"He's a run producer, I think he needs to hit in the third spot," Collins said. "We did it in Houston with Jeff Bagwell. In 1994, we moved him from fourth to third and he won the MVP that shortened season. I want David to be himself, go hit and have some fun. I think [...]
"I really believe, personally, this is his time. I'd be very confident that if he continues on the path he finished last season, he'll have a nice year. He's incredibly diligent. His fundamental skills are an A. He's in phenomenal condition. He's had some injuries, but he's strong-minded and strong-willed. He's in a great place [...]
"Anecdotal evidence suggests the Mets will continue to be players in Latin America. They opted to keep on Ismael Cruz, the organization's international scouting director who had a hand in signing the top three prospects on this list, as well as Aderlin Rodriguez and Juan Urbina. Be sure to look for Ben Badler's feature on [...]
"We spent a lot of time analyzing Lastings Milledge as compared with the potential alternatives for the expected role and determined it was worth further exploration of the alternatives," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "We remain open to continuing dialogue with Lastings." Hey, the Mets could use some outfield depth, maybe they could bring [...]
"It’s nice to be liked. But no, I don’t care as long as they respect me, and understand what it took me to get here. Joe Maddon, myself, Jim Leyland, who didn’t play in the big leagues . . . a lot of times there’s certain guys who say, “Well we don’t understand” because we [...]
"My goals haven’t changed,” Backman said. “The fact that Sandy [Alderson] and Jeff [Wilpon] want to keep me in the organization speaks for itself. There are 30 organizations and people need managers. I hope people will think I deserve the opportunity at some point." Source: New York Post ***** If you prefer longer articles, that’s [...]
"It is well known that new Mets vice president of player development Paul DePodesta, as GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers, attempted to hire Collins as manager in 2005 before he himself was fired. That, and DePodesta's lingering respect for Collins, has led many to assume that DePodesta is strongly advocating for the former Anaheim [...]
"But it's incumbent on us to make sure those issues don't arise and they're managed," Alderson said. "People are going to be disappointed, but it's important for us to make sure that those who do remain with the organization feel as if they are valued in whatever role they have." Sandy Alderson, on the prospect [...]
"But keep in mind that Pedro Feliciano and Hisanori Takahashi are both free agents, and that leaves the Mets badly in need of lefty relief. This is not what you imagined Perez would be doing for $12 million in 2011, but the Mets are spending the $12 million already. Perez did hold lefties to a [...]
"It's Tuesday, Game 5 of the Rangers-Rays ALDS series; the winner plays on, the loser is done. It's 1-1, two out, none on, top of the fourth. Nelson Cruz, who has good legs (37 stolen bases the last two seasons) hits one to deep left-center . . . then stands admiring his blast. The ball [...]
"I've been looking forward to [the AFL] a lot. That was the biggest thing toward the end of the year," Holt said. "I knew it, the coordinators knew it -- it was a mental year, I got caught in the quicksand and it's hard to come out of it. It was just all in my [...]
"But the Mets have lacked ability to self-assess and look at the big picture. Are the Wilpons ready to hire someone who will tell them hard truths — and to listen when those hard truths come? This cannot be about buzzwords. For real this time, the skills sets must be gravitas, vision, creativity and fortitude. [...]