Daily Archives: September 21, 2009
The Braves defeated the Mets by the score of 11-3 tonight at Citi Field.
For a full recap and box score, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
This one was over early – Pat Misch allowed eight runs and seven hits in just 1 1/3 innings tonight, and was relieved by Lance Broadway who, basically left all of his pitches down Broadway, allowing three runs in just 1 2/3 innings of work.
Daniel Murphy hit his team leading 11th home run of the year in the fourth inning.
Chipper Jones did it to the Mets again tonight, tallying four RBI, three of which coming off of a three run home run off of Misch in the second inning.
Bobby Parnell made his first appearance since being knocked out by the Braves at Turner Field on September 16.
Despite the drubbing, the Braves didn’t have a hit after the third inning as the Mets bullpen pitched well tonight.
Other Observations and Notes:
The Mets’ opposition continues to not just hit home runs, but hit convincing home runs at Citi Field, proving that the dimensions are not the issue for the home team.
The Mets are 5-11 against Atlanta this season, and have been outscored 106-65 against the Braves this season.
Do these games feel like the ones that take place in early March? I mean, people were knitting in the Promenade.
Up Next:
The Mets continue their series against the Braves tomorrow night at Citi Field, with Nelson Figueroa facing Jair Jurrjens.
The Mets open a three game series tonight against the Braves at Citi Field.
Angel Pagan will lead off, followed in order by Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Daniel Murphy, Jeff Francoeur, Josh Thole, and Wilson Valdez.
Pat Misch (1-3, 4.21 ERA) will start for the Mets. Misch has had two consecutive disappointing outings against the Braves and the Marlins after three consecutive solid starts. On September 15 he allowed four earned runs and eight hits in just five innings against the Braves.
Derek Lowe (14-9, 4.53 ERA) will start for the Braves. Lowe’s pursuit of 200 innings pitched became more difficult after he left his last start against the Mets with a blister. He had allowed two earned runs before being removed after just two innings in a 6-5 win over the Mets.
I’ll be in Citi Field today, and plan to try something new…
In addition to making live updates from Twitter, which you can follow below, I will also be posting real-time video to YouTube, which will also appear in this post:
Tagged News |In 64 games with the Mets this season, Jeff Francoeur is batting .314 with a .342 OBP, seven HR and 34 RBI.
Following Saturday’s game, I wrote:
“Jerry Manuel explained to WFAN that Francoeur will require surgery on the ligament in his hand, because, while he can play, he runs the risk of being out ‘for an extended period of time,’ should he do something, like slide funny, and do additional damage.
If this is the case, why is he playing?”
…it really is confusing… unless, the Mets are trying to see as much of frenchy, in an effort to better determine where he fits in for 2010…
This past weekend, Jerry Manuel told reporters he has been impressed with Francoeur, saying, “He’s been a welcome addition.”
According to Manuel, “Francoeur should be a good piece moving forward.”
…he swings at more or less every pitch thrown to him, it seems… but, he puts the ball in play, and he usually does it with authority… so, if he’s batting sixth, and the rest of the lineup is in tact, his free-swinging style can work… he also plays a strong defense… he’s not the best defensive right fielder in the league, like Omar Minaya suggested in July, but he’s very, very good, and he has a serious arm, which is a huge benefit in that pinball-like gap in Citi Field… he also brings a positive, yet aggressive attitude to the clubhouse, and that should not be ignored by people who only notice his weak OBP…
For more on Francoeur, check out Sam Page’s post to Amazin Avenue.
Speaking of outfielders…
Mike Axisa of MLB Trade Rumors compares soon-to-be free-agent outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay.
Jon Heyman of SI.com believes Holliday will end up signing a seven-year, $120 million deal, while Bay will sign for five-years and $80 million.
Lastly, in the Chicago Tribune, Phil Rogers says the Rays will look to trade Carl Crawford or B.J. Upton, as they are “sold on OF Desmond Jennings.”
Tagged News |
According to my e-mail inbox, my own opinion, and feedback from Twitter, here are the candidates for the Mets 2009 MVP:
- David Wright, for hitting over .300 and playing more than 140 games, despite being hit in the head with a 94 mph.
- Danny Meyer, because of Shake Shack, Blue Smoke and the Tacquira.
- Luis Castillo, for hitting over .300 and playing in more than 140 games this season… plus, batting .337 with a .409 OBP in the 57 games since dropping a pop-up to lose game one of the Subway Series in June.
- Johan Santana, for going 13–9 with a 3.13 ERA in 25 starts, while striking out 146 batters in 166 innings, before ending his season in August to have elbow surgery, insuring he’ll be 100 percent for spring training.
- Mr. Met, for entertaining us for all 81 games.
- Pedro Feliciano, for having a 3.02 ERA, holding left-handed batters to a .227 average, and challenging the team’s record for appearances in a single season, which he set last season.
- Angel Pagan, for batting .315 with 32 extra base hits and 10 stolen bases in 65 games batting leadoff in place of Jose Reyes.
- The Fans, for supporting this team through 162 games.
Feel free to use stats, more stats, and even more stats, or use heart, entertainment value, ‘grit,’ or ‘edge,’ whatever you choose, and answer…
[poll id="299"]
Tagged News |In a video for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal does not list Jerry Manuel or Omar Minaya among those whose jobs could be in jeopardy this off season.
However, according to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, “There is a 
chance hitting coach Howard Johnson might unfairly take the fall for the Mets’ poor season.”
…that’s crazy… the Mets have the second-best team batting average in the National League, and the fourth-best in baseball… also, they’re in the top half in OBP and doubles… the problem is, they’re dead-last in home runs and in the bottom half in RBI… to me, that has nothing to do with hojo, and everything to do with how the roster was put together and fell apart…
…so, like i said last week, instead of firing hojo, let him keep doing what he’s doing, and get him a healthier lineup with some batters who can do more than hit singles…
Tagged News |
In a post to Twitter, SI.com’s Jon Heyman wonders if the Mets and Cubs will eventually discuss swapping Milton Bradley for Oliver Perez.
“How could it not,” asks Heyman, who can be found here on Twitter.
The Cubs suspended Bradley for the rest of the season yesterday, “for conduct detrimental to the organization,” according to the Chicago Tribune, who detail the player’s tumultuous week.
Bradley hit .321 last season for the Rangers, but is hitting .257 for the Cubs in 2009 with just 12 home runs compared to 22 home runs in 2008.
The 31–year-old Bradley is due $9 million next season and $12 million in 2011, after which he will be a free agent.
In a post to Twitter, Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record believes Bradley would hurt the Mets before spring training was over.
“Omar has to be smarter than that, or maybe not,” says Klapisch, who can be found on Twitter here.
…agreed, klap… i have no interest in bradley… i would much, much rather have Jeff Francoeur in right, Carlos Beltran in center, and Fernano Martinez in left, than bradley… i mean, it never ends will for bradley no matter where he plays… why would it be any different for the Mets…
…instead, i have had several fans e-mail me wondering if the Cubs would have interest in swapping perez for Carlos Zambrano… such a move would save the Cubs enough money to afford zambrano’s replacement, while also getting them a young left-handed pitcher with potential… meanwhile, the Mets would get a No. 2 pitcher, who, while a loose cannon due a ton of money, could bring a much-needed attitude to the pitching staff… the thing, zambrano is as much of a loose canon as bradley… others fans have suggested swapping Luis Castillo and perez for zambrano and bradley, which is drastic, scary and intriguing all at the same time… in other words, i expect a lot of Mets-Cubs rumors this Hot Stove season…
According to this video for FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are open to ‘anything and everything this off season.’
Speaking of starting pitchers…
Jon Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus believes the Marlins might look at trading Josh Johnson, who is still two years away from free agency.
Tagged News |In a report for ESPN.com, Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and staff from ESPN Insider look at the state of the Mets, determining what needs to be done, and, most importantly, what can be done this off season.
According to statistical-analysis from Baseball Prospectus, “Outside of Johan Santana, their most valuable pitchers have come from the bullpen, while their least valuable ones are those accumulating most of the innings while manning the rotation.”
Olney points out that only Fred and Jeff Wilpon, and their banker, know of the team’s true financial state.
However, “If they do have cash,” Olney writes, “the free agent who might be the most attractive and sensible target for the Mets would be John Lackey.”
…from what i can gather, lackey will be seeking a four– or five-year deal, much like Derek Lowe got last off season, worth roughly $16 million per season, though i am not sure the market will be so rewarding…
Tagged News |
According to Rob from Mets Merized, the Mets are putting together the perfect come-from-behind, underdog movie script for the future.
In a post to the Real Dirty, Gonzo explains why David Wright should be the team captain.
Mets Walkoffs continues its look at the 60 Most Memorable Home Runs in Mets history.
Andrew Cavagnaro of the Daily Stache asks, “Who’s the better GM? Steve Phillips or Omar Minaya?”
According to Coop, from My Summer Family, Carlos Delgado is a succubus.
Lastly, Greg of Faith and Fear in Flushing celebrates the Mets clinching fourth place over the Nationals.
Tagged News |
In a must-read report for the New York Post, Kevin Kernan writes about Jose Reyes and his leg injury, while wondering about the shortstop’s future.
“Jose is all about his legs,” an anonymous Mets player told Kernan. “If he doesn’t have his legs, he doesn’t have anything.”
According to Kernan, it’s a strong possibility Reyes will have to undergo surgery, yet ‘no one’ knows for sure if he will be ready next spring.
…in some ways, this is the definitive report for the 2009 Mets, as so much of what plagued the team this season is embodied in kernan’s story…
…if kernan is correct, and the Mets have questions about jose’s involvement next season, it’s just another reason why the team should push hard for Carl Crawford… the thing is, crawford does not provide the missing power in the lineup… i am not yet sure what the best path forward is, but crawford would provide additional speed at the top of the order – and would insure against any setbacks for reyes…
This weekend, Jerry Manuel said, “Jose Reyes,” when asked to name the most difficult player to have lost this season, “No doubt about it.”
…manuel actually stumbled a bit, seemingly confused and depressed while answering because of all the ups and downs during injury, pointing out how reyes was supposed to be back at the All-Star break, then he was supposed to be back in August, and yet, today, there is still no real clarification… manuel did say, however, he would have no problem if reyes wanted to play Winter Ball, so to be 100–percent ready for spring training…
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