Daily Archives: May 19, 2009
Tonight’s Game:
The Mets (21-17, 9-9 Road) continue their three-game series versus the Dodgers (27-13, 15-3 Home) tonight at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, starting at 10:10 p.m. EDT.
On The Mound:
- RHP John Maine (3-2, 4.24 ERA) starts for the Mets.
- RHP Chad Billingsley (5-1, 2.30 ERA) takes the hill for the Dodgers.
The Lineup:
- Jose Reyes, SS
- Daniel Murphy, LF
- Carlos Beltran, CF
- David Wright, 3B
- Ryan Church, RF
- Ramon Martinez, 2B
- Jeremy Reed, 1B
- Omir Santos, C
- John Maine, P
Random Thoughts:
- I know Jerry Manuel is trying to piece together his roster and Fernando Tatis isn’t hitting well of late, but to see Reed continue to man first and get meaningful at-bats is beyond frustrating.
Tonight’s Broadcast:
- Tonight’s broadcast can be seen locally on SNY and heard on WFAN.
Jose Reyes will return to the lineup, bat leadoff and play shortstop tonight in Los Angeles.
Daniel Murphy will bat second and start in left field, followed in order by Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Ryan Church in right field, Ramon Martinez at second base, Jeremy Reed at first and Omir Santos at catcher, with John Maine on the mound.
…i feel a renewed sense of confidence with jose in the lineup, and i am not totally sure why… go jose, go…
Justin M sent in an e-mail asking:
Yesterday, Matthew Cerrone wrote, ‘I know it’s a big blow in terms of statistical production, but I am not that worried or disappointed to see Delgado out of the lineup. In fact, I bet David Wright, Jose Reyes, Daniel Murphy and others end up creating a different identity for this ballclub, in the absence
of Delgado’s big-time presence.’ What does that mean?
In today’s Bergen Record, Bob Klapisch put it best, writing:
“Ever since David Wright’s first nuclear season in 2005… the Mets knew they’d been blessed with a future superstar… Mex was guru of the ’80s, and to a lesser extent Mike Piazza filled that void in late ’90s… Now it’s Wright’s turn - ready or not… Delgado is/was an adequate defender, nothing more. And his presence in the clubhouse is/was neutral at best. This isn’t to say the Mets won’t miss Delgado… But the Mets have enough talent on the roster to avert another choke job, assuming a leader emerges. That person, of course, is Wright, who at 25 finally is showing signs of becoming a latter-day Hernandez.”
Like I wrote a few weeks ago, I still believe the Mets should build around Wright, Jose Reyes, Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana, finding younger, ‘grittier,’ tough players to support them and follow their lead.
Today, the overall team is more like Delgado and Carlos Beltran, i.e., quiet, even-keel, all business, big-name, veteran-type professionals.
Instead, I’d like to see a tougher, quick, aggressive, younger, defensive-minded, maybe even cocky, group of role players put around Wright and Reyes, who, when at their best, embody this swagger and sensibility.
This is not to say the current 25–man roster is incapable of winning. It’s just, like I have said before, most things being equal, I bet I would have more fun watching the above scenario… and removing Delgado and his big-time presence from the clubhouse will free Wright and Reyes to take on a larger leadership role, reshape the character and identity of this team.
Mets GM Omar Minaya will hold a conference call with reporters today at 4 pm, which will air live on SNY.
Update, 4:04 pm:
Minaya is confident in his team’s doctors who say Delgado can return to the lineup in 10 weeks, though that will obviously all depend on how his rehab goes.
He says he is confident his current group of players, who can play first base, namely Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis, will be able to handle the position in Delgado’s absence.
Update, 4:09 pm:
Minaya said he is always involved in talks with other players, regarding all positions, whether first base, pitching or another position.
Payroll will not be an obstacle, Minaya explained, should an attractive trade become a possibility.
He believes Gary Sheffield will show improvement as a productive, middle-of-the-order hitter as he gets more at bats, Minaya explained.
Update, 4:12 pm:
“I always thought that Murphy is a guy we would have to consider as a first base down the line,” Minaya said.
He does not see much risk in using Murphy and Tatis at first base, who he believes can be full-time players, noting that Reed is equally valuable as a defensive replacement in the outfield.
Update, 4:13 pm:
“I do anticipate Delgado being back, but we have to plan for everything,” Minaya said, when asked if Delgado will return in 2009.
Minaya does not know how long the team will be without Alex Cora.
Update, 4:14 pm:
Minaya believes Jose Reyes is getting better, according to reports from doctors. Minaya said if it was September, Reyes would be in the lineup.
Update, 4:19 pm:
Delgado will be back, Minaya said again, adding, “The question is, how strong will he be when he gets back.”
The conference call is over.
Tagged Omar Minaya, SNY |Here is the latest New York Baseball Today, during which I talk with Sam Borden of the Journal News and SNY.TV about the stat of the day, Batting Average Against, and how it pertains to tonight’s Mets and Yankees games:
The most common question e-mailed to me today is in regards to first 
base, and what the Mets should do now that Carlos Delgado is likely to miss the bulk of the season.
First, the Mets need to play Daniel Murphy at first base tonight, like Manuel suggested he might do during this road trip.
The thing is, following last night’s defensive debacle, I bet Manuel starts Fernando Tatis at first instead, just to give the infield a better footing.
I mean, how will Omar Minaya know if he should acquire a first baseman or corner outfielder if Murphy remains a mystery.
I don’t think Manuel is benching Murphy, or forgetting about him, I just think it’s a byproduct of a roster in flux. From what I can gather, Manuel started by giving Murphy rest to clear his head, but is now struggling to find him a spot in the lineup given all the injuries and the need for top defense while playing a more left-handed or right-handed dominant lineup, and Murphy is getting boxed out.
I do believe the Mets will eventually make a deal, but I have no idea which way they’ll go – nor do I have a preference.
The plan, I believe, is to see what the current roster is capable of, since Jerry Manuel typically works well with facilitating platoons.
However, following last night’s game, I would not be surprised if other 
GMs begin contacting the Mets, thinking Minaya could be getting desperate to take action.
The easy get is probably Nationals 1B Nick Johnson, who would not cost a ton of talent in return.
Johnson is a hard-nosed, tough player, who knows New York, he is good with reporters, he’s batting .336 with nine extra base hits in a big ballpark, he plays a terrific first base, he’s a left-handed hitter, he knows the division, and he walks as often as he strikes out. Yes, I like Johnson. He’s a perfect solution, except that he has a long, looong history of injuries – and if Minaya replaces Delgado, it is quite possible he has to replace Johnson before the season is over too.
Johnson is a free agent at the end of this season, as is O’s 1B-OF Aubrey Huff, who could also make for a good solution.
I wonder if the Mets can package Ryan Church, a pitching prospect and/or a position prospect for a left fielder for a first baseman, like a Matt Holliday or Jermaine Dye, while leaving Murphy in left field? It would be more difficult to trade Church to a team who is giving up a corner outfielder – unless it is a player like Jermaine Dye, I suppose. But, who knows?
In other words, I believe Minaya will first look to see how Manuel works in Murphy, Jeremy Reed and Fernando Tatis at first base, and see how the lineup functions. Then, once he has a read on the lineup, and a better grip on Delgado’s rehab, they’ll determine who is available in the market place, and then decide if it’s worth it to make a trade for a big name player, like Holliday, or a stop-gap, like Johnson.
According to a team press release, Carlos Delgado underwent successful hip surgery today.
The team estimates Delgado will be out for approximately 10 weeks.
Jose Reyes missed his fifth straight start last night.
Prior to the game, though he has swelling in both the right knee and calf, he told reporters he will not go on the disabled list.
Reyes will test himself on field before today’s game, and, according to Jerry Manuel, ‘He should be ready to go from here on out.’
…whatever… when he’s in the lineup, i’ll believe he’s ready…
…until then, i will continue to expect the worst…
Tailwaiters is throwing a Memorial Day Pre-Game BBQ at the Holiday Inn near Citi Field before the Mets face the Nationals.
Here is the information, which you can learn more about here:
- Where: The Holiday Inn at Citi Field is a short five minute walk from the ballpark, located at 37-10 114th Street, Corona.
- What: For $30, enjoy unlimited hamburgers and hot dogs, beer, music, and the company of fellow Mets fans. The Tailwaiters are transforming the pool deck of the Holiday Inn into the ultimate Mets tailgate party.
- When: Monday, May 25, 4:30 pm
Derek Lowe was good on Monday, but Jason Marquis was just a little bit better, as the Colorado Rockies defeated the Atlanta Braves, 5-1.
Lowe, looking for his 5th straight win, gave up just 2 runs on 3 hits over 8 strong innings. Marquis, however, allowed only one run on 5 hits over the same span.
Colorado’s Dexter Fowler had the game’s lone extra base hit, a double.
The two clubs resume their 4 game series on Tuesday in Atlanta with Jair Jurrjens going for the Braves and Jason Hammel for the Rockies.
Ross Detwiler gave Washington a solid start (5IP, 4H, 2ER, 0 BB, 6K) in his Major League debut, but once again the bullpen collapsed, and the Pirates scored 9 runs over the last 4 innings to knock off the Nationals, 12-7.
Five Washington relievers combined to give up 9 runs on 8 hits and 4 walks after taking over for Detwiler.
Nick Johnson led the Nationals offense with a home run, 3 walks, 3 RBI, and 2 runs.
The Marlins and Diamondbacks were rained out in Florida and will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday.
There’s a full slate of games on tap Tuesday with the Phillies in Cincinnati, Florida hosting Arizona, the Nationals at home against the Pirates, and the Braves taking on the Rockies at Turner Field.
In other news…Atlanta’s Tom Glavine is scheduled to pitch a minor league rehabilitation game on Saturday in Class AAA Gwinnett.
Philadelphia left fielder Raul Ibanez was named the National League Player of the Week. Ibanez hit .481 with a slugging percentage of .963. He also hit 4 home runs, had 12 RBI, and scored 9 runs.
And finally…Washington manager Manny Acta announced on Monday that Joel Hanrahan will return as the team’s closer.
…Poor Nats fans. Hanrahan only gave up 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in an inning of work on Monday.
For more news, notes, analysis and statistics from around Major League Baseball, be sure to visit Baseball Daily Digest.
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