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May I have a shot please.....Heilman
2008-04-20 18:26:00
Aaron Heilman will drive you absolutely nuts or at least to a bar stool. The season started so good for Heilman that Billy Wagner was saying he was the heir apparent to the closers role. But after giving up three critical home runs in the first two weeks of the season, no one was talking about Heilman as someone they could rely on. In fact Heilman was starting to get the Mota treatment, with fans screaming for Omar to move him while Willie continued to use him. But then came yesterday, Heilman as the third choice in the eighth inning, came in after it seemed everybody else was willing to give the game back; Sanchez had been used in the seventh, Feliciano and Smith were ineffective earlier in the inning. So now it was Heilman coming in to fix someone else's mess, with one out, bases loaded and a three run lead. Heilman gave up a run ( could have been caught by Pagan) and then struck out two very good hitters. Suddenly there's at least two columns today talking about Heilman...
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Alou getting closer
2008-04-20 17:48:00
Much to the surprise of most of us who watched a sore quad last year take months to recover from, Moises Alou is on the fast track to return. When you can keep him on the field Alou's bat is lethal, but just as you become reliant upon the right handed hitting machine he goes down with an injury and his recovery time is usual excruciatingly slow. So this year when he went down with a hernia during spring training and had to have surgery I wrote him off, until at least the All-Star break if not for good. But Alou has said all along that he would be back sooner then later, on Friday night in he was the DH (1-4) in Port St. Lucie and last night he played the field. While you want Alou's bat in the line-up I wonder how much Pagan's defense will be missed in the outfield.....Moises Alou (hernia) moved closer to returning by playing five innings in left field and getting six plate appearances in an extended spring training game. source Daily News
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Schneider sore
2008-04-20 06:12:00
Brian Schneider was hit by a foul ball on the forearm and will be considered day-to-day. After the game Schneider had iced the forearm down but was unsure of his status for Sunday's game. With Mike Pelfrey on the mound I'm sure the club would like to have Schneider call the game for the young pitcher but it looks like Raul Casanova will be behind the plate...."It got me good. I can't really grip right now," he said it. "When I got it, I looked up [at the scoreboard] and saw 97 [mph]. And I got all of it." source MLB

Beltran should return tonight
2008-04-18 19:33:00
Carlos Beltran was out of the line-up last night due to a stiff neck, he was able to pinch hit from the left side of the plate but he was unavailable as a righty. Despite going up against a left tonight, Beltran believes he will be back in the line-up...........Beltran believes he'll be able to play tonight when the Mets visit Philadelphia for a key three-game series."I think so," he said before last night's game. source NY Post
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Yes, that was Delgado
2008-04-18 15:31:00
Carlos Delgado is looking much better at the plate to start the season. Sure he struck out twice last night but he also walked three times and more importantly drove in the run to tie the game. With two on in the eighth and the Mets offense absolutely sputtering Delgado scorched a line-drive through the over shift to score David Wright from second. Thanks to Delgado's hit, the Mets were able to win the game in the 14th. Three walks in a game would have been unheard of last year when Delgado was pressing for hits, his patience and good eye have resulted in a .375 OBP. When I noticed Delgado hitting alot of balls to the opposite field I commented that he might be transforming himself into a Shawn Green type hitting. Better average and on-base pct. with much less power, so far this season that seems to be holding true. It's nice to have Delgado contributing, pitchers are obviously being careful when he's up but if Delgado is no longer a home run threat will Wright, Church and Beltra...

Game ball to Easley
2008-04-18 14:53:00
Good teams have good benches and role players, when Ramon Castro and Moises Alou return the bench of Castro, Chavez, Pagan, Easley and Anderson could be one of the best in the National League. Last night Damion Easley came in as an extra innings pinch hitter and remained in the game at left field. Easley went 2-2, his first hit should have won the game had it not been for a bad call at third but regardless of the errant punch-out Easley scored the game winner in his second at bat when the veteran took advantage of the opportunities given to him by a young and tiring pitcher. Easley hit a seeing eye single between the 3B and SS with the 3B guarding the line, he advanced to second on a wild pitch and then to third on an errant pick-off attempt. After intentionally walking the bases full with two outs, Easley scored from third on a wild pitch, game over in the 14th. Easley and Reyes were the only players to have multiple hit games in the 14inning affair, Easley's came in two at bats w...
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Did we miss something.....Stokes
2008-04-18 05:43:00
During the off-season before the Johan Santana trade one of the only pitching acquisitions Omar made was Brian Stokes. Prior to being obtained by the Mets Stokes had a lack luster career with the Rays. All spring despite poor numbers we heard that Stokes when he was on would make hitters look silly with the variation between his fastball and his off-speed pitches. Stokes was amongst the last cuts of spring training and since making it through waivers Stokes has looked very good in New Orleans. Stokes started tonight and pitched seven innings in which he allowed one run off five hits and two walks while striking out five. So far this season he has made three starts in which he has a record of 2-1 with an ERA of 1.50 his SO/BB ratio is 17/5. He might make a very good long man if Sosa is need in the rotation or used as a late inning guy........
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Wright to First ?
2008-04-18 01:47:00
When the season is over the Mets hold a mutual buyout option on Carlos Delgado, just being a contributor won't be enough to justify his contract (16M with a 4M buyout) he needs to completely breakout and return to his Blue Jay form. The Mets have Michel Abreu who at 33 y/o might be major league capable but at his age could only be considered a short term solution and the only prospect would be Mike Carp who is struggling in AA. More then likely the Mets will be in the market for a 1B but the best candidate Mark Teixeira will get alot of attention especially from the Yankees. The rest of the 2009 free agent class of 1B aren't young or very remarkable.So listening to the WFAN today (660AM NY) a caller suggested that David Wright be moved to 1B. The caller suggested that Wright's throwing troubles could be resolved by playing first while the less strenuous position would save his legs for offense. The host Mike Francesa stated that he believed Wright's future was at first base but ...

Reyes be Reyes
2008-04-17 21:27:00
I fully admit that I didn't like Lastings Milledge, but it had nothing to do with being a traditionalist and not approving of him high fiving fans. In fact I was at that game and it was probably one of the most exciting games I have ever attended. And while I thought his rap endeavour was bone headed and a PR nightmare for the organization, that didn't deter me either. What I didn't like was his play, I just didn't think he was that good defensively and offensively was susceptible to off-speed pitches. But his biggest detriment was the impact he had on the clubhouse, Milledge seemed to have an attitude that rubbed teammates wrong and seemed to be more of a me guy then a team guy........So why am I bringing up a guy who is no longer on the team in a post about Jose Reyes . Many traditionalists have linked the two players antics and swagger as one in the same. But in my opinion they are two completely different issues, no I don't think I'm being a hypocrite. The difference is Rey...

Pedro looking for a rapid return
2008-04-17 18:42:00
Just a day after the Mets said Pedro may not return until June, Pedro said that he is recovering faster then expected and may be back by the end of April. I'm just not sure how much Pedro has left in the tank, he barely pitched during spring training and was getting rocked before the injury in his first game. The way I look at it, if I don't have any expectations and he surprises me then it's a very nice added bonus. With that said Pedro seems to know when he's healthy, so if he thinks he's close then I'd have to believe him....."I am surprised with the way I am recovering," Martinez was quoted as saying. "It's going much faster than I thought. Everything is moving smoothly. The Mets know that I'm working and that I will not abandon them. I don't want it to be a long wait like everybody thinks."source MLB.com
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They needed this
2008-04-17 05:01:00
The Mets needed the Nationals to come to town in the worst way, in a four game swing they went from looking like the team that collapse in Sept. to the team that stream rolled to the playoffs in 2006. I know it's the Nationals but this might be the confidence boost this team needs, besides the Nationals are the same team that played a big roll the Sept. collapse. Good teams win the games their suppose to win......This is the second game in a row where there were more positive signs then bad and the team seems to be really jelling. John Maine matched Mike Pelfrey by pitching into the seventh, Maine struggled in the first but once he settled in he was on cruise control. Maine went 6.2 innings in which he allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four. Thanks to the starters, Willie only needed two relievers to finish the game, tonight it was Smith and Wagner. This gives Willie plenty of options because all of the arms are fresh.... Offensively Reyes and Church ...

Schmoll joins Lo Duca & Milledge
2008-04-17 02:20:00
Steve Schmoll came to the Mets in the Duaner Sanchez trade, prior to the 2006 season Omar sent Jae Seo to the Dodgers for Sanchez and Schmoll. Seo was subsequently traded to the Rays for Mark Hendrickson and then ended up pitching over seas. When Schmoll came over he was much less accomplished then Sanchez but did have some experience in the majors with Los Angeles (2005- 48gms/ 5. 01 ERA). I never understood why Schmoll didn't a chance at the end of the season but while he served for two years as the Zephyrs closer and late inning reliever, he never did come up. Schmoll had drastically changed his delivery from a 3/4 Laredo style to a full submariner like Chad Bradford, it resulted in his ERA going from 4.69 in 2006 to 3.76 last year. At the end of spring (this year) Schmoll was released by the Mets and Mack Attack is reporting that the Nationals have signed Schmoll.The Washington Nationals signed RHP Steve Schmoll. Source Mack Attack
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Should Castillo be DLed
2008-04-16 21:29:00
Luis Castillo who only played in the last week of spring training, as he recovered from off-season knee surgery has already missed several games to start the season with knee soreness. Castillo is only hitting .194 and hit in the eighth spot during last night's game. After the game Castillo admitted his knees could use some more rest. This is where I disagree with Omar, I understand that you want to treat veteran players with respect. The veterans are going to lead the team and the reputation you build with veterans goes a long way during free agency. But Omar allows the veterans to dictate their status, even when it leaves the bench/roster short. I think Castillo should be placed on the disabled list (it's early in the season), allow him to go to Florida where the weather is warm and get his knees in major league shape. This would let the team recall Ahern who could help out Easley at second and spell Reyes at short. Ahern hitting eighth is about what your getting out of Castillo...

Great Signs last night
2008-04-16 20:23:00
I know it's the Nationals and they've lost the last 10 out of 11, but the Mets lost 2 out of 3 to the Nationals in late Sept. last year. Not only was it great for them to win but it was also very important who contributed to the win....Mike Pelfrey who started last year going 0-7 and looked completely over matched in spring training is already off to a 2-0 start. In Pelfrey's first start it could be best described as getting by and limiting damage. Well last night was a completely different start, Pelfrey looked like the pitcher who warranted a first round pick. In the one inning that he got in trouble it was started by a seeing eye grounder and a blop hit, but Pelfrey was able to dominant two very good hitters (Zimmerman/Johnson) without allowing a run with bases loaded. Pelfrey went deep into the game, going seven innings of shut out ball on five hits and two walks while striking out four.Duaner Sanchez returned and in his first day back with the major league club pitched a sco...
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Look for Wise the end of the month
2008-04-15 22:35:00
As I said yesterday I think the team will stall Matt Wise 's return from the DL to allow them to play the hot hand in the pen. Smith maybe the type of kid that succeeds in brief stints in the majors this early in his career and once he has a few bad outings letting him go down to re-group might be the best approach ( Heath Bell '06') for long term success. If Wise was ready Smith would be the one to go down, but right now Smith is pitching really well. Randolph said just this weekend that he expected Wise back this week but now he's saying it will be the end of the month......Randolph was optimistic Sunday about Matt Wise returning this week, but it now looks as if the reliever won't be available until the end of the month.Wise, on the DL since April 2 because of a bruised right forearm, hasn't been able to start throwing again yet. source NY Post
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Stache not done yet
2008-04-15 22:10:00
Jose Valentin is exactly what this team needs; a fiery competitor who's level headed enough to remain focused on the game with sound fundamentals, well respected elder who is a gamer and clubhouse leader. There's no question that Valentin is a fighter, coming back early from a knee injury last year, only to break his leg. This year he wasn't suppose to play until mid-March but found his way onto the field by the second spring training game. Just as he was making a bid for a position on the team a neck injury threatened his career. Now is agent says he could play in 2-4 weeks....Jose Valentin is two to four weeks from playing in minor-league games, agent David Elston estimated yesterday. Valentin, 38, has been plagued by a pair of disks pinching a nerve in his neck, but he's hopeful of returning without the need for surgery. source Daily News

Pedro slowed
2008-04-15 21:43:00
Realistically I'm not sure how much we can expect from Pedro Martinez, after almost a year out of baseball Martinez looked great in Sept.. But returning this spring despite saying he was feeling his best since Boston, Pedro was slow to start. In his one regular season game he was basically pitching batting practice before he left with a hamstring injury. Hamstrings are tough to recover from for healthy young players, so who knows how long it will take an aging frail player. For this rotation to be solid Maine and Perez need to step-up and be much more consistent, we don't have the offense to be in shoot-outs nightly....General manager Omar Minaya told the New York Post for Tuesday's editions that the team doesn't expect the injured Martinez to return to the mound for the Mets until the middle of May or possibly June."We're definitely going to be more conservative with him," Minaya told the Post. "With hamstrings, you just never know. We've got to be careful." source ESPN

Duaner returning
2008-04-14 20:15:00
All signs point to Duaner Sanchez returning to the team on Tues. when they open a series against the Nationals. Sanchez pitched in back-to-back games for the Zephyrs after pitching in three games over six days with single A St. Lucie Mets. The Mets have missed that elite set-up man since Sanchez went down; Heilman and Mota have both filled-in at the role but due to inconsistencies the eighth inning for the last year and half has been a bullpen by committee. I'm sure they'll try to start slow but if he looks good or Heilman starts to get shelled again, Duaner in the eighth should come quickly and often....."You get a guy like him, if he's throwing the way he was before he hurt himself, it's got to definitely be a domino effect just as far as helping the whole bullpen," manager Willie Randolph said. "Any time you can put a fresh arm out there, a quality arm, it sets everybody else up better. I'm hoping that's the case." source Newsday

Wise could be stalled
2008-04-14 19:05:00
Matt Wise will be eligible to come off the DL this up coming week but the only bullpen arm with options is Joe Smith. The team is allowed 30 days to rehab a player once they come off the disabled list and while Smith is preforming well, they'll probably use some of that rehab time. With the starters still not going deep into games and how the pen burnt out last year, I'm sure there going to juggle guys to keep fresh arms coming into the pen......The Mets could get a second bullpen jolt later this week, since Matt Wise (forearm bruise) is eligible to be activated Thursday. But with Joe Smith largely performing well and no other obvious bullpen vacancy, the Mets may treat Wise more conservatively and slightly stall his activation. Smith gave up an unearned run yesterday after Carlos Delgado's error prolonged the seventh. source Daily News

What a difference a year makes.....
2008-04-14 04:24:00
Last year at this time, when the Mets suffered a bad loss and the media was questioning whether the team was struggling with a hangover from the 2006 NLCS, we would hear the same old montage from Willie Randolph. Whether it was a loss to the Braves, Phillies or just a poorly played game Willie had his talking points; Its a long season, Its just one game, we'll get them next time and tomorrows another day. After a fast start in April the Mets really didn't play well last year and while most praised Willie for being a stabilizing figure his attitude of, we'll get them next translated into a sort of malaise over the ball club. Now I still feel he has no feel for pitching, makes crazy moves that he blames on his gut and hasn't learned the NL small ball game but at least he understands that the message needs to change. Randolph sounded off about today's loss sending a message to his players and showing that this year there's a sense of urgency with ever game.Randolph initially had ...
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Missed opportunities
2008-04-13 22:46:00
I'm not that concerned with the meaning of this individual game but what I do find alarming is how this team lost the game. Just as last week when the team lost game one to the Phillies and many of us said it felt like Sept. all over again, today's game felt like so many losses from last year. The 2007 season could have been called the season of missed opportunities.....Well today's loss was a microcosm of last year. Oliver Perez was handed a four run lead in the fourth but Perez couldn't lock the game down, Perez looked like wild thing and had his second short outing in a row. The starters not making past the sixth is a recipe for disaster as it's the quickest way to burn out the pen. Perez left with the game tied and I have to be honest I felt our relievers were going to give up runs while I wasn't so sure about our offense. Jorge Sosa, who has pitched in almost ever game gave up the go ahead runs and then Joe Smith allowed another bleeder. Feliciano, Schoeneweis and He...
More About: Opportunities

Duaner successful two nights in a row
2008-04-13 05:18:00
Duaner Sanchez had to prove to the organization that he was healthy enough to pitch on consecutive nights, while AAA isn't the majors it should be close enough to get him on the roster. For the second night in a row Sanchez pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Zephyrs, this outing was even stronger then the last in which he didn't allow a hit or walk while striking one out and getting the other two outs on ground balls. If Sanchez feels good on Sunday, my guess would be that he re-joins the team on Tues. with Carlos Muniz being sent down. Here's tonights Zeph's box score.........
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Reyes strained Hammy- Clark for Ahern.....
2008-04-13 04:35:00
The Mets announced today that Jose Reyes has a slight strain in his left hamstring and will be considered day-to-day. Reyes will sit out Sunday's game and is hoping to return on Tues.. It might be time to make a roster move; if Reyes is going to need rest they might want to bring up slick fielding, speedster Anderson Hernandez, who can cover the both middle infield positions. Ahern is hitting .244 in New Orleans, tonight he hit a three run triple but has never been able to prove he can hit on a major league level. As a fill-in his defensive skills are superb and his speed is a threat at the top of the order if he can get on base. Willie hasn't been using Brady Clark, Church and Pagan have proven they can play everyday and when Alou returns one of the outfielders needs to go down anyway. Clark has only had two at bats and doesn't have a hit yet, if he accepts assignment it might be the best time to slip him through waivers but even if we lose him it's not like their using him any...

