The last time Johan Santana pitched in a game that meant anything, it was Sept. 2, 2010. His last pitch that day finished off a strikeout (swinging) of Omar Infante. He would leave the game after just five innings of work, earning the win over the Atlanta Braves, 4-2.

“I felt a little tightness here,” Santana said after the game, pointing to his upper left chest. “(Then-manager Jerry Manuel) said I was done for the night. I felt I was able to go back out, but he didn’t want to take any chances. I’ll be all right.”

He hasn’t pitched in a regular season game since.

***

Rewind back to Feb. 6, 2008, the Diamond Club at Shea had it last – and perhaps most healing – introductory Press Conference for its newest acquisition, as the team introduced Santana to the fan base.

The New York Giants had just won the Super Bowl, and Big Blue aficionado Jay Horwitz (who also happens to the Mets’ longtime PR man), was beaming as various media members congratulated him on his football team’s championship.

Everyone was upbeat, as much from relief as anything else. The Mets had gotten their guy, a player that most experts (including me), had predicted they had no chance at acquiring. That in and of itself had almost erased the terrible summer of 2007, when they blew a seven-game lead in the National League East with 17 to play.

To read the rest of this article and more about the Mets, click here for a FREE DOWNLOAD of Gotham Baseball’s Winter Issue

This coming Monday, former Gotham Baseball scribe Howard Megdal, the author of Wilpon’s Folly joins Mark Healey on “Baseball Digest LIVE” at 10am ET

In case you haven’t heard, the Fred Wilpon / Saul Katz ownership group is in a bit of trouble these days, and no one, and I mean no one has been doing a better job of reporting on this mess than Megdal.

In the course of a year, the public has become far more aware of ownership’s financial problems. Anger among the team’s supporters is at an extraordinary level, with even the most innocuous postings on Metsblog.com, for instance, attracting dozens of exhortations to Fred Wilpon to liberate the team from its ruinous off-the-field problems by selling it. And these are the committed fans; many others are simply tuning the Reyes-less Mets out.

“Wilpon’s Folly” is a comprehensive look at just how dismal the financial outlook of the Wilpon / Katz ownership is. But it is also incredibly accessible, and in stark contrast to what many folks are writing about the Mets these days, an objective and agenda-free read.

***

While Megdal’s book and many other reports these days concern the team’s finances, most of what I have written about over the years about the Mets is about the dysfunction of ownership and its relationship with the front office. Let’s face it, if the Mets were a well-run organization, or even remotely proficient in their ability to procure talent, the financial problems would be difficult, yes, but not impossible to overcome. I mean, really, people who love to blame Omar Minaya solely for the sloppiness of the last few years either have a short memory or are just plain ignorant.

I don’t mean to absolve any Mets GM of the last 25 or so years for mistakes they’ve made, but to think that Fred Wilpon has kept himself free and clear of any decisions except to say ok to money transactions is as big a joke as the charde of a GM “search” that was conducted last winter.

As for sloppiness, remember this debacle?

Wow, talk about foreshadowing. I have grown to respect Steve Phillips as a colleague at SiriusXM, and as I have researched his tenure, can pretty much identify which deals he was in front of and which ones he wasn’t.

Phillips took a leave of absence on Nov. 8, the eve of important general manager meetings at which teams pursue trades and free agents. He was immediately, and somewhat reluctantly, replaced by Frank Cashen, who had last served as the Mets’ general manager in 1991. Cashen made one deal while he was in charge — acquiring the controversial ex-Met Bobby Bonilla for the unpopular reliever Mel Rojas, a trade that Phillips had laid the groundwork for before he stepped aside.

Did Phillips lay the groundwork for a deal involving Bonilla? Or simply talk to the Dodgers about Rojas? Hard to figure out all of the years later, especially when all of the GMs and other front office people that leave the Mets need to sign non-disclosure agreements. In any event, listen to this doozy of a quote from Fred Wilpon regarding the return of Bobby Bonilla.

‘I can’t predict what’s going to happen,” said Wilpon, a Bonilla believer. ”He’s a different guy. He has the strongest desire I’ve ever heard about not ending his career without making it in New York. That’s motivation. I have high regard for what he has left. I think he will be an important addition to this club.”

Wilpon, who has seen major off-season moves backfire before, acknowledged that bringing Bonilla back is a calculated risk, but he believes Bonilla has another motivating factor working in his behalf.

”He has one wonderful, smart and strong-willed wife,” Wilpon said of Millie Bonilla. ”She loves Greenwich, where they live. She’s ecstatic. She wants to be here. They want to be here. It makes a difference. He’s going to live in Greenwich when he’s through playing. So he has a lot of motivation.”

So, the owner is a “Bonilla believer” and he was traded for during Philips’ leave of absence by Frank Cashen? C’mon, you can’t make this stuff up. I don’t what I enjoy more, the “high regard” comment or the monologue about how Mrs. Bonilla was going to “motivate” Bobby to play better.

Take one look at Jose Reyes’ career statistics and it’s obvious what the New York Mets would lose if they let him leave.  Take one look at the joy and energy with which he plays the game; that would be gone, too. Take a look at Citi Field on any given night this past season — while it appeared to be pretty vacant, imagine it would even more empty with Reyes no longer wearing the Mets blue and orange.

Perhaps it’s the fact that the Mets fan base is hanging by a thread that will scare their brass into picking up the tab on a new Reyes contract.  While ownership has made it clear that the team will have is slashing payroll this offseason, they are essentially writing themselves a death sentence by letting Reyes get away.

In a season where the Mets overachieved for a good portion of the season without Johan Santana throwing a pitch, David Wright having the worst season of his career after suffering a broken back, and Ike Davis being lost for most of the season (after a hot start) with a routine ankle injury, Reyes was the star attraction and, for some fans, the only reason to show up at Citi Field in 2011.  Take him away and whatever remaining energy and intensity that currently exists will have been sapped.

Read more of Matt Sherman’s article and the rest of Gotham Baseball Fall 2011 for FREE, click here to get

]]> http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/11/the-case-to-keep-jose-reyes-2/feed/ 1 http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/11/gotham-baseball-talks-to-chris-leible-the-man-behind-jose-reyes/ http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/11/gotham-baseball-talks-to-chris-leible-the-man-behind-jose-reyes/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:05:43 +0000 Charles M. Hollon http://www.gothambaseball.com/?p=2506

He’s taller then Tom Cruise. Well, at least the character Cruise played in Jerry Maguire. He’d also rather wear jeans then suits, like Robert Wuhl did in Arli$$.

Meet real-life agent Chris Leible, who represents one of the most popular players in Mets history; Jose Reyes.

Leible, a product of Glen Rock, NJ, got his start in the sports industry as an intern, working for the New York Mets.

“I worked for their scouting department and helped coordinate reports for them,” Leible said. “I handled just about anything and everything that was necessary.”

Results were positive. Leible would learn more of the system and also get to know many players as they moved through the ranks. He would also get to work with and learn from Roland Johnson, the Mets former Director of Scouting.

“Roland is a pure baseball guy,” said Leible. “(He) had a great sense for the game and people, he taught me a great deal.”

Getting to know the players and how the system worked would be beneficial to Leible, but things would change dramatically. There were changes afoot in the Mets front office, Leible found himself, a man without an island.

“They made some moves, and well, at that point I was doing anything to stay on board,” he said. “It got so bad, I ended up cleaning the closets in the bowels of Shea.”

Shortly thereafter, the Mets had a hole in their public relations department and Chris stepped up to the plate, and started working with long time Media Relations people like Shannon Dalton and head man Jay Horwitz.”

Leible would spend the rest of his time with the Mets in the PR department honing his people skills. It was here also that Leible actually began to see his relationships build between players and the team.

“I got to know many of the players very well; John Franco, Mike Piazza, Robin Ventura, John Olerud and Edgardo Alfonzo among others became friends.” he said. “Through them I got to see how things worked with their agents as well.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that being an agent fascinated me”.

Leible’s thoughts as a teen were always to become a player representative. Well, that is after he figured out he wasn’t going to become the next Darryl Strawberry.

“Darryl was always my favorite player,” he said. “I still emulate his swing on the softball field.”

***

In the Fall of 1999, the relationships Chris had built with his days in the minors and learning how the interaction of a player and an agent gave way to an exciting opportunity. Peter Greenberg approached Chris about going to work for him and his brother Edward.

“The job entailed me doing public relations and marketing for them,” he said. “Actually it was about two weeks into the position and I was tossed right into the fire, I was doing a bit of everything”.

In January of 2000, Chris was certified by the Players Associations and realized his thoughts of being a full time agent were coming true. Now an average day for Leible can be spent from negotiating contracts to fielding questions from the media on a deal yet to be.

In today’s baseball business, many feel that players work for the agents and that was something Chris never wanted to become.

“Our clients are the boss, they dictate to us what they want, because when it comes to contracts, they are the ones that have to live that life.” he said. “I always felt that I wanted to treat our clients with respect that they deserve”.

Leible also stresses that he felt that going that extra mile for a player is just built in his nature.

In 2007, Greenberg and Associates were named by Forbes Magazine as the premiere agents in sports.

“To be recognized on that level and to be part of it, is very fulfilling”

***

The big deals can be thrilling, but so can the samller ones.

“I have to share a story,” Leible said. “I wasn’t supposed to know or even find out, but on Blackberry there was a message posted by one of our clients, that I didnt even know he put out there.”

Turns out Ozzie Chavez, a independent league infielder who through the help of Leible had just secured a job in the Phillies organization had written, “With God and Chris, all things are possible.”

“To say I wasn’t humbled is an understatement, to me that means more than any big contract or huge endorsement.” Leible said.

Did you say happen to say big contracts? Well the affable, Leible has been involved with several large deals. The Johan Santana deal with the Mets for one example, was a great deal of work, that required a lot of energy and patience.

“I believe when it comes to large contracts, you really have to know your client and being able to understand what works for them.” Leible said. “I always promised myself that Id put as much energy into every one of our clients.”

A memorable moment in the life of the Leible the young agent came at his first arbitration hearing.

“Brian Hunter,” Leible blurts out quickly, referring to the former outfielder for the Braves, Reds and Mariners among other clubs. “When I got the news, that we won, I was more excited than he was, I think. That was a hard fought case and we had put alot of time and effort into it.”

Going into a arbitration hearing can be tough and very stressful, Leible admitted. Noting that Ken Forsch, the former hurler and assistant GM along with Wayne Krivsky, also once a general manager “who really helped turn the Reds around” as two formidable adversaries.

The fall and winter ahead for Leible and Greenberg Associates figures to be a busy one. They are the agents for that shortstop guy on the Mets. You know, the National League batting champion.

Jose Reyes figures to be the one of the most pursed free agents on the market this
off-season.

“I think Jose is one of those rare players that feeds off the energy of the fans, he loves the fans here in New York and I believe that feeling is mutual.” Leible said. “Jose also has a keen sense of his history here with the Mets, he’d love to be a Met for life.

“Time will tell.”

When pressed, Chris stated that he really doesn’t have a sense of where Jose will sign for 2012 and beyond.

“We’re going into it with eyes wide open, His first choice has always been to stay here with the Mets.”

Chris’s titles have also expanded on a personal level, as he is godfather to two of Reyes’ daughters. And the hot stove this season will also be producing some late nights and early mornings for Leible as he recently became a Dad for the first time. Cane Leible made his debut just several weeks ago.

“I’ve already got Santana ready to teach him how to throw, (Bobby) Abreu set to school him on developing a great eye and Jose (Reyes) teaching him how to run.”

The honor was also reciprocated as Leible asked Jose to be the godfather to Cane. They say it takes a village to raise a child, Cane already has an all-Star team teaching him the game and an All-Star agent Dad to represent him.

To Read More about the Mets and the rest of New York baseball’s Past Present and Future, Download a Free Copy of the Fall 2011 Issue of Gotham Baseball Magazine!

People keep telling me that they trust Sandy Alderson. Problem is, I don’t trust his boss.

I have covered the New York Mets for a variety of media outlets since 1996, but I have been a fan for most of my 43 years as well. I was a year old in 1969, not quite aware of the near-miss in 1973, and cried when the Franchise was run out of town in 1977.

As a freshman in college, I spent the 1986 NLCS in and out of my dad and sister’s respective hospital rooms. Both were recovering from the surgery that resulted in a new kidney for my sister, and a near-expulsion from the hospital for me, beacuse my dad and I went nuclear when Lenny Dykstra’s home run won Game 3. The nurses did not appreciate the playoffs, I guess.

The point is, I’m a fan. And I am tired of watching the same drama play itself over and over and over again. The losing I can take (I’m an Atlanta Falcons fan as well). It’s the consistent failure of this ownership group to stop thinking that they are the solution to the problem, the lack of even the slightest comprehension of what its fan base wants, and a decades-long penchant for making the worst PR mistakes in all of baseball.

Before and after becoming a journalist, I have always devoured baseball news, especially that of the Mets-related variety. As a young fan, I read and re-read my father’s collection of Mets yearbooks dating all the way back to 1962, hundreds of times. I have devoured any book ever writtern about the Mets. I have interviewed hundreds of former Mets players, front office executives coaches and managers. I am also writing a book about the team that has played with my mental state since I was old enough to care.

So forgive me if I don’t believe a word of what I am being told from the ownership and front office of the New York Mets these days.

I’ve heard it all before.

‘We need to rebuild through the minor league system.”

“Those decisions are made by the baseball department.”

“I can’t think of a single time we said no to any of our people when they asked about adding to the budget.”

“We need to get younger, faster, more athletic.”

“We need to rely more on our scouting department.”

All of those quotes have come from a Wilpon, a Wilpon-hired GM or any number of Mets executives over the years. Yet, I am supposed to trust a Mets chief executive who tells me his intention is to build a winner, yet isn’t going to make his 28-year old All-Star caliber shortstop and leadoff hitter his first priority?

Is Sandy Alderson capable of making the Mets into a perennial contender? His resume says so. His assistants, J.P. Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta have gained recognition as gifted baseball executives when working in Oakland, so we know they have ability.

But what is the endgame? Is it to keep the Mets viable while the ownership group exhausts every opportunity to save the franchise for themselves “for generations” as the CEO put it last year? Or is to actually spend the next five years building a champion?

I have no idea, because I have no reason to believe that this — or any — front office constructed by this ownership can ever succeed for an extended period of time.

I’ve expressed many of these concerns on Twitter, and people keep telling me “I trust Sandy”. It sounds a lot like “In Omer We Trust”.

This is not about Sandy as much as his bosses, Fred Wilpon, Saul Katz, Jeff Wilpon and ultimately, Bud Selig.

Fred Wilpon sits on baseball’s powerful Executive Council, and has been friends with Bud Selig for a long time. According to Business Week, the Mets are carrying hundreds of millions of dollars in debt

The Mets also have debt issues, which began in 2001, when real estate investor Fred Wilpon bought out former co-owner Nelson Doubleday with $138 million in borrowed money. A decade later, according to Bloomberg data, Wilpon had $375 million of team debt on the books and at least $617 million owed on Citi Field, which opened in 2009. (The latter doesn’t count as debt, under the rules established by baseball to restrict teams’ borrowings.)

I’m not even including the potential settlements that could be paid out with regards to the over $400 million in penalties Mets ownership may face.

So, no, I don’t believe Jose Reyes is even a possibility. Nor do I think the Mets, outside of an even salary deal or two, are going to remotely change the makeup of the roster for the 2012 season.

Based on this ownership’s spotty history, I have little reason to think otherwise. If I am wrong, great. That means I’m just paranoid. If I’m right, well, it doesn’t take too much intellect to predict a Mets ownership fail.

To Read More about the Mets and the rest of New York baseball’s Past Present and Future, Download a Free Copy of the Fall 2011 Issue of Gotham Baseball Magazine!

Wally Backman, who has spent the last two years managing in the New York Mets’ minor league system, is trying to decide his future. And for the first time in a long time, he has a choice of wher he wants to spend his next season.

The Mets, according to public reports, have offered — or are open — to having Backman manage at Triple-A Buffalo in 2012.

But Backman is also mulling a pair of MLB coaching offers; one from an AL team and one from an NL club and isn’t sure, says an industry source, of which is the best route to a big league manager’s job.

“Let’s face it,” said the source, who is close to Backman, but asked not to be identified because of his relationship with the Mets and the other MLB clubs involved. “Many people have a very unfavorable view of Wally, even though he’s done everything the Mets have asked, and then some.  There are some GMs that think Wally has a job with the Mets because he won a World Series with them.

He might have to work with another organization to start changing people’s minds. But people who Wally respects have advised him to take Buffalo job also. So he’s really undecided at this point.”

Backman, who was a finalist for the Mets’ job that went to Terry Collins, spent the 2011 season in Double-A Binghamton, where he was entrusted with some of the Mets’ top minor league prospects.  Though the B-Mets finished the season with a 65-76 record, they did play at a 35-21 clip following the All-Star break.

“[Backman] did an excellent job for us in Binghamton,” Alderson noted during the season-ending press conference. “The overall record was not good, but with the addition of some talent in midseason, they played quite well and hard and started to play winning baseball.

“Wally has a history of motivating his players and having success. We want to continue to develop and win. Certainly at a place like Buffalo and at that level, winning becomes even more important than it is elsewhere in the system.”

There are many around baseball that believe that Backman remains in the Mets system simply because of his relationship with COO Jeff Wilpon.  While this may have been true at one point, namely his hiring to be the Single-A Brooklyn Cyclones’ skipper back in 2009, several people in the Mets organization have been told that Alderson has been impressed with both Backman’s managerial ability as well as his willingness to work in the overall player evaluation system the team has put in place since the former Oakland A’s GM was hired to run the baseball operations.

Just three years ago, Backman was wondering if any team in MLB would give him a chance to prove his detractors wrong. Now, with his long-standing goal of managing an MLB team finally becoming a reality once again, he has some options to consider.

Did you know that Gotham Baseball magazine is now an online product. Download the Fall 2011 issue here and save it to your mobile device or computer!

There are still a lot of National League fans in this town.  If you can show them a clean stadium where they can get a beer and a hot dog and have a good time, you’ve got a good thing going.” – Nelson Doubleday.

The year is 1979.  The cheers from the magical summer of a decade ago have long grown silent.  The New York Mets have the worst record in the National League. A stadium, that just just 15 years ago hosted the All-Star Game and was a major attracdtion at the World’s Fair, is filthy, neglected and on most days, empty.  With the exception of homegrown matinee idol and All-Star center fielder Lee Mazzilli; the once-Amazin’ Mets are an embarrassment.

READ THE NEW GOTHAM BASEBALL – FALL 2011 ISSUE – HERE

At the “Going to Bat for B.A.T. Fundraising Dinner,” fans are given the opportunity to interact with Baseball Hall of Famers, and former and current Major League Baseball players while raising money to assist members of the Baseball Family who have fallen on hard times. The night’s festivities include a cocktail hour in which attendees have the opportunity to meet and obtain autographs from players. Players are seated with guests at each table during the dinner and all proceeds go to B.A.T.

“The New York Mets brought National League baseball back to New York in 1962, and since then, have won two championships and created some of baseball’s most indelible moments,” said B.A.T. Executive Director Joseph Grippo. “The organization has been an incredible supporter of B.A.T. over the years, and we are thankful for their generosity in helping members of the Baseball Family. The Mets have one of the most passionate followings in the game, and we are happy to give those fans an opportunity to rub elbows with some of their baseball heroes while raising money for B.A.T.”

“We are honored that the Baseball Assistance Team is saluting the Mets 50th anniversary,” said Dave Howard, Mets Executive Vice President, Business Operations. “This will be an Amazin’ experience for our fans to meet some of the greatest players in our history and raise money for B.A.T.’s mission of helping members of the Baseball Family in need.”

Special awards are presented at the Dinner each year: the Big BAT/Frank Slocum Award, which goes to an individual who provides financial support and generosity to the B.A.T. organization; the Bart Giamatti Award, which goes to the individual who displays a dedication to giving back to the community; and the Bobby Murcer Award, which is presented to the team in both the American League and National League whose players contribute the most amount of money to B.A.T. through the B.A.T. Payroll Deduction Program that previous year.

B.A.T. was founded by former Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, a group of former players and Major League Baseball. In addition to assisting former Major League players, B.A.T. also offers support to former Major League managers, coaches, scouts, umpires, athletic trainers, front office personnel, Minor League players, Negro League players, players from the Women’s Professional Baseball League, and spouses and children. All aid provided by B.A.T. is strictly confidential allowing those in the need to receive help discreetly.

Entering its 27th year, B.A.T. is a unique organization within the sports industry dedicated to assisting members of the Baseball Family who are in need. Through charitable contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals, B.A.T. strives to provide a means of support to people with financial, medical or psychological burdens. B.A.T. is a 501-(c) 3 charitable organization.

For more information about B.A.T., to purchase tickets for the Dinner or to make a donation please call 212-931-7821 or visit http://www.baseballassistanceteam.com.

Even with the dog days of summer reaching their end, and the NL East and Wild Card races all but sewn up, some players still have plenty to play for.

The baseball season is long.  Six months, 162 games, never more than a 3-day break, it’s a lot.  So it’s not surprising that some players lose a bit of focus as the season transitions from pennant race to postseason/offseason preparations.  In the division that houses the two winningest teams in the National League, this point of the season has come a little early.  It would take an epic collapse to keep the Phillies or the Braves from playing October baseball (this is still unlikely even though the 2007 Mets proved that it’s possible) .  Meanwhile, the Mets, Nationals and Marlins probably don’t look at third place as a goal worthy of bragging rights.  With five weeks remaining in the season, players might start wondering what’s in it for them.

Let’s take a look at five pitchers who may still benefit from showing what they can do, even though the standings might not be affected…

Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies – The ups and downs of Lidge’s career would give most people motion sickness.  Lidge has been invincible in some seasons and quite vincible (it’s a real word!) in others.  His perfect 2008 for Philadelphia (48-48 in save opportunities, including the postseason), as well as being the man on the mound when the Phillies won the Word Series has earned him a special place in that city’s heart.  Of course, since that magical year, Lidge has been at best, injured, and at worst, awful.  Now, in his walk year, Lidge has only appeared in 12 games (just 9 innings) as September approaches, and has lost his closer role.  Lidge has performed well in his limited time and will have the postseason to show what’s he’s got left in the tank.  Many teams will be looking for new closers next season, and Lidge’s performance these next few weeks can go a long way in determining whether or not he’s a consideration.

Derek Lowe, Atlanta Braves – When the Braves signed Derek Lowe to a 4-year $60 million deal prior to the 2009 season they declared that the had found their ace.  Through the first 2 and a half seasons of that deal, Lowe’s results may not be ace-like, but he has been successful.  Lowe is 39-34 with a 4+ ERA during his tenure in Atlanta.  He is also going to be 39-years old before next year’s All-Star break.  The Braves will likely offer arbitration to two of their young starters, Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson (who may/may not be arbitration eligible), so the $15 million that Lowe will make next year might become an issue.  Atlanta’s decision to hold onto Lowe for the remainder of this season was likely based on his postseason experience and a desire not to shake up the successful flow of their rotation.  However a glut of exciting rookie pitchers (Julio Teheran, Randall Delgado, Mike Minor, etc.) will make Lowe, and his high salary, expendable coming into next season.  Lowe now has September and the postseason to either convince the Braves to keep him or convince other teams to spend high for his services.

John Lannan, Washington Nationals – Chances are you’ve heard about the Nationals pitching of the future (some of whom are in the present): Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Jordan Zimmermann, Brad Peacock, just to name a few.  But one pitcher, John Lannan, is vying to be a senior member of this exclusive club, and he’s only 26 years-old (27 in a month).  The lefty starter has been consistent since joining the Nationals major league club in 2007.  However, he’s only been consistently mediocre.  This season, however, Lannan is on pace to achieve personal bests in wins and ERA.  As a back of the rotation starter with a $2.75 million contract, Lannan is something of a bargain.  He is arbitration eligible for one more season before becoming a free agent.  If Lannan continues to show improvement, the Nationals may want to consider him as a long-term answer to any #4/#5 starter questions.  However, with so many potential major league arms in the farm system, they may want to consider selling high on Lannan to bring in some offense.  Of course, a poor showing by Lannan will leave the Nationals with few options, and will likely leave Lannan out of the mix for the future excitement in D.C.

Bobby Parnell, New York Mets – While most Mets pitchers could make this list, Parnell may have an integral role in the Mets success next season.  Then again, if his inconsistency remains an issue, he also may not.  It’s not that he doesn’t have the “stuff”.  Parnell sports a mid-to-high 90′s fastball with some sink, as well as a nasty slider.  However, that’s about all that’s nasty about the righty reliever.  As the Mets try to figure out who their closer will be next season, they are looking in house at the young, talented and inexpensive Parnell.  However, for Parnell to take advantage of this opportunity he will to improve his control, his command and his consistency.  He will also have to develop the killer instinct that seems common to successful relievers.  Otherwise he’ll just end up as another name on the list of great throwers who never figured out how to pitch.

Chris Volstad, Florida Marlins – The 6’8″ sinkerballer debuted in July of 2008 and immediately impressed, going 6-4 with a 2.88 ERA that season.  Volstad showed enough in those 15 games (14 starts) to give the Marlins the idea that they had drafted another gem.  Unfortunately, his work since that season has been disappointing.  In 2009, the righty took a big step back, going 9-13 with a 5.21 ERA.  His 2010 season was only slightly better (12-9, 4.58) and this year, his worst so far at 5-11, 5.61.  While Volstad is not necessarily considered a key component to the future of Marlins starting pitching (relative to Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco), the team will need him to improve if they expect to match up with the other starting staffs in the division.

This is a tricky time of year for baseball.  While some of the divisions still have interesting races going on, the NL East has pretty much been decided.  It’s easy for attention to wane.  However, a closer look at some of the interesting story lines within each team reveals plenty to watch for in the seasons final weeks.

Shai Kushner is a Senior Writer for BaseballDigest.com.  Email Shai at: BaseballDigestShai@gmail.com.  Follow Shai on Twitter at: @BD_ShaiKushner.

It was just a matter of time before the New York Mets dealt centerfielder Carlos Beltran. The only questions to be answered were “what is Beltran’s destination?” and “who will the Mets get in return?”.

It appears the answers to those questions are just a formality away from being answered.  Beltran must waive his no-trade clause to accept a deal to the San Francisco Giants, the team he’s wanted to go to all along.In return the Mets will get higly touted prospect Zack Wheeler, who was ranked prior to the season by Baseball America as the #55 prospect in baseball.

Beltran is in the final year of an seven year, $119MM contract and is owed the remainder of $18.5MM for this season. The 34-yr old had his ups and down in New York and fell in and out of favor with the fans. Many have, unfairly, pointed to his NLCS ending strikeout at the hands of Adam Wainwright as his defining moment in New York. He hit .280/.369/.500 in his Mets’ career with 149 home runs and 559 RBI. He didn’t produce much offensively in his first year at Shea Stadium, but averaged nearly 34 home runs and 113 RBI over the next three seasons. Injuries took their toll the last two years, and limited the outfielder to 81 and 64 games in 2009 and 2010.  Beltran bounced back this season with 15 HR, 60 RBI, and a league leading 30 doubles. He also made his first All-Star appearance in two years.

Wheeler was the Giants number one pick, 6th overall, in the 2009 amateur draft. In 146.2 minor league innings, Wheeler has averaged 10.3 strikeouts and 5.2 walks per nine innings, and posted a 3.99 ERA. He’s made 37 appearances, 29 of them as a starter. Wheeler has a low to mid-90′s fastball, a sharp curveball and a changeup that’s about 10 mph less than his fastball.

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