This past season was truly a historic one with Johan Santana throwing the first no-hitter in Mets franchise history, and R.A. Dickey winning the National League Cy Young Award. There were some other bright-spots this past season, like David Wright returning to form after struggling since the opening of Citi Field in 2009, the blazing debut of pitching prospect Matt Harvey, the resurgent second half for Ike Davis, Jon Niese's successful first complete season.

There were also many spots where the Mets had trouble thus leaving voids needing to be filled. The bullpen once again was about as leaky as a Swiss Cheese sandwich. After a horrible start to his season, Frank Francisco seemed to have righted the ship until injury struck. After his return Francisco reverted back to the level of performance he opened the season with until ultimately being shut down in mid-September. The bench was a bright spot for the first half of the season but with the ineffective play of the starting outfield, the bench became worn out.

This off-season there are three things that are necessary to improve this team.

Priority #1: Re-sign Wright & Dickey

R.A. Dickey going for win #20

With two of the Mets biggest stars contracts about to expire (both had options picked up at the end of the season) it is a priority that both  David Wright and R.A. Dickey receive extensions of their contracts, Dickey more than Wright. Many have argued that Dickey should be traded for prospects to help further rebuild the farm system left depleted by Omar Minaya, but despite everything that Dickey has done for this team, he is one of the few players that has more value to the Mets than he does for anyone else. What other team out there would be willing to give up a top pitching prospect for a 38 year old pitcher? Granted this pitcher is now the reigning NL Cy Young winner but in reality the chances of receiving a bounty are slim to none.

Wright is also a player of tremendous value but that value isn't an exclusive feature to the Mets organization. With top hitting prospect Wilmer Flores waiting in the wings, Wright is potentially expendable. While Flores is nowhere near as fleet of foot nor good defensively as Wright, Flores has the potential to fill in for the offensive void that would be left by Wright if he were traded. I do not wish this to happen and I want both players to stay. I believe that would be the best thing for the fans and the organization going forward.
(It should be noted that both Wright and Dickey have reportedly received contract offers from the Mets of 6 years $100 million and 2 years $27 million with a mutual option respectively)

Priority #2: Fix the outfield

Grady Sizemore back in 2009

Due to the release of Jason Bay and ineffective play of Andres Torres and Lucas Duda, the outfield is now completely barren. Duda is likely to stay but Torres may now be a player off the bench depending on who the Mets sign. Prior to the completion of the postseason I had suggested the signing of Delmon Young, though with his successful play in the postseason Young has likely priced himself outside of the Mets range. It looks again unfortunately that the team will be bargain basement shopping. That unfortunately means no BJ Upton, Michael Bourn, Josh Hamilton (who despite everything he's done on the field I wouldn't touch with a 10 pole). That however does not rule out a big piece coming in via trade (read Justin Upton [BJ's younger brother]). That option seems unlikely though given the current financial situation. My suggestion would be to look at Grady Sizemore. Having not played all of last season and not having played a full season since 2008 due to injury he likely fits the bill of what the Mets would be looking for. When healthy Sizemore can be a good addition to the team, unfortunately that has not been the case since the 2009 season. The other spots can starting spot will likely be fought out between prospect Matt Den Dekker, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who after a strong start to the 2012 season hit the rookie wall and hit it hard, eventually being sent back down to AAA Buffalo in favor of Matt Harvey.

Priority #3: Rebuild the Bullpen 

Broxton pitching for Cincinatti

The bullpen once again proved to be the undoing of the Mets season in 2012. The hot and cold mentality of Bobby Parnell and Jon Rauch combined with the ineffective performance of Frank Francisco and Ramon Ramirez along with the season ending injury to the lone consistent pitcher in Tim Byrdak destroyed any chances of playoff contention for the Mets. However with the infusion of prospects Elvin Ramirez, Josh Edgin and Robert Carson plus the possible additions of either Jenrry Mejia or Jeurys Familia should help sure up a weak spot last season. One player who I personally believe would be a benefit to the back end of the bullpen is Jonathan Broxton. After receiving a one year contract last year and some success splitting time between Kansas City and Cincinnati Broxton should receive a similar type contract this offseason.

While the Mets unfortunately likely won't be in the hunt for a playoff spot look for the team to be much improved from last season. Read More...

