Things are Shaping Up (Slowly)

OK, it's been a slow few days, we have a new President, and it's time to update the site on what's happening (and not happening) with the Mets.

First the "what's not happening". No news on Ollie or Sheets, just a lot of speculation.

Now the "happening".

First, two of our guys that flashed last year, Ryan Church and Angel Pagan, both avoided arbitration and inked deals with the Mets for 2009.

Ryan Church signed for $2.8 million, a nice bump from the $2 million he earned in 2008. As my faithful readers know, I have predicted a huge season for Church in 2009.

Last Half 2007/First Half 2008:

209 AB, 25 R, 55 H, 19 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 17 BB, 52 K, .293 BA, .354 OBP, .532 Slg, .886 OPS

205 AB, 40 R, 63 H, 10 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 36 RBI, 19 BB, 50 K, .307 BA, .370 OBP, .512 Slg, .882 OPS

Now let's combine those numbers.

414 AB, 65 R, 118 H, 29 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 69 RBI, 36 BB, 102 K, .300 BA, .362 OBP, .522 Slg, .884 OPS

Now let's look at those numbers over 525 at bats.

2009 Projection:

525 AB, 83 R, 150 H, 37 2B, 3 3B, 23 HR, 88 RBI, 46 BB, 130 K, .300 BA, .362 OBP, .522 Slg, .884 OPS

Angel Pagan--the guy that had us all excited after a great start, only to watch him fall to injury--will earn $575,000 if he makes the club. At this point Pagan is something for a question mark. He had a torn labrum and has undergone some extensive rehab, but we won't know how well he can swing the bat until we see him next month in Florida.

So that leaves John Maine and Pedro Feliciano as the Mets only two remaining arbitration players.

Also, and take it for what it's worth--someone "in the know" e-mailed me 2 hours ago to say the Mets will sign a pitcher this week "guaranteed".

Stay Tuned.