The Mets were stellar in the first three games against the Giants, they stole a ton of bases (7 in one game), they hit with runners in scoring position and they even played defense.  Even though Carlos Delgado was placed on the DL (he is expected to be out until July at the earliest), they had plenty offense and were able to win the first three of a four game series. However, the Mets lost the final game of the series and as of last night, were swept three straight by the Dodgers.

The losses against the Dodgers may not have been so bad if the Mets had not played so bad. The Mets looked like buffoons; in game one alone the Mets committed five errors. It was also in that game that we got some insight into the true relationship between Ryan Church and Jerry Manual. Church made the biggest base running blunder of the season when he completely missed third base the Mets would have taken the lead in the top of the 11^th and would have handed the ball off to Frankie Rodriguez, but instead the Dodgers appealed at third and Church was called out. Manual totally threw Church under the bus, he didn’t bother to even argue the call, instead he literally turned his back on him. I for one like Church, but now I feel he probably has to move on considering the relationship between he and the manager.

Lets be honest though, the Mets didn’t just lose that game and the series because Church missed third, the Mets committed a ton of errors and have failed to hit a home run in 60 innings. In the Dodger series the Mets left 26 men on base and were 3-27 with RISP. Suddenly the bats are dead. Not only did the Mets not hit, they also didn’t play defense well either-the committed seven errors in the series, five in one game.

The Mets are in trouble. Manya has said that they will not go out to trade for a first baseman and feels that that position can be filled by who they have on the team right now, but after watching Jeremy Reed there, it is nearly impossible to believe that Omar is watching the same team we are because as FANS we can see that this little experiment isn’t going to work. Daniel Murphy had the opportunity to play first and actually didn’t look as bad there as he does in the outfield, but suddenly this guy’s bat has been very cold.

Not only is first base a concern but so is Sean Green and JJ Putz. Putz gave up the winning run in the last game of the Dodger series. I really don’t want to hear about adrenaline or lack thereof, you are being paid to do a job and if you are asked to pitch in the second or the eighth you better do what you are supposed to do, short of the fact that you arm is falling off, I don’t want to hear excuses. On that note, Sean Green stinks and I think the Mets need to chuck him, he is a nightmare out there, he can’t get anyone out. Look, I love the Putz and Green deal, for nothing more than it got Aaron Heilman out of town but if they can’t get anyone out, they’ll get the Heilman reception from the crowd.

If the Mets are going to throw in the towel, then do so. Let Murphy play first, bring up Fernando Martinez, add one of the young pitchers from Triple A, and play out the season, but don’t feed us a line of bull and try to make us believe that the Mets can win now with what they’ve got, because they can’t. Now…not only is Delgado on the DL, Jose Reyes seems headed there too with a calf injury. Also, I’m not making excuses for the Mets because of injuries, every team has injuries; I’m just questioning who is going to step it up. I do think it is interesting that with Delgado departing, David Wright heated up…

The Mets will wrap up their road trip with three in Boston over the weekend. Interestingly, this weekend the Mets and Yankees have the opportunity to help each other out this weekend as the Yankees will host the Phillies for three…wow, I might have to root for the Yankees (ugh!)

Mets Blog

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

Well, it’s been awhile. I guess I’ve calmed down enough from Schoeneweis to finally write an ending to the season. My first thought is how could they possibly have done this again? Are you kidding me?  And of course, this was only worsened by the fact that the Phillies won the world series.  My Sports Illustrated arrived in the mail with them on the cover and I felt that sense of dread-can you imagine what it will be like when the Mets play the Phillies next season?  You would think that would be enough alone for the Mets to want to rise to the occasion next season, but then again, isn’t that what we said after the 2007 season?   

How is it that the 2008 season ended just like the 2007 season?  The Marlins spit in their eye two years in a row and laughed about it. The Mets?  Instead of fighting, instead of taking a cue from Johan Santana (who it turns out was pitching on a bum knee)-the Mets laid down and died.  This Mets’ team has no guts. How is it that nobody stood up and punched Hanley Ramirez in the mouth (figuratively speaking of course)? As much as I hate to say it, and I REALLY hate to say it, Shane Victorino (doesn’t he sound like a grade “B” gangster, Vic Torino, polyester suit and all) would not take this BS from anybody. And that’s basically what’s wrong with the Mets.

After Santana went out there on Saturday and pitched his guts out on one leg the Mets did almost nothing on Sunday. That’s why your leader can’t be a pitcher; he’s only out there every five days. The Mets need a fiery everyday player. The Mets need Keith Hernandez again. In the ’86 playoff against the Astros the Mets HAD to win game 6. There was no way they were winning a game 7 that year against Mike Scott. He was in their heads. So when the Mets had the lead in the ninth and Orosco on the mound, the story goes Keith went to Orosco on the mound and told him” If you throw any fastballs, anything but a slider, I’m going to kick your ass right here on the mound”. Is this true? Who knows? No one would admit it now. Not pc enough for the Pollyanna’s in the game today (of which Keith makes mention of almost every game…”It’s become such a gentlemen’s game” said with much disdain.) But this is exactly what they need, a kick ass, ask for names later leader.  Where to get one? I don’t know. And it’s hard to admit that. I don’t know who they need or what they need to give up to get this mystery leader.  

I can tell you that Scott Schoeneweis..GONE. Aaron Heilman…GONE, he can go pout about being a starter somewhere else. Can’t you just hear him? (whiney voice..”But I want to be a starter…”)  Luis Castillo…Gone Baby Gone!  Duaner Sanchez-Gone, go get arroz con pollo at 2am with someone else.  Moises Alou…can still hit, older than Ty Cobb…Gone. Marlon Anderson…gone pleeeese. Pedro Martinez..thanks for the memories (of Takin’ the money, not for big wins. By the way Pedro’s 32 wins as a Mets cost $1,611,424.00 each. Nice work if you can get it. ).  Ollie…probably gone with Boras as his agent.  We all know that we won’t see Billy Wagner as a Met again.

I waited to deal with the so-called “Core” players: Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. There is a lot of talk here in NY of breaking up them up. I don’t think Reyes, Wright or Beltran are goin’ anywhere.  Carlos Delgado is a different story.  The Mets picked up his $12 million option. It would have cost $4 million to buy him out, so an outlay of $8 million.  There has been rumblings that they would move him if they could create a package with Delgado and assorted other pieces. Remember he didn’t want to come here anyway. He signed with the Marlins. 

Now the others:

Joe Smith-can be useful. Stays.  Pedro Feliciano…gotta get a couple a’ righty’s out once in awhile there Pedro. Stays.  Luis Ayala…looked good at times. Don’t think he can be full time closer but valuable. Stays  Ramon Castro…useful back-up-then again, he has to stay health-the past two years he’s missed significant playing time, he stays.  Nick Evans…young OF. Stays-Omar has said they think he can hit for power-I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  Ryan Church… him before concussions. Stays.  Brian Schneider…ok, can we upgrade?  Stays- But, rumor has been that Pudge is an idea for the upgrade-NO THANKS!  Daniel Murphy, you can hit, can you play second? Stays.  Argenis Reyes…like him. Hit .283 in AAA, how about here? Stays.  Fernando Tatis…came back to MLB to build church in hometown. Now that it’s built, will God still be smiling on him?  Stays.  Endy Chavez…was he still on the team after Manuel took over? Stays.  Damion Easley…like him, wants to be a gamer, hurt too much, old.  Probably stays if healthy.  Mike Pelfry…Duh!  Johan Santana …Like there is a question about this.  John Maine…Serious John though, can you put a guy away after getting two strikes and not let him foul off 30 pitches? Stays.  

So, where does that leave the Mets?  The Mets are in need of a left fielder, a second baseman, a starter and a closer. I think Derek Lowe is a gamer and Orlando Hudson would be a welcome addition at second. Can Evans and Murphy split left?  Did you see some of those fielding adventures they had out there?  Can you say Arizona Instructional League?  Will the Mets try to make Maine the closer?  He has the stuff. Can he pitch multiple days in a week?  He seems to get frustrated easily; can he handle the mental aspects of closing?  Uh…I guess there are a few questions the Mets need to answer right now. 

Here is my best guess:

Starting Rotation: Santana, Pelfry, Lowe, Maine and Niese.  Relievers: Smith, Feliciano, Kunz, Stokes, Ayala, and…your guess is as good as mine.  Infield: C Schneider and Castro, 1B Delgado, 2B Hudson, SS Reyes, 3B Wright Outfield: LF Evans /Murphy, CF Beltran, RF Church 

Mets Blog

The Mets had a huge inning against Odalis Perez scoring six runs in the bottom of the third.  It looked as if they would cruise to the finish, but the Nationals would not go down with out a fight.  New York blew a six run lead but, they seem to have found some offense at the right time and are playing like winners.  After the game was tied at seven, the Mets scored six more runs to win 13-10.  This is a hard time right now, the Mets have a three and half game (four in the loss column) lead with just 17 games left to play.  This is right where the Mets were last year when they blew the seven game lead.  But, this year is different, these Mets are different.  

Saturday nights loss was a bad one for the New York Mets as they gave up single runs in the eighth and ninth innings and the Flordia Marlins finished off the comeback with a 4-3 victory over the Mets. When you are in a playoff race like the Mets are right now, you can’t be losing games like that.

With the Mets up 3-0 on a two-run home run by David Wright and a rbi single by Luis Castillo, the Marlins started their comeback in the sixth inning. Dan Uggla singled to center field off of Mike Pelfrey to score the first two Marlins run. Then in the eighth inning, MIke Jacobs hit a solo home run to tie the game. In the ninth it was Aaron Heilman who walked in the game winning run to give the Marlins the 4-3 victory.

With the loss and a Phillies win, the Mets are only up one game in the division. Pedro Martinez will get the start on the mound Sunday so hopefully we will see a Mets victory.

Last night, the Mets blew a seven run lead, they also helped Jimmy Rollins into the record books as he became just the 4th player in 50 years to have five hits three stolen bases and three RBI in one game, and our team managed just four hits after the fourth inning.  Amazing.  How do you blow a seven run lead?  Well… 

When you can’t trust the bullpen you’re in trouble every night.  And that is the case.  Pedro struggled to finish the fourth, but knowing what the bullpen is like night after night, Pedro pitched the fifth.  Bad idea.  In the fifth, Pedro gave up a lead off double to the pitcher, and then Jimmy Rollins came in and hit a two run homer, he then walked Chase Utley, struck out Pat Burrell but Ryan Howard came through with a two run homer.  In five innings of work, Pedro allowed five runs on seven hits, he walked two and struck out eight.  Ok, so the score was 7-5, the Mets still held on to the lead.  Did they score any more runs?  NOPE.  After the fourth inning the Mets had just four hits.  I just don’t get how the Mets can score like crazy in the first three innings and then can’t do a thing there after.  They scored late against the Astros on Monday night, but I think it is one of a few times we’ve seen them tack on runs.  That is why they have so few come from behind wins.   

The Phllies cut into the Mets lead again adding one more off Duaner Sanchez.  Sanchez allowed a single, he was then replaced by Pedro Feliciano who gave up a single allowing the inherited runner to score.  In the ninth inning, with the Mets barely holding on, Luis Ayala who hasn’t allowed anything since joining the Mets, showed us why the Nationals let him go.  The Mets were two strikes away from getting the win when Ayala gave up a RBI double to pinch hitter Eric Bruntlett.  The Mets have now blown 22 saves.  Can you imagine if the Mets had just half of those games back, today they could have a ten game lead or better.  Aaron Heilman gets a lot of credit, he worked three innings of scoreless relief.  Scott Schoeneweis, who has been pretty much worthless since he signed with the Mets gave up the winning run in the bottom of the 13th.   

All in all this is just a putrid performance by the Mets.  I think I’ve used that term before, and you think it can’t get worse, but some how having another game like this against the Phillies makes it all that much more upsetting.  The Mets had this game right there, they put themselves in good position early on, and then just failed to do what had to be done.  Yes, you can blame the bullpen, they are part of the problem, but last night it was a collective effort, how do you score seven runs early and then give it back, or how do you score seven runs early and only then get four more hits the rest of the way-the Mets are loafing when they get a lead, I wish out team had a little more of the heart that the Phillies have.  

Damion Easley had a great night, he had four hits.  Both Jose Reyes and David Wright had ftwo hits.  David became the first player in Mets history to put together four consecutive years with 100 plus RBI.  What sticks out though is that neither Carlos Beltran nor Carlos Delgado did anything.  Delgado was the hero the night before, and in his last 55 games he has 55 RIB-just didn’t have any last night.  And while Beltran is like ninth in the league in RBI he is just shy of 90, he hasn’t really done anything for the Mets this season.  Can you name the last time Beltran was in the middle of it big time.  When did he last get a game winning hit?  Yes, in this past week he had a multihomer game, but really, when was the last time he won the game for the Mets?  I know you get  a lot out of him as far as defense goes and he did steal a base last night, but it was only his 18th this season.   

