New York Mets 2012

[syam24]

Can't add much to Sausy's recap, except to say at least they held on for the win. It was nice to see some clutch hits by Ike. Jon NIese's effort was superb. I thought Edgin was going to be a reliable guy out of the pen, but recently he's been back sliding. Parnell, as long as he's not closing is about the only reliable dude out there. Everyone else is hit/miss. Sure they were decent Saturday, but that was after the Mets fell behind by nine runs. The Braves probably relaxed a bit. Well let's see if we can add to a one game streak. Let's go Mets!!

 

[Sausy]

The thing about Edgin is he does need a little more time and experience so while his wildness was disappointing,it didn't get me as angry as the "effort" by Frank Francisco.Two walks,a run scoring single?You bear down and finish them off when you're the closer.At least come off to the opposition as it's going to be a bitch to score off me.He wasn't prepared and has no excuse for it....like I said in another post, what good is it if we hit gold with young starting pitchers like Niese and Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler if we dn't have people who can finish off the game without worry? I think whoever closes next year has to earn it,salaries be damned.

 

[Sausy]

Chris Young somehow allowed no runs in five and two third innings but eight hits and 12 baserunners... lots of lasers tagged off the wallsbut somehow kept Cincy from getting the big hit. Rest of the relief did til Manny Acosta allowed runners in the ninth and Josh Edgin was greeted by a game winning three run shot by Jay Bruce. Again, not much from the offense and a bullpen fumble at the end. Not a recipe to get back to .500, which is still possible if some more players would pull their weight. But time's awaistin' and all the good feeling of the first half has just about vanished.

In some good minor league news, Jeurys Familia pitched a strong game for the Bisons and was helped by the second grand slam while with the Bisons for promising yet still inconsistent Matt den Dekker.

 

[Sausy]

Not a fan of the move to get 32 year old catcher Kelly Shoppach from the Red Sox to platoon with Josh Thole. Look,Thole is either the Mets catcher for next few years or he isn't.He has to continue improving defensively and has got to recapture the hitting stroke that made him look so promising as a consistent contact hitting bat in the lineup even without much power. Shoppach has some power but is a huge liability otherwise offensively....not a good average hitter who strikes out a ton,over 30% of his at bats for his career. We need that,don't we....all the fantastic contact hitters throughout the lineup?! If he made us better, one thing but he will be a negative to the flow of the lineup....at least Josh still makes contact,just has to hit the ball harder more consistently. Shoppach is pretty much all or nothing. I'd rather have Johnson or Mickeas back here to heelp defensively next year.

 

[sonny10305]

Back from Buffalo and had a great trip, it was just a sleep, eat and baseball and more baseball, oh and a little air hockey too. The main focus of my trip was on Lucas Duda who has found peace in Buffalo and is turning it around to be sure. He is much more relaxed and confident now swinging the bat a whole lot better and has for sure made some positive adjustments I also think in speaking with him that Lucas may have gained his confidence back and getting back to what he is capable of for sure using the field more. Remember I told you when he was here in Flushing that cause he was struggling in the outfield that he felt pressure to do well offensively but coming to Buffalo has changed that and he feels so much better about himself I gotta credit Backman but mostly hitting coach George Greer for helping turn Luca around to where he is now hitting about .250 “Are you glad you are here” I asked, and Lucas said sure he was disappointed when they sent him down but now he sees how important it was for him me to come to the Bison’s, he is enjoying himself again and looking forward to getting back in the bigs. Greer told me later that he expects Lucas to be back as a part of the Sept call back.
As to the rest of the team there is not a big story here no big prospects ready to explode onto the scene anytime soon but I was impressed with how well Zack Lutz is doing at third base and now batting just over .300. Joshua Satin has moved to second base and is very comfortable there batting just under .300 I am a little concerned for Matt Den Dekker who has been struggling and is batting only about .210 but maybe my being here helped him cause he hit not one but two grand slams in just two weeks including one yesterday which was the same game Jeurys Familia pitched seven scoreless innings which concluded with a shutout win after Robert Carson took over on the mound. Matt was the first Bison to have two grand slams in one season since 8 years ago. Oh, and btw he cheats at Air hockey

Our pitching with Familia, Wheeler and Schwinden.is looking very promising but none of them are ready for the bigs just yet but watch for them cause they will be awesome for us when they are.

