Thursday Applesauce

by Joe Budd on Apr 2, 2009 9:39 AM EDT in Applesauce

A new voice for Yankee Stadium? A few minor moves inside the division? Is there a player that gets cut in the MLB that Met fans don't want to take a flyer on? The answers and more in this morning's Applesauce breakfast.

Around Port St. Lucie

The Mets play their last game in Florida this afternoon at 1:00, following their 5-2 victory over the Cardinals yesterday. Johan Santana made the start, allowing 2 home runs in 3 innings. The Mets got 3 home runs themselves, all from the catching position (2 from Omir Santos and 1 from Rene Rivera). Alex Cora added 2 hits of his own and the bullpen pitched 6 scoreless innings.

David Wright apparently has a shot at the record for most consecutive 40 double seasons. I wonder if this will get as much hype as Mike Piazza's catching home run record. Anyway, it seems like he will have a good shot in the enormous Citi Field.

Hot Foot does a quick review of SI's last 6 picks to win the World Series. Ugh.

Are there obstructed seats at Citi? Well, not if you're 4 feet tall. Anyway, the Times did a great piece on some of the possible pitfalls of the new stadium. Here's a quick example of some of the less optimal seats at the new stadium.

Mets Geek does an brief analysis of the Mets rotation, concluding that Livan is definitely not worth it.

Brooklyn Met Fan is not a fan of the first pitch encore at Citi Field.

Around the NL East

The Marlins were busy yesterday, making two trades. They have traded Robert Andino to the Orioles for reliever Hayden Penn. They also acquired Ross Gload from Kansas City for a player to be named later.

The Phillies are trying out their own Ayala, trading for minor league reliever Manny Ayala from the Padres.

Lastings Milledge is hitting .117 since being named the leadoff hitter by Manny Acta. Milledge as a leadoff hitter???? That sounds dreadful.

The Philadelphia World Series trophy has traveled 20,000 miles during the offseason. Just to make you feel a little sick this morning.

Former Met Anderson Hernandez will start the season on the DL for the Nats with an injured hamstring.

Around MLB

The Rangers have kept on Andruw Jones for their fifth outfield spot, while cutting Frank Catalanotto. Of course, this has created a minor internet buzz for the Mets to get Catalanotto to replace Marlon Anderson. Has there ever been a major leaguer cut that hasn't created some buzz for the Met fan? Even Gary Sheffield created a discussion.

Derek Jeter will be the opening day leadoff hitter for the Yankees. That makes both of New York's starting shortstops leadoff hitters. Is there anyone out there who thinks the Yankees have the better end of this?

Longtime Yankee Stadium announcer Bob Sheppard is planning to retire. Or is he? I can't imagine that the Yankees will allow him to leave without one big sellout Bob Sheppard Day.

One more Yankee story: Joba Chamberlain pled guilty to DUI and will get probation.

Jake Peavy ended his near-perfect Spring Training yesterday by shutting out the White Sox over five innings. Peavy's Spring ERA was 0.00.

Sorry for the Yankee overload. Enjoy the day!

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Comments

That would be a great achievement for David.

It’s actually quite a good chance he does it. He’s pretty much an iron man thus far, and he’s already at four going into his age 26 season.

I actually would support picking up Catalanotto. Him over Marlon any day.

I would also rather have Jon Niese.

Jake Peavy is a beast. I can’t believe the Cubs couldn’t get him.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Apr 2, 2009 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

I actually disagree on Niese.

I think Niese will eventually be a nice mid/back end starter, however I think it’s important to have pitching depth in the organization. If we went the entire season without a DL stint by one of the starters it would be a miracle. After Niese, what are our options?

by SQUAD on Apr 2, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm still rooting for Dillion Gee

But yeah after Niese, who may not even be that much better than Livan, there’s pretty much nothing. Except Claudio Vargas, Nelson Figuero, and possibly Stokes/Parnell I guess.

by Gina on Apr 2, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

the nats' choice of starting either ahern or belliard at second

really puts our castillo problem in perspective…

of course, comparing the mets’ starters with the starters on the worst team in the league only tells us that the mets won’t suck completely. but still, we could do worse than castillo, who i think will be serviceable if healthy

by englishgrey on Apr 2, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Lol I think he might do a bit better but

pecota expects Ahern to have a .223/.273/.305 line. I don’t think the words bad describe that strongly enough.

by Gina on Apr 2, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

That being said they expect Belliard to be decidely better than Ahern or Castillo.

by Gina on Apr 2, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

hmm

didn’t realize belliard hit .287/.372/.473 in about 300 ABs last season…that is better than anything castillo is likely to put up this year.

belliard’s defense at 2b was pretty bad last year (-27.3 UZR/150 in 29 games), but that’s a lot worse than his career UZR/150 of -0.6. castillo wasn’t much better last year (-10.3 UZR/150 last year), but his upside isn’t great either, with only a 2.3 UZR/150 in 2007.

so yea, maybe belliard will be a better option than castillo this year. that’s depressing.

by englishgrey on Apr 2, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Belliard hits for power

which I think we decided we don’t need from our 2B for some reason.

by JoshNY on Apr 2, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think it's just second base

They seem to have issues understanding that there should be certain offensive expectations for each position. I think having way above average offense players at ss,cf, and 3b has confused our front office into thinking there’s nothing wrong with average/below average offense everywhere else.

by Gina on Apr 2, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly.

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

by kingcritical on Apr 2, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Bob Sheppard

I went to a Giants game a few years ago, when he was still the PA announcer there, and during the game he called something along the lines of “Will Joe DiMaggio please come to the ticket office. Joe DiMaggio to the ticket office.” It was actually pretty awesome: I can tell my grandkids I heard Bob Sheppard announce Joe D.

by cjmulrain on Apr 2, 2009 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

marlon

this is going to be a tough year for him. hes the new david newhan.

also the joba article reminded me of recent rob neyer blog post that absolutley shredded wallace matthews for stating that joba should be a closer and not a starter because closers are a rarer and more valuable commodity than closers, which is totally insane bullshit. god wallace matthews sucks.

ps sorry to lazy to find the neyer link.

HELLO HELLO MR WILPON. WE WANT THE MANSION NOT THE CONDO.

by kendynamo on Apr 2, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions