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Mets Show Some Fight... But So What?

Written by Nikki DeMaio | 25 August 2010

This is how the Mets keep fans around and the Wilpons get away with not making organizational changes.  Just think of all the things that happened last night:  the team overcame a so-so starting effort with offense, rallied back, and actually WON a game they had trailed after the 7th inning (on a hit from Luis Castillo, no less).  Games like this are what make ownership believe that they've done the right things in putting this team together AND that they can continue to market it to the fan base.

I'm going to go out on a limb though and say that games like the one against the Marlins last night are exactly what's wrong with this team.  There aren't enough games like this, but by showing up with the effort every so often, the team manages to maintain a spark.  And that's what is being sold to fans after every disappointing season.  I think it's become a foregone conclusion that major changes need to occur this off season, but that's what a lot of people thought last year too, regardless of the injuries.  And through it all, I'd like to know where the Wilpons are.  I have this mental image of Fred and Jeff locking themselves in a room and refusing contact with the outside world - not to come up with any sort of cohesive battle plan, but to avoid being held responsible for the decisions they've made and the things they've said over the past few years.

With rumors going around that the Mets are looking to cut payroll once again next season, I'm unsure of where the off season will take us.  When your team isn't producing, you can't label guys as untouchables.  As a fan, I'm somewhat irrationally emotionally attached to certain players - but this is why I'm not a GM.  At the same time, even I realize that the team simply can not look the same next year.  The Mets need to entertain any and all trade talks this year.  I know that the young guys are cheaper and that money is a concern with this team, but something's gotta give.  And most importantly, I want to play with a full 25-man roster again.  It's time to cut Oliver Perez loose, work something out with Luis Castillo and move on.  Find a manager and GM who can fill and manage the roster effectively (honestly - three catchers on a roster already one spot short because of Perez?  Come on).  Jeff Francoeur will most likely be non-tendered.  Maybe the team can get out of Frankie Rodriguez's contract.  There's still plenty of time to show case the younger guys with September call ups around the corner.  Add in a few breaks, and all of a sudden things look just a bit brighter.  Unfortunately, that's all easier said than done.  Especially since it's not my money.

What are the Mets Missing?

Written by Justin "Tito" Dellow | 20 August 2010

Justin “Tito” Dellow is the Founder/Editor of the fantasy baseball website, Fantasy 40/40. Be sure to visit his site for great fantasy insight and the ever-important music, women, and pop culture thrown in to keep you in good spirits, even if your fantasy team is garbage.

I know, I know, it’s a loaded question.  There’s not a single answer to solve the Mets’ problems and issues.  No CliffsNotes or master blueprint they can buy to turn things around and back into NL East contention.  As we’ve witnessed, the current General Manager Omar Minaya has little clue on how to fix this messy situation.  So what are the Mets missing?

Let’s take a quick peek at some of Minaya’s work.  Some players Minaya has signed who have not produced like they were paid include: Carlos Beltran, Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo and Alex Cora. Combined salary for 2011: $39.5 millon.

In addition, there are these players as well: Ty Wigginton 2-yr/$6 million, Felipe Lopez 1-yr/$1.2 million, Scott Podsednik 1-yr/$1.75 million, Jon Garland 1-yr/$4.7 million.  All these players were available this off-season.  Their combined salary for 2011: $10.65 million.  Hands downs, better production in 2010 and at a quarter of the salary.  They could have been key additions to a team in need of offense and some depth to a bench carrying three catchers!  I’m just sayin’.

Think about it.  Wigginton for Hessman.  Lopez for Castillo.  Podsednik for Francouer.  Garland for Perez.  So.  Much.  Better.

The Madoff conspiracy has brought a financial cloudiness to the Mets and their ownership.  Management has reassured fans that spending was not affected and signing free agents will not be an issue.  But can we really be sure?

In an article for the NY Times, owner Fred Wilpon “would say only that his Madoff-related investment losses were ‘significantly’ below $700 million.”  Anyone losing that kind of money has to limit or watch their spending, right?

None of this is even what I am trying to get at.

The real purpose of this post was hatched after watching these 2010 Mets and comparing them to the 2006-‘07 team.  There is something missing.

In 2010, it’s not the bullpen.  The bullpen, frankly, has done an adequate, if not above-average job and has been pretty quiet this season – except for the Frankie Rodriguez incident.  Feliciano, Takahashi, Parnell, Acosta, Dessens and Igarashi – misused perhaps, but could be better with some consistency from the starters.  Overall, their ERA this is season is 3.67, good for tenth in MLB.

Starters?  Not this season.  With the disappearing acts of John Maine and the aforementioned Oliver Perez, the Mets have seen progress from young starters Mike Pelfrey and Jon Niese.  Pelfrey had about as good a first half as anyone not named Ubaldo.  Niese has added a cutter and matured into a solid number three starter.  RA Dickey has been a savior and a breath of fresh air with his menacing knuckleball and fierce competitiveness.  And Johan Santana, although not the Cy Young-type hurler he was back in Minnesota, has pitched like an ace should down the stretch-run, posting a 2.90 ERA on the season.  In the off-season, they can sign a couple veterans to compete with some younger guys for the fifth spot.  Overall, the pitching staff ranks fifth in the NL and seventh in MLB with a 3.65 ERA this season.

So that brings us to the offense.  Anemic and inconsistent.  These are the Mets’ rankings for total runs scored in a season:

7th with 834 in ’06

10th with 804 in ’07

8th with 799 in ‘08

25th with 671 in’09

24th with 486 so far this season

Notice anything?

As the current roster stands, the Mets have an above-average lineup on paper: (5) current of former All-Stars (surprisingly, Luis Castillo does have an All-Star appearance).  They have arguably one of the best leadoff men in baseball.  They also have high-priced bats in Wright, Beltran and Bay (Beltran and Bay have been non-existent).

But what’s missing?  What’s different from that magical ’06-’07 season?  Two words: Carlos. Delgado.

In 2006, the Mets’ slugging first baseman hit .265 with 38 HR with 114 RBI and 89 RUNS scored.

He batted cleanup and hit between switch-hitting Carlos Beltran and right-handed David Wright – carrying the team in stretches.  This allowed Beltran to see fastball after fastball batting third, producing his best season as a Met - hitting .275 - 41 HR - 116 RBI - 127 R and 18 SB.  Meanwhile, David Wright was allowed to bat fifth and share the weight and pressure of carrying a team.

Now, I am not saying Carlos Delgado should be brought back.  Not at all.  But, a power-hitting, left-handed, first baseman is what I am looking for.  A homerun threat every time up.  A guy who can carry a team in August and September.

The Mets have brought up Ike Davis, a nice player they hope will develop into a solid first baseman.  Unfortunately, he’s not going to be enough.  The answer?  Prince Fielder.

Fielder would bring a calming presence and a consistent, everyday bat.  Players to play first base for the Mets, other than Carlos Delgado, since 2006: Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Eli Marrero, Xavier Nady, Michael Tucker, Jose Valentin, Jeff Conine, Marlon Anderson, Damion Easley, Fernando Tatis, Nicj Evans, Andy Phillips, Daniel Murphy, Jeremy Reed, Mike Jacobs, Ike Davis, Alex Cora and Mike Hessman.

Prince Fielder is going to be a free agent after the 2010-2011 season.  He is a Scott Boras client.  He will make an absurd amount of money on his next contract.  The Brewers have to move him.  Could the Mets offer enough to obtain the hefty lefty?

Let’s try.  I’d start the talks with Ike Davis.  I am sorry Mets’ fans, I like him too, but when you have the chance to land a proven 40 HR guy, you roll the dice.  With Milwaukee’s lack of pitching, one would expect a top-notch pitching prospect in the deal.  Maybe Jenrry Mejia, Brad Holt or Jeurys Familia.  All three are considered prospects and should warrant interest.  Throw in one or two, middle-of-the-road minor leaguers with upside and a deal may be possible.  This may seem too low, too much or just right, but either way, Fielder would still have to sign an extension. This would possibly limit the trade return to a lesser package, a la the Johan Santana.

Fielder, who will turn 27 next season, would provide that late inning threat that managers have to plan around, that pitchers fear.  He has 50 HR potential and can anchor any lineup, batting cleanup and adding stability, possibly splitting up Wright and Beltran or Bay and Wright.  As for the financials, those players mentioned above (Beltran, Perez, Castillo) and their $37 million will come off the books after next season, allowing for the trade and extension.

Some Mets’ fans will ask for Adrian Gonzalez – “he’s the better fielder, he’s the better hitter, he’s cheaper…”  But his situaition is entirely different due to his ridiculously affordable contract and would require more in return.  Plus, who knows if San Diego will actually trade the guy, they are contenders you know.

Furthermore, Fielder seems like the better fit.  Remember the city they play in, the type of heat players take and the type of personalities that succeed in New York.  He’s the heart of that Brewer team, although the media portrays Ryan Braun as their leader.  Fielder, from all accounts, is a great clubhouse guy with enough desire and fire to win for an entire team, something the Mets are in desperate need of.

1. S Reyes SS

2. S Pagan RF

3. R Wright 3B

4. L Fielder 1B

5. S Beltran CF (for a year)

6. R Bay LF

7. L/R Thole/Santos C

8. R/L Tejada/SOMEONE NOT NAMED LUIS 2B

In summation, what are the Mets missing?  Well, there’s more than one problem to address and more than one answer needed.  One thing the Mets are lacking, however, is a bona fide clean up hitter.  Someone that threatens to go long ball every time up - like Mark Teixiera in the Bronx or Ryan Howard in Philly or like Delgado did in 2006.  Someone, who with one swing of the bat, can tie a game against the Brad Lidge.  Against the Billy Wagner.  Wright and Bay are good, but neither strikes fear like Prince does.  And for once in my life, I want to see these lifeless Mets do something like THIS.  Oh yeah, they can also bring back Bobby V, but we’ll save that for another day

Kind of at a Loss

Written by Nikki DeMaio | 18 August 2010

All right, so first things first:  sorry for the slight disappearing act.  I've been processing all this bullshit with K-Rod, pondering a lost season, and just thinking about how the Mets get themselves into these situations in general recently.  Last night I was watching the game with my dad and the only thing he had to say in the first inning was, "I hate Jerry Manuel - how does he not have Pagan in there when he's in the top 10 in batting??"

I can't even get worked up about things like not starting Angel Pagan.  Basically, to borrow a quote from A Few Good Men, I know Jerry doesn't have a good excuse, so I won't force him to come up with a bad one.  Maybe Pagan didn't feel like playing.  Maybe they are trying to showcase Fernando Martinez.  Maybe Jerry decided that Pagan can't start on alternating Tuesdays so he can stay "fresh" (fresh for WHAT, exactly, is unclear).  I don't know anymore.  But I'm adopting the strategy of expecting the worst and hoping for the best because it seems to be the best way to keep my blood pressure down for the remainder of the season.

What I do know is that this situation with Francisco Rodriguez is crazy.  It was already ridiculous... but now he's been placed on the disqualified list.  I did not even know this list existed and quite frankly, it sounds made up - but if there was ever a situation where it's justified, this seems to be it.  I like that the Mets seem to at least be taking a stand on this situation.  Hearing that they've taken steps towards voiding the contract makes me feel a lot better than hearing Jerry Manuel go on the record as saying that this "mistake" could easily have been made by anyone on the 25 man roster.  The players' union has filed a grievance against the team following the decision - but everyone saw that coming, so that's really no big deal as far as I'm concerned.  This situation is really just one more thing to add to a long list of craziness the Mets have subjected their fans to over the past few years.  I'd like to think that things like this happen in other organizations... but I have a feeling that's not the case.  What are your thoughts on the Mets and K-Rod?

K-Rod forgot Rule no. 1: You never hit a drunk with your pitching hand!

Written by Mike Mariano | 16 August 2010

Crash Davis: Did you hit me with your right hand or did you hit me with your left? Huh? Did you hit me with your right hand or did you hit me with your LEFT? 
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: My left. 
Crash Davis: Good! That's good; when you get in a fight with a drunk you don't hit him with your pitching hand. God, I can't keep giving you these free lessons so quit screwin' around and help me up.

Francisco Rodriguez has got to be kidding me punching people out with his pitching arm.  That's the first rule of baseball bar fights!  Yeah as a Phillies fan I think it's hilarious that he's out for the year, tearing a ligament in his right thumb punching out his father-in-law.  But this might actually be a good thing for the Mets as they can most likely get back all that money they owe him over the next two years.  Shit!  This was supposed to be a glorious day for Phillies fans, not Mets fans.  We'll see how the Mets brass handles this, but it is Omar Minaya we're talking about:  2:1 odds says that K-Rod gets an extension.

Dickey One-hits Phils and Castillo Wants Out!

Written by Nikki DeMaio | 14 August 2010

Would someone like to tell me what baseball team we've been watching the past two days?  Last night, RA Dickey bounced back against the Phillies in a big way:  by tossing a complete game, one-hit shutout.  This is the first time the Mets have won back to back games since the 22nd and 23rd of June, and they've made quite a statement in these games.  Dickey looked fantastic, especially compared to his start against the Phillies last weekend.  He kept hitters off balance, mixed his pitches well, and came away with a well deserved win.  I also think it's interesting that with Frankie Rodriguez serving his two game suspension, Johan Santana and RA Dickey responded with complete game shutouts - nullifying the need for a closer.  I'm not sure if they would have gotten the chance to do so had Rodriguez been available (I'd like to think they would have, though).

In other interesting news, Luis Castillo is officially on the record as saying he wants to leave the Mets.  Dan Martin of the New York Post has quoted Castillo as saying, "I can't be here anymore."  Castillo feels he can - and should - still be an every day player and does not want to be a back up.  In many ways, Castillo has become symbolic of the things Mets fans feel are wrong with the way the organization is run, and I don't think many people would be sorry to see him go.  Personally, if the team is going to struggle, I want to see the young guys get a chance.  I understand Castillo's frustration with that, especially since according to him he was not made aware of the fact that he would be playing until arriving at the park the day Ruben Tejada was called up.  This doesn't shock me because the Mets do that kind of thing all the time, but I agree with the logic behind the moves.

Tonight the Mets will send Pat Misch to the mound to face Roy Halladay.  Misch was called up after posting a record of 11-4 with a 3.23 ERA at Triple A Buffalo.  Ryoto Igarashi and Raul Valdes were demoted to clear roster space for Misch and Frankie Rodriguez, who will be available to pitch tonight.  I've got my own issues with that, but for today, I'm accepting the back to back wins and focusing on the good stuff. 

 

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