Tartans

2011 Arbitration Eligible players:
1-SP Mike Pelfrey 2011 $3.925M - signed 1yr @ $5.675M
2-RP Manny Acosta 2011 $414,000 - signed 1yr @ $875,000
3-RP Ramon Ramirez 2011 $1.65M - signed 1 yr @ $2.65M
4-OF Andres Torres 2011 $2.2M - signed 1yr @ $2.7M

LOST:
SS Jose Reyes - signed 6yrs $105M w/ the Marlins
LHP Chris Capuano - signed 2yrs $10M w/ Dodgers
RHP Chris Young - free agent
RHP Jason Isringhausen - free agent
OF Willie Harris - free agent
C Ronny Paulino - free agent
RHP Taylor Buchholz - free agent
RHP Ryota Igarashi - signed a minor league contract w/ the Pirates
1B Nick Evans - signed a minor league contract w/ the Pirates
OF Jason Pridie - - signed a minor league contract w/ the Athletics
OF Fernando Martinez - claimed off waivers by the Astros

ADDED:
RHP Frank Francisco
RHP Jon Rauch
CF Andres Torres - Traded From San Francisco for Angel Pagan
RHP Ramon Ramirez - Traded From San Francisco for Angel Pagan
IF Ronny Cedeno
OF Scott Hairston
Jeremy Hefner - claimed off waivers from the Pirates -  originally drafted by the Mets in 2004 and failed to sign him. Again drafted by the Mets in 2005 and again failed to sign him! After being drafted by the Padres in 2007, he was claimed off waivers by the Pirates before the 2011 season. The Mets finally got their man!!! In 5 minor league seasons Hefner is 46-34 w/ a 3.84 ERA 606 SO and 215 BB over 688 IP WHIP 1.29

*The following were all Signed to Minor League Contracts
RHP Miguel Batista - resigned
SS Sean Kazmar - drafted by the Padres in 2004
RHP Fernando Cabrera - drafted by the Indians in 1999, played 209-10 w/ the Red Sox
RHP Jeff Stevens - drafted by the Reds in 2005, played 2009-11 w/ the Cubs
SS Omar Quintanilla - drafted by the Athletics in 2003, played 2011 w/ the Rangers
C Rob Johnson - drafted by the Mariners in 2004, played 2011 w/ the Padres
LF Mike Baxter - resigned, originally drafted by the Padres in 2005
LHP Chuck James - drafted by the Braves in 2002, played 2011 w/ the Twins
C Lucas May- drafted by the Dodgers in 2003, played 2011 w/ the Diamondbacks and Royals
LHP Garrett Olson - drafted by the Orioles in 2005, played 2011 w/ the Pirates
OF Adam Loewen - drafted by the Orioles in 2002, played 2011 w/ the Blue Jays
OF Vinny Rottino - signed as an undrafted FA by the Brewers in 2003, played 2011 w/ the Marlins
CF Corey Wimberly - drafted by the Rockies in 2005, played 2011 w/ the Pirates
1B Valentino Pascucci - resigned, originally drafted by the Brewers in 1996

Collins’ coaching staff for the 2012:
Bench Coach - Bob Geren
1B Coach - Tom Goodwin
3B Coach - Tim Teufel
Hitting Coach - Dave Hudgens
Pitching Coach - Dan Warthen
Bullpen Coach - Ricky Bones


Starting Rotation:
1- Johan Santana, $24M (signed 6 yr/$137.5M (2008-13)+2014 club option plus full no trade clause~2013=$25.5M~2014=club option @ $25M or $5.5M buyout)
2- R.A. Dickey, $4.25M (?2013=club option w/$300K buyout)
3- Jon Niese, $500,000 (2013-2015=arbitration)
4- Mike Pelfrey, $5.675M (2013=last year of arbitration)
5- Dillon Gee, $500,000 (2013=$500K~2014-2016=arbitration)
Subtotal: $34.75M

