New York Mets 2009

[sonny10305]

Well…..It was fun while it lasted.

What the Hell has happened to Livan Hernandez and Tim Redding.
Hernandez has allowed 15 runs and 22 hits in his last seven innings pitched, all it took last night was for the Dodgers to show a little patience with him and then drive the balls. He pitched no one inside,
Here is a startling stat, Livan In his last three starts, he has a 30.00 ERA.
With all of our problems with injuries our pitchers were supposed to be the driving force to help us win games. We started the season so full of hope with a new and improved pen and a starting line up that was supposed to be a force to be reckoned with. But that was then and this is now, and we are basically fucked.
I expect, no demand, a new starting rotation after the break, I want for starters Jon Niese and Nelson Figueroa brought up, no arguments just do it. I wrote about Niese a few days ago, he has a 1.04 ERA in his last six starts for Triple-A Buffalo, and Figueroa has had some excellent starts and is ERA is somewhere just under 3

It doesn’t help with Manual playing wacky games with the line up card. Seriously Jerry, are you just putting the card on the wall and thrown darts at it to se who plays. Remember a couple of weeks ago Jerry said to his players if you perform well you play. Then yesterday after the awesome day both Murphy and Reed had Jerry leaves both of em outta the line up last night. WHAT?? Oh yeah I know the lefty righty shit again.
Jerry Finally did put Reed in the game in the ninth way to little to late. Oh and by the way Reed is three for his last six.

I told you Martinez would be out of the lineup for a few days but now he has been put on the 15–day disabled list with inflammation in his right knee. No prob, just leave Reed out there. Argenis Reyes is coming back up.
Did he even unpack from his last trip back up to Buffalo just a few days ago?

I have not posted much about my Cyclones except to write that they are currently out playing the Mets.
Oh, and they are 16-2.
I only saw them play once this year but will be going to a game next week and will write something on that

The Mets begin a three game series with the Reds tonight with Fernando Nieve facing Bronson Arroyo .

 

[syam24]

The word "Fuggly" doesn't do justice to last nite's bomb......

 

[Sausy]

Mets just traded Ryan Church to Atlanta for Jeff Francouer....hmm,very interesting to see what was behind this and if anything else is in store.Jeff has been a disappointment the last two seasons after appearing to develop into a fine outfielder and run producer.Still only 25 this year so appears to be a move for now and in the future,hoping to get him back on track.

After all the problems occuring from the concussion complications of last season,the Mets have never seemed to fully get behind with confidence Ryan Church.Before that,the first couple of months of last season,Ryan was the best player the Mets had.A good outfielder and clubhouse guy,it just is kind of sad to see that things couldn't have worked out for Ryan and the Mets,and I wish him well with Atlanta(though of course not against the Mets).

Likewise though I hope Jeff Francouer can recapture that ability that made him for a time one of the real up and comers in baseball.The Mets need to catch lightning in a bottle with their organization being so depleted of impact type prospects,with very few notable exceptions.

 

[syam24]

Good analysis Sausy. Looks like a pretty benign trade on paper, but if someone can reopen the old Franceour magic, it will turn out to be a good trade. Sorry Church didn't fully work out with the Mets. Can't wait for the All Star break, need to rekindle my Mets spirit.

 

[sonny10305]

I had hoped someone would have posted about the Francoeur/Church trade, thanks saucy and syam

When I first got the news I thought Huh…why??
I mean its apples for apples as far as I am concerned and will probably do nothing to help the Mets.
Francoeur is a good outfielder but Church is better, although I will say Jeff has a great arm, Did you hear Omar say “Some people think he’s the best defensive right fielder in baseball.” Huh? Who Omar, who says that?
Francoeur is a good hitter but so is Church, plus Jeff strikes out a lot, a total free swinger.
You have to wonder why the Braves would do this. I can think of one reason and that is the Braves GM has had a bad relationship with Francoeur from day one. The Mets front office had little faith or use for Church so it sounds like a deal made in heaven just for the boys in the front office. Of course Manual is happy cause he has had a hair up his ass about Church for some time. No one can ever convince me that Manual did not have it in for Ryan. So they are all happy, but as a Mets fan I don’t think much will change. Check out theses stats Ryan has had three home runs Jeff five. Ryan is batting .280 Jeff .250 Church has had 25 RBIs Jeff 33.
It will be strange to see Church at Citi field in a Braves uniform and Francoeur in a Mets uniform next week playing right field. Come now Mets fans lets show some love for Church when he first steps out on the field or at the plate. I Can’t wait to se him hit against Santana, and while I want the Mets to win the game I do want Ryan to pull a Mike Piazza as a Dodger and hit one outta the park his first at bat as a Brave.
But that’s just me (and Ryan)

Man oh Man does Ryan have the Mets number, he knows all the secrets, knows where the bodies are buried as it were. I guess the Mets are working out new signs as I write this

Thing is I am not upset over the trade I am just confused and bewildered as to what good it will be for us. I know Jeff is younger and perhaps can get back to form. But like everything with the Mets theses days its woulda-coulda-shudda and nothing concrete for us to sink our teeth into. No, this trade made little sense and I am totally ho hum about it. Basically when people as me I just shrug my shoulders as if to say no biggie. I mean is this the Mets front office saying see we did something to help the team troubles? Well say no, ya didn’t.
Jeff will wear #12; his #7 is of course not available. Tonight he will pitch 5th in the lineup.
A few guys including Kevin Burkhart, whose opinion I value, have said this will be a change of scenery for those guys and I get that and agree that it will be good for both of them. They may each help both teams so it is back to my original thought of apples for apples. Church/ Francoeur trade? YAWN

Poor Nick Evans is packing again to make room for Francoeur, they could have sent A Reyes but I think they want to keep Reyes as a back up infielder for second and short, so Evens was the sensible choice. Not to worry Nickie boy don’t fully unpack you will be back before you know it.

Oh, and No, I am not going to comment much about yesterday’s game, except I thought Fernando Nieve looked much better than his last couple of starts, he got plenty of swings and misses.
I also want to ask my boy D Wright why it took him so long to throw that ball in the rundown and when will he stop double clutching? By the way, sorry David but that was not a home run steal as scored, it was an error, your error.

 

[chance1]

going to tonite's game - Johan on the mound - that's good

church for francoeur is omar saying the latter has more upside potential

church hasn't looked right in a while - since prior to the concussion IMO

so i think this is a good deal

if not one that will help us asap

hoping for something crazy tonite

a mets victory

 

[sonny10305]

Good game last night Johan Santana went seven innings, and threw 114 pitches, nice! He also threw 77 strikes, even nicer, no runs and still more nice, no walks. He was a stud out there, finally started to pitch inside again and had the Reds batters off balance with all those pitches sometimes coming low and sometimes high. Watch the swinging ball boys and swing away suckers.
Even when he started to labor and run out of steam you could just see on his face the focus and determination to get through that last inning. Could this be the Santana who general jumps to life in his second half of the season. Again…nice.

Angel Pagan was on fire, if he plays like that and continues to set the table for us, we won’t miss Reyes so much. Well …maybe not. Too bad after Angel stole second and then third d Wright had to go and leave him stranded on third, shame. I wanted him to score after that effort.

Jeff Francoeur had a decent debut with a double that drove in two runs in his first at bat. In case you were wondering, Ryan Church went 0-4 in his first day in Atlanta.

Nick Evans did go to Buffalo yesterday to make room for Angel Pagan

Today it will be Mike Pelfrey and Aaron Harang in the last game before the break.
Let’s hope the Mets can get some rest regroup and come out fighting next week against the Braves.

No baseball tomorrow but we have the All-star game on Tuesday and I will be going to see the Cyclones on Wednesday so at least I won’t go into some kinda baseball withdrawal for the three days.

 

[gambit22121]

From the Braves perspective, the Church for Franceour deal does make sense. Apparently, they have one of the most highly regarded prospects coming up that would have replaced Jeff. Atlanta now gets someone in Church that can mentor the kid and then be gone. From the Mets perspective, we get someone that is younger and more aggressive. Not better, just different.

We're now at the All-Star break and it's time to take stock on where we're at and where we're likely to be for the balance of the season. Obviously, with all of the injuries and different people playing out of position, we've been the Bad News Mets for a long period of time. We definitely need more of those practice drills to help stay sharp and stop making those bonehead plays in the field. Will we get better in the second half? If we get Beltran and Reyes back, both offense and defense can't help to get better. Especially the defense. You can't take the two leadership positions on the field (shortstop and centerfield) and hope that role players can cut it on a long term basis. Those positions are critical. We will get better but the big question is when.

As to when those players come back, who would have thought that when Jose went down that Billy Wagner might come back before Jose? So we have to be patient.

I think for me, the most maddening thing about this season is looking at where we are vs. where Omar promised us that we would be. When Omar took the job as GM, he promised:

1. That we would get younger
2. That we would be more physically fit to avoid devastating injuries
3. That the farm system would be rebuilt so that we are less reliant on free agency
4. Because we would have home-grown talent, we would have a lower payroll

Well where are we?

1. We have the oldest team in the National League if not all of baseball.
2. We have more players on the long term DL than any team in baseball.
3. We have fewer ranked (star) players in the minors, evidenced by how many Buffalo players are going to their All-Star game (1).
4. We have really only Niese and F. Martinez that can come up to the majors and look at what has happened to each when they have (major disappointments). So we rely on Free Agency and now have the second highest payroll in baseball. And for each Type 1 free agent we pick up, we lose a draft pick to help us replenish our farm system.

So unless Omar begins to actually keep his promises that he made when he took the job, we will continue to toil where we are. A perfect example of this is what happened with the Yankees from 2001 on.

So I guess for now we tread water and enjoy the eye candy that we have at first (Murphy), third (Wright), left (Evans) to help alleviate some of the pain of losing.

 

[sonny10305]

^ gambit22121 thanks for that prespective

Yesterday except for the bull pen was another great game
Mike Pelfrey reminded me of Big Pelf gone by. Even after his problems in the 5th Manual showed confidence in him and let him come back in the 6th and rebounded beautifully. Good move Jerry

All the boys delivered with good offense and defense Murph showing us more of his terific nw defensive moves.Both Murph and D Wright have seemed to have found their swing again. I think David has got it figured out, let’s hope he can keep it going. Murphy ahs also made the adjustments he need to make and is pulling the ball, he seems to like doing that. But the opposing pitchers will soon have his number and I hope Daniel will be able to continue adjusting when the they start to pitch him outside, which they are sure to start doing now.

How about that Gary Sheffield, he was supposed to have had yesterday off but woke up felling frisky and asked to be put I the line up. Manual agreed and Gary rewarded us with three runs on two hits.
That what a veteran does.

Very fun situation when the home run apple did not go up after the Tatis homer. It seems the mechanism needs 45 seconds to recharge before it can work again and it had just come down after Schneider’s homer and would not work. I loved hearing the crowd booing the apple and shouting “we want the apple” Gary Cohen said, with all the Mets injuries the apple decided to go on the DL as well. But Gary’s best comment was when SNY’s Gary Apple did a sports update just after the incident with the home run apple and said (refering to himself) “this apple is always working” Gary Cohen then replied “But do you need 45 seconds to recharge” ?
Ahhh Gary just what did you mean by that.

Very encouraging news on the injury front. Reyes began a running workout and looked very very good, said he felt no pain. Delgado began taking ground balls and took batting practice. He is possible to be back in early August. No word on Reyes return but it looks good for early August as well.

Johan Santana with his 119 wins has made #1 on the Venezuela career victories list which is compiled of Venezuelan born pitchers. A big deal in his home land and an honor for him as well. Nice going Johan.

Argenis Reyes has been demoted to Triple-A Buffalo. AGAIN.
Dono why, who is he making room for? Stay tuned.

Most of the boys have three days off to go home, rest and unfry their minds. But at least they went out on a positive note which should help them relax and come back strong.

Here is a picture of Wright and Murph and Francoeur showin the the love

 

[sonny10305]

The rotation has been set for the start of the second half of the season.
First up will be Oliver Perez against the Braves, then Mike Pelfrey on Friday, Johan Santana on Saturday, Fernando Nieve on Sunday, and Livan Hernandez on Monday
So no changes, all the guys will be given at least three more shots before sent on their way. Very generous but fair I guess. Let’s see how everyone does after the break including the struggling starters. I do still want Jonathan Niese, and it looks like he will would be next in line to replace the next pitcher to crash and burn. Ya gota figure that will be Hernandez, he lost his last two starts and was patheticis His ERA is almost 20!

Now that Manny Acta has been fired by the Nationals, some are wondering if he might be invited to join up with the Mets in some capacity. Omar Minaya and Tony Bernazard are both close with Acta.
Well friendship loyality is one thing but were would he fit in?

All Star game tonight. I am hoping Santana pitches but keep him limited to maybe
one or two innings. He just came off a game were he pitched 114 pitchers and he starts again on Saturday. Let him play just don’t over use him.

 

[sonny10305]

D Wright had one of the only 5 hits in late nights All Star game.
Unfortunaltly he also made a high throw to first pulling Pujols off the bag and costing us the double play.

Speaking of D Wright, he said this week that he wants to remain a Met for his entire career. David said; “I’ve made it very clear to those guys that I enjoy being there. I’ve been through some ups and downs and I kind of want to see it through to make sure that I get the chance to finish the job that I kind of started. It means a lot to me to be able to finish the job and do what I think the New York Mets are capable of doing. I don’t think we’ve done that yet.”
Sounds good to me David…sounds good to me.

Going to watch the Cyclones tonight. Looking forward to maybe talking to some of the guys. I especially want to meet closer Michael Powers who is outstanding. *fingers crossed* Pleae let him pitch tonight

The overall pitching has been off the hook and they are now 18-7 and leading their league.

 

[Thad1527]

What's with David Wright advertising that awful-looking animated movie? Granted, I'm always happy to see him...but I'm not going to see the movie unless I can sit next to him.

Have fun at the Cyclones, Sonny! I'm thinking about seeing the S.I. Yankees on my birthday next month - it's like they're the only home game that day.

 

[sonny10305]

What's with David Wright advertising that awful-looking animated movie? Granted, I'm always happy to see him...but I'm not going to see the movie unless I can sit next to him.

Have fun at the Cyclones, Sonny! I'm thinking about seeing the S.I. Yankees on my birthday next month - it's like they're the only home game that day.

Actually it’s kinda a sweet deal for David. He is teaming up with Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer to help spread the word about the All-Star Game, Grand-Slam million-ticket sweepstakes. If a grand slam had been hit during the All-Star Game the first million people who have entered on Disney’s website would have won a free ticket to see the “G-FORCE” flick.
I t was a promotion, but kids are involved and that always gets David’s attention. David said “I was thrilled when Disney and Major League Baseball asked me to be a part of this campaign because I love working with children and helping them through my foundation.”
Man oh man just think had David gotten the grand slam, how sweet.

As for sitting next to David, I love the ay you think

 

[syam24]

I'm thinking the Mets need to come out of Atlanta no worse than with a 2-2 split of the series. Anything less will mean to me that the season is lost. I know there are still lots of games to be played, but the Mets must win the division, don't see the wild card coming out of the East. The Giants and their pitching won't fall too far off the pace, and they may even win their division. I can see a sort of repeat of 1951 when they caught the Dodgers and then Bobby Thompson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" home run gave them the pennant. Just some thoughts....Let's Go Mets!!!

 

[NYDan815]

Hey new user here, lifelong mets fan!

I think to start off the second half they definitely need to play with focused defense and solid starting pitching. In general, the pitching has been good enough to win games, aside from the uncertainties in the pen... The defense has cost them SO much. I can't imagine a team getting to the playoffs with solid pitching, decent hitting, and horrible defense. We need a period of great defensive play, which will in turn help the pitching. I think the offense's main problem is hitting with their backs to the wall, so its better to respond to their difficulties with early and often production. Obviously injuries have ravaged the team's core players, but the good teams deal with it and remain successful.

A good series with the Braves can give the team some much needed inspiration to stay around .500 until someone can return. (Putz and Wagner come back in late August!!!)

And also, I LOVE DAVID WRIGHT!!!!!!

 

[Sausy]

Welcome,Dan.....another passionate Mets fan!The more the merrier!

Love to hear sonny that David Wright really wants to be a Met for life...despite the struggles and overall disappointments it only has seemed to make hm want to win so much more,here as a Met.To be part of an incredible New York feeling when the Mets do put it alltogether hopefuly much sooner than later.Being part of a winning situation will taste all the more sweeter.He has always embraced being part of the city and lives in the heart of Manhattan,so you know how much David Wright loves New York!

I also read that CitiField and the Mets are the most likely hosts of the 2013 All Star game and festivities,and that would be so great!The Yankees hosted it last year and it was terrific,but my heart really belongs to the Mets and seeing everything happen there will be a real treat!Though the home run contest could be VERY interesting!

 

[Sausy]

Another loss,5-3 to the Braves as Ollie is still on the wild side but seems much less a problem now....bullpen couldn't hold it after six.David Wright is fired up and frustrated,saying as much as the Mets have to stop using injuries as a crutch and start playing more professionally.It has to eat up at him....and the news on the injury front isn't very good to make things worse.Fernando Martinez had surgery on a torn knee ligament and is out optimistically til September...yeah,right!

Carlos Beltran's latest MRI indicates NO improvement,no lessening of the bone bruises in his knee.He stilll may face alarmingly according to Omar Minaya a microfracture procedure to fix the problem which has had decidedly mixed results in professional sports....some have recovered their skills to close to the same level as before the procedure,others see their quickness and athleticism,essential especially in playing center field like Beltran does,erode substantially.He may not be a known quantity til sometime in spring training next year,a downer if there ever was one for the long suffering Mets fan.

Carlos Delgado seems to still be on target for mid August...hopefully,but by then the cow will have long left the barn.John Maine,end of the month....but again,it's tentative,subject to complete reversal of expectation.Jose Reyes apparently is pain free,taking some batting practice with John Maine pitching...but he took a cortisone shot recently,and that may explain it rather than him substantially improving.If that is the case,expect his return date to go from the end of the month til sometime in August....maybe.This club is AWFUL in handling injuries,making relatively optimistic public statements early,downplaying player complaints....then proceeding to feeding us the bad new as it comes in waves.Bad PR at best,reckless negligence at worst.


Perhaps we have to expect this is what the current season will deliver....a lost,injury plagued,often amateurish,uninspired,fundamentally flawed horror show.I am a Mets fan for the duration,but it is so maddening,frustrating and disappointing to see this organization at this low point.This offseason,nothing should be left off the table....the Mets need leadership,direction,professionialism at all levels and especially ,just some real hope of better days.

 

[sonny10305]

I would like to join saucy in welcoming NY Dan to our thread, I look forward to future posts.
Dan, of course I share your love for D Wright I have been a great admirer of him not only for his baseball prowess but for the charatable work he is forever involved in. He is an incredible credit to the Mets and his family. An absolute first rate guy. Plus of course it doesn’t hurt that he is such a babe.

Syam, I love your “Shot Heard 'Round the World"

Saucy, as always your post on ysterdays game hit the ole nail on the head. I knew I could count on you to say what had to be said.
I would only add that Yesterday Manual decided to mix things up and put Perez in the line up to give Santana an extra days rest even though Johan had not pitched on the all star game. Shouldn’t we have wanted to improve our chances of winning the first game with Santana. Also it was a match made in Hell with Perez and Lowe.
As it turned out it was not terrible, Ollie pitched better than he did in his first start but certainly nothing to write home to mommy about. He gave up back-to-back solo home runs to Escobar and Anderson in the second inning. But Derek Lowe did not fair a whole lot better. In fact I thought he totally crashed and burned in the fourth. My concern was that Lowe was going to dominate and embarrass the Mets after not being able to make a deal with them. You will remember it was Derek who all of us wanted but Omar resigned Perez instead. Actually Lowe has not had a very good season so the loss has not been all that painful, and to see him go to toe to toe with Ollie and have both of em pretty much a wash. If Lowe had pitched really well and Ollie really badly there would have been a lynch squad sent to Omar’s house.

In the end it was Mets lack of offense and the pen that did us in last night.

How great it was to see and hear the Braves fans giving Jeff Francoeur that rousing welcome. That was great!
I generally have little love for Braves fans what all that chanting and chopping an all, but nice job making Jeff feel welcome. Mets fans must remember to do the same for Church the first time he steps on to Citi Field in a braves uniform.

My trip to Brooklyn the other night was a lot of fun. Great crowd and weather.
Cyclones won and I got see two of my favorite Cyclone pitchers, Brandon Moore and Mike Powers.
Brandon threw 8 complete innings throwing about 80 pitches giving up only four hits. I forgot to start marking down his Ks but there was about 10 of em. His ball to strike ratio was excellent with about 20 balls and 60 strikes. He is very good at working ahead in the count. I did a lousy job charting them on my card but that’s about what he did. Brandon is usually a fast ball, slider pitcher but that night he showed off a nice curve I never saw him throw before. It is a very effective pitch and it strengthens his ability.
His ERA is now under 1 and is 3-0 this season. Nice going there Brandon.

As for Powers, who was the guy I most wanted to see an meet, did not disappoint winning his fourth save and is 4-0 He did have a little trouble giving up an RBI double that was thisclose to the chalk I mean that ball was fair by an inch. But he bounced right back and got the win for himself and Moore
.
There were a few players available for autographs and meeting. I saw Andy Green 2B and Angel Berra SS, but I did not meet them. I was looking for the pitchers who did not come out. I later found them all around Bobby O who was holding court with them. Oh well, I’ll get em next time. Tony Bernazard was there as usual keeping an eye on his future Mets. I also heard John Franco was around but I did not see him. Kevin Burkhard was not there.

If you have never been to a minor league game do your self and get to one. There is an awesome energy running through the players that is somehow different from the big leaguers. It’s hard to describe or explain but theses guys are so intense and so excited t play it just gives me such pleasure to see them out there playing there hearts out. I get goose bummpes just thinking about it.

Here is a great shot Ryan Church and Jeff Francoeur meeting in Atlanta.

 

[Thad1527]

Thanks for posting the Francoeur/Church pic. Did I mention I love Jeff Francoeur too?

 

[Sausy]

^I agree,Thad....I really like Francouer,as well.

Thanks too for the pic,sonny.....totally agree with you about Ryan Church should receive an equally warm welcome from the fans when the Braves come back to CitiField.He and Francouer are classy,solid guys.Francouer grew up in the Atlanta area so I'm sure he'll be always well regarded even coming down as an opponent.

Pic of David Wright on the back page of the Daily News,big arms folded,looking very pensive...hot but especially seeing how the Mets played tonight....Pelfrey and company getting pounded in the seventh 11-0 as I write this,well it has got to be so frustratingly depressing right now as a Mets fan.On the game on Channel 11 I believe Howie Rose was saying in the 21 years he's done the Mets,the worst year statistically was 1993,when they lost 103 games.But this year's Mets are playing if possible far worse,as the Mets had ridiculously bad luck in one run game losses in 1993 and were rarely out of games as they have often found themselves this year.

Thanks sonny for updating us on the Cyclones and glad you enjoyed the game.How much promise do the guys you mention have,as realistically contributing potential major leaguers?

I'm probably going to the Mets/Cards on August 5,really because I truly want to experience CitiField firsthand.....going with my brother,another huge Mets fan.I love what you say to Gumby about appreciating his passion and continued support for his beloved Nationals,even as they continue to struggle in the standings.They're your guys,and whether it's Nationals or Mets,they've goit to know you still are behind them,especially if they give you an effort.That's all Mets fans want to see.....even if they are in a difficult position now,struggling to stay healthy...just give us effort and hope and we'll always be behind them.