Mike's Mets: December 2005 Archives

Mets Hot Stove: Manny, Baez and More, Oh My!

For a Saturday, there was quite a lot of Mets news to report, including the continuing possibility of a multi-team blockbuster, and the ongoing search for bullpen help. Daily News: Manny Megadeal Bill Madden and Anthony Mccarron cite "multiple baseball sources" that talks with the Devil Dogs over mediocre reliever...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Manny, Baez and More, Oh My!" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:07 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Keep it in your pants...

I was reading MetsBlog this afternoon and found a link to the following story: Sheriff Sully: What not to do when caught cheating This blogger offers us the reason Manny wants out of Boston so badly: I've been telling friends the last few weeks that every media member in New...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Keep it in your pants..." »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:40 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: All Manny, all the time...

I give up. I understand now that bringing Manny Ramirez to New York will assure world peace, and I am now all for any deal, no matter how unsound from a baseball sense, that would bring him here. I am even growing out my hair so I can affect a...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: All Manny, all the time..." »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:02 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: More on the Manny rumors

We spend a little more time on the Manny Ramirez Rumors from yesterday, and get Rick Peterson's take on Chad Bradford: Daily News: Rick Peterson on Chad Bradford We covered the Chad Bradford signing in our previous post, but Anthony McCarron has a quote from the Mets' pitching coach that's...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: More on the Manny rumors" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:50 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Bradford Signed, More Ramirez Talk

Mets Hot Stove: Bradford Signed, More Ramirez Talk Chad Bradford is officially the newest member of the Mets' bullpen, MetsDaily.com has another excellent audio interview on-line, and that crazy Manny talk goes on and on... Mets.com: Bradford signing official A press release on the Mets' web site announces that the...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Bradford Signed, More Ramirez Talk" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:05 AM | Permalink

Manny Ramirez: Food for thought

Mike, one of my readers, left this comment on an earlier post regarding Manny Ramirez: Take a look at baseball-reference.com and see the most similar players by age (33) for Manny. Thome, Mays, Robby, Thome ... All of them began there decline after age 33. The only one who didn't...

Continue reading "Manny Ramirez: Food for thought" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:51 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: An arm for the bullpen, wild Manny rumors

Today's news offers an update to the sad Jeff Reardon story, a report that the Mets are close to signing another bullpen arm, and another Ramirez rumor. New York Post: Bradford on the way Joel Sherman of the Post reports that sidewinding right-handed reliever Chad Bradford is close to signing...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: An arm for the bullpen, wild Manny rumors" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:38 PM | Permalink

Jeff Reardon Arrested

A sad story about a former Mets player leads off on a slow post-holiday news day. AP: Reardon arrested in Florida In a truly bizarre story, former Mets reliever Jeff Reardon was arrested in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, after robbing a Jewelry store with a note claiming he had a...

Continue reading "Jeff Reardon Arrested" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:14 PM | Permalink

Looking at Padilla, Seo gets married

The Christmas holiday is over, and we start to get back in the groove with a few items of interest: Hardball Times: Juan Padilla I had a link a few days ago to an article I found in the Hardball Times about Heath Bell. It was written by a man...

Continue reading "Looking at Padilla, Seo gets married" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:56 AM | Permalink

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah

Happy Holidays to all Mets fans everywhere, whichever holiday you celebrate. Thank you so much to all of you that share your love of the New York Mets with me. Be safe and well. ESPN.com: Pedro named in Phone Card Suit ESPN is citing a report from the St. Petersburg...

Continue reading "Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:31 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Endy Edition

Chavez is a Met yet again -- will he actually play for them this time? Mets.com: Endy is back Marty Noble reports on the return of Endy Chavez to the New York Mets for the fourth time in his young career (he's only 27). He was signed by the Mets...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Endy Edition" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:29 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Manny Claus not coming to town

Sorry for posting so late today, I got caught up in some holiday responsibilities. There is some interesting news to discuss, and a couple of interesting Marty Noble profiles on Mets.com, so let's get started. Daily News: Of Manny and Money Adam Rubin pens another of those Ramirez articles. He...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Manny Claus not coming to town" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:15 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Return of the Manny talk

