Sure, I didn’t want Willie Randolph to go. But I’m already loving Jerry Manuel. Here’s what Jerry said about Jose Reyes today:
“I told him next time he does that I’m going to get my blade out and cut him. I’m a gangster. You go gangster on me, I’m going to have to get you. You do that again, I’m going to cut you right on the field.”
He also refers to his players as “Gangstas on the field, ladies on the bus.” This guy is basically the man.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Jerry Manuel, Jose Reyes, Mets, Willie Randolph
It appears that the Mariners are about to release 1B Richie Sexson, who is hitting .220, .294, .380 with 9 HR and 23 RBI this season. Sexson is certainly having a down year; he is a career .261 hitter who hit 45 home runs in 2003. So it’s pretty clear that Sexson, at age 33, is past his prime.
And that’s why I propose that the Mets sign Sexson, should he become available. Here’s the reason behind my madness. Sexson, this year, is hitting .349, .417, .581 with 3 HR and 6 RBI against left handed pitchers in 43 at-bats this season. Carlos Delgado, in 83 at-bats against southpaws this year, is hitting .229, .273, .398 with 3 HR and 10 RBI. Delgado’s lack of production has been one of the most important failures for this year’s Mets team, and there have been plenty of calls for a platoon at first base. Sexson appears to be the ideal player to split time with Delgado, and would also provide a power threat off of the bench, something that has been sorely lacking.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Mets, Carlos Delgado, Mariners, Richie Sexson
It’s been quite the day for the New York Mets. I can’t remember the last time there was so much embarrassment associated with the Mets, oh wait, yes I can, it was after the historic collapse last season. Since that fateful day, the Mets have continued to significantly under perform, so much so that it warranted, according to many, the dismissal of manager Willie Randolph. One thing is for sure; the Willie Randolph era has ended and the Jerry Manuel era has begun. Will this transition spark a change in the team’s play? We’ll have to wait and see.
For the Mets front office, this was not a good day. Since the news broke just after 3 AM Eastern time, the Mets have been crucified by the media, both in New York and across the nation. The consensus is that the Wilpons and Omar Minaya screwed up big time, although writers differ on who to place blame. Matt Cerone of MetsBlog, whose opinion I respect a lot, argues that the harsh media reaction was not justified. Matt and I were both on the “Keep Willie” side of the divide, for the record.
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Mets, Omar Minaya, Willie Randolph
I went to sleep content with a nice road win in Los Angeles of Anaheim or whatever. I woke up to the news that Willie Randolph, Tom Nieto, and Rick Peterson had been fired after the game. I had just completed my “Save Willie” post before going to bed, and had no idea that it would be so obsolete so soon. Why in the world would Omar Minaya fly those three coaches across the country only to tell them that they were out of a job after a win?!?!? Just like Omar’s roster moves, this is unprofessional and offensive.
I spent last night writing why Willie Randolph should have been saved. For those reasons and now for this mess, I am livid at this team. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve given up on the year. Maybe the Mets management should have taken a cue from the Mariners, who yesterday dismissed GM Bill Bavasi, correctly placing the blame on the management, not the manager, for the team’s poor record.
Jerry Manuel, who will replace Willie as Interim Manager, is a likeable guy, but his demeanor is no different from Randolph’s passive composure. We’re not exactly getting the second coming of Lou Pinella here. The Mets better find an acceptable replacement for Willie soon, or a lot more people are going to be out of a job.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Bill Bavasi, Jerry Manuel, Lou Pinella, Mets, Omar Minaya, Rick Peterson, Tom Nieto, Willie Randolph
Everyone is throwing their two cents in on the Willie Randolph controversy, so I guess I should add my perspective. I’ve avoided comment on Willie’s situation for some time now because, in reality, there is no easy answer here. Fire Willie, and, yes, the demons of last year might be exorcised. But on the flip side, a mid-year managerial shakeup could drive the team apart. Of course, it has been extensively reported that the Mets clubhouse is divisive as it is, so maybe this wouldn’t hurt as much as it could.
