10-10-11: - https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/132edccbf718965f - Eric Campbell backed up at first on his tour all over the diamond. He played 43 games at first, 56 at third and 25 in the outfield, while committing 20 errors. Few players in the system could match Campbell for a disappointing first half (.210/.334/.272 in 257 AB), but the 24-year old turned it on after the all-star brea (.311/.364/.466). As someone who can play either infield corner or left field, he has organizational value.
There was Mike, and Deb, and Gary G, and Dingo (whom I called Dingbat, all in affectionate terms), and there was Johnny. At the time, there was a song by The Killers called “Uncle Jonny,” and in our email exchanges I called him, “Uncle Johnny” or “Uncle J.” We were bonded by our love for the Mets. We also had some other things in common, like our political and social beliefs, and even music. I usually don’t preclude anyone who doesn’t share my political or social beliefs from being a good person, but that of course just gave him favorable points in my eyes. He disliked living in Florida, which kept him away from seeing the Mets, but he loved his family, wife Stacey and their son Asher. I could poke fun at him. There was one instance when A-Rod opted out of his contract during the 2007 World Series, and he thought the Mets should go after him. I disagreed. He told me that A-Rod won a Gold Glove, which made him a good defensive player…I told him that I called him “E-Rod,” that only the Yankees would put someone at 3B who was the best SS in the league, and that Gold Gloves meant nothing since Bobby Abreu once won one. He said Bobby Abreu was a fine caliber outfielder who deserved it. My response was to use an emoticon that showed a smiley face being pulled up to the spaceship. I told him to “Say ‘HI’ to Elvis for me!” It was all in good fun. Johnny was one of those guys who always had a great attitude, even if you disagreed with him. - http://galforallseasons.com/2011/10/13/this-one-is-for-uncle-johnny
With the World Series set to begin in a couple days, the offseason is right around the corner. The offseason is a long, grueling process, but it can certainly be exciting. The New York Mets' front office is currently in offseason mode and they have been ready for this season to end for a while now. Once the World Series comes to an end, Sandy Alderson can really start to get his hands dirty. Catcher was a rough position for the Mets this season. The Mets went into the season with a lot of confidence in their young backstop, Josh Thole. Thole was coming off an impressive spring training and expectations were high. It turned out that the expectations were unrealistic ones and Thole struggled to get in a groove this season. Thole showed a lot of pop in his bat in spring training, but he only managed to hit a mere three home runs this season. His low home run output coupled with his .268 average left little to be desired. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/898669-new-york-mets-offseason-outlook-catcher
In addition to Santana, the Mets' starting rotation next year will likely be comprised of returning starters R.A Dickey, Mike Pelfrey, Jon Niese and Dillon Gee. The four had a combined 4.21 ERA last year. While the starting rotation looks rather pedestrian, there is hope for the future. Four prospects — Wheeler, Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia — are all 22 or younger and have the potential to be solid starting pitchers. But Mejia will likely be the only pitcher of the bunch to start the season with the big league club, as the other young arms still need a season or two to develop in the minors. One of the most urgent needs for the Mets is a closer. After trading away Rodriguez last season, the Mets were left without anyone in the bullpen who could reliably fill his spot. Luckily for the Mets, there will be several big name closers on the market this winter, including Heath Bell and Jonathon Papelbon. Because the market will be flooded with competent relievers, the Mets should try to sign a big name closer at a bargain. http://www.nyunews.com/sports/2011/10/18/18mets
After another disappointing season for the New York Mets, it is time to continue the rebuilding process in an effort to get better. In order to do so, I believe that the Mets must make these moves during the offseason. Priority #1: Re-sign Jose Reyes - Coming off a season in which he had the best year of his career (.337 average, .384 on base %, .493 slugging) including the first batting title ever for the Mets, this task will prove difficult but the injury risk will likely scare some teams away from signing him to what has been deemed "Carl Crawford money". I personally believe that there are really only three teams that will truly be in the Reyes hunt. Those teams will be the Mets, Milwaukee, and to a lesser extent the Angels. I think an offer of 5 years 85 million (averages to about 17 per year) is the max contract that should be offered to him. Anything over that I am willing to part ways. http://globalnym.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-mets-2011-2012-offseason-wishlist.html
