Mike's Mets: January 2007 Archives

Home Cooking

Hi everyone. Lisa and I have been house hunting for the past few months. A couple of days ago we found something we really liked in our price range, and today we found out our bid has been accepted. It's the first house for both of us. Here's a picture...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Joe Smith

Joe Smith was the Mets third round pick last season out of Wright State University. He's a right-handed sidearming relief pitcher, and projects to fill a Chad Bradford type role in the major leagues. What separates Smith from normal sidearmers like Bradford is that he is able to combine the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Aaron Sele

Aaron Sele was a first round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox in 1991. Although he started 108 games for the Sox from 1993-1997, it was after being traded to the Rangers that his career really took off with a 19-win season and an All Star appearance in 1998....

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Sunday Odds and Ends

I'll be back with the Aaron Sele preview late tonight. Just a couple of quick items: Howard Megdal, who brought us all the very funny Offseason Survival Guide on the Mets Geek web site earlier this winter, is now at Gotham Baseball with his own top ten prospects list. In...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:03 PM | Permalink

Looking Back To 1962 - Al Jackson -The Mets' ONLY Good Pick

Editor's Note: We will publish a post from Barry Duchan every Sunday covering some aspect of Mets history. - M.S. If you know your Mets' history, you are probably aware that George Weiss was hired as the Mets' first general manager, although technically his title was President because upon being...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 2:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

One Less Preview to Write?

We were wondering what choice the Mets would make when the 40-man roster went up to 41 with the signings of Jorge Sosa and Scott Schoeneweis. The answer came when Jason Standridge was Designated For Assignment. This removes him from the 40-man and exposes him to waivers. If no other...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:28 PM | Permalink

Help - Did My Memory Fail Me ???

Surely, there are some fans who read this blog who actually remember listening to Mets' games in 1962. If you are one of them, please help. Here's the story - I wrote a post back in September (which was later picked up by mikesmets.com) based on my own personal recollection...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 5:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Scott Schoeneweis

Scott Schoeneweis was a third round pick of the California Angels in 1996. He played collegiate ball at Duke. Schoeneweis advanced quickly through the Angels' system, making the list of Baseball America's top 10 prospects for that organization in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Here is a portion of his scouting...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Mets Sign Sele, One More Preview to Write

As I'm sure that most of you are aware by now, the Mets have signed Aaron Sele to a minor league contract. From 1998-2001, Sele had some excellent years with the Rangers and Mariners. He had a decent couple of months with the Dodgers last season before faltering later on....

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Steve Schmoll

Steve Schmoll was a fifth-year senior at the University of Maryland in 2003, coming off three unimpressive collegiate campaigns, when he began to drop down and throw sidearm. He found that he was still able to throw his fastball up to 91 mph with good control and sink on the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Pitching Questions

Some good stuff in the local dailies today. In the New York Post, Joel Sherman has an excellent column on the pitching heading into 2007. After quoting an American League GM that the Mets are good enough to be in contention by July 31 trade deadline no matter how much...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Duaner Sanchez

Duaner Sanchez began his pro career in 1996 with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He signed as a 16-year-old amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. He was a starting pitcher until 2002 when he was converted to a reliever in Double-A. That season Baseball America cited Sanchez for taking...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Juan Padilla

Juan Padilla was drafted by the Minnesota Twins out of Jacksonville University in 1998. He was a twenty-fourth round pick. After starting off with their Gulf Coast League rookie team that season, he spent the next four campaigns bouncing around the A, High-A and AA levels. Padilla finally made it...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Clint Nageotte

Brooklyn, Ohio's Clint Nageotte was drafted out of high school in by the Seattle Mariners in the fifth round of the 1999 draft. He enjoyed great success in his early years with that organization, cracking Baseball America's top prospect list for the Mariners in 2002 after leading the minor leagues...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Jackie Robinson and the Mets

Editor's Note: We will publish a post from Barry Duchan every Sunday covering some aspect of Mets history. This piece was originally posted in September 2006. - M.S. With the wildcard race still so close that it seems premature to look at the Mets' most likely first round opposition, I'll...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I Hate Waiting

For those of you who are fans of South Park, you'll remember an episode from the recently completed tenth season where Eric Cartman elects to have himself frozen because he can't take the three week wait for the Nintendo Wii to hit the stores. I can identify with him, because...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Guillermo Mota

Guillermo Mota was originally signed by the Mets as a 17-year-old amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1990. Mota was an infielder back then, playing mostly shortstop and some 3B in the Mets organization from 1993-1996. The Mets lost Mota in the rule 5 draft in December...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Omar Gets a "D"

I've been busy with these bullpen previews (Guillermo Mota coming later tonight), and for the most part I've stayed away from commenting on news items, but I found Jon Heyman's NL report card for SI.com interesting. As I'm sure you already know from reading some of the other blogs, Heyman...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Aaron Heilman

Aaron Heilman was the Mets top pick (#18 overall) in the 2001 draft -- the same draft that netted them David Wright twenty places later. Heilman's successful class-A debut that season solidified him as a top prospect. Here is a scouting report on Aaron Heilman from 2002, when Baseball America...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Bullpen Preview Updates

My original plan for the bullpen previews was to be somewhat less comprehensive with them than the starting pitcher previews. I had hoped to post two of them a day. As I began doing them, I wound up going a little deeper into the stats and splits, hence spending more...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:26 PM | Permalink

The Arms Race

I'm not exactly sure whom Omar is keeping busier this offseason - Rick Peterson or Mike Steffanos, with all the additions to the pitching staff. I'm guessing Mike, since Rick only needs to spend 15 minutes with each to "fix" them a la Victor Zambrano and Mike's in depth write-ups...

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By Joyce Mandelkern, posted at 5:19 PM | Permalink

2007 Bullpen Preview: Pedro Feliciano

Pedro Feliciano began his career as an 18-year-old with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who took him in the thirty-first round of the 1995 draft. He remained in the Dodgers organization for six years, making it as far as Triple-A in his final year there. At that point he began to...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Endy Gets Paid

Congrats to Endy Chavez. In 2005, he was traded to Philadelphia, where he played so miserably he wound up being non-tendered that winter. At 28-years-old, he was looking like a real fringe major-leaguer. Then he hooks up with the Mets and makes the most of it, earning a place in...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Ambiorix Burgos

The Mets obtained right-handed reliever Ambiorix Burgos from the Kansas City Royals in December of last year for pitcher Brian Bannister. Burgos, who will turn 23 in April, is a hard-throwing right-hander who was originally signed by the Royals as a 16-year-old from the Dominican Republic. Here is a scouting...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Adam Bostick

The Mets acquired left-hander Adam Bostick along with lefty Jason Vargas in November of 2006 in exchange for right-handed relievers Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom. Here is a scouting report on Bostick from Baseball America's Matt Meyers at the time of the deal: Bostick is a sixth-round pick in 2001...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 9:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

2007 Bullpen Preview: Jon Adkins

In November 2006, the Mets acquired right-handed reliever Jon Adkins from San Diego along with outfielder Ben Johnson in return for relievers Heath Bell and Royce Ring. Adkins had enjoyed modest success as a middle reliever for San Diego in 2006. Jon Adkins was originally a ninth round pick of...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Old Time Mets - Warren Spahn

Warren Spahn was one of the greatest lefthanded pitchers of all time. Warren Spahn also pitched for the Mets. Unfortunately, those two facts are mutually exclusive. Spahn was a great pitcher for the Braves for many years, a perennial 20-game winner and a real workhorse, regularly logging over 250...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

2007 Rotation Preview: Conclusions

We've spent the better part of a week looking at the eight most likely candidates to join Tom Glavine in the 2007 New York Mets starting rotation. I did some research in an effort to get to know all of them better, and then shared it with you so that...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Rumors: A Danny Haren Deal Still Alive

The baseball season gets closer, and I tend to agree with Joyce -- I just want them to play ball. Although this off-season hasn't been chock full of big name signings, it's been an adventure. Just when you thought that most of the hot stove brouhaha is over for the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Got Baseball?

