iFiredStevePhillips

Mets avoid another sweep. Ollie pitches ok...well...kinda.

2009-08-12T19:14:00.007-04:00

Another day...another victory to stave off the sweep.

How bad are The Mets playing right now?? They haven't won a series since late July. Oh you remember that right?? It was during that five game winning streak that gave us faux hope that this season was indeed salvageable.

I don't know what's worse grinding out a victory over an unimpressive Diamondbacks team to stave off a sweep...or looking at the records and realizing, oh wow, we're just as bad as THE DIAMONDBACKS. Yes, the latter is definitely worse. But all of that isn't nearly as bad as this fact...in our last two series, we've had to stave off sweeps from the ol' so MIGHTY PADRES and DIAMONDBACKS. Well at least Cory Sullivan tripled twice in this game.

And then there was Ollie. The good news is that he kept runs off the board. The bad news...his control issues were so bad...it made you look at the box score and say...how did Ollie only give up one run?? The worse part about it all?? Well that would be the fact we have two more years of this from Ollie Perez...just splendid.

I recently read this fun tidbit: Alex Rios' salary for this year, approximately $12M, could have been used this offseason to bring in Bobby Abreu, Orlando Hudson, Russell Branyan, and Adam Everett, with about 800K left to spare. And I was like wow...that dude is seriously overpaid. But then I thought...hey wait a second, aren't we paying some bum pitcher $12M for this year and the next two. Why yes we are...we are paying Ollie $12M for this year and the two after.

Then I started crying. Well, not really. But...I refuse to believe that any GM would've been smart enough to bring in all those guys. Thing is...The Mets were probably the only team in baseball that needed all of those guys. Abreu and Hudson alone...based on their credentials and lowly price would've served us better than Ollie.

Can someone tell Omar that this isn't Little League baseball; althought I'm real excited about the Little League World Series starting tomorrow. But anyway, OMAR...JUST because you're lefthanded, doesn't mean you can GET guys out. You actually have to be good, and consistent, and reliable. You know...all things Ollie is not.

Yet we gave him $12M. Perhaps Ollie will prove me wrong...prove all of us wrong...and make me forget who we could've gotten instead, or what a bonehead move it was to lock him up for this much money. I mean...probably not, but a boy can dream.

All I know now is that for $12M this year, all we've gotten from Ollie is...2-3, 5.97 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 58 Ks in his 60.1 innings.

I might not be able to dream...but can the nightmare please end?? SOON!!

Santana Wins 13th, Mets Start Streak...

2009-08-09T21:08:00.003-04:00

Sometimes...well, all the time really...and especially lately...I feel for Johan Santana.

In what's becoming an increasingly lost season, the guy just keeps showing up every fifth day. Today he did more than what he's being paid to do; he did more than what aces are supposed to do. Today, Johan did what he does every fifth day, and that's show up and do everything in his power to hopefully will his team to victory.

The Mets came into today, on the verge of being swept in four games by a Padres team that came into the series oh...only twenty-one games under .500; even the most ardent Mets fans like myself have already starting to look to 2010. It doesn't help that every time you want to delude yourself into thinking this season is worth salvaging...we drop a pop-up, or blow a save, or lose three out of four to a team oh...twenty-one games under .500.

Truth is, the Padres have owned us ever since Jody Gerut opened Citi Field with a leadoff homerun. I was there; and never have I seen the buzz and excitement snuffed out of a park in one swing. This was the complete opposite of what happened when Aaron Boone hit his famous homerun; I was there for that one as well...and oh what jubilation for those imbecilic Yankee fans. Parallel Universes I tell ya...just like this season, just like always.

But all that talk is is just complaining really. Lord knows we've had ample opportunities to do that. What I really want to do...all I really want to do is to thank Johan Santana for being Johan Santana.

In a season of misfortune and nothing really to hope for...Johan has been one of our shining lights. If David Wright should be made Captain...then Johan Santana should be made his First Mate. I'll go to war with those two anytime.

Gettin' excited about 2010...not sure if that's good or bad seeing it's still August...2009.

Jason Dubois...not Alex Rios.

2009-08-08T11:41:00.004-04:00

false alarm...False Alarm...FALSE ALARM.

The big acquisition the New York Metropolitans made yesterday was the acquiring of one Jason Dubois, and not one...Alex Israel Rios. If you were like me and looking for hope to this wretched god-forsaken season...keep looking. All this Rios talk, or lack of it...coupled with the fact that the Mets might be shopping both Billy Wagner and Carlos Delgado point to two things...the Mets and their brass are trying to quietly throw in the towel on this season, and that same brass...might actually be up for making good decisions nowawdays.

First, the bad news...The brass is becoming more and more certain that this team is not making the playoffs. I think it's dissapointing that we are missing the playoffs for the third year in a row. With the resources and talent on this team, that should not be the case. Being seven games under .500 and going 2-5 to begin August has a way of humbling expectations and taking away hope for this 2009 season.

However, what I find even more dissappointing is the lack of a successful plan to rebuild this franchise into a consistent winner. This lack of successful planning is the reason this team continues to get worse, this season continues to look worse, and the reason our minor league team are currently in shambles.

But there is some good news. Not acquiring Alex Rios continues the message of the last month...we are not competitive but we are not going to stretch ourselves making decisions that could hurt our future and not definitely help us now. I didn't like this at first, but I respect it, and I'm growing into liking it. This is why we didn't pull off a big trade at the deadline, this is why we didn't claim Alex Rios, and this is why we continue to love our prospects...though I'm convinced no one else in baseball does.

Trading Billy Wagner and Carlos Delgado also makes a lot of sense; perhaps even a little too much sense. In this economy, and with their age, injuries, and perhaps declining skill sets...there is no way we offer them arbitration. Thsi is significant because no offer of arbitration means, you don't get prospects when these guys sign elsewhere. So...trading them for anything now gets you some value...and takes them off the books. Not bad Omar, not bad at all. I'm just curious to see if any teams come running.

Holding on to our prospects is also a good move; I know it hurts for me to say it, but hear me out. Prospects as a whole, are like ugly ducklings, you never know who's going to be the beautiful swans. Our teams and prospects' numbers in the minors have been so ugly this year...but odds are...some of them will turn out to be serviceable big league players...I hope. Forrest's momma said life was like a big of chocolates...I'm just hoping we get something...anything, that can be productive big leaguers.

Lastly, despite this season...I still believe that this team isn't that far from contention. What we need though is an executablle plan. There is plenty of money coming off the books this season, and there will be plenty of opportunity to bring in free agents as well as to perhaps make a deal or two. But we must start and continue to make smart decisions.

I can't believe I'm writing this...but Let's Go Mets...in 2010!!

Mets claim Alex Rios on Waivers...

2009-08-07T16:30:00.007-04:00

Well maybe...

Just browsing the internet, I found a rumor worth exploring. Alex Rios has been claimed on waivers by an unknown team. I've been fighting to see the light at the end of the tunnel of this 2009 Mets Season; and Lord knows it's been hard. But...it now seems as bright as it's been in weeks...with the addition of Alex Rios.

The sad part is I've made all of this up. I'm just a boy dreaming, a diehard fan fighting for breath, and a man who wants to see the light in this season. Also saddening is the fact that there's also eight or so teams that wouldn't mind claiming Rios.

So I'll try to go back to the facts. The Blue Jays put Alex Rios on Waivers; and some team, hopefully my team the Mets, have claimed him. This is a great move by the Blue Jays. They get to shed a huge contract, and call up number one prospect Travis Snider. They can also work out a trade and pick up some prospects, also a plus possibility. However, that might mean eating some of Rios' contract...so I'm saying it's not likely. Even less likely is the Blue Jays holding on to Rios and denying this waiver claim...they're rebuilding and shedding payroll, Rios is as good as gone.

Now I could break down what this means for the Mets, and my thoughts on whether or not this would be a good move...however, since it's only speculation...and my own speculation at that...I'm going to stop there. And wait...and give Omar the benefit of the doubt for once...and wait...and wait...and we'll see.

Last night's loss to the lowly Padres puts us firmly six games, and the season is all but lost right?? Now way. It's still August, and our recent September collapses have proved to me that anything's possible. Besides, there's too much parity in baseball among the "big" clubs. Know what that means?? All you have to do is get in, stay hot, and you can win.

You don't have to be the best team all year. They don't give you World Series Rings for that. Get in, Get Hotter, and Ride That Wave to the CHAMPIONSHIP.

Mets Fans...i'm sayin' there's a chance.

Alex Rios...Welcome to teh Citi...maybe.

Mets beat Cards 9-0, Niese Hurt, David Wright named captain

2009-08-05T20:55:00.004-04:00

After last night's ninth inning implosion at the hands of Sir Albert Pujols, the Mets bounced back with a 9-0 trouncing of the Cards this afternoon. That's how all the news bulletins should have read; but I wish that was the real story of this game.

The real story wasn't even the much ado about nothing Brad Thompson brush-back of David Wright. Actually maybe the story begins there. Rookie hurler Jon Niese was hurt while trying to cover first base in the second inning. Translation: a complete tear of the right upper hamstring tendon from the phone. Even reading that sounds painful. Niese is slated to have surgery, and hopefully will be back by Spring Training next year.

This newest injury added to the Mets Medical Ward, makes me realize how much David Wright means to the Mets. Think about this: David Wright is the only regular this year who is still in the lineup and who has yet to miss significant time with an injury. That is somehow incredible and incredulous at the same time.

I used to think it was only a formality naming a captain on a baseball team; then came this generation's greatest leader, Derek Jeter. Four championships rings at age 26 will earn you that title. David Wright is currently 26 years old, and has zero championships.

I tell you all that to tell you this: the Mets need to formally name David Wright the captain of this team. You might only get one Derek Jeter per generation, but as of right now, David Wright is stuck not only on a bad team, but somewhere in between of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. He has the leadership and skills to build a franchise around, just like Jeter; and he has the talent that often places him in a class of his own, just like Rodriguez. But he's neither, and as I continue to watch him I can't help but sing "Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am...Stuck in the middle with you."

I'm not sure what I think of this season; I have no clue how it plays out, but somehow, I remain hopeful. But if there's anything this season has taught me, it's that D. Wright comes to play everyday, that he continues to produce, that he has the leadership skills you build a franchise around, that he has talent that places him in a league of his own, and that he should be My Captain.

Omar Minaya is FIRED...

2009-07-31T12:13:00.002-04:00

According to Mets Blogger, ME...Omar Minaya is fired.

I don't care about how much the Wilpons love him.

I don't care about the Adam Rubin spat, and the most awkward news conference ever in Mets history.

I don't even care that the Minor Leagues are horrible and our farm system is a wasteland.

I don't care that this team that you assembled is an overpaid, hobbling, fundamentally unsound mess.

I don't care about the reports that you turned down a deal for Halladay...

Ok, yes I do care. I do care that you Omar can do something to make our team better, and you simply refuse.

I care that Omar still thinks we only need tinkering to compete.

I care that if Omar turned down a chance to get Halladay and now Victor Martinez, he's the worst G.M. in baseball right now.

Everything I read says at best Omar is walking on thin ice...my only response is why??

I refuse to believe that if I had his resources that I could not run the Mets better, and I'm just a 26 year old know-it-all.

Prospects are prospects for a reason.

If you can get a sure thing like a Halladay, or a Victor Martinez...you do it. Especially when your prospects Omar...they're not blue chippers, they don't get me at all excited about our future ,and their numbers so far...is pedestrian...AT BEST.

So please Omar...please do something. We as beloved fans, are stuck in an awful marriage with you, so please stop being horrible at your job, and go and do something...anything to make us better.

love,

hank

Hall of Famer Mark Buehrle

2009-07-26T14:34:00.004-04:00

I already made my bold proclamation of the month, when I told my good friend Matt that the Atlanta Braves will win the N.L. East. Matt, a well educated baseball scholar like myself, couldn't help but let his pinstripes shine through, when he then boldly proclaimed that his Yankees will win the A.L. East. The Braves are tied with the Marlins as they both sit six and a half game back of the Phillies; the Yankees come into the day a game and a half ahead of the Red Sox, and were in the middle of their eight game winning streak. I guess i'm a little more bold, or a lot more stupid..we'll see.

Now that the dust has settled on Mark Buehrle's Perfect Game, I can't help but shake this bold proclamation: Mark Buehrle's a Hall of Famer. The wording is what makes this bold. I'm not saying Mark Buehrle will be a Hall of Famer; I'm not even saying Mark Buehrle, if he keeps this up...might make the Hall of Fame. I'm saying right now, Mark Buehrle IS A HALL OF FAMER. Before you pawn me off as crazytown here me on this: after the 2000 Season and his fourth championship, I proclaimed Derek Jeter a Hall of Famer. In the last eight and a half seasons, Jeter hasn't won another championship...but all he's done is solidify his case for the rest of you skeptics; he had me at hello after the 2000 Season.

But this isn't about Derek Jeter; I made the case almost nine years ago when I was 17. This is about Mark Buehrle. And right now, at 26...I'm feeling my almost once a decade bold statement...if Mark Buehrle should walk away right now...he should be in the Hall of Fame. The next two (he's mentioned retiring after his current contract runs out) or so (he's also mentioned he wouldn't mind closing his career donning his Home Team Cardinals jersey)...will only be padding his case for the rest of you skeptics...just like Jeter's been doing. Enough about the set-up, here's the entire case for Mr. Mark Buehrle...not for me, but for you skeptics out thurr.

Mark Buehrle is one of three pitchers to throw Two No Hitters including One Perfect Game, and also win a World Championship. The other two Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, and future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. That is elite company. Those accomplishments, and to have only been done by three men our of the tens of thousands who have played the game...merits a Hall of Fame nod.

Speaking of that Perfect Game, it is only the 18th ever...EVER IN THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL. Oh and Mark Buehrle's also one of only twenty eight men, to pitch more than two no hitters; not to be outdone, Buehrle's one of six men to have thrown atleast two no hitters including a perfect game. The other five, oh just your roundabout Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson, Addie Joss, Jim Bunning, and Cy Young. Mark Buehrle's achievements make him a Hall of Famer.

His forty games over .500 records shows his consistency over the most competitive age in baseball history. Yes that's right...I just said that. I dare you to prove me wrong. And don't get me started on pitchers getting even more credit, because every hitter and their mother was on steroids. 133 wins and counting and pretty much 200 innings every year; consistency at a high level merits a Hall of Fame nod.

One of the things I'm growing to love about Buehrle is that he's a pitcher in every sense of the word. He's not a physical marvel; and his stuff isn't the best even on his own team. He was drafted in the 38th Round, by a G.M. who once picked his own daughter in the 43rd Round; that's how much the White Soc initially thought of Mark Buehrle. The guy works quickly, hits his spots, throw strikes and gets outs. Never was this more evident when he threw the Perfect Game. There had never been a perfect game when the pitcher/ctacher battery...was only in their first game together.

"Never thought I'd throw a no-hitter, never thought I'd throw a perfect game, never thought I'd hit a homerun," said Buehrle, who has done all of that. "Never say never in this game because crazy stuff can happen." You mean crazy like Dewayne Wise's catch, or the defending World Champs Phillies dugout going nuts, or the President of the United States calling to congratulate you, or perfecting the best hitting team to ever be perfected and/or no-hit, or me calling you a Hall of Famer. Yes Mark, crazy stuff can happen in this game we love.

So as we celebrate the greatest leadoff man of all time in Rickey Henderson, and the greatest whiner of all time in Jim Rice...let's celebrate the third membe rof the 2009 Hall of Fame class...Mark Alan Buehrle.

Tony Bernazard is crazy.

2009-07-23T09:36:00.007-04:00

I'm sorry but somebody's got to say it.

And since I'm not media, and just a mere fan...why not me?? So listen closely:

TONY BERNAZARD IS CARAZY!!

Now I know by now, you've all heard about Tony B. losing his mind and challenging some minor leaguers to a fight. What you might not have known is that he was challenging Jose Coronado to a fight not because of his combined .218 average this year in the Minors, and not even because his team is (37-59), but because of reports of underage drinking among the club.

Now Jose Coronado is 23, but I bet Tony B. knew that Jose was the bootlegger who was surely boozing up the only two underage players on the team (Jenrry Mejia and Ruben Tejada). I bet Tony B. also knew that the lowly intern he recently cussed out at a Citi Field game wasn't because the chump subordinate told him not to flip out that a Diamondbacks scout was apparently in Tony B.'s seat...NO NO. It was all because this lowly intern subordinate was actually the Godfather Bootlegger providing booze for Jose Corronado, who in turn...boozed up the prized youngsters.

Ok, so I made all that up.

But really Tony B.?? REALLY??

FORGET...the fact that our minor league teams that you and Omar have drafted, signed, and assembled are having horrible seasons. Double A Binghamton is (37-59), but not to be outdone Triple A Buffalo is not 22, but 23 games under .500 at (35-58).

FORGET...the fact that the players you and Omar again drafted, signed, and assembled...the players who have come up to The Show...have been entirely unimpressive.

FORGET...the fact that you should be teaching these kids how to be professional by modeling professional behavior. NO...forget that. That would be too much to ask.

Forget all that. Take a day off Tony B. and come back to work tomorrow. Who needs discipline, professionalism, or even a hint of respect and love for the game.

We are The New York Mets. We are (44-50) and ten games out of first place. And to borrow a famous line from former New York Icon Bill Parcells...we are what our record says we are.

But thank you Tony B. for showing us once again, that we don't even need our record to show the world what our beloved organization has come down to.

We just need you; and your enabler and good friend Omar Minaya.

I'll be your huckleberry.

2009-07-21T17:27:00.002-04:00

It was reported yesterday that the Mets turned down an offer for Roy Halladay. The reported offer was Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese, and Ruben Tejada. Now this report has been refuted by various media outlets. So it makes me think that this offer was never legit. Furthermore, if this report was legit and Omar turned it down...the man is an even bigger idiot than i thought and should be FIRED. I know, I know, he should've been fired long ago...but just let that dead horse be.

I recently blogged about how the team could possibly contend this year. Adding Doc Halladay will only speed up the process. A rotation with Johan and Doc on the front end, will hold us afloat until the return of the Medical Ward (that's what i'm now calling the Delgado-Reyes-Beltran trio), and the strenghthening of the bullpen with the additions of Putz and Wagner.

I'm pretty sure our minor league system is average at best. Looking at our "top prospects" that would've been included in this trade...makes me think perhaps we're a little below average. Jon Niese is young and left-handed; this is great...in Little League. However, his minor league numbers are pedestrian at best and his current ceiling might be as a Number 3 Starter; and I'm being very generous. I love Bobby Parnell, I actually think he's a decent prospect. He's got great stuff, and has kept afloat working out of the pen. But we still don't know if Omar projects him as a Starter or Reliever, thus stunting the kid's development even more. Fernando Martinez is overrated and overhyped; I can't wait to be rid of him. He's got more potential than anyone else that we have, but his Minor League numbers leave a lot more to be desired from someone who's this highly thought of. In fact, just the mention of Fernando Martinez, pisses me off and makes me think that Omar's won...and that we're all idiots for thinking he's good. As for Ruben Tejada, he's young and has potential and was brought in by Omar. Does that sound familiar?? Anyway, track record and pedestrian minor league stats says the kid's not a big time potential talent.

Sorry for my rant; but I say all that to say this...GET ME Doc Halladay. And here's five reasons why:

1. We're not giving up much in this trade. TRUST ME.
2. Halladay makes us better now and in 2010.
3. You get to keep Halladay from the Phillies, TRUST ME, you want to do that.
4. If the Phillies get Halladay, the World Series will be theirs to lose in 2009, and 2010.
5. You make Hank happy. This is important because I only represent, the Mets Fans.

Thank you for your time and good day to you too Mr. Minaya.

I'm back...for good this time.

2009-07-21T17:25:00.001-04:00

So here I am...

Guess who's back...guess who's back...guess who's back...naa naa naa naa naa

Seriously, I figured out what all to blame the Mets current season of demise on...

That's right...me.

I mean you can't really blame it on the team right?? Lord knows that all the injuries we've suffered has rendered it true that there are more talented Triple A teams than the teams Jerry Manuel's been putting out lately. And all the defensive lapses...you can't blame those on the team either...cause well they're a mediocre Triple A team at best most nights.

And you can't blame Omar Minaya who put together this mess by being loyal to the wrong guys, giving too much money to the wrong guys, and struggling to build a decent minor league feeder system. No you can't blame Omar. I mean G.M.'s don't play the games, they just put the teams together.

So if you can't blame the team, and you can't blame the G.M., you have to blame the Manager right. That would be gangsta. But then again you can't really blame him because he didn't put this team together and injuries has left him with a Triple A team; a mediocre one too. The defensive lapses and poor baserunning aren't his fault either because well...it's the players that play the games.

We're running out of people to blame. So far we've blamed and taken away blame from the players, the G.M., and the Manager., so we've got to blame the Owners right?? Oh wait, we have baseball's second highest payroll and baseball's second best new stadium. So they're spending money, just not on the best money can buy. They've enabled Omar then...but hey, if we can't blame Omar, we can't blame the Wilpons. Touche...some might say.

Well then who's left?? That's right. It's us...the Fans. We are the ones to blame for the injuries, the defensive lapses, the buildup of the club, the lack of a minor league, the spending and running of the club, and even the day to day managing of the club. But oh wait...we're spending up $695 per game to see "The Replace-Mets". We're still supporting this team, despite our Amazins turning into "The Replace-Mets". SO...it can't be our fault right?? Right.

So who's left then??

That's right. Me.

I'll take it all. The injuries?? I should've prayed more, Lord knows we need Jesus to protect us better. The defensive lapses, I should've prayed even harder, knowing "The Replace-Mets" are on the field. The buildup of the club, the day to day managing of the club, I should've given Omar and Jerry better tips. Really it's all my fault. SO...since I'm taking all the blame...

I'm going to fix things.

Number one thing the Mets need to do to turn things around...Omar needs to shut up, and Jerry needs to scream his head off. The General Manager can not be the one who ultimately motivates the team...that's the Manager's job. You hearing me Jerry. So Omar please shut up for a week. Tell the media you're doing a full team evaluation before deciding what needs to be done. And you Jerry, forget the Zen Master wannabe crap...you're not Phil Jackson, and you don't even have Kobe. I like David Wright, but he's more Brandon Roy than Kobe Bryant. Jerry needs to light a fire in his boys, in our boys. Forget the injuries and excuses, he's got to get best effort from everyone just for us to be competitive. The fact that he's so even keel is great WHEN YOU'RE WINNING...or at the very least, during the course of the game. But for now...Jerry needs to flip out and put the fear of God into this team.

Lighting a fire and getting this team to play with maximum effort will help build a new culture within this team. A culture that will use all the maladies of this seas...and turn it into adversity. And that kind of adversity breeds not just unity, but perhaps even excellence. And that excellence added to getting healthy, can make this team a very dangerous one come Spetember.

Remember we live in a day and age where no longer do you have to be the best from April until October. All you need to do is to make your way in to the playoffs, get hot at the right time, and ride it to the championship. With apologies to perhaps the 2007 Boston Red Sox, who perhaps were the best team from April to October, the last seven World Champions, all fit my profile.

And we will get healthy. Beltran will be back. Reyes will be back. Delgado will be back. The offense will come around and be just fine. All this talk for a Trade Deadline bat, is unfounded. The offense will be fine.

And if we can get Wagner back by mid August, our bullpen will boast Wagner and Putz for the 7th and 8th; and K-Rod for 9th. That's a great bullpen. It will be the best in the league because everyone else will slide into less pressure packed roles.

So if the lineup will be ok, and the bullpen can be elite...what does that leave, that's right?? The awful New York Metropolitans rotation. I could complain about how bad this rotation is, but I'm not going to. Ok we overspent on Ollie Overrated Perez. Sorry, I had to take one shot.

The Mets need another pitcher. Santana is an ace, but he needs help. Everyone else in the rotation is a number 3 at best. Don't believe the hype or Omar's talk...we have number threes at best; and on good teams, number fours at best. I think we need to trade for a pitcher.

Now I'm quite a reasonable man. Which is why I'm not going to start my dream talking about getting Roy Halladay; we won't get Doc. And if we were to somehow get Doc Halladay...the MLB should sell me the Blue Jays for a buck, because the entire organization would've been swindled and my One Dollar purchase would actually be a better deal for them all.

So no Roy Halladay, then who??

The guy I like is Cliff Lee. I know I know, I'm dreaming he's off limits right. Well I think Mr. Lee can be had for the right price. And the right price is Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, and Jonathan Niese.

Now before you start talking about how that's too steep a price to pay, let me just remind you...have you seen "The Replace-Mets" lately?? And do you know how bad and/or overrated our farm system is. Fernando could be a star...but he's not, and he also could not be a star. Parnell has done fairly well in the bullpen, but if there's no plans for him in the rotation...then he's expendable. Niese will be music to the ears of Mark Shapiro who would be losing his favorite LHP in Cliff Lee.

The reason I like Lee is because he's a great lefty; those are gold in any day and age...and more valuable than diamond encrusted gold bars in the NL East. Our pitcher's park and solid offense will bring more wins for us and Mr. Lee. Trust me.

In Hank we trust...that's how we get to The Promised Land.

This is only tinkering, but it's the kind of tinkering that will make us survive September, and thrive in October. Trust me. Seriously, trust me on this.

Actually, screw making the playoffs, I want a championship. And if the Mets want a championship, they will do all I've suggested...and trade for Juan Pierre.

Again, here we go Hank, Juan Pierre is untouchable. Right?? Wrong, everyone can be had for the right price.

Coletti will not commit to keeping Pierre for 10 mil this year and next year; and then eight and a half mil in 2011 for a fourth outfielder. Now all I'm saying is call Mr. Colleti, promise to take the entire contract on, and not only will you get Juan Pierre...you will get him at a discount price when it comes to what you have to give up.

I still think we should be talking to Texas because we need a catcher and they have a catching surplus...but that's just getting greedy.

Let's go Mets...

My Mets Off-Season Plan (2008)

2009-07-21T17:24:00.001-04:00

The Mets, as constructed, will not win the World Series in 2009. That hurts to say as a Mets fan, but I've been at this for a while now, but the Mets seemingly have long made it their job to crush my childish phantom dreams. I live in a world where September collapses, taking a second hand seat to the Yankees, and not making the playoffs, have all become the norm. As I sit here and look at our most uninspiring depth chart, I am all the more certain that we are not winning a thing this year.

I must commend Mets GM Omar Minaya, for a job well done...so far this off-season. I believe that he's done a great facelift to our bullpen. That was out primary need, and he's all but 90-95 percent done there. Adding pitchers the quality of K-Rod and Putz, will help stop the leak. Acquiring Sean Green, and putting Duaner Sanchez and Pedro Feliciano in more appropriate roles will also strengthen the bullpen. More fine tuning work is still needed however, but please...let's not get ahead of ourselves.

I believe we are just a few more transactions away from building a championship contender. I have mulled over some of the things I'm proposing, and I give my word that my final proposals are very much feasible. It might take some imagination, but I went with practicality over my initial "dream scenarios". Lastly, I'm taking into account several things: What the Mets have done so far, the way the free agent market is developing, the Mets owning their own network and moving into a new stadium, and me and my thinking as opposed to how Omar is doing things.

In the starting rotation the Mets need a true Number Two, and also to take a flyer on an incentive based Minor league contract to a Veteran Starter. Securing these two pitchers would give us more depth in the rotation, better manage our young pitchers and their innings, and also give us great security when the inevitable injury happens. Let's not kid ourselves Mets fans...Johan is an ace in any rotation and the best part about our rotation; but after him, all we have is question marks.

Johan just had offseason knee surgery, but should be ok by opening day. After that we have John Maine who had a strained rotator cuff and needed offseason surgery to remove a bone spur from his shoulder and Mike Pelfrey who just pitched over two hundred innings for the first time in his career. Tim Redding is an ok big league starter (He won 10 games for the lowlt Nats), but ok big league starter is not all the Mets need. Depth is needed because over the course of a one hundred and sixty-two game season, injuries happen. We just happen to have a much higher probability.

This is why we need two additional starters to give us depth, and to protect our young arms (Parnell and Niese). When you think of teams who currently boast very good young arms (Tampa Bay, Boston), you see teams that protected their young arms; teams that don't protect young arms (Yankees: Joba, Kennedy, Hughes) only set up these young arms to fail (see '08 Yankees) or to break down (see any pitcher in the Cubs system when Dusty Baker was manager). Parnell and Niese could have a great future, but they're not ready yet. They need to be in the minors, getting better and getting more seasoning.

The only true Number Two in the current market is Ben Sheets. I know Omar has a love affair with Oliver Perez, but he's not a true Number Two; he's far too inconsistent. Also, the money Oliver Perez and Scott Boras want is better spent on giving Sheets an incentive laden two or even three year deal. When this guy is healthy, not many in baseball can match his stuff. Getting another veteran will help give protection for those who fear Sheets' injury history. I'm not saying this isn't something to worry about; I'm more of a positive thinker. So I look at Sheets' injury history as a way to drive down his price, or stack his contract with incentives...either way I'll take Sheets and his stuff over a healthy and inconsistent Ollie. As for the other veteran, all we're giving is a minor league deal so a guy like Freddy Garcia would more than suffice.

As for the bullpen, the surplus of starters would provide us with a long reliever and honestly just an extra arm of two. However, I'm not of the club that believes having one lefty in the pen is very smart; especially not in a division with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, and Brian McCann and Larry Wayne Jones Jr. Last year's mix and match mess of a bullpen should be lesson enough. Having only one lefty is a recipe for disaster, and will of course only rear its head in September. There are some quality lefties out there (Ohman, Beimel), but they may be out of our price range. I think the Mets and I are both hoping that recent signing Casey Fossum can get the job done.

When it comes to the lineup, I mostly agree with Omar. I do think our offense is sufficient. However, proficiency and not sufficiency...wins championships. Manny Ramirez is a pipedream and I'm not sure why. Last I checked we were a New York team that's moving into our own stadium and own our own television network. He would thrive in New York (he's from here), he would make other hitters around him better (see David Ortiz pre, during, and post Manny), and he would elevate the lineup to championship material. For all the people who dislike all the distractions...look at the production. If the Mets offer Manny a market value two year incentive laden (to try to curb "unruly" behavior), I don't think he turns it down. But let's snap back to reality...

At catcher I would like to see the Mets enter the sweepstakes for a young backstop that would be ready to take over in 2010. I dream of ridding ourselves of Schneider and/or Castro, but they're here for 2009. I would love for the Mets to inquire about Texas' young backstops (Saltalamacchia, Teagarden), but their price tags might be too high. Inquiries should also be made about the Angels' Mike Napoli and the Rockies' Chris Ianetta. There's no saying we can get any of these guys, but the Red Sox can't be the only team making this play. If you don't think we have the resources to get any of the above named guys, remember the Mets weren't supposed to have the resources, but they still got Santana.

At first base, the Mets are ok with Delgado, however I would like for them to make a play for Adam Dunn. Dunn would cover us in left, and then be able to slide into first base, when Delgado's contract runs out. The rest of the infield is set with Castillo, Reyes, and Wright. The prayer is that Castillo can come to spring training in better shape and have himself a bounce-back year. We overpaid for Alex Cora so hopefully he can be sufficient backup. If neither of those works out in 2009, Daniel Murphy can start at second base in 2010; Reyes and Wright are two of the best at their positions, and are not going anywhere.

In the outfield, I've already made a case for Manny or Adam Dunn. Again, I need to remind Omar and the Wilpons that we are moving into a new stadium, that we own our own network, and that we play ball in New York. However, if the Mets wants cost-effective productivity...I'd explore a trade for Swisher or Nady. I like Swisher more because of his positional flexibility (he gives same protection Dunn would at 1B when Delgado's contract runs out after this year), his already signed contract with two more seasons after '09 (Boras will try to get Nady as much money as possible after this season), and he has something to prove. His energy will help us too on days we try to sleepwalk through games. The Yankees are pressed to move one of these two, they won't admit it, and they shouldn't. We won't have to give up much, so Omar, inquire away.

So that's it folks, just my thoughts. Go Mets!!

Why Bobby Bonilla ruined my childhood...almost.

2009-07-21T17:22:00.001-04:00

My best friend, let's call him Mike, thinks the blog is too much rhetoric. Mike, I'm sorry, but this is me streamline thinking. This blog here today, is my attempt to scale down some of the rhetoric, and just get to the point. Roberto Martin Antonio "Bobby" Bonilla ruined my childhood...well almost. Now if Steve Phillips was a wasted talent, then "Bobby Bo" was the poster-child of wasted talents.

When the Mets signed him after the 1991 season, every team in baseball was busy enough gushing over "Bobby Bo", that the Mets had to grossly overpay just to purchase his services. Though not regarded as the best player in baseball, "Bobby Bo" was signed to a then record 5 year $29 million dollar deal; he was supposed to make up the gap from good to great because of all the intangibles he brings to the table.

Coming into the 1992 season "Bobby Bo" was a four time All-Star who had just led the league in doubles (44) and helped anchor down the Pirates tantalizing triumvirate along with Andy Van Slyke and Barry Bonds. "Bobby Bo" was also born in the Bronx, so the kid who made good was coming back home after also finishing top three in the MVP vote his last two years in Pittsburgh.

Once he arrived in Queens, the downward spiral began. It was like a slowly occurring car crash; it was slow enough that you had time to turn away from, but you didn't because you "needed (wanted, really)" to see it happen. I'm talking about inconsistent play, bouts with the media (including threatening a reporter by saying he would "show him the Bronx"), calling the press box to complain about an error charged to him...and this was all just the first go round.

By the time we traded "Bobby Bo" away in 1995, I was over it. He was perhaps our best player over that stretch, but the colossal wasted talent was also a horrible role model for young aspiring baseball studs like myself. Seeing "Bobby Bo" going on to have success with the Baltimore Orioles (helping lead them to ALCS in 1996) and then the Marlins (helping them win the 1997 World series) was like getting kicked in the groin and then kneed in the stomach. There's nothing worse than supporting a star player in the rough times when all they're doing is shooting themselves in the foot (right Plaxico??), and then seeing them go and be successful somewhere else.

Like your first love, more often than not, it doesn't work out. However, even though it was ridiculous, juvenile, and just dumb as first loves usually are...you still keep a soft spot somewhere in there. This helps explain why after such a rough first go-round, we reacquired "Bobby Bo" in 1999. This time though he not only didn't live up to the expectations, he proceeded to feud with his Manager while isolating teammates as well. But there's one event that occurred towards the end of the 1999 season that encompasses why I was so scarred by "Bobby Bo".

After going down 3-0 against the Braves, we had fought back to bring the series back to 3-2, including winning a 15 inning marathon a couple of nights before at Shea. Going into Game 6 we needed all hands on deck because of how many players were used in Game 5; and also because it's nice to have all the players out there rooting for each other. I'd say it was common sense but the Mets of the 90's didn't always make sense...and I was just a lovestruck teen back then still hoping it all would get better. So during this intensely played Game 6, the Mets fell 10-9 in 11 innings. And where was "Bobby Bo" in all this?? "Bobby Bo" was in the dugout playing cards with Rickey Henderson.

It's been over nine since that fateful night, and I've forgiven "Bobby Bo" but I haven't forgotten. See the joy of being fans is that every year, you have another chance to win, or be let down. If you remembered all the scars, it would be about just the scars and not the joy of the game. So I was all over the Bobby Bonilla fiasco of my childhood days, and well on my way to a healthy adulthood...and then I found out this from a blog called Fantasy Sports Experience: http://fantasysportsexperience.blogspot.com/2009/01/dodgers-working-on.html

In case you didn't read that blog, I'll summarize for you. After a disastrous and mercurial 1999 season, the Mets were looking to unload "Bobby Bo". So instead of trading him and covering a huge chunk of his $5.9 million left in remaining salary, instead of buying him out or cutting him and just paying him $5.9 mil, Steve Phillips (the genius that he was), agreed to restructure "Bobby Bo's" deal. What resulted was a restructured contract that deferred "Bobby Bo's" payments until 2011. However beginning in 2011 and ending in 20356, "Bobby Bo" would be paid nearly $1.2 mil a year.

See "Bobby Bo" might not have ruined my childhood, but he almost did. So I suppose it's only fair for him to now try and ruin my adulthood. Good for you "Bobby Bo"; we all need Steve Phillips as our boss. Don't just fire me but give a severance package that pays me nearly 5 times more than you are currently paying me. No wonder I fired that Steve Phillips joker, but dang "Bobby Bo", please...please...let my adulthood go.

Genesis

2009-07-21T17:19:00.003-04:00

In the beginning, was not "the big inning". God loves baseball, but not that joke. God loves baseball because it is a good game; and I've loved baseball from the beginning. And trust me, I've been a Mets fan since I was nine...I don't remember many big innings when I was a kid. But like the old early Church Father Origen (get it...we just went from Genesis to Origen)...ahem ahem...like the old early Church Father Origen (my fellow African), I'm about to articulate a philosophical exposition on why "ifiredstevephillips".

Now I realize that some of you might know me; and I'm not really a vindictive guy...except when it comes to Steve Phillips. I don't believe in karma, an eye for an eye, or even a tooth for a tooth...except when it comes to Steve Phillips. I don't hold grudges, and live without regrets because what's done is done...you live, learn, and love...except when it comes to Steve Phillips. I fired Steve Phillips because as a Mets loving fan, I absolutely positively had to.

Now Steve Phillips, if you're out there...and you are...this is certainly not personal. I wish it was, but we don't know each other, and probably never will. I speak only as a fan. I am sure that you're a nice guy. I watch you on ESPN covering baseball, and I want to be happy to see you back on your feet and maybe even root for you, but I don't. Now I've read about the "Lovable Losers", I've seen the "Miracle Mets", I've read about the near miracle and "Ya gotta believe" in 1973, I've adored Frank Cashen's rebuilding (it netted us "Dr. K" and Straw), I still gush over the late 80's competence (dominance would involve winning more than one world championship, one pennant, and two divisional crowns), and I survived The Worst Team Money Can Buy of the early 90's...but it's you Steve Phillips, it is you who makes my cup runneth o'er with righteous anger.

There's a scene in the movie A Bronx Tale (it was shot in Queens too, so take it easy), that sums you up Steve Phillips. Robert De Niro plays the bus driving caring father Lorenzo, and Francis Capra (in his only role of significance) plays his young son Calogero. There's a scene in which Lorenzo warns his young son Calogero, to not grow up to be a "wasted talent". You see a wasted talent is someone who can be anything he wants to be when he grows up... and still own the world too, but makes consistently bad mistakes to never live up to his potential. I fired Steve Phillips because he was a wasted talent.

Steve Phillips you built the 2000 pennant winning team. Steve Phillips you drafted David "Hank's original mancrush" Wright, and Jose "Legz" Reyes. However Steve Phillips...you also acquired eight or nine too many washed up "stars" including the likes of Mo Vaughn (after seeing him hit off a tee, after he missed an entire season due to injury, and for our best pitcher at the time), Bobby Bonilla (he ruined my childhood...ALMOST, but we'll get to that), Rickey Henderson (is he going to get into the Hall this year even though he's never retired and is currently still awaiting another call and free payment for zero good services provided...from you Steve Phillips), Pedro Astacio (he of rising Jai Lai fame, no seriously, look it up), and Kaz Matsui, (enter joke here...but Steve Phillips thought this guy projected better at shortstop than Jose "Legz" Reyes)... to name a few.

Steve Phillips you forgot about the burgeoning international market to restock our farm system; not to mention you missed a whole lot more than you got a hit...in the MLB draft and thus further ruining our farm system. Steve Phillips you continuously used your Wilpon provided resources horribly. Steve Phillips you had the audacity to reacquire Bobby Bonilla (he of almost Hank childhood ruining fame), only to watch him pout, complain, and sit in the dugout playing cards while we lost an awful eleven inning NLCS elimination game to the Braves in 1999.

Happy New Year. As 2009 dawns upon us, I must first remember the pains of the past. This is how it all began. Oh and Steve Phillips, you're STILL fired.!!

Funny/Carazy True Quote/Story of the Day to Google if you don't believe me: Check out "www.rawraf.com"; it's a site from an old high school buddy. Some of you might not be african, and actually be vegans...you'll like this site a lot.

Welcome world. Welcome to my Mets World.

2009-07-21T17:13:00.003-04:00

Dear World,

Hello and welcome. I do hope this finds you all well. In celebration of the my new home here at Blogspot, I've decided to re-post some old blogs. Now I am a man of many interests (do enjoy the cultural references every now and then), but in all seriousness, I'm very excited about the possibility of entering this world I'm creating...a world where it's entire reason for existing...is for me to rant about all things Mets.

I hope this will be as fun for you, as it surely will be for me. I hope to make this entertaining, interactive, real and fun. I'll try my best to respond to your comments, questions, and blurps. Also, I am a man of limited knowledge, time and resources...but I'll try my best for you all to not know that. Just trust me as the expert on all things Mets, and you'll love the blog more...I promise. But if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me, and I'll respond in kind, maybe.

Lastly, this is a family friendly blog, so watch your words. Feel free to speak your mind, tell me why your favorite team is superior, and anything else you want/have to say...just keep it PG. I look forward to the days ahead. Keep an eye out for my 2008 Off-Season Recap SLASH what we still should get done going into '09 and beyond; the genesis of the blog's name "ifiredstevephillips"; and why Bobby Bonilla ruined my childhood, almost...among others to come. Welcome again; take care, and God bless.

-Henry "Number One Mets Fan" Johnson

Funny/Carazy True Quote/Story of the Day to Google if you don't believe me: Mets ex-GM Steve Phillips saying he used to tell Vaughn to pretend foul pops were "cheeseburgers."