NJ.com
by Brian Costa/The Star-Ledger
The education of New York Mets rookie Fernando Martinez
Costa discusses the interaction each night before, during and after the game between Fmart and his teammates. “Several of his teammates usually try to make time to talk to him during the afternoon, sometimes to give him advice, sometimes just to share a laugh and make him feel comfortable. There have been words of admonishment, too, and any Mets fan who watched last Wednesday’s game against the Nationals knows why. But as Martinez moves on from the sin that defined his first week in the majors — failing to run out an infield fly that was dropped — there is far more for him to learn than the value of hustle. “We talk every day,” Tatis said. “If I see something that’s not right during the game, I’ll just tell him, ‘This game is just about to be focused, to be comfortable. As a young guy like you, everybody is going to be on top of you, because we’re just trying to make you comfortable and to be better. That’s the only way that we can be good as a team, and you’re going to be a big part of this team.’ Everybody is just trying to help him.” Fmart seems to have responded well. Since “the incident” he is 4/12 with 2 2B, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB, and only 1 K. My hope is that the Mets stick with him in LF and in the 7th spot and give him the chance to live up to his potential. At this point, I am not sure what Church provides us over Fmart.
New York Post
Bart Hubbuch
SWINE FLU SCARE FOR METS, BELTRAN
Yeah and this was all we needed. “The Mets were on high alert here yesterday after a producer on their SNY broadcast crew was sent back to New York and put in isolation with a possible case of swine flu. The Mets were even more on guard because center fielder Carlos Beltran was missing his third consecutive game with an unspecified stomach ailment.” Now I don’t believe that Beltran has the Swine Flu but if ANY team were to have a member contract the Swine Flu you know it would be the Mets.
Brooklyn Mets Fan
Mets Lose, But Whattya Expect?
Brooklyn Mets Fan takes a rational but depressing look at the current state of the Mets. “Of course all Met fans want to beat the lowly Bucs – especially with Santana on the hill but you can’t be totally shocked we’ve dropped 2 in a row considering the kind of 3rd rate team we’re fielding. There’s no Reyes, no Delgado, no Beltran and no Church thanks to a litany of injuries. If someone told you during spring training the Mets would be playing long stretches without Reyes, Delgado and Perez you’d have to assume we’d be a sub .500 team.” The good news in all of this is that Beltran, Church, Reyes and Cora should all be back soon. Delgado and Perez? Who the hell knows.
Mets Merized Online
Tejesh always does a great job with their minor league report. Stars for yesterday Emil Brown 2/4 batting .313, Lucas Duda 2/4 with a HR batting .299.
166 comments
metsfan4decades
6/3/2009-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
Brooklyn Mets fan always makes me laugh…
Kevin B. said last night before the game that even though Beltran has not recovered from what ever he has (hasn’t been able to keep anything down for 4 days now), they did not think it was the Swine Flu b/c the one symptom he doesn’t have is a fever. And apparently a fever goes along with the Swine Flu?
Anyway…not eating for 4 days. You have to expect, even when he starts to feel better, it’s going to be several days before he gets his strength back. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see him for another week.
You just can’t make this stuff up….
trs86
6/3/2009-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
Then why not DL him?
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
Don’t think they have room on the 25-man DL roster.
trs86
6/3/2009-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
Now that’s funny.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
I think we’ll see him in Washington series.
dirtysanchez
6/3/2009-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
the quesiton is..how much of him..
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
Hopefully he doesn’t shart when he’s batting.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
I think he’ll play, but….
mrbill
6/3/2009-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
There’s no Reyes, no Delgado, no Beltran and no Church thanks to a litany of injuries.
Where is Wright? He is not injured, he’s had two days off and it seems he does not have the swine flu.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
Wright has been invisible. One thing about him is he doesn’t take it out onto the field. He still plays a very good 3B (bad throws notwithstanding).
trs86
6/3/2009-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Hey Mr. Bill nice to see you. LOL. Where have you been? LOL
Anyway, Wright does need to step up. However, if you were a pitcher facing the Mets right now would you give Wright ANYTHING to hit?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
Wright is not right
trs86
6/3/2009-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Do we think it is a coincidence that Wright was red hot when everyone was in the lineup?
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
Interesting that Mr. Bill waits for Wright’s torrid hitting in May to end before showing up during his cold streak.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
Or the fact that he waited until the Mets started to lose some games. Kind of pointless for him to be here otherwise.
trs86
6/3/2009-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
Guys, I really think we have to make that trade for Nick Johnson. Nick would be perfect in the 6 hole and would allow Murphy to go back to the minors to get his head straight. Nick is hitting .328 .429 .443 .872 that’s a whole lot better than .248 .325 .383 .708.
mrbill
6/3/2009-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
I agree about the trade. But who?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Nick Johnson.. duh!
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
at this point, we need all the offense help we can get.
CaseStreet
6/3/2009-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
I’d give Murph reg playing time and if by the deadline he’s not straight and Delgado aint’ coming back for a while, then I’d bring in Johnson
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
I really think he is being hurt by the irregularity of his playing time.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
The deadline is a LONG time.
CaseStreet
6/3/2009-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
so’s the season.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
Yeah but you know Case that we can’t afford to get too far behind.
CaseStreet
6/3/2009-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think we will, once the regs are playing.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
I hope you are right but Jose will not be full speed and who knows what will be up with Church or how long Perez and Delgado will be gone.
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
That trade? Which?
Suppose Washington is insisting on FMart or Holt+?
mrbill
6/3/2009-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
That’s what I was wondering… trade what met players for Nick J? Fmart? i don’t think so. I wonder who the Nats will be willing to take.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
Then they won’t get it and he won’t get traded.
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
Your post gave me the impression that you were aware of a specific trade that has been tabled, as if Omar just needed to pull the trigger.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
No not at all. I think it’s clear the Nats want MLB pitching and most likely want Parnell and that’s not happening so that’s why the trade is not happening.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Just change that trade to a trade.
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
gotcha. and agree that Parnell is not going anywhere, especially while J.J. Dyno-mite is biting the big one.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
So I think that is why we are at a stand still. Nick has been linked to the Mets for weeks with the Nats scouting our minor leagues. I think I would part with Gee and Kunz (has no trade value but was a former 1st rounder).
mrbill
6/3/2009-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Real, what if the nats want Wilmer Flores?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
how about mr. Broadway and Green?
I know Nats want a veteran RP and Green would be a good fit.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Broadway would have to pitch well in the minors. You could maybe do Broadway, Kunz and Gee? That gives you 2 former 1st round picks and a near ready #4 type starter in Gee.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
Is Kunz a relief pitcher?
trs86
6/3/2009-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
yeah, former 1st round pick that has been terrible this year.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
Same thing Mr. Bill. The Mets have to balance this year and next year. The top player I could give up for 1/2 season of Nick would be Niese and that’s a stretch.
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
If Washington is willing to take guys like Broadway and Kunz then the trade should be made yesterday.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
Washington wants a RP. Parnell should definitely do it, but we all know Parnell ain’t goin nowhere. Maybe Green and a prospect? Or throw in Putz, if we have to.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
Putz has NO value to them.
Green obviously won’t get it done.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
What to do with him if/when Delgado comes back? Be pretty tough to flip Johnson again in August, and impossible to trade Delgado.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
Why could you not flip Johnson? Besides rosters expand in September.
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think Washington is going to give him away. They may be happy to obtain whatever draft pick compensation he brings as a lost free agent as opposed to trading him for nothing.
If you trade away real pieces for him you run the risk of not receiving the same return in the flip.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think he will gain them any more than a type B. Remember it counts the last 2 years.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Agreed on not getting the same return, however. I guess at some point you have to decide if that protection now is worth the difference?
Besides, do we really expect Delgado back before September and if so no one else to be injured? I know they are both LH but you could still find room to give them both playing time.
mrbill
6/3/2009-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
I doubt Delgado is back before Sept.
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
The reports are that he should be back in August. A-Rod made it back sooner than reported from what I think was a more involved surgery.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
I don’t know what rules there may be about trading the same player twice in a specific period of time during the season. But that’s not the main thrust of my point. I just think once it’s August and the waiver aspect comes into place, someone would claim/block him. If the Mets are comfortable with simply letting him go on a waiver claim after giving up chips to get him 6-8 weeks prior, then their options are greater. I just don’t see the market for him, barring an injury, and that’s a major assumption IMO. Anyone who will, barring an injury, want him in August would seemingly also want him soon and just go get him themselves soon.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
They have to get something in return for that waiver claim or they can pull him back. Again, rosters expand in September anyway.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
I guess ultimately everyone could just suck it up and deal with it for the time they overlap on the roster. But someone would have to be demoted/cut to make room if it happens before Sept 1, and even after that, playing time is an issue. September creates extra roster spots, not an extra position on the field or place in the lineup.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
True but normally during September you are resting regulars so that should not be an issue. I just don’t want to count on Murphy and Delgado.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Well then for your sake I’ll hope that I’m wrong, but I think you’re going to be disappointed.
Based on nothing factual whatsoever, I don’t see the Mets going outside the organization for 1B help unless they get updated medical information that pretty much confirms that Delgado will NOT be back.
At least not for a viable ML player, I more likely see them going for a AAAA type, or a current semi-retired FA who they could then more easily just dump if it became necessary.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Most likely right. I would not mind Hinske of course.
sabermetrician
6/3/2009-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
That’s great that Mets Blog quotes Rusty’s Infamy.
CaseStreet
6/3/2009-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
it’s the first result in google for mets in day infamy
rustyjr
6/3/2009-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
I just checked the ” other blog ” since I don’t.go To there much anymore that was a nice gesture so if they are reading this – thanks
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Nichols would have included Rusty’s moniker but he’d probably have mispelled it anyway.
rustyjr
6/3/2009-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
LOL
CaseStreet
6/3/2009-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
It’s quite impressive what this team has done w/ rookies and hasbeens.
If there’s one move you want Omar to make, that is realistic, what would it be?
I really don’t know, it could be:
-front-line starter
-back-end starter
-outfielder
-first baseman
-utility guy
-catcher
-middle infielder
-lefty reliever
-manager (i kid, though some don’t)
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
i would have said front-line starter, but now i’m leaning towards a power bat. first baseman preferably, but OF would work as well.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
I am not sure how OF helps us right now.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
I think Angel Pagan going down was a big hit. He’s a role player, but he’s also a valuable role player. He has some pop, run and field. He can be poor man’s Reyes. It’s so unfortunate….
CaseStreet
6/3/2009-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
he’s our juan pierre (4th OFer)
sad thing is he can’t stay healthy. How many times hasn’t he got hot, got injured, got hot, got injured?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
yeah… i feel bad for him. he can be a real tool for the Mets.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
I’m glad to read Brian Costa’s take on “FMart talking to his teammates” is a little more reasonable than David Lennon’s. A few days ago Lennon noted in his blog that, about 4 hours before the game, he entered the locker room and found FMart “just sitting around, shooting the breeze” with Luis Castillo and Lennon was pretty upset by this, adding “doesn’t he have something productive to do? Watch video or something? Hit in the cage” and such things (these are my paraphrases, not exact quotes). I thought Lennon’s take was a little harsh.
udontmesswthejohan
6/3/2009-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Cause I’m sure that Lennon thinks about his columns 24/7 without any downtime or interaction with his colleagues. Someone give that man a Pullitzer.
udontmesswthejohan
6/3/2009-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Which begs the question…what does a sports reporter do when he is killing time at work?
Does he read more articles on sports, and if so, doesn’t that mean he is actually still working. In which case Lennon would devote way more time to his job than the normal human being. Conversely, maybe they change it up totally and read Tiger beat or something.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Oh man, Tiger Beat. Leif Garrett. Tony DeFranco and the DeFranco Family. Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. Awesome!