Starting Lineup:
1-CF - Andres Torres, $2.7M (2013=last year of arbitration)
2-2B - Daniel Murphy, $500,000 (2013-2015=arbitration)
3-3B - David Wright, $15M (signed 6 yr/$55M (2007-12)+2013 club option~2013=club option @ $16M or $1M buyout)
4-1B - Ike Davis, $500,000 (2013-2015=arbitration)
5-LF - Jason Bay, $16M (signed 4yrs/$66M (2010-2013)+2014 vesting option~2013=$18.6M~014=option on PA @ $14M or $3M buyout)
6-RF - Lucas Duda, $500,000 (2013-2014=$500K~2015-2017=arbitration)
7-C - Josh Thole, $500,000 (2013-2015=arbitration)
8-SS - Ruben Tejada, $500,000 (2013=$500K~2014-2016=arbitration)
Subtotal: $36.25M

Bench:
1-OF - Scott Hairston, $1.1M (signed for 1yr)
2-If - Ronny Cedeno, $1.15M (signed for 1yr)
3-C - Mike Nickeas, $500,000 (2013=$500K~2014-2016=arbitration)
4-IF - Justin Turner, $500,000 (2013=$500K~2014-2016=arbitration)
5A-OF - Mike Baxter, $500,000 (minor league contract)
5B-OF - Adam Loewen, $500,000 (minor league contract)
Subtotal: $4.25M

Bullpen:
1-CL - Frank Francisco, $5.5M (signed 2yrs @ $12M~2013=6.5M)
2- Jon Rauch, $3.5M (signed for 1yr)
3- Tim Byrdak, $1M (signed for 1yr)
4- Ramon Ramirez, $2.65M(last year of arbitration)
5- Manny Acosta, $875,000
6- Bobby Parnell, $500,000 (2013-2015=arbitration)
7- Long man/second left-hander, $500,000
Subtotal: $14M

Others:
D.J. Carrasco, $1.2M (signed 2yrs $2.5M)
Pedro Beato, $500,000 (2013=$500K~2014-2016=arbitration)
Bobby Bonilla will receive 25 equal payments of $1,193,248.20M each July 1 from 2011 to 2035 A total of $29,831,205M

TOTAL: $92.15M
Down from  $132.9 in 2011

What do you think are the biggest surprises of the NFL season now that most teams have entered the second quarter of their seasons? Here are 10 that stand out to me, but there are many, many more:

10. Bay City teams rolling. The Oakland Raiders are 3-2 and appear dangerous. The San Francisco 49ers are 4-1 and are clearly the best team in the NFC West.

9. Cam Newton is all that. The top pick in the draft came into the league with a lot of doubters and even more questions. All he has done his rookie year is instantly become one of the most exciting players in the NFL.

8.  Jets’ ground and pound grounded and pounded. The New York Jets can still be a good football team. But with an offense in disarray thanks in large part to offensive line woes, this 2-3 hardly looks like the Super Bowl contender coach Rex Ryan promised.

7. Peyton Manning: The Most Valuable Player in the history of sports. Who knew that Peyton Manning was the only player separating the Indianapolis Colts from total dysfunction? You could have anticipated the offensive difficulties with Manning sidelined, but I don’t remember him lining up at free safety, linebacker and corner, too. The Colts are neck-and-neck with the Miami Dolphins in the Suck for (Andrew) Luck Sweepstakes.

6.  The Bills are due. You knew from watching the Buffalo Bills last year – a max-effort team that played hard enough to win, but would come up short – that this year would see improvement. But if Buffalo goes to MetLife Stadium Sunday and beats the New York Giants, a distinct possibility, then Buffalo has to be considered one of the elite teams in the AFC. Either way, the Bills are legit playoff contenders. The debate over that is over.

5. Victor Cruz. Victor Cruz! Victor $%#*@%$ Cruz. My man Victor Cruz. C’mon Victor … The fate of the New York Giants may rest on wide receiver Victor Cruz, who is turning into a one-man highlight reel for the season – both good and bad.

4. Dan Marino’s 1984 record could be broken … into a lot of pieces. Dan Marino’s record 5,084 passing yards in a season has stood for going on 27 years. You need to average 318 yards a game to break it.  Right now five quarterbacks are ahead of that pace.

3. Wes Welker is on his way to greatest season by a wide receiver –  ever. The New England Patriot slot receiver already the record for most receiving yards after five games. At his current  pace he would break Jerry Rice’s record for receiving yards in a season … by 500 yards.

2. The nightmare that is the Philadelphia Eagles. The best off-season of any NFL team has quickly turned dark as the “Dream Team” has stumbled to a 1-4 start  — and looked bad doing it.

1. The Detroit Lions aren’t just good. They could be Super Bowl good. The Lions are 5-0 for the first time since 1956 – the year before they won their last NFL title. They are not just a Cinderella feel-good story. They are a for-real dangerous team that could go-toe-to-toe with the reigning champions Green Bay Packers.

At issue: As much as we can break down games into statistics, especially baseball, how limited are numbers ability to tell us about a complete player?

In other words: What players are better than their stats? Derek Jeter in his prime immediately comes to mind. Ben Roethlisberger is another. What other athletes do you think rise about the level of their numbers?

Sandy Alderson's making of the 2011 Mets.  

Organization Moves:
Sandy Alderson as GM
JP Riccardi as Pro Scouting
Paul DePodesta in Amateur Scouting
Roy Smith as Scout
James D'Aloia as Scot
Dick Scott as minor league field coordinator
Chad MacDonald as scouting director
Jon Debus as Bullpen coach
Terry Collins as manager

Terry Collins’ coaching staff for the 2011:
Bench Coach – Ken Oberkfell
1B Coach - Mookie Wilson
3B Coach – Chip Hale
Hitting Coach – Dave Hudgens
Pitching Coach – Dan Warthen
Bullpen Coach – Jon Debus


Team Signings:
Signed Boof Bonser on a minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training
Chris Capuano 1yr/$1.5M with $3M in incentives.
Chris Young 1yr/$1M with $2.5M in incentives.
Signed RP D.J. Carrasco, 2yrs/$2.5M
Signed C Ronny Paulino, 1yr/$1.3M
Signed C Dusty Ryan on a minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training
Signed INF Russ Adams on a minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training
Signed Taylor Tankersley ~~ minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training
Signed Taylor Buchholz  $600K w/ incentives. $400K if he makes the opening day roster plus $40,000 bonuses for appearing in 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 games Total deal 1yr for $1.2
Signed Willie Harris on a minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training
Signed Scott Hairston on a 1yr deal
Signed Tim Byrdak on a minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training
Signed Blaine Boyer on a minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training

2010 Arbitration Eligible players:

• 1. Mike Pelfrey ~~ Signed for 1yr/$3.925M
• 2. Angel Pagan ~~ Signed for 1yr/$3.5M
• 3. R.A. Dickey ~~  Signed for 2yrs/$7.8M

Starting eight:

1. C - Josn Thole ~~2011-2012=$400K; 2013-2015=arbitration
2. 1B - Ike Davis ~~2011-2012=$400K; 2013-2015=arbitration
3. 2B - Luis Castillo ~~signed 4 yr/$25M (2008-11)~~ 2011=$6.25M
4. 3B - David Wright ~~signed 6 yr/$55M (2007-12)+2013 club option~~2011=$14.25M~~2012=$15.25M~~2013=club option @ $16M or $1M buyout
5. SS - Jose B. Reyes ~~signed 4 yr/$23.25M (2007-10)+2011 club option~~2011=$11M or $500K buyout
6. LF - Jason Bay ~~signed 4yrs/$66M (2010-2013)+2014 vesting option~~2011=$18.6M~~2012=$18.6M~~2013=$18.6M~~ 2014=option on PA @ $14M or $3M buyout
7. CF - Carlos Beltran signed 7 yr/$119M (2005-11) plus full no trade clause~~2011=$18.5M
8. RF - Angel Pagan ~~2011-2012=arbitration 

Starting Rotation:

1. SP1 - Johan Santana ~~signed 6 yr/$137.5M (2008-13)+2014 club option plus full no trade clause~~2011=$22.5M~~2012=$24M ~~2013=$25.5M~~2014=club option @ $25M or $5.5M buyout
2. SP2 - Mike Pelfrey ~~signed 1 yr/$3.925M 2011~~2012/13=arbitration
3. SP3 - Oliver Perez ~~signed 3 yr/$36M (2009-11)~~2011=$12M
4. SP4 - Jonathon Niese ~~2011-2012=$402K; 2013-2015=arbitration
5. SP5 - R.A. Dickey ~~2011=arbitration 
6. SP6 - Chris Capuano ~~ 2011 signed 1yr/$1.5M with $3M in incentives.
7. SP7 - Chris Young ~~ 2011 signed 1yr/$1M with $2.5M in incentives.

Bullpen:

1. Closer - Francisco Rodriguez ~~signed 3 yr/$37M (09-11)+2012 option~~2011=$11.5 2012=club option @ $17.5M or $3.5M buyout
2. Setup - Bobby Parnell ~~2011-2012=$400K; 2013-2015=arbitration
3. Relief - D.J. Carrasco ~~ signed 2yrs $2.5M (11-12) 2011=$1.25M 2012=$1.25M
4. Relief - Boof Bonser ~~ $700K if he makes the major league roster
5. Relief - Pedro Beato ~~ Rule 5 draft
6. Relief - Taylor Buchholz ~~ $600K w/ incentives. $400K if he makes the opening day roster plus $40,000 bonuses for appearing in 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 games Total deal 1yr for $1.2M
7. Relief - Taylor Tankersley ~~ minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training

Bench:

1. C - Ronny Paulino ~~ 1yr $1.3M   
2. MI - Brad Emaus ~~ Rule 5 draft
3. CI - Russ Adams ~~ minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training
4. OF - Willie Harris ~~ minor league deal w/ invite to Spring Training
5. U - Dan Murphy ~~2011=$419K 

Other Salary:
Bobby Bonilla will receive 25 equal payments of $1,193,248.20M each July 1 from 2011 to 2035 A total of $29,831,205M
Gary Matthews Jr. = $1M

 
Total Salary:
2011 = $132.9

The Making of the 2010 Mets, the moves so far. After raises for David Wright , Jose Reyes, Johan Santana and Francisco Rodriguez and arbitration-eligible players increases are factored in. Only $30 million is coming off last year's $147 million payroll.

• Declined an option to Putz, an $1M buyout
• Exercise Pelfrey’s option @ $500K
• Move Bowman to the 40 man
• Ken Takahashi has been released
• Resigned Alex Cora 1yr $2M with a vesting option for 2011 becomes guaranteed with 80 starts
• Signed C Chris Coste 1yr $650K guaranteed a spot on the 40-man roster, but not on the 25 man roster.
• Hired Wayne Krivsky as Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations
• Sign C Henry Blanco 1yr $1.5M
• Sign career minor leaguer Mike Hessman for $90,000 in Triple-A and $425,000 at the major-league level
• Sign  former Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin as a pro scout.
• Traded RHP Carlos Monasterios to the Dodgers for cash
• Sign minor league FA RP Clint Everts to a major league deal.
• Non-Tendered OF Corey Sullivan, OF Jeremy Reed, SP Tim Redding and SP Lance Broadway cutting the 40 man roster to 35
• Signed RP Elmer Dessens to a Minor League contract w/ an invite to spring training for 1yr at $700K in the Majors and $90K in the Minors.
• Signed right-handed reliever Ryota Igarashi for 2yrs @ $3M
• Signed Kelvim Escobar 1-year @ $1.25M, plus $125K bonus if he makes the Mets Opening Day roster. Plus $2M in incentives based on games pitched and $1M in incentives based on games finished.
• Signed Jason Bay for 4yrs at $66M with a vesting option.
• Signed IF Russ Adams, 3B Mike Cervenak, RHP R.A. Dickey, OF Jesus Feliciano, and IF Andy Green to minor-league deals and invited all 5 to Spring Training
• Added LH RP Jay Marshall off waivers from the Oakland Athletics.
• Avoid arbitration and sign John Maine for 1 yr $3.3M plus performance bonuses of $50K for making 20 starts and $25K each for 23, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33
• Aviod arbitration and sign Jeff Francoeur for 1yr @ $5M, Pedro Feliciano for 1yr @ $2.9M and Sean Green for 1 yr @ $975K
• Trade Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr and $21M
• Resign Fernando Tatis for 1 year at $1.7M
• Sign Josh Fogg to a minor league deal w/ an invite to spring training 
• Signed Frank Catalanotto to a minor league deal w/ an invite to spring training
• Signed infielder/outfielder Jolbert Cabrera, Luis Hernandez, Bobby Livingston, Travis Blackley to minor league contracts and invited all 4 to major league Spring Training camp.
• Claimed OF Jason Pridie off waivers from the Minnesota Twins
• Avoid arbitration and sign Angel Pagan for 1 yr at $1.45M
• Signed Pitcher Hisanori Takahashi, 1B Mike Jacobs and C Shawn Riggins to minor league deals w/ invites to spring training
• Signed C Rod Barajas for 1 year $1M plus $1M in incentives
• Signed 2B Alex Cintron to a minor league deal.

