Monthly Archives: August 2004
To Be a MetsFan
Tony Smolenski
Today
is going to be a terrible day in the media for the New York Mets – as
Devil Rays SP Scott Kazmir, a former Mets number one draft pick, had a
decent debut Monday, while the Metropolitans got trounced. A terrible day in the midst of another lost season filled with injuries, poor management and embarrassing fielding.
I
was born into this team, thanks to my grandfather, a hold over from the
days of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and my Dad, a Mets fan from day one. I saw my first MLB game at Shea Stadium at the age of six, and also saw my first Mets loss the same day. Wally Backman was my first baseball idol. Mookie showed me miracles were possible. Jessie Orosco afforded me my first taste of Champaign.
I was devastated when Dwight Gooden was first suspended, and doubly so with Strawberry’s antics. I was furious when Dykstra was dealt away.
I wanted my own“Conehead”. I, too, thought Kevin McReynolds was underrated, and was convinced that Gregg Jeffries was bound for the Hall of Fame.
Kirk Gibson brokemy heart.
Frank Viola disappointed me, and Vince Coleman confounded me.
I bought several Paul Wilson rookie cards. Cut class to see Rey Ordonez’s debut, and compared Todd Hundley to Yogi Berra.
I was at Mike Piazza’sfirst home game. I
searched for months for a Rick Reed jersey, and thought that the only
music for a closer to enter a game to was “Johnny Be Good.”
Bobby Valentine made me smile.
Bobby Jones made me think twice – wait Bobby M. Jones?
Bobby Bonilla made me wince.
I
learned to spell ‘Edgardo’, loved it when the “Mojo” was on the rise
and broke the lamp in my first apartment during a “grand slam single”
celebration.
I’ve
cheered Masato Yoshii, Nomo, Komyiama, Tsyoshi Shinjo and Kaz Matsui;
rooted for BennyAgbayani, Tyler Yates and Sid Fernandez; second-guessed
Bamburger, Green and even Davey Johnson.
I’ve listened to ‘Murph’, Gary Cohen, Gary Thorne, Ralph Kiner, Tim McCarver and – god help me – even Fran Healy.
I’ve been to Irish night and bat day. I own a Homerun Apple Clock, a Piazza pencil holder and a Keith Miller rookie card.
I’ve attended playoff games, tragic doubleheaders against the D-backs and exhibitions against the Orioles.
I’ve seen Juan Samuel flame out, Jeff Kent ask out, and too many players with a man on third and less than two outs pop out.
But through it all I am a Mets fan, win or lose.
Through Seaver for Zachary.
Bentiez facing Jordan.
Mackey Sasser’s double pump while trying to throw out a runner.
Ricky and Bobby playing cards.
Hair cuts in the clubhouse.
Bleach on reporters.
Matsui fielding grounders.
Kenny Rogers missing the strike zone.
No matter what, I am a Mets fan.
So let Kazmir have a great career. Let people all around me declare that the sky is falling, and that “the Mets will never win with Wilpon as the owner”.
Either way, I am a Mets fan.
Today may seem like a low point. The injuries may seem never ending, and the franchise’s future may look bleak at best. But, at 7:10 PM tonight, our New York Mets will be taking the field. And I’ll, of course, be watching.
The Weekend Games…
The Mets dropped two of three to the San Francisco Giants this weekend, falling to eight games out of the Wild Card lead, and four games under .500.
Tonight…
The Mets head back to Shea Stadium to take on the Padres for three games starting tonight. Aaron Heilman will make his first start for the Mets this season. Heilman was 5-8 with a 4.60 ERA for the Norfolk Tides this season. AAA hitters were batting .271 against him.
The News and Notes…
Reports indicate that the Mets offered Kris Benson a two year deal worth $12 million with two more option years. Benson’s agent told the Star-Ledger that it wasn’t going to “get it done.” It is believed that Benson is looking for a guaranteed three-year deal with an option for a fourth year in the ballpark of $8 to $10 million per year.
“I look at first as a very important position. We’ve been able to recognize that this year because of the way it’s gone. People underestimate the importance of a good first baseman. We need to shore that up defensively,” said manager Art Howe to the Star-Ledger.
Multiple reports from this past weekend indicate that the Mets plan to have SS Kaz Matsui take infield practice at 2B while rehabbing in St. Lucie. Team officials were sure to remark there is no way Matsui will appear at 2B during any game this season, however.
According to the Star-Ledger, Tom Glavine, Kris Benson and Todd Zeile all cleared waivers, meaning the team has the option to trade them if they want.
Jon Heyman of Newsday reports the word around baseball is that Magglio Ordonez‘s knee injury is “quite serious.”
“I like the kid,” Al Leiter told Adam Rubin of the Daily News, regarding Scott Kazmir, who makes his Major League debut tonight for the Devil Rays in Seattle. “I have been accused, Johnny (Franco) has been accused of, this supposed tremendous relationship,” Leiter continued. “I’m not saying it’s bad. I’m saying there’s a definite separation. They brought in advisers, all these guys. Every team I’ve been on, there’s been a handful of players that have communication and relationships with a scout, manager, GM or an owner – every team I’ve been on. To think the inmates are running the asylum is wrong.” Lastly, Leiter suggested that the rumors about his involvement in the team’s decisions stem from Mets officials trying to deflect the public backlash coming from the trades.
The Detroit Free Press reported a trade that would send OF Cliff Floyd, and the $13 million owed to him over the next two years, to the Tigers for OF Bobby Higginson, due $8.85 million next year in the final year of his deal. The New York Post, however, believes this rumor is “baseless.”
B-Mets SP Brian Bannister allowed one unearned run and struck out eight in seven innings against the Harrisburg Senators on Sunday. CF Jeff Duncan suffered a broken right hand when he was hit by a pitch at Double-A Binghamton.
According to the Journal News, the plan for first-round draft pick Philip Humber is to sign him, and then send him to pitch in the Arizona Fall League.
The Washington Post reports the Orioles will be a major player for the services of 1B Carlos Delgado.
Some Stat…
In his 74 at-bats during August, 3B David Wright is hitting .347. He is 5-for-7 with 7 RBI this season with a runner on third base and two outs.
As a starting catcher, Vance Wilson is batting .285 with 3 HR, 19 RBI and 9 doubles in 123 at-bats, while batting .308 with runners in scoring position.
Although he is only batting .227 on the year, Danny Garcia has a .368 on base percentage. His lack of a batting average is most attributed to the .074 he his hitting against lefties. With nobody on base, Garcia is hitting .159 and striking nearly 40 percent of the time. However, with men on base, his average jumps to .341 and he K’s less than 10 percent of the time, while walking three times for every strike out.
Question of the day…
Which stat line would prefer to see from Scott Kazmir tonight, as he makes his Major League debut for the Devil Rays against the Mariners in Seattle…
4 IP – 6 ER – 3 SO – 5 BB
or
7 IP – 2 ER – 8 SO – 2 BB
…and Why?
Metsblog.com’s Take…
on Kazmir…
I’m genuinly rooting for the kid. I hope he does well. Not for any revenge reasons, or to hope to teach anyone in the Mets management a lesson, but simply because baseball can never have enough young stars. Good luck Kaz, now get better Zambrano.
on Leiter…
Jeeez. A ‘he said, she said’ routine. Lovely. We are now one step from being the late 80′s Yankees. Maybe they should fire Art Howe, bring back Bobby Valantine, just to fire Valentine again, and complete the transition.
on ”People underestimate the importance of a good first baseman. We need to shore that up defensively.”…
This says to me the Mets are thinking Piazza is a catcher and they must sign a defensivly sound 1B. The more I think about this, I agree, and would prefer to see him at C, with a big time hitter in the OF, such as a Lance Berkman or Magglio Ordonez, and a decent hitting, at best, first baseman who will catch everything hit or thrown over there, and not cost a lot because he is a light hitter. With a young infield, as the Mets will have, I think it is important to have a consistent defender holding down first. Who will be available that fits this mold, I’m not sure yet. The MetsThinkTank will be working on it, I can assure that.
Announcement…
MetsBlog.com is seeking contributors for our MetsThinkTank.
The MetsThinkTank, a subsidiary of MetsBlog.com, will be an ideas organization, comprised of established journalists, broadcasters, former players, medical consultants, economists, marketing and public relations directors, and knowledgeable fans, providing objective analysis and effective solutions that address the challenges facing the New York Mets. The final plan will be available at MetsThinkTank.com.
We are currently in need of ‘knowledgeable Mets fans’ working in sports marketing or public relations, corporate finance experts, and physical therapists and orthopedic specialists to join our think tank.
You will be occasionally asked to give your expert opinion on relevant topics dealing with the Mets, as well as offer solutions and insights based on your knowledge of the team and your profession.
If interested, please send an email to info@metsblog.com asking for more information.
For those of you have responded already, we will be sending information later in the week.
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?
For more Mets coverage, check out
Greg Clifton, the agent for Kris Benson, appeared in an interview with Jody MacDonald on WFAN a few minutes ago. We provide a recap of the segment, this afternoon, at Metsblog.com…
The Interview recap…
Clifton had the following to say regarding…
His talks with the Mets at this point…
Clifton described the discussions as, “very productive.”
Benson’s desires…
Clifton said, on several occasions, “Kris would like to remain a Met.” Clifton also noted that, “the Mets have expressed a desire for Kris to remain a Met.”
The attributes of the Mets that Benson likes…
Clifton cites “the family environment,” that exists in the Mets organization. He claims Benson feels the team is dedicated to winning at all costs, and thinks very highly of Rick Peterson. Lastly, Benson is intrigued about pitching alongside veterans, such as Al Leiter and Tom Glavine. He notes that Benson has “thoroughly enjoyed” his time thus far with the Mets.
Clifton’s next meeting with Mets GM Jim Duquette…
“Nothing is formal,” Clifton said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to speak with Jim [Duquette] this weekend, and we’ll be able to set something up soon.”
Metsblog.com’s Take…
The thing is, right now, Benson is the property of the Mets – so the only team Clifton can talk about with regards to Benson is the Mets. So basically, the only news from this interview is that Benson has interest in the Mets, and that’s all. I read nothing else into it.From a business stand point, why would Clifton allow his client to negotiate a deal without testing free agency? Especially considering the Mets, from a public opinion point of view, have to sign Benson. As it is, the Mets will be forced to pay top dollar for him. When other team’s get in on the action, the Mets will be forced to overpay – a style of negotiation not foreign to the businessmen of Shea.
Something tells me that Benson will hit the free agent market, and will either go to another team, or will be a Met, getting a contract that fans will be moaning relentlessly about in less than two-year’s time.
Some questions to chew on…
Why is it that this team can never take the bull by the horns, and is constantly putting itself in a position to be taken advantage of?Is it even their fault?
Is this simply a by-product of playing in the same city as the Yankees?
Or is the Mets management just simply not good at running a business?
The Games…
Mike Cameron hit a three-run homer in the first inning and drove in four runs, and Kris Benson pitched six innings allowing three runs and seven hits to lead the Mets past the Colorado Rockies 10-3 in the first game of a doubleheader. Mike Stanton, Mike DeJean, Ricky Bottalico and Pedro Feliciano combined for three innings of scoreless relief.
In the night-cap, David Wright hit a tie breaking, two-run homer in the ninth inning to give the Mets a 4-2 victory, and a sweep of the double header.
Note: If you would like to submit a question for our monthly mailbag, send us an email to mailbag@metsblog.com
Cameron’s 26 homers match the team record for a center fielder, set by Tommie Agee in 1969. His stolen base in the sixth inning of of the the first game was his 20th on the year, making him the sixth Met to hit 20 HR with 20 SB.
In the sixth inning of the second game, Rockies catcher J.D. Closser slid into second base attempting to break up a double play. He took out Joe McEwing, bringing both players to the ground. McEwing had to be helped off the field by trainers and was sent to a hospital for X-rays. The Mets apparently believed Closser’s slide was a “cheap shot”, as closer Braden Looper hit Closser on the back of the leg in his next at-bat in the eighth inning. Looper was immediately ejected, which Art Howe found absurd, as he argued the call with the umpire for nearly five minutes. He continued his tirade after the game as well.
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Tonight…
The Mets will make their only visit of the season to SBC Park starting tonight as the begin a three-game series with the Giants. Steve Trachsel, who has complained of shoulder soreness this week, will start for the Mets. Trachsel has not won a road game since July 7 in Philadelphia. In his start against the Giants at Shea this season, Trachsel allowed one run over eight innings. Barry Bonds is a mere 9-for-38 against Trachsel.
The Standings...
| Wild Card | GB |
| Giants | - |
| Cubs | 0.5 |
| Padres | 1.5 |
| Marlins | 5 |
| Astros | 5.5 |
| Mets | 7 |
| Phillies | 7 |
| Pirates | 7 |
The Quote…
“I don’t think it was clean, because I thought he was airborne. I don’t know if he even touched the ground until he hit Joey. Sometimes things have to be taken care of on the field. We took care of it.” – Art Howe, regarding Looper hitting J.D. Closser as retaliation for injuring Joe McEwing.
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The News…
Though no news has been reported on the status of McEwing, Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports Super Joe will not play again this season. As a result of the inury, Rubin says the Mets will call-up 2B Jeff Keppinger, acquired in the Kris Benson deal.
“It was good news,” said Jim Duquette, regarding the MRI on Victor Zambrano, while appearing on WFAN yesterday. Duquette said the MRI revealed that Zambrano’s injury is the same flexor muscle strain that he was dealing with in Tampa Bay. Duquette believes the course of action will be to shut down Zambrano for a couple of weeks, have him do no throwing while taking anti-inflammatory medication. Once the two weeks is up, he will start throwing, on route to being back before the end of the season. All in all, the GM feels Zambrano will back within a month or so.
Mike DeJean suffered a right shin contusion on a ball hit off of his foot while pitching in the seventh inning. X-rays were negative.
The Notes…
Mike Piazza has begun limited baseball activity in St. Lucie.
According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, Duquette plans to have Kris Benson signed to a long-term contract “before the season is over.” However, as Rubin also notes, the Mets have not talked with Benson’s agent, Gregg Clifton, since their initial talks with him nearly a month ago.
“It’s always disappointing to me when we’re not succeeding as we had hoped to,” Wilpon told the Associated Press, while at the team’s owners meeting in Philadelphia yesterday. “But you have got to keep your head up and move forward, and that’s what we’re doing. I think Art has done a good job, but unfortunately we haven’t stayed on the field as we had hoped to, and that’s been a problem. But that’s a problem with every team. Really, the very good teams, the great teams, they adjust to that. We haven’t been able to adjust to it as we would have liked to.” Wilpon continued, speaking about the trades for Zambrano and Kris Benson, “It was our evaluators’ decisions. I have no competence in those areas. We were looking at two pitchers particularly that our people thought could be as good as the two very, very good prospects [Kazmir and Peterson] might be two or three years from now. And they were young enough to give us a run of four, five, six years with them.”
According to Bob Klapisch, in an excellent article in the Bergen Record, had it been left to Duquette, the Mets would never have traded for Zambrano. Then why did it happen? The problem, Klapisch reports, is that Duquette has a “near-impossible job of making his voice heard in the Mets’ overcrowded brain trust.” Regarding the Zambrano deal, one rival GM told Klapisch, “That’s what happens when you don’t let a general manager do his job.”
Question...
Let’s say the Mets are four games out of the Wild Card heading into September, with 28 games remaining, and three with the Cubs, would you feel they had a chance to make the post-season? Subsequently, could the Mets pick up three games in the Wild Card standings between now and September, which is 12 games from now, including games against the Giants and Padres?
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?
For more Mets coverage, check out
Mets GM Jim Duquette sat down with Ed Coleman during the
Lead off Spot on WFAN’s Mets pre-game show this afternoon. The general manager discussed the injury to
Victor Zambrano, the club’s future with Mike Piazza and Richard Hidalgo, and
the team’s September call-ups. We provide a recap of the
interview, today, at Metsblog.com…
The Interview…
Jim Duquette had the following to say regarding…
News on Victor Zambrano…
“It was good news,” said Duquette, who went on to say that
the MRI revealed that it was the same flexor muscle strain that he was dealing
with in Tampa Bay. Duquette believes
the course of action will be to shut down Zambrano for a couple of weeks, have
him do no throwing while taking anti-inflammatory medication. Once the two weeks is up, he will start
throwing, on route to being back before the end of the season. All in all, the GM feels Zambrano will back
within a month or so.
The future of Mike Piazza…
Duquette says Piazza believes it is very important to honor
a contract and would never, and has never, asked to be traded. The Mets number one goal at this point,
according to Duquette, is simply to get Piazza healthy, and that’s all. As for Piazza’s offense struggles this
season, he cites the fact his All-Star catcher has been battling knee pain all
season long, much of which has been brought about by the constant shift between
positions.
On the future of Richard Hidalgo…
Duquette shied away from saying whether or not the team had
any intention of picking up the $15 million club option on Hidalgo’s
contract. However, while he referred to
the option as both “hefty” and “outdated”, he was sure to say the club has
“interest” in keeping Hidalgo a Met.
September call-ups…
The general manager says the team only intends to bring up
players that will have an opportunity to play, as their goal continues to be
winning as many games as they can. With
the return of Jose Reyes, Kaz Matsui and Piazza, the Mets will balance any
available positions with youngsters in an effort to get a feel for what they
have going into next season.
Metsblog.com’s Take…
On Hidalgo…
I’m not totally sold that the Mets plan to bring Hidalgo
back. They will obviously be paying the
$2 million buyout on his contract. At which point, I think it is up in the air,
and will remain so, in typical Mets fashion, as they sit back and asses the
market while other team’s lock everyone else up.
On Piazza…
Piazza will be a Met next season come hell or high
water. There is no way Duquette and the
Wilpons, and Leiter and Franco, will jettison this guy out of town. No chance.
It’s an unhealthy love affair.
On September…
It’s good to know the Mets goal continues to be winning as
many games as they can. How refreshinng.
Also, saying the team will promote players in an effort to
get a feel for what they have going into next season, says to me that the Mets have
officially abandoned the hope of playing “meaningful games in September.” Do you think Duquette, Wilpon and the public
relations staff now rue the day they ever came up with that buzz line?
Note:
Danny Garcia has been on base in every one of the six games he has started
since playing everyday in Reyes’ and Matsui’s absence. He is Wally Backman V.2.0
Today…
Last night’s game between the Mets and Rockies was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up this afternoon as part of split double header.
Kris Benson, scheduled for last night’s start, will pitch in their first game, scheduled to begin at 3:05 PM EST, while Al Leiter takes to the hill for the second game, scheduled to begin at 8:05 PM EST.
Benson is 1-1 with a 6.63 ERA since joining the Mets. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts at Coors Field.
Leiter, who is 2-3 with a 7.59 ERA in five career appearances at Coors Field,looks to win his tenth game for the tenth straight season. His 2.60 ERA is second highest in the Majors.
The News…
Victor Zambrano underwent an MRI yesterday in an attempt to find the cause of his sore right elbow. He will be treated in New York today, and the results of the MRI will be examined. “[Zambrano] was complaining about soreness in the back of the elbow where the triceps meets the elbow,” Mets GM Jim Duquette said in a conference call last night. “From the symptoms, it seems like a new injury. The flexor tendinitis he had was more on the lateral side. I don’t know whether it’s related to the Tommy John surgery, but I don’t think it is. It would be totally reckless to make any assessment now. But I talked to him today and he said he felt better.” David Waldstein of the Star-Ledger reports the Mets plan to put Zambrano on the DL prior to today’s games.
The Mets activated RHP Bartolome Fortunato last night. Fortunato, 29, had a 3.38 ERA in six appearances for Class AAA Norfolk, and was 4-3 with nine saves and a 2.42 ERA for Durham this season.
The Notes…
According tot Kevin Czerwinski of MLB.com, RHP Orber Moreno, rehabbing a strained right shoulder in St. Lucie, has stopped throwing because of soreness.
According to the Tampa Tribune, Scott Kazmir, who has a 1.44 ERA for Tampa Bay’s Double-A affiliate, will start next week in Seattle for the Devil Rays.
The Star-Ledger reports that Steve Trachsel has also complained of pain in his right shoulder recently. He is expected to make his next start, however. “I don’t know what it is,” Trachsel told the Star-Ledger. “It’s probably just tiredness. It just popped up in my last start.”
Peter Greenberg, agent for Jose Reyes, told the New York Post that he and Reyes will try to find a “suitable training regimen” for the 21-year-old middle infielder. “I think we’re definitely going to work toward that, take advantage of the whole winter and get him a program,” Greenberg told the Post. “We’ll figure it out. We’re going to work on something with the team. We do need to have him diagnosed, try something different and have a lower-body program.”
Announcement…
MetsBlog.com is seeking contributors for our MetsThinkTank.
The MetsThinkTank, a subsidiary of MetsBlog.com, will be an ideas organization, comprised of established journalists, broadcasters, former players, medical consultants, economists, marketing and public relations directors, and knowledgeable fans, providing objective analysis and effective solutions that address the challenges facing the New York Mets. The final plan will be available at MetsThinkTank.com.
We are currently in need of ‘knowledgeable Mets fans’ working in sports marketing or public relations, corporate finance experts, and physical therapists and orthopedic specialists to join our think tank.
You will be occasionally asked to give your expert opinion on relevant topics dealing with the Mets, as well as offer solutions and insights based on your knowledge of the team and your profession.
If interested, please send an email to info@metsblog.com asking for more information.
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?
For more Mets coverage, check out
Andrea, a Metsblog reader from Minnesota…
I keep reading in the news and on Metsblog that players can be traded after the trading deadline. How can that be? I don’t get it.
Matthew Cerrone, lead writer and creator of Metsblog.com…
Players are allowed to be traded after July 31, but only if they clear waivers first.
For
instance, let’s say the Mets want to trade Mike Piazza to the Twins for
a package of prospects, in an effort to dump the salary of the aging
veteran – here’s how it would go down…
First,
the Mets would announce the deal, and would then have to make Piazza,
and the $15 million owed to him next season, available to every other
team in the league before the trade is allowed to go through with the
Indians. The other teams in the league then have 48-hours to claim interest in Piazza, before he can go to Minnesota. If
during that 48-hours both the Yankees and the Indians claim interest in
acquiring Piazza, however, the Mets can either “pull him back” and
choose not to trade him at all, or they can work out a deal – but they
can only do so with the team having the worst record of the bunch, not
including the Twins.
In
this case, the Indians would be the only team allowed to negotiate for
Piazza, and will have blocked the Yankees and Twins from acquiring the
All-Star catcher in the process. The thing
is, because the Tribe put in a claim for Piazza, they become
automatically on the hook for his money, and the Mets can simply dump
all of Piazza’s salary on to Cleveland, no questions asked, getting
nothing in return, and making Piazza an Indian through 2005.
In
this case, though the Mets weren’t allowed to make the deal for
prospects to the Twins, they were still able to rid themselves of
Piazza’s contract, which was their goal from the outset. In most cases, however,
because Piazza’s contract is so ridiculously large, and he is breaking down in front of our eyes, and so few small
market teams, likely those with the worst records, would make a claim
for the soft-hitting catcher, no team would block a deal such as the
Indians in my scenario above, because they wouldnt want to get stuck with the contract.
Therefore,
if a deal is going to go down after August 1, it will either be a Jason
Kendall going to Kansas City type trade, i.e. two small market teams
swapping headaches, or something like that, or Randy Johnson going to
the Yankees, who’ll claim him the minute he hits waivers, snatching him
away from whomever the Diamondbacks intended to trade him to.
According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, the following players have made it through waivers:
Pitchers…
Darrell May
Brian Anderson
Buddy Groom
Justin Speier
Elmer Dessens
Jason Grimsley
Al Levine
Steve Sparks
Gabe White
Outfielders…
B.J. Surhoff
Richard Hidalgo
Raul Ibanez
Jose Cruz Jr.
Robert Fick
Ben Grieve
Dmitri Young
John Vander Wal
Infielders…
Bret Boone
Tino Martinez
Shea Hillenbrand
Mike Sweeney
Placido Polanco
Geoff Blum
Charles Johnson
I hope this helps, Andrea.
—————————–
Michael C, a reader from Pine Brook, NJ…
I
too love Danny Garcia. He is heady, and hardnosed and cocky -
sort of like Wally Backman. Speaking of which, would Wally
be Met Manager Material?
Metsblog.com…
Backman
is currently managing A ball for the Arizona Diamondback’s
organization, following a successful stint with the White Sox’s AA
affiliate, the Birmingham Barons. Backman interviewed for the
White Sox manager position last winter. However, the spot went to
former White Sox shortstop Ozzie Guillen. According to
MofoSports.net, Backman hopes to get a shot at the Diamondback’s
managerial position, left vacant by the firing of Bob Brenly.
As
for managing the Mets, though he doesn’t talk with many of his old
Amazin teammates, and his falling out with the Mets minor league system
is what led him to Chicago in the first place, he tells MofoSports.net
that, “If I had the opportunity, I would definitely come back.”
—————————–
Kenny W, a Metsblog reader from Brooklyn…
John Franco sucks?
Metsblog.com…
Is that a question? If so, I’m not sure what to say. I’d
site the fact that Franco has held left handed hitters to a stellar
.154 batting average, but it doesn’t change that he still has seven
losses on the season. That’s the stat that burns.
Franco and Mike Stanton have a combined 12 losses between them. If
that number was reduced by a third, and the Mets went on to win each of
those four games, they’d instead be 59-57 today and four games back in
the Wild Card race. Every game counts, even in a 162 game season.
—————————–
Lil’ John, a Metsblog reader from Queens…
What’s the deal with Yusmeiro Petit? He has a 1.24 ERA and a 12.9 strikeouts-per-nine-innings ratio at A ball. Why isn’t he at AA, or AAA yet, as he’s clearly dominating his level?
Matthew Cerrone, lead writer and creator of Metsblog.com…
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has helped explain Petit on many occasions here at Metsblog.com. I still can’t get over the fact that he is allowing less than one runner on base per inning, though. That’s outstanding, and impressive, at any level of baseball. Petit is only 19-years-old, and is a product of the Mets Venezuelan Summer League team. He needs time to air out his arm, get used to the regimented schedule of a starting pitcher in professional baseball. In other words, he needs a full year of A ball under his belt, which he is currently getting.
He will undoubtedly start next season at Binghamton. Pitchers
such as Brian Bannister and Neil Musser will likely get bumped up to
AAA, Royce Ring will see time at Shea come next season, and spots will
open for pitchers like Petit and Miguel Pinango to advance their
careers.
Thanks for the question, Lil’ John…
Okaaayyy?
—————————–
Angelo P, a Metsblog reader from Washington, DC...
You guys had a State of
the Mets after 44 games and at the All Star Break. What happened
to the one at 120 games. I live those discussions. What
gives?
Metsblog.com…
You know you’ve arrived in
the media when people begin complaining about you in a backwards
compliment kind of way. Thanks, Angelo.
We held off on the 3/4
mark State of the Mets discussion, in favor of working towards a Mets
Think Tank. We have wrangled in journalists, marketing gurus,
former players and health professionals to tackle all aspects of the
Mets organization, such as the farm system, public relations and
marketing, health and fitness, talent, acquisitions, and so on, in
hopes of developing a real ‘plan’ for saving this franchise.
The results of our study
will be published at the end of September, just in time for the
silly-season known as Hot Stove baseball.
###
Note: If you would like to write a Fan Editorial for Metsblog, click here: I Want to Write!
The Game...
The Mets blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2, and lost to the Rockies last night in Coors Field by a score of 6-4. Todd Ziele popped out with men on first and second in the ninth inning to end the game. The Mets had only one hit from the third inning on in the notorious ‘hitter-friendly’ ballpark.
Victor Zambrano left in the second inning with elbow inflammation. The Mets said he is “questionable” for his next start, Sunday against San Francisco. Zambrano had been suffering from flexor tendinitis during his final few starts in Tampa Bay. More information is likely due out later today. If Zambrano is forced to go on the disabled list, the Mets would likely recall pitcher Matt Ginter from Class AAA Norfolk.
Tonight…
The Mets look to even their three-game set with the Rockies today as Kris Benson makes his fourth start for New York. Following a strong outing against St. Louis, he stumbled against the Diamondbacks last week. Benson is 1-1 with a 6.63 ERA, while allowing 14 earned runs and 19 hits in 19 innings since joing the Mets.
Former Mets SP Sean Estes takes the mound for the Rockies. Estes is enjoying a relatively good year for the Rockies, going 13-4 with a 5.59 ERA. He is 7-1 in 12 starts at Coors Field this year despite a 6.31 earned-run average. He gave up four runs in 5.2 innings in his only start against the Mets this season.
Richard Hidalgo is 8-for-25 with a home run against Estes.
Note: If you would like to receive an email when Metsblog is update, email us at: updates@metsblog.com
The Standings…
| Wild Card | GB | Left |
| Giants | - | 41 |
| Padres | 1 | 43 |
| Cubs | 1.5 | 44 |
| Marlins | 5.5 | 44 |
| Phillies | 6 | 43 |
| Astros | 6.5 | 44 |
| Pirates | 7 | 45 |
| Mets | 8 | 45 |
The Quote…
“I said it couldn’t get worse, but sometimes it can. It’s got to end sometime.” – Art Howe, regarding the Mets addition to injuries of late.
The News…
Infielders Brett Harper and Jeff Keppinger along with outfielder Wayne Lydon and catcher Joe Hietpas will play for Peoria Saguaros during this year’s Arizona Fall League. Norfolk pitching coach Randy Niemann will serve as the Peoria pitching coach. It is expected that four Mets minor league pitchers will be added to the roster at a later date.
The Mets acquired AA-Jacksonville catcher Tony Socarras, 25, from the Dodgers in exchange for A-Norfolk catcher Tom Wilson. Socarra hit .205 in 49 games.
According to the Star-Ledger, no current investigation is underway regarding Mets GM Jim Duquette comments about White Sox OF Magglio Ordonez.
Note: If you would like to submit a question for our monthly mailbag, send us an email to mailbag@metsblog.com
The Notes…
Tom Glavine threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Sunday at Shea Stadium and is expected to join the Mets Thursday night in San Francisco. He is scheduled to start Saturday against the Giants.
RHP Dan Wheeler has allowed 15 of 23 inherited runners to score this season.
According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, OF Cliff Floyd is willing to move to first base next year if the Mets ask him to. “We’d consider it but we haven’t even talked about it,” Duquette told the Post. “If it’s something we thought would be good for the team, he’s always been open to playing some other positions.” Floyd then commented, “Anything to help us, just not now. It’s something I would rather do, if they’re going to do it, in spring training so I get a chance to learn it and not hurt our pitching staff and not hurt our team.” Floyd originally played first base for the Expos during his first two seasons in the league, nearly a decade ago. However, he shifted to the outfield following a severe wrist injury.
OF-1B Craig Brazell made his major-league debut last night by striking out as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning against Jason Jennings. Brazell also walked in the ninth.
Questions of the Day: Richard Hidalgo…
If you take away the two seasons, 2000 and this year, in which OF Richard Hidalgo was heading into free agency, his season averages are as follows, spanning 2070 at-bats: .270 AVG – 20 HR – 75 RBI. In his walk years, however, his averages are: .292 AVG – 32 HR – 100 RBI. Is this a reason to not re-sign Hidalgo? Can the Mets afford to gamble on Hidalgo, or do they need a more potent, consistent option in the outfield? Is there even another option?
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?
For more Mets coverage, check out
Tonight…
The Mets begin a three-game series in Colorado tonight. Victor Zambrano, starts for the Mets, while Jason Jennings takes the hill for the Rockies.
During his time with the Devil Rays, Zambrano walked 16 percent of the batters that faced him. Since joining the Mets, he has lowered that number to 9 percent and is 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA.
Cliff Floyd, Mike Cameron and Richard Hidalgo are a combined 7-for-11 against Jennings.
The Standings…
| Wild Card | GB | Left |
| Giants | - | 42 |
| Cubs | 0.5 | 45 |
| Padres | 1 | 44 |
| Marlins | 4.5 | 45 |
| Phillies | 5 | 44 |
| Astros | 6.5 | 45 |
| Mets | 7 | 46 |
| Pirates | 7 | 46 |
Note: If you would like to write a Fan Editorial for Metsblog, click here: I Want to Write!
The Quote…
“I see guys like [Mike] Piazza constantly working, taking extra batting practice, checking over their DVD’s to see how they did against certain pitchers, practicing his throws behind the plate, and it’s instructive for me. I mean, a guy like Piazza, the all-time home-run-hitting catcher, and he’s still working hard, still learning.” – David Wright, as reported in the New York Times.
The News…
Note: If you would like to receive an email when Metsblog is update, email us at: updates@metsblog.com
The Yankees signed OF Shane Spencer to a minor league contract Monday.
