213 Miles From Shea

On Sunday I was reading MLB Trade Rumors and saw the news that the Mets resigned three players to minor league deals. They resigned Jesus Feliciano, who I wish would get a chance to play in the majors everyday with another team, but I'm thankful to have him as a backup in case of disaster. One of the players the Mets signed was Chris Shelton. Sound familiar?

He was a bit of a wonder kid at the start of the 2006 season. It was his breakout season with the Tigers, and really his only good season in the majors where he hit .276 with 16 homers. However it was the start of the season that made him so notable. In the first 13 games of the season he homered 9 times, and ended with 10 homers in the month of April. During this month he also hit .326 before completely falling apart. The impact of his hot streak was magnified by it being the start of the season, it made him seem like he was always this good. By the end of April his rookie card was one of the best selling baseball cards as the collecting world was trying to grasp “Who is this guy”.

He hasn't played in the majors since a limited stint in 2009. As for the Mets, he really doesn't factor in too much. We have Ike Davis starting at first base and the back up at first is Dan Murphy. After Murphy on the depth chart there is a long list of 1B-OF players the Mets are trying to get into the game, but have no way to due to the bottleneck at those 4 positions, with no clear standouts yet. In essence, Shelton doesn't mean much to the team but it is a really interesting story just to have him, as he is part of a short captivating time in baseball.

I do not understand game used dirt. I understand it on game used uniforms, that's cool. Actually that's really cool. What I don't understand is putting game used dirt into memorabilia and then marking the products up to a ridiculous price, make it seem valuable, and sell it to the public. Well, I do understand it, they are trying to make money, I just wish they wouldn't do it.

Infield dirt items range. They are all not that bad, some of them are kinda cool. Like a great idea for a sports den would be to include these coasters. They are unique and are great for starting conversations. Also, they add to the room.

Then there is item. It is designed to look valuable, but it really isn't. I guess the only real purpose I can think of is for an executive office or something.

The last of the “good items” comes in this knicknack. It is a reasonable price, and you can take it with you anywhere. It is a good recreation of the use of infield dirt.

So the last three examples have been fairly positive, which begs the question why was the opening of this article so negative. Well there is one other line of product's I haven't displayed yet: the dirt plaques. You see they take a picture of your favorite player, put some dirt in a disc, frame it, and sell it to you for a fee. Sometimes you get players you want but they also carry players no longer on the team and players you would not want on your 2011 Mets team.

On Saturday, Carlos Beltran said that it is hard to believe that the is starting his seventh season with the New York Mets this year.

It's hard for me to believe too, Carlos.

The upcoming baseball season will be Beltran's 14th. He had six seasons with the Royals, one split between the Royals and the Astros, and the rest with the Mets. There are very few Mets that have been on the roster longer than Beltran now. David was on the team for only one year before Beltran. Jose Reyes only two seasons. Pedro Feliciano was there for three years before Carlos, but he's gone now. Actually, when you look at the 2004 Mets roster, the only two players that are still on the Mets are Reyes and Wright.

It seems like just yesterday I was angry about the Yankees, who seemed poised to overpay to get Carlos to come to the Bronx, then shocked to find out that he with Pedro were coming to Queens. Over the last 6 seasons we have experienced so much with Carlos. His failure in 2005 and collision with Mike Cameron. His silent leadership in 2006 when he belted 41 homers. His consistency in 2007 despite the collapse of the team around him. His engagement with the Phillies around this time with the team to beat nonsense/sideshow/spectacle. The frustration and the blame in 2008, although he remained a key player. Then came the injury shortened 2009 and 2010.

We have no idea what will happen after this year, and where Beltran will go. It is sometimes popular to belittle what Beltran has done for this team in his first 6 years but at the same time, it is really important to remember his yearly numbers, with the exception of 2005 and 2010, have been quite good. He says he is open to playing Right field this year, if it is better for the team, and that is the attitude that I expect out of Beltran. He is not a selfish player, which is why at the end of this season, whether he stays with the Mets, or goes to another team, I will have fond memories of Beltran's time with the Mets.

