Archive for May, 2009

Carlos Beltran needs to get healthy and back in the lineup.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse on the injury front. It looks like Carlos Beltran will be held out of today’s starting lineup due to a stomach virus that causes him to leave yesterday’s loss to the Marlins. Instead, the Mets will put Angel Pagan in center field, and they will hope for the best.

Fernando Martinez will get another start after his biggest game of his young career. He had two hits, one of which was of the RBI variety. The young stud is showing flashes of excellence, although most of us have come to the realization that he is not up here right now to stay. Fans always love to take a look at what the future holds, and Fernando Martinez could be a full time player as soon as next year.

If that does pan out, that means there would be two holes in the outfield. The Mets will probably look to free agency for one option, and then they would plug Carlos Beltran in Center Field. That means that Ryan Church would likely be he odd man out, and he may be getting dealt before all is said and done anyway.

Today is a big game. If the Mets win, it will conclude a nice week. After the crap that we saw in Los Angeles, the Mets have a chance to go 7-2 in the nine games since. That is exactly what they needed to get themselves back in the right place.

Emil Brown had a couple of solid seasons in Kansas City.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

The Mets made a minor trade to try and bolster their depth as they acquired Padres outfielder Emil Brown for a player to be named later. With the Mets’ recent rash of injuries, Brown will provide some needed depth at Triple A for the Bisons in case anyone else gets hurt.

Brown turns 35 in December, and he has hit as many as 17 homers on the major league level. In 2005, Brown hit .286 with 17 homers and 86 RBI. If he could regain some of that old ability, he could be a reliable option for Buffalo, and he could serve as an insurance policy for the Mets.

Truthfully, the Mets would never really want to see him in the big leagues, unless we are talking about a potential September call-up. Although they have been riddled by injuries, the Mets still have a couple of guys who would be ahead of Brown in the pecking order.

Hopefully, this trade is nothing more than a small blip on the radar for the Mets. With guys like Jeremy Reed, Angel Pagan and Fernando Martinez clearly ahead of Brown, it would seem like the Mets would be extremely desperate to even give Brown a look.

I am off to the game tonight. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate and the Mets will pick up the first game in their three game series with the Marlins.

By the time Fernando Martinez realized the ball had dropped, it was far too late to beat the throw from Ron Villone.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Jerry Manuel has made it abundantly clear that Fernando Martinez was punished enough for the big mistake that he made during Wednesday’s game against the Nationals. Martinez hit a high pop fly and didn’t run, and surely enough, the ball wasn’t caught, and Martinez was thrown out. The crowd booed as they didn’t appreciate the lack of hustle by the young rookie.

This isn’t the first time we have seen something like this. Jose Reyes has been caught on multiple occasions this season with admiring a fly ball, or giving up on a pop up. It would be nice to see some of the Mets’ players take the same approach that Shane Victorino takes in Philadelphia.

To me, the lack of hustle is clearly a reflection of the manager. Jerry Manuel wanted to bring a looser attitude to the clubhouse than Willy Randolph had, but there needs to be a limit to his generosity. If someone needs to be made an example of, then so be it. Martinez may have it in the back of his head that he is being punished, and maybe that’s not such a bad thing. We all know that he feels terrible for the events that transpired, and he will never make that mistake again, because if he does, the punishment from Jerry should be much more severe.

Tonight, if Carlos Beltran can go, it looks like Angel Pagan will be back in right field and leading off. Jerry is said to be impressed with how Pagan has made the most of his opportunity. Right now, it is looking like Pagan may be campaigning to stick around once the Mets are completely healthy. I wonder who that would be at the expense of. Guys who come to mind are Ken Takahashi, who the Mets would like to keep around for long relief, Ramon Martinez, who is likely gone when Reyes gets back, and Jeremy Reed, who has been an excellent defensive replacement. The highest likelihood would likely be Reed, because he hasn’t hit much, and Pagan has played just as good defensively.

We will see how it goes.

Murphy's five RBI night was much needed.

BY MIKE BARRETT
STACHE WRITER

Wednesday night I had the pleasure off attending my first Met Game at Citi Field. Safe to say, it wasn’t’ just the stadium that was a great experience. So here we go, my observations and opinions of the Mets brand new home and last nights game.

First of all, the stadium is beautiful. Just as you walk onto the grounds you can already tell that this is first class place for baseball. The Jackie Robinson rotunda is quite a sight to behold and does a great job of honoring the man. Also the ability to walk around the stadium and check out all the new features is something everyone should take advantage of when they get to the stadium. My seats were in the promenade level, section 402. There was some obstruction looking into right field while sitting, but other than that, you could see the field perfectly.

Now lets get to the game.

Aside from it being my first Met’s game at the new field, it was also the first time I had the pleasure of seeing Johan Santana pitch in person and let me tell you, he alone is worth the price of admission. Though he wasn’t at his best, Johan still brings an electricity that can be felt throughout the game. What really made the game worthwhile aside from Johan was two plays centered two of the Mets young players, Daniel Murphy and Fernando Martinez. First, we will get to Murphy’s home run. From where I was sitting, which in regards to the home run, is above the subway sign and to the right on the other side of the foul pole., that ball definitely nicked the sign. So it was definitely was a good call by the umpires ruling it a home run.

Now for Martinez.

He needs to run out that ball. If this is a sign of things to come, it is a problem that needs to be addressed asap. This is where the Mets need that veteran presence to sit Martinez down and tell him that this isn’t how it’s done. However, benching him for the next game isn’t the solution. Martinez needs to play. He is the best option currently for the Mets at that position and needs a few games to get settled and get a few hits under his belt before Church gets back, so the team can get a gauge on whether or not he is ready.

So in all, it was a great game to be at and the stadium is nothing short of awesome. It will take some time for it to get that home feel that Shea used to have, but it wont be long before those feelings start flooding back.

Livan gave the Mets' bullpen a well deserved night off.

BY GREG BARRA
STACHE WRITER

It was my first trip to Citi Field and it lived up to the hype. It’s an absolutely beautiful venue which I marveled at for quite some time as I walked through the Jackie Robinson rotunda. I was up where the true fans sit and it was a great view up the game.

What was even better was looking up at the lineup card and seeing who was playing. I turned to my friend and sister who I went to the game with and asked if we accidentally went to the Mets Triple-A game.

Livan Hernandez was on the mound and he was fantasic. Hernandez was mowing down the Nationals and when men were on base Livan got excellent defensive help with three double plays turned and one outfield assist.

My most memorable moment of the game for Livan was when he made Josh Willingham look ridiculous with his bugs bunny 63-MPH curve. It was the first complete game by a Met this season and Livan has earned his spot on the team for the duration of the season.

If you disregard his five run outing against the Giants two starts ago, Livan has now given up eight earned runs in 33 2/3 innings.

I was also able to watch Fernando Martinez’s Major League debut. He looked over eager at the plate which is to be expected in your MLB debut. Although what I was able to see was his speed in the outfield and his arm. From what I saw his arm is very strong. It will be interesting to see how he does in the next week or so.

Six RBI is exactly what the Mets ordered from the Sheff.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Tuesday night’s game was exciting for a variety of reasons. First of all, Omar Minaya made me look like a genius by putting Reyes and Church on the DL, but I was a little bit off base with the possible demotion of Ramon Martinez. It looks like he is sticking around, but more importantly, the Mets are going to have some bodies available.

One of them, Fernando Martinez, only the most touted prospect in the Mets’ system debuted Tuesday, and while he didn’t dazzle, we saw a bit of what he is made of. Martinez beat out a potential double play ball to earn his first RBI of his career, and Martinez was also plunked on the elbow.

The other guy the Mets acquired was Cleveland infielder Wilson Valdez, who is known for his defense and is exactly the kind of guy the Mets needed. All it cost them was money.

The real thing that tonight was about was a passing of the torch so to speak. Gary Sheffield showcased his ability for the young Martinez. Sheffield went deep for a three-run homer for the second straight night, and he did it in typical laser beam fashion.

How old was Fernando Martinez when Sheffield made his major league debut? That’s simple. Martinez wasn’t even born yet. A little over a month after Sheff made his presence felt in Milwaukee for the first time, Fernando was born. The rest is history. I wonder if that’s ever happened before tonight that a guy who’s been playing since before a player’s been born hit a homer in the player’s first major league game? That’s just an impossible stat to look up.

So I challenge you. Name a few examples. I dare you.

Carlos Beltran has been the most important player on the Mets thus far in 2009.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Carlos Beltran is scheduled to undergo an MRI today on his troublesome knee, and if he goes down for any extended period of time, it may as well be time for the Mets to throw in the towel to the injury gods of baseball.

Beltran, who continues to hit every day despite his injured knee, has been playing injured for a while, and he has been quoted as saying that he doesn’t know if this could escalate to something worse. The Mets are already riddled by injuries to Delgado, Perez and Reyes, just to name a few, and the loss of Beltran would really be crippling to the Mets’ lineup.

It would be nice if the Mets had the depth in their system to call somebody up to serve as an insurance policy. They are going day to day with only three people on the bench. Before they know it, it is going to bite them in the rear end, and the sad thing is that we all know it is true. But for some reason Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel fail to act.

What would I do if I were the boss? Simple. I would place both Jose Reyes and Ryan Church on the disabled list, and I would also send Ramon Martinez packing back to Buffalo. This would clear up room for Fernando Martinez and Jonathan Malo, and the Mets would also be able to call up another young infielder to serve as insurance while Reyes and Cora are hurt. Reyes would still be eligible to return on June 4, and the Mets would not be playing shorthanded. I don’t see why management is being so blind.

This is going to come back to haunt the Mets, but I hope they come to their senses before it gets too bad.

Bernard Gilkey had one great year for the orange and blue.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

When I think of the Modern Era, I think of 1990 to the present. There have been hundreds of players that have worn the orange and blue. In this article, I will share the best from each position based on the stats and what they meant to the team. The players that are eligible for candidacy are those who wore the Mets’ jersey in the year 1990 and after. I will go position by position with a brief explanation of each. Let’s get the show on the road.

Catcher- Mike Piazza
Explanation: This is going to be one of the easiest ones to call of the bunch. Piazza is arguably the Mets’ best hitter in franchise history, and he was capable of changing a game with one swing. The defining moment for me was in the first game after September 11. Piazza lifted the city on his shoulders and delivered a bomb well over the center field wall at Shea Stadium. He also carried the team on his back to the World Series in 2000, and that was a team that most of us would admit had no business being there. Piazza closed the doors of Shea and opened those at Citifield, so that shoes what the Mets’ brass thinks of him.

First Basemen- John Olerud
Explanation: There aren’t many guys who had a more fluent swing in a Mets’ uniform than John Olerud. He was famous for wearing the helmet in the field, but he really proved his value with his bat. He had an excellent gage of the strike zone, and he was unbelievable with on base percentage. In 1998, Olerud hit .354, but what was even more impressive about it was the fact that he hit for a .447 on base percentage. Mike Piazza would give him a lot of credit for helping him have runs to drive in, and Olerud played an excellent Robin to Mike’s batman.

Second Basemen- Edgardo Alfonzo
Explanation: Fonzie was an excellent all around player during his time with the Mets. He was more known for his average, although he was capable of hitting the long ball from time to time. In fact, Fonzie hit 25 homers in consecutive seasons, ranging from 1999-2000. In his eight years with the Mets, Alfonzo posted over 1,100 hits and 200 doubles, which is why he is the best second basemen I have ever seen the Mets possess.

Third Base- Howard Johnson
Explanation: Before everyone screams for David Wright, just hear me out for a second. Johnson’s days with the Mets began 24 years ago in 1985, when he hit a dismal .242, but the alarming number was the 11 homers. As the years progressed though, HOJO started sending more balls over the fence, and he was a pivotal part of the Mets’ world championship team in 1986. He currently owns two Mets’ records, including most intentional walks in a season (25) and 15 sacrifice flies, which is a record that he shares with former Mets’ catcher Gary Carter. He hit several huge homers that will be remembered by Mets’ fans forever. He now serves as the tutor for the Mets’ young team, and that speaks volumes about what kind of layer he was.

Shortstop- Jose Reyes
Explanation: What can you say about Reyes? Despite the fact that he is injured right now, he has been one of the most exciting players in the game since he was called up in 2003 at age 20. Although patience was an issue at the beginning of his career, Reyes has become a prototypical leadoff man for the Mets. He is just 40 hits away from 1,000 for his major league career, and he has clobbered 162 doubles and 73 triples already. He is just a solid all around hitter who seems to improving every day.

Left Field- Bernard Gilkey
Explanation: Only five players in Mets’ history have played more games in left field than Bernard Gilkey did, and many people don’t remember what kind of player that he was. His best year with the team was 1998 when Gilkey clobbered 30 homers, 117 RBI and scored 108 runs. He also owns the record for most doubles in a season with 44 for the Mets, although David Wright may break that record before we know it. In that same 1996 season, Gilkey tied Howard Johnson’s RBI record with 117, although that was broken by Mike Piazza in 1999.

Center Field- Carlos Beltran
Explanation: Many people have accused Beltran of being a streaky player, but when the season is said and done, he always has exceptional numbers. He is one of the most underappreciated players in baseball, most likely because he goes about his business in such a quiet and graceful manner. Beltran has already hit 123 homers in just over four seasons with the Mets. One of the most impressive things about Beltran is that he has 90 stolen bases to go along with only 15 caught stealing. He tied Todd Hundley’s record for homers in a season with 41 in 2006, and in the same season, he established a new club record for runs with 127.

Right Field- Darryl Strawberry
Explanation: I was really reluctant to give the honor to Strawberry, seeing as his last year with the Mets was 1990, but the list of guys who have been a part of the revolving door in right field is downright dreadful. When Jeromy Burnitz is fifth on your all time list for games started in right field, you know you have a problem. One year or not, Strawberry was one of the most dominant players in Mets’ history. While he hit as many as 39 homers in a season, Strawberry also established many other records that have since been broken. He once had the records for homers, RBI , runs, walks and total bases (all of which were in individual seasons.)

Disagree with my picks? Want to tear my head off about not picking David Wright? Go for it. It’s all part of the game.

Francisco Rodriguez is the latest Met to be out of commission.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Add Francisco Rodriguez to the list of Mets that are now out of commission. The Mets’ closer is out indefinitely after back spasms forced him to collapse and go to the hospital during yesterday’s game against the Red Sox at Fenway.

This is starting to get ridiculous. One of the guys who seemed impervious to pain, K-Rod just broke down, and now the Mets have to put their hopes on the other hobbled closer that they acquired in the off season, JJ Putz. Last night, Putz got the job done, but he certainly wasn’t fooling anybody. The Mets played some stellar defense behind him in what was an excellent ninth inning for the team.

This is starting to get really concerning. Is the Mets’ training staff properly doing their job? The players seem awfully fragile, and they need to have their best players on the field to have any chance of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

The list continues to grow and it now includes Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran, Brian Schneider, Oliver Perez and who knows who else is hurt in the lower levels?

This is where you can tell that Minaya has been a failure. The minor league system is anemic. This team has no depth, and now it is catching up to them. The Mets are going to need to add a few pieces, or they will need to make sure that they heal quickly.

Omir Santos' home run off Jonathan Papelbon was the biggest hit for the Mets thus far in 2009.

BY GREG BARRA
STACHE WRITER

The Mets had gone more than a week without a home run and the last two have been by the same player, Gary Sheffield. I find this very odd because, granted they played in a pitchers ball parks in San Francisco and Los Angeles but you would figure someone would get lucky and hit one out. Especially odd in Los Angeles where the fences in left and right field are about three feet high.

Someone could hit a frozen rope to either part of the park and have themselves a homer. This is where I feel the Mets miss Delgado the most. We have been used to seeing Carlos taking many a pitcher yard and when the Mets lost him for 10 weeks no one has stepped up to fill that void.

Gary Sheffield is doing an alright job filling in for the All-Star first base men with key hits in the meltdown game against the Dodgers and last night in Boston. He’s only hitting .257 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI, which isn’t the same kind of production as Delgado. I’m also surprised that David Wright hasn’t gotten a hold of some more home runs in the early going. He’s currently hitting the cover off the ball but isn’t knocking it out of the park but that will come in time.

Tonight’s game against the Red Sox is very important because a win tonight would be a mark of a good road trip. Even if they were swept by the Dodgers, taking 2 out of 3 from the Red Sox would be impressive and I think Pelfrey can help make that happen tonight.