I think today I am nearly speechless.  Lucky for me that last night I actually went to bed before the wheels came off.  I was tired from being out late at the game the night before.  I went to bed the Mets were winning 7-1, and when they scored that run I told my husband, if the Phillies score here, they are very likely to come back and win this game.  I knew that it could happen because how many times have we’ve seen it.  They play in a band box-and yes the Mets were hitting in that park too-and got the cheap homers by  Fernando Tatis and Easley earlier in the game, we all know that no lead in that park is safe, the Phillies are fighting for first-just like the Mets are supposed to be.  I decide to go to bed because I knew if things went south, I’d be too mad to sleep.   

So while last night doesn’t fall squarely on the shoulders of the pitching staff it is hard not to focus that it was the pitching staff that blew a seven run lead, because really, when you have a seven run lead, you should win the game.  However, hopefully last night the Mets learned a lesson, that you can’t just stop playing because you have a lead.  Even down 7-0 the Phillies never thought they weren’t going to win that game.  That is the difference between the Mets and the Phillies the Mets kept playing as if they had already won the game. 

The Mets will hope that Johan Santan can pitch as well as he did in his last outing.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Mets Blog 

The Mets beat the Braves last night 7-3.  Going into the eighth inning, it looked as if the Mets would drop yet another game to the Braves, but lucky for the Mets, because for one night, the bullpen that blew the game was wearing red and blue, not orange and blue.   

The Mets scored two in the first inning off Braves’ starter Jo-Jo Reyes on a David Wright sac fly and a double by Fernando Tatis.  However, the offense stopped there and for six straight innings the Mets did not get another hit.  However, in the bottom of the eighth, down 3-2 the Mets got a little help from the Braves bullpen.  Jeff Bennett retired Jose Reyes on a ground out, but then he issued back to back walks to Nick Evans and David Wright and Carlos Beltran got aboard to load the bases on a little blooper that Chipper Jonescould not make a plan on. The Mets, who have just been awful with the bases loaded, now had Carlos Delgado at the plate, Delgado who has cooled off since that amazing run in July had a terrible game at the plate on Monday against the Pirates.  For whatever reason, Bobby Cox elected to bring in the lefty-now I know that is by the book, but Delgado has smoked lefty pitching, Delgado hit a double off the fence in left center that was only a few inches from leaving the yard, two runs scored to put the Mets on top 4-3.  Easley hit a single to center that scored both Carloses, and then Ramon Castro drove home a run with a double to left.  In all, the Mets scored five in the inning and won the game 7-3.  The Mets finally got someone to hit with runners in scoring position.  It’s about time.  It was really unexpected also because after the first inning, the offense looked like it wasn’t going to do anything.  And for one night, the bullpen didn’t blow it.   

Oliver Perez struggled last night, he walked five stuck out three and allowed three runs on seven hits.  Luis Ayala jumped right into the fire, as he entered the game in relief for Perez with two on, Ayala got both batters he faced to pop up, ending the threat there.  Aaron Heilman worked the eighth inning, he allowed one hit and walked one but did not give up any runs.  Scott Schoeneweis worked the ninth inning to close the game out.  And, after it was all said and done, Schoneweis basically said to the press that it was nice that the other team’s bullpen was the story on the night.  

This series against the Braves is one of those must wins.  The Braves are terrible on the road, and again lat night lost a game in which they had a one run lead.  Combine that with the fact that the Phillies are playing the Nationals, and the Nationals have lost 11 straight, the Mets are going to have to do their part to not lose any ground in the standings.  

So, the Mets got bad news on Billy Wagner.  And then Billy Wagner has to turn around and tell us how we can’t understand how hard it is to go out there and do what they do day after day-being picked on in the press-well Billy, boo-hoo.  If you don’t like, don’t play in New York.  I mean, you played in Philly, you had to have some idea of what you were getting yourself into.  If you want fans who don’t care, go play for the Marlins, who even though they are winning can’t get anyone in the stands.  Shut up-before you end up with an inflamed jaw. 

And on a funnier note, there was a conference call set to take place yesterday between the umpires, major league baseball and whoever else.  Turns out, the Umps missed the call again; see, they are boycotting the usage of instant replay.  While I still haven’t figured out what my position is on this matter, I can tell you one thing-if they’d gotten the myriad of calls right over the season, then this would be a non-issue.  But the fact that they go out there night after night and continue to screw up calls has brought baseball to this point.  I have harped on this over and over, if there is anyone out there reading this on a steady basis, you know that I’ve been killing the officiating of these games all season. 

The Mets and Braves play the second of three tonight.  The Mets will send Mike Pelfrey to the mound, he is 11-8 with a 3.91 era.  The Braves will counter with their “ace” Jair Jurrjens who is also 11-8 but with a much lower era of 3.15.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog