Comments on: End of first … http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/ All about the Mets Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:38:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 By: jason http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37499 jason Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:55:01 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37499 To be fair, what are the Mets supposed to say??? This isn't something unique with them. Unless someone is blatantly hurt, ANY team will put a positive spin on said issue. This isn't a Mets thing, it's a sports thing. To be fair, what are the Mets supposed to say???

This isn't something unique with them. Unless someone is blatantly hurt, ANY team will put a positive spin on said issue.

This isn't a Mets thing, it's a sports thing.

]]> By: dave http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37407 dave Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:45:22 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37407 Alex has it right about what this blog is. As JD has reported many times the Mets says everything is ok and the readers here complain about it. This is his blog so he throws it out there with talking points and we respond. If you don't agree with him say so. I happen to like his comments. It severs to act as further commentary on how he sees the team. Alex has it right about what this blog is. As JD has reported many times the Mets says everything is ok and the readers here complain about it.

This is his blog so he throws it out there with talking points and we respond. If you don't agree with him say so.

I happen to like his comments. It severs to act as further commentary on how he sees the team.

]]> By: scoopcoop http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37372 scoopcoop Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:02:05 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37372 Castillo is the same hitter b/c he has always been a slap hitter. He should not lose much in production. He looks to be moving fine. His contract could end up being too long, but if another viable option was available they could have done it. Too bad Orlando Hudson is still a yr away from FA. Castillo is the same hitter b/c he has always been a slap hitter. He should not lose much in production. He looks to be moving fine. His contract could end up being too long, but if another viable option was available they could have done it. Too bad Orlando Hudson is still a yr away from FA.

]]> By: Cohen (not that Cohen) http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37360 Cohen (not that Cohen) Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:05:45 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37360 Actually, Castillo's numbers are pretty consistent so far and there are no signs of major regression. His career line is .294/.368/.358 and his 2007 line was .301/.362/.359. He can't steal 40-50 bases like he did in five year ago, but he's pretty much the same hitter he was his entire career. Actually, Castillo's numbers are pretty consistent so far and there are no signs of major regression. His career line is .294/.368/.358 and his 2007 line was .301/.362/.359. He can't steal 40-50 bases like he did in five year ago, but he's pretty much the same hitter he was his entire career.

]]> By: Mike C. http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37356 Mike C. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:57:16 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37356 Estrada is far from my dream catcher... if we were talking dream catcher, we'd be stealing Russel Martin (how y'all been!) from the Dodgers. But he IS the only catcher the Mets have had in the last year or so who shouldn't, by rights, be an automatic eight-hole hitter. And the eight-hole is where Carlos Delmovaughn needs to be buried until they can unload his deadweight. As for Castillo, those Was Statistics sound good for the two-hole, sure. But the Mets need to talk about the Is and not the Was and... as Castillo's legs further and further regress, his numbers will regress with them. Estrada is far from my dream catcher… if we were talking dream catcher, we'd be stealing Russel Martin (how y'all been!) from the Dodgers.

But he IS the only catcher the Mets have had in the last year or so who shouldn't, by rights, be an automatic eight-hole hitter.

And the eight-hole is where Carlos Delmovaughn needs to be buried until they can unload his deadweight.

As for Castillo, those Was Statistics sound good for the two-hole, sure.

But the Mets need to talk about the Is and not the Was and… as Castillo's legs further and further regress, his numbers will regress with them.

