Remember that player in the Brian Bannister deal? (And before you jump all over Omar Minaya, Bannister is 7-9 this year, with an ERA of 5.33).
Ambiroix Burgos made his first appearance while rehabbing his way back from Tommy John surgery.
In two innings for the Gulf Coast Mets, Burgos allowed three hits and two earned runs, while striking out four.
Burgos, only 24, has appeared in 144 games in his short career, only 17 with the Mets. He earned his only win as a member of the Mets when the team rallied to score five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs on May 17, 2007.
8/6/08
Rockies win claim on Livan Hernandez
I never thought I'd be happy to see the Mets lose out on a player, but this time I am.
I don't think I could live through many games of what we saw Mike Pelfrey do last night if Livan Hernandez was on the Mets. He gives up a ton of hits, but somehow manages to give up a few runs on most occasions. Other times he gets absolutely shelled.
Sitting and watching hit after hit last night and watching Pelfrey squirm out was OK. I just don't think I could do it every fifth day.
Thank you, Rockies, for winning that claim.
I don't think I could live through many games of what we saw Mike Pelfrey do last night if Livan Hernandez was on the Mets. He gives up a ton of hits, but somehow manages to give up a few runs on most occasions. Other times he gets absolutely shelled.
Sitting and watching hit after hit last night and watching Pelfrey squirm out was OK. I just don't think I could do it every fifth day.
Thank you, Rockies, for winning that claim.
Early Morning Madness: Aaron Heilman at closer is a bad idea
Don't ever make the fans sit through that again. When he came into the inning, was there anyone who has watched this team over the last few years that he would make it through the inning unscathed?
Please, Jerry Manuel, Mets brass, and to anyone who will listen, never ever allow Aaron Heilman to attempt to close out a game ever again. If it was an experiment, then fine, we now know the results and they are not pretty.
Next time around, I'd like to see Eddie Kunz get a shot. If he struggles, just move to the next available arm in the bullpen. But no, not Heilman.
He gives up runs like they're candy when he's not closing, so what in the world would make anyone think in a higher pressure situation he would prosper??
Jerry, you could make every Mets fan happy if you just come out and say "Heilman will never close again. Ever."
Please, Jerry Manuel, Mets brass, and to anyone who will listen, never ever allow Aaron Heilman to attempt to close out a game ever again. If it was an experiment, then fine, we now know the results and they are not pretty.
Next time around, I'd like to see Eddie Kunz get a shot. If he struggles, just move to the next available arm in the bullpen. But no, not Heilman.
He gives up runs like they're candy when he's not closing, so what in the world would make anyone think in a higher pressure situation he would prosper??
Jerry, you could make every Mets fan happy if you just come out and say "Heilman will never close again. Ever."
8/5/08
TSTDIA: Mets 6 -- Padres 5
Despite Aaron Heilman's best efforts, the Mets pulled out a win against the Padres, mostly thanks to the bat of Fernando Tatis.
Billy Wagner to the DL; Ruddy Lugo up
Billy Wagner's MRI revealed a strained left forearm, so the southpaw is heading for the disabled list.
Ruddy Lugo will replace him on the roster, not making it to the stadium until after the game begins.
Jerry Manuel said he will use bullpen by comittee, with Aaron Heilman getting the top billing.
Well this should be fun. Lugo's name had been thrown around as a possibility for the spot start needed this weekend. Guess you can take him out of the running for that.
Please get well soon, Billy, blown saves and all.
Ruddy Lugo will replace him on the roster, not making it to the stadium until after the game begins.
Jerry Manuel said he will use bullpen by comittee, with Aaron Heilman getting the top billing.
Well this should be fun. Lugo's name had been thrown around as a possibility for the spot start needed this weekend. Guess you can take him out of the running for that.
Please get well soon, Billy, blown saves and all.
If Billy Wagner is down and out, please let Eddie Kunz close
We've all seen what Aaron Heilman can do. He's had an up and down year, with a horrendous start, a miraculous June, and now what seems like another terrible rough patch.
This is the guy, right now, you would want to close games for the New York Mets if Billy Wagner has to go to the DL? In his last four appearances, Heilman has given up 7 earned runs in 6 1-3 innings. His ERA ballooned over .60 points.
Eddie Kunz was the closer for Binghamton for most of the year. If the Mets are willing to give Heilman a shot at saving games, Kunz should be given the same chance. Plus, opposing players haven't seen this guy pitch, they won't be ready for him. Most players have seen Heilman pitch, and probably have hit off of him.
Give Kunz a shot.
This should also serve as an impromptu poll. If you think Eddie Kunz should close, say so in the comments. If you think Aaron Heilman should, again, hit the comments.
This is the guy, right now, you would want to close games for the New York Mets if Billy Wagner has to go to the DL? In his last four appearances, Heilman has given up 7 earned runs in 6 1-3 innings. His ERA ballooned over .60 points.
Eddie Kunz was the closer for Binghamton for most of the year. If the Mets are willing to give Heilman a shot at saving games, Kunz should be given the same chance. Plus, opposing players haven't seen this guy pitch, they won't be ready for him. Most players have seen Heilman pitch, and probably have hit off of him.
Give Kunz a shot.
This should also serve as an impromptu poll. If you think Eddie Kunz should close, say so in the comments. If you think Aaron Heilman should, again, hit the comments.
Guest Blog: Where have all the aces gone?
Another guest post from Doug Helferich...
A recent trend in Major League Baseball has changed the face of free agency. It has led to the current distribution of power, and will continue to shape the results of baseball for at least the next few years. First, let me define what I mean by the term ace. I refer to a pitcher in his prime, your number 1 pitcher that you would unconditionally choose to pitch in the big game. So, this doesn't include the free-agent deals of Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux, or Jason Schmidt. This guy would be the (pitching) face of your franchise for years to come upon his arrival to your franchise.
Instead of letting their aces go to free agency, teams are resigning them, sometimes for a few years, sometimes to rather long-term deals. For example, Carlos Zambrano (2007), Roy Oswalt (2006), Ben Sheets (2005), Kevin Brown (1998), Randy Johnson (2003, 2005, 2007), Jake Peavy (2007), Josh Beckett (2006), Brandon Webb (2006), and Johan Santana (2008) [Santana was traded and then signed a new contract with his new team.] all signed extensions instead of ending up as free agents (one exception here is Barry Zito; however, the Athletics certainly tried their hardest to trade him, and he most certainly would have been resigned upon landing with a new team). This has had a number of effects.
Most importantly, it has inflated the price of free agent pitching to astronomical levels. Some truly horrible contracts have been inked in the past few years, including Russ Ortiz (Orioles) Carl Pavano (Yankees), Mike Hampton (Rockies), and Carlos Silva (Mariners). Some others have been merely been priced above their actual value: A.J. Burnett (Blue Jays), Ted Lilly (Cubs), Jason Marquis (Cubs), and Gil Meche (Royals). Teams have to pay the big bucks to get even mediocre pitchers, making these deals much riskier. Even if a team receives the expected production out of a pitcher, they are still more restricted in their financial matters. They are not maximizing the value of their money.
Trades are now the way to acquire a game-changing pitcher. This last year alone has seen Santana, Rich Harden, Dan Haren, and CC Sabathia change teams (and leagues). The Athletics are constant sellers, trading away Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Harden, and Haren over the last several years. The Marlins have seen the departure of Brad Penny and Beckett. The Marlins have won two championships in the last decade, but traded away or did not resign key players in both instances. However, they used prospects acquired in those trades to bolster their farm system. The Athletics don't have the money to keep their dominating pitchers, and have to trade them away to at least bring more than a compensatory draft pick back to the team. However, they do continue to churn out ace-quality pitchers. Depending on the talent evaluation abilities of the teams involved in a trade, things can work out well for either side. Some aces succeed with their new teams, and some don't live up to expectations. Prospects are also hit or miss, but some teams definitely have more success than others.
Which leads me to how this applies to the Mets. You can't buy aces anymore; they have their contracts extended before they even get to smell the salt of the proverbial free agent waters. The pitchers that do take the dip are generally not worth the market price for one reason or another, and likely wouldn't make a significant enough impact anyway. We acquired our difference maker in Santana, but looking towards the future, it is crucial that we hoard our young pitching talent. Quality arms can no longer simply be purchased; it is time we take heed of this trend and react accordingly. My plan to react to this situation is this: small market team talent evaluation while utilizing our large market budget.
Specifically:
1. Improve system-wide talent evaluation abilities. Use the organization's resources to lure away better scouts and front office executives to locate, draft, sign, and trade for the best prospects available.
2. Keep the pitchers we have. Give potential aces a little longer than in past years. Mike Pelfrey is finally starting to blossom, and obviously we didn't wait long enough (or even give a fair chance to) Scott Kazmir. Use our resources to retain players, not obtain them (ostensibly through free agency).
Note: This is a medium to long term plan, really a change in our organizational philosophy. This will not help us win tomorrow; do not think that it will. It would probably mean less trades at the deadline and offseason. However, I do think that it would pay long term dividends. Just imagine if the Athletics got to keep their good pitchers for more than one or two good seasons, or if the Marlins didn't have to resort to fire sales as their response to winning a championship.
A recent trend in Major League Baseball has changed the face of free agency. It has led to the current distribution of power, and will continue to shape the results of baseball for at least the next few years. First, let me define what I mean by the term ace. I refer to a pitcher in his prime, your number 1 pitcher that you would unconditionally choose to pitch in the big game. So, this doesn't include the free-agent deals of Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux, or Jason Schmidt. This guy would be the (pitching) face of your franchise for years to come upon his arrival to your franchise.
Instead of letting their aces go to free agency, teams are resigning them, sometimes for a few years, sometimes to rather long-term deals. For example, Carlos Zambrano (2007), Roy Oswalt (2006), Ben Sheets (2005), Kevin Brown (1998), Randy Johnson (2003, 2005, 2007), Jake Peavy (2007), Josh Beckett (2006), Brandon Webb (2006), and Johan Santana (2008) [Santana was traded and then signed a new contract with his new team.] all signed extensions instead of ending up as free agents (one exception here is Barry Zito; however, the Athletics certainly tried their hardest to trade him, and he most certainly would have been resigned upon landing with a new team). This has had a number of effects.
Most importantly, it has inflated the price of free agent pitching to astronomical levels. Some truly horrible contracts have been inked in the past few years, including Russ Ortiz (Orioles) Carl Pavano (Yankees), Mike Hampton (Rockies), and Carlos Silva (Mariners). Some others have been merely been priced above their actual value: A.J. Burnett (Blue Jays), Ted Lilly (Cubs), Jason Marquis (Cubs), and Gil Meche (Royals). Teams have to pay the big bucks to get even mediocre pitchers, making these deals much riskier. Even if a team receives the expected production out of a pitcher, they are still more restricted in their financial matters. They are not maximizing the value of their money.
Trades are now the way to acquire a game-changing pitcher. This last year alone has seen Santana, Rich Harden, Dan Haren, and CC Sabathia change teams (and leagues). The Athletics are constant sellers, trading away Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Harden, and Haren over the last several years. The Marlins have seen the departure of Brad Penny and Beckett. The Marlins have won two championships in the last decade, but traded away or did not resign key players in both instances. However, they used prospects acquired in those trades to bolster their farm system. The Athletics don't have the money to keep their dominating pitchers, and have to trade them away to at least bring more than a compensatory draft pick back to the team. However, they do continue to churn out ace-quality pitchers. Depending on the talent evaluation abilities of the teams involved in a trade, things can work out well for either side. Some aces succeed with their new teams, and some don't live up to expectations. Prospects are also hit or miss, but some teams definitely have more success than others.
Which leads me to how this applies to the Mets. You can't buy aces anymore; they have their contracts extended before they even get to smell the salt of the proverbial free agent waters. The pitchers that do take the dip are generally not worth the market price for one reason or another, and likely wouldn't make a significant enough impact anyway. We acquired our difference maker in Santana, but looking towards the future, it is crucial that we hoard our young pitching talent. Quality arms can no longer simply be purchased; it is time we take heed of this trend and react accordingly. My plan to react to this situation is this: small market team talent evaluation while utilizing our large market budget.
Specifically:
1. Improve system-wide talent evaluation abilities. Use the organization's resources to lure away better scouts and front office executives to locate, draft, sign, and trade for the best prospects available.
2. Keep the pitchers we have. Give potential aces a little longer than in past years. Mike Pelfrey is finally starting to blossom, and obviously we didn't wait long enough (or even give a fair chance to) Scott Kazmir. Use our resources to retain players, not obtain them (ostensibly through free agency).
Note: This is a medium to long term plan, really a change in our organizational philosophy. This will not help us win tomorrow; do not think that it will. It would probably mean less trades at the deadline and offseason. However, I do think that it would pay long term dividends. Just imagine if the Athletics got to keep their good pitchers for more than one or two good seasons, or if the Marlins didn't have to resort to fire sales as their response to winning a championship.
Mets Song by Song: Bang Bang by Dispatch
This is the first in a unknown number of articles. In it, I will take one album and try to use all of the song titles to explain the Mets current predicament. The songs will be bolded and italicized.
First up, one of my favorite albums of all time, Bang Bang by Dispatch...
Here We Go. The Mets have been struggling as of late, and will turn to Mike "Bats in the Belfry" Pelfrey to try and pull them out of this four game losing streak. The General idea is to have Pelfrey go out and pitch a dominating game in an effort to save the bullpen.
Recently, the bullpen has been giving up hits, Bang Bang, and have blown a bunch of games as of late. It seems like it is their Mission to all falter at once, as every pitcher seems to be struggling out of the pen.