White Sox GM Ken Williams is angry over recent remarks made by Mets officials regarding OF Magglio Ordonez. Duquette acknowledged the Mets are interested in Ordonez while appearing on WFAN, and another Mets official commented on the team’s interest in a New York newspaper – both moves could violate league tampering laws. Sandy Alderson, MLB’s executive VP of baseball operations, told The New York Post that, “hypothetically speaking”, Williams would have a legitimate case for tampering.
The Denver Post reports that the Houston Astros will ask the Mets for permission to interview Don Baylor for their managerial position when the season ends.
The Notes…
Note: If you would like to submit a question for our monthly mailbag, send us an email to mailbag@metsblog.com
Mike Cameron is batting .319 with 5 HR in August. He is on pace to hit 35 HR and steal 27 bases on the season.
The Mets starters have a 3.93 ERA, fourth in the majors, but the team is 11th in the league in runs scored (519), 13th in on-base percentage (.324) and 15th in batting (.252).
The Mets are 14-47 against left-handed starters.
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?
For more Mets coverage, check out
This past weekend…
The Mets took two of three from Diamondbacks at Shea, getting strong pitching performances from Kris Benson, Steve Trachsel and Al Leiter. The lone loss came yesterday at the hands of a dominating Randy Johnson.
This week…
The Mets begin a six-game road trip at Colorado tomorrow night. Victor Zambrano takes the hill in the hitter friendly Coors Field. Zambrano is 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA since joining the Mets. Jason Jennings starts for the Rockies. The Mets then travel to San Francisco for three games beginning Friday.
Note: If you would like to submit a question for our monthly mailbag, send us an email to mailbag@metsblog.com
The Standings…
| Wild Card | GB |
| Cubs | - |
| Padres | - |
| Giants | - |
| Phillies | 4.5 |
| Marlins | 4.5 |
| Astros | 6 |
| Mets | 6.5 |
The News…
Both Jose Reyes and Kaz Matsui were placed on the DL this weekend. Reyes shifts to the shelf with a stress fracture of the left fibula, while Matsui joins him with lingering back spasms. Though Reyes believes he can return within “a week or so,” typical recovery time for such an injury ranges from four to six weeks. Matsui could be do back by the end of the week.
The Mets purchased the contract of Norfolk 1B Craig Brazell to replace Matsui. The promotion marks Brazell’s major league debut. Brazell, 24, hit .266 (115-for-433) with a team-leading 21 homers and 63 RBIs in 111 games with Norfolk.
Metsblog would list the obligatory stat of how many times Reyes has injured his legs within the last year and a half, but quite frankly, we’ve lost count.
The Notes…
According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, at least one scout loves pitcher Bartolome Fortunato, the minor leaguer acquired with Victor Zambrano from Tampa Bay. The scout raved about Fortunato’s 97-mph fastball, and projected him as a potential No. 2 starter.
Jon Heyman of Newsday reports that Jose Reyes is the only Met to be blocked on waivers.
From the “You can never have enough young pitching” department: The Devil Rays released lefty Damian Moss from Durham. Moss began the season as Tampa Bay’s fifth starter but was optioned on May 4. He was 5-9 with a 5.87 ERA in 20 games with the Bulls.
John Franco has pitched only one inning in the last three weeks.
First-round pick Phil Humber has only a few weeks to sign with the Mets if he plans to see professional action this season. There is no indication he will do so.
Lee Jenkins of the New York Times reports that the Mets plan to restructure the contract of Richard Hidalgo and keep him in right field for next season.
Mike Cameron was the only player starting at the same position as he did on opening day. Cameron needs only one more home run to set a career high in homers.
The Denver Post reports that the Phillies could be close to acquiring CF Preston Wilson from the Rockies.
Ken Rosenthal of the Sporting News reports that 1B Mike Sweeney might be willing to waive his no-trade clause and restructure his contract this off season to facilitate a trade. Sweeney will earn $11 million per season through 2007, but would get a bump in salary to $12.5 million if he were traded. Rosenthal also discusses a scenario that could once again make manager Lou Pinella available.
Due to the injuries to Matsui and Reyes, Danny Garcia will see a serious increase in playing time. Metsblog is a huge fan of Garcia, in case you don’t remember.
Note from us…
Our August Mailbag is due out tomorrow. If you’d like to get one final question in under the wire, feel free to do so by sending your inquiry to mailbag@metsblog.com.
Question of the Day…
Why is the Confidence Rating at 1.25?
Have you noticed the Mets are only 6.5 games out of the Wild Card?
Sure, they are riddled with injuries and six teams are between the Amazins and October, but there are 46 games left in the season, they have the easiest schedule of the bunch and a starting rotation that can win every night.
Shouldn’t this number be higher?
Fans feel there is only a 12.5% chance the Mets are playing “meaningful games” a month from now?
Really?
Note: If you would like to write a Fan Editorial for Metsblog, click here: I Want to Write!
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?
For more Mets coverage, check out
