Friday, October 14, 2011

Mets Announce Geren As New Bench Coach

The Mets announced this afternoon that Bob Geren has been named the team's new bench coach.

Geren, 50, spent four season's as the Oakland A's manager before being let go last season.

In a press release, manager Terry Collins said, "Bob Geren’s experience as a former manager and bench coach will be a great fit for us. Adding a former major league catcher like Bob to our staff will be ideal."

According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the Mets are now in the process of searching for a new first base coach. So far, the team has interviewed Minor League infield coordinator Kevin Morgan and outfield coordinator Jack Voigt.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

2012 Breakout candidate: Brad Holt

This is a name many Mets fans have given up on.

Heading into next season however, I think that is about to change.

After being selected in the first round, 33rd overall in the 2008 draft, the Mets sent Holt to join the Brooklyn Cyclones. He did not disappoint.

In 72 innings, he went 5-3 with a sparkling 1.87 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. His most impressive statistic, were his 96 strike outs in those 72 innings, giving him a K/9 ratio of 11.94, tops in the NYPL. The only issue, which would rear its ugly head later, was that he walked 4.11 batters per nine innings. It was still early in his professional career, so because of his great ERA, WHIP and K/9, the high walk rate was ignored.

After being drafted in the first round and dominating the NYPL the way he did, the Mets sent Holt directly to High A-Ball, skipping over Low A and to see what he would do.

Again, Holt did not disappoint.

Rejoice Backman Fans, He's Not Going Anywhere...Yet

According to William Ladson, Wally Backman will not be joining the Washington Nationals coaching staff in 2012.



That means some of your hopes and dreams of Backman joining the Mets are still alive.

Mike Puma of the NY Post wrote on Tuesday that Backman was considering joining the Nationals as a third base coach.
The source said 68-year-old [Davey] Johnson may look to groom Backman for the managerial job, much in the same manner Bobby Cox took Fredi Gonzalez under his wing with the Braves before retiring.
A few of the coaching positions still available for the Mets are bench coach and first base coach.

Puma also suggests in The Post that Backman taking a job with the Nationals would have meant he was looking for the fastest route to becoming a big league manager.

Well, you know how I feel about Backman becoming a manager, or at least manager of the Mets. If not, click here.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Look Back At The Greatest Grand Slam...Grand Slam Single That Is

With the hiring of Robin Ventura as the new Chicago White Sox manager, and the walk-off grand slam from Nelson Cruz in Monday night's game between the Rangers and Tigers, I was feeling a little nostalgic and decided to google the greatest grand slam I ever saw.

Granted it was technically ruled a single, but who cares. Click on the picture to watch the video. Enjoy.

Selig Not Worrying About Mets

According to ESPN New York, MLB Commissioner, Bud Selig, is not concerned over the Mets financial siutation.

Really? Do you know something the rest of the world doesn't, Bud? Unless I missed a story, the Mets finances were not the finest.

As for that $25 million loan MLB provided the Mets last season, Selig told reporters, "It will be paid back."

I have no doubt that the loan will be paid back eventually, but just out of curiosity, what if it's not? What exactly is MLB going to do?

Nobody Likes a Quitter...Well Maybe The Mets Do

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, former Washington Nationals skipper Jim Riggleman and former Oakland A's manager Bob Geren, will be interviewing for the Mets' bench coach job this week. Rubin reports that interviews could begin Wednesday.

Riggleman resigned 75 games into the 2011 season. Geren, who managed the A's from 2007 to 2011, was fired just 65 games into last season.

I wonder...was this what Riggleman was hoping for when he dropped his team like a bad habit last season? Not so easy to find a managing gig these days is it Jimmy.

I have to say, based on the way Riggleman handled his problems with the Nationals last season, he's not my favorite pick.

I also wonder if his feelings toward one-year deals has changed. After all, he did say last year, "I promise you I’ll never do a one-year deal again."

Monday, October 10, 2011

No Hard Feelings Between K-Rod And Mets

Francisco Rodriguez isn't pitching in his dream role, but he's on a playoff team, and could be on his way to winning a World Series ring. Can't complain too much.

Still, K-Rod would like to get back to being a full-time closer. According to David Lennon of Newsday, that could mean that K-Rod, who is heading for free agency once the season ends, could wind up with the Mets again.
"I don't have no hard feelings for nobody. They did what they had to do. They needed to unload a lot of money and I was making too much money. But you never know what's going to happen one year from now, two years from now."
So not only will K-Rod be looking for a closing role, the Mets are looking for a closer. How convenient.

He also says he's past all of the negativity that surrounded him during his days in New York.
"After the storm, the sun came out for me, finally," he said. "That's what I was waiting for, to put behind me a lot of the negative stuff and be able to enjoy the game once again."
I have to say, I wasn't all that choked up when the Mets shipped K-Rod off to Milwaukee, but I'd rather watch him try and close out a game than Bobby Parnell.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Follow McHugh Through The AFL

Mets minor leaguer, Collin McHugh, has been chronicling his life as a player trying to work his way up to the Majors. Recently he has taken to writing about his time in the Arizona Fall League.

Take a look: A Day Older, A Day Wiser

Braun Wants Reyes In Milwaukee

According to Mike Puma of the NY Post, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun would like Jose Reyes to join the Brewers, and he thinks his team has a good shot at making that happen. Here are some quotes from Braun:
"I think there's a better chance we sign [Reyes] than we re-sign Prince [Fielder]."

"[Reyes] is dynamic, man -- he is one of the most exciting players in the game," Braun said. "He plays with a lot of energy and a lot of emotion and I enjoy watching him play. He's one of my favorite players to watch. Whenever their games are on, I love watching him, man. He always plays the game the right way. He always plays hard. He runs everything out."
Milwaukee shortstop, Yuniesky Betancourt's contract expires at the end of this season, therefore leaving a possible gap at short for the Brewers to fill.

According to the story in the Post, Braun has been trying to recruit Reyes since the two played together in on the National League All-Star team this year.

As for the whole "Buntgate" in which Reyes bunted for a single in the final game of the season, left the game after the first inning, and eventually beat Braun for the NL batting title:
"Honestly, I respect whatever Jose decided to do," Braun said. "I personally would have played, regardless. I'm not judging him in any way. I don't necessarily disagree with what he chose to do -- to each his own. But for me, personally, I would have played."
Reyes, don't let Braun's sweet talking sway you. Stay in New York.