Courtesy of the Yankees signing of Johnny Damon -- as we knew it would -- a resurgence of Manny rumors. This is a most unwelcome Christmas present. Meanwhile, we're still looking for bullpen help. New York Post: Manny is sulking... again Michael Morrissey reports that the Johnny Damon defection to...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Return of the Manny talk" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: (Non-)Tender is the night

For our evening news wrap-up, some interesting items -- mostly concerning players who were not tendered contracts by their teams. For more on what it means to be non-tendered, please see this article on MLB.com. MLB.com: Fifty new free agents Tom Singer reports on the fifty players non-tendered yesterday. Former...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: (Non-)Tender is the night" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:56 PM | Permalink

The stubborn digit

Pedro's recalcitrant toe is still the big story for Mets fans, while the "other" New York team dominated the local sports news yesterday. New York Post: More on the offending digit Michael Morrissey fills us in a little more on Pedro's achy right big toe, which is suffering from cartilage...

Continue reading "The stubborn digit" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:07 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Dotel gets away, doing it right in Southern California

In today's evening news wrap up, we miss out on Octavio Dotel, and take a look at a different way of running an organization than we're used to here in New York. Newsday: One who got away John Heyman is reporting that free agent reliever Octavio Dotel and the Yankees...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Dotel gets away, doing it right in Southern California" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:55 PM | Permalink

Pedro's Toe Still a Problem

We've been hearing rumors of this for a while, now we have confirmation. The AP is reporting that, even after almost three months of rest, Pedro Martinez' troublesome right toe is still bothering him. This is despite wearing a protective shoe and other remedies Martinez has tried. At a dinner...

Continue reading "Pedro's Toe Still a Problem" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:13 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Decisions, Decisions...

Some interesting items kicking around this morning, as the Mets are still in the running for Octavio Dotel, and the non-tender deadline approaches. Daily News: Still pursuing Dotel Despite reports yesterday that the Yankees were close to signing free agent reliever Octavio Dotel, John Harper reports the Mets are still...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Decisions, Decisions..." »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:45 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Marty's Bag; Comings and Goings

Some items of interest this evening for Mets fans: Mets.com: Marty Noble's Mailbag Once again, Marty Noble is answering the questions of the Great Unwashed at Mets.com. In response to a question regarding Seo vs. Zambrano for the fifth starter job, Noble offered the following: There is no reason for...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Marty's Bag; Comings and Goings" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:50 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Dotel, Lo Duca and Filthy Fingered Fans

It continues to be a slow period for Mets news. I will try to post every day this week, anyway, with whatever might be out there. I have one more installment left to go in the series on Key New York Mets Free Agents and Trades that I will attempt...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Dotel, Lo Duca and Filthy Fingered Fans" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:01 PM | Permalink

Nice to see that he's still working...

Former Mets broadcaster Ted Robinson writes an occasional baseball column for NBC Sports on Major League Baseball. Robinson works for NBC and USA Network covering tennis and other sports, which cost him the Mets play-by-play job when they wanted a full-time guy. In his latest column, posted today, Robinson opines...

Continue reading "Nice to see that he's still working..." »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mets Hot Stove: A Meager Sunday Brunch

Enjoy your football today, Mets fans. There simply isn't anything happening in baseball. Even the one Mets article I found seemed more like an attempt to write something about baseball rather than real news. Daily News: Octavio Dotel Anthony McCarron reports that the Mets were one of the teams watching...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: A Meager Sunday Brunch" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:35 PM | Permalink

Key New York Mets Free Agents and Trades (1981-1985)

Recently I put together a list of all the key New York Mets player acquisitions through free agency and trades for the years from 1991-2005. After I finished the project, I thought it might be interesting to go back 10 more years and look at the rise and fall of...

Continue reading "Key New York Mets Free Agents and Trades (1981-1985)" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mets Hot Stove: an "upgrade" to Kaz isn't worth the cost

In our Saturday news roundup, we question why we would give up anything for a decent second baseman, enjoy profiles of a couple of guys that may mean a great deal to the Mets' future, and continue to look for bullpen help. New York Post: Blame it on Kaz George...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: an "upgrade" to Kaz isn't worth the cost" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:25 PM | Permalink

How you going to keep them down on the farm?

I read an excellent article last week that I'd like to recommend to all of you, Mets: Not Ignoring Farm on FlushingsFuture.com. If you're not familiar with the site, Flushings Future is an independent web site that covers the Mets farm system. They started last year, and suffered a couple...

