Daily Archives: September 4, 2008
In a chat for ESPN.com, Baseball America’s Jim Callis writes that, as of now, Mets 17-year-old OF Wilmer Flores is the organization’s top prospect, ahead of Fernando Martinez.
In 66 combined games this season with Kingsport, Brooklyn and Savannah, Flores hit .315 with 8 HR and 42 RBI, whiles striking out 34 times in 273 at-bats.
In an injury-plagued season, playing only 86 games for Double-A Binghamton, Martinez hit .287 with 8 HR and 43 RBI, whiles striking out 73 times in 352 at-bats.
…it’s hard to comment on players you’ve never seen, but based on reports and production, the proclaimed ‘Teenage Hitting Machine’ has not lived up to his hyperbolic potential during his time in the Mets minor league system…granted he has unfortunately seen his share of injuries in the last couple years and may be a victim of his own hype…
For more on the Mets Minor League system, check out Toby Hyde’s excellent Mets Minor League Blog.
Tagged Mike Nichols, Minors, Wilmer Flores |
Pat Burrell gets the nomination as the offensive goat during the Phillies 3-5 slide. While Utley and Howard smack the ball, Burrell went 6 for 31 with one walk and ten strikeouts.
The up-side of being a fan of a bad team is that the team might lower ticket prices. The Nationals announced that 7500 seats will be available for season ticket purchases at a lower price in 2009.
Tonight’s starter for the Braves, Jo-Jo Reyes, lost his control after June. He walked 26 in 69 1/3 innings in May and June, 21 in 29 innings since.
Joe Nelson is emerging as the Marlins replacement closer. His high strikeout total, low walks, and only three home runs allowed in 42 2/3 innings makes him an ideal candidate.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
At his blog for the Buffalo News, Mike Harrington reports on the recent speculation on the possible move of the Mets Triple-A affiliate to western New York.
Harrington quotes New York Senator Charles Schumer as saying the Mets will be non-renewing their contract with New Orleans and move to either Syracuse or Buffalo.
…i hope the Mets make the move to western new york, as that would put them back in the international league where they belong…
Tagged Mike Nichols, Minors |The Mets begin their recently-concluded eight-game road trip by blowing a seven-run lead to the Phillies, but rebounded to win six of their next seven games, including a sweep of the Brewers.
As such, in addition to leading the NL East by three games in the loss column, the Mets now essentially trail the Brewers by just two losses in the Wild Card race.
Jerry Manuel, speaking to reporters following yesterday’s win, regarding the team’s recently concluded road trip:
“These guys have shown they can rebound from tough losses and things like that. It seems like a tough loss seems to propel us or catapult us to another level. I ‘m very happy for them, and excited for them…It’s very encouraging to come in here and take three games. It brings everybody back. It brings the Cubs a little closer, it brings Milwaukee a little closer and adds that scenario to make the playoffs.”
It’s been an interesting turnaround for this team since June 17. What once was a lifeless team that never showed any fight has turned into a team that thrives when the chips are down.
I mean, I’ve never seen so many brutal losses as I have this season, but time and time again under Jerry Manuel, the Mets have shown the ability to be resilient. Something they were not capable of in the final months of Willie Randolph’s tenure.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
To watch Friday’s edition of 
New York Baseball Today, during which The Bullpen talks about Brian Cashman’s future with the Yankees and who should be playing second base for the Mets, click play below:
To submit a question for tomorrow’s New York Baseball Today, send an e-mail to baseball@sny.tv.
Tagged SNY |
The Mets bullpen has not allowed a run in it’s last four appearances, spanning 15 innings.
Duaner Sanchez, as quoted by David Lennon in Newsday:
“A lot of people have been talking about the bullpen, the bullpen, the bullpen. Listen, everybody goes through tough times…Go and look at the record since Billy left. If it’s a losing record, then we can talk about it. If not, we have nothing to talk about – simple as that. I know what we can do and we never lost the confidence that we can do it.”
As Lennon points out, the Mets are 21–9 since Wagner was put on the disabled list.
Lew recently asked the following question in the comment’s section of this site:
“How come every time I look at an article or comment the past two weeks Tony Bernazard’s name is in it?”
Bernazard is the Vice President of Development for the Mets and serves under Omar Minaya.
Minaya does not travel with the team on every trip.
In fact, the high-ranking official slot tends to rotate from trip to trip, sometimes it is Minaya, sometimes it is John Ricco, and other times, like in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, it is Bernazard.
Speaking of Bernazard, he had the following to say about the impressive second half from Carlos Delgado, as quoted by John Harper in the Daily News:
“The other thing is that, maybe it has something to do with the new people running the team…You have to have the pulse of the team. You have to be prepared and you have to communicate with your players. Jerry does all of that…Delgado is such a student of the game. If you’re running a good game, he knows. When you’re running a bad game, he knows.”
…way to be subtle, tony…
In the article, which is a ‘must read,’ Delgado insists that he did not have a problem with Willie Randolph, although, as Harper writes, ‘he did acknowledge that the post-firing atmosphere under Manuel has been good for everyone.’
…from what i can gather, delgado’s turn-around may have less to do with his opinion and emotional reaction to willie, and most everything to do with how Jerry Manuel communicates and challenges delgado, and solicited his help in the team’s fight…either way, it’s working…
Tagged Tony Bernazard |According to multiple reports, ‘Pedro Martinez threw from flat ground yesterday.’
On Sunday, Martinez left the team to work on his ‘flexibility’ in New York with his personal trainer Chris Correnti, after having difficultly getting ‘warm’ before and during his last start.
Tony Bernazard and Jerry Manuel both told reporters that the team still expects Martinez to start Saturday afternoon against the Phillies.
Manuel also stated that he will not – under any circumstance – flip Martinez and Johan Santana this weekend, to give Martinez an extra day off.
For what it’s worth, since Martinez joined the Mets, according to this site’s archives, I have written, ‘Martinez threw from flat ground,’ on seven different occasions.
Tagged Pedro Martinez |
Jose Reyes is now tied with Mookie Wilson for the most stolen bases in team history.
By the way, Reyes took over the club record for triples from Wilson on July 20.
Reyes is on pace to hit roughly .300, with 15 home runs, 70 RBI, 15 triples, 40 doubles, 115 runs scored and 60 stolen bases.
As you may recall from 2006, the last shortstop to hit .300 with 50 stolen bases, 20 doubles, 15 triples and 10 home runs was Honus Wagner in 1908 for the Pirates.
Ryan Church hit his second career grand slam yesterday, and his first home run since returning from the disabled list in late August.
Church, regarding his offense, while speaking with reporters following yesterday’s win against the Brewers:
“I’m starting to get my stroke back…I was telling guys earlier this week that it definitely feels like a second spring training for me. It’s a process, and things are going to finally start coming…It’s been a hectic year…It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. I’m a big believer in that and hopefully that’s what continues to happen.”
In 12 games since returning from the disabled list, Church is batting .243 with one home run, seven RBI and three doubles.
Tagged Ryan Church |
