In it’s much anticipated first appearance this season, The Moises Alou Injury postings have begun.

According to Bart Hubbuch of the NY Post, Alou was supposed to hit against Johan Santana this morning, but was spotted “with a large bandage and ice pack on his right wrist.” Alou eventually did take swings later in the day.

Well that didn’t take long at all. This will be #1 of an estimated 29,843 Alou injury posts this season. Stay tuned.

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. 

John Delcos of the Journal News notes that Moises Alou set a personal goal of reaching 500 at-bats this season.

“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.’’

Just a tad optimistic.

Baseball Prospectus has once again made its painstakingly-considered PECOTA projections for the new baseball season. Happily, the Mets are projected to finish first in the NL East by ten games. Based on this projection, some might even consider us “the team to beat.” (Hah!)

Last year I made my own predictions for each hitter’s OPS and each pitcher’s ERA and tracked my progress against BP’s throughout the season. In the end, BP came closer on nine of the 16 players for which I made my guesses, but at least I put up a respectable fight.

While we’re at it, let’s look at some other things I said in columns at various points last year.

“I expect us to be in the top three (in the NL) in runs allowed.” (March 13, 2007)
WRONG. Six freakin’ teams (the Padres, Cubs, Giants, Dodgers, DBacks, and Braves) all alowed fewer runs than we did.

“I expect to be in the top three (in the NL) in runs scored.” (March 13, 2007)
WRONG. We finished fourth behind the Phillies, Rockies, and Braves. You could argue that we had a top-three offense and that the Phillies and Rockies were benefited by hitter’s parks, but I specifically predicted runs scored.

“I expect us to win a lot of games–more than 90.” (March 13, 2007)
WRONG.

“I expect Mike Pelfrey to have a fantastic year.” (March 13, 2007)
WRONG.

“I expect Lastings Milledge to play the bulk of the innings for us in rightfield.” (March 13, 2007)
WRONG. Man, that one still hurts.

“I expect Paul Lo Duca to have a down year.” (March 13, 2007)
RIGHT. In poker, we say even a blind squirrel can sometimes find a nut.

“I expect Carlos Delgado, who quietly played hurt most of last season, to have a big year.” (March 13, 2007)
WRONG.

“I expect Jose Valentin to fall off considerably.” (March 13, 2007)
RIGHT.

“I expect Jonathan Adkins to prove more valuable than anyone thinks he will be.” (March 13, 2007)
WRONG. Boy, why did I ever think that Omar Minaya might’ve traded Heath Bell and Royce Ring for somebody halfway decent?

On projecting Jose Reyes - “This is one where I’m quite confident I’m going to beat the staff of Baseball Prospectus.” (April 23, 2007)
WRONG. As we all know, Jose got off to a torrid start, only to be mired in a second-half slump that eventually dropped his season-long OPS to a mere 775. I had predicted 890. BP had predicted 766 (these guys are good).

“David Wright is not going to hit the 29 home runs that BP projected” (April 23, 2007)
WRONG. Hey, he hadn’t even hit one at the time I wrote that!

“I have a lot of confidence in Aaron Heilman, and predict that he will end the season with a lower ERA than he has now (3.07).” (May 10, 2007)
RIGHT. He ended with 3.03. Phew.

OK, so I was wrong about a lot of things Mets last year. The only good news is, if you look at the stuff everyone else was writing, I wasn’t the only one. So why, then, would I keep making predictions about stuff when it seems pretty clear I don’t know what I’m talking about? Answer: because it’s fun.

I’m not quite ready to make this year’s predictions just yet, but I do want to post some leanings I have about BP’s new numbers.

David Wright: OVER 21 SB. BP projects David to steal 13 fewer bases than last year, and I just don’t see it. He was successful on 87 percent of his attempts last year, and he’s still young. There’s no reason for him not to steal.

Moises Alou: UNDER 406 Plate Appearances. He didn’t have that many last year or the year before, and he turns 42 in July.

Ramon Castro: OVER 256 Plate Appearances. God willing.

Johan Santana: UNDER 2.94 ERA. I read about this guy somewhere. They said that in 16 career starts against NL teams, he has a 2.16 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. Also, apparently fewer than half of those games were played in Shea Stadium.

Oliver Perez: UNDER 4.22 ERA. He posted a 3.56 last year, though he gave up 20 unearned runs, which is never a good sign. Still, I see Ollie improving, not regressing, and would be very surprised if he doesn’t beat his 4.22 projection in 2008.

Scott Schoeneweis: OVER 4.05 ERA. I have no confidence that Willie Randolph will use him correctly (i.e., he’ll put him in against more than zero righties), and therefore predict doom for his ERA.

That’s all I’ve got for now. Fuller predictions coming soon. Enjoy spring training!

The Mets announced at a press conference today that they have picked up the $7.5 million option on OF Moises Alou and Damion Easley for one year at $950,000.

Alou hit 13 home runs and 49 RBI, in only 87 games last season, Easley hit .280 with 10 home runs and 26 RBI in 76 games.

No brainer on Alou, i’m not sure we needed Easley, but I am not going to go nuts over it.

According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets have set a conference call for the media at 4:15PM to discuss the futures of OF Moises Alou and IF Damion Easley.

Rubin believes it is a safe bet that they will both be returning to the team in 2008.

John Delcos over at LoHud reports that Alou has taken two steps back, and is pretty much starting his treatments over from the beginning. According to Omar, at best we're looking All Star break, but don't rule out NEVER. 

Yeah. Thats exactly what we wanted to here. That Alou might not be back this year. It sounds like…well like they have no idea whats going on. Alou's injury is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a conundrum, wrapped in a soft tortilla shell. Mm….delicious.

I have a feeling this whole Alou Injury well end up with Randolph pulling Gomez and Smith aside, sitting them down, and telling them their good Uncle Moises won't be playing anymore because he went to go live upstate with a nice farm family.  He misses them, but he's having a good time there playing baseball in the big open fields and wrestling bears with Ricky Henderson.

Alou's return will most likely be pushed back. He felt some soreness after running in the outfield yesterday and will be getting another exam from his doctor.

Just because you replaced Cliff Floyd, doesn't mean you need to be hurt as much as Cliff Floyd.

There's still no time table on Beltran's return.  He's day to day and will be back whenever he tells Willie he feels good enough to play. 

I feel comfortable with the defense of an Endy, Gomez, Johnson outfield. Even with the lesser experience (I think any one of our normal outfielders has more years than the three of them combined), they have the speed to make up for it, though we'll still see the occasional bad idea play from Gomez. Its more the offense. Gomez is almost 1 for 20 after his successful pinch hit yesterday.  Endy is doing alright, but seemed to be cold for a bit there. And considering they're replacing the three guys who were the most consistent this year.


That all being said,  for the most part they've proved able to come through when needed. Plus we still have the bats of  Wright, Reyes, Delgado , LoDuca.   Beltran's also shown that he only sits when he has to.  He seems to be a pretty stoic guy.  If he's doing well, he's quiet. And if he's a little sore, he's quiet then too,  and seems to play through it. So if Beltran says he needs another day, I think thats the sort of thing  we can trust. This isn't one of those Met teams from the  Bad Times,  these guys  seem willing to do  whats best for the team. So if Beltran is out again today its probably safe to assume he really needs one more to get back into playing shape.

Moises Alou has been placed on the DL, retro'ed to Saturday, with his quad injury.  The mvoe was made after last nights game, AAA pitcher Vargas will take his roster spot.

Personally, I think this is good news. No offense to Alou, he's been hitting great, he's been one of the more consistant players on the team, but it was time to give him some rest and let him heal before he just made it worse. Now we get to keep Gomez up for awhile longer rather than send him back down to clear space for a pitcher.   Hopefully Vargas will do well, because I for one am not entirely that confidant in most of the other arms in our AAA club right now. Humber needs more time, and it seems like it would be pointless to bring Pelf back so quick. With Gomez and Endy both around though its nice, since even with the slower Green in right, it still completely changes the look of the OF with one of them in the left corner.  Plus it probably saves some wear and tear on Beltran.

