K-Rod Switches Agents; Teams up with Boras

According to reports, New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has dropped agent Paul Kinzer, replacing him with the infamous Scott Boras.

Kinzer, who negotiated Rodriguez's current deal, which could end up being worth $51 million over four years if Rodriguez finishes 55 games, originally sought a deal for five years at around $75 million.

The move could affect the Mets in a number of ways going forward, including trying to trade K-rod to one of the ten teams listed on his no -trade clause, or trying to trade the closer to a team he could setup for rather than close, something the 29-year-old has done his entire career.

Boras has been notorious over the years for manipulating teams in trying to secure an extension for a given player or additional compensation in similar cases to Frankie's.

With the July 31st trade deadline fast approaching and with K-rod at the 34 games finished mark, just 21 away from a vesting option that would kick in and guarantee the closer $17.5 million in base salary for 2012, it will certainly being interesting to see if the Mets can come to terms on an extension for the closer or if they begin to shop him around.

Ike Davis Starting to Make Progress Slowly, but Surely

Here's a tweet cap I did earlier today for Metszilla.com on Ike Davis' injured ankle, you can find this and all your latest New York Mets news and info at Metzilla.com by clicking here: 

Several sources confirmed yesterday that Ike Davis has taken the next step in testing his injured ankle:

Ike Davis is doing treadmill work that is designed to reduce the weight on his feet. Normal running next week. Collins said ankle feels good

about 17 hours ago via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

What does this mean going forward?  Right now, not all that much, but as Jon Heyman points out, this
work will help the team and the first basemen decide if surgery can be avoided:

ike davis jogged on weight-reducing treadmill & was encouraged. a small step forward. hoping to avoid ankle surgery. #mets

about 19 hours ago via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@SI_JonHeyman

Jon Heyman

Well we can only hope this is the first step in getting back first basemen Ike Davis at some point this
season.

If the Mets can continue to remain in the race and if in fact Davis can avoid season-ending surgery, imagine a lineup that would feature the likes of a healthy Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Ike, to go along with Carlos Beltran, Jason Bay, Angel Pagan, and Daniel Murphy. 

This certainly would be as formidable a lineup as there is in the National League.

7/8 Pre-Game Mets Look to Rebound In Series Opener Vs. Giants

Check out my Pre-Game post for tonight's Mets-Giants I did on Metszilla.com. Be sure to check it out this and all the latest Mets News: http://www.metszilla.com/2011/07/08/pre-game-mets-look-to-rebound-in-series-opener-vs-giants/

After being shutout last night by Dodgers Ace Clayton Kershaw, the New York Mets look to rebound and get back to their winning ways in the series opener against the San Fransisco Giants. However, it gets no easier for the offense as they will go up against All-Star Ryan Vogelsong, who is 6-1 with a stellar 2.13 ERA this season.



The 33-year-old has been tremendous at AT&T park where he boasts a 3-1 record record with an ERA of just 1.01 (30:9 K:BB ratio). Earlier this season the Amazin’s were just that…..Amazin, against the Giants righty, as Vogelsong pitched a season low 4 innings while allowing 5 runs.

Photo by Michael G. Baron

On the other side, the Mets will counter with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.  For the season Dickey is 4-7 while posting a 3.68 ERA.  In his one start against the Giants this year, which coincidentally came the same night Vogelsong toed the slab for San Fran, the 36-year-old was shell shocked allowing 6 runs, in 6 innings, in a game the Metsies would later go onto to lose.

After Ronny Paulino started three of four games against the Dodgers, Josh Thole will be behind the plate to catch Dickey. Daniel Murphy returns to his familiar role in the cleanup spot after being dropped in the order last night against the lefty Clayton Kershaw.  The rest of the lineup behind R.A. is as follows:

Mets Friday lineup at SF: Pagan-CF, Turner-2B, Beltran-RF, Murphy-3B, Bay-LF, Duda-1B, Thole-C, Tejada-SS, Dickey-RHP

about 1 hour ago via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@NewYorkMets

New York Mets

It’ll be very interesting to see how the Mets lineup reacts after being shutout last night while scattering just six hits. With Jose Reyes out for 3 weeks, Angel Pagan will be front and center again at the leadoff spot.  To this point the 30-year-old  has filled in well for Reyes, going a combined 7-23 in the past five games.

