As you know I made reference to Joe Mc Donald proclaiming on PRO BASEBALL CENTRAL last Thursday that the Mets will be a 90+ win team in 2010. His reasoning was that Oliver Perez will revert to his Good Ollie personality. I did say, it was encouraging news that OP, under the urging of both Scott Boras and Carlos Beltran, has spent the off season in Arizona, training hard to lose both the stigma of bring mentality and physically inept to pitch in the big leagues.

I’ve been looking around at the team as it now is constructed and have tried to make the case for 90 wins. It all starts of course with the pitching staff:

#1 Santana 15-17 wins

#2 Pelf/Joel Piniero/Bronson Arroyo/Aaron Harang/Gil Meche 10-12 wins

#3 Pelf/OP/Maine/Doug Davis/Jon Garland 8-10 wins

#4 one of the above at #3  8-10 wins

#5 Maine/Neise/Neve/Holt/Stoner/(Gulp!) Smoltz 8-10 wins

That comes to 49-59 wins from your starting rotation

Now from the seven relievers you figure will be in the pen:

Frankie Rodz

Ryoto Igarashi

Bobby Parnell

Kelvin Escobar

Sean Green

Pedro Feliciano

Lefty to be named later

You figure you can and average of 4 wins from each. That’s an additional 28 wins, brining my projection to 77 to 87 wins.

Now say I leave the bullpen projection alone but I up the ante on the #2 pitcher to 12-14 wins and the #3 to 10-12 wins, that would put the team’ record between 81-91 wins. Of course all this is predicated on the Mets signing one of the remaining free agent pitchers, of which just Joel Piniero is desirable if he comes cheap or can trade for the one of the Arroyo/Harang/Meche troika.

So what do you think? Am I out of mind thinking there is a way the Mets could be a 90 win team and contend? Am I drinking the Omar/Jeffey Kool Aid? Has Joe Mac brainwashed me?  Or am I just tired of freezing my ass off this winter and dying for spring and summer and baseball season? Could be the cold has made me delirious.

METS SET SIGHTS ON STARTING PITCHING

Music to my ears. I know most of you have a deep respect for wood a la Larry David, but without pitching you can have all the ash, maple and old hickory you want, you won’t win. Pitching wins period.

The top pitcher around that the Mets could get is Roy Halliday but the cost both player/prospect wise and money wise makes Halliday a dream that won’t come true. The next on the list is John Lackey, who is doable. Contract wise that is. If it takes an AJ Burnett 5yr/$82 mil deal to get Lackey here so be it. Sure he comes with a warning label as he hasn’t made over 30 starts in the last two seasons but the Mets are dessssssssssssperate for a #2 to Santana’s #1 and the they can piece together the rest of the rotation by adding two of the usual suspects from Jason Marquis, Joel Piniero, Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, and the coming off injuries, Ben Sheets, Erik Benard, and Noah Lowry, and my trade up specials Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo and Gil Meche to go with Mike Pelfrey as the 4^th or 5^th starter then and only then will progress be made in Flushing.

By the way I agree with this from Mack’s Mets to make John Maine the 8^th inning set up man to Frankie Rodz and I would also make Ollie P a reliever as well and have Bobby Parnell and Perpetual Pedro Feliciano as my 7^th inning mix and match set and throw Sean Green in for shits and giggles.

Nothing gets accomplished here until the pitching is squared away.

“WHAT THEY ACTUALLY LIKE THAT BLUE AND ORANGE STUFF”?

Can’t you just imagine, Jeffey Skill Set saying that? How out of touch can you be about your fan base and the history of the close to <places right pinky to right corner of mouth> $1 billion dollar baseball franchise he and his family own?

The Skill Sets had to be hit over the head by their fan base to paint the walls blue and orange, add a Mets Hall of Fame that even the great unwashed can gain entrance to, and go back to the uniform that the vast majority of Mets fans revere.

METS-MARLINS IN SAN JUAN, WHO NEEDS TWO?

