The New York Mets- Trades, Tirades & GM Grades

Moving Over To Shea Nation

2007-08-06T07:09:00.000-07:00

In the anticipation of the merger of sites and unified name of One Mets Nation.com, David Rubin and Jonathan Elfenbein will be moving over to Shea Nation full time.

To read any of their terrific articles or in depth analysis use this link (Shea Nation).

Thanks go out to all the faithful readers of Mets Trades, Tirades and GM Grades and we hope that you love the merger as much as us three do.

Thank you and as always…

Let’s Go Mets!

Will Gotay Get Sent Down For Alou?

2007-07-05T07:04:00.000-07:00

I heard a caller on WFAN yesterday say that the Mets might send Ruben Gotay down to Triple-A when Moises Alou is ready to come off the disabled list. What? Why would the Mets do that?

Do the Mets not see what Gotay is doing from the bench this season? He’s now hitting .317, 3 HR, 12 RBI; 1 SB. If that doesn’t warrant you a spot on the roster, everyone should be sent down to the Zephyrs.

I’m not saying that this is what is going to happen, just what one fan heard from another and so on.

The obvious choice would have to be Carlos Gomez. Not because he’s not playing well, but rather because he was brought up to help in Alou’s absence.

Don’t believe everything you hear, but keep an open ear to what may be happening to the struggling Mets (hopefully not for too much longer).

Beltran Loves The All-Star Game

2007-07-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

Steve Popper at North Jersey, writes about Carlos Beltran and how he feels about the All-Star game:

"That's the way I look at it," Beltran said. "Some people probably go there to have fun. I want to have fun. I want to enjoy every moment of it. But I also will try to take advantage of the opportunity.

"Last year I went with [Albert] Pujols to the cage. We worked together. He was showing me the drills that he does, why it worked for him. Sometimes it works for you, sometimes it doesn't. It doesn't work for everybody. But at least I have an idea of what he does. Maybe you can add that to your game and it can make you better."

Mets Should Go After Conine

2007-07-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

As we approach the Trade Deadline this season, I will be trying to come out with one trade idea that could potentially make the Mets a better team. Periodically I have proposed a trade idea every couple of days, but with the deadline looming I’m going to be stepping it up a notch. Enough talking, here’s the latest that I’ve come up with:

The Mets are in need of Ruben Gotay starting second base, just look at his numbers compared to Jose Valentin’s and Damion Easley’s:

Ruben Gotay: .310 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI; 1 SB
Jose Valentin: .261 BA, 3 HR; 17 RBI
Damion Easley: .255 BA, 8 HR; 20 RBI

Gotay has put up those numbers all while having about 100 less at bats.

My proposal isn’t to trade for a second baseman, but instead to trade away one of the second baseman and another utility player.

Julio Franco has been nothing short of a player coach this year and has become a sort of dead weight on the bench. If you’re interested, here’s his numbers:

Julio Franco: .188 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBI; 2 SB

The Mets simply have to get rid of him and one of the utility second basemen, but for whom? Well how about the Reds’ Jeff Conine?

Conine is having a solid year for the Reds and could be unloaded in the “fire sale” the Reds are said to be having this season. Here’s Conine’s numbers:

Jeff Conine: .276 BA, 4 HR, 24 RBI; 3 SB

Conine has played first, third and the outfield for the Reds this season and with the two players I’m proposing the Mets unload, they could cover his ground while not costing the Reds as much as Conine ($1.7M vs. $850M and $1.1M). Now of course the Mets would have to eat up a portion of Franco’s contract to bring it well below a million, maybe half. It may seem like a lot of money to pay a player to play for another team, but it’s a small price to pay to have Gotay on second and Conine backing them up.

Reds Get: Julio Franco and Damion Easley
Mets Get: Jeff Conine

Vargas Gets The Call...Again

2007-07-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

David Lennon at Newsday, writes about Oliver Perez on the DL and Jason Vargas taking his place:

Perez was scratched from Sunday's start in Philadelphia because of a stiff lower back, but the Mets still considered using him at some point this week. In the long run, however, it made more sense to put him on the DL and recall Jason Vargas from Triple-A New Orleans for tonight's start. The move is retroactive to June 26, the day after Perez's last start, and the Mets expect him to be as good as new when the season resumes on July 12.

Player Update: Moises Alou

2007-07-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

David Lennon at Newsday, writes about Moises Alou and his status:

After another week of physical therapy in New York, Alou will head to Port St. Lucie to begin limited baseball activity on Monday, with the hope he could be ready to return by the end of this month. Ricco said yesterday Alou will need a rehab assignment somewhere between Port St. Lucie and returning to the Mets.

Still A Chance For Maine

2007-07-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

After reading David Lennon’s last post on his Newsday blog (On The Mets Beat), I realized that there is still a chance that John Maine could become an All-Star this year.

Common sense would tell us that if even one starting pitcher backs out of the game, that Maine would have to be next in line. If not, then I would begin to get a little irritated on how much the pitchers are weighed on their reputation and not their performance.

Here’s some of David Lennon’s post:

Just lifted this chart from today's Newsday regarding Tony La Russa's pitching selections. John Maine definitely deserved a spot. Even so, there's probably a good chance he'll make it anyway. In this final week before the break, players are always bowing out for one reason or another.

Could The Mets Get Hillenbrand?

2007-06-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Things don’t seem to be getting better for Carlos Delgado and may not ever get well. That’s, at least, what many Met fans are thinking. Delgado’s hitting .223 and has only hit11 home runs this season. He’s just, plainly, not hitting with runners in scoring position and it’s starting to ware on him a little. Maybe a change of scenery is what he needs.

One possible trade scenario is with the Angels for Shea Hillenbrand who will be designated for assignment on Friday. That means the Angels have ten days to either trade Hillenbrand or flat out release him. So far for the season, Hillenbrand is hitting .254 and has 3 home runs.

This might not seem like a player that the mets would want on their team, but last year for the Blue Jays he hit .301 and had 12 home runs before being traded to the Giants. My opinion with Hillenbrand is that he needs to find a place where he can play everyday and if he doesn’t work out, the Mets could just as easily move Shawn Green to first and keep Gomez up when Alou comes off the Disabled List.

Angels get: Carlos Delgado

Mets get: Shea Hillenbrand

Mets May Be In For Trouble

2007-06-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

With the Phillies only three and a half games behind the Mets and about to enter a four game series against the second place rivals, the Mets may have their hands full.

The Mets may have won five of their last six, but they’re still not hitting the ball as well as they could. I could go on and on about the number of Mets who haven’t come through this month, but you already know.

On the other hand, the Phillies are entering the space program with the number of home runs they’ve been hitting and that can all be attributed to the resurgent Ryan Howard. In the past ten games, Howard is hitting .326 and has four home runs.

Mets pitching is going to have to be on the top of their game if the bats don’t heat up soon. I hate to say it, but the Mets may be in for some more hard times, but let’s hope they can get started.

Gomez's Case Gets Stronger

2007-06-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

With last night’s third inning home run we are starting to see why Omar Minaya is saying that Carlos Gomez’s power will only take a matter of time and when it does, he will turn into certified five tool player.

Gomez has gotten his average up to .279 when he went one for three in last night’s extra innings win over the Cardinals. He’s making a strong case to stay up with the Mets, even when Moises Alou is able to come off of the Disabled List. My thinking is that the Mets should keep Gomez in left field and maybe think about trading Alou or keeping him on as a bench player.

Alou could be a very tantalizing trade option with numerous teams looking for some outfield power to add to their playoff hopes and the Mets may be able to come away from such a deal with possibly some high level prospects or even a bullpen arm.

A Moises Alou trade is probably not in the cards, but that doesn’t mean that we should think that the Omar and the Mets are going to rule that option out. Nothing is beyond what Omar is willing to do to make the team better and if it does somehow happen, remember that you read it here first.

Pelfrey To Get The Call

2007-06-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

Toby Hyde at Shea Baseball, writes about Mike Pelfrey and the probability of him getting the call up:

Marty Noble reports that Mike Pelfrey is the frontrunner to start one end of the Mets doubleheader in Philly. I had this one a few days ago, but forgot to write. Someday I’ll scoop the man. Pelfrey had an OK outing Friday night with both good and bad.

Gomez Gets Overwhelmed

2007-06-20T07:14:00.001-07:00

To go along with Dave's last Post, at the Gotham Baseball Forum, Not4Nuttin (screen name) writes about Carlos Gomez and how he has a tendency of getting overwhelmed to a new level of ball:

Gomez seems to have a history of being overwhelmed when he first jumpt to a new level (this year at AAA being the exception). Last year, he started extremely slowly at AA last year, hovered at or below the mendoza line, then turned it on for the last few months of the season, batting over .300 if I recall. Same pattern had happened the prior year, if I recall correctly.

The most noticeable difference in Gomez over the past few weeks is that he has cut down on what was a Dave Kingman looking, all-or-nothing type of swing. He can still make it more compact, but seems much more controlled now and slightly more comfortable at the plate.

Player Update: Pedro Martinez

2007-06-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Pedro Martinez and his latest bullpen session:

Pedro Martinez (shoulder) threw his fifth bullpen session on Tuesday.

The Mets original schedule had him throwing 8-to-10 bullpen sessions before facing live batters, which would have him throwing batting practice in about two weeks. He should throw another bullpen session on Friday.

Manuel Could Go To The O's

2007-06-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

David Lennon at On The Mets Beat, writes about Mets Bench Coach Jerry Manuel and that he could be a candidate for the O's Managing position:

Manuel could be at the top of the Orioles' list. YES analyst and 2006 Manager of the Year Joe Girardi also is being mentioned as a candidate, though it seems that the former Yankee catcher is waiting out Joe Torre for the skipper's job in the Bronx.

The Mets likely won't stand in the way of Manuel leaving. But that would be a huge blow to manager Willie Randolph, who has benefited greatly from having Manuel beside him as a trusted confidante. Stay tuned.

The Quad Is Fine

2007-06-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

David Lennon at On The Mets Beat, writes about Carlos Beltran and that he says that his quad is OK:

After creating a media tempest this weekend by mentioning his leg problems as a possible cause of his slump, Beltran did an about face following batting practice.

"I don't want to talk about the quad anymore," Beltran said. "The quad is fine. I don't know what you guys are trying to do. You guys go write whatever you want. Let's talk about baseball. I'm tired of talking about it."

What Got Into Ledee?

2007-06-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Lauren Kobylarz at Mets.com, writes about Rickey Ledee and the great night at the plate he had yesterday:

Ledee's performance on the night brought his total hits for the season to four -- already surpassing his total of three from last season.

"You learn to play like that, you learn to play off the bench," Ledee said after the Mets' 8-1 win over the Twins. "You learn not to get caught off guard. It could be an important at-bat, or it could be a blowout, or if for any different reason somebody has to come out."

Buehrle for Milledge???

2007-06-18T08:26:00.001-07:00

Trade season is in full bloom! In his daily blog, ESPN's Buster Olney believes there is the framework for a trade of White Sox starter (and soon-to-be free agent) Mark Buehrle to the Mets, along with another player, for Met OFer Lastings Milledge. Sox GM Ken Williams is still torn whether or not to become a seller or a buyer, and with his club so many games out in the fierce AL Central (never thought I'd be using THOSE words to describe THAT division), it is likely that Buehrle and OFer Jermaine Dye might soon be wearing another teams' uniforms. Right now, starting pitching is NOT our greatest need; line-up consistency and probably another outfield bat would have to rank number one. However, Buehrle is the type of pitcher who traditionally comes over to the NL and does very well (a la Bob Ojeda), and, if we so desired, we could probably lock him up to a 3 or 4 year deal to replace Tom Glavine next year. As much as we'd hate to see Milledge go (see Diaz, Victor, in Texas) the thought of acquiring another solid rotation arm like Buehrle makes it almost impossible to say no to this trade, if the offer ever comes...

RX For What Ails Us!

2007-06-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

It's mid-June, and the Yankees are beating us in the 8th inning of game 3 of this weekend series, 8-1. O-Hern got clobbered, and sadly threw few bad pitches - the Yankees just hit all of them! Although we won one game, we were clearly out-classed this weekend, and, no excuses, we should have played better- in a week when the supposed "SI Jinx" may have struck again. That being said, there are many things not quite working as they should right now. Without further ado, here is our prescription for shaking up the Mets - although we do NOT have any reason to panic!

1.) Bring up Sandy Alomar Jr., allow Ramon Castro to play more, DH Lo Duca wherever possible, or play him in left field, and allow either PLD or Castro to pinch-hit whenever necessary, which means that Alomar can be the 3rd catcher for such situations.

2.) Waive Aaron Sele and bring up Mike Pelfrey - allow Sele to catch on with a team that will use him, and allow Pelfrey to gain confidence in the majors while not relying on him as a starter while building not just confidence but arm-strength.

3.) Put Scott Schoenweis on the DL and bring up Jason Vargas- it's obvious that Scott is not well, and although he's a gamer, he's not helping the team right now. Vargas can go long or short, and it's a good chance to see what he has (again) on a major league level.

4.) In a similar vein, place Carlos Beltran, the ULTIMATE GAMER, on the DL and allow him to get healthy. Move Carlos Gomez to CF and let him roam, as he's made multiple, great catches and will at least not hurt us defensively in Beltran's absence. A healthy Beltran will bring us 2006-like numbers; the present version is on a collision course with 2005!

5.) Accelerate Julio Franco's eventual coaching career, sending him down to the minors to begin his coaching career while trading for the Reds' Jeff Conine. Conine can play in LF while Beltran is on the bench, and then can spell Delgado once in a while when Beltran comes back. He's a great veteran, has won and is supposedly great in the clubhouse- just what the doctor ordered!

6.) Play Ruben Gotay more- he's hitting well (when he gets to play), fielding well (when he gets to play) and can split time with Damon Easley. If they don't get Conine or another similar player, Valentin can move temporarily to LF until Beltran comes back.

7.) Demote Mr. Mota, until he reclaims his stuff, and promote one of the many AAA relievers (whoever is most deserving, in Mr. Peterson's opinion). Mota has looked eminently hittable, and he's not getting "back on the juice" so he'd better figure SOMETHING out! Better to have him find his game when he can't hurt us any more than his long absence already has.

8.) I'm not a huge believer in line-up "match-ups", but it seems that Paul Lo Duca is best from the number 2 hole, as he's not an RBI guy and works so well with Jose Reyes.

There are a lot more things that can be done, and goodness knows, no one is better-suited to "fix" things on this roster than our beloved GM, Omar! Just some food for thought, and some suggestions to get things going. Let us know what YOU would like to see...

Hoping To End Losing Ways

2007-06-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

John Klima at Mets.com, writes about the Mets losing streak and how they want to end it:

"We're not scoring runs, and we're not getting hits," first baseman Carlos Delgado said. "Let's bear down a little, let's focus a little, let's do what we need to do.

"It won't be easy for the Mets, who entered the series finale losers of four consecutive series against quality opponents and facing Brad Penny on Wednesday and Clemens on Friday."The guys are not happy," manager Willie Randolph said. "They're not ready to cut their wrists or anything, but they know tonight is the time to get it done."

The Mets pitched well in the first two games, but the Dodgers bullpen was outstanding, putting an extra degree of pressure on the Mets to swing the bats.

"I don't think it's confidence," closer Billy Wagner said. "I think it's more along the lines of frustration. It's not a lack of effort. It's a lack of focus. You need a few things to go your way, but the only way to get that is to make it happen. For the last 12 games, we haven't done that."

Sosa's Second Loss

2007-06-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Jorge Sosa and his first loss:

Jorge Sosa threw 5 2/3 innings and surrendered six runs Wednesday in a loss to the

Dodgers.Sosa, who has received a decision in every start since joining the Mets, fell to 6-2 with a 3.42 ERA. He's still a fine play in NL-only leagues versus the Twins next week.

2 Losses, Carlos Gomez and a Turncoat Fan

2007-06-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

It's almost more than I can bare, watching our beloved Mets lose 2 in a row to the Dodgers. Of course, I wore my Mets' gear to both games, and the heckling I received this year was the worst in my 15 years living in SoCal. I guess that's what happens when you knock their team out of the play-offs so handily last season. I did have great seats both nights, with varying perspectives - over first base in the top section Monday (thanks, Lynn) and down the left field line, 7 rows back, on Tuesday (thanks, Brandon). While there were lots of Mets' fans around, there was one, in particular, who made my stomach turn. He stands about 6 feet, and weighed at least a good 250 pounds. He began the game boisterously rooting for the Mets, and I learned he's originally from Brooklyn. Well, that's where the similarites between us ended, because, right after the 3 homers in a row, someone in his party bought him a Dodgers shirt, and he proceeded to show his fat belly as he threw down his Mets' shirt and put on his Dodgers' shirt, to the glee of the crowd. I was sick to my stomach, and yelled at him "et tu, Brutus?!" Of course, his Shakespearian knowledge was lacking, and he looked at me like I had 3 eyes on my head, but the mere thought that he would bow down to peer pressure set a bad example for the kids with him, and the fact that he began cheering for the Dodgers says, in my book, at least, that he doesn't deserve to EVER wear the beloved Blue & Orange again!! Enjoy the Carlos Gomez photos...

The Weight Of The Team On His Shoulders

2007-06-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

David Wright deserves a gift from the whole team, he shouldn’t have to accept it, but he needs it.

The team should buy him a big enough back pack to fit all of them in it, because during this losing streak, it seems like Wright is the only one constantly producing, he hit four home runs in four games. He is currently riding a fourteen game hitting streak and for the life of him, is getting no recognition for keeping the Mets somewhat in games that they have no business being in right now.

If the Mets don’t do something very soon, they could not only be looking at losing the lead in the NL East, but may lose Wright to the DL with a strained back.

Player Update: Carlos Gomez

2007-06-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

John Klima at Mets.com, writes about Carlos Gomez and his collision into the outfield wall:

Rookie Carlos Gomez said he came out fine after crashing hard at the base of Dodger Stadium's left-field wall in pursuit of a James Loney double Monday night. Gomez, who was back in the lineup Tuesday night, said he had some stiffness in his shoulder, but didn't anticipate it affecting his swing.Gomez, pressed into everyday service with Moises Alou on the disabled list for the foreseeable future, said he has benefited from the veteran players in the Mets clubhouse.

"A lot of veterans have been teaching me how we play in the big leagues," Gomez said. "There's a big difference from the Minor Leagues. My first week here, I was a little confused. I didn't know how to do things. I watched [Carlos] Beltran. He plays the same position as me. I watched what he does on the field and off the field."

SI Features The Mets - Yet Again!!!

2007-06-12T15:12:00.001-07:00

This is becoming a routine- come Summer (or close to it), Sports Illustrated puts the Mets, in one form or another, on it's cover. Keeping the "trend" alive, this weeks' issue, arriving on newstands and mail-boxes tomorrow, features our own GM, Omar Minaya, as well as a bevvy of Mets' stars - and you can read it all by clicking here. In the meantime, enjoy the cover, as I make my way back to Dodgers Stadium, hoping for a big WIN tonite- pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Player Update: Moises Alou

2007-06-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they give an update on Moises Alou:

An MRI on Moises Alou's sore left quad found additional inflammation, seemingly ruling out a return this week.

"Nothing’s better. He’s not going to play anytime soon," manager Willie Randolph said. Surgery probably isn't an option for Alou. The Mets will just continue to play the waiting game.

Reyes On His Batting

2007-06-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about Jose Reyes and him not feeling comfortable at the plate:

Jose Reyes is hitting .310, but said he’s not comfortable at the plate, especially from the left side.

“I’m opening up and trying to pull everything,’’ Reyes said. “I don’t feel good. I’m not at the point where I want to be. … I’m not driving the ball into the gaps. Once you see me do that, you can say, `he’s back.’ ’’

Reyes got off to a quick start and was hitting .370 on April 22. Nobody expected him to keep that pace and his average dropped to .356 by the end of the month. No need for alarm, especially with the Mets continuing to win. However, he slid through the month, hitting .268 for May and finishing at a .310 average.

Said Willie Randolph: “He’s being overly aggressive. He is getting out too much in front, and when you’re doing that you can’t go the other way.’‘

Dunn Done In Cincy? Trade Talks About To Heat Up...

2007-06-11T09:57:00.001-07:00

It's only the start of June, but trade talks are heating up, and at the top of the list is slugging, no-field Adam Dunn of the last-place Cincinatti Reds. Dunn, according to SI's great Jon Heyman, might be the first of many sluggers to be traded in the next few weeks. To read Heyman's article, click here. Dunn is NOT someone the Mets' will be looking at, and most of the names being bandied about, from Dye to J. Jones, don't really excite me at the cost of giving up any of our young talent. I think the team we have is the team we'll go to the wire with, except, of course, for the additions of Pedro and Sanchez when they are healthy enough to join the team in, hopefully, August. This is, however, our third most favorite time of the year (after opening day and the winter meetings, of course..) Keep posted to our sites for news on trades as they happen!

For 3 Games, A Slice of Home Comes To SoCal...

2007-06-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, when Mets' fans all over Southern California get a chance to see our favorite team in action. For the better part of the past 15 years, I've been a New Yorker waking up in Los Angeles every morning. While I've come to appreciate, and at times, even love where I live, I will always remain a New Yorker at heart. While I appreciate (and sometimes root) for the Dodgers and Angels, they are but the girl I dance with while waiting for the love of my life to re-enter the room...and here they are, the New York Mets, in the shape of O-Hern, Maine & Sosa, coming to town, hopefully to take 3 and a bit of redemption after a tough series with the Tigers.

We all know that the most knowledgable (and excitable) fans come from New York - although Boston and St. Louis would argue otherwise- but after all, NY is still the city where 3 baseball teams could play at one time, in a league that hadn't yet reached the West Coast, and, nearly 50 years later, the fanaticism for the Dodgers (dem Bums) and the Giants still burns brightly.

I had the chance to speak with a Mets' fan out here in L.A. last year, and found it amusing that he didn't even know that the Dodgers and Giants once played in New York. I explained to him that the Mets' uniforms are a homage to both teams, as the core colors (blue and white) are from the Dodgers, and the "NY" symbol, the "New York" on the away jerseys and the orange color come from the Giants. This "kid" was astonished, and I had taken it for granted that such details were as well known to Mets' fans as the fact that we won the 1969 World Series for the first time was! The fact that he had no idea about the Mets' uniform origins made me delve further, to see just how much he knew about why (and how) the NY National League teams left in the first place- and, again to my surprise, this 20+ fan knew nothing, even though he had lived his whole life in Los Angeles and called himself a big baseball fan. Therefore, for those fans who aren't familiar with how and why these teams moved from "the city that never sleeps" to "the land of make-believe", here's a brief history:

Walter O'Malley, a New York businessman and real estate developer/speculator, bought out the interests of baseball legend, Branch Rickey, who had built the 1955 World Champions (The Boys of Summer) and who broke the color barrier by signing Jack Roosevelt Robinson in 1947. Rickey's health had been declining, and O'Malley was a more well-healed businessman who had the funds to buy out Rickey and, much to his chagrin, Rickey agreed...and the path to even greater change had begun.

Even with a truly beloved organization, Brooklyn was becoming a less viable market for baseball, as many of the teams' fans had been moving to the suburbs (Long Island, Queens, etc.) as Brooklyn's demographics quickly began to change. It was harder to fill up the stands, and as attendance began to dwindle, expense for running the team grew steadily. O'Malley, ever a practical (and some would say, cheap) man, began looking for an alternative to Ebbet's Field and, perhaps, Brooklyn. Ebbets Field was laden in history, mostly bad, but was a monument to the love and support that generations of immigrants had bestowed upon their beloved Bums. There were few restrooms, the stand were rickety, and fans began staying away with the advent of radio and, to a lesser extent, television. Even in pennant-winning seasons, a ticket to the ballpark was not a hard thing to come by at a moment's notice.

This was recognized by NY politicos, as New York City Construction Coordinator Robert Moses (himself a huge owner of land in NY State and someone who has had many things named after him, such as the "Robert Moses Causway") tried to entice O'Malley into moving to a plot of land in Flushing, Queens, which would wind up becoming our own, beloved Shea Stadium, but which almost became the new resting place for the Dodgers. Would they have remained the Brooklyn Dodgers- that's up for debate, but best guess- No - they would have become the New York Dodgers, which, all in all, probably would sounded better to the scores of fans who still pine for the loss of their beloved Bums than the name "Los Angeles" Dodgers ever would. Moses' envisioned the creation of a city-owned and built stadium, which went against O'Malley's best instincts as a real estate developer.

Apparently, when the scenario that Moses laid out failed to move O'Malley, he began to look elsewhere in his quest to create a major revenue stream where the rest of Brooklyn saw a baseball team. He still believed he could find a piece of land in Brooklyn to use for a new stadium, but he could not acquire the type of deal that he wanted, which would allow O'Malley to either build the stadium himself and keep all of the revenue, or have the city build the stadium but also allow O'Malley to keep all of the revenue. It amounted to a game of chicken, as the local government in Brooklyn never believed there was a possibility that the Dodgers would move, and O'Malley seemingly dared them to not give him what he wanted and face the consequences...

After entertaining various potential sites, O'Malley set his sites west, in case the inevitable happened- which it did- as neither Moses nor the rest of the local, city and state politicians allowed O'Malley his dream of purchasing his own land with which to build a suitable stadium upon. Officials from Los Angeles were more than happy to make a sweetheart deal with O'Malley, offering him the Elysian area of Los Angeles, right off the 5 Freeway, on a hill that overlooks the entirety of Los Angeles (which is a site that is entirely different today then when O'Malley first laid eyes upon it). He received a sweetheart deal, and became one of the cities' largest real estate owners.

However, there was a catch - if O'Malley wanted this land, he'd have to talk fellow team owner, Horace Stoneham, into taking a deal to move to San Francisco. Stoneham faced his own series of problems, not the least of which was acquiring the means to replace his own, antiquated stadium, the Polo Grounds, the beloved yet inadequate home of the Giants, where my dad spent many a game in his childhood and young adulthood, pining for the likes of Mel Ott, Carl Hubbell, Willie Mays and Bobby Thompson.

O'Malley, with the backing of these same California officials, convinced Stoneham to join him in moving west, and, seemingly overnight, the NY-area was without a team in the Senior Circuit for the first time in history. The winter of 1957 would be a long one for NY baseball fans, as both teams departed for warmer climate, opening the 1958 season in their new homes.

O'Malley certainly got the better of the two deals, as Candlestick Park was a nightmare from the beginning, facing the wrong direction, which allowed terrible, ocean-based winds to penetrate even the thickest-skinned, bay area resident. The Giants still, to this day, have yet to win a World Series on the West Coast, some saying (including my dad) that this was their punishment for turning their backs on their beloved fans. However, since O'Malley was the instigator for the teams leaving, why have the Dodgers been far more successful? Could part of the reason be the sweetheart deal O'Malley received, owning one of the (still) nicest ballparks in the game, with a huge seating capacity, situated on a piece of land so far removed from (yet so close to) society that you'd be hard-pressed to think that anything beyond the ballpark existed once your car was parked?

Of course, Dodgers Stadium took a few years to be built, with the Dodgers playing their initial games at the L.A. Coliseum, current home to the USC Trojans football team (former home to both the Raiders and the Olympics), and the Giants eventually changed ownership hands, and the Peter Magowan-led group built Pac Bell Park, which is now AT&T Park, which is as amazing a ballpark as Candlestick was horrible, but they still have not won a World Series out here, and with Barry Bonds' career fading, look like a lock not to win one any time soon.

I'm not at all unhappy that these teams moved West, because then I'd be without my beloved Mets to root for, and entire generations of suffering might never have happened (LOL)...and even my dad, a crazy Giants fan who lived in Brooklyn and was interviewed by ESPN for their special on the 50th Anniversary of the "Shot Heard 'Round The World" would agree that, while he loved the Giants, the Mets just have a way of seeping into your system the likes of which no team has ever done...in our own, humble opinions...

Which brings us back around to today...and the current Mets, 36-25, in first place in the NL East, versus the Dodgers, 35-28 and in third place in the NL West. For more on this match-up, check out the Mets website by clicking here. I will be attending all 3 games, and hope that it's money well-spent! John will have all of his wonderful posts regarding the outcome of the games, and I'll try to suppliment that with some additional features on what it's like to attend a ballgame out here, as well as the reaction I receive while wearing my Mets' gear to the ballpark (and don't worry- many thousands will be joining me!)

So, once again, I leave you with this...

L-E-T'-S G-O M-E-T-S!!!

L-E-T'-S G-O M-E-T-S!!!

L-E-T'-S G-O M-E-T-S!!!

Jacque Jones?

2007-06-11T06:38:00.001-07:00

At MLB Trade Rumors, they write about the Jacque Jones to the Mets rumor:

Jacque Jones has become something of a punchline for the commenters on this site. Cubs fans, who frequent MLBTR disproportionately, think he is worth something decent. Everyone else does not. Even as a Cubs fan I have to side with everyone else.

Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times writes today:

"The New York Mets are in the market for outfield help at a time when the Cubs are expected to renew their efforts to trade Jacque Jones."

Gomez's First Home Run

2007-06-11T06:37:00.001-07:00

At Rotoworld, they writes about Carlos Gomez and his first home run:

Carlos Gomez hit his first major league homer Sunday off the Tigers' Jason Grilli.

It was a three-run shot. Gomez is going to get to stick around following Shawn Green's return Monday, giving him a little value in NL-only leagues for at least another week.

Something Has To Give

2007-06-11T06:36:00.001-07:00

If it’s one thing it’s another.

So now the Mets bats are coming alive again and it’s being headed up by David Wright’s smoking hot bat (4 home runs in 4 days). The only problem is that for the past two days, the Mets starters, Perez and Glavine, just can’t seem to keep it under control for those two starts (5 runs and 9 runs).

Now the Mets are going to have to rely on El Duque, once again, to stop the bleeding. Owning a 3-1 record to go along with a 1.94 ERA.

It has to stop soon and hopefully before the next Subway Series.

It's True- We Passed The MLB Test!!!!

2007-06-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

Folks: Thanks to your support, we're now an MLB Affiliate!!!

What does that mean to you, our loyal readers?

Well, for starters, it means that we're going to be here reporting the news and views about our beloved Mets for a long, long time to come!

It also means that if you want to buy any Mets-related items, from hats to memorabilia, you can click on the link at the top right of the page (MLB.COM) and it will take you right to the Mets shopping page!

Finally, it means that we can expand our reach, as we'll have expanded coverage, more features, more writers and an even better-looking site!!!

This didn't happen over-night- in fact, it has been in the works for nearly a year. Thanks to the hard work and preserverance of our webmaster, John Young, we've realized our dream today...although our real dream happened over a year ago when we began our respective sites. A big round of applause to John, for making this happen, and a BIG THANK YOU to you, our loyal readers, who number in the many thousands, for sticking with this Los Angeles- based Mets fan, a Florida-based fanatic, and our ex-marine host! We promise -

...the best is yet to come - for our sites (Shea Nation and Mets Trades), and more importantly, for the METS!!!!As we coined the term last January,

"In Omar We Trust!!!" Now, we can add "In MLB We Trust!"

Martinez vs. Clemens

2007-06-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

David Lennon at On The Mets Beat, writes about Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens and which will have the greater impact for their team:

Now that Pedro Martinez has completed his first bullpen session without a hitch -- check out the exclusive report by my colleague Jim Baumbach -- here's an interesting question: Who will win more games this season, Martinez or Roger Clemens? Granted, Martinez is not expected back until August, which only gives him 10 or so starts this season. But the 44-year-old Clemens is a limping train wreck of his former self, trying to rebound from a "fatigued groin," whatever the heck that is. I might pick Martinez at this point. Clemens is definitely headed for a few DL stints even when (if?) he finally makes it to the majors.

Player Update: Scott Schoeneweis

2007-06-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

David Lennon at Newsday, writes about Scott Schoeneweis and his leg condition:

Scott Schoeneweis winced last night when asked about the leg problem that has bothered him since spring training. Not from the pain. It doesn't really hurt. But the Mets reliever, not looking to make any excuses for his poor start, was disappointed to learn that his injury had been made public earlier that afternoon on the radio.

Schoeneweis, 33, has been pitching with what he described as a severed tendon near the bottom of his left hamstring, a condition that he developed last season with the Blue Jays and aggravated during fielding practice midway through spring training. Schoeneweis said he hyperextended the leg running on the warning track with Toronto, but continued to pitch with the partially torn tendon. He closed for the Reds after he was traded to Cincinnati and still finished the year with 71 appearances.

"It's getting better, but it's a work in progress," Schoeneweis said. "I haven't been the same guy I was last season."

Beltran Remains Favorite For All-Star

2007-06-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Anthony Di Como at Mets.com, writes about Carlos Beltran and him leading the All-Star voting:

Carlos Beltran has seen some tough times recently, his effectiveness sapped first by a prolonged slump, and then by a frightening injury.Mets fans don't care. And why should they? He's still Carlos Beltran, the very same Carlos Beltran who's been an All-Star in each of the past three seasons, and who led the Mets last year with 41 home runs. This year is shaping up no differently, as Beltran -- despite his woes -- remains the National League's leading vote-getter with 758,457, joining David Wright, Jose Reyes and Paul Lo Duca as tops at their positions through two weeks of voting.

The Gotay Situation

2007-06-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

Ted Berg at SNY, writes about Ruben Gotay and what the plans for him are:

With Damion Easley in the midst of a 2-for-20 slump that has seen his numbers come plummeting down toward Earth, Gotay -- Easley's fellow fill-in for Valentin -- has picked up the slack. The 24-year-old middle infielder is now hitting .316 with a .350 OBP and a .526 SLG and is making a strong case for a roster spot even after Alou's return from the DL. Gotay's career Minor League numbers are nowhere near the ones he's put up in the Show this season, so there's no real way the speedster can keep this up. But Mets fans should be thankful that his hot streak coincided with the rough stretch for the team's offense, as Gotay's performance on Saturday spearheaded the Mets' victory.

Player Update: Jose Valentin

2007-06-04T11:03:00.001-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Jose Valentin and gives an update on his rehab:

Jose Valentin (ACL tear) could begin a rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie on Monday.

Valentin, who has been playing in extended spring training games the past week, should be activated from the disabled list by this weekend.

Minor League Tracker: Brett Harper

2007-06-04T11:01:00.001-07:00

Adam Rubin at Surfing the Mets, writes about Brett Harper and his 21 game hitting streak:

Brett Harper’s hitting streak, the longest in the Eastern League, ended at 21 games Thursday. Still the first baseman is on a roll at Double-A Binghamton after missing all but 19 games last season because of surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right throwing shoulder in May of 2006.

Harper’s hitting streak was the longest by a B-Met since Mike Jacobs had a 22-game hitting streak in 2005 en route to the Eastern League MVP Award. (Jacobs’ streak is still active, by the way, since he was promoted to the Mets and never returned to the minors.) The Binghamton record belongs to Jay Payton, with 25 in 1995.

“I’ve put some good swings on balls,” said the 25-year-old Harper, who had a .284 average, seven homers and 33 RBI through 176 at-bats. “But as far as being totally back and locked in, I haven’t quite got there yet, even though my numbers are pretty good. I know I’m even better than I’m showing right now.”

Blood In The Water

2007-06-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

If any Met fan has been living under a rock for the last three weeks or so, then they didn’t know that the Mets have had a swarm of injury bugs biting at them. Although the team has continued to push forward without some of the key bats in the lineup, signs of weakness are starting to shine through.

With Valentin, Alou and Green on the disabled list and Beltran day to day, the seemingly impenetrable batting line up that the Mets boast, looks almost mortal now. We have Easley, Johnson, Chavez and Gomez manning their positions for the time being. This, however, has taken a huge bite out of the deep bench and, let’s faces it, they just aren’t sufficient replacements for their starting counter parts.

Teams have noticed this, and for the first time this season are getting a pretty good whiff of the blood in the water.

On Tuesday, the Mets are getting set to face the Phillies. If, at least, Beltran isn’t in the lineup, they are going to have a huge problem in defeating them.

We need our starters and we need them quick.

Mota Activated

2007-05-30T06:43:00.002-07:00

Guillermo Mota was activated last night for tonight’s game against the San Francisco Giants after serving his 50 game suspension. To make room for him on the roster, Ambiroix Burgos was designated to Triple-A New Orleans.

Let’s hope Mota can make his return a great one.

The Monster Is Out Of The Cage

2007-05-30T06:43:00.001-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Carlos Delgado and how he's crushing the ball as of late:

Carlos Delgado hit two homers on Tuesday night including a game-winning shot in the 12th inning for the Mets.

Delgado scored two runs and knocked in three on the night as his long dormant bat is finally showing signs of life. Delgado now has hits in six straight games and he has four homers and nine RBI over his last three games.

Player Update: Jose Valentin

2007-05-30T06:42:00.001-07:00

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about Jose Valentin and gives an update on him:

Prior to last night’s game, Mets GM Omar Minaya told reporters that 2B Jose Valentin will play in a minor-league rehab game tomorrow and could return to the Mets within the next week.

Citifield On The Way...15% Done, and Counting!

2007-05-28T12:44:00.001-07:00

Over at the mets website, they offer an update on the contstuction of the Mets new ballpark, Citi Field, which is approximately 15% completed. Considering that construction just recently began, they are making excellent head-way for the expected opening date, April 2009 - Opening Day!

I remember, years ago (mid-70's), heading to Shea for mini-bat day, and parking at Shea was horrible. We parked in a lot that belonged to one of the auto bodies that took up the entirety of 126th street, for $2, and walking back, I couldn't help being relieved to have one of those little bats in my hands...of course, having my dad next to me was more comforting, as was the fact that, eventually, a few cops poked their heads out, but I, for one, won't miss those aging eye-sores (although I hope that the business-people received help in relocating) nor will I miss the old fence boxing in the Shea parking lot, either. As long as they don't touch the subway, all will be well...although sprucing the station up a bit (with televisions broadcasting the pre/post games) would be nice...

How Sweep It Is...to See Delgado Return!!

2007-05-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

On the heals of losing 2 of 3 to the Braves, the Mets bounced back well, sweeping the Marlins in Florida this past weekend. The bigger news is the seeming return of Carlos Delgado, swatting two dingers on Saturday. Over at mets.com they recapped the weekend sweep, including the following highlights:

At 32-17, they are playing two games better than at this point last season, when they went on to compete in the National League Championship Series.

They have now won seven straight games at Dolphin Stadium, five of them this season.

They have not made an error in the last seven games.

Closer Billy Wagner managed his 30th consecutive save, expanding his franchise record. And with the Braves losing, Sunday's victory gave the Mets their biggest division lead of the season, 4 1/2 games.

The injury-bug, unfortunately, continues, as right-fielder Shawn Green suffered a fracture of the metatarsal bone on his right foot in Friday's game against the Marlins and the Mets await the results of an MRI, which they will receive tomorrow, Tuesday. And outfielder Carlos Gomez strained his left hamstring in Saturday's game and is game-to-game right now. With Moises Alou on the DL and still not ready to return to play, the Mets had Ben Johnson standing by until they find out more about their outfield situation. At least O-Hern is back, Mota is on the way, and Pedro and Jose Valentin continue to improve...think of it this way- we have the best record in the NL, the second-best in baseball (behind the Red Sox), and we will receive a huge influx of top talent no later than 60 days from now (Pedro, Valentin, Sanchez, Padilla, etc.) Things look pretty good today, an off-day, so go bar-b-que today and drink a beer to our success so far...

Much To Do About Something

2007-05-23T07:51:00.002-07:00

Carlos Delgado is in a season long slump (.209 BA; 3 HR) and still hitting in the clean up position. I know a slump is a slump and there’s nothing anyone can really do to change it. But Delgado being in a slump, lets pitchers throw the way they feel like to Carlos Beltran. Normally this wouldn’t bother me, but the Mets are losing and that changes everything.

Below are two remedies that could fix the Mets losing problem. It won’t fix Delgado’s slump. Nothing can fix that, except for Delgado himself:

1. If Delgado were dropped to the number six spot in the lineup, David Wright and Shawn Green, each, move up one spot. This would alleviate pressure off of Beltran to try and hit pitches that he normally wouldn’t see if Delgado were hitting with his usual consistency. Having Lo Duca batting behind Delgado is in no means, like having Wright back you up. Lo Duca is, however, swinging one of the hotter bats on the team and could provide the kind of protection that Delgado needs to get back into his stride.

2. The more evil of the two is to just flat out sit Delgado. The Mets could move Shawn Green to first, where he’s seen playing time and stick Carlos Gomez in right field on a regular basis. This would alleviate the Mets offensive woes and cure a big hole in right. Delgado makes way too much and is too valuable of a leader for Willie to ever do this, but it is an option.

At any rate, Delgado needs to break out of this horrendous hitting predicament he’s gotten himself into and start contributing. I don’t know how to say it any other way.

Player Update: Pedro Martinez

2007-05-23T07:51:00.001-07:00

Jim Malony at Mets.com, writes about Pedro Martinez and when he possibly could come back to the rotation:

Martinez, who underwent surgery on his right shoulder in October to repair a torn rotator cuff, still hasn't begun throwing off a mound, and the Mets can't say with any certainty when he will return. But Mets general manager Omar Minaya expressed hope on Tuesday for an August return by the right-hander.

"Things with Pedro are moving forward very nicely," Minaya told the Associated Press during a visit to the Dominican Republic. "We are hoping for his return in August, but the most important thing is that he recovers from his injury."

Minor League Tracker: Phillips Orta Signs

2007-05-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Woznick at The Star Herald, writes about the Mets 10th round draft pick Phillips Orta signing with the Mets:

After being drafted by the Mets in June, Orta decided to return to WNCC for his sophomore season. As the ace of the pitching staff, he helped lead the Cougars to their first regional championship in school history last weekend. WNCC had its season ended just a few wins shy of the JUCO World Series on Thursday in the NJCAA Western District Baseball Tournament.

Chase, who is in his 17th year with the Mets and has signed a number of players to big-league contracts most notably A.J. Burnett currently of the Toronto Blue Jays, believes the sky is the limit for Orta.

"The more time he gets on the mound, the better he's going to get," Chase said. "I think you'll see him as one of our bright spots in the New York Mets organization in the next few years."

Battle For The Back-Pages Continues...Mets Making Inroads!

2007-05-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

If you remember, last season we ran some postings on the placement of the Yankees and Mets on the back-pages of the local New York newspapers. Of course, the Yankees have always laid claim to those pages, having been on top of the cities' consciousness for so long. Last year, we decried the fact that a minor article on Joe Torre receieved more play than the Mets sweeping a 3-game series...well, the tide seems to be turning, as these 3 covers from today's NY tabloids would seem to show...let's hope that, as the season progresses, our boys in blue will continue to receive the coverage they deserve...and, if not, I think we've all gotten used to the underdog designation by now, no?

Oh - and the NY Times was consistent, too...

Hyde Says Pelfrey "So-So" In Latest AAA Start...

2007-05-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Toby Hyde, who produces the fantastic daily report on the Mets' minor leaguers, offers the following about Mike Pelfrey's latest start:

Mike Pelfrey (0-0, 1.59) made his first start since being demoted to AAA, and was so-so. While Pelfrey only gave up one run in his 5.2, he also surrendered 7 hits and a pair of walks. What bothers me the most about his pitching line are the 3 K's. His biggest problem in the big leagues was his inability to miss bats and put batters away with a consistent breaking pitch after getting ahead with the two-seamer.

We hope this isn't a case of a top prospect being promoted too soon, not finding the success he and everyone around him expected to see, and falling further into a shell upon being demoted to the minors. Pelfrey is still way too talented to give up on or trade, but there has to be definite concern as to why someone with one of the alleged best fastballs in the minors is having so much trouble striking batters out, let alone throw a consistent breaking ball...Calling Coach Peterson...Calling Coach Peterson...

As always, you can subscribe to Hyde's awesome, daily email recaps by clicking here.

Reyes Figure Now Available for Pre-Order

2007-05-19T10:47:00.001-07:00

McFarlane Toys has produced a limited edition, 3" figure of Mets' star Jose Reyes, as we posted back in March. It is now available for pre-order via the Cyclones website. Click here to go to their team store page. Also still available is the 3" David Wright, which will be followed in July by their first 6" Wright, seen grabbing for a grounder with his bare hand (sound familiar)? Enjoy the pics, as the details on these figures (and everything else they make) never cease to amaze! Look for their Series 19 Pedro Martinez in early August...

That's One!!!

2007-05-18T18:42:00.001-07:00

On a night when Oliver Perez didn't have his best stuff, he still had just enough to limit the Yankees to 2 runs over 7 2/3 innings, and, with some help from Joe "lights out" Smith and Billy Wagner, carried the Mets to a 3-2 win in game one of the first Subway Series of the season...I am tasting that $10...(LOL)

When Is $10 Worth $100,000??!!

2007-05-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

When a Met fan bets a Yankee fan $10 that the METS will take the series (winning minimum of 2 of 3)...amazingly, all I've heard lately is how the Phillies have an advantage with a better inter-league schedule, and that the Mets (and Braves) have it so hard...while it's true that playing the Yanks, Twins, Tigers, etc., is not an easy road to victory, these so-called "experts" surely must realize that, in order for a team to make it to the World Series, they will have to face a number of good (or great) teams along the way, and a truly great team, as we believe these Mets are, will rally to the challenge as they have in the past 10 days so well! Now, before you yell at me for ONLY betting $10, I was willing to go to $100 but the person I was betting with (a transplanted Yankee fan -see, there are a few of those guys, too...) could only hack the ten-spot. In years past, I would have had people falling over themselves to make this bet with me, offering odds, $50 for every $25 I bet, etc...my, how times change!!! So, to answer the question posed in the title of this entry, "when is $10 worth $100,000?" When the METS take 2 of 3 from the Yankees this weekend- and I actually get to watch 2 of those games on national television!!! Enjoy this year's version of the Subway Series!!!!

What Is A Met Fan To Do?

2007-05-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

Carlos Gomez, in his second start, looked just as good, compared to his first start. He’s got a very nice fluid swing and some of the quickest hands I’ve seen from a prospect since Reyes in 2003.

Keith Hernandez said it best. When Gomez hit a single in last night’s game, he took a wide turn and thought about trying to stretch it into a double. Keith replied,” Uh oh, I think we have another Reyes on our hands.”

Gomez is now batting .444 in his two games and has a stolen base to go along with his two doubles and 2 RBI’s.

If Gomez keeps on hitting the way he has been, it raises the question “What are the Mets going to do?”

This of course is the good kind of problem. With Green, Chavez and Gomez all hitting the ball well, what is a Met fan to do?

Any Thoughts?

Easley's Pace

2007-05-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about Damion Easley and the pace he's been on since taking over at second:

Since taking over for Jose Valentin on April 28, Easley is batting .319 through 47 at-bats, with four HR, 11 RBI and eight runs scored.

On this current pace, Easley is projected to finish the year batting roughly .300 with 20 HR and 50 RBI.

Player Update: Carlos Delgado

2007-05-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about Carlos Delgado:

Carlos Delgado was hit by Carlos Zambrano pitch and is day-to-day with a bruised right pinky. Maybe a couple of days off before the Yankees’ series wouldn’t hurt.

Poor Judgement On A New Level

2007-05-16T07:14:00.002-07:00

David Lennon at On The Mets Beat, writes about Lastings Milledge and his rap career:

I know John Maine just suffered his first loss of the season, Cliff Floyd banged out three hits against his former team and Carlos Zambrano, the Mets' No.1 starter next year, turned in a nifty eight-inning audition at Shea this evening. But let's not lose sight of the fact that Lastings Milledge is on the verge of rap superstardom.

The Mets were not thrilled today to hear Milledge rapping with Manny D on a track called "On Ya Knees" that includes sexist language about women and liberal use of the N-word. MIlledge, or "L Millz" as he's called on the web site, apparently is a friend and manager of Manny D. It's always good for a player to have options if baseball doesn't work out, but the Mets surely wish his outside interests were a little more PC.

Is Green's Slump Over?

2007-05-16T07:14:00.001-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Shawn Green and how he did in yesterday's loss to the Cubs:

Shawn Green snapped a slump with a double and home run Tuesday.

Green was hitting .356 just over a week ago, but he had gone 1-for-18 before hitting his 11th double and adding his fifth homer tonight. With a .324 BA and 20 RBI, it's been a very nice bounce back season for Green so far.

El Duque's Return Nears

2007-05-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

Anthony Di Como at Mets.com, writes about Orlando Hernandez and how he's close to returning:

Randolph said that simulated games should be the extent of El Duque's rehab, with no Minor League assignment in the works. And though there's no telling how many of those simulated outings he'll need -- the staff first wanted to see the effects on his arm a day later -- general manager Omar Minaya hinted that it's feasible El Duque's next outing could be with the parent club.

"It's a possibility that his next start could be a game for us," Minaya said. "We haven't determined which way we want to go on that yet."

Player Update: Moises Alou

2007-05-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Michael Morrissey at The New York Post, writes about Moises Alou and why a trip to the DL is likely:

Alou said the MRI showed bleeding in the quad, and the Met outfielder knows he's probably making his 15th trip to the DL if things don't turn around quickly in the next day or two.

"I don't feel very good right now," he said. "I'm not very optimistic about it. How long? I'm not going to come back any time soon."

Alou woke up in discomfort, but he and the Mets want to wait another day ortwo to see how it responds to treatment. Before the game, Willie Randolph said Alou would probably not be available to pinch-hit in the 9-1 victory over Milwaukee.

The Fans Get On Heilman

2007-05-15T06:12:00.000-07:00

David Lennon at On The Mets Beat, writes about Aaron Heilman and how the Shea crowd has taken a disdain towards him:

I was a little surprised to hear the crowd get on Aaron Heilman in top of the ninth inning. As soon as the strains of Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Feel the Reaper" blared over the loudspeakers, the fans began booing loudly. I don't think they were screaming "More cowbell!" either. Despite the jeers, Heilman did his job, and needed only one pitch. With Ryan Theriot at second base, Heilman got Cesar Izturis on a bouncer back to the mound to end the threat -- and earn the victory.

Floyd On His Return

2007-05-14T07:33:00.001-07:00

Jeff Vorva at The Daily South Town, writes about Cliff Floyd and his return to Shea Stadium:

The former Thornwood High School star said the city is "incredible" and that he got along well with the fans. New York fans have a reputation of being tough on their athletes, but Floyd said he had no problems with them.

"They were cool. I played as hard as I could, and they knew that," Floyd said. "If there's one thing about playing in New York ... if you run hard and play hard, they love you."

Floyd hinted he won't be too emotional about returning to meet his former team.

"It's over with," Floyd said. "They passed me and I passed them. That's life. They have some new guys and new situations. I'm going to enjoy going back. It's a great place. They gave me opportunities for four years to play. Other than that, I'll go say 'What's up,' and that's it."

Player Update: Moises Alou

2007-05-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Moises Alou and where he's at with his injuries:

Moises Alou is likely to go on the disabled list because of the strained left quad he suffered Saturday.

"I’m not very optimistic," Alou said. "It’s not a good feeling. Unfortunately, I had my knee that was bothering me so I couldn’t work on my leg for a couple of weeks." The Mets had both Endy Chavez and Carlos Gomez in today's lineup, as Shawn Green is getting a break. Chavez deserves most of the playing time in Alou's place with the way he's performend since the start of 2006, but Gomez may not be limited to a strict platoon role.

Gomez's First Game

2007-05-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Carlos Gomez and what he did in yesterday's game agenst the Brewers:

Carlos Gomez had two hits, two runs scored and a stolen base Sunday in his major league debut.

Gomez doubled in his first major league at-bat. He'll start against lefties for as long as he's up, and today's showing might earn him some time versus righties.

Brew Crew, One and Two, So Where Is The Mets Love? Some Sunday Notes...

2007-05-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

Well, so much for the so-called experts, as the Mets took 2 of 3 from the NL Central-leading Brewers of Milwaukee.

On the heals of being blown out yesterday, today was the team from Flushing's turn, beating the Brewers 9-1 behind the strong pitching of Oliver Perez, the hitting of second-sacker Damon Easley, and the spark from recent call-up, Carlos Gomez, who made a great accounting of himself, with 2 hits today, including a double, scoring 2 and stealing a base! Surrounded by Endy Chavez and Carlos Beltran, the Mets' fielded an outfield of gold glove winning and potential gold glove winners all around! Announcer Ron Darling speculated about what a great relay team we'd have with the likes of Chavez, Beltran, Gomez and Reyes!!

Brewers Are Darling: Everyone in the media has made the Brewers their darlings of late, as they run away with the NL Central. Of course, they haven't played an above .500 team since their series with the Dodgers, and since have taken advantage of such patsies as the Pirates, Reds, Cubs and Astros. We're not taking anything away from the team GM Doug Melvin has assembled, as this is definitely the most talented Brewers team since their short-lived hey day in 1982. However, the Mets are still a veteran-laden team, with a young core and great leadership - in other words, in response to yesterday's blow-out, fool me once... even today's LATimes has an article about their rise (click on the link to read it)...

Mike Pelfrey: Don't despair about Mr. Pelfrey- he'll get his act together in AAA and be back up before too long. Early in Spring Training, many of us were still skeptical (but welcome) towards Pelfrey's addition to the rotation, simply because we hadn't seen the addition of a great (or even good) breaking pitch to his arsenal. Sure enough, Pelfrey has had a predeliction for walking too many as hitters stayed off his heat, knowing he wouldn't get them out with his breaking stuff. He hasn't pitched terribly, and the beating he took yesterday sounds worse than he actually pitched. We are still, however, only a half game behind the Braves, with a game in hand, Jason Vargas looming on the horizon and eventually reinforcements arriving in the form of O-Hern and Mota, and, eventually, Martinez and Sanchez. We've got plenty left in our tank, and Wright and Delgado have yet to flex their muscles...

As soon as someone writes us off, a Ryan Howard goes down...so please, continue to underestimate us...

Are The Brewers As Good As They Say They Are?

2007-05-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

Now I know I’m being a little bit of a hypocrite with this thought, but I’m going to make my voice heard anyway.

Tomorrow the Mets start a three game series agenst the best team in baseball, the Brewers. The critics are saying this because they boast the best record (24-10). This may look like something that should intimidate other teams. It shouldn’t however look like this to the Mets.

The Brewers have faced, in their schedule, so far, all but one team that's under five hundred (the Dodgers). They’ve faced, in order, Dodgers, Cubs, Marlins, Cardinals, Reds, Pirates, Astros, Cubs, Astros, Cardinals, Pirates and the Nationals.

This looks like the Mets schedule from last year right now. Critics said that the Mets were facing easy teams and that when it came to crunch time, they wouldn’t be able to produce the same numbers. As we all know, they were.

Now I’m not selling the Brewers short, but instead asking, what did they do in the off season that was such an impact to force the brewers from a 75-87 record to where they are now?

Just about the biggest player they added was Jeff Suppan. He may be doing well this season so far (5-2 2.63ERA), but I just feel that this isn’t enough to put the Brewers at the level they’re at.

Before the Mets torrid run in 2006, they added Carlos Beltran (2005), Pedro Martinez (2005), Carlos Delgado (2006), Paul Lo Duca (2006), Billy Wagner (2006), Duaner Sanchez (2006), John Maine (2006); Jose Valentin (2006) and Endy Chavez (2006).

That right there justified the mets rise to power. I’m not seeing anything to that extent, or even remotely close from the Brewers.

All I’m really getting at is, don’t expect this upcoming series to be the clash of the titans that everyone’s making it out to be. It might be, but just think about it.

Let's Make A Deal

2007-05-10T06:46:00.000-07:00

Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (Shea Nation Network), writes about the Baltamore Orioles and how they might be on the look out for starting pitching:

The Baltimore Orioles starting rotation has been decimated by injuries and the team is looking for low budget, back of the rotation pitchers. The Mets have several candidates that could fill those holes for the Orioles, such as Park, Lawrence or Vargas. The Orioles have two second basemen that would be perfect fits here, Brian Roberts and Chris Gomez. Roberts signed an extension through 2009 but his no trade clause only blocks moves to small market teams. Roberts would be more expensive, the 30 y/o has 7 years of experience with a lifetime BA of .279 and a fielding percentage of .982. Gomez would be more of a fill-in type of player, the 36 y/o has 14 years of experience with a lifetime BA of .260 and a fielding percentage of .975. Gomez is only signed through the end of the year. Omar and Duquette teamed up for the Benson/Maine trade last year and seem to a have a good rapport. Source of the contract information Cots Contracts.

The Orioles continue to explore trade possibilities to strengthen their rotation, but Duquette said nothing is "pressing" at the moment.Duquette said the Orioles have compiled a list of about 12 names for consideration, with "varying degrees of interest," and none who would be considered top-of-the-rotation guys. Though he wouldn't reveal any of them, it appears the Colorado Rockies' Byung-Hyun Kim and Josh Fogg aren't on it. source Baltimore Sun

Maine On The Game Yesterday

2007-05-10T06:44:00.000-07:00

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about John Maine's post game comments:

Talking with reporters following yesterday’s game, Maine had the following to say regarding……his overall performance…

“I had very average stuff today, but I was able to keep us in it and not make it any worse and we came back and won, which is a good thing, but the last two games I didn’t really have great stuff, but it happens sometimes…

…whether Dave Roberts hit a mistake-pitch for a home run…

“I mean, it wasn’t across the plate, it was down, but I just left it in the middle of the plate a little bit. That’s what these guys do, you know. I mean, I expect to be punished for mistakes.”

Two to Go

2007-05-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

Ken Davidof at On The Mets Beat, writes about the Mets and who is yet to shave their heads:

By late Tuesday, only two Mets had yet to take their turn in the barber's chair. Tom Glavine had his head shaved immediately after the Mets' 4-1 win over the Giants, as did Aaron Heilman.That left only Aaron Sele and Jose Reyes as the two remaining holdouts on the 25-man roster.

Sele at least had a plausible excuse, saying that he had to fly to LA on Thursday for a family photo session. For that, his teammates were willing to give him a pass, but he should expect to go bald or go home when he returns to Shea on Friday. The only other holdout was Jose Reyes, who did not provide a reason.

Reyes said before the game he would submit to the razor, but did not after batting practice and played with his full head of hair intact. Even manager Willie Randolph tried to get Reyes into the chair Tuesday afternoon, but the shortstop refused. Not sure what's going on with that, but it's probably a good idea if Reyes joins his teammates.

Willie on Feliciano

2007-05-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about Willie Randolph and his thoughts on Pedro Feliciano so far this season:

Nice job by Feliciano, and Tommy for that matter, right? I think he goes unnoticed a lot, but Mr. Feliciano has done a nice job for us this year, coming through the meat of lineup and a couple of big strike outs. Those guys, who are short down there, don’t get a lot of credit, but Pedro’s had a nice year so far.

Glavine Gets 294 In Win

2007-05-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about the Mets 4 to 1 win over the Giants last night:

And so it was that the 294th victory of Glavine's career -- a sidecar to the Mets' 4-1 victory -- took precedence over the 745th home run of Bonds' career, if not here, then anywhere baseball achievement is measured at the bottom line and objectivity is just a local call.

Glavine won the battle and war, withstanding Bonds' latest assault on Henry Aaron and all the disciples of 755 and moving to within six victories of his own personal objective, a 300 game. And all the while, the Mets were benefiting, assuring themselves of producing a winning record on this seven-game excursion.

Shortly after they had participated in a group haircut -- a demonstration of unity they said wasn't necessary -- the Mets all got together and beat up Matt Cain, the Giants' starting pitcher.

The Mets scored three runs before the game was six batters old and essentially coasted from there, putting an end to Glavine's streak of winless starts and providing manager Willie Randolph the 200th victory of his 356-game career.

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Can Maine Do It?

2007-05-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about John Maine and the path he's on:

John Maine has won his first five decisions, equaling what Pedro Martinez did last year, though Martinez did it in five starts, and Maine has made six. The club record for victories without a loss at the beginning of the season is 10, by Terry Leach in 1987. He finished his season with an 11-1 record. Pat Mahomes won his only eight decisions, all in relief, in 1999. Frank Viola won his first seven starts in 1990, and Tom Gorman produced a 6-0 record in 1985

Alou Regrets Time In SF

2007-05-08T06:42:00.000-07:00

Dylan Hernandez at Inside Bay Area, writes about Moises Alou and how he views his time spent with the Giants:

"I look back and to me it was a disappointment,"Alou said.

"We didn't do the things we expected to do."

Alou batted .312 with in his seasons with the Giants, but played in only 221 games. He and Barry Bonds, who was also hurt often, rarely played together.

The 40-year old Alou is fighting injuries again, this time soreness in his left knee. Because of that, Alou was in the Mets' lineup Monday for just the first time in four days.

Alou, who entered the series with the Giants batting .348, said he has enjoyed his time with the Mets.

Oops...

2007-05-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about Jose Reyes and the picture that appeared on his at bat:

Evidently, that saying applies to slumps, as well. The three-run home run Wright hit in the ninth inning against the Diamondbacks Thursday night was his lone hit in 18 at-bats in the series. Five hits in nine at-bats in the last two games against the Marlins last week had raised Wright's average to .273. He began the series in San Francisco batting .239.

Defence Gives Up The Game

2007-05-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about the loss last night to Barry Zito and the Giants:

Their 9-4 loss Monday night was nothing less than a comprehensive kaput that included errors on successive plays, an unfavorable call and nine runs -- all in one inglorious inning. The Mets have played uglier innings, though none readily come to mind.

Bonds played a bit part in the overwhelming inning -- he walked and scored -- and Zito, in his first appearance against the Mets, emerged as the winning pitcher in a pedestrian six-inning performance.

