I can't give the Wilpons any credit for these two moves because I don't think the team had much of a choice.
They cut dead weight not trade for Pujols or Lester, 1 to 2 million does not equate to a spending spree. Did they make the team better by cutting these guys? yes, they did but it by no means is a major move to improve the team.
Of course they had a choice - they could have done exactly what they did last year, which was absolutely nothing. The point is that they realized that that would be viewed very negatively by the fan base, so they bit the bullet and took the hit. How exactly is this not a good thing?
I'm glad you think that 1 or 2 million dollars is nothing, but I suspect that many people would disagree. I never said they went on a spending spree or made a major move, but what move should they have made this offseason that they didn't? Are you seriously suggesting that they could have traded for Pujols or Lester? I find it amazing how many people simply refuse to ever give them any credit, no matter what they do.
In baseball money terms, 1 or 2 millian dollars is nothing. I give the Mets credit for seeming to have found a better FO and management team. That should pay off in the future but I doubt that this year will be much different from the last several. After the last few years I hope you feel the cynicism is justified. Maybe you feel satisfied with the team the last few years not me. I would have liked to see them make a move to improve the pitching. Young looks like a savvy move but we need more than that in our starting rotation. It would be nice to get a number one starter. No I was not serious on Pujols or Lester. IMO the move that the Mets should have made wasto get Oswalt last year when the Philly's got him. He is signed for a couple more years and could have worked well with Santana when gets back.
In news, they sent Turner to minor league camp. Still thinking Emaus will break as the starter with Murphy playing super-sub. At least we're not looking to break camp with Mike Jacobs or Frenchy on the roster.
Even leaving aside the money issue and who they would've had to give up to get him, there is no way that Oswalt would've waived his no trade clause to go play for the going nowhere Mets last season.
I thought he said he would have. If he knew Philly wanted him maybe not but I am pretty sure he said something about being willing to come to NY.
FYI Mets released a bunch more single game tix for OD today. I just snagged a pair on the Pepsi porch. Will be my 7th OD in the last 8 years.
It's funny you mention Frenchy, I was at a Royals ST game and look who the fuck comes up to bat. Those fuckers have a bunch of has beens from NY, Melky, Frenchy, Betimit. What do you guys think of Hu? He was having a decent Spring last I saw. I'm not expecting him to be a great pickup but I think he can be a good bench player. His glove is phenomenal but his bat has yet to catch up to Big League pitching.
Ah, the Royals were the one team that made Omar Minaya look competent. I think Hu will be a solid defensive back-up to Reyes at short, and a good late-inning defensive replacement at second base. I doubt his batting will ever catch up to major league pitching, but he shouldn't get too many at bats. That is awesome.
Well the Royals did fleece the Mets on the Bannister trade, Ambriox Burgos... :rofl: Ok Omar Seems we are in agreement on Hu. The guy is an acrobat. I saw plenty of him in AAA and know he can't hit worth a shit but his fielding is great. I'm gonna have to look for some Chin Lung Hu memorabilia when I head over to Taiwan in May. His ass better make the roster so I'll be able to watch the Mets with my steamed breakfast rolls. If Wang stays healthy I'll get the Nats games. Will be interesting to see some Mets and Nationals hats this time as the last time all I saw were Yankees and Dodgers. Worst case I still get Vin Scully and Hung Chi Kuo. Never forget the 1st time I was over there walked into a store on a Saturday morning and they had the Yankee game on live but it was Friday night in the Bronx.
R.A. Dickey wants people to pronounce his initials like they are a word. So you will now call him Ray Dickey. He got the idea from J.A. Happ.
WOW!!!!! Mets still paying Bobby Bonilla!!!!!!! That is unreal! http://www.sbnation.com/2010/7/2/1549845/bobby-bonilla-mets-payroll-age-25-years-2011
The curse continues. Bay strained an intercostal (ribcage) muscle taking batting practice. Such injuries typically take a few weeks for recovery. I wonder if they'll try to bring Evans back (he was put on waivers yesterday). http://eye-on-baseball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/28136882
Much ado about... nothing. This has been common knowledge for years, I thought. It made economic sense - Mets saved a ton of cash, and a million dollars twenty years from now is going to be negligible from a payroll standpoint. I doubt that we can get Evans back, that was really disappointing timing. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come from Bay.