Tag Archive for Argenis Reyes

LA LA LA I CAN’T HEAR YOU

11I am certain that on some level, my tardiness in reporting that Anderson Hernandez is once again a member of the Mets is a realization that acknowleding it publically will prevent me from walking around pretending it never happened, which is what I really want to do.

Once upon a time, I held a reasonable hope that the Mets might once and for all cure themselves of their penchant for carrying worthless middle infield reserves who play too often, only to see Wilson ValdezAngel BerroaArgenis Reyes and now Hernandez come back from the dead, almost all of them polluting the No. 4 and/or 11 jerseys.

Hernandez was actually reacquired by trade late last week from the Washington Nationals, for whom he flamed out this season already — and to whom I was only too happy to see him go a year ago (and that was for Luis Ayala). I know, with the way things have gone this year this is about what we’re going to get but it doesn’t remind me any less of Wilson Delgado and Ricky Gutierrez stinking up the joint out there in 2004.

Hernandez’ addition to the roster resulted in a DFA for Berroa and for Anderson’s third different number with the Mets — he’d worn 1 and 4 in previous visits. The Mets also replaced the injured Jon Neise on the roster by recalling Elmer Dessens from AAA. Dessens was back in No. 64.

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Good Golly, It’s Ollie

Now that it looks as if injuries and an underperforming second defense will be the things that kill this Mets team dead, here comes Oliver Perez.

The enigmatic lefty rejoins the rotation tonight against the Dodgers — I’ll be watching up in Section 521 if you want to say hi or commiserate. To make room the Mets returned Argenis Reyes back to where he belongs in Buffalo. His legacy as a No. 11 may be a pointless turn as a leadoff hitter that hastened the Mets’ demise and eroded even more of my confidence in Jerry Manuel, who I liked a lot only a few months ago.

Seems that Manuel has become trapped in a device of his own making. While his team was at full strength he opted to play passively so as to build for a second half, only to find that second half just may arrive without the horses. If this team is teaching us anything perhaps it’s to consider the possibily of disaster down the road before one pinch-hits one catcher for another with the winning run on base, or employs character-building but ultimately foolish strategies like sacrifice bunts as often as Jerry did early this year.

That, and, you know, the value of catching the ball when it’s hit to you.

* * *

With that out of the way, who wants to get together and watch more of this team?

Last month’s Metstock gathering at Two Boots Tavern was a great success with a roomful of Met fans meeting, greeting and eating while hearing readings from three Mets-related books including mine. Owner Phil Hartman was so jazzed about its success he’s asked Greg Prince and myself to organize similar monthly gatherings featuring literary readings, game-watching, consciousness raising, pizza eating, Rheingold drinking, cocktail shaking, Yankee baiting, memorabilia gawking and seven steps support as needed.

The first such “Amazin Tuesday” is scheduled for July 21 at 7 p.m. and will feature guests including Paul Lukas, ESPN columnist, Met fan and creator of the incomparable “Uni Watch” and author Mathew Silverman, who co-authored MBTN and more recently, Shea Goodbye with Keith Hernandez.

Two Boots is located at 384 Grand Street on the Lower East Side. Any more questions, just ask — hope to see you there!

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Night in the Ruts

11Way to stick it to the Cardinals, fellas.

Tonight’s beatdown included the return of reserve middle infielder Argenis Reyes to the team, who stepped in for lefty Jon Switzer (and hopefully won’t stay for too long). And despite his former No. 4 being made available by this week’s designation of Wilson Valdez, Reyes suited up instead in No. 11.

But the news on Reyes is what he wasn’t wearing a few weeks back with AAA Buffalo. Yes, he went to the disabled list with injuries related to taking a shot in the onions while not wearing a cup.

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Ten Men In

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

Argenis Reyes, INF

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!

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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.

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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.

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Cancel That Update

40The Mets prior to Friday’s game recalled catcher Robinson Cancel (again) and designated Chris Aguila for assignment (again). This facilitates more pinch-hitting opportunities for Ramon Castro but invited a new uni controversy as Cancel returns only to find the No. 4 jersey occupied by twitchy new infielder Argenis Reyes. Reyes appeared in the game wearing 4 — and readers Rich and Zach report seeing Cancel warming up Muiniz in the bullpen wearing No. 40 (“guess they FINALLY gave up on Burgos wearing a Jersey anytime soon,” sez Rich). Cancel would become the first position player to wear 40 since the infamous Tony Tarasco in 2002. Most recently, 40 was exchanged between Brian Bannister to Ambiorix Burgos when they were exchanged for one another. Seven in a row, and once again, we prevailed vs. the other guy’s ace. Willie was right after all — these guys are all winners! Sorry to hear about Bob Klapisch: Maybe not the favorite writer of Mets fans, but his Worst Team Money Can Buy is the prematurely definitive story of a sorry era in Mets history, and probably more interesting today than it was back then, if only as a relic of Old Media.

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Four Play

Late in tonight’s satisfying blowout over the wretched St. Louis Cardinals, Argenis Reyes made his Mets debut wearing the No. 4 jersey most recently belonging to chubby backup catcher Robinson Cancel. Reyes, a singles-hitting middle infielder and a veteran of the Cleveland farm system, had a nice first spring training with the Mets and gets an opportunity while Luis Castillo rests up a quad or something on the disabled list.

Arriving along with Reyes was outfielder Chris Aguila, swapped in for reliever Carlos Muniz, still smarting from Troy Glaus’ game-ending home run Wednesday night.

Aguila, interestingly, is back in the same No. 29 jersey he wore in his brief appearance last month; the Mets had since issued 29 to Andy Phillips, whom they claimed on waivers from Cincinnati a week ago, designated for assignment on Monday, and, we learned today, subsequently lost back to the Reds on a waiver claim.

So, after a 2-2 split in the four-gamer in St. Louis, the Mets arrive in Brotherly Lovetown Friday to for more fourplay: This may (or may not) say something about where the team is headed.

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