Seems Omar Minaya has been a busy boy there in Las Vegas. Amazingly, he has actually done some good things.  Obviously the most important of the Mets transactions was the free agent signing of Francisco Rodriquez.  This is a great signing for the Mets as they essentially paid half price for the hottest free agent closer on the market. It was thought initially that K-Rod would end up signing a contract that would equal about 75 million dollars-but as time wore on there was a realization that there were no other big market teams other than the Mets who were looking for a closer.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think the Mets would sign K-Rod!  Obviously, this is a big deal for the Mets-hopefully, we will finally see a end to the circus that had become the ninth inning.

Rodriquez is a three time all star setting the single season record for saves when he recorded 62 saves for the Angels last season; his violent throwing motion that has been a source of speculation as some fear that he will injure himself at some point.  K-Rod has youth on his side as he will turn 27 in January.  Although Rodriquez has had a slight drop in his velocity he has developed a devastating change up to go along with his other pitches.

So, not only did the Mets sign K-Rod but they finally sent Aaron Heilman a packin’! So long, farewell Au revoir, Auf Weidersehen (ok, so when was the last time you read a Sound of Music reference in a sports blog? ) Sincerely, I hope Aaron Heilman is very happy in Seattle, actually, I don’t really care if he is happy I’m just glad he is gone-and couldn’t they have sent him any further away from New York?  The sad thing about this transaction is that with the departure of Heilman also comes the departure of Joe Smith-I liked Joe and was looking forward to seeing what he would do with the Mets this year.  However, in my book Joe Smith is a small price to pay to be rid of Heilman-I wonder if Scott Schoeneweis would fit in his suitcase? So, the Mets send off Heilman, Joe Smith, and Endy Chavez and a various other minor leaguers and return home with J.J. Putz reliever Sean Green and outfielder Jeremey Reed.

Putz who is a closer at heart has agreed to be the set up man-I just hope the Mets don’t end up in a situation where we have someone whining because they want to be a closer-but I guess we’ll visit that issue when it arises.

With the addition of K-Rod and Putz the Mets have basically said that they are out of the race for Derrick Lowe-who I guess will end up a Yankee along with pretty much the rest of the free agent pitching market. The Mets still have interest in trying to resign Oliver Perez, which I would be on board with.  The Mets have also stated that they might have interest in the return of Pedro Martinez, to which I respond-ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!

On a side note, this is just kind of one of those things that makes you shake your head-do the Nationals actually believe that Mark Teixeira would sign there?  I mean, they would probably have to double their offer to get him to even consider going there–

Mets Blog

What are the Mets doing?  I realized that they were 18-8 in July, but if it doesn’t carry over into August, then July isn’t going to matter much.  I know, I know not exactly time to panic just yet.  Even though the Mets lost, the Phillies and Marlins did too; the Mets remain one game out of first with the Marlins trailing close behind. 

Pedro Martinez was making his first start in nearly three weeks.  He threw 87 pitches in five innings, giving up three runs (all of which were homers) on five hits, he walked two and stuck out five.  Knowing that Pedro would not be in it for the long haul tonight, the bullpen had to know that the team would be counting on them to keep them in the game. 

The trade deadline has passed so we pretty much know that this team is our team and this is the bullpen we are going to have to count on.  There might be some additions, but it will be of guys who made us better by subtraction-think Luis Castillo.  But the Mets bullpen right now has been atrocious.  I have heard talk this week from guys on SNY and on WFAN trying to tell us that the Mets bullpen isn’t that bad.  These guys then must not watch them night after night like the fans do, because I can tell you, and I’m sure you know it-this pen is horrible right now. 

“Right now” are the key words.  These are the same guys we’ve seen be really good.  And in fairness, the guys who have said that the Mets pen isn’t that bad, preface it by saying that if the pen actually pitched the way it is capable of, then they are actually pretty good.  But, they haven’t pitched like they are capable of anything, and in order to be in the thick of it, the Met have to have all parts working.  Again, the problem is that it isn’t just one guy who is struggling.  From night to night you don’t know who will blow it.  Last night it just happend to be Aaron Heilman.  He gave up a grand slam to Mark Loretta in the bottom of the eighth that really put the game out of reach for the Mets, but why was Heilman ptiching a second inning?  Can no one else pitch in relief and get an out?  Joe Smith finally got someone out, he pitched a scoreless sixth inning, and Pedro Felicano, who came into the game after the Astros had blown it wide open retired both batters that he faced. 

