Mets Chat Room: Can you say sweep edition?
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- July
- 10
Championship teams need to develop a killer instinct. We are starting to see that from the Mets – slightly.
They need to sweep a team like the Giants. This is a team they can put away and demoralize with an early lead.
John Maine goes for the Mets. Says the cramp in his left forearm shouldn’t be an issue.
We should get some Moises Alou news today, too.
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on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 12:19 pm by John Delcos.
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JD: I’ve soured on Randy Winn these past few games. What about Ibanez? Is he on the block in Seattle? Who might be available for the Mets to go after?
if we don’t sweep today the seasons over…....JK but yea we should crack zito today…..if not then we should seriously consider trading for a bat,....and NO BONDS
If SF starts swinging at alot of first pitches, they just want to get on the plane.
Gets some runs early. SF will be thinking of going on vacation quick.
JD: With Alou likely gone, and Church perhaps looking at the end of his career (boy, even if the Mets win the WS, the Church incident will be a big black eye on the team), what do you think of the acquisition of Mr. OBP/HR – Adam Dunn?
Maine hasn’t pitched into the 7th inning since May 7th… at this point, it’s a miracle if he finishes 5..
Greetings, everyone from the Miami airport, where I’m watching the game on my laptop. As hard as it is to believe, we’ve got a chance to go into the break in first place!
But this home plate ump sure isn’t helping us…
Maybe not, but Maine has got to find a way to economize his pitches. 45 after 2 is riddiculous.
Knowing the Mets desperately need a corner outfielder, I was hoping we could swing a deal for Toronto’s Alex Rios—until I looked at his stats and see he has hit only 4 HRs. Yikes.
Championship team? Killer instinct?
I would be happy if they stay competitive. Let them play this way for a few weeks before using terms like those.
Dave
Hi Gil –
This has surely been an interesting trip with the Mets organization so far this season, hasn’t it. I’m so superstituous though that I don’t want to hear words like ‘sweep’ until we do.
In fact I’m spending my spare time this afternoon voting for David Wright to take his rightful place at the All Star Game and I encourage all posters to do the same.
Philly up 2-0 after 2 1/2
Hey, Annie. Good to see your post.
I did like you and voted 25 times for D-Wright.
Frankly, I’m embarrassed that Blly Wagner is our representative, not only for his performance, but for his penchant of throwing teammates under the bus.
Pretty amazing the Giants Havent won a WS since theyve been in SF. Theyve had a lot of Great Players in those 50 years.
Gotta say this: What a pleasure it is to hear Ralph Kiner’s voice and hear his stories. It’s like your grandpa regaling you with tall tales. Such warmth.
Another GREAT nugget from Ralph: After that 25-inning 4-3 Mets loss to the Cardinals back in ‘74 or ‘75, Cards’ OF Bake McBride, who scored the eventual winning run on an errant pickoff throw (and who had the biggest Afro this side of former Yankee OF, Oscar Gamble) actually appeared on Kiner’s Korner, following that game.
What’s more amazing? The face that the game continued on that long, or that there actually was a Kiner’s Korner following it?
Trivia time: The Mets losing pitcher in that game, who made the error now has a son pitching in the National League. Who’s the son?
I agree with you about Wagner the Wild Man – we can only hope that he doesn’t get in the game.
As usual, I’m with WFAN and Howie and Wayne, but I sure remember Kiner, Murphy and McCarver – storytellers all – particularly Ralph and Tim who were long time MLB players.
Gil, I remember watching that game on TV. Hank Webb is the answer. Here is another of Ralphs Stories: In the Mid 60’s, the Mets traded a player named Harry Chiti for a player to be named later. Who knows the name of the player named?
I already like Argenis Reyes better than Luis Castillo playing second base for us. And he’s mushc younger, has two fully functioning knees and is four years and $32M less expensive.
Quick question, on Gamecast it looks Maine is getting hosed on a lot of what should be strikes up in the zone, is that true or is Gamecast just off?
Ray – I ‘cheated’ and Googled the Harry Chiti question – unbelieveable!
Mr. Sadecki, you’re correct on the name of the pitcher—I was looking for Brandon Webb as the answer.
And the Harry Chiti story?
Yes, Harry was traded for himself—he was the player to be named later!
I would take Adam Dunn in a second. He could be their first baseman for years. I know Carlos Delgado is hitting, but I am not sold over the long haul that he’s back.-JD
So much for the no-hitter. lol
More from Ralph:
During the WWII years, the St. Louis Browns were originally going to be the first MLB team to relocate to Los Angeles, but those plans were scrapped…
Also, Ralph said while traveling with the Pirates on an old DC-3 plane for a road trip, the players had to make room for another passenger—a racehorse!
John, that’s an interesting take on Adam Dunn, one I’ve never seen considered. It’s true if he plays left now, he could slide into first next year.
I don’t care much for him as an outfielder (though I prefer him to Seattle’s Raul Ibanez) and I wonder if there was something to Blue Jays’ GM JP Ricciardi’s comments that Dunn “doesn’t care.”
Could being thrust into the pennant race motivate him? And what price would the Reds ask? There certainly isn’t a whole lot of outfield talent available, is there?
Yes, Ralphie is a treasure, I hope he will be with us many more years. Former Mets catcher Gary Cooper hopes so too !!
Didn’t Dunn’s trainer say that he’s never seen anyone play through more injuries than Dunn – and that he has tremendous heart?
I had heard that Dunn wouldn’t net a price consummate with his value as a hitter because the Reds are afraid of offering him arbitration. I just really think he could help the team out and Minaya should be open to offering Heilman and a AA hitter other than F-Mart.
Gil – here’s my Ralph and Tim story:
Years ago when Tim McCarver was doing the Mets games, Ralph Kiner told him to stop throwing things on the floor of the booth, he was making a mess. So, I wrote to Tim and asked him to obey Ralph and send me the scorecard instead of throwing it on the floor. He did – he signed it and sent it and it is currently on my office door with other baseball remembrances. I hope it made Ralph happy.
PS – John – what do you do with your scorecards? Would you send me one?
Back to the game. Inexplicable how he can throw 9 pitches to Zito and walk him. Things like that keep Maine from being an elite pitcher. It’s going to be hard for him to pitch 6 full innings this game.
I’m sorry, but when you already have a high pitch count and you walk the opposing pitcher in a 9 pitch at bat you deserve to get punched right in the mouth.
BH,
Regardless of pitch count its inexplicable to walk the opposing pitcher especially after an 0-2 count. Lack of concentration.
4-1 Phills bottom of 6th
Remember the comments billy wagner made about oliver perez not picking up the staff when they needed it earlier this season. Isnt todays performance by maine on the same level.
Maine had an awful game. It’s one of the worst 2 hit outings you’ll ever see a pitcher have. Not what they needed today at all and Maine has no one to blame but himself.
Anyone know the pitching rotation for the weekend?
Game tied 3 up. My problem with Dunn is that hes a lefthanded hitter. They need a righty. If he comes cheap though, Why not? He can play LF the rest of this year, and take over first next year. I wish we could get Texiera, but thats probably not gonna happen.
Why can’t a guy have a bad game without his character being called into question for ‘Not picking up the staff’? Maine was a little wild today. Definitely not a great start but its 3-3 at the end of 5.
What would the day be with Moises Alou news. I’m eagerly awaiting it.
Taylor,
All im saying is Wagner called out Perez, so whats the difference between the performances.
John—What’s the deal with Nick Evans being re-issued uniform number 6? Isn’t there some ethical problem as it relates to Troy Nixon? Did Troy willingly surrender his number or is management sending him a not-so-subtle message?
Good Job by muniz getting it to the 7th where you can start mix and matching guys
Gang – am I the only Met fan voting against D Wright so he doesn’t go to the All-Star game and gets a much needed vacation?
Wagner is quick to judge and criticize his teammates. I don’t particularly like it. He needs to be knocked down a peg or two. I don’t think either performance (Ollie’s or Maine’s) should be attributed to lack of effort or character.
We dont need no stinking Dunn, We have Tatis !!!!
You can’t stop Fernando Tatis, you can only hope to contain him.
Looks like we have the best “Fernando” already on this team. :-)
Taylor: I would like to think his lousy job of closing lately has already knocked him down a peg or two.
David: Yes, that was an excellent job by Muniz. If the Mets hang on, he’ll be a big reason why.
Wow seeing Tatis hit big HR’s makes you hope that maybe this is different this time.
Taylor,
as for wagner i hate the idea of players throwing their teammates under the bus, thats for us fans and the media to do :-) With that said i was drawing a comparison of the two outings.
chiliGTC, I am selfish. I want to see a Met in the All Star game not named Wagner. Sorry I voted for Dave.
One more hour to do the Wright thing – vote for David.
Phillies win 4-1. :-(
C’mon Duaner. Stop giving me agita!!!
This guy Reyes the mets got from the Indians looks really good. He is a switch hitter and good defensively. The question is, why did the mets sign Castillo to 4 years. Omar Minaya either makes good moves or bad moves, there is no in between.
Do you believe yet tom/agee ?
6 straight!! Rollin rollin!!
Howie has swept this one right “Into the Books” – but let’s not put the brooms away. Enjoy this one. Rockies tomorrow night.
Cmon down Rockies, we got something for ya!!
Adam Dunn’s even WORSE than Delgado.
Delgado’s “comeback” is a mirage but… holy Christ, Dunn can’t play a position and basically can’t hit anything other than occasional moonshots.
Great, Adam, 25 home runs in 100 games that’s wonderful… but if you don’t have any other damn hits and you can’t field, you suck.
At least Delgado will change his swing for singles in clutch situations and crap like that and it’s just his… old man’s ego preventing him from being effective in adapting to his lost batspeed.
Dunn is just scattered home runs and a lot of unproductive walks.
Boo on Adam Dunn.
Alou out for year if he gets surgery on his tore hammy.
Adam Dunn is NOT worse than Delgado, not even close…
First, he isn’t a .227 hitter, he hit .264 last year…
Second… how is it his fault if his walks are unproductive?? Walks are very productive… if you have someone decent hitting behind you
He hits for power and gets on base, sure he doesn’t hit for a great BA, but everything else he does makes up for it
HOORAY for Dunn..
ChiliGTC July 10th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
“Gang – am I the only Met fan voting against D Wright so he doesn’t go to the All-Star game and gets a much needed vacation?”
I totally agree 100%. The All Star game is so over rated. I rather have the mets rest for the second half stretch run.
Ray Sadecki July 10th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
“Do you believe yet tom/agee ?”
Ray, I was wrong, it appears that Randolph lost this team. I had no problem with Peterson going because I always thought he was over rated as a pitching coach. Especially when it was well documented by the media he had a big part of Kazmir getting traded.
Now maybe Omar can finally concentrate on getting the Mets an outfielder. Even if Alou doesn’t get surgery, there is no way he is coming back this year. The Mets and their fans can finally move on and stop hanging on the hope that he will make it back
Josh,
I don’t want Dunn on my team, he strikes out way to much and isn’t good defensively, plus the reds are going to ask for allot to get him, no thanks.
Personally, I think the Mets got the best possible news on Moises Alou. I know it sounds horrible, but going on believing they would get him back was worse. Now they can move ahead freely. It’s sounds cruel, but sometimes knowing is better.
Richie Sexson is out there. Any thoughts on him?-JD
This is where Omar needs to be creative to get an out fielder who he might be able to get for mid level prospects that can come in and be good for the mets in the second half, a sleeper trade. I’ll give Omar Kudos for doing these types of trades. Lets see if he can pull it off. Tine will tell and it has to be right at the trading deadline.
John –
You’re right. Knowing is better than not knowing.
Moises Alou is better off than Ryan Church for example these days – no question about it.
I’m more for Raul Ibanez or Milton Bradley. I think Omar can get these two cheaper than these other players that have been mentioned. The Mets can’t afford to give up Niese or any other young pitching prospect that is left in there farm system. Like I said, omar needs to get creative and pull off a trade that will only give up mid level prospects for someone that will be good for a few months.
I’m not a big Adam Dunn fan myself, especially at Shea. He is a .189 hitter over the last 3 years with one homer in 37 AB’s.
tomg: I’d take Ibanez over Bradley. Bradley and Kenny Lofton are bad news in the clubhouse. They are distractions the Mets don’t need right now. They are also personalities I’d keep away from the impressionable Jose Reyes.-JD
Steve: Could those Shea numbers be attributable to Mets’ pitching?-JD
Tom G: Sign me up for Ibanez. I think MB is too much of a risk and right now, I see no reason why the Rangers would need to trade him. The problem that Omar is going to have I think is that everyone will know he is in a desparate position of need, so the Mets will have to give up much more for a player than they want to.
JD: Of course, but it also could be the stadium. I’m not sure I’d want to trade a top prospect for him in order to find out. Now if the Mets could trade a lower level marginal prospect for him, I’d take a chance. But I would think the Reds would rather take the draft picks
JD: Getting back to Ibanez, is he available?
after the game omar was questioned about bonds and the left field situation…and omar quoted “tatis had a good game today”...yea thats our answer people for the rest of the season… a platoon with endy and tatis….omar just really needs to think…and make something happen…this offense isnt going to last
Wright did not make the all star team. I am glad he didn’t, rest, lets get the mets team ready for the second half stretch run.
tom, It takes a big man to admit he was wrong. Kudos to you. About the trade talk, Well there is still three weeks to go. Lets see what this kid Evans can do before we trade him away for a two month rental. I feel comfortable with an Endy/Tatis platoon in left, if we can get Church back in right. The longer we wait, the prices go down, Its time for a little patience, IMO.
Too bad about Wright, those milwaukee fans are going nuts this year. Who could blame them? 25 years with no post season play.
By the way, Alou news and all, this was my most fun day on this blog, everybodys in a better mood now, Amazing what a little winning streak can do for morale.
Wright still may make the team as a replacement for Soriano, since an outfielder won the “final vote.”
I definitely don’t feel comfortable with Evans, but what we have seen out of Tatis is encouraging. One would think he can’t keep it up, but it’s not like we have that many assets left to trade, so we might as well ride it out with our guys. Endy can stay in there for his defense and ability to get clutch hits, especially bunting, and he and Easley have really made a difference recently. As long as Church comes back (who knows), we should be alright.
Why does Castillo have to be here for four years at such a high price??? LOL
I don’t expect much out of Perez tomorrow, especially against a good pitcher, but this team has been surprising me recently, good and bad.
You can forget Church coming back. The players union is getting involved and the Mets are gonna be extra, extra careful. I doubt we see him until after he plays several weeks in minor league games and shows absolutely no signs of brain freezes. If he does not, he’ll be back next March.
As for trades, I hope the Mets don’t do anything dumb. They have a history of doing dumb things during mid-season.
Besides, the Mets have nothing to trade but FMart and if he is so good he is worth more than a Randy Winn, or Ibanez. I’d rather see FMart play. Bring him up and let’s see what he does. He can’t be worse than Tatis or Chavez once they fall to earth.
Richie Sexson=Clubhouse cancer
Bradley=cancer
Lofton=cancer
Bonds=cancer
Halliday=not enough pieces to get him
Bay=not enough pieces
Xman=not enough pieces
Winn=is he really all that much better than what Mets have?
Ibanez=I’d guess he is best of lot, but would Mets have to overpay for 36yr old?
Cuddyer=maybe available, having poor season, maybe he’d come cheap
Sorry to hear that the union is getting involved – the Mets organization should have known better and covered all the bases with Church’s injury. Someone slipped up somewhere.
I’m not sure that the Mets should be trying to replace anyone right now. Most of the players out there now are not worth the time and/or the money. All have issues.
Here’s an idea for Omar. Scout all Mets players everywhere. Take a chance on a kid or two – there are lots of kids who never get one because the big teams often overreach with some other teams’ castoffs. Here’s your chance to promote from within the Mets organization – what a concept.
Scoop—I think they could make a run for someone like Holliday if they were to make FMart available. That said, Holliday is a career .364 hitter at Coors—and a .278 hitter everywhere else. That nakes it a very tough call. If Holliday were basically the same hitter at home and on the road, I would seriously consider him, as he’s only 28 and could be a fixture for years to come. The home/away splits concern me, though.
Tiff, my understanding is that Rockies want a pitcher back. One who is ML ready. The only Met that fits that bill is Pelf.
