Friday Morning Applesauce: Mets Looking At Ankiel, Could Have Record Payroll Drop

by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 27, 2012 9:11 AM EST in Applesauce

While there is some optimism around these parts that the Mets will be relatively fun to watch even if they don't have much in the way of on field success, the franchise does seem poised to land itself in the record books for something this year regardless. The Mets look poised to drop their payroll by the largest amount in the history of the game this offseason. Hopefully this will simply leave the new owner* plenty of flexibility when the Wilpons are told to get out.

*Fingers crossed, fingers crossed, fingers crossed

Speaking of the Wilpons, they filed a motion in court yesterday. Picard is expected to counter. Nothing will come of it and we'll still have a trial in March. Yay. I have to give the Daily News credit, they really picked a hell of a picture of old Freddie.

The Mets are reportedly still looking to add to their payroll but not at a level that would stop them from breaking any records. Today's player of choice appears to be Rick Ankiel. Yay.

Howard Megdal had a piece up the other day about Gary Carter. After John Franco was confirmed to be entering the Mets Hall Of Fame yesterday it seems an appropriate time to link it.

Finally for today, FanGraphs looks at the Tim Lincecum contract and wonders if he's taking too large a risk. Food for thought: Timmah is now scheduled to become a free agent at the same time Johan Santana and Jason Bay come off the books. I'd call it an unlikely signing if Alderson is still in charge, but you just never know what will happen with the Wilpon situation being so cloudy.

Tweet Comment 44 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The name tag is the best part of that picture of Fred

He looks like a senile old man who is known to wander off and get lost. The back probably says “If found, please return to…” But where would you want him returned to?

by mttlg on Jan 27, 2012 9:21 AM EST reply actions

Hell?

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!
You might know me as mistermet.

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 27, 2012 9:26 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

By popular demand

It’s not as legible scaled down, but the full-size version was just too ghastly to post.

by mttlg on Jan 27, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

This photo screams one thing:

Weakened by Bernie’s
A son props up his father to keep control of a baseball team he’s destined to lose

by Bieser's Balk on Jan 27, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Looks like Al Davis’s long lost brother.

Sir, Our math shows that the bird is equal to or GREATER THEN the word. CHECK IT AGAIN!!!!

by statusquo on Jan 27, 2012 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

Wait, when did Fred die and become a zombie?

"And that's why anybody who invested with Lenny Dykstra should really call that number. Lawyers are standing by."

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 27, 2012 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

Last night, if we're lucky.

by Curtis3331 on Jan 28, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

Hell

"it's not easy being green"-kermit the frog
"we the mets are an improved ball club, now we lose in extra innings"-casy stengel
i cant spell a nosebleed
The Official Seinfeld Gif-Man of GGN!!!!!!!!
i'm a moderator for GGN. I will accept tribute.

by rexthejet on Jan 27, 2012 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

I would also go with hell.

Now, kids, being eaten by a crocodile is just like going to sleep; in giant blender.

by meigs1414 on Jan 27, 2012 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

Are you going to trust the Commissioner, or your own lying eyes?

He’s been a great owner….Loves his team. He’s everything you’d want in a local owner.

Oh, Bud.

by Ownbey4Mex on Jan 27, 2012 9:34 AM EST reply actions

He never said who would want him in a local owner

The sad truth might be that having a NY team that’s not in a position to outbid other teams in free agency and not able to spend their way into annual contention might be one of the best things to happen for baseball. I’m sure the other 29 owners in baseball aren’t complaining.

37 - 14 - 41 - 31 - 17 - 42 - SHEA

by piazza62 on Jan 27, 2012 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

Depends.

If the goal is flatter competition, then sure, keeping the Mets in financial straits is great for the playoff chances of the Nationals, Braves, Marlins &c.

If the goal is to increase TV revenues, merchandising, and ticket sales (no shortgage of transplanted NYers in warmer climes), it’s just foolish to turn off one of the largest fanbases. I’m pretty sure the Phils’ owners weren’t complaining about all those Mets fans in 2000 (like me, away at school in Philly) clicking through the Vet turnstiles.

If the goal is to hold on to a plum job through naked “I-scratch-your-back” self interest, and the “you” is “Bud Selig”, then absolutely, I could totally see it.

by Ownbey4Mex on Jan 27, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

You're brilliant posts are being wasted here.Especially that first line.

by Putnan Prince on Jan 27, 2012 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

I think you are brilliant post are being wasted here too.

See what I did there? You’re=You are≠Your

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!
You might know me as mistermet.

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 27, 2012 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with Stephen

Wilpons should sell! (Fingers also crossed)

by aronofsky40 on Jan 27, 2012 9:56 AM EST reply actions

Someone needs to explain Rick Ankiel to me

All I see is a proven record of well-below replacement level.

"RBI’s does measure something – Wins."
-Bayonne Mets Fan on MMO

by Dandy Salderson on Jan 27, 2012 10:20 AM EST reply actions

Not below replacement level

Just below average.

by aronofsky40 on Jan 27, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

How dare you talk about wild thing like that!

Really though, hes a good bench piece, why not if the price is right?

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Jan 27, 2012 7:21 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

According to Rubin:

‘Baseball America reports #Mets sign third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo.’

‘Matt Tuiasosopo, 25, appeared in 71 games with Seattle from 2008-10, hitting .175 with 5 HRs in 193 ABs.’

‘Tuiasosopo has played plenty of positions at the major league level: 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF. He hit .226 at Triple-A Tacoma last season.’

by MetsFan4Decades on Jan 27, 2012 10:35 AM EST reply actions

And 2 points

to anyone who knows how to pronounce that last name.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jan 27, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

Never mind

Rubin included a Mariners broadcast snippet which has them predicting Tuiasosopo’s HR.

Yeah, I’m thinking ‘Tui’ will suffice.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jan 27, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

Link:

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=374&sid=218287

by MetsFan4Decades on Jan 27, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

too-ee-ah-so-so-po

2 points please.

by Evan_S on Jan 27, 2012 11:59 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

LOL

Try saying that 3 times fast.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jan 27, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

LOLLOLLOL

what do I win?

"..."

by Thaddeus Ballpheasant on Jan 27, 2012 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

I know how

from the quarterback , Marques, a few years ago. Too ee as o so po

The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com

by Cory Braiterman on Jan 27, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

One of his older brothers.

"And that's why anybody who invested with Lenny Dykstra should really call that number. Lawyers are standing by."

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 27, 2012 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

i know how to pronounce it because there was a Raiders player with the same last name

and one of my friends who was a raiders fan (i have no idea why), loved that name.

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Jan 27, 2012 11:12 PM EST up reply actions

One of his fathers.

by Curtis3331 on Jan 28, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Cool

His oldest brother is Marques Tuiasosopo, former QB of, among other teams, the New York Jets.

Link

Now, kids, being eaten by a crocodile is just like going to sleep; in giant blender.

by meigs1414 on Jan 27, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

Did he take a sabbatical during 2011?

Any report on how good is his defense or where he is playing (AAA SS?)

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis and Rickroll as the 7th inning song.
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jan 27, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Well,

Rubin reports: ’He hit .226 at Triple-A Tacoma last season.’

Not sure whose triple A that is.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jan 27, 2012 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

Ah,

apparently, it’s the Mariners triple A. Spent his entire short career in their system before they released him in Sep.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jan 27, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

Our depth in AAA

1B: Satin (?)
2B: Valdespin (Havens later)
3B: Lutz
SS:
OF: Baxter/Kirk/Lagares (?) (Den Dekker later)
DH: Pascucci

So, Tui is going to compete against Luis Hernandez for the SS position?

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis and Rickroll as the 7th inning song.
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jan 27, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

I'd imagine Allen Dykstra plays 1st

pushing Satin to 2b and Valdespin to SS.

by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 27, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

I figured Reese Havens would at 2nd in Buffalo.

with Valdespin at short. It’s probably time to give Havens a push to AAA.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!
You might know me as mistermet.

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 27, 2012 1:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

He's mainly a 3B; presumably he's competing with Lutz's achey breaky everything

I’d guess Valdespin plays SS, and Havens starts at 2B.

by psiogen on Jan 27, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, but is he

a natural third baseman like Murphy ?

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jan 27, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

The Question Is

Can Alderson do in 2012 what he did in 2011.

Pull a K-Rod with Bay and Santana, to save their salaries in 2013.

Possibly pull a Beltran with Wright to avoid a Reyes.

If so, we could be looking at $50 million in salary in 2013, or even less.

by WT Economist on Jan 27, 2012 7:24 PM EST reply actions

I can never tell your viewpoint on things

One second you’re advocating he dump Wright at the deadline, which I don’t support, the next you’re griping about the payroll number. Make up your mind!

37 - 14 - 41 - 31 - 17 - 42 - SHEA

by piazza62 on Jan 27, 2012 7:56 PM EST up reply actions

Economics is the dismal science.

Look at him from that point of view and you should be all right.

by Curtis3331 on Jan 28, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not sure how I feel about economics being called a science

But I’m pretty sure it is a negative emotion

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Jan 28, 2012 8:39 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

It's a social science?

I don’t know.

Now, kids, being eaten by a crocodile is just like going to sleep; in giant blender.

by meigs1414 on Jan 30, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Economics is unbelievably math-intensive…

… maybe more so than sports, and these days math and science are so closely intertwined as to be nearly indistinguishable. And economics uses statistics, including most of the same tools we use in sports. Economics developed out of gaming theory.

Yeah, it’s what’s known as a ‘soft’ science, which I believe means that its predictions are probabilities, not ‘mathematical certainties’.

by Curtis3331 on Jan 30, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions