Trade-Rod Applesauce: Frankie Rodriguez Dealt to Milwaukee, All Star Recap, Wright To Start Rehab Friday in PSL

by Steve Schreiber on Jul 13, 2011 9:01 AM EDT in Applesauce

Frankie Rodriguez will take his tight-wire act and $17.5 million vesting option to Milwaukee. Fair thee well, Frankie.

Tuesday night was the Major League Baseball All-Star game, but what happened on the field was usurped by what the Mets did off of it after the game. In late breaking news, Francisco Rodriguez was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for two players to be named later. The Mets will also send cash considerations to Milwaukee, hopefully in an effort to receive better prospects in return whenever those PTBNL's are named. All in all, a solid deal for the Mets in that they won't have to worry about his pricey $17.5 million vesting option anymore.

Apparently, there was an All-Star game last night and the National League won 5-1 to clinch home field advantage in the World Series and stretch their streak to a modest two consecutive All-Star game victories. The lone Mets representative Carlos Beltran started at DH and went 1-2 with the first hit of the night for the National League, setting up Prince Fielder's go-ahead three run home run.

Speaking of the All-Star game, Bud Selig says that the chances are good that Citi Field will get the 2013 edition of the midsummer classic. Selig also mentioned that there are no significant obstacles remaining for David Einhorn in his bid to become minority Mets owner. All they need is for both sides to agree to a final deal, which should happen within the next month.

Good news everyone! David Wright will likely begin a rehab assignment in Port St. Lucie on Friday. Just in time for him to come back and ruin all of the Mets' positive chemistry, amirite? Sigh.

Here's one thing the Mets won't be getting in the near future: a minor league baseball team on Long Island. The Nassau County voters awarded the Atlantic League the chance to build a stadium near the Nassau Coliseum over the Mets, who tossed in a late bid.

Local television ratings for Mets games are sagging, falling 29 percent from where they were at this time a year ago. That's certainly not good news for the Wilpons.

Happy Jose Reyes is happy, even with his recent hamstring malady.

Ted Berg presents his Half Season in Tweets. The snark level is off the charts and makes for a good laugh.

And finally, Gary Carter plans to continue coaching at Palm Beach Atlantic University next season. We're rooting for you, Kid!

Around the Majors

Bud Selig had his big All Star day press conference bash on Tuesday. Highlights include Derek Jeter (vomit), a no-update update on realignment, stuff that he wants to say about Frank McCourt but can't, why it's really a good idea for the All Star game to determine home-field advantage in the World Series (yikes) and the prospect of limited expansion of instant replay. That last one seems kind of interesting.

How heartwarming! Robby Cano's daddy threw him batting practice and Robby won the whole thing. Isn't that sweet? Speaking of the Yankees, here's what Derek Jeter is doing over the All Star break. Wasn't sure if I should use the word "what" or "who" there. Regardless, did I mention that he's a lucky guy?

Protestors will be lined up outside of Chase Field to tell you all about Arizona's famed immigration law that I know little about. I know, I know: No politics.

The Dodgers acquired Juan Rivera from the Blue Jays in exchange for a player to be name later or cash. Then, they cut Marcus Thames who is seemingly the same player as Juan Rivera. Yup, Ned Coletti sure knows what he's doing.

Finally, Jim Riggleman will interview for a scouting position with the San Francisco Giants next week. No word on if he'll abruptly walk out of the interview midway through.

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Comments

"home field advantage"

sigh.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jul 13, 2011 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

yeah

as someone else said, it won’t matter since we sweeping

I LIKE IKE!

by astromets on Jul 13, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Mets local TV ratings down

Very surprising, since the team is doing relatively well. I had no idea such malaise had set in with the fanbase. Although, I suspect game-tracking via the internet, twitter, and blogs contribute a lot to the fall. Hell, I’m lucky if I can turn on one game a week, but I’m also a full-time student with wacky hours, but I’m able to follow online.

by chakrabs on Jul 13, 2011 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

Ya its amazing the difference in some fanbases

The Pirates get to a similar record as the Mets and they are having almost record attendance. I guess 2 decades of being terrible will do that for you though.

by Balagast on Jul 13, 2011 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

It helps that the Central is god awful.

If the Mets were in the Central they’d be in the thick of the race and 1 game out, there would probably be better attendance in that case too.