1.Jeff Francoeur (arbitration eligible) signed 1 yr $5M
2.John Maine (arbitration eligible) signed 1yr $3.3M
3.Pedro Feliciano (arbitration eligible) signed 1 yr $2.9M
4.Sean Green (arbitration eligible) signed 1 yr $975K
5.Angel Pagan (arbitration eligible) signed 1 yr $1.45M

Starting eight:

1. C - Rod Barajas  ~~ 2010: $1M
2. 1B - Daniel Murphy ~~ 2010: $400K 2011: $400K 2012 :arbitration 2013 :arbitration 2014 :arbitration
3. 2B - Luis Castillo signed 4 yr/$25M (2008-11) ~~ 2010 :$6.25M 2011 :$6.25M
4. 3B - David Wright signed 6 yr/$55M (2007-12)+2013 club option ~~2010 :$10.25M 2011 :$14.25M 2012 :$15.25M 2013 : club option @ $16M or $1M buyout
5. SS - Jose B. Reyes signed 4 yr/$23.25M (2007-10)+2011 club option ~~ 2010 :$9.375M 2011 :club option @ $11M or $500K buyout
6. LF - Jason Bay signed 4yrs/$66M (2010-2013) ~~ 2010: $10M 2011: $18.6M 2012: $18.6M 2013: $18.6M 2014: Vesting option on PA @ $14M or $3M buyout
7. CF - Carlos Beltran signed 7 yr/$119M (2005-11) plus full no trade clause ~~ 2010 :$19.1M 2011 :$18.5M
8. RF - Jeff Francoeur ~~ 2010: $5M 2011: arbitration

Starting Rotation:

1. SP1 - Johan Santana signed 6 yr/$137.5M (2008-13)+2014 club option plus full no trade clause ~~ 2010:$19.8M 2011:$22.5M 2012:$24M 2013:$25.5M, 2014 : club option @ $25M or $5.5M buyout
2. SP2 - Oliver Perez signed 3 yr/$36M (2009-11) ~~ 2010: $12M; 2011: $12M
3. SP3 - John Maine ~~ 2010: $3.3M 2011: arbitration
4. SP4 - Mike Pelfrey ~~ 2010: $500K 2011:arbitration 2012:arbitration 2013:arbitration
5. SP5 - Spring Training Battle between - Fernando Nieve, Jonathon Niese, Josh Fogg 

Bullpen:

1. Closer - Francisco Rodriguez signed 3 yr/$37M (09-11)+2012 option ~~ 2010: $12.1; 2011: $11,167,000 2012: club option @ $17.5M or $3.5M buyout
2. Setup - Ryota Igarashi signed 2yrs/$3M ~~ 2010: $1.25M; 2011: $1.75M plus $500,000 in performance bonuses
3. Relief - Bobby Parnell ~~ 2010: $400K 2011: $400K 2012 :arbitration 2013 :arbitration 2014 :arbitration
4. Relief - Pedro Feliciano ~~ 2010: $2.9M
5. Relief - Sean Green ~~ 2010: $975K 2011 :arbitration 2012 :arbitration
6. Relief - Kelvim Escobar signed 1yr/$1.25 ~~ 2010: $1.25M
7. Relief - Spring Training Battle between Pat Misch, Cling Everts, R.A. Dickey, Jay Marshall and Josh Fogg

Bench:

1. C - C Henry Blanco ~~ 2010: $1.5M   
2. MI - Alex Cora ~~ 2010: $2M 2011: a vesting option
3. CI - Fernando Tatis ~~ 2010: $1.7M
4. OF - Gary Matthews Jr ~~ 2010: $1.25M from Mets $9.75M from Angels 2011: $1.25M from Mets $10.75M from Angels
5. OF - Angel Pagan ~~ 2010: $1.45M
6. 25th spot to be won in Spring Training - 2B Anderson Hernandez, 3B Shawn Bowman, OF Frank Catalanotto, Mike Hessman, Russ Adams, 3B Mike Cervenak, OF Jesus Feliciano, and IF Andy Green and Omir Santos 

 

Total Salary:
2010 = $ 132,100,000M
2011 = $ 86,736,000M
2012 = $ 39,250,000M
2013 = $ 26,500,000M