Notes:
The Mets look to push five games over .500 away from Citi Field and have a shot tonight to do just that.

Meanwhile, R.A. Dickey looks for his second win in his last five starts, but more importantly, you have to go back nearly a month to find the last time R.A. lost, which came on June 11th at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

First pitch is schedule for 10:15 PM/ET, hope you fill up on a lot of caffeine, because it’ll be another late night on the West Coast for the Amazin’s.

What To Do When David Wright Returns?

The Mets are playing great baseball at the moment, maybe the best ball they have played all season long. But as we inch closer to David Wright’s return, which is targeted at late July the question that still remains, is what do the Mets do when the 5-time All-Star returns?

The combination of Daniel Murphy, Justin Turner, Ruben Tejada, and Lucas Duda have filled in well and combined to plug up the holes in the lineup left by Wright and first basemen Ike Davis.

With Ike Davis’ return not anywhere in sight and even potentially lost for the rest of the 2011 season, there are a number of options the Mets have to compliment Wright when he returns.

Given that the Mets have relied on timely hitting, hitting with runners in scoring position, and coming up with the big 2 out hit, I believe when Wright does return the Mets will sacrifice a little bit defensively for a bigger return offensively.

Right now Daniel Murphy is getting the bulk of the playing time at third base, I think when Wright comes back, Murphy goes across the diamond back to first base, where he has been primarily since Ike Davis went down.

The next domino tat could fall in place when Wright comes back, is Justin Turner taking over the second base job full time, the 26-year-old has done an outstanding job all season long and is a given to get on base at least once a game. Last night, was the first game in 29 games that Turner did not reach base safely.

Both, David Wright and Jose Reyes should be in the lineup, as it stands now Manager Terry Collins targeted Reyes return date at July 22^nd. So given this news, expect Ruben Tejada to ride the pine, or even possibly be demoted to Triple-A to get regular everyday playing time.

           

With a guy as young and as talented as Tejada, he’s a guy who needs to have regular at-bats and is someone the Mets can’t let rot on the bench or be used in pinch-hitting duty.

There are a number of scenarios the Mets have, it will certainly be interesting to see what route both GM Sandy Alderson and Manager Terry Collins decide to go when David Wright makes his return. Let’s not forget the Mets are still in the heat of a tightly packed Wildcard race.

Reyes' to DL; Major Blow to Banged up Mets

The New York Mets have placed All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes on the 15-Day Disabled List retroactive to June 3^rd, with a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring.

In his place, the Mets have recalled infielder/outfielder Nick Evans from Triple-A to take Reyes spot on the roster.

Evans, who was with the Mets earlier this season, was 0-12 with five walks. For the Bison of Buffalo Evans was hitting .329 (74-225), which included seven home runs and 29 RBI in 57 games. Evans has been hot of late and recently had a 19-game hit streak snapped where he batted a sizzling .514 (38-74) from May 12- June 29.

According to sources, Reyes was told by his doctor that he would have to miss three weeks to rest his gimpy hamstring.

The news couldn’t come out at worse time for the Mets, they are a team who is already without the services of David Wright and Ike Davis, but will be facing the best of the best starting pitchers over their next seven games.

Over their next seven games the Mets will face the likes of Clayton Kershaw beginning tonight, followed by a trip to San Francisco where the Mets will see All-Stars Ryan Vogelsong, 2-time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum, and Matt Cain.

Following that stretch and the All-Star break the Mets will return home to face the three aces of the Phillies staff: Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels.

This certainly will be a tall order for the Mets without the services of Reyes, who has undoubtedly been the Mets MVP, and possibly the National League MVP to this point.

Reyes has carried the team virtually all season long; it will now be up to veterans Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay to carry the torch for the Mets who are still very much alive in the National League’s Wildcard race.

Reyes Expected to Miss 3 Weeks

In case you missed it. New York Mets Shortstop Jose Reyes has been hampered by a Grade 1 Hamstring pull and will be sidelined for 3 more weeks.