Continue reading "How you going to keep them down on the farm?" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mets Hot Stove: Life after Anna

We had a lot of new visitors to this site via search engines yesterday. Since we're still getting some today, let me save you some time and let you know that the best pictures of Anna Benson in her Mrs. Claus outfit are on Newsday. They actually have a slideshow...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Life after Anna" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:49 PM | Permalink

Wright and Pedro Win Awards, Goodbye Loop

We celebrate a pair of award-winning Mets, catch up on D-Wright's chat, and note our former closer returning to his baseball roots in our late news wrap-up. Mets.com: David Wright Chat Transcript If you weren't able to attend the David Wright chat this afternoon, you can still view the transcript...

Continue reading "Wright and Pedro Win Awards, Goodbye Loop" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mets Hot Stove: Annagate

The morning news is all about someone who isn't a Met. No it's not Manny Ramirez or Miguel Tejada or Barry Zito, it's... ...Anna Benson? Daily News: Bad Anna Filip Bondy thinks Anna Benson has become a problem: We're not talking about Anna, the model. That Anna is just fine...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Annagate" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:39 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Klap on the Mets, Benson still wants to stay

Bob Klapisch has written a column for ESPN about the Mets, questioning if they might be the best team in New York, while Kris Benson plays Santa and wishes for his own special present from Omar. ESPN: Not your father's Mets Bob Klapisch asks: After a flurry of delirious check-writing,...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Klap on the Mets, Benson still wants to stay" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:36 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Chasing Tavarez, waving goodbye to Vazquez

Looks like Javier Vazquez will not get the chance to prove that he is equal to pitching in New York, after all. Meanwhile, Omar is still trying to pull a bullpen together, and Kris Benson is jolly because he is still a Met. Daily News: Mets pursue Tavarez Adam Rubin...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Chasing Tavarez, waving goodbye to Vazquez" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:24 PM | Permalink

Odds and Ends

Just as couple of quick items of interest: Mets.com: David Wright Chat Marty Noble reports that David Wright will be participating in an on-line chat at MLB.com, this Thursday afternoon at 2:30 pm. Noble quotes Tom Glavine on what it is, beyond mere skills, that sets Wright apart: "He's just...

Continue reading "Odds and Ends" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:53 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Give Me a Break

In a major development, Omar Minaya has announced that he has traded away every starting pitcher and reliever on the team. In return, the Mets have received every available productive bat, including Miguel Tejada, Manny Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano. To those that questioned the wisdom of these moves, an obviously...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Give Me a Break" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:23 PM | Permalink

New Marty Noble Mailbag on Mets.com

In the latest installment of one of my favorites, Marty Noble answers our questions in a new Mailbag on the Mets' official web site. I love his answer to someone's question about trading Cliff Floyd and Kaz Matsui for Manny (obviously not a real knowledgeable fan): But why would the...

Continue reading "New Marty Noble Mailbag on Mets.com" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:00 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Fiscal Responsibility

It's a slow Mets news day, as you might expect, but we did manage to find one article on which to comment. New York Post: Tejada and Baez Michael Morrissey offers us the following: The Mets have been linked to disgruntled Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada in numerous reports -- a...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Fiscal Responsibility" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:36 PM | Permalink

The New York Mets Don't Need Miguel Tejada, Either

I mentioned earlier today how tired I am of how Mets beat writers work Manny Ramirez' name into every story about the Mets. That was probably unfair, the reporters are just doing their job in giving us what we want, and a significant number of us want Manny Ramirez --...

Continue reading "The New York Mets Don't Need Miguel Tejada, Either" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:58 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Sunday Brunch is Better Without Manny

On an otherwise quiet Sunday morning, we hear a voice of reason rising above the cacophony of voices regurgitating any Ramirez rumor they can find: Newsday: Some sanity Ken Davidoff, in an excellent column, tries to talk Omar Minaya out of wasting any more time chasing Manny Ramirez, and focus...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Sunday Brunch is Better Without Manny" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:05 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: No more old guy jokes

Okay, I've had enough of the old guy jokes at Franco's expense. Let's look at what else is out there: New York Post: Dotel, Vazquez, Matsui Besides filling us in on Julio Franco, who we're already bored with, Mark Hale tells us that the Mets bench would seem to be...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: No more old guy jokes" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:26 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: We're old, we're bold, get used to us...

