Francisco Rodriguez used to be known for his emphatic celebrations and his shades. But K-Rod decided that he’d try to wear contacts during games instead of his signature sunglasses. After a bout with pinkeye, Rodriguez has decided he may go with the shades again.
READ THE FULL POST »
Jenrry Mejia is 20 years old and is considered the Mets’ top-rated pitching prospect. But he’s only been playing baseball for a little over five years. Mejia, from Santo Domingo, only took up the game at the age of fifteen at his mother’s insistence. The new skill allowed him to leave his part-time shoe shining job behind for a five-figure contract.
READ THE FULL POST »
At least it’s not a hamstring. The recent thyroid issues troubling Jose Reyes will keep him out of action indefinitely. Tests showed that physical activity caused a spike in his thyroid hormones. You can read more on hyperthyroidism here. He won’t be able to engage in ANY physical activity for the next two to eight weeks.
READ THE FULL POST »
This offseason hasn’t been one of the best in Met’s history. Crankiness about (the lack of) moves combined with the typical Jose Reyes injury sideshow have put a damper on Spring Training buzz. But Jenrry Mejia may save the day. Word is that Jerry Manuel is intent on seeing if the young fireballer can make the Mets as a reliever.
So far, Mejia has dominated in Spring Training with 5.1 scoreless innings. Mejia relies on a mid-90s fastball with “Mariano Rivera-type” cutting action. If he does make the team, Mejia may take Bobby Parnell or Sean Green’s spot in the bullpen. If he doesn’t make the team, then Mejia would have a tough time filling his role as a starter at Double-A Binghamton since he’d need to be stretched out to handle the longer outings.
Tags: baseball, bullpen, jenrry mejia, MLB, new york mets, pitchers, relief pitcher
In May of last year, we detailed how the Mets had a major dilemma at first base. It’s nearly the start of the 2010 season and the issue remains: who will start at first base? Omar Minaya seems to think an “open competition” between Daniel Murphy and Mike Jacbos will solve the problem.
The Mets just signed Mike Jacobs to a minor league deal and Murphy was originally the most likely player to fill the position. Here’s what Minaya said about the position battle:
“He’ll compete for the job. I think it’s fair to say that Murphy has proven himself worthy of being considered, but he’s going to have to continue. It’s an open competition.”
Calling a player “worthy of being considered” isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement. It’s almost like saying “he’s not so bad that he’s out of the competition.” Jacobs has defensive shortcomings but probably has more power than Murphy. He also strikes out a ton. Murphy is still working to become an adequate defensive first baseman and is a better contact hitter than Jacobs. Both players struggle against left-handed pitching with Jacobs sporting a career .221 average against lefties while Murphy comes in at .240.
Minaya also added that 22-year-old first base prospect Ike Davis was a “special player.” Davis has a career average of .284 along with 20 homers and a .458 slugging % in 644 minor league at bats across single-A and double-A. While he may be an option in the future, the Mets still need to address the lack of talent at first base.
Tags: baseball, competition, daniel murphy, first base, mike jacobs, MLB, new york mets, omar minaya, positions, spring training
Monday was a day much like other recent days for Mets fans. Except this time around, there was a glimmer of hope on top of the heap of disappointment. Yesterday, a somewhat damning report came out of CHicago detailing the Mets’ handling of J.J. Putz’ injuries right around the same time Jose Reyes was on the field running on Long Island.
The Putz interview becomes yet another example of an injury situation was mishandled by the Mets. The reliever told CSN that he “never really had a physical with the Mets” and they failed to properly diagnose an existing bone spur in his right elbow. That pain continued to linger until Putz became concerned that overcompensating for his elbow might end up hurting his shoulder. So he had surgery to remove the bone spur in June and expected to be back in 10-12 weeks. When he returned, he began to experience tightness in his right forearm. According to Putz, that’s when the Mets told him he “blew out” his elbow which he said had not been causing him pain and shut him down for the season. So let’s hope that’s the last story we have to hear like that.
At the same time, Jose Reyes was working out on Long Island. Reyes was testing his surgically repaired right leg and managed to do five 90-foot sprints. After the feat, he declared, “That’s how I do it. I’m ready to play baseball.” Let’s hope the legs can hold up until the end of summer. Hilariously, Reyes also said that he would “cry a lot of times” when he was watching Mets’ games while injured. You’re not the only one, amigo.
Tags: baseball, bone spur, calf, elbow, hamstring, injuries, jj putz, jose reyes, MLB, new york mets
Yankee outfielder/Red Bull addict Nick Swisher will make an appearance on the CBS comedy “How I Met Your Mother” on Monday night. He will reportedly play the role of himself, standing in the way of yet another Barney Stinson female conquest. (ESPN)
Former Shea Stadium organist, Jane Jarvis, passed away at the age of 94. (Seattle Times)
Former Mets reliever Lance Broadway did some SERIOUS damage to some guy’s face on his way to being arrested/sued for brutally (and I mean brutal) assaulting a Texas man. (SportsbyBrooks)
CBS is generating a lot of news over what kind of ads they will and will not approve for Super Bowl Sunday. You can add Tim Tebow’s “anti-abortion” ad to the “approved” list, and an ad for gay dating to the “not approved” list. So for those of you keeping score at home, CBS is FOR abortion, and AGAINST gays. (Shutdown Corner)
The basis of Tebow’s ad has to do with the fact that his mother claims she was given the option of abortion due to an illness at the time of her pregnancy. However, abortion was punishable by a 6 year prison sentence in the ultra-religious Philippines (where she was residing at the time), so its highly unlikely a Tim Tebow abortion was ever even a remote possibility. (Huffington Post)
Rex Ryan is in hot water for telling ‘Fins fans that the Jets are #1. Don’t see what the big deal is here really. (SportsbyBrooks)
Pro Bowl CB, Darrelle Revis on Randy Moss: “Sometimes he takes plays off. Sometimes he don’t. That’s his game now.” Revis already made news by calling Moss a slouch a few weeks back. One thing is certain, the Jets are going to have some intense divisional match-ups next year. (ESPN)
Panthers star Julius Peppers will cost Carolina a cool $21million to place the franchise tag on him again. In other words, look for Peppers to be playing elsewhere next season. (Boston Herald)
The Toronto Maple Leafs have scored young stud defenseman Dion Phaneuf in a seven player deal with Calgary. (NHL)
In her final race before the Olympic games, Lindsey Vonn wins in super-G race. (Washington Post)
***
If you have any links you’d like to share with BLS for Nuts & Bolts or even an original post email them to me at john@bigleaguescrew.com
Tags: darrelle revis, MLB, new york jets, new york mets, new york yankees, nick swisher, Rex Ryan
Gary Matthews Jr. was an All-Star once upon a time. Last year, he played in 103 games and hit .250. Matthews was dealt on Friday to New York for Brian Stokes in a deal that will bolster the Mets’ outfield depth.
Matthews is signed to one of the worst contracts in the league with $23 or $23.5 million left in the last two years of his deal. The Angels will be picking up $21 or $21.5 million of that as a part of the trade. Los Angeles will also receive Brian Stokes who is a 30 year-old reliever who had a 5.02 ERA last year. Stokes isn’t bad but he also isn’t great. He had a very mediocre 45/38 K/BB ratio last season.
While we love to rag on ASGMJr (All-Star Gary Matthew Jr.), this deal actually works out pretty well for the Mets. They get cheap outfield help without giving up an integral part of their team. Matthews isn’t really a special player but at the very least he’s capable of being a major league regular. Though, he’ll have to improve on his piss poor 2009 to be helpful. He slugged a pitiful .361 last year.
Tags: baseball, brian stokes, gary matthews jr., los angeles angels of anaheim, MLB, new york mets, trades
Brett Favre might be as old as your father. He might even be older. A couple things are certain though, the Vikings are heading to the NFC Championship to face the Saints, and Brett’s sense of humor is as corny as your dad’s. After defeating the Cowboys, Favre lead the Vikings in a locker room rendition of “Pants on the Ground”. (FanHouse)
I’ve never been a fan of Jay Leno, but I’ll give the guy credit when he says something funny. After hearing of the Cowboy’s complaints about the Vikings running up the score on them Leno remarked, “I haven’t seen cowboys cry like that since ‘Brokeback Mountain.’” (Dallas News)
Reggie Bush has told Kim Kardashian that he will propose to her if the Saints win the Super Bowl. (NY Post)
Tim Tebow is set to star in a Super Bowl ad on behalf of a Christian organization. This will mark Tebow’s first (and only) Super Bowl appearance. (Orlando Sentinel)
The Buffalo Bills are really scraping the bottom of the barrel in their coaching search. Somehow, Chan Gailey has emerged as the favorite. (FanHouse)
Eagles RB Brian Westbrook may have played his last NFL game. (Philly.com)
A collection of pics of USC’s new “First Lady”, Layla Kiffin. (Total Pro Sports)
It’s not often you get a good deal when you catch a game at a ballpark, but for the past three years, the D-backs have had the lowest average ticket price in Major League Baseball and among professional sports teams in Phoenix. The organization’s main goal is to provide a an exceptional fan experience at Chase Field that is affordable during these challenging economic times. (MLB)
The Seattle Mariners have kept the big market poachers at bay, and signed 24 year-old ace Felix Hernandez to a 5 year extension worth about $80 million. (BigLeagueStew)
The Mets have Bengie Molina on their “front burner”, but will still send scouts to watch Ben Sheets throw in Louisiana. (Steve Popper/Twitter)
