Mets Fever

Mets should pick-up Julio Lugo...

2009-07-16T18:53:00.003-04:00

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Red Sox are willing to pick-up almost all the remainder of Julio Lugo's contract if a team is willing to take the SS off their hands, in return all Boston is expecting is a marginal prospect.

Lugo just doesn't fit in Boston and while their willing to do anything to get rid of him, that doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't have value to another team.

Lugo is a average SS who can also play 2B and the outfield, despite Boston's willingness to give him away, he's still hitting .284. The Mets have no time frame for Reyes return and Cora, Murphy, Tatis and Berroa all are hitting below .250.

I kinda see it as another Sheffield situation, it isn't costing you anything to bring him in ( both salary & players traded) so give it a try, what would be the harm, he's considered a good clubhouse guy. At 33 y/o and a right handed table setting bat, if he does work out you also get him next year for virtually nothing.

The Red Sox, facing a roster bind as they prepare for the returns of shortstop Jed Lowrie and third baseman Mike Lowell, have informed teams that they are willing to assume virtually all of shortstop Julio Lugo's remaining salary in a trade, according to a major-league source. source Fox Sports

Berroa promoted...

2009-07-16T17:16:00.002-04:00

The Mets replaced Argenis Reyes with Angel Berroa, not much of a surprise in this move, it's been expected since Reyes was sent down before the All-Star break. Berroa hasn't done much this year in his short stint with the Yankees but he does has a successful track record in the past. Berroa has struggled the past three seasons, but still has a .260 lifetime BA. He can play SS, 2B, 3B and OF ( minor league exp.).

Berroa, 31, won Rookie of the Year honors in 2003 with Kansas City when he hit .287 with 17 homers and 73 RBIs. In all or parts of eight big league seasons coming into '09, he was a .260 batter, but hit just .136 in 22 at-bats for the Yankees in 21 games before being released in late June. source MLB.com

Thanks, Ed- Heeeeerrrrrrreeeeeee's Johnny!! (Okay, Here's David)

2009-07-16T15:14:00.002-04:00

Hi all- some of you may remember me from my old blogs, Shea Nation and Mets Trades. I've since "retired" from daily blogging, but thanks to Ed Ryan, an old friend of Shea Nation, I'll be offering commentary on our beloved (I think-LOL) Mets from time to time.

Just in time for the 2nd part of the season, I'll be back tomorrow (Friday) with a recap of "part one" and this Sunday, I'll post my annual baseball book review. Some of the books reviewed include "Munson", "Satchel" and books by Darryl Strawberry and Ron Darling.

Again, thanks Ed, and to the many fans of Mets Fever, it's a pleasure to share our beloved Metsies with you!!!

Let's hope for a better, and less injury-riddled second half!!

And, as always,
LET'S GO METS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wilpon gets a pass...

2009-07-16T09:55:00.005-04:00

With unmet expectations come disappointment, couple that with back-to-back heart breaking endings to seasons, after what was thought to be a building block year ( 2006) and you have an extremely disgruntled fan base. This isn't a Mets thing, this is a sports thing, any fan base that had endured what Mets fans have over the past 2 1/2 seasons would act and feel the way many Mets fan do.

It's human nature to assign blame and for Mets fans we have been pointing in several directions.

The simple fact maybe that the team had an unprecedented amount of injuries to impact players and it was simply too much to over come, for the team itself and the organization as a whole.

Many have pointed to the errors players have been making on the field and simply believe that players are under preforming. While I agree they have cost themselves numerous games on routine plays, I still believe that's a result of players who don't belong in the majors, players out of position or role and what regulars who are left playing tight and pressing.

Jerry Manuel has been the focus of many fans ire, while I agree he makes some odd moves and says strange things, I can only think of a few games where I felt his decisions directly cost the team a game. In my opinion, Manuel has held this roster together pretty well, he's accused of not holding players accountable and making strange decisions but with what he has to work with, I think he's kept the team focused on playing and in the race.

In my opinion, Omar is at fault for the struggles of this team, he simply gambled in too many spots and once injuries started to occur he didn't have the depth to cover the losses. Re-signing Oliver Perez, using a platoon of Tatis/Murphy in left and not building a stronger bench with an aging Delgado, injury prone Castro and slumping ( last year) Castillo were all mistakes. While I praise the Frankcoeur trade, I also feel a trade of any kind came a month late.

Recently I've started to hear a lot of fans voice disapproval of the Wilpon's, the Freddy Coupon comments are starting to surface again. Even I've said, Omar is smarter then how he handled the off-season, he must have had budgetary restraints.

I think that gets compounded by sharing the city with the Yankees, who always seem to sign the big free agents and make big in-season trades. They're budget is astronomical compared to the rest of the league and while we share the same city, I don't believe we receive the same amount of revenues.

I was un-bias entering this post, as I said; I've thought several times that I wished the Wilpon's would have authorized Omar to spend a little more and get one more player over the last four years, but I've never really blamed them for the seasons outcome. I decided to take a close look at the numbers and see if the Wilpon's have really restrained Omar and the level of players he could bring in. I've also heard some fans say they hoped Doubleday was still the owner instead of the Wilpon's, so I've gone back to 1986 to compare reigns.

Nelson Doubleday purchased the team in 1980, at the time Fred Wilpon had a 1 % share in the team. In 1986 Fred Wilpon purchased 50% of the team and in 2002 he bought full ownership. All information sources are at the bottom of the post, below my summary, Notes; The attendance rankings are of the national league only so it's out of 16 teams while the salary ranking is of the entire league, the USA salary ranking starts at 1988. I added the GM and Mgrs. to the list, so you could see who was running the team and making decisions, for graph purposes I used their first and last full year not half years ...

Year-GM-MGR- Standing- Salary- Rank Salary- Attendance-Rank Attendance- # All-Stars

1988-Cashen-Johnson- 1- 15.M - #4 - 3M - #1- 4
1989-Cashen- Johnson- 2- 20M- #3- 2.9M- #3- 1
1990-Casehn-Harrelson- 2- 21.8M- #2- 2.7M- #2- 3
1991-Hunsicker-Harrelson- 5 - 32.5M- #4- 2.2M- #5- 2
1992-Hunsicker-Torborg- 5- 44.3M- #1- 1.7M- #8- 1
1993-Harazan- Torborg- 7- 38.3M- #5- 1.8M- #11- 1
1994-McIlvaine-Green- 3- 29.8M- #17- 1.1M- #11- 1
1995-McIlvaine- Green- 2- 24.3M- #24- 1.2M- #11- 1
1996-McIlvaine- Green- 4- 23.4M- #21- 1.5M- #12- 2
1997-Phillips-Valentine- 3- 38.4M- #16- 1.7M- #10- 2
1998-Phillips-Valentine- 2- 49.5M- #9- 2.2M- #9- 2
1999-Phillips- Valentine- 2- 71.3M- #6- 2.7M- #7- 1
2000-Phillips- Valentine- 2- 79.7M- #6 - 2.8M- #8- 3
2001-Phillips- Valentine- 3- 93.6M- #4- 2.6M- #10- 1
2002-Phillips- Valentine- 5- 94.6M - #6- 2.8M - #5- 1
2003-Duquete- Howe- 5- 117.1M- #2- 2.1M- #11- 1
2004-Duquette- Howe- 4- 96.6M- #4- 2.3M- #11- 2
2005-Minaya-Randolph- 3- 101.3M- #3- 2.8M- #6- 3
2006-Minaya_ Randolph- 1- 101.0M- #4- 3.3M- #3- 6
2007-Minaya- Randolph- 2- 115.2M- #3- 3.8M- #2 - 4
2008-Minaya- Randolph- 2- 137.7M- #2- 4.0M- #1- 2

The numbers don't lie, Wilpon has put his money into the team and while you can say he has been rewarded by the best attendance in the National league, he has also spent the most in the National league. Even in the lean years when he first took complete control his worst salary ranking was 4th compared to an attendance at 11th of 16 teams ( NL only ) for two straight years. While the team has only made one playoff appearance in the Wilpon years, they have had 19 All Stars, in the 14 prior years as partial owner the team had 25 All stars combined.

Most fans rem. Doubleday for demanding Mike Piazza, what they don't rem. is just how bad this team was prior to the 1998 season. Now I have no idea what the dynamic was between the two owners, but I do know that while Doubleday was the senior partner the team was completely dismantled for five seasons (indicated in Red). After the 1992 season when the team was dubbed the worst team money could by, with the highest payroll, a fifth place finish ( seven team div.) and only one All-Star ( Cone) the next year the numbers became stark. Those were years the team was not supported by management, trailing most of the league in salary and attendance while putting a poor product on the field ( min. A.S. per year).

USA Today Salary and rankings

BA GM list

Baseball Ref. Attendance

Baseball Ref. Mets page

Ultimate Mets Database Mets All-Star listings ( listing is of players who played - I included nominated as well from MLB.com Mets History ).

Pinch hitter/utility fielder Oscar Salazar maybe available

2009-07-14T12:29:00.005-04:00

I think over the span of the of the first half of the season, I have been misunderstood, so let me explain myself...

First I think some readers are under the belief that I discount the impact of the injuries, however; I appreciate the significance of the injuries and am amazed that the team has remained as competitive as they have.

My contention is two fold, if Omar had gone about the off-season better by getting a left fielder ( Dunn, Abreu) and improving the bench with a super utility player ( Hudson) we would be in much better shape. Also Omar should have acted more swiftly to obtain someone before the rut really set-in.

Although, I have been one of the biggest advocates of trades, I'm not saying I would mortgage the farm for a rental player, in fact I would be surprised if the team obtained or sought an impact player.

I feel that the trades the Mets should be looking at fall into two categories; (1) low risk, low cost deals that may or may not contribute, (2) long term additions, higher cost.

The first group, many are saying why bother with these players they're a waste of time, but my thought is that they won't cost much and maybe you catch lightning in a bottle.

But I'm also willing to give up prospects for a player who is under control or if re-signed has the potential, because of there age to be a long term player. I believe Francoeur falls into this group, yes he cost an everyday player but he has the potential to be a long term contributor.

The reason I decided to further explain myself is because the player I'm about to profile is the type that I generally get complaints about, that they'd be a waste of time or that they wouldn't save the season. I'm not looking for them to save the season and they very well maybe a waste of time, but at what they'd cost I'm willing to take the risk that they may contribute more then the guys who are hitting .250 or less and struggling in the field.

The Orioles may look to move utility player Oscar Salazar, the O's need to make room by July 20th and while Salazar has been a serviceable bench player, he's not part of their future and is out of options.

The 31 y/o right handed batting utility player has played all four infield positions and left field. Over the last two seasons with Baltimore he has approx. a .950 fct pct. ( 28 gms fielding one error at SS). In 2008 he had 81 AB in which he hit .282 with a .506 Slg. pct. and .372 OBP. This year in 31 AB he's hitting .419 with Slg. pct. .613 and .455 OBP.

Prior to the past two years Salazar hadn't appeared in the majors since he had an unsuccessful stint with the Tigers in 2002. He's spent time in Italy and Mexico, along with a career .309 BA in seven seasons at the AAA level.

Now maybe, Salzar would be a bust but at what he would cost, both in trade and in contract it would be worth the chance of a .300 hitting pinch hitter and serviceable utility fielder.

He is batting .419 (13 hits in 31 at-bats) and is 4-for-11 as a pinch hitter."It seems that when he's come here and he gets opportunities, he hits,"

Trembley said. "He's been an incredible guy to be able to sit on the bench for three or four hours and come up and hit, or not play for four or five days and then hit. To me, that's a pretty special quality."

Salazar, 31, has bounced around in several organizations and also played in Italy and Mexico. So he's not getting comfortable in Baltimore. Because he is out of options, he has been the subject of trade rumors. And the Orioles will have to make another roster move July 20 when Hernandez is recalled to make his next start. source Baltimore Sun

Mets one of the teams tracking Mark Teahen ?

2009-07-13T21:31:00.003-04:00

According to Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star teams are keeping an eye on Mark Teahen. The 27 y/o left handed hitting utility player has one more year of arbitration before he becomes a free agent. He avoided arbitration this year by signing a 3.575MM, based on his numbers he appears to be a type B free agent after 2010.

What makes him appealing is his versatility, Teahen has two full seasons at 3B (335 gms.) and the OF along with a few games at 1B (24 gms.) and 2B (3 gms.). In the outfielder he's played the most games in right field ( 234 gms.) but has several games in left (31 gms.) and a few in center 96 gms.). Although, it's his natural position he has an awful fielding percentage at 3B (.953) but the other positions he holds a solid .967 Fld. pct.

Over his five years he has a BA of .272 with a Slg. pct. .425 and an OBP .335. Three of his seasons he's hit .285 or better and 55 or more RBIs per season. This year he's hitting .294 with 19 doubles, 9 home runs and 29 RBIs.

I'm not sure if the Francoeur acquisition takes us out of the running for Teahan but his versatility would definitely make him a fit even when everybody returns.

Several teams are tracking Teahen as the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline approaches. The Red Sox took a hard look this weekend in their search for alternatives in case Mike Lowell continues to struggle with his injured hip. The Giants, White Sox, Cubs and Mets have also shown interest. source Kansas City Star

Do the Mets need to let go of the 2006 off-season trades...

2009-07-13T09:33:00.009-04:00

Since Omar Minaya took over the Mets after the 2004 season, he has traded approx. 53 players ( missing several PTBNL that I couldn't track down & some smaller deals), 19 of those players are currently on major league rosters ( indicated in bold) including the DL and only one has had an All-Star nomination since leaving ( Heath Bell).

Meanwhile, the Mets have acquired approx. 42 players ( again some PTNL maybe be missing and some smaller deals), 15 of them are either with the Mets or on another teams major league roster ( bold) including the DL and three of those players made the All Star team while with the Mets ( Delgado, Lo Duca, Santana).

When Omar was hired he had a reputation as a very aggressive GM who was willing to take risks. His early results, supported that reputation, as he was constantly wheeling and dealing. Now, I personally like an aggressive GM and am willing to accept the occasional mistakes. As long as the GM is a solid talent evaluator, which I believe Omar is, from my point of view the reward out weighs the risk.

But during the off-season of 2006, prior to the 2007 season, Omar made a series of three trades which have long been perceived as bad trades. In fact, many fans still clamour about these trades, as if the players lost were keys to our future.

While I agree that the Bannister and Bell trades turned out in favor of the other team, I hardly call either a Kazmir type of deal. At the time, the relievers traded were not seen to have futures in the organization or were injury risks and Bannister was pretty far down the depth charts, in regards to starters. In return the Mets thought they were getting a workhorse middle innings reliever ( Adkins), an upside outfielder (Johnson), a potential closer ( Burgos) and two young lefties ( Bostick, Vargas).

None of the trades seemed to work out in our favor and it seems like since those trades there has been a significant shift in the organizations approach. Since then the organization has been very Conservative, it has made five trades; Castillo, Santana, Ayala, J.J. Putz, and Schoeneweis (not including 2009). The deals made have been either blockbusters, due to injury out of absolute necessity or when they finally dismantled the pen.

Now, some will say that it's because Omar was finally satisfied with the roster and had used all the chips he deemed expendable from the prior GMs system.

But the team has had needs each season and the organization, since those three deals, seems reluctant, almost snake bitten to make a move. While I agree that the Bannister and Bell deals have turned out bad for the Mets, they are hardly moves that would change my philosophy. It almost feels like they need to shake off those deals and return to what seemed more successful, when they were more aggressive. Fans were brutal over those three deals, but I wouldn't consider those trades that significant and one of the deals I don't think you can call a failure anymore...

I think it's time that the Vargas/Bostick for Lindstrom/Owens trade be removed from the list of bad deals. The Mets were right about both Lindstrom and Owens, while having some success in Florida both have struggled with injuries and in addition to injuries, Owens also has been susp. for PED. Vargas never achieved much success with the Mets but he had enough value as a chip to be part of the J.J. Putz deal and was recently called up for a stint in Seattle's rotation. Bostick after several unsuccessful years as a starter is now making a great transition into the bullpen, in Buffalo he has 11 appearances with a 0.64 ERA, prior to that he made 11 appearances in AA with a 2.60 ERA.

If you agree with the a more aggressive GM, hopefully; Omar will be reminded of the intangible impacts of trades from the Castro and Francoeur deal. I feel it's no mistake that the team is 2-0 since the deal, and no, I don't believe Francoeur is an impact player who is carrying the team, but it's the energy of change, a spark and some new hope. As I've said before sometimes a team needs a trade just for trades sake, teams get stagnant and need a shake up...

As i've said before; I don't mind Omar being a gunslinger, in fact, I prefer it and if you look at his record he's pretty good at it, but the number of moves drastically dropped after those three deals and my issue is more with his recent conservatism...

Traded

2004-2005 -Mike Stanton, Vance Wilson, Ian Bladergroen, Jason Phillips, Pat Mahomes, Andy Dominique, Matt Ginter, Jed Hansen, Mike Cameron, Mike Jacobs, Yusmeiro Petit, Grant Psomas, Gaby Hernandez, Dante Brinkley

2006- Jae Wong Seo, Tim Hamulack, Kris Benson, Angel Pagan, Jorge Julio, Robert Manuel, Geremi Gonzalez, Kazuo Matsui, Jeff Keppinger, Xavier Nady, Evan MacLane, Victor Diaz, Heath Bell, Royce Ring, Henry Owens, Matt Lindstrom, Brian Bannister

2007- Dustin Martin, Drew Butera, Jose Castro, Sean Henry, Guillermo Mota, Lastings Milledge

2008 - Corey Coles, Ryan Meyers, Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, Anderson Hernandez, Scott Schoeneweis, Joe Smith, Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, Mike Carp, Ezequiel Carrera and Maikel Cleto

2009- Ramon Castro, Ryan Church

Acquired

2004-2005 -Felix Heredia, Anderson Hernandez, Doug Mientkiewicz, Kazuhisa Ishii, Fernando Lunar, Benji Gil, Steve Colyer, Xavier Nady, Carlos Delgado, Tike Redman, Paul Lo Duca

2006-Duaner Sanchez, Steve Schmoll, Jorge Julio, John Maine, Orlando Hernandez, David Williams, Mike Adams, Eli Marrero, Ruben Gotay, Roberto Hernandez, Oliver Perez, Guillermo Mota, Shawn Green, Mike Nickeas, Jon Adkins, Ben Johnson, Adam Bostick, Jason Vargas, Ambiorix Burgos

2007- Luis Castillo, Chad Hermanson, Luis Matos, Jeff Conine, Johnny Estrada, Brian Stokes, Ryan Church, Brian Schneider

2008- Angel Pagan, Johan Santana, Trot Nixon, Luis Ayala, Conor Robertson

2009- Lance broadway, Jeff Frankcoeur

Injury Update; Carlos Delgado & Jose Reyes

2009-07-12T22:41:00.002-04:00

Good news on the injury front, both Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes are making progress towards returning.

There is no time frame for either player to return but reports are, that they looked good during agility drills. Delgado is hitting in the batting cage and will report to PSL on Monday...

Delgado took batting practice in an indoor cage for the first time since he had hip surgery May 19, and both he and Reyes went through agility drills before the Mets' win. Still, there's no set timetable for their return. source Newsday

Roster moves; Angel Pagan, Nick Evans, Angel Berroa

2009-07-12T21:24:00.003-04:00

Just a little catching up, very busy weekend for the Mets and myself.

Nick Evans was originally slated to be sent down to make room for Angel Pagan, but Evans was given a slight reprieve when the Mets traded Ryan Church for Jeff Francoeur. Pagan was activated from the DL and Evans held Church's spot until Francoeur could get to town. By Saturday Francoeur and Pagan were in the starting line-up while Evans was off to Buffalo...

The Mets also claimed Angel Berroa off waivers from the Yankees and assigned him to AAA Buffalo. The 31 y/o, right handed utility infielder was the 2003 rookie of the year when he was with the Royals. He's played SS/3B/2B on the major league level with a lifetime .259 BA.

Arturo Lopez was placed on the reserve list to make room for Berroa on the AAA roster. Lopez is a veteran of the Mexican leagues and the Mets have an agreement with one of the teams, the Mets might send him down there to keep the lefty in the system.

Tonight, it's being reported that Argenis Reyes has been sent down, without a replacement being announced. Of Course, I want to hope that means a trade is in the works but realistically they're probably just making room for Berroa or Wilson Valdez.

Thoughts on the Ryan Church for Jeff Francoeur

2009-07-11T14:18:00.005-04:00

I was one of the fans that hated the Lastings Milledge trade, it wasn't that I was still enamoured with Milledge, in fact; I thought it was time for him to go. But Milledge, at that time, was still somewhat of a top prospect and our bullpen was horrible, my expectation was that Milledge would garner, at least, a reliever in the package.

Instead the Mets walked away with a weak hitting catcher and a platoon partner outfielder.

Since then Ryan Church had totally won me over as a player, he was a solid defender with a good arm and a decent bat. Even if he couldn't hit lefties and he was more of a .270 hitter then the .300 splash we saw to start his Mets career, I felt he was an asset. I liked his approach to the game, he was a blue collar, come to the stadium everyday ready to play type of guy. So it's not easy for me to see him go...

I'm also a realist and for whatever reason it was obvious that Church just didn't fit into the Mets plans and if anyone from the major league team was going to be moved, it was probably Church. Maybe there is nothing to the Jerry/Church thing or the idea that Church didn't like NY, that aside, he was the one player with value on the market who the team didn't view as an untouchable part of the future core.

I've been screaming for a trade for over a month, so for me to say I dislike the trade would be a bit hypocritical. I wanted a trade, even if it was for the sake of a trade, just to shake things up and I got what I wanted. As of now, admitting that I know very little about Francoeur and am bias towards Church, I see this as a wash, since they're basically similar players.

Here are the positives I see from the deal, Francoeur is five years younger and under control for four more years. Church has spent much more time on the DL, while Francoeur has basically played everyday. The Mets have often been left handed dominant, Francoeur is a righty bat who only hit righties .232 but even that is better then Church's .167 against his own side. Francoeur went to work with Omar's close friend and hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo ( source Bleacher report), it sounds like Atlanta hitting coach Terry Pendleton took exception to this and it may have effected their relationship. I think, just as Church needed a fresh start, so did Frenchy, the management was frustrated with him and there was a lot of performance pressure being the home town kid.

The risks, for a team with offensive struggles, a part-time Church was at least hitting .280, mostly against righties while Francoeur was hitting .250 ( .303 against lefties). The Braves seem to know when to move players who have peaked, very few players go on to more success after leaving the organization, which leads you to worry that the last two years are what he is and not what he was in 2006-2007. Francoeur is a small town guy, there is that chance that he's not going to handle the big city.

Too me it looks like more of a wash; both are considered great outfielders with incredible arms, the edge may go to Francoeur in the field but at the plate, as of right now Church has the edge for the past two season. In regards to untapped potential, pre-season rankings in 2005 ( when they both came up on a regular basis) Francoeur was the Braves #4 prospect while Church was the Nats #5 ( of course the Braves farm was much stronger and Fenchy was much younger).

Overall, I like this trade for trades sake, the team needed a shake up, Francoeur didn't cost a top prospect and could become a player for the future, as well as the present. Nice Job Omar, hopefully as you hinted in the press conference there's more to come...

Good Luck Ryan Church, you played your heart out for us and I won't forget how hard you tried after the concussions...

State of the rotation at mid-season...

2009-07-10T10:28:00.003-04:00

After last night's loss, Jerry Manuel stated that over the All-Star break the team would re-examine the starting rotation.
"I'll say this: Over the break, we'll decide what the rotation is going to be," Manuel said after the Mets lost their fifth in six games Thursday night. "We haven't decided that yet, and we'll just have to take a good look at it and see which direction we're going to go. We're not saying somebody's in and somebody's out, I'm just saying we're going to take a look at it." source NJ.com

So let's take a look at how the rotation has done in the first half:

Johan Santana, a traditionally slow starter had an incredible beginning to the season, in his first 10 starts he went 7-2 with a 1.76 ERA. He then had the worst month of his career, going 2-4 with a 6.19 ERA. His first appearance in July was a loss, but a solid start going seven innings, allowing two runs. Maybe it was a bad stretch, but it has lead to speculation that he's injured or frustrated with the team.

The best way to describe Mike Pelfrey is inconsistent, in 16 starts he is 6-4 with a 4.52 ERA. His first three starts of the year he went 2-0 with a 6.32 ERA, he then rebounded in May with a 2.93 ERA ( 2-1 record), in June his ERA once again rose to 6.39 ( 1-2 record) and this month in two starts he has a 3.38 ERA. Each start Pelf. has a stretch where he's dominant and each start he seems to have an Olliesque moment. Lets not forget that Pelfrey is a Verducci candidate but the Mets can't afford to give him a break, not only are his innings increasing but his stress load hasn't decreased Pelfrey is allowing more then a hit per inning ( 91 innings/105 hits).

Prior to missing two months with a knee injury, Oliver Perez went 1-2 in five starts with a 12.37 ERA. He has made one start since returning and while it was a win, he also walked seven.

There's no time frame for John Maine's return, Maine hasn't pitched since early June and after attempting to rehab, he has been such down indefinitely. Prior to going down, Maine went 5-4 ( 11 starts) with a 4.52 ERA.

While Pelfrey has been inconsistent, Livan Hernandez has been consistent. Livan has done the exact same thing two years in a row, basically he has about 10-13 very good starts in him before he breaks down. Livan is 5-5 with a 5.10 ERA in 17 starts and after getting shelled in two straight games it appears that he could be on his way out.

Tim Redding was given a shot at the rotation and after mixed resulted was placed in the pen. In nine starts he went 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA, only three of his starts would be considered quality. Since joining the pen, he has had two appearances, the first was solid but last night he was hit hard.

Fernando Nieve was a pleasant surprise, starting five games with a 3-2 record and a 2.73 ERA. But just like most pleasant surprises he has come back to earth, his last two starts he was pulled early while getting hit pretty hard.

So what are the teams options:

Jon Niese has been solid in AAA, He's pitched six quality starts in a row with a record of 4-1 and a 1.12 ERA, as well as being named player of the week. Niese is also their most valued trade chip that isn't considered untouchable, if he's brought up and gets pommelled he immediately loses value.

Then there's always Nelson Figueroa, Figgy made one start early this year in which he allowed three runs over six innings. In Buffalo, Figgy made 14 starts with a record of 5-4 and an ERA of 2.40. He was the only Bison named to the international league All-Star team.

Some stark numbers on the state of the Mets...

2009-07-09T22:26:00.006-04:00

Baseball is a game of numbers, in no other sport are the numbers so preciously kept., but in any business the bottom line is results and in both categories, here are some very stark numbers...

2004- .438 Omar took over at the end of the season -4th place

2005- .512 -3rd place

2006- .599 -1st place

2007- .543 -2nd place

2008- .549 -2nd place

2009- .482 -4th place

Now a little comparison to the one of the most hated GM's in recent Mets history, Steve Phillips is more remembered for dismantling the team and making bad trades/signings between 2000-2003. Phillips had six seasons and the first two months of his seventh, while Omar is starting his fifth season.

Phillips first five years 1997-2001 his winning percentage was .553, in Omar's first five years ( not including 2004 since there were only three games left but using .482 from this year at the halfway point) his winning percentage is .537 ( of course, he still has a chance to improve that depending on the clubs second half).

Overall, Phillips had a winning pct. of .538 compared to Minaya who has a .537. I did not include 2003 where Phillips was fired in June 12th ( team started 29-35) with a winning percentage of .410 in last place, because there was plenty of time to turn the season around and he did not make the now infamous trades or have an impact on the end of the season. But if your compelled to included the 2003 .410 winning percentage, since he built the team in the off-season then his winning pct. .520.

Overall, Phillips' GMed teams finished in second place three times ( never first ) and went to the playoffs twice including the 2000 World series. Omar's teams have a first place, two second places and one playoff appearance.

The numbers speak for themselves, no ( in my book); Omar doesn't get a pass for this year due to injuries, had he approached the off-season differently this mess would not be as bad as it is now and as most know, I feel something could have been done earlier this season trade wise ( I'm actually starting to think it might be too late as it looks like everything has unraveled).

I know this, I gave my tickets to Saturday's game to a friend, who hasn't been to the new stadium and I'll watch on TV. As much money as you end up dropping in the stadium, I'm going to have a hard time attending these games, if this is the quality of product they put on the field. I have six games left on my package and I'm honestly not sure how many games I'll make for a fourth place team. I don't think that makes me any less of a fan, I'll still watch every inning, of every game but instead of going to the game and blowing additional money in the stadium, I'll stay home, watch it on TV and spend that money elsewhere. I'm not alone in this, as I talked about in an earlier post, the game I attended on Tues. only a 1/3 of my section was full and many seats I know had ticket holders on packages in them, had new faces.

I'll also tell them this, before I re-up my package for next year they're going to have to prove there doing a better job of building this team and I mean the entire 25 man roster, not one splashy front end free agent...

Roster Move: Fernando Martinez DL- Argenis Reyes activated

2009-07-09T18:18:00.002-04:00

The Mets have placed Fernando Martinez on the disabled list. Martinez hasn't played since a pinch hitting assignment on July 3rd., prior to that he was hitting .176 and clearly looked in over his head. One thing the Mets really need to monitor is the growing list of injuries, this kid hasn't played a full season yet and as much of a can't miss prospect as we've been told he is, he's bordering on becoming labeled an injury risk ( let's just rem. though, the same could have been said of Reyes early on).

The Mets recalled Argenis Reyes, the .064 batter with average range really doesn't make sense but it probably has more to do with the team retooling over the All-Star break, then it does Reyes having anything to contribute.

More good injury news; J.J. Putz

2009-07-09T14:57:00.002-04:00

According to Metsblog J.J. Putz is ahead of schedule, a pen of K-Rod, Putz, Wags, Feliciano, Green, Redding/Nieve and Parnell would be an incredible pen down the stretch, if we're still in it.

It appears that he is hoping to play catch after the All-Star break and is about week ahead of schedule.

It sounds like he's chomping at the bit to return...

Putz described being on the disabled list, unable to help the team as ‘miserable,’ and ‘frustrating.’ source Metsblog

Carlos Delgado ahead of schedule...

2009-07-09T12:10:00.002-04:00

A very encouraging site was seen prior to last night's game, Carlos Delgado was on the field taking infield practice. According to reports, Delgado is ahead of schedule and could be back as soon as August 1st. As I've stated before, A-Rod struggled for about a month after returning but during that time he did provide protection in the line-up...

"Very, very encouraging. That's a part of the progression. He's right on schedule, if not ahead of schedule," Manuel said before the Mets' 5-4 victory over the Dodgers. "I'm not certain of mid-August. I'm thinking as long as there are no setbacks, and we're progressing, I'm thinking better than that." source NY Post

Update: Do the Mets owe Beltran & the rest of the core more...

2009-07-09T10:08:00.005-04:00

Since 2007, each year the Mets have needed a player in-season and each year they fail to make a deal. Usually the mantra is that no trade made sense and that it was a sellers market. For us bolder fans it's been frustrating, after all I thought Omar was a gunslinger GM, but for many they praise the stability and are constantly bantering about not mortgaging the future.

But for the last three years, Omar hasn't mortgaged the future and still the future hasn't contributed to the present. As a non-farm follower, I know I'm constantly asking where are these players I don't want to mortgage and why are they so low in the farm system. I also rem. how much the Mets have always over valued and over hyped their prospects, most of which have turned out to be busts.

Since Omar took over Mike Pelfrey is the only drafted player who is a full time regular. I still consider the jury out on Dan Murphy, Nick Evans, Bobby Parnell and Fernando Martinez because if there weren't injuries probably all but Parnell would be in AAA, but even he's sporting a 4.64 ERA.

My issue with Omar is two-fold, the biggest is that he seems to be a horrible in-season strategist and secondly he fails to fully develop the roster beyond the center pieces. Omar has done a brilliant job in the off-season making trades but for those who say his prospects are at the lower levels because he's made so many trades, it isn't true. In all the moves Omar has made, only two prospects have become regulars and neither are All-star caliber, Carlos Gomez is hitting .250 or less and Brian Bannister is a 500 starter ( Heath Bell wasn't a prospect at the time of his deal).

With each year that passes, in which we don't mortgage the future and don't win, I think more of the core of the team. At what point, are we sacrificing the team for the future, a future, that may never come. A core group of players has a window and at some point that window closes.

I'm sure at some point during contract negotiations or trade discussions, Omar has promised the player, that he's coming to a contender with an aggressive GM who will address deficiencies to win...

I feel the worst for Carlos Beltran, the center fielder has played his heart out as a Met and has nothing to show for it. Beltran has to live with looking at strike three because he's never been given a chance at redemption. Beltran is already 33 y/o with bad knees and played hurt, I wonder how he feels about waiting for next year. He has been an All-Star 4 of 5 years, 2X silver slugger and 3X gold glover.

David Wright and Jose Reyes are still young in baseball terms but they're already 4 -5 years into their careers respectively and both have plateaued. How about surrounding them with some players who will not only help them win but also progress their baseball maturation.

You know in the Johan Santana negotiations, Omar promised Santana wouldn't be coming to a Twins type organization that only built to be a contender and not a winner. Well two years in and the Twins have had about the same record/standing as the Mets.

Frankie was probably given the same speech and while the Angels are almost a lock for the playoffs, the Mets are currently in fourth place.

This is probably the last steady team Carlos Delgado will have, after this it's one year contract time. Delgado has played hurt his entire Mets career and resurrected his Hall of Fame candidacy by carrying the team last year, I'm sure Delgado is hoping for a swan song and not a quiet exit stage left.

For more on this topic: Eric from Real Dirty Mets Blog has posted his thoughts on the subject...

I'm sick of excuses make a trade

2009-07-08T13:31:00.003-04:00

On June 4th, 2009 for Cardinals fans, Manager Tony LaRusa stated the obvious by publicly stating that his team needed a bat...

"The No. 1 thing we can get is a guy to hit behind Albert [Pujols]," La Russa said. "That's the No. 1 thing."

Later in that same article LaRusa could be discussing our current roster and not his own...

"You don't want to disrespect the guys that are hitting around him now," La Russa said. "All I've said is that 500 or 1,000 at-bats from now, any of these guys could be that guy. They're building a career, and they've got some experience. But what you try to do is have guys not be unfairly pressured, and that's the position we're putting guys into. But they tried to make the Matt Holliday deal during the winter.

"If that guy over there is unreasonable, [then you can't do it]. ... Trying is very important. Doing something stupid is very low on the priority list. I don't want us to do something stupid." source MLB.com
To the Cardinals credit for a mid-market team that often struggles financially ( according to reports) the Cards have been one of the more aggressive teams both during the off-season and in-season with roster moves. The front office responded to LaRusa's requests by acquiring Mark DeRosa. Now many will look to DeRosa landing on the DL as a bust, but anyone can get injured ( as we all know) and look at the response to the trade initially...

"There are times when you have to react to situations that are now," Mozeliak said about an hour before the Cardinals took the field for a 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. "There are other times when you can have vision and look to long-term planning. One of the things that I get beat up a lot for, and the organization does, is that we fail to make shorter-term decisions. From where I stand it’s a great message to our fans and to our major league players that we do care about today and we are focused on winning." source STLtoday.com

The NY Post has a quote of Omar in reference to trades that could be a quote in June or July in any of the last three years if you removed the short stop portion of the quote. Quite frankly, I'm tired of the rhetoric, each year the team has entered the season with a glaring hole and each year we've been told come the trade deadline we'll make a move and then the deadline comes and we get something like the Post quote...

"There's not a trade out there that's better than when we get our guys back. I'm not going to get a shortstop better than Jose Reyes," Minaya said. source NY Post

The only trades Omar has made in-season have been a result of injury, 2006 Nady was dealt due to the Sanchez injury and in 2007 they dealt for Castillo when both Valentin and Easley were down.

But in 2007 the real hole was the rotation, only two starters made 30 or more starts Maine and Glavine. Most starters only went five innings which taxed the bullpen and put undue pressure on the offense, the result was the 2007 collapse.

In 2008 the team was in desperate need of relievers, once again Omar and Co. couldn't find the right deal. Once again we fell one game shy of the playoffs with 30 blown saves.

Now it's 2009 and the team has needed a bat since early June and once again either no one is trading or nothing makes sense.

Since 2007, quite an impressive laundry list of players have been traded in-season and the Mets have not taken part in any of these deals, aside from waiver wire pick-ups. Each year we hear how hard Omar is working the phones and gives us that patent you know me if there's a deal to be made I'll make it. But we don't know Omar because instead of making any trades each year we get comments that no one is trading or none make sense.

As frugal as Omar has been in regards to in-season trades it leads me to believe one of two things, Omar is over valuing his prospects or he has been so shrewd in trades that GMs are holding him ransom when they can, in-season.

I believe Jerry Manuel was attempting to pull a LaRussa by pressuring the team into making a trade. Initially I thought his change of stance was because the team was beating itself in games they could have won but the more I see, the more I believe Manuel was basically told to shut up. Each time the team loses a game due to a lackluster offense, he looks defeated and slips in the comment "this is how were built right now".

I admit it, I don't want to give up on a season and I don't think this team will survive until the injured return, so I'm in the group that wants a trade. No, I don't want to mortgage the future but I do want them to make a move, even if it's a marginal role player for some lower minor league players. Yes, just do something, give the team and the fan base a little buzz. It might not work, but at least we go down fighting and not surrendering to the inevitable.

You want an example; Hinske and Freel there's two serviceable bench players, one from each side of the plate who went for players who will probably never make the majors and they may provide more then Murphy, A. Reyes and Martinez could. The word is may but I'd rather risk and say I tried, then to never have risked and known the outcome...

Nobody has so perfectly expressed my feelings, whether their right or wrong their mine as Mike Vaccaro of the NY Post did today in his daily whacks...