@TheRealSoxy

by mcsoxerhoff on Jul 13, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Do the rating include MLB TV

I mean a lot of people watch on the net nowadays. How do they figure in those people? I am not in the local area and that is how I get my games, I use to buy Directv’s baseball package but now it is over $200

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jul 13, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

And how do

those that DVR these games count in the ratings?

by MetsFan4Decades on Jul 13, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Count ratings up to 3 days after the original telecast

And that number is delayed for 3 weeks.

There is not much DVR usage at all with live sports

"Lopez wants it away, and it's hit deep to left center, Andruw Jones on the run, this one has a chance... home run!, Mike Piazza!, and the Mets lead 3 to 2!"

by metsman07 on Jul 13, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

O.K.

Was just something I wondered about.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jul 13, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Looks like

we’re about to find out just how realistic KRod’s proclamation of ‘Parnell is more than ready to take over’ is.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jul 13, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

I wasn't expecting to get much for KRod because of his vest

but 2 PTBNL from the worst minor league system out there is a rough take away when we picked up his 2011 salary.

by FrancoTAU on Jul 13, 2011 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

I'm wondering more and more if it is a player they drafted this year

Because they are so depleted perhaps Sandy wanted a player they drafted this year and that is part of the reason it is a PTBNL.

by Balagast on Jul 13, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Nah

Drafted players need to remain in the drafting team’s system for 12 months, I believe. It’s probably a PTBNL because the system IS so weak. Might as well take your time and get the best you can off the list the Brewers provided.

by eDaPS on Jul 13, 2011 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Basically they will get nothing for Frankie which is just fine.

by Putnan Prince on Jul 13, 2011 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

except by ridding the Vest, they already gained tons

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jul 13, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm wondering

Does this move make it easier to sign reyes and/or beltran seeing as how it clears up a lot of money for next year?

"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx

In Prust We Trust

"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.

A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep

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by Kevin Power on Jul 13, 2011 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

I would assume so

But what do I know

"Lopez wants it away, and it's hit deep to left center, Andruw Jones on the run, this one has a chance... home run!, Mike Piazza!, and the Mets lead 3 to 2!"

by metsman07 on Jul 13, 2011 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Re-signing Reyes is my overall assumption

I would really like to see the best centerfielder in our history return on a reasonable deal, however, I am not sure his knees fit in our future plans. Not to mention he have a lot of RFers set to come up from the minors.

It would be interesting to see what we get for Beltran. Especially if we eat his entire contract this year.

Dear friends, please temporarily stop your footsteps To our website Walk
around A look at Maybe you’ll find happiness in your sight shopping heaven and earth You’ll find our price is more suitable for you.

by Coolpapabell on Jul 13, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Hm

I was honestly hoping to get maybe a BIT more for him closer to the deadline as teams got desperate.

But if you really think about it, it was probably the smartest thing to do right now. Especially with Boras on board and the whole “KRod will not be a setup man” thing. Who is to say that this wouldn’t be the ONLY chance to unload him? If Alderson passed on this it may have been catastrophic.

All in all, I’m happy about the deal. Alderson has been great so far, IMO

by eDaPS on Jul 13, 2011 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

Wonder how Bud feels about Einhorn playing High Stakes Poker Games as a hobby.Winner in the latest

tournament goes away with $8.7 Million and he is in the final 64.

by Putnan Prince on Jul 13, 2011 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

Doesn't Einhorn donate his winnings?

I know he did in the past when he placed well. I think he just plays in the WSOP for fun.

by Balagast on Jul 13, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, he did donate his entire winnings this past round.

I forget just who he donated them to.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jul 13, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

The KrmtDfrog

bar tab

i wish :(

http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/

Mel Gibson shot the movie Apocalypto on location at the center of my taint.
-Fake Emcee

by Cory Braiterman on Jul 13, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

WSOP is not high stakes poker. you can ‘only’ lose entry fee which is peanuts to these guys. but maybe he plays in real high stakes games.

anyone who buys this team is gambling much more than any poker game. is there a bigger gamble than paying 150M for guy who can’t stay on the field for a full year?

Shoot the puck Barry!!!

by dsteak on Jul 13, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Psyched for the B-Par era to begin

I think he has good potential as the closer for the next 3-5 years, although I expect some growing pains during the second half.

by lotdrecords on Jul 13, 2011 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

No more letter-syllable nicknames!!!!!!

by tmu on Jul 13, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

seconded

I’d rather call him “fucking Parnell”

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 13, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Im good with Captain Fastball

or Parns.

"Dont blame me, I was given this world, I didn’t make it."
-Tupac Shakur

by NetsMets4Life on Jul 13, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

BB-Parnell ?

