Die Hard Mets Fan

Lastings Milledge was the last National that was a former Met to complain about his former team.  Paul Lo Duca is another National that was a former Mets to take shots at his former team.  The media shouldn’t even hand these guys a microphone.  Milledge is a classless scumbag, and Lo Duca is a steroid user.  Both of them should figure out why they are not on the Mets anymore.  They can begin by looking in the mirror.  Nobody cares what they have to say so say nothing at all.

 Mailbag: Alternatives to Delgado? - Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans’ questions.

Off-day won’t be quiet for Mets - Marty Noble lists the tasks that the Mets would like to accomplish during their off-day.

Newsday:

Lo Duca, Milledge still have issues with Mets - Does anybody care what these guys have to say?

Businesses near Shea bracing for uncertain future -With the days until Citi Field opens counting down, Wallace Matthews discusses the fight between the business owners of the Queens’ Iron Triangle and the potential business owners of what could be a beautiful area in Queens.

Mets’ injured Valentin is mulling retirement - David Lennon is following up on an article that Anthony Rieser of Newsday wrote about on Saturday.  Omar Minaya said that the Jose Valentin situation is ”not that desperate”.

New York Daily News:

Paul Lo Duca can’t mask irritation with Omar Minaya and wounded feelings - Paul Lo Duca was quoted as saying this about the Mets letting him go,

Anytime in your lifetime that you’re not wanted, it’s tough. I was vocal that I wanted to stay in New York, but with the way that the offseason went, I’m glad I’m not there. I hate to say that, but they went through three guys and I never got a phone call. I wasn’t wanted, obviously. So, I’m human. I’m glad.

Maybe if Lo Duca did things the right way, he’d still be in New York.  Steroid users shouldn’t be able to control the situation.  They should be lucky that they’re still playing because I would throw them the hell out if I was the Commissioner.

After birth of son, Ryan Church takes own baby steps - Adam Rubin lets us know how Ryan Church did against the Nationals on his first day back from a three-day paternity leave.

For Jose Valentin, pain in neck may spell end of career

New York Post:

METS TOOK LO ROAD

NECK’S NAGGING VALENTIN

New York Times:

Hard Feelings Emerge as Mets Face Lo Duca

The Star-Ledger:

A Simulated Off-Day

It’s Delgado, For Better or Worse - Matthew Artus pointed out how dismal of a Spring Training Carlos Delgado has had, which led Artus to question what type of season Delgado will have.

Injured Valentin hints about retiring

Ex-Met seeks revenge

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Since pitchers and catchers have already reported, here’s a look at the starting rotation for ‘08.

1. Johan Santana
2. Pedro Martinez
3. John Maine
4. Oliver Perez
5. Orlando Hernandez/Mike Pelfrey

 I’ve heard that Pedro would pitch in the 1 or 2 spot.  I found that surprising because he still has a lot to prove coming off of his surgery.  He only pitched a few starts at the end of ‘07 so he really hasn’t pitched since ‘06.  I would’ve put Pedro in the 4 spot, but it doesn’t seem like the Mets are going to do that.  The 5 spot is up for grabs.  El Duque is still a starter, but his health and age makes the Mets question which path to take.  If the Mets feel like they can groom Pelfrey to become an effective starter then the Mets will most likely place El Duque in the Bull Pen.

Newsday:

Lo Duca’s steroid apology took long, but a success - Lo Duca was one of my favorite Mets.  I loved him when he was on the Mets.  He was the little guy with lots of fight.  He started to bother me in 2007 when he went overboard at times.  He was complaining off the field about not getting enough recognition for his off the field contributions.  It’s all a scam.  He’s a fake, a fraud.  None of these guys should be able to play any more.

New ace Santana passes his first test in Florida - David Lennon covered Johan Santana’s first day.

Mets’ Beltran to rest of NL East: We’re the best - David Lennon continued to discuss what Carlos Beltran said about the NL East.

SPRING TRAINING: E-MAIL FROM PORT ST.LUCIE - David Lennon provided a brief overview of what went on during yesterday’s bullpen session.

New York Daily News:

With Johan Santana, Carlos Beltran tells others to look out in NL East

Johan Santana off & running

Paul Lo Duca apologizes

Mets limping into spring

New York Post:

CARLOS CALLS IT - The NL East that is.

CAUTION USED WITH CASTILLO - Bart Hubbuch discovered that the Mets are not going to rush the recovery of Luis Castillo.  I still believe that the Mets messed up by signing this guy who couldn’t even swing a bat last year.  The Amazin’s gave Castillo too long of a deal and too much money.

SERBY’S SUNDAY Q&A WITH… David Wright.  Steve Serby asks Wright about The Collapse.

ACE IN WHOLE - Mike Vaccaro feels like Johan Santana is very special.

OMAR: JOHAN’S ‘07 WOES JUST BAD LUCK

The Star-Ledger:

All’s quiet - Jeremy Cothran lets us know how uneventful his day is going.

Beltran Overtakes Santana for “Player Most Likely to Be Taunted and Booed in Philly” Award - I’ve been reading other Mets blogs and listening to sports talk radio, and it seems like every Mets fan is exstatic about Beltran making these statements.  I’m not a fan of the statements.  These Mets fans feel like Beltran instilled confidence in the team.  I remember the Mets being so confident down the stretch in 2007 that they were bored.  They kept saying how good they were, yet they couldn’t win a game when they needed to.  This year, just go out and win the damn division.  Their expectations are much higher than that anyway.

Beltran boasts: Mets the team to beat

Santana shrugs off expectations - According to Lisa Kennelly, Santana is confident that he’ll be able to deliver in New York.

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The status of the Santana Sweepstakes according to the media changes weekly.  However, no team has made a move.  So much has been written about Johan, and things have remained the same since November.  My patience for this topic is wearing thin.

Newsday:

Wright would love for Mets to get Santana - So would hundreds of thousands of Mets fans.  We’re all waiting for Omar to make the move.

New York Daily News:

Giants have the David Wright stuff

New York Post:

NO SYMPATHY FOR LO DUCA - According to Bart Hubbuch, David Wright believes that Paul Lo Duca should suffer a harsh penalty if the details in the Mitchell Report is accurate.  I believe that Lo Duca should be banned from the majors.  But, nobody cares what I think.

The Star-Ledger:

Johan Heats Up the Hot Stove Once Again - All winter, everybody is talking about who has the best chance of acquiring Johan Santana.  Please, somebody go out and do it already…Omar.

Mets’ Wright makes a call with his Giants

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I really was surprised to see so many Yankees named on the Mitchell report.   At first, I just printed out a list of names last night, went to MLB.com, and checked the teams that they played for.  So many of these players played for the New York teams.  However, it doesn’t mean that they did the steroids in NY (i.e., Paul Lo Duca, Mo Vaughn).  I didn’t read through the Mitchell report last night to determine where they did it.  I still didn’t read it.  But based on what the media put out today, many of the Yankees players didn’t do it until 2001, 2002, 2004, and so on.  It definitely makes you wonder about their reign.  However, when I checked the history of the players, Baltimore seemed like it had the 2nd most amount of players on the list.  And we all know Baltimore has been awful forever.  Many of these players played for clubs that were not in contention.  This whole topic is difficult for me to digest.  Simply put, it disgusts me.

On The Fan today, they said that if Pettitte admitted to using steroids then he would receive a standing ovation on opening day for being honest about it.  Why would Yankee fans give a standing ovation to a cheat?  I don’t get it.  I’m disowning all of the Mets mentioned on the report.  I hate them all.  I read through the NY Post today, and they asked fans how they felt about it.  Yankees fans said they would still buy Pettitte jerseys because he’s a nice family guy.  One fan said it was different than Bonds because Pettitte is a nice guy.  Mets fans said they would no longer buy a jersey of anybody on that report.  Fans of every other team that the Post got to, said that they would no longer buy a jersey of anybody on that report.  What is the problem with Yankee fans?  They dismiss the problem for their desire to win.  It is the same thing with the Playoffs this year.  Since the Mets and Yankees had early exits.  The media took a poll, asking Mets fans and Yankees fans if they watch the Playoffs even though their team is no longer in it.  4-5 Mets fans said yes, and 1-5 Yankees fans said yes.  So who’s the bigger baseball fan?  The ones that no steroids is wrong, even if it is our players.  The ones that watch the Postseason even when our team is not in it anymore.  Mets fans have been through it all.  I love them, and I’m damn proud to be one.  And I want to win a championship without steriod users.  So fire Schoeneweis, and play ball.

 Mets figure in Mitchell Report findings

Radomski at heart of Mitchell’s findings

Mets statement regarding Mitchell Report

Mitchell Report proposes solutions

Newsday:

Players with Mets ties named in the Mitchell Report

The List: Players named in the Mitchell Report

The Mitchell Report: Full coverage

Mets’ Estrada, Johnson, Padilla non-tendered

New York Daily News:

Dan Haren traded from Oakland to Arizona, Jose Valverde to Houston - Now the Mets only have two ‘real’ aces out there that they can sign, Santana and Bedard.

Mitchell Report: Great day for baseball

Paul Lo Duca tagged by Mitchell Report

Fans feel cheated by Mitchell Report - This is one of the biggest problems with the whole situation.  I’m not a Yankees fan, but I thought they did it the right way, besides Canceco.  I feel very cheated, and not just because this occured.  I feel cheated because of the length of the problem.  It’s almost 2 decades.  Nobody fixed the problem.  Owners didn’t fire these people.  The Commissioner did something about it but didn’t do anything by himself.  He needed a Senator to investigate and report on the issue before he can do something about it.  How come in the NFL, the Commissioner has no problem suspending anybody?  Simply, he knows what is right and what is wrong, and he acts on it.  Bud Selig apparently cannot do that.  And why now?  Why in 2007?  This is a decade behind when the problem was at it’s height.  I want to know what Selig’s punishment is.  I want to know what the owner’s punishment is.  The Mets said nothing about the issue.  I listed to every press conference, as well as listened to all of the MLB sports talk since yesterday.  I’m completely consumed in this problem.  It’s upsetting, depressing, and appalling.  I hope Shoeneweis, the last steroid user on the roster, gets sent home during the offseason.

No shocker: John Rocker on list - HA HA HA - I knew that already though.  Do you remember when we through batteries at this duche bag? lol

The Mitchell Report: How it came to be

New York Post:

GAME HAS BECOME DIRTY SHAME

HAREN TO D-BACKS, VALVERDE TO HOUSTON

MITHCELL DEFENDS NAMING STARS IN REPORT

New York Times:

Commissioner Vows to Act Swiftly on Mitchell Report

Steroid Report Cites ‘Collective Failure’

Questions After the Report

A Tough Investigator Calmly Defends His Work

Saying Tests Are Working, Fehr Awaits Change

The Star-Ledger:

The First Chip Has Fallen

Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing

Mets escape relatively clean

Other Mets Named in Steroid List

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There is a bunch of articles today, but most of it is about the same topics. 

 Mets sign three to Minors deals - Marty Noble stated that “The Mets signed catchers Raul Casanova and Gustavo Molina and right-hander Nate Field to Minor League contracts on Wednesday, inviting each to big league Spring Training camp.”

Maine, Perez to be big cogs for Mets - Marty Noble tells us how the Mets will be fine even without an ace calibur pitcher because Maine and Oli are each coming off of a 15 win season.  The rotation will look like this if no trade is made: Pedro Martinez, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Orlando Hernandez, and either Mike Pelfrey or Phil Humber.  In my opinion, the rotation is not strong enough for a legit playoff run because we don’t have the 2 power pitchers at the top of the lineup that opposing batters fear.  We don’t have the Clemens and Pettitte, or Beckett and Burnitz, or Johnson and Shilling, or Pedro and Shilling.  We have an older Pedro who throws much slower now kind of like Glavine.  The Maddux and Glavine tandem didn’t throw hard enough to win the World Series more than once.  Two young power pitchers at the top of the rotation is what succeeds in the Playoffs, and we don’t have it.  It’s a problem.

Maine highlights Mets’ holiday party

Newsday:

Mets’ Maine, Perez look to improve themselves

Nationals believe they have a winner in Lo Duca - Look at the title of this article.  One winner isn’t going to carry a team.  They need a bunch of them to succeed.

New York Daily News:

MLB receives Mitchell Report

Press conferences on Mitchell report findings set for Thursday

Jose Reyes to Mets: Get Johan Santana

Willie Randolph says Mets not giving up on Johan Santana or Erik Bedard

New York Post:

NO GRIEF OF STAFF

New York Times:

Steroid Report Expected to Cite About 50 Players

Mets Happy With Pitching Staff

The Star-Ledger:

Coat Drive Tomorrow At Shea

Now Batting…

Mets may not chase an ace

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There is real news today, as Paul Lo Duca is going to DC to join the Nationals for a year.  At least he is going when they are opening up the new stadium down there.  It has to be a billion times nicer than the old one.  Best of luck to you.

Newsday:

Lo Duca agrees to 1-year deal with Nationals - I’m going to miss Paul.

New York Daily News:

Paul Lo Duca decides to fly with Nats

Former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski sold David Segui steroids

New York Post:

LO DUCA OKS DC DEAL

EX-MET SEGUI USED STEROIDS

New York Times:

Nationals Replace Schneider With Lo Duca

Report: Segui Admits Using Steroids

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Check out the new Shea Stadium logo that the Mets will be donning in 2008.  We all got to get tickets for the last season at Shea.

Mets.com:

Mailbag: Why let Lo Duca go?

Mets unveil Shea Stadium commemorative logo to celebrate final season in long-time home

Newsday:

Estrada just a bargaining chip for Mets?

New York Post:

METS AIMING FOR SOME HELP ON THE MOUND

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It seems so strange to me that teams need players, but players don’t exist.  When the Metropolitans were discussing acquiring A-Rod, they were considering moving him to second base because that’s what they need.  Now the Mets are meeting with Eckstein, but they want him to play second base.  Why don’t second baseman exist?  If they did then the Mets wouldn’t be looking into players that play other positions to play second base.  I think Eckstein would be a good fit for the Mets.  He’s a gritty little man, and he plays with heart.  Heart was something that was lost sometime during the 2007 season…not by all, but by most.  I’m sure you all remember how great of a Postseason Eckstein had in 2006, and then he went on to win the World Series MVP.

I’m very disappointed that the Mets didn’t make an offer to Lo Duca.  There are a few reasons for this.  Lo Duca was hurt all season and put up the same offensive numbers as Torrealba.  Lo Duca would’ve been cheaper than Torrealba.  Lo Duca already is a Met.  Lo Duca is Italian.  Now, there are no Italians left on the team.  The same thing goes for the Jews since Green is no longer on the roster.  The Italians and Jews combine for 50% of the population on Long Island, and should be represented in some way on the team.  The Mets already had about 6 out of 8 Latino players in the starting lineup.  That doesn’t bother me, but to go ahead and make it 8 out of 8 then it does.  I don’t mean any disrespect to anybody that is Latino, but it is tougher for me to relate to a team when none of the players are like me.  The one thing that I do like about Torrealba is the fact that he’s only 29 years-old.  Since we have him, I hope he can bat better than .318 like Lo Duca did in ‘06.

The Mets signed Ramon Castro as their backup catcher.  That’s great news.  I didn’t want him to be the starter, but I did want him to be the backup again.  He had an awesome season.

Glavine seems like he’s heading back to Atlanta.  The Braves made their offer, and they are waiting for Glavine to counter it.  That doesn’t bother me because I consider him a Brave anyway and have trouble rooting for him.  If we lose Glavine then it forces Omar to go out and get an ACE…Johan Santana…wink wink.

Daily News:

Eckstein on Met menu for 2nd base

Mets never made Paul Lo Duca an offer

Mets’ deal with Yorvit Torrealba is dead

 Report: Mets targeting Eckstein

Mets end talks with catcher Torrealba

Newsday:

Mets basically in neutral early in offseason

New York Post:

Braves await counter offer from Glavine

New York Times:

Glavine Is Given an Offer by Braves

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Last night as I was watching the Monday Night Football game, and a news update flashed across the screen stating that the Yankees re-signed Jorge Posada to a 4-year deal worth just over $50 million.  For specifics on the deal, check out Die Hard Yankees Fan.

Now, the Mets will have to decide between Torrealba and Lo Duca because Posada is no longer an option.  Not that he really was anyway.  This isn’t the end of the world for the Mets.  Posada would’ve been the most expensive way to go, and plus he’s 36 years old already.  Name a 40 year old catcher in the Majors…now name a really good one.  There are none.  It would’ve been bad for the Mets.  It’s different for the Yankees, even if he isn’t as good in the later years of the contract because he’ll be a lifetime Yankee with 4 rings.  So the Mets must search elsewhere, and they need a backup catcher as well.

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We all know that Yorvit Torrealba’s stock considerably rose this year as the Rockies made it all the way to the World Series.  Many MLB teams are interested in picking up this catcher such as the Brewers, the Devil Rays, and the Mets.  In 2007, he hit .255, with 8 Homers, and 47 RBIs on offense.  He only threw out 13 out of 74 runners attempting to steal, which was a 17.6 % success rate.   This was the worst year of his career defensively.  I was unaware of any shoulder issues that he had, but the report states that he’s had some shoulder issues.

I’ve only seen Torrealba play live once or twice.  I saw a Mets game in Denver in 2005, and Torrealba was the only player on the team that I was impressed with that day.  He had a solid day at the plate and behind the plate.  The last time I saw the Rockies play the Mets was at Shea in 2006.  The game I’m thinking of was the Saturday night game when the Mets had their 20th Anniversary pregame.  By the way, the pregame was as good as anything I’ve ever seen in Shea Stadium.  The Rockies put up 6 runs, and the Mets battled back to win the game.  I’m not sure if Torrealba was in the lineup that night, but if he was then I don’t remember anything special.

According to Ken Rosenthal, of FOXSports.com, Torrealba will not sign with the Rockies until he is a free agent.  We’ll have to wait and see where he ends up.  The Mets will have to pay a premium for him or any other catcher they go after.  The Mets have showed interest in Jorge Posada as well, but it is unlikely that he will leave the Bronx.  Posada said that the Yankees and the Mets are the only teams that are interested in him.  Lo Duca is probably the Mets best bet, and the cheapest.  Paul Lo Duca’s offensive production dropped in 2007, but he’s still a very gritty player.  If the Mets want to have a catcher on their squad sooner than later then they need to re-sign Lo Duca.

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