Tag Archives: Beltran

MNN’s 2011 Boldish Offseason Predictions

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As I work on the season review, I thought I would do a sort of comical post about what will happen this off season. These are all things that could happen, some more unlikely than others. I do think that these will happen though.

1. Albert Pujols signs in Chicago

With Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer heading to Chicago, I believe they will want to make splashes in their first years in office. There’s no bigger player out there to grab. Pujols to Chicago would kill the Cardinals…or would it?

2. Prince Fielder signs with the Cardinals

Shortly following Pujols going to the Cubs, the Cardinals will agree to terms with Prince Fielder. He is a player that is more in their price range and can replace the gap at first that Pujols had left. The money the Cardinals would save of Fielder could make him more valueable than Albert.

3. Jose Reyes signs with the Marlins

If your best friend offered to change positions so you could play with him in a new stadium in a club with lots of upside, wouldn’t you say yes? Hanley already said he would move to 3rd for Reyes and this is a team that wants to spend money. Reyes in the new Miami stadium could be a player to watch for them. Sorry Mets fans! I hope he stays!

4. The Nationals acquire Matt Kemp

Ok, this one is a little ridiculous, but it makes sense. Here me out. Washington needs a Center Fielder, and have been searching for one. Also, a team that could be a world series threat as soon as next year could want to acquire a final piece. They have the prospects to trade for Kemp also. Finally, he is on the last year of his deal…who knows?

5. The Mets sign Heath Bell

So far this offseason, Sandy Alderson has really made it apparent that he wants to find a closer outside of the organization and he wants stability in the 9th inning. This makes me think that we could have a reunion in NY with Bell and sign him to the 3 year deal that he wants.

6. There will be a bidding war for C.C. Sabathia

Just because CC opted out of (or is expected to) of his contract with the Yankees does not mean that other teams can not bid on him. I believe the Nationals, Yankees, Rangers, and maybe the Mets could be in on him. Imagine if CC was swept up by the in state rivals, that would be fun.

7. C.J. Wilson will be a National

Besides a center fielder, the Nationals want a front of the line starter. They don’t have a good lefty guy so Wilson fits perfectly in Washington.

8. Carlos Beltran signs with the Indians

The Indians could really use Beltran to sure up that lineup. He could be a DH or a RF for them and fit in well with that ball club.

9. Grady Sizemore signs with the Rays

A team that does not have alot of money and looking to trade Upton could easily pick him up on an incentive laden deal. If they do pick him up, I think he will have a bounce back year, but that is just my opinion.

10. Jimmy Rollins signs with the Red Sox

I am not getting a good vibe from the Rollins-Phillies conversations. I don’t think they will agree and the Red Sox need a short stop for next season. This could easily happen.

11. Alex Gonzalez will replace Rollins in Philly.

Alex Gonzalez is a good player who could help the Phillies with his glove. I don’t think he will hit, but the one thing you do know is that he will field the ball.

12. Carlos Pena will sign in Milwaulkee

He is basically a better fielding, crappier hitting Prince Fielder. Makes sense for them.

13. Cuddyer AND Kubel sign in Minnesota.

They need all the bats the can get. They can not afford to lose these guys.

14 JD Drew will retire.

This is a player that has struggled in the past couple of years. I don’t think anyone will pick him up and he will be forced into retirement.

15. Yu Darvish to sign in Texas

This is probably the most hyped Japanese prospect since I have been intently following baseball. From what I see from limited tape, he looks like he will be an amazing talent. With the loss of Wilson, they could very well grab him.

These are just predictions, just for fun. It is not what I want to happen, but just my gut right now. Any other players that you guys can think of I can add to this list.

 

Mets and Giants agree to Beltran deal

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The Mets and Giants have worked out a deal to send all-star Carlos Beltran to the Giants in a deal that is rumored to be a 1 for 1 including top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler. This is the best possible deal that we could have got for Beltran. This is the Giants prospect I have wanted since day one. He has 92K and 48BB in about 70 or so innings in the minors. The mets have agreed to pay most of Beltran’s salary for this year and all that is waiting is Beltran’s approval. It was rumored that we could only get a B level prospect and we get Wheeler. Nice work Sandy.

Mets Post Game: Cardinals 6, Mets 2

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Box Score

3 Standout Performances:

  1. In possibly his last home game as a Met, Carlos Beltran went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
  2. Lucas Duda had 2 hits and a run scored.
  3. Niese went 6 innings, let up 5 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), 1 walk, and 7 strikeouts.

Niese pitched so much better than his line showed. He let up 3 runs in the 5th inning due to stupid-minded defensive plays and errors. He has matured so much on the mound this year.

Jose Reyes tried to ignite this Mets offense by hitting a lead off triple and scored to put the Mets on the board. However, as soon as he scored, the offense just slowed back down.

Jake Westbrook had the Mets pounding the ball into the ground all day long. He was very economical with his pitches tonight.

Grade for the Game: C-

Carlos Beltran will be a Giant

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As most of you know, Carlos Beltran will be a free agent at season’s end. The one thing some didn’t know is that the Mets can’t offer him arbitration at the end of the year due to a clause in his contract. This means that the Mets can not get a draft pick at season’s end if he decides to walk. This makes me almost certain that he will be traded before the end of the month. Over the past couple of days, I have seen enough from Giants manager Bochey that Beltran will be pursued by the Giants. I started to think it was possible when Beltran was a managers pick for the all-star game over players like Mccutchen of the Pirates and Andre Ethier of the Dodgers. We already knew that Bochey was biased over his picks picking starters like Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum over more deserving players like Tommy Hanson and Craig Kimbrel. Don’t get me wrong, Beltran is having an all-star caliber year leading the NL in doubles, but as a manager’s pick it stuck in my mind that Bochey really liked him as a player. When he announced his starting lineup for today’s all-star game I knew for sure that Bochey really wanted Beltran on the Giants. He started him at DH hitting him second in the lineup. He has Arizona’s own Justin Upton on his team and he picked Beltran as his DH. There is no doubt in my mind that the Giants will make a run at Beltran in the near future.

Mets Post Game: Giants 3, Mets 1

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Box Score

3 Standout Performances:

  1. Capuano started and was great. He went 6 innings, let up 2 runs on 4 hits with 4 walks and 5 strikeouts.
  2. Daniel Murphy went 1 for 4 with an RBI double.
  3. Josh Thole went 1 for 2 with a double.

Capuano was great tonight. After a rough first inning of getting the ball stung, he really settled down and kept the giants at bay. I honestly thought after the first inning tonight, he was in for a 3 or 4 inning start. Very tough loss for Capuano tonight.

All of the Mets hits tonight were 2 out doubles. Kind of strange how things work out that way.

The rules with aces are that if you don’t get to them in the first, you probably won’t get to him at all. This happened tonight as the Mets got 1 run off Lincecum in the first, however it was not enough as he shut them down for the rest of his start.

Grade for the Game: B

Sidenote:

Congrats to Derek Jeter on his 3000th career hit and an outstanding game. Being a baseball fan, I really enjoy that type of history. Also, Jeter is one of the few Yankees I have respect for, he’s a classy guy who plays the game the right way even during the steroid era. Send all the hate you want, I am happy for Jeter.

Mets Post Game: Mets 5, Dodgers 3

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Box Score

3 Standout Performances:

  1. Jon Niese pitched 7 strong innings letting up 3 runs on 5 hits and striking out 6 Dodgers. He only walked 1 on the night.
  2. Ruben Tejada hit a 2 run double off Kuroda which proved to be the winning run for the Mets.
  3. Lucas Duda had 2 hits including an RBI double.

Jon Niese was great tonight. He kept hitters off balance with his curve and cutter and was impeccable with his control. He is a great left handed pitcher.

Carlos Beltran is now the NL leader in doubles. One of my good friends who is a Phillies fan was arguing that Victorino deserved it more than Beltran. That one stat proves Beltran is an all-star.

Bobby Parnell has some of the dirtiest stuff in the national league. He throws 100MPH fastballs and throws a slider at 90-92 with great movement. If he gains control over all of his pitches, he can be a dominant reliever.

If Ruben Tejada can hit at all in the big leagues, he will be a great everyday starter.

Grade for the Game: B+

Mets Post Game: Mets 6, Dodgers 0

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Box Score

3 Standout Performances:

  1. Carlos Beltran went 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer to put the Mets of the board.
  2. Jason Bay hit 2 homers today, one solo and one 3-run shot.
  3. Mike Pelfrey pitched 6 scoreless innings and allowed 5 hits, walking 2, and striking out 2.

It is so strange how well Pelf pitches with Paulino behind the plate. He is a different looking guy. He throws inside and is so much more confident when Paulino catches him.

Who would have thought that all of the Mets offense today would be all from home runs. Kind of funny thinking how the ball doesn’t carry in LA at night and the Mets can barely hit a homer every 2 games.

Today was so good for Jason Bay. He pulled one homer and hit the other one to the opposite field. This really showed that he could be coming around as a hitter for the Mets…hopefully.

3 wins in a row! Lets go Mets!

Mets Post Game: Tigers 5, Mets 2

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Box Score

3 Standout Performances:

  1. Murphy went 2 for 4 with a homerun off Justin Verlander.
  2. Pelfrey started and went 4 2/3 innings and let up 8 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned, walked 5, and struck out 3.
  3. Reyes and Bay had 2 hits a piece.

Pelfrey flat out was terrible today. He did not have an out pitch. It was just foul ball after foul ball after foul ball. He didn’t throw inside at all and was afraid of his fastball.

Murphy is such an underrated hitter in the NL. He is over .300 with 5 homers this year. He is a great hitter.

The bullpen was great not allowing a run through 4 1/3 innings pitched.

Verlander was just too much for the Mets today. Go get the Yankees tomorrow.

Grade for the Game: C+