Finally!! I don't know about you guys, but for me, just seeing guys in uniforms with bats and balls made me feel much better. I know it just mini-camp, but I have REALLY missed my Mets and baseball. I follow college and pro football and college basketball and have teams...

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By Joyce Mandelkern, posted at 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

More Pitching Previews Coming Next Week

I've had a few people ask me about profiling some of the other pitching hopefuls such as Clint Nageotte and Jason Standridge. I've been thinking about taking a similar look at all of the bullpen candidates next week. These profiles will be similar to what I did for the starting...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

2007 Rotation Preview: Dave Williams

Dave Williams was drafted out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventeenth round of the 1998 draft. Although never considered a big prospect, Williams made it up to the major leagues by age 22, starting 18 games for the Pirates in 2001. He began 2002 in the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

2007 Rotation Preview: Jason Vargas

Jason Vargas is a left-handed pitcher who was a second round draft pick of the Florida Marlins in 2004. In December of that year, following his first season in pro ball, he was named the #8 prospect in the Marlins organization by Baseball America. Here is a portion of his...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Update to the Rotation Previews

I posted Alay Soler's feature early this morning, and am working on my preview of Jason Vargas. There's a couple of updates I'm making to some of my already finished ones. Baseball America came out with their Top 10 Mets prospects list today, and I am adding some of the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

2007 Rotation Preview: Alay Soler

Alay Soler is a right-handed pitcher who defected from Cuba in late 2003, receiving political asylum in the Dominican Republic. He pitched winter league ball in the Dominican Republic and signed a 3-year, $2.8 million contract with the Mets in September of 2004. Problems obtaining a visa kept him from...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

Turn Back The Clock - Mets' Top 10 Prospects 40 Years Ago

Editor's Note: This is Barry Duchan's first contribution to this blog. - M.S. With the proliferation of web sites now dedicated to evaluating minor league prospects, fans have a fairly easy time reciting their team's top prospects, usually "in order". Back in the '80's, there was only Baseball America to...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 1:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Slumbering Stove

The 2007 starting rotation previews will come back on Monday, as we finish up with Alay Soler, Jason Vargas and Dave Williams. I've got some house hunting to do this weekend, so I'll just have the time to briefly check in today. Fortunately, with so little happening, this won't take...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Little David the Goliath (and Tiger) Killer

Ever meet one of your favorite celebrities (sports star, actor, politician) and come away with a sour taste in your mouth? The exact opposite happened to me last week. My day job, which I won't be quitting any time soon until Mike pays us correspondents more, is behind the scenes...

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By NostraDennis, posted at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

2007 Rotation Preview: Oliver Perez

Oliver Perez began his pro career in the San Diego Padres' system after signing as an amateur free agent in 1999. The 17-year-old was widely considered to be the hottest pitching prospect from Mexico since Fernando Valenzuela. He moved rapidly through the system, and made his pro debut with the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Average Joe

We fans are all outside this fuzzy snow globe called Major League Baseball, with our noses pressed up against the glass. Even those of us who have the opportunity to sneak into the winter meetings and make believe they're a real journalist are simply outside looking in, drooling over the...

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By NostraDennis, posted at 2:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

A Heads Up On the Rotation Previews

After posting the article on Mike Pelfrey late last night, I'm now at work on the Oliver Perez article. As is so often the case with things that I do, the concept grew from some down and dirty quick scouting reports to something bigger, more comprehensive and time-consuming. Thanks for...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mets Turn Their Attention to Ohka

Barry Zito is now a distant memory for Minaya and the Mets, so I am now reading that they have turned their attentions to Tomo Ohka. In 2005 Ohka went 11-9 with a 4.04 ERA, last season he went 4-5 with a 4.82 ERA in 18 starts. He's not awful,...

