Big Changes Are Coming To Citi Field

Changes are coming to Citi Field next season. According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the changes will be drastic.

The 16-foot wall in left field will remain because it is structural, but a new 8-foot wall will be erected in front of it, a team source said.

The new left-field wall will not be constructed exactly parallel to the old wall. That would make it too close down the left-field line. Instead, a more modest reduction in depth will occur at the left-field foul pole, with a wider gap between the new and old walls in left-center.

Additional seating is expected to be added between the new and old walls, although there cannot be the same number of rows added throughout that area because of the different space between the walls in the corner versus in left-center.

In right field, where the "Mo's Zone" nook currently exists, the fencing will be moved closer to eradicate that crevice.

A dramatic change will occur in right-center, which had measured 415 feet from home plate. The new depth is expected to be 390 feet -- a 25-foot reduction.

Great. Now if only they could find players who can make contact with the ball. Then they might be on to something.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, the Mets were 13th with 1,085 strike outs in 2011. Of course the biggest culprits were Jason Bay with 109, and David Wright with 97 strike outs.

Only time will tell what effect this will have on the Mets' offense.

Mets Release Igarashi

According to ESPN New York, the Mets have released pitcher Ryota Igarashi.

Mets.com

I'm not surprised. Igarashi stunk this season, and over his two years with New York, he went 5-2 with a 5.74 ERA. He also spent time in the minors and on the disabled list.

Later, Iggy.

Nats To Mets: No Thanks, You Can Keep Him, Ramirez Returned To New York

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Washington Nationals have returned Rule 5 draft pick Elvin Ramirez to the Mets.

Ramirez, 24, spent time on the 60-day disabled list this past season after having surgery on his throwing shoulder. He never even made it into a game for Washington.

Prior to his time with Washington, Ramirez had a 4.16 ERA in 80 innings with two of the Mets minor league affiliates.

Mets' Tejada Ready At Short If Needed

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York talked with former bench coach, Chip Hale, and got his thoughts on Ruben Tejada. Here are some bits and pieces from the interview:

"Whether he plays second every day next year or short, he's going to be a big contributor to that team...and they need it."

"I think he definitely can be an everyday shortstop. The thing we always worried about was, a guy gets up there and hits .200, you can't have that in the major leagues anymore. You can't have the guy who fields everything but only hits .200, .210. I think he can hit at .250 in a bad year and maybe hit .270, .280. We know he can occupy the eight hole, which is a tough place to hit. And he was really doing the job in the two hole behind Jose."

According to Rubin, Hale also added that Tejada, "Is actually more advanced in the field than [Jose] Reyes in terms of the mental side of the game, even though Reyes is now a veteran of nine major league seasons. Whereas Reyes relies on his superior athletic ability, Tejada has displayed a superior mental aptitude, such as shading batters based on what pitch is about to be thrown and its location."

Tejada may not be as spectacular to watch in the field or at the plate the way Jose Reyes is, but I don't need spectacular. I just need a player who can get on base and make things happen. At the end of the day, if the team wins, I'm happy. I don't really care who was playing shortstop when they won.

Mets Morning News: Wally Backman Says He's Staying With Team in 2012

Wally Backman was on WFAN Saturday, and told host Ed Randall that he will be returning to the Mets in 2012.

"You know, there was some thought, there was a long thought process Ed, and you know what, I started at 17 years old with the Mets, and I'm gonna stay with the Mets...Not only did the Wilpons give me another chance to get back into baseball,  but there's some unfinished business, so to speak, and I really believe the  organization is going in the right direction. I think there are some prospects that are coming, there's some real good  pitching prospects. We're a  little short in middle infield. I think with the new regime, I think we're heading in right direction and I want to be a part of it."

Listening to a caller during the interview, there are some fans who are ecstatic about Wally Backman staying with the team, because their dream is for him to one day be the manager of the Mets. Why? Because of 1986 and a few Youtube clips?

No thanks.

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.

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, 33^rd 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.