Manuel’s Musing

“Angel has had some success against Arizona.  That's what we are. That's what we have. He's somewhat of a veteran. So I didn't mind taking my shot with him at that point.”

-Jerry Manuel on pinch-hitting Angel Berroa with the bases loaded

Game Chat: ARI @ NYM [Game 102]

Doug Davis (5-10, 3.76 ERA) vs. Livan Hernandez (7-5, 4.87 ERA)

Join in for some game gabbing and baseball banter with your fellow fans!

(Chat removed, as usual.)

Lineup for Game 102

Omir Santos must be getting tired.  But not yet, as he’s in the lineup again.

1. Angel Pagan – CF
2. Luis Castillo – 2B
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Jeff Francoeur – RF
5. Fernando Tatis – LF
6. Daniel Murphy – 1B
7. Omir Santos – C
8. Alex Cora – SS
9. Livan Hernandez - RHP

No LaRoche for Mets

After much linking to the Mets (how true it was, we’ll never know), Adam LaRoche has been traded to the Atlanta Braves.

Gordon Edes, who has to have some of the best Red Sox sources, reports that LaRoche is heading back to the team that drafted him and where he broke into MLB.

Either they were outbid or didn’t offer enough (if an offer was made at all).  Either way, it was a good non-move.

Is Adam Bostick an option for the pen?

Though everything is quiet, some believe the Mets may be looking to add a left handed reliever.  Instead of looking around at other teams for players the Mets could pick off of, why not look to the minor leagues?

If they’re searching for a lefty guy out of the bullpen, the team should take a look at Adam Bostick in Buffalo.

Bostick came to the Mets as part of the trade that sent fireballer Matt Lindstrom to the Marlines back in 2006.  Jason Vargas, the other player in that deal, was sent to Seattle in the J.J. Putz trade.

Bostick spent the first two season in the Mets organization pitching at Triple-A New Orleans.  The 2007 and 2008 seasons were pretty awful.  32 starts, 8-9 record, 5.85 ERA and a WHIP of 1.2870.

This season, though, is much better.  Bostick started the season with Double-A Binghamton, going 3-0 in 11 games.  He posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.154 WHIP in 17.1 innings.  He was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo back on June 1, and has been excellent in 22 innings.

Fifteen appearances for Bostick, with one start, has seen him post an ERA of 1.23 and a WHIP of 0.909.  He’s set down 23 batters by way of a strikeout, while walking eight.

Bostick is also good friends with Jon Niese, who credited his moving in with Bostick and Tim McNab with his turn around in Triple-A.

If I was Omar, I would look to Bostick as an option before shipping away players for anyone else.  At least until Billy Wagner comes back.

Wally Backman fired as manager of Joliet Jackhammers

In a move that will likely delight those who want Wally Backman back in Mets orange and blue, the volatile manager has been fired as manager of the Joliet JackHammers of the Northern League.

Backman, who has had a tumultuous few years recently, was fired not due to some crazy incident, but because his team just wasn’t winning.

Via Small Ball USA:

“We want to thank Wally for all that he has done and all the hard work he has put in,” said JackHammers Executive Vice President/General Manager Kelly Sufka. “He has done everything we’ve asked him to do except for in the Win-Loss Column. Nobody is more disappointed with the teams’ record than Wally. A change needed to be made for our fans sake and this is the change that we believe needed to happen.”

He’s fiery, a little off kilter and has a history with the Mets organization.  Would you like to see Backman back with the Mets?

Being a realist at the deadline

The Mets are employing the “wait-and-see” approach to the rest of the season.  Sure, Omar Minaya is probably fielding calls left and right as the non-waiver deadline approaches, but if you’re waiting to see a blockbuster deal, I wouldn’t get my hopes up.

That said, there is always the chance that something huge happens that changes for the outlook for this season and beyond.  But being a realist, I’m not expecting it.

Sure, I’d love to get Victor Martinez or Carl Crawford or Scott Kazmir or Adrian Gonzalez or Roy Halladay.  Who wouldn’t?

If the Mets do make a deal, it will most likely be for a bullpen arm or back of the rotation starter.

The Mets won’t want to deal for any sort of bat, outside of maybe a left fielder or bench player.  They won’t deal for a starting shortstop, first baseman or center fielder because they seem pretty confident with what they have and what will likely be coming off the DL soon.

Over the next few hours leading up to the 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline today, you’re going to hear and read some of the craziest trade rumors ever – but you won’t be reading them here.

Though my traffic might suffer because I’m not posting every whisper and rumor that some other blogs might tout as “TRADE TALKS BETWEEN THE METS AND ______,” you won’t see that at The ‘Ropolitans.

I, too, will be employing the wait-and-see approach to the deadline.  Don’t believe everything you read today, unless it’s written here.

Manuel’s Musing

“I heard he was pitching awfully well.”

-Jerry Manuel on Billy Wagner

Dr. Andrews backs up first opinion on Maine’s shoulder

As it stands right now, John Maine will not be going under the knife.

Mike Pelfrey relayed word from Maine that the doctors told him that is was “nothing structural,” citing the pitcher rushing back from his off-season surgery.  Pelfrey went on to mention that the pain may be coming from a pinched nerve.

Maine, like last year, could return late in the season, but nothing seems likely.  He will continue rehabbing and move from there.

At least it’s not structural.

Game Chat: COL @ NYM [Game 101]

Jorge De La Rosa (8-7, 4.78 ERA) vs. Jon Niese (1-0, 4.08 ERA)

Join in for some game gabbing and barstool banter with your fellow fans!

(Chat removed, as usual.)