New York Mets: 20 What If's The Mets Need to Happen in 2012

The 20 What If's The Mets Need to Occur in 2012 for a Playoff Berth

By: Marvin Gutierrez

The chances of winning the Lottery in New York are about 45,000,000 to 1. The chances of getting struck by lighting are about a 1,000,000 to 1. The chances the Mets have of winning the N.L East or making the playoffs as a wildcard fall somewhere in between those two. Not really, but Vegas does have the Mets as quite a long shot at 100 to 1. I thought it would be higher but I guess the Mets aren't worse than the Houston Astros.

So Mets fans keep your heads up, these are 20 things that need to happen for your favorite team to play baseball in October:

1. The Wilpons need to go back in time and fire Bernie Madoff.
2. Request Johan Santana see the same doctor Bartolo Colon went to.
3. Jason Bay's contract to stop reminding you of the horrible contracts the Mets dished out to Mo Vaughn and Roberto Alomar.
4. Change the team colors to black and yellow so Jason Bay thinks he's still in Pittsburgh.
5. Hope that Ruben Tejada will put up Jose Reyes' worst stats.
6. Pray David Wright can get the ball out of the infield.
7. Wish that David Wright didn't lose his swing at that home run derby in Pittsburgh (that excuse worked for Bobby Abreu remember?
8. Hope that lowering the walls and bringing them in doesn't make R.A Dickey's ERA climb 5,895 meters.
9. Imagine R.A came back from Mt. Kilamonjaro with super powers.
10. Wish that Ike Davis takes the vacant title of "Best Jewish Player Alive" left vacant due to Ryan Braun's steroid suspension.
11. Hope Lucas Duda doesn't just have a cool name.
12. Believe Andres Torres can bring the SF Giants version of "torture" instead of the torture they're going through in Queens.
13. Have Ramon Ramirez grow a long beard. He'll be the Dominican Brian Wilson. 
14. Wish Jose Reyes' hamstrings pops while running down South Beach.
15. Pray Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee develop a rift over who's the real ACE of the Phillies' staff.
16. Have wishful thoughts that Bryce Harper holds out for a record 10 year, 300 million dollar deal.
17. Place Carlos Zambrano in a scenario where he pops a blood vessel arguing with teammates over what jersey they should wear.
18. Beg the Braves to return to Milwaukee.
19. Only wear the pinstripe uniforms. They work for the other New York team.
20. Hope, wish, pray, beseech, appeal, request a million times that the Wilpons sell the franchise.

NBA Trade Rumors: Amar'e to Philly, Dwight to NY

The Orlando Magic said they're willing to trade Dwight Howard in return for some valuable pieces.  The Philadelphia 76ers have contacted New York about acquiring Amar'e Stoudemire.  New York desperately needs to puzzle together pieces for a championship team.  Do you smell what the general managers could be cooking?

The Magic obviously do not want to lose Superman to free agency, so they are looking for the best options that could give them a chance to still compete this season.  The Sixers would like to add a superstar veteran to their lineup of youngsters.  The Knicks would like someone to compliment Carmelo Anthony (they won't trade the forward because of all the assets they gave up for him). So, could the teams come to an agreement in a three way deal.  It is possible, but HIGHLY unlikely.

Orlando would gain Tyson Chandler from NY to replace the defensive toughness that Dwight brought the Magic.  Although Chandler is not Howard, he is a very good center and gives the Magic an identity in the paint.  From the Sixers, Orlando would take Evan Turner. The guard is coming off the bench for Philly and is averaging 10 points per game.  He is not a star yet, but he does have potential. Perhaps Toney Douglas would mesh in Van Gundy's system.  He is a shooter, and that is what the Magic prides themselves on, behind Howard.

Philadelphia would gain a totally new identity, which could be a bad thing considering what they have accomplished thus far this season.  They would gain the superstar they covet in Amar'e Stoudemire.  He would provide veteran leadership and be the voice of Philly.  Landry Fields would have a fresh start here in Sixer nation.  Ever since the Melo trade, Fields just has not been himself.  Philly would then gain draft picks from both New York and Orlando.

Finally, the Knicks would have Dwight Howard providing the defensive prowess they've been looking for.  In Howard, they would also get a superstar that doesn't need the ball to have an impact on the game. With Howard and Melo in NY, it opens up the opportunities of filling the roster up with role players next season.

I am a Knicks fan, and I will be the first to say this proposal is a LONG shot. Orlando would be better off shopping Dwight to New Jersey and forcing them to include a third team that would benefit them.  For Philly to want to disturb their chemistry is beyond me, but be on the lookout for all three of these teams to shop before the March 15th trade deadline.

New York Yankees: Who Will DH in Pinstripes?

The Yankees have accomplished the goal they set during the offseason—with the signing of Hiroki Kuroda and the acquisition of Michael Pineda—of building a quality starting rotation.  Now, New York has their eyes on adding a bat to the lineup, similar to the one they lost in trading away Jesus Montero.

The question I am going to pose here is which former Yankee would you rather see in pinstripes in 2012? Rumors circulated that general Brian Cashman could try to bring back either Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui, if they price is right.

Johnny Damon was a fan favorite from the moment he stepped into Yankee Stadium.  Leaving the Red Sox made it that much sweeter for the fans.  In Damon's four years in pinstripes, he appeared in 576 games, where he had 636 hits. Out of those 636 hits, 77 of them were home runs.  The lefty also managed to drive in 296 runs.

While with Tampa last year, Damon hit .261.  Although that's not the greatest average, you can assume in Yankee Stadium that average would go up.  If Damon does not let hit pride come in the way, he could be a great fit to the Yankee lineup, and if he has a solid year, it would make sense to bring him back for another year so he could achieve the 3,000 hits mile stone in a Yankee uniform.

Bringing back the 2009 World Series MVP would be certainly touch a soft spot in the hearts of Yankee fans.  Hideki Matsui spent seven years with New York.  In a Yankee uniform, Matsui had a .292 batting average, and he hammered 140 home runs.  He suffered from an injured wrist, and the Yankees' office believed he would never be the same.

Financially, Matsui could come to New York for a bargain contract.  Last year with Oakland, Matsui batted .251 and only hit 12 home runs.  In the DH spot that he was so comfortable in during that 2009 championship run, Matsui would fill the stadium with the Godzilla fan posters, and push the Yankees to World Series win No. 28.

With that being said, who would you want to bring back to the Bronx lineup?  Would you prefer to have the former Johnny Damon, who demanded more money from New York and left unsatisfied? Would you prefer the player formally known as "Godzilla?" Would you take a different route, and explore other option?  Rumors said that Brian Cashman has contacted Raul Ibanez about filling the role.  As fans, we need answers, and we want them now!

Will New Jersey Form a "Big Three?"

      In case you haven't noticed, the current trend in the NBA is having a plethora of superstars play on the same team; they like to be referred to as "a big three."  Boston started the trend when they brought in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to team with Paul Pierce, and when they won an NBA championship, everyone's goal was to imitate them.  Miami formed their trio of superstars when LeBron James and Chris Bosh took their talents to Dwayne Wade's patio, and Amar'e Stoudemire put the plan in motion for the New York Knicks, especially when Chris Paul made the infamous toast heard round the world at Carmelo Anthony's wedding. While Knicks' fans still wait for their triple threat to form, their could be another team lurking in the free agency aisles—the New Jersey Nets.
     New Jersey landed their first piece to the puzzle when Deron Williams arrived from Utah right before last season's trade deadline.  Then, during the lockout, Dwight Howard stated that he wanted to play with Williams, and so he demanded a trade to New Jersey.  If Howard lands in Newark before season's end, or if he arrives in Brooklyn next season, it should not be hard to lure a third superstar to the limelight.  Well, rumors flew around a month ago that one superstar prefers to stay where he is at, but if he was shipped he'd like to go to the Nets.

     Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports said that teams were contacting the Atlanta Hawks about the services about Josh Smith.  In the report Wojnarowski continued, saying, "Smith hasn't requested a trade, but has privately told league friends that the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic are his preferred destinations should the Hawks decide to move him." This was huge, especially for the Nets, who have not been relevant in years.
     A triptych of Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, and Josh Smith would be a highly effective group of players.  You have the top big man paired with a top tier point guard, and you mix in a superstar of Smith's caliber and you might have a recipe unlike Boston, success for years to come.
     There are two main obstacles preventing the Nets from providing Deron with a superstar partner.  Smith is signed through the 2013 season and after trying to attain public enemy number one (Dwight Howard), New Jersey will probably lack the assets necessary to make a trade for the forward.  If somehow, the Nets manage to keep Marshon Brooks, they could use him as trade bait with the Hawks.
     Certainly the idea is very entertaining for both the fans and front office, but getting the right deals done is the problem.  We all know that New Jersey's priority is signing Superman, but after that the sky is the limit.

MLB Offseason 2012: American League Contenders

The AL Landscape Just Got a Bit Crowded; Thanks Prince.

By: Marvin Gutierrez

This has been quite an offseason for the contenders in the American League. From both teams out West, to the Old Rivals playing coy and waiting things out, now come the guys from Mo-Town making a splash on an already crowded scene in the Junior Circuit. Every team this offseason in the American League has gotten better, and a full-fledged World Series race is brewing. Who would've known that the battle between these teams wouldn't end the last day of the season on the diamond. Instead, it has carried out into January, and with a little less than a month till Spring Training, fans can't wait.  

The Rangers, Angels, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Tigers are the top dogs in the American League with the best chances to get to a World Series. Sorry O's, Jays, A's, M's, Royals, Twinkies, White Sox, and Indians fans but we all know who will be there fighting at the end of September to get into the postseason. Not to mention, if that second wild card team comes into play this year, there will be possibly two great teams heading home early. It's looking like we may be in for consecutive memorable finales to the regular season, but before getting ahead of ourselves, lets review these six contenders and their offseason moves. 

Texas Rangers: 

     The defending American League champions may have lost a starter in C.J. Wilson, but they gained one in Yu Darvish. Along with this acquisition, they will move their star closer Neftali Feliz to the starting rotation to go along with Word Series star Derek Holland, Colby Lewis, and Matt Harrison. They signed closer Joe Nathan to an already loaded pen. Last but not least, Texas has the same offensive core in tact that has taken them to consecutive World Series. 

     Sure, the loss of Wilson will hurt the Rangers—he put up solid numbers in a great hitters' ball park, and he handled the No. 1 spot in the rotation well in his first season as an ace. Yet, the Texas Rangers should be fine because of the depth they have. They still have Alexi Ogando as a long man or if need be a starter, and they have a bullpen bolstered with Mike Adams and Koji Uehara to fill in if Joe Nathan proves to not be the answer at the back end. 

Along with their deep pitching staff, they may arguably have the best line up in the American League. Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Mike Napoli and Adrian Beltre may be the best middle of the line up in the league, and the speed up top with Andrus and Kinsler proves that the Rangers certainly have plans to make it back to the top of the American League and finish off a job started in 2010. 

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 

For the past couple of seasons, the Angels have been looking up at the Texas Rangers, and it's not something they're used to. Before the recent dominance of the Western division by the Rangers, the Angels had won 3 straight division titles, and made the playoffs six out of eight years going back to their 2002 championship season. Missing out on Adrian Beltre to the Rangers last offseason, and then having their often maligned catcher Mike Napoli get traded due to his offense-first mentality come back and put up a career year for those very same Texas Rangers has left a salty taste in the Angels' mouth. They also missed out on Carl Crawford after being the front runners for the outfielder and were left with nothing last offseason. 

Well this offseason, the Angels certainly made up for their previous failures in recent Decembers. General manager Jerry Dipoto pulled the steal of the decade by signing Albert Pujols as the supposed "mystery team" to a staggering $240 million  deal over ten years. Pujols, 32, will be in halo red till the age of 42, but what matters  most to the Angels is seasons one through five, where they look to bring in another World Series crown. Rumors around were that they were done after the Pujols deal, only to find out about a move that arguably may be even more important than the Pujols deal. The Angels swooped in and took away the ace of their biggest rival, giving C.J Wilson a five year, $77.5 million deal. With those two deals, the $330 million given out in the matter of a few hours put the Angels back in the driver's seat of the AL West. 

The Angels may have the best rotation outside of Philadelphia with Jared Weaver, Dan Haren, C.J Wilson and Ervin Santana. That rotation will be vital to compete against the offenses of the Rangers, Yankees and Tigers in a short playoff series, and may be what puts the Angels over the top aside from having the Machine in the line up. 

New York Yankees: 

The New York Yankees spent most of the offseason being an uncharacteristically frugal, thrifty, penny pinching bunch. Known for almost always being the top spenders during the offseason, the Yankees were keeping quiet claiming they just didn't like anyone out there and were heading into 2012 with the same team who was eliminated in the ALDS. Brian Cashman held onto to his prized possessions in the Minor Leagues and kept stating they were going into the season with Ivan Nova as their number two, and the "terrific threesome" of Burnett, Hughes, and Garcia would round out the rotation. That was until Brian Cashman worked his magic and traded the guy who was supposed to land New York Cliff Lee a couple of years ago. In return for Jesus Montero (the second coming of Miguel Cabrera to some) the Yankees got Michael Pineda. A 23-year-old pitcher who throws gas, and measures at 6'7. Not being quite done, to go along with his offensive line of C.C and Pineda as the 1-2 starters,  Cashman signed Hiroki Kuroda to a one year deal at a "bargain" $10 million dollars.  

There is a lot to like about the Yankees offseason moves. First of all they have a younger pitcher with a lot of upside and promise under team control for the next five years or so. This is great for the Yankees due to the crippling long term contracts they have on the team. Also adding Kuroda may prove to be a great deal. A pitcher who has pitched in the NL West in a pitcher's park may make Yankee fans a bit skeptical but he is durable having pitched over 180 innings in three of the last four years. He also doesn't come with the injury problems that say Roy Oswalt comes with, so there's no need to worry about injuries plaguing him in his one year stay. 

The Yankees weakness three weeks ago has become their strength. They have incredible pitching depth, and there can never be enough pitching. To go along with their deep pen, and their murderer's row of a line up, the Yankees are prepping for a deep run into October. Yankee fans wouldn't have it any other way. With that being said the Yankees still need a left handed hitter to platoon at DH, and come off the bench. Some are speaking of a reunion with Hideki Matsui, or Johnny Damon, but regardless of whether they make a move, they are still a great bet to make it back to the postseason for the 17th time in 18 years. 

Boston Red Sox: 

Red Sox Nation has been in full blown panic mode since the end of last season. After their monumental collapse to the Rays, and the fried chicken scandal, the Nation can't wait for 2012 to begin and 2011 to be far gone in the rearview. The problem with that is that the Red Sox haven't done enough to let the fans forget about last year. They have made small moves here and there, such as trading for Andrew Bailey by sending Josh Reddick to Oakland. They also traded Jed Lowrie for Mark Melancon and then traded Marco Scutaro and his $6 million contract to the Colorado Rockies for journeyman Clay Mortensen. The Scutaro trade seems to be a salary dump for the second richest franchise in baseball and supposably is to make room in the budget to sign Roy Oswalt. I like the Andrew Bailey trade, because they are moving Daniel Bard to the starting rotation, and he proved to be an all star caliber closer. Yet the trades of your starting shortstop and his back up, don't make much sense to me. Jed Lowrie had some pop in his bat, but if you're going to trade him it would make sense to keep Scutaro. Now going into the season, the Sox have a platoon of Mike Aviles and Nick Punto at short. That may prove to be a problem, but the rest of the starting lineup has plenty of talent that they should be able to move without a beat. Besides, Scutaro had a really good year last year and at 36 you would assume a bit of a drop off. With all that being said there are more question marks with the Bo-Sox then any other AL contender. They were favored to win it all last year, maybe with all the question marks this year they will flourish, who knows? 

Tampa Bay Rays: 

The defending American League Wild Card champs are always playing with house money. They come into this season with a young, cost effective team, still expecting to compete but if not they'll trade some parts and plug in the holes with their superb farm system. With that being said, they may have the best offense they've had in Tampa in a long time, maybe ever. First basemen Carlos Pena has signed a one year deal to return to Tampa. The economical Rays also signed Luke Scott to a one year deal with an option in 2013 to be their DH. The Rays now have a whole year of Desmond Jennings and some pop at the corner positions with Pena,  Evan Longoria, Jennings, and Matt Joyce.

As always the Rays have a young top of the line rotation. With David Price at the top and James Shields coming off a career year, the Rays are set up nicely with plenty of depth at the starting rotation. They have Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson looking to continue off of an impression first season, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, and prized possession Matt Moore, who dazzled in the playoffs last year. Matt Moore could be the X-factor as they have the option of starting the year with him. He may be what puts them over the top this year in the three team race in the AL East.  

Detroit Tigers:

That finally brings up to the Detroit Tigers. The AL Central champs came off a great season with Justin Verlander winning the MVP and the Cy Young. They came into this offseason looking to spend some bucks, but basically having the same team in tact. With MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez headlining the offense, the Tigers looked prime to continue their dominance in the AL Central. Yet things took a grim turn when Victor Martinez tore his ACL and was declared out for the whole season. Before the injury, the Tigers were looking at making minor moves. Rumors were the team was interested in Roy Oswalt and Yoenis Cespedes, the highly touted Cuban defector who plans on playing in the Majors this year. The loss of Martinez left a huge hole in the Tigers line up; it left the possibility of maybe a sleeper team in the AL Central (Sorry Royals). That was until the Tigers shook the baseball world by signing Prince Fielder to the fourth highest contract in the history of baseball. A nine year $214 million deal is putting the hefty first basemen in the same uniform his daddy wore back in the 90's, and it's making Detroit a scary team with the best 1-2 punch we've seen since Manny and Papi back in '04. 

The Tigers may end up regretting that contract towards the end of the deal, but like the Angels with Pujols, they are really concentrating on years one through five looking to bring home a title with a stacked line up featuring Cabrera and Fielder in the middle. Of course this move makes the Tigers the huge favorites to win the Central but there are some issues with this move even now. Miguel Cabrera has said he plans on moving to 3rd base to make room for Prince. Cabrera last played third base when he was with the Florida Marlins. I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to have a guy who hasn't played third base in nearly five years return to that position, especially when he's about 80 pounds heavier—just ask the Boston Red Sox about that. Surely it will cost them some runs on the field, yet Detroit's just thinking that Prince's big bat will make up for that. 

It is definitely going to be a hell of a season. I personally can't wait for it. Having checked out of football season a couple weeks ago, April can't get here soon enough. With that being said, with all the surprises that have happened this offseason, there is still about a month left in it and there may be more to come. 

Article Written By Marvin Gutierrez

Superman Headed to Gotham? Magic Contact Knicks

     What if I told you there was a blockbuster trade on the table that could surpass the Carmelo Anthony trade last season?  Of course the trade would be headlined by Dwight Howard.  Where would he land you may ask? THE NEW YORK KNICKS!

     ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith says that the Magic front office has reached out to New York about a trade that would send Superman to the Knicks in exchange for Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler.
According to the website IamaGM.com, Smith told those listening:

The Orland Magic, I will preface my statement by telling you that they have categorically denied this, but my sources tell me that they have inquired about Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire going to Orlando for Dwight Howard.

Those are words from a highly credible Stephen A. Smith. The man has been around for a while now, so I am sure he has developed relationships with numerous sources. Now can we trust that this particular source is credible?
     The trade does make sense for both teams, especially at the moment.  Orlando knows that the reward for trading Howard is much greater than the risk of losing him for nothing.  The Magic also know that New York may be desperate at the moment with their 6-10 record.  They are vulnerable and might take the chance at Dwight, even at the risks of Stoudemire and Chandler.
      Amar'e has been struggling lately, and it is clear that he isn't the player that the Knicks were committed to signing last season.  It is also very clear that he cannot coexist on a team with Carmelo Anthony, evidenced by the benching of one of the superstars so the other can get more touches.  Amar'e makes sense for Orlando because he is a superstar that will fill in the seats, especially in his hometown.
     The reports suggest that Magic owner Rich DeVos is nagging general manager Otis Smith to gain a valuable return.  A valuable return that can compete this year. At 85 years old, DeVos knows that the time is now for his Magic.  With an exchange of one big man for two, Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy would have the opportunity to utilize half court plays.
      Personally, I think Dwight Howard would be able to successfully coexist with Carmelo Anthony.  He is a scorer down low, where as Melo would be able to set and shoot, or even drive if he chooses.  Dwight Howard automatically brings in defense, arguably more than Chandler and Stoudemire combined.  Dwight does not need the ball to be successful, whereas Amar'e does.  Not only would you have to worry about Anthony's lethal shooting, but on the occasions that he misses you have Dwight under grabbing the offensive rebound and scoring.
     Looking further into the situation, if the Knicks would agree to this deal, cap space is available to bring in the point guard they so desperately need.  Can any of you say Deron Williams? I know I have my hopes up but imagine Deron running the pick and roll with Dwight in Madison Square Garden? A trio of Williams, Anthony, and Howard is looking REALLY GOOD to me.
     

Lawrence Tynes Boots 49ers in NFC Championship

     The Giants have done it again. They went into Green Bay last week and came out victorious. Today Eli led his troops into the rainy city of San Francisco and the end result was identical. Now New York will head to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI where they will face the New England Patriots.
     Eli Manning put on another show for his supporters. He completed 32 of his 58 passes and managed to gain 316 yards through the air. Eli threw to two unlikely candidates for touchdowns: Mario Manningham and Bear Pascoe. Add in the threat of Victor Cruz and you have the recipe for the 49ers' downfall.

     Sloppy play during crucial moments ended the 49ers season. It was a Kyle Williams fumble that put the Giants in excellent position to end the game. Lawrence Tynes kicked a 31 yard field goal to give the Giants the win and send them to Lucas Oil Stadium. After the game Tynes had this to say,

"I had dreams about this last night. It was from 42, not 31, but I was so nervous today before the game just anticipating this kind of game. I'm usually pretty cool, but there was something about tonight where I knew I was going to have to make a kick. Hats off to Eli, offense, defense. Great win."

The NFC champion Giants will take on the AFC champion Patriots, an fans are expecting a great matchup similar to when the two teams met in 2008 for Super Bowl XLII. The Super Bowl will be played in two weeks, on February 5, 2012.