Baseball Hot Stove

[Bob Slydell]

Did you NYers read the Daily News story about Anna Benson?

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/371732p-316263c.html

She's a nutjob -- she always has been, though. She'll do anything to get herself publicity. Apparently, she got herself tossed out of the World Series of Poker (who knew she played poker? ) for dropping a bunch of "f-bombs".

 

[Missy1961]

She's a nutjob -- she always has been, though. She'll do anything to get herself publicity. Apparently, she got herself tossed out of the World Series of Poker (who knew she played poker? ) for dropping a bunch of "f-bombs".

I loved the stuff about how "we" signed the contract, "we" shouldn't get traded...and I found her comments about "we came to NY because of 9/11" annoying.

 

[Nickunited]

I loved the stuff about how "we" signed the contract, "we" shouldn't get traded...and I found her comments about "we came to NY because of 9/11" annoying.

She is a camara hog but really - the Mets dont need a distraction this year - They have a World Series to win!!!!

 

[Jimbo]

Well, the Yanks did sign Farnsworth.

This will be a train wreck, I predict. Farnsworth has a great arm, but he melted under the high expectations in Chicago. I think he will completely implode in NY.

 

[Nickunited]

This will be a train wreck, I predict. Farnsworth has a great arm, but he melted under the high expectations in Chicago. I think he will completely implode in NY.

I will take it! If the Mets are better than the Yanks this year - I wonder how many people will be "Mets" fans!!!! You know - like all of a sudden half the city is Yankee fans now. Yet in the 80s everyone was a Mets fan!!! I love that!

 

[Mickey76]

It looks like the Blue Jays are going to sign A.J. Burnett. ESPN is talking about Burnett like he's a prize catch. Seriously, didn't anyone learn from the Yankees' mistake last year with Pavano? Even Wright, for that matter.

I don't know if Wang is the real deal, but I like him. However, if he's not doing so well around the All-Star break, he'll surely get raded for whatever the Yankees need.

I've always liked the Yanks, even when they were horrible in the 80's.

 

[Missy1961]

So the Blue Jays "won" AJ? Good for them! (insert sarcasm here).

Mickey76, I like your kind of fan. You stay true to your team. I'm the same way with the Mets--I've been a fan since 1973. It's hard sometimes (like when the Yankees win every year and the Mets don't), but I've stayed true. Much like Nick, I bet.

 

[Nickunited]

Yea - Jays getting Burnett - while they are overpaying - that is still a nice pick up for them - they still need 1 more bat.

I just read that the Indians are close to signing Hoffman.

Mickey - I am not doubting you being a Yankee fan - LOL - I was speaking in general because NY does have a lot of "band-wagon" fans!

 

[Bob Slydell]

I just read that the Indians are close to signing Hoffman.

That's what they're reporting around here too -- a similar deal to the Byrd signing, 2 years, around $14 Mil. They're just not sure if the Padres are going to up their offer now (which was 2 years/10 Mil).

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

This will be a train wreck, I predict. Farnsworth has a great arm, but he melted under the high expectations in Chicago. I think he will completely implode in NY.

Kyle Farnsworth = No Stones! Isn't it suppose to be every relief pitchers goal to be the closer. He gives up being the closer in Atl, for major leage chump change really. He has no guts, and will be out of NY before the all-star break.

Oh yeah. Braves fan here still shell-shocked they let Furcal leave.

 

[Nickunited]

That's what they're reporting around here too -- a similar deal to the Byrd signing, 2 years, around $14 Mil. They're just not sure if the Padres are going to up their offer now (which was 2 years/10 Mil).

Cleveland will be dangerous next season!!!

 

[Bob Slydell]

Cleveland will be dangerous next season!!!

I'd still love to see them get one more power bat and one more starter (preferably resigning Kevin Millwood, but I doubt that's going to happen), but they should have a pretty good year this season.

 

[Figment22]

Yes - the Braves keep losing guys but you know they will be right up there next season - They always are - that is the Mets Vice - They must beat the Braves!!!!

I disagree that the Braves will be right up there next season. In this weak free-agent offseason, I truly believe that the BIGGEST move is not a player but a coach and that's Leo Mazzone going from the Braves to the Orioles. The man is a pitching magician. How many pitchers have the Braves picked up off the scrap heap only to have them turn in career years under Mazzone. (Jaret Wright's the most recent example, then look at him when he got to the Bronx ) Mazzone's move to Baltimore is a HUGE loss to the Braves. Put me down in that column right now. I honestly believe that the Mets will finish ahead of the Braves this year. That amazing Atlanta run of division titles was in large part, Mazzone's handiwork. Minaya would seem to be putting together a very good Mets' team for '06 and it doesn't appear that he's done yet...

As to bandwagon Yankees' fans: I completely agree. There are way too many for my taste.

 

[Nickunited]

I disagree that the Braves will be right up there next season. In this weak free-agent offseason, I truly believe that the BIGGEST move is not a player but a coach and that's Leo Mazzone going from the Braves to the Orioles. The man is a pitching magician. How many pitchers have the Braves picked up off the scrap heap only to have them turn in career years under Mazzone. (Jaret Wright's the most recent example, then look at him when he got to the Bronx ) Mazzone's move to Baltimore is a HUGE loss to the Braves. Put me down in that column right now. I honestly believe that the Mets will finish ahead of the Braves this year. That amazing Atlanta run of division titles was in large part, Mazzone's handiwork. Minaya would seem to be putting together a very good Mets' team for '06 and it doesn't appear that he's done yet...

I totally agree with you - Losing Mazzone is HUGE and also furcal but for the past 10 years I have been saying - The Braves are going to slip this year and much to my displeasure - they always win the darn division! So until they do - I must say they are going to be there - HA!

 

[Missy1961]

I disagree that the Braves will be right up there next season. In this weak free-agent offseason, I truly believe that the BIGGEST move is not a player but a coach and that's Leo Mazzone going from the Braves to the Orioles. The man is a pitching magician. How many pitchers have the Braves picked up off the scrap heap only to have them turn in career years under Mazzone. (Jaret Wright's the most recent example, then look at him when he got to the Bronx ) Mazzone's move to Baltimore is a HUGE loss to the Braves. Put me down in that column right now. I honestly believe that the Mets will finish ahead of the Braves this year. That amazing Atlanta run of division titles was in large part, Mazzone's handiwork. Minaya would seem to be putting together a very good Mets' team for '06 and it doesn't appear that he's done yet...

As to bandwagon Yankees' fans: I completely agree. There are way too many for my taste.

Lisa, once again Nick & I agree--I think you hit the nail on the head. And of course, I hope you are right that the Mets will the team to end the Braves run of titles.

And Nick & I probably know tons of fans that jumped from the Mets in the 80's, to the Yanks in the 90's. Let's see what will happen this year.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

I disagree that the Braves will be right up there next season. In this weak free-agent offseason, I truly believe that the BIGGEST move is not a player but a coach and that's Leo Mazzone going from the Braves to the Orioles. The man is a pitching magician. How many pitchers have the Braves picked up off the scrap heap only to have them turn in career years under Mazzone. (Jaret Wright's the most recent example, then look at him when he got to the Bronx ) Mazzone's move to Baltimore is a HUGE loss to the Braves. Put me down in that column right now. I honestly believe that the Mets will finish ahead of the Braves this year. That amazing Atlanta run of division titles was in large part, Mazzone's handiwork. Minaya would seem to be putting together a very good Mets' team for '06 and it doesn't appear that he's done yet...

As to bandwagon Yankees' fans: I completely agree. There are way too many for my taste.

Without question, Leo has been able to catch lighting in a bottle several times, but I think a fair amount of credit should go to Bobby Cox as well. We won't truly know Leo's magic until he does the same thing elsewhere.

As far as next year, if we can get 30 wins out of the 3,4,5 starters (Hampton, Ramerez and Sosa) we will be alright I think. Man, the Mets seem loaded though.

Honestly, I don't know if losing Furcal will be that big of a deal, especially for the money he was asking. I can't think of the last Braves player that has left, and had a good year.

Jaret Wright - no
JD Drew - no
Javi Lopez - no
Tom Glavine - no
Greg Maddox - no
Kevin Millwood - no
Gary Sheffield - no
Fred McGriff - no

 

[Missy1961]

Without question, Leo has been able to catch lighting in a bottle several times, but I think a fair amount of credit should go to Bobby Cox as well. We won't truly know Leo's magic until he does the same thing elsewhere.

As far as next year, if we can get 30 wins out of the 3,4,5 starters (Hampton, Ramerez and Sosa) we will be alright I think. Man, the Mets seem loaded though.

Honestly, I don't know if losing Furcal will be that big of a deal, especially for the money he was asking. I can't think of the last Braves player that has left, and had a good year.

Jaret Wright - no
JD Drew - no
Javi Lopez - no
Tom Glavine - no
Greg Maddox - no
Kevin Millwood - no
Gary Sheffield - no
Fred McGriff - no

Gary Sheffield has had 2 very good years for the Yanks--I'm pretty sure he got a few MVP votes the first year with the Yanks, when he played hurt.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Honestly, I don't know if losing Furcal will be that big of a deal, especially for the money he was asking. I can't think of the last Braves player that has left, and had a good year.

Jaret Wright - no
JD Drew - no
Javi Lopez - no
Tom Glavine - no
Greg Maddox - no
Kevin Millwood - no
Gary Sheffield - no
Fred McGriff - no

Maybe not the immediate year after, but many of those players have had good seasons post-Atlanta.

 

[Nickunited]

I cant wait to see what happens to Sheff at the trading deadline - I am sure there will be many rumors about him!

 

[Jennifer48]

Gary Sheffield has had 2 very good years for the Yanks--I'm pretty sure he got a few MVP votes the first year with the Yanks, when he played hurt.

Too bad he was juiced up at the time