Reyes, who has already missed 4 games to so far due to the injury, will now be out the Mets remaining 4 games in LA and San Fran, but will miss his second consecutive All-Star Game on Tuesday Night, the last time Reyes was elected to the game in 2007, he missed the game due to injury.

In his absences the Mets will promote Triple-A utility man Nick Evans to fill the void, and will give the Amazin's a much needed right handed bat off the bench.

As quoted in ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas article:

"The doctor is standing by the original diagnosis, but he suggests proper rest to reduce the possibility of a relapse," the source said.

Again in that same piece Reyes had this to say after last night's 5-3 win over the Dodgers:

"I didn't do anything today. ... Probably tomorrow I don't do anything, either," Reyes said after Wednesday's 5-3 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

However, long Reyes is sidelined it will certainly be a devastating blow to a Mets team that is already without the Services of Ike Davis and David Wright. A team can only endure so many injuries before it finally starts to catch up on them and take its toll.

Let's hope Reyes can make a speedy recover and get back to the Mets ASAP, if the Amazin's have any shot at remaining in the thick of the wildcard race, there is no question a healthy Reyes would do wonders for those chances.

Jason Bay: 2nd Half X-Factor For Mets

Check out my post from Mets Merized Online I did early today. You can view this and more at Mets Merized Online by clicking here: 

Just one month ago at this time Jason Bay seemed to an after thought as a serious threat in the New York Mets lineup. It seemed like Bay couldn’t do anything right and everything that could wrong for Bay at the plate did go wrong.

However, since Bay was benched in mid-June he’s responded and in a big way, at a time where the Mets have needed it most.
Since June 15^th, Bay is batting .347 (25-72), with 4 home runs and 17 RBI, those 17 RBI are tied with teammate Carlos Beltran for tops in the National league in that time period.

In 2 of the Mets last 3 games Bay has been involved in crucial rallies for the Amazin’s. On Sunday, the 32-year-old drew what seemed to be an innocent walk against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with 2 outs in the 9^th.

Then, a bloop hit by Lucas Duda and single to right field by Ronny Paulino the Mets tied the game at 2-2 courtesy of a Bay walk.

In the following inning, Bay had a chance to end the game and did so with an empathic walk off bases loaded single with 2 outs, leading to a 3-2 Mets win.

In last night’s Mets 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Bay was at it yet again. Already leading 2-0 in the top of the 6^th and looking for insurance Bay delivered with a solo home run to the left centerfield bleachers.

But it didn’t end there for the slugger, as Bay came up with runners on 1^st and 2^nd in the 8^th and all but sealed a Mets win with a 3 run home run to right field capping a great night for the Mets left fielder.

With those two home runs from last night, Bay has already tied his total from last year’s six and the former Pirate and Red Sox shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

If Jason Bay can remain as hot as he been over the last month, combine that with what Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran have been able to all year long, and add a healthy David Wright to the order, this offense could be a serious force to be reckon with in the 2^nd half.

7/5 New York Mets Injury News and Updates

 Check out the latest New York Mets news and injury notes on Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey, and Johan Santana. Here is the post I did early that can be viewed on Metszilla.com. Be sure to check this out and more by clicking here: http://www.metszilla.com/2011/07/05/75-mets-injuries-news-and-updates/

7/5 Mets Injuries News and Updates

"Nothing big," Jose Reyes says about injury.

July 3, 2011 6:35 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

 

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

Well this a relief. Given all the injuries the Mets have endured this season to starts such as Ike Davis, David Wright, and Johan Santana, a blow to Jose Reyes would be costly to say the least. Along with Carlos Beltran, Reyes has pretty much carried the Mets offense, and in the process has made himself a legitimate MVP candidate.
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jose Reyes told reporters:

“I feel like I’m getting better everyday, but I don’t want to get on the field too soon.  I know what happened in 2009 when I tried to get on the field to soon. … Right now, I want to take my time and when I’m ready to play, I will play.”

Sandy Alderson said R.A. Dickey should make next start despite pulled buttocks muscle.

