Author: Jon Springer

Jon Springer is a writer in Brooklyn. Mets by the Numbers began as a goof in 1998, later became a book, then went back to being a goof.

You Just Gotta

39This team has me so on edge I’m finding it hard just to record coherent thoughts about it but wanted to toast the addition of Bobby Parnell to the sacred scrolls: last week he became the 848th Met of all-time, the 50th player of 2008 and the second No. 39 this year: Claudio Vargas wore No. 39 earlier this year.

It also appears that Parnell will be the last of the 2008 Mets: Word came this evening that the Mets had let Gustavo Molina — the first of four No. 6s and the last of four 29s this season — to get a head start on winter ball, prompting the question of there being any politer spin of “Clean out your locker, Meat.” They also released erstwhile would-be closer Al Reyes before Reyes ever received a ball in a Met game, begging the unfathomable: Just how bad does a guy have to be to not get a job in the Mets’ bullpen? Don’t answer. Let’s go Mets!

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On unrelated notes, I want to pass along a link to Kevin’s cool NumerOlogy site and his exclusive interview with obscure lefthander John O’Donoghue. In a it’s-a-small-world-after-all coincidence, I’d interviewed O’Donoghue myself 15+ years ago when I was a cub reporter at a newspaper in his hometown.

Speaking of odd connections, Greg over at Faith & Fear is among those whose recent example finally convinced me to try the whole social networking thing: You’re welcome to visit my new Facebook page and see if anything comes of it.

Billy Won’t Be A Hero

It should come as no surprise to regular readers that I’m rather indifferent to the news that Billy Wagner will miss the remainder of this season, and all of next, with elbow surgery. You needn’t twist my arm to convince me that having a healthy Wagner is better than not, especially as we reach the homestretch with a 1.5 game lead, but I certainly have enjoyed seeing the team rally around this supposed weakness and the results (22-11 since his assignment to the disabled list Aug. 2) say we’ll be just fine. To be perfectly honest I dreaded the alternative of Wagner’s return this week every bit as much as I bemoan the fact that he’s not coming back. It’s forced everyone to sack up a little and revealed potential heroes like Luis Ayala and Brian Stokes. Even Pedro Feliciano has performed in ways that don’t make me want to strangle him lately.

I’m less convinced this event teaches the Mets anything, even if it would be cool if it did. They blamed the strategy, not the injury, when Braden Looper didn’t work out: Wagner wouldn’t have been here otherwise. As for Wagner, while I respect his ability and will to win, I always felt he was here for Wagner more than he was for me. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But by the point in his career he arrived in New York, he was as much about burnishing his stats and Q rating for what looked to be shaping up as an interesting Hall of Fame debate, than he was about being a Met. A big contract with an ironclad no-trade clause took that worry off his mind and allowed him to speak maybe too freely of his teammates and management.

 

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29One thing I forgot to mention while recounting the new arrivals and their uni numbers was this weird factoid: Gustavo Molina‘s return represents a fifth issue of the No. 29 jersey this year. It started on the back of Jorge Sosa who was released in May. In June, it went to Chris Aguila, then to Andy Phillips as he flipped in and flopped out. Aguila took it back again in July for a second visit, and here it is back with Molina.

Wanna see a Mets game before they tear down Big Shea? Matt Silverman says he still has a few leftover tixx for the Sept.24 game in the Picnic Area. Contact Matt and join a distinguished group of diehards. Who knows? We could clinch that day. Maybe.

Ten Men In

OK, ran the below quiz all goofy. Here thanks to reader input are the official numbers of the new arrivals:

4 Argenis Reyes, INF

9 Marlon Anderson, UT

22 Ramon Martinez, INF

29 Gustavo Molina, C

32 Carlos Muniz, RHP

36 Al Reyes, RHP

39 Bobby Parnell, RHP

44 Brandon Knight, RHP

49 Jon Niese, LHP

73 Ricardo Rincon, LHP

Brandon Knight, who was 28 last time around, has switched to No. 44, even though an argument could be made for 22. Gustavo Molina also arrives in a new number; he was 6 when he showed up last. The 49 of Niese and 36 of Al Reyes represent uniforms available as the result of Ruddy Lugo and Willie Collazo being dropped from the 40-man roster, respectively. The recall of Muniz is his fifth this year (to accompany 4 demotions).

Welcome aboardick!

Nine Men In (updated)

Thanks to Gene for the title and inspiration: The Mets on Monday are expected to activate nine and/or returning new players as rosters expand. Below are my predictions for their unis. Be like Gene, hurry and make yours before gametime Monday!

Player ActualPredictedNumber Notes
Jon Niese, LHP 62 47 49
 I love this call Shades of Humber
Bobby Parnell, RHP 39 His number throughout the minors. Guessed right!
Ricardo Rincon, LHP 73 That’s his number… and still is
Al Reyes, RHP 44 29 36 Got some personality
Carlos Muniz, RHP 32 His number previously
Gustavo Molina, C 30 12 29
 Glavine and now Willie. We really are moving on Oh well
Ramon Martinez, INF 16 22
 I barely knew we had this guy
Argenis Reyes, INF 4 Right where we left off
Marlon Anderson, UT 18 9 My mistake!

 

Jump n’ The Saddle

73I thought we’d seen the last of Nelson Figueroa, but back he came Wednesday night as reinforcement for a Met bullpen that also looking like it might never recover. His recall forced Argenis Reyes to head back to New Orleans, though it is certain he will back when rosters expand Monday.

Also returning is catcher Robinson Cancel, activated as Ramon Castro hits the DL with a quad strain. How did Cancel ever get ahead of Raul Casanova (hitting well in New Orleans) in the pecking order among lumpy veteran backup catchers?

Speaking of veteran longshots, lefty reliever Ricardo Rincon has been returned to the Mets organization after spending the summer on loan to the Mexico City Reds. Rincon, noted for having worn No. 73 wherever he’s pitched, joins the list of candidates to join the beleaguered bullpen as well.

The Knights Who Say Niese

In a move practically shouting “see you next spring!” the Mets today disabled John Maine for the second time in a month. The club was noncommital as to who would be taking Maine’s starts from here on out but stands to reason the list of candidates would include Brandon Knight, who made a spot start in late July on the way to the Olympics; Brian Stokes, now working in the Mets’ bullpen; or Jon Niese, the lefty prodigy whose high regard by the Met brass could be the thing that prevents his activation at this time. Should it wind up being Knight — who’s probably due for a September recall anyhow — he’ll have to find a new number: He wore 28 then, which since has gone to Dan Murphy. May we suggest 22? Thanks to MBTN reader Ron, who in the comments section a few posts back reports:

I contacted the Mets and Juan Lopez is now wearing # 62.

Lopez is the bullpen batting practice (thanks, commenter) pitcher whose 56 was usurped byLuis Ayala but is still listed that as such on the Mets roster. Congrats to Mike Pelfrey on another solid game. Beat it, David Newhan. And welcome back to reluctant returnee Luis Castillo, who for now takes Maine’s roster slot.

Who Do You Love

Welcome back, Ryan Church. The brain-damaged Mets right fielder returned Friday after a lengthy absense while superfluous catcher Robinson Cancel was sent back down to AAA. A more difficult, Obama-picks-a-running-mate type question faces the Mets on Saturday, when unpopular second baseman Luis Castillo is expected to return from an extended break during which he was barely missed.

To be honest the solution ought to be clear if painful —Argenis Reyes for all his good press isn’t the kind of hitter you couldn’t do without for a few days and to my knowledge only plays second base, so Castillo is probably an upgrade. Castillo in fact makes fewer outs than either Reyes or Damion Easley, and if actually and finally healthy, then he’s the player they probably ought to have out there. A strong offensive showing out of the gate is essential though.

If Reyes won’t go down you wonder how seriously they’re ready to consider Duaner Sanchez who clearly isn’t the same as he once was, while Luis Ayala is (what he was once but wasn’t recently).

Met-Lovin’ Big Shot George Thorogood is a guest on this week’s episode of Mets Weekly on SNY, airing at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The SNY people pursued Lonesome George as a profile subject after seeing the interview published here.

You Can Call Me Al

…because calling him “Reyes” would be kinda confusing.

The Mets have signed erstwhile Tampa Bay closer and journeyman Al Reyes to a minor league deal, following his recent release by the Rays. He’s down in Class AA getting back into playing shape but could wind up being useful now that Billy Wagner‘s absence will extend for another few weeks at least.

Reyes wore No. 28 most recently for Tampa Bay but I suspect after suffering demotions, taserings, releasings and Class AA assignments, a player unofficially surrenders whatever equity he had in a number as well. Besides, 28 already belongs to Dan “Robocop” Murphy, and if they screw with him even a little, they’re crazy.

Nice to see the Mets winning the games they’re supposed to be winning, even while the offense scares me a little and the bullpen scares me a lot. Bring on Houston … and revenge.

 

 

The Luis-Lopez Controversy

No, not the confrontation between the one-time reserve infielder and goofball teammate Rey Ordonez.

Luis Ayala is indeed in uniform No. 56. Not clear is what jersey they give to Juan Lopez, identified on the Mets’ roster as the “bullpen pitcher” — as low a rung of coachdom I will recognize here. So like they tell terrified passengers on the subway: If You See Something, Say Something.


Eddie Kunz was demoted to make room for Ayala, you probably knew that already too.