Mets Fever

Thoughts on the Ryan Church for Jeff Francoeur

2009-07-11T14:18:00.005-04:00

I was one of the fans that hated the Lastings Milledge trade, it wasn't that I was still enamoured with Milledge, in fact; I thought it was time for him to go. But Milledge, at that time, was still somewhat of a top prospect and our bullpen was horrible, my expectation was that Milledge would garner, at least, a reliever in the package.

Instead the Mets walked away with a weak hitting catcher and a platoon partner outfielder.

Since then Ryan Church had totally won me over as a player, he was a solid defender with a good arm and a decent bat. Even if he couldn't hit lefties and he was more of a .270 hitter then the .300 splash we saw to start his Mets career, I felt he was an asset. I liked his approach to the game, he was a blue collar, come to the stadium everyday ready to play type of guy. So it's not easy for me to see him go...

I'm also a realist and for whatever reason it was obvious that Church just didn't fit into the Mets plans and if anyone from the major league team was going to be moved, it was probably Church. Maybe there is nothing to the Jerry/Church thing or the idea that Church didn't like NY, that aside, he was the one player with value on the market who the team didn't view as an untouchable part of the future core.

I've been screaming for a trade for over a month, so for me to say I dislike the trade would be a bit hypocritical. I wanted a trade, even if it was for the sake of a trade, just to shake things up and I got what I wanted. As of now, admitting that I know very little about Francoeur and am bias towards Church, I see this as a wash, since they're basically similar players.

Here are the positives I see from the deal, Francoeur is five years younger and under control for four more years. Church has spent much more time on the DL, while Francoeur has basically played everyday. The Mets have often been left handed dominant, Francoeur is a righty bat who only hit righties .232 but even that is better then Church's .167 against his own side. Francoeur went to work with Omar's close friend and hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo ( source Bleacher report), it sounds like Atlanta hitting coach Terry Pendleton took exception to this and it may have effected their relationship. I think, just as Church needed a fresh start, so did Frenchy, the management was frustrated with him and there was a lot of performance pressure being the home town kid.

The risks, for a team with offensive struggles, a part-time Church was at least hitting .280, mostly against righties while Francoeur was hitting .250 ( .303 against lefties). The Braves seem to know when to move players who have peaked, very few players go on to more success after leaving the organization, which leads you to worry that the last two years are what he is and not what he was in 2006-2007. Francoeur is a small town guy, there is that chance that he's not going to handle the big city.

Too me it looks like more of a wash; both are considered great outfielders with incredible arms, the edge may go to Francoeur in the field but at the plate, as of right now Church has the edge for the past two season. In regards to untapped potential, pre-season rankings in 2005 ( when they both came up on a regular basis) Francoeur was the Braves #4 prospect while Church was the Nats #5 ( of course the Braves farm was much stronger and Fenchy was much younger).

Overall, I like this trade for trades sake, the team needed a shake up, Francoeur didn't cost a top prospect and could become a player for the future, as well as the present. Nice Job Omar, hopefully as you hinted in the press conference there's more to come...

Good Luck Ryan Church, you played your heart out for us and I won't forget how hard you tried after the concussions...

State of the rotation at mid-season...

2009-07-10T10:28:00.003-04:00

After last night's loss, Jerry Manuel stated that over the All-Star break the team would re-examine the starting rotation.
"I'll say this: Over the break, we'll decide what the rotation is going to be," Manuel said after the Mets lost their fifth in six games Thursday night. "We haven't decided that yet, and we'll just have to take a good look at it and see which direction we're going to go. We're not saying somebody's in and somebody's out, I'm just saying we're going to take a look at it." source NJ.com

So let's take a look at how the rotation has done in the first half:

Johan Santana, a traditionally slow starter had an incredible beginning to the season, in his first 10 starts he went 7-2 with a 1.76 ERA. He then had the worst month of his career, going 2-4 with a 6.19 ERA. His first appearance in July was a loss, but a solid start going seven innings, allowing two runs. Maybe it was a bad stretch, but it has lead to speculation that he's injured or frustrated with the team.

The best way to describe Mike Pelfrey is inconsistent, in 16 starts he is 6-4 with a 4.52 ERA. His first three starts of the year he went 2-0 with a 6.32 ERA, he then rebounded in May with a 2.93 ERA ( 2-1 record), in June his ERA once again rose to 6.39 ( 1-2 record) and this month in two starts he has a 3.38 ERA. Each start Pelf. has a stretch where he's dominant and each start he seems to have an Olliesque moment. Lets not forget that Pelfrey is a Verducci candidate but the Mets can't afford to give him a break, not only are his innings increasing but his stress load hasn't decreased Pelfrey is allowing more then a hit per inning ( 91 innings/105 hits).

Prior to missing two months with a knee injury, Oliver Perez went 1-2 in five starts with a 12.37 ERA. He has made one start since returning and while it was a win, he also walked seven.

There's no time frame for John Maine's return, Maine hasn't pitched since early June and after attempting to rehab, he has been such down indefinitely. Prior to going down, Maine went 5-4 ( 11 starts) with a 4.52 ERA.

While Pelfrey has been inconsistent, Livan Hernandez has been consistent. Livan has done the exact same thing two years in a row, basically he has about 10-13 very good starts in him before he breaks down. Livan is 5-5 with a 5.10 ERA in 17 starts and after getting shelled in two straight games it appears that he could be on his way out.

Tim Redding was given a shot at the rotation and after mixed resulted was placed in the pen. In nine starts he went 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA, only three of his starts would be considered quality. Since joining the pen, he has had two appearances, the first was solid but last night he was hit hard.

Fernando Nieve was a pleasant surprise, starting five games with a 3-2 record and a 2.73 ERA. But just like most pleasant surprises he has come back to earth, his last two starts he was pulled early while getting hit pretty hard.

So what are the teams options:

Jon Niese has been solid in AAA, He's pitched six quality starts in a row with a record of 4-1 and a 1.12 ERA, as well as being named player of the week. Niese is also their most valued trade chip that isn't considered untouchable, if he's brought up and gets pommelled he immediately loses value.

Then there's always Nelson Figueroa, Figgy made one start early this year in which he allowed three runs over six innings. In Buffalo, Figgy made 14 starts with a record of 5-4 and an ERA of 2.40. He was the only Bison named to the international league All-Star team.

Some stark numbers on the state of the Mets...

2009-07-09T22:26:00.006-04:00

Baseball is a game of numbers, in no other sport are the numbers so preciously kept., but in any business the bottom line is results and in both categories, here are some very stark numbers...

2004- .438 Omar took over at the end of the season -4th place

2005- .512 -3rd place

2006- .599 -1st place

2007- .543 -2nd place

2008- .549 -2nd place

2009- .482 -4th place

Now a little comparison to the one of the most hated GM's in recent Mets history, Steve Phillips is more remembered for dismantling the team and making bad trades/signings between 2000-2003. Phillips had six seasons and the first two months of his seventh, while Omar is starting his fifth season.

Phillips first five years 1997-2001 his winning percentage was .553, in Omar's first five years ( not including 2004 since there were only three games left but using .482 from this year at the halfway point) his winning percentage is .537 ( of course, he still has a chance to improve that depending on the clubs second half).

Overall, Phillips had a winning pct. of .538 compared to Minaya who has a .537. I did not include 2003 where Phillips was fired in June 12th ( team started 29-35) with a winning percentage of .410 in last place, because there was plenty of time to turn the season around and he did not make the now infamous trades or have an impact on the end of the season. But if your compelled to included the 2003 .410 winning percentage, since he built the team in the off-season then his winning pct. .520.

Overall, Phillips' GMed teams finished in second place three times ( never first ) and went to the playoffs twice including the 2000 World series. Omar's teams have a first place, two second places and one playoff appearance.

The numbers speak for themselves, no ( in my book); Omar doesn't get a pass for this year due to injuries, had he approached the off-season differently this mess would not be as bad as it is now and as most know, I feel something could have been done earlier this season trade wise ( I'm actually starting to think it might be too late as it looks like everything has unraveled).

I know this, I gave my tickets to Saturday's game to a friend, who hasn't been to the new stadium and I'll watch on TV. As much money as you end up dropping in the stadium, I'm going to have a hard time attending these games, if this is the quality of product they put on the field. I have six games left on my package and I'm honestly not sure how many games I'll make for a fourth place team. I don't think that makes me any less of a fan, I'll still watch every inning, of every game but instead of going to the game and blowing additional money in the stadium, I'll stay home, watch it on TV and spend that money elsewhere. I'm not alone in this, as I talked about in an earlier post, the game I attended on Tues. only a 1/3 of my section was full and many seats I know had ticket holders on packages in them, had new faces.

I'll also tell them this, before I re-up my package for next year they're going to have to prove there doing a better job of building this team and I mean the entire 25 man roster, not one splashy front end free agent...

Roster Move: Fernando Martinez DL- Argenis Reyes activated

2009-07-09T18:18:00.002-04:00

The Mets have placed Fernando Martinez on the disabled list. Martinez hasn't played since a pinch hitting assignment on July 3rd., prior to that he was hitting .176 and clearly looked in over his head. One thing the Mets really need to monitor is the growing list of injuries, this kid hasn't played a full season yet and as much of a can't miss prospect as we've been told he is, he's bordering on becoming labeled an injury risk ( let's just rem. though, the same could have been said of Reyes early on).

The Mets recalled Argenis Reyes, the .064 batter with average range really doesn't make sense but it probably has more to do with the team retooling over the All-Star break, then it does Reyes having anything to contribute.

More good injury news; J.J. Putz

2009-07-09T14:57:00.002-04:00

According to Metsblog J.J. Putz is ahead of schedule, a pen of K-Rod, Putz, Wags, Feliciano, Green, Redding/Nieve and Parnell would be an incredible pen down the stretch, if we're still in it.

It appears that he is hoping to play catch after the All-Star break and is about week ahead of schedule.

It sounds like he's chomping at the bit to return...

Putz described being on the disabled list, unable to help the team as ‘miserable,’ and ‘frustrating.’ source Metsblog

Carlos Delgado ahead of schedule...

2009-07-09T12:10:00.002-04:00

A very encouraging site was seen prior to last night's game, Carlos Delgado was on the field taking infield practice. According to reports, Delgado is ahead of schedule and could be back as soon as August 1st. As I've stated before, A-Rod struggled for about a month after returning but during that time he did provide protection in the line-up...

"Very, very encouraging. That's a part of the progression. He's right on schedule, if not ahead of schedule," Manuel said before the Mets' 5-4 victory over the Dodgers. "I'm not certain of mid-August. I'm thinking as long as there are no setbacks, and we're progressing, I'm thinking better than that." source NY Post

Update: Do the Mets owe Beltran & the rest of the core more...

2009-07-09T10:08:00.005-04:00

Since 2007, each year the Mets have needed a player in-season and each year they fail to make a deal. Usually the mantra is that no trade made sense and that it was a sellers market. For us bolder fans it's been frustrating, after all I thought Omar was a gunslinger GM, but for many they praise the stability and are constantly bantering about not mortgaging the future.

But for the last three years, Omar hasn't mortgaged the future and still the future hasn't contributed to the present. As a non-farm follower, I know I'm constantly asking where are these players I don't want to mortgage and why are they so low in the farm system. I also rem. how much the Mets have always over valued and over hyped their prospects, most of which have turned out to be busts.

Since Omar took over Mike Pelfrey is the only drafted player who is a full time regular. I still consider the jury out on Dan Murphy, Nick Evans, Bobby Parnell and Fernando Martinez because if there weren't injuries probably all but Parnell would be in AAA, but even he's sporting a 4.64 ERA.

My issue with Omar is two-fold, the biggest is that he seems to be a horrible in-season strategist and secondly he fails to fully develop the roster beyond the center pieces. Omar has done a brilliant job in the off-season making trades but for those who say his prospects are at the lower levels because he's made so many trades, it isn't true. In all the moves Omar has made, only two prospects have become regulars and neither are All-star caliber, Carlos Gomez is hitting .250 or less and Brian Bannister is a 500 starter ( Heath Bell wasn't a prospect at the time of his deal).

With each year that passes, in which we don't mortgage the future and don't win, I think more of the core of the team. At what point, are we sacrificing the team for the future, a future, that may never come. A core group of players has a window and at some point that window closes.

I'm sure at some point during contract negotiations or trade discussions, Omar has promised the player, that he's coming to a contender with an aggressive GM who will address deficiencies to win...

I feel the worst for Carlos Beltran, the center fielder has played his heart out as a Met and has nothing to show for it. Beltran has to live with looking at strike three because he's never been given a chance at redemption. Beltran is already 33 y/o with bad knees and played hurt, I wonder how he feels about waiting for next year. He has been an All-Star 4 of 5 years, 2X silver slugger and 3X gold glover.

David Wright and Jose Reyes are still young in baseball terms but they're already 4 -5 years into their careers respectively and both have plateaued. How about surrounding them with some players who will not only help them win but also progress their baseball maturation.

You know in the Johan Santana negotiations, Omar promised Santana wouldn't be coming to a Twins type organization that only built to be a contender and not a winner. Well two years in and the Twins have had about the same record/standing as the Mets.

Frankie was probably given the same speech and while the Angels are almost a lock for the playoffs, the Mets are currently in fourth place.

This is probably the last steady team Carlos Delgado will have, after this it's one year contract time. Delgado has played hurt his entire Mets career and resurrected his Hall of Fame candidacy by carrying the team last year, I'm sure Delgado is hoping for a swan song and not a quiet exit stage left.

For more on this topic: Eric from Real Dirty Mets Blog has posted his thoughts on the subject...

I'm sick of excuses make a trade

2009-07-08T13:31:00.003-04:00

On June 4th, 2009 for Cardinals fans, Manager Tony LaRusa stated the obvious by publicly stating that his team needed a bat...

"The No. 1 thing we can get is a guy to hit behind Albert [Pujols]," La Russa said. "That's the No. 1 thing."

Later in that same article LaRusa could be discussing our current roster and not his own...

"You don't want to disrespect the guys that are hitting around him now," La Russa said. "All I've said is that 500 or 1,000 at-bats from now, any of these guys could be that guy. They're building a career, and they've got some experience. But what you try to do is have guys not be unfairly pressured, and that's the position we're putting guys into. But they tried to make the Matt Holliday deal during the winter.

"If that guy over there is unreasonable, [then you can't do it]. ... Trying is very important. Doing something stupid is very low on the priority list. I don't want us to do something stupid." source MLB.com
To the Cardinals credit for a mid-market team that often struggles financially ( according to reports) the Cards have been one of the more aggressive teams both during the off-season and in-season with roster moves. The front office responded to LaRusa's requests by acquiring Mark DeRosa. Now many will look to DeRosa landing on the DL as a bust, but anyone can get injured ( as we all know) and look at the response to the trade initially...

"There are times when you have to react to situations that are now," Mozeliak said about an hour before the Cardinals took the field for a 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. "There are other times when you can have vision and look to long-term planning. One of the things that I get beat up a lot for, and the organization does, is that we fail to make shorter-term decisions. From where I stand it’s a great message to our fans and to our major league players that we do care about today and we are focused on winning." source STLtoday.com

The NY Post has a quote of Omar in reference to trades that could be a quote in June or July in any of the last three years if you removed the short stop portion of the quote. Quite frankly, I'm tired of the rhetoric, each year the team has entered the season with a glaring hole and each year we've been told come the trade deadline we'll make a move and then the deadline comes and we get something like the Post quote...

"There's not a trade out there that's better than when we get our guys back. I'm not going to get a shortstop better than Jose Reyes," Minaya said. source NY Post

The only trades Omar has made in-season have been a result of injury, 2006 Nady was dealt due to the Sanchez injury and in 2007 they dealt for Castillo when both Valentin and Easley were down.

But in 2007 the real hole was the rotation, only two starters made 30 or more starts Maine and Glavine. Most starters only went five innings which taxed the bullpen and put undue pressure on the offense, the result was the 2007 collapse.

In 2008 the team was in desperate need of relievers, once again Omar and Co. couldn't find the right deal. Once again we fell one game shy of the playoffs with 30 blown saves.

Now it's 2009 and the team has needed a bat since early June and once again either no one is trading or nothing makes sense.

Since 2007, quite an impressive laundry list of players have been traded in-season and the Mets have not taken part in any of these deals, aside from waiver wire pick-ups. Each year we hear how hard Omar is working the phones and gives us that patent you know me if there's a deal to be made I'll make it. But we don't know Omar because instead of making any trades each year we get comments that no one is trading or none make sense.

As frugal as Omar has been in regards to in-season trades it leads me to believe one of two things, Omar is over valuing his prospects or he has been so shrewd in trades that GMs are holding him ransom when they can, in-season.

I believe Jerry Manuel was attempting to pull a LaRussa by pressuring the team into making a trade. Initially I thought his change of stance was because the team was beating itself in games they could have won but the more I see, the more I believe Manuel was basically told to shut up. Each time the team loses a game due to a lackluster offense, he looks defeated and slips in the comment "this is how were built right now".

I admit it, I don't want to give up on a season and I don't think this team will survive until the injured return, so I'm in the group that wants a trade. No, I don't want to mortgage the future but I do want them to make a move, even if it's a marginal role player for some lower minor league players. Yes, just do something, give the team and the fan base a little buzz. It might not work, but at least we go down fighting and not surrendering to the inevitable.

You want an example; Hinske and Freel there's two serviceable bench players, one from each side of the plate who went for players who will probably never make the majors and they may provide more then Murphy, A. Reyes and Martinez could. The word is may but I'd rather risk and say I tried, then to never have risked and known the outcome...

Nobody has so perfectly expressed my feelings, whether their right or wrong their mine as Mike Vaccaro of the NY Post did today in his daily whacks...

And that, as much as anything, is what Mets fans must find distasteful, if not disgraceful. I think the denizens at Citi would be more willing to accept the bad luck that has befallen their team if it appeared the Mets cared enough to DO something. But so far, they have done nothing. They have elevated Nick Evans and Fernando Martinez and whatever other bright lights stand out from their woeful farm system. They have yet to add one piece from the outside. At this point, nobody is even clamoring for a Holliday or a Halladay. Just a holiday from the inertness and the ineptness, and some kind of fresh blood into the mix.

And that is where the Wilpons have to channel whatever inner Steinbrenner they may have. They must make a statement, through their general manager, that they are in it this season for more than counting the gate receipts at Citi, for more than welcoming -- and in the process alienating -- the people who have already bought tickets for 2009, who will make the Mets' bottom line look respectable even if they simply choose not to use their tickets this year and turn the place empty in August and September. source NY Post

No help soon; Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran & John Maine

2009-07-08T13:17:00.003-04:00

For those who don't want to make a trade but still are holding out hope for the season, because of the possible return of the injured.

Well there is no time frame for most of the injured to return, so holding out for them really seems like a false sense of hope.

In my opinion it's either make a trade and hope it helps ( which it may not) or call it a year, from what I've seen over the last two weeks this roster can't hold on indefinitely and reinforcements are no where near returning.

"If guys aren't playing, they have to play a couple of games before they come back . . . strengthen the legs, take some at-bats. What time frame that is, I just don't know," said GM Omar Minaya. "I'd like to think (Beltran and Reyes) are closer than Carlos Delgado is. When that is, I don't know that. source NY Post

Carlos Delgado progressing...

2009-07-08T12:48:00.002-04:00

I've been tempering my hope for Carlos Delgado's return because of what I've seen from Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod is younger and much more athletic and it took him a month a playing before he got his swing back.

If Delgado gets back by August 1st and A-Rod is the model case, then we won't see an effective Delgado until Sept.

Still it does give hope that he's hitting, even if it's off a tee, the fact that he's progressing is good news...

"I feel good," Delgado said. "Everything I’m supposed to do I can do without any problems." source NJ.com

Argenis Reyes sent down to make room for Ollie

2009-07-08T11:58:00.003-04:00

Each time I saw Argenis Reyes playing, whether it was as a starter or pinch hitting, I was torn between two thoughts.

As Matt at Metsblog has pointed out, each time Jerry says "right now this is how we are built" it's a shot at Omar for not doing something. I also think that using Reyes has been a statement to Omar, especially in the positions he has used him, as the lead off hitter and with bases loaded as a pinch hitter.

If Jerry gets fired at the end of the season, it will be due to conflicts with Omar, specifically not towing the company line and not what happens on the field.

But my second thought, has been that this is all Manuel has to work with on the bench. At times, to give guys rest or because of pitching match-ups, Manuel has had to use the .098 hitting Reyes.

Metsblog reported last night that Reyes had been sent down to make room for tonight's starter, Oliver Perez...

A few observations from last night...

2009-07-08T10:34:00.003-04:00

As most of you know, who follow this blog I have a 15 pack, in the nose bleed section of the stadium ( 500 level). In regards to the stadium and my seats, I've said it plenty, the place is great and my seats are well worth the cost, even though I can't see the left fielder in the corner.

To start the season my section was almost full of other die hard Mets fans, who were also there on the same 15 packs. We talked the entire game away, about everything Mets while cheering the team on. Whether it was the Padres or the Phillies, the section was full and loud. In fact, when Kieth and Gary were saying the place was quiet ( early on) they must not have been hearing the upper deck.

The section immediately to our right, seems the tickets are brokered to the opposing teams fans and we've had quite the raucous banter with that section, especially with the Phillies fans.

But each week the crowd around me has gotten smaller, with different faces and is much quieter. Last night about 1/3 of my section was full, some of the seats had new faces in them and even from the start of the game those Die hard fans around me were disgruntled. That section next to us that must go to a broker, seemed to have more Dodgers fans then there were people in Mets garb in our section.

By the 7th inning last night most of the section was empty, even with everything there was to do, at the beginning of the season my section didn't move till the last out, now those who are showing up are either leaving or exploring.

As we talked last night, at least with the die-hards around me, there was a consensus. This team as it's built right now isn't even competitive and while one trade may not help, we at least want to go down trying and not give up. I don't know how many times ( including out of my mouth) I heard, Omar needs to do something, Omar clearly is taking the brunt of the ire, the injuries aren't getting him a pass for not doing something. I know it's easy to say do something, but that is the consensus of those I talked to in my section and of course the Mclouth, Morgan and Hairston trades came up...

Have we become spoiled, by expecting to win, I don't think so. First of all, we've been sold a bill of goods, whether it was competitive baseball in September or a dynasty like Atlanta, the organization has set the bar at the level where winning is the expectation. But additionally the expense of attending a game isn't equating the product on the field, look small market teams conduct small market promo's, dollar dog night and five dollar seats. Including the tickets, to walk in the stadium it costs me conservatively $150 plus my train fare, no way your paying that in Florida or Kansas City ( Tickets & Food would be much cheaper ).

Now I have no problem spending that, the tickets come out of my taxes and the money dropped in the stadium is written off to quality time with my son, but the product I watched on the field last night, does have me disgruntled...

Could Jon Niese get promoted...

2009-07-06T21:38:00.002-04:00

David Lennon of Newsday speculates that the Mets could promote Jon Niese to give the team a boost.

Niese has had quite a strong week which culminated with him being awarded Independent League Player of the week. But it's not just been this week, Niese has made six quality starts in a row and hasn't lost a game since June 7th. During that time he has allowed 30 hits, 5 runs, 10 walks while striking out 39 in 43.1 innings of work over six games.

Help also could be on the way in the form of Jon Niese, who Monday was named International League pitcher of the week for a 1-0 record and 1.06 ERA in two starts for the Bisons. Niese, who allowed 10 hits and struck out 14 in 17 innings, has rebounded to go 4-1 in his last six starts with a 1.04 ERA. source Newsday

Pagan rehabbing, nearing return...

2009-07-06T21:26:00.002-04:00

Angel Pagan has been sidelined with a groin strain since May 31st, it's been reported that Pagan is inching to return, but the training staff has been precocious with his progress. Pagan will finally appear in a rehab game on Monday night and could be back within a week.

Pagan has proven himself to be a serviceable backup center fielder with a little more offense and speed then Jeremy Reed, with him returning, Church can move back to right field and the the team can demote Fernando Martinez who is clearly in over his head.

Mets outfielder Angel Pagan will take a step closer toward returning from the disabled list when he begins a rehab stint with Class A St. Lucie on Monday night. Pagan, who is recovering from a right groin strain, was not on the Mets' Opening Day roster. But with Carlos Beltran on the DL and Fernando Martinez out with a right knee injury, the Mets will benefit from his return. source NJ.com

One bat will make a difference

2009-07-05T21:24:00.002-04:00

I seem to be going against the trend here, but as I see it, one more bat will make a difference for this team. I'm not in a panic over being swept by the Phillies, in fact I've been saying for almost a month that this would happen if Omar didn't act swiftly to acquire an offense player.

In my opinion, there were too many injuries for this team to "survive" or "tread water" until the injured return. They would rely on players not ready for the majors, role players would be exposed and the few regulars left would press. While they played well initially, I warned against that false sense of security and implored them to get somebody early.

Atlanta made a smart move on June 6th when they traded for Mclouth, not only did they buy when it was a buyers market but they also did so before they appeared desperate. Two weeks later, it was to late, the leaders came back to the field and the Mets had two more injuries. Suddenly the message went from we're going to be patient we have enough, to the cost is too high.

Who knows, maybe I'm just in denial; if I feel that the Mets don't have enough to make it until the injured returned and in reality one player isn't enough, then maybe I just can't bring myself to write off a season this early and I'm willing to make a bad trade in a false sense of hope. But the way I'm looking at the numbers, I believe one more hitter would help, no; not to race into the playoffs but to at least tread water.

Without a trade I said by the All-Star break this team would be trailing by 10 games, it looks more like 5-7 games but that's thanks to the Phils, not us playing better then I expected. By the deadline, without a trade the season could be over regardless of who returns.

And lets remember this, there is no time frame for the return of Beltran, Reyes and Maine. Delgado is due back in August but a younger and more athletic A-Rod took a month before he was playing well.

The Mets lost Carlos Delgado on May 10th, from the time he went down till the time Jose Reyes went down on May 20th, the team went 5-6 and 5 of those loses were by 3 or less runs.

Jose Reyes went down on May 20th and from then until Carlos Beltran went down on June 21st, the team went 13-15 with 9 of the losses by 3 or less runs.

Since Beltran went down on June 21st, the team has gone 5-9 with 5 of those losses by 3 or less runs.

Overall since the injury bug hit on May 10th the team's record in 23-30. As could be expected with each loss the team has had a worse winning percentage but what hasn't changed is the fact that this team continues to lose games by close margins, 17 of the 30 losses were by 3 or less runs.

It appears that the final blow was Carlos Beltran, prior to losing him the Mets were doing exactly what they were attempting to do "tread water". In fact, had Beltran been healthy and they acquired a bat when I felt they should have, they may have had a lead in the division to fall back on with the Phils playing so bad.

If the Mets weren't "surviving" with Delgado and Reyes gone or they weren't in enough close games, I would agree one bat is a waste of time, but they have gotten absolutely nothing from five of the replacement players and still were in 17 games.

Sheffield has basically replaced Delgado's numbers, in May he hit .348, Slg .591 and OBP .482: June .286 /.506/ .345 overall 9 HRs and 26 RBIs. Cora has done decent in place of Reyes hitting .400/.533/.500 in May and .209/.253/.314 in June. Even Reed as that fourth outfielder has solid numbers; May .275/.300/.310 and June .296/.370/.321. ( all my numbers are BA/Slg./OBP).

But in addition to Beltran being such a great, clutch player what the Mets are lacking is any production from the rest of the team, these players aren't contributing anything and with losing so many close games, if they were, we would be in that treading water position, instead of sinking.

Tatis: May .227/.318/.288 - June .233/.317/.288 - 2 HR / 14 RBI
Murphy: May .176/.353/.278 - June .240/ .320/ .298 -4 HR / 19 RBI
FMart: May .188/.313./235 - June .186/.286/ .260 - 1 HR / 8 RBI
Evans: June .333 / .667 / .333 - 1 HR / 6 RBI
A. Reyes: June .083/.083/ .083 - O HR/ O RBI

Here are three examples, these are not meant to be specific, just using three most commonly rumored names. Now I agree that these players aren't the answers to all our troubles, but since Beltran went down were not treading water and with us losing so many close games, and getting essentially no production from the above five, then I believe one bat would help us survive until the injured return. Look at the difference in the averages, RBIs and HRs, now think in terms of three runs and I just don't see how one more bat doesn't help...

Huff: May .264/.500/.333 - June .291/.395/.351 - 7 HR /33 RBI
Johnson: May .327/.455/.453- June .222/.344/.340 - 3 HR / 28 RBI
Dunn: May .243/.551/.349 - June .241/.437/.389 - 14 HR / 41 RBI

Lets not forget the psychological, intangibles a trade brings to a team, it energizes the clubhouse and the fan base, suddenly there's an instant buzz around the team that usually gives them a week or two boost ( which hopefully when at least one of Reyes/Beltran will return).

Mets- Worst defensive team in the league...

2009-07-05T13:32:00.002-04:00

When you watch a Mets game, your waiting for the defense to unravel, this is the worst defensive team I have ever watched and I've seen some bad Mets teams. It's more unusual for this team to play a clean game then it is for them to have a multiple error inning.

I've tried to figure it out and can't, lately, I want to say it's a combination of players out of position, players who don't belong in the majors and the regulars trying to make up for the first two.

But let's face it, this team has been playing sloppy all year, I was at a game in May that was tied in the seventh ( 1-1) where in one inning Reyes booted a double play ball and Wright threw a slow grounder away which lead to the winning runs ( 3-1). Delgado dropped a pop-up against Atlanta and Beltran while great in the field failed to slide twice in a week.

It's easy to blame Jerry Manuel, he's the manager and should be emphasizing defense while punishing players for their sloppy play. Or as I've done, blame Omar for not bringing in better alternatives. But these are mistakes that shouldn't be happening on this regular a basis to single A players, let alone major leaguers or AAA players.

At times it's embarrassing to watch them and there anointed leader Alex Cora said it best....

“You can’t give a big-league team more than 27 outs,” Cora said. We’ve been doing a pretty consistent job of that the last few weeks, and they make you pay, man. You keep giving extra outs and that means more at-bats for the big guys in the lineup. … You’ve got to play good defense. Look at the teams that are leading the divisions. They catch the ball. Right now, I think, we’re the worst defensive team in the league. It doesn’t matter who you’ve got or who you don’t have. That’s something that can’t go into slumps. source Daily News

Omar knew Carlos Delgado would go down ?

2009-07-04T23:34:00.004-04:00

I have a real issue with the belief that Omar knew Carlos Delgado had a hip condition and may be lost to injury.

First of all, I thought it was a good idea for the Mets to pick-up Delgado's option and flip him to an AL team looking for a DH ( Angels) but when Omar kept him, I really couldn't blame him since the contract was cheap for what he provided last year.

However, if he knew that the hip was an issue and still didn't bring in another bat, then I have to seriously question his judgement as a GM. I thought it was bad enough that he signed Ollie over Lowe and decided that Murphy/Tatis would be good enough in left field.

But with most left fielders also first basemen, in not acquiring another player in the off-season, knowing your big bat was playing with a degenerative hip condition is reprehensible.

For three years, instead of attempting to address all the holes in the off-season, Omar has addressed the most glaring need and said, that come the trade deadline, if one of those other holes needed to be addressed, he was the type of GM to make a move.

Although, since the 2006 Nady deal the Mets have made very little moves in-season except for Louis Castillo and waiver wire pick-ups.

In 2007 the team needed a starter but made no moves for one, 2008 a reliever and the same can be said, 2009 a bat and here we go again. Each year to start the season Omar promises to make moves to fill holes at the deadline and each year when the time comes, he says no moves make sense.

Omar took over in 2004 with a winning pct. of .438, in '05' it raised to .512 and in the great year of 2006 it peaked at .599. Since then it has flounder at .543 ( '07') and .549 ('08'). This year the team is returning to a .494 winning pct., with questionable moves during the off-season and failing to trade now, it's starting to look like Omar may have peaked with the team in 2006. Baseball is a game of numbers and results, the bottom line, in both categories, is that Omar has failed to build upon the results of 2006...

Heading into the season, Minaya knew that losing Carlos Delgado was a possibility. He played all of last year with an injured right hip that was deteriorating. But Minaya figured he had Fernando Tatis as insurance and could make a deal for a more permanent replacement if needed. source Newsday

Tony B. at it again...

2009-07-04T22:49:00.003-04:00

Many feel that Tony Bernazard ran Willie Randolph out of town and some feel that if the Mets continue on their current course Bernazard will be the GM with Manny Acta as the manager.

According to Bill Madden of the Daily News, Bernazard is up to his old tricks, which many believe resulted in Randolph's firing. If Madden is right watch out Omar and Jerry.

As I've said before it's obvious to me, that the team needs at least one bat just to make it through, until the injured return and Omar is making a huge mistake by waiting to acquire one, regardless the cost. If I was a player ( which I'm clearly not) I would be motivated knowing that my mgr. was fighting for that bat and the line "we have enough to win" would frustrate me, since it's clear, that they don't. No, one game against Pittsburgh doesn't change my mind that this group has enough offense.

I'm told that assistant GM Tony Bernazard, whom Randolph found to be an intrusive influence in the clubhouse, especially with the Latin players, has been no less undermining with Jerry Manuel. For whatever reason, Bernazard seems to have the Wilpons' ears, even more so than Minaya, and in organization meetings he's never reticent to suggest areas where the manager might be doing a better job. I'm also told the Met high command ordered Manuel to tone down the not-so-subtle pleas for help in his pre and postgame mediafests and his periodic candor about his team's deficiencies. source Daily News

Candid interview on the farm system with Mack...

2009-07-04T13:21:00.007-04:00

I just conducted an Email interview with Mack from Macks Mets, with the recent rash of injuries it seems like the Mets have been taking a beating for the depth of their farm system.

My personal stance, is that the Mets have way too many injuries to expect any team's farm system to be able to compensate for the losses. As anyone who reads this site knows, my solution would be to trade for a player who could help this team tread water until the injured return. I wouldn't be looking for an impact player, but more or less a band aid.

I fully admit that I know very little about the minor league system, if the player isn't a top prospect with a lot of hype, then I probably know very little about them. So with all the negativity surrounding our system, I turned to someone I respect for answers to my questions.

Aside from his blog Mack's Mets which extensively follows all levels of the Mets minor league system, Mack is the beat writer for Morris Communications for The Savannah Sand Gnats. Whether you agree with him or not, Mack is always candid and honest in his responses.

I'd like to thank Mack for his time and hope you enjoy the interview a much as I did, please check out Mack's site regularly for great insight into our minor league system...
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1. With the recent rash of injuries; many writers, "experts" and bloggers believe it has exposed our farm as weak, would you agree that the farm is weak in major league ready players ?

Many of the so-called experts don't do the math.

