With Putz out for the next 10 weeks at least it should give us a break from his commentary. First it was the fact that he was struggling because he could not get up for the 8th inning. Now it’s that he was injured and could not pitch pain free. Look, I wish no pain on anyone but if he was injured all year then why not say that in the beginning? Now that he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow he has this to say:
“I don’t think it’s become the ninth inning for me,” Putz told WFAN’s Ed Randall. “A lot of that has to do with not being able to use my best stuff. When I get back from this elbow and I am 100 percent then I think we will have a better gague on if the eighth inning is my new ninth.”
Putz also said that best case he will return in 10 weeks which would schedule the return no earlier than August 18th.Â
Speaking of pitching through pain Putz said: ”
“You just feel helpless,” Putz said. “You are doing everything you can to get outs with very-below-average stuff. It’s frustrating, but at the same time I have a job to do and my job is to pitch. I did everything I could to go out there and pitch. Mentally, it’s a train wreck. You have the reputation of kind of being an animal out there — a very aggressive pitcher — when you can’t reach back and know it’s going to be pain free, it’s very difficult to pitch that way.”
Now back to the 8th inning issue again. While speaking about his 9 million dollar option for next year Putz said: “That’s not up to me, they have the option, but I love playing for this team,” Putz said. “I am not disappointed about being the eighth-inning guy. This is a great ballclub to be on. It’s a great group of guys and they are all committed to winning, so I am grateful to be part of a winning team, but it’s really hard to explain that there’s really nothing like the ninth. I got two chances to save when Frankie needed a day and you definitely miss that feeling.”
Now back to the injury: “”Whenever I let myself get out there and extend it felt like a little ice pick in my elbow every time I got out there and finished the pitch,” Putz said. “What ended up happening was I changed my mechanics so much to throw without pain and that’s what led to the drop in velocity. I just really couldn’t do it anymore. It wasn’t fair to myself, to the team, to Jerry (Manuel). The starting pitchers go out there and give you everything they got and I go in there with 70 percent of what I can do. It ended up being too much.”
Wow that’s a lot to take in JJ. So your arm has been hurting all season and that is why you could not pitch effectively. Yet, when ask about it earlier in the season you blamed it on the 8th inning role. It was not until you were demoted to the 7th inning role that you decided to shut it down. Let me ask you this Putz, if you were the current closer on the Mets would you still be pitching? Would the adrenaline in the 9th inning force you to ignore the pain and pitch like the lights out closer you were?
My biggest concern for the Putz situation is not that he will come back and be effective, he most likely will be at least adequate once he comes back in late August. However, the Mets did give up a lot for Putz and have now lost him for a significant part of the season. The most significant day that he will miss is July 31st. The Mets will no longer be able to trade Putz and picking up his 9 million dollar option for next year at this point seems a stretch. Even offering him arbitration and taking the draft picks is pushing it. Putz because of two injury plagued seasons will be in danger of not obtaining type A status. It’s also possible, depending on how he recovers, that he could take the arbitration offer and stand to make around 6 million for the 2010 season. Thus, if the Mets are not able to trade Putz and do not pick up the option or offer him arbitration then they will have gotten 3 1/2 months of Putz for 7 players. The once praised trade, even by me, seems like it could turn into a pumpkin anytime now.
110 comments
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-5:43pm at 5:43 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I have to respectfully say that it is not up to the player to diagnose and treat his own injuries. Yes, I am very pro-JJ, and I am as disappointed as anyone.
But his velocity and command were not right from day one in the spring. He did, in fact, pitch through an injury and pain, and was actually pretty good until the last few outings when things were obviously getting out of control.
TRS, you know how much I like, enjoy, and respect your perspective, but this issue is, to me, 100% on Met management.
Either we received damaged goods from the Mariners, and/or our staff did not pay attention to things that were obviously wrong as early as February, and, most glaringly, they gave JJ a cortisone shot weeks ago when he obviously should have been disabled.
The Mets do this again and again, with Church, Reyes, Delgado, etc.
Sure he was making excuses—but what was he supposed to do? Say “I am pitching hurt” and get management furious at him? Take himself out of games and be called a heartless choker?