I'll be the first to tell you that I was really skeptical on the Collins signing when it happened. I'll also be the first to tell you that it is too early to make any strong opinion about his effectiveness, as he hasn't had time yet to do anything.

That being said, this past week has showed me one thing: I miss managers with energy, and I am so happy we have one.

I didn't complain about Randolph and Snoop so much because at points I liked them and I generally work in the same way they do; keep my head down push through, etc. However seeing someone with energy really makes the Mets more exciting. Terry has been reporting literally running between activities. He shows the passion he wants his players to have, rather than just saying it. Krod has been reported as saying that Collins is his type of manager.

Actually lets go back to that discussion. Krod, through the NY Post, said that with Collins, he has been told once he gets up in the pen, he will be used. How awesome is that? A lot of times for the last several years we focused on how Jerry used the pen too much in games. What we didn't go into at all is not only does he use them a lot, but he has them warming up constantly. They are throwing innings worth of pitches before they can even get in the game.

He has also been fairly frank with his opinions about struggling opinions. That's refreshing too.

The beginning of Spring this year is busy again for a lot of teams that are making last minute minor league deals to get additional players into camp. The first one I wanted to highlight is really to correct an article I posted two days ago. On Wednesday, based on an Adan Rubin report, I speculated about Maine joining the Phillies and the media reaction, or lack there of, that would ensue. Well now that article was for naught as it looks like he will sign with the Rockies, according to MLB Trade Rumors. According to that source, the deal looks to include an opt out clause if Maine does not reach the major league team and if he does make the team, a payday of about 3 million. In addition to the Phillies, the Royals also showed interest.

The more interesting note for the Mets has been the signing of Jason Isringhausen. After a long trip away from the Mets, one third of generation K returns on a minor league contract. You are probably aware of the entire story, but I'll sum it really quickly for you. He was an overhyped prospect in the Mets system, along with the other members of Generation K, he made it to the bigs, stunk, left the Mets, and then was amazing. Also he got to wear this gem during his time with the Mets. Izzy right now is in that class of players the Mets have in camp as rehabbing from surgery aka reduced price. If he has a strong camp, and due to his past history, he could be a pleasant surprise on this team. I'll withhold judgement until I actually see him pitch though.

As discussed before, it seems this year is the three year change for BP jerseys for all teams. The obvious Mcdonaladization of batting practice uniforms is getting ridiculous but at least it gives us something to talk and gripe about. Anyway, from looking at the templates for the all the unifoms, the common theme now is the jersey top is one color with a different color underarm. Then there is a plate on the back of the neck, above the players name, that can be a different color. Some times have decided to go with this, others, like the Mets, have not. Which is a good call because the uniforms lose their baseball feel. Some teams have also been able to escape certain aspects identicalness by choosing to have either full script team name on the front, or just a pocket logo.

Anyway, here is the National League set and the American League set. First off, shout-out to the National League, where are zero teams that decided it was necessary to have a home and away batting practice uniforms. (Here's looking at you Yankees, Tigers and the Blue Jays. And especially they Orioles, who not only have a home and away set but have that strange color thing going on in the back).

The uniforms are not all bad. I think the Dodgers one looks pretty good. It marks their two real colors, and then adds that red accent on the front number. Also, for some odd reason I like that Pirates uni. Maybe its the copious amount bright yellow.

What makes the Dodgers uniform good as well is comparing it to the blue/white Tigers uniform, which just looks odd, almost like a bad soccer kit, in the front with the ring of white around the front and the back.

Well….see you guys in three years for probably an identical article.

With Spring Training finally here we can finally start to see new patches teams will be wearing this year (an updated patch usually doesn't make much news, so we have to wait for them to be finally put on). Generally teams change patches for one of three reasons. They may have a complete uniform change, like the Washington Nationals (not shown, maybe next time), they may have an anniversary/event or they have to recognize a memorial of a former player.