]]> By: JK http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37350 JK Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:20:56 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37350 How about some perspective? So the Mets have problems. Sure. But what about the team that's costing another $200 million this year? ... --Their #1 isn't an ace and has been bombed this spring. --Their #2, has had elbow and recurring back problems causing him to miss spring starts and making his first start of the year questionable --Their #3 (Mussina?) has little left and is coming off a bad year. --Their #4, Hughes, a supposed boy wonder/savior, has a spring ERA almost as ugly as Pelfrey's. --Their #5, Kennedy, has had a fine spring but he's a rookie who's never pitched a full year The Yankees have a great lineup and closer and setup man, but how many games can you win by 10-11 or 9-7? As for the Red Sox ... --Their #1 has had back issues all spring and may miss the season's opener --Their #2 didn't have a great first year in the majors --Their #3 is perhaps Lester who has never pitched 160 innings at any level --Their #4 is Wakefield had an ERA of nearly 5.00 last year and is 41 this year --Their #5 is who? Bucholz has a spring ERA that is currently worse than Pelfrey's! And Schilling may not come back till after the all-star break, if at all. Detroit, which looks to have a superb lineup, has serious big time bullpen issues. Even with the Mets' question marks in their lineup, I'm confident their rotation will make them the team to beat in the NL. Now if they can only solve that fifth rotation spot. How about some perspective? So the Mets have problems. Sure. But what about the team that's costing another $200 million this year? ...
—Their #1 isn't an ace and has been bombed this spring.—Their #2, has had elbow and recurring back problems causing him to miss spring starts and making his first start of the year questionable—Their #3 (Mussina?) has little left and is coming off a bad year.—Their #4, Hughes, a supposed boy wonder/savior, has a spring ERA almost as ugly as Pelfrey's.—Their #5, Kennedy, has had a fine spring but he's a rookie who's never pitched a full year

The Yankees have a great lineup and closer and setup man, but how many games can you win by 10-11 or 9-7?

As for the Red Sox …
—Their #1 has had back issues all spring and may miss the season's opener—Their #2 didn't have a great first year in the majors—Their #3 is perhaps Lester who has never pitched 160 innings at any level—Their #4 is Wakefield had an ERA of nearly 5.00 last year and is 41 this year—Their #5 is who? Bucholz has a spring ERA that is currently worse than Pelfrey's!

And Schilling may not come back till after the all-star break, if at all.

Detroit, which looks to have a superb lineup, has serious big time bullpen issues.

Even with the Mets' question marks in their lineup, I'm confident their rotation will make them the team to beat in the NL. Now if they can only solve that fifth rotation spot.

]]> By: big baby http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37348 big baby Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:15:41 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37348 and LOL at putting estrada in there for what would appear to be your dream line-up. a fat slob who is injured and doesn't get on base. awesome. and LOL at putting estrada in there for what would appear to be your dream line-up. a fat slob who is injured and doesn't get on base. awesome.

]]> By: Cohen (not that Cohen) http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37343 Cohen (not that Cohen) Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:41:26 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37343 Luis Castillo gets on base at a .368 career clip, he doesn't strike out and he takes long at-bats. That sounds to me like someone who you want right there between Reyes and Wright. He can move Jose over and he can put his ass on base so that Wright and Beltran can knock him in. Why would you waste him in the bottom of the lineup is beyond me. Luis Castillo gets on base at a .368 career clip, he doesn't strike out and he takes long at-bats. That sounds to me like someone who you want right there between Reyes and Wright. He can move Jose over and he can put his ass on base so that Wright and Beltran can knock him in. Why would you waste him in the bottom of the lineup is beyond me.

]]> By: Mike C. http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37338 Mike C. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:59:58 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37338 My problem is less with Castillo for this year as a complimentary bat... and more with the idea of him masquerading as a two-hitter as he deteriorates more and more. As the seven-hitter behind Reyes/Milledge/Beltran/Wright/Alou/Estrada? Sure, a fine empty-average bat at the bottom of the starting eight to help turn over the order with his patented empty banjo singles as his legs quickly grind to dust. But to rely on? Feh. Feh and meh. My problem is less with Castillo for this year as a complimentary bat… and more with the idea of him masquerading as a two-hitter as he deteriorates more and more.

As the seven-hitter behind Reyes/Milledge/Beltran/Wright/Alou/Estrada?

Sure, a fine empty-average bat at the bottom of the starting eight to help turn over the order with his patented empty banjo singles as his legs quickly grind to dust.

But to rely on?

Feh. Feh and meh.