And that, as much as anything, is what Mets fans must find distasteful, if not disgraceful. I think the denizens at Citi would be more willing to accept the bad luck that has befallen their team if it appeared the Mets cared enough to DO something. But so far, they have done nothing. They have elevated Nick Evans and Fernando Martinez and whatever other bright lights stand out from their woeful farm system. They have yet to add one piece from the outside. At this point, nobody is even clamoring for a Holliday or a Halladay. Just a holiday from the inertness and the ineptness, and some kind of fresh blood into the mix.

And that is where the Wilpons have to channel whatever inner Steinbrenner they may have. They must make a statement, through their general manager, that they are in it this season for more than counting the gate receipts at Citi, for more than welcoming -- and in the process alienating -- the people who have already bought tickets for 2009, who will make the Mets' bottom line look respectable even if they simply choose not to use their tickets this year and turn the place empty in August and September. source NY Post

No help soon; Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran & John Maine

2009-07-08T13:17:00.003-04:00

For those who don't want to make a trade but still are holding out hope for the season, because of the possible return of the injured.

Well there is no time frame for most of the injured to return, so holding out for them really seems like a false sense of hope.

In my opinion it's either make a trade and hope it helps ( which it may not) or call it a year, from what I've seen over the last two weeks this roster can't hold on indefinitely and reinforcements are no where near returning.

"If guys aren't playing, they have to play a couple of games before they come back . . . strengthen the legs, take some at-bats. What time frame that is, I just don't know," said GM Omar Minaya. "I'd like to think (Beltran and Reyes) are closer than Carlos Delgado is. When that is, I don't know that. source NY Post

Carlos Delgado progressing...

2009-07-08T12:48:00.002-04:00

I've been tempering my hope for Carlos Delgado's return because of what I've seen from Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod is younger and much more athletic and it took him a month a playing before he got his swing back.

If Delgado gets back by August 1st and A-Rod is the model case, then we won't see an effective Delgado until Sept.

Still it does give hope that he's hitting, even if it's off a tee, the fact that he's progressing is good news...

"I feel good," Delgado said. "Everything I’m supposed to do I can do without any problems." source NJ.com

Argenis Reyes sent down to make room for Ollie

2009-07-08T11:58:00.003-04:00

Each time I saw Argenis Reyes playing, whether it was as a starter or pinch hitting, I was torn between two thoughts.

As Matt at Metsblog has pointed out, each time Jerry says "right now this is how we are built" it's a shot at Omar for not doing something. I also think that using Reyes has been a statement to Omar, especially in the positions he has used him, as the lead off hitter and with bases loaded as a pinch hitter.

If Jerry gets fired at the end of the season, it will be due to conflicts with Omar, specifically not towing the company line and not what happens on the field.

But my second thought, has been that this is all Manuel has to work with on the bench. At times, to give guys rest or because of pitching match-ups, Manuel has had to use the .098 hitting Reyes.

Metsblog reported last night that Reyes had been sent down to make room for tonight's starter, Oliver Perez...

A few observations from last night...

2009-07-08T10:34:00.003-04:00

As most of you know, who follow this blog I have a 15 pack, in the nose bleed section of the stadium ( 500 level). In regards to the stadium and my seats, I've said it plenty, the place is great and my seats are well worth the cost, even though I can't see the left fielder in the corner.

To start the season my section was almost full of other die hard Mets fans, who were also there on the same 15 packs. We talked the entire game away, about everything Mets while cheering the team on. Whether it was the Padres or the Phillies, the section was full and loud. In fact, when Kieth and Gary were saying the place was quiet ( early on) they must not have been hearing the upper deck.

The section immediately to our right, seems the tickets are brokered to the opposing teams fans and we've had quite the raucous banter with that section, especially with the Phillies fans.

But each week the crowd around me has gotten smaller, with different faces and is much quieter. Last night about 1/3 of my section was full, some of the seats had new faces in them and even from the start of the game those Die hard fans around me were disgruntled. That section next to us that must go to a broker, seemed to have more Dodgers fans then there were people in Mets garb in our section.

By the 7th inning last night most of the section was empty, even with everything there was to do, at the beginning of the season my section didn't move till the last out, now those who are showing up are either leaving or exploring.

As we talked last night, at least with the die-hards around me, there was a consensus. This team as it's built right now isn't even competitive and while one trade may not help, we at least want to go down trying and not give up. I don't know how many times ( including out of my mouth) I heard, Omar needs to do something, Omar clearly is taking the brunt of the ire, the injuries aren't getting him a pass for not doing something. I know it's easy to say do something, but that is the consensus of those I talked to in my section and of course the Mclouth, Morgan and Hairston trades came up...

Have we become spoiled, by expecting to win, I don't think so. First of all, we've been sold a bill of goods, whether it was competitive baseball in September or a dynasty like Atlanta, the organization has set the bar at the level where winning is the expectation. But additionally the expense of attending a game isn't equating the product on the field, look small market teams conduct small market promo's, dollar dog night and five dollar seats. Including the tickets, to walk in the stadium it costs me conservatively $150 plus my train fare, no way your paying that in Florida or Kansas City ( Tickets & Food would be much cheaper ).

Now I have no problem spending that, the tickets come out of my taxes and the money dropped in the stadium is written off to quality time with my son, but the product I watched on the field last night, does have me disgruntled...

Could Jon Niese get promoted...

2009-07-06T21:38:00.002-04:00

David Lennon of Newsday speculates that the Mets could promote Jon Niese to give the team a boost.

Niese has had quite a strong week which culminated with him being awarded Independent League Player of the week. But it's not just been this week, Niese has made six quality starts in a row and hasn't lost a game since June 7th. During that time he has allowed 30 hits, 5 runs, 10 walks while striking out 39 in 43.1 innings of work over six games.

Help also could be on the way in the form of Jon Niese, who Monday was named International League pitcher of the week for a 1-0 record and 1.06 ERA in two starts for the Bisons. Niese, who allowed 10 hits and struck out 14 in 17 innings, has rebounded to go 4-1 in his last six starts with a 1.04 ERA. source Newsday

Pagan rehabbing, nearing return...

2009-07-06T21:26:00.002-04:00

Angel Pagan has been sidelined with a groin strain since May 31st, it's been reported that Pagan is inching to return, but the training staff has been precocious with his progress. Pagan will finally appear in a rehab game on Monday night and could be back within a week.

Pagan has proven himself to be a serviceable backup center fielder with a little more offense and speed then Jeremy Reed, with him returning, Church can move back to right field and the the team can demote Fernando Martinez who is clearly in over his head.

