In an article for SI.com Jon Heyman discusses the trash talk between Carlos Beltran and Jimmy Rollins. 

He writes:

Beltran gave it a shot. But under the circumstances his words came off as a pale impersonation of the master [Jimmy Rollins].

For more insight on rivalries, at Metsblog Matt Cerrone asks readers, “Who do you consider the Mets biggest rival?”

As of 3:45 today, the Phillies lead voting at 46%, while the Braves trail closely at 42% and the Yankees trail in the dust at 7%.

While recent chatter has certainly made things more interesting, I certainly see the Braves as our biggest rival today.  As I wrote in this week’s Beaton’s Banter, I really just see the Phillies as a 3rd wheel that is trying to provoke the Mets into paying attention to them.  The Mets rivalry has always been bitter and intense, while classy.  The Phillies and Mets have finally become decent at the same time for the past few years, so naturally there has been some tension and aggression.  But nothing is like Chipper Jones naming his kid, “Shea”, or when June 29, 2000 became the unofficial Throw Batteries at John Rocker Day.

Single: Head over to ESPN.com, Sportsline.com, and Yahoo! for some great fantasy baseball prep. 

I already had my draft, and let me tell you starting pitchers are thin.  Makes me more and more thankful that we have four really solid guys in Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine and Oliver Perez.

Double: At the Journal News, John Delcos quotes Moises Alou as saying, “I’d love to get over 500 at-bats. If I do that I can have a great season. And, if I do that the team can have a great season.” 

The last time he had over 500 at-bats was in 2004 when he had 601 for the Cubs.  He’s only had over 500 at-bats three times in the last eight years.  While I’d love to see Alou step into the batters box 500 times this year, I just don’t see it happening.  Willie has to almost treat him like a catcher, rest him most day games after night games, etc.  Let’s be realistic, he’s 41 and was consistently hurt in his mid 30’s.  I think he can get close to that number if Willie rests him properly.  Most sundays he should send Alou for a day-off, tell him to go see a movie.  He’d probably enjoy one, seeing how movies are in color now. 

Triple: According to Newsday, Jose Reyes plans on cutting down on his antics this year such as his clubhouse dancing and celebratory handshakes.  Tuesday Reyes said, “No more handshakes. People kept saying we got teams fired up when we did those handshakes, so now I want to focus more on baseball.” 

Sometimes they seem a bit too choreographed but really, he didn’t bat .205 in September because he slapped Carlos Delgado’s hand a few times before he entered the dugout.  Sometimes most people–including me–often take this game like its a religion of some sort.  Baseball is a game, a sport, a very important and intense one at that.  And we in fact are hypocritical when we look down on these players for demanding too much money and treating it like a job. I know I’ve thought they should  be thankful that they have the privilege to play baseball for a living.  So yeah, let them enjoy it, make sure they know its not a job.  Jose should slap hands bump fists elbows and feet when he hits a homerun.  

Home Run: The usually quiet-mannered Carlos Beltran recently said, “So this year, to Jimmy Rollins — we are the team to beat!” After he proclaimed a division title last year, Phillies’ SS Jimmy Rollins responded, “Has anyone heard of plagiarism?”  In an interview for 950 ESPN radio, ESPN senior baseball analyst Jayson Stark discussed how there were people in the Phillies locker room suggesting there would be a brawl. 

This hatred between the two teams really has just blossomed over the last few years, since both teams have been good.  The rivalry really spiked with Rollins’ prediction of the division crown last year, and the Mets collapse allowing his seemingly absurd prophecy to be true.  What’s still humorous though, is that I still don’t see them as our biggest rival.  Even though there has been all this tension and hatred lately, the Braves have been our rival for so long and probably again will contend for the NL East Title as well as the wildcard.  To me, the Phillies are a grumpy third wheel that just desperately wants some attention.  Really, we won as many playoffs games as they did last year. 

“Let me tell you this: Without Santana, we felt as a team that we have a chance to win in our division. With him now, I have no doubt that we’re going to win in our division,” the star center fielder said. “So this year, to Jimmy Rollins — we are the team to beat!” — Carlos Beltran, February 16th. 2008

In the Associated Press, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins had arrived to spring training and answered a few questions for the reporters.

Rollins on Beltran’s statement…

“Has anyone ever heard of plagiarism?”

“Pretty good, especially coming from him. Because he’s a quiet guy, it was probably shocking when he said it. Not shocking in a bad way, like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe he said that.’ More like, ‘Wow, he finally said something because he’s a leader on that team and you definitely need to be a vocal leader.’”

Rollins on the Phillies…

“There isn’t a team in this division or the National League that’s better than us. After 162 games, we’ll be looking to win the next 11.”

“We can win 100 games. Look at what happened to us last year with all the injuries and all the different pitchers and the uncertainties and we wound up winning 89 games.”

For Fox Sports, Dayn Perry breaks down the top player by position in baseball.  Notably, Phillies Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are 2B and SS on the team respectively.

Alex Rodriguez is the starting 3B on the team, but Perry writes:

One day this honor will belong to David Wright of the Mets, but right now there’s no disputing A-Rod’s standing as the best third baseman in the game. The reigning AL MVP was the most productive hitter in all of baseball last season, and the smart money says he’s going to remain just that for the foreseeable future. He’s still a solid defender at third, and he’s still a high-percentage thief on the bases.

I’d like to think that Wright will be there at 3B soon and Jose Reyes will be too.

In an entertaining article for Yahoo!,  Jeff Passan writes some New Year’s resolutions for people in the baseball world.

Some of the more entertaining and notable ones are:

• Hank Steinbrenner: I resolve to rehire George Costanza. He would get the Santana trade done.
• Paul Lo Duca: I resolve to use personal stationery for all future steroid purchases
• Willie Randolph: I resolve to win the National League East.
• Jimmy Rollins: I resolve to make Willie Randolph look like a fool again.

Very amusing, definitely the whole thing is a must read considering that the news is very slow, and this is pretty witty.  Check it out.

Here is the breakdown of the top four finishers for the National League MVP race. Rollins was announced as the winner.

2007 Season Statistics

* - Denotes Gold Glove winner in 2007

It was just announced that Jimmy Rollins won the National League MVP, MLB.com reports.

David Wright finished in fourth place, behind Prince Fielder, and received no first place votes.

Rollins was listed first on 16 0f 32 ballots, second on seven, third on four, fourth on four and fifth on one for a total of 353 points. Matt Holliday came in second place, his breakdown was 11 first-place votes, 18 seconds, one third, one fourth and one sixth for 336 points.

Rollins became the first player in history to collect at least 200 hits, 25 homers, 15 triples and 25 steals in a season. Overall, the switch-hitter batted .296, with 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers, 94 RBIs, 41 stolen bases, 212 hits and 139 runs scored.

Holliday won the league’s batting and RBI titles and was major reason why the Rockies shot into the postseason at the final stretch of the season for the first time since 1995. During the Rockies 15-1, Holliday batted .442 with five homers and 17 RBIs.

Holliday’s final line was .340, with 50 doubles, 36 homers, 137 RBIs, 216 hits and 120 runs scored. He led the league in hits, total bases, doubles and extra-base hits.

David Wright and Carlos Beltran won their 1st and 2nd gold gloves respectively. Jimmy Rollins received the gold glove at shortstop.

So not only does Rollins beat us, he gets the gold glove. Salt to the wound. Anyway, good job Dave and Carlos.

By now, most Mets fans have read Phillies' SS Jimmy Rollins' proclaimation that his team is the one to beat.  Just in case you have not, J-Roll said…

“We're the team to beat. I can't put it any other way,” Rollins told reporters Tuesday. “Look at our team and what we're bringing. Look at the improvements we've made. You look at the rest of the division. The Mets had a chance last year to go to the World Series. They made it to the playoffs. They won the division. Congratulations, but last year is over. They can take that any way they want, but I'm just stating a fact.”

Needless to say, that caused the normally cool Carlos Beltran to heat up.  Beltran said…

“Good for him!” Beltran snapped. “What'd they win? What'd they win last year?”

You can read the rest of the story in David Lennon's Newsday article.

…look, over the last few years the Phils were supposed to either win the division, or take the wild card.  They've done neither because either their 'pen stunk, or their starting pitching was bad, or both….

…this is a different year, but I will say that J-Roll can do all the talking he wants.  We'll see who is standing come October…