Plus Bobby Bonilla will receive 25 equal payments of $1,193,248.20M each July 1 from 2011 to 2035 A total of $29,831,205M

The Mets Rule 5 Picks:

1. RHP, Carlos Monasterios from the Phillies - was then traded to the Dodgers for cash
2. RHP, John Lujan from the White Sox
3. 1B, Marshall Hubbard from the Mariners
4. RHP, Rolando Valdez from the Padres
5. LHP, Orlando Lara from the Padres
6. RHP, Johan Figuereo from the Nationals

Met Players Lost in the Rule 5 Draft:

1. RHP, Hayden Beard to the Padres

Manager = Jerry Manuel
Bench Coach = Dave Jauss
Batting Coach = Howard Johnson
Pitching Coach = Dan Warthen
First Base Coach = Razor Shines
Third Base Coach = Chip Hale
Bullpen Coach = Randy Niemann

AAA Buffaol = Ken Oberkfell
AA Binghamton = Tim Teufel
HiA =
LoA = Edgar Alfonza
NY-Penn = Wally Backman
Kingston = Mike DiFelice
Gulf Coast = Julio Franco

Omar Minaya's TRADE HISTORY with the New York Mets .

2010:
01/22/10 Trade d Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr and $20M

2009:
08/25/09 Traded Billy Wagner to the Red Sox for Chris Carter and Eddie Lora
08/08/09 Traded cash or PTBN to the Cubs for Jason Dubois
08/06/09 Traded Greg Veloz to the Nationals for Anderson Hernandez
07/10/09 Traded Ryan Church to the Braves for Jeff Francoeur
05/30/09 Traded Ramon Castro to the White Sox for Lance Broadway

2008:
12/10/08 Traded Aaron Heilman , Endy Chavez , Jason Vargas, Mike Carp , Ezequiel Carrera and Maikel Cleto to the Mariners for J.J. Putz , Sean Green , and Jeremy Reed .
12/12/08 Traded Scoot Schoeneweis and cash to the Diamondbacks for Conner Roberton
08/17/08 Traded Anderson Hernandez to the Nationals for Luis Ayala
06/13/08 Traded cash to the Diamondbacks for Trot Nixon
02/02/08 Traded Carlos Gomez , Deolis Guerra , Philip Humber and Kevin Mulvey to the Twins for Johan Santana
01/05/08 Traded Corey Coles and Ryan Meyers to the Cubs for Angel Pagan

2007:
11/30/07 Traded Lastings Milledge to the Nationals for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider
11/28/07 Traded cash to the Rays for Brian Stokes
11/20/07 Traded Guillermo Mota to the Brewers for Johnny Estrada
08/20/07 Traded Jose Castro and Sean Henry to the Reds for Jeff Conine
08/17/07 Traded cash or PTBN to the Pirates for Luis Matos
08/06/07 Traded cash or PTBN to the Marlins for Chad Hermanson
07/30/07 Traded Dustin Martin and Drew Butera to the Twins for Luis Castillo

2006:
12/06/06 Traded Brian Bannister to the Royals for Ambiorix Burgos
11/20/06 Traded Henry Owners and Matt Lidnstrom to the Marlins for Adam Bostick and Jason Vargas
11/15/06 Traded Health Bell and Royce Ring to the Padres for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson
08/30/06 Traded Victor Diaz to the Rangers for Mike Nickeas
08/22/06 Traded Evan Maclane to the Diamondbacks for Shawn Green and cash
08/20/06 Traded cash or PTBN to the Indians for Guillermo Mota
07/31/06 Traded Xavier Nady to the Pirates for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez
07/19/06 Traded Jeff Keppinger to the Royals for Ruben Gotay
06/09/06 Traded Kazuo Matsui and cash to the Rockies for Eli Marrero
05/26/06 Traded Geremi Gonzalez to the Brewers for Mike Adams
05/25/06 Traded Robert Manuel to the Reds for David Williams and cash
05/24/06 Traded Jorge Julio to the Diamondbacks for Orlando Hernandez
01/25/06 Traded Angel Pagan to the Cubs for Cash
01/22/06 Traded Kris Benson to the Orioles for Jorgo Julio and John Maine
01/04/06 Traded Jae Wong Seo and Tim Hamulack to the Dodgers for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll

2005:
12/05/05 Traded Gaby Hernandez and Dante Brinkley to the Marlins for Paul Lo Duca
11/28/05 Traded Cash to the Pirates for Tike Redman
11/24/05 Traded Mike Jacobs , Yusmeiro Petit and Grant Posmas to the Marlins for Carlos Delgado and Cash
11/18/05 Traded Mike Cameron to the Padres for Xzvier Nady
05/20/05 Traded Jed Hansen to the Giants for Cash
04/02/05 Traded Matt Ginter to the Tigers for Steve Colyer
04/01/05 Traded Andy Dominique to the Blue Jays for Cash
03/31/05 Traded Pat Mahomes to the Dodgers for Cash pr PTBN
03/28/05 Traded Cash to the Mariners for Benji Gil
03/24/05 Traded Cash to the Indians for Fernando Lunar
03/20/05 Traded Jason Phillips to the Dodgers for Kazuhisa Ishii
01/27/05 Traded Ian Bladergroen to the Red Sox for Doug Mientkiewicz and Cash
01/05/05 Traded Vance Wilson to the Tigers for Anderson Hernandez

2004:
12/03/04 traded Mike Stanton to the Yankees for Feliz Heredia

Apparently, Sammy Sosa has not yet retire . Who knew?

The most interesting thing to his sit-down with ESPN: “I will calmly wait for my induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Don’t I have the numbers to be inducted?”

Uh, sure. So does Rafael Palmeiro. And there’s the problem.

We know what Palmeiro did. We know what Barry Bonds and  Roger Clemens did.

We think we know what Sosa did.

Is that enough to keep him out of Cooperstown?

My take is let them all in if they have the numbers. The times were what they were. Provide the context as necessary so future generations will realize some of these outlandish numbers may be or definitely are tainted. The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum should be already crafting it's blue prints for The Steroids Wing, aka The House that ‘Roids Built.

 

The Steroids Wing will feature interactive exhibits on the notable events and players who marked this era. The Wing will have its own Gallery of inductees – players who, had they not played and partaken in this Age of Enhancement, would likely be in the main Gallery on the other end of the Hall. Every inductee, every fan, every historian will enter this wing through the same archway, on which will be inscribed the words said by George Mitchell the day he released his report on the use of banned substances in baseball:

 For more than a decade there had been widespread illegal use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances by players in Major League Baseball in violation of federal law and baseball policy. …

Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, and Sammy Sosa represent an inaugural class that rivals the Hall’s first class of Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson.

 

The truth is, the cheats belong in Cooperstown, regardless of the Mitchell Report.

Not because they should be honored. Rather, because history should be honored.

If the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is indeed a repository of the game’s history, how can you leave these central figures out?

 

We can say ban them all. They cheated. They threatened the very integrity of the game –the so-called level playing field — and therefore don’t deserve to set foot in Upstate New York, let alone Cooperstown. That sentiment is valid.

Except we can’t erase history, we can’t erase achievement, no matter how tainted. We can only clarify, contextualize, providing the proper perspective for future generations who will look at the outlandish numbers from the late 1980s through part of this decade and wonder how in the hell that happened.

Example:

Dad?

Yes, son?

Who is Todd Hundley?

Pretty much a journeyman player. Nothing special. Why?

Well, how did he hold the record for home runs in a season by a catcher?

That’s a funny story, son. Well, not so funny. Let’s walk to the Steroids Wing; the movie narrated by Jose Canseco explains everything.

He’s a hero, right?

No, son, no ….

Build the wing, and isolate these greats/chumps there. Do it for the kids; if they know the history, there’s less of a chance it will be repeated.

The Making of the 2010 Mets
Starting eight:

1. C -
2. 1B -
3. 2B - Luis Castillo signed 4 yr/$25M (2008-11) ~~ 2008 :$6.25M 2009: $6.25M 2010 :$6.25M 2011 :$6.25M
4. 3B - David Wright signed 6 yr/$55M (2007-12)+2013 club option ~~ 2007 :$1M 2008 :$5M 2009: $7.75M 2010 :$10.25M 2011 :$14.25M 2012 :$15.25M 2013 : club option @ $16M or $1M buyout
5. SS - Jose B. Reyes signed 4 yr/$23.25M (2007-10)+2011 club option ~~ 2007 :$2.5M 2008 :$4M 2009: $6.125M 2010 :$9.375M 2011 :club option @ $11M or $500K buyout
6. LF - Daniel Murphy signed 1 yr/$0.401M (2009) ~~ 2009: $401K 2010: $400K 2011: $400K 2012 :arbitration  2013 :arbitration 2014 :arbitration
7. CF - Carlos Beltran signed 7 yr/$119M (2005-11) plus full no trade clause ~~ 2005 :$10M 2006 :$12M 2007 :$12M 2008 :$18.5M 2009: $18.5M 2010 :$18.5M 2011 :$18.5M
8. RF - Jeff Francoeur signed 1 yr/$3.375M(2009) ~~ 2009: $3.375M 2010: arbitration 2011: arbitration

