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.
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Kaufman’s Korner

Hello all and welcome to another edition of Kaufman’s Korner.

First, I would like to take the time to apologize for not writing since the day before Thanksgiving. I have been in the midst of graduating, moving, starting a job etc so I haven’t had the time, or urge to write. But now that I have settled in, I plan on writing a little bit more often.

In any case there are a lot of things to talk about. The Mets acquiring what many consider to be the best pitcher in baseball for a few high end prospects, some questions the team has going into the 2008 season, and a few basic predictions by yours truly as of this moment.

We all lived to talk about the Johan Santana saga. Nearly 6 weeks long, 20 trade proposals deep, rumor mill spinning more and more everyday, the Mets finally pulled off what many consider to be the biggest trade since Mike Piazza showed up in May of 1998. I think it is a great trade especially since the Mets got to hold onto what I believe are the top two prospects they have; Mike Pelfrey and Fernando Martinez. Pelfrey showed signs of coming around at the end of last year, and while Martinez hasn’t had an at bat above AA has one of the highest ceilings of any prospects in baseball. While I do believe that at least 2 of the prospects the Mets gave up will pan out to be solid ballplayers, the Mets did what they had to do to get a big name pitcher.

Johan Santana brings to the Mets 93 wins while just entering his prime, and has pitched at least 200 innings every season since becoming a fulltime starter. Pitching in the American League, he typically would win a minimum of 15 games a year while having an earned run average of around 3.50. Quite incredible considering that if you transfer that over to the National League-a typically weaker hitting league-you can possibly be looking at 18-20 wins with an earned run average at least a run lower. Imagine what that can do to the Mets record? These typical statistics not only make us say “Tom who?” but it takes a lot off a bullpen that you can expect to be worn down if Pedro Martinez throws a lot of pitches, Oliver Perez decides to not throw strikes, and El Duque is on vacation etc.

Now over the past few months Omar Minaya has made a few small moves before the big blockbuster of acquiring Johan Santana. He has signed Matt Wise, Ricardo Rincon, and Ruddy Lugo; all low risk high reward bullpen pitchers. Could these guys take the place of someone like Scott Schowenweis? That’d be amazing, yet doubtful. So while the rotation has a huge upgrade with Santana and a fully healthy (or so we think) Pedro Martinez at the top, the bullpen is still a question and could lead us to those antacid pills that we knew so well last year.

As far as the offense goes, we all know that Paul Lo Duca walked to the Nationals. So we acquired Brian Schneider to platoon with Ramon Castro at catcher; and Ryan Church to play everyday right field. I think Church will be a scrappy player who will give 110% in the field and at the plate. I see this trade panning out very nicely for the Mets, although another I question whether Ramon Castro can handle a full time catching schedule, and if Brian Schneider can hit .250. Other than that, we should see the same typical lineup, with hopefully more production from Carlos Delgado.

Now I will make a few basic predictions of what I would like to see happen.

1. Carlos Delgado will have a bounce back year. I don’t see Carlos Delgado having a year like last year, since his wrist was a major problem with his hitting last year. I believe he will fill in nicely at the number 5 spot and settle into the “secondary” RBI producer role well behind Beltran and Wright.

2. The bullpen will not lead Willie to talk about “Mama days”. I really hope this is true. If we can get a steady 7 innings out of our pitchers, give the ball to Heilman or Sanchez in the 8th inning, and then Wagner in the 9th, it will take a load off the middle relievers. Thank goodness Mota is gone.

3. Johan Santana will win 18-20 games. This is what this guy is getting paid to do. If he gets the run support, expect him to strikeout and set down a lot of lineups 1-2-3.

I hope you enjoyed reading this edition of Kaufman’s Korner. Until next time…
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The Mets and Ramon Castro have agreed to a 2 year deal worth just over $4 million. Castro is expected to backup/spit time with soon to be acquired Yorvit Torrealba.

I've always been a big fan of Castro, especially this past season, when he quietly hit .285 with 11 Home Runs, 31 RBIs and 24 runs scored in only 144 at bats.

To get a feel for how good that actually is, I ran some statistics through excel, and found that, among players with 100 or more at bats, Castro had the 10th best AB/HR ratio in baseball at 1 home run every 13.091 at bats, and the 15th best AB/RBI ratio in baseball at 1 RBI every 4.645 at bats.

Of course it's unfair to assume that he would maintain such a ridiculous pace, especially considering Castro has never been a starting catcher for an entire season, and is injury prone. Read More...

It's the middle of November, and you know what that means... baseball's Hot Stove season is heating up (no pun intended).

Before we get all the talk of who is a free agent, who is "available", and who can afford the big name players underway, lets take a quick look at some of the current Mets who are free agents this off season.

Free Agents

Moises Alou: In 2006, Mets signed Alou to a one year deal worth $8.5 million, with a $7.5 million option for 2008, which the Mets have already exercised. Alou will be playing for the Mets once again in 2008.

Marlon Anderson: The Mets have signed Anderson to a 2 year contract worth $2.2 million. Anderson will continue to be a clutch bat off the bench for the Mets in 2008.

Luis Castillo: Omar Minaya has said the Mets will do their best to re-sign Castillo, but the Houston Astros have also shown interest, Castillo could receive a 4 year deal, which the Mets are unlikely to match. If the Astros are willing to give a 4 year deal to a 32 year old with knee problems, they can have Castillo.

Ramon Castro: According to the Daily News The Mets have just wrapped up a deal with Castro for 2 years worth just over $4 million. Castro is expected to either backup or split time with Yorvit Torrealba, who the Mets appear to be close to signing.

Jeff Conine: The 41 year old Conine has finally called it a career, retiring after 16 seasons in the majors. Conine was a two time all star, and won two World Series championships with the Florida Marlins.

Damion Easley: The Mets have re-signed Easley to a one year, $950,000 deal. Easley will likely backup for Castillo or Gotay at second base, and will also be used as a pinch hitter.

Tom Glavine: Glavine appears to be headed back to Atlanta to pitch one more year. Glavine has stated that he is willing to take less money to play in Atlanta. The Mets have not shown considerable interest in Glavine.

Shawn Green: It appears the Mets will not exercise their $10 million option on Green, and have shown little interest in bringing him back for 2008. Green may be headed back out to the west coast, where he'll try to hit 3 more home runs to surpass Hank Greenberg and become baseball's All Time Jewish Home Run King. SHALOM.

Brian Lawrence: The Mets have declined Lawrence's $4 Million option for 2008, Lawrence was designated for assignment before the end of last season, and is unlikely to return to the Mets.

Paul LoDuca: After failing to lure Jorge Posada away from the Yankees, the Mets were expected to turn their attention back to LoDuca. Instead, Omar Minaya has focused his sights on Rockies Catcher Yorvit Torrealba. LoDuca's agent has stated that he does not intend to sign with the Mets anytime soon. The LoDuca situation has gone from bad to worse, and now it appears clear that the Mets will not re-sign Loduca

Aaron Sele: Sele filed for free agency last month, he is not expected to return to the Mets. It is possible that he may retire if he is not signed by another team to a major league contract.

Jose Valentin: The Mets have declined their $4.3 Million option on Valentin. He is not expected to resign with the Mets.

Well, there you have it, in the coming weeks, the site will be heating up again, so be sure to check back here as often as possible to get up to the second updates on the Mets progress this off season.

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The Mets have DFA'd catcher Sandy Alomar Jr.

Alomar had been with the major league club since Ramon Castro went down last week with arthritis in his back.

With first string catcher Paul LoDuca expected to return to the club for this week's series with the Phillies, the Mets needed to make room on the roster, and it appears the Mets will be sticking with veteran Mike Difelice as the backup catcher until Ramon Castro returns from his stint on the DL.

If Alomar clears waivers, he will most likely return to AAA New Orleans, and will likely rejoin the club in September when rosters expand. Read More...

The Mets have placed backup catcher Ramon Castro on the DL retroactive to August 13th. Castro was only supposed to miss a few games, but the arthritis in his back has not improved. With Paul LoDuca also on the DL, this is a huge blow to the Mets, who will be looking to Mike Difelice and Sandy Alomar Jr. to carry the load at catcher for the next week or two.

The injury woes continue for the Mets... Read More...

In a matter of 24 hours, the Mets may find themselves in a bit of a pickle. Following Saturday night's game, Paul LoDuca was placed on the 15-day disabled list. This move being made without an MRI and according to mets.com much to the displeasure of Paul LoDuca. I agree they could have probably waited to make the call on LoDuca, but we're all on the outside looking in. According to ESPN, he will have an MRI on Monday to determine the true extent of his injury.

During today's game, Ramon Castro left the game in the 4th inning due to lower back discomfort. According to a report on ESPN, an MRI revealed mild arthritis. He is listed day-to-day while the team has yet to determine if they will make any other moves. Read More...

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...