SB Nation User Blog: Joe Budd

Arroyo Applesauce - Mets interested in Reds' starter, Francoeur's media push, Halladay relied on 9 year old

Joe Budd — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:28:33 -0000

Finally, a free man once again. Now to figure out what's been happening in the world.

Meet the Mets

The Mets finally have sealed the deal with Ryota Igarashi. The damage: 2 years, $3 million. Not too bad, actually. Nicely done. Next up, Jason Bay? Today?

Jeff Francoeur continues to show up everywhere, this latest wave is mostly about his ignoring OBP. Patrick Flood has some wonderful commentary.

Omar appears to be interested in relieving the Reds of Bronson Arroyo's contract. Apparently the Mets are trying to unload someone's contract before this happens.

The Mets were one of the many teams checking out Aroldis Chapman's bullpen session.

Around the NL East

Roy Halladay relied on his 9 year old's advice when deciding whether to accept the Phillies' offer. That's so cute. That'll last until he gets booed for giving up his first three run homer.

The Marlins are offering their own take on the home run apple. This stadium does intrigue me a lot, actually. Florida also agreed to a $3.8 million contract with Ricky Nolasco, avoiding arbitration with the pitcher.

DC is impressing Matt Capps and Jason Marquis. There is still a lot of interest in Capps from other teams, though.

Around MLB

Nick Johnson looks likely to return to the Bronx. This is probably the final nail in the Johnny Damon Yankee coffin.

Ted Berg walks the fine line between politics and baseball.

Igarashi Applesauce - Mets may or may not have signed reliever, Marquis may want DC

Joe Budd — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:45:49 -0000

I'm still not sure that Met Christmas parties will ever be the same since Anna Benson's own take on the tradition. Jeff Francouer had awfully big shoes to fill.

Meet the Mets

Matt Cerrone may have jumped the gun in this announcement, but it does look like the Mets are seriously involved in negotiations for Japanese relief pitcher Ryota Igarashi. Even if Igarashi eventually signs with Boston, Will Davidian says we should be encouraged by this type of thought process from the Minaya administration. But then we hear news like this and I start to worry again.

John Harper thinks that this slow offseason is actually because Tony Bernazard isn't there.

That still doesn't mean that Minaya is off the hot seat.

A few funny Jason Bay posts to pass along. Metsradamus and Oh Murph.

Jason Marquis is flirting with the homely neighbor in order in get daddy's attention.

Say what you will about Jeff Francoeur, he does have a weird ability to show up everywhere. And be happy while doing it.

The Mets signed two teenage Dutch prospects. One hit .243 and the other is a utility player.

Mike Silva does a nice time capsule piece on the 1991 winter meetings.

Around the NL East

David S. Cohen at the Good Phight wishes the Phillies had just raised ticket prices.

Josh Johnson's agent expects his client to be traded following this season.

Around MLB

Aroldis Chapman hit 96 mph on the radar gun during yesterday's bullpen session.

Joel Pineiro is looking for a four-year deal. My nightmare offseason: Pineiro (4 yrs/$48 mill), Marquis (3 yrs/$30 mill), and Bengie Molina (3 yrs/$27 mill).

The Royals have snagged former Met prospect and Johan-bait Philip Humber.

Rob Neyer points out the savvy in the Mike Cameron signing.

The Blue Jays turned Michael Taylor into Brett Wallace as Billy Beane just had to get involved.

MLB has brought in Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Joe Torre, and Mike Scioscia to lead a commission on instant replay. Do you think any one of them knows how to use a TiVo?

Roy Halladay Applesauce - World ends for the Mets, Seattle looks amazing, Holliday gets 8 year offer, Torrealba time

Joe Budd — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:09:42 -0000

A big thanks to James for filling in last week. I was taking a break to make sure that I didn't flunk out of law school. Hopefully, it worked.

Roy Halladay news

Get ready people, the Phillies have made a major news and the Mets have done nothing. Guess this means it's time to panic and hate on the Mets. I mean, the Phillies just got the best player this offseason, how can the Mets compete? But, wait. What's this? Phillie fans are hating this move? (More here. And here.) It looks like this is the ultra-rare trade that is a loss for both the Phillies and the Mets. How about that.

I think we all know who the winner though in this trade is: Seattle. Here's a quick update (probably will change, if it hasn't already) of the prospects getting moved.

Royals Review manages to make me depressed even by insulting the Phillies.

By the way, if the Mets had landed Halladay, which they could never have done, the Wilpons should have brought in Survivor to do his entrance music (watch until the end).

Meet the Mets

This Mike Silva post cracked me up. Looks like St. Louis has offered an 8 YEAR DEAL to Matt Holliday at a $16 million average, which, by his calculations means $128 million total. This also means that the Mets will probably have to include a fifth year to land Bay, which is actually a fair point. Do we really want to go down this path though? What is the over/under on years before the Matt Holliday contract becomes an anchor around the Cardinals' neck? Why is it that the only answer that Met commentators have to the Mets' current mess is to continue making the same mistakes? Or, when all else fails, we can blame the fact that Omar only signs Latinos.

Speaking of repeating mistakes, the Mets might still have interest in Yorvit Torrealba, even in the midst of a grievance hearing.

Let's just hope that the Mets don't sign Jason Bay to a 9 year, $250 million deal to sell a few extra season tickets to the Canadian ex-pats living in New York. Or agree to a three year deal with Bengie Molina.

The Eddie Kranepool Society has a post about his favorite teams, some of whom manage to honor their history.

Here is your totally random ex-Met news of the day: Scott Strickland has wound up with the Marlins.

And finally, here's your chance to hang out with Ted Berg, James Kannengieser, Sam Page, and Joe Janish. Tomorrow night. 500 West 43rd St (at 10th Avenue).

Placido Applesauce - Mets unimpressive farm system, Phils sign Polanco, Braves get Saito

Joe Budd — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:42:31 -0000

Meet the Mets

Baseball America's John Manuel doesn't have a ton of respect for the Met farm system.

Ben Shpigel continues the Bengie Molina to the Mets rumor, highlighting that the Mets are looking for a one year stop gap until Josh Thole is ready.

OK, time to do a little scolding. In response to a link I put up a few days ago, the site Yankeeist got a lot of less than mature comments from Met fans and Amazin' Avenue got the blame. Now, I know that it couldn't have been any of you regular Applesauce readers, but let's try and make an effort to drown out the morons who represent the Mets in these situations.

Around the NL East

Philadelphia didn't go too long without a third baseman, inking Placido Polanco for 3 years/$18 mill. Matthew Pouliot thinks that the Phils could have done better.

The Braves continue to add to their bullpen, signing reliever Takashi Saito.

If Ricky Nolasco was really being shopped around, Omar had better pick up the phone.

Around MLB

Looks like that Dustin Pedroia to shortstop rumor was just some posturing by the Red Sox as they sign Marco Scutaro.

There is a good chance that Seattle is going to replace Adrian Beltre with Chone Figgins. Do the Mariners ever make a bad move anymore?

Jason Marquis is not mad at the Rockies. Promise.

The A's have acquired Jake Fox and Aaron Miles from the Cubs.

The Yankees have issues with The Yankee Universe.

Viva El Birdos realizes that Ray Lankford isn't a Hall of Famer, but makes the case anyway.

Is Joe Crede still a valuable player after yet another back injury?

Blanco Applesauce - Blanco traveling for physical, Mets still paying Bonilla, Phillies want Polanco

Joe Budd — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:46:46 -0000

I was really hoping that this offseason would be a great chance to recharge and get rid of the memories of 2009. That is looking less likely.

Meet the Mets

Looks like the Henry Blanco thing is going to happen. As Craig Calcaterra points out, the Mets are just about to corner the market on mediocre catchers. Hey, Jason Fry wanted a plan, he didn't really say that he wanted a GOOD one.

It's that quiet time in the offseason where it's necessary to be reminded that the Mets are still paying Bobby Bonilla. At least we have things like this to remember him for.

Theo Epstein is smarter than Omar.

Ted Berg asks where's the love for Johnny Franco? I couldn't agree more: the quintessential Met.

I hope that Omar takes advantage of the hot market for Angel Pagan.

Around the NL East

The Marlins are hoping to have their new stadium featured on the Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs. That show is just amazing.

Philadelphia is hoping to have an encore Placido Polanco appearance. This time at third base.

Around MLB

Former catcher Brent Mayne could really do a better job voting for the Hall of Fame than the actual voters.

Ernie Harwell made a surprise appearance at a benefit honoring Alan Trammell and Kirk Gibson. Harwell was diagnosed with terminal cancer several months ago.

New MLB players' union chief Michael Weiner and Bud Selig agree that there needs to be a 7 game division series. Good luck getting the team owners to agree to shorten the regular season though.

Arbitration Applesauce - Molina sanity, Braves get Wagner, Pedroia could move to SS

Joe Budd — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:27:16 -0000

The tea leaves are not looking too promising right now, are they...

Meet the Mets

Matthew Cerrone sides with reason when talking about Bengie Molina.

The Mets gave none of their free agents to -be arbitration offers. This, however, does not mean that Carlos Delgado will not return to the blue and orange.

Around the NL East

The Braves have signed Billy Wagner to be their closer, giving Boston their first round pick and a supplemental draft pick. Chris Carter still does not know how to field.

Atlanta declined to offer arbitration to their first baseman Adam LaRoche.

We're still going to see our fair share of Brian Schneider. He became quite popular on the internets yesterday as Philly fans are trying to figure out why on earth they got him.

Around MLB

If only we had an organization like Boston to root for. With the market for shortstops being overpriced, Boston management has approached Dustin Pedroia about switching to the other side of the diamond and pursuing one of the many second basemen. Oh, and they're also interested in Rich Harden.

The Angels have voted a full playoff share to Nick Adenhart.

Gregg Zaun expects to sign on with a new team by the end of this week.

And, finally, Rex Ryan has brought in Joe Girardi to teach Mark Sanchez how to slide.

Cora Applesauce - Mets re-sign Cora, snag a perpetual Phillie, add Krivsky, rare Seaver video

Joe Budd — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:49:23 -0000

Maybe Omar signed Cora to such an obscene contract because he's next in line to be manager when Jerry gets canned in June.

Meet the Mets

Omar fired the opening shots in his offseason plan, unfortunately they involved a $2 million contract for Alex Cora (with a vesting option!) and signing backup catcher Chris Coste. The reaction to the Cora signing was almost universally negative. Adam Bernacchio points out that the White Sox signed both Omar Vizquel and Andruw Jones for less money. Joe Janish uses extreme sarcasm in response. Toby Hyde wonders what the heck the discussion in the Met war room has sounded like. Blue and Orange just doesn't get it. Neither does Ted Berg.

Mets Walkoffs sees the genius in Omar's plan: get all players who have had walk off hits against the Mets.

Oh, and Chris Coste will always see himself as a Phillie. Awesome.

In somewhat positive news, the Mets added Wayne Krivsky to their front office. I doubt that this will help land Felipe Lopez.

Howard Megdal thinks that the jerseys aren't selling because we don't really have any emotional attachment to them. Yet...

Also, to put a smile on your face, here's video of Tom Seaver's MLB debut.

Cookie Lavagetto. That's all.

Around the NL East

The Phillies are checking out Mike Lowell as a solution at third base.

Around MLB

Joe Mauer is in the driver's seat with his contract extension.

Aroldis Chapman's defection was pretty big news. This defection will probably get a lot less attention.

The Cardinals have picked up potential free agent bargain Ruben Gotay.

Chip Caray will be looking for new work after parting ways with Turner Sports.

David Roher goes all high-brow explaining why strikeouts don't matter.

Black Friday Applesauce - Met store is ghost town, Ike is the new Strawberry, Marlins rumor mill cools

Joe Budd — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:13:43 -0000

Why do I find the image of an empty Met store on Black Friday to be unbearably sad? Although, the idea of spending $266 for a Met jersey makes me a little nauseous.

Meet the Mets

The full picture of Black Friday isn't out yet, but anecdotal evidence doesn't bode well for the Mets having a banner day. Ted Berg thinks that this might lead the Mets to try for that off-season victory they are so famous for.