This is a tough situation, and if JJ comes back and is hitting 97 and still cannot get results and still makes excuses, then I think this criticism would be more warranted, in my humble and respectful opinion.
trs86
6/8/2009-5:46pm at 5:46 pm (UTC -4)
I agree Kingman but that entire, “I can’t get up for the 8th inning” thing really got on me. Why not say in the begining I am hurt? From his quotes HE is the one that decided to shut it down, not the Mets.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-5:49pm at 5:49 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I know, that comment was bad, but I do think it was more of an excuse than what he really may have felt. I would guess that he has been in pain since February, and as, by all accounts, he is a very tough and serious guy, he tried to pitch through it until, in the last couple of weeks, it became unbearable.
I still think that the Mets might have taken charge of the situation and given him that MRI long before his recent on-field meltdowns….
But I agree, his comments are very frustrating to hear.
trs86
6/8/2009-5:56pm at 5:56 pm (UTC -4)
I still don’t understand why he would come out and say he was injured to start with. From his comments he has been pitching with pain all season. Was he afraid it would be season ending and he would not have a contract for next year?
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-5:58pm at 5:58 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, you may have a very key point there which I have been ignoring.
The issue of his not having a contract for next year, combined with the Mets’ unique slow-motion style of diagnosing injuries, may have conspired here.
Great point.
trs86
6/8/2009-5:59pm at 5:59 pm (UTC -4)
My imediate thought when he came out with the 8th inning issue was that he was injured and needed a reason to cover up the injury because of the contract. I still feel that is the case.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:01pm at 6:01 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, you may have something here….
I would like to think that he tried to tough it out for the team, but you are probably right.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:04pm at 6:04 pm (UTC -4)
I guess it could be ego too. Here is a guy that was a former lights out closer and then “demoted” to the 8th inning and he still struggles because his stuff is not there. So what do you do? Blame the 8th inning?
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:09pm at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, your points are really good here. I guess I am trying to think the best of him, but the reality is most likely very much what you are saying.
I guess I just never believed the 8th inning thing as being true, but your thoughts on why he may have said that definitely make more sense then mine.
But still, considering that he NEVER threw 97 and had his old command, don’t you think this MRI could have been earlier, especially considering they KNEW he had a bone spur a while ago?
The team did wait until he could not pitch anymore….and maybe now he is finally being forthcoming about his injury.
Still, as I have said, if this surgery fixes him and he comes back throwing 97 with his old command, we are going to be very happy. A bit of a leap of faith perhaps, but I really wanted to see the old JJ in a Met uni and hope I still do eventually.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:10pm at 6:10 pm (UTC -4)
Well one would assume the Mets gave him an MRI when they traded for him?
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:11pm at 6:11 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t prove it, but I thought that he DID hit 97 in one if not both of his “closer” appearances. I guess 9th inning adrenaline was enough to overcome the pain of the injury, but not 8th inning.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:19pm at 6:19 pm (UTC -4)
According to fangraphs it appears he has hit above 95 1 time this season.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/8/2009-5:45pm at 5:45 pm (UTC -4)
PUTZ SHUT UP!
jaydh
6/8/2009-5:53pm at 5:53 pm (UTC -4)
I would gladly have Carp and Carrera back. But, who knew how dominant Parnell would be? Heilman for Marquis looks better and better.
trs86
6/8/2009-5:54pm at 5:54 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t second guess the trade at all, REALLY. I thought it was a good move, it’s just it may backfire. Some trades no matter how the look do.
jaydh
6/8/2009-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
If putz is healthy, I dont mind the trade, but the 2 prospects we gave up are excelling.
trs86
6/8/2009-5:57pm at 5:57 pm (UTC -4)
You can’t play that game Jay. You can’t say IF he is healthy THEN you like the trade. That is now hindsight. You either liked it when it happen or you did not.
jaydh
6/8/2009-6:10pm at 6:10 pm (UTC -4)
Well since you put it that way… I was thrilled with the trade, but I did believe his injuries were in the past. Bone spurs cant be predicted nor are they anything major so I’m sure once he is back and shakes off the rust, he will be back to normal. It was just interesting to me that we are lacking power and a 1B which is exactly what Carp brings and Carrera seems to be a speedy OFer with a very nice average so far in doubleA. I could care less about the other players we gave up and if I thought Putz was healthy(as I’m sure Mets mangement thought) I would do that trade over and over.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-5:56pm at 5:56 pm (UTC -4)
Forgive me if I am wrong, but wasn’t it you Jay, who also thought Sanchez would be among our best relievers this year?
jaydh
6/8/2009-6:04pm at 6:04 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t say best, but I didn’t like cutting him for nothing. I thought his stats last season were better than what most thought and felt he could be an effective reliever as more time passed from his surgery.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:07pm at 6:07 pm (UTC -4)
But they saved quite a bit of money for a guy that did not really have a spot in the pen.
jaydh
6/8/2009-6:11pm at 6:11 pm (UTC -4)
$1.4mil. just didn’t think he was done, but i was wrong.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:08pm at 6:08 pm (UTC -4)
Last I saw, he was released by the Padres in mid-May after 18 hits and 8 walks in 12 innings for an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 2.364, so it seems the Mets made the right call on him.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:09pm at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you.
jaydh
6/8/2009-6:12pm at 6:12 pm (UTC -4)
dumb luck. based off his numbers last yr there were no signs he would fall off that far. omar is far from a genius.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:15pm at 6:15 pm (UTC -4)
Actually, his 2nd half numbers last year showed a HUGE decline, which showed, yet again, that he apparently did not have the stamina to pitch a whole year, just as he did not ever show the inclination to work hard after his unfortunate injury.
A good decision is dumb luck??
jaydh
6/8/2009-6:19pm at 6:19 pm (UTC -4)
Usually players take 2 yrs to return to form from the surgery he had so to decline in the 2nd half was expected. But, on a team of specialists, Sanchez proved he could still pitch to both lefties(.200avg/.622ops) and righties(.268avg/.727ops) effectively. Omar probably just wanted change more than making a good decision, which i call dumb luck.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
Take a look at those 2nd half numbers and then the ST numbers this year. Not to mention that Dirty had a history of not coming to camp in shape.
jaydh
6/8/2009-6:25pm at 6:25 pm (UTC -4)
I dont think you can put much stock into ST stats since Pelf had a near 8era, maine 6.3era. Then you also have guys that did great in ST but have stunk it up so far. Not coming into camp in shape was disappointing though
trs86
6/8/2009-6:32pm at 6:32 pm (UTC -4)
Not stats Jay, velocity.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:16pm at 6:16 pm (UTC -4)
Plenty of signs he could not maintain it however, especially considering his velocity was around 85.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:19pm at 6:19 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not going so far as to say Omar’s a genius, that’s another discussion entirely. All I’m saying is that it was easily justifiable to cut ties with Sanchez. Apart from the emotional aspect of losing “Dirty” I had no problem with it when it happened, and history has unfolded to support that position.
jaydh
6/8/2009-6:21pm at 6:21 pm (UTC -4)
But I believe the only reason we cut ties with Duaner is because Omar wasn’t changing the lineup or rotation and he couldnt bring back the same team so he had to turn over the bullpen as much as he could.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:23pm at 6:23 pm (UTC -4)
I disagree, why would he keep a reliever that could not hit 88? When we had better options that were cheaper?
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:27pm at 6:27 pm (UTC -4)
I believe the reason we cut ties was him are three: his decreased velocity; the amount of money (I forget what it was) that the team saved by cutting him; and the presence of Bobby Parnell.
jaydh
6/8/2009-6:28pm at 6:28 pm (UTC -4)
No one can say they knew our relievers would be so good.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:33pm at 6:33 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, you can, largely. KRod has been one of the best closers in the game for years. JJ, until the last week or two, was pretty good most of the time. Felciano has been used much more appropriately and has returned to being effective. Parnell is the only big surprise.
Plus, we got rid of Heilman, Schoeneweis, and Sanchez, who all stunk the 2nd half of last year, when the rancid pen cost us the season.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:34pm at 6:34 pm (UTC -4)
I completely agree with you jay that no one could say that our relievers would be this good, but I would add that Sanchez falls into that category too. No one could say he would be good either, so why keep him?
trs86
6/8/2009-6:37pm at 6:37 pm (UTC -4)
Grave, why would we not think our relivers would be this good?