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I think that in the first half of the season the Mets basically did what they needed to do to remain competitive in the second half and possibly make a playoff run. After starting out 5-13, they spent most of April and May trying to fight back to .500, and have basically hovered at or around .500 ever since. They’re going into the break at 46-45.

They were of course plagued by injuries to guys like David Wright, Ike Davis, Johan Santana and Chris Young which probably should have marked the end of their season, and probably should have placed the Mets 15 games under .500 at this point, but thanks to some unexpectedly good play from guys like Dillon Gee, Justin Turner, and Daniel Murphy combined with the MVP numbers of Jose Reyes and quality pitching from Chris Capuano, Jon Niese and R.A. Dickey, the Mets were able to stay afloat (unlike the Marlins who went 5-23 during the month of June). Taking into account the low expectations coming into the season and the injuries I think that Met fans have to be pretty happy with the first half of the season. If they can get David Wright, Ike Davis and Johan Santana back healthy in the second half, the Mets could be a good candidate for a team to make a late season run for the wild card. If it looks like those guys aren’t going to come back and produce like we expect them to, then the Mets should work on trading at least Beltran and K-Rod and anyone else that might bring back some talent or help dump salary.

Last season the Mets were 8 games over .500 at the All Star break and things were looking great… they finished a pathetic 79-83, so obviously it could go south in the second half like last year, but to me this team has shown that they are not the same team as last year, they fight back late in games, they get hits with runners in scoring position and two outs and the pitching is much improved. In either case, I'm looking forward to the second half of the Mets season this year. Read More...

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The All-Star Game is usually a snooze and shouldn't count for anything more than flashbulbs. The Home Run Derby is way too long and way too "produced." Major League Baseball shows the world how to choose entertainment that is incredibly out-of-date and out-of-touch with its audience. I still don't really understand the pink cadillac. I could go on for days pointing out the things that are all wrong with these festivities. Despite all that, there is still something amazing about seeing "the best" of the game standing on one diamond.

Now that the days of the home run phenoms and steroids are in the past (almost), the HR Derby has become a place for some lesser known ballplayer to have a coming out party. Last year it was our own David Wright, although many would have done without all that fuss in exchange for better power numbers in the second half. This year served the same type of party for Alex Rios and Matt Holliday. Although they may not have created as big a spectacle, they made their faces known to the casual fans coast-to-coast. Many of us get so engulfed by our own teams, we overlook the talent that is on other teams, especially if we are in the NY bubble.

The All-Star game itself has set the stage for celebrations honoring the game's greats. Last night was no different with the Willie Mays tribute. Those moments of him mingling with today's best are the things I will remember from the All-Star game, not that Pujols didn't bat in the 9th.

The first half of the 2007 season has already brought the baseball fanatic many things to celebrate: 600 HRs, 500 HRs, 500 saves, 3,000 hits, 200 wins, unassisted triple plays, 2 No-Hitters, the Yankees falling behind in double digits, a few good fights from the Cubs, the resurgence of Griffey Jr., the Phillies serving as a makeshift grounds crew in Denver, etc. The second half will not disappoint with many more milestones and unpredictable moments yet to be celebrated.

As a Mets fan, many of us are wondering what kind of team we have. They have been the model of inconsistency throughout the first half. But even despite a lackluster June, we've had our moments in the first half: 8th inning comeback in the home opener, GW drag bunts from Endy, 9th inning comeback against the Cubs, Joe Smith striking out Derek Jeter, John Maine's 10 wins, Beltran's uphill catch. Seeing Reyes, Beltran, and Wright flank Bonds and Griffey jr. last night and the bright spots of the first half should serve as reminders that Mets fans still have a lot to be excited about. We know the Mets can play ten times better than they have, but we are still in 1st place and should keep our whining to a minimum. As a true baseball fan, no one wants to see their team fall short, but a good division race makes for great baseball in the second half. So today serves as a break from everything baseball. But tomorrow, it's time to get this show on the road. Read More...

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The 78th Major League Baseball All Star game begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) in San Francisco and on televisions nationwide on FOX. I’m sure over the next 12 hours most of you will hear more than you ever wanted to know about San Francisco, AT&T Park, the All Star Game’s history, Barry Bonds in his home town, the American League’s 9 game winning streak in the Midsummer classic, Barry Bonds and the home run record, the Home Run Derby last night, Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey, what AL manager Jim Leyland had for breakfast, Barry Bonds and steroids, the winning league taking home (somewhat literally) home field advantage in the World Series this October, Barry Bonds and the San Fran Fans, and every last random thought (whether baseball related or not) in the minds of the broadcasters, players, former players, fans, and coaches.

