Bullpen shakeup in the works under Jerry Manuel

Via Adam Rubin:

Jerry Manuel dropped one bombshell after another today, including saying he may move John Maine, Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey into the bullpen, even once Billy Wagner returns from the disabled list Monday.

Oh boy.

Rubin goes on to propose that Jon Niese would enter the rotation if that happened.

Looking at those three pitchers last ten games, my vote goes for Maine to move. He's been battling a shoulder issue, so decreased work would definitely help. He's only gotten into the seventh inning one times out of his last ten outings. He's also struggled through those same ten.

If Maine can move to the bullpen, he'd be able to give them multiple innings if needed, or just one in a situational situation. I'd like Maine out of the pen, at least this season. He'd hopefully move back to the rotation next year, as he's way more valuable there (see: Joba).

For now, anything might help the bullpen, as long as Niese is capable at the Major League level.

Citi Field photos (8/11/08)

Some photos I took before the Mets vs. Pirates on August 11, 2008.

She's coming along nicely.

Freddy Garcia signs with the Tigers and Paul Byrd goes to the Red Sox

According to SI.com, free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia has signed with the Tigers.

The Mets were one of 15 teams to take a look at him, but their was no mutual interest.

And according to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have acquired Paul Byrd.

Not like the Mets couldn't use another arm or two.

For your Tuesday afternoon viewing pleasure

Two videos I happened upon from Sharp. The first is a baseball being hit in slow motion.



The second is entitled "Squishy Blue Thing Hit by a Baseball Bat in Slow Motion." How can that not be cool.


Now if only I could watch that on one of their fancy new TV's. How about a little kickback there, Sharp??

Just like Keith Hernandez loves the Coors Freeze Play, I love anything that is shown in slow motion. Also on that YouTube channel is a video of a bat hitting a red pepper. Let's just say it doesn't end well for the pepper.

Are the Mets minor leagues that bad? Yup.

The Mets bullpen is a mess. We all know it. It's an undeniable fact that they flat out stink.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much available on the waiver wire for the Mets to acquire another arm. That means the Mets must look internally if they want to solve this problem. Too bad they don't have anyone in their farm system either.

Looking at the rosters of New Orleans and Binghamton, I can name only a handful of players that should even be a possibility for the Mets. Everyone else flat out stinks.

Let's take a look at the few players I feel the Mets could promote to help them right now:

Eddie Camancho: Camancho has seen time in Binghamton and New Orleans this year. The 25 year old has posted a 5-3 record in 45 games, with a 2.55 combined ERA (2.48 at AA, 3.00 at AAA). In 70 2-3 innings, he's surrendered 57 hits and struck out 47. In his last 10 games, he's allowed three earned runs in nine innings.

Nelson Figueroa: A guy we've seen before and know that is semi-capable of pitching in the big leagues. As a starter Figueroa is 4-4 with a 4.41 ERA. He's put together five "decent" starts in a row and could work for a few innings out of the bullpen.

Ivan Maldonado: The reliever has appeared in 39 games for the Zephyrs, compiling a 3-4 record and a 3.86 ERA. In 56 innings, he's struck out 53 batters. He's much better against lefties, posting a .266 average against, compared to a .304 average against righties. He gives up hits, but he's also capable of throwing two innings.

Nate Field: Field showed flashes of brilliance during spring training, and was a possibility for the bullpen for a few days. He's on a hot streak right now, allowing only one earned run in his last 11 innings. He's posted a 4.68 ERA overall, and has also closed out 13 games for the Zephyrs, the most on the team.

Take your pick. No one is lights out, no one is overly dominant. It would be somewhat of a game to promote any of them, but right now, I don't think it could get much worse.

TSTDIA: Pirates 7 -- Mets 5

The bullpen blows another one.

Live from Shea Stadium

4:52 -- Sad. Just sad.

4:44 -- It's almost comical at this point. 7-5 Pirates.

4:34 -- Tie game. Not surprised.

4:19 -- It's about to get interesting. Aaron Heilman in to close it out with a one run lead.

4:02 -- Well done, Duaner Sanchez. Good inning and a third.

3:53 -- A leadoff double goes to waste when a run or two would have greatly helped the Mets predicament.

3:41 -- I trust no one in the bullpen.

3:36 -- Why in the world is Nate McClouth sacraficing himself?? He's your best hitter and he gives himself up?

3:33 -- Well done, Joe Smith. Two batters, two hits, one run. Awesome.

3:28 -- And here comes the bullpen. Time for the game to get a lot more interesting.

3:05 -- Is Pedro getting squeezed? Seems like it from where we're sitting.

2:54 -- Beltran is a groundout machine.

2:34 -- That had to have been the worst "play at the plate" ever.

2:20 -- And there goes the perfect game and the no hitter.

2:06 -- Pedro Martinez has only topped 83 mph twice so far, once reaching as high as 88 mph. Two balls were hit very hard this inning, but Carlos Beltran tracked them down, as usual.

1:57 -- "The best thing that could happen to Zach Duke right now: get struck by lightning." -Jamie Palatini

1:50 -- I'm just glad I'm not a Pirates fan.

1:26 -- As if a delayed game couldn't get worse, there are hundreds, if not thousands of campers on the warning track. Awesome.

1:08 -- The tarp is off the field and it is very sunny out in Flushing. Figures I forget my sunglasses in the car. Did not anticipate this weather.

John Maine throwing

Always a good sign.

The tarp is on the field

But the sun is now shining. This should be an interesting day.

Heading off to Shea

This will be only my second Mets game this year.

It doesn't look like great weather, but as my friend said, "Do you really think they're going not make up a make up game?"

The Mets take on the Bucs at 1 pm today. Expect photo's and hopefully a few live posts from the game.

Let's go Mets!