The Julio Franco signing is dominating a slow Mets news day as we all recover from the frenzy of the past two weeks. Mets.com: Yes, he's old Marty Noble shares with us Julio Franco's secret of the fountain of youth: Early in my career, I decided to take care of...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: We're old, we're bold, get used to us..." »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:38 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Pirates Sign Roberto Hernandez

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pirates sign Bert to 1 year contract Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that former Mets setup man Roberto Hernandez has signed a one year deal with the Pirates. According to Kovacevic: Hernandez, 41, was the New York Mets' right-handed setup man last season and made 67...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Pirates Sign Roberto Hernandez" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:10 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Younger and More Athletic?

We have determined that there is no truth at all to the rumors that Tim Teufel left his job as manager of the St. Lucie Mets to become a bench player for the big club. Hey, don't laugh -- Teufel, who retired after the 1993 season, is the same age...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Younger and More Athletic?" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:59 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: The Next Move

The winter meetings are history, and the Mets still have some major work to do. Their bullpen took a big hit when they couldn't work anything out with Roberto Hernandez. In a climate where good relief pitchers with a track record can practically write their own ticket, Omar is going...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: The Next Move" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:50 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Working on the Bench

Omar is keeping his promise, turning his attention to the bench and the bullpen. Mets.com: Mets select reliever in Rule 5 Draft Marty Noble reports that the Mets selected SF Giants farmhand Mitchell Wylie from the Giants' Triple A club in Fresno. They must carry him on their 25 man...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Working on the Bench" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:36 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Winter Meetings End Today

The winter meetings conclude today with the Rule 5 Draft of minor league players -- an anticlimactic conclusion to four days full of trades and trade talk. Amazingly enough, it looks like Omar and the Mets won't be completing any deals during the meetings, but discussions that began here will...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Winter Meetings End Today" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 10:49 AM | Permalink

Mike Piazza, Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez: No Arbitration

What was inevitable is now certain; Mike Piazza will not be a Met in 2006. AP: Mike Moves On Mike Fitzpatrick is reporting that the Mets failed to offer salary arbitration to Mike Piazza. Any team can sign him now without forfeiting a draft pick. The Mets also declined to...

Continue reading "Mike Piazza, Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez: No Arbitration" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mets Hot Stove: Benson Still a Met

For jaded Mets fans, it was just another "slow" day at the winter meetings today. A couple of items that might interest you: Journal News: Anna might not be going to KC after all In his Reporter's Notebook, Peter Abraham imparts some interesting news to Mets fans: The idea of...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Benson Still a Met" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:40 PM | Permalink

Peter Gammons on Barry Zito

I was driving on business this afternoon and caught Ed Coleman with Mike and the Mad Dog. The bottom line was that Coleman feels Billy Beane is much less inclined to deal Barry Zito than some of the rumors you hear would indicate. Coleman feels that Beane is floating Zito...

Continue reading "Peter Gammons on Barry Zito" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:13 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Rumors, Rumors, Rumors...

The dailies are full of rumor and speculation, but nothing solid. Something is very well could happen, and we'll all be paying attention today. I'll pass along a couple of items of interest for now: Bergen Record: Zito "open to" New York Steve Popper answers an important question for Mets...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Rumors, Rumors, Rumors..." »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:45 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Smoke, But No Fire

Despite rumors of a Kris Benson trade to Kansas City there has been no confirmation as yet. Meanwhile, we hear murmurs of Barry Zito or Javier Vazquez coming to Shea. AP: Omar Calling Mike Fitzpatrick of the Associated Press reports that Mets GM Omar Minaya has called Kris Benson regarding...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Smoke, But No Fire" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:53 AM | Permalink

John Olerud Retires

First baseman John Olerud has informed the Boston Red Sox of his intention to retire. He may have only spent three seasons with the Mets, but they were good years for both the team and Olerud. He was the ultimate professional as a player, and he was a good man,...

Continue reading "John Olerud Retires" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:43 PM | Permalink

Kris Benson on the Trade Rumors

I was driving to an appointment this afternoon when I had the opportunity to hear most of Kris Benson's interview on WFAN. He didn't say anything that I didn't expect to hear. He defended his wife Anna, said there actually wouldn't be a Playboy spread, and suggested that her comments...

