Hot Stove thread

[Ian]

Trust Ian to be the WIP voice in this thread . The ballpark is small, but the dimensions are the same as the VET. The mistake that was made is they did not take into account the effects of an open stadium with those dimensions. They are fine if you are playing inside a bowl.

Oh and regarding your budget comment. This guy became too rich even for the Yankees! There are only 2 or 3 teams who operate with basically an unlimited budget and even they have limits (see my Yankees comment). You, and a lot of other people in Philadelphia, will always look for the negative when it comes to the Phillies (and people are starting to do now with the Eagles) but are quick to heap love on them when things are going our way and last September is a prime example.

The dimensions of the field may be the same as the Vet (don't know if that's true or not, but I'll take your word for it), but the configuration of the field isn't. The walls are lower so it's easier for balls to leave the park and I also could swear someone told me that the left field fence is like 10 feet closer than it was at the Vet.

In regards to criticizing/heaping love on teams ... I see no problem with that. If the Phillies are on a run, I think it's only natural for people to support them.

But I've never understood why people think that supporting a team means you can't also criticize them? If you're truly passionate about your team you want them to do everything they can to win and I don't think that the Phillies do enough.

Look at this off season! What have they done to get better? Virtually nothing. And this nickel and diming of Ryan Howard ... come on. The dude is the best player on your team. PAY THE MAN!

[Hammer]

Ian, I do criticize the team, but that does not mean I should turn my back on them because I don't agree with them. They made a mistake with ballpark, but there really isn't anything that can really be done without tearing down sections of the ballpark. Either people learn to live with it or just don't go. Why do people need to rehash the same stuff over and over? Move on.

Regarding Howard, we have no idea what he is asking. I do not want to give him a contract longer than Utley's (who is younger). Or do you want another Thome contract where the Phillies are making payments to another team for the last 3 years, which I can guarantee is what will happen with Howard? They will make a decent offer (they did for Lowell, but all he did was use the Phillies). Howard should get a Pujols contract not an A-rod contract as Howard is not a complete hitter/player. A passionate fan shouldn't be unrealistic, either. Almost every teams' ownership is a limited partnership which require a consensus. There are only a couple of teams which have a single owner. Stop making it seems like the Phillies are the only team with a budget. The only teams which seem to operate without a budget are in NY. There wasn't any worth paying for on the starting pitcher free agent market, so they did the next best thing by getting another closer and putting Myers back in the rotation. He was better than any of the free agent pitchers (or do you want another Adam Eaton wannabe?).

This is not the day to pick I fight with me, Ian. My job is giving me enough grief!

[Scar]

Or do you want another Thome contract where the Phillies are making payments to another team for the last 3 years, which I can guarantee is what will happen with Howard?

Forgive me if I'm misinterpreting what you are saying but... are you guaranteeing (or at least heavily assuming) that Howard would be traded after 3 years if he signs a long term deal?

[Hammer]

Forgive me if I'm misinterpreting what you are saying but... are you guaranteeing (or at least heavily assuming) that Howard would be traded after 3 years if he signs a long term deal?

No, I'm just throwing out the scenario. Remember, Howard is 28 years old. I'm just saying he may not be effective for the length of the contract. Power hitters tend to breakdown quicker. If the contract is too back loaded, the Phillies may have trouble moving him (case in point, we can't move Pat Burrell). Hey, I hope he is plays like he does for the Phillies until 2018 (when he would be 38) but I just want to point out to Ian it isn't anywhere near a lock that Ryan will be productive for the length of the contract. People will complain about Ryan and his contract like they do now about Pat Burrell.

[Ian]

Howard should get a Pujols contract not an A-rod contract as Howard is not a complete hitter/player.

No argument from me on this point. We agree 100%. If Howard wants an A-Rod contract (which is the rumor) then he's nuts. He's worth Pujols money, but not A-Rod money. BUT the Phils aren't offering him either ... Pujols makes a lot more than $7 million per.

A passionate fan shouldn't be unrealistic, either. Almost every teams' ownership is a limited partnership which require a consensus ... Stop making it seems like the Phillies are the only team with a budget.

But Christine, I don't CARE about other teams! I only care about the Phils.

Apologists always find things to point to to excuse a team's lack of effort. "Oh, but this team doesn't spend money either ... Oh, but there wasn't anyone worth spending money on ... Oh, but we didn't like this guy or that guy ... "Oh, but we don't want to part with our draft picks/prospects."

They do it for the Phils ... the Eagles ... but the bottom line is it seems like the same teams year after year find ways to get done what needs to get done and, oddly enough, they're the teams that win all the championships. The Mets sure didn't have any problem finding a top-notch starting pitcher, now did they??

Last off season I didn't hear the Patriots making excuses for not getting top talent. They won three Super Bowls in four years and they still went out and signed the top free agent at every position. They found a way to get it done, which is all I'm asking my teams to do.

Look, in sports the only thing that matters is winning championships. If you're not it in to do that, you're in the wrong business. I don't care if the Phillies or the Eagles are fiscally responsible ... I care if they win championships and they don't. And until they do, you better bet I'll rip them.

For heaven's sake, look at the teams that have managed to win championships from these small market towns ... Tampa, St. Louis, Anaheim, Baltimore ... if they can do it you really expect me to believe that teams from like the 5th biggest market in the nation can't spend a few extra bucks to lure the big-time players???

Baloney ... Jeff Lurie and the Phillies ownership ... they don't care nearly as much about winning as they do about their own profits and to me, if you're in it for profit, go by a fast food franchise and leave the sports teams to the people who really care about giving the fans the best team they can give.

[Hammer]

No argument from me on this point. We agree 100%. If Howard wants an A-Rod contract (which is the rumor) then he's nuts. He's worth Pujols money, but not A-Rod money. BUT the Phils aren't offering him either ... Pujols makes a lot more than $7 million per.

But Christine, I don't CARE about other teams! I only care about the Phils.

Apologists always find things to point to to excuse a team's lack of effort. "Oh, but this team doesn't spend money either ... Oh, but there wasn't anyone worth spending money on ... Oh, but we didn't like this guy or that guy ... "Oh, but we don't want to part with our draft picks/prospects."

They do it for the Phils ... the Eagles ... but the bottom line is it seems like the same teams year after year find ways to get done what needs to get done and, oddly enough, they're the teams that win all the championships. The Mets sure didn't have any problem finding a top-notch starting pitcher, now did they??

Last off season I didn't hear the Patriots making excuses for not getting top talent. They won three Super Bowls in four years and they still went out and signed the top free agent at every position. They found a way to get it done, which is all I'm asking my teams to do.

Look, in sports the only thing that matters is winning championships. If you're not it in to do that, you're in the wrong business. I don't care if the Phillies or the Eagles are fiscally responsible ... I care if they win championships and they don't. And until they do, you better bet I'll rip them.

For heaven's sake, look at the teams that have managed to win championships from these small market towns ... Tampa, St. Louis, Anaheim, Baltimore ... if they can do it you really expect me to believe that teams from like the 5th biggest market in the nation can't spend a few extra bucks to lure the big-time players???

Baloney ... Jeff Lurie and the Phillies ownership ... they don't care nearly as much about winning as they do about their own profits and to me, if you're in it for profit, go by a fast food franchise and leave the sports teams to the people who really care about giving the fans the best team they can give.

1) Pujols made 7 million for the exact same amount of service as Howard has. Now, the Phillies need to escalate from that point for every successive year to at least match Pujols' contract. Jody Mac had a good break down of it the other day on his show.

2) As someone who follows the Bucs, I can tell you many Bucs fans are very upset with their ownership. Even though they won the Super Bowl, people still resent this ownership. Their seat license prices are worse than Philadelphia. I know I will never forgive them for how they treated Tony Dungy, Super Bowl win or not. And most of the teams you mentioned haven't sniffed real success since their Super Bowl win. I think the Baltimore ownership ending up having to sell. I tell you almost ever sports franchise is in it for the money/revenues and could care less about the fans' happiness, regardless of the city in which they are located. It's a lovely ideal, but it very rarely happens.

[PirateLover]

Trust Ian to be the WIP voice in this thread . The ballpark is small, but the dimensions are the same as the VET. The mistake that was made is they did not take into account the effects of an open stadium with those dimensions. They are fine if you are playing inside a bowl.

Technically they aren't.... in some dimensions CBP is actually a few feet bigger but that is because of the whole fiasco in which they were forced to push the walls back 2 years ago. I mean, they mislabeled one dimension by 25ft!!! Yikes!
However in regards to center field distance and fence height, CBP is smaller. Not astronomically smaller, but smaller nonetheless. Add the wind factor and yes, you have a hitter's park that pitchers are now afraid of and I don't blame them. There really isn't anything the Phil's can do about it at this point though, so I'm not gonna cry about it.

In regards to the whole championship vs being competitive thing... honestly I'd rather one of these teams just go all out one year to win it. I don't care if everybody leaves the next year, and if the team is in the gutter for awhile after that, as long as they win ONE. Honestly I would've gladly traded all of those Eagles NFC Championships just to have one Super Bowl win. I think the difference with those other towns is that they don't have a culture of losing. Christine, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the only major Philly sports team you are a fan of is the Phillies. They are heartbreaking enough but when you compound those heart breaks with equal moments from 3 other teams... I understand why so many people become negative and have such a longing just to win ONCE. That being said I am generally still an optimist. But it's really hard some times....

[Ian]

1) Pujols made 7 million for the exact same amount of service as Howard has. Now, the Phillies need to escalate from that point for every successive year to at least match Pujols' contract.

Yeah, but Christine ... Pujols has been in the league for seven years. You don't think baseball salaries should be going up right along with MLB revenues and profits? You can't expect a guy to sign a contract that only pays him what some comparable guy made 5 years ago!

I've heard Howard compared to Babe Ruth. You wouldn't say it was fair for him to sign a deal making what Ruth played for, would you??!

[Hammer]

Technically they aren't.... in some dimensions CBP is actually a few feet bigger but that is because of the whole fiasco in which they were forced to push the walls back 2 years ago. I mean, they mislabeled one dimension by 25ft!!! Yikes!
However in regards to center field distance and fence height, CBP is smaller. Not astronomically smaller, but smaller nonetheless. Add the wind factor and yes, you have a hitter's park that pitchers are now afraid of and I don't blame them. There really isn't anything the Phil's can do about it at this point though, so I'm not gonna cry about it.

In regards to the whole championship vs being competitive thing... honestly I'd rather one of these teams just go all out one year to win it. I don't care if everybody leaves the next year, and if the team is in the gutter for awhile after that, as long as they win ONE. Honestly I would've gladly traded all of those Eagles NFC Championships just to have one Super Bowl win. I think the difference with those other towns is that they don't have a culture of losing. Christine, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the only major Philly sports team you are a fan of is the Phillies. They are heartbreaking enough but when you compound those heart breaks with equal moments from 3 other teams... I understand why so many people become negative and have such a longing just to win ONCE. That being said I am generally still an optimist. But it's really hard some times....

I was thinking more about the power alleys being the same dimensions, but actually should have been farther back to account for aerodynamics. My mistake for not being too clear.

Maryanne, I am also a Sixers fan and I do like the Eagles, but the Bucs are my first team. No love for hockey. I always joke that the section of my brain were hockey would have gone is where I put all the girly things ! I actually used to have a Sixers weekend game plan until my right before my sister moved to North Jersey as too many of the games are Friday nights and Cheryl can't make those games. That's why the Phillies Sunday plan works so well for us. That said, I do understand the frustration, but the way so many fans act really hurts the image of this town. People like to discredit this, but as someone who hears how people perceive Philly fans outside of this area, it does not help in bringing free agents. It is just another reason teams here have to overpay.

Yeah, but Christine ... Pujols has been in the league for seven years. You don't think baseball salaries should be going up right along with MLB revenues and profits? You can't expect a guy to sign a contract that only pays him what some comparable guy made 5 years ago!

I've heard Howard compared to Babe Ruth. You wouldn't say it was fair for him to sign a deal making what Ruth played for, would you??!

Don't have time now, but I'll try to look up when Pujols was in his 3rd year in the league and he made the $7 million. That is why I said at least 7 million. That was too low, but Howard's 10 million is too high. I think 8-8.5 million is a reasonable number.

[Ian]

People like to discredit this, but as someone who hears how people perceive Philly fans outside of this area, it does not help in bringing free agents. It is just another reason teams here have to overpay.

I don't really believe this to be true, but even if it was that would mean to me that that's a player we don't want anyway.

Any professional athlete who's going to run away from a town that expects him to give his all is not someone I want playing on any of my teams.

But anyway, I don't buy that in the first place. I can't think of one time when any team has "overpaid" for a big-name free agent (in fact, the Eagles seem to steal them for less than what the market would dictate) and I definitely can't think of any time I've heard a player say, "I'm not going to play in Philly because the fans there are mean."

Honestly ... any fan who doesn't want their team to go all out and do whatever it takes to win isn't a real fan. To me that's that whole Midwest, "We're just happy to have a team in the first place and if they're competitive it's a bonus" mentality.

People forget ... for decades this was a city that produced champions. We had a champ in every decade from the 80's back to the 50's (that I'm aware of ... maybe farther). This culture of mediocrity has only emerged in the last 25 years.

And it's time it ends. If these owners won't do it, then yeah ... I'm gonna rip 'em until they leave town.

[Scar]

Albert Pujols 1b
7 years/$100M (2004-10), plus $16M 2011 club option

signed 7-year extension 2/04, avoided arbitration ($10.5M-$7M)
04:$7M, 05:$11M, 06:$14M, 07:$15M, 08:$16M, 09:$16M, 10:$16M, 11:$16M club option ($5M buyout)
complete NTC 2004-2006 & limited NTC during remainder of the deal

$12M ($3M/year 07-10) deferred at 0% interest (to be paid in 10 installments of $1.2M from 2020 to 2029)
bonuses:
$50,000 each for Gold Glove & All Star selection
$0.2M for winning MVP award
$0.1M for 2nd-place finish in MVP vote

1 year/$0.9M (2003) signed 3/03 (record for third-year player)
1 year/$0.6M (2002) 3/02
1 year/$0.2M (2001)
contract purchased 3/01

drafted 1999 (13-402)
signing bonus of almost $60,000 (turned down initial $10,000 offer & played '99 season in Jayhawk League)
agents: Dan Lozano & Jeff Borris, Beverly Hills Sports Council
ML service: 7.000

(Source: Cot's Baseball Contracts)


Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----
2001 21 STL NL 161 590 112 194 47 4 37 130 1 3 69 93 .329
2002 22 STL NL 157 590 118 185 40 2 34 127 2 4 72 69 .314
2003 23 STL NL 157 591 137 212 51 1 43 124 5 1 79 65 .359
2004 24 STL NL 154 592 133 196 51 2 46 123 5 5 84 52 .331
2005 25 STL NL 161 591 129 195 38 2 41 117 16 2 97 65 .330
2006 26 STL NL 143 535 119 177 33 1 49 137 7 2 92 50 .331
2007 27 STL NL 158 565 99 185 38 1 32 103 2 6 99 58 .327
--+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
7 Seasons 1091 4054 847 1344 298 13 282 861 38 23 592 452 .332

(Source: baseball-reference.com)

[Scar]

Ryan Howard 1b
1 year/$0.9M (2007)

renewed 3/07 (record for player with less than 2 years of service)

1 year/$0.355M (2006), renewed 3/06

drafted 2001 (5-140), $0.23M signing bonus
agent: Casey Close (Howard fired Larry Reynolds 12/06)

ML service: 2.145


Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----
2004 24 PHI NL 19 39 5 11 5 0 2 5 0 0 2 13 .282
2005 25 PHI NL 88 312 52 90 17 2 22 63 0 1 33 100 .288
2006 26 PHI NL 159 581 104 182 25 1 58 149 0 0 108 181 .313
2007 27 PHI NL 144 529 94 142 26 0 47 136 1 0 107 199 .268
+------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-
4 Seasons 410 1461 255 425 73 3 129 353 1 1 250 493 .291

(Same sources)

[Ian]

Why Moss didn't land in Green Bay

There was a lot of talk last spring that Randy Moss, then on Oakland's roster, might wind up in Green Bay. Moss thought that might happen, too, but said Wednesday he soured on the idea of playing for the Packers in his discussions with personnel executives there. Green Bay was in the picture, but things were told to me about maneuvering money around and making it a good fit," he said. "The Packers were really talking about the wrong things, and not the right things. When they started talking about the wrong things, I just hung up the phone and didn't want to talk to them anymore."

Now see, Christine ... this is the kind of thing I can see chasing big name players away from the Eagles.

I can fully envision a scenario where a free agent said the same thing about the Eagles.

"They kept talking about how well they manage the salary cap and not about winning Super Bowls ... I didn't get it ... "

[PirateLover]

People forget ... for decades this was a city that produced champions. We had a champ in every decade from the 80's back to the 50's (that I'm aware of ... maybe farther). This culture of mediocrity has only emerged in the last 25 years.

And it's time it ends. If these owners won't do it, then yeah ... I'm gonna rip 'em until they leave town.

How can I forget...since I wasn't even BORN for any of them!!!!!!!!!! sigh...
Oh and Christine I was a pretty big Sixers fan too but lately....oh my.... talk about dullsville...

[Hammer]

Scar, thanks for posting the figures. I had hoped to have a chance to look them up, but work for me right now is crazy.

Ian, I can't tell you how much some of the things you have posted have insulted me and I am sure many more on this board, as you managed to insult a whole section of the country. How dare you insinuate that you are a better fan than I just because I don't think it is worth it to overpay for any big name free agent! How quickly people forget about Jim Thome. We overpaid by 20 million and what did that get this? Overpaying is not the panacea for all ills. There are so many things I could say but I won't out of respect for John and the other members of this board. I asked you to not pick a fight but you went right ahead and did it.

My next post is going to attempt to get this thread back on track (and I am partially guilty for it going off track) to speak of all Hot Stove moves.

[Hammer]

Fortunately, barring injury, we will not have to have Wes Helms be the Phillies starting 3rd baseman. Our infield looks to be decent and should hit moderately (Feliz) to very well (the rest of the infield). Truthfully, I might have been a better option at 3rd base than Wes Helms and I'm a lefty (not to mention a female) !

Scar, maybe you can answer this as you are a Mets fan. Who is making up your bullpen this year? Someone has to get the game to Wagner because I don't think your starting 5 is going to go 8-9 innings each time out. I don't remember any signings for your bullpen, but I very well may have missed it.

[Scar]

The Mets signed free agent Matt Wise from Milwaukee, a maybe average RHP.

Other than that, just a few AAA getting a shot and Duaner Sanchez coming back from a major injury (hopefully.)

Of course, Heilman is still there, and Joe Smith has a year under his belt.

I suspect they will try to get at least one more before Opening Day.

Hopefully, if they sign Santana and Pedro is healthy, with the young arms of Perez and Maine, they will be able to go 7-8 innings way more often than last year.

[Carol]

It’s Official: Santana and Mets Have a Deal
By BEN SHPIGEL
February 2, 2008

It took every bit of their allotted 72 hours, an additional 90 minutes and $137.5 million, but the Mets finally secured the best pitcher in baseball. They reached an agreement with Johan Santana, the dominant left-hander acquired Tuesday from the Minnesota Twins, shortly before 6:30 p.m. Friday, signing him to a contract that would make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history.

All that stands between Santana and an introductory news conference next week is the completion of his physical exam, which is scheduled for Saturday.

The Mets and Santana agreed to a six-year, $137.5 million contract through 2013, with an option for the 2014 season, according to a club official who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about a trade that had not been officially completed.

Santana will be 34 at the end of the guaranteed portion of the contract, which with the low interest rate on deferred money would be worth about $20 million a year in present-day dollars.

Santana had one year and $13.25 million remaining on his contract, but instead of negotiating an extension, the sides worked out a new deal.

After acquiring Santana on Tuesday from the Minnesota Twins for four prospects, the Mets were given 72 hours to negotiate. With the deadline looming, they asked the Twins for permission for additional time, which was approved by the commissioner’s office, and they were granted a two-hour window. They needed about another 90 minutes to complete the negotiations.

The Mets and Santana’s representatives, Peter and Ed Greenberg, were haggling over the length of the contract. The cause of the stalemate, as expected, was the Mets’ reluctance to give Santana six guaranteed years. They preferred a five-year deal with vesting options that could be reached relatively easily.

But in the end, with the leverage in Santana’s favor, the Mets relented and awarded Santana a contract that eclipsed the $126 million deal the left-hander Barry Zito signed with the San Francisco Giants before last season.

The Mets’ investment in Santana should push their 2008 payroll into uncharted territory. With three arbitration cases still awaiting resolution, the Mets are projected to have a payroll of more than $140 million, the largest in team history, dwarfing the $120 million they spent in 2007. The new figure should rank them behind only the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

Still, the expenditure comes at a time when the Mets can certainly afford it. They are a year away from opening a new stadium, Citi Field, and their fledgling third-year television network, SportsNet New York, will undoubtedly experience a ratings jump with a competitive team and a rotation headlined by Santana.

With a few other moves possible, namely adding a right-handed hitting veteran outfielder or another starting pitcher like Kyle Lohse, it is conceivable that the Mets’ payroll could sneak past $150 million. It is unlikely that they will exceed the $155 million luxury-tax threshold and be forced to pay a tax for the first time.

For Santana, the contract underscores his status as the best pitcher in baseball, one who is compensated accordingly. For the Mets, the pending acquisition deflects attention from their late-season collapse and directs it squarely toward the arrival of their first heralded addition of the off-season.

But for Omar Minaya, this is the fifth major acquisition of his three and a half years as general manager, and the third time he has gambled a significant sum on a pitcher.

His first four trades had mixed results. But Pedro Martínez left the Red Sox after their 2004 World Series championship season because the Mets offered what Boston did not, a guaranteed fourth year. Martínez’s presence gave the Mets instant credibility and aided in the recruitment of other free agents, but he has been beset by injuries for most of the last two seasons and his health still presents a concern heading into the final year of his contract.

Carlos Beltrán has overcome a disastrous beginning to his Mets career, compiling two consecutive solid seasons, but occasionally he remains the target of frustrated fans. His good friend Carlos Delgado followed a strong 2006 with a disappointing 2007, when Delgado’s age (35) appeared to catch up to him. Closer Billy Wagner, by and large, has pitched effectively, but he has had his share of rough outings.

Of the four, only Beltrán was younger than 30 and still in his prime when he joined the Mets. But now the team has added Santana, who turns 29 on March 13, and whom they expect to help alleviate the pressure on the pitching staff — from Martínez and the two young starters, John Maine and Oliver Pérez, to an overused bullpen that combusted during the final month of last season.

Since 2004, when he won the first of his two Cy Young awards, Santana ranks first among qualifying pitchers in victories (70), opponent batting average (.211) and strikeouts (983), and second in earned run average (2.89), innings pitched (912 1/3) and strikeouts per nine innings (9.70).

By switching leagues, Santana can take advantage of the fact that his best pitch, a changeup, is built on deception. He will also be facing players who are largely unfamiliar with his pitches.

Santana has a 16-4 career record in 35 appearances — 24 starts — against National League teams, holding hitters to a .187 average while posting a 2.27 E.R.A. that is the best among pitchers who have pitched at least 150 interleague innings, according to Stats LLC. He figures to provide particular value against the rival Philadelphia Phillies, who employ two of the best left-handed hitters in baseball, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.

The Mets have 18 chances against the Phillies to avenge losing their division crown, and the addition of Santana figures to heighten the rivalry. After all, with a record deal completed, Santana will be around for seven more seasons trying to fulfill the expectations and lead the Mets to the World Series.


The Mets avoided arbitration with their left-handed specialist, Pedro Feliciano, on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $1.025 million contract.

[Hammer]

But for Omar Minaya, this is the fifth major acquisition of his three and a half years as general manager, and the third time he has gambled a significant sum on a pitcher.

His first four trades had mixed results. But Pedro Martínez left the Red Sox after their 2004 World Series championship season because the Mets offered what Boston did not, a guaranteed fourth year. Martínez’s presence gave the Mets instant credibility and aided in the recruitment of other free agents, but he has been beset by injuries for most of the last two seasons and his health still presents a concern heading into the final year of his contract.

Carlos Beltrán has overcome a disastrous beginning to his Mets career, compiling two consecutive solid seasons, but occasionally he remains the target of frustrated fans. His good friend Carlos Delgado followed a strong 2006 with a disappointing 2007, when Delgado’s age (35) appeared to catch up to him. Closer Billy Wagner, by and large, has pitched effectively, but he has had his share of rough outings.

Well, as a Phillies fan, I hope Minaya "mixed results" remain. As the article shows, none of his signings has achieved the level of success that he and Mets fans had hoped for. I do not doubt the Santana will be a fantastic pitcher, but like I said eariler, he can't make Beltran and Delgado return to their consistant hitting prowess, and he can't fortify the bullpen. Then again, you can make a list like this for the Phillies or any other team in MLB as well. It's a 162 game marathon and as we saw last year, anything can happen. People talk about the Mets collapse, but it wouldn't have been as big of a deal if the Phillies didn't rise to the occasion and kept winning. A couple of seasons back, the Tigers had a similar late season swoon, but the Indians did not take advantage.

It should make for a fantastic rivalry for this year and many years to come. Carol and Scar, are either of you going to be coming down this year for a Phillies/Mets game? There are a few weekend series between the 2 teams this year. Let me know if either of you decide to go to a Sunday game and we can meet up. Cheryl and I aren't afraid to be seen with Mets fans .