But the All Star Game is most of all about the players it showcases, their individual accomplishments this year, and to a lesser extent their team’s accomplishments. Let’s ignore the arguments over who does and doesn’t deserve most to be on this team and to start this game, and look briefly at each of the players on your 2007 MLB All Star Team, and what they have accomplished in the last three-plus months.

First, the “visiting” American League team:

STARTING LINEUP

CF Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners (7th All Star Game)

SS Derek Jeter, New York Yankees (8th)

1B David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox (4th)

3B Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (11th)

RF Vladimir Guerrero, LA Angels of Anaheim (8th)

LF Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers (6th)

C Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers (14th)

2B Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers (1st)

P Dan Haren, Oakland Athletics (1st)

RESERVES

INFIELDERS

• Brian Roberts, BAL: 322 AVG, 27 SB, 111 H
• Mike Lowell, BOS: .300 AVG, 14 HR, 63 RBI
• Carlos Guillen, DET: .325 AVG, 92 H, 67 RBI
• Justin Morneau, MIN: .295 AVG, 24 HR, 74 RBI
• Michael Young, TEX: .288AVG, 22 2B, 50 RBI

OUTFIELDERS

• Manny Ramirez, BOS: .284 AVG, 11 HR, 45 RBI
• Grady Sizemore, CLE: .280 AVG, 73 R, 15 HR
• Torii Hunter, MIN: .301 AVG, 19 HR, 69 RBI
• Carl Crawford, TAB: .285 AVG, 23 SB, 51 RBI
• Alex Rios, TOR: .294 AVG, 17 HR, 53 RBI

CATCHERS

• Victor Martinez, CLE: .324 AVG, 16 HR, 68 RBI
• Jorge Posada, NYY: .326 AVG, 25 2B, 48 RBI

PITCHERS

• Josh Beckett, BOS: 12-2, 3.44 ERA, 92 SO
• Hideki Okajima, BOS: 2-0, 0.83 ERA, 4 S
• Jonathan Papelbon, BOS: 1.93 ERA, 20 S, 46 SO
• C.C. Sabathia, CLE: 12-3, 3.58 ERA, 119 SO
• Bobby Jenks, CWS: 3.28 ERA, 23 S
• Justin Verlander, DET: 10-3, 3.14 ERA, 97 SO
• Gil Meche, KC: 5-6, 3.44 ERA, 88 SO
• John Lackey, LAA: 11-5, 2.91 ERA, 98 SO
• Francisco Rodriguez, LAA: 2.33 ERA, 24 S, 53 SO
• Johan Santana, MIN: 10-6, 2.75 ERA, 125 SO
• J.J. Putz, SEA: 0.90 ERA, 24 S, 43 SO

And now, the “home” National League team:

STARTING LINEUP

SS Jose Reyes, New York Mets (2nd All Star Game)

LF Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants (14th)

CF Carlos Beltran, New York Mets (4th)

RF Ken Griffey Jr, Cincinnati Reds (13th)

3B David Wright, New York Mets (2nd)

1B Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers (1st)

C Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers (1st)

2B Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (2nd)

P Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres (2nd)

RESERVES

INFIELDERS

• Orlando Hudson, ARI: .296 AVG, 20 2B, 47 RBI
• Derrek Lee, CHC: .330 AVG, 102 H, 26 2B
• Miguel Cabrera, FLA: .324 AVG, 18 HR, 61 RBI
• J.J. Hardy, MIL: .280 AVG, 18 HR, 54 RBI
• Freddy Sanchez, PIT: .296 AVG, 96 H, 20 2B
• Albert Pujols, STL: .310 AVG, 16 HR, 52 RBI
• Dmitri Young, WAS: .339 AVG, 23 2B, 43 RBI

OUTFIELDERS

• Alfonso Soriano, CHC: .309 AVG, 60 R, 107 H
• Matt Holliday, COL: .341 AVG, 122 H, 69 RBI
• Carlos Lee, HOU: .297 AVG, 16 HR, 73 RBI
• Aaron Rowand, PHI: .310 AVG, 20 2B, 43 RBI

