8 Run Applesauce - Braves answer with own 8 spot, Wagner on waivers, Putz returning, K-Rod's ridiculous option, Nats make GM choice

by Joe Budd on Aug 20, 2009 7:34 AM EDT in Applesauce

So much for the one player that I was looking forward to watching this season. Can the September callups happen yet so that at least Nick Evans can get some TV time?

Meet the Mets

Can you imagine what this team would be like if it had a bullpen of Billy Wagner, JJ Putz, and Francisco Rodriguez? How awesome would that be? Man, I yearn for those offseason days long ago when I dreamt of that. So innocent. If it does happen, it would probably be quick because the Mets put Wagner on waivers.

Francisco Rodriguez's fourth year option is performance based and it's ridiculous. He very easily could earn $17.5 million in his fourth year.

Nick Evans is playing himself into a September callup and Josh Thole made a start at first base.

Go to a Mets game for as little as $3.

The Mets' 3 nominees for the Hank Aaron award (the best offensive player award): David Wright, Angel Pagan, and Luis Castillo. Enough said.

Around the NL East

Cliff Lee is making me feel like a schlub for getting stuck with Johan Santana for $20 million.

The Nationals flaunt internet rumors and make Mike Rizzo their full time GM. The team celebrated by losing 5-4 to the Colorado Rockies.

The Marlins notched 10 hits again, but this time lost to the Houston Astros 6-3. Florida is now 5.5 games behind Philadelphia.

Rehabbing Atlanta starter Tim Hudson may face off against Jake Peavy down in triple-A.

Around MLB

Newly acquired John Smoltz will most likely make his Cardinal debut this weekend.

The Dodgers lost to Albert Pujols last night, dropping their NL West lead down to 3.5 games.

Seattle made a move to acquire demoted Brewer infielder Bill Hall.

Dave Cameron says that Joe Mauer could be having the greatest season ever for a catcher.

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Comments

Anyone know why Ike Davis didn’t play in either game yesterday?

by OlStubbleBeard on Aug 20, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions

Game 1 was making up a suspended game from which Davis had been removed

and they put Thole out at 1st for the 2nd game. So it was really like one game off.

by dtro on Aug 20, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh I thought he was pulled from the suspended game yesterday just before it resumed not before the game was postponed.

by OlStubbleBeard on Aug 20, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

When can I get my Thole jersey?

by The 'Ropolitans on Aug 20, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

Go online to mlb.com, hit shop, and go with the personalized jersey

and order it along with your Grission shirt, because I think they have a 2 for 1 special deal

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Aug 20, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Ah, but what number?

What does he wear in the minors? 21?

by The 'Ropolitans on Aug 20, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

25

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Aug 20, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

So...

Thole #25
Grission… #99? #1?

by The 'Ropolitans on Aug 20, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

#9 for Omir Santos

or #1

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Aug 20, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

#Awesome

by The 'Ropolitans on Aug 20, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

yes

or #Grission

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Aug 20, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

#OBP

by The 'Ropolitans on Aug 20, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

#wOBA

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Aug 20, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

#StatisticalNumbers

by mets81 on Aug 20, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

he better get called up before they retire KazMat's #25

"If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it on the scoreboard?"

by hotspur on Aug 20, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

is it just me

or is it pretty clear that we should NOT trade wagner?

i mean we keep him, offer him arbitration this winter and either bring him back on the cheap or let him leave and as a type A he would bring back 2 first round picks.

i don’t think any team is that desperate that they’d give us anything worth quite that much.

by Rob Castellano on Aug 20, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

I agree

Mike Silva thinks we should trade him to the Yankees for Juan Miranda, a 26 year old first baseman in AAA. I disagree with that, and I think you are right

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Aug 20, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

can they even get Carmen Miranda?

I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya

by itsmetsforme on Aug 20, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Draft Picks

We probably don’t want to pay the bonuses for 2 more early draft picks.

The Wilpons probably want to shed the salary commitment for this year and the buyout obligation for 2010 instead.

by DannyMetsGeek on Aug 20, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

ugh

you’re probably right

Im not as cheap as them, and I barely have any money.

by mets81 on Aug 20, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree (although I’m generally in favor of trading relievers for prospects, see: Feliciano, Pedro) mostly because Wagner won’t accept arbitration because he wants to close, so the risk is that Mets decline his option, offer arb, he declines and then nobody signs him, which really isnt any worse than trading him to the Yankees for Juan Miranda.

so the mets will probably trade him to the yankees for Juan Miranda.

by mets81 on Aug 20, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Does Juan Miranda have grission?

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Aug 20, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

How cheap would he be in Arb?

by OlStubbleBeard on Aug 20, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

its hard to say given his injury

but Wags has said he wants to close, he knows he cant do that here. I dont think its about money for him. If he doesnt get offerred a job he’ll go to virginia and farm alpacas until someone needs a closer.

by mets81 on Aug 20, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

but

putting him on waivers doesnt ruin that… it just gives the mets the option of trading him.

What if a closer goes down on a team in 1st… maybe a deal that favors the mets comes along? for once? it has to happen someday right?

by gbaked on Aug 20, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Solid logic, except for one critical flaw...

God hates us.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Aug 20, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll fix it for you

~~God hates us.~~ Our front office is incompetant.

by mets81 on Aug 20, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm wondering

if the Mets are willing to pay the rest of his salary. If so, they might actually get something. Think the Dodgers and Casey Blake.

by Mount17 on Aug 20, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

We might not be bringing him back on the cheap

He could get a pretty nice, for him, arbitration number.

by Gina on Aug 20, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I really don't think he'd accept

given his burning desire to close games.

by mets81 on Aug 20, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

If his arbitration number is 7-8 million

He would essentially be forcing our hand to trade him by accepting. Since we couldn’t pay that and fill the other holes that need filling.

by Gina on Aug 20, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

good point

I didnt think of that.

That said, I still think that he would rather take less money than risk being stuck setting up someone else for another year.

by mets81 on Aug 20, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

he is 15 saves away from a major milestone. that is why he wants to close next year.

by fxcarden on Aug 20, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

you're right provided Wagner

can be brought back “on the cheap”, which I doubt is true. Pretty much everything boils down to how much money could Wagner get in arbitration. If it’s less than 4 million, sure, let’s offer him arbitration. However, if it’s 8 million, there’s no way he declines it. I know that max 20% reduction does not apply here but still have no idea how myuch money can Wagner get in arbitration.

by alexSVK on Aug 20, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions