Here is a short rundown of the managarie of theories I've heard about to play first base, since Carlos Delgado has sputtered so far this season:
1. Angel Pagan to first.
I'll admit it, this was of my own doing. It could work, right? He's young(ish), athletic, and hungry to play. Maybe not.
2. Moises Alou to first.
Ha. Ha. Funny joke.
3. Alou to left, Pagan to right, Ryan Church to first.
Plausible. But Church hasn't played first, either. Give it a shot, maybe? How much can it hurt?
4. Brady Clark to first.
His days are numbered with Alou coming back. Too late to even bother.
5. Mike Carp to first.
Sure, he's tearing up AA ball, and I'd like to see him get a shot, but it's not going to happen. Alou coming back bumps Clark off the roster, so if Carp comes up, who goes? No one, because it's not going to happen, barring injury.
Any others?
4/24/08
Harold Reynolds to join SNY
Neil Best, in his Watchdog blog for Newsday, breaks the news that Harold Reynolds will join SNY as an studio analyst.
From Best:
I like Reynolds, so I like this move. Reynolds was always great at the Little League World Series, something I never miss, so I'm sure he'll be just fine at SNY.
From Best:
Harold Reynolds, formerly of the Alaska Goldpanners, Seattle Mariners and ESPN, and currently of MLB.com, has joined SNY as a part-time studio analyst, the network will announce this morning.Reynolds was fired from ESPN for alleged sexual harassment. He sued ESPN, and the two sides reached an agreement last week.Reynolds will make his debut Friday night on the pre- and post-game shows for Mets-Braves, the first of about 20 appearances this season.
I like Reynolds, so I like this move. Reynolds was always great at the Little League World Series, something I never miss, so I'm sure he'll be just fine at SNY.
Minor league possibilities
I received a comment asking for a report on any minor league players that can fill in at first base, possibly sometime this season due the the decline of Carlos Delgado. For that, I will grab a quote from my buddy Tejesh, one of the guys from Mets Prospect Hub, and build off of that.
From last night's Minor League Report:
This season has been a bit of a different story. Carp, along with Dan Murphy and Nick Evans have been tearing up AA ball. Murphy, who can play third, first, and even second, is bringing down some hefty numbers of .342/.383/.603/.985. Evans, also playing third, first, and the occasional OF, completes what MPH has dubbed "The Trinity." Evans is batting .392/.438/.532/.970.
In our "Ideal Lineup" discussion on Mets Lounge, my buddy Ryan Punzalan, who will be contributing some articles here in the near future, projects both Carp and Evans to be in the 2010 Mets starting lineup.
Of the three, I can see Carp getting called up sometime this year. If Delgado continues his downward slide, and the Mets are unable to find a decent first baseman on the cheap, Carp could get a call sometime this year.
From last night's Minor League Report:
Mike Carp may be the hottest hitter on the planet (not named Chase Utley, that is) - he had another 3 hits, including a double and 2 RBI, and is now hitting an absurd .442/482/.727/1.210. What is very encouraging, and it's something we've pointed to for as long as the blog's been in existance, is his numbers vs LHP. Right now, he's 14 for 33, with 9 runs, 2b, 3 HR, 7 RBI vs LHP, .424/.441/.727/1.168. He was 19 for 110 vs LHP last season.Carp is a 21-year-old out of Long Beach, California. The Mets drafted him in the 9th round (254 overall) of the 2004 amateur draft. Clark is rebounding off an injury and a terrible year. Last year, Carp broke his finger last season, and when he returned, only hit .251/.337/.387/.724 (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS).
This season has been a bit of a different story. Carp, along with Dan Murphy and Nick Evans have been tearing up AA ball. Murphy, who can play third, first, and even second, is bringing down some hefty numbers of .342/.383/.603/.985. Evans, also playing third, first, and the occasional OF, completes what MPH has dubbed "The Trinity." Evans is batting .392/.438/.532/.970.
In our "Ideal Lineup" discussion on Mets Lounge, my buddy Ryan Punzalan, who will be contributing some articles here in the near future, projects both Carp and Evans to be in the 2010 Mets starting lineup.
Of the three, I can see Carp getting called up sometime this year. If Delgado continues his downward slide, and the Mets are unable to find a decent first baseman on the cheap, Carp could get a call sometime this year.
4/23/08
Willie's Angels
Your mission, if you choose to accept it: Stop a three game losing streak.
Mission: Accomplished.
Game Recap: Mets 7 -- Nationals 2
If we were casting a Hollywood movie with the Mets players, the role of "The Stopper" would undoubtedly go to Johan Santana. The Mets bats woke up and Santana's "B-game" was good enough, as the New York Mets broke their three game skid, beating the Washington Nationals by a score of 7-2.
Santana allowed a bit too many hits, seven to be exact, through his seven innings of work. He got off to a rough start, not getting his first 1-2-3 inning until the fifth. Santana allowed a single in the first, two in the second, another in the third, and two more in the fourth before opposing pitcher Tim Redding doubled to center field, driving in the only two runs of the game for Washington. After Redding's hit, Santana set down ten Nationals in order to finish out his day.
It didn't even seem like Santana had his best stuff, giving up seven hits, but it's the Nationals, and he's one of the best pitchers in the game. This is exactly why Santana will dominate the NL. The strike zone was pretty inconsistent, as a few of us noted in our live game thread. Still, a dominant performance over the hapless Nats. Stellar play in the second inning from Santana too. Coming off the bag and fielding a tapper in front of the mound. He snagged it, planted, and threw a one hopper to Carlos Delgado, who dug it out. Good stuff.
Duaner Sanchez entered the game in the eighth inning with a three run lead. Sanchez set down the team in order, striking Ryan Zimmerman in the process. Billy Wagner entered in the ninth with a five run lead, allowed a leadoff walk to Austin Kearns, and then got Lastings Milledge and Wil Nieves to strike out to end the game.
Sanchez should not be moved from the eighth inning role. He's there, he's good, don't touch him. Wagner has thrown eight innings of no-hit baseball this season. If he gets one more season, can that count for the Mets?
The Mets pounded out 11 hits against the Nationals, only seven of which actually made it out of the infield.
In the second, Carlos Beltran doubled to right to start the inning. After a Ryan Church ground out to the right side, moving Beltran to third, Delgado grounded out to short, which brought Beltran home for the first run of the game.
That's right. Delgado got an RBI. Don't pass out.
The Mets were held off the board until the fifth, where an infield hit helped the Mets score one. With one out, Brian Schneider and Santana worked out back to back walks. After a fielders choice off the bat of Jose Reyes, eliminating Santana on the basepath, Luis Castillo singled to short, driving in Schneider.
A 2-out RBI...off the bat of Castillo...Maybe this game was a dream?
The sixth innings was the inning of cue shots and small ball. Let's start at the top: Beltran singled to left to start the inning. Church then hit one off the end of the bat, which spun away from a charing Zimmerman. His throw to Nick Johnson at first went wild, allowing Beltran, who came to a complete stop at second base, to go 0-60, motoring around to score. Church moved to third on the play. After a Delgado foul ball pop out (no surprise), Angel Pagan hit another cue shot, this time to Ray King. King fielded but made a terrible throw to first, allowing Church to score. Pagan then stole second and third on consecutive pitches, allowed Schneider to bring him home with a ground out. Three runs on three hits, none of which left the infield.
I'm sure the Mets will take it anyway they can get it, and so will I. It wasn't a "big hit" but they were effective, and that's all that matters. They took advantage of miscues and manufactured a few runs, and that's what I like to see out of this team. To Pagan: Speed kills (see: Reyes).
The Mets added some insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, when Church crushed a ball deep to right field. Before the hit, Castillo singled and Wright walked, and they both came around to score on Church's deep single.
Well, well. The Mets weren't happy with just five runs, and that is a very good sign. I like the fight they showed tonight. Where the heck was that in Chicago? Nevermind that. Look forward. Keep this up.
Numbers: Santana @ the plate: 2-2, 1 BB, 2 doubles...Only starters without hits: Reyes and Wright...Stolen bases: Reyes, Pagan (2), Castillo...Team LOB: 8...Santana pitch count: 97...Schneider: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI...Church: 2-5, 2 RBI...Milledge: 0-4, 2 K...
Game Ball: Santana
Santana allowed a bit too many hits, seven to be exact, through his seven innings of work. He got off to a rough start, not getting his first 1-2-3 inning until the fifth. Santana allowed a single in the first, two in the second, another in the third, and two more in the fourth before opposing pitcher Tim Redding doubled to center field, driving in the only two runs of the game for Washington. After Redding's hit, Santana set down ten Nationals in order to finish out his day.
It didn't even seem like Santana had his best stuff, giving up seven hits, but it's the Nationals, and he's one of the best pitchers in the game. This is exactly why Santana will dominate the NL. The strike zone was pretty inconsistent, as a few of us noted in our live game thread. Still, a dominant performance over the hapless Nats. Stellar play in the second inning from Santana too. Coming off the bag and fielding a tapper in front of the mound. He snagged it, planted, and threw a one hopper to Carlos Delgado, who dug it out. Good stuff.
Duaner Sanchez entered the game in the eighth inning with a three run lead. Sanchez set down the team in order, striking Ryan Zimmerman in the process. Billy Wagner entered in the ninth with a five run lead, allowed a leadoff walk to Austin Kearns, and then got Lastings Milledge and Wil Nieves to strike out to end the game.
Sanchez should not be moved from the eighth inning role. He's there, he's good, don't touch him. Wagner has thrown eight innings of no-hit baseball this season. If he gets one more season, can that count for the Mets?
The Mets pounded out 11 hits against the Nationals, only seven of which actually made it out of the infield.
In the second, Carlos Beltran doubled to right to start the inning. After a Ryan Church ground out to the right side, moving Beltran to third, Delgado grounded out to short, which brought Beltran home for the first run of the game.
That's right. Delgado got an RBI. Don't pass out.
The Mets were held off the board until the fifth, where an infield hit helped the Mets score one. With one out, Brian Schneider and Santana worked out back to back walks. After a fielders choice off the bat of Jose Reyes, eliminating Santana on the basepath, Luis Castillo singled to short, driving in Schneider.
A 2-out RBI...off the bat of Castillo...Maybe this game was a dream?
The sixth innings was the inning of cue shots and small ball. Let's start at the top: Beltran singled to left to start the inning. Church then hit one off the end of the bat, which spun away from a charing Zimmerman. His throw to Nick Johnson at first went wild, allowing Beltran, who came to a complete stop at second base, to go 0-60, motoring around to score. Church moved to third on the play. After a Delgado foul ball pop out (no surprise), Angel Pagan hit another cue shot, this time to Ray King. King fielded but made a terrible throw to first, allowing Church to score. Pagan then stole second and third on consecutive pitches, allowed Schneider to bring him home with a ground out. Three runs on three hits, none of which left the infield.
I'm sure the Mets will take it anyway they can get it, and so will I. It wasn't a "big hit" but they were effective, and that's all that matters. They took advantage of miscues and manufactured a few runs, and that's what I like to see out of this team. To Pagan: Speed kills (see: Reyes).
The Mets added some insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, when Church crushed a ball deep to right field. Before the hit, Castillo singled and Wright walked, and they both came around to score on Church's deep single.
Well, well. The Mets weren't happy with just five runs, and that is a very good sign. I like the fight they showed tonight. Where the heck was that in Chicago? Nevermind that. Look forward. Keep this up.
Numbers: Santana @ the plate: 2-2, 1 BB, 2 doubles...Only starters without hits: Reyes and Wright...Stolen bases: Reyes, Pagan (2), Castillo...Team LOB: 8...Santana pitch count: 97...Schneider: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI...Church: 2-5, 2 RBI...Milledge: 0-4, 2 K...
Game Ball: Santana
Santana's final line
Johan Santana: 7 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.
Not his best start, but he only gave up two runs, which is huge. He doesn't even seem to have his best stuff under control yet, and he's still damn effective.
Not his best start, but he only gave up two runs, which is huge. He doesn't even seem to have his best stuff under control yet, and he's still damn effective.
Game Preview: Mets @ Nationals -- 4/23
The New York Mets will try to put the past behind them as they make their first trip to the Washington Nationals new park for a 7:10 p.m. start.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
LH Johan Santana
Santana vs. Tim Redding
Castillo back to second in the lineup after a day off. Church moves up a spot, moving Delgado down to sixth. Pagan back in left. Schneider back behind the plate. I really like this lineup. Delgado moving down is smart. Good stuff, Willie Randolph.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
LH Johan Santana
Santana vs. Tim Redding
Castillo back to second in the lineup after a day off. Church moves up a spot, moving Delgado down to sixth. Pagan back in left. Schneider back behind the plate. I really like this lineup. Delgado moving down is smart. Good stuff, Willie Randolph.
Injury updates: Pedro, Duque, Alou
David Lennon relays some injury updates for the three old men on the team.
Pedro Martinez: Will begin throwing, possibly withing a week. Could return in over two weeks.
Yeah, right. I'll believe that when I see it. We'll see Pedro at the end of May.
El Duque: Still in the boot, at least for the next two weeks. The end is near.
Bye Duque. It's time to hang 'em up.
Moises Alou: Went 2-7 in an extended spring game. Possibly back by Friday.
Goodbye Brady Clark. I can't wait to have Alou back. Maybe he'll kickstart this offense.
Pedro Martinez: Will begin throwing, possibly withing a week. Could return in over two weeks.
Yeah, right. I'll believe that when I see it. We'll see Pedro at the end of May.
El Duque: Still in the boot, at least for the next two weeks. The end is near.
Bye Duque. It's time to hang 'em up.
Moises Alou: Went 2-7 in an extended spring game. Possibly back by Friday.
Goodbye Brady Clark. I can't wait to have Alou back. Maybe he'll kickstart this offense.
ALOU
Chicago Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue (a truly great site) brings us this very strange picture from yesterday's Mets/Cubs game.
The name "ALOU" hanging outside of the Mets press box.
The name "ALOU" hanging outside of the Mets press box.A cruel joke? A sign he's on the path back to Shea? A tribute to Steve Bartman?
I have no idea. This is just strange. According to BCB, they took the sign down before the game started. Thoughts?
Too funny
This article isn't very intriguing, since we all know Jorge Sosa has pretty much stunk up the joint this season, but I absolutely love the New York Post for their punny headlines, and this one did not disappoint.
SOSA FAR, SOSA NOT GOOD.
I wonder if the writers come up with these or if the Post has a crack-squad of savvy individuals whose only job in the world is to make ridiculous headlines day and night...
Another one of life's great mysteries.
Another one of life's great mysteries.
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