So MLB wants the Mets and Marlins to play a series in San Juan which would be taken from the Marlins home schedule. Now how does this help the Marlins? The only time they get big crowds at Your Name Here Stadium is when the Mets come to town, plus with the construction of a new ball park shouldn’t the Marlins be trying build a better relationship with their fan base so they fill the new place once it’s up? The weird thing about the Marlins fans is they support the team very heavily through TV and Radio so maybe it doesn’t matter if they play in San Juan or San Quentin.

Also in this story there is a blurb about the Mets looking at signing Jack Cust. Hopefully it’s for a bartender’s job at the Acela Club.

Not even the comedy team of Cohen and Hernandez could get me to watch last nights game. It was 11-1 Bravos after three and that sent me right to the Rangers-Red Wings exhibition game from MSG.

For all of you screaming about getting another bat or two for 2010, it’s time for you to wake up and smell the elevated Team ERA. This team is in dire need of starting pitching, not just a solid #2 compliment to Johan Santana but a good # 3 starter as well. If I’m making the decision around the Mets, I’d be priming both John Maine and Oliver Perez for bullpen duty next season. I’d move Maine, as I feel the wear and tear of being a starter is too much for him both physically and mentally. Bobby Ojeda, who has been fantastic these last few weeks with his critique of this team, took Maine to task last night for bitching and moaning about his aches and pains. Ojeda said that Maine needs to take a page from the Johan Santana book of “even though my knee and elbow need surgery I’m feeling fine no problems”. Ojeda stated that guys like Maine who talk about what hurts and talks about his aches and pains so much turn off their teammates and the front office. Ojeda claims there is a  time to tell the truth and there is a  time to shut the fuck up. Well Ojeda didn’t say fuck I just threw that in.

If the Mets could land Roy Haliday or even make a move on Felix Hernandez that would be the best news all off season. If they can get El Loco from the Cubs for fifty cents on the dollar that would be swell too. Then add a lower level guy like Jason Marquis, or Randy Wolf to go with Big Pelf and a healthy Jon Neise you have something of a pitching structure in your rotation.

I’d love to see Maine become the 8^th inning guy and add him in with Bobby Parnell, Pedro Feliciano in the late innings and add OP as a long man  with Frankie Rodz closing then add in your filler guys.

Maybe it’s me but I think Jose Reyes’ thinking that he needs to get into a game the next couple of weeks for his own gratification is what’s wrong with this team.  It’s more how does this help ME than how does it help WE. If Reyes wants to test his leg then in the afternoon before the game run around the bases as fast as you can if you feel good great go home and you know what? Go play winter ball if you wish. If the leg is still a mess, the go get the god damn surgery you need and report to St. Lonesome in the spring. It’s time everyone in this fucking organization from the owner to the General Manager to the manager to the slow as shit counter person at the Shake Shack concession stand takes some fucking pride in be affiliated with the New York Mets. It’s not about “YOU” it’s about the M-E-T-S. It’s about players getting the proper medical and training help they need to stay on the field. It’s about competence in the front office and sticking to the edict of getting younger and athletic. Its coaches who have the ability to actually teach the game of baseball to the minor leaguers and having competent baseball people on staff to help young players at the big league level become better players.

Really, it’s time this organization got its head out of its ass and did something positive and productive for the team and its fan base. You know when a good chunk of the season ticket holder don’t renew for next year the Skill Sets will have a dumb ass look on their faces wondering why they are not renewing. I guess not everyone loves the Brooklyn Dodgers Freddy!

I took to the keyboard late today because after the morning chores, I sat down to watch Rangers in 60 on MSG. Yes that’s right I watched the Ranger-Bruins exhibition game from last night and after months of hardship watching the Mets it was good to watch young strong hockey players bust their ass to make a team where the coach is on the lunatic fringe and will only play the guys who give a shit and perform no matter their salary or experience. The exact opposite of how the Mets are managed you might say.

I would have ventured over to 33 st and 8 Ave last night to view the Blueshirts in person but I chose to go to Amazin Tuesday at Two Boots last night and I’m so happy I did. Our Master of Ceremonies Greg Prince did a fine job as usual as did the guest speakers, John Coppinger, Jon Springer , and Jeff Pearlman who told some terrific stories especially on his writing The Bad Guys Won and more tales from the John Rocker Files.