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By Shari Forst, posted at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

2007 Rotation Preview: Mike Pelfrey

Mike Pelfrey was the Mets' first round draft pick, the ninth overall player taken in the 2005 amateur draft. He was acknowledged to be the top pitcher in that draft but, thanks to the fact that his agent was Scott Boras, he fell to the Mets. The lanky right-hander features...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

2007 Rotation Preview: John Maine

John Maine came to the Mets as a throw in on the Kris Benson for Jorge Julio deal last January. Maine was originally a sixth round pick of the Baltimore Orioles. It was thought at the time that a mediocre final collegiate season may have dropped him somewhat from the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

2007 Rotation Preview: Phil Humber

Phil Humber was the Mets first round selection in the 2004 Amateur Player Draft. The Mets had the third overall pick that year. Courtesy of MLB.com, here is Humber's scouting report at the time of the draft: School: Rice U Position: RHP B/T: R/R H: 6-4 W: 220...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

2007 Rotation Preview: Orlando Hernandez

I had hoped to write a long post previewing all of the candidates for the Mets' 2007 starting rotation, but it has become clear to me that this week is going to be too hectic to allow me the time to write anything like that. Instead, I thought I would...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Welcome 2007

It's late and I'm tried, but I couldn't let the first day of the new year pass without checking in. I wrote yesterday that I was leery over rumors of a deal of Lastings Milledge for Oakland's Joe Blanton. Baseball Prospectus' Nate Silver makes a compelling case for not doing...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Index of Archived Posts: 2007

January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2007 Welcome 2007 by Mike Steffanos, 1-1-2007 2007 Rotation Preview: Orlando Hernandez by Mike Steffanos, 1-2-2007 2007 Rotation Preview: Phil Humber by Mike Steffanos,...

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By Mike's Mets, posted at 1:00 AM | Permalink

Mike's Mets

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

January 31, 2007

Home Cooking

January 30, 2007

2007 Bullpen Preview: Joe Smith

January 29, 2007

2007 Bullpen Preview: Aaron Sele

January 28, 2007

Sunday Odds and Ends

Looking Back To 1962 - Al Jackson -The Mets' ONLY Good Pick

January 27, 2007

One Less Preview to Write?

January 26, 2007

Help - Did My Memory Fail Me ???

2007 Bullpen Preview: Scott Schoeneweis

January 25, 2007

Mets Sign Sele, One More Preview to Write

2007 Bullpen Preview: Steve Schmoll

January 24, 2007

Pitching Questions

2007 Bullpen Preview: Duaner Sanchez

January 23, 2007

2007 Bullpen Preview: Juan Padilla

January 22, 2007

2007 Bullpen Preview: Clint Nageotte

January 21, 2007

Jackie Robinson and the Mets

January 20, 2007

I Hate Waiting

January 19, 2007

2007 Bullpen Preview: Guillermo Mota

January 18, 2007

Omar Gets a "D"

2007 Bullpen Preview: Aaron Heilman

January 17, 2007

Bullpen Preview Updates

The Arms Race

2007 Bullpen Preview: Pedro Feliciano

January 16, 2007

Endy Gets Paid

2007 Bullpen Preview: Ambiorix Burgos

January 15, 2007

2007 Bullpen Preview: Adam Bostick

2007 Bullpen Preview: Jon Adkins

January 14, 2007

Old Time Mets - Warren Spahn

January 13, 2007

2007 Rotation Preview: Conclusions

January 12, 2007

Rumors: A Danny Haren Deal Still Alive

January 11, 2007

Got Baseball?

More Pitching Previews Coming Next Week

January 10, 2007

2007 Rotation Preview: Dave Williams

January 9, 2007

2007 Rotation Preview: Jason Vargas

January 8, 2007

Update to the Rotation Previews

2007 Rotation Preview: Alay Soler

January 7, 2007

Turn Back The Clock - Mets' Top 10 Prospects 40 Years Ago

January 6, 2007

The Slumbering Stove

January 5, 2007