If I have to pick a side, and I feel like I do, I’m more on the “Keep Willie” side. It’s not that I have complete confidence in the manager. I agree with Willie’s critics that he doesn’t motivate the team enough. I’ve commented on his poor managerial decisions in the past. But, ultimately, the responsibility for this year’s mediocre play, in my view (and I know a lot of people will disagree with me here) belongs to Omar Minaya, not Willie.
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Mets, Mike Jacobs, Moises Alou, Ryan Church, Marlon Anderson, NL East, Willie Randolph, Endy Chavez, Heath Bell, Jeff Keppinger, Fernando Tatis, Pedro Martinez, Omar Minaya, Nick Evans, Trot Nixon, Brian Bannister, Orlando Hernandez, Chris Aguila
The Mets yesterday acquired OF Trot Nixon from the Diamondbacks organization. Nixon, of course, is a former teammate of Pedro Martinez; the two played together on the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox team. Nixon was playing in Triple-A ball for Arizona and now immediately joins the Mets, where he started in left field in the first game of today’s doubleheader, going 2-3 with 2 walks and scoring a run.
Many Mets fans might question the move. Why trade for a guy who’s past his prime, someone with no upside. The reality is that Nixon has the potential to be a huge upgrade from what the Mets have had in left field this year, which is a group of players including Fernando Tatis, Endy Chavez, and Marlon Anderson, who aren’t hitting a lick. Nixon is a guy who can fire up a clubhouse and who knows how to win. Sure, he might appear to be in decline, hitting just .251 with Cleveland last year, but he was tearing it up for Triple-A Tucson, hitting .318, .449, .578 with 10 HR and 31 RBI. Compare that to Tatis (.250, .292, .333, 1 HR, 10 RBI), Chavez (.218, .271, .277, 1 HR, 4 RBI), and Anderson (.169, .194, .246, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and it’s easy to see why this move was necessary.
Hopefully, this will be a quick fix. With any luck, Ryan Church will be back soon, allowing for greater flexibility in the outfield alignment. But with Moises Alou on the seemingly perminant DL and Angel Pagan nowhere to be found, Nixon could see a good amount of time in left field this season for the Mets. It’s certainly not the ideal scenario, but give credit to Omar Minaya for addressing a major need.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Mets, Moises Alou, Ryan Church, Marlon Anderson, Angel Pagan, Endy Chavez, Fernando Tatis, Pedro Martinez, Omar Minaya, Trot Nixon
I’ll be at the House that Mediocrity Built tonight to see the Mets take on Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers. I’m expecting a terrible game, as Oliver Perez and his lack of command take on Hamilton, Michael Young, David Murphy, Milton Bradley, and a whole lot of other guys who are hitting the cover off the of the ball, believe it or not. I’ll be the guy in the David Wright pinstripe jersey shaking his head for eight and two-thirds of the game (gotta beat traffic!) and yelling obscenities at Oliver Perez, Rick Peterson, Willie Randolph, Carlos Delgado, you get the idea.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Mets, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, David Murphy, Oliver Perez, Rick Peterson, Willie Randolph, Rangers, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Milton Bradley
Not that it matters so much now that Billy Wagner blew his third consecutive save, this one of the starting the ninth inning variety, but I still researched the split I referenced in yesterday’s rant post criticizing Willie Randolph’s decision to have Mike Pelfrey start the ninth inning.
Wagner with no men on base in 2008: 60 PA, .158 BA, .446 OPS, 9 H, 3BB, 18 SO
Wagner with men on base in 2008: 43 PA, .244 BA, .670 OPS, 10 H, 1 BB, 13 SO
These numbers don’t include the blown save yesterday, by the way. So there you have it, the statistical basis for why Willie almost blew it in Wednesday’s game, only to be saved by Carlos Beltran’s bat.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Carlos Beltran, Mets, Mike Pelfrey, Willie Randolph
What a game last night, as Mike Pelfrey (8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) outdualed Arizona ace Brandon Webb, in a 13-inning thriller that should have ended calmly in the ninth. Instead, due to what I believe was a poor decision by Willie Randolph, Billy Wagner gave up a three-run home run to Mark Reynolds that tied the game. In my view, Pelfrey should have been pinch-hit for in the bottom of the eighth, which would have let Wagner come on in the ninth with the bases clear. I’m not sure what Billy’s percentage of blown saves is with baserunners already aboard when he enters the game, but I’m sure when I look it up later I’ll find that it’s much higher than without baserunners aboard.
Pelfrey was through 110 pitches (a career high) in the 8th. He led off the bottom of that inning. Now, obviously, there are two conflicting schools of thought here. One would let the starter bat so that he could finish off his gem of a game, and go for the complete-game shutout. The other would play it safe for the team, and pinch-hit for the pitcher, trying to stimulate a rally and buy more insurance runs, letting the elite closer finish out the game, giving the starter what should be an automatic win.
It’s incredible how two fans can disagree about such a thing. MetsBlog’s Matt Cerone takes the first approach, even going so far as to say that Willie shouldn’t have pulled Pelfrey after he allowed a baserunner in the top of the ninth with no outs. I completely disagree, and think that it was a terrible idea for Willie to let Pelfrey bat in the eighth. Sure, I understand that it’s great to go for the complete game shutout for Pelfrey, a guy who’s arm is integral to the team’s future success. But Pelfrey is only one of twenty-five, and, in this situation, you have to play it safe. Sure, it’s Wagner who ultimately allowed the home run, but that lead baserunner would never have been aboard if Pelfrey hadn’t started the ninth inning.
The good news is that Carlos Beltran bailed everybody out, walking off with a long ball to end the game in the 13th. The bad news is that the Mets take the field this afternoon, with very little rest for an already banged-up team.
By the way, I now agree that Mike Pelfrey belongs on this team. He’s shown flashes in the past, but this year, despite a few roadblocks, his flashes have been closer and closer together. I think he’s finally turning the corner. Good for you, Big Pelf.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Carlos Beltran, Mark Reynolds, Mets, Mike Pelfrey, Willie Randolph
The power of the internet never ceases to amaze me. The ability to communicate with people on the other side of the world or on the other side of the street–simultaneously–is mindblowing, and something we take for granted every day.
A couple days ago, in checking the statistics on this blog–who’s accessing it, from where, and what are they reading–in order to assess our progress on the site, I noticed that more than a few viewers were being directed from a forum on the official site of Tigres de Licey, the most prestigious baseball team in the Dominican Republic. I wouldn’t have known what this was, except for having been to the Dominican twice, a country where it’s impossible to escape baseball. Apparently, in searching for the Jose Reyes Sportscenter commercial (Jose is a Dominican native, and a superstar on the island), the Licey fans stumbled upon NL Beast.
So in the spirit of globalization and promotion of baseball around the world, bienvenidos a Bestia de Liga Nacional, nuestros amigos del Republico Dominicana.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: General · Mets
Tagged: Mets, Jose Reyes, NL Beast, Licey
I’ve always been a cynical sports fan. That’s what happens when you root for the Mets and Jets. But I think I sank to a new low last night when, watching David Wright poke a two-run shot in the second inning, my first reaction was “this isn’t going to be enough.” And after the tornado rain delay in the seventh, the Mets went on to prove me right, as Joe Smith and Duaner Sanchez shit a collective brick to give the game away to the struggling D-Backs. By the way, John Maine needs to figure out a way to get his pitch count down. There’s no excuse for having to turn to the bullpen so early when the team’s elite young pitcher is on the mound.
As a Mets fan, last night’s game was hard to watch. But as a baseball fan, there was something very refreshing that happened in the seventh inning. As Pedro Feliciano took the mound, Shea Stadium became the stage for a revival of the Wizard of Oz, with everything and anything swirling around the field. My experience in the last few years with impending weather at ballgames is that umpires will assume nothing until it becomes impossible to play the game. Everyone knew that the heavens were about to open on Flushing. Everyone expected to get wet. But instead of letting this happen, the umpires decided to stop the game right then and there. It turned out to be a great decision, as the grounds crew (with the help of Scott Schoeneweiss and Billy Wagner) got the tarp out there just in time.