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 13, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I like "Bobby Parmesan"

by David G on Jul 13, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I do too

by TheBigStapler on Jul 13, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

This

Why would we change the nickname that we already gave him?

by Joshuah on Jul 13, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

because, sometimes....

change is good.

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 13, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Bobby "making them take a walk in the" Park-nell

I LIKE IKE!

by astromets on Jul 13, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

SNY Games

I don’t live in NY so, I watch every weekday game on SNY, through MLB.TV. The weekend games are tough because of the blackout restrictions. I do try to watch them on DVR, if, I don;t know the score in advance :}

The K-Rod thing is sweet amd sour. I am happy that the team dumped his pay from the books, it makes the chances of Reyes staying that much better. I am concerned about who will close games. I am NOT impressed with Issy, and, to blow a game in the 9th is hard to swallow. I also am not sure of what we will get back as far as players. We will have to wait and see how this plays out. LETS GO METS!!

by PiazzaHOF on Jul 13, 2011 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

closers are a dime a dozen

hopefully Parnell can claim it and become the next heath bell.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jul 13, 2011 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

I can't wait for the 2013 ASG

I’m definitely going to try to go to the Futures Game. Should be a lot of fun.

@TheRealSoxy

by mcsoxerhoff on Jul 13, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

The HR Derby should be hilarious

by hotspur on Jul 13, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

The winner will hit, like, 2

by JoshNY on Jul 13, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Chase Utley will win it

book it now

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 13, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Khristopher Davis

A Brewers blog quoted someone saying that the K-Rod deal will not involve Scarpetta, Thornburg, Gamel, Peralta, Rivas or Gennett. Gindl or Komatsu would be worst-case PTBNLs. So, I think we can infer that of the five minor leaguers on the list, Gindl and Komatsu represent two of them. The guy not mentioned and the one I really want from them is OF Khristopher Davis. He’s 23 years old and is absolutely destroying the ball in Class A Advanced. His slash line is .326 /.426. /.564. He also has 10 stolen bases. He really should have been promoted to Double A already. Even if the prospects we get back are total crap, I still think this was a good deal. But if we got Khristopher Davis, I think this is a GREAT deal.

by Unappreciated Genius on Jul 13, 2011 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

can he close games ?

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 13, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope that Parnell can be the closer.

by Unappreciated Genius on Jul 13, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope that we don't have a closer anymore

and that we just use the best reliever for high leverage situations.

__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Jul 13, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

rec'd so hard

DIE DIE DIE, CLOSER ROLE

by anonymous on Jul 13, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

it worked once before, I don't see why it can't work again

bullpen by committee.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jul 13, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

All bullpens are committees.

The only question is whether there has to be one guy whose role (and salary) is dictated by the SAVEZ stat.

by anonymous on Jul 13, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Never gonna happen

I`m pretty sure it is part of the mindset of all GMs and the media that a team MUST have a closer. Sure, having a pitcher designated as the high leverage situation pitcher, and being brought in whether that high levergage situation occurs in the 7th, 8th, or 9th inning makes more sense. But it’s just not going to happen. The closer, the save statistic, they are never going away, no matter how stupid they are. So, I look forward to Bobby Parnell as our closer.

by Unappreciated Genius on Jul 13, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Never say never

Especially with a GM who is known for challenging widely held assumptions.

__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Jul 13, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

The one obvious advantage of using a "closer"

Is his inflated value after collecting a bunch of savez. Let Parnell collect a bunch and trade him for a more valuable commodity or prospects to a desperate team next year, Billy Beane style.

by MatthewM11 on Jul 13, 2011 3:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'd actually rather keep Parnell for a while

and wait until we have at least a few other relievers who perform well in high leverage situations.

__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Jul 13, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

hope is a good word

me too

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 13, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I was reading the Brewers blog last night, I'm pretty sure they said that this reporter was only speculating.

by otnekstem on Jul 13, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I did not know that. I still hope we get Khristopher Davis.

by Unappreciated Genius on Jul 13, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it sounds like he would be a good pick up.

As for the reporter, he said about his tweet concerning who wouldn’t be included in the trade: “No source – gut feeling about salary dump. If they were "big" names, they’d be named now.” More an educated guess than complete speculation, but yeah.

by otnekstem on Jul 13, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Ted Berg is a genius

April 2: Hey everyone, the Mets derp dee derp derp bad heyaoo amirite?

