Daily Archives: July 10, 2008
In a report for the Denver Post, Troy E. Renck cites a column in Newsday that quoted Jerry Manuel as saying he would certainly accept Rockies OF Matt Holliday in to the mix at Shea Stadium, were the Mets ever fortunate enough to trade for him.
Meanwhile, according to Jon Heyman at SI.com, there is a 3–to-1 chance that the Rockies even trade Holliday, adding, “While he isn’t repeating his MVP-caliber season of a year ago, his availability would still create a feeding frenzy.”
From what I can gather, the Rockies are not necessarily looking for a package like the Braves gave Texas for Mark Teixeira, i.e., four or five prospects. Instead, the Rockies want the absolute-best possible prospect they can find, preferably a pitcher, who is ready to go, highly-touted and under contract.
For instance, the buzz from Florida is that if the Rays intend to acquire Holliday, they’ll need to part with RHP David Price, who is considered to be the best pitching prospect in the game.
The sense I get is that the Rockies can make such a huge demand, because they do not have to trade Holliday right now. Much like Texas with Teixeira at the time, Holliday is under contract next season.
By the way, the Rockies, who made the post-season last year, are just seven games out of first place in a weak division. They could certainly keep Holliday for now, try to make a run, while keeping their fans engaged, and then look to trade him in the off-season when they can create a much larger market for his services. For what it’s worth, the Rockies came from seven games back to win their division last season.
Therefore, if the Mets want Holliday right now, my hunch is that it would cost them a pitcher like Mike Pelfrey, while being able to keep Fernando Martinez. I do not think a package including Martinez, pitching prospects like Jon Niese or Eddie Kunz, or even Aaron Heilman, will get it done.
By the way, in his report for SI.com, Heyman also sets on odds for Braves 1B Mark Teixeira, A’s RHP Huston Street, Jays RHP AJ Burnett and Pirates OF Jason Bay, among other names you likely hear in the weeks before the July 31 Trade Deadline.
Josh Johnson makes his first start for the Marlins since July 4, 2007 tonight in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Anibal Sanchez is expected to rejoin the rotation on July 28th, reuniting two pitchers who combined to go 22-10 for the Marlins in 2006.
Two Phillies are tied for first in the NL home race as Ryan Howard hit number 25 Wednesday night. He’s tied with Chase Utley for the number one spot, but eight other sluggers are no more than four long balls behind. With Pat Burrell, Dan Uggla and Hanely Ramirez in the top ten, the NL East is well represented in the power department.
The Braves were hitless in each of the first four inning in the three game series with the Dodgers. They went 0 for 36 with three walks and 15 strikeouts.
Jason Bergman’s strikeout and walk rates give the Nationals hope that he can turn around his 1-6 record eventually. He’s hurt by his home runs allowed, and by a defense with the fourth worst defensive efficiency in the National League. (Defensive efficiency measures the ability to turn a batted ball into an out.)
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
According to MLB.com, as of the 10 a.m. update, with seven hours remaining, David Wright continues to trail Brewers OF Corey Hart, in what is being described as a close battle, in fan voting for the final spot on the National League All Star Team.
To vote for Wright, click here, or follow the link in the side bar.
Voting ends today at 5 p.m. EDT.
Tagged Mike Nichols |In the Mets 5 to 0 win over the Giants last night, all five runs came compliments of two-out hits, clutch performances, which the Mets have had difficulty producing so far this season.
Manuel, on the Mets increase in two-out hits, speaking with reports after last night’s game:
“Maybe that’s something that comes in waves. I can’t say that we’ve come up with the solution to get two-out hits all of the time, it comes in waves, but we do talk about it a lot and make it a priority in our daily routines and again when they do the things we ask them to do, not only do we feel good about that but they feel good about that as well.”
By the way, to vote David Wright in to the All Star Game, click here, or follow the link in the side bar.
Voting ends today at 5 pm EDT.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
Just a reminder, today’s game between the Mets and Giants will start at 1:10 pm.
Barry Zito, who will take the mound for the Giants, is 2–1 with a 3.46 ERA in his last three starts.
Ramon Castro was 2-for-4, including a go-ahead three-run homerun in the fourth inning, during last night’s win versus the Giants.
Jerry Manuel, on why he played Castro instead of Brian Schneider, while speaking to reporters after the game:
“The fact that it was a left-hander that had some decent velocity. Castro has played enough to where we feel pretty good about him catching, we feel pretty good about his bat and we try to get him enough consistent reps to where he can produce, and he’s done it.”
Manuel told reporters that Castro, who is batting .290 with 2 HR and 7 RBI in his last 31 at-bats, will not start today.
By the way, to vote David Wright in to the All Star Game, click here, or follow the link in the side bar.
Voting ends today at 5 pm EDT.
Tagged Mike Nichols, Ramon Castro |
Angel Pagan had one hit in two at bats during a minor league rehab assignment for the Gulf Coast League Mets last night.
Pagan has been on the disabled list since May 15 with a dislocated left shoulder.
Last week, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Pagan would not have season-ending surgery, as he had shown improvements of late in his rehab.
By the way, to vote David Wright in to the All Star Game, click here, or follow the link in the side bar.
Voting ends today at 5 pm EDT.
During last night’s 5 to 0 win versus the Giants, Johan Santana pitched five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks while striking our five before leaving after the rain delay.
Santana, on rating his first half of the season:
“I think, compared to the past, I think it’s been a good one. You know, the consistency I have had throughout my career has been showing right now. I think I even have better numbers than I’ve had in the past at this point of the season, even though the wins and the losses have shown a different thing. I feel physically I’m good, I’m there, I feel strong…Right now, as a team we’re doing a great job and it’s perfect timing.”
Santana is 8–7 with a 2.83 ERA in 19 starts this season, during which the Mets are 10–9.
In the National League, his ERA is fourth only to Edison Volquez (2.36), Tim Lincecum (2.66) and Dan Haren (2.83).
…i know we’ve all been waiting for that dominate santana outing, where he pitches a complete game shutout with double-digit strikeouts, but no one can say santana has pitched equal, if not better than expected this season…
…yes, santana does not have the win-loss record to show it, as he’s been a bit unlucky this season, with run support and such, but his era and strikeout-to-walk ratio is right in line with his career averages…
In 270 career appearances, Santana has a 3.47 ERA before the All-Star break and a 2.79 ERA after the break.
By the way, to vote David Wright in to the All Star Game, click here, or follow the link in the side bar.
Voting ends today at 5 pm EDT.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
Last night, Aaron Heilman pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Johan Santana, followed by Duaner Sanchez and Joe Smith each pitching a 1–2–3 inning to close out the game.
Manuel, on the bullpen, speaking with reports after last night’s game:
“That was very big for us to get two innings like that out of Aaron Heilman, that was huge for us – and the other guys pitched very well. Joe Smith lately has been very, very good. That outing in Philadelphia, when he opposed some left-handed hitters and pitched two and a third innings, that was big for him.”
Since June 1, in his last 20 appearances, Heilman has a 1.87 ERA.
Manuel, specifically on Heilman:
“He and Dan have consistently worked on him getting back his slider, versus just a cutter or a fastball-change up pitcher. So, he has done a good job and he’s been very rececptive to it.”
By the way, to vote David Wright in to the All Star Game, click here, or follow the link in the side bar.
Voting ends today at 5 pm EDT.
Tagged Mike Nichols |Omar Minaya recently concluded an interview on WFAN’s morning show, and told the show’s hosts a) he expects Ryan Church to return this season, and b) though he expects Moises Alou to also return, he must 
also plan as though he will not.
Minaya said he does not consider the Mets to be a player in the market for Barry Bonds.
…which, by the way, should only be called the Bonds Market…
Lastly, Minaya essentially said, while he is always looking to improve the roster, he will wait to see how Alou and Church progress before making a move to acquire an outfield, adding, “We also have some young guys to consider.”
Minaya also talked about Johan Santana’s season so far, why he continues to believe in Carlos Delgado, the maturation of Jose Reyes, the passion for baseball in New York, Jerry Maneul’s approach to the game, and, of course, voting David Wright in to the All Star Game.
To listen to Minaya’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
By the way, to vote David Wright in to the All Star Game, click here, or follow the link in the side bar.
Voting ends today at 5 pm EDT.
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