Here I am in my freezing cold basement as the Mets take on the Marlins in some beautiful 81 degree weather.
Well, it still feels like I'm there. Is it just me, or does this crowd seem a million times louder than normal? It sounds like they handed all 1,500 fans (ballpark figure) their own, personal microphone to make it as loud as possible.
There probably isn't even half as many fans that usually fill up Shea, but they are incredibly loud, and I must say, very annoying. It's like someone left the crowd mics up way too high. All I hear is mumbling and clapping from the crowd, and it sounds miserable.
Just me?
7/28/08
Movin' on up: Jon Niese
With Brandon Knight heading to the Olympics, there was a void in the rotation in New Orleans. The Mets killed two birds with one stone here, as they promoted Jon Niese to fill the spot.
Niese, who posted a 6-7 record in AA, could be a fill-in for the Mets if Pedro Martinez cannot perform down the stretch. Niese's record is not the defining factor here, as he posted a 3.04 ERA through 22 starts.
I have an inkling we'll see Niese at Shea before the season is over. No wonder he's "untouchable."
Niese, who posted a 6-7 record in AA, could be a fill-in for the Mets if Pedro Martinez cannot perform down the stretch. Niese's record is not the defining factor here, as he posted a 3.04 ERA through 22 starts.
I have an inkling we'll see Niese at Shea before the season is over. No wonder he's "untouchable."
The Fernando Tatis side-step and point to the sky
When Fernando Tatis homers, I patiently await for the moment he crosses home plate.
I love the way Tatis celebrates his home runs. As he approaches home plate, in a jog, he turns to a side step, then shuffles his way onto the plate sideways. He quickly looks up to the sky, and raises his two fingers in celebration, and most likely praising his God.
For some reason, I love it. It's nothing over the top and exciting like Jose Reyes', or subdued and emotionless like Damion Easley's, but I like it. It's unique and cool, and I respect that.
I love the way Tatis celebrates his home runs. As he approaches home plate, in a jog, he turns to a side step, then shuffles his way onto the plate sideways. He quickly looks up to the sky, and raises his two fingers in celebration, and most likely praising his God.
For some reason, I love it. It's nothing over the top and exciting like Jose Reyes', or subdued and emotionless like Damion Easley's, but I like it. It's unique and cool, and I respect that.
Tatis against the Giants on July 10, 2008.
Keep on keepin' on, Fernando!
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
New York Mets rumors for the deadline
One of my good buddies and fellow bloggers, Will Sommer recently conducted an interview with Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com. Here are the highlights:
And F-Mart for Bay, straight up is a quandary. I would probably pull the trigger, but that's because F-Mart has struggled with injuries lately and that worries me. You'd be swapping a Mets prospect for an ex-Mets prospect, so maybe in 10 years the team could trade for F-Mart again.
I don't see the Mets parting with any of that young talent unless they can land a star. Not happening.WS: How hard are the Mets looking for a corner outfielder? / How much would the Mets have to give up?
TD: It seems to be their top priority. They are trying to get someone
decent without giving up Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, or Bobby Parnell.
The Mariners want Niese for Raul Ibanez though. I don't think they'll do that.
---
WS: If you were Omar Minaya would you trade Fernando Martinez for any of
the available corner outfielders?TD: If I could get Jason Bay straight up for him, I'd think about that one for a while.
And F-Mart for Bay, straight up is a quandary. I would probably pull the trigger, but that's because F-Mart has struggled with injuries lately and that worries me. You'd be swapping a Mets prospect for an ex-Mets prospect, so maybe in 10 years the team could trade for F-Mart again.
From the Forum: Trade Carlos Beltran for Manny Ramirez and Jacoby Ellsbury
User "metsfan08" threw out a crazy idea on Mets Lounge this morning, something I want to hear other people's opinions on. Here it is, in it's entirety:
Last night I was listening to the WFAN and a caller had an interesting proposal for a trade for Manny Ramirez.And here is user "nymrods" response:
IF the BoSox were willing to trade both Jacoby Ellsbury AND Manny Ramirez in exchange for Carlos Beltran, should Omar Minaya make the trade?
Let's examine this hypothetical trade--
-The Mets would gain 2 outfielders for this season.
-Manny would be a rental because he might not be willing to sign with the Mets after this season. -Manny in the clean-up spot with Delgado hitting 5th.. WOW!
-Ellsbury is 25 y.o. and CHEAP!! Think of all the money we would save next year.. money we could use to pursue a 1st and/or 2nd baseman..
-The BoSox would not have to deal with Manny.
-They still have Coco Crisp so they would still have 3 outfielders.
-Beltran is 31 y.o. and is under contract until 2012.
-BoSox could still be in contention with Beltran in the line-up instead of Manny.
On paper, this trade looks like a win-win situation with the Mets getting the slightly longer end of the stick. As much as I LOVE Beltran, I must admit that Omar Minaya would have to be crazy to not jump on this trade. What do you guys think? Someone give me a reason to KEEP Beltran.. PLEASE!!
I say yes because I'm a big Ellsbury fan, so I might be slightly partial, but...And finally, my answer:
Well, Manny makes up for the lack of power Ellsbury has (or doesn't) and Beltran did. Ellsbury is a good (Church-like) fielder, and young, so he'll improve. Now, Beltran is a wizard in the field, so we would be losing a little in the fielding, but I think Ellsbury's age is very promising. He will improve all around (this is only his first real season anyways). And besides, we'd have Manny. Older, but still amazing!!
Beltran (Avg #s): .279 BA; 26 HR; 108 RBI; .355 OBP (13th year)
Ellsbury (Avg #s): .286 BA; 5 HR; 32 RBI; .346 OBP (First starting season)
Ramirez (Avg #s): .312 BA; 30 HR; 98 RBI; .409 OBP (17th year)
Tough call. Honestly though, do we do it? I like the idea, but I don't think that it solves any problem.
OK...let's see... Ellsbury is OK. Endy Chavez-esque in my opinion.Thoughts? Responses? Let's hear it on Mets Lounge or in the comments!
Manny has a team option for the next two years, at $20mil a pop.
We have enough money coming off the books next year...Alou for sure, Pedro almost for sure, Delgado maybe, Perez (hopefully re-sign)...
The Sox do not like Crisp, at all.
Reason?...You need reasons to keep him [Beltran]? OK, LOOK...Beltran was never an average hitter. Never has been, never will be. He hit .307 and .306 once...every other year he hovers around .275ish. He's driven in 100+ each year except that one miserable 2005.
He OPS .800-.900+ consistently. His OBP is usually .350+ Oh yeah, and he's one of, if not the best fielder in the NL...and tops in MLB. He makes everything look easy. DID YOU SEE YESTERDAY'S GAME!
Mike Pelfrey to receive innings cap
According to Adam Rubin, the Mets will try to limit the number of pitches and innings that Mike Pelfrey throws this season, trying to prevent the young pitcher from hitting a wall.
From Rubin:
Something like this needs to be monitored but not fully and strictly enforced. If there are chances to give him a break, give them, but don't pull him out of great starts just because he's nearing his innings cap.
From Rubin:
Mike Pelfrey's pitch counts may soon be reduced. The organization would prefer Pelfrey not exceed 180 innings in his first full major-league season. Pelfrey currently is at 122-2/3 innings with roughly 11 starts remaining.Usually, I'd hate this, but we're seeing a clear sign of it in Duaner Sanchez right now. He seems to have hit a wall only half way into the season, but remember he hasn't pitched in one and a half years.
Something like this needs to be monitored but not fully and strictly enforced. If there are chances to give him a break, give them, but don't pull him out of great starts just because he's nearing his innings cap.
Early Morning Madness: Johan Santana is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't
This is sickening.