Mets outfielder Angel Pagan will take a step closer toward returning from the disabled list when he begins a rehab stint with Class A St. Lucie on Monday night. Pagan, who is recovering from a right groin strain, was not on the Mets' Opening Day roster. But with Carlos Beltran on the DL and Fernando Martinez out with a right knee injury, the Mets will benefit from his return. source NJ.com

One bat will make a difference

2009-07-05T21:24:00.002-04:00

I seem to be going against the trend here, but as I see it, one more bat will make a difference for this team. I'm not in a panic over being swept by the Phillies, in fact I've been saying for almost a month that this would happen if Omar didn't act swiftly to acquire an offense player.

In my opinion, there were too many injuries for this team to "survive" or "tread water" until the injured return. They would rely on players not ready for the majors, role players would be exposed and the few regulars left would press. While they played well initially, I warned against that false sense of security and implored them to get somebody early.

Atlanta made a smart move on June 6th when they traded for Mclouth, not only did they buy when it was a buyers market but they also did so before they appeared desperate. Two weeks later, it was to late, the leaders came back to the field and the Mets had two more injuries. Suddenly the message went from we're going to be patient we have enough, to the cost is too high.

Who knows, maybe I'm just in denial; if I feel that the Mets don't have enough to make it until the injured returned and in reality one player isn't enough, then maybe I just can't bring myself to write off a season this early and I'm willing to make a bad trade in a false sense of hope. But the way I'm looking at the numbers, I believe one more hitter would help, no; not to race into the playoffs but to at least tread water.

Without a trade I said by the All-Star break this team would be trailing by 10 games, it looks more like 5-7 games but that's thanks to the Phils, not us playing better then I expected. By the deadline, without a trade the season could be over regardless of who returns.

And lets remember this, there is no time frame for the return of Beltran, Reyes and Maine. Delgado is due back in August but a younger and more athletic A-Rod took a month before he was playing well.

The Mets lost Carlos Delgado on May 10th, from the time he went down till the time Jose Reyes went down on May 20th, the team went 5-6 and 5 of those loses were by 3 or less runs.

Jose Reyes went down on May 20th and from then until Carlos Beltran went down on June 21st, the team went 13-15 with 9 of the losses by 3 or less runs.

Since Beltran went down on June 21st, the team has gone 5-9 with 5 of those losses by 3 or less runs.

Overall since the injury bug hit on May 10th the team's record in 23-30. As could be expected with each loss the team has had a worse winning percentage but what hasn't changed is the fact that this team continues to lose games by close margins, 17 of the 30 losses were by 3 or less runs.

It appears that the final blow was Carlos Beltran, prior to losing him the Mets were doing exactly what they were attempting to do "tread water". In fact, had Beltran been healthy and they acquired a bat when I felt they should have, they may have had a lead in the division to fall back on with the Phils playing so bad.

If the Mets weren't "surviving" with Delgado and Reyes gone or they weren't in enough close games, I would agree one bat is a waste of time, but they have gotten absolutely nothing from five of the replacement players and still were in 17 games.

Sheffield has basically replaced Delgado's numbers, in May he hit .348, Slg .591 and OBP .482: June .286 /.506/ .345 overall 9 HRs and 26 RBIs. Cora has done decent in place of Reyes hitting .400/.533/.500 in May and .209/.253/.314 in June. Even Reed as that fourth outfielder has solid numbers; May .275/.300/.310 and June .296/.370/.321. ( all my numbers are BA/Slg./OBP).

But in addition to Beltran being such a great, clutch player what the Mets are lacking is any production from the rest of the team, these players aren't contributing anything and with losing so many close games, if they were, we would be in that treading water position, instead of sinking.

Tatis: May .227/.318/.288 - June .233/.317/.288 - 2 HR / 14 RBI
Murphy: May .176/.353/.278 - June .240/ .320/ .298 -4 HR / 19 RBI
FMart: May .188/.313./235 - June .186/.286/ .260 - 1 HR / 8 RBI
Evans: June .333 / .667 / .333 - 1 HR / 6 RBI
A. Reyes: June .083/.083/ .083 - O HR/ O RBI

Here are three examples, these are not meant to be specific, just using three most commonly rumored names. Now I agree that these players aren't the answers to all our troubles, but since Beltran went down were not treading water and with us losing so many close games, and getting essentially no production from the above five, then I believe one bat would help us survive until the injured return. Look at the difference in the averages, RBIs and HRs, now think in terms of three runs and I just don't see how one more bat doesn't help...

Huff: May .264/.500/.333 - June .291/.395/.351 - 7 HR /33 RBI
Johnson: May .327/.455/.453- June .222/.344/.340 - 3 HR / 28 RBI
Dunn: May .243/.551/.349 - June .241/.437/.389 - 14 HR / 41 RBI

Lets not forget the psychological, intangibles a trade brings to a team, it energizes the clubhouse and the fan base, suddenly there's an instant buzz around the team that usually gives them a week or two boost ( which hopefully when at least one of Reyes/Beltran will return).

Mets- Worst defensive team in the league...

2009-07-05T13:32:00.002-04:00

When you watch a Mets game, your waiting for the defense to unravel, this is the worst defensive team I have ever watched and I've seen some bad Mets teams. It's more unusual for this team to play a clean game then it is for them to have a multiple error inning.

I've tried to figure it out and can't, lately, I want to say it's a combination of players out of position, players who don't belong in the majors and the regulars trying to make up for the first two.

But let's face it, this team has been playing sloppy all year, I was at a game in May that was tied in the seventh ( 1-1) where in one inning Reyes booted a double play ball and Wright threw a slow grounder away which lead to the winning runs ( 3-1). Delgado dropped a pop-up against Atlanta and Beltran while great in the field failed to slide twice in a week.

It's easy to blame Jerry Manuel, he's the manager and should be emphasizing defense while punishing players for their sloppy play. Or as I've done, blame Omar for not bringing in better alternatives. But these are mistakes that shouldn't be happening on this regular a basis to single A players, let alone major leaguers or AAA players.

At times it's embarrassing to watch them and there anointed leader Alex Cora said it best....

“You can’t give a big-league team more than 27 outs,” Cora said. We’ve been doing a pretty consistent job of that the last few weeks, and they make you pay, man. You keep giving extra outs and that means more at-bats for the big guys in the lineup. … You’ve got to play good defense. Look at the teams that are leading the divisions. They catch the ball. Right now, I think, we’re the worst defensive team in the league. It doesn’t matter who you’ve got or who you don’t have. That’s something that can’t go into slumps. source Daily News