In my latest poll, I asked the readers of The ‘Ropolitans if they believed in the bullpen or not. Here are the results…
Do you believe in the bullpen?
Where’s that missing 1 percent?
I’m actually glad to see fans trusting the bullpen. It’s been a long, long time since that was the case.
Next poll: Still want Manny?
Way back on Oct. 6, 2008, I wrote an article about Daniel Murphy’s future with the organization. At that time, the Mets had plans for Murphy to see time at second base.
When he entered the Arizona Fall League, he was listed as a first baseman, and that’s where I had him playing in the future.
From Oct. 6:
He's tall, big, with a great reach. He's got the bat to back him up too. He hits for average, but can also hit for power. He was touted as the best hitter in the Mets minor leagues, and showed his prowess at the plate in his first major league season.
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Still, I'd like to see Murphy at first after this season, or maybe even before this season if they can move Carlos Delgado.
After seeing more AB’s from Murphy, I think the Mets needed a bigger bat at first. He has an bat that hits for average but not so much power. He does not fit the mold of a first baseman the way teams are built nowadays.
Today, David Lennon wrote an article about this very subject.
Of all infield the positions, Murphy said that second base is probably the most difficult for him to pick up at this stage. Getting comfortable around the bag on double plays is a long process for someone not schooled as a middle infielder. Even good shortstops can be skittish about it; just ask Jose Reyes about his ill-fated experiment.
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"I'll play anywhere," Murphy said. "Whatever they want me to do."
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Minaya already anticipates that Murphy will get some infield work during the fall and winter leagues. Where he eventually winds up is anyone's guess. Delgado, who turns 37 in June, said Thursday that he intends to keep playing after this season but it's unlikely the Mets would bite on that in a non-DH league, regardless of his final numbers.
So first base might be the best option for Murphy in the coming years.
That, or shift David Wright to first base and slot in Murphy at third, his natural position. A very drastic move, I know, but something that might be discussed.
What would you do with Daniel Murphy?
New York Mets player Angel Pagan has been arrested in Florida, according to the TC Palm.
Pagan was arrested for various traffic violations, such as driving with a suspended license and for not paying a traffic fine.
Bad move, Angel. Pay those tickets. I’m sure all will be cleared up soon though.
What was really funny about this was the fact that Marty Noble chose tonight, of all nights, to write a little update on Pagan. While checking my Google Reader, this is what I saw…
Sorry, it was too easy.
For the past two days, Francisco Rodriguez was supposed to get a night off. Tonight, he tallied his fourth save in four days.
The New York Mets (14-13) beat the Philadelphia Phillies (14-12) by a score of 7-5.
The Mini Recap
Mike Pelfrey went seven strong, helped out by a great showing from the bats early. Scattered eight hits, walked one and actually struck out no batters. Pedro Feliciano allowed a two-run home run after a botched call that would have ended the inning. Rodriguez issued a two-out walk, but closed out the game for the win.
Home runs from Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Jose Reyes in the first two innings helped the Mets put five runs on the board. A two-run double from Ramon Castro brought home two more.
For the full recap, please read
Mets Maul Moyer.
Here's another of those rousing rooms of chatter. Enjoy New York Mets baseball talk.
With Oliver Pereez going on the DL, the Mets have turned to Jon Niese to make Perez’s scheduled start instead of Ken Takahashi. Why Niese over Nelson Figueroa, who already turned in a quality start for the team this season?
Well…I have no idea.
Figueroa was set to make a start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, but it was rained out (as have five of the last eight games for the Bisons). Niese last pitched on Friday against the Louisville Bats. Figueroa
Niese has pitched three games in the major leagues, with two poor starts and one excellent outing. His first and third starts saw Niese on the mound for only three innings, letting up five and six earned runs respectively.
Niese’s best outing came against the Braves, where he turned in eight shut-out innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out seven.
I guess the Mets are looking for something of a shock to put into their starting rotation. Youth may be one way to do it. I look forward to watching Niese pitch and hope he can turn in something similar to his start against the Braves.
This looks like one of those SAT questions, “What will come next in this pattern…?”
Should Mets fans get used to at least seven strikeouts per start from Johan Santana? Seems it, so far.
I’m really having way too much fun with Microsoft Excel lately. Look for it to become a trend.
Oliver Perez has been put on the disabled list with right knee tendinitis. Perez had an MRI on his knee on Wednesday, according to Adam Rubin.
Perez will be placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 3. Perez had an MRI on his knee on Wednesday, according to Adam Rubin.
Instead of Ken Takahashi making the start in place of Perez on Friday, the Mets will call up Jon Niese from Triple-A Buffalo to make the start against the Pirates.
Niese is 0-2 in five starts for Buffalo this season. He has a 6.55 ERA after letting up 16 earned runs in 22 innings. He’s allowed 29 hits and walked eight while striking out 25 batters.
The Mets only had two hits, but one of the Phillies three errors led to the blue and orange’s win in New York.
The New York Mets (13-13) beat the Philadelphia Phillies (14-11) by a score of 1-0.
The Mini Recap
Johan Santana dominated once more. 10 K’s over seven innings, allowing only two hits. Pedro Feliciano allowed a hit in the 8th, but nothing else, even tallying a strikeout with a runner on third to end the inning. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a 1-2-3 inning to close it out.
Chan Ho Park matched zeros with Santana, even taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The Mets eventually broke through on an error in the seventh inning, scoring the game’s sole run. Thankfully, it was just enough.
For the full recap, please read Santana, Park Match
Zeroes; Mets Win On Error.
Another rousing room of words. New York Mets baseball fans, join in!
(Chat removed, as usual.)