Continue reading "Kris Benson on the Trade Rumors" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:06 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Of Mets and Manny

After a slow Monday in Dallas, much of the speculation regarding the Mets involves whether Omar will consummate his desire to bring Manny Ramirez home to Queens. New York Post: It won't be easy Mark Hale points out that although the Mets and Red Sox will discuss a Manny trade,...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Of Mets and Manny" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:31 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: A Quiet Monday in Dallas

Sorry to all of you that tried unsuccessfully to visit this blog on Monday evening. Due to some unexplained Blogger glitch we were down for about 5 hours. While this blog was quiet, so were the Mets, as the first day of the winter meetings passed relatively uneventfully. If you...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: A Quiet Monday in Dallas" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:49 AM | Permalink

Mets Daily Web Site Re-Launches

A while back I shared with you some correspondence I had with John Strubel regarding the MetsDaily.com web site. The site was taken down for a while to be revamped, and now it's back. According to John Strubel: MetsDaily.com has improved and increased coverage for 2006. The biggest difference for...

Continue reading "Mets Daily Web Site Re-Launches" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:24 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Let the Winter Meetings Begin

As if Mets fans need any more excitement, the winter meetings in Dallas have started this morning. Newsday: The Lo Duca Trade According to David Lennon, Paul Lo Duca was hoping to be traded to Arizona, where he lives; but instead was traded to New York, where he had been...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Let the Winter Meetings Begin" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:35 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Omar Does Dallas

Looking ahead to the winter meetings starting Monday morning, we have to ask ourselves what's left to do. After a dizzying week Omar Minaya has accomplished most of what he needed to do; what's left is to find bullpen help, a possible upgrade to the starting rotation and maybe a...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Omar Does Dallas" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:04 AM | Permalink

Mets acquire Paul Lo Duca for Prospect Gaby Hernandez

Thanks to MetsBlog for spotting this in the Daily News: Daily News: Paul Lo Duca traded to the Mets Bill Madden is reporting that the Mets have acquired catcher Paul Lo Duca from the Florida Marlins for top pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez. I think a lot of us felt that...

Continue reading "Mets acquire Paul Lo Duca for Prospect Gaby Hernandez" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:22 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Sosa? No-sa!!!

Some bad ideas just refuse to go away: AP: Omar, say it isn't Sosa... Sammy Sosa is looking for a new baseball home, and the Associated Press is speculating it could be Shea stadium. In an interview with the Dominican newspaper HOY, Sammy was quoted: We're negotiating with several teams....

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Sosa? No-sa!!!" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:46 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Sunday Brunch in Dallas

Baseball's winter meetings begin tomorrow in Dallas with the Mets expected to be a major player. With Omar Minaya seemingly committed to getting the major moves out of the way early, you have a feeling that this week could well be the climax of the hot stove season in Flushing....

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Sunday Brunch in Dallas" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:48 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Mets Kicking Lo Duca's Tires

The Mets are reportedly considering another purchase from the south Florida fire sale: New York Times: Paul Lo Duca Ben Shpigel is reporting that the Mets are in "very serious" discussions with the Marlins about acquiring catcher Paul Lo Duca. Lo Duca, who will be 34 next season, is a...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Mets Kicking Lo Duca's Tires" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:24 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Looking Ahead to the Winter Meetings

Baseball's winter meetings begin Monday in Dallas and run through Thursday. Most of the stories in the local dailies this morning focus on what Omar and the Mets might do there. New York Post: Oh, the horror -- the Mets have competition for Manny If Omar is still committed to...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Looking Ahead to the Winter Meetings" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:47 PM | Permalink

Marty Noble Looks at Next Week's Winter Meetings

There have been a pair of new Marty Noble articles posted to Mets.com previewing MLB's Winter Meetings in Dallas that begin Monday: Several needs remain for active Mets Mets Winter Meetings checklist According to Marty: Look for general manager Omar Minaya to try to reinforce the bullpen, deal for a...

Continue reading "Marty Noble Looks at Next Week's Winter Meetings" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:33 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Ken Rosenthal on Manny

On the Fox Sports web site, Ken Rosenthal discusses what a team will need to do to acquire Manny Ramirez. According to Rosenthal: One thing to remember about any Manny Ramirez trade: Ramirez's new team wouldn't simply need to satisfy the Red Sox with a package of players. It also...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Ken Rosenthal on Manny" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:48 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: Benson for Julio Unlikely

Kris Benson might very well be leaving New York very soon, but it probably won't be in the rumored Jorge Julio deal. New York Post: Deal Now "Iffy" In the Post, where Kevin Kernan started all the hoopla, Mark Hale tells us that this deal -- which would have been...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: Benson for Julio Unlikely" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:45 AM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: This is nuts, but it sure is fun

I've been a Mets fan since 1969, and there has never been a hot stove season anything like this for the Flushing 9. Two huge press conferences in two days, and now a trade reported as fact that wasn't. It was reported in the Post this morning as in the...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: This is nuts, but it sure is fun" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:38 AM | Permalink

Benson for Julio Just Doesn't Make Sense

As reported in a previous post, the Mets are apparently discussing a trade with the Orioles that would involve Kris Benson and Jorge Julio. My initial reaction to this potential deal was not favorable, and upon further reflection I like it even less. We're hearing rumors that this is equal...

Continue reading "Benson for Julio Just Doesn't Make Sense" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:57 PM | Permalink

Mets Hot Stove: The second coming of Armando

Despite the ugly ending when a former Oriole reliever came to Shea several years ago, it might be happening again. New York Post: Jorge Julio? Kevin Kernan reports that the Mets and Orioles are talking a Kris Benson for Jorge Julio swap. I'm getting the impression that the Mets have...

Continue reading "Mets Hot Stove: The second coming of Armando" »

By Mike Steffanos, posted at 10:47 AM | Permalink

Mike's Mets

New York Mets discussion, news and historical perspective -- now getting by with a little help from my friends.

December 31, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Manny, Baez and More, Oh My!

December 30, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Keep it in your pants...

Mets Hot Stove: All Manny, all the time...

December 29, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: More on the Manny rumors

Mets Hot Stove: Bradford Signed, More Ramirez Talk

December 28, 2005

Manny Ramirez: Food for thought

Mets Hot Stove: An arm for the bullpen, wild Manny rumors

December 27, 2005

Jeff Reardon Arrested

December 26, 2005

Looking at Padilla, Seo gets married

December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah

December 24, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Endy Edition

December 23, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Manny Claus not coming to town

December 22, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Return of the Manny talk

December 21, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: (Non-)Tender is the night

The stubborn digit

December 20, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Dotel gets away, doing it right in Southern California

Pedro's Toe Still a Problem

Mets Hot Stove: Decisions, Decisions...

December 19, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Marty's Bag; Comings and Goings

Mets Hot Stove: Dotel, Lo Duca and Filthy Fingered Fans

December 18, 2005

Nice to see that he's still working...

Mets Hot Stove: A Meager Sunday Brunch

Key New York Mets Free Agents and Trades (1981-1985)

December 17, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: an "upgrade" to Kaz isn't worth the cost

December 16, 2005

How you going to keep them down on the farm?

Mets Hot Stove: Life after Anna

December 15, 2005

Wright and Pedro Win Awards, Goodbye Loop

Mets Hot Stove: Annagate

December 14, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Klap on the Mets, Benson still wants to stay

Mets Hot Stove: Chasing Tavarez, waving goodbye to Vazquez

December 13, 2005

Odds and Ends

Mets Hot Stove: Give Me a Break

December 12, 2005

New Marty Noble Mailbag on Mets.com

Mets Hot Stove: Fiscal Responsibility

December 11, 2005

The New York Mets Don't Need Miguel Tejada, Either

Mets Hot Stove: Sunday Brunch is Better Without Manny

December 10, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: No more old guy jokes

Mets Hot Stove: We're old, we're bold, get used to us...

December 9, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Pirates Sign Roberto Hernandez

Mets Hot Stove: Younger and More Athletic?

Mets Hot Stove: The Next Move

December 8, 2005

Mets Hot Stove: Working on the Bench

Mets Hot Stove: Winter Meetings End Today

December 7, 2005

Mike Piazza, Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez: No Arbitration

Mets Hot Stove: Benson Still a Met

Peter Gammons on Barry Zito

Mets Hot Stove: Rumors, Rumors, Rumors...

Mets Hot Stove: Smoke, But No Fire

December 6, 2005

John Olerud Retires

Kris Benson on the Trade Rumors

Mets Hot Stove: Of Mets and Manny

Mets Hot Stove: A Quiet Monday in Dallas