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
I bet there’s a thing or two about major league life that Castillo can teach Martinez.
Does David, who presumably spends a lot of time around the clubhouse, not recognize that there’s some downtime in the life of… well, everyone?
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
I know. I couldn’t really rationalize his stance in any context, but I do think it may have been the day after “the gaffe” so perhaps Lennon, tired of covering Met gaffes, was upset.
rustyjr
6/3/2009-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Is anyone getting psyched about the q&a with matt tonite LOL
trs86
6/3/2009-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
You should be Rusty. LOL, you made one of their post.
rustyjr
6/3/2009-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
What ?
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
I haven’t checked, but word on the street is your ‘Mets Day In Infamy’ is quoted in one of their posts today.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
That it is.
stickguy
6/3/2009-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
It’s in the list of links the one guy posts (kinda an around the Mets world deal).
trs86
6/3/2009-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Yeah they started doing that when I started doing My “What Mets Fans are Talking About. LOL.
rustyjr
6/3/2009-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
LOL hey if it’s gonna get people to the site
darknova306
6/3/2009-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Matt? What’s a Matt?
I’m certainly psyched for drinking beer tonight, I’ll tell you that much.
udontmesswthejohan
6/3/2009-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
Haha.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Who’s doing the Q&A?
What kind of questions are you going to ask him?
trs86
6/3/2009-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
It’s going to be a moderated chat. You can ask a question and as long as it is approved my the moderator it will go through.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Isn’t there a game going on during this Q&A?
QnsNative718
6/3/2009-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
LMFAO.. I knew we’d see Mr. Bill during a Mets slump. What a character…
stickguy
6/3/2009-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
Even with the “C” team out there, the Mets need some wins. Otherwise, there is a real chance that the Phils could turn this into another 2006 and run away and hide.
Of course, if they get decimated by injuries to their top players, all that could change, but they seem to stay remarkably healthy.
That, and last years luck continues (Peavy having the flu, and still starting to spit up 4 runs?)
Good thing there is a WC! Not sure The Brewers and Cards are going to be that tough competition all year.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, playing .500 baseball right now is imperative.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
I think Brewers and Cards are going to be competitive all year. If the Phils run away with the division, Mets will have to fight the NL Central dudes to win the WC.
Philies are playing good baseball now, but like the Mets, they’ll hit some rough patches too.
fongy2
6/3/2009-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
Maybe but Omar needs to add a bat b/f this gets out of hand.
trs86
6/3/2009-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, but who at what price?
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
The problem is, none of these are season ending injuries. I think Omar could help this team immensely by trading for a starting pitcher or bringing Pedro back. We will need deep starting pitching in order to get through the injuries.
If it was upto me, I would bring back Pedro. He can’t be worse than Redding, plus he only costs money.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Even b/f ANY injs,we needed an extra bat.
Joe R
6/3/2009-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. We need a bat end of story. Even when healthy. We have needed a bat for 3 years now. We havent improved our offense one bit.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
If you want a bat, it better be a guy that can hit the ball further than the 420 feet you need to hit the ball in this stadium to hit a home run. Sorry, but the walls are too high and the dimensions are too deep. If anything, they are hurting our hitting. We need a starting pitcher to pitch to our ballpark.
In short, unless you’re getting Adam Dunn, A-Rod, Pujols, or someone of that ilk, nobody is coming here and hitting 35 HR.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
Seems like that happens all too often. We get the Nationals when they decide they want to play baseball. Then they lay down and die against the Phillies. I’m a big proponent of creating your own breaks, but it’s difficult when teh only thing breaking is bones.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
MOre like the Phils
impose their will
early in these series
against the Nats and
let them know:you cant
beat us.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
That’s true as well. We play them on our heels while the Phils stay aggressive and imagine Jose Reyes dancing while they score run after run against them. Then, after they score runs, they talk to each other about what the Mets are doing. Then, when they win the World Series, they talk about the Mets. Then, during Spring Training, they talk about the Mets.
CaseStreet
6/3/2009-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
As long as we go into August with a full healthy squad, I’d be happy w/ 500 ball for now.
The Mets were 28-21 in April and May. If they go 27-26 in June and July, they only need to go 34-26 in August and September to have 89 Wins (Which would’ve won the Division the past two years and what baseball prospectus predicted would win the division)
Would 34-26 be too difficult to do in Aug. and Sept. w/ a fully healthy squad?
dirtysanchez
6/3/2009-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
I dont think trading for nick johnson is a good idea…
trs86
6/3/2009-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I now Dirty. LOL. We just have to get a 1B right now. Murphy is not cutting it and Tatis is not any better.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think Tatis is that bad. I’d rather he be in there because they are both giving you relatively below avg defense at 1B, but Tatis is far superior at the plate.
Joe R
6/3/2009-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
Tatis is not far superior when it comes to hitting than anyone. He’s a back up along with Murphy who should be learning the 1B position behind an experienced player. The fact we want Murphy to hit .320 this year, drive in 70 and hit 15-20 HR is absurd. Its not our fault we expect this though Omar didnt sign an outfielder that would post those numbers, if not better, instead the “Golden Boy” Murphy was the answer. Oh he never even had those numbers in the minors but he has a good eye and a good looking swing….He must be good lol
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
Tatis is a far more accomplished major league hitter than Murphy. He has the ability to drive the ball, where Murphy doesn’t. Murphy’s average isn’t high enough to justify his glove or lack of power.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:14pm at 12:14 pm (UTC -4)
Their slugging percentages this year are almost identical.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
I guess Murphy’s track record speaks for itself. He’s been around the block and back in those 200 career ABs. He also has 50% more at bats than Tatis and had been playing more regularly until Manuel realized he wasn’t as good as everyone thought.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
What about Tatis’s track record of being a minor league journeyman for years and out of baseball?
Neither are a solution for 1B.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
That’s fine, but Tatis is back in the majors. If the Mets needed a contact hitter right now, I might say you were right. But they need someone with a little more pop. Hitting two homers in Philly and a faux homer off the Subway sign don’t count.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
But again, Tatis has not shown that power this year. Neither have. Both have SLG in the .300′s.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
I think Murphy is better defensively there actually.
And Tatis’s .269 .333 .398 .731 is not getting it done either.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
You’re talking about a guy that doesn’t have a position vs. a guy that has at least started consistently at one time during his big league career. I don’t think it’s even close.
Sure, when Murphy is hot, he is a good looking singles hitter. Especially in this stadium.
Who do you want up with the game on the line? Murphy or Tatis? If you want Murph and his 180 career at bats and 8 future all star selections, then I guess one of us is wrong.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
You are also comparing him to a guy that was out of baseball for years.
wannybackstra
6/3/2009-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
it would be nice to see Murphy get a few weeks of uninterrupted at bats before we decide he’s not any good.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed to an extent but do we have that luxury right now? I can agree to a couple of weeks but if this continues we need offense. If Reyes. Beltran, Church were in the lineup and he is not counted on to be more than a #7 hitter.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not saying Murphy isn’t any good. All I’m saying is he stinks…haha.
Kidding. I’m just saying he’s not as good as we all made him out to be or were under the impression of him being. Is he a nice player? Yes. Does he have a nice approach at the plate? Yes. Can he field? No.
I think he and Tatis need to be platooning, because I’m of the school of thought that Murph is a bench player or DH in the future. I hope I’m wrong though.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
There is no doubt in my mind based on LOOKS that Murphy is a better defender at 1B than Tatis. I have not looked up stats as there is not a good defensive stat anyway.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Is ‘not cutting it’ perhaps a little harsh after 8 games, especially considering they have been 8 games in which he has proven to be a revelation in the field? The diving stabs, the throws to 2nd, have been quite impressive IMO. I’m hoping that he settles into the position and can relax and concentrate on hitting, and get at least some of that early season groove back. Batting him 3rd is a stretch, and only due to multiple health problems, but 6/7/8 seems right.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, maybe harsh but when we need offense those stats are not helping.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
Problem is Heb,
we dont know what Murph is.