As each of the speakers got up to give their dissertation the TV screens around Two Boots were showing the Mets-Braves game from The Ted. For all our screaming and yelling about the suckyness of our Mets each person in the good size crowd had an eye and two ears on the speakers and one eye on the game, We can say we don’t care but we’re full of shit. We care, oh boy do we care!!!!!!

By the way someday I want Daniel Murphy to meet me and thank me for having his back.

Pedro Feliciano wants a multi-year deal from the Mets. This is the equivalent of your house burning down to the ground and when trying to figure out how to rebuild it your main concern is what type of door knobs to buy. Pedro, on the list of things to do your contract is not any where near the discussion phase.

Although his walk rate and his all round zaniness would concern me, if the Cubs were to take Oliver Perez and say Eddie Kunz for Carlos Zambrano, the Mets would have to make that deal. Zambrano may be nuts but he is effective when he healthy and motivated and coming to NY and tag teamed with fellow Venezuelan Johan Santana might just bring out the best in El Loco.

It’s good to see the light bulb go off over Jerry Manuel’ head as he finally realized what all Mets fans have that he is burning out Parnell and Pedro Feliciano. The cool and groovy demeanor of J-Man is also starting to wear as well as someone needs to put a foot in ass of Big Pelf. I love Big Pelf and I want him to succeed to the highest level but he starting to become as unfocused in his starts as Ollie P.

His body language on the mound is a bit unsettling as he fidgets with his cap and tries to regain his composure. It has to be unnerving to the team. I mean D-Wright had to get in his grill as Wright is seldom to speak a discouraging word even as the skies of $iti Field grow cloudy each game.

It’s nice that Manuel has realized that Brian Stokes is on the team maybe he thought he was part of the ground crew or a beer vendor.

After each appearance by Parnell and Feliciano I need an ice pack on my arm just watching them go out there every game.

Ken Takashai and Jon Switzer should not be on the big league team. The only reason either one is here is due to their ability to throw with their left arm especially Switzer who got the call up over Elmer Dressen who is having a better season in Buffalo that Switzer but is right handed. Should be here and Switzer on DFA list

An now that Creepy Tony LaRusa and his Cardinals come to town in first place in the central just what the Mets need HAPPY!! HAPPY!!! JOY!!! JOY!!!

 Singin: don’t worry bout a thing,

cause every little thing gonna be all right.

Singin: don’t worry (don’t worry) bout a thing,

cause every little thing gonna be all right!

AAahhhhhhhhhhhh ya mon, sing you little brides, and pass the Ganja as we look at the where da 25 mon rosta is as of today:

PITCHERS (12)

Johan Santana LHP

Mike Pelfrey RHP

Oliver Perez LHP

John Maine RHP

Livan Hernandez RHP

So much for worrying over Santana’s elbow as he was in Cy Young form yesterday. As I look at Big Pelf I keep a bucket of cold water near by to cool me off as I have visions of a Co-Ace running through my head. With all the bullshit Joba talk in the NY media they are missing the break out player of the year in this town in Big Pelf  FUCK JOBA!!!! Ollie Perez went on a Mexican Rumspriga with the WBC and came back all fucked up. His mechanics were a shambles causing him to pitch like he as back in Black and Gold, but between Old School Dan Werthen and OP’s role model Johan Santana he is back to just plain old unpredictable Ollie. If John Maine were hurting I’d be worried but he claims emphaticly that he feels fine but is having trouble locating pitches and finding his comfort level on the mound. Let’s hope he finds his “happy zone” in the next two weeks. The very svelte Livan Hernandez has grabbed the 5^th spot by the cajones and won’t let go. I’ve heard he’s an innings eater, any truth to that?