Feliciano if used just against LH would be good, Green was not terrible last year, Stokes was dominant in the pen, Parnell and Putz have just switched spots.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:46pm at 6:46 pm (UTC -4)
Because I didn’t have faith that Feliciano would be properly utilized and while I talked a big game about Green most of the offseason I was worried that his 2nd half may have been due to more than overuse, that it may have been the league figured him out. And the general concept that relievers performance changes annually kept me from believing in Stokes. And I kept being told that KRod’s arm was going to fall off any day. But other than that, nothing.
dirtysanchez
6/8/2009-7:01pm at 7:01 pm (UTC -4)
im with real on this one. What plays a big part in our success with the bullpen is not only did we bring good arms in and some people having good years…we got rid of junk. Heilman/show/duaner are all gone and they were the main people that killed the bullpen day in and day out. I think the success of the bullpen is not really a surprise…
trs86
6/8/2009-6:32pm at 6:32 pm (UTC -4)
I can and I did.
trs86
6/8/2009-5:58pm at 5:58 pm (UTC -4)
Speaking of bullpen, I would try and get Rauch for a PTBNL. He may be done but perhaps bringing him back to the NL EAST he would return to form.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:05pm at 6:05 pm (UTC -4)
I can understand when a player doesn’t make it known to the press that he is injured, if he is still playing (or at least trying to play). The player is easily painted as “an excuse maker” and the opponent gets some bump in confidence knowing the player is not 100%.
That the injury may have not been made known to the organization is a problem. I can’t tell from what I’ve read when he told the team he was “pitching in pain.” If it was just a few days ago, the blame then falls on Putz. If however the organization and Putz have been aware of this for some time then I suppose it’s admirable that he tried to “gut it out.” A better cover story than “lack of 9th inning adrenaline” could have been crafted though.
Bottom line for me is Putz has been a great disappointment, I said this the other day but it fits here: I was looking forward to him in 2009 more so than Frankie, and I actually envisioned a scenario in which Putz took over the closer role. How wrong I was.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:06pm at 6:06 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, that is my entire point. If he was injured from the begining then what was the need for that 8th inning story. I don’t get it.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:12pm at 6:12 pm (UTC -4)
Well, Grave, don’t you think that, considering that, from the earliest days of the spring he did not throw as hard or with the command and control of the past, and that the team knew he had a bone spur weeks ago (at least) that the MRI might have happened earlier? This might have helped us win a couple more games, and meant he would return earlier.
But I agree—without question JJ has been this year’s biggest disappointment. Even a pro-Ollie guy like me did not know what to expect from him, but I thought we would have two lights out closers.
I guess at this moment, we all owe another serious thank you to KRod for being so damn good.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:25pm at 6:25 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t say because I don’t know what or when Putz did or did not tell the organization. I can easily assign the poor spring performance, and poor regular season 8th inning work to the “adrenaline” thing, without knowing when Putz went to the team with the pain info, especially since my memory tells me that the one time he hit 97 on the gun was in a 9th inning save situation. You guys covered well the potential reasons for him keeping the pain from the team above. Ultimately I think that there was some truth to the adrenaline thing, but that the injury was the bigger issue that lead to his decreased performance. It is unfortunately conceivable to me that if Putz were the closer, he’d have performed better to this point but he still would not have been his old dominant self and he still would at some point have succumbed to the injury.
dirtysanchez
6/8/2009-6:11pm at 6:11 pm (UTC -4)
I still think you do this trade 10/10 times. What i feel the problem was imo was the mets not shutting him down earlier and allowing him to “play” through pain. What has been the saving grace has been parnell.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:15pm at 6:15 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed Dirty, I just can’t figure out if the Mets knew. If they knew then why did Putz make up the story about the 8th inning?
dirtysanchez
6/8/2009-6:33pm at 6:33 pm (UTC -4)
what story?
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:36pm at 6:36 pm (UTC -4)
The “I don’t have 9th inning adrenaline when I pitch in the 8th inning” story.
dirtysanchez
6/8/2009-6:48pm at 6:48 pm (UTC -4)
ah ok…thanks grave
That story was made up because it is plausible imo. Everyone knows the last 3 outs are the hardest in baseball and the indeterminable factor of adrenaline is ambiguous…cant realy say its there or not. It was a reasonable explanation until you cut through the BS and see that just the same as arguing someones heart/guts/clutch etc. Putz was not right for a few years and he is an injury prone player…his physicals should have been conducted more through or the first sign of trouble should have been addressed with the up most importance. This was a failure of the Mets…i dont fault putz for trying to pitch through the pain because thats what players do. The Mets should have overridden this and protected his investment.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:55pm at 6:55 pm (UTC -4)
I agree on the plausibility, I made a long winded comment above about that. What I don’t know is when did Putz admit to the Mets that he was hurt? I can’t fault him for trying to pitch through it as you say that’s what these guys god, but I also can’t fault the team for not knowing something that he didn’t tell them. It’s all a gray area.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:41pm at 6:41 pm (UTC -4)
“What i feel the problem was imo was the mets not shutting him down earlier and allowing him to “play†through pain.”
Thank you Dirty, this is all I have been trying to say, in my verbose and long-winded damn manner!
trs86
6/8/2009-6:13pm at 6:13 pm (UTC -4)
http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfx.aspx?playerid=1795&position=P
Check this link out, Putz was not right from the begining.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-6:17pm at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
The velocity graph shows he was over 95mph once. I bet that was in one of his save opps when KRod was being rested, because I recall watching TV and seeing “97″ on one pitch and noting to myself that there was some truth to his adrenaline thingy.
metsfan4decades
6/8/2009-6:16pm at 6:16 pm (UTC -4)
Didn’t Putz pitch well in the WBC? –If I’m remembering that correctly? If yes, then I’m assuming the pain started when he got back.
Hindsight is always 20/20….but didn’t that bone spur show in the physical? If yes, was it on whoever read that determining it’s O.K., he can pitch with that, it won’t be a problem – or was it on J.J. b/c he told them he’s been pitching with that, it’s fine?
Either way, this was just mis handled all the way around, in my opinion. Why can the medical guys never seem to diagnose this sooner rather than later?
Reminds me of Wagner last year.
-First…he was ‘unavailable’ for a few days early Aug. due to spasms.
- Then he comes back and pitches a couple of innings.
- Then he goes on the DL in Aug. for some type of arm pain (can’t remember what that was).
- Then, in his first or second rehab/pitching off the mound, he walks off shaking his head b/c he felt something bad, he knew it was over.
What the hell? Why didn’t the first MRI in early Aug at the start of the DL show the problem?
Same with Delgado. Same with Reyes. Now with Putz.
I know this goes on all the time to us normal stiffs and many of you can relate. Once had a 5 month stint with a swollen foot where it took no less than 3 sets of Xrays, one MRI and 4 doctors before the last one FINALLY diagnosed a fractured bone in the foot. However, I’m assuming the NY Mets are not dealing with the medical community in the same manner I am. They’re going to to top of the list, head of the class and probably have the best of the best. So again, I’m going to ask: ‘What the hell’????
trs86
6/8/2009-6:21pm at 6:21 pm (UTC -4)
That’s a great question 4D. I was just about to mention the fact again that I am sure he had an MRI done before the trade was completed and either there was nothing there or there was something that was deemed insignificant. You can’t tell me the Mets would have to give up 7 players for an injured Putz, Green and Reed.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
would anything surprise us lol
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:30pm at 6:30 pm (UTC -4)
Reyes, Delgado, Church, JJ, Wagner, and this crap goes back to trading for Victor Zambrano, who probably arrived with a bad arm to go with little pitching talent.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:34pm at 6:34 pm (UTC -4)
I think the bad arm trumped his pitching talents. I have looked it up 100 times but it’s still not easy to find, did you see his interleague numbers before they traded for him? They were incredible and really not that small of a sample size, something like 20+ starts.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-6:35pm at 6:35 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, I remember the interleague numbers, and they were fantastic.
trs86
6/8/2009-6:36pm at 6:36 pm (UTC -4)
Can’t find the exact stats but he was 10-1 pitching for a terrible team.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-7:49pm at 7:49 pm (UTC -4)
i still scratch my head at the kazmir for zambrano deal because nothing in victors numbers screamed quality pitcher – but that was duquettes baby and i’m sure leiter and franco helped that along – if u believe the urban legend surrounding it
trs86
6/8/2009-8:36pm at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
Like I said, that interleague stat sure did.