Now hes down to
.248 and that aint an Adam Dunn .248.
Plus whats the
plan with him?
Hes a bad fielder anywhere you puthim.He starts to improve a little in Left
and now hes learning 1B
at the MLB level,in NY,on a team trying to contend.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
I would not say that he is a bad defender at all at first. Inexperienced? Yes.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
No,my friend he is a BAD defender and he was in the minors.Not just numbers wise either.I saw him alot last yr @Bingo.Hes a belowaverage 1Bman and a Poor 3Bman
trs86
6/3/2009-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
I really don’t think so Fongy, he has looked really good at 1B so far.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
I agree we don’t know what he is. I’m saying we need to put him at 1B, a place where defensively he has looked comfortable, confident and competent, and leave him there for a couple weeks to see what we’ve got. We have little other choice. Mike Carp is gone, Tatis is a role player (a good one, but a role player) and Ike Davis is not ready. Do we scrap the Murphy experiment for Javier Valentin? Cuz that’s the option IMO.
dirtysanchez
6/3/2009-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
yea but keep in mind delgado may be coming back and then what do we do with nick? He is a starter and only pays 1b…we cannot afford to just have him ride the bench. Not to mention as well that he is hitting in the 2 hole in washington in front of zimmerman/dunn
trs86
6/3/2009-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
True, we went over this yesterday. I don’t want to play in if’s. If Delgado comes back, IF Perez comes back…..
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
AGreed! NOT for a PArnell
anyway.If the Nats freeze
themselves out by demanding
too much and we could get
himon the cheap,dif story.
Under no condition do you
give up alot for Johnson
though.Although I do like
him as a player.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
I like Johnson as a player. But he doesn’t have a position on this team if/when Delgado gets back. Maybe get him for a month or so to hold down the fort, then do a waiver wire deal for a reliever after K-Rod gets hurt.
Joe R
6/3/2009-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Why even say that. Jeez
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
OK fine. You’re right. I amend my last statement to, “…when Sean Green pulls up lame”
Joe R
6/3/2009-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
haha I wouldnt have a problem with that…that may be a good thing!
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Bigger issue
I think is that
Johnson cant be trusted to stay healthy.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
True but what else is out there? You want a bat.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
I dont have the answers for you my friend BUT we’re gonna look up in acouple weeks and be 7/8gms out.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
That’s what this type of thing is for. Discuss idea’s fongy. If you want a bat then you have to think about who you want. LOL
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Ok then,I want Albert Pujols!
trs86
6/3/2009-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, and you most likely will be mad at Omar for not getting him.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
Now you’re going too far!
I’m anti-Omar
NOT b/c of who he is
BUT b/c of the job hes
done given the power &
payroll that he was handed.Its not personal.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
But you don’t take any consideration to the just plain ole dumb luck that occurs. Think of the injuries we have had the past 3 years.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
Compounded by waste of time bad signings
which blocks/prevents him from
replacing those injured
players.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
I want him too, but we need someone as a stop gap until he flirts with us in FA before ultimately re-signing with St. Louis in a few years.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
trs,we’re not rebuilding here.
I thought the goal is to win a championship.I said all winter,
Omar need to bring in a serious
OF bat and let Murphy learn a position
@Buffalo.The kid has played exactly one game @AAA.For all his faults’
Wouldn’t Adam Dunn look nice in a Met uniform right now?
trs86
6/3/2009-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
But he did not so what is your point?
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
My point is that as
the GM,given HIS plan
(which again hasn’t worked)He needs to figure out what can be
done and do it.Because
while we should all be
proud how this teams
hung in despite the injuries,the Phillies have their health,are
getting their act together and are in
danger of pulling away
here.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
So you would do what?
You like to be critical and say you don’t want this player or that player but never offer any alternatives. I know that is not your job and you don’t have the resources that Omar does. However, is it our job to say that he should get someone when we don’t know what resources he has?
