I am so excited! I can't wait for the season to begin. I can't wait to see the future Hall of Fame phenom Pedro Martinez pitching on the mound of Shea Stadium. And now we get a real cute and talented Carlos Beltran on our team. The Mets will have 3 switch-hitters (Reyes, Matsui and Beltran) at the top of the order to cause havoc for the NL. I would not mind if they forgot about Delgado and go after Travis Lee instead. He is an excellent 1st baseman.

Memo to fellow Mets fans: Let Carlos get comfy. Do not boo him if he starts off a bit slow. This is a totally new experience for him. Please support him at all times! It's a long 7 year contract. Let him grow into our organization.

Are there any fellow Mets fans who would like to join me outside Shea when tickets begin to go on sale? I'll camp out if I have to.
Wooooohooooo!

Congrats to the Mets! They picked and paid for some top quality guys this year.

amazin12, thanks for starting the 2005 Mets thread. I was so occupied getting my new IKEA "Old Dominion Swooning Sofa" ™ for the next 7 years that I completely forgot. Thanks Aubie for the recommendation.

I'm definitely interested this year in getting some sort of ticket plan that are already on sale. I'm leaning towards the Saturday plan cause most of the games will be night games (and then party hearty afterwards! :cool: ) Yeah, it's only 13 games, but you get at least one playoff ticket (should they get there). Anyone else interested in something like that? Maybe we can have an Outsports cheering section. Send me a private message or email if interested.

Oooh! Look there's another new picture of Beltran's perty smile. Lordy, here come the vapors! SWOOOOOOON!!!!!

** EDIT ** Ummmm Jim, Cyd.... whoever found that Mo Vaughn is a hottie site, needs to be beaten with a stick..... after I beat down the owner of that website. eek!

[ January 10, 2005, 05:46 AM: Message edited by: BPT_336 ]

Yes, please go after Travis Lee. That in itself might be enough for me to predict the Mets will finish well out of the running.

Yeah, good luck with that. wink

His career numbers are good, but they're not exceptional. His HR total in the regular season in 2004 may have been greatly helped by moving to Houston from Kansas City. Now he's leaving the Minute Maid bandbox (juice carton?) for Shea. He's getting huge money based on his 2004 postseason. If that level of superb play is a once in a lifetime performance for him, he will be very overpaid.

True, Shea may not be a homerun hitters ball park but the outfield gaps are big. I would be happy if Beltran hit 20-25 homeruns, drives in 100, plays great defense and runs the bases. I can take his .280 average. True he will be over paid, but the Yankees have over spent too on waste products like Giambi.

Does anyone know what the Mets lineup will look like? Who's batting leadoff, clean up, etc... 1 through 9.

It also looks like they're trying to sign 1B, Carlos Delgado. If they can do that, that'll give them at least 5 legitimate players with 30-HR, 100-RBI potential in:

C.Delgado
C.Beltran
M.Piazza
C.Floyd
M.Cameron

And throw in a full season for David Wright and you guys have some weapons. Scary, very scary, that is if they all can stay healthy. Likewise for the pitching.

Possible lineup would be:

1. Jose Reyes (SS)
2. Kaz Matsui (2B)
3. Carlos Beltran (CF)
4. Mike Piazza ©
5. David Wright (3B)
6. Cliff Floyd (LF)
7. Mike Cameron (RF)
8. Travis Lee or John Olerud (1B)
9. Pitcher

I assume Piazza will not catch very many games so maybe Floyd would bat cleanup or maybe Beltran?

Of course Jose Reyes must finally have a 550 at-bat season. Kaz Matsui is going to be learning a new position and Mike Cameron starts off the season on the DL.

The starting 5 appears set (Martinez, Benson, Glavine, Trachsel, Zambrano)

The closer is Braden Looper.

The setup men could be anyone from a pool of guys like Felix Heredia, Mike DeJean, Orber Moreno, Scott Strickland, Bartolome Fortunato or Grant Roberts.

I think we can contend for a wild card because I think the Braves have such a huge edge with their manager and their coaches. And the Phillies just needed to get rid of Bowa. So they're going to be ready too.

Unlike previous years and high profile signings (Mo "I ate too much apple pie" Vaughn), I think the Mets will be in contention for at least a wild card.

Btw, whatever happened to Jose Ordonez?? I caught a Mets/Giants gm once and noticed he was no longer on the team.

Ordonez went to the Devil Rays a couple of years ago and I think was with the Cubs last year. As far as the line up goes, I'd think Reyes would be second as his bat has more pop and Matsui should have a good on base percentage. I fear that Cliff will end up in Chicago as part of a Sammy deal (it's bad enough having to root for Pedro!). I know they want to send him somewhere, but keeping him could easily end up being one of those best deals = the ones you don't make. He should feel less pressure to be the man with Beltran there, Mike back hopefully close to where he was, and Wright and Reyes in there every day. Maybe if he stays healthy for a change he can put up some good numbers. Continuing health issues and I guess being less than discreet about his feelings for Howe are reasons they want to get rid of him.

Actually neither are great lead off hitters. OBP for a leadoff should be in the high .300s (Marlins' Juan Pierre was .377). Reyes was .277 and Matsui .331. Slugging was .396 for each so Reyes doesn't have the any additional pop.

The difference between the two is speed and comfort with their batting order. Reyes is used to being a leadoff from the minors, while Kaz was #2 for most of his Japanese career. Reyes steals more bases which is good for a leadoff, and Matsui's hitting style generates a lot of doubles (and potential RBI's) Given that, I'd be surpised if Randolph went Kaz 1, Reyes 2....

And yes they all must stay healthy. That's why I'm pretty sure the Mets signed Miguel Cairo. He's going to play about 90-100 games as a sub for any of the infield positions to keep the regular starters fresh. At 900K, Cairo's versatility is a steal. Say bye bye to Joe McEwing.

I think Reyes has more power potential than Kaz plus last year wouldn't be a good measure of Reyes slugging since he was barely part of their season/hadn't played ball in a while. Kaz is used to leading off in the major leagues now and I don't recall Reyes being used there alot so far, but that could be wrong. I still think Kaz should be first- perhaps switch them once Reyes gets comfortable and there's an advantage to be gained or if Kaz is out due to being a defensive liability.

On that point, yes. But he hasn't demonstrated it yet. Reyes will continue to improve offensively as he matures further... while Matsui remains constant.

Well I, for one, am certainly hoping that is not the case. I might have mentioned this before, but I believe Kaz's issues with playing SS were a result of the differences in the size/makeup of US & Japanese baseballs. Matsui's natural throw motion wasn't working with the heavier & larger US baseball. Piazza didn't help either. At second, he'll learn the position from scratch and will develop a normal US style throw motion to 1st and hopefully (fingers crossed) will reduce his number of errors.

yeah, i'd love to join ya. can't wait for the baseball season to start.

Doods, I'm looking at the A's schedule and I am stoked! The Mets play in Oakland from June 14th -16th. I don't think they played one another since the World Series in the 70's.

Wow, I am really looking forward to the season. I've been looking for this match up for a while now. The team I like now vs. the team I use to follow as a kid. Exciting!

Met fans, if you're in town, look me up, I'll most likely be going to all 3 games.

This just in...the fish won the Delgado sweepstakes. He just inked a 4yr/52m contract with them.

I was hoping he signed w/ the Mets.

Delgado is a jerk. He took so freaking long to make up his mind. I was like "Pick a team already!"

I am glad he is not going to be with the Mets. There's something about his personality I don't like. Now we can go out and get a defensive-oriented real 1st baseman.

I don't know why but when I heard Delgado was on the Mets wish list, two words came to mind-Mo Vaughn.

He would have been the most overpaid of the three stars they're overpaying for- I'm not unhappy they didn't get him.

