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

It is wishful thinking to think the reported boorish behavior of Yankees fans toward Cliff Lee’s wife during the ALCS will keep the talented left-hander out of the Bronx.

THE LEE FAMILY: NYC could still be home.

It certainly won’t enhance the Mets’ chances.

There are several factors – some still to happen – that will determine where Lee ends up this winter. The Yankees long appeared to be the frontrunners to land Lee, and that still holds true because they have the ability to write the largest checks.

Lee was traded by Cleveland, Philadelphia and Seattle in large part because those teams weren’t going to re-sign Lee. Now, there’s no guarantee Texas will, either, regardless of what happens in the World Series.

“Lee wants to go through the free agent process,” one agent said. “He may very well stay in Texas, but he’s going to test the market.”

Lee has not been quoted as saying he won’t play in New York, for either the Yankees or Mets, so until he does we can’t eliminate the market. Lee will surely not rip New York over this because it will reduce his leverage in the free-agent market.

Because of the tax situation in New York in comparison to Texas, a New York team would have to blow the Rangers out of the water to land him. Reports have been the package would have to be $20 million to $40 million greater in New York to compensate for the tax issue.

Neither the Mets nor Yankees have established their budgets for 2011, but it is a solid assumption the Yankees’ will be far greater.

Small town Mike Mussina was no great fan of New York when he played with the Orioles, but in the end he left for New York and adapted. As much as Lee might be a country boy, if the Yankees’ offer is far superior to that from Texas or another team, he could still end up with the Yankees.

In comparison to the Mets, the Yankees can offer more money and a better chance to immediately win. That speaks volumes. And, the Yankees can offer a lot of financial love to apologize for their boorish, entitled fans.

And, when it comes to free agency, money usually speaks loudest.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Game #136-138

I used to love Labor Day as a kid. It meant doubleheaders. So did Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and most Sundays.

Times change.

I hope you’re enjoying the conversation with new friends in the New Mets Chat Room. I am optimistic as it continues to grow and hope you’ll be patient with us.

The Chat Rooms will be open throughout the Holiday weekend, and as you watch the games I hope you’ll continue to post your comments. I will try to get on but don’t know how much computer access I’ll have this weekend.

To access, please click onto the Mets Chat Room icon to the left of this post. It will bring you to another page. At the bottom on the right is where you can click on to register. If you can use your same screen names that would be great. If not, do the best you can.

This is a work in progress. I am greatly optimistic about the future of this type of chat room.

Today and tomorrow, the Mets are in Chicago, and Monday play an afternoon game at Washington.

Enjoy the Holiday Weekend.-JD

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

MANUEL: Clock ticking toward the inevitable.

Jerry Manuel told The New York Post the other day he’d love to know his job status for next season. There was a chance of his return, maybe even had the Mets not made the playoffs, if they continued to play as they did in June when they reached a high-water mark of 11 games over .500. Had they made a real run an argument could be made for him.

But, the collapse in July, followed by a month of .500 ball – give or take a game – has done him in. August was especially brutal because the Mets played with disinterest, without passion, without spark. There were extenuating circumstances – there always is – but the general apathy the team has been in the past month greatly reflects on the manager.

He has lost his team.

Several things within Manuel’s control have done him in, headed by his handling of the bullpen. He burns out relievers and isn’t always clear in dealing with the players on their job descriptions. Communication is not his strong point, as evidenced when he said Ike Davis had been spoken to regarding his emotional displays at the plate. When asked about this, Davis had no clue.

David Wright did not know when he’d get a day off. Manuel did not discuss with Jeff Francoeur his status following Carlos Beltran’s return.

Manuel threw John Maine under the bus when he said maybe the best day to pitch him would be on off days. He insisted on three catchers in the National League game which is absurd. Manuel’s handling of Jose Reyes’ oblique strain prior to All-Star break was foolish. He insisted on Jenrry Mejia in the bullpen to start the season when it clearly was not in the best long-term interests of the club.

The list goes on and on.

That there is not one Met saying for publication that the fault is on the players and not Manuel is telling. Nobody is in his corner. More than a few Mets stood up for Willie Randolph, while at the time Manuel was telling the brass he’d be interested in the job.

Add it all up, and the Mets are 190-198 under Manuel in his two-and-a-half  years. For the fourth straight year the Mets will not make the playoffs, for the second straight year September will be about showcasing players for the following season.

This time, the Mets will be showcasing players Manuel will never get to manage.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Well, last night wasn’t one of Jon Niese’s better games, the offense sputtered again and Jose Reyes reinjured himself. Anybody out there surprised by that?

Of course not.

The August 31 waiver deal deadline is fast approaching and it will be interesting to see who, or if, the Mets will unload somebody. Since they don’t want him, you know they’ll be shopping Carlos Beltran. I like Beltran, but believe his better days are behind him.

Maybe he’ll show enough in September to elicit a trade or at least give the Mets hope they’ll have a viable player next season. Outside of that there are few reasons to watch anymore.

What are your feelings about September? Will you watch because the Mets are your team and you love them win or lose? Or, have you given up on them and counting the day until spring training?

But, for those who watch, there’s a reason? What will compel you to continue watching this disappointing season?

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Today I posted some of the silver threads in the dark cloud that has become the Mets’ season. It got even worse today with the news Francisco Rodriguez has a torn ligament in his right thumb, sustained, of course, in the altercation the other night.

Rodriguez underwent an MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery  and surgery has been recommended.

Rodriguez has a $17.5 million option for 2012 which automatically vests if he finishes 55 games in 2011 AND he finishes 100 games between 2010 and 2011. That might not happen now.

More to the point, the Mets might find cause to terminate his contract based on Rodriguez’s actions making him unavailable to pitch. Don’t think for a moment the Mets aren’t examining that possibility. They’d love to unload his contract and this could be the opportunity.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

On this holiday about love I hope you’re all with your significant others. For some of us, our lives are made up of many loves, many passions …. and for the readers of this blog, there’s a passion to baseball and the Mets.

What is it about baseball that you love like no other sport? And, what is it that drew you toward the Mets and caused you to never let go? And, never will.

Posted under Mets News, Mets News & Features/2010

Message to Bud: Don't pray for it, make it happen.

After Carlos Pena’s single drove in B.J. Upton with the tying run, and the grounds crew practically following him across the plate, Selig said he would have not allowed the Phillies be crowned champions with a rain-shortened victory.

“It’s not a way to end a World Series,” Selig said. “I would not have allowed the World Series to end that way.”

I believe he wouldn’t. He would have played his “best interest in baseball,” card and done the right thing.

Giving that, why couldn’t he have done the right thing earlier? Perhaps not start the game at all, given the forecast? Or, once it started, said, “if we have to stop this, we won’t have a rain-shortened winner?”

The late start times and scheduling are other matters he needs to correct. My thinking is the World Series is the ultimate. It’s baseball’s showcase event, and it should be treated that way. Too often MLB lets those who don’t love it make the decisions and that has to stop.

If Selig’s words are to be believed, he must follow them up with actions that mean something. So far, his legacy as commissioner has been the steroids era, interleague play, new divisional alignments and a work stoppage that killed the 1994 World Series.

Time to change that for the better. Schedule the Series start times so people can see the game, and if worse, to give you more leeway time with the weather. If you don’t like playing this late in October, then you’re going to have to do something about shortening the playoffs?

Since you won’t reduce the number of games, then you must alter the regular season schedule. I have already suggested in these pages to have at least one day-night doubleheader a month. That would give you six days to play with. There are things that can be done, and in the end they won’t hurt as bad as the embarrassment that was last night.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Steelers vs. Giants: Potential Super Bowl match-up?

The Steelers lead in the first quarter. Got home in time to watch the end of the Jets game. Now watching the Giants. Glad to see Plaxico Burress sitting the bench at the start. If this guy thinks he’s as good as Moss, Owens and even Fitzgerald, he’s nuts.

But, I guess it’s something with receivers in the NFL. The guys I mentioned, are cocky and eccentric. Maybe it has something to do with playing the position.

Will watch this game, then the Series tonight.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09