Glad That Didn't happen

The Backstop Back At Ya: Overheard a rumor that got stepped out before it reached the presses.

It was supposed to be a 3-way deal between the Mets, The Blue Jays and the Cubs. It sent out Castillo. (That did not bother me) sent Bradley somewhere else (still with you) Sent Dan Murphy somewhere else (I would learn to live with it) and imported Lyle Overbay (and there is where they lost me) Overbay would be an overpaid, older version of Dan Murphy. Maybe a little better with the glove but age and pay make this deal a deal for deal's sake. So I am glad that they did not pull the trigger on this one. *Unless there would have been another deal in place that would have been made possible by this one. Highly unlikely. Glad we are in discussions with somebody though. More specifically, I am glad we have a dialogue with the Blue Jays. (I think you know where I am going with this one) With the understanding that this winter the Jays may have to move their ace lest they risk him going to free agency nest year, I am sure as salt goes with pepper, that we could sure use Doc. Would even enter the new year with a better outlook if we landed a Halliday before the holidays. Optimistic? Yes Out of the question? Five Words: Johan Santana is a Met.

At Least That Is Over. May the End Start The Beginning

The Backstop Back At Ya: First things first: The Backstop humbly would like to congratulate the New York Yankees and their REAL fans for winning their 27th World Series... But don't push it. I have tremendous respect for any baseball fan that is passionate about their team. Personal experience has shown me that in the case of the Yankee Fans -v- Fans of the other teams records indicate that it is only the real fans who can answer questions like: Who is the back-up catcher? or Who did they trade to get Player X? I find way too often that questions that Derek Jeter or A-Rod are not the answer to find them with little to say but "We Won... Mets Suck Yippie..." That is not who I am referring to when I say "Real Baseball Fans."

It hurt enough having to route for the Phillies anyway. I could not help but notice that Young King Cole proved to be quite the choke artist last Saturday. Hm..

Okay enough of that. Lets get started on fixing this mess. We need:

A) A starting pitcher above all else. I would prefer this to come via the trade as John Lackey would cost us the #7 overall pick in next years player draft. Unfortunately we have to look at next year while being mindful of future years. If I may overstate the obvious Doc Halliday would be the most desirable candidate. I am not sure we have enough of what the Blue Jays would need to get in return to make that happen. Other alternatives must be explored. I have heard a few rumblings that suggest King Felix Hernandez of the Mariners may be made available should the right deal present itself. Ike Davis aside, (Who the Mariners would not have a position for anyway) is one of my few "Untouchables" as far as prospects are concerned. A short list that would get even shorter if certain names such as the above 2 pitchers were made available.

B) Left Field/Catcher/First Base or Second Base. The organization seems content even committed to Murphy at 1b next season. Which is fine provided they make significant upgrades at 2 of the other 3 spots. I do not want to spoil the surprise, but I think the Mets starting Left Fielder next year will be Carlos Lee. More to come.

Lets get this mess fixed. I will be posting polls in the next few days. As well as trade possibilities worth looking into. For now I have to go to work (And not the damn parade. I would sooner remove my own fingers)

Be Well

Almost Time To Start (Over)

The Backstop Back At Ya: Well, now that I have been reminded what it feels like to have my team's season over while they still have 2-3 months to play, (depending on when you gave up) I have to be honest. I even miss having my heart broken on the final Sunday of the regular season.

How sad is that?

Well its over. Yeah I know their is still a world series about to happen. Which, unless the Angels pull off a miracle, will feature the Yankees and the Phillies. Add snakes and you have my worst nightmare.

I would be forced to pull for the Phillies. If for no other reason, the Phillies successfully defending their title, I at least would not have to live in the city where the celebration happens. Call me a fan of the geography. Either way I am choosing which Lord of the Sith to cheer for.

It is getting cold outside however. You know what that means.

It is almost time to fire up the old Mets Hot Stove season.

Ah yes, the Met fan's time of refuge where victory does not have to happen on the baseball field. What will they do to right the wrong that was the 2009 season? The most backwards season since 2001.

I have not decided what I think their best course of action is yet. I am reluctant to want them to sign any "Type A" free agents this year because we do not have any of the same who's contracts are expiring. We have the #7 over all pick in the 2010 player draft. Signing John Lackey would cost us that pick. Right now, the bottom line says that I like the prospects that should be available in the player draft more than I like the type A free agents this year. All due respect to the likes of Mr. Lackey, Matt Holiday, and a very few other people that fall into that category. This is just one of those free agent seasons where availability will supercede value when it come to free agent talent this year. They are the "cream of the crap" if you will. I think Lackey and Big Matt would be huge pieces to this messed up puzzle. I also may change my mind about this. But for now I want to stock up on talent just in case the rumors of King Albert being unhappy in St. Louis are true, I want us to have 2 of whatever they want for a hitter like that.

So lets talk turkey. And by turkey I mean trades. I wonder if Castillo played well enough to get himself traded? That is why I have to think about this for a while. If I had written in January that Lucky Louie would be the ONLY regular to stay in the line-up, healthy, and produce, they would have come and taken me away.

The Backstop says Fire up the stove.

It was a bad year for the Backstop too; Oh The Irony of it All

The Backstop Back At Ya: I have not made an entry in a few months. Life went and happened on me. Other projects had temporarily made this page secondary. Then I looked up and saw the M.A.S.H. unit both literally and figuratively, that the season had become and... Well let me put it this way. I said from the beginning that I was a "Glass Mostly Full" type of Mets fan. More over, I have not given up on this season. You read correctly. We are not mathematically eliminated, so I still believe. You don't get the title of "The Miracle Mets" and the "Amazin' Mets" without a few amazing and/or miracle moments and seasons on your resume. I am well aware that this post may open a series of events that finds me strapped to a table for brain experiments. So let me make it clear. I am a fan of my team in good times and bad. More importantly, I am willing to go down with the ship as it sinks into the stinky drink. I do not advise this practice as it may lead to a positive outlook on life, and who really needs that?