Ok so Omar didn't land Carlos Delgado. I can live with the possibility of Travis Lee or Mientkiewicz as long as it doesn't take a future can't miss prospect. But I'm afraid he's going to go all out in pursuit of Sammy Sosa. I think that could undo all the good feelings the Beltran signing brought.

no sammy sosa please!

i like carlos. he's hot to boot. i'll be absolutely delighted if doug M. becomes a met. go get him!

I second that. I hope he doesn't do it.

I'd welcome a Mientkiewicz or Lee and start the season with that group. But since both Cameron and Floyd seem to be expendable, a trade may be in the works... stay tuned.

Haven't seen anything official yet, but it's looks like the Mets are finalizing a deal with Boston to bring over Mientkiewicz (and the World Series ball) for a AA reliever and moolah.

If you gave Carlos Delgado truth serum he will tell you his two biggest reasons why he avoided the Mets.

1> playing in New York
2> hitting at Shea Stadium

ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that Mientkiewicz is indeed coming to New York. It'll be great to see him more regularly as he is on my list of baseball hotties. He is also one of the best defensive infielders in all the game.

As for Delgado not wanting to hit in Shea, the Marlins ball park isn't the friendliest place for lefty power hitters either. Many ESPNers have been saying that right field there is called Death Valley. Either way I just think the Mets are better off without him. Don't know why, just a hunch.

[ January 26, 2005, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: George_Eaglesfan ]

i loved doug when he was still with the twins. i can't wait to see him in NY! wooohoo!

and yeah, major hottie!

George I'll buy you a ticket for an early game at Shea and we can divvy up the hotties. wink Omar shure does know how to per-tee up the ole ballpark now don't he.

I'll take you up on that provided the seats are directly behind first base!

(Brief pause to wipe the drool from my chin!)

The view at 3B is pretty good, too!

The New York Mets completed a trade with the Boston Red Sox for
former Gold Glove winner Doug Mientkiewicz on Wednesday, sending
first-base prospect Ian Bladergroen to Boston.

Mientkiewicz, 30, owns a .996 career fielding percentage at
first base (21 errors in 5,658 total chances) and has twice hit
.300 or better (.300 in 2003 and .306 in 2001). The 6-2,
206-pound lefthanded batter also earned the 2001 American League
Gold Glove Award.


can't wait to see doug!!!

I can't believe the Mets were able to get Doug Mientkiewicz for just a prospect!!! Now the question has to be does he get to keep the ball from the World Series final out or was that part of the deal for the Red Sox? wink

By the way, not only is Doug Mientkiewicz pleasing to the eye, he has a good sense of humor--he tells the story that when he was with the Twins, many fans couldn't pronounce his name, so he was often called "Monkey wits" and that has become something of an unofficial nickname for him. Use it at the stadium.

~Adam

[ January 26, 2005, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: Adam ]

I know... weren't the Red Sox touting how they had improved their defense last season in picking up Mienkiewicz and Cabrera... and then they ship Mienkiewicz out. Is defense no long important? :confused:

In other, more gossipy news, Mike Piazza is marrying former Playmate Alicia Rickter.

May they live happily ever after in heterosexual harmony.

May they live happily ever after in heterosexual harmony.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.



[ January 27, 2005, 08:42 AM: Message edited by: amazin12 ]

6 degrees here in Buffalo as we speak....

How long until pitchers and catchers report????

Lets go Mets!

much warmer here at 8 degrees.

LET'S GOOOOO METS! I CAN'T f**kIN' WAIT!

Would anyone be interested in going to the Home Opener together? It's Monday, 11 April, at 1:10 pm, against the Astros. Single tickets aren't on sale yet, but should be soon.

SheaBoy, I work for an accounting firm so anything between next week and April 15 is a no go for me just about. Perhaps all us Mets fans can plan on going to a game a little later in the first month? And it will be warmer!

