Note: Confusing Roster creates Confusing Play
Last night, in the 11th, Brian Stokes walked the lead-off hitter, who advanced to second on the following play when Angel Pagan and Carlos Beltran did not communicate on a pop up that dropped between them for a hit.
“I called that ball like six times,” Beltran explained to reporters, from his locker following the game. “That particular play right there, I 
have priority, so once I call that ball… if it was a different way, Pagan would have called that ball, and my job is to get out of the way. But, basically he stood in the middle and I couldn’t see the ball… He knows that when the center fielder calls for the ball, every one has to get out of the way.”
…not to mention, beltran has been playing two positions all season, basically in center field and left-center, since he needs to cover so much ground with Daniel Murphy and Gary Sheffield usually next to him… so, it’s understandable that he’d move in on pagan’s ball, because he’s been doing it all season and he’s totally capable… pagan needs to be aware… if you watch the video, carlos was clearly calling for that ball the entire way, yet pagan moved in on it then backed off at the absolute last second, spooking beltran who did the same… and so the ball dropped to the ground…
Later, Stokes got a weak pop up for one out, then got the desired hard ground ball to first, which could have been an inning-ending double play, but Reed, who is not necessarily a skilled first baseman, and who made a nice scoop, chucked the ball low, wide and past Ramon Castro, who was not yet in position to receive the throw, letting the winning run score.
“Everything happened so fast,” Reed told reporters after the game. “Maybe more than anything, I just tried to be a little too quick, tried to get two as opposed to one… I haven’t practiced that, but I should be able to do that… I pride myself on wherever he sticks me to be able to make plays.”
… nice… ‘i haven’t practiced that,’ he said,’ i.e., i am not a first baseman, i don’t know everything about the position, and i’m doing the best i can… and he’s right… up to the point, he’s looked quite good on defense at first base, or at least better than i expected… so, to expect him execute on every aspect of every play, like a Gold Glover, when it’s only his fifth start in the big leagues at first, is unrealistic…
…the problem here isn’t reed or pagan, specifically… the problem is a roster full of in-between players… the problem is injuries, and guys being forced to play in spots that a) they’re not used to playing, and b) their teammates are not used to them playing… and so, mistakes and confused play will happen… and, it’s starting to be a problem…
…Omar Minaya needs to get a grip on this roster, and give Jerry Manuel a more stable set of people to pull from…