When Johan Santana didn't come out for the ninth inning against the Phillies, and the Mets eventually lost, everyone was screaming about "Why didn't Johan demand to come back into the game?!?"
This time around, when it was 9-1, Johan stayed in the game...and he's still getting blasted in the media.
From Filip Bondy, someone I usually enjoy reading, entitled "Johan Santana going nine in rout doesn't make complete sense":
What does Santana have to do in this town to prove himself? Go out, throw a no hitter through seven innings (limiting himself to only three pitches per batter, mind you), hand the ball over to the bullpen and call it a day?
This is getting sad. Johan Santana is damned if he doesn't beg and plead with Jerry Manuel to go out for the ninth inning one day, but when he does, even with an 8 run lead, and the chance to give the bullpen a well needed day off, he's damned again.
Lay off this guy, please. Sure, he has the biggest contract of any pitcher to date, but his last two starts have been simply spectacular. His ERA is 2.93, good for 6th in the league, he's #3 in the league for innings pitched, and he's top 10 or close in nearly every other pitching category.
He's the ace of this staff. He's a stud pitcher, and there is no denying that. Let him go out, earn his money, and help this team as much as possible. He can do it, he's a veteran, one of the best in the league.
Give me a break.
When Johan Santana didn't come out for the ninth inning against the Phillies, and the Mets eventually lost, everyone was screaming about "Why didn't Johan demand to come back into the game?!?"
This time around, when it was 9-1, Johan stayed in the game...and he's still getting blasted in the media.
From Filip Bondy, someone I usually enjoy reading, entitled "Johan Santana going nine in rout doesn't make complete sense":
And so the most important and expensive pitcher on the Mets' staff went out and threw some unnecessary fastballs Sunday in the ninth. If you're a message kind of guy, you were applauding his gutsy show. If you're more of a pitch-count realist, you were horrified at the illogic of it all. Manuel only intended to allow Santana to reach 115 pitches, but then there were two outs and the complete game was too close to sabotage.Well, he only went up to 118, not far off from the 115 tipping point. He started the 8th inning with only 81 pitches. 81! But more importantly, he saved the bullpen that used every pitcher while throwing nine inning of relief nearly 12 hours earlier.
What does Santana have to do in this town to prove himself? Go out, throw a no hitter through seven innings (limiting himself to only three pitches per batter, mind you), hand the ball over to the bullpen and call it a day?
This is getting sad. Johan Santana is damned if he doesn't beg and plead with Jerry Manuel to go out for the ninth inning one day, but when he does, even with an 8 run lead, and the chance to give the bullpen a well needed day off, he's damned again.
Lay off this guy, please. Sure, he has the biggest contract of any pitcher to date, but his last two starts have been simply spectacular. His ERA is 2.93, good for 6th in the league, he's #3 in the league for innings pitched, and he's top 10 or close in nearly every other pitching category.
He's the ace of this staff. He's a stud pitcher, and there is no denying that. Let him go out, earn his money, and help this team as much as possible. He can do it, he's a veteran, one of the best in the league.
Give me a break.
7/27/08
TSTDIA: Mets 9 -- Cardinals 1
Johan Santana turned in his second stellar start in a row, not needing to hand the ball over in the ninth and ending up going the distance, allowing six hits one only one run. Santana was backed up by a 17 hit effort from the Mets, aided by home runs from David Wright, Fernando Tatis, and Ramon Castro. Johan helped his own cause, going 2-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Beautiful game all around. No faults at all.
Beautiful game all around. No faults at all.
The Dark Knight heads to China
Adam Rubin is reporting the Mets have designated Brandon Knight for assignment and will head to Beijing to join Davey Johnson and Team USA. Willie Collazo has been activated to take over the empty roster spot.
So long, Brandon. Not a bad four innings after you shook off the nerves.
So long, Brandon. Not a bad four innings after you shook off the nerves.
Maybe the new IBAF rule could have helped the Mets last night
The IBAF, the International Baseball Federation (doesn't IBF make more sense?), has started motions to change the rules of baseball for the Olympics.
Under their new system, if the game goes into the 11th inning, the team at bat will have the option of starting their lineup in any position, and having the two players ahead of that position in the lineup start on second and first base. For example, if these rules were intact, the Mets could have started the bottom of the 11th inning with Endy Chavez on second and Carlos Beltran on first, with Carlos Delgado at bat. They could have done the exact same thing in the 12th inning, and beyond. Now if MLB had that rule, I'm not sure if would have helped the Mets because they were a putrid 1-16 with runners in scoring position, but we will never know.
Anyway, I have a question that wasn't answered in the article: If those runners score, who are they charged to? Does it go to the pitcher that started the inning, even though he really didn't let them on? He would be getting screwed if he lets up one hit, and a run scores just because he was the unlucky bum to get tabbed for the 11th inning.
It's kind of like college football's overtime system, where you pretty much dare the other team to score by starting them on the opposing team's 25-yard line. One hit could easily score one, or two runs, as opposed to having to string together a few in a row, something the Mets simply could not do last night.
This new rules works in international baseball, but it would ruin marathon games in MLB. It might save pitchers, not forcing a guy to throw nearly 60 pitches in relief when his previous high was in the 30's (Aaron Heilman), but it would also destroy the marathon game. Games were it's the 17th or 18th inning and each team simply refuses to give up. Managers have to pull out every trick in the book to make the team work, and both teams go punch for punch, taking the game long into the night.
I love games like that, just like I loved last night's Mets game. Jerry Manuel and Tony La Russa were each managing their team full tilt, and the players were doing everything they could to try and score runs. Unfortunately, La Russa's team came through in the end, but due to the Mets tenacity and fight, I, like most Mets fans today, don't have that bitter taste of defeat in our mouths. The team battled long and hard, they just came out on the short end of the stick.
I support instant replay in MLB, but please, don't bring on this rule anywhere near America's pastime.
Under their new system, if the game goes into the 11th inning, the team at bat will have the option of starting their lineup in any position, and having the two players ahead of that position in the lineup start on second and first base. For example, if these rules were intact, the Mets could have started the bottom of the 11th inning with Endy Chavez on second and Carlos Beltran on first, with Carlos Delgado at bat. They could have done the exact same thing in the 12th inning, and beyond. Now if MLB had that rule, I'm not sure if would have helped the Mets because they were a putrid 1-16 with runners in scoring position, but we will never know.
Anyway, I have a question that wasn't answered in the article: If those runners score, who are they charged to? Does it go to the pitcher that started the inning, even though he really didn't let them on? He would be getting screwed if he lets up one hit, and a run scores just because he was the unlucky bum to get tabbed for the 11th inning.
It's kind of like college football's overtime system, where you pretty much dare the other team to score by starting them on the opposing team's 25-yard line. One hit could easily score one, or two runs, as opposed to having to string together a few in a row, something the Mets simply could not do last night.
This new rules works in international baseball, but it would ruin marathon games in MLB. It might save pitchers, not forcing a guy to throw nearly 60 pitches in relief when his previous high was in the 30's (Aaron Heilman), but it would also destroy the marathon game. Games were it's the 17th or 18th inning and each team simply refuses to give up. Managers have to pull out every trick in the book to make the team work, and both teams go punch for punch, taking the game long into the night.
I love games like that, just like I loved last night's Mets game. Jerry Manuel and Tony La Russa were each managing their team full tilt, and the players were doing everything they could to try and score runs. Unfortunately, La Russa's team came through in the end, but due to the Mets tenacity and fight, I, like most Mets fans today, don't have that bitter taste of defeat in our mouths. The team battled long and hard, they just came out on the short end of the stick.
I support instant replay in MLB, but please, don't bring on this rule anywhere near America's pastime.
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