Let me see, Anthony Perkins...was married. Barry Manilow...was married. Elton John...was married...Rock Hudson...was married...NJ Gov. McGreevey...was married (twice!). What's the over/under on these nuptials lasting?

sheaboy and bpt:

would love to watch the games with you guys!

Would love to catch a game or two also with you guys.

As far as this season goes, no question the Mets will be improved. And with Mientkiewicz at 1B, the defense should be a lot better. But it still comes down to pitching, and the bullpen - especially the middle relief - is what really worries me.

Baltimore to the rescue?? Let's hope so...

Orioles trying to acquire Sosa

This is good for the Mets. This is one player I hope the Mets don't trade for.

METS FANS, LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

i don't think mets are still interested with sammy "headcase" sosa. according to hottie GM omar minaya, hottie doug probably is the final major piece on what we'll see on opening day.

Piazza married.

Mr & Mrs Piazza? Which one is Mike?

The one with the "beard" of course!!!

Hello everyone, new to the board. Just wanted to say hi before I jumped in. Here I go:

"I can't believe the Mets were able to get Doug Mientkiewicz for just a prospect!!!"

Actually Ian Bladergroen is a high-ceiling level minor leaguer. Many people are saying that in three years the Mets may regret trading away a good prospect for Mientkiewicz when they could have gone for Travis Lee without losing "Blade."

However, no one knows the extent to Lee's injuries. And he is represented by Scott Boras, who no GM wants to piss off.

Mets season ticket sales up

NEW YORK -- Mets general manager Omar Minaya has worked to reshape the team this winter, and the fans have responded.
The club announced on Thursday that season ticket sales are up more than 200 percent from this time last season. Ticket plans and six pack ticket sales have also skyrocketed, in some cases jumping nearly as much as 300 percent according to Dave Howard, New York's executive vice president of business.

Though single-game tickets don't go on sale until Feb. 27, Howard said the projection is that two million tickets will be sold through season ticket plans, other ticket plans and six pack plans before Opening Day. That number of sales is at one million now.

Fans can make a deposit for season tickets or ticket plans on www.mets.com. Six packs -- which each have a Yankees and a Braves game included -- can be purchased on www.mets.com as well. Howard said the six packs, which are priced between $152-154 per ticket, are "hot."

"It's going extremely well with the buzz we had after signing Pedro [Martinez] and Carlos [Beltran]," Howard said. "The demand is so strong we're now keeping the office open on weekends from 9 to 5 to accommodate it. We had a very good surge after Pedro and an even bigger surge after Beltran."

To help accommodate the demand and give potential buyers a treat, the Mets had some players join the staff at the ticket office during the recent Winter Caravan. As an added bonus, several members of the front office, including Minaya, senior vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette and assistant general managers John Ricco and Tony Bernazard got on the phone to help sell tickets.

"We had some of the players come out and then have a luncheon with some of the customers and then we decided internally to take it to another level," Howard said. "We had the baseball department talk to customers on the phone. Omar got on with a customer who had decided not to renew and after speaking with Omar for 10 minutes he said 'Send my invoice. I'm back.'

"Jim was the big star of the day, though. He got six separate orders in his hour. We'll do this periodically between now and Spring Training. It shows the sales department how important this is for the organization."

Howard added that the top salesperson by Opening Day will get to be general manager for a day, joking that Minaya said it would have to be after the trading deadline.

While Howard didn't have exact figures as to how many season tickets have been sold to date, he expects to eclipse the 13,000 full-season tickets sold last year and approach the high sold during the late '80s.

"The pace has been very good," Howard said. "In the late '80s we got as high as 24,000 per game in full season equivalents. That's our goal and I think we're going to make up a lot of ground. Because the team didn't play as well the last three years, there are locations available that haven't been available in four or five years. When this team plays well, the demand for tickets ratchets up quickly."

After seeing today's exhibition game against the Nationals, I am in love with David Wright. Did anybody catch his extended interview? He is a living doll! eek!

I told you the view at third wasn't bad! http://www.baseballva.com/PPhotos/Pictures...tD/WrightD1.htm