"I reject your reality and substitute my own"
-Adam Savage

by blueandorange4life on Jul 13, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

Now that K-rod's vest is no longer in the closet

I guess we should be expecting Jose Reyes back next year.

by Coolpapabell on Jul 13, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

hopefully that freed up $$$ for Reyes

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jul 13, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

let's hope so.

if they trade Voltron (sigh) within the next couple of weeks, that should in theory free up $$$ for Reyes, right?

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jul 13, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought it was a no brainer for Sandy

Very solid move.

What I don’t look forward to are the streaks of suck that Parnell tends to embark on from time to time.

by Coolpapabell on Jul 13, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

This worries me too.

I want Parnell to be given the full opportunity to be the closer. No spliiting time with Izzy. No Izzy at all. I could easily see Terry Collins using him as the closer because of his “veteran experience”. The worst thing would be for Parnell to blow his first couple of saves or even his first save. You`ll have the media saying a bunch of crap, creating even more pressure. I`m not entirely sure, but I think I remember Mariano Rivera, when he first became the closer, blowing his 1st save. We know how he turned out.

by Unappreciated Genius on Jul 13, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, there will definitely be some pain involved.

by SuperT on Jul 13, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Jeter

I think people are making too much of his no show. I mean the guy has been almost every year, ever think maybe he just wanted the vacation. Maybe he looks at it as a chance to rejuvenate for the 2nd half. I hate Joe buck and the way he harps on stuff like this.

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jul 13, 2011 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

My only heartache with this is

if you aren’t going to attend (unless you’re hurt), you shouldn’t be on the ballot to begin with.

Jeter won the popular fan vote for AL SS. If he wasn’t on the ballot, his votes might go to someone more deserving and not necessarily the one who actually came in second this year.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jul 13, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

get rid of fan voting altogether

how are players supposed to get exposed to new players if they keep voting in the same old ones anyway? I mean, Josh Hamilton is not having a bad year, but it is not nearly as good as last season. The only reason he got in was because people remember his story. Media has not stopped talking about him since he came back to the majors.

I LIKE IKE!

by astromets on Jul 13, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Or maybe he's just an ass.

by SuperT on Jul 13, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Or maybe he had a flare-up.

by tmu on Jul 13, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Difference is that he gets lauded as a team first guy, face of baseball, etc.

Reyes has been hurt thrice and still showed up. I don’t blame Jeter, I wouldn’t show up if I was healthy, I just hate how he has the unconditional love of the media when it’s pretty apparent he doesn’t deserve it.

by Evan_S on Jul 13, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I wish Alderson could find a taker for Jason Bay. That would truly be a magician's feat.

by Unappreciated Genius on Jul 13, 2011 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Only the Greek Jedi over in Toronto can pull off trades like that

by Coolpapabell on Jul 13, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

LOL

by Unappreciated Genius on Jul 13, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Not only did he deal a Jason Bay, but he got a productive player thrown in.

It was a stupid contract to take on but actually throwing Napoli in the deal probably confused me more.

by FrancoTAU on Jul 13, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I read that as "a taser for Jason Bay"

by JoshNY on Jul 13, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Bay and Duda for Kyra Sedgewick (the Closer)

by Putnan Prince on Jul 13, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Bay and Duda for a bag of balls

ok…2 bags.

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 13, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

GENIUS

Many thanks to Unappreciated Genius for that list of 5 Brewers prospects. Any speculation on which players the Giants might offer for Beltran? Also, the Mets might have gotten everything they could have out of Beltran. Kind of reminds me of speculation regarding Edgardo Alfonozo re-signing years ago. Both were very good players for the Mets but age & injuries suggest their contracts were just the right length.

by MDMETSFAN on Jul 13, 2011 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

Uhm

Apparently that list was speculation by a Brewers’ reporter. No concrete information like I originally thought. I `ll reiterate though that I hope we get Khristopher Davis. If we trade Beltran, and I`m torn about whether we should or not, the guy I want form the Giants is Erik Surkamp. He’s a LHP pitcher who’s dominating Double A. He only throws about 87-90, but he has very good control, and from what I understand, has a wicked curveball and a pretty good changeup. For a guy who doesn’t throw hard, his strikeout numbers sure are impressive. I think he can probably start next year and be a solid #3 to #4 starter.

by Unappreciated Genius on Jul 13, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

just thought i would add from a giants fan perspective

two things about this. 1) no way surkamp is ready to start next year. 2013 at the earliest. 2) not likely to get him. he’s our second best starting pitching prospect after zach wheeler. (possibly third overall if you count heath hembree our A closer…)

by you'vejustbeenCAINED on Jul 13, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions