Tag Archives: Hot Stove

Nov 06

Blog update ….

Posted on by

The World Series is over, so as promised I’ll be doing some things to improve the blog. I want to make it more visually appealing and also adding more in the terms of content.

As you see, today I was able to post a poll, of which there will be more of in the future. I’m also working on doing more writing and have more standard items, things you can expect to see on a regular basis.

I got some static during the World Series about writing on the Yankees. I want you to know during the Hot Stove season there might be posts that don’t always feature the Mets, but I will try to get a Met angle into the story.

There will also be an increase in links to other blogs, as well as links to other sites. Once a new feature is added I’ll have a post directing you to it.

I saw the numbers and they are improving. Considering I’m not affiliated with a media vehicle they are actually pretty decent. But, they can be better, which is why I won’t be complacent and try to improve as much as I can.

There is a core of followers to the blog, some from when I was working at that paper. Your input is always valuable. If you have suggestions and don’t want to post them, feel free to email me at jdelcos@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much for your continued support.

Best,

John

Sep 21

Run away from this guy ….

Posted on by

BRADLEY: First class jerk.

BRADLEY: Defines being a jerk.

There are jerks, first-class jerks and Milton Bradley. One of the all-time bad guys in sport, Bradley has been suspended for the remainder of the season by the Chicago Cubs for his conduct.

He has two more years left on his contract – that the Cubs would give him three seasons just goes to show how clueless that organization is – but has already worn out his welcome. So, with not much in the way of pennant races to write about, the Hot Stove season has already started for some writers, Jon Heyman for example, who wonders it the Mets and Cubs will discuss an exchange at two seemingly worthless properties: Bradley for Oliver Perez.

I couldn’t believe it when I first read it, and still think there’s no merit to the concept. For one thing, Perez is a young, left-handed pitcher with potential, but has remained an uncashed check. While it seems hopeless at times, there is a chance he could be turned around with the right pitching coach. Perhaps a change of scenery would do it, but not if it meant getting Bradley in return.

Bradley, and I don’t really like saying this, is simply a bad guy. He’s a psychopath. He’s like Barry Bonds, Albert Belle and Carl Everett. He’s simply a powder keg in search of a spark. He’s ready to go off at any time.

Here’s how bad he is: He hit .321 last year for Texas and the Rangers couldn’t wait to see him go.

Here’s the most important stat you need to know about Bradley: This is his ninth major league season and he’s been with six teams already. Undoubtedly, there will be a team stupid enough to become the seventh.

Let’s hope it isn’t the Mets.

Say what you will about Perez, who might not ever make it in New York. But, he’s not a bad guy. Bradley has $20 million left over the next two years which is a lot of money to shell out for bad will.

Nov 05

Catching up ….

Posted on by

Sorry for the brief hiatus, but when Mother Migraine decides she wants to put you on your butt you have no choice but to go down. Slept most of yesterday and awoke to the news we have a new president and the Mets probably won’t make much of a splash in the FA market.

Been trying to catch up on the Hot Stove News and there’s really not much that’s surprising. We know the Yankees are offering money to just about everybody while the Mets figure not to stray far from their $143 million payroll from last year.

Most of the news seems to substantiate what we’ve been talking about here, that the Mets will go after pitching, pitching and somebody to throw the ball to the catcher. They’d like to keep Oliver Perez and sign Derek Lowe, and they’ve targeted Brian Fuentes as their closer.

Nothing shocking there.

The Mets don’t figure to go after a big bat because they don’t believe that’s why they lost. Their problems hitting with runners in scoring position were brought into greater focus because of the 29 blown saves. Cut that in half, they figure, and the NL East would have been theirs for the taking.

Actually, that was their same philosophy each of the last two winters. After 2006, there was the belief of entitlement, that after coming so close they would naturally take the next step. After 2007, there was a feeling the collapse was an aberration and they were still the team to beat.

Not so then, and maybe not so now.

Nov 03

Mets Chat Room: Gathering around the Hot Stove

Posted on by

What's on your mind?

What's on your mind?

Pat Burrell turned down $22 million over two years from Philadelphia and CC Sabathia is about to turn down over $100 million from Milwaukee.

All signs are pointing toward the Yankees getting Sabathia. They don’t appear to have a ceiling. The same can’t be said about the Mets. They’ll have money coming off the books with Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez and Moises Alou going, but they’ll be giving raises to David Wright and Jose Reyes.

Their payroll last year was $143 million, and I don’t see it going much higher.

We can discuss all of that tonight.

Nov 02

Relaxin’ and chattin’ on a Sunday ….

Posted on by

Giants trying to open big lead in division.

Giants trying to open big lead in division.

For the longest time, I looked at the first Sunday after the World Series as the start of the football season. Sure, we’re eight weeks in, but it’s a chance to channel surf without having to worry about missing a pitch.

The Hot Stove Season will really kick with rumors this week. Watched some of the Jets this afternoon and ready for Giants-Cowboys. Giants are defending their title well with the exception of their meltdown in Cleveland.

The win today, and Washington loses tomorrow night against the Steelers – a real possibility – then they would have gone a long way toward locking down their division.