Sunday, October 23, 2011

Cutnpaste: - Scott Kazmir, Jose Reyes, Nelson Cruz, Omar Minaya, David Wright


I am fully aware that I’m standing alone with this proposition.  We have all had that guy/girl situation in high school or college that we would love to do over again.  Admittedly, this is my baseball version of that “situation”.  The New York Mets’ trade of Scott Kazmir was probably my first taste of prospect heartbreak.  I had always been well aware of rookies and young players in the Major Leagues, but Kazmir was one of the very first prospects that I followed throughout the minors as he climbed his way up the ladder.  Luckily my prospect hugging was still in its infancy stages  – nor did I even know what a blog was, let alone know how to post on one – so the emotion that would have been uncontrollable rage today was simply significant disappointment back in the summer of 2004.  Again, I’m very aware that nostalgia could be clouding my judgment here, but let’s discuss a New York Mets – Scott Kazmir reunion anyway. http://www.rantsports.com/new-york-mets/2011/10/21/should-the-new-york-mets-look-into-scott-kazmir

Major League Baseball's players have named Mets shortstop Jose Reyes a finalist for the National League Comeback Player of the Year award in the 2011 Players Choice Awards.  Reyes, an impending free agent, hit .337 with 39 stolen bases and 101 runs scored this season, after missing time last season with a thyroid imbalance and oblique issues. He increased his on-base percentage by 63 points this season and his slugging percentage by 65 points. Until straining his left hamstring in July, Reyes ranked among the National League's MVP candidates, threatening to finish with more triples than any player since the dead-ball era. But to win the Players Choice Comeback Player of the Year award, Reyes will need to best Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman, who already won MLB's in-house award as voted on by MLB.com writers. The other finalist for the Players Choice version of the award is pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, who posted a 2.71 ERA for the Giants following four seasons away from the league.  http://wap.mlb.com/nym/news/article/2011102125744520

This is a trick question.  With Nelson Cruz going off during this year’s postseason, lots of teams (more specifically, the people that cover and follow those teams) either look at the chance they passed up to acquire Nelson Cruz.  In the New York Mets’ case, they traded him.  This was 11 years ago though when he was still in the Dominican Summer League – in baseball time, that’s light years away from the Major Leagues.  I don’t mind playing the “what if” game here and there, but to do so now is just a waste of time.  To be fair, I haven’t heard any fans or read any articles spending too much time speculating on what could have been.  I’m hoping it stays that way. http://www.rantsports.com/new-york-mets/2011/10/22/what-if-the-new-york-mets-kept-nelson-cruz

According to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times, the Angels will interview former Expos and Mets GM Omar Minaya for their opening at general manager. Minaya, 52, served as the Expos' general manager from 2002-2004 and the Mets' general manager from 2005-2010. He's a widely respected "baseball man," but his track record as a front-office executive isn't exactly spotless. The Angels have a host of other candidates who would seem to better fit the role, including White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, former Dodgers GM Dan Evans and Rays vice president Andrew Friedman.  http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/344453/baseball-headlines?r=1

Wright, 28, hit a career-low .254 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs in 102 games this past season. His stats have dropped precipitously since 2008, when he hit .302 with 33 homers and 124 RBIs. Two factors in the decline: injuries and spacious Citi Field. "Here is the problem," an AL personnel man told the New York Post. "The industry values David Wright as a good to very good player who might already be trending the wrong way and is about to get very expensive. A lot of teams like the Rockies and Angels need a third baseman. But still the return package will be good, not great, and can the Mets sell a good, not great return to a fan base that still thinks Wright is a superstar?" - http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-10-22/mets-could-dangle-david-wright-as-trade-bait-this-offseason#ixzz1bYmtarxT

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