Frankie Rodriguez RHP

JJ Putz RHP

Sean Green RHP

Bobby Parnell RHP

Pedro Feliciano LHP

Darren O’Day RHP

Brain Stokes RHP

Sure this bullpen leans more to the right than FOX NEWS but if you’re going for quality then this is your pen. O’Day and Feliciano will be the new righty/lefty tag team and Stokes has earned a long man spot as well. Parnell has shown a high octane fastball that J-Man has fallen in love with. Warlord Jerry can go to this bullpen with confidence

CATCHER

Brian Schneider L

Ramon Castro R

Like Casey said, “without a catcher you’d have a lot of passed balls”

INFEILDERS

Carlos Delgado L

Luis Castillio S

Jose Reyes S

David Wright R

Alex Cora L

Nick Evans R

Time to tip my Mets cap to Luis Castillo who has been outstanding this spring. The only reason he will be relegated to the 8 hole is due to the lack of right hand hitting in the bottom third of the line up and that Daniel Murphy’ bat is to valuable to hit that low but days that Shrek catches or when Tatis plays that would move Castillo up to los dos. Is it better to be an everyday player in Triple A or a bench player in the big leagues? That’s the Nick Evans dilemma. I’d say bench player in the bigs 

OUTFIELD

Daniel Murphy L

Carlos Beltran R

Ryan Church L

Jeremy Reed L

Fernando Tatis R

If the Mets leave Livan Hernandez off the 25 man until he’s needed (which looks like the plan ) then Bobby Keilty has a great shot of going North. Just watching Murphy will be worth paying for an overpriced ticket to $iti Field. Between Murph and Big Pelf they will be the BIG story in NY Baseball this summer not those over priced mercenaries in the South Bronx.

Ken Davidoff is going to compile his 25 man Mets roster as if opening day was today so I thought I’d post mine here and the caveat is “if today was opening day” so of course this list is subject to change.

STARTING PITHCERS (5)

Johan Santana

Mike Pelfrey

Oliver Perez

John Maine

Tim Redding

The first four spots are locks the fifth spot I give to Redding not on merit but on the fact that he has a $2mil contract and that Freddy Garcia can be left in extended spring training. Livan Hernandez is an option which would shift Redding to the bullpen which is something I would be against doing but it would be the option the Mets would make if they had to finalize the roster today. Don’t forget the Jeri-Curl shadow of Petey lurking in the background and Joh Niese becomes the Bison Ace

RELIVERS (6)

Frankie Rodriguez

J.J. Putz

Sean Green

Pedro Feliciano

Ron Villone

Brian Stokes

The last spot goes to Stokes but I hope the Mets can work out something with the Angels to keep Darren O’Day and let him go to Buffalo. Mat DeSalvo has looked good this early spring but he’s a NRI so he’s have to be real charming to take at spot off the 40 man roster.

CATCHER (2)

Brian Schneider

Ramon Castro

The Pudge to Mets talk is still strong as Rodriguez has looked good in the WBC and has made it no secret he’d love to be a Met. Two things could either happen here. The Mets find someone to take Castro and his $2 mil salary and in turn they sign Pudge or this is the swift kick in his fat lazy ass that Shriek needs desperately

INFIELD (6)

Carlos Delgado

Luis Castillo

Jose Reyes

David Wright

Alex Cora

Fernando Tatis

Tatis is valuable not just for his righty bat but for his swingman status from infield to outfield. Cora will spell both Reyes and Castillo and could become a major payer for the team this season as I get the feeling that J-Man will being giving both Reyes and Wright more days off during July and August.

OUTFIELD (6)

Daniel Murphy

Carlos Beltran

Ryan Church

Jeremy Reed

Bobby Kielty

This will be interesting to watch. J-Man has taken a shine to Kielty and I’ve been a fan of his as well he has that “somethin’ somethin’ that you like in a ball player. The problem here is Marlon Anderson and his contract. Anderson is guaranteed  $1.5 mil for 2009 and pre-Madoff that would be chump change now that Omar is on a strict budget this salary will be tough to swallow as Anderson at that price (or any price to be honest) is untradable

Looks like Omar has decided to solidify the pen by offering LOOGY extraordinaire Will Ohman a contract, who if he signs would be the final pieced in the pen.  I liked Omar’s idea of having some spots up for grabs as to infuse some competion in camp but after two seasons of bullpen malaise Minaya wants to build the best bullpen he can and by adding Ohman (.197/.285/.318 vs. LH) he would do just that.

It would set the pen up to look like quite strong:

Frankie Rodriguez

J J Putz

Sean Green

Duaner Sanchez

Tim Redding

Pedro Feliciano L

Will Ohman L

The back end with Rodriguez and Putz is solid. Green could be the guy that guy that breaks out big if Old School Dan Werthen can get him to keep his fastball down and work his slider as when he does he gets ground ball out. He doesn’t give up a lot of extra base hits but he needs to work on his control as his BB/K rate of 36/62 needs improvement. Hopefully Duaner returns to his Dirty days after battling injury and bad attitude. Redding will compete for the 5^th spot with the Chief but I have confidence that Freddy Garcia will win that battle and Redding will be the long/swing man. That leaves Feliciano and maybe Ohman as two top lefties in the pen. On paper it’s a pretty impressive pen and one Omar should be proud of putting together but let’s see how it plays out on the field.

Brain Schneider doesn’t want to be a part of a platoon at catcher. That’s fine but for that to happen he needs to do three things, (1) Stay healthy, last year he pulled a hammy in spring training and that hurt him in more ways than one (2) Tell Team USA thanks but no thanks if they call for him at the WBC and (3) Don’t suck. Not just with the bat even though that was a problem but more so with his glove and calling a game, the two areas he was a big disappointment with last year. Schneider needs to understand he’s not here for his stick.

Welcome to the MIKE FRANCESA IS A BIG BLOW HARD CLUB,  Ryan Church. The club meets Monday-Friday from 1-6 at this location.

The more the Used Car Salesman opens his mouth the more he proves my point that he is a total asshole.

Neil Best of the outstanding WATCHDOG blog (some day Neil will reciprocate a link) has a transcript of Ron Darlings appearence on MLB Network. I was intrigued about this quote:

ON THE DYNAMIC OF THE 1986 METS TEAM:

“The leaders were Hernandez and Carter, guys who had come over and learned winning baseball from where they played, but I think even more importantly you say ‘had fun’ and you’re right, it is a different time [now], a lot of the stuff that happened in ‘86 certainly couldn’t happen now in 2008 and 2009 but that team was so solid and I’ll tell you the nature of that team. We were coming back we had lost a 4 game series in Chicago, we get into St. Louis about 8 o’clock at night and Davey Johnson pulls the bus over at a Morton’s Steakhouse. He rushes the entire team in and we all go in there and sit, after a 4 game loss, heads down, the whole team sat in there for 3-4 hours and just kind of discussed how the game went. That’s how close they were.”

I can’t imagine what this site would be like if I was bloging back in the day. I’d would have started a blog just on the comings and goings at Rusty’s as that was the place to be back in the day.

Not much time to comment on the rumors such as Brian Fuentes asking for a 3yr/$30 mil deal which would be double the money per year he made last year. What did you expect as Fuentes and his agent know the Mets must sign a closer so why not shoot for the moon. Now it’s Fransisco Rodriguez turn to bid and it looks like who ever signs for less will be the Mets closer (I think Kerry Woods is the dark horse candidate here)

Interesting that the Mets supposedly turned down the Rockies bid of Houston Street for Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano. Why would Omar turn this deal down if he didn’t have plans to use Heilman as a fall back pick in the rotation or if he has a bigger deal in the works? I can’t imagine that putting Felicano in the trade was a deal breaker, not when you still have Scott Schoenwies as the house LOOGY still on payroll and an other LOOGY Brian Shouse is on the free agent market to more than make up for a Feliciano departure.

Got to run as I have to travel a whole 6 blocks to my in laws for the day, got to beat that traffic.

Posting will be a bit spotty the next two or three days as my family talked me into a weekend trip to the Catskills but the laptop will be in tow so again enjoy your Thanksgiving and the weekend go get those sales!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!