Clearly part of the problem last night was that Pedro Marinez only pitched five innings and the Mets bullpen was going to have to pick up the slack.  But, isn’t that their job?  Seriously, Damion Easley, Endy Chavez, and Fernando Tatis have (for the most part) done their jobs and continue to go out and do them night after night.  Tatis is probably one of the biggest reasons that the Mets played so well in July.  The point is, the bench guys picked up the slack when other guys went down, it is a little concept known as “team.”  And, no, I do believe that the bull pen is stinking up the joint because they want to, but it just seems more often than not they are the problem rather than the solution. 

Pitching wasn’t the Mets only problem.  They had plenty of scoring chances against Brandon Backe on Friday night and didn’t make the most of them.  They left seven guys on base and with no one out in the top of the seventh the Mets loaded the bases but failed to score-Endy Chavez struck out, David Wright grounded into a force play, and Carlos Delgado hit a fly ball to left.  I realize that the Mets have no other option, but Endy Chavez is not a good two hitter.  He struck out in a bad spot last night, and was 0-3.  I know the they are thinking that when Ryan Church comes back that he will hit in the five spot with Carlos Beltran will hit in the two hole.  And really, I am not bagging on Chavez because I believe that he has done a good job stepping in and when he is in the game the Mets have two of the best defensive outfielders in the game.  He isn’t the worst thing out there, he is hitting .268 and has had some big games, but I think that the Mets need a little more consistency, espeically at the top of the lineup. 

John Maine will not start on Sunday instead we will see Oliver Perez.  The Mets a hoping that the rest will work for Maine, he is scheduled to pitch at home on August 8th against the Marlins.  Meanwhile, in his first Triple-A start Jon Niese allowed just one run on three hits in seven innings of work on Wednesday.  Niese could make his major league debut with the Mets on August 11th in a rainout make up game against the Pirates, he will make one more start at Tripple-A before possibly pitching for the Mets.  Daniel Murphy‘s promotion lasted just one day in Triple-A as newspapers here in New York are reporting that he will join the Mets tonight against the Astros.  He was hitting .308 with 13 homers and 67 RBI at Double-A-Binghamton and just one day ago was promoted to Triple-A.  I’m not sure what moves the Mets are making to place Murphy on the active roster, the transaction pages have yet to be updated. 

Tonight’s starters: Johan Santana is coming off his first complete game as a Met.  He is 9-8 with a 2.93 era.  Roy Oswalt is 8-8 with a 4.67 era.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Mets Blog    

Luis Castillo, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Marlon Anderson, Oliver Perez each had one RBI. Anderson’s and Beltran’s RBI coming off homeruns.  The Mets had a total of 11 hits, leaving 9 guys on base.  The heart of the order was a combined 3 for 17, with both Wright and Delgado going 0-4.  Delgado’s batting average has dropped to .198. 

The Mets started to rally in the ninth when Marlon Anderson hit a pinch hit home run and Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo reached on singles but, John Rauch settled in and retired the next three hitters in order to end the game.  

For a second straight night, Carlos Delgado hit sixth in the order behind Ryan Church who occupied the fifth spot.  Church is swinging a hot bat right now hitting .354; this is a good sign as there was some concern about his offensive output coming into the season.   The Mets were without catcher Brian Schneider who is in a New York hospital to treat an infection in his left thumb.  Brady Clark was designated for assignment.  The Mets purchased the contract of catcher Gustavo Molina from Triple-A New Orleans.  

The Mets could be in for a long series against the Braves if they continue to play the way they did on this road trip. 

 Mets Blog

A little too much money for Perez if you ask me.  I don’t think Perez should have got that much money, more around the $5 million dollar mark would have been more acceptable I think.

Mets Blog

I like the signing, as I know there would have been atleast five other teams that would have signed him for that amount if not more.  Now Church just needs to stay healthy and help the Mets reach the post season.

Mets Blog

Now the question everyone needs to ask, how will Santana perform with all the pressure he will have pitching in New York City?  Coming from Minnesota to New York is going to be a huge change for this all star pitcher.

Mets Blog

The Mets are sending Carlos Gomez and Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey to the Twins.  That is a lot of pitching prospects for Santana, but that is something you have to give up to get a great pitcher like Santana.  The Mets are definately setup for a deep playoff run in 2008 with this trade.

Other teams in the National League are already talking having to face a Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez combination in a playoff series.  None of them are liking this!

Mets Blog 

Good signing on both ends of the deal I think.  Chavez says he is 100% ready to get going and wants to help the team reach the post season.  He should feel more relaxed in my opinion all season long as he won’t have to play for a contact offer in 2009.

Mets Blog

Career minor league players is what you see right there pretty much.  Who knew Fernando Tatis was still trying to play baseball lol!  Dude needs to just hang up the cleats already if you ask me.

Mets Blog