Starting Rotation:

1. SP1 - Johan Santana signed 6 yr/$137.5M (2008-13)+2014 club option plus full no trade clause ~~ 20 08 :$19M 2009 :$20M 2010 :$21M 2011 :$22.5M 2012 :$24M 2013 :$25.5M, 2014 : club option @ $25M or $5.5M buyout
2. SP2 - Oliver Perez signed 3 yr/$36M (2009-11) ~~ 2009: $12M; 2010: $12M; 2011: $12M
3. SP3 - John Maine signed 1 yr/$2.6M (2009) ~~ 2009: $2.6M 2010 :arbitration 2011 :arbitration
4. SP4 - Mike Pelfrey signed 4 yr/$5.25M (2006-09) ~~ 2006 :$512,500K 2007 :$512,500K 2008 :$1,987,500M 2009: $2,237,500 2010: $500K 2011 :arbitration 2012 :arbitration  2013 :arbitration
5. SP5 - 
   
   
   
   Bullpen:
6. Closer - Francisco Rodriguez signed 3 yr/$37M (09-11)+2012 option ~~ 2009: $9,166,667; 2010: $11,167,000; 2011: $11,167,000 2012: club option @ $17.5M or $3.5M buyout 
7. Setup - J.J. Putz signed 3 yr/$13.1M (2007-09)+2010 club option ~~ 2007 :$2.2M 2008 :$3.4M 2009: $5M 2010 :club option @ $9.1M or $1M buyout
8. Relief - Pedro Feliciano signed 1 yr/$1.6125M (2009) ~~ 2009: $1,612,500 2010 :arbitration
9. Relief - Sean Green signed 1 yr/$471K (2009) ~~ 2009 :$471,000 2010 :arbitration 2011 :arbitration  2012 :arbitration
10. Relief - Brian Stokes signed 1 yr/$409.5K (2009) ~~ 2009 :$409,500 2010 :arbitration   2011 :arbitration 2012 :arbitration  2013 :arbitration
11. Relief - Bobby Parnell signed 1 yr/$400K (2009) ~~ 2009: $400K 2010: $400K 2011: $400K 2012 :arbitration  2013 :arbitration 2014 :arbitration
12. Relief - Tim Redding signed 1 yr/$2.25M (2009) ~~ 2009: $2.25M 2010 :arbitration

Bench:

1.C - Omir Santos 1 yr/$400K ~~ 2009: $400K 2010: $400K 2011: $400K 2012 :arbitration  2013 :arbitration 2014 :arbitration
2.INF -
3.INF/LF -
4.OF - Jeremy Reed signed 1 yr/$925K (2009) ~~ 2009: $925K 2010 :arbitration 2011 :arbitration  
5.OF -


Other:


Total Salary:
2010 = $  91,213,000M
2011 = $  86,736,000M
2012 = $  39,250,000M
2013 = $  26,500,000M

Plus Bobby Bonilla will receive 25 equal payments of $1,193,248.20M each July 1 from 2011 to 2035 A total of $29,831,205M

Met Free Agents after the 2009 season:
1.Carlos Delgado
2.Brian Schneider
3.Fernando Tatis
4.Alex Cora
5.Gary Sheffield
6.Ramon Martinez
7.Elmer Dessens
8.J.J. Putz  (has $9.1M 2010 option)
9.Tim Redding (arbitration eligible)
10.Jeff Francoeur (arbitration eligible)
11.John Maine (arbitration eligible)
12.Pedro Feliciano (arbitration eligible)
13.Sean Green (arbitration eligible)
14.Jeremy Reed (arbitration eligible)
15.Brian Stokes (arbitration eligible)
16.Angel Pagan (arbitration eligible)
17.Corey Sullivan (arbitration eligible)