trs86
6/8/2009-7:32pm at 7:32 pm (UTC -4)
By the way, small step for man, giant step for me. I was able to change the code and now our post display the time too.
trs86
6/8/2009-7:33pm at 7:33 pm (UTC -4)
Only on the main page though, ugh. LOL
trs86
6/8/2009-7:38pm at 7:38 pm (UTC -4)
Yipppppppie.
dirtysanchez
6/8/2009-7:39pm at 7:39 pm (UTC -4)
lol the code master lol
Done a hellova job with this place real lol
rustyjr
6/8/2009-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
u da man !!
trs86
6/8/2009-8:01pm at 8:01 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, I would take that down but considering how damn happy I found it, it’s staying.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-7:50pm at 7:50 pm (UTC -4)
The time has always appeared in the gray rectangular box between the post and the comments when on the comment page, that’s how in the past I’ve checked to see exactly when a post went up so I didn’t piggy back too soon. I like that it’s now on the main page because that saves me a step which saves me time which saves me money and bees make honey.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-7:53pm at 7:53 pm (UTC -4)
grave the site is coming along fantasticly
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
I agree, like I said the other day, I’m happier than a pig in a clam.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-7:55pm at 7:55 pm (UTC -4)
was that a cocktail weinie in a bearded clam?? Lol
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-7:57pm at 7:57 pm (UTC -4)
Uh oh, someone has been peeking!
trs86
6/8/2009-8:01pm at 8:01 pm (UTC -4)
And this is what I get for going off topic.
My bad guys.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
u know me all to well trs – shame on you!
rustyjr
6/8/2009-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
hey guys got this from mlbtr
According to Buster Olney at ESPN, the White Sox have agreed to a minor-league deal with right-hander Freddy Garcia. He passed a physical and now will report to the Sox training facility in Arizona.
Garcia, who turns 33 on Wednesday, was released by the Mets April 28th after putting up an 8.18 ERA in 11 innings at Triple-A Buffalo. He hinted at retirement around that time due to persistent troubles with his shoulder. Garcia pitched for the Sox during their World Series run in 2005 and into 2007.
As reported by Mark Gonzales at the Chicago Tribune, this comes on the heels of a vintage Ozzie Guillen outburst after the Sox dropped a game to the Tigers today, their sixth loss in seven games. Guillen said changes would be coming “Pretty soon.”
damn the whitesox must be desperate for pitching
dirtysanchez
6/8/2009-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
yea….so much for retiring….
rustyjr
6/8/2009-7:48pm at 7:48 pm (UTC -4)
kinda like farve
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-7:52pm at 7:52 pm (UTC -4)
If those changes somehow result in Mark Buehrle wearing a Met uniform they’re alright with me.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
i’d like to see that also but i think we would be more prone to see Mo Vaughn in white spandex leotard with the mets logo on it than us getting Burhle – but hey ive been wrong many times before
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-7:56pm at 7:56 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I’m reaching. I can’t envision a scenario in which the Chisox trade him. He makes a lot of money but IMO he earns it.
trs86
6/8/2009-8:03pm at 8:03 pm (UTC -4)
Especially considering they are trying to add pitching.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
maybe stokes and a minor leauger for konerko?
trs86
6/8/2009-8:07pm at 8:07 pm (UTC -4)
I am not a big fan of Konerko but if you were to trade for him it would take more than that unless that minor leaguer was pretty damn good. Anyway, Dye fits better IF they are trading a hitter.
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-8:00pm at 8:00 pm (UTC -4)
One sad thing is that we are less than 2 weeks old and we’ve used that same dejected picture of J.J. Putz many times.
trs86
6/8/2009-8:04pm at 8:04 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, it’s in the bank. LOL
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-8:05pm at 8:05 pm (UTC -4)
In case it wasn’t clear, my stating that was a commentary on Putz’ poor performance, not our picture choices.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-8:05pm at 8:05 pm (UTC -4)
ITS LIKE GROUNDHOG DAY
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-8:13pm at 8:13 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, on this site it is like Groundhog Day—every day I come here, and it is the same damn thing—–filled with serious, funny, mature people having excellent debates about the Mets!!
rustyjr
6/8/2009-8:19pm at 8:19 pm (UTC -4)
Were on a mission from gil !!btw kong I sent u along with the other staff check yet inbox
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-8:21pm at 8:21 pm (UTC -4)
Am out for a while, but will do…
“On a mission from Gil”—that, my friend, is excellent!
trs86
6/8/2009-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
Oh yeah, I know.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-8:12pm at 8:12 pm (UTC -4)
And again, how huge, massive, gigantic, clutch, gritty, nutty, and money has KRod been, especially considering JJ’s meltdown??
Even if Heath Bell just pulled ahead for the league lead in saves….
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-8:14pm at 8:14 pm (UTC -4)
To me, it’s not astounding that Heath Bell has that many saves, it’s astounding that the team he plays for has given him that many opportunities. The San Diego Smokenmirrors. The San Diego Adriangonzalezandprayforrains. How is this happening? Is it all the grit of Eckstein?
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-8:20pm at 8:20 pm (UTC -4)
HAHA!! Well, I am sure it is MOSTLY the grit and elephantine balls of Eckstein, although his .669 OPS must surely be a big factor too.
The home field must be a major reason…seems like the Pods and Twins (big shock there) have the biggest home/road differential in record.
But this—San Diego Smokenmirrors—is really good!
rustyjr
6/8/2009-8:21pm at 8:21 pm (UTC -4)
Why did u have to say “grit” – damn Im having visions of fatcessa swilling diet coke and choking on his own ego
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
While he is choking, I am sure some meatballs and pastrami and bacon and maybe a corndog or two are wrestling with his ego for space down there in Francesspool’s throat….
GravediggerHebner
6/8/2009-8:26pm at 8:26 pm (UTC -4)
Mama Cass died so that Francesa might live.
Kingman 26
6/8/2009-8:28pm at 8:28 pm (UTC -4)
LOL!
rustyjr
6/8/2009-8:36pm at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
Rotfl
And to think maddog survived the carnage
QnsNative718
6/8/2009-8:47pm at 8:47 pm (UTC -4)
Ey Brock, since we have an off day today I sat around and wrote a poem about my girl. Tell me what you think…
“I love you
You love me
Going down the sugar tree
We’ll go down the sugar tree
and see lots of bees
playing…playing…
But the bees wont sting
because you love me”
trs86
6/8/2009-8:42pm at 8:42 pm (UTC -4)
Rangers are looking for Starters and relievers. Maybe they would make Blaylock available? Something like Stokes and Niese? Interesting how bad Padilla is to them. They need a starter but have him available.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-8:51pm at 8:51 pm (UTC -4)
doubt it plus I’m not so high on blaylock
trs86
6/8/2009-8:58pm at 8:58 pm (UTC -4)
I like Blay as a 1B. Especiallly considering what’s out there.
rustyjr
6/8/2009-9:32pm at 9:32 pm (UTC -4)
you never know who might be made available – maybe mike jacobs lol
CaseStreet
6/8/2009-10:09pm at 10:09 pm (UTC -4)
anybody going to the game tomorrow?
stickguy
6/8/2009-11:03pm at 11:03 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t really mind Putz’s comments. hey, at least he talks, so yo can’t complain about that!
I also don’t think he was lying about the 8th inning/adrenelin deal. Why couldn’t have have an injury, and that compounding it?
Also, just about every player has some amount of aches/pains they deal with. And I would bet the number approaches 100% for a 30+yo power pitcher.
So, it really is a matter of pitching through the pain (iow, what is his tolerance for it?) Even if the Mets knew he had some spur issues, they likely would let him try to pitch before cutting him open (OK< poking some little holes..) Until he bacame innefective, they were all hoping to get value from him (in both his and the teams best interest to pitch with it).
There was a orthopedist of somekind on XM home plate the other day. The gist of his comments were that just about everyone has some amount of bone spurs. They just get more serious in ball players (he did a nice job of describing what actually happens with the hip injuries).
anyway, hopefully he gets shaved down nicely, and comes back along with Wags for August/September stretch run. Maybe this September they will have a real pen, and it won’t be too late!