State of the Mets 11/30

As we approach December, here are a couple news and notes.

1. Pedro Feliciano has declined arbitration, and if (more like when) he signs elsewhere, the Mets well get a sandwich pick.
1. My Take: Awesome. We don't have to spend 4 million dollars on a situational lefty and we get a draft pick.
2. Chris Young (formerly of the Padres and is famous for being tall), is 'close' to signing with the Mets.
1. My Take: This is a low risk/potential high reward signing if it does happen. Paul D. is very familiar with CY, and if he may fill a spot in the rotation until Johan is fully healthy/could be a great sign if he stays healthy all year.
2. Again low risk, so I'm actually ok if we do sign him, depending on the price and assuming it's a one year deal. 

Let's Go Mets!

And the Mets have a new manager

Below is the e-mail announcing the Mets manager.

Dear Mets Fans:

We are pleased to announce we have hired Terry Collins as our new Manager.

Terry's a lifelong baseball man who comes with the entire package - leadership, preparation, emotional commitment, and the drive to win. We believe Terry's knowledge of our players, energy, intelligence, intensity, and direct approach will make an immediate, positive impact both in the clubhouse and on the field.

Terry spent six years as a major-league manager, leading the Anaheim Angels and Houston Astros to winning records and second-place finishes in his five full seasons. He managed the Angels from 1997-1999 and the Astros from 1994-1996, compiling an overall record of 444-434 (.506).

We will introduce Terry to the media this morning during a press conference at 11:00 a.m. at Citi Field. SNY and Mets.com will carry it live.

Terry will work closely with the Baseball Operations department with the goal of delivering a team of which you can be proud in the short and long term.

Thanks for your ongoing support and interest.

Sincerely,

Sandy Alderson

My Take: YAWN. As I've stated a number of times throughout this off-season, I don't buy tickets due to the manager, so choosing between Terry Collins, Bob Melvin, Chip Hale, or Wally Backman would not have made me buy season tickets. My vote was for Wally Backman, but in the end, it doesn't make a big difference, and I have put my faith in Sandy and Co. Their job is a lot more important than Terry Collins job. Let's hope he learned his lesson and won't have his team admittedly quit on him once again.

Let's Go Mets!

Quick Hit...Terry Collins also has previous run-in with Drinking and Driving?

Hat tip for Mets Today for being the first (and only) one to report this thus far. Everyone loves to write and talk about Wally Backman's DWI charge, but no one has mentioned that "the current favorite" Terry Collins also has one on his record.

As Joe Janish points out in the article, if you are going to dig up people's pasts, make sure you dig up all the candidates pasts, not just cherry pick some people's past wrongdoings...

My Take: I still have Wally Backman as my top choice to be the next Mets manager, but in reality, it's not a big deal whoever it is. I'm happy the Mets seem to have a capable front office right now and I put my faith in them. If Sandy makes Bob Melvin or Terry Collins the manager, will I buy more tickets? No...but I don't buy tickets to see a manager. I buy tickets to enjoy the game and the players on the field. And that doesn't change if Wally, or Bobby V. or who is writing out the line-up card.

Weekly Mets Update

Three newsworthy items from the past week.

1. Mets have hired J.P. Ricciardi as a special assistant to Sandy Alderson. Ricciardi had a standing offer to join the staff of Theo Epstein and the Red Sox, but he chose to be reunited with Alderson instead.
1. My Take: I was thrilled with this hiring, but then it's been brought to my attention all the bad contracts he gave out while the GM of Toronto. I still think it's a positive move, and he may be groomed by Alderson as his successor.
2. The Mets managerial search has begun, with at least 6 names being addressed
1. My Take: I still want Wally Backman to be the next manager, but it seems like he is a long-shot, although he is on the short list. Many beat writers think Terry Collins will be the next manager, and that elicits a yawn from me. I'd rather keep him in his current role of minor league development.
3. Charlie Manuels, long-time Mets Clubhouse Manager, has been suspended without pay, and has been connected to a gambling ring, which is under investigation. He has supposedly admitted to betting mainly on football, but also on baseball.
1. My Take: Hopefully this is the whole story, and not just the tip of the iceberg. Jeff Francoeur gave Manuels on $50,000 tip on his way out of town to Texas; hopefully it was just a giant thank you. 

That's all for now, the blog will continue to be operating in off-season/maintenance mode with weekly/bi-weekly updates, or more as necessary.


LET'S GO METS!