Pedro Martinez is back with the team, and was scheduled to throw a bullpen session today.
The Mets might scrap that idea and have him throw an inning of relief against the Marlins instead.
Is anyone else worried we're going to see a repeat of his hamstring injury earlier this year? It just seems to line up too perfectly.
7/29/08
Ryan Church on the comeback trail...again
And here we go again.
Ryan Church ran and did some throwing before yesterday's game against the Marlins as he slowly returns from migraines and his second concussion this season. Church will participate in some batting practice tonight, and hopefully play in a few minor league games in the coming days.
Church could return by next week's series against the San Diego Padres.
I'm not getting my hopes up for that. The Mets are being extremely careful with how they deal with Church after the dropped the ball last time around.
Ryan Church ran and did some throwing before yesterday's game against the Marlins as he slowly returns from migraines and his second concussion this season. Church will participate in some batting practice tonight, and hopefully play in a few minor league games in the coming days.
Church could return by next week's series against the San Diego Padres.
I'm not getting my hopes up for that. The Mets are being extremely careful with how they deal with Church after the dropped the ball last time around.
Early Morning Madness: Maybe we need a reliever edition
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Mets seem to be trying to land an everyday left fielder more than anything. I think Omar Minaya needs to step back and look at his bullpen a little bit more.
First of all, Fernando Tatis is hitting better than almost everyone else on the team right now. Obviously, this production isn't going to last, but once Ryan Church returns, the LF spot could see Tatis, Endy Chavez, Damion Easley, and Marlon Anderson all sahring time depending on who is hot, who is pitching, and the like. It will be serviceable enough to work as one left fielder, some with plus bats, others with plus gloves.
I think the Mets real problem here is the bullpen. To put it simply, Carlos Muniz and Willie Collazo are not going to cut it. Muniz hasn't turned in a string of solid performances...ever. He's been riding the shuttle back and forth from New Orleans long enough I'm sure he know each and every flight attendant by now and they throw him an extra bag of peanuts on the flight. He's doing this for a reason, Omar. He's just not good enough to stick around.
Collazo recently came up, but to me, they are the same person with the same sort of stuff. Either way, these two aren't going to help the team. And now I see that Scott Schoeneweis' name is being tossed around in trade rumors. Well who is going to take his spot, I want to know?
Unless Omar is crazy enough to start promoting Eddie Kunz and Bobby Parnell ASAP, we're going to be stuck with relievers who can't seem to make it out of the minors, and have to depend on them down the stretch to the postseason.
The team doesn't have many chips to trade away, but I think the most pressing need right now is a new bullpen arm. Omar, I trust you and have since you took over. Sure, you've made some crappy moves, but you've also pulled out some gems. And right now, this team needs a gem.
First of all, Fernando Tatis is hitting better than almost everyone else on the team right now. Obviously, this production isn't going to last, but once Ryan Church returns, the LF spot could see Tatis, Endy Chavez, Damion Easley, and Marlon Anderson all sahring time depending on who is hot, who is pitching, and the like. It will be serviceable enough to work as one left fielder, some with plus bats, others with plus gloves.
I think the Mets real problem here is the bullpen. To put it simply, Carlos Muniz and Willie Collazo are not going to cut it. Muniz hasn't turned in a string of solid performances...ever. He's been riding the shuttle back and forth from New Orleans long enough I'm sure he know each and every flight attendant by now and they throw him an extra bag of peanuts on the flight. He's doing this for a reason, Omar. He's just not good enough to stick around.
Collazo recently came up, but to me, they are the same person with the same sort of stuff. Either way, these two aren't going to help the team. And now I see that Scott Schoeneweis' name is being tossed around in trade rumors. Well who is going to take his spot, I want to know?
Unless Omar is crazy enough to start promoting Eddie Kunz and Bobby Parnell ASAP, we're going to be stuck with relievers who can't seem to make it out of the minors, and have to depend on them down the stretch to the postseason.
The team doesn't have many chips to trade away, but I think the most pressing need right now is a new bullpen arm. Omar, I trust you and have since you took over. Sure, you've made some crappy moves, but you've also pulled out some gems. And right now, this team needs a gem.
7/28/08
TSTDIA: Marlins 7 -- Mets 3
This game seemed like no one really wanted to win. Each team benefited from some luck and some mistakes by the opposing team. Ultimately, the Marlins took advantage of a beleaguered bullpen, and won the game with a five run 8th inning.
John Maine leaves game in fifth inning
Update 9:28 pm: Maine left game with "stiffness in his pitching arm." Kevin Burkhardt relays that Maine was not very happy to get pulled.
Well, I didn't see anything. Either did Gary Cohen or Keith Hernandez, but John Maine was begrudgingly removed from the game in the fifth inning after only recording one out.
Maine struck out the side in the fourth, and after his first two pitches in the fifth, Jerry Manuel trotted out to the mound. He was allowed to throw warm-up pitches, which he did not seem too enthused to do. The first pitch he delivered to a batter after Manuel's visit was jacked for a solo shot to right field.
Maine then struck out opposing pitcher Ricky Nolasco before Manuel came back out to the mound and pulled the pitcher from the game. Maine did not look pleased to get the hook so early and seemingly without injury.
Carlos Muniz will take over for Maine.
Well, I didn't see anything. Either did Gary Cohen or Keith Hernandez, but John Maine was begrudgingly removed from the game in the fifth inning after only recording one out.
Maine struck out the side in the fourth, and after his first two pitches in the fifth, Jerry Manuel trotted out to the mound. He was allowed to throw warm-up pitches, which he did not seem too enthused to do. The first pitch he delivered to a batter after Manuel's visit was jacked for a solo shot to right field.
Maine then struck out opposing pitcher Ricky Nolasco before Manuel came back out to the mound and pulled the pitcher from the game. Maine did not look pleased to get the hook so early and seemingly without injury.
Carlos Muniz will take over for Maine.
Pedro penciled in for Friday
Pedro Martinez will return from the bereavement list, and visiting his family after the passing of his father, and start on Friday against the Houston Astros.
Pedro will be limited to a pitch count of 80 innings, so the bullpen better be well rested. Thankfully, and perhaps by plan, the Mets have an off day on Thursday, allowing the pen to come into this game well rested.
(Ed. note: I think I'm going to continue to do short snippets like this for minor stories)
Pedro will be limited to a pitch count of 80 innings, so the bullpen better be well rested. Thankfully, and perhaps by plan, the Mets have an off day on Thursday, allowing the pen to come into this game well rested.
(Ed. note: I think I'm going to continue to do short snippets like this for minor stories)
Is this Marlins crowd mic'd up?
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?
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?
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.
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