Results tagged ‘ Mark Teixiera ’
Happy Holidays
Happy holidays to all my readers, whether you celebrate Hannukah or Christmas or Kwanzaa or something else. My mother is Christian and my father is Jewish, so I’ve always celebrated both. I never went to church or temple or religious school, so the only thing I know about religion is pretty much whatever was in the social studies textbook in school. I don’t really believe in God or worship anybody/anything, so I guess I am an aethiest. But to me, the holidays are about spending time with your family and friends and just being happy. I didn’t really ask for much this year, but I can tell you one thing that will definitely make me happy this holiday season. I want the Hot Stove to heat up again. Ever since the Mets signed K-Rod, it seemed like the Putz trade overshadowed it. Then the Sabathia signing made headlines, and then the Burnett signing overshadowed that. Ever since, there has been really nothing going on. But boy, do I really want something to happen. Mark Teixiera, SIGN ALREADY! I’m pretty surprised the Red Sox haven’t done anything major yet. They always seem to be on top of everything every year, but all they’ve done so far was trade Coco Crisp and sign Junichi Tazawa.
Another thing that will make me happy is for the new year to roll around already. Why? I want the MLB Network to debut. Sure, I’ve gotten the preview channel that launched last week, but all it does is play a continuous loop of things like the Red Sox 2004 World Series Victory movie, and other things from MLB Productions. I’ve watched them all already. I am ready to watch some MLB Tonight.
Anyway, have a happy holiday season. And have a happy new year, too.
UPDATE: Just minutes after this post the Yankees have reportedly signed Teixiera. I guess I got my wish. I’ll blog about that some other time, I am tired of typing after this post.
I Called It Part 2; Mets Sign K-Rod; My Free Agent Signings
First, today’s transaction.
Gerald Laird to Tigers for 2 pitching prospects in return. Won’t affect Mets at all.
Dodgers sign Casey Blake and Mark Loretta. This just means the Dodgers have less cash to sign some other free agents.
Adam Everett signs with Twins. Big deal.
O’s trade Ramon Hernandez to the Reds for Ryan Freel and prospects.
Mike Lamb signed with the Brewers. This could mean they trade Bill Hall, who I recall the Mets had interest in during the trade deadline.
The Indians signed Kerry Wood. Big deal seeing as the Mets signed K-Rod.
Wait, K-Rod? Yes, its official. Well, official as soon as he passes a physical, but I can’t hold it in until then. This is a huge relief, as the bullpen was the whole reason for the downfall, and in the words of John Kruk, “WE’RE FINALLY GONNA HAVE A CHANCE TO COMPETE WITH THE PHILLIES NEXT SEASON! BRING IT ON!!!!!” We still need a set-up man though, and I predict the Mets will sign Chad Cordero next.
Lastly, here are my prediction for the major signings. If I forget any, let me know, I’ll add it.
Brian Fuentes – Cardinals
AJ Burnett – Yankees
Derek Lowe – Red Sox
CC Sabathia – Dodgers
Trevor Hoffman – Rangers
Randy Wolf – Yankees
Pedro Martinez – Pirates
Chad Cordero – Mets
Adam Dunn – Rays
Jason Giambi – A’s
Manny Ramirez – Dodgers
Orlando Hudson – Giants
Jason Varitek – Red Sox
Bobby Abreu – Astros
Raul Ibanez – Cubs
Mark Teixiera – Angels
If you have any questions as to my reasoning, let me know.
Time for the Explosion
If you think it, we are pretty far into the offseason already. Its been more than a month since the World Series ended, and we already know who is in the Free Agent Market. Its December already. That means that soon, everybody is going to start signing, whether its the big names or not. We have this month, but something tells me nobody will sign contracts on Christmas, and then January, when everybody is rushing to hurry up and sign a good deal, and then February, Spring Training.
So I think C.C. Sabathia is definitely going to sign in the next week, with several smaller names going along the way as well. After that, veterans like Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek will probably sign right away, just so they can relax for a while, then get ready for Spring Training and move in with their lives as long as they have baseball. I thikn Mark Teixiera will make a bunch of headlines and change his mind a lot but overall will sign fairly quickly, as he doesn’t seem like the type to make a huge deal of things despite the reported 10 years he commanded. Around this time several smaller big names like Brian Fuentes, Jon Garland, and Orlando Hudson will sign, along with a bunch of other middle and lower level free agents.
Francisco Rodriguez will want lots of money, and he obviously isn’t going to sign right away, and his price will drop. I think he will then keep dragging it out, and be one of the latest signers.
Now, there is one big name missing from here: Manny Ramirez. I think Manny will be Manny 24/7 as soon as the Hot Stove heats up, and he won’t stop until the season starts. He is going to want gigantic money, and more years than anyone is willing to give him. 5 years is a lot for a 36 year old. I honestly have no idea whether he wants to go back to LA, sign with the Yankees, or something in between, but I do know that he is going to drag this thing out as long as possible, and finally sign in the middle of February, right before Spring Training, and he will certainly get the sportswriters mad.
You can expect the Hot Stove to start burning real soon, folks.
What I Would Do In The Offseason
Free Agents to let go: Alou, Pedro, Tatis, Easley
Resign: Oliver Perez, Rincon, Ayala, Matt Wise (Remember him? He was on the opening day roster but got hurt and came back and played one game and got hurt again and we never heard of him again. But he has GOTTA be better than Heilman at this point, right?), Delgado
Free Agents to Sign: Orlando Hudson, Tim Wakefield, Jon Garland, Teixiera, Manny Ramirez
Trade: Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, Castillo, Delgado
Trade For: Huston Street/Bobby Jenks/J.J. Putz, ANY relief pitcher, prospects, middle infielders for bench, cash
I figure outfield would be fixed with Manny and Evans/Murphy would play left if we can’t sign him or if someone gets hurt. You need to resign Oliver Perez, he could fill a huge hole, Rincon and Ayala did nice jobs for he most part. If we sign Teixiera and Delgado we can trade Delgado for someone good like a bench infielder to replace Easley. Street, Jenks, or Putz could obvisiously fill the closer role (forget K-Rod, he will be too expensive, especially with Manny and Tex, and he will blow out his arm), while Hudson could play second and be a clubhouse leader and Garland can join the rotation. I already blogged about Wakefield and Heilman sucks beyond repair, at least he sucks in New York. Sanchez will never be the same, and everybody knows that Castillo needs to go and trade is the only way because of that stupid extension. Unless we release him, but then we won’t get anything back (addition by subtraction?).
_______________________________________________________________________________
Or how about we just sign Manny, CC Sabathia, K-Rod, Teixiera, and every other big free agent, and then pay for their contracts by winning the World Series! That sounds perfect!
Prediction: Mets to Remain Silent at Deadline
The Braves just traded Mark Teixiera to the Angels for Casey Kotchman and a minor league pitcher. Glad he’s out of the division.
I do not think the Mets will make a move this trade deadline. With Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese both untouchable. If they do make a move it seems Scott Schoenweis will be the most likely to go. Minaya said he would not include Aaron Heilman in a deal for Brian Fuentas, which I think is a horrible idea. Get Heilman out of here, especially when someone will take him. Fuentas would be a perfect fit fot the Mets, with the troubles Feliciano and Schoenweis have had. He could close out games when Wagner needs rest, and he could pitch the eighth inning because Duaner Sanchez is too inconsistent.
I know the Mets won’t trade Fernando Martinez, and I hope they won’t, but I also hope they don’t stay silent. He could turn out to be a bomb, and with the surprise production of Nick Evans, why not explore the market? I say try and go for Martinez, and Schoenweis for Raul Ibanez and Arthur Rhodes. Of course, you can try Schoenweis and Martinez and possibly someone else for Fuentas and Holliday, but that won’t happen. Maybe Jason Bay?
I don’t think Fuentas or Holliday will be traded. Nor will Manny Ramirez, but Jason Bay could be on the move. I can’t wait to see what happens on Thursday.
Possible Trades
There is no doubt that the Mets need to make a trade before the deadline if they want to make a serious run for the playoffs. In my mind, they need to aquire a first baseman, a second baseman, another outfielder who can stay healthy, and a proven starting pitcher.
First Base
- Obviously, Mark Teixeira would be a great fit for the Mets at first base. He is a proven slugger and won a Gold Glove award for his defense. The thing is I don’t think the Braves are going to trade this guy to another contender in the division. Besides, he will cost way too much to rent for 2 months. Maybe the Mets can sign him after the year is over.
- Remember Mike Jacobs, the guy the Mets traded to Florida for Carlos Delgado? Well he is eligible for arbitration next year and he will obviously want more than the minimum wage he is currently making. With plans for a new ballpark, the Marlins might not be able to afford keeping him around long-term and he could be a possible fit for the Mets if they want him back.
- Keep Carlos Delgado! Sure, he is getting old and there are better guys on the market, but if they can sign him to a cheaper contract, I say go for it! He still has the power to hit 30 home runs a season and drive in 100 RBI, and people say his defense isn’t good but I havn’t seen anything wrong with it. In fact, I have noticed his has a great talent for picking balls out of the dirt, and with all those wild throws from Reyes and Wright, Delgado does a great job at tagging the runner out.
Bottom Line: The Mets need to do something about their situation at first base, and they need to do it fast. Otherwise, I see a long, shining career ahead in New York for Isaac Davis.
Second Base
- When the Mets signed Luis Castillo, they could have also gotten Mark Grudzielanek. Sure, Grudzielanek is 5 years older than Castillo, but he is having a solid year at the plate and is a natural number 2 hitter, plus he won a Gold Glove in 2006. Coming from Kansas City, who already have second base prospects, he can also be a cheap player to get.
- Bill Hall wants out of Milwaukee. Not only can he play second base, but shortstop, third base, and center field, too. He still can put up big power numbers, and he is just about in the prime of his career.
- The Blue Jays have a whole bunch of middle infielders on the market, notably David Eckstein. But they also have John MacDonald and Marco Scutaro to play second base. So why not try to aquire Aaron Hill? He has nice range up the middle and provides descent speed, plus he wouldn’t come at a heavy price.
Bottom Line: I think the Mets will stay with Luis Castillo for now. It was a bonehead move signing him to a 3 year extention, but it was a move the Mets will have to live with.
Outfield
- Everybody wants Matt Holliday. But should everybody trade for him? The Mets have the money for him, but not the prospects. Lots of teams are willing to give more than the Mets are, so don’t get your hopes up.
- The Mets could be looking to bring back Jay Payton. He is too old in the opinion of the Orioles, plus he will be a free agent next year, so he will be cheap. He still has the power to hit 15 home runs, but health is the question for him.
- The Angels have a very crowded outfield right now, so Jaun Rivera could be on the block. He provides a power bat and can play both left and right field.
Bottom Line: Xavier Nady remains the most coveted outfielder by the Mets, but as long as Alou and Church can stay healthy the outfield situation should be fine.
Pitching
- Don’t expect a C.C. Sabathia trade for the Mets. He would be great back-to-back with Johan Santana, but the Mets just don’t have the prospects.
- Joe Blanton is cheaper now than ever. With 11 losses at before the All-Star break (he has a chance for another tonight), Oakland may finally deal the right-hander.
- Anthony Reyes has never been a real successful guy with St. Louis, but maybe he just needs a change in scenery. He is still real young, and the Cardinals probably wouldn’t wait to trade him for someone like Chris Aguila.
Bottom Line: All the Mets need is an innings eater who won’t get hurt. With Orlando Hernandez questionable for the end of the year, the Mets would make a move fast. Keep in mind Oliver Perez could be shipped off, but I wouldn’t count on it.
If something doesn’t get done, I can see GM Omar Minaya getting the boot. I keep saying the Mets should trade a superstar for a bunch of prospects, but Reyes and Wright have to satry, and Carlos Beltran is needed for success now.
mlblogsmetsmainman
Recent Comments