Today officially marks the end of an era. Or as some would call it, an error as the Mets have officially released Oliver Perez from the team. Having failed to live up to his 36 million dollar 3 year contract, this result certainly was not unexpected. But it is sad to think about what once was for the Mexican Titanic, as he is referred to by some.

The last few days I cant help but think the Mets are getting played by Jason Bay's agent. We heard last week that there was some "mysterious team" that had offered Bay a 5 year deal. If this were true, why hasn't he accepted their offer yet? Not only that at this point it seems like the Mets are the only team left standing in the Jason Bay sweepstakes. The Rex Sox signed Cameron, the Angels picked up Matsui, the Mariners traded for Bradley, The White Sox picked up Pierre, the Yanks got Granderson, the Cards are working hard on Matt Holliday. Who else is even bidding on Bay right now?

The Mets made Bay a 4 year 65 million dollar deal 9 days ago, and nobody has topped our offer. Its time for Omar to call Bay's bluff. Omar should call Bay and his agent tomorrow and say that our offer is good through the weekend, after that he can go find his 5 year deal elsewhere. Read More...

Well this must come as a big shocker to all Met fans. We suck this season. But through no fault of anyone. Sure we all wish there was someone to blame for this horrendous season, but I can not for the life of me find anyone to blame it on.

Sunday (if all goes right) The Mets will face the man whom many (including myself) dubbed as the savior of this Mets franchise. That person being Pedro Martinez. Now obviously he didn't do much on the field but his off the field contributions made him worth the contract that the Mets gave him back in the winter of 2004.

Dear Omar,

As I wrote the other day, Mets fans want to see Oliver Perez or Ben Sheets in this rotation next year. Unless you pull off a trade, any other pitcher is not acceptable in the number 2 slot.

You have said yourself that you are focused almost exclusively on the Mets rotation. So any competent person would understand that to mean that you would be pursuing the number 2 starter that the rotation badly needs. Instead you're wasting time on guys like Freddy Garcia, Casey Fossum, Rob Mackowiak, and Cory Sullivan among other career minor league players. Are the Buffalo Bisons looking for a new GM? I think you'd be perfect for the job.

Please explain to me how any of these guys is a more important priority than Perez or Sheets? Is it more important to sign a guy who may pitch upwards or 30 games for the New York Mets, or a guy who will struggle to keep from being cut from a minor league team?

I will repeat this to you one more time... you already messed up with Lowe... sign Perez or Sheets or pack your things and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

With love,

Mets fans everywhere Read More...

Now that I have finally started to come down from my high over the Giants being the greatest team in the land, I can firmly give my opinions about the Johan Santana trade, and where it stands in New York Mets history. Keep in mind this is a history full of miserable trades, stupid free agent singings, and in my lifetime, many disappointments. In other words, the Mets made this trade, so they better win the World Series.

First off, not only did we trade for Santana, we got him for legit highway robbery. Philip Humber and Kevin Mulvey will never be anymore than mid rotation guys, and only time can tell with Deolis Guerra. OF Carlos Gomez, though fast and vastly talented, was dispensable based on the fact that Fernando Martinez is still waiting in the wings. The fact that we didn’t have to give up the super talented Martinez is still beyond me. For weeks it seems like that was the deal on the table that the Twins wouldn’t take, and then all of a sudden we get the trade done and Martinez is still a Met. Way to go Omar for pulling that one out your you-know-where.

The other main issue, and the most important issue, is that the trade puts us to the top of the class in not only the National League East, but the whole National League. For a team and fan base still bitter about the 2006 NLCS disappointment, and the 2007 late season stink bomb, this is the best news we have heard out the Mets front office since the Reagan Administration. Living down here in the South Jersey wilderness I’m pretty sure I heard an extremely loud GULP coming from somewhere towards the direction of the city of Philadelphia. Yeah the Phillies have the best infield in baseball, but their infield won’t do them any good when the mighty Santana continues to sit them down in order, one-by-one. You heard it here first; game over in the National League, as the Mets have no excuse to not win that elusive pennant this season.