It was Bengie Molina, the catcher with a surname all-too-familiar to the Mets, who did them in. "Another give-away game," Willie Randolph called it, and no one questioned his assessment.

Perez -- like Zito, 3-3 -- allowed five hits and two walks in his 4 2/3-inning workday. Zito was responsible for seven of the Mets' 10 hits and three of their four runs. Urdaneta, who had reduced his career ERA from infinity to 81.00 Sunday, retired one batter Monday night, and even with the one run he allowed, he reduced it again -- to 63.00.

Otherwise, the Mets did little in the first of their 13 games in California this season. David Wright had two hits and might have had a third if not for Omar Vizquel. Easley and Green had two hits each that didn't offset their defense. And they all fell victim to the "other" Giants. "[Bonds is] not the only one," Randolph said. "We held him, and look what happened."

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What If The Mets Did This?

2007-05-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge fan of trading up for a team. In the fantasy league I'm in, I think, I've been involved in more trades than anyone else. It let's you know that your GM still cares (not that Omar doesn't).

So with that said, I’ll throw out a couple of trade proposals to make the Mets younger and better for years to come.

1. The Mets give Oakland Lastings Millege and Aaron Heilman for Dan Haren.

I know, I know. This trade has been bounced around more times than a pinball. But, I think Billy Beane is finally ready to pull the trigger. Call it a gut feeling. And as MLB Trade Rumors said it in a previous post,” Dan Haren on the other hand… could challenge for Cy Youngs as a Met.”

2. The Mets give Pittsburgh Rubin Gotay, Ricky Ledee and Ambriorix Burgos for Freddy Sanchez.

Sanchez is probably at the lowest selling point right now. He’s hitting only .258 and has only 4 RBI’s. A change of scenery will most likely do him good. The Mets need a second baseman with a decent bat and a good glove. Sanchez is both of these.

From the Pirates side of the table, Gotay could replace Sanchez at Second, Burgos would go to a pen that desperately needs help (28th in the Majors) and Ledee would go to a team that’s in need of veteran leadership.

It’s by far a win, win for each team.

The rotation would shape up like this:

Tom Glavine
John Maine
Dan Haren
Oliver Perez
Jorge Sosa

The batting order would shape up like this:

Jose Reyes
Freddy Sanchez
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Delgado
David Wright
Moises Alou
Shawn Green
Paul Lo Duca

Pitcher

Note From David Rubin: I think that, if we are willing to part with both Milledge AND Heilman, we could expect to receive Rich Harden back in a deal. Even though Harden has been chronically hurt, a la Mark Prior, he still represents a unique talent who, when healthy, is capable of becoming one of the top 10 pitchers in the game, a designation not unknown to Mr. Beane. Second, I HATE dealing with Beane, because he always seems to make one-sided trades. Finally, I think that the Bucs would want more than the package above for Sanchez, as he is, after all, the reigning NL batting champ. I know a bunch of folks who worked with the kid when he was a busboy back in SoCal, and they all said what a great person he is and what a student of the game he is as well. I'm sure the Bucs have no doubt that he'll pick up his pace soon, as he's probably not as good as he was last year, but is certainly far better than he's showing this year. I think we'd have to offer a better pitching prospect, as well as a good hitting prospect to acquire a talent like Sanchez, as the days of prying talent away from Pittsburgh for a song are now seemingly over. I would not mind Haren, but would want to give up less...I would definitely want Sanchez, but we'd have to give up more...and I DON'T want Cantu, unless he's our last option, for the reasons stated in another post on the site. But, GM-In-Training that he is, John is certainly guilty of one thing- Throwing good ideas out there to get the "hot stove league" spinning...keep it up, bud!!!!

A Little On Lawrence

2007-05-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

At Wikipedia, they have a biography on starting pitcher Brian Lawrence. Here's some notes:

The 2001 season was the only one in which the Padres used him extensively in a relief role. By 2002, he had established himself in the Padres' starting rotation, and he made at least 31 starts with the Padres in each of the next four seasons. For three consecutive years - 2002 to 2004 - he logged more than 200 innings pitched, and he won at least ten games in each of those seasons.

On June 12, 2002, Lawrence struck out three batters on nine pitches in the third inning of a 2-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Lawrence became the 24th National League pitcher and the 33rd pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning. However, in 2005, his record was just 7-15, and his ERA 4.83 - his highest-ever ERA in the majors.

That offseason, the Padres traded Lawrence to the Washington Nationals for third baseman Vinny Castilla. The righty would never have an opportunity to take the mound in Washington. Following his first day of spring training for the 2006 season, team doctors discovered a torn labrum and a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder shelving the righty for all of 2006. The Nationals subsequently declined their 2007 option on Lawrence that October.

The five year veteran, with 934 career innings pitched, continues to recover from his surgeries. He was signed by the Colorado Rockies on January 21, 2007, but was released early in the season.

On May 6, 2007, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.

Pelfrey Out?

2007-05-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

Ken Davidoff at On The Mets Beat, writes about Mike Pelfrey and asks the question, is Pelfrey going back to Triple-A?:

Interesting situation developing with Mike Pelfrey, who could be facing some pressure as Orlando Hernandez works his way back from shoulder bursitis. He continues to have trouble in the first inning with a 12.60 ERA and falling behind in the first inning is an ominous statistic for the Mets, who have been outscored this season, 17-12, in that frame. They also are 13-1 when the score first; 6-10 when they don't.

Is it worth it to stick with Pelfrey? Or if Jorge Sosa continues to pitch well, and Hernandez returns next week, is he better off fixing himself at Triple-A New Orleans? Just a conversation starter for this morning (I know it's the afternoon back East, but it's 10:15 a.m. in the Bay Area.)

Player Update: Moises Alou

2007-05-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Moises Alou and how he's feeling:

Moises Alou predicts his knee will feel "good enough" to return to the starting lineup on Monday.

Alou has missed the past three games due to torn cartilage in his left knee.

Profiling The B-Mets

2007-05-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

Brian Moritz at Press Connects.com, profiles the B-Mets:

ThB-Mets have lost 14 of their last 15 series dating back to last season. After Thursday's doubleheader sweep by New Britain, the B-Mets have lost 11 of their last 14 games. The B-Mets had the worst team ERA in the Eastern League with a 5.42. As a team, the B-Mets are hitting just .243 through Thursday's games. The B-Mets played just six home games in April thanks to the weather, going 3-3.. Who's hot: Fernando Martinez went 9-for-18 in the New Britain series. Who's not: Jose Reyes is 3 for his last 18.e

How Does He Do It?

2007-05-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Damion Easley and his go ahead home run in the ninth inning last night against the D-Backs:

Damion Easley hit a three-run homer in the ninth Thursday as the Mets rallied to stun the Diamondbacks 9-4.

Easley's homer, his only hit of the night, raised his average to .241 and gave him five RBI on the year. David Wright followed with a three-run jack of his own as the Mets exploded for six ninth-inning runs to win their 11th straight game in Chase Field.

Glavine Passes 2,500 K's

2007-05-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

Barry M. Bloom at Mets.com, writes about Tom Glavine getting one step closer to the Hall Of Fame:

Glavine's strikeout of D-backs second baseman Orlando Hudson to end the first inning was the 2,500th of his career. And his sixth-inning whiff of Eric Byrnes was No. 2,503, moving Glavine ahead of New York Giants great Christy Mathewson into 28th place on the all-time list."I don't want to say it's not a big deal to me, but on the one hand it's really not," Glavine said.

"I don't consider myself to be, nor does anyone else, a strikeout pitcher. It's another one of those things that it's a nice number and nice company to be in. Hopefully there'll be a bunch more before it's over. It's certainly not a statistic I'm enamored with, but it is a nice number."

Joking On Smith

2007-05-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

Bob Herzog at Newsday, writes about Joe Smith and how his teammates give him his rookie dues:

In the eyes of his teammates, who punctuated Smith's postgame media session with the kind of jocular verbal hazing that in the occasionally juvenile environment of a major-league clubhouse says, "Welcome to the big leagues, kid. Glad you're here."

"Hey, can we get an interview room set up just for him," yelled Tom Glavine. "Yeah, with Oliver, Willie and Joe Smith," chimed in Billy Wagner. Other comments were a bit more risqué, but all were tinged with affection. "He's such a good kid and a good guy to kid," Wagner added.

Reyes Gets Player Of The Month

2007-05-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Gregor Chisholm at Mets.com, writes about Jose Reyes and the award he received for the month of April:

Shortstop Jose Reyes is the engine that makes the Mets offense run. Batting leadoff, it's the 23-year-old's responsibility to jumpstart one of the National League's most powerful offenses.

And that's exactly what Reyes did in the first month of the 2007 season. After finishing April with a .356 average and scoring 26 runs, Reyes was voted the Sharp Presents the National League Player of the Month. It's the first time Reyes has received the honor during his three-year career.Entering Wednesday's action, Reyes led the Major Leagues with 17 stolen bases and five triples. He's on pace to threaten the Mets single-season record for triples (21) set by Lance Johnson in 1996.

Maine Gets Pitcher Of The Month

2007-05-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Gregor Chisholm at Mets.com, writes about John Maine and the award he received for the month of April:

Maine earned NL Pitcher of the Month honors on Wednesday after finishing April with a perfect 4-0 record. The 25-year-old leads the Major Leagues with a 1.35 ERA, allowing just five earned runs in 33 1/3 innings.

It was an impressive start to the season, but Maine isn't about to let the early success go to his head, because he knows it's going to be a long season.

"I've still got a lot of stuff to work on," Maine said. "I'm pleased, [but] I've got five more months. I've just got to keep it going. I've got to worry about May now."

Maine becomes the first Mets hurler to win the monthly award since Al Leiter in June 2000. Maine was 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA in the 2006 regular season and pitched even better in the playoffs, going 1-0 with a 2.64 ERA in three starts.

Player Update: Jose Valentin

2007-05-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Jose Valentin and when he'll start his rehab:

Jose Valentin will begin rehabbing the partial tear of his right ACL at Port St. Lucie on Wednesday.

"It might take five weeks, it might take a month and a half," Valentin said. "Who knows? I'm going to be working as hard as I can to try to just go and make it four weeks. It took me three months two years ago to do it." Valentin will use crutches for the next week, but will ride an exercise bike 20 minutes per day.

Pelfrey's Learning

2007-05-02T07:42:00.001-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Mike Pelfrey and how he might be getting the hang of things:

Mike Pelfrey bounced back from a three-run first to hold the Marlins scoreless over the next 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday night.

The showing still resulted in a loss, but it was Pelfrey’s first quality start in four tries this season. He earned himself at least one more turn through the rotation with the performance. It should come Sunday in Arizona. NL-only leaguers will want to keep him reserved.

Heilman Tries To Move Forward

2007-05-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about Aaron Heilman and how he's trying to overcome a beginning of the season pitching slump:

"We were going to win that game ... probably," Heilman said. "But I took us out of it. All we needed was a clean inning. ... We had two, three, four [David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado] coming up in the bottom of the inning. If it's 3-2, there's a lot more pressure on [the Marlins]. [A 5-2 score] is completely different."

This one wore on Heilman more than the home run he surrendered nine days earlier to Kelly Johnson of the Braves. That one made him the losing pitcher. This one was worse if only because it extended his rap sheet.

"Probably, that's the reason," Heilman said, his face twisted.

The rap sheet includes the loss to the Braves two Sundays ago, and another to Atlanta two weeks earlier. And there have been too many fly balls, and that grab Jose Valentin made in St. Louis on Opening Night that turned runs into a double play that spared Heilman.

His pitches are up, and so is his ERA -- 4.09 -- and his number of fly balls. He averaged 1.31 ground-ball outs for every fly-ball out last season. In 11 appearances and 11 innings this season, the ratio is .77 ground-ball outs to one fly out.

Smart Move Or Lucky Break?

2007-05-01T12:45:00.001-07:00

Are the Baltimore Orioles kicking themselves for trading John Maine to the Mets in the off season, before the 2006 campaign? Are they wondering if Maine was really the throw I to the Julio for Benson deal or were they cleverly thrown off of the scent by a Wiley Omar? Did the Mets scouts ever anticipate that Maine was going to be this good this soon?

All those questions aside, Maine is that dominant (right now) and yes, the O’s have to be wondering what could have been.

But before we go on and say that Omar pulled one over on the O’s, let’s take a look at the facts.

John Maine came up to the Baltimore Orioles in 2004; he was only 22 years old. He only made 11 appearances and 9 starts for them. He only had a 2-4 record, while sporting an 8.06 ERA. Hardly dominant figures. As a matter of fact, one would say that Maine was on his way to a career that was quickly going nowhere. On top of all that, he had 25 strike out and gave 27 batters, free rides on balls and also gave up 9 homeruns. If all of those homeruns came while he was a starter, than it would have been roughly 1 per start.

No one could have seen what Omar was thinking, or what his intentions were. Maybe Maine was the throw in for Benson (and a bucket of balls for Anna Benson). One thing is true though, John Maine has turned from being nothing, to an ace out of nowhere.

They Say It Comes In Threes

2007-05-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

Anthony Di Como at Mets.com, writes about Moises Alou and how he wound up with stitches in his chin and an injured shoulder:

Left fielder Moises Alou became the latest in a suddenly lengthy string of injuries for the Mets, receiving two stitches on his chin after charging into the left-field wall in Monday night's 9-6 loss to the Marlins.

Alou also aggravated the right shoulder that he jammed in a game against the Nationals over the weekend. He will have an MRI on the shoulder Tuesday, and is day-to-day.

With one out in the eighth inning Monday, Marlins pinch-hitter Jason Wood drilled an Aaron Sele offering to left field, where Alou appeared to have a play. But the ball, the wall and the left fielder all met at the same time, popping the ball out of Alou's glove and sending the 40-year-old veteran to the ground with a badly cut chin.

Beltran On His Way To A Repeat

2007-04-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Carlos Beltran and how he's on his way to repeating his performance from last year:

Carlos Beltran drove in the only run of the game in a Mets' 1-0 win over the Nationals on Sunday with a solo homer off starter Jason Bergmann.

Beltran has started right where he left off in the 2006 campaign, batting .333 with five homers, four steals, and 22 RBI in 23 games played. He's well on his way to a full repeat of last year's stellar season.

Maine Is Off To Great Start

2007-04-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Mark Hale at The New York Post, writes about John Maine and how good of a start he's off to:

Maine's 4-0 this year and his ERA - 1.35 - ranked yesterday as the second best in the National League behind the Braves' Tim Hudson.

"It is," Billy Wagner said, when told that Maine's month has been so marvelous. "But after what we saw in the playoffs and his demeanor, I guess a lot of us aren't that shocked."Nevertheless, Maine's season has been surprising. He was a good pitcher for the Mets last year and his postseason outings were impressive. This season, though, Maine has been exceptional. He's given up 18 hits in 33.1 innings - a fantastic ratio - and the Mets are 5-0 in games he starts. "I'm pleased,"

Maine said of his strong April. "I've still got a lot of stuff to work on. I've got five more months. I've just got to keep it going. The month's over, and I've just got to worry about May now."

Why Chavez Bunted

2007-04-25T08:01:00.001-07:00

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about Endy Chavez and tells why he decided to drag bunt with two outs in the twelfth to win the game:

Endy said he decided to bunt after the first pitch when he realized where the Rockies first and second baseman were set up. He realized he could push a bunt in between them and the pitcher and leg it out.

I loved his aggressiveness and ability to recognize that. But I felt itwas a big risk to take there with two outs. Afterwards, I asked him if he thought about being second-guessed if the bunt was field and he was thrown out. Endy looked at me like I was nuts.

We spoke for a few minutes and I realized that he didn’t think I was an idiot for asking the question. He just never considered that he WOULDN’T have succeeded in that spot. He was so confident that he would get that run in, whether it was with a bunt, single, home run, whatever. I love that confidence.

What A Squeeze

2007-04-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about the twelve inning thriller that ended with a drag bunt by Endy Chavez:

Some 45 minutes after the Mets had left the field, their smiles hadn't left their faces. They were little-boy smiles, broader and brighter than usual. The Mets were getting giddy with it. They'll be happy when they reassemble Wednesday morning after a sleep-fast overnight. But on Tuesday night, they were more than that -- silly and giddy, almost drunk with the joy of the moment. And, they were once again amazed by Endy Chavez and his ability to create memories. Now another image of Chavez is in the Mets' minds, right next door to the one of his remarkable catch in the playoffs last season. This one has him expertly dragging a bunt to right side, barely beyond the sprawl of Rockies reliever Ryan Speier, and ending a 12-inining game the Mets could have lost just as easily.

"It's definitely one win we're going to remember because it's unique," Shawn Green said. "It seems like Endy always gives you something that grabs your attention"

View The Box Score

Willie On The Braves Series

2007-04-20T07:49:00.000-07:00

Anthoney De Rosa at Mets Blog, writes about Willie Randolph and how he views the upcoming Braves series that starts tonight at Shea:

``I usually don’t put a lot of emphasis on and early season series,’’ Randolph said. ``But, it’s the Braves and they are a team we have to beat because they are in our division. This will be a big series for us. I’ve always had a lot of respect for them and always will.’’

El Duque Leads Mets Way Past Fish In Win

2007-04-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Charlie Nobles at Mets.com, writes about the Mets 11-3 win over the Marlins:

BOX SCORE

The Mets overwhelmed Florida in two straight games. They scored 20 runs and had 33 hits, and Thursday night's 16-hit, 11-3 rout before 18,115 at Dolphin Stadium served as an exclamation point as they head home to play the Braves in a three-game series.

"We expected to be a good offensive ballclub," left fielder Moises Alou said. "But we had a great series. We're not going to get that many runs on a road trip all the time.

"Center fielder Carlos Beltran, hitting in the No. 2 spot because of catcher Paul Lo Duca's absence with a sore right index finger, led the way with a 4-for-6 game that included a home run and two RBIs. Beltran had a chance for the cycle in his last at-bat, but settled for a double. He said he never even thought about going for a triple.

"With the score of the game, I don't think it would have been good if I had tried to go to third and was thrown out," Beltran said. "That would have looked like I was trying to show them up -- not a good thing."

Mets To Take It Easy On Heilman

2007-04-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about Aaron Heilman and why the Metsare going to take it easy on him:

The Mets say they will walk a fine line of being cautious with Aaron Heilman's surgically repaired right elbow, but not overly protective.

Heilman underwent surgery last winter and was shut down a week in spring training with a mild case of tendinitis.

Consequently, the Mets will not push the envelope in terms of using him in consecutive games if he ran up a high pitch count the day before.

"We'll go on the side of caution," manager Willie Randolph said.

Main's Comments After The Game

2007-04-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about John Maine and his comments on his almost no-hitter:

...being aware he was so close to throwing the first no-hitter in Mets history...

“I wasn’t aware of that until you just said it, honestly. That’s not something, I mean, that’s next to impossible to do, so, that’s not something, you know, at this point, I just want to get innings and help the team win. I don’t think about anything like that.”

...taking the mound with a four-run lead...

“It makes it easier, but I get in the habit sometimes where I need to go up there and think it’s zero-zero still, and I did a good job with that tonight.”

Squaring Off Agenst The D-Train

2007-04-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight at Dolphins Stadium the Mets square off agenst Dontrelle Willis. Forget the rest of the Marlins. The real battle’s agenst the D-Train.

In all of Willis’s starts agenst the Mets, he’s only lost twice. Twice! That’s complete domination if you ask me.

But the mets have a Y factor this year. Moises Alou is hotter than hot right now and was specifically brought in to help the Mets agenst Left Handed pitching. Besides, the Mets are heading to Miami. If there were a time to make up for the lack of home runs, now is definitely the time.

So let’s see if the Mets can play Superman and stop the D-Train before it runs us Mets fans over.

Welcome To New York Moises Alou

2007-04-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Moises Alou and the power display he showed by hitting two home runs in last nights win:

Moises Alou hit two home runs against the Phillies on Tuesday, the 27th multi-homer game of his career.

Alou hit a two-run blast off Freddy Garcia in the second, then added a solo shot off Geoff Geary in the sixth. He also walked and scored a third run in the outing. Alou is batting .341, and today's homers were his first two as a Met.

Met Kleptos

2007-04-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

At Rotoworld, they write about Carlos Beltran, jose Reyes and them stealing two bases each last night:

Carlos Beltran stole a pair of bases and added two of the Mets' 13 hits in an 8-1 defeat of the Phillies on Tuesday.

Jose Reyes also had two hits and a pair of stolen bases, giving him a major league-leading eight. Every Met starter reached base at least once, and all but Carlos Delgado and Paul Lo Duca scored or drove in a run. The club is out to a fast 8-4 start.