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
Not sure there is an answer. These aren’t season ending injuries. Gotta ride it out. Lost two in a row. not the end of the world.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t like the ride it out approach. It leads to Luis Ayala being our closer.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
I agree to a certain extent. Bullpens are tough to replace completely in-season. Even when you do it in the offseason, you end up with: JJ Clutz.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
First of all of friend,I
do not “like”being
critical.
Seconded if you have the names of guys who are
available and for what,
I’ll give you an up or down vote on them.
Lastly pls don’t mistake my realism
for pessimism.
Joe R
6/3/2009-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. I think it is very short sided to simply say Ok..we only lost 2 in a row..we are only a couple of games back, we are doing a great job with so many players down, etc Yes this may be true but like Fong said 2 1.2 can turn into 7 this month quite quickly. Not saying Omar has a ton of options to work with this early but when the time does come HE BETTER pull the trigger on a bat this year.
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t look at it as short sighted. I look at it as realistic. But this is the difference between fans and their outlooks. We all root for and support the same team, but we look at 2 game losing streaks and extrapolate on them in different ways.
My realism is viewed by others as optimism. Other people’s realism is viewed by me as pessimism. It’s subjective and we’re all in the same boat.
Bottom line we can’t make our stars healthy, and we can’t make our role players play like stars, nor can we have stars as role players. Considering as you pointed out the lack of options, we have little choice but to ride it out.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
I understand where you are coming from Fong. Just trying to get you out of the mode of this is a mess to how do we fix it.
There's Always '11
6/3/2009-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
We can survive with a platoon of Tatis and Murphy at 1B until Delgado comes back. But if that’s the case, we can’t be on our 4th shortstop and 6th,7th, and 8th outfielders. Throw in a clunker from your #5 starter every 5th day and you have the makings of a top 10 draft pick.
Doomsday scenario if I ever heard one 8)
trs86
6/3/2009-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
I am not sure we can.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
That’s our #6 hitter.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Good one!
GravediggerHebner
6/3/2009-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Well at least if I understand it correctly a top 10 draft pick is protected even if we sign a Type A FA in the off season
Joe R
6/3/2009-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. There are bats out there that will be available and Omar I believe will pull the trigger. He hasnt improved this offense in 3 years even though every year most agree we need a bat. Philly added 2 bats this off season. Raul Ibanez and Raul Ibanez. .340 19 HR’s and the argument about well he plays in a band box? 11 HR’s on the road lol I really think Omar said the bullpen is the reason we didnt make it…improve the bullpen end of story. Does he account for other teams getting better?
trs86
6/3/2009-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
In theory no one expected Ibanez to be THAT much better than who he replaced.
fongy2
6/3/2009-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
No BUT LF has
been a problem for years now.
Omar had many,
many options
(again)this winter and did nothing.Maybe not his fault.
Who knows what limits the Wilpons set BUT
STILL he did nothing.
Joe R
6/3/2009-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. But what they did know about Ibanez was he would be a great teammate, a consistent producer, and a guy that gives 100% every game. Absolutely perfect move for the Phils after a WS year.
trs86
6/3/2009-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
So did we and something broke down. Either he did not want to be in NY or we did not want to go 3/36 for a 37 year old.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
I think the priority for the Mets was 1)Closer 2)Bullpen help 3)SP and 4) was a OF. All this under their budget. By the time Omar got to the #4 priority, Ibanez was already signed and Murphy was looking great in ST. I can’t blame Omar for not signing Ibanez.
trs86
6/3/2009-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
That’s too slow. There were other OF options still available and that was before ST. Abreu, Dunn, etc.
udontmesswthejohan
6/3/2009-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
Did you or did you not order the closing of the comments section?
(Aside to the Judge)
You’re honor, permission to treat this witness as hostile.
DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT ORDER THE CLOSING OF THE COMMENTS SECTION?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/3/2009-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
LOL…
Matt, I WANT THE TRUTH!!
YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!