Many Mets fans and Mets historians believe that this might turn out to be the biggest trade in New York Mets history. Now I think we might be getting a head of ourselves here, as there definitely needs to be a championship won before lofty claims like that can be made. The Gary Carter and Keith Hernandez trades in the mid 1980’s that set the veteran cornerstones for the 1986 squad still remain the biggest and most lopsided trades in team history. We got a future Hall of Famer in Carter, and a man who is still one of the faces of this organization in Hernandez. The short and long term effects of this deal can still be felt today, and they are by far the biggest trades in Mets history.

The series of deals leading up to the 2000 National League Pennant can be considered here also. Mike Piazza, Mike Hampton, Derek Bell, and Mike Bordick were all solid players that were acquired via trade. All of them had a significant hand in that 2000 pennant run. Mike Piazza was the face of the team for almost ten seasons, and will surely be the next Met to have his number hang from left field. Mike Hampton was the NLCS MVP. The 2000 Mets were a great overachieving squad, which will never be forgotten because of those players.

Basically Santana and the 2008 New York Mets still have a ton to prove, and the only way they can prove it to me is on the field.

Speaking of overachieving…I think there are congratulations in order to our football brothers in arms, the New York Football Giants. Unless you have been living in Omar Minaya’s cell phone for the past week, you most surely know that my beloved New York Giants defeated the previously undefeated New England Patriots (18-1) 17-14 in what may go down as the greatest Super Bowl ever played. This also put a blemish on the hated city of Boston, and their miracle run of sport success this decade. Here’s to the New York Giants, for bringing the top of the sports mountain back to New York. And thank you for capping the best week in New York sports history.

That’s all I got. Later. JD

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Metsblog is reporting that the Mets have been awarded a two hour extension to negotiate a contract extension with Johan Santana.

I get the feeling this extension was granted because the two sides are close to a deal. Get it dome Omar. Read More...

As posted by Zac Wassink, at Associated Content....

Alright, Mets fans. I know what you're thinking. I had the same reaction after I read the ESPN.com article in which Jayson Stark suggests that the two sides are "far enough apart that it was unlikely any deal could be reached before Friday morning at the earliest." After taking a minute to breathe (and breathe and breathe) let me reassure you all that Johan Santana will be a New York Met next week.

For starters, Omar Minaya would not have made this move if he did not have full confidence that he could sign Santana to a long-term deal. Despite the fact that the Mets absolutely robbed the Twins by acquiring Santana for four middle of the road prospects, Minaya went into this knowing what would have to be spent in order to acquire the services of the two-time Cy Young Award winner. The Mets save a boatload of money by signing both David Wright and Jose Reyes for far less than what should have been spent. The Mets will pay and they'll do it now in order to have the best pitching rotation in the National League.

The Johan Santana deal has been a public relations dream come true for the Mets. The New York Giants are a week away from playing in the Super Bowl yet every newspaper in New York and New Jersey had a picture of Santana on page one Wednesday morning. Opening Day in New York will center more around the Mets than the Yankees. The Mets have been desperate for that kind of attention since October of 1986.

Blowing this deal, on the other hand, is a public relations nightmare the likes of which the Mets have never seen before. Not signing Santana will anger diehard fans and drive away those jumping onto the bandwagon. How excited are fans about Santana coming to the Mets? You can find your brand new Mets Santana jersey online already.

Of course, there's also that little matter about blowing a seven game division lead with only 17 games left in the season. The Santana trade has put the 2007 regular season out of the minds of fans. Failure in this matter will only bring franchise failures back to the minds of everybody who cheers on the New York Mets.

I don't think that fans think in their minds that Santana will not pitching in Queens come April. The truth is that fans still are a little punch drunk after the collapse of '07 and many believe that another disappointment is quickly approaching. It also doesn't help that the Mets have not been reassuring about the team's ability to sign Santana. The following would put my mind at ease just a little:

The New York Mets are happy to report that the team has reached a verbal commitment in principle with pitcher Johan Santana. While details will not be disclosed at this time, the team is happy to report that Santana will not be voiding the trade. Mr. Santana is currently on vacation but he will be in New York later next week in order to finalize his contract. He looks forward to pitching for the New York Mets for many years to come.

