logo

We're the Team to Beat Latest Posts

Mets Articles

Mets Reject VMart Offer?

Written by Mike Mariano | 30 July 2009

Before today's game Omar Minaya said “I even turned down a couple of trades yesterday,” including deals involving "big-time players." Jon Heyman speculates that  Victor Martinez could have been one of those players.  Now, as Omar Minaya likes to say,  consider the source.  I generally consider Heyman to be reliable, but I still think that Halladay rumor was bogus.  And I wouldn't be surprised if Tony Bernazard was Heyman's "source" on that rumor.  And even if I do trust Jon Heyman, this appears to be nothing more than speculation. But if the Mets seriously did reject a trade for Victor Martinez, I think they are out of their minds.  I know in the past I said the Mets should sit tight, but this is Victor Martinez we're talking about.  Vmart is a tremendous hitter, he's still young, and he's versatile.  And considering he plays two positions of long-term need (1B and C), he makes so much sense for the Mets.  I'm still a big proponent of not mortgaging the future.  But rejecting a trade for Victor Martinez...man that's tough.

Johan Does His Job...Niese Looks to Keep it Going

Written by Mike Mariano | 30 July 2009

Johan Santana is back to pitching like Johan Santana.  He recorded 7 spectacular innings, allowing just 4 hits and striking out 8.  It's nice to see his ERA back under 3, and if history is any indicator he is poised for a strong finish to the season.  And if the Mets have any prayer of getting back into the race, they're going to need a Santana-like second half.  For the first time in 2 months, the team is playing solid, consistent baseball.  They are absolutely rolling right now and things are starting to get interesting.  I've officially given up hope on the division, but the Mets sit just 5.5 games back of the wild card.  It's worth noting that they would need to leapfrog 7 teams, but there will be plenty of opportunities to face those teams in the coming months.  If the Mets can maintain their current hot streak and get some guys healthy, this thing is far from over. Jon Niese looks to complete the four game sweep tonight and build off of his last strong start.  I have to admit, I was extremely impressed last time he took the hill, and I really want to see what he is capable of.  Will he develop into a #2 that the Mets so desperately need?  Only time will tell.  But he has been absolutely dominating the last 2 months, and I think I know why.  His cutter.  Last year Niese relied heavily on his curveball, and big league hitters were able to sit on it.  But with a good cutter in his arsenal, Niese now commands 3 MLB caliber pitches.  Check out this article from Mets Minor League Blog on the advent of Niese's cutter.  It's a fantastic read, and it inspires a lot of confidence in Niese.  So hopefully he goes out tonight and pitches a gem.  The Mets are going to need just about everything to go their way from here on out, and a 4 game sweep would be huge.  Lets go Niese and lets go Mets!

My Take On The Tony B Soap Opera

Written by Mike Mariano | 27 July 2009

First of all, its clear that firing Tony Bernazard was the right move.  There's really not much of a debate there.  Not only did he treat people like crap, but quite frankly, he sucked at his job.  I'm not alone when I say "Good Riddance Tony Bernazard".  But as far as I'm concerned, this should be a non-story.  Fill the position internally, and move on.  Unfortunately, the Mets do not understand how to operate an MLB team.  Today's 3:30 press conference was an absolute train wreck for so many reasons.  I cringe just about anytime Omar Minaya talks, and today was no exception.  I still think he's a better GM than people give him credit for, but the fact that he doesn't have a formal education shows.  I thought it was a complete low blow to call out Adam Rubin, but I agree with Joe Benningo and Evan Roberts.  I think this was a calculated move by ownership, and one that will make them look very, very stupid.  I think that Tony was Jeff Wilpon's guy, and it pissed Jeff off that he had to fire Tony.  So he told Omar to go straight to the source and attack Adam Rubin.  This move makes absolutely no sense, and it will only perpetuate bad press for the team.  And given the current struggles, now is not the time for bad press. That being said, I just want this story to go away.  Regardless of who is at fault, be it Omar Minaya, Jeff Wilpon, or Adam Rubin, I am 10 times more concerned with the Mets winning games.  This situation will likely cause a distraction to the team, especially if it leads to more bad press.  And even worse, this will allow guys like Minaya, Tony B, and Jeff Wilpon to become scapegoats for the much bigger issue.  The performance of the team.  If the Mets want to fire Omar, it better be because he screwed up as a GM.  Not because he made Adam Rubin look bad.  In the grand scheme of things, its almost a non-issue.  Omar has much more important things to worry about like the trade deadline.  This is not Jerry Springer...it's major league baseball. For those of you who haven't seen the press conference, take a look here.  I have to admit, the look on Adam Rubin's face is priceless.

While I was on Vacation...

Written by Mike Mariano | 27 July 2009

I just got back from vacation and all hell has broken loose in New York.  Once again, this organization is proving its incompetence in just about every facet.  But we'll get to that later.  For now I wanna do a quick recap of the last week:  
  • The Mets are playing much better baseball right now despite their 4-6 record since the break.  They have recorded at least 12 hits in three consecutive games, and won a series against a pretty good Astros team.   
  • Jeff Francoeur continues to mash as a Met.  So far (.327 avg, 2 HR, 14 RBI in 12 games).  Obviously a small sample size, but you gotta love what Frenchy is bringing to the table right now.  He plays the game with fire and intensity, something the entire roster lacks.
  • This was a very good week for Mets prospects.  Jon Niese was outstanding in his first win of the season on Saturday.  Ike Davis made the Baseball America hot sheet  and he is now up to .308/7 HR in 31 AA games.  And Baseball America also gave high praise to 17 year old SS Wilmer Flores.  With the Mets in such disarray right now I have been closely following the minors lately, and I have to say this system is incredibly underrated.  There is plenty of hope down there.
  • According to reports, John Maine is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews this week.  Yikes!  The hits just keep on coming.
  • It appears that the Mets are not actively involved in any serious trade talks right now, but I fully expect things to get interesting by Friday.
  • And then, of course, this Tony Bernazard madness.  This whole situation has been embarrassing, and to be honest Omar Minaya just made it 10 times worse.  But when it comes down to it, I view this whole situation as nothing more than a distraction.  Right now I'm more concerned with how the team performs.  I really don't care about Tony Bernazard, Omar Minaya, or Adam Rubin right now.  I just want the Mets to win.  And this situation is creating all kinds of scapegoats.
Of course, despite all of this drama, the Mets have a real chance to make some noise this week.  If the Mets can somehow take 3 of 4, or dare I say sweep the Rockies, this could get interesting.  Maybe the Mets sneak back into the race and Omar grabs a bat at the deadline.  Or, the Mets could drop 3 of 4 and sell at the deadline.  One things for sure, this is going to be an important week.

Omar Fires Bernazard, Infers Adam Rubin Wanted Tony's Job

Written by Mike Mariano | 27 July 2009

[caption id="attachment_2481" align="alignright" width="270" caption="ummm, I'll Take What's in the BOX!"]ummm, I'll Take What's in the BOX![/caption] The Mets have announced they will hold a press conference today at 3:30 pm. This can only mean one of two things:  a) The Mets have made a trade or b) The Mets have fired someone.  If I were a betting man I would say it is option "b".  However, since it is Omar that is making the announcement, I guess it is not Omar that is getting sh*t-canned.  However, how great would it be if Omar announces he is stepping down?  Wow, that would make my day.  More likely he is announcing the firing of Tony Bernazard in light of the media storm the last week or so. What would really make my day, week, month & season is if the Mets somehow pulled out another miracle and traded for Doc Halladay.  Wow, Wow, Wow.  And to be honest, I don't really care who they would give up.  Just knowing that the Mets and their "weak" farm system were able to capitalize on the Phillies called bluff would be soooo satisfying.  After all, nobody thought the Mets could get Santana, so why not Halladay?  A man can dream can't he? Like I said, most likely option "b", but for the next hour, let a man have this fantasy.  This is the most excitement I have had all year; even if they just announce that Tony B is history. UPDATE: According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, the Mets have fired Tony Bernazard UPDATE 3:50pm: Omar Minaya has confirmed that Tony Bernazard has been fired. Man, I really can't stand it any more when Omar speaks.  I want to punch him in the face after every "ya know" or "ya know what I'm saying".  He's just not good at communicating...at least in English.  Well bye bye Tony.  The word is around the club house is that he will not be missed. UPDATE: 4:00pm Omar just threw Adam Rubin of the Daily News under the bus by saying in so many words that when Rubin reported his story about Tony Bernazard, he improperly lobbied Minaya and other NY Mets Executives for Bernazard's job WITH ADAM RUBIN IN ATTENDANCE! BOMB SHELL!  Wow!  Only the Mets can screw up a firing news conference.  This is a serious accusation against a well respected member of the NY Media.  Needless to say, a defense post from Rubin is forth coming and you can bet the entire Daily News is going on a full frontal attack on Omar and (even more so than they normally do) The Mets.  You should have kept your mouth shut Omar. Wow. UPDATE: 4:10 Rubin just confronted Omar and asked him if he was alleging that he wrote the Tony B. story to get his Job.  Omar said no, but continues to infer as much. This is just unbelievable.  If you thought the press surrounding Tony B. was bad, this is going to make it look like nothing.  The goal of this press conference was to defuse tensions so the Mets can start focusing just on baseball, and Omar did just the opposite by dropping this bomb shell!  Perhaps Omar should just stick around the podium and announce he is stepping down, because this is going to be bad.  First, the Mets can expect a lawsuit if they don't have any tangible evidence of Rubin soliciting the Mets.  If Rubin wants to keep his job and maintain his journalistic integrity then he has no choice but to sue.  And once that happens costing the Wilpons even more money, forgetaboutit.  Omar is toast.  Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Un-Effen-believable.

More Articles...

More from We're the Team to Beat