]]> By: metsfan http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37336 metsfan Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:44:58 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37336 I agree Mike C., its a tragedy that Mets were not able to go out this offseason and get Mark Teixeira, or get Albert Pujols. What were they thinking sticking with Delgado and all his money? Teams should openly throw money out the window. As for Castillo, how did Omar get the amazing David Eckstein to man 2nd base for us? Even though he wanted to be a SS, Omar should have convinced him otherwise. What a special player that Eckstein is. And speaking of special players, why don't we have Chase Utley yet? I agree Mike C., its a tragedy that Mets were not able to go out this offseason and get Mark Teixeira, or get Albert Pujols. What were they thinking sticking with Delgado and all his money? Teams should openly throw money out the window. As for Castillo, how did Omar get the amazing David Eckstein to man 2nd base for us? Even though he wanted to be a SS, Omar should have convinced him otherwise. What a special player that Eckstein is. And speaking of special players, why don't we have Chase Utley yet?

]]> By: matt http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37335 matt Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:41:22 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37335 The Phillies couldnt pitch last year and they won the division. So, i dont think it would be too smart to right them off. The braves have a powerful offense and smoltz and hudson are number 1 starters. And as much as i hate to say this Glavine is going to help solidify their rotation. And i can understand your negative comments about Delgado but why Castillo? He's prob gonna hit between 290-310. He takes walks and play gold glove defense. I guess you rather have Gotay start since hes proven to play such a great 2nd base.... The Phillies couldnt pitch last year and they won the division. So, i dont think it would be too smart to right them off.

The braves have a powerful offense and smoltz and hudson are number 1 starters. And as much as i hate to say this Glavine is going to help solidify their rotation.

And i can understand your negative comments about Delgado but why Castillo?

He's prob gonna hit between 290-310. He takes walks and play gold glove defense.

I guess you rather have Gotay start since hes proven to play such a great 2nd base….

]]> By: Mike C. http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37334 Mike C. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:39:29 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37334 If you've only got three position players with any hopes of both being able to hit everyday AND stay reasonably healthy, there's only so much that your pitching can do. If you've only got three position players with any hopes of both being able to hit everyday AND stay reasonably healthy, there's only so much that your pitching can do.

]]> By: Mike C. http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37333 Mike C. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:32:48 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37333 Phillies can't pitch, the Braves pitchers are an average age of 45, the Marlins conceded the season with that Detroit trade and... the Washington Expos have embarassments of riches at first-base and in the outfield and pretty much nothing else going for them. However, it is 2008 and... Castillo and Delgado are gonna bat 2 and 5 instead of 7 and 8 as they should on a team with any kind of decent hitting in 2008. But that's kind of the whole story, isn't it? "They were great five years ago so lets just hope they magically are great again out of nowhere." Because that worked SO well with Green and Floyd. Phillies can't pitch, the Braves pitchers are an average age of 45, the Marlins conceded the season with that Detroit trade and… the Washington Expos have embarassments of riches at first-base and in the outfield and pretty much nothing else going for them.

However, it is 2008 and… Castillo and Delgado are gonna bat 2 and 5 instead of 7 and 8 as they should on a team with any kind of decent hitting in 2008.

But that's kind of the whole story, isn't it?

"They were great five years ago so lets just hope they magically are great again out of nowhere."

Because that worked SO well with Green and Floyd.

]]> By: matt http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37332 matt Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:20:18 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37332 I wouldnt call the NL East weak by any means. Mets, Phillies and The Braves are all going to be strong teams. The Marlins have a few terrific hitters and are a dangerous team to face. And the Nats are the Nats. How dont the Mets have the Depth to win a ws? Johan, Pedro, Maine, Perez in a short series... I guess thats not good enough for you. I wouldnt call the NL East weak by any means.

Mets, Phillies and The Braves are all going to be strong teams.

The Marlins have a few terrific hitters and are a dangerous team to face.

And the Nats are the Nats.