We have a few contenders in the anniversary department. The Angels will be celebrating 50 years. The Tigers will be celebrating 75 years in their current Spring Training home. I think that is a Spring Training only patch, which is something I have never heard of before. If you have, please share in the comments section.

Generally the team hosting the All-Star Game updates their patch, which is exactly what the Diamondbacks are doing.

Finally, on a more somber note, two teams will be honoring Sparky this season with very classy patches. Good job to the Reds and the Tigers.

Well, thats all for now. There will probably be another one of these articles later on with more changes.

One of the more interesting story lines from last Spring came from Nelson Figueroa, who was a Met going into training, pitched really hard, and then didn't make the Major League roster. It was crushing, in some way, or as crushing as it could be (I'm trying to not be too melodramatic here), as he was released at the end of Spring from a team that he grew up rooting for and a city that liked him. He was then picked up by the Phillies, and he had a major chip on his shoulder when it came to the Mets. He was ready to go against us, however it didn't translate too well on the field. In 14 innings against the Mets last season, he allowed 7 R, 5 earned. So in earned runs he had an ERA above 3, which is good, but wasn't as dominating as he was hoping. He struggled overall with the Phillies and then eventually ended up on the Astros.

Well it looks like another Mets pitcher may fall in the same pattern. According to Adam Rubin, it looks like John Maine to the Phillies make sense. Maine is still a free agent, and I guess teams looking for starters are starting to dwindle.

So if Maine goes to the Phillies, it probably won't sting at all like Figueroa, however, it will be interesting to see if he makes the Major League team (which I doubt unless he is in the pen), it will be interesting to see the media hype.

Yesterday we took a look at the Mets Madoff scandal through the eyes of the Daily News. Generally the Daily News has a perspective on issues….and then there is the Post. Consistent with other news organizations that are connected in the same media empire as the post, they tend to be a little harsher, and a little more loose on the details when compared to the Daily News.

Anyway, they broke the story by taking a shot at the Mets and the FX TV show, Rescue Me also back on January 29th, when we weren't sure what the entire sure was yet. Then the Post diverged from the Daily News. The News, when focusing on Sandy, had the headline “No Regrets”, however the Post decided to hop on the idea of Sandy is covering up for the Wilpons.

The Post then also had this gem when Bud Selig came to town. It was followed by a headline asking the Wilpons to go, or in other words, an opinion article. The Mets were also featured on the front page that day, with that fantastic debt number.

They also ended with a hope shot at Spring and they featured a great quote by Wright that puts us all in the mood for baseball.

THE FINAL SPRING TRAINING PROFILE!

(I don't know now if I am more excited about Spring Training being here, or that I don't have to write any more of these for another year. Seriously a good amount of research and looking at numbers goes into each one of these)

We end with the next big thing in the Mets hype machine. Don't know who Armando is yet? You probably will soon, and it has nothing to do with his talent. Just like how Flores became a household name as being labeled the next Fmart, Rodriguez is getting the same sort recognition now. People are starting to refer to Armando as the next Meija.

Anyway, the 23 year old Armando has put together some impressive numbers over the years:

2010 – 8-9, 3.08 ERA, 27 G, 146.0 IP, 152 K, 46 BB, 3.30 K/BB, 9.4 K/9

2009 – 5-2, 2.74 ERA, 12 G, 62.1 IP, 60 K, 29 BB, 2.07 K/BB, 8.7 K/9

Those numbers are scary good. Look at the amount of strikeouts he had last season. If he has a strong Spring, I'm hoping the Mets are smart and do not push him up through the system to the majors. If he can pitch well in a full season in AA or AAA, then starting in 2012, he could a valuable asset to the rotation (or at least 2013). He looks good on paper, and just needs more time to develop, but it is hard not getting excited about him.