Some of us were talking about Kelly Shoppach who I hear will be with the Mets today, we know that Rob Johnson is headed back to AAA at least until rosters expand Sept. 1. Many of us agree that it was a surprise move a questionable one as well. Shoppach is due to be a free agent after the season, I personally don’t see him on the team next year this will just be a look-see for the Mets to see what he’s got which I do not believe will be much and certainly not the answer to play with Josh Thole in 2013. What we heard was that Collins will prolly platoon him against the righties with lefty Thole. I am not so sure I like that idea in fact I would say I am against it simply cause he will be taking time away from Josh who needs to play as often as he can if he is to improve. But maybe the Mets are hoping that Shoppach and would be helpful with the new kids coming up soon like Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, and Jeurys Familia. I get that they will need a solid, experienced leader behind the plate to help develop them and I am all for that but I am just not convinced that the answer is Shoppach. I want the Mets to spend money next year on an experienced catcher to work with the kids, someone who has the ability to handle pitchers and call a game, it is something the Mets have got to acquire in 2013 I should mention that Mike Nickeas is also doing well in AAA behind the plate and hitting about .320

Other pitching news tells us that Mike Pelfrey is recovering well from his Tommy John surgery and expects to begin tossing a ball next week. Most believe that big Pelf will be cut loose in December but should be ready for Opening Day 2013 just probably not as a Met and will not be non-tendered in this offseason. Then there is Dillon Gee who he has a doctor’s appointment in St Louis next week (the same doctor who repaired his artery) and hopes to be able to throw soon but he did say he has no hope of returning this year.

So the Mets prospects are very exciting but few will be ready for 2013 the Mets have got to spend money for next year there is no question about that. We cannot go into 2013 with business as usually we are not going to be competitive if we stay as is I’m thinking when you hear Alderson talk about how much he believes that he will be able to re-sign DWright who is under the team's control for 2013 through an option but I hate to break it to you Sandy but David may just may be getting tired of playing on a losing team with management not willing to spend any money for pro talent and just may surprise you and say thanks but no thanks he wants to play on a winning team maybe just maybe more than being as Met all his career. I’m just sayin.

 

[syam24]

Well, the Mets offense has been, offensive. One run in 18 innings in the Great American Bandbox in Cincy. Utterly disappointing. Not even RA could save us last nite. I guess I'll just ride out the season, nothing going on here......Let's Go Mets!!!

 

[sonny10305]

I was absolutely out of my mind with anger last night when that jackass umpire went out the mound and ordered RA to remove the friendship bracelets from his wrists. He’d been wearing them since January after his daughters gave them to him after he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. RA has been wearing the bracelets ever since including during every start, every bullpen session. Apparently there is a rule by major League Baseball regarding such things.
So here is the thing, the bracelets would in any way distract the hitters since they were worn on his glove hand not his pitching hand so the batters could not possible be distracted in seeing the ball coming out of his hand. Also the bracelets were the same color as the glove making them difficult to see from the plate. Look, I play baseball I get that if the bracelets were on Dickeys pitching arm maybe just maybe I could see a small point to them being a distraction when as a hitter you are trying to concentrate on the ball as it left Dickey’s hand but it was not you would not have even seen the bracelets where he was wearing them, it was total BS.

So here is what I want, first of all we often see pitchers wearing some sort of jewelry or bracelet, Collins needs to inspect very carefully every pitcher the Mets face from now until the end of the season and if they have so much as ear wax I want it removed. Secondly the Mets need to act immediately to get permission for the players to wear first responder’s caps during the game on 9/11 and MLB needs to grant that permission as a small token of yeah, we fucked up so let us make it up a little.
We all remember what happened last year on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 when the Mets took to the field wearing g the 9/11 caps and were told by umpires to take them off, the rules ya know. Many of the players were pissed but had to oblige DWright was so irritated that he wore the hat in the dugout between innings as if to say to the umps “go ahead fuck with me”

I have reached out to K Burkhardt and asked him to talk about it tonight either on the post-game or during the game. I am not sure Kevin will want to talk about this publically or even if he totally agrees with me but depending on what his bosses say hopefully he will.

 

[Sausy]

I understand how you feel about the whole Dickey incident...such ticky tack shit by the umpires.Hate when there are supposedly rules that are selectively imposed....if you have rules,let them apply to everyone.Give RA a warning beforehand.....the way it was done just stunk to high heaven, and the umpires who were unprofessional should be reprimanded by their superiors. Very personal gift from his daughters, not material to cheat with or distract batters. As you said,it really can't be made out by the batter...it's distracting NOBODY!

Good on David for wearing the cap in the dugout....I hope this year MLB gets real on the whole non issue of the Mets commemorating 9/11 with those special caps and doesn't cop that same kind of attitude they showed last year. Or fuck them, wear them anyway and take a fine if there is a problem.

Love the effort by Matt Harvey last night...seven and two thirds innings, four hits,only one run and a lot of strikeouts. PLUS two hits including an RBI double! The best of Matt H....we gotta have a nickname here!Big night for Ike Davis,mashed a solo homer and ripped an RBI hit.Even Jason Bay launched one.....hope he at least can show a pulse the rest of the way, and a home run is nice.

I see our closer couldn't even make a seven run lead a safe one......given work the out of shape one gave up four hits and three runs and looked pathetic.well,at least the Mets held on 8-4.

 

[sonny10305]

Yup Harvey was amazing he just gets better and better but what I the most was concerned about was how Kelly Shoppach would catch him and he did an excellent job. Kelly knew very little about Matt and so I was concerned but they were in sync all night and Matt was smart enough to let Kelly call the game with very few shrug off. I was as interested in watching how Kelly would call the game as I was in watching Harvey and was really happy with the his approach. Did you see Kelly question the ump on a call? You rarely see a catcher disagree with an ump quite that way it was very polite but also very matter of fact. A Pitcher loves to see that something we have not since Piazza. The younger guys cannot get away with that only the veterans like Kelly.

As to Frank Francisco it looks like Alderson better add a closer to next year’s shopping list, he managed last night to take a non-save situation and turn it into a save situation, and he’s our closer

Big night for Johan tonight he has got to bounce back, btw don’t let anyone tell you otherwise this whole 6 man rotation has more to do with Johan getting more rest between starts than anything else. Of course it will be good for Harvey as well maybe we can use him to the end of the season now. He does plan on throwing some side sessions between starts.

Gotta go more tomorrow

 

[Sausy]

Another frustrating night for Johann Santana.Not nearly as bad as his last start but he's clearly lost his command. Five innings,six runs....solid early but hit hard in the fourth and fifth innings. Relief was great but the Mets have to have strong starting pitching to keep the in games with their inability to consistently score. Last night four runs in losing a 6-4 decision.... we need stronger efforts from our starters to have a scintilla of hope to hit the end of the season at .500. Now seven below at 56-63. Can not believe just barely a mobnth ago we were coming out of the All Star breaking strongly competitive at 46-40. No longer will another good first half start carry any water with the press or the fans .... we've collapsed three seasons in a row from any possibility of contention. It's sad ... when will it end?

 

[Sausy]

Love seeing Jon Niese continuing to pitch well....says he's never felt as strong late in the season.Maybe the nose job really did help with his conditioning, as one major reason he went through with it was to help his breathing which helped him to improve his conditioning....had a deviated septum and must have winded him to get too much exercise. So credit Carlos Beltran for getting Jon tofixing his schnozz! (Sonny, did Carlos follow through and pay for the procedure?)

Seven plus scoreless innings for Niese in a tight 2-0 win over the Nats. Big play was two run homer by Ike Davis for the only scoring in the game....Ike still won't have a great average this year due to those first two horrific months, but he is so vital being the best power source in the lineup. Frank Francisco pitched a better ninth for the save,finally getting the ball down after having location problems galore his last couple of appearances where the ball moved so little the batter could read the "hit me" inscription though from what I heard about the game he did need one spectacular catch from Mike Baxter to avoid potential for some serious trouble. Frank still scares me out there, won't deny that!

 

[Sausy]

win one,lose one. We seem to be in a rut in not putting together another winning streak. I want to have faith we can end the season strong, that next season REALLY will put us closer together to serious contention. Getting hard but still 41 games left. Just read that it looks like Buffalo won't renew it's relationship as AAA Mets affiliate and we may be forced next two years to Las Vegas for the AAA level.

 

[syam24]

If the affiliate moves to Vegas, Sonny will really have some extended road trips. The Mets just can't seem to get out of their way. Last two games came apart following errors by the pitchers, Edgin and Young. Very, very little offensive help for the pitchers. Seems like it's about to get out of control. I read that Collins was upset with the effort lately, so am I. Let's go Mets!

 

[syam24]

Just read where Johan is shut down for the year with back issues. Will give him the whole off season to recuperate/reinvigorate, rest and get better for a great 2013. So, to the tune of "Home on the Range", "where seldom is heard an encouraging word, and the skies remain cloudy all day......" I know, I'm getting cynical or is it cyclical.....Let's go Mets!

 

[sonny10305]

Hey guys sorry I have not posted in a while been super busy with the Cyclones and helping my dad

The news on Santana saddened me a bit although I agree now that is the right thing to do. I did not at first cause I thought he would bounce back, but after speaking with a bunch if the guys I see now that he is not going to be able to do that this year. One Met told me that Johan is tired and in fact he was ok with being shut down he looks forward to recover from what is aliening him and hopes to come back strong net year. Another Met who is a pitcher said it best when he told me that Johan had nothing to be ashamed about he did what no pitcher has done by coming back from that major surgery and pitch as well as he did. Many thought he would never return but he not only did but pitched very well indeed. But his body is telling him enough for this year it’s time to rest.
Collin McHugh makes his major league debut in place of Johan Santana this afternoon I was happy they choose Collin over Mejia cause as I hope you will see today he is a better pitcher. I dono if he will be put in the rotation or the Mets will go back to a five man rotation, you may remember I told you guys the main reason for the 6 man rotation was for Santana and now they don’t need to do that, I suppose a lot will depend on how well Colin pitches today. In any case because McHugh has logged just over 140 innings in the minors this season, I don’t see him making regular starts down the road. I first met Collin in Brooklyn when he played with the Cyclones; he is it the 37th former Cyclone to make to the big leagues. His ERA is at 3.39 ERA in 12 starts in Buffalo.

So today the Mets have the chance to be swept by a team that has been struggling and is playing even worse than they are. The word was that the Rockies had lousy pitching sloppy defense and an anemic offense, well not when they play the Mets of course then they become superstars funny how that happens to us is it not?

Matt Harvey had another good outing but once again he got no run support, our offense has ben dreadful. Clearly the guys have begun to lose confidence in themselves witness by the number of times we have seen them start to chase hits, of course when you do that ya gonna go out of the zone taking pitches to hit like a really good fastball down the middle which is not a pitch you can afford not to hit they gotta stop taking so many strikes. What happened to scaring the pitcher out of the strike zone? David?? Murph??? Come on remember that’s how you get ahead in the count I also miss that great two strike approach that I don’t see much anymore. We are 10 games under .500 for the first time since 2009. The Cyclones are playing better than the Mets or the Bison’s, as of now we are in Second place with are record 38-24 just 4 games out of first place with 14 games left in our season.

With the September call backs just weeks away it is looking almost certain that Lucas Duda will be back which excites the heck out of me I think you will see a new and improved Lucas when he returns he has gotten his confidence back and has returned to his ole self thanks in no small part to Wally Backman. The sad news is that Kirk Nieuwenhuis will not be returning as we had hoped. Kirk you will recall was given the green light to begin rehab in Florida but last week he started to feel some discomfort in that foot again, and then the other night it was throbbing while he was in bed not even putting weight on it so Kirk is now back in NY where he saw the same doctor who has now decided the best way for Kirk to heal is to stay off that foot a while. He can walk fine no limp or anything just not push it with baseball stuff. Rehab coordinator Jon Debus recommended to the Mets that Kirk be shut down and they have agreed that would be the best for him, so we will see him in spring training hopefully good as new. Kirk will be going home but he still wants to be a part of the charity event Ike Davis is having in September, It’s an annual event Ike started called “A Night with Ike Davis,” which will benefit Solving Kids Cancer which is very close to his heart. Speaking about Ike has turned it around and is coming back to what he once was, he still has a way to go but he has raised his batting average to .220 has 17 road home runs which is the most in the NL. He has 22 homers total for the year and 7 of them have been against lefty pitchers. His total career home runs is now 48 with 67 RBIs and 20 doubles. Way to go Ike so proud of you

 

[Ninja108]

Not shocked at all with the Santana news. I know it was a no hitter but I'm sorry (and I would say the same thing with a Yankees pitcher) the ultimate goal is to hoist the trophy over your heads at the end of the season.
It's nice Santana got his no hitter but it ended coming up at the expense of him and the team. He was never the same after that.

 

[Sausy]

The Santana move was the right one.... give Johann a chance to rest and recuperate and hopefully by spring training he will be ready to go and with more time since the surgery will be able to endure better through a full season.He made great strides, of course topped by the no-hitter.

Though not totally on,Jonathan Niese gave a good enough performance but was hurt by the long ball. Still seven innings, only three runs given up he kept the Mets in the game. We've had a string of good to great outings lately, from Niese to outstanding efforts by RA Dickey , newcomer Colin McHugh (somnny really likes him and shows he could be an outstanding command type pitcher) and of course celebrated rookie Matt Harvey, who's impressive talent is matched by just as remarkable a demeanor. Jennry Mejia( who went from disappointing to sparkling after being returned to starting after a very lackluster conversion to the bullpen), Zack Wheeler, and Michael Fulmer in Savannah are among the strong front line starter hopefuls for the future. The rotation looks like it could be solid gold.... it's the rest of the cast that needs work. We may have to import parts from other clubs to help on the major league level as we continue to see the foundation strengthen over time for a strong minor league system for awhile til we have a well rounded system, balanced between offense,pitching,and defense.

Congratulations to David Wright for his 200th home run, in a period of disappointment where we aren't scoring much it's good to see a homegrown star marking a milestone like that.... we gotta back DWright back long term and stop the nonsense of trade talk. If he goes to another club in the offseason,he'll go free agency at the end and no club will give us a huge haul of prospects for a one year rental...Carlos Beltran for Zach Wheeler will be almost impossible to duplicate and the club needs a deeper infusion of offensive prospects. David I'm sure wants to finish the job helping developing the promise of strong contention he was such an instrumental part of in his early prime years, before the beaning. He had two hits tonight, both to right near the foul pole with the 200th home run of his career and a liner that bounced off the wall perfectly to the right fielder who cut David down going for a double(still an understandable play with the Mets trying to be aggressive as possible scoring runs with their offensive drought) and it's always good reflecting on his swing to see him going that way whenever possible.

 

[sonny10305]

I just had to jump in here to get something off my chest.
I like Terry Collins but every now and then he does something completely stupid, like the way he handled sitting Murphy for a couple of days. Now it’s not that he sat Murph I have no problem with that it’s telling the world he did it cause he thinks Murphy is “out of gas”. Terry, I guess I have to be the one to tell you that the whole team is “out of gas” in case you hadn’t noticed, and just how do you think Murph feels being singled out and made to look weak in front of the fans the media, well I suggest you ask him cause I know how he feels and you need to find out. Although not thrilled by it Murph understands why you did it but not the way in which you did it.
Go ahead ask him then apologize for being so insensitive.
That’s it, like I said had to get that out.

 

[Sausy]

Looks like Valdespin is going back down and Lucas Duda is returning. I've read that his attitude is MUCH better. He's got to just be himself, not try too hard to be a power source and mess up his solid,professional swing. He was fine last year hitting .290, and the power will come on its own.

Another great effort by RA Dickey as the Mets win 3-1 over the Astros. Not a lot of offense as usual these days but RA was tough enough and the relief held up the last two innings. As bad as this season's gone, we'll still have the highlights of RA's outstanding season, the no hitter by Johan Santana, the first half with all those unbelievable two out rallies, David Wright's outstanding season highlighted by his 200th home run( surprised sonny never commented on that but I know he's really ticked off by the recent Daniel Murphy developments). The strong year by Jon Niese in the first year of his five year extension shows he may be on the verge of fulfilling his promise in the rotation, and Matt Harvey and Colin McHugh (and next year Zack Wheeler and maybe the resurgent Jennry Mejia) point to a strong future rotation. However the bullpen and offense must improve, the defense must tighten and the mental errors which as well play a significant part in the Mets second half breakdown must be cut down a LOT.

They tantalize,delight,frustrate and infuriate but our Mets are always going to be my boys, my team.

 

[sonny10305]

So the Dude is back! Ok so it was not so memorable after all he did not catch the ball that cost Hef his no hitter and compete game (he owes Hef and his wife dinner big time) But remember he is not an outfielder he is a first baseman and that was a long run he had to make so for me all is forgiven. oh and Hef forgives too The Dude will be fine just give him a chance. His homecoming to Citi was awesome all the guys were so happy to see him and gave him lots of the luv, even the home plate ump Dave gave Lucas a “welcome back” when Lucas came to the plate for the first at bat I thought that showed a lot of class. Thing is this time Duda feels more relaxed and is a lot more comfortable with himself playing with the big boys and that means a lot. I have so many feel good stories about his first day back maybe I will share more of em down the line.

But yesterday was all about The Ike Man and his two bombs including the game winning walk off, how great was that? He now has a team-leading 24 homers, Justin Turner, who you may recall I anointed as the new and official pie thrower when that position opened up this year, could not get back to the kitchen to whip up a pie for his great friend and roomie Ike, what a great ending to that game.

Of course the downside with Murphy going out in the 9th and although as of now it does not seem like much it was more of a spasm it kinda cramped. I know you may have read his shoulder popped but that ain’t what happened. He is going to have precautionary MRI today so I will have more as soon as I get it, as of last night he said he felt better and thinks he will be ok to play on Tuesday. Thing is I am glad he is having that shoulder looked at cause I had noticed at least two times playing Air Hockey he would stop and rub that shoulder and swing his arms around so clearly something is bothering him and so it’s good to have it checked out. hopefully it's no big deal and they can help him, it might even help his golf game which he so badly needs to do As of last night Murph was tied for fifth among National League second basemen in OPS his struggles are frustrating which is why it is more important that he not end up on the DL he needs to compete this season and get stronger so the Mets can decide what they are going ot do with him in 2013.

Another downside for me is until we know how Murph is Valdespin has been held from going to AAA where he was scheduled to go yesterday. I wanted him gone he has shot his wad now that the pitchers know all about him and his defense has been only fair. Important to me was his attitude which is, well, shitty. He needs a major attitude adjustment, he has potential to be sure but until he humbles himself a bit I have a real problem with him. I thought Backman would be the guy to bring him down to earth Wally would straighten him out for sure I thought. So depending on how Murph does today we may see Jordanny in the lineup for a while.

Scott Hairston and Andres Torres have been placed on waivers, with a resolution about whether they are claimed coming this afternoon, which raises the question are the Mets even inclined to trade Hairston? Time will tell remember they passed in July, and have maintained that it will be easier to re-sign Hairston if he remains with the organization. I want to see him stay a Met, as for Torres he can join Bay on the scrap heap.

I loved hearing that Dillon Gee's latest test showed he has no lingering issue from surgery six weeks earlier which repaired a damaged artery in his pitching shoulder. Gee will begin allowed now to start tossing a baseball next week. No change as far as his coming back this year we won’t see him on the mound again till next year.