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November 01, 2004

Backman Lands D'Backs Gig

Wally Backman was officially hired by the Diamondbacks today to be their new manager.

In other news, this article indicates the Mets will probably bring back Al Leiter at something like $4 million, plus his $2 million buyout and additional incentives. Whoopie. This stat we knew, but it's nice to see it written out:

his pitch count - 168.3 per nine innings, the highest of any pitcher to log enough innings to qualify for the ERA title

Great. $6+ million for that. Would any Mets fan shed a single tear if Leiter walked away? I know I wouldn't. The article also has some good news:

Cuban defector Alay Soler, who impressed Tuesday in his Dominican Winter League debut, allowing one hit and striking out 10 in five innings for Leones del Escogido, including fanning the first six batters he faced.

I don't know how competitive that league is, but 10 Ks in 5 innings is good in my book. This article in the Post indicates that if the Phillies jump to hire Jim Leyland, the Mets may try to nudge in and sign Jim Tracy away from the Dodgers. Tracy's Dodgers are +13 over the past four years in Actual Record-to-Pythagorean Record, meaning they won 13 more games than their runs scored/runs allowed would have predicted (+4, +3, +2, +4 over the past four season).

Willie Randolph probably still remains the favorite, though the fact that the Mets may be waiting on these other options probably means they're not completely sold on Randolph. Odds are that if Rudy Jaramillo doesn't get hired as manager the Mets will make a serious bid to bring him on as a hitting coach.

Eric | 02:01 PM EST | Comments: 1 | TrackBack: 1

October 28, 2004

Cablevision Rebuffed

According to Mets.com, Cablevision's request to prevent the Mets from moving forward with their new television network has been denied.

Cablevision's request for a temporary restraining order against the Mets' plans to grant their telecast rights for 2006 and future seasons to the new regional sports network -- formed recently by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, LLC, Time Warner Cable and Comcast Corporation -- was denied by Justice Helen E. Freedman at a hearing held in New York State Supreme Court.

This may not be the end of Cablevision's petty grandstanding, but these events don't bode well for those of you out there with Cablevision who are expecting to see Mets games in 2006.

Eric | 03:34 PM EST | TrackBack: 2

June 02, 2004

METS.tv

The Mets have reportedly paid $54 million to get out of their current television contract with MSG and FSN. They will still be carried through the 2005 season, though the original contract had them on-air through 2011. This move vaults the Mets in a new direction, with the following possible destinations:

1) Start their own network, a la YES. This might be ideal, but it is an awful lot of work. The Mets have given themselves a year and a half to work on this, but you can't exactly snap your fingers and have a smooth-running cable network. As the Yankees found out, you have to secure advertising, additional programming to fill up the schedule, and broker deals with all of the cable and satellite networks to carry your network. The greatest challenge would be finding enough Mets-related programming to actually show on the network. The Yankees have a storybook history, rife with World Series championships, pennants, Hall of Famers, retired numbers, color barriers, and so on. The Mets would run out of programming after Day 1.

2) Team up with YES. Not very likely, but the Mets could opt to align themselves with the Yankees and YES. The Mets would gain partial ownership of the network, and would be carried on a separate channel with a different name (think MESS).

3) Team up with a media company to start a network. According to Newsday:

Co-ownership of a network with a media company such as Cablevision or Time Warner is a strong possibility.

"A joint venture would give you an edge in distribution and a leg up on cutting other deals," said one industry source.

4) Re-up with cablevision at an increased rate. Cablevision is paying the Mets around $45 million this season to broadcast their games, and the Mets could ask for $60 or more after 2005.

The benefits of starting their own network go beyond simply making more money. According to the Bergen Record:

Major League Baseball directs that one-third of local television revenues go into a revenue-sharing pool. But critics say team owners who control a broadcast network - the Yankees, Red Sox, Braves, and Cubs are among the examples - can get around the rule by artificially deflating the amount that a team "pays itself" for TV rights. The Yankees still list a $55 million payout for TV rights, for instance, even though the Yankees' TV revenues have increased dramatically since departing MSG.

So not only can you generate more revenue, thanks to a loophole teams are able to hold on to more of it instead of forking it over to the Pittsburgh Pirates of the world who direct approximately zero of it towards on-the-field talent. Lets hope that more revenue for the Mets will equal more money spent on development, scouting, as well as wise free agent acquisitions.

Eric | 10:33 AM EST | Comments: 4 | TrackBack: 5

March 02, 2004

Mama Mia! Italian Night Returns

In response to public outcry, the Mets have announced that Italian Night is back on the docket at Shea in 2004, according to Newsday. In what can only be described as a PR snafu, Italian Night was left off of the promotional dates this season. Mets VP of business operations David Howard had this to say:

"There was a significant expression of interest by a variety of people and groups. Given the groundswell of support for adding the night, we're looking forward to the response from the fans."

The festivities will occur on August 30, when the World Champion Florida Marlins scuttle into town.

Eric | 01:49 PM EST | TrackBack: 8

February 27, 2004

Mets Spring Training Link-A-Dink

The Star Ledger: Mets: Piazza is ready for the stretch

After feeling searing pain tear through his 34-year-old groin last May, Piazza knew he had to take more aggressive steps to ensure that as his body ages, it does so with more suppleness and elasticity.

Whoa, doggie. Believe it or not, this article is actually about how Piazza has a yoga guru who has helped him with his flexibility and general bodily wellness. Apparently his girlfriend introduced him to this yoga class in L.A. and Mike has invited the instructor to Spring Training to observe him. That's all well and good, but here's where it gets goofy:

In addition to the stretching and breathing exercises, Piazza is also trying to adjust his diet to reduce the amount of cooked animal products he ingests.

[...]

"I'm not doing anything radical," he said, "But I'm trying to eat more fruits and vegetables. Things that are alive breed life. Things that are dead breed death."

What the flurk does that mean? If anyone can enlighten me, please do so, because I'm at a complete loss. Reports are that Piazza is in great shape and is excited about learning a new position, let's just hope he doesn't start flaking out.

New York Post: Piazza's Glove Story

This article is less about Piazza than it is a genuinely upbeat quote-a-thon, as many Mets enjoyed their first full day of Spring Training yesterday, as rain washed out most of practice on Wednesday. The players are excited about their teammates and about the upcoming season.

John Franco on the surprisingly large fan turnout:

"It's always good to see the fans come out, especially [since] the last two years we've been kind of underachievers. And to see them come out here and support us the way they do, it's great."

Todd Zeile on the Mets new double-play duo:

"Watching Matsui and Reyes work up the middle together. That's got a chance to be something special."

Tom Glavine on those two, as well as new centerfielder Mike Cameron:

"You're going to see guys, especially early on in spring training, sitting here watching games with a lot of excitement anticipating something spectacular out of any one of those guys virtually every game."

"We saw a glimpse of it last year with Jose. Virtually every day that he played, he did something really special out there. Both Kaz and Mike Cameron are those type of players defensively as well."

Despite two consecutive last place finishes, it's hard not to get excited about this team. They have a good chance at playing .500 ball this season, which isn't going to make the playoffs but will at least keep people interested. They have a good collection of players that you may actually want to watch play baseball, as opposed to the Mo Vaughn's and Robbie Alomar's who I wouldn't get off the toilet to cheer for.

Eric | 03:02 PM EST | TrackBack: 1

January 26, 2004

Hit Dog Not Retired

Even though Mo Vaughn has conceded that his baseball career is over, the Mets officially announced what everyone already knew, that he is not actually retired.

If he retires, he will walk away from $17 million he is owed over the next two seasons. Insurance is currently paying much of his salary.

Neither Mo nor his agent Jeff Moorad would walk away from that pile of Samoleans. Mo is basically doing his best Albert "Don't Call Me Joey" Belle impression by declaring himself "physically unable to perform". As such, he is still considered an active player (non-retired), and will continue to collect his sizeable paycheck.

Even though Albert Belle all-but-retired following the 2000 season, he still made over $37 million dollars in salary from the Baltimore Orioles.

Eric | 10:29 PM EST | TrackBack: 1