The Marlins have avoided arbitration with slugging second baseman Dan Uggla and signed him to a 1-year $7.8 million deal. A trade may still be on the horizon though. (Baseball Musings)
The No. 1 ranked Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team dropped their first game of the season to No. 10 Kansas State. (FanHouse)
Jessica Simpson and Billy Corgan are reportedly not dating, but they are “having fun together”. Exactly. Not dating. (Perez Hilton)
Ever see a polar bear fly a fighter jet through outer space? At an Alaska Nanooks game, anything is possible. (WithLeather)
***
If you have any links you’d like to share with BLS for Nuts & Bolts or even an original post email them to me at john@bigleaguescrew.com
Tags: brett favre, buffalo bills, dallas cowboys, kim kardashian, MLB, new york mets, NFL, Nuts & Bolts, reggie bush, tim tebow
Lane Kiffin and his hot wife, Layla, are headed back to sunny southern California
There’s going to be plenty of fall-out from Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave Tennessee for USC, including coaching changes throughout the NCAA and probably some tough decisions for recruits. Most importantly, however, we may never get to see Layla Kiffin in a sexy orange dress ever again. Soak it in while it lasts, fellas. (Woopig.net)
You might say this guy was “pissed off”. This Tennessee fan urinated on his Lane Kiffin gear and proceeded to set it on fire. Yes, there is video. (BusterSports)
Unsurprisingly, The USC money train continues to roll along without Pete Carroll. There are reports that Lakers owner Jerry Buss footed the bill for Lane Kiffin’s Tennessee buyout. That sounds fair. Not. (SportsbyBrooks)
Here’s a name that WON’T be replacing Kiffin at Tennessee: Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Muschamp will reportedly eventually take over for Mack Brown and “plans on being at Texas for a long time.” (Statesman)
Jerricho Cotchery and the Jets are ready to face off with his former NC State teammate Phillip Rivers, and his red hot Chargers. (Sports Radio Interviews)
Apparently A-Rod has been seeing his new gal pal, Elaine Spottswood, since before his relationship with Kate Hudson ended. She must give great helmet. (InTouch)
The Mets are close to a deal with catcher Bengie Molina. (Jon Morosi/Twitter)
FA Ben Sheets will hold a throwing session for up to 10 teams, including the Chicago Cubs. (ESPN)
Amazing commercial featuring former Yankee and Met “El Duque” Orlando Hernandez pitching airless water valves. Who said this guy’s career was over? (Sharapova’s Thigh)
So what does BigLeagueScrew have in common with Jay-Z? Well, besides the obvious, we are both inspired by the exceptionally clever headline writing from the New York Post. (NY Post)
24 starts back up this weekend and I can tell you now that I can’t wait to have Jack Bauer back in my life. For those of you in the same boat, check out Kiefer Sutherland’s “dressed up” appearance on Letterman.
***
If you have any links you’d like to share with BLS for Nuts & Bolts or even an original post email them to me at john@bigleaguescrew.com
Tags: A-Rod, kate hudson, lane kiffin, layla kiffin, new york mets, new york post, new york yankees, tennessee volunteers, usc trojans
Looking for some Jason Bay stuff? You can get it cheap. Too bad it has a Boston Red Sox logo on it. The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham posted a picture from a sporting goods store in Massachusetts offering Jason Bay merchandise at 50% off.
Abraham must’ve really hated his job at LoHud. Because he’s been taking non-stop shots at the Yankees and Mets so far this offseason. Although, Jason Bay has really been his only target on the Mets. It’s still going to be great when the Red Sox tank this season. At least that means less work for him in October.
Tags: baseball, boston red sox, Jason Bay, merchandise, MLB, new york mets
The Mets 2010 campaign hasn’t even started and it’s already starting to look like last year. Unfortunately, the squad incurred its first major loss before pitchers and catchers report. Carlos Beltran underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and may miss Opening Day.
As originally reported by Will Carroll, Beltran had his knee scoped by Dr. Richard Steadman. It was originally reported as microfracture surgery — which requires a much longer rehab stint. The Mets indicated that Beltran would return to baseball-related activities in 12 weeks. If you checked a calendar, that means he might not be swinging a bat or running the bases until after Opening Day. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports that the procedure was done without the Mets’ permission. While the surgery aftermath could be a mess on its own, some of the details are troubling as well. Specifically the fact that Beltran was being monitored by Mets’ doctor David Altchek from October to December. That’s when Beltran decided to see another doctor. Sherman also reports that the Mets could take action against Beltran but their options are limited.
If Beltran can make it back to full strength without missing significant time, the surgery probably isn’t the worst thing. Still, it puts more heat on the already-troubled medical staff for the Mets.
Tags: baseball, carlos beltran, david altchek, knee, MLB, new york mets, richard steadman, scope, surgery