How dont the Mets have the Depth to win a ws? Johan, Pedro, Maine, Perez in a short series…

I guess thats not good enough for you.

]]> By: big baby http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37331 big baby Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:20:08 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37331 In 2006 our corner outfielders were a combination of Xavier Nady, Shawn Green, Cliff Floyd and Endy Chavez. None of these players were anything above average offensively. Valentin had something like a .310 OBP. Yet our offense was more than enough back then... well we thought it was. Church is likely an upgrade over whatever we had in RF. Alou, when healthy, is a marked upgrade over what we had in left. What we have when he is hurt in left isn't much worse than what we used to have. Reyes and Wright are both better than they were in 2006. But yea, our offense is DOOMED. In 2006 our corner outfielders were a combination of Xavier Nady, Shawn Green, Cliff Floyd and Endy Chavez. None of these players were anything above average offensively. Valentin had something like a .310 OBP. Yet our offense was more than enough back then… well we thought it was.

Church is likely an upgrade over whatever we had in RF. Alou, when healthy, is a marked upgrade over what we had in left. What we have when he is hurt in left isn't much worse than what we used to have.

Reyes and Wright are both better than they were in 2006.

But yea, our offense is DOOMED.

]]> By: JK http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37330 JK Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:18:30 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37330 Let El Duque and Pelfrey go head to head one more time next Friday. Then decide. I'm not sure why a decision needs to be made right now. And yes, the Mets have holes, question marks and weaknesses. Bot so do all teams. If there's one place I'd rather have a big strength in, it's the rotation. And both their rotation and bullpen are improved a lot from last year. I'd rather they be built this way than the way the Phillies are constructed - big bats but a very suspect rotation. Let El Duque and Pelfrey go head to head one more time next Friday. Then decide. I'm not sure why a decision needs to be made right now.

And yes, the Mets have holes, question marks and weaknesses. Bot so do all teams. If there's one place I'd rather have a big strength in, it's the rotation. And both their rotation and bullpen are improved a lot from last year. I'd rather they be built this way than the way the Phillies are constructed – big bats but a very suspect rotation.

]]> By: Mike C. http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37328 Mike C. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:05:23 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37328 The Mets could well win the NL East, winning in the low nineties, just because they're in such a weak division and great starting pitching can go a long way in a weak division. Sure. That's what I'm rooting for and hoping for. Do they have the bats or the depth to be a World Series contender? No. No, they don't. The Mets could well win the NL East, winning in the low nineties, just because they're in such a weak division and great starting pitching can go a long way in a weak division. Sure. That's what I'm rooting for and hoping for.

Do they have the bats or the depth to be a World Series contender?

No. No, they don't.

]]> By: scoopcoop http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37327 scoopcoop Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:01:52 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37327 Sosa will have to be like the 6th man in Basketball and be ready to come in for Eldud in the 4th inn every start. Sosa will have to be like the 6th man in Basketball and be ready to come in for Eldud in the 4th inn every start.

]]> By: scoopcoop http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37326 scoopcoop Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:58:36 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37326 EL DUQUE WINS #5 STARTERS ROLE!!!! BY DEFAULT!!! I'm not sure which guy looked worse. What an ugly display of pitching by both of these guys. Time to send Mike P down to work on his pitches and his head. Talk about not taking the bull by the horns Mike P. Who else is available? EL DUQUE WINS #5 STARTERS ROLE!!!!

BY DEFAULT!!!

I'm not sure which guy looked worse. What an ugly display of pitching by both of these guys. Time to send Mike P down to work on his pitches and his head. Talk about not taking the bull by the horns Mike P.

Who else is available?

]]> By: sloppy http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37325 sloppy Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:57:10 +0000 http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/23/end-of-first/#comment-37325 I think Minaya will be claiming every starter DFA'd this week.... I'm sure lots of bad pitchers will hit the market and we can hear how great all the one's we get are...... I think Minaya will be claiming every starter DFA'd this week…. I'm sure lots of bad pitchers will hit the market and we can hear how great all the one's we get are…...

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