July 3, 2011 6:22 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

More relieving news. R.A. Dickey has been one tough son of a guy this year and has not once complained about anything. To me Dickey has taken on Terry Collins persona best. You won’t ever see the 36-year-old journeymen pitcher quit, he’s just got that never say die attitude. You can knock down Dickey with your best shot and he’ll still keep coming back for more and more.

According to Steve Popper of the Bergan Record:

Johan Santana threw 25 warmups, rested and then threw w/David Wright standing in - improved velocity, but "a way to go" according to report.

about 19 hours ago via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@StevePopper

Steve Popper

 Mets think Johan "spring training" is near. "He threw very well (today) ... everything is very encouraging right now," Dan Warthen said.

about 20 hours ago via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@NYPost_Mets 

 Mike Puma

If the Mets can continue to remain in the Wildcard race, the return of Johan Santana sometime in early August at the earliest, would be perhaps the best quote unquote mid-season acquisition of any team in baseball. The Metsies have been without the services of the 32-year-old ace all season long. With an anchor like Santana carry the Amazin’s down the stretch run, it may just be what the doctor ordered, as Johan would certainly bring the type of energy and enthusiasm that is unmatched by any other starting pitcher on the Mets staff.

GM Sandy Alderson Ready to Open Checkbook for Reyes

According to multiple sources, New York Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson is strongly considering making a substantial offer to the soon to be free agent shortstop Jose Reyes.

I’ve felt all along Reyes has been worthy of a deal in the neighborhood between five years or six years at $100 to $120 million dollars. Coming into the 2011 season many felt Reyes was worth about a five year $75 million dollar contract.

However, with the career year Reyes is putting together, which very could bring the dynamic 28-year-old his first career MVP, is Jose Reyes really worth $20 million per season for the next 5 or 6 years?

The answer: Yes.

Forget his league leading .354 batting average, his lead best 65 runs scored, his league best 124 hits, and his league best 15 triples, it’s more than numbers with Reyes.

I think for the first time since being named GM Sandy Alderson truly understands the importance of what Reyes means not only to the franchise but the fan base.

It may be safe to say that Reyes has taken the reigns from 3^rd basemen David Wright as the face of the franchise, but not only that Jose is the heart and soul of the Mets. When Reyes is at his best he fuels the Mets in ways no one else on the team can, his energy, emotion, and intensity is second to none.

At this point, it’s safe to say the chances of Jose Reyes being traded at the trade

deadline are slim and none, favoring the none side.

Just hearing the report today that Sandy Alderson wants to get something done and is willing to back up the truck for the continued services of Jose Reyes as a New York Met is relieving to say the least.

Undoubtedly not only has Reyes been the MVP of the Mets, but in all likely hood is the NL MVP up to this point.

Although Reyes has repeatedly stated that he is not interested in negotiating an extension during the season one would think if Sandy Alderson and his regime offered Reyes a deal he couldn’t refuse the chances of #7 remaining a Met would be highly likely. 

Mets Ink Journeymen Reliever to Minor League Deal

Earlier today I wrote about the New York Mets signing of Miguel Batista on Metszilla.com. To read this post and more at metszilla.com click here: http://www.metszilla.com/2011/07/04/mets-ink-journeymen-reliever-miguel-batista-to-a-minor-league-deal/

Just one day after being released by the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Mets wasted no time in signing journeymen Miguel Batista. Yesterday was the last straw for Miguel Batista who issued consecutive bases-loaded walks in a St. Louis Cardinals defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays.

With the struggles of the New York Mets bullpen well chronicled, the team did something about it and went out and signed the 40-year-old Miguel Batista. Has there been a team in baseball the journeymen pitcher has pitched for in his career?

The Mets will mark Batista’s 11th team in 17-big league seasons. Batista may just be what the Mets bullpen needs. In his career Batista has done it all, he’s been a closer, a setup man, a middle reliever, a long man, and even a starter, you name it Batista has probably done it at some point.

With Taylor Buchholz out for an unknown period of time after being diagnosed with depression and anxiety, we could see Miguel used in the same way Taylor was used early on the season. The 29-year-old Buchholz, much like Batista did it all out of the Amazin’s pen, he was used as a long man, a middle inning guy, and as a bridge to closer Francisco Rodriugez.

