The State of the Mets [4/17/09]

Here is the next edition of The State of the Mets, the official web show of The ‘Ropolitans.  Hosted by me, Andrew Vazzano.

Topics: Season so far, inconsistent pitching and looking ahead.

Enjoy.

Twitter Poll: What should the Mets do with Mike Pelfrey?

With the news that Mike Pelfrey has been pitching with forearm tendinitis and the fact that Nelson Figueroa was pulled from his start with Triple-A Buffalo after just two innings makes one wonder what the Mets are planning on doing with their No. 2 pitcher.

Last night, I asked my Twitter followers what the Mets should do.  Here are their responses…

• fscker said: put him on the D/L and call pedro, he's too young, no reason to take a chance that leads to surgery.
• Jbones72 said: he should go on the DL, why risk it...it's still early..
• thebrowncoat said: They shoot horses, don't they? Just kidding. I'd put him on the 15-day DL to be on the safe side this early in the season.
• Section518 said: DL. I'm concerned about the cold weather/Verducci effect. Give him 2 wks & get Figueroa a couple of starts. Can't hurt.
• darknova306 said: Definitely DL. Lots of innings last year for Pelf, I'd say be cautious, we'll (hopefully) need him strong in September.
• MetsNY81 said: They should put him on the DL. It's way too early in the season to risk furthering the injury.
• willrmc said: I say sit him a start. Let Figgy come up and give it a whirl.

And my favorite of the night…

• Retire31 said: Keep Big Pelf on the shelf!

I don’t think they should sit him, but they should call up Figueroa to replace Darren O’Day, who would have to be offered back to the Angels.  The team looks like it’s going to need pitchers who can go for multiple innings out of the bullpen, considering the starting pitchers are having a hard time finishing out six innings.

Not on Twitter?  Hit the comments to toss in your 2¢ about how the Mets should handle Pelfrey’s pain.

Follow me on Twitter to participate
in the next Twitter Poll!

Game Recap: Padres 6 – Mets 5

Another day of too little, too late for the Mets.

The Mini Recap

A strong start from John Maine turned into a debacle in just one inning.  The San Diego Padres scored five runs in the third inning.  Four scoreless innings from the Mets bullpen kept them in the game and the offense attempted to scratch back.

Two home runs were the way the Mets scored  their five runs.  A three-run blast in the first put the Mets up early and a two-run dinger in the eighth brought the Mets within one.  But that’s all they could manage off of Jake Peavy and the Padres ‘pen.

For the full recap, head over to Baseball Digest.

John Maine’s final line

John Maine’s final line against the San Diego Padres…

5 IP, 7 hits, 6 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 7.20 ERA

Live Blog: SD @ NYM – 4/16

The Mets and the Padres are set to face off at 7:10 p.m. for the rubber game of the first series at Citi Field.  Join in the live chat to talk Mets, baseball and Citi Field with fellow fans!

Mets and Spongetech: A match made in heaven

I know you were wondering “Who is going to be the Mets official sponge?!” Lucky for you, I found the answer.

FLUSHING, N.Y., April 16, 2009 - The New York Mets and SpongeTech® Delivery Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: SPNG.OB) today announced a multiyear agreement for "America's Cleaning Company" to join the Mets at Citi Field.

The comprehensive set of rights and benefits features permanent SpongeTech® Delivery Systems, Inc. signage on the left field facade of the Excelsior Level, a sponsored promotional giveaway day in May, in-park branding, and inclusion in marketing and media assets, such as Mets publications and in-game scoreboard messages.

As part of the agreement, the Mets and SpongeTech® will also conduct a children's baseball clinic for 125 kids each year.

"We are excited to renew our commitment with the Mets and for having the opportunity to continue reaching out to their growing fan base," said Steven Moskowitz, COO of SpongeTech®. "Last year's marketing campaign with the New York Mets stimulated sales and overall produced an excellent return on investment."

Well thank goodness we got that straightened out.

Can someone please explain to me how this company has enough money to advertise in Citi Field and all over SNY?

Figueroa pulled; Pelfrey to miss start?

Adam Rubin is reporting that Nelson Figueroa was pulled from his start for the Buffalo Bisons after only two innings.  This brings Mike Pelfrey’s start on Sunday into question.

Pelfrey could hit the DL and rest his arm, with Figueroa taking over his starting duties.  The Mets may opt to pitch Pelfrey, but keep him on a short leash and would have Figueroa around to be the long man out of the bullpen.

Either way, it looks like Darren O’Day’s time with the Mets may be winding down, as Figueroa would have to be added to the 25-man roster.

This is probably the right move for the Mets either way.  With the starting pitchers struggling to get past five or six innings, the Mets are going to look to some bullpen pitchers to put out mulitple inning performances.  The only pitcher I’m currently comfortable seeing out there for more than one inning is Brian Stokes.

Figueroa would alleviate that if he was in the bullpen, as he has the ability to go two, or more, innings if need be.

Sweet Caroline rears it’s ugly head

According to Subway Squaker Lisa Swan, the Mets have brought back “Sweet Caroline” to be the sing-a-long song in the 8th inning.

Oh, wonderful.

The Mets seemed to realize that “Sweet Caroline” has already been claimed by another team, the Boston Red Sox.  They tried to find their own identity, and allowed fans to vote for a handful of songs (or write their own in) to be chosen for the new 8th inning song last year.  That led to the infamous “Rick Roll-ing.”

The Mets should stick to “Meet The Mets!” or some mix of their past anthems, both good and bad.  Where is “Let’s Go Mets Go!,” “Chocolate Strawberry” or “The Metropolitans”?

Still… “Sweet Caroline” is a good song…

All those 42’s threw someone for a loop

That “Unknown” player is Bobby Parnell.  I guess whoever was tracking this game at Yahoo! had a hard time identifying players because everyone was wearing No. 42 on their backs.

They also have him pitching out of order.  Bobby Unknown Parnell pitched before J.J. Putz, not after.  Parnell threw a hitless inning of baseball, taking over for Oliver Perez to start the 7th inning.

Twitter Poll: Who will hit HR No. 500 first?

Last night, in lieu of a Mets win, I asked a fairly silly question just to see where everyone stood on the “Race To 500.”  Gary Sheffield, who made his first start for the Mets last night, needs only one to reach the plateau.  Carlos Delgado, who added to his total last night with a solo home run, now needs 29.

So I asked my Twitter followers: Who will hit No. 500 first?  Sheffield or Delgado…

• mets_geekette said: God, it had better be Sheffield and right quick, too.
• PaulsRandomStuf said: Carlos Delgado, no doubt. I'm beginning to think Gary Sheffield will finish his career at 499.
• letsgoduke said: delgado will not hit 30 before Gary hits one. Shef it is.
• fscker said: Gary Sheffield, after the past week, i think he'll be getting a lot more playing time in left. ala Moises Alou.
• jessicarubin said: as funny as the thought is, i think it's more realistic for sheffield to hit 1 than delgado to hit close to 30... although..
• djeffreys said: As funny/sad it would be for Gado to do it first, I think Sheff will hit at least five homers as a Met, so I'm going Sheff
• fullnelson said: Answer is Top Sheff, Gary Sheffield = 1 HR away.
• theskyzthelimit said: Delgado is definitely hitting 500 first.
• thebrowncoat said: I hope it's Sheffield because otherwise we're going to keep playing him and playing him and playing him until he does. Ugh.
• MetsNY81 said: Gary Sheffield. His 500th HR is coming by the end of the week!
• RyeOnHam said: Sheffield will but I hope that Delgado does it first. GO METS!!!
• JTKrycek said: if carlos hits 29 more HRs before shef hits even 1 then shef should give back the $400,000 the Mets paid him.
• Thommy7893 said: Even though Sheff is only a Bench Player I think he will hit his 500th first.
• cutiepie0319k said: Delgado.. he has better at bats. at least i hope its him :D

Only three people picked Delgado to hit 29 before Sheffield hits one.  It seems logic won out on this one.  But…they play the game for a reason, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Not on Twitter?  Hit the comments to toss in your 2¢ about who will smack No. 500 first.

Follow me on Twitter to participate
in the next Twitter Poll!