The vast majority of major league players were once ranked in the top 100 prospects put out by BA, Project prospect and every blogging schmo like me.

There are 30 major league teams, so the line would be drawn between 3 and 4 prospects per team on this list at any given time. Have 3 or less, and you haven't developed enough, 4 or more, you get the picture.

Currently, the Mets have Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, and either Brad Holt, Jenrry Mejia, or Wilmer Flores on all lists. The minimum amount of Mets on each list are three. The most, five.

So, the Mets are right on the border of being either undeveloped, or not, depending upon if your glass is half empty or half full.

2. Does any team have that many major league ready prospects to cover the amount of injuries, or would any team be bringing up journeymen "Has beens" ?

Nobody has that many major league ready prospects in the minors. If they truly were ready (and we see now that players like Murphy, Evans, Martinez, and Nieve really aren't ready), they would already be called up.

Large market teams tend to use "has beens" to fill in between injuries.

Small market teams move their AA/AAA prospects faster to help spurn traffic at the gate.

Lastly, options play a big part. No one sends a prospect up who is out of options, for a part time job.

3. Do you consider Dan Murphy, Nick Evans and Fernando Martinez major league ready or in over their head ?

I sort of answered that above. IMO... Murphy has now been exposed. His hitting is down and he can't catch a cold. And, you can't even trade him to an AL club for a DH job, because he has no pop. Love the kid, but his future is in Japan.

Nick Evans is a poor man's Mike Jacobs. Jacobs played 100 games for the Mets at first base before he was traded, and his .600 slugging percentage wasn't even good enough to stick.

Martinez will be an every day center fielder for 10 years, but he's not ready. When was the last time he played 90 games a season? They need to leave this kid in AAA, maybe even AA and let him play every day without injury.

4. Is there anyone in the minors that should be in the majors or if they were in the majors, they could contribute to the team ?

Yes.

One was just called up recently... RP Elmer Dessens.

Another is the most consistent starting pitcher they have in the organization... Nelson Figueroa.

And the other is a reclamation project (from starter, to DL, to RP) that has worked fantastically... Adam Bostick.

5. It's been documented that the Mets rush their prospects and believe it challenges them to improve, while others, their detractors, feel it causes bad compensating habits, impedes their maturation/seasoning and risks breaking their confidence, which do you agree with ?

I don't think it's that simple.

Movement within an organization not only depends on age, but also maturity, and positional pressure.

Everyone said that SS prospect Ruben Tejada has been rushed for the past two years; however, the Mets simply had too many good shortstops in the system and he was placed in Lucy three years ago, rather than play at Savannah (remember, that was when the Mets were very high on Juan Legares and Hector Pellot). This year, at 20, he's playing AA, when he should be at A+, but again, once Wilmer Flores entered the picture, and Reese Haves was drafted, Binghamton was the only place to go.

Maturity is also important. There are 19-year olds and then there are 19-year olds. A perfect example would be catcher Frankie Pena, who was held back for a second year in Savannah, not because of his young age, but his lack of baseball maturity.

6. Team supporters will argue that the Mets have plenty of prospects but they're in the lower levels of the organization, is this true ?

Currently, the Mets have a tremendous amount of lower level prospects, and the future does look bright around 2012. That being said, we all said the same thing a few years ago about Pena, Legares, Pellot, Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey, Matt Durkin.....

7. If it's true that we have very good prospects but they're all in the lower levels, why is that the case and just how good is our lower levels ?

The Savannah Sand Gnats, Brooklyn Cyclones, and Kingsport Mets are loaded with young talent, especially the Latin kids. Pitching wise, there are at least 10 starters that, at this point in their career, are showing the talent that could get them to the Bigs.

8. I hear a lot about slotting and the true problem with the Mets is that they won't go out of slot, could you please explain to us non-minor league followers what this slotting thing is and do you agree that this is a big problem for the Mets ?

Slotting is paying a draft pick the amount of money he's suppose to get at the draft position he was drafted in. I only hear people bitvhing about slotting when a team just lost five games in a row. The Mets could give a rats arse about slotting. If it would cost the Mets a million dollars more to sign someone like David Price, believe me, they would.

9. If slotting is the true problem is this an Omar staff philosophy or is this a failure on Omar's part to convince the Wilpon's to go against the commissioner's office ?

Omar & Co. have full say in the operation, which got him his extension. I don't think he has to convince the Wilpons of anything. Trust me, the Wilpons are not the Steinbrenners.

10. Taking into consideration the shape of the farm when Omar took over, the trades that needed to be made and the type A free agents signed ( losing to picks) to make the major league team competitive, along with the constant pressure to win now in a large market how would you rank Omar's staff in developing the farm ?

I actually think he has done a great job of signing people that no one knew would be hurt as often as they have been.

The signings of Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and Paul Lo Duca returned the Mets to a contending team. The Johan Santana trade was one of the best in baseball history, and last year's deals for J.J. Putz and Frankie Rodriquez made the team look like a lock for the World Series.

His true genius might prove out to be his international signees.

11. If there was one person on the staff who would get you excited about a player due to your respect for their scouting ability, if they praised a certain player, who would it be Omar, Tony, Sandy, Ricco or someone else?

I'm not sure about that one.

Now Fernando Martinez's is hurting..

2009-07-04T12:10:00.002-04:00

The Mets can't catch a break with this seasons injury bug, Fernando Martinez shouldn't even be in the majors at this point in his very young career, but the Mets are forced to really on the youngster who isn't even hitting over the Mendoza line.

For the last two days Ryan Church has played center field and while he's done a decent job, he sort of looks out of place, like when a linebacker is fast enough to cover a wide receiver.

Church has been playing center because Fernando Martinez has joined the group of banged up players...

Fernando Martinez limped around the clubhouse Friday afternoon, and revealed that he has felt pain because of ligament trouble behind his right knee for a week. Martinez said he had the same trouble when he played in the minors with Single-A Hagerstown in 2006. Martinez had yet to be examined by a doctor, he said, but that could come after the weekend when the Mets return home. Martinez had a game-ending pinch-hit groundout in Friday night's 7-2 loss to the Phillies. source Daily News

Ollie being Ollie...

2009-07-04T11:40:00.003-04:00

Oliver Perez pitched in a rehab game for AAA Buffalo and he was his inconsistent self. The Mets have 30 days from his first rehab start to call him up and the question is really becoming, what to do with the erratic lefty.

I'm not sure what was Omar's bigger mistake but I know he made two huge ones this off-season, re-signing Ollie and not signing a left fielder.

Adam Rubin of the Daily News is reporting that Ollie could be back as soon as Wednesday...

Pitching for Triple-A Buffalo, Perez gave up three runs on five hits (including a home run) and four walks in five-plus innings against Rochester, showing his typical lack of control along the way.
The loopy left-hander had four strikeouts, but he threw just half of his 92 pitches for strikes. source NY Post

Would Julio Lugo be happy & versatile enough...

2009-07-03T16:55:00.004-04:00

When Julio Lugo was with the Rays, it was rumored that Omar Minaya was enamoured with the young infielder who had a good glove and a little power. Several times it was believed that Omar attempted to acquire Lugo from the Rays.

During the winter meetings in December, 2006 there was a report that the Mets were on the verge of signing him, before the Red Sox's gave him a four year 36MM deal.

But now the situation is a bad fit in Boston, as the Red Sox have turned the starting short stop position over to Jed Lowrie and Nick Green has proven himself to be a cheap, serviceable bench player.

When Lowrie returns from the disabled list, the situation will come to a head and it's believed the Sox will look to move Lugo. The veteran has been a good solider and kept his month shut about the lack of playing time and the Sox are believed to be willing to reward that loyalty by trying to deal him, which will also shed his salary.

The 33 y/o right handed hitter is a lifetime .270 batter and is hitting .301 so far this season. He has played equal time at 2nd and SS with several games a year at 3B and corner outfield. With Boston in 2007 he hit .300 in the ALDS and .385 in the World Series.

Many of us wanted to sign Orlando Hudson even with Louis Castillo here, Lugo would be the same kind of move. I'm not sure if we could find him anymore playing time then Boston, but if Murphy continues to hit in the .240's, Lugo would definitely be a better option as a utility player. We might be one of the only teams, to take on his salary, he's owed 9MM per year through 2010, accepting the contract might make the cost in players cheap...

“I thought it would work, but that’s not where we are,” he said, almost matter-of-factly. “But one thing I am not going to do is throw a log on the fire. It’s just the way it is right now and I have to deal with it.”

“He’s been good offensively,” Francona said. “That hasn’t been why he hasn’t played. But he hasn’t thrown at-bats away, that’s for sure. And today is a huge example of that.” source Boston Herald

A's may make infielder's available...

2009-07-03T16:06:00.002-04:00

In his mailbag as the A's writer for MLB, Mychael Urban takes a look at some of the players the A's may make available prior to the trade deadline.

I'll believe a trade when I see it between these two GMs I think they both think the other is trying to be too shrewd and while they've been linked by rumors over the years they have never pulled anything off.

I think Matt Holiday would be too costly, Orlando Cabrera and Bobby Crosby aren't appealing in the least to me.

But Adam Kennedy is intriguing, the 33 y/o left handed utility player has hit .280 over the last two seasons and is a lifetime .276 hitter. He has played all four infield positions and the corner outfield. He was an intricate part of the the 2002 World Championship Angels team, which included an ALCS MVP award.

A name that I haven't heard much trade talk about, but one I'm expecting to be brought up more frequently as the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches, is Orlando Cabrera. He's not having a great year, but you have to figure his experience and the fact that he's been through the pressure of a pennant race and the playoffs will make him attractive to legitimate contenders. Dumping him would save the A's some cash, and I've noticed that Bobby Crosby has been taking more ground balls at shortstop lately.
Adam Kennedy's experience, versatility and somewhat surprising success this season should make him the subject of a few phone calls, too. source MLB.com

Nats players still linked to Mets...

2009-07-03T15:40:00.002-04:00

Steve DeShazo of Fredricksburg.com takes a look at the Nats slow burning fire sale, the Nats have quietly turned their roster over and it appears they're not done yet.

DeShazo believes the only player who is untouchable is Ryan Zimmerman. In addressing Nick Johnson, DeShazo speculates that Boston and the Mets could be a fit. He also believes that Adam Dunn can be had but the price will have to be right, Dunn is not a rental player he signed a two year deal...

First baseman Nick Johnson (one of Bowden's rare shrewd acquisitions) is almost sure to be moved--perhaps to Boston, maybe to the New York Mets. Adam Dunn, Bowden's final major free-agent signee, also can be had for the right price. source Fredricksburg.com

Jon Niese & Eddie Kunz scouted...

2009-07-02T16:31:00.002-04:00

Toby Hyde of Mets Minor league blog is reporting that a Mets top scouting official was accompanied by two scouts from other teams during a recent series against the Knights, for details see Toby's post.

I think Niese is our most appealing prospect, many small market teams would have him in their rotation already. But Niese is an expendable prospect IMO, he projects at best to be a middle of the rotation pitcher and the Mets have three young pitchers already in the middle of the rotation ( Pelfrey, Maine, Perez) and better prospects behind Niese ( Holt, Mejia).

Eddie Kunz is one of the main reasons, I think if Bobby Parnell is such a hot commodity, for the right player he's expendable. I believe Kunz could be in the majors having the same success that Parnell is currently having. If a team preferred Parnell over Kunz, for a non-rental, impact player I would deal Parnell and be confident that Kunz could replace him. Adding confidence to my convictions is that both Wagner and Putz are due back in August and both have club options for next year, if Kunz struggled one of the former closers' options could be picked-up for next year. Of course I would rather deal Kunz over Parnell, since Parnell now has proven success in the majors but in the right deal he would not be a deal breaker...