Booing Santana ? were better fans then that.......
2008-04-13 03:34:00
I can't believe that anyone could have the audacity to boo Johan Santana , sure I was disappointed with the outcome of today's game. But to boo the face of the franchise for the next seven years, in his first home outing of the season is embarrassing. Forget about the fact that you don't want to start an adversarial relationship with a player your going to have to rely on for years to come, but don't you think his resume deserves more of a chance then seven innings. I have absolutely no concern about today's outing in regards to Santana, he has classically been a slow starter and is susceptible to the homerun ball. In fact many were surprised that he didn't have this type of outing to start the season. The offense left him hanging in Atlanta when the only run, for either starter came on a miss played ball by Angel Pagan and today they could have broke this game open in the first or second inning, if he's up five nothing maybe he stays away from the change-up which was flatteni...
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Sanchez passes first test
2008-04-12 04:44:00
Duaner Sanchez must prove that he can pitch in back to back outings before the Mets will consider recalling him to the major league level. Sanchez was promoted to AAA New Orleans this week and tonight was his first appearance. Sanchez pitched a scoreless seventh inning in which his only blemish was a walk (No hits). The big test will come tomorrow when he attempts to pitch two days in a row against AAA level hitters. If he's successful Duaner could be on the Mets up coming road trip. Carlos Muniz would be the player most likely to be sent down, the interesting situation will come when Matt Wise is ready to come of the DL, will they put Wise on waivers or send down Smith ( the only one with options)........ Here's the Zeph's box score
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Reyes leaves game early
2008-04-12 03:02:00
Jose Reyes left tonight's game, the move was made a precaution when Reyes and is being reported as tightness in a hamstring. Despite the dynamic win last night Reyes offensive struggles continued with three runs already on the board with one out, bases loaded and the pitcher on the ropes Reyes hit into an inning ending double play. So the infield consisted of Anderson at 2nd and Easley at SS. I know there are many that are going to scream about waiving Gotay and that if we had Gotay right now they would feel more comfortable. But Easley and Anderson provide just as good offense and while their range is limited they have better fundamentals defensively, which still makes me indifferent to losing Gotay as I was when it happened. If Reyes and Castillo continue to be day-to-day I can see them place Castillo on the DL retro to his last game and calling up either Machado or Hernandez. Both are considered defensive specialist and light hitting offensive players. The club sounded higher on...
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I said we were missing a gamer
2008-04-11 21:04:00
It's amazing when you see a professional athlete in the zone, especially when he's on your team. Players say that everything just feels right and everybody else seems to move slower while they're fast. The ball appears bigger and moves slower allowing them to do no wrong. I said after the first loss to the Phillies that the Mets were missing a gamer and Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo struggling maybe it was time to shuffle the batting order. I suggested putting Church in the two hole, with Castillo out stubborn Willie was forced to move someone into the spot. He selected Pagan and what a perfect fit for the spot ( I give Willie credit when its due), Pagan was the spark plug that fueled the offense. It even seemed that Pagan's energy rubbed off on the struggling Jose Reyes. What a 1-2 punch they turned out to be in extra innings, with Castillo possibly returning tonight I wonder what Willie will do ( I would bat Louie 8th). Anyway, what a great game, it's been a long time sin...
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Three team deal
2008-04-10 23:57:00
Here's an interesting way of looking at things. It seems like the Mets, Nats and Brewers have all interchanged players during this off-season. Yes, some of them were in actual trades while others were signed as free agents but even the free agents (except Lo Duca) were signed to minor league deals which gave the new team flexibility. It's almost as if the teams engaged in one big three way trade, who made out in the deal.......Brewers: MotaMets: Church, Schneider, Wise, VargasNats: Estrada, Milledge, Lo Duca
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El Duque in a boot so Vargas signed, Armas solid
2008-04-10 22:25:00
Orlando Hernandez will be shut down for two weeks as his foot is stabilized after his MRI showed a strain in the bunion foot. Once El Duque went back to his old delivery I knew it was only a matter of time before he was injured but I'm surprised that it happened this fast. I don't believe we can expect anything out of Hernandez, if somehow he does make it back then consider any contribution a bonus.....The Mets' believed-to-be 42-year-old right-hander underwent and MRI has been diagnosed with a strained tendon in the front part of the foot after feeling discomfort in his last rehab outing. El Duque had already started the season on the DL while trying to build arm strength. The fifth starter was coming back from surgery for a dislocation on his second toe, and he was also plagued by a bunion on that foot late last season. source Lo Hud Journal Omar acted swiftly by signing Claudio Vargas to a minor league deal, just last week his agent was saying that the Mets didn't appear to ...
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Solid Win
2008-04-10 20:41:00
I said yesterday that last nights game was big in regards to the character of this team, well they really stepped up and produced on several levels. Mike Pelfrey who based on his spring training performances, didn't give much hope for success but Pelfrey had a very solid outing. Pelfrey in a bend don't break start, went five innings allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three. In similar circumstances to the Atlanta start, Pelfrey under poor weather conditions and a significant amount of pressure was able to come through in the clutch. I heard several people complain that last nights win was a result of sloppy play on the part of the Phillies but hasn't been the Phillies who have capitalized on our mistakes. It was a good showing by the teams offense to put pressure on the defense and then take advantage of their opportunities. Pagan looks good in the two spot, while Church, Easley and Delgado are all swinging the bat well. The defense did not give up a...
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