Monthly Archives: September 2009
Jose Reyes now has a torn right hamstring, which occurred while running the bases in New York earlier in the week, in addition to the torn tendon behind his right knee, the team told reporters following today’s game.
…the team has not said whether he’ll have surgery, but, at this point, that seems inevitable…
…i feel badly for jose… i do… thanks to loud mouths on talk radio, i think some fans believe reyes is lazy, or doesn’t want to return from the disabled list… this is not the case, from what i can tell… instead, i understand from people connected to him and the team, he is simply paranoid and apprehensive for fear of making matters worse… i guess he had every right to worry, because, apparently, he tore the hamstring while testing it earlier in the week in New York…
…next season is a huge deal for jose, since, if he misses time and struggles, there is a chance the Mets do not pick up his option, making him a free agent… his next contract is supposed to be when he signs his first mega deal on the open market, i.e., a five– or seven-year deal… so, now, instead of increasing his value, pushing him from a $10 million player to a $15 million player, he’ll be playing next season to prove he’s simply healthy… and if he isn’t, who knows what his future will hold… and so, i can totally understand him being nervous and unsettled, which i fear is being misinterpreted by some people as a lack of desire…
Tagged News |Following today’s loss, Francisco Rodriguez addressed Mets fans, saying:
“To all those fans out there watching that poor effort today, I apologize. I’m
really embarrassed. I just have to suck it up and keep working hard and make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Rodriguez was asked if the lack of work this season has led to his recent struggles, to which he said, “No, if I suck I suck, I don’t make excuses.”
For what it’s worth, Rodriguez has just eight less appearances this season compared to his total from last year – and just three less appearances this August and September compared to the same two months in 2008.
Tagged News |
The Mets (67–92) lost to the Nationals (55–103) by the score of 7 to 4 in Washington DC today.
The Least You Should Know:
Down two runs to the Mets, the Nationals sent seven hitters to the plate in the ninth inning against Francisco Rodriguez, who walked in one run and then surrender a walk-off, game-winning grand slam to Justin Maxwell.
Tim Redding continued his September success, giving up just one run and four hits in six innings.
The Mets scored an early two runs in the second, thanks to a lead-off walk from Carlos Beltran, followed by a double from Jeff Francoeur, a sac-fly by Fernando Tatis and single from Omir Santos.
The top of the Mets batting order was a combined 0 for 16, while the heart of the order went 7 for 14 with all three RBI.
Misc., Etc., and Other Observations:
This was one of the worst-played defensive games I have seen in a long while, yet, looking at the boxscore, you’d never know it. The most significant error was in the ninth inning, when, with the Mets up two runs and K-Rod on the mound, Wilson Valdez bobbled a lead-off ground ball hit directly at him, double-clutched the throw and the runner was safe… up two runs, in the ninth inning. Naturally, it started a tumultuous inning, during which, with the tying run on third base, SNY’s Keith Hernandez moaned on air, ‘Lord have mercy.’
Rodriguez tossed 40 pitches in the ninth inning, and looked beyond pissed off following the walk-off grand slam. I don’t blame him, though, while I realize Valdez made the initial error, he had five other chances to get two batters out and end the game and he didn’t.
I am concerned about Rodriguez, who has not looked dominant and in command since the middle of July. I don’t know, maybe it’s the lack of pressure-packed situations, or meaningful baseball, but, he doesn’t look right. I mean, dude, what’s with all the breaking pitches?
The Mets are 3–0 in Redding’s last three starts, during which he has a 2.84 ERA… he has a 3.23 ERA in six starts this September.
In total, the Mets made two errors while the Nationals made three.
Pedro Feliciano broke his own franchise record with his 87th appearance of the season… This is impressive, but it also speaks to how the Mets have no other alternative to pitch to left-handed batters.
Frankly, the Mets should be ashamed of themselves for the way they are playing down the stretch, when they should all be looking to prove their worth, including the manager, third baseman and everyone else.
Who Said What on Twitter:
@FakeFredWilpon: Each game worn jersey will come w/ the disclaimer that the Mets are not responsible for any injuries incurred by the wearer.
@SteffieB83: Keith said Fundies :) chug ur beer.
@MetsWFAN: Oh good, the obligatory eighth inning error.
@ChrisCarlinSNY: The errors between these two teams the last few days are bordering on mind-boggling.
@Shoffee_Joe: Kinda makes ya long for the good ole days, when blowing one like that in September really meant something.
@KBurkhardtSNY: There are no more words left to describe this mess.
What’s Next for the Mets:
The Mets are off tomorrow, then return to Citi Field on Friday for their final series of the season, taking on the Astros at 7 pm.
Tagged News |
Update, 2:45 pm:
Jerry Manuel told reporters Jose Reyes felt discomfort while running yesterday, and will be re-examined today.
Manuel believes the team and Reyes will make a decision regarding surgery as soon as tomorrow, though a team spokesman quickly dismissed that any such timetable exists.
…ugh… get ready to mull over endless talk about why reyes didn’t have surgery months ago, and, because of the delay, how he now might not be ready for Opening Day… again, ugh…
To hear more from Manuel, tune in to SNY’s Pre Game Live at 6:30 pm.
Original Post:
The Mets (67-91) face the Nationals (54-103) today at 4:35 pm, for the final time this season, in Washington DC, with Tim Redding (3–6, 5.29 ERA) taking on John Lannan (9–13, 3.93 ERA).
Angel Pagan will hit leadoff for the Mets and start in left field, followed in order by Anderson Hernandez at second base, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Jeff Francoeur, Fernando Tatis at first base, Omir Santos behind the plate, Wilson Valdez and Redding.
Lannan has a 0.36 ERA in three starts against the Mets this season, including two complete games.
Redding is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against Washington this year. He has a 3.75 ERA in five starts this September.
Tagged News |I am not convinced Jerry Manuel will back as Mets manager in 2010.
Yes, I believe the team is leaning towards bringing him back.
However, from what I can tell, he has not done himself any favors with what he’s been saying, and how the team has been playing, since the Mets were officially eliminated on September 14 – 
during which they have since gone 4–10, dropping to 90 losses for the first time since 2004.
In a recent report for Newsday, David Lennon said Omar Minaya, Manuel and ownership will meet on tomorrow’s off day to discuss the team’s coaching staff.
However, from what I can tell, the Mets are not so much asking Manuel and Minaya, ‘How are you going to fix this mess,’ so much as they’re asking, ‘How are you going to fix this mess,’ in an effort to learn why these two men should remain at the helm.
In the end, I bet they’re both on board for at least the start of next season – though I disagree, and think this is a shortsighted approach.
The thing is, the team’s top decision-makers know the Mets were 55–37 under Manuel during 2008, and were 21–16 and in first place this season on May 17, the day Jose Reyes first reported pain in his calf… and it was all downhill from there, as the Mets suffered one injury and one loss after another.
So, I understand the team wanting to give Manuel the benefit of the doubt, thinking: had his best players not been hurt, had they all been healthy for 162 games, he and his players would have continued to build upon that 21–16 record and today could be making plans for post-season baseball.
Doing your best to not be emotional about it, instead considering the massive number of injuries, expectations, individual skills, etc…
[poll id="302"]
Tagged News |
Nick Evans, who is 25 years old and on a team with 91 losses, and who has not played in more than a week, has just 20 at bats since being added to the roster 37 days ago.
Evans hit .259 between June 30 and July 7, a stretch in which he started all seven games – he was then demoted three days later.
In a report for MLB.com, Jerry Manuel said of Evans and playing time:
“We are in a situation where we are somewhat forced to bring people up, probably quicker than we would have liked… and he is probably one of those guys that we probably pushed a little too early, and then when you do that it appears that his stock has fallen, but it hasn’t.”
…so, the Mets had no choice but to call up evans because of the injuries, and jerry thinks he has struggled because of being pushed… but, how better to increase his stock price than to play him every day so he can re-gain his confidence and let everyone know what he’s about, including his own team… i mean, doesn’t his value also go down sitting idle on a team in fourth place…
… 25 years old… 91 losses… 20 at bats in 37 days… i don’t get it…
Tagged News |According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, the Mets are likely to re-sign Alex Cora to be their back-up middle infielder.
Cora, who had season-ending surgery on both of his thumbs, hit .251 with a .320 OBP in 82 games for the Mets this season.
… he didn’t have a sensational season, but, i believe he is the type of player who fans are unable to judge, because his true value may be in the clubhouse, and on the bench, not on the field… so, i can handle him being re-signed…
…the thing is, omar, please, do not pull a Marlon Anderson, or a Julio Franco, and box yourself in to a corner by giving him an unnecessary, two-year deal, because you felt you had to overpay to keep him… he’s valuable, but he’s not that valuable…
Cora hit .417 in 16 plate appearances as a pinch hitter this season, while batting .243 in the 67 games that he started.
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Tagged News |OF Lucas Duda and SS Reese Havens will join 1B Ike Davis, RHP Jenrry Mejia, SS Ruben Tejada, RHP Scott Moviel, LHP Eric Niesen 
and RHP Josh Stinson as Mets representatives in the Arizona Fall League this season.
Havens, who made 21 errors in 97 games at shortstop, hit .247 with a .361 OBP in 97 games with Single-A St. Lucie, where he finished sixth in the Florida State League with 14 home runs.
…when he was drafted, there was talk among people who follow the minor leagues that havens might eventually switch to catcher or second base… but, so far, he has stayed at shortstop… if and when he switches to second, he will immediately become their top prospect at that position, i would think…
To learn why Duda may have been chosen to play over OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who hit .406 with one home run in eight quick games at Double-A, check out Toby Hyde’s post on Mets Minor League Blog.
Tagged News |Mike Pelfrey will not pitch again this season, according to Jerry Manuel, who told reporters yesterday the pitcher will now have time to reflect on the season, “what was good and what he went through.”
… i think this is one of the seasons for pelfrey, in which he might have taken one step back so he can take two steps forward…
Pelfrey ends the season 10–12 with a 5.03 ERA, compared to going 13–11 with a 3.72 ERA last season.
Pelfrey and Jon Niese were on a pre-season list of red-flagged pitchers by Tom Verducci of SI.com, who said both pitchers could 
be prone to a poor season in 2009 due to the number of innings pitched in 2008, a.k.a. ‘The Year-After Effect.’
…that said, he was pitching in front of a terrible, ever-changing, often-out-of-place defense… also, he seemed to get more ground balls than in previous seasons, and that is important for him to be effective… the problem was his walks, and putting himself in a position to fail, which is something no pitcher should do with that sort of defense behind him… i mean, because he was striking out more batters and getting more ground balls than in previous season, had he had a better defense up the middle, i.e., Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and anyone better than Luis Castillo, i bet he would have allowed less runs and put up much better stats…
…i still believe in pelfrey, who is under contract and not eligible to be a free agent until after 2012… if he learns to stop getting in to fights with himself on the mound, if he can learn to command his fastball better, keep getting ground balls, and learn to feel his way through an at bat, i.e., know how to pitch front to back, not just what pitch to throw; i think he’ll be fine… next season is huge for mike, since he now has 80 career starts – meaning the time to turn the corner is quickly approaching, if it isn’t here already… this season’s perceived hiccup is understandable… but, it’s time for him to get it together…
…have a good off season, mike… happy thinking…
[poll id="301"]
…i will posting other players to vote on throughout the day…
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