That's all fans are looking for. Instead, we all must now play the waiting game. Mets fans will have to remain calm for just a little longer.
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Every once and a while I'll check out the "Stat of the Day" on Baseball-Reference, which everyone knows is THE site for all your baseball statistical needs. While browsing over the last few days, I came across this gem.

Ever since Omar Minaya became the Mets GM, one of the most heated topics among Mets fans has been his apparent favoring of players from Latin America. The statisticians over at BR used their Play Index tool to investigate how accurate this theory is.

The results are pretty interesting, check it out.

NOTE: Also check out the follow up post that shows the results in chart form Read More...

A number of different sites are reporting that the Mets may have moved into the driver's seat in the Johan Santana sweepstakes. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported last night that the Twins are interested in the Mets recent offer for Santana.

The Mets' original offer included Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Kevin Mulvey and Phillip Humber. The Twins however were interested in Fernando Martinez as well, whom they stated could "seal the deal". The Mets seem prepared to offer Martinez in addition to the above mentioned prospects.

Metsblog is also reporting that Mets owner Fred Wilpon is willing to meet Santana's contract demands if a deal can be made.

This coupled with the Yankees announcement that they are no longer pursuing Santana, makes the mets the most likely team for Santana in 2008.

This is probably the closest the Mets have ever been to landing Santana. Keep your fingers crossed.
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First off I would like to wish all involved in the Global New York Mets Empire a Merry Chirstmas. I hope all you good boys and girls got what was coming to you, and all you naughty children…well hopefully you got what was coming to you also. This Christmas I didn’t ask my parents for much, and I didn’t ask Santa for anything; but privately to myself, all I really wanted was to see a certain few things from not only my beloved Mets, but from some of my other beloved sports teams. Here’s what I am hoping will be a late Christmas present.

Omar Makes A Move: This was is quite obvious. It seems like our fearless leader is having a lot of fear this off season. Our top priority going into the off season was to sure up our pitching. Since then the only moves we have made involve some guy named Matt Wise (we’ll see), and resigning Juan Padilla (and here we thought he vanished). Dan Haren has gone to Arizona for a bunch of prospects, and the push for Minnesota ace Johan Santana seems absolutely useless. We still have a hole to fill in our rotation, and numerous holes to fill in our bullpen, because Aaron Heilman can’t do it all.

The Next Anna Benson: There is no man in this network of Mets fans that does not miss Anna Benson and her brilliant off field distractions. I actually dressed up as Santa Claus for little kids this year and all I could think about was “Man, I wish Anna Benson were my Mrs. Claus.” Yeah I’ve heard that some guys have hot wives, but all baseball players have hot wives, I want my Anna Benson back, and I want my sexy Mrs. Claus back.

A New York Mets Christmas Song: Can you imagine how awesome a New York Mets Christmas song would be. I’m talking all out here, with horns, and a giant choir, and electric guitars like those Siberian dudes. Too bad we won’t have the hip hop styles of Lastings Milledge to grace our New York Mets iPod play lists. I can hear it now. “Omar’s making his list, he’s checking it twice, and three times, and four times, and five times, and six times, and he’s still not going to sign a pitcher for our roster.”

A World Series Win For Our Last Season At Shea: I think this is what we all want. Shea does have to go, especially if we want attract players further down the road. It’s also about time that New York City got into building new sports facilities for their mostly awesome teams. Shea needs to go out with a bang though. It may not be Wrigley, or Fenway, or that other ballpark in New York, but it’s our masterpiece. Shea is where we built our first baseball memories as children, and the only fitting way for the giant rainbow to go out is with its third World Series trophy. So Omar, Willie, team, get it together for us, for one more run, let our stadium go out with a bang.

