Mets Stuff
According to Adam Rubin, the attendance at Citi Field has declined for the third straight season, down to 2,352,596. That figure represents an 8.1% decrease from 2010 and is the lowest total since the 2004 season, the last of the Art Howe era. What's worse is that the dropping attendance along with the organization's mounting debt has contributed to estimated losses of close to $70 million for the season.
Johan Santana threw in the instructional league against Mets minor leaguers on Friday and according to Assistant GM Paul DePodesta, he will throw again next Friday. It looks like he will not pitch in winter ball, though.
Sad news for the fans of Mets pitchers Pat Misch and Mike O`Connor: the two left-handers, who both spent the majority of 2011 with Buffalo, declared free agency and will test the market. Don't cry, Mets fans...it'll be alright. We'll get through this.
Here are five short term options for the Mets' closer role.
Remember Hisanori Takahashi? How does the decision to let Tak2 walk after 2010 look now?
Around the Playoffs
The Brewers beat the Diamondbacks 4-1 behind an excellent start from Yovani Gallardo and a Prince Fielder home run.
The Phillies exploded for five runs in the sixth inning and they beat the Cardinals 11-6. Roy Halladay allowed a three run home run to Lance Berkman before morphing into Roy Halladay, as he retired all 21 batters over his last seven innings.
The Rangers evened up the series with the Rays at one apiece, beating Tampa 8-6 behind a five run fourth inning against James Shields who was ripped for seven runs in five innings.
Robinson Cano hit a grand slam as the Yankees tore apart Doug Fister and the Tigers bullpen, winning their suspended game one by a 9-3 score. Welcome to #CanOctober, folks. That guy's going to win a batting title someday.
Things seem to be breaking down in Boston, as rumor has it that the Sox will give GM Theo Epstein permission to forgo the final year of his contract to become the Cubs General Manager. Meanwhile, a number of names have been tossed out in the past two days as potential replacements for Terry Francona, but the two most interesting have to be Joe Torre and Bobby Valentine. My initial guess is that it will ultimately be Bobby V who gets the job. His big market experience and charismatic personality seem to be a perfect fit for handling the Red Sox and the notoriously tough Boston media and fans.
The Angels are also looking over GM candidates to replace the resigned Tony Reagins.