Comments on: Quote: Duaner Sanchez is Pissed

By: NYP-BOS-NYP

NYP-BOS-NYP — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:38:07 +0000

Like everyone else, I am pleased to see Sanchez taking responsibility for his own failures. But in another sense, I almost wish he had blamed his recent problems on injury or some other external factor, because without such an explanation, his recent poor performance and especially, his significant drop in velocity, sounds like it could be a long term problem.

I know that pitching, like all of baseball, is subject to streaks and luck and the toll emotions take on physical performance. But usually when a pitcher is having problems in his head, it manifests itself as control trouble, or breaking balls that don’t break. I’ve never seen a pitcher’s problems with confidence translate to decreased velocity.

I suppose anything is possible, but I continue to be worried about this…

By: NYP-BOS-NYP

NYP-BOS-NYP — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:29:47 +0000

Of course a 6-1 road trip is a success, and if this meant we were likely to play .857 ball for the rest of the season, nobody would be talking.

But as others have pointed out, our 6-1 record came against the worst teams in their respective divisions, so expecting that winning percentage to carry over into the rest of the regular season, much less the postseason, is unrealistic.

Should we be running around in circles, flailing our arms and moaning about a coming apocalypse? Of course not. But to ignore the problems that we do clearly have would be sticking our collective heads in the sand, and that would be foolish too.

The bullpen is a problem. We know it, the media knows it, the other teams know it, and the bullpen itself (as evidenced by these comments by Sanchez and earlier ones by Schoeneweis and others) knows it. We need to look for solutions now. Calmly, yes. But we still need to look for solutions.

By: NYP-BOS-NYP

NYP-BOS-NYP — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:12:00 +0000

“Also, if we can get everyone on 4 days rest, 3 starters means you get Santana back on the mound sooner”

But that’s a pretty big if, isn’t it? This staff has worked on a 5 day rotation all season long; to suddenly switch them to 4 is not without its risks.

Especially coupled with the pressure from fans and the media (rightly so, mind you, but still) to go deep and pitch complete games if at all possible, a switch to a shorter rotation could be problematical.

By: Koko

Koko — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:45:50 +0000

Love the response. No excuses. No blaming. Puts it on himself. Mets need more of that from their pitchers. Get mad and take it out on the other guys Dirty!

By: nobeers

nobeers — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:43:50 +0000

This is really why I like this guy. It takes quite a bit for a professional athlete to wear their emotions on their sleeve and this guy does and he has a ton of heart which you have to respect.

Hope things get better for him.

By: anrst

anrst — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:46:46 +0000

maine may be tough, but he’s lacks poise and calm on the mound. That’s what I’m referring to … Duaner is a tough guy too. I think he has ice in his veins, but he’s just not smart enough a pitcher to live without his 90+ fastball, as we are seeing plain as day.

By: reyesnwright

reyesnwright — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:36:48 +0000

I’m not saying that I don’t think that a few of our struggling relievers have the potential to turn it around and I’m obviously thrilled with a 6-1 road trip, but keep in mind we won’t be playing the nationals or pirates in the playoffs. Right now the depth of our rotation is our biggest strength and it allows us to move 1 or 2 starters, who would be in other teams 3 man rotations, to the pen and make our bullpen a strength as well.

By: grotesmask

grotesmask — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:35:11 +0000

With the exception of a few interludes, the Pen has been our Achilles Heel. Unless something miraculous happens, it’s going to be like this. Not even sure Maine could be the closer; his control has been erratic for a while. You want that in the ninth w/ a one-run or two-run lead to protect?

I suggested Smith a while back, but I agree that was a mistake. Now I’m leaning toward Feliciano.

Frankly, closer may not be the biggest role needed. Middle relievers and bridge have failed us just as much. It’s a problem with no easy fix. BP needs a good streak, and bats have to stop failing after inning four.

Take a deep breath Mets, suit up, and die trying if you must, but Win! WIn! WIn!

By: krumbledkookie

krumbledkookie — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:32:37 +0000

I made it sound like Maine pitches from the pen, and obviously I know he does not. Just wanted to clarify before someone calls me out on it.

By: reyesnwright

reyesnwright — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:32:01 +0000

Normally I would agree with you but with as bad as our bullpen as been, I hardly consider it a waste. He would instantly become our best reliever outside of maybe Wagner if he even comes back 100%. Also, if we can get everyone on 4 days rest, 3 starters means you get Santana back on the mound sooner and him starting a game puts us in a much better position to win than Pelfrey starting a game, especially if Pelfrey is available to pitch in relief.