MLB’s handling of rain delays has really bugged me this year. Baseball is so inclined not to postpone or cancel games due to so many factors that players are often put in harm’s way as a result. Recently I saw Odalis Perez leave a soaking wet Washington mound injured after it started pouring at a Nationals Cardinals game. The injury, no doubt, was a result of the conditions on the field. It just isn’t worth the risk.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Cardinals, David Wright, Duaner Sanchez, Joe Smith, John Maine, Mets, Nationals, NL East, Odalis Perez, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoeneweiss
The Mets announced that Ryan Church would head to the 15-day Disabled List yesterday, three weeks after sustaining his second concussion of the year on a nasty collision with Braves’ shortstop Yunel Escobar.
That’s a roster move made three weeks too late. The Mets management have shown time and time again that they have a knack for making the wrong decision at the wrong time–resigning Luis Castillo, trading Scott Kazmir, etc. How obvious should it have been that Church needed to be placed on the DL at the time? It was staring Omar Minaya in the face.
When the Mets left Atlanta for Colorado, Church jetted along with the team, seemingly unaware of the negative effect that the altitude would have on his already woozy state. I’m no doctor, but it’s obvious to me that the last thing someone needs to do after sustaining their second concussion in three months is fly across the country to a place with thin air. And then play baseball of all things? Terrible idea.
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Angel Pagan, Luis Castillo, Marlon Anderson, Mets, Moises Alou, NL East, Omar Minaya, Ryan Church, Scott Kazmir, Willie Randolph, Yunel Escobar
I was as surprised as anyone else this week to hear that Abraham Nuñez would join the Mets in place of Nick Evans, who obviously is not Major League ready. Surprise was my first emotion. Anger quickly supplanted that. Why am I angry? Nuñez has Major League experience (1,029 games worth) and is solid defensively. While his .242 average is hardly fear-inducing, it’s adequate for a defensive replacement.
But the last thing the Mets need right now is another utility infielder for defensive purposes. In case anyone hasn’t noticed, the Mets aren’t hitting, and are missing two of their most productive offensive players in Ryan Church and Moises Alou. With Endy Chavez and Fernando Tatis not hitting and Marlon Anderson and Angel Pagan on the DL, the Mets are in desperate need of an outfielder.
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Abraham Nunez, Angel Pagan, Carlos Delgado, Endy Chavez, Fernando Tatis, Jesus Feliciano, Marlon Anderson, Mets, Moises Alou, Nick Evans, NL East, Omar Minaya, Ryan Church, Valentino Pascucci
And…we’re back. With apologies about the long layoff, we’ve retooled our approach to NL Beast and are looking forward to going forward. With that, here’s the Mets Beast (and least) of the week.
The Mets Beast of the week is…
Carlos Delgado, 1B. I never thought the day would come, but Delgado takes the top honor for the week. Carlos hit .318, .423, .455 for the week. He walked three times and struck out four, which is a huge improvement for him. Not the most impressive numbers, I know. But to say that the Mets have been mediocre of late would be a gigantic understatement.
Runners-Up: Jose Reyes, Duaner Sanchez, Joe Smith
And the Mets least of the week is…
Fernando Tatis, OF. Tatis was a nice surprise when he was thrust into duty for an injured Moises Alou, but he has recently returned to Earth, hitting .105, .150, .158 in 19 at-bats this week. Obviously he is not going to be the kind of replacement player that Mets fans were hoping for in lieu of Alou, Ryan Church, and Angel Pagan.