In Other Sports…

A Run First Offense From The New York Football Giants: In case Coach Coughlin forgot, the New York Giants have been successful in doing two things when they win championships; defense and running the ball. This philosophy was proven in Buffalo (WIDE RIGHT) last weekend when Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw made mincemeat of the Buffalo defense. Even when the legend Phil Simms was our QB, he wasn’t Montana, Elway, or Marino; but he didn’t have to be. We won ballgames by running the ball and Simms playing smart. Maybe if Eli, who is no better or worse than Simms, was able to run his offense like that, we might win more football games.

P.S. Down with New England

Rangers Fans To Stop Speaking Forever: For the past twelve years all I have ever heard from Rangers fans is “Wah the Devils play the trap, wah boring hockey, wah, wah.” Save it big guys. Let me let you guys in on a dose of reality. For the 12th straight season your team consists of overrated, over paid, over the hill, over on the wrong side of the Atlantic hockey players. For the 12th straight season you are inferior to the Devils, and the way you guys are going you are even almost inferior to the Islanders. No matter what rule changes you guys make in the NHL, there is always one constant and that is the Devils on top of the Atlantic Division (keep in mind that we let Philadelphia win every now and again). Check the stats, more total goals are scored in Devils games then in Rangers games this season…SO TRAP THAT!!!!

A New Start For Junior At Hendrick: Daytona is less than two months away, and my boy Dale Jr. is now teamed with Gordo and JJ (I smell juggernaut). Hopefully Dale can keep his car moving this year, and his engine from exploding. That alone would be an awesome Christmas present.

The End Of Isaih: You know, I’m not really a Knicks fan, but Isaihgate is embarrassing. Everyone involved in the New York Knicks upper management needs to be fired and banned from participating in any basketball management groups ever again. Isaih, you are brining shame to what was once a great basketball organization, with your stubbornness and unwillingness to just resign. Show some dignity and walk away now, before NBA fans forget how good of a player you once were.

A Led Zeppelin Show In America: Yeah I know this has nothing to do with sports, but Zeppelin has been the background music for Ultimate Highlight Reel for the past month, so I’m going to talk about it. You need to stop teasing us. You guys brought the house down in London, and you could be the best draw at Madison Square Garden this year (because nothing else really productive goes on at MSG). Get across the ocean, awaken the God’s with your power, and make my life complete.

That’s all I got. Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Years.


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Sweeny Murti of WFAN just reported that the Tigers have contacted the Mets about Dontrelle Willis, with the idea of spinning him off in a move to dump Willis's $13 Million Dollar Salary.

According to the report, there wasn’t an official offer presented to Omar, but the idea was brought up that the Mets would acquire Willis and Ivan Rodriguez. The Mets would then give up some prospects and would also have to eat the contracts owed to both players. One last hurdle the Mets would have to overcome would be Willis's no-trade clause that would almost certainly require the Mets to give him an extra year.

This might be our only chance at getting someone of Willis's caliber. He has already proven he can do well here (both hitting and pitching) and would be an ideal fit. It also doesn't hurt that Pudge is one of Omar's favorites and Omar has been trying to get him here for years. Who cares about their contracts, just do it already! Read More...

Alright ladies and gentlemen, I know it has been entirely too long...but TUESDAY TWO CENTS is back! As a lot of you might be aware I have been computerless for quite some time now. This mainly has to do with me being poor and not being able to buy one yet, but that will be changing soon. I would like to apologize to all that have wondered where I am, considering I am an administrator in this group. It's good to be back again. Anyways, on to business.


Well as we all know, the Mets blew it this season. Last Sunday was quite rough on us all, and I hope to never feel misery of that sorts ever again. Of course being the New York sports fans that we are, the first thing we seem to do is find a scapegoat. I would like to clarify one thing though, there is not just one scapegoat, but there are many scapegoats. Willie Randolph is not the only man to blame for the Flushing Flush.

While the team could have been more motivated, it is not entirely Randolph's fault. Blame must also be put on Omar Minaya who put together a bullpen that went from best in the league in 2006, to steroid users. Blame, in my opinion, must also be put on Rick Peterson. While Peterson is great at developing pitchers, he seems to take no part in managing pitchers. Willie's expertise is definitely at managing the lineup, as he was a solid offensive second baseman for a quite a long time. Willie does seem to have trouble managing the bullpen at times, but if Peterson gave him any sort of advice I think that problem could be alleviated. Instead the Jacket has his face stuffed in a computer worrying about pitch counts and all other sorts of jazz. Get your head out of your Mac and into the game Rick, and help Willie out in a place that is obviously his weakness. Then there's Tom Glavine. The name makes me want to puke. Just one day after Johnny Maine pitches damn near flawless, our "ace" decides to do his best Dave Mlicki impression. Seven runs given up in less than two innings against a team with a mascot named Billy is just horribly inexplicable. Go back to Atlanta. Thank you for three years, you basically just rendered them useless with that lackluster garbage excuse of a start.

There needs to be a lot of changes this off season. Carlos Delgado needs to go. We need to get younger at first base, and Delgado's best days are definitely behind him. I love Carlos as a player, and he won his respect back for me as a man when he decided to start standing for THE National Anthem again. Go to the American League, be a DH, and end your career. Luis Castillo was a useless acquisition this season. Ruben Gotay is without a doubt the front runner for the starting 2B job going into next season. Especially since Anderson Hernandez couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a beach ball. If Lastings Milledge isn't starting in right field next season then I am becoming a Yankees fan...alright that was a joke, but I think you guys can understand how serious I am about that. Finally we need to get a bona fide ace, and fix that pitiful excuse of a bullpen we got.

Omar is going to be busy this off season. Mets fans are going to expect nothing less than a division title and payback on the Phillies. A pennant would be nice considering we haven't won one of those in seven years. Dare I mention it has been 21 years since we have won a World Series. Next year will show what Omar and Willie have when it comes to leading this team. They are facing a lot of pressure and are under a microscope...ummm scratch that telescope from all of the Tri State to get the job done. Here's hoping for a great off season.

In other baseball news.....

HOW BOUT THEM ROCKIES! This is without a doubt the feel good story of the year in baseball. If you would have told me that the Colorado Rockies would be four games away from the World Series in May, I would have been calling Bellevue for you. Big up to the Rock Dawgs, and I would love to see them in the World Series. Plus it was great justice to see them beat up on Philadelphia. This just goes to show that the only thing useful to ever come out of Philadelphia when it comes to sports is a fictional character that fictionally ended Communism in the USSR. Reagan didn't bring down the Berlin Wall...Rocky did.

The fire your manager wave is hot all over New York City, as George Steinbrenner, in yet another act of ignorance, will be firing Joe Torre for taking his Yankees to the playoffs every season of his 12 season tenure. Joe Torre is a class act, and he gets treated with utter disrespect by The Boss. It is not Torre's fault that Alex Rodriguez is useless in October, and the ace of his staff didn't show up to this post season. You ask any player in that Yankee clubhouse and they will tell you firing Torre is a horrible idea. Have some class George.

Finally, I'm just going to put it out there. NO ONE IS BEATING BOSTON. They are too good. They made the Angels look like the Reds in the ALDS. Their pitching is clicking on all cylinders, Manny and Ortiz look like Ruth and Gehrig, and that bullpen is awesome. Cleveland has nothing to match Boston after Sabathia and Carmona. Look for the Red Sox to take the series in 6. Rockies take out the D'Backs in seven. Both series' should be very entertaining to watch.

IN OTHER SPORTS...

I don't know about you guys, but it was very gratifying to watch the Giants front four demolish the Eagles on that horrible Sunday last week. It really saved my day, I'm not going to lie. My G-Men then followed up their demolition of Philly with a 35-24 comeback victory over the Paper Airplanes. Eli and Plaxico (STIFF ARM) looked great in the second half, and HOW BOUT THAT AARON ROSS. The G-Men, along with the whole NFC East is looking like the NFC East of the early 1990's. Everyone is good, except for the Eagles.

Also this calling time out RIGHT before a field goal is kicked. That bush league garbage needs to stop.

HOCKEY IS BACK!!!!

What seems to be the second most popular sport in the group has made it's triumphant return...unless you are a Devils fan of course. We look like garbage. Rangers are fans are already on my last nerve, as they are already running their mouths. The Rangers are the same story every season; a bunch of high salaries with no chemistry and no results by the end of the season. Until I am ever proved wrong I will continue with that philosophy. The Fishsticks are weak. I'll let Wassink handle the Pens.

THE CHASE IS ON!!!

Well not for Junior unfortunately. To add insult to injury my boy Dale blew his sixth engine of the year at Talladega (Man Race) last Sunday. At least he is sticking it to Theresa, the woman who is trying to ruin the Earnhardt name. Looks like Hendrick Motor Sports is going to be running 1-2 in points again as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are motoring themselves away from everyone else. Wait until Junior joins that team next season...scary.

Finally I would like to give a shout out to my Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who finally won a football game this past weekend. Let's keep em coming boys. Oh and if anyone finds the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team, please return them to Piscataway. It would be greatly appreciated. USC lost...HAHAHAHA. That's my Two Cents. Later on. JD.
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Dear Mets Fan:

All of us at the Mets are bitterly disappointed in failing to achieve our collective goal of building upon last year's success. We did not meet our organization's expectations -- or yours. Everyone at Shea feels the same range of emotions as you --our loyal fans -- and we know we have let you down. We wanted to thank you for your record-breaking support of our team this year.

Equally important, Ownership will continue its commitment in providing the resources necessary to field a championship team. Omar will be meeting with Ownership shortly to present his plan on addressing our shortcomings so that we can achieve our goal of winning championships in 2008 and beyond.

You deserve better results.

Many thanks again for your record-breaking support.

Mets

Apologizing via Email? REAL CLASSY GUYS. Now go out and actually back up your words and make changes. Read More...

A number of sources including MetsBlog and MLB Trade Rumors are reporting that the Mets have acquired second baseman Luis Castillo from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor leaguers Drew Butera and Dustin Martin.

This seems like a good trade for the Mets, it brings a veteran second baseman who still has decent speed, a good on base percentage and an above average glove, to replace the unproven Ruben Gotay, who the Mets believe can one day be the future second baseman. From what I gather, the Mets weren't very high on Butera or Martin anyway, so this upgrade comes at a small price.

In other news, the Braves have been busy today, acquiring First Baseman Mark Teixeira, and appear to be close to landing former Met Octavio Dotel. The Braves gave up two big prospects in Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Elvis Andrus for Teixeira, which tells me the Braves are looking to make a serious push for the playoffs this season.

Omar better have something in the works for a big time reliever within the next 24 hours to counter the braves moves, otherwise we could be looking at a closer race than we anticipated. Read More...

So by now I am sure you've heard that Rick Down has been replaced as hitting coach, by none other than Rickey Henderson. Personally I think this will be a good move, considering how he helped Jose Reyes become a better leadoff batter, and considering Rickey was a decent hitter in his day. One thing that does worry me and other Mets fans though is his ego, and the effect it could have on the team. I think this move can do nothing but help a struggling line up, and the Mets bats will catapult back into the top of the league.

The second move does not occur as a shock to many Mets fans as IF Julio Franco was released this week. While Grandpa Julio was a great mentor, especially for the Spanish ballplayers, most Mets fans grew tiresome of his “grounding out to second base” routine. I hope the Mets decide to make him a coach, because he truly would be great for that position on the team. Franco's roster spot will be filled by OF Lastings Milledge.

As I mentioned yesterday the Trade Deadline is coming, which means many rumors will begin to spread. Astros SP Roy Oswalt mentioned that he would waive his no trade clause in his 5-year $73 million contract if the Astros decided to trade him; however Astros General Manager Tim Purpura denied any interest in trading his ace. I imagine Omar will be on his cell phone about 20 hours a day for the next 3 weeks, trying to make a deal for Oswalt.

Since the trading deadline is fast approaching these are sure to be the first of many moves to come. It is a sigh of relief that Julio Franco was finally replaced with someone who can do more than just ground out to second base. Omar has to figure out how to improve the Mets in order to repeat as National League East Champions. An achievement we all are very hopeful for. Read More...