According to ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin, Batista will have to prove to the Mets he’s worthy of a spot in the bullpen, as he will be sent to Triple-A Buffalo.


Personally, I love this signing by GM Sandy Alderson. Here’s a guy in Miguel Batista who can be a utility man in the bullpen, right now the Mets don’t really have that long man who can eat up innings. Of late, Pedro Beato has been pressed into multiple inning duty, but where Beato has thrived best all season long has been as the 7th inning man.

I’m very intrigued to see how Batista will be used early on by Manager Terry Collins if and when he gets the call to the big league club. Whether it be as a long man or in a more prominent role, the seasoned veteran will certainly bring some versatility to a bullpen that has lacked it all year long.

Justin Silberman and Daniel Radov Debate On: Mets Talk Live! Wright or Wrong?!?

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jsilberman/2011/07/04/mets-talk-live

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jsilberman/2011/07/04/mets-talk-live

Listen Live to this 45 Minute Podcast between two young baseball guru's

Topics from Today's Show Include:

1.Jose Reyes: Is he the NL MVP?

2.What should the Mets do with Jose Reyes?

3.AL/NL Division and Wildcard winners

4.What does the All-Star game even mean anymore?

If you like debates and action packed sports talk radio this is the show for you.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jsilberman/2011/07/04/mets-talk-live

Carlos Beltran Can Still Do It All

It seemed almost inevitable that the 34-year-old Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran would become a DH in the near future. Just about everyone believes Beltran will be a DH come next season at the latest, however, Carlos has other ideas in mind.

Beltran has stated all season long that he can play the outfield everyday, as he’s done so.

Who would have ever thought coming into the season Carlos Beltran would have played the most game for the Mets halfway through the season? Virtually no one except for maybe Beltran.

The former center fielder is having a spectacular season and will certainly get strong consideration for comeback player of the year. More importantly, don’t be surprised if Carlos Beltran sneaks his way on to the All-Star team as an outfield reserved.

In 82 games, the right fielder, is hitting .281 with 12 homers and 54 RBI to lead the Amazin’s, and is top ten in doubles, RBI, total bases and OPS in the NL.

Yesterday, Beltran was named to his fifth All-Star team as a Met, ranking him number two in club history as an outfielder trailing just former great Darryl Strawberry’s record of seven.

Earlier in the week, the Texas Rangers have been flirting with the idea of acquiring Beltran and having him DH and play the outfield every now and then.

But with the Mets at 42-42 and still very much alive in the National Legaue’s Wildcard race, combined with the leadership Beltran has provided to the Mets youngsters this year such as Lucas Duda, Ruben Tejada, and Angel Pagan it will make it that much tougher to deal Carlos.

Mid-Atlantic Mets Man: Could Reyes' Hamstring Injury Benefit Mets In Long...

Mid-Atlantic Mets Man: Could Reyes' Hamstring Injury Benefit Mets In Long...: "According to several ESPN reports if Jose Reyes hamstring injury causes him to miss a significant amount of time, it could keep the 28..."

Could Reyes' Hamstring Injury Benefit Mets In Long Run?

According to several ESPN reports if Jose Reyes hamstring injury causes him to miss a significant amount of time, it could keep the 28-year-old shortstop in the Mets price range.

The Mets are still awaiting Reyes’ MRI results that were done earlier today in New York. While fans await word, speculation as to seriousness of the All-Star’s injury might mean for the Amazin’s down the road is a topic of debate.

However, the conversation may be all for not with an update expected either sometime in game or following the game.

Early indications on the injury to Reyes is it’s not serious, Mets right fielder, Carlos Beltran told the media yesterday that he didn’t think it was too serious and expected Reyes to be day-to-day.

Even with a worse case scenario of Reyes going on the DL, I have a hard time believing it will have, if at all any effect on the market for the services of the dynamic shortstop.

That being said, given that there will be a handful of teams bidding for the services of Reyes, I could see there being at least one or two teams looking past the injury history of Reyes in order to gain in advantage in trying to sign Reyes.

In the end, it will take just one team to bid above the rest to push the iconic #7 out of the Mets price range and out of Queens for good.