Trading him would be dopey considering he has been Mets 2nd best pitcher the past mo (behind Santana-yes he has been best, just no run support) and looks to be becoming the promise he was suppose to be (and he has even learned to throw an off speed pitch that gets hitters out yet!).
And Rockies can get alot for him b/c at least he is signed thru next yr. So they can wait if they don’t get what they want.
Plus, there is no guarantee that Mets can sign Holliday to a contract. So you could have scenario of trading for him and only having him for 1.5 yrs (like the Braves and Texieria-who can afford to do that b/c there farm actually has more than just one player of FMarts level).
And as you pointed out his spilts are not great. And his defense is so-so.
Just bring up FMart and let him play. Could he really be worse than Tatis/Chavez once they become pedestrian again?
scoopcoop,
I agree 100%. I would not trade pelfrey or any pitchers for Holiday. As you said his defense isn’t good and his stats are inflated because of Coors field. I also mentioned on this blog why they aren’t bringing up F-Mart. I asked JD this question but never got a response. Other bloggers chimed in and said he wasn’t ready. My question is if that is true you’re going to tell me the Nick Evans is? I think they should bring up F-Mart and give him a shot. I don’t want Omar Minaya making any dumb trades. If Omar waits until the last minute of the trading dead line he could probably get a decent player cheap for(middle type prospects.)
Evans was brought up because he hits right handed and at the time Willie had no confidence in Tatis. He is also 22 was having a great year in AA and was healthy.
The team need a right handed bat at the time he was first brought up.
Is he ready for ML ? No but he is on the 40 man roster so it is no big deal to put him on the shuttle for now.
F-Mart is 19 hits lefthanded and has not been healthy.
Also still not on the 40 man roster.
Now with the Church situation the way it is. I could see F-Mart coming up but jeeze the kid is 19 lets not make the same mistake as with Gomez and rush him to the ML. If he stays healthy wait till September and bring him up.
I want no part of Nady he is FA after 09 and his agent is Scott Boras same as Holliday. So no chance of signing long term. Also he is bad 2nd half year player as his stats show.
So,... Moises is out for the season.
I guess we don’t really think Tatis and Endy can keep this up. You’ve got to give them kudos though. They and Easley are the biggest reasons for the Mets winning streak.
By the way, we still have Trot Nixon. He’s on the DL. I think he’s good. He had an OPS of .579 in 41 PAs. That’s pretty bad but it is only 41 PAs.
I like Ibanez but only if we can get him for $$ or non-prospects. Anyone else worth getting will probably cost way too much.
I think it is more likely Omar will make a deal in August when he could pick up a player in a true contract dump.
Green ended up on the Mets that way.
I said earlier the Orioles may want to dump Melvin Mora due 9 million next year, to have more money for Texiera. Also they have Jay Payton who still hits lefties well.
If you could get Ibanez for nothing as Taylor said, I would give him a try.
Scott: I am not a believer that both Tatis and Endy can keep this up. I think Omar has to make a move to get an OF before the deadline. After the waiver wire they’d be taking too big of a chance as there might be other teams in the hunt that could p/u the player before the Mets get a chance to. Neither Mora or Payton are upgrades IMO. Shawn Green was better than both of those players when he was acquired.
You know whats amazing about Alou? This is a brand new injury. This is not the calf injury that he was out for.
Amazing. In other news Moises Alou sprained his wrist shaking his orange juice container this morning.
I just heard that Pagan may be back. Now that the bench players are playing so well he’s redundant.
Spent the day in NYC yesterday. Went to the game at Shea. Probably my 14th time there over the years from poughkeepsie and then NC. Only Mets fans will understand this but in those 14 times yesterday was the first complete total win I saw there. Actually watched a game at Turner field that was better than most wins I saw at Shea until yesterday.
The game seemed quicker than the ride on the 7 train from Manhattan. Great game and day at the city. Really enjoyed it and no boos yesterday.
So hello to all from poughkeepsie now and back in Raleigh on Monday. Let’s hope they sweep the Rockies too!!!
Neighbors on Long Island have reported Alou running after his dog in the street as the dog escapes from his fenced in yard.