The John Delcos New York Mets Report Featuring Mets' commentary, analysis and news.

The Mets aren’t about to do any heavy lifting with their wallets today. Even if they wanted to, they wouldn’t be able to talk with the agent for closer Francisco Rodriguez. Paul Kinzer said he won’t start any heavy discussions until the winter meetings open in Las Vegas, Dec. 8.

“I’ll probably see the Mets at the winter meetings,” Kinzer said. “I don’t have anything else planned.”

The Mets have said they won’t overpay for a closer and the original speculated asking price for Rodriguez, $75-million over five years, is expected to drop. It will be interesting how high the Mets are willing to go.

There have been two significant FA signings, and both should be of interest to the Mets.

All-Star Ryan Dempster stayed with the Cubs for a $52 million, four-year contract, which could have a bearing on Oliver Perez’s deal. And lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt signed a an $8 million, two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants. For those thinking about the bullpen bridge to a closer, that should be an indicator.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

The Rolling Stones once sang, “we all need somebody we can lean on.”

It’s been a rough year for a lot of people. For me, it was losing my job, but what’s helping me get through this period has been the blog.

It has become a joy and a passion for me to talk with you all. On this day, I am especially grateful to you for your support in getting me through what has been a difficult period. I have leaned on you more than you’ll ever realize.

I wish you nothing but the best for you and your families. Peace.-JD

Posted under Uncategorized

Paul Kinzer, the agent for free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, shot down a story in a Spanish newspaper that his client had an offer from the Mets. Furcal is currently talking with Oakland and San Francisco.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Preserve Shea memories

What is now Shea Stadium will become a parking lot, which is how these things work, but I wish there would be a way to prevent an old Volvo from leaking oil on the site where the ball got by Buckner, or where Cleon Jones caught the final out of the 1969 World Series, or where Tommie Agee made those catches, or the mound where Tom Seaver excelled for so many years.

Go ahead, make it a parking lot, but on those spots and others, block off the area and preserve it with a plaque, or small statue, or something that reminds future generations something special happened here.

I called Mets the other day and asked them their plans, and was told they don’t know what they plan, yet.  I just hope they don’t get so caught up in the new place that they fail to preserve some special memories.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Infielder Rafael Furcal told the Spanish newspaper El Caribe the Oakland Athletics offered him a $48-million, four-year contract, and that the Mets also made a proposal.

Furcal did not specify the Mets’ offer and the team has not confirmed.

Said Furcal: “The offer from the Athletics and the New York Mets looks tempting. … There are several factors that we have to evaluate.’’

I don’t know the reliability of El Caribe, but those numbers see way too high, especially with the Mets’ needs. I certainly can’t see paying Furcal that kind of money with Luis Castillo still around.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

K-Rod’s asking price of $75 million over five is heading south. With the traditional big spenders having their closers, the Mets could have a clear shot at him.

But, how much is he worth? And, just because he’s on sale doesn’t make him a bargain when you consider all the other variables.

Doesn’t it tell you something that his team, the Angels, isn’t making a lot of noise about keeping him? and, there’s the drop off his fastball and a violent delivery that could make him vulnerable to injury.

All these things scream, “buyer beware,” not to mention the Mets initially had Brian Fuentes first on their closer wish list.

If your gut instinct was no, then shouldn’t that prevail? Especially, since the price won’t drop to the point where he’s a no-brainer.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Do you remember a few weeks ago Commissioner Bud Selig asked the sports’ owners and general managers to be fiscally responsible as to be sensitive to the public during these tough economic times?

As unemployment spirals and prices rise, will the public be receptive to the sport’s shopping season?

Selig wasn’t telling teams not to indulge in the free agent market, but be cognizant and feeling to a public struggling to survive. He couldn’t tell teams not to spend because, after all, that’s collusion and the Players Association already won that battle.

Then the Yankees offered $140 million to CC Sabathia and talk about signing anybody not nailed down. But, this isn’t a Yankees’ rant, as they are only the poster child for the economics of the sport.

Mediocre players – read Oliver Perez – are about to make untold millions, and over the next few weeks teams will announce ticket prices for the 2009 season. Care to guess how many of the 30 teams will lower prices?

It’s not hard.

It’s easy to be cynical of Selig’s plea because he’s always talking about keeping salaries down, but he’s not about to throw his “best interest in baseball weight” around, because baseball’s best interest, at least to the short term thinkers in the sport, is today’s bottom line.

How nice it would be for the sport to place a moratorium on ticket and concession prices for next season, perhaps cut them five percent. That would be a gift to the public who always gives to the game, in both heart and wallet.

That won’t happen, because he can’t order a team to set prices. It won’t happen because he knows the players won’t take less.

It doesn’t work that way. Players are under pressure from the Players Association to take the best deal because it helps other players.

Sabathia, for instance was offered $100 million to stay in Milwaukee, but even if he were giddy happy there, he won’t re-sign and leave $40 million on the table. It’s easy to say, “how much is enough?” But, you’re not the one leaving money on the table, and the truth is, if in the same position you’d do the same.

It’s never enough.

Baseball doesn’t know the meaning of enough as it expands overseas with the reach of a poker player leaning across the table to pull in his chips. The players will get their millions because teams can afford it, and they can afford it because you always foot the bill. Whether it be tickets, or T-shirts, or watching on TV, the public always pays.

And, does so willingly.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

A lot of things floating on in my mind these days.

-Congratulations to Mike Mussina for retiring on his terms. Part of me wishes he’d stay for 300 wins. But another part – a greater part – admires him for doing it his way. It doesn’t happen often. Will he get my Hall of Fame vote? Yes.

-I see where Hank Steinbrenner gave an ultimatum for the Yankees to sign CC Sabathia. I’d like to see Fred Wilpon do the same with a closer.

-The Mets seem torn between Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes. That should tell you of the concerns for K-Rod. And, concerns at this time are valid. I’d stay away, go with Fuentes and use the rest of the money that would have gone to K-Rod go for depth in the pen.

-Luis Castillo is staying to play second base. That seems apparent now. Their thinking is to hope for a comeback. It beats paying somebody to take him away.

-There doesn’t seem like a groundswell of support to keep either Oliver Perez or Pedro Martinez.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

This blog registered its 10,000th comment this afternoon since it opened in September.  Thanks to all of you for your loyalty and support. It is greatly appreciated. You guys make it all worth while. Thanks.-JD

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

MURPHY: Has strained hammy.

Daniel Murphy’s MRI today revealed a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring. Murphy initially felt discomfort in his leg during batting practice Nov. 11. The Mets say he would skip winter league ball in Puerto Rico and will be ready for spring training.

it is expected Murphy will compete for the left field job this spring, perhaps enter a platoon with Fernando Tatis.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09