With pitchers and catchers reporting yesterday, baseball season is finally officially here. The Mets had somewhat of a lazy off season until the Santana trade, so while most of the 2007 Mets will be returning for 2008, let's clear the board and break down the 2008 New York Mets.

Catcher:

First String: Brian Schneider - Schneider may not be the offensive player that Paul Lo Duca (or even Ramon Castro is for that matter), his .235 average, 33 runs scored, 6 home runs and 55 RBIs doesn't exactly make Mets fans salivate, but he makes up for his hitting ability of the defensive side of the game. Scheider has consistently been one of the best defensive catchers in baseball the last few years. Last year he was 4th in the National League in caught stealing percentage, throwing out 31.2% of would be base stealers. Schneider is a veteran leader, and should fit perfectly in the Mets clubhouse as well.

Second String: Ramon Castro - For all intensive purposes Castro is catcher 1A. Castro is easily one of the most under rated players in the game. In only 144 at bats last season, Castro took advantage of every opportunity, batting .285, scoring 24 runs, launching 11 homers and driving in 31 runs. Assuming an average full time catcher's 400 AB a season pace, Castro was on pace for 66 runs scored, 30 home runs, 86 RBIs, and a .285 batting average to boot. The greatest little known fact about Castro is is AB/HR ratio. Of all players with at least 100 at bats in 2007, Castro had the 10th highest AB/HR ratio in MLB, averaging a home run every 13.09 at bats, which placed him between Adam Dunn and Ryan Braun. Castro should continue to be a clutch backup for the Mets, expect him to start at least 50 games this year, which should give Schneider plenty of rest, keeping him healthy and fresh.
Read More...

Summary only...

While speaking at a charity event in New Hyde Park on Wednesday David Wright was quoted as saying his former teammate and good friend Paul Lo Duca deserves "a harsh penalty" if the allegations against him in the Mitchell report are true.

"He's a guy I would go to battle for any day, but when you're talking about steroids, you're talking about something that's illegal," Wright said of Lo Duca. "Steroids are something I could never - no matter how close of a friend it is - condone."

"I'd like to think that maybe there's some fabrication [about Lo Duca in the report], or maybe it's not all true," Wright said. "But I've said it from day one - whether it's my best friend in the game or whoever, if they get caught . . . using performance-enhancing drugs or steroids, there should be a harsh penalty."

According to Wright, he keeps in touch with Lo Duca, but they do not discuss HGH or steroids.

It's very uncharacteristic of Wright to speak about other players, but for something like performance enhancing drugs, it seems as if he feels very strongly about eliminating them from baseball, hence the "harsh punishment" comment.
Read More...

Summary only...

The Mitchell Report has finally been released on MLB.com the report lists the names of a number of current and former players. According to Mitchell at his press conference, about half of the players in the report are current players.

Most of the Mets involved in the report connect back to Mets former clubhouse assistant Kirk Radomski. Radomski you may remember plead guilty to distributing performance-enhancing drugs to dozens of major league players between 1995 and 2005, in April.

Former Mets catcher, Todd Hundley, who broke Roy Campanella's record for most home runs in a season by a catcher in 1996, is included in the report.

"Radomski has known Hundley since 1988, when Radomski worked for the Mets and Hundley played in the Mets’ minor league system.380 Radomski stated that, beginning in 1996, he sold Deca-Durabolin and testosterone to Hundley on three or four occasions. At the beginning of that year, Radomski told Hundley that if he used steroids, he would hit 40 home runs. Hundley hit 41 home runs in 1996, having never hit more than 16 in any prior year. After the season, Radomski said, Hundley took him out to dinner."

The report includes a great deal of information on Mets former catcher Paul Lo Duca, including checks, and handwritten notes from Lo Duca to Radomski.

"Todd Hundley referred Lo Duca to Radomski when Lo Duca played for the Dodgers. Radomski estimated that he engaged in six or more transactions with Lo Duca. In some transactions, Radomski sent the performance enhancing substances by overnight mail to Lo Duca’s home or to the Dodgers clubhouse and Lo Duca sent Radomski a check a week or so later.

Radomski produced copies of three checks from Lo Duca, each in the amount of $3,200. All are included in the Appendix. Radomski said that each check was in payment for two kits of human growth hormone.

Lo Duca’s name, with an address and telephone number, is listed in the address book seized from Radomski’s residence by federal agents. During that search, federal agents also seized a note from Lo Duca to Radomski."

The following players named in the report have played for the Mets or in the Mets minor league system st some point in their careers.

Lenny Dykstra 197
David Segui 198
Josias Manzanillo 209
Todd Hundley 211
Mark Carreon 211
Matt Franco 213
Mo Vaughn 234
Chris Donnels 238
Todd Pratt 243
Mike Stanton 253
Paul Lo Duca 256
Fernando Vina 261
Mike Bell 267
Gary Bennett Jr. 270
Scot Schoeneweis 302

NOTE: The page numbers indicate the page number on the PDF file, not the report itself.

I cannot say I am completely shocked at most of these names; the big name in this report from the mets perspective is Paul Lo Duca, because I think it finally puts to bed why Omar was reluctant to resign Lo Duca this off season.
Read More...

Summary only...

The Nationals are looking at free agent Paul Lo Duca, who won't be back with the Mets after hitting .272 with nine homers in 119 games for New York. The Nationals like former Rule 5 draft pick Jesus Flores at catcher, but they're looking for some insurance in the event he can't handle the job full-time. Lo Duca still wants to play regularly, so Washington is probably a long shot for him unless all his other options fall through. Read More...

Summary only...

According to Rotoworld the Mets have declined to offer salary arbitration to C Paul Lo Duca, C Sandy Alomar Jr., 1B Jeff Conine, C Mike DiFelice, INF Damion Easley, OF Shawn Green, RHP Aaron Sele and 2B Jose Valentin.

No big surprises here. Easley's deal still isn't official, but he has agreed to terms with the Mets. I really don't see any of the others coming back unless it's for minor league deals, then I could see both DiFelice or Sele accepting those roles. Read More...

Summary only...

The New York Mets announced today that they have acquired catcher Johnny Estrada from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for righthanded pitcher Guillermo Mota.

"Johnny adds depth to our catching situation," said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya. "He's a former All-Star who switch-hits and has hit over .300 three times in his career."

Estrada, 31, hit .278 (123-for-442) with 40 runs scored, 25 doubles, 10 home runs and 54 RBI in 120 games with the Brewers last year.

Mets fans rejoice, because not only have we gotten rid of Mota, we also solved our catching problem as well...Oh yeah and did I mention we got rid of Mota?
Read More...

Summary only...

Well it has certainly been an interesting few weeks for us Mets fans. We thought we picked up steam in the middle of the month after winning 6 of 7 from the lowly Nationals and Pirates. We all thought that momentum continued after showing some good heart against the Padres and Dodgers by splitting those 6 important games. But then that momentum has come crashing down.

The 4 games in Philly this week were critical to both the Mets and the Phillies. The Mets had a great chance to put the Phillies away and balloon their lead to 7 or 8 games. Sure enough that didn’t happen. The Mets made it out of Philadelphia alive, but barely. Now only with a 2 game lead, the Mets have opened the door for a pennant race down to the wire with the Phillies. It is especially hard because this weekend the Mets go into their “house of horrors”, Turner Field where statistically the Mets don’t win all too much.

If there is a silver lining in these 4 losses it could be that we have seen this before and had the Mets recover. If you think back to 1999, the Mets lost 7 games in a row from the 21st to the 28th against the Braves and the Phillies. Coming out of that late season swoon, the Mets were 1 ½ games out of the Wild card with 5 games to play. We all know what happened that season, with a little thanks to the Pirates, Rick Reed, and Brad Clontz.

So now its 2007, August 31st, and the Mets have a 2 game lead up on the Phillies. They have lost 5 games in a row and heading into a series where if they lose all 3 they could end up out of first place on Monday morning. However, I have more confidence in this team than in the 1999 team. Why? Because this is a very similar team to last year, and I feel our team is better than the 1999 team. That team certainly had some great veterans on it, but this team has more pizzazz in my opinion.

With this being said, its important that we do not lose faith in this team. Paul Lo Duca said it best on WFAN while on the radio show with Joe Beningo and Evan Roberts yesterday, ““You two guys, (laughing) you should be Philadelphia Phillies fans…You guys are the biggest pessimists I have ever seen. Why do you root for this team, why are you Mets fans if you don’t believe in us (laughing), you’re unbelievable (laughing). You lose two games in the season and your season is over…Believe in your team, guys… “

Paulie says it best. Ya Gotta Believe

Read More...

Summary only...

MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting that the Rockies may try to sign Paul Lo Duca after this season to become their starting catcher. According to the post, the Rockies have "long coveted" him and he should be there for the signing this winter.

This is news to me. I never knew the Rockies ever had interest. With Paulie just coming back from the DL, it could be a sign that his age may finally be catching up to him. I wouldn't doubt us letting him go for someone younger. (which is probably a smart move) but, I personally don't want to see him go. He is a bonafide leader for this club, and is one of (if not) the best when it comes to coming through with RISP. Recently with him being shifted to the 7th spot in the lineup though, he has become very expendable in many people's eyes. Read More...

Summary only...

Paul Lo Duca was set to play his first rehab game for Single-A Brooklyn last night but it was canceled because of fog. He's set to catch the first game of a doubleheader for Brooklyn today, then serve as the DH in the nightcap.

Lo Duca also is scheduled to play tomorrow for Double-A Binghamton. He's been out with an ailing right hamstring and expects to come off the disabled list Monday.

Good news on the injury front. Though Mike DiFelice and Sandy Alomar Jr. have done a pretty decent job with Paulie out, you have to kind of wonder how long that was going to last. Lets hope Paulie is as strong as he 'claims' he is and stays injury free for the rest of the season and the playoffs. Read More...

Summary only...

Castro is a free agent after this year. With 9 homeruns in 124 ABs for the Mets this year, Castro could move to the front of a weak class of catchers. Assuming Jorge Posada and Ivan Rodriguez never hit the open market, that leaves Castro, Michael Barrett, Paul Lo Duca, and Jason Kendall.

Castro signed for $850K last winter to again serve as Paul Lo Duca's backup. Lo Duca hasn't been healthy or hitting, and Castro's having his best season with an .889 OPS.

In 119 games as a Met, Castro has a .255/.324/.455 line with 21 HR in 459 ABs. One has to wonder if he could do that in a single season. If so, he'd be one of the better catchers available. In the past, Castro has shown the ability to throw out 30%+ of would-be basestealers. However, he's nailed just two of 25 this year. Mets fans - what's up with that?

Teams like the Devil Rays, Mets, Cubs, Astros, and Padres may all be looking for catchers this winter. Castro should get consideration as a regular, and might be a decent buy at two years, $8MM or so. Read More...

Summary only...