A Haiku: Love Letter to Derek Jeter from a Met Fan

Mets have never had

Shortstop with such a career

Thus we hate on him

Cry out. Just say it. Mercy. Where I coin a new baseball term...

HIGH AND TIGHT

Props to the Head Torturer in "Braveheart" for the title.

We are now approaching the end of my least favorite time of the baseball season, where championship play is suspended for several weeks so that "natural rivals", and some not so much, take part in Interleague play.

It's also the time of year where we see the spectacle of American League pitchers risk life and limb to take part in the carnival game of batting, as the DH is suspended in NL parks.

Tonight, for example, the Boston Red Sox have moved MVP candidate Adrian Gonzalez into the OF for the 2nd time in his career so that David Ortiz would not have to sit again.

The Yankees in 2008 were the special victims, as pitcher Chien-Ming Wang's career was permanently altered by a Lisfranc Sprain -- a severe injury to a joint in the top of the foot -- when scoring in Houston.

Yes, I am a fan of the Designated Hitter, given the alternative "strategery" provided by the pitcher hitting, adding a .125 (or worse) hitter in a key spot, effectively neutering the bottom of the lineup. Don't you love it when the .240 hitting shortstop or catcher batting 8th gets walked with 2 outs?

I have come up with an approriate name for this condition, for which I want full credit:

 THE MERCY OUT

Yes, the Mercy Out. A free pass given to an ineffective pitcher, an opportunity to walk several hitters to get to face the other team's hurler, effectively grading the game on a curve.

15 years of Interleague Play has exposed this, in a number of ways:

- First, the large disparity in the records of the AL over the NL in American League parks, and National League teams are forced to DH a bench player or Minor call-up. Think Big Papi versus Daniel Murphy or Lucas Duda.

- The only league at any level of baseball where the pitcher still bats is the National League. Why not start at the top?

- If American League roster construction produces this much of a disparity, doesn't that make it a better roster? Stop shaking your head. And why not make them sit their 1st or 2nd best player for a week?

-  The relegation of inferior pitching talent, i.e. "contact" pitchers, to the National League. American League teams, in dealing with more circular lineups, are forced to get more power pitchers who can miss some bats, and the NL gets the ground ball guys. Interesting stat of the day: in 2010, NL pitchers struck out 80 more hitters than AL despite having 2 more teams.

- "I think he might bunt now!" Really?

- "Wow, a double switch!" There's something you don't see every day!

National League fans are under the impression that owners in their league have been avoiding the DH to keep the rules pure. Really? Then why was it that skinflint Bud Selig's Brewers were the team to switch leagues? Could it have been for the drop in payroll achieved by eliminating the DH?

The National League almost had the DH, but for an "accident of history" in 1980. Due to low attendance, there was a vote taken of the teams on the DH, which needed 75% of the 12 teams to pass, 9 votes.

The Pittsburgh Pirates instructed GM Harding Peterson to do whatever their rivals, the Phillies did. GM Bill Giles represented Philadephia, while owner Ruly Carpenter was in Europe, and could not be reached. He instructed Giles to vote 'yes' on the original proposal.

As it happened though, there was an amendment involving roster construction, and Giles was unsure that he had the authority to vote in the affirmative, so he abstained. Peterson abstained as well. Their votes were counted as 'nay', and a 7-5 result in favor of the proposal, not enough to pass it.

So now you know the rest of the story.

I'm sorry, I'm confused...

HIGH AND TIGHT

This isn't what Peter Gammons said would happen

Down In Front! Episode 4 - Replay 6/25/11

The episode of "Down In Front! that we broadcast live will be replayed on Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 12 Noon on CTV Channel 34. It can be seen on Time Warner Cable Staten Island, and FiOS in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Our next live show is scheduled for Wednesday 7/13 @ 8PM, and will focus on MLB's second half.

Ballparks (yes, Ballparks!)

As I have lately been more critical in my blog posting (the High And Tight segment), it's refreshing to take a break and see some games at different parks.

This week, my cousin Tony and his son Anthony were up from North Carolina to partake in our annual ritual of seeing a few games together at different parks, a tradition dating back to Tony and my trip to Southern California in 1993.

This past week, I saw 4 games in 5 days: Wednesday @ Yankee Stadium; Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park in Phildadelphia; Citi Field on Friday night; and a Fathers Day treat from my wife on Sunday, to see Phil Hughes' rehab start at MCU Park in Coney Island for the Staten Island Yankees against the Mets' NY/Penn League affiilate, the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Wednesday's game was a win for the "New Age" Yankees of Eduardo Nunez, Ramiro Pena and Brett Gardner. Nunez and Pena both homered.

On Thursday, Cliff Lee no-hit the Marlins through 4 2/3, ultimately throwing a two-hit shutout. A "Roast Pork Italian" with Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone from the Tony Luke's stand made the trip very worthwhile. This is the sandwich that beat Bobby Flay on Throwdown.  

We braved a thunderstorm, flooding and massive traffic on Friday to get to Citi Field, where the Angels outlasted the Mets. I was watching Jose Reyes very closely, and he is clearly their field leader. I got to try the Kansas City Ribs at Blue Smoke: highly recommended.

Sunday evening started with a trip to the original Nathan's for franks cooked on their 95 year-old grill  -- with 95 years of grease! Are there any better fries anywhere? I doubt it.

A stroll on the Coney Island boardwalk then preceded Phil Hughes' (below) outing, which lasted 4 1/3 innings and 61 pitches. He hit 95 on the gun, and will start again for Trenton on Friday, as he makes his way back to the Yankees' rotation. MCU Park, formerly Keyspan, is one of my favorite places to see a game, for the laid back atmosphere, and the great breezes coming off the Atlantic.

 Phil Hughes pitching for Staten Island

This past week really got me into the baseball season --- finally!

2010-2011 Winter Sports Wrap-up

HIGH AND TIGHT

With the Boston Bruins 2-0 victory in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals over Vancouver, and of course the dismantling by Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks of LeBron, his talents, and his buddies for the NBA title, it's time to reflect. Congratulations to both squads, and also to fans of the residents of Madison Square Garden, as I see a silver lining.

I can't say that Miami choked, but the turning point was certainly the letdown they suffered at the end of Game 4 when they were sure they had the title in the bag, began celebrating, and gave the Mavs new life. In addition to Dirk, I'm happy for Mark Cuban, who I believe is an excellent owner, and especially Jayson Kidd, who finally got a ring after carrying the New Jersey Nets to 2 straight NBA Finals on his back. Do not underestimate that accomplishment.

My worry with the Knicks was that it's been very hard to assess what their ceiling is, as they are a work in progress. That was complicated, however, with the fact that we perceived the Heat to be some uber team, a permament obstacle in the Knicks' path to the title. We now know that is not the case.

But my comfort in that knowledge is tempered by two things: first, the fact that GM Donnie Walsh, the architect of the solution to their salary cap problems, will not get to finish the job. It's upsetting that he was pushed without a true successor in place. Which brings us to my second reservation: the looming shdow of Isaiah Thomas.

Memo to Jim Dolan: as a kid in the 70's, I rooted for the great Knick teams of Willis and Clyde, and the Nets, that other New York Team in the "beachball" league. It was not hard to get behind Rick Barry and Dr. J, especially since the locals would never play each other.

My point: bring back "Zeke", and I'll root for the Nets again in Brooklyn. That's a promise.

This at times was a brutal series to watch, as the Canucks were diving like a European soccer team, and the Bruins at times brought back memories of
Slapshot. However, with Tim Thomas playing valiantly in net, they proved themselves a worthy champion, as much as it pains me to see another parade in Boston.

BTW, what's up with Canada and burning cars after the Stanley Cup Finals?

As for the Rangers, the Bruins victory brings much the same analysis as with the Knicks. The Rangers, with a dysfunctional offense, played even when facing Boston. The addition of a 1st line center like Brad Richards should make them that much more competitive. I do believe, however, that they only have about a 3-year window with Henrik Lundqvist to accomplish this.

There is hope on 7th and 32nd.

There are negotiations being made that are going to answer all of your questions and solve all of your problems. MLB Realignment

HIGH AND TIGHT

There is a proposal out there for to "realign" Major League Baseball in the following manner:

1. Move 1 National League team, presumably the Astros, to the American League, and even the leagues at 15 teams each
2. Balance the schedule in some way
3. Have the top 5 teams in each league qualify for the playoffs

Welcome to the NHL.
 
/facepalm

This idea is said to have a 50/50 chance of coming about, and is the single most stupid idea I have ever heard. This is a very high bar in a sport that uses its All-Star Game to determine home field in the World Series, merely because Joe Torre ran his pitching staff like a charity softball game.

Other "fringe benefits":

- With an odd number of teams in each league, the necessity for an Interleague game every day.
- Scheduling balance that will require 84 games in your own league and 78 games versus the other league.
- Some resolution of the DH -- likely its adoption in both leagues -- since in this scenario nearly 25% of the schedule would be played under a different set of rules. This would almost require a taxi squad.
- A scheduling nightmare.
- A systemic change to over 100 years of established league rivalries. It would kill the fabric of baseball as we know it.
- The likelihood that some contender will finish a season against a weak team from the other league.
- Pennant races would be reduced to a riveting contest for 5th place.
- Obsolescence of all AL and NL records.

This could only happen in Seligworld.

Live, From Staten Island, It's "Down In Front!" Ch 35 Thurs 6/16 @8PM

Yes, fans, the next episode of "Down In Front!" with Eddie Mayrose and Tom DeAngelo will be broadcast LIVE, on Staten Island Community TV!

The show will be on Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 8:00PM on SICTV Channel 35. We will be taking calls.

Channel 35 can be seen on Time Warner Cable in Staten Island, and FiOS in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Buy me out??? You don't buy me out, I buy YOU out!!! K-Rod to the Yankees

HIGH AND TIGHT

In yesterday's post, I went over the math involved in the Mets' ability or inability to keep Jose Reyes next year and beyond due to their forced, and preferred, financial constraints. I also showed how the payroll for 2012 set up, how there are built-in raises to currently non-productive, immovable players, and how ultimately, the contracts of both Reyes and Francisco Rodriguez counterbalance one another.

What comes out in the wash is that K-Rod's $17 Million player option, which vests at 55 "finishes" this year, is really the deciding factor in whether then can sign their shortstop to a long-term deal.

The title above refers to the scene at the end of The Godfather, when Michael Corleone, now Don, proposes to Moe Green that the Corleone family buy out his interest in a Las Vegas casino. Moe refuses -- adamantly -- and gets a bullet through his eye for his trouble.

The Mets problem with that vesting option is that:
a). At his current pace, K-Rod will unquestionably make the 55 appearances
b). The option tends to close out contenders who while they need a closer -- his highest trade-back value --  do not want to pay one $17mm next season
AND
c). There wasn't a large market for a half season set-up man for about $5mm

That is, until last Thursday.

When Joba Chamberlain was shut down by the Yankees to get Tommy John surgery, they manned the lifeboats, looking to stay afloat while they look for a short-term solution. With Mariano Rivera to close, K-Rod's option won't vest.

The cast of characters available leaves no doubt that the Yankees will make some move, as they did successfully last season with Kerry Wood, who may again be available as the Cubs take on water.

While it will not be viewed that way by Met fans, this is a tremendous opportunity for the Mets, in fact Joba's injury is their best-case scenario. But not because of what is coming back. This is why I wrote yesterday that you will need to be strong.

Last month, I re-capped how the 1977 trade of Tom Seaver to the Reds came about, and how Met fans learned all of the wrong lessons, mainly how to be repulsed by player salaries despite being fans of a fairly successful team in the world's largest media market. It is mostly the result, however, by not wanting to be like the Yankees.

But really, when the team was its most successful from about 1984 through 1992, weren't they exactly like the Yankees? Drunken brawls? Drug issues? Mentions on Page 6 of The Post? And what about the rape and pillage of the Twins in the Frank Viola trade and in acquiring Bret Saberhagen from the Royals? Please spare me.

Do not, I repeat, do not, allow your judgement to be clouded by your disdain for the Yankees. The future of your shortstop -- and your Franchise --- depends on it.

Michael Corleone- "Think about a price."

For starters, you are not getting Jesus Montero. The Yankees have other options for a reliever. Nor the "Killer B's" -- Betances, Banuelos or Brackman. Catcher Austin Romine may be a possibility, and starter Ivan Nova could be as well, given that facing NL line-ups with the pitcher batting could easily get his average start to 7 innings as the batting order turns less frequently.

The Yankees, flush with other young pitching prospects, would probably give the Mets a starter and a reliever in exchange for picking up the remainder of the contract.

And what about now? I have no doubt that Pedro Beato can close. None whatsoever. Nova, if traded, could slot into the rotation immediately.

Sleep on it, won't you?

Do You Know The Way To Sign Jose?

HIGH AND TIGHT

This is a two-part blog, the rest of which I will add tomorrow.

It is an alternative take on what I have predicted. The title occurred to me after my original post, and I was sure I couldn't use it, since I was on record predicting that the Mets will not sign Jose Reyes after 2011.

Viewing myself as Springsteen throwing off his extra songs to Patti Smith and Southside Johnny, I offered the title to my "Down In Front!" co-host and Reyes Fan Club President, Eddie Mayrose. He told me that the title was "too good" -- which was exactly Southside's response to Bruce when given "The Fever" -- and challenged me to use it myself. And away we go...

To wit, given Fred Wilpon's ahem, "feel" for things -- i.e. an adverse cash-flow situation -- and Sandy Alderson's predilection for lower-salaried players with historically high on-base percentages, my initial read was that the New York Mets will likely trade shortstop Jose Reyes for a package of prospects rather than sign him to a long term contract at $16 million per, "Carl Crawford" money.

I probably wasn't clear on this, but Met fans have been basically blind to the factors that Mr. Alderson will take into account: Reyes' injury history; the fact that while his current OBP is in the desired range, it is an outlier in the extreme within the context of his entire career; speed, as such, is generally the first "tool" to fade with age; and finally, that he in his "contract" year, no less.

And then there's this: the Mets' stated intention to reduce their 2012 payroll from its current $122 million to about $95 million, middle of the pack for the National League. So New York is now mid-market now for the NL? Right. Way to go, Fred and Jeff.

My starting figure for 2012 stays flat at $122 million, with the following assumptions:

1. Carlos Beltran's $20mm is dropped, and his replacement costs $10mm ($10mm reduction)
2. Jose Reyes get his raise from $11mm to $16mm ($5mm increase)
3. The option of Francisco Rodriguez vests, and his salary goes from $12mm to $17mm ($5mm increase)

For the record, I left out the two problem contracts they are stuck with: Johan Santana at $24mm and Jason Bay at $18mm. Keep in mind, Santana is getting a raise.

I think you see where this is going. Jose Reyes' fate with the Mets is directly tied to what happens with K-Rod. Finding a home for him will be the subject of tomorrow's blog.

That destination is flawlessly and completely logical. I hope you Met fans have strong stomachs. It is in The Bronx.

Ten Minutes To Monahan: Posada's Clock Is Ticking

HIGH AND TIGHT

Since Jorge Posada's numbers are still basically where they were when he had his little 'episode' several weeks ago, there are three impending events that would seem to indicate the end is near:

1. Jorge Posada Figurine Night takes place at Yankee Stadium this Friday, June 10th.

2. Derek Jeter's impending 3,000th hit: The Yankees will clearly want one of their core players to be on the field when this event takes place, which they would like to be during the current homestand ending June 16th.

3. We're in June, and the "Super 2" date on Jesus Montero has likely passed.

Perhaps the Giants can use him as a stopgap for Buster Posey. But midnight is clearly approaching on a great career.