For the Sake of Argument, Let's Assume The Season Is Over:

I would like to note a few things about the 2009 season that may give promise to future years.

-Dan Murphy; Keep a few things in mind before you consider him a disappointment.

For all intensive purposes this was his first year in the bigs. With very few exceptions, most of baseball's very good first basemen were Daniel Murphy before they went on to become MarK Texiera, Nick Johnson, Derek Lee, Joey Votto, and Paul Konerko just to name a few. *Disclaimer: Many people will read this statement and think I am prospecting Mr. Murphy to be comparable to the above mentioned players. I am not. All I am saying is that he has put a full year of playing time under his belt. With that comes seasoning. He is a year better. He has showed signs of remarkable plate discipline. He has come through big several times. Three days ago, in a Mets victory, he had all of the Rbi's. All those RBi's came in clutch situations. Ultimately, next season he will be a year better, and assuming they make upgrades in Left Field, Catcher, and the Rotation I would learn to live with him at first base next year. We might even be mild to moderately surprised by what he is capable of. Yes, Yes I know people are saying that I am entirely overlooking his defense. All I can say to that is that errors are much easier to remember than good plays. I remember both. Lets not forget that we all had ourselves convinced through an entire off season plus one day against the Cubs, that since Roger Cedeno was so bad in the corner outfield positions, that it would be a good idea to let him play Center where he can get "A Better Read On The Ball Off The Bat." And we all bought it. So lets just see what happens.

-There are few people in the baseball business who's opinion I respect more than ESPN's Peter Gammons. I heard him on the radio earlier in the season saying that he can not think of a team that has ever had to undertake the injuries that the Mets have and still been able to win. As much as we would like to blame Jerry and Omar and Jeff and Fred and Elvis, there is not a team in the game with the back-ups sufficient to overcome the injuries that we have suffered this season. Don't make me write the list. It is too painful. I do think that a Bizarro World point to ponder is the fact that in 2009 a)The Mets bullpen has been successful. (Especially compared to recent years) And the one guy that has been consistently healthy and productive this whole season is Luis Castillo. If I had predicted that in the spring I would have been banned from the Internet. It does sort of give me an idea how backwards this season has been. Just a thought. All due respect to Mr. Castillo, but maybe he played well enough to get traded. Then we could consider pursuing, who I said in an earlier blog, Orlando Hunson who is both a free agent and has always wanted to play for the Mets. I know. The Money. Well we can only hope that whatever the exact dollar amount that Bernie Maddoff made off with, Uncle Fred and cousin Jeff understand that they own a controlling share in a big market team. If they want to draw more than flies and ire next year, they will realize that a league minimum savior is not going to fall from the sky.

-My Catcher, I am so proud of this even though he has only played one game. More than 2 years ago on Kyle D's Site I predicted that Josh Thole was going to be the Mets catcher of the future. I said he would likely debut in September of 2009. Well I was right about those two things. I also said that he has a chance to be the Mets version of Joe Mauer. Well that obviously has not happened yet but just in case I am right about that too I wanted to document it again. The kid looks very special to me. I love his knowledge of the strike zone. I was impressed with what I saw with him behind the plate. Note that my knee-caps and ankles have earned me the title of Backstop. I have a fondness for those who play my position. Wishful Thinking? After one 2-4 game. Absolutely, but the Mets catcher position is the most coveted position that we have. Let me dream.

-Anybody that suggests that they should trade Jose Reyes is mentally ill and should not waste their time on baseball. They would be better suited giving last rights to healthy people. I have maintained all along that the Mets offense goes directly through Reyes. He is the most exciting player I have ever seen. I hope he comes back healthy, and as himself. I do not align myself with those who consider him a "Show-Boat." All I see is a young man who loves to play baseball. I will be damned if I am going to allow the Florida Marlins or World champion Phillies (yes it hurt to write that) dictate my player's behavior. Jose, Come back healthy and enjoy the game. There is not a person reading this that would not trade a body part to be in your positon.

-Beltran/Santana/A 2 Legged Oliver Perez/A full season of Jeff Francoeur/Putz (Pronunciation Pending) and many others are on the menu for 2010. For now I am just going to enjoy every game for what it is worth. Because I will miss it in the Winter.

-When the time becomes appropriate, we will start to theorize on how to build this team for next year... But not yet.

Get Back to You At the Next Stop.

The Backstop

P.S. Those who say that the Mets Minor League system is barren of talent should look at some of the numbers themselves and not take the word of pampas afternoon radio talk show hosts who route for the Yankees and do not even know where the Double A team plays. Start with Ike Davis. He is a favorite.

False Start - It is Turner Field After all.

The Backstop Back At Ya: Okay maybe the expectation to win the first game out of the gat was a bit, shall we say, ambitious. I sense (Or I want to sense) that there is a big streak coming. But I have made it clear that I am going down with the ship.

Trade Proposal:

Mets get: Chone Figgins & Reggie Willets.

Angels Get: Bobby Parnell and Bradley Holt.

Mets need bats/Angels need Bullpen help. They get Parnell, a hard throwing reliever and Holt, a top AA pitching prospect.

Figgins is a) perfect for Citi Field and b) Is just what we need. He plays several positions well so when/if anybody comes back from DL we are able to move him to another position.

I am guessing that we would have to sweeten the pot a little... But it is a thought.