| John Palaszczuk. 5th February, 2009 - 8:53 pm
 Citi-what? Ahhh ... it's time to look towards Arizona and Florida as a source of excitement! It's time to fire up the lawn mowers, turn on the sprinklers and warm up the chalk-line dusters.
No, it's not time for senior, cold weather snowbirds to pack up their RV's and head out of town ... pitchers and catchers report to spring training in a week! It seems like just yesterday that Philadelphia and Tampa Bay played through a monsoon to finish the World Series.
If you're a Mets fan, you have to be amped for the upcoming season, and the new ballpark is a big reason for that. The Mets had called Shea Stadium home since 1964, but now they move into Citi-Field -- at least that's what it was called until last week. It seems as though a rumor leaked about Citibank wanting to back out of its naming rights deal with the Mets. I wonder why no one saw this coming given the condition of the financial market right now.
Why don't we call it Circuit City Arena? Hopefully, it's just a nasty rumor and the Citibank deal will hold. I say this not because I love Citibank, but I'm sure the Mets, like any team, could use the revenue. I also can't help but think of that South Park episode when the new Chinese restaurant in town opens and called "City-Wok." Except the owner pronounces it differently due to his accent, and it sounds that something I won't mention in this space. Every time I hear "City-Field", I want to pronounce it the other way.
Naming rights aside, let's look at what the Mets accomplished over the winter break:
Rotation:
The Mets have re-signed Oliver Perez -- he is not a dominant pitcher, but he eats innings like hungry, hungry hippos. Every once in a while he wakes up in the morning, thinks his name is Tom Seaver, and turns in a lights-out performance. That is usually followed by a very short outing in his next start. It's also possible that the Mets may have over paid for Mr. Perez. He lacks consistency and blows up at a moments notice, but he does show flashes of brilliance. He also has Scott Boras as his agent, that's worth at least $4 million extra per year. All in all, it's not a bad deal considering he's only 27. Let's hope Mr. Boras' client lives up to all that potential that he promised the Mets.
They also resigned John Maine -- He had an off year in 2008, but this kid can throw. Aside from maybe the mighty Johan, I believe Maine will be the first Met to throw a no-hitter. When he's on, his stuff is nasty. Bottom line -- for at least 2009, the Mets have secured two players on their roster that combined for 50 wins over the past two seasons. Combine that with Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey, and the first four spots in the rotation are pretty solid.
Tim Redding was signed away from the Nationals and plunked in the 5th spot --- (raising hand) I have a question: Why did we get this guy when we could've re-signed Pedro? As of yet, Pedro has not signed, but why not bring him back for insurance? If not, put him in as a middle reliever (as long as he doesn't blow a gasket at the idea.)
Bullpen:
We know that New York's reliever core in 2008 was very lacking. If games only lasted 6 innings, the Mets would have been 19 games better than they were. If games only lasted 8 innings, they would have been 10 games better.
That would've meant an early tee time for the World Champion Phillies! Billy Wagner's arm blew up and the Mets signed K-Rod. I like the signing, except for one alarming observation -- the Angels had next to zero interest in bringing him back and hardly any other team gave him a sniff! Is that because his asking price was too high? I'll stop talking about this -- I don't want to jinx it.
Team Manager:
Jerry Manuel had the interim tag removed from his title and was given a multi-year commitment. I think it's a great idea. What I want to know though, is why did this team wake up and play top-shelf ball for this guy and play so flat and lifeless for Willie Randolph? I love Willie (no, not like that) and think he'll be a champion as a manager, but what was he doing to this team that made them quit like that? Maybe he just lost the locker room. That happens even to the best of 'em. Regardless, 2009 will be an exciting year for the Mets. Hopefully, I'll see you at the ballpark ..the New ballpark.
--EXTRA BASES
As far as the Mets are concerned, it has to feel great when you can laugh at Yankee fans, talking about what their former manager wrote in a book! Are you kidding me? It's just a book! Why don't y'all go on Jerry Springer for cryin' out loud?!?!
I really and truly can't wait to see the new ballpark in person. It won't be Shea, but it will have the apple that jumps out of the hat when a Met hits a home run. Cheezy? Yes. Awesome? HECK YES! I'm glad that the apple will continue to be a symbol of Mets power for years to come!
Doesn't everybody secretly wish that the Mets could get Manny Ramirez for one or two years at 25 million per? Just imagine what he would do in this lineup. Crazy or not, he can slug the hell outta the ball!
I hope the Mets take the division back from the Phillies. The last two years have been embarrassing.
It is believed that if you turn the Citi-Field inaugural logo sideways, it looks like the logo for Domino's pizza.
Yeah, and I'll look like Brad Pitt when I finally go get a tan. |
