Dear Omar,Thank you for your kind note regarding Billy Wagner. I am appreciative of the fact that you take the time to drop me a note regardless of the fact that the good news reaches me through many television and print outlets. The personal touch impresses me greatly.
Omar, many media outlets and fans have been wondering and asking you "what's next?" I'm sure that it gets old after a while, and takes valuable time away from your twelve month a year job as Mets GM. Besides, I'm not even sure you know what's next...I mean with all that's been going on, and all the meals you've missed (including Thanksgiving), your bearings might not be about you at this point.
Well don't despair. Because as I am the great soothsayer of all things Met baseball, I am here to point you in the right direction and give you guidance.
As familiar as you are with Mets history I'm sure I don't need to remind you that pitching wins championships. Pitching has certainly won the championships that the Mets have. But for quick reference:
In 1969, a twenty-six year old left-hander went 17-9 with a 2.28 ERA in 241 innings. He also went 2-0 in the World Series, which the Mets won. He won 222 games in his major league career.
In 1973, a twenty-six year old left hander went 12-3 with a 2.80 ERA in 148 innings after pitching for the Atlanta Braves the year before. He also went 2-0 in the World Series that season.
In 1986, a twenty-eight year old left hander went 18-5 with a 2.57 ERA in 217 innings after having an average season the year before in the American League. This pitcher went 2-0 during postseason play, both wins coming with the Mets in a series hole.In 2000, a twenty-seven year old left hander went 15-10 with a 3.14 ERA in 217 innings after being acquired the season before from Houston. This pitcher went 2-0 in the NLCS to help the Mets get to the World Series before he decided that the school system was better somewhere else.
Of course, I don't need to remind you of the exploits of Jerry Koosman, George Stone, Bob Ojeda, and Mike Hampton. And I don't need to remind you that those seasons featured World Series appearances. That's why I know you'll agree that there's really only one option for you to pursue to help make possible another World Series appearance.
He'll be 28 next season. He's hovered around .500 the last three seasons after winning a Cy Young award in the American League. Acquiring him will reunite him with the pitching coach that helped win him that award. And although you may say that you have enough starting pitching, I say that you can never have enough starting pitching. Nineteen Eighty Six was a romp in the regular season because of starting pitching...because even though the Mets lineup was vastly improved gradually throughout the previous seasons, they took the next step and built a pitching staff superior to every staff in the majors.
And I understand your infatuation with one Manny Ramirez. I mean, who wouldn't be? He's the big bat of all big bats, and he would make the Mets lineup lethal. Not to mention, he would single handedly sell more advertising on that brand spanking new network of yours. I see the temptation.
But if you have learned anything from your 1993 and your 2002 predecessors, you've most assuredly learned that the sexiest baseball decisions aren't always the soundest baseball decisions. And the soundest baseball decision is built for 2006...and the future. And while the team is more than equipped to win the division as is, with the two biggest holes filled, if you feel you must take that next step to bring a world title to Shea Stadium, if you feel that it's time to use that chip named Lastings (although I would explore every option that does not include that chip), well then it's time to go for the gusto.It's time to get Barry Zito.
Again, thank you for the productive week, and many thanks to you and the organization for continuing to work hard to field a championship-caliber team in 2006.
Sincerely,
Metstradamus
Executive Director and Creative Enforcer
"The Musings and Prophecies of Metstradamus"
20 comments:
Did you really send that? lol.
If you havn't, you should...
pluz, he already haz the Z. BILLY BART
I have been advocating Zito ever since Alyssa Milano dumped Carl Pavano for him. Of course, I advocated that last December so by now she's probably graduated to Roy Halladay or Ben Sheets or somebody, but with all the splashy signings of late, how long before Mr Met is spotted in a trendy nightclub snorting lines with Courtney Love?
Yankmets ?
Benny, think Omar would get a kick out of it?
Jaap, maybe if Zito comes to New York he can get a higher class of actress like Elisha Cuthbert or something.
Yankmets? Not quite. But it's about time the Mets started spending an amount of money consistant with the size of market they're in.
I don't understand trading away our best prospect for a potentially one-year rental. Why not just exhibit a little patience and sign the guy when he becomes a free agent?
I agree with the previous anonymous comment. It's not worth what we'd have to give up for Zito now. The A's are in no huge rush to trade him away, at least not until the deadline. Might as well wait 'til next year.
In the words of David Ortiz, Milledge ain't worth no Zito. Sorry. Zito is not longer cream of the crop but has now become and enigma and inconsistent. Just sign AJ if you want true ace material. Sure he's not exactly had the past success, but last year was his first full year after surgery and his arm is probably top five in baseball. Milledge for Zito? No way. Nooooo waaaaaay.
I don't want them to trade Milledge either. And I don't think Omar necessarily has to. My only point is that IF Milledge has to go, I would feel a bit better if it was for Zito instead of Manny.
First off, the Mets would not trade for a potential one year rental. If the Mets worked out a trade for Zito, it would be one of those deals where the Mets would ask for a 72 hour or so window to sign him long term.
Second, Billy Beane is looking for right handed pop for the lineup right now. The two names being reported are Milledge, and Conor Jackson of Arizona. I think both teams would be reluctant to trade their blue chips for Zito. And can Milledge, a player who hasn't spent a day above AA, be counted on by Oakland right now? Don't forget, the Mets still have Victor Diaz to dangle...he certainly qualifies as righty pop that not only can contribute for Oakland now, but also fit's under Billy Beane's salary constraints. Throw in some lower level prospects, and voila! A fair deal. And if you think that Beane would never agree to a deal like that, then look up what Beane got for Tim Hudson from Atlanta...a better and more reliable pitcher than Zito.
If Hudson can be traded to Atlanta without Marcus Giles going in the deal, then a trade for Barry Zito can get done without Milledge.
donmorf, Burnett's got great stuff. But you can't discount the way Burnett left Florida, trashing everybody in his wake. Also, the knock on A.J. is that he isn't mentally tough enough to get himself out of trouble, especially when the trouble is caused by factors outside of his control (errors).
And don't forget, if Zito has a good year, he'll come more expensive than he would be now. This isn't a situation where you're giving up prospects for a number one draft pick in hopes that he'll turn his career around (Benson), Zito is a pitcher who has had success in the past.
Zito is also younger than Burnett (not by much, but younger) and left-handed. So if it was between the two, I would go with Zito.
So how great was Omar's timing with the Delgado trade? The O's and Angels are left scrambling now that Carlos is a Met and Konerko stayed with Chicago. If the Mets had waited the Marlins would definitely have demanded Milledge. Good luck? The Mets? What gives?
Metmaster,
These aren't Steve Phillips' New York Mets.
First off, Zito is in a contract year. For those of you who don't know, Omar and Willie both said they "love" contract year players. I do to, they are always playing for $ a-la Beltran. So you know he's gonna have a good year. That means his value goes up and if the Mets don't trade for him they'll overpay next year for him. Besides the fact that he is "the man" and he's lefty. I say do what you gotta do to get him. In case everyone forgot, we had a Lastings Milledge a few years ago...his name was Alex Escobar. Does anyone even remember him? He has done nothing so far and he probably never will. (discard the fact that we got Alomar for him) Reyes and Wright don't happen every day so don't expect him to be as good as he's made out to be.
First off, Zito is in a contract year. For those of you who don't know, Omar and Willie both said they "love" contract year players. I do to, they are always playing for $ a-la Beltran. So you know he's gonna have a good year. That means his value goes up and if the Mets don't trade for him they'll overpay next year for him. Besides the fact that he is "the man" and he's lefty. I say do what you gotta do to get him. In case everyone forgot, we had a Lastings Milledge a few years ago...his name was Alex Escobar. Does anyone even remember him? He has done nothing so far and he probably never will. (discard the fact that we got Alomar for him) Reyes and Wright don't happen every day so don't expect him to be as good as he's made out to be.
everyone is making such a big deal over Milledge I saw him play and let me tell you i think he is very overrated and may not be the type player everyone thinks he is gonna be. He played the field awful he missed 3 cutoffs in a row and struck out twice while going 0 for 5. I for one watching him live was not impressed at all so if Manny can be had for him OMAR DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
'Damus, i don't want to burst your bubble. but I remember that the Duke used to send out memos too--i think its a Wilpon touch.
Why, Fred sent me a candygram to announce the reaquisition of Cedeno a few years back, but he sent it (accidentally?) C.O.D. Really embarassing and tacky.
imfm
But were they ever called "From the Desk of Jim Duquette"? No, because the Mets were so cheap then that they never bothered to BUY Duquette a desk. Heck, he had to buy his own stationery!
Zito is the right move versus Manny but I'm not sure if its going to happen at this point. Either way, they would have to give up a fair bit for both. I think a World Championship would be more likely with a Cy Young lefty than "Manny being Manny". He might just corrupt a focused Pedro (see Bonilla and Henderson playing cards). Has Manny built chemistry in Boston? Ortiz was more the MVP in their World Championship run.
AJ is the best of a bad pitching crop this year. He will be overpaid for someone who has a below .500 career record. Beckett, Willis and Pavano (see 2006) are the best of that bunch.
If we want a fireball throwing lefty, why not go for a younger guy? I hear Tampa Bay has a pitcher who fits that description, with proven major league ability and tremendous upside.
Also:
:(
Mets Guy,
Thanks for keeping us all grounded in this giddy time. I think we could all use a reminder of how the line between happy and bitter remains razor thin.
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