Inching closer and closer to the end of the season. Here’s the lineup as the Mets try to avoid losing eight in a row to the Braves…
Daniel Murphy is having quite a year. Beginning the season as the starting left 
Moving to first, he’s shown some immaturity at the position. But at the plate, he leads the team in home runs (not a huge feat) and could possibly break a Mets team record.
Murphy currently has 36 doubles. The team record is 44, held by Bernard Gilkey from 1996. It’s a stretch with 10 games remaining, but he has a shot.
Closer in reach, notes David Waldstein, is the doubles hit by a first baseman record. John Olerud currently holds the record with 39.
The most amazing thing about this is Olerud hit 39 doubles in 160 games. Murphy has hit 32 in only 94.
For the full story, head over to The NY Times.
I’ve been complaining that Murphy doesn’t hit well enough (or field well enough) to be the team’s first baseman next year unless they seriously upgrade at other positions.
Murphy, in my mind, will be dangled as trade bait this winter. The Mets have Nick Evans waiting in the wings to show what he can do and, to me, they are very similar players. The Mets could gamble and send one away, hoping the one they retain is the one that performs.
-Jerry Manuel on losing seven straight to the Braves
In a report for the Daily News, Adam Rubin reports that the Mets have fired Ramon Pena, “the organization’s top official in charge of signing Latin American talent.”
The Mets also fired Luis Aguayo, who was the minor-league field coordinator and also served a stint as first base coach last season. Sandy Johnson, vice president of scouting, also plans on retiring.
Looks like the Mets are none-too-pleased with their minor league system, both in terms of signings and crafting them into major league ready players.
To me, this signals a sort of last-ditch effort by Omar Minaya and the Wilpons to save face in this dismal season. These firings cast the notion that these people are the reason the team is losing and shedding them will help the team in the future.
This reeks of desperation.
Now you need to keep you eye on who fills these roles.
Jerry Manuel confirmed to reporters that Pat Misch will be pulled from the rotation for the rest of the season, likely to be replaced by Tobi Stoner or Lance Broadway, reports Adam Rubin.
I’m torn. On one hand, why not let Misch keep pitching for the rest of the year? What’s two or three more starts and possible losses?
On the other hand, I do want to see what the Mets have in Stoner and Broadway. Doesn’t look like either can be an impact player for next year, but they are under the team’s control and could help a few years down the road. Let’s get a preview now.
And here’s the lineup they will run out at Citi Field tonight…
In my latest poll, I asked fans if they want to see Omir Santos as the starting catcher next year. Here are the results…
And please, don’t say Josh Thole.
Next Poll: Who will you root for in the playoffs?
-Jerry Manuel on being down by eight
Here are two things that troubled me with the Mets box score from last night’s 11-3 loss to the Braves.
First, of course, is the pitching lines, specifically the first two…
Secondly, not so much from the box score, but still a troubling sight…
How many games left? Here’s the lineup…
There’s no denying that Milton Bradley is a character. He’s been suspended for the rest of the 2009 season by the Chicago Cubs due to comments made to a newspaper about Cubs fans.
With two more years left on Bradley’s contract in Chicago, the Cubs may be looking to deal the embattled outfielder to avoid any future disasters.
So I asked my Twitter followers if they would want to see Bradley on the Mets in 2010. Here are their responses… (It was pretty lopsided.)
YES
dmoneymania said: Yes. We need talent.
BlackMagic718 said: For Oliver Perez, sure. He'll help out the offense, and Ollie can be replaced with a QUALITY starter via free agency.
NO
awolf12 said: No. No way. Uh uh. Nyet. Nein. Nope. Thanks, but no thanks.
Lou_Bolkovic said: NO! Bradley brings too much baggage and is always an injury concern. After this season we need players who are durable.
cutiepie0319k said: NO! i just don't like him.
bosco86 said: No, Bradley is a nut case that Omar, Jerry, Wilpons cant control. if they didn’t want Manny why take Bradley.
Ryan_J_Smith said: No way. Milton Bradley is selfish, conceited, and a locker room cancer. He is the opposite of what the Mets need right now
YaGottaBKiddnMe said: NO way. Because of his mental issues. We don't need that in our clubhouse. I think he may be utter poison.
julierubes said: No. The cities & fans of NY and Chi aren't all that different: criticism everywhere. If he can't handle Chi, NY isn’t better.
shyonelung said: no. Clubhouse cancer and a general idiot.
jnetty99 said: Bradley said "I need a stable, healthy, enjoyable environment,". Mets might have enjoyable but not healthy or stable
DhmkJp said: Absolutely not because the Mets need to go with a youth/power/speed outfielder next year and Bradley provides none of that.
swirlywand said: Are you kidding? Trying to test the ridiculously outrageous responses to such a SILLY question? LOL- No, in 43 languages!
swirlywand continued: Maybe we can get Elijah Dukes for Brian Schneider...you know, to make sure Beltran is flanked by not one, but TWO SHOWBOATS
gwong said: F*ck no to Milton Bradley on the Mets. He is the definition of clubhouse cancer.
And from the peanut gallery…
Retire31 said: Yes, only if Bradley causes Jerry Manuel to take off his shirt and start a brawl with him.
EliFromBrooklyn said: I would love to have Milton Bradley on the Mets. He is all about fun! The game creator Milton Bradley, that is.
drsexington said: My litmus test: If they fit in better with the 1992-93 Mets than the current ones, bad choice#vincecoleman #bretsaberhagen