Benje309

Matthew Cerrone: Do not change your team, Benje.  My wife and I agree that the Mets and Yankees are not necessarily rivals.  She, like me, sees no on-field threat, so long as the teams are in separate leagues.  So, the Yankees success does not impact me, and the Mets success does not impact her.  Sure, it was difficult in 2000, no question.  I don’t think we talked the entire Subway Series.  Today, however, we just sort of ignore the fact that the other team exists, while rooting for one another’s individual happiness.  That said, if I see her watching a Yankees game, and she claps in excitement, I get a bit irritated.  I can’t help it.  But, the dynamic of the Mets fan to the Yankees fan is a lot different than that of the Yankees fan to the Mets fan, it seems.

Mike

Matthew Cerrone: I started MetsBlog.com in 2003, so I have blogged at this same rate about Art Howe, Kaz Matsui and even Jeff Duncan.  That said, this has been a particularly exhausting season, mostly because of the drama.

The game, the players, the on-field moments, the injuries, etc., that’s easy to blog about because I love baseball.  However, the Soap Opera that circles above this organization like a buzzard has seemingly grown in volume over the last few years – whether it’s sing-a-longs or beat writers lobbying for jobs or where to the put Apple or 3 a.m. firings, among other things.  I blame me, and the new media environment, frankly, which has brought the 24–7 News Cycle to sports.  In other words, stories that may have gone to bed in years past now last a full day to be picked over all afternoon on fan blogs, Twitter, beat writer blogs, SNY and talk radio.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, I love every second of it.  I just wish, one day, the Mets could win in peace – and I know you agree.

In the end, though, I see this as just another year in the long, crazy story of being a Mets fan.  So, yes, while it’s sad to see the team lose, and while I’m frustrated about the direction they may be going, I am also excited about the potential for change, tomorrow’s roller coaster, and about blogging my experience being a fan going forward, be it tomorrow, or the day after that, or the day after that.

Papoon

Matthew Cerrone: Like most GMs, Minaya does not always with the team – this is not exclusive to the Mets, by the way.  Additionally, Ricco has traveled with the team quite often this season, and he quite often holds press conferences with reporters to update them on injuries, transactions, etc.  Interestingly, you are not the first person today to suggest this conspiracy theory to me.  I have written Ricco’s name many times before on MetsBlog.  Instead, I believe people are simply noticing it more now, because he’s been linked in print and on radio as a possible replacement for Minaya.  Last month, if people read ‘Ricco,’ they’d think, ‘Who’s that,’ and gloss over it.  Now, they think, ‘Oh, Minaya’s replacement,’ and it has people wondering what’s up.

On the morning of August 5th the Mets had 56 games remaining.  However, 26 of them were against the Phillies, Braves, and Marlins.

As much of a long shot as it may be, the Mets need to do the following: The Mets must go 7-1 against the Phillies, and 7-2 against the Braves as well as the Marlins.  That’s 21-5, putting the Mets at 72-62 with 28 other games remaining on schedule.

In those 28 games, the Mets can play .500 ball.  Doing this will get them to 86-76 by season’s end. 

If the Mets achieve those head to head results in the division, it would make the Phillies 62-52, the Braves would be 57-61 and the Marlins would be 57-60.  Which would mean if the Phillies went 25-23 in their remaining games, with the Braves going 30-14 and the Marlins going 30-15, the Mets will win the NL East.

So although 21-5 is probably asking a little too much from this group, the Mets still have the opportunity to put pressure on these teams by winning the head to head match-ups.  Even after going 21-5, they still need the Phillies to play only a shade over .500 in their remaining games… However, the Mets only need to look at recent years to see anything is possible.

So far this season, the Mets are 4–6 against the Phillies; 4–5 against the Marlins; and 4–5 against the Braves.

“Are you surprised that you don’t hear any rumors of the Mets looking to make a trade to upgrade some weak areas?  Do you think the nightmare that Omar has created for himself has distracted him from the job at hand?”

I talked to two people who know Omar well, and who spoke with recently, and, though he feels very badly about the way things went down at the press conference, he is 100 percent focused on improving the team. 

From what I can tell, his scouts and assistants are working as usual, talking with other teams, building bridges and seeing what is available.

The thing is, that’s the problem, there isn’t much available to the Mets, because, while teams like their prospects, especially Ike Davis, Brad Holt and Jennry Mejia, it appears they are inexperienced to build a deal around.  The way I understand it, right now, because of where the economy is at, teams would rather trade a player like Victor Martinez for one or two major-league ready prospects, making little money but able to contribute today, like a Clay Buchholz, as opposed to accepting a basket of young, Double-A guys, who have yet to has any sustained success and are potentially years away.

From talking to prospectors around the game, I sense the Mets may have a top rated farm system two or three years from now, because of Davis, Wilmer Flores, Mejia, Holt and other pitchers getting attention; but, for now, they may be a tab short.

As for tomorrow’s 4 pm Trade Deadline, I believe the Mets are talking, be it with the Rays, O’s or others, but I honestly have no idea what they’re trying to accomplish.  In other words, stay tuned, as it would not shock me if they made a big trade, nor would it shock me if they get boxed out, despite Minaya’s best efforts.

Matthew Cerrone: I have no idea what to say to this, but I had to post it…

Loopenark: I think there’s an overlooked reason why the Mets are underplaying Gary Sheffield’s injury: Omar Minaya knows he needs to trade him.  They can’t put him on the DL now because they’d blow the July 31 Trade Deadline.  They’re hoping it’s minor and he can get back on the field soon to show he can play well enough to get someone to bid.  If this were earlier in the year, he might well be on the DL now…

Matthew Cerrone: I don’t know… maybe.  Regardless, I don’t know why people think Sheffield will be wanted by any one in a trade.  I feel like every American League in contention must have a DH better than him at this point.  At best, maybe, he brings on a low-level prospect… at best… and I suspect teams would just hold off, live with what they have, then hope to get a guy like Sheffield through waivers in August… and the same would essentially go for Livan Hernandez.

Randy H: For people who don’t know, Julio Lugo is a Brooklyn native and graduated from Fort Hamilton High School.

Matthew Cerrone: I actually think this is important.  I don’t think it makes or breaks a player’s success in New York, but I think it might help to bring in people who are familiar with what this city is about, and how passionate we all are about sports.  That said, I suppose it could hurt, too, like with Willie Randolph, who knew what to expect and was paranoid because of it.

Matthew Cerrone: I do.  Of course, I always believe, because I always hope to see a miracle – and, let’s be honest, this would be a miracle.  I do not think the Mets will continue to go 10–18 every 18 games they play.  I think they’re capable of playing around .500, as is, assuming they tweak the rotation, keep pitching well out of the bullpen, and commit to a lineup and defense.  I expect them to make some sort of trade, though I’m convinced it will not be for a big-time player.  That said, who knows, maybe the Phillies suffer a devastating injury or two, or maybe the Marlins panic and collapse?  I’m not counting on this, of course, and I doubt it will happen, but you never know… and, it’s that, ‘You never know,’ which I’m clinging to, because isn’t that what sports is all about…

R Mats 89: I don’t understand why no one in the media or the fans are questioning the team’s training staff… A major league team hasn’t been this ravaged by injuries in a while and no one is looking in that direction.”

Matthew Cerrone: Well, I think everyone is tired of complaining.  I mean, we ran that argument in to the ground last month, after the first wave of injuries, moaning and groaning about the medical staff, why, who’s to blame, etc…

The reality is: injuries are up all across baseball.  The Phillies lost Raul Ibanez and Brad Lidge.  Other teams are banged up.  I recall reading injuries are up roughly 25 percent from last season all across the league, and the Mets are not even the most injured team.

That said, I can’t imagine any team has suffered this many injuries to this caliber player, i.e., three All-Star sluggers, two starting pitchers and a set-up guy, not to mention Ryan Church and Brian Schneider spent time on the disabled list as well.  I mean, think about it, every position player from the Opening Day lineup has been on the disabled list at some point this season, except Daniel Murphy, David Wright and Luis Castillo.

To watch this week’s Video Mailbag, presented by Verizon, click below:

Dyer 18

Matthew Cerrone: Well, they’d have to tank hard in the next two weeks or so, because the trade deadline is 27 games away, and I don’t see that happening.  Of course, they could put players like Livan Hernandez on waivers, and probably get a low-level player in return.

That said, as frustrated as I am right now, today, I still believe this team is capable of reeling off a hot streak, especially in September, especially if Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, Billy Wagner, J.J. Putz, John Maine and Oliver Perez return, and hopefully Jose Reyes.  I mean, think about that?  Why give up if you can remain in striking distance, get those players back and get hot at the end?  There is still more than half of a season left to be played.  Believe me, I am as frustrated as the next guy, but it would be foolish to suggest the season is over in late June, especially considering how poor the rest of the division is, and how many players could still return to play a big chunk of games.

Bill Meakem: Jerry Manuel correctly said late last week that if you produce you will play.  Can someone please then explain to me why it is that when Ryan Church is scratched due to flu symptoms that double-play machine Fernando Tatis and not Nick Evans replaces him as the left field starter?

Matthew Cerrone: I have no idea, Bill.  I really don’t.  I don’t understand why Manuel repeatedly says one thing, than does something else.  Tatis was a great story last season.  But, he’s batting .223 in his last 109 at bats, and has just three extra base hits.  What’s worse, at this point, even I know to pitch him inside, because it’s essentially an automatic ground ball.  Now, Evans is just 4 for 10, but at least he’s 4 for 10.  So, play him.  Play him, Murphy, Ryan Church and Gary Sheffield, and be done with Fernando Martinez and Tatis for now, because these guys need every drop of offense they can find.

Jaime D: Why do you love Bobby Parnell so much and refuse to include him in trades?  Just because he throw 96 mph does not make him a great pitcher.  He needs secondary pitches, as we have seen in the last couple of weeks.  If a team wanted Parnell and player X, I would do that in a minute for the right guy.  There are a lot of guys who can throw hard and become 8th inning guys.

Matthew Cerrone: A) I do not love Parnell, I like him, and B) I too would trade Parnell and Player X for the right guy.  The question is: Who is the right guy?  To me, it’s not Mark DeRosa.  It’s not Adam Dunn.  Look, I like Dunn, and think he’s a perfect fit, but I do not think he alone will make much of a difference on this current roster.  And so, trading away a young pitcher with Parnell’s potential, to me, in this situation, to plug one hole when so many others remaining, would be a foolish move.

Matthew Cerrone: “This is an excellent point, J Ross.  Thanks.”

Corey From Long Island writes: “It really upsets me when I wake up every morning and the Mets don’t make a trade to get a big bat or pitcher in the lineup.  When do you think this is going to happen and who do you think they will get?”

Matthew Cerrone: “Well, all I can say, Corey, is, are other teams making trades?  No, they’re not.  Believe me, it’s not for a lack of looking.  The Mets are looking.  It’s just, like I wrote this morning, it takes two to tango.  It’s not like Omar Minaya can just bust in to an opposing team’s office and demand a trade.  That other team needs to want to deal.  It’s still June.  These are other teams still need to sell tickets, keep them watching their games on TV, buying jerseys, etc., and keep their fans interested.  So, while the market is warming up, it’s not yet at a point when teams are looking to deal, though it’s getting close.  Plus, with so many holes, and questions surrounding the return of Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado, I am sure Minaya is still deciding on what he needs, and how much he’s willing to pay for it.”

Ian in Buffalo writes: “In my opinion, I hope that the Mets do not make any big trades at the deadline… I would like to see the Mets actually develop talent instead of relying on trades and free agents… I honestly am content with the Mets roster as it is and not rushing anyone back from injury.”

Matthew Cerrone: “I’m sure that is a big topic of conversation in the team’s front office.  What worries me is, I hope Minaya doesn’t react and make a bad deal for the sake of making a deal.  I don’t think he’ll do that, though.  We have read a lot about the list of players he is unwilling to deal over the last few years, and in every trade those players remain with the Mets.  I can’t see why that would change now.  Personally, I’d like to see them fill in the bench, which shouldn’t cost a ton, and look for a starting pitcher, like a Jason Marquis, who also shouldn’t cost a ton.  I’d go for Matt Holliday, but not if he costs Fernando Martinez, Daniel Murphy, Brad Holt or Jon Niese – and if that means not getting him, so be it.”

Z Caldi writes: In the next couple of years who will likely be the Mets next catcher?”

Matthew Cerrone: I have no idea if he’ll be the long-term answer, but the Mets have a young catcher at Double-A, Josh Thole, who is a serious, left-handed hitter.  I had the chance to talk with him during my trip to Binghamton this past weekend.  For what it’s worth, he’s very comfortable, and speaks well in an interview.  In other words, he seems to have his act together.  That said, he is still working hard to improve his defense.  His bat appears ready for the next level, but I don’t think he’s defense is.  I mean, if he were ready for the big leagues, he’d have been here, given the major-league catching situation.  He’s also played first base, so that is good to know.  From what I recall, unlike other positions, teams like to send young catchers to Triple-A before being promoted to the big leagues, because there they will have the chance to catch big league pitching, like a Nelson Figueroa.  So, I suspect Thole will keep working in Double-A, go to Triple-A at some point in the next year, and next spring we’ll begin to hear a lot more about him.  I guess what I’m saying is, he’s worth keeping an eye on.

To read more about our trip to Buffalo and Binghamton, including notes about travel, more players and food, check out Ted Berg’s report for SNY.TV.