Because if you are like me, I had no friggin clue what he looked like.
Mets ponder direction upon return home
Team considers injuries, standings after difficult stretch
Marty Noble
According to Noble
“At this point and probably until after the All-Star break on July 13-15, the Mets will be disinclined to trade for help. Their sense of the market now is that some eventual sellers will seek more in return now than they will when they are closer to the Trade Deadline. So the Mets will wait and talk and wait. Come later July, they will talk and wait and talk, so long as they believe their own team still has a chance to play into mid-October.”
Noble also commented that Omar has said the teams goal is to stay above .500 until the All-star Break. This leaves the Mets with 26 games that they will need to go 12-14 in order to stay ABOVE .500. I don’t see that as something difficult considering the opponents. However, will that be good enough? Will being one game over .500 at the break keep us in the playoff hunt?
On June the 4th I posted this poll. You may change your vote, or vote for the first time by clicking here : Take the Poll
We'll Just Wait Here.
59 comments
dirtysanchez
6/15/2009-9:11pm at 9:11 pm (UTC -4)
that picture hurt….feels like forever that i have seen them on the field…
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-9:22pm at 9:22 pm (UTC -4)
3 @ BAL
3 V TB
4 V STL
3 V NYY
3 @ MIL
1 @ PIT
3 @ PHI
off day
3 V LAD
3 V CIN
The Mets have 26 games in 27 days before the All-Star break, including a period where due to the make up game with Pittsburgh they will be in 3 different cities in 3 days. I hope they win as many as possible at Baltimore to start and versus Cincinnati to finish, because I don’t like the middle much.
trs86
6/15/2009-9:26pm at 9:26 pm (UTC -4)
Whoops that’s what I get for reading Noble.
johan4cy
6/15/2009-9:27pm at 9:27 pm (UTC -4)
I have us going 15-11 there at best:
2/3 bal
2/3 tb
2/4 stl
2/3 nyy
2/3 mil
1/1 pit
1/3 phi
1/3 lad
2/3 cin
dirtysanchez
6/15/2009-9:28pm at 9:28 pm (UTC -4)
i think we can stay .500 with that schedule..
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-9:32pm at 9:32 pm (UTC -4)
I’m thinking 12-14 in that stretch so yeah 1 game over at the break but that’s with a healthy more “normal” Johan. If he’s still blistered, I’m thinking more like 9-17, which would make them 41-46 at the break.
trs86
6/15/2009-9:33pm at 9:33 pm (UTC -4)
I got dibs on 13-13
Kingman 26
6/15/2009-9:47pm at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
13–13 and we will be VERY happy….13–13 sounds exactly right to me.
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-9:44pm at 9:44 pm (UTC -4)
For comparison, here’s what the Phils have between now and the break.
3 V TOR
3 V BAL
off day
3 @ TB
3 @ TOR
off day
3 @ ATL
3 V NYM
4 V CIN
3 V PIT
25 games with 2 off days finishing with 10 at home and the last 7 at home (after us) versus CIN & PIT.
Kingman 26
6/15/2009-9:46pm at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
Off topic and to be positive, check this out–
My Dad just called to say that SNY was showing Game 4 of the 69 WS, and they gave this stat:
In the last 45 games in 1969, the Mets threw FIFTEEN shutouts!
How amazing is that?
I hate the Angelos Orioles since they fired Davey–who is on first in the top of thr 10th in 1969 as I write this—so let’s sweep there, and I am ready with my “I am an idiot” post when we win 10+ of the next 15….
trs86
6/15/2009-9:50pm at 9:50 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, nothing surprises me anymore Kingman.
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-9:51pm at 9:51 pm (UTC -4)
Ahh, the shutout. I remember those. That’s a complete game while not allowing any runs right? Yeah, those were good. Last year Sabathia led ML with 5, Sheets threw 3 and 11 guys were tied with 2.
trs86
6/15/2009-9:53pm at 9:53 pm (UTC -4)
Last Mets complete game shut out anyone?
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-9:56pm at 9:56 pm (UTC -4)
Wild guess Al Leiter? Bobby Jones?
In ’69 the Mets shutouts:
Koosman 6
Seaver 5
Gentry 3
McAndrew 2
Kingman 26
6/15/2009-9:56pm at 9:56 pm (UTC -4)
Santana against the Marlins last year??
Bobby Jones in the 2000 playoffs??
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:00pm at 10:00 pm (UTC -4)
I looked it up, you’re right. Bobby Jones. No just kidding, Santana v. Marlins last Sept.
Kingman 26
6/15/2009-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks!
The scary part would be wondering how many we had in the eight years between those…maybe a couple by Leiter and Trachsel and Pedro?
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:15pm at 10:15 pm (UTC -4)
I am bored so I will look it up.
2008 – 2 (Santana)
2007 – 2 (Glavine, Maine)
2006 – 3 (Maine, Soler, Perez)
2005 – 3 (Martinez, Glavine, Heilman)
2004 – 2 (Glavine, Benson)
2003 – 3 (Trachsel 2, Leiter)
2002 – 6 (Leiter 2, Astacio, Trachsel, D’Amico, Estes)
2001 – 3 (Appier, Trachsel, Reed)
trs86
6/15/2009-10:17pm at 10:17 pm (UTC -4)
WAY more than I thought. And all of those were complete game shutouts?
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:19pm at 10:19 pm (UTC -4)
Yup.
trs86
6/15/2009-10:06pm at 10:06 pm (UTC -4)
Santana did for sure in September. Mets had 12 shut outs last year but I don’t think any were complete games except that Santana start.
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:07pm at 10:07 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah for me the whole “team shutout” is nice but it doesn’t have the same oomph as the CG.
Kingman 26
6/15/2009-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
Haha! Yeah Grave, Clemens had 46, Randy Johnson 37…today’s guys?
Johan and Roy Harvey Oswalt have 6 each….
trs86
6/15/2009-10:09pm at 10:09 pm (UTC -4)
Roy Harvey Oswalt? Now who is that person going to murder next.
trs86
6/15/2009-9:53pm at 9:53 pm (UTC -4)
Combined, Murphy and Tatis are hitting .161 (22-137) with a grand total of 1 HR and 13 RBI at 1B…. Oh God. And people say Nick Johnson would not make a huge difference.
Kingman 26
6/15/2009-9:56pm at 9:56 pm (UTC -4)
TRS, Nick Johnson would be perfect for this team right now.
dirtysanchez
6/15/2009-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
Right now i agree they would be better off with johnson…i just dont trust they would make the correct subsequent move in moving murph to AAA to work on hitting and 1b..
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
I think if they actually did acquire Johnson even Omar would recognize that sending down Murphy is the right move, assuming (still glad I can use that word) that he didn’t trade him to Washington for Johnson.
stickguy
6/15/2009-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
right now, based on how he has hit in June, Ike Davis would be a big improvement!
Even Nick Evans is starting to rake again (sitll have no clue what happened with him).
SOmething should change soon with the roster, but I have no clue what, as it is likely to be something unexpected.
And quite likely the result of another injury!
I see no reason that the Mets can’t get through the ASB a couple games over .500 at least, and say within 4-5 of the WC at worst. So, based on that, if they get a player or two via trade, and some of the semi-ambulatory wounded back, they can make a serious run in August and September.
4 games over on 8/1 (tread water scenerio)
~60 games left. GO 37 – 23. Leaves you at 18 over, which means 90 wins.
Yeah, that can get you in the playoffs!
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
With a healthy productive Delgado Reyes Santana Maine Putz I can actually envision this 37-23 (.740) finish.
smooth
6/15/2009-10:05pm at 10:05 pm (UTC -4)
i hope people will stop hoping for a trade after reading this. Theres not going to be any trades anytime soon, we have to stand pat and wait for the calvary. I have confidence johan will return to his usual self come saturday
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:09pm at 10:09 pm (UTC -4)
I hear you. What some people don’t seem to understand is the trade deadline aspect. Nothing like a looming deadline to force a little action. Right now it’s not exactly looming.
stickguy
6/15/2009-10:10pm at 10:10 pm (UTC -4)
that’s pretty much wha tother teams do when hit by non-season ending injuries early in the season. Make do until the injured guys return.
trs86
6/15/2009-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
But that does not mean you can’t tinker.
trs86
6/15/2009-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
I just have to wonder what the asking price for Johnson is? It must be too high if the trigger has not been pulled yet.
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
For what it’s worth, about 10 days ago Jon Heyman said “1 or 2 AA prospects.”
trs86
6/15/2009-10:18pm at 10:18 pm (UTC -4)
I know, that’s what I can’t figure out why it has not happen. Something has to be going on.
Maybe they wanted Holt or Mejia as they are AA prospects but ones that better not be touched for a rental.
stickguy
6/15/2009-10:32pm at 10:32 pm (UTC -4)
agreed that the top tier guys are probably going to be held onto, unless it is for a LT player they need.
You don’t trade Mejia for Johnson. ALex Rios? Someone like that? DIfferent story.
trs86
6/15/2009-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, I wish the Jays would fall out.
trs86
6/15/2009-10:18pm at 10:18 pm (UTC -4)
Anyone notice that Tobi got moved up to AAA?
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:28pm at 10:28 pm (UTC -4)
I had not. I can’t wait to get my “Stoner” jersey. Oh boy!
stickguy
6/15/2009-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
they have been making a lot of moves up/down and in/out lately with the MiL teams. Not sure if it is more than normal, because I honestly never really paid attention before this year.
Toby Hydes MetsMinors blog is excellent BTW.
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:34pm at 10:34 pm (UTC -4)
I concur on Hyde’s blog. He’s the one that finally made me understand I should read the Buffalo newspaper online. That thing yesterday about “Mets put Buffalo clubhouse on notice” was ominous, especially since it went unexplained.
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:33pm at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
TRS given your location I guess I’m not surprised that you didn’t know what Marty Noble looks like. I’ve known for far too long. Spring training ’08 I was at PSL for a game and Noble and Ed Coleman were walking across the field before the game. I yelled down from the stands “Eddie C you da man!” and Eddie waved, Marty shot me a dirty look. I loved it.
trs86
6/15/2009-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
By the way, when are the Mets going to take notice of what Elmer Fud is doing in AAA? 1.11 ERA in June?
stickguy
6/15/2009-10:39pm at 10:39 pm (UTC -4)
Likely the next pen arm up.
But don’t discount the last 5+ (or whatever) years of general suckitude at the ML level.
Heck, Brandon Knight threw a great game the other day too.
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:40pm at 10:40 pm (UTC -4)
I think it’s a 40 man roster issue, right now there are 42 guys on it (Wagner & Delgado on 60 day DL), and Elmer is not one of them.
trs86
6/15/2009-10:42pm at 10:42 pm (UTC -4)
Let me rephrase that. That’s his total ERA and it is June.
stickguy
6/15/2009-10:38pm at 10:38 pm (UTC -4)
I do think the Mets are going to have a big finish this year (the oppostie of the last 2).
Caveat that: The last 2 years they did well in AUgust and 1/2 September. Only the last few weeks really blew!
But, that won’t happen this year.
Combination of getting the injuries out of the way early, and becoming more “battle hardened” due to it. Any comfort level will have been beaten out of them by August/September. And they did fine as the hunter last year, until the pen sank them.
Also, all the spares and back ups getting more time now? Hopefully that pays off when they are needed down the stretch.
A ton depends on who comes back, when and how effective.
If Reyes is back at the ASB, and Delgado/Wagner in early/mid August, and Putz by September, and they are all reasonable effective, that will be a tremendous trade deadline boost, all for no cost!
Can you imagine how pumped everyone here would have been if Omar could have added a big bat like Delgado, and 2 pen arms like Putz/Wagner, last year at