Darryl Strawberry offers some words of advice to the Mets' new left-handed power prospect.

Seth Livingstone provides a decent summary of where the Mets stand right now. This is the first I've really heard of Fernando Martinez starting in left next year.

John Delcos thinks the Mets should strongly consider Miguel Cabrera.

A more savvy move would be Kelly Shoppach.

And, here's some lovely Met-hatred from a class Yankee fan.

Around the NL East

The Phillies snagged DeWayne Wise, the man whose grit saved the perfect game.

Let's cool the Marlin trade mill for now. That includes this newer Hanley Ramirez rumor.

Around MLB

Derek Jeter is this year's SI Sportsman of the Year.

There are multiple reports of Bud being done after 2012.

St. Jetersburg. I love it.

Joe Posnanski highlights some of the players who came close to the Hall of Fame.

Could some teams be afraid of Roy Halladay's age and potential health issues?

And, finally, some racy photos of Grady Sizemore have made their way around the internet. I doubt that this will cause as much stir as Erin Andrews.

Eminent Domain Applesauce - Mets keep Oberkfell, Willets Point rehabilitation, Todd Zeile for the HOF

Joe Budd — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:26:58 -0000

Hope everyone is enjoying their leftovers so far. Some pretty good stuff out there in the last few days. Take a look.

Meet the Mets

Doesn't this Jose Guillen rumor sound like exactly the sort of thing the Mets would do?

There are some strong performances to report in off-season play. Tobi Stoner is turning some heads and might be a consideration for the rotation. Josh Thole continues to rake and Lance Broadway has been strong.

Bob Klapisch thinks it'll take more than just one year to get the Mets back on track.

The Mets are keeping Ken Oberkfell in Buffalo.

The Wilpons are probably ecstatic that a federal judge just helped clear the way for development around Citi Field.

Omar has a really bad habit of using Carlos Beltran as a crutch to make up for mediocre corner outfielders.

Around the NL East

Jamie Moyer was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday in a setback from his earlier surgery.

Around MLB

There are new names on the Hall of Fame ballot: Alomar, Martinez, Larkin, McGriff, Zeile?

Yankee Stadium voice Bob Sheppard has officially retired.

Former Padres GM Kevin Towers is a hot commodity as a potential advisor.

Andruw Jones will join Omar Vizquel on the White Sox. If this were the late 90s, that would be a pretty amazing middle of the field defensively.

Mike Silva continues to look down on Florida baseball.

In a pretty amazing story, former Yankee reliever Ross Ohlendorf has become an intern at the Department of Agriculture.

Roy Halladay would waive his no-trade clause in a deal to the Yankees.

MLB Trade Rumors discusses the trades of the decade. It has to be A-Rod for Soriano, doesn't it? I mean as long as it wasn't Zambrano for Kazmir.

Sammy Sosa is facing some legal problems back in the Dominican Republic surrounding a real estate commission that Sosa has failed to pay.

Quiet Applesauce - New Met uniforms, Omar very intrigued by Molina, Pujols is NL MVP

Joe Budd — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:40:53 -0000

Enjoy your holiday everyone.

Meet the Mets

Ken Davidoff gives us an update on the Mets' offseason to date and goals for the future. Two scary things to note in the article. One: the Mets point to the Francisco Rodriguez contract negotiations as their ideal. Two, Bengie Molina is the free agent who intrigues the Mets the most.

The Mets introduced new uniforms. And there was much rejoicing.

Around the NL East

The Phillies came to terms with utility player Juan Castro.

Former Marlins/Nationals/Expos/Yankee first baseman Nick Johnson is getting a lot of attention so far this offseason. When he did play for the Marlins this year, he racked up an OBP over .470.

Around MLB

In what proved to be an even surer thing than the AL voting, the NL MVP award went to Albert Pujols. Joe Posnanski writes that Pujols is ALREADY a Hall of Famer. He also looks at David Wright as getting there some day.

A-Rod's ex-wife Cynthia has a new man in her life who apparently is not as good looking as Alex.