Justin Bopp is back with a new statistical-based graphic for Beyond the Boxscore, which essentially says Daniel Murphy is the second-best defensive first baseman in the National League.

…i was quite impressed with murphy’s defense at first, mostly because of what he showed to us in left field, but i wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s among the best defensive players at his position based on just 100 games or so… but, as a scout told me this summer, murphy reacts well to the ball, it’s when he has time to set up and think that he tends to make most of his physical errors… and so, first base, or third base, seem like they play to his strengths…

Yesterday, in his interview with Mike Francesa on WFAN, which you can listen to here, Omar Minaya said Murphy is ‘getting better,’ and can be an every-day first baseman for the Mets.

Francesa later asked what Murphy is good at, to which Minaya said:

“What does Murphy do well?  Right now, you’re talking about a young, developing player who is learning at the major leagues and improving at first base… Now, he comes at you everyday and he gives a good effort… He has to improve with the OBP… But, we are talking about a rookie.”

…from what i can gather, the early criticism of murphy was that he had ‘tunnel vision,’ so to speak, and ignored feedback on his hitting, taking it all on himself, working and hitting relentlessly before games, which only hardened his bad habits… however, towards the end of the season, he hit less before games and started working more closely with Howard Johnson, who got murphy to begin being aggressive in his swing on inside pitches…

Murphy hit .282 with 37 extra base hits, 35 RBI, but just 13 walks, in 72 games during the second half of the season.

The Mets will have the seventh overall pick in next season’s draft, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America.

…the important thing here is, because they finished in the worst 15, the Mets will not lose their top pick if they sign a Type A Free Agent, such as Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, Orlando Hudson, Randy Wolf and John Lackey…

According to Eddie Bajek and MLB Trade Rumors, both Fernando Tatis and Carlos Delgado project to be Type B Free Agents, meaning, assuming the Mets offer each player arbitration, the team could receive an additional draft pick for between the first and second round.

…the thing is, i have to think there is zero chance the Mets offer either tatis or delgado arbitration, because they’ll both probably accept it… i mean, i can’t think anyone is ponying up a multi-year deal to get delgado, especially since he never made it back from the disabled list this year because he pulled a stomach muscle while rehabbing his hip…

By the way, in a post to Twitter, SNY’s Ted Berg points out, “The Rockies drafted and developed all 10 of their top 10 2009 plate-appearance leaders.”

According to Yakyu Baka, the Mets and Tigers attended Yusei Kikuchi’s press conference in Japan, during which he announced he will either enter the Japanese draft or sign with a MLB team.

…from what i can gather, the Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, Tigers and Braves have all shown interest in kikuchi, dating back to last spring…

“We’ll see what happens after we meet and talk,” Mets scout Isao Ojimi is quoted as saying.  “He needs to make a decision he won’t regret.”

The 18–year-old Kikuchi, who is left-handed and reached 95–mph on the radar gun, is expected to be the top pick of the draft if he stays to pitch in Japan, according to the report.

…i’m no scout, but i know this: any 18–year-old kid who can hit 95 mph, and has a curve ball roughly 20–mph slower than that, and who is left-handed, is worth looking in to…

To see video of Kikuchi, click below:

Read more…

In a report for Newsday, Wallace Matthews writes the following in response to yesterday’s press conference with Jeff Wilpon and Omar Minaya:

“So much for accountability.  So much for consequences. So much for seeing any improvement next year, or the year after that, or the year after that.  In fact, don’t expect anything to change in Flushing until the year after they change ownership.”

…i’m still stuck on how something can be ‘unacceptable,’ a phrase that was said three years in a row by the way, and yet essentially the same group of people are all allowed to return to the helm for 2010…

In case you missed yesterday’s events, in Citi Field and on WFAN, Eric Simon posts a nuts-and-bolts recap on Amazin Avenue.

Ted Berg of SNY.TV hopes Minaya does ‘no harm,’ while attempting to ‘put a winning team on the field.’

Steve Popper of the Bergen Record looks more closely at Wilpon’s comments about next season’s payroll.  Meanwhile, on his blog, here, Popper describes yesterday as, ‘The Mets Day of Apologies.’

…sadly, Mets Day of Apologies is becoming an annual event, like some sort of sad holiday, it seems… all Mets fans should get the day off from school and work…

For a response-by-response response of Jerry Manuel’s comments yesterday, check out Fire Jerry Manuel… and for a similarly snarky rundown on the day’s events, read Paul Moro’s post on Ump Bump.

Wilpon and Minaya later talked in-studio at WFAN, and asked host Mike Francesa what he would do to the team this off season, to which Mike Silva of NY Baseball Digest asks, “Honestly, wouldn’t it be easier to consult the magic eight ball instead of Francesa? At least the eight ball has an excuse for not watching the team.”

Silva also picks apart Wilpon’s argument, which claims the team spends money on their top draft picks.

Lastly, in a report for MLB.com, Marty Noble explains why yesterday means Minaya and Manuel are facing ‘monumental tasks.’

In a post to his blog for the New York Post, Joel Sherman says Omar Minaya might be planning to trade mid-level prospects for other team’s overpriced commodities.

…well, he should, but he also should be looking for ways to include moving his own overpriced commodities, such as Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez…

…actually, i have heard the plan is to do everything possible to keep their top prospects, instead spending money on free agents, trading current players and cash for other players, including change-of-scenery guys, all in an effort to change the edges of the team and protect the core… the thing is, i recall people saying the exact same thing last off season…

As an example of an ‘overpriced commodity,’ which should interest the Mets, Sherman lists Braves RHP Derek Lowe, who has three years and $45 million left on his contract; Royals RHP Gil Meche, who will earn $24 million the next two years; White Sox OF Magglio Ordonez, and his one-year, $15 million option; and Rays OF Pat Burrell, who will earn $10 million.

Speaking of which, Mark Bowman of MLB.com believes the Braves will explore trading Lowe, who had a 4.67 ERA this season.

To read more from Sherman, who also explains why next season is all on Jeff Wilpon, and not Minaya and Jerry Manuel, go here.

In the Daily News, Bob Raissman parses Keith Hernadez’s on-air comments in the final moments of Sunday’s broadcast, and wonders if Hernandez will soon be leaving SNY.

Matthew Artus of Always Amazin does not understand why the Mets felt it necessary to have Jeff Wilpon and Omar Minaya talk for more than two hours yesterday, only to say nothing.

Aaron York of the Daily Stache lists reasons why you should care about Cardinals-Dodgers in the NLDS.

According to Caryn Rose, of Mets Grrl, yesterday’s press conference was ‘60 minutes of the most condescending, ill-prepared, arrogant, ill-informed, unprepared, unprofessional blather.”

In a post to Brooklyn Met Fan, Adam explains why, if you’re a season-ticket holder, you should call the team’s ticket office and say, “I will not renew my season tickets unless Bobby Valentine is back with the team in some capacity next year.”

Lastly, to see Mike Piazza talking to Fox Business about his support of treating paralysis, click below:

Read more…

In a report for the Daily News, Filip Bondy says Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel are ‘on the hot seat,’ writing:

“Jeff Wilpon yesterday called this ‘a one-year thing,’ meaning a one-season commitment to these two guys.”

…actually, that is not at all what he said, as SNY’s Ted Berg and i were sitting right there and talked about it following the press conference… instead, and MLB.com’s Marty Noble even asked jeff to clarify his comments in a follow-up question, jeff said, ‘one-year thing,’ in regards to how 2009 played out, i.e., the injuries…

In response to Noble’s follow-up, asking him to clarify the definition of ‘one-year thing,’ Wilpon said:

“We obviously didn’t perform this year, and I hope the non-performance is a one-year situation.  We don’t plan to not perform next year.  As I said, it was unacceptable.  The one-year thing is 2009.”

…that said, i actually think bondy is correct in his thesis, in that omar and jerry may be ‘singing for their supper,’ to to speak, not because of any one quote, but because it is typically how the Mets behave, especially when considering manuel is without a contract for after this season… and, the rumor among baseball people has long been, where jerry goes, omar will follow…

For a full transcript of Wilpon’s responses, go to MLB.com.

Jeff Wilpon and Omar Minaya talked with Mike Francesa for more than an hour on WFAN today.

To listen to the entire interview, go to WFAN.com.

By the way, to watch Chris Carlin’s one-on-one interview with Wilpon following today’s press conference, use the video player in the sidebar.

To read of several noteworthy moments and statements from Francesa’s interview with Wilpon and Minaya, click below:

Read more…

The Mets have said Jose Reyes will undergo surgery to clean up scar tissue around the accessory hamstring tendon behind the right knee.

According to a team press release, “He will not require surgery for the separate hamstring muscle tear in his right leg, which he suffered in late September while working out for his return to baseball.”

The surgery will be performed by Dallas Cowboys team doctor Dr. Daniel E. Cooper, or, as the press release states, “The leading expert in the country in the surgical treatment of the chronically torn semi tendinosis tendon in athletes.”

The Mets did not announce a specific date for the surgery, however, they say, “Reyes is expected to be ready for Spring Training.”

Joe Janish at Mets Today is calling for fans to sign the petition to sign Wally Backman, created over a year ago by Michael Curtain.

Meanwhile, Ed Ryan over at Mets Fever believes that today’s press conferences mark the first miscalculation of the off-season for the Mets.

Finally, Joe D at MetsMerized Online says that “what’s passed is past, and we need to look ahead to a new and hopefully a more healthier and productive season in 2010.”

Omar Minaya and Jeff Wilpon will now address reporters from the media room in Citi Field.

Update, 11:48 am:

Wilpon said he is disappointed in the team’s results, which he labeled as ‘unacceptable.’

He said the team will change their medical protocols to help limit injury, and he will personally see to it that the team does a better job communicating injuries to the media.

He said the team will continue to have one of the highest payrolls in the National League, despite being the second year of a new ballpark.

“The payroll is what Omar needs,” he said.  “There is no set limit.”

Update, 11:50 am:

Wilpon noted many of the team’s injuries were suffered on the road, where teams typically rely on the opposing team’s medical staff.

Jose Reyes deserves a lot of credit for how hard he worked to come back this season, Wilpon told reporters.  He said Reyes will most likely have surgery on his hamstring tendon, though the team is still working on a plan and will make an announcement soon.

Update, 11:56 am:

Minaya was encouraged by what he saw from Daniel Murphy, though he would not say he’s committed to him at first base next season.

He said the team is fully aware they must acquire power for the lineup, though he is not willing to say what his off-season priorities will be.

Update, 12:03 pm:

Minaya says he takes full responsibility for the failure that was 2009, and he intends to work hard to build a winning team for 2010, ‘which fans can be proud of.’

Update, 12:05 pm:

Minaya believes he and his staff must look at every aspect of the team, while putting better talent on the field.

He is open to change, and though he believes the core is capable of winning, he will always keep his options open.

Update, 12:06 pm:

Wilpon and Minaya are done speaking.

This morning at Citi Field, Jerry Manuel addressed the media and answered questions regarding changes on the staff, performance of the team, etc.

To see video of Manuel’s press
conference, use the video player in the sidebar of MetsBlog.com.

Brian Costa of the Star Ledger has posted the full transcript here.

Below are two excerpts from the transcript.

On possibly changing the medical staff:

“No. I thought our trainers – Ray Ramirez and Mike Herbst – I thought they did an excellent job. They kept me informed every day with the information they were getting, I thought they did an excellent job. An excellent job. I know it appeared that some things were kind of lost, but as far as what I needed from them and what they gave me, and those types of things and the work they put in, they did an excellent job, in my opinion.”

…excellent isn’t exactly how i would describe their performance this year, or their performance going back into the 2006 postseason for that matter…

Despite allowing 616 walks which was the second highest in the Major Leagues, pitching coach Dan Warthen was retained because we worked well with Oliver Perez, John Maine, and Mike Pelfrey.

…i’m not sure what that is based on, considering the three combined to go 20-22 with a 5.24 ERA and 162 walks…

Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes that Omar Minaya is interested in hiring former Padres GM Kevin Towers and former Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, both of whom were fired by their respective teams this past weekend.

Sherman believes this could be a ‘nervy move,’ in that they would be arriving at a time when Minaya is on shaky ground with his own team, and could be hiring his eventual replacement.

…i think towers is a good baseball guy to have around, but why would he want to accept a lower position than he previously had… i have to think it would need to be a highly influential role and, if he eventually doesn’t succeed minaya, the marriage would be shortlived…

Minaya worked with Towers on the deal that sent Heath Bell to San Diego for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson in 2006.

For more, check out Sherman’s article.

Jon Heyman of SI.com said on Twitter that the Mets are planning to bring back Wally Backman as a minor-league coach.

…from what i can gather, the Mets met with backman a few weeks ago to discuss a possible return to the organization…

Added to, by Michael Baron:

Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Mets have invited Backman in for an interview for a minor-league job, but are resisting the temptation to offer him a job at the Major League level.

Jerry Manuel is at the mic in the media room in Citi Field, wearing street clothes, speaking to reporters about his coaching staff, 2010 and next season.

He said Razor Shines will remain on his staff, but he is not yet sure what role he will serve in.

He said, ‘The traffic on the base paths was not what we wanted it to be,’ when speaking of Shines and Luis Alicea, who was let go from the staff entirely.

Update, 10:45 am:

Sandy Alomar Jr will have a more prominent role next year, and will be consdered among candidtes for his bench or first base coach, as will Shines.

Update, 10:50 am:

Manuel said Ray Ramirez will return as the team’s head trainer, noting he did everything asked of him this season.

Update, 10:55 am:

Manuel said simply changing up the coaching staff will not fix the team’s
poor fundamental play.

Instead, he explained, we will not know whether it has been fixed until spring training, where he expects to work with his team on a daily basis stressing base running, situational hitting and other defeciences.

Update, 10:58 am:

Manuel is done speaking.

Omar Minaya and Jeff Wilpon are expected to address the media within the hour, according to a team spokesman.