Runners-Down: Ramon Castro, Endy Chavez, Oliver Perez
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Mets, Carlos Delgado, Joe Smith, Duaner Sanchez, Moises Alou, Jose Reyes, Ryan Church, Oliver Perez, Ramon Castro, NL East, Angel Pagan, Endy Chavez, Fernando Tatis
It’s a different clubhouse when Pedro Martinez is around, and the Mets were buoyed by his presence Tuesday as they defeated the San Francisco Giants 9-6. Pedro went 6 full innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits, walking 3 and striking 3 out. The most encouraging stat: he threw 109 pitches. The team rallied around him, with David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Damion Easley, and Martinez all driving in runs.
The Mets certainly can’t count on Pedro for the entire rest of the season; his tenure in New York has proven that. But as long as Pedro is healthy and pitching well, we’ll take it.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Damion Easley, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Mets, NL East, Pedro Martinez, Ryan Church
According to MLB.com, Pedro Martinez has been activated, replacing Carlos Muniz on the roster. Muniz will head back to Triple-A New Orleans, demoted for the second time this season. Claudio Vargas will shift to long relief, and Mike Pelfrey will remain the team’s fifth starter.
After watching Oliver Perez’s performance last night, it’s clear to me that this team’s greatest weakness is the inconsistency of its starting pitching behind Johan Santana and John Maine. A [hopefully] healthy Martinez should help a lot here. Pelfrey has shown flashes, which is why the team kept him in the rotation, but he needs to step it up to keep his rotation spot.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Carlos Muniz, Claudio Vargas, Johan Santana, John Maine, Mets, Mike Pelfrey, NL East, Oliver Perez, Pedro Martinez
This year’s New York Mets have shown flashes of brilliance, but have quickly slid back into mediocrity. The Mets limped home to Shea Stadium last week having gone 2-5 on the week, including a four-game sweep by the Braves at Turner Field. But they came home and made a statement, winning important series against the Marlins and the Dodgers.
Leading the way for the Mets was good starting pitching, including a great performance by Mike Pelfrey and, of course, an awesome outing by Johan Santana. Backing those efforts on the mound were superb weeks by Mets hitters, led by David Wright. David hit .407, .515, .741 with 2 HR and 6 RBI on the week for an OPS of 1.256. Jose Reyes hit .367, .457, .767 with 3 HR and 4 RBI on the week for an OPS of 1.224. Luis Castillo emerged from mediocrity, hitting .348, .464, .652 with 2 HR and 4 RBI for an OPS of 1.116. And Carlos Beltran woke up, hitting .320, .438, .600 with 2 HR and 5 RBI for an OPS of 1.038.
Of course, there are still problems. Carlos Delgado is still not hitting. The starting rotation is still sketchy behind Santana and John Maine. Any reliever not named Billy Wagner, Scott Schoeneweiss, or Joe Smith terrifies me. But Ryan Church has returned to the lineup, as has the swagger of 2006. The question is, will this Mets team continue to play to its potential and win these important games, or will it go lose a series to a terrible San Francisco team and continue its slide from grace? Will Willie Randolph be redeemed by his club’s performance, or will he become a scapegoat yet again? It’s time for the Mets to step it up and prove that this last week was not a fluke, and that the 12th inning victory against the Marlins was a true turning point, not a rare glimpse of what could have been.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, Joe Smith, Johan Santana, John Maine, Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, Mets, Mike Pelfrey, NL East, Ryan Church, Scott Schoeneweiss, Willie Randolph
Carlos Beltran has been faulted by just about everyone for his utter lack of production this year (.265, .374, .460, 6 HR, 34 RBI). But Beltran has been on a tear this last week, hitting .308, .406, .462 with 3 RBIs and a home run before tonight. And in his first at-bat tonight, Carlos went yard, driving in David Wright. When Beltran gets hot, he gets hot. It’s been a refreshing change at Shea of late as the Mets’ bats have finally woken up thanks in large part to Beltran.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Mets, NL East
Completely worthless to interpret anything from. But the Phils are #2, behind the Cubs. The Marlins are 7, the Braves 10, the Mets18 and the Nats 26.
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · NL East · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Braves, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Phillies, Power Rankings
