Daily Archives: September 16, 2008
According to Ken Davidoff in Newsday, citing 
‘one person informed of the team’s thinking,’ do not expect the Mets to sign Francisco Rodriguez when he becomes a free agent this off-season.
Davidoff also reports that the Mets are also likely to pass on Rockies reliever Brian Fuentes, who will be a free agent as well, “Instead, they intend to be creative with their closer role.”
Yesterday, John Maine told reporters that he would be open to being the team’s closer next season, if he were asked, though he 
would prefer to remain a starting pitcher.
However, according to the Daily News and the Star-Ledger, GM Omar Minaya later told reporters that he’s not considering Maine for closer in 2009.
Nevertheless, if Maine is put in to such a role this season, he joked with reporters yesterday saying he will use Posse on Broadway by Sir Mix-A-Lot as his theme song.
In case you missed it, Damion Easley‘s MRI exam revealed a strained right quadriceps muscle.
Jerry Manuel told WFAN prior to last night’s game that Easley’s quad muscle is still ‘tender,’ and he will likely remain unavailable until the weekend.
Easley told reporters that he hopes to take batting practice later this week.
For what it’s worth, the Mets are 5–4 in games started by Luis Castillo since he returned from the disabled list in late August, during which he is batting .200.
Last night, the Mets could only manage one hit against Nationals starting pitcher John Lannan.
It’s easy to blame the bullpen, and blame Pedro Martinez, for last night’s loss, but, in reality, last night sits squarely on the offense, who made Lannan look like a Cy Young winner.
In a critical at bat in the eighth inning, with the bases loaded, one out and the Mets down by five, David Wright hit in to an inning-ending double play.
Wright is just 3 for 16 with the bases loaded, and batting .244 with runners in scoring position.
Wright, speaking to reporters following the game, said:
“We’ve just got to forget about this one. There’s no panic. We know what’s at stake. We’re in the middle of a playoff push and we’re going to have bumps in the road. This is a time when we’ve got to keep them at a minimum. We can’t allow them to carry over into the next couple of games.”
Wright better be careful, especially with his post-game comments, as, from what I can tell listening to other fans, he is walking dangerously close to being portrayed like Alex Rodriguez, i.e., a fat stat line, but no big hits.
Jerry Manuel may need to start pushing the envelope a bit more, running Jose Reyes more, using more motion, get Daniel Murphy back in the lineup, consider sitting Ryan Church, and ditch Luis Castillo, among other things.
Because this team’s hitters have got to start scoring runs, or else the bullpen will continually be put in a position to fail.
Last night, Duaner Sanchez entered the game with two outs and nobody on base, yet let three runs score in the seventh inning, ‘essentially putting the game away.’
Prior to Sanchez, Ricardo Rincon retired the only two hitters he faced. Following Sanchez, rookie RHP Robert Parnell retired all three batters he faced getting two ground outs and pop up.
I try to not hold Jerry Manuel responsible when the bullpen does well, nor when it does bad. The bullpen is what it is, and, like my Grandmother used to say, “It’s hard to blame the shooter when the gun is out of bullets.”
That said, while I understand mid-September is probably not the best time to hold an open audition, I would like to see 
Manuel give the ball to Rincon, Parnell and Al Reyes a bit more. I just don’t see how they could be any worse than what Sanchez has been, or when compared to the downside of Aaron Heilman, among others.
For all his inexperience, Parnell at least threw strikes and needed just eight pitches to get through three batters. For all we know, he could be exactly what Manuel has been searching for.
Tagged Robert Parnell |I removed the Magic Number, because a) it is essentially meaningless when up a half-game in the standings with 13 games left, and b) because I can no longer waste hours upon hours 
of my day dealing with e-mails like the this:
“SO U PUT UP THE STUPID @#$%& MAGIC NUMBER AGEIN AND WHAT HAPPENS METS BLOW 2 @#$%& GAMES ONE IN THE 8TH NOW IN THE 9TH THE FANS VOTED NOT TO DO IT AND U JUST DON’T GIVE A FLYING @#$%& YOUR A COMPLETE @#$%& I HOPE THEY DON’T MAKE THE @#$%& PLAYOFFS SO U CAN LIVE WITH IT FOREVER YOUR NO BETTER THEN BARTMAN U CAN TAKE YOUR @#$%& WEBSITE AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR @#$%&.”
I know, and you thought I was a bad speller.
Anyway, I do not believe in jinxes. I do, however, believe in hard work and getting things done during the day, which has been nearly impossible when having to field e-mails like the above over and over and over again.
So, while I realize that the majority of this site’s readers wanted the Magic Number to be posted, my inbox needs break.
I hope you understand.
In his last night’s loss to the Nationals, 
Pedro Martinez let up four runs, eight hits and four walks in six innings pitched.
The Mets are 7–11 in his 18 starts this season, during which he thrown just five quality starts and a 5.47 ERA.
…what’s most frustrating, is that his starts are a painful slow-burn…inning by inning, he has not been that bad…but, i can just sense the walls closing in on him and the game…i blink, and he’s let up four or five runs…it feels like the same script every time…
…in short, he’s been average…that’s all…just average…
Martinez, regarding his start against the last-place Nationals, who are the worst-hitting team in baseball, said:
“I had a little trouble with the mound. There is such a huge difference between the mound and the bullpen here. The mound is stiff. I had a little hard time adjusting in the first hitter. I don’t remember the last time I walked the first hitter on four pitches. I actually felt better after that…I gave it a try today, I didn’t have command of all of my pitches. They were pretty intense out there.”
…you know what, i know he’s older, and may or may not be healthy, but i am so sick and tired of the excuses from pedro…
…i have been listening to this same record for years, with him…
…i do not discount the significant role he played in bringing credibility back to the Mets, and potentially opening the door for players like Carlos Beltran and Johan Santana, but, jeeez, at some point, it would be nice to see him actually contribute on the mound…and not just from the public relations office…
Later, despite the loss, and his run-of-the-mill comments about his performance, he spent several minutes talking about Jorge Posada’s remarks on YES’s Centerstage regarding him, their fight and the 2003 ALCS.
For more on Martinez’s statement, check out the Bergen Record and the New York Post.
…ummm, hello, pedro…it’s 2008…you’re on the Mets…and you’re in the middle of a pretty serious pennant race…
…seriously, i am so disappointed in him…i was 
a huge fan of the Pedro Martinez from the 90s, i.e., the strong, confident, no-nonsense, focused, entertaining, electric competitor, who never backed down in any situation…not this version, a man full of excuses, aches and pains…
…where is that look in his eyes, or, as Survivor might say, ‘The Eye of the Tiger.’…
…i really hope the old version of pedro can make at least one more appearance in his dimming career, because, at this point, i think he owes it to you, me and the team…if for no other reason then, with the way things are going, i believe he’ll be needed…
Tagged Pedro Martinez |
To watch 
‘s exclusive Post Game Extra, hosted by Gary, Keith and Ron, including low-lights and quotes from last night’s loss to the Nationals, click play below:
