stove Heating Up

It's that time of year again, Mets Lifers. The Hot stove is heating up and there is plenty of buzz in the air for the NY Mets. For a closer look, click on today's headlines in the local papers.

NY Post: MARKET LOOKS SET TO DELIVER RELIEF TO 'PEN

Daily News: Omar Minaya closing in on closers

Newsday: Mets trying to revamp the bullpen

NY Times: Dodgers Seem More Keen on Ramírez Than Mets



Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Most Hilarious Comment from a Philadelphia Commenter

The Mets Lifer blog posts get feed to another site, BleacherReport.com, which is another sports community site for people to read and comment on a whole slew of sports blogs.

I literally fell out of my chair laughing when an apparent Philadelphia Phillies fan made a comment on my post regarding Jimmy Rollins' Secret Crush on the Mets. Here's the comment that was made on that post:

"...why would Rollins want to be on an inferior team over the last two seasons? Frontrunners, he called Phils fans mid-season. What bigger frontrunners are there than the Mets fans?"

Did you catch that last statement? Doesn't it make you giggle? I mean come on. Frontrunners? Are you serious?

Obviously this person has no clue when it comes to what being a Mets fan is all about and the sufferring, disappointment, and tears that come along with choosing this path for your life. I could see calling some Yankee fans, Boston Red Sox fans, Patriot fans, Spurs fans as frontrunners, but Mets fans?

I still laugh every time I read it. Hope you get a chuckle from it too. Oh to be a frontrunner...

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Jimmy Rollins Secretly Wishes He Was on the Mets

Oh Jimmy. Yesterday, to start off the celebration of the Phillies first World Series in nearly 3 decades Jimmy Rollins stepped to the podium to talk about who? His great teammates? No. His coaches? Nope. The great fans of Philadelphia? No such thing. His mom and dad? Not even close.

Jimmy Rollins talked about Johan Santana and the Mets.

Really. You just won the World Series. You're going to Disney World and in your moment in the sun you talk about the Mets? Come on Jimmy.

I understand that the Phillies hate the Mets. I get the fact that the majority of the NL East despises the Mets. I'm totally ok with that. In fact, I kind of like it. But the fact that Jimmy Rollins can't get the Mets off his mind makes me think he has a little school boy desire to be on the Mets.

Think about it. What the first sign that a boy likes a girl? He picks on her. He makes fun of her. He teases her. But secretly that's the boy's way of showing he likes her. That's so Jimmy Rollins.

In any case, Rollins should enjoy his time on the top of the baseball mountain. Honestly the first thing I thought of when I heard Rollins statement was whether Santana would throw at his head the first time he faces him next season. You know all this hate and tension between these teams is going to explode at some point. We're going to see one of the Ray Knight type of brawls one of these years.

Probably sooner than later.