Monthly Archives: June 2004
The Game…
Trailing 4-1 to the Reds in the fourth inning, on a night when SP Matt Ginter didn’t have his best stuff, it appeared the Mets were about to slide back towards apathy. Shane Spencer’s pinch-hit single with two outs in the fourth, however, ended a three-run inning to tie the game at 4-4. Mike Piazza’s fifth-inning home run off Paul Wilson snapped a 4-4 tie and sent the Mets on route to a 7-4 victory.
The last time the Mets were over .500 this late in the season was Aug. 9, 2002.
John Franco, Mike Stanton and Braden Looper pitched five scoreless innings in relief of Ginter.
The Quote…
“We’re not looking to be over .500…We’re looking to win the East.”- LHP Mike Stanton.
The Standings…
| Team | W | L | GB |
| Marlins | 38 | 32 | - |
| Phillies | 36 | 32 | 1 |
| Mets | 35 | 34 | 2.5 |
| Braves | 32 | 37 | 5.5 |
| Expos | 23 | 45 | 14 |
The News
Baseball guru Sean McAdam of ESPN, in an article titled Changes Could Be Coming, says, “it’s difficult to see [Art Howe] returning to Shea for a third season,” regardless of how well the team overachievs.
Orber Moreno and Scott Strickland, who both pitched rehab stints in the Gulf Coast League on Monday, are both scheduled to pitch again tonight for Single-A St. Lucie
The Notes…
We have received several emails asking for a website detailing the draft picks that have been signed to contracts. Try Baseball America, though they are slow to update, or the player pages at our friend Ed Tsunoda’s NYFS, the premiere website for Mets minor league information.
Mike Cameron is 13 for 30 with 10 runs scored, three doubles, a triple, two homers and seven RBI in his last eight games.
From Peter Gammon’s most recent ESPN Diamond Notes: One GM on Monday said, “the reading we’re getting is that the Mariners are not giving up on this season because of their fans. So (Seattle’s trading of) Garcia may be a ways off.”
First round pick Phil Humber, pronounced Umber, by the way, has still yet to sign with the Mets. Though reports indicate an agreement is not far off.
Kaz Matsui is hitless over his last 16 at-bats. His average has dropped back to .251.
Jose Reyes is 1-for-12 since returning from the disabled list. The team, however, is undefeated during that time.
In seven games thus far at AAA-Norfolk, 3B David Wright is batting .346.
Metsblog.com’s Take…
What a win. Huge. HUGE. Really, there is no other way to put it. What I come away with is the feeling of confidence, which, although fun, is rather scary for a fan that is tired of being jilted at the alter.
Down 4-1 in the fourth, I believed. Apparently so did the Mets.
Question for the fans…
The Mets have won 11 games this season in their final at-bat, accounting for nearly 33% of their wins. Is this a good thing or s bad thing?
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Poll…
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
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Tonight’s Game…
Matt Ginter will take the mound for the Mets this evening. Ginter’s ERA is a surprising 2.79, with only eight walks, yet his record is a lowly 1-1.
Former Generation K member Paul Wilson will start for the Reds tonight. Wilson is 7-0 with a 3.17 ERA this season.
Although Sean Casey is hitting .357 on the season, he comes to Shea with only 18 hits in his last 67 at-bats (.269).
The News….
David Wright and Yusmeiro Petit will take part in the MLB Future’s Game, during the festivities in Houston on July 11th during All-Star weekend.
Orber Moreno threw 30 pitches over two-thirds of an inning and gave up four hits, three earned runs, walked one and struck out one yesterday in a Gulf Coast game. Reports indicate he could be activated tomorrow. Scott Strickland, recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw a solid 11-pitch inning, allowing no hits, runs or walks, and struck out one in the same game.
The Notes…
The Mets rank 15th, out of 16 teams, in the National League with a .247 batting average and 284 runs.
John Sickles, ESPN’s minor league expert, believes AAA 3B David Wright is not only ready for the major leagues now, but, “would make an impact as soon as he gets an opportunity.”
Great article at the NY Times detailing Mike Cameron‘s and Cliff Floyd’s roll in the return of Jose Reyes.
The Quote…
“We get complacent,” Cliff Floyd told the NY Post, speaking on the Mets habitual slide from .500. “You’ve had some bad times in the past, so [you think] ..500 is good, real good…[But] it doesn’t mean anything if you can’t grow above it. We know we’re supposed to play better than we’ve shown. It’s frustrating…We’ve got to find a way to get over this hump. We’ve been to .500 a couple times already this year. Now it’s time to go above it, and the only way to do that is have that playoff mentality every game, every at-bat. If you take that approach, confidence will skyrocket…We’ve got a good team coming in. We had a chance to get to .500 against teams we definitely should beat, and took a step back. Now we’ve got a team coming in playing good ball. We’ve got to beat them, take advantage of this opportunity at home and do it.”
Metsblog.com’s Take…
We’ve played this game before, but on a team full of veterans, and young players still trying to find their way, the next 19 games will prove to be the pivot point for the Mets 2004 season.
The All-Star break immediately follows the 19 game swing, at which point it will be July 15, only two weeks from the trade deadline. Between the All-Star Break and the deadline, the Mets play 17 straight days, with all games coming against the National League East, of which the first 11 are at Shea.
By July 21, 93 games into the season, whether this Mets team will remain in tact, be broken apart, or glued together will be obvious to everyone. Our guess is, regardless of the standings, and hopes of the fans and media, that Mets will straddle the fence, unwilling to part with upper level prospects, but unwilling to shift veterans. And this is fine.
The fact of the matter is, if the Mets are still above water by July 21, it means they will have defeated the Marlins and Phillies, and Braves, the majority of time during that span, and by default be either in first place or as close, if not closer, than they are now.
What does this all mean? Keep winning. Plain and simple.
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Poll…
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
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It's Keith's Time
By Scott Nathanson
I was listing to WFAN, and basking in the barbs and thick accents that make New York the best sports town in the country, and a caller made a comment that led to a personal epiphany.
The caller said, "What the Mets need is the same as in 1983, when we got a gentleman by the name of Keith Hernandez."
Of course, the caller meant that the Mets needed to make an impact trade, a-la 1983. But looking at the current maladies of the Mets 2004 team, and the organization, perhaps what they really need is the man himself.
I believe it is time for the 1986 team captain-turned Seinfeld guest-turned caustic, hilarious, doughnut devouring, and supremely knowledgeable Mets color commentator to take his place officially in the Mets organization, not just observing it. Fans who have read Hernandez's Q&A sessions at MSGnetwork.com, or listened to his broadcasts, realize he is blunt and savvy about both the Mets and baseball in general.
Hernandez, like Mets GM Jim Duquette, preaches relentlessly that the Amazins must pursue pitching and sound defense to win championships. He has repeated offered to help Mike Piazza in his transition from catcher to first baseman. And yet, the greatest defensive first baseman of all time is sitting in the broadcast booth while Piazza flounders. Matt Galante seems like a very nice guy, but the Mets defense is a train wreck.
Sure, multiple players are out of position, as Art Howe and his coaching staff, whom I think have been far too maligned, would likely argue. However, this is one of a series of poor excuses. Hernandez, on the other hand, is the kind of guy who doesn't make or take excuses. He's the homegrown Lou Pinella, and would instill a sense of organizational pride and no-excuse-competitiveness that the Mets are in dire need of.
If nothing else, replacing Galante with Hernandez would be a step in the right direction, as well. Hernandez doesn't just know first base, but he knows all elements of defense. Howe could also afford to be around the fire and intensity of Hernandez, too. Imagine Hernandez trading barbs with the media as Howe stands in the background, like he obviously prefers to do. If the Wilpons want to rule the back pages for a few days, it's hard to think of an easier way to do it than by putting Hernandez back in the dugout.
Perhaps it is because the dashed expectations of No. 17's return to manage the Mets, after his playing career ended in the early 90s, has jaded us, and him, to the possibility. I believe, however, that Mex has just the recipe that this team and franchise desperately need to find their own distinct place as a winner, Flushing style.
Time to get out of the press box, Keith; the boys on the field need you.
Scott Nathanson moonlights as a father, husband, and clean vehicles organizer for the Union of Concerned Scientists during his moments between thinking about the Mets.
This Past Weekend…
The Mets concluded a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers at Shea yesterday. The win, which included two consecutive games ending in dramatic walk-off hits by Mike Cameron, brought the Mets back to a .500 record for the first time in two weeks. Thanks to a sweep by the Rangers of the Marlins, the Mets move into third place and find themselves within striking distance of first place.
The Standings…
| Team | W | L | GB |
| Phillies | 36 | 31 | - |
| Marlins | 37 | 32 | - |
| Mets | 34 | 34 | 2.5 |
| Braves | 32 | 36 | 4.5 |
| Expos | 22 | 45 | 14 |
The Weekend News…
While Metsblog typically tries to not get excited about players excelling at the A-ball level, it is difficult to ignore the buzzwords being used by Baseball America to describe 19-year-old Mets prospect Yusmeiro Petit. BA says of Petit, which is pronounced pet-eat, “no one in the league is doing a better job of sending guys back to the dugout shaking their heads.” As of now, he is 8-1, with 2.14 ERA, and a league-leading 101 strikeouts and only 20 walks in 71 innings. BA refers to his slider as, “nasty,” but the key to his success is “a delivery that keeps batters from picking the ball up until well after he’s released it.” And though his fastball only clocks in around 88- to-91 mph, it will “play tricks on hitters,” as the ball will seemingly “appear from out of his body” keeping batters from ever getting “a good swing against him.” My favorite quote, “Even when batters are sitting on the fastball, Petit keeps blowing them away, even when the radar gun flashes 88.” In addition to his ability to confuse batters, BA comments that he has an uncanny ability to keep “the ball low in the zone,” claiming that,” he stays in comfortable control at most times.” Petit is young, and still needs an effective change-up pitch, which the Mets will continue to work with him on. In the meantime, however, what’s most noteworthy is that at 19-years-old, Petit seems to possess many traits that can’t be taught.
The Mets optioned Tyler Yates back to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday to make room for OF Richard Hidalgo. Bob Keppel is 0-4 in six starts with a 6.25 ERA since being promoted Triple-A Norfolk.
Orber Moreno, on the disabled list since June 10 with a strained right shoulder, is scheduled to pitch a rehab game today.
RHP Scott Erickson gave up four runs and walked three in seven innings, but retired 15 of the final 17 batters he faced, during his start for Norfolk on Saturday night.
Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger asked C Ivan Rodriguez the following question before Friday’s game honoring Mike Piazza, “Would you do what Piazza did — continue catching long enough to break the record and then switch positions after that?” Pudge’s response, “Yeah. Absolutely.”
Next for the Mets…
The Mets return to National League play tomorrow, as the begin a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds.
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Poll…
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
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Stay On Target
By Matthew Cerrone of Metsblog.com
This wasn’t supposed to happen. The plan, which most fans agreed with, was to play meaningful games in September, yet remain strategically on course for a legitimate run at a championship in 2005-2006. With only a few weeks until the All Star Game, however, the New York Mets surprisingly find themselves only five games out of first, though they are also four games under .500. As a result, their fans are giddy, and suddenly meaningful games don’t appear to be enough.
Names such as Carlos Beltran and Freddy Garcia are suddenly stuck to the mouths of fans. Yet, the thought of trading a player like AAA-prospect David Wright is out of the question. But, being five games out is hard to ignore, especially with a pitching staff that has compiled the best ERA in baseball. Yet, but, yet…and so is the dilemma facing the Met organization, the media and the fans: confused as to what direction to go.
Fans need to regain the vision that was set during the off-season: pitching, defense, a core of homegrown youth and speed, with a surrounding crust of veterans, will consistently win at Shea in the long-term, ala the 90’s Atlanta Braves. Putting a team together of that quality, however, doesn’t come overnight. There will always be a need for stopgaps, such as a Gerald Williams, or even a Todd Zeile. The key is to stick to the original plan, even if the division rivals surrounding you are having trouble finding traction.
Many fans suggest that the Mets should trade, or even release, their aging veterans and replace them with prospects from the farm system. This is not a terrible idea, but in most cases, players in the minors are there for a reason: to work out kinks. Should a player be promoted, and struggle at the big league level, psychologically it could damage a career for life. Not to mention, in the minors, a young, developing player can be taught, catered to, and coddled in a way that time doesn’t allow for in the Major Leagues. In other words, Gerald Williams is going no place.
For the Mets to attain their long-term goal – contending for a championship in 2005-2006 – they must stay on target, adhering to the following:
Allow for the team’s young, potential future stars to develop naturally, in their own farm system, not someone else’s.
Acquire as much pitching as possible, even other team’s project-players. When soliciting free agents, exploit the fact that Shea is a pitcher’s park and the Mets currently employ the most effective pitching coach in the game. If by trade, deal from strength, such as right-handed, bullpen arms.
Opportunistically trade for free agent hitters, which can fill in around the core of productive, proven youngsters, with short-term contracts that will cost more money than most teams will pay, but will have more upside than downside potential.
Only sign free-agent hitters, under 31-years-old, or within their first five to ten years of service, that fit into the team’s philosophy, after all initial priorities are met.
This is plan will hit many bumps in the road. The key for the Mets, though, is to stay on target, play to their strengths, and hopefully win more games than are lost along the way.
The News…
WFAN and the New York Daily News are reporting that the Mets and Astros have agreed on a deal that would send OF Richard Hidalgo to Shea in exchange for RHP David Weathers and RHP Jeremy Griffiths.
Though the Mets have yet to confirm the deal, both sources suggest that the Mets will be required to pay half of Hidalgo’s remaining $8 million, as well as the $2 million buy-out that would keep the Mets from retaining the outfielder’s services through 2005 at $15 million. The Astros will absorb the remaining $1.8 million owed to Weathers.
Metsblog.com’s Take…
Metsblog thinks this is a great deal. In the end, the Mets will pay Hidalgo $4.2 million for roughly 100 games of service.
Hidalgo has struggled since starting the season on a tear…
Player | AVG | HR | RBI | SB | SO | BB |
2003 | 0.309 | 28 | 88 | 9 | 104 | 58 |
April ’04 | 0.341 | 4 | 22 | 0 | 19 | 4 |
May-June ’04 | 0.196 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 34 | 13 |
…but, even if he continues to be a bust, the $4.2 million has far more of an upside than downside, considering the Mets can part ways with him at the end of the season.
Metsblog actually likes Griffith, but with so many arms in the system at this point, he will not be missed.
Nice job Duquette.
Last Night’s Game…
·
C.C. Sabathia allowed a run on six hits over
eight innings as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Mets, 9-1, evening their
Interleague series at one game apiece.
- Matt
Ginter allowed seven hits and five runs, three earned, and made two errors,
one of which resulted in Art Howe’s ejection from the game, to drop to 1-1
on the season. With the game still
within reach at 5-1, The Indians added four runs in the ninth off of
reliever Tyler Yates.
- “We
had a bad night defensively,” said Mets manager Art Howe, whose team
made three errors on the night, though there were countless other mental
mistakes. “We gave away a lot of extra outs. It wasn’t a performance
we’re going to send home to Mama, I’ll tell you that.”
- “The
infield defense has been a concern,” infield coach Matt Galante told
reporters. “I’m not happy about it by any means. We’re working on
it.”
The Standings…
|
Team |
W |
L |
GB |
|
Marlins |
36 |
29 |
- |
|
Phillies |
33 |
29 |
1.5 |
|
Braves |
31 |
33 |
4.5 |
|
Mets |
30 |
34 |
5.5 |
|
Expos |
20 |
43 |
15 |
The News…
-
<>C
Vance Wilson was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday. Wilson left Tuesday’s game with a strained
right hamstring. To fill in, the
Mets purchased the contract of catcher Tom Wilson from Class AAA
Norfolk of the International League.
The 33-year-old veteran was batting .318 with three homers and 10
RBI in 14 games at Norfolk.
- Jose
Reyes went 1-for-6 for Binghamton last night with an RBI, a run and a
stolen base. He hit from the
leadoff spot and played all nine innings…without hurting himself. The Star-Ledger there is a
“front-office debate about whether to bring Jose Reyes up Friday if
he is healthy.” David Wright went 2-for-4 with a homer for Norfolk
and is batting .583, 7-for-12, since his promotion.
The Notes…
- Mike
Cameron has five hits in his last 15 at-bats, but is still on pace to
strikeout 170 times, which would break the Mets club record, 156, set by
Dave Kingman in 1982.
- The
Mets are tied for the MLB lead in errors with 57. As the NY Post points out, the Mets
infield is not exactly riddled with experience, writing: The Mets have a converted catcher
playing first (Mike Piazza, who committed one error and failed to snare
several other balls that shot past him), a converted third baseman playing
second (Ty Wigginton, who also committed an error) and a shortstop who had
never played in the USA before this year (Kaz Matsui). Seriously, what can
really be expected here?
Tonight’s Game…
- Jae
Seo will try to get the Mets back on track as he takes the hill at Shea
tonight in the Amazin’s final game with the Indians. Seo allowed eight hits and six runs in
his last start in Kansas City.
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The News…
Jim Duquette appeared on ESPN-AM 1050’s Michael Kay radio program this afternoon.
Duquette had the following to say:
On Denny Walling…
Denny had a
“tremendous” worth ethic, but Duquette felt it was time to change
styles, not necessarily substance. For instance, when asked about a
differing hitting philosophies between Walling and his replacement,
bench coach Don Baylor, Duquette cited that Walling preached a more
aggressive style of hitting, such as swinging early in the count,
whereas Baylor prefers a more patient approach, which he preached to
the team prior to last night’s game. Though the title “interim” appears
before Baylor’s hitting coach credential, Duquette says the job is
permanently Baylor’s should he want it.
On Carlos Beltran…
“It would be a long shot Beltran will be here.”
On Kaz Matsui’s problems in the field…
The club is working
hard to get Kaz to be more aggressive in the field, saying much of his
desire to lay back on the ball, also resulting in rushed and inaccurate
throws to first, stem from his time playing on turf in Japan. He noted
that when Kaz has charged a ground ball, he has not made an error and
his throws have been quick and accurate.
On Kaz Matsui’s potential shift to second base, at any point…
Duquette says the Mets haven’t looked that far ahead. He adds, “Matsui has enough to adjust to now, as it is.”
On David Wright…
Duquette says
Wright’s promotion was simply upper managements desire to see the
youngster tested more. Should Wright continue to rip up minor league
pitching at the AAA level, the GM says, “it would be hard not to being
him up.”
On the health of Jose Reyes…
The plan is to have
Reyes play a full nine innings tonight, and a few more games at AA. At
that time, the club will evaluate his readiness, and go from there.
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