The Drive of the Mets, the one we saw during the ten game winning streak, seems all but gone. My Two Coins on the situation is that everyone seems to have hit a funk, practically team wide, at the same time. David Wright looks like he's getting pitches right down the Railway and he just can't connect.
It's been a Whirlwind of a season for the Mets so far, and I don't expect that to change any time soon. Out Loud, I am always supporting the team, but inside I can't help but think that they've been hit with too many roadblocks and this season might be in jeopardy.
But for baseball, that's just The Way It Goes.
So what did you think? Is this something you'd like to see more of? Let's see if you could write your own using these songs! Hit the comments!
First up, one of my favorite albums of all time, Bang Bang by Dispatch...
Here We Go. The Mets have been struggling as of late, and will turn to Mike "Bats in the Belfry" Pelfrey to try and pull them out of this four game losing streak. The General idea is to have Pelfrey go out and pitch a dominating game in an effort to save the bullpen.
Recently, the bullpen has been giving up hits, Bang Bang, and have blown a bunch of games as of late. It seems like it is their Mission to all falter at once, as every pitcher seems to be struggling out of the pen.
The Drive of the Mets, the one we saw during the ten game winning streak, seems all but gone. My Two Coins on the situation is that everyone seems to have hit a funk, practically team wide, at the same time. David Wright looks like he's getting pitches right down the Railway and he just can't connect.
It's been a Whirlwind of a season for the Mets so far, and I don't expect that to change any time soon. Out Loud, I am always supporting the team, but inside I can't help but think that they've been hit with too many roadblocks and this season might be in jeopardy.
But for baseball, that's just The Way It Goes.
So what did you think? Is this something you'd like to see more of? Let's see if you could write your own using these songs! Hit the comments!
Early Morning Madness: Trouble brewing edition
Uh-oh. Here come the San Diego Padres, again.
Last time the Mets and Padres tangoed, the Mets were swept out of San Diego. That was part of a five game losing streak, and the next week the manager was fired in the dead of night. They managed only nine runs over four games, losing three straight 2-1 games.
Let's hope they fare slightly better this time around.
Billy Wagner goes for an MRI on his left forearm this morning, but it seems the New York Post has jumped the gun and already destined him for the DL.
This is supposed to be an easy stretch of the schedule the next few weeks for the Mets. Yes, they do match up against the Phillies and the Marlins, but the rest of the games come against the Pirates, Nationals, Braves, Astros, and Padres.
Well, we saw how the team played against the Astros last weekend, and we've seen what they can do against the Padres (if you need a refresher from 15 seconds ago, the Mets were swept by both teams).
To me, it always seem like the Mets play down to their opponents level. Instead of truly beating up on teams that they should trounce, they seem to want to make it interesting and play a close game and/or lose. If the Mets want to contend this season, these are games they need to win.
Last time the Mets and Padres tangoed, the Mets were swept out of San Diego. That was part of a five game losing streak, and the next week the manager was fired in the dead of night. They managed only nine runs over four games, losing three straight 2-1 games.
Let's hope they fare slightly better this time around.
** * **
Billy Wagner goes for an MRI on his left forearm this morning, but it seems the New York Post has jumped the gun and already destined him for the DL.
** * **
This is supposed to be an easy stretch of the schedule the next few weeks for the Mets. Yes, they do match up against the Phillies and the Marlins, but the rest of the games come against the Pirates, Nationals, Braves, Astros, and Padres.
Well, we saw how the team played against the Astros last weekend, and we've seen what they can do against the Padres (if you need a refresher from 15 seconds ago, the Mets were swept by both teams).
To me, it always seem like the Mets play down to their opponents level. Instead of truly beating up on teams that they should trounce, they seem to want to make it interesting and play a close game and/or lose. If the Mets want to contend this season, these are games they need to win.
8/4/08
No Player of the Month for Carlos Delgado
The Mets hottest hitter in July, Carlos Delgado, was not good enough to win the NL Player of the Month for July. Delgado lost out to Milwaukee Brewer Ryan Braun.
From the Miami Herald:
From the Miami Herald:
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been named the National League Player of the Month for July.The right-handed hitter completed the month with nine homers, 23 RBI, six doubles, three triples and a .366 batting average. He posted 10 multi-hit games and on six occasions drove in two or more runs.
---
Other players considered for the honor were Mets outfielder Carlos Delgado (.357, 9 HR, 24 RBI); Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn (.310, 12 HR, 26 RBI); Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (.311, 10 HR, 27 RBI) and Adam LaRoche of the Pirates (.390, 7 HR, 18 RBI).
Maybe next month?
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