Alou left the game today with a pulled left quad. He's listed day to day. 

Another Alou injury in a short period of time, if this doesn't send him to the DL chances are something else will shortly. Hey Chip Ambres, maybe you should pack a bag. Just in case.

Alou's MRI's showed an irratated should capsule, but he has returned to the lineup.  he went 0 for 4 tonight in his first game back to drop his average to .333.  He is at least connecting however, with two fly outs and two groundouts in the Mets loss.

Our buddy Matt Cerrone on MetsBlog reports that the Mets have officially announced the signing of Moises Alou.

Alou will appear live with Mets GM Omar Minaya, Ron Darling and Matt Yalloff on tonight’s episode of Mets Hot Stove on SNY at 6:30 pm and will repeat again at 9:30 pm.

The deal is a one-year, $7.5 million contract with a club option for 2008.

Alou, 40, hit .301 (104-345) with 52 runs scored, 25 doubles, one
triple, 22 home runs and 74 RBI in 98 games for the San Francisco
Giants last season.

“Moises Alou is one of the game's top hitters,” Omar Minaya said about the veteran slugger “He'll add a valuable righthanded bat to our
line-up.”

Here's a rundown on Alou's accolades from Mets.com…

Alou is a six-time All-Star (1994, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2005)
and two-time Silver Slugger recipient (1994, 1998). He has constructed
a .301 (2,005-6,660) batting average with 400 doubles, 38 triples, 319
home runs, 1,229 RBI, with 102 stolen bases in 1,840 major league games
with Pittsburgh, Montreal, Florida, Houston, the Chicago Cubs and
Giants.

Moises has a .368 lifetime on-base percentage and a .516
slugging percentage. In addition, he has compiled a .308 (593-1,923)
career batting average with runners in scoring position. He is one of
19 major leaguers to hit .300 or better with 350 doubles, 300 home runs
and 1,110 RBI (14 of the others are in Baseball's Hall of Fame).

He finished third in the NL MVP voting on two occasions (1994 and
1998). Moises batted .339 (143-422) with 31 doubles, five triples, 22
home runs and 78 RBI in 107 games with the Expos in 1994 and hit .312
(182-584) with 34 doubles, five triples, 38 home runs and 124 RBI in
1998 with Houston.

The San Francisco Chronice is reporting the Mets and OF Moises Alou are in the final stages of completing a deal. The contract is expected to be either a 1 or 2-year deal. One of the sources told the paper, “I think its going to happen”.

If the Mets sign Alou before December 1st, the Giants will recieve two high compensatory draft picks since he is a Type A free agent.

The 41-year old Alou hit .301 with 22 home runs and 74 RBIs in 345 at bats last season.

Bye bye Lastings. We hardly knew ye.

UPDATE 6:05 PM
SI.com is reporting the deal could be announced next week.

Update 8:22 PM
SI.com is now reporting that Alou turned down 2-year deals from the Indians and Rangers to take a 1-year deal plus a option with the Mets. Newsday is reporting Alou will sign a 2-year deal.

Update 6:07 AM
The AP is reporting its a one-year deal worth $8 to $9 million

Ken Rosenthal is at it again. He is reporting that the Mets and OF Moises Alou are discussing a 2-year deal, not the one-year, $8 million deal reported earlier this morning.

Rosenthal notes that this would also mean that if Alou signs with the Mets, OF Lastings Milledge is all but gone by Opening Day 2007.

I've made up my mind and I think I'd rather have the platoon. We have enough offense and we need some defense in the outfield. Alou can't run anything down and Shawn Green can't field anything hit away from him while Milledge and Endy Chavez are both good outfielders (I know what you are thinking, but he had a bad series aganist Boston).

Now, about the 2-year deal. I get it on only one condition. They let Green walk after this season and they start either Milledge or Carlos Gomez in 2008. If thats not the case, then its a bad move signing him to the second season.