CATCHERS

• Brian McCann, ATL: .262 AVG, 19 2B, 49 RBI

PITCHERS

• Brandon Webb, ARI: 8-6, 3.37 ERA, 112 SO
• Jose Valverde, ARI: 2.83 ERA, 26 S, 38 SO
• Roy Oswalt, HOU: 8-5, 3.53 ERA, 94 SO
• Brad Penny, LAD: 10-1, 2.39 ERA, 82 SO
• Takashi Saito, LAD: 1.47 ERA, 23 S, 4 BB
• Francisco Cordero, MIL: 2.86 ERA, 27 S, 48 SO
• Ben Sheets, MIL: 10-4, 3.41 ERA, 87 SO
• Billy Wagner, NYM: 1.64 ERA, 17 S, 10 BB
• Cole Hamels, PHI: 10-4, 3.72 ERA, 124 SO
• Trevor Hoffman, SD: 1.91 ERA, 25 S, 6 BB
• Chris Young, SD: 8-3, 2.00 ERA, 99 SO

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Dear fellas,

Hi. It's just Zac. I know it's been awhile since we're talked but you know how it goes with work and what not. I'm just writing this because tonight, as you all know, is the All-Star Game. I'm not really good at beating around the bush so I'm just going to get to the point.

Let's be careful tonight, guys. I know you want to "put on a show" for the crowd and all but remember that this is just an exhibition. Don't let that stupid "home-field advantage in the World Series" rule cloud your judgment on the field.

Jose, it's ok to not stretch that double to a triple. Easing into second base will be just as fun tonight. And I know that you're going to try your hardest to jack one out of the park tonight, Dave, but an easy swing and a single through the hole will work fine. We all loved your catch the other night, Carlos, but how do you feel about not laying out for any fly balls this evening? Billy, everybody already knows you're one of the hardest throwers in the game. Tonight isn't the time to show off that cannon of an arm.

Quite frankly if any of you are feeling a little under the weather or too "tight" or "sore" to play in tonight's game I'd understand and I'm sure the rest of your fans would as well. However, you're competitors and showmen so I know you'll be charging out onto the field tonight. Have fun out there tonight, but guys;

please be careful.

Love always,
Zac

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Is it just me or does it seem like the MLB All Star game gets considerably less and less attention every year?

I did some research recently which confirms this. The Nielsen ratings, which are used to determine what percentage of US households tune into a specific television program, show that baseball fans are generally less interested in the all star game than ever before.



Since 1967, the All Star Game has been broadcast on television; it received a rating of 25.6, which means approximately 1 out of every 4 households in America watched the All Star Game. A decade later, in 1977, the All Star Game continued to have decent ratings, when it received a 24.5. However, around the early 1980s, the All Star Game started drawing smaller television audiences. By 1981, the ratings fell to 20.1, and by 1987, they fell to 18.2, and would never top 20 again. In 1995, the ratings again fell to 13.9, and would never top 14 ever again. In 2002, the ratings fell once more to 9.5, and the all star game hasn’t topped 10 since, meaning that today, less than 1 in 10 households watch the MLB All Star Game.

My explanation for this lack of interest is simple. The All Star Game appealed to the fans in the 60s and 70s, because it was the only chance most Americans got to see the game’s best players play.

However due to the inventions; of cable television, ESPN, nationally televised games, and the internet, a baseball fan can see any team or player play anytime they want. Therefore, the excitement of being able to see all of the game’s best players in an All Star Game is taken away.

Where’s the excitement? What can a baseball fan get from watching the All Star Game that they couldn’t otherwise get on any other day of the baseball season?

This could explain why the Home Run Derby continues to be successful. The Home Run Derby not only has higher ratings than the All Star Game, but most playoff games as well. Why is this?

The Home Run Derby gives the fans a chance to see players hit 40 home runs in one night, or hit 500 foot home runs. Something they otherwise couldn’t see.

So while Major League Baseball will continue to try gimmicks to stir up interest; like giving the winning league home field advantage, or giving the fans the chance to vote for the final player, the simple fact of the matter is, the All Star Game will never stir up the interest of the old days, because the basis for that interest no longer exists.
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In the midst of all the All-Star announcements, it is time to gear up for the "Who Got Snubbed?" arguments. As JD discussed, the whole concept of the All-Star Game has become a bit of a farce. We know it's a popularity contest; we know it's difficult at times to represent every single team without leaving someone worthy behind; and we know it most definitely should not determine home field advantage for the World Series. Oh, the All-Star Game...

In an attempt to make fans feel like we're important right up until the final minute, the Final Vote candidates were announced. Both league managers decided to name 5 pitchers as candidates. Okay, fair enough. As discussed in the Facebook forum, many people are up in arms that John Maine was not chosen to the squad, much less as one of these candidates.

In an effort to make sure I was not a homer, I took all five final vote candidate and easily compared their numbers to Maine's. Hands down, John Maine numbers are better in almost every category than every candidate but Chris Young of the Padres. Therefore, I suppose we could all sit back here and argue he got snubbed but what's the use. One of the "bigger name" pitchers will be chosen for that final spot, so sorry Tom Gorzelanny, you can probably book your flight home.

Sure there is an outside chance Maine can still make the squad if someone drops out in the coming days, but his numbers thus far earned him a place on the original All-Star staff, not a spot as an afterthought. If he doesn't end up in San Fran with the Mets contigient, so be it. John Maine may not be known coast-to-coast as a guy to watch out for it just yet, but I'd rather have his coming out party be in October, than San Francisco in a July game with little meaning.
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Alright ladies and gentlemen it is that time of the year where Jersey Dan gets to complain about the Major League Baseball All Star Game. The system and shenanigans surrounding the MLB All Star Game is just plain dumb, stupid, and embarrassing; and you people are going to hear about it.

The first shenanigan is the fact that this game is what considers home field advantage for the World Series. Now in most sports not involving the words foot and ball, home field advantage is decided by who has the best record in the league. Unless Major League Baseball decides to hold their championship series at a neutral site, the team with the best record should get home field advantage, simple as that. I don’t get why Buddy Selig doesn’t think this is a great idea. Of course, as most of us know, Buddy isn’t a man known for his great ideas. The point is, this game was made for the fans. It was made as an exhibition for the fans, and the fans lost out on the exhibition factor. As a fan, when I watch an All Star game I want to see players having fun and giving us the most entertaining game possible. Not only have the players been stripped of their fun exhibition, the fans have been stripped of enjoying the game.

While on the issues of the common Major League Baseball fan, I would like to get into the issue of voting. If this game is determining home field advantage for the World Series, then fans should not be allowed to vote, that way the best players get in guaranteed. I mean we are all Mets fans here, but none of you can seriously tell me that if Paul Lo Duca would have gotten voted in, that you could justify him over Dodgers catcher Russell Martin. This issue can be alleviated by one simple decision; make the game an exhibition again (notice the recurring theme here). If the game is an exhibition then the fans can vote for whoever the hell they want, and it won’t matter in the long run, because the game is just a good time for all, and nothing serious. And furthermore, fans should also be able to vote for pitchers. I mean what the hell is the deal with that? Do major league managers really think that we can only “analyze” position players? Let the fans vote for all the starters.

My third issue with this game is that David Ortiz was voted in as a starter at first base. Newsflash baseball fans of America: David Ortiz is a designated hitter. In San Francisco (the site of this seasons All Star Game) they play baseball the way it was meant to be played aka no designated hitter. The fact that Ortiz will be starting at a position he doesn’t even play is a joke. Yeah don’t get me wrong, Ortiz can hit a baseball through the walls of Attica, but that does not mean he deserves the spot over someone who actually plays the position. How about guys like Ortiz’s teammate Kevin Youkalis (you know the guy who actually plays first base for the Red Sox) who get snubbed even though he is having a great year. The man is having a career year, is one of the most popular players up in Boston, and he wasn’t even on the ballot. Hey Major League Baseball, you really dropped the ball on that one.

I’ve also been hearing in the Facebook forum from certain posters, that fans should be not be allowed to vote for the all star team. How is that a good idea? This game has been stripped from the fans enough already, and you want to strip their right to vote. I can’t think of any other sport that doesn’t give the fans the right to vote for their all star game. That would be an insult to the game and to the fans.

Also, another thing that makes me tick is the fact that every team has to be represented. Are you really telling me that Kansas City Royals starter Gil Meche deserves to be on the American League All Star team? For goodness sake the guy has a losing record. No fan would ever vote for Meche, or even want to see Meche in the game. Once again Major League Baseball drops the ball.

I ask Major League Baseball one thing, and one thing only. PLEASE GIVE THE ALL STAR GAME BACK TO FANS!!!!

JD
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