Fireside Chats with R.A. Dickey

I could listen to R.A. talk baseball all day. He's so relaxed. Reminds me of another voice we know...

                                    Photo courtesy of amazinavenue.com

He clearly knows his stuff and has taken his success from this past season in stride.

Makin' Moves

It's been a month since my last post, and what's new with the Mets? Well...not much.

That's a lie. They did get the great D.J. Carrasco and Ronny Paulino.

While it seems as though every other team has been makin' moves this off-season, the Mets appear to be sitting back and waiting for the perfect opportunity to make their move.

Unfortunately for them, like the sales in a store, once the hot ticket items are gone, they're gone, and all you're going to be left with is whatever junk is left in the clearance section.

First thing's first, they need pitching. Johan Santana will be out for who knows how long, and with a rotation consisting of Mike Pelfrey, R.A. Dickey, Jon Niese, and Dillon Gee, let's face it, this team could use another arm. A collection of Cy Young winners they are not.

The big name floating around now is Brandon Webb. He won the Cy Young in 2006, but has not pitched consistently since 2008. He pitched a total of 4 innings in the 2009-2010 season due to a shoulder injury.

Umm...Sandy, if you're reading, let's steer clear of that one. Thanks.

The one name I am glad the Mets passed on is Zack Greinke. This kid had, and probably still has to some degree, severe anxiety issues. The last place he needs to be playing is New York.

That being said, now that Kansas City has traded him to the Brewers, I hope he gets lit up by the Mets each time they meet.

Ike Davis is Scared of Grizzly Bears

Via Anthony DiComo: Ike Davis talks about the Rolling Stones, a library on Cape Cod and grizzly bears. http://bit.ly/i7zKU6

Mets Fans React To Terry Collins Hiring

Rubin: Dave Wallace Strong Pitching Coach Option

Uh Oh...Dan Warthen might have something to say about that.

I heard throughout the 2010 season how much respect the players had for Warthen as their pitching coach. I have to admit, with the exception of one pitcher whose name shall never appear on this blog (unless he gets traded), Warthen seemed to be a good thing for the Mets pitching staff.

I wouldn't mind Dave Wallace though. He was, after all, the Mets pitching coach in 1999 and 2000, the two greatest years I've had as a Mets fan, and the two closest years I've ever had to seeing them win it all (Yes, I was alive in '86, but being 8 months old at the time, I can't say I was all that interested).

Wallace spent 17 years with the L.A. Dodgers organization, much of that time was during Terry Collins tenure.

According to Rubin, if the Mets were to go with Wallace, Warthen may have the option of being the team's minor league pitching coordinator.

Next few months should be interesting. At least I hope they are.

Mets Hire Bobby Valentine Lite

The Mets have been wheelin' and dealin' to fill in vacancies in the front office. The Mets brought on Sandy Alderson as their new GM, followed by Paul DePodesta who will take over as vice president of player development and scouting. The only thing left...manager.

It was JUST announced that Terry Collins has been offered the job as the new skipper of the Mets.

So let's see...new GM: Check, new manager: check, same 25 guys playing on the field: check.

Filling up your front office with Harvard grads and then adding Terry Collins to the mix, well...doesn't really do much for me.

At the end of the day, the same players are still here.

Great managers don't necessarily make great players. Great players definitely make great managers. Just ask Charlie Manuel.

Only time will tell whether the 2011 season will be any different from seasons past.

The Dirty Dozen

Ken Rosenthal: Giants like the island of misfit toys

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I want a bunch of no-name, crazy folks.

I want a team like the San Francisco Giants.