Archive for Uncategorized

Jump n’ The Saddle

August 28, 2008 Uncategorized One comment

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.

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You Can Call Me Al

August 21, 2008 Uncategorized One comment

…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.

 

 

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Nice Catch

August 17, 2008 Uncategorized One comment

Sorry for the lack of updates last week: I had a story about the bullpen woes and Omar’s future on the unemployment line loaded and ready to blast a week ago, but then they started accomplishing good things, and I decided maybe it was best to give it the “no-hitter treatment” while it lasted.

But the forthcoming addition of Luis Ayala to the Met scrolls, and Billy Wagner‘s latest setback, are noteworthy enough to briefly interrupt my winning streak silence.

Though Ayala has been worked pretty hard — he’s in Heilman/Feliciano territory as far as appearances are concerned — I like this deal if only because anything could help and he came so cheap.

One only needs to look at the uni numbers to see Anderson Hernandez had no future here. As a late-season callup in 2005 and opening day starter at second-base in 2006, Anderson wore No. 1, but he was stripped of that by the time the Mets acquired Luis Castillo and reappeared in No. 4. That number was subsequently issued to Robinson Cancel, and then to Argenis Reyes: Losing two numbers, to three guys, in less than a year, is a condition rarely recovered from. As for Ayala, he’s No. 56 with Nationals: That uni currently belongs to Mets’ bullpen pitcher Juan Lopez.

The update we didn’t record was the unsurprising demotion of Carlos Muniz for John Maine last Wednesday.

 

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The Outfielders Lounge

August 9, 2008 Uncategorized No comments

Just as we suspected, Brian Stokes appeared tonight, wearing No. 43, and in place of Ruddy Lugo, who returns to AAA without having made an appearance. And Stokes, though not charged with a decision and guilty of surrendering two 2-run home runs, evidently pitched well enough, by Met standards, to remain with the club even after John Maine returns. Which probably means that Carlos Muniz would return to AAA when Maine comes back, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

* * *

Quick note to let you in on a great opportunity to see the Mets from a unique perspective before they dismantle Big Shea. Matt Silverman, my co-author for the Mets by the Numbers book and writer of a bunch of other great Mets-related books (Mets Essential, 100 Things, Total Mets, etc), has purchased a bunch of Picnic Area seats for the Sept. 24 game — that’s a Wednesday night vs. the Cubs — and is selling a limited number at his website, MetSilverman.com. Details including pricing etc. are there. I’m here to tell you I will be there, and that Matt’s a trustworthy guy who is likely to draw a crowd of knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans: If I were you, I’d be making plans to go. And do it quick — prices go up Sept. 1.

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Saturday in the Park

August 8, 2008 Uncategorized No comments

43After lots of speculation looks like it will be Brian Stokes making the start and his Mets debut Saturday evening when the Mets host the Marlins. Stokes, who struggled as a reliever in the Rays’ system, has spent the entire season at AAA New Orleans, where he’s gone 10-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 23 games and 22 starts.

Stokes wore No. 43 back when he nearly made the Mets as a short reliever this spring and despite being poised to be the 46th player and 21st pitcher the Mets have employed this year 43 still hasn’t been issued.

Unclear at this point who gets sent down to make room for Stokes. While Ruddy Lugo makes sense, Ramon Castro‘s injury could change things.

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On a Train to Nowhere

August 5, 2008 Uncategorized One comment

*-Bonus points for getting the title reference.

So as you probably already know, Billy Wagner is out for a spell with a sore forearm and that the Mets have recalled Ruddy Lugo from Class AAA to take his place. Lugo tonight was wearing the same No. 49 jersey he wore during spring training and would become the first 49er since Phillip Humber last season and the first Ruddy (or Rudy) in team history.

The Mets barely survived their first post-Wagner game but they survived it all the same. Jerry was either a genius for letting Aaron Heilman throw with a 4-run lead, or an idiot, depending I suppose on who’s asked to close out the next one and how adventurous that assignment becomes.

Meantime we’re still awaiting word on who gets the call to take John Maine‘s scheduled start. Jerry tonight said that start would be Saturday not Friday, which may favor a promotion for AA lefty Jon Niese. Niese (i before e) wore No. 62 in spring training, which I’d consider the absolute borderline carryover point. Other candidates would be a pair of 39s: Claudio Vargas (AAA) or Bobby Parnell (AA).

* * *

Longtime Mets beatwriter Marty Noble, provider of a terrific interview, is counting down Shea’s remaining days by uni number. His first entry, 30 to 25, is here. Between Marty and Greg Prince, also a fine interview (both are even better writers), they’ve got a handle on Shea’s history that’s about a million times better than team officials whose idea of honoring the dying building is to trot out Lincoln-Mercury representatives night after night. Greg devoted lots of thought and effort into his own inspired countdown of Shea’s final season and most recently destroys the Mets for carelessly providing their support for a hacky, flawed, inaccurate, advertiser-driven “Greatest Moments” ballot.

Must-reads as always.

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Our Bullpen is Insane

August 3, 2008 Uncategorized One comment

Yesterday it was Dan Murphy, indeed subing for injured Marlon Anderson and slipping in the No. 28 jersey that just came out of Brandon Knight‘s wash. Now today, following a shameful performance from Billy Wagner, it’s Class AA reliever Eddie Kunz set to make his Mets debut.

Kunz, according to the roster posted at Mets.com, will wear No. 44 and take the roster slot of John Maine, who, not surprisingly, has been placed on the disabled list (in Mets Medicalese, “strain” means “tear,” “slight” means “life-threatening” and “day-to-day” means “Hospital for Special Surgery.”) Word is Wagner in the meantime is to have an MRI to explore the left arm that’s been killing the season. This all could mean “Crazy Eddie” (I just made up that nickname but for a 6-foot-5, 265-pound closer-to-be in New York, it’s poifict) is the closer for today, I don’t know. In accordance with the post below, looks like Jon Niese is next.

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Your Move, Creep

August 2, 2008 Uncategorized One comment

Adam Rubin of the Daily News today writes that 23-year-old infielder Dan Murphy is en route to Houston in time for tonight’s game. Although Rubin hasn’t said who Murphy will replace, we can hope, I mean, speculate, that it’s gimpy struggling Marlon Anderson, who’s just having a terrible season and like Murphy (reportedly), bats left and plays poorly in several positions.

Murphy is one of the “Big 5” youngsters mentioned by Omar Minaya in press comments this week explaining why the Mets chose not to particpate in what was probably the most spectacular trade deadline season in recent memory, despite contending for a division title with obvious holes in the outfield and the bench, and serious questions surrounding the rotation and bullpen.

Just speculating here but with Murphy a potential solution to left-handed bench strength, the other four may fill holes in the outfield (Fernando Martinez), bullpen (Bingo closer Eddie Kunz) and rotation (Jon Niese, who’s also being condsidered for Aug. 11 start, Rubin says; and Bobby Parnell, who might also help in the bullpen). That solution may call for a lot of speculation and wishful thinking, but it’s more help than we got at the deadline so let’s see. In a matter of taste, sure beats hoping that Jeff Conine will help.

We’ll update you on Murphy’s number when we get it and in the meantime direct your attention to the new poll on the left column, reviving the discussion we had earlier this season on what number Fernando Martinez (I prefer “Fartinez” to “F-Mart,” don’t you?) alights in if/when he gets the call.

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Hey Charlie

July 31, 2008 Uncategorized No comments

Adam Dunn prefers to wear No. 44.

Just sayin’.

I don’t normally bang my fist on my desk and demand the Mets make trades but if the Marlins series suggested anything it’s that the Mets’ offense needs to improve, the bullpen could be better, the starting rotation could use some depth and the bench is shaky. Other than that though, looking great.

(bang)

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Willie’s Back!

July 29, 2008 Uncategorized No comments

Not that Willie, silly. Though his habit of dumb sacrifice bunts accomplishing nothing carries on in the new era. We’re talking about Willie Collazo, the little lefthander whose jersey name-on-back was misspelled last season, much to the amusement of geeks everywhere.

Collazo was recalled Sunday following Brandon Knight‘s start in place of greiving Pedro Martinez and issued No. 36, the same jersey he wore last season. Knight, who rebounded after a shaky first inning in his only Met appearance and wound up with a no-decision, is on his way to Bejing with Team USA. Pedro is on his back to the Mets and penciled to start on Friday albeit with a strict pitch count.

It will be interesting to see who his teammates turn out to be that night, the first after Thursday’s non-waiver trade deadline. With the bullpen demonstrating once again it could use an upgrade; with the health of Pedro and Ryan Church remaining so mysterious; with Marlon Anderson still employed; and with John Maine headed for an MRI on his shoulder, anything seems possible. It is to their credit the Mets have thrived the way they have during this difficult stretch.

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