Friday Applesauce

by Eric Simon on Oct 3, 2008 10:39 AM EDT in Applesauce

Bob Klapisch writes that the Mets and Yankees could wind up in a bidding war with each other over the services of C.C. Sabathia. The Yankees have more money to spend, but the Mets can offer Sabathia the opportunity to step into the batter's box every fifth day. Sabathia is from California and many believe he is pining for a west coast return. He'll likely command a contract in the neighborhood of Johan Santana's (think six or seven years, $20-$25 million a year), but the thought of Santana and Sabathia starting 70 games next year is drool-worthy.

The Mets are negotiating with Jerry Manuel to bring him back as manager. Jerry is playing hard-to-get, though the Mets are apparently unlikely to go beyond two years, $1.5 million or so. In the same article, David Lennon speculates that, should things fall apart with Manuel, the Mets might make a push to bring Bobby Valentine back to the states. While I have my doubts that Valentine is even interested in leaving Japan, if I thought he might consider it I would toss Manuel into the nearest dumpster and make my way to the Pacific Rim asap.

Kevin Kernan jumps on the Francisco Rodriguez bandwagon. I think the money is better spent elsewhere, and would sooner hand out less money over less years to Kerry Wood (despite last night's flimsy effort) or Brian Fuentes. Despite his gaudy save totals, I find Rodriguez less appealing now than Billy Wagner was before the Mets signed him three years ago. The age difference is considerable, obviously, but Wagner had much better control than Rodriguez with similar strikeout rates.

The Mets are probably going to pick up Carlos Delgado's option at $12 million, which only costs the Mets $8 million relative to the $4 million buyout he would be owed if the Mets declined the option. If Delgado returns, even for one season, that likely means Mark Teixeira and Adam Dunn are off the table, though Dunn could conceivably "play" a corner outfield spot.

Following in lock-step with the Mets' once-promising season, Shea Stadium is now being dismantled. Follow the link for a video of some of the demo work being done.

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BOBBY V!!!!!!!!!

I don’t mind Jerry all that much, but Bobby V would be freaking sweet.

by JoshNY on Oct 3, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

I think

the chances of Bobby coming back here are slim and none. He had a lot say when he got fired and Omar was here the first time as an assistant when Bobby was here and can probably remember the battles he had with Phillips.

If Sheets elbow is actually healthy for next season I would give him a lowball value offer in addition to getting CC.

by DoctorK16 on Oct 3, 2008 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

Bobby V and Sashimi sound fine to me!

Give him a 4 year deal and all of the sushi / sashimi that he can consume in any locale in NYC!

I wouldn’t mind having Sabathia either. But can someone tell me why the heck he is so “un-clutch” in the post season?

C.C. Sabathia’s Cumulative Post Season Stats till current. (Source: MLB.com)

W (2) L (3) ERA (7.92) BB (22) SO (24)

C.C. has started a total of five post season games. 2001 (1), 2007 (3), 2008 (1)

" NOT WORTH A CONTINENTAL ! "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Oct 3, 2008 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

I think down the stretch

At least this season, he pitched on short rest on multiple occasions in a row. This year he was clearly fatigued.

But it’s helpful that he’s left-handed, with Utley and Howard being left-handed as well.

Guys I would like to see the Mets sign:

Brian Fuentes
K-Rod (if the money is fair, if it’s not say no thanks and since the money will be ridiculous nope.)
Kerry Wood
Adam Dunn
Manny Ramirez
CC Sabathia
Russell Branyan to be our left handed power bat off the bench and to spell Wright at third, play outfield and spell Delgado.

"I got my pregnant wife (the Yankee fan) with me. Hoping my kid learns to kick her everytime the Mets score." -Schifftis-

by future on Oct 3, 2008 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Sabathia's been pitching since '01?

Wow. I did not remember him coming up so long ago.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Oct 3, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Argument against signing Krod

I totally agree about spending money on player(s) other than KRod is a better course of action.

Reason 1: KRod has been gearing up for this year for a long time so that he can get paid in this contract. I am not sure what he looks like post-ink. His commitment to the team concept has been panned in Southern California for a while. A big doubt for a big money guy.

Reason 2: We need bullpen depth. 1 awesome closer is great to haev, but if our mid-relievers give up 6 runs getting to him, he is of no use.

Reason 3: NY aint Anaheim. They cheer for everyone in Anaheim, because it is sunny and everyone has botox so it looks like they are all smiling. Just a happier place. Not sure how KRod would transition.

Reason 4: This is his all-time high value. I hate buying people at their peak value.

Just my thoughts.

Oh Bobby V please come back. That would be awesome.

by losangelesmets on Oct 3, 2008 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

Valentine update

Valentine is currently managing Chiba Lotte in Japan’s professional league. He says he is happy there, but Valentine is not opposed to talking with the Mets. In an e-mail message, Valentine was asked: How much interest would you have in returning to manage the Mets?
“I am working for a team that needs me and wants me as their man,” Valentine replied. “I love it here, but I am an American and love great challenges. I was a in a Met uniform in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000, and would love to be there in the next decade.”

ESPN: If Manuel falls through, Valentine not opposed to talking with Mets

by anonymous on Oct 3, 2008 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

well...

Doesn’t look like it’s gonna fall through. Mets just signed him to a 2 year deal with an option for a 3rd.

Read it here: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3624489

" NOT WORTH A CONTINENTAL ! "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Oct 3, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Sabathia? Meh

We have our ace in Johan. Let the Skanks sign him to a disgustingly large deal and then realize that the rest of their rotation is ancient or sucks.

Manny would also be great, but I don’t think he’s gonna come. He seems extremely happy in L.A., and I’m sure he’ll stay there if they keep doing well. Someone along the lines of Adam Dunn (think 2-hole!) or even Raul Ibanez (the anti-Alou, with 600 AB every year) would be great.

As for the managerial situation, I don’t know. I like Jerry, but his “We’ll be fine” rhetoric this past month was reminiscent of Willie. Bobby V returning would be great, but it won’t happen. If the Jerry deal falls through, there’s always Acta!

by Prince on Oct 3, 2008 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

Jerry said the Mets would be fine?

Where and when? It seemed to me he was mostly saying “What can I do every night with this bullpen?”

I will not forget Willie’s comment about how the champagne will taste that much sweeter. What an ass.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Oct 3, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

How to pick a playoff team when your team isn't in it

Today I help New Yorkers find a team once your own team is out

by SullyBaseball on Oct 3, 2008 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

No offense

But this is basically tantamount to trolling in my opinion. If you want to cross-post your thoughts in a FanPost here, that’s awesome, but contributing nothing to the discourse aside from shilling a link to your own site is not going to fly.

by Eric Simon on Oct 3, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know if I'd call it trolling

He’s not picking a fight or anything. It’s probably more like spamming.

by JoshNY on Oct 3, 2008 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

ya

I’d actually prefer to see a link in a thread than a whole separate post related to a link. My $0.02.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Oct 4, 2008 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions

That being said

There are more-graceful ways to add such a link.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Oct 4, 2008 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions

That's actually pretty interesting

+1 for the article. -1 for the spamming.

by Prince on Oct 4, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

sign dunn anyway

let him ‘play’ in the outfield for one year and then move him to 1B. WHY NOT HE IS AWESOME.

by kendynamo on Oct 3, 2008 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

this is my opinion as well

I think moving Murphy to second and signing Dunn as a long-term OF → 1B is the best possible thing the Mets could do for their lineup next year and beyond. But I also don’t think hitting is the problem. If the team decides to scrimp a bit on position players and spend a little more on pitching this year, it’s fine with me.

by anonymous on Oct 3, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I would love for Dunn to be signed, but I’m pretty certain there’s no chance of that happening. From what I remember during the trade deadline our front office just plain doesn’t like Dunn.

by Gina on Oct 5, 2008 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Downside to my screenname

For a moment there, I thought everyone was calling for me to return to the boards. Oh well. I’m not sure Bobby V would ever come back. He’s got a sweet deal going on in Japan, plus Jerry just got a 2-year deal. Still, it’d be cool to have him back.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Oct 3, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions