The 2010-2011 MLB Offseason Thread

[FiddySicks]

...until Uggla makes Brooks Conrad look like Bill Mazeroski. The grass is always greener on the other side.

Brooks Conrad had 8 errors in his last 7 games.

Uggla can't be that bad in the field. And he can make up for it with his hitting. Sabermetrics may be fine and dandy, but Uggla's overall play passes the "eye test" moreso than Brooks Conrad and Omar Infante.

Not only did he have 8 errors in 7 games, he had three, yes THREE in game three of the NLDS, one of which led directly to costing his team the win. He booted an easy grounder that would've been a game ending double play in the top of the 9th with one out and a man on first and third while the Braves had a one run lead. He was also responsible for the only Giants run in game 1 of that series. Not only that, he was non-existant at the plate. Like really, the Giants should've sent him a paycheck for that series.

[infrared41]

The Mets have the same make up full of dead weight bad contracts of players who only care about cashing said check. I just want someone who is not afraid to tell Carlos Beltran to stop loafing, or David Wright to stop swinging for a home run, or to tell Jose Reyes to grow up. I don't think Collins will do that.

Francis, you are like fine art; priceless.

[NJTank]

Am I supposed to like that a bunch of players like Beltran play and dont give a damn and rather not play in the playoffs because its cuts into his vacation time. That is what the Mets are all about money and give a minimal effort. All that talent they had and they got nothing out of it, just a ruined organization that will take eons to fix. Hiring Terry Collins is more of the same, the fans wanted Wally Backman. Backman would have torn the loafers a new . Instead we have laid back Terry Collins who will be the next Art Howe.

[dfwabel]

You have given us 31,452 posts so what are your threads and opinions on games?

How does a Mets person have issues since Terry Collins was a member of the Mets staff and Collins knows the players within the Mets staff. Alderson hires the old MLB people. Nice life.

[NJTank]

That's my problem. Collins is a re-thread, its a very milktose hiring and for a team that wont try sign any big names its a bad start. Not that signing anyone will help, but does this mean they are going to try to make things work with the same team that failed so miserably last year.

Here's what the Mets should do. If its rebuilding than go the whole nine yards.

Release Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo now, because fans will be angry if they are wasting a roster spot next year. Last year the Mets essentially had a 24 man roster because Oliver filed a grievance and forced the Mets to activate him off the DL even though he deliberately pitched like because he got his check the biggest POS in the history of baseball. I hope when he finally leaves the Mets he stays in the NL so the Mets can get a few easy wins facing him.

K-Rod needs to go too, but you may need to wait until ST when a team needs a reliever.

Hope Beltran actually shows some desire in April even though I don't think this POS has any clue what desire is or what heart is we saw that when he struck out looking in 2006.

They should even consider trading David Wright and Johan Santana if they can't get Top 50 prospects.

Look at the 1985 Cardinals and let that be the model for the Mets speed, defense, pitching and clutch hitting. Home Runs will be nice but not important.

That's why Wally Backman would have been perfect he was the gritty hustler dirt devil that should be the Mets new model.

See the Mets clubhouse was diseased there clubhouse manager was running bets and may have been running bets for players. When Jeff Franceour left he gave Charlie Samuels a big check. Hopefully it dont go beyond his own troubles but I won't be shocked if the Mets get dragged into this somehow.

This is where Omar failed. He got the prime beef he got the big names, he did everything right there. However in the important team building and team management areas he failed miserably.

I fear Terry Collins was part of that and will just keep the same thing going on.

This is why Family Guy nailed it with that joke about being a Mets fan a few weeks back.

You know if you are a Pirates fan they suck because ownership is cheap, same in KC.

You have teams like the Jays who have trouble in the AL East, and teams that are small market victims.

The Mets have spent money, and are a big market but they fail because nobody gave a .

[BBTV]

It sounds like you want Larry Bowa as Mets manager. Actually, he'd probably be perfect. Plus, I'm sure he'd still love to stick it to the Phillies management (Ruben Amaro Jr was one of Ed Wade's assistants when Bowa was let go essentially for having a backbone.)

[NJTank]

Larry Bowa would have been someone I would have been happy with, but yes that's what I want. I know his style does not always work, but it works for a short time, and while the Mets have this club med lifestyle players without any clue for self desire or self leadership they need a Bowa type.

[JayJaxon]

...until Uggla makes Brooks Conrad look like Bill Mazeroski. The grass is always greener on the other side.

Brooks Conrad had 8 errors in his last 7 games.

Uggla can't be that bad in the field. And he can make up for it with his hitting. Sabermetrics may be fine and dandy, but Uggla's overall play passes the "eye test" moreso than Brooks Conrad and Omar Infante.

Not only did he have 8 errors in 7 games, he had three, yes THREE in game three of the NLDS, one of which led directly to costing his team the win. He booted an easy grounder that would've been a game ending double play in the top of the 9th with one out and a man on first and third while the Braves had a one run lead. He was also responsible for the only Giants run in game 1 of that series. Not only that, he was non-existant at the plate. Like really, the Giants should've sent him a paycheck for that series.

One can argue that bad umpire positioning was responsible for the only Giants run in game one of that series but you are certainly spot on with the rest of it. The bottom line is that if Conrad is not playing 2nd base for Atlanta in the NLDS, then the NLDS would have ended in San Francisco. What I take away from that series (other than Conrad) is that Atlanta is the only team that gave the Giants some fight in the playoffs and I can live with that because it's over.

Another thing about the Uggla situation is that he already knows he won't get nearly the money he was demanding in Miami. Atlanta just won't do that. Uggla won't play for the Braves in 2012 if he asks for anything close to that. I love Infante but he played so good that Atlanta had to trade him while his value was sky high. Nobody on this planet thinks he will contend for a batting title again. Don't get me wrong, I hope he does great. But unless he does what he did in 2010 then Atlanta stole Uggla. By getting Uggla they improve offensive production in two positions because now Prado will move to left. I know some people want to point out his defensive shortcomings but Jeter has had defensive shortcomings for years and people are still hanging on his jock. Uggla pretty much adds wins for the ATL simply by not playing against them. He kills the Braves worse than anyone since Vlad when he played for the Expos. So yea, I'll take him and his defensive shortcomings.

[FiddySicks]

...until Uggla makes Brooks Conrad look like Bill Mazeroski. The grass is always greener on the other side.

Brooks Conrad had 8 errors in his last 7 games.

Uggla can't be that bad in the field. And he can make up for it with his hitting. Sabermetrics may be fine and dandy, but Uggla's overall play passes the "eye test" moreso than Brooks Conrad and Omar Infante.

Not only did he have 8 errors in 7 games, he had three, yes THREE in game three of the NLDS, one of which led directly to costing his team the win. He booted an easy grounder that would've been a game ending double play in the top of the 9th with one out and a man on first and third while the Braves had a one run lead. He was also responsible for the only Giants run in game 1 of that series. Not only that, he was non-existant at the plate. Like really, the Giants should've sent him a paycheck for that series.

One can argue that bad umpire positioning was responsible for the only Giants run in game one of that series but you are certainly spot on with the rest of it. The bottom line is that if Conrad is not playing 2nd base for Atlanta in the NLDS, then the NLDS would have ended in San Francisco. What I take away from that series (other than Conrad) is that Atlanta is the only team that gave the Giants some fight in the playoffs and I can live with that because it's over.

You know what, you're right. I just looked it up and the run in game 1 was caused by a bad play by Omar Infante, not Brooks Conrad (But I do recall him dropping a routine pop fly to shallow right/center that led to a run. Maybe it was as well in game 3). But still, it just goes to show that Atlanta is lacking defensively all around, so if anything Uggla is somewhat of a lateral move in the field.

[njmeadowlanders]

Hiring Terry Collins is more of the same, the fans wanted Wally Backman.

Says who? The idiots that inhabit metsblog? The morons that call WFAN?

Wally Backman has never managed at the major league level unless you count the 6 days that he was on the Diamondbacks payroll before being fired for what came to the surface about him.

Just because he was an '86 Met doesn't mean he'd make a good manager. The same is true of Tim Teufel, Gary Carter, or whomever else you wanna throw out there.

[loogodude90]

Wally Backman was fired for dumb reasons. A DUI? A domestic disturbance? Declaring bankruptcy? IMO those are :censored:ty reasons to fire someone, especially if he had already been qualified and hired.

[rams80]

Wally Backman was fired for dumb reasons. A DUI? A domestic disturbance? Declaring bankruptcy? IMO those are :censored:ty reasons to fire someone, especially if he had already been qualified and hired.

The first two set a poor example for the team that he is in charge of managing. The latter implies poor judgment. And not telling your employer about any of that is grounds for termination from just about any job.

[loogodude90]

Wally Backman was fired for dumb reasons. A DUI? A domestic disturbance? Declaring bankruptcy? IMO those are :censored:ty reasons to fire someone, especially if he had already been qualified and hired.

The first two set a poor example for the team that he is in charge of managing. The latter implies poor judgment. And not telling your employer about any of that is grounds for termination from just about any job.

He would have been managing a professional baseball team. A bunch of manly men, many of whom probably routinely get drunk, hook up with chicks, get in fights (including while playing baseball), and make a lot of money. And I don't think he would have had much responsibility regarding the financial matters of the team.

He wasn't trying to be a :censored:ing schoolteacher or a youth pastor.

Do you know about the Rangers manager past? He admitted (when he was basically forced to) that he had been using cocaine WHILE being their manager. And he lead his team to the World Series. For their first time ever.

[rams80]

Wally Backman was fired for dumb reasons. A DUI? A domestic disturbance? Declaring bankruptcy? IMO those are :censored:ty reasons to fire someone, especially if he had already been qualified and hired.

The first two set a poor example for the team that he is in charge of managing. The latter implies poor judgment. And not telling your employer about any of that is grounds for termination from just about any job.

He would have been managing a professional baseball team. A bunch of manly men, many of whom probably routinely get drunk, hook up with chicks, get in fights (including while playing baseball), and make a lot of money. And I don't think he would have had much responsibility regarding the financial matters of the team.

He wasn't trying to be a :censored:ing schoolteacher or a youth pastor.

Do you know about the Rangers manager past? He admitted (when he was basically forced to) that he had been using cocaine WHILE being their manager. And he lead his team to the World Series. For their first time ever.

He's an authority figure. If your authority figure commits crimes, you tend to lose credibility. And the bankruptcy does reflect poorly on his ability to keep affairs in order. And there's the final thing....

HE LIED ABOUT IT TO HIS EMPLOYER!

That gets you fired just about anywhere. It's on just about every application form.

[loogodude90]

Wally Backman was fired for dumb reasons. A DUI? A domestic disturbance? Declaring bankruptcy? IMO those are :censored:ty reasons to fire someone, especially if he had already been qualified and hired.

The first two set a poor example for the team that he is in charge of managing. The latter implies poor judgment. And not telling your employer about any of that is grounds for termination from just about any job.

He would have been managing a professional baseball team. A bunch of manly men, many of whom probably routinely get drunk, hook up with chicks, get in fights (including while playing baseball), and make a lot of money. And I don't think he would have had much responsibility regarding the financial matters of the team.

He wasn't trying to be a :censored:ing schoolteacher or a youth pastor.

Do you know about the Rangers manager past? He admitted (when he was basically forced to) that he had been using cocaine WHILE being their manager. And he lead his team to the World Series. For their first time ever.

He's an authority figure. If your authority figure commits crimes, you tend to lose credibility. And the bankruptcy does reflect poorly on his ability to keep affairs in order. And there's the final thing....

HE LIED ABOUT IT TO HIS EMPLOYER!

That gets you fired just about anywhere. It's on just about every application form.

I repeat, Ron Washingon.

[rams80]

Wally Backman was fired for dumb reasons. A DUI? A domestic disturbance? Declaring bankruptcy? IMO those are :censored:ty reasons to fire someone, especially if he had already been qualified and hired.

The first two set a poor example for the team that he is in charge of managing. The latter implies poor judgment. And not telling your employer about any of that is grounds for termination from just about any job.

He would have been managing a professional baseball team. A bunch of manly men, many of whom probably routinely get drunk, hook up with chicks, get in fights (including while playing baseball), and make a lot of money. And I don't think he would have had much responsibility regarding the financial matters of the team.

He wasn't trying to be a :censored:ing schoolteacher or a youth pastor.

Do you know about the Rangers manager past? He admitted (when he was basically forced to) that he had been using cocaine WHILE being their manager. And he lead his team to the World Series. For their first time ever.

He's an authority figure. If your authority figure commits crimes, you tend to lose credibility. And the bankruptcy does reflect poorly on his ability to keep affairs in order. And there's the final thing....

HE LIED ABOUT IT TO HIS EMPLOYER!

That gets you fired just about anywhere. It's on just about every application form.

I repeat, Ron Washingon.

Probably should have been fired. And likely would have had the Rangers ownership situation not been so catastrophically muddled. But again, lying about stuff that major can and will get you fired.

[NJTank]

Well I hope Backman does not leave the Mets organization over this slight and stays and manages Binghamton or Buffalo in 2011. I think he has the stuff to be a great manager and maybe in 3 or 4 years when the Mets are close he can take over.

[Cujo]

C/1B Victor Martinez leaves Boston, signs with the Tigers.

[CDixonDesign]

According to Twitter, the Yankees have declined to offering Jeter arbitration...

Also, the Giants signed Aubrey Huff to a 2yr deal as well....

[FiddySicks]

According to Twitter, the Yankees have declined to offering Jeter arbitration...

Also, the Giants signed Aubrey Huff to a 2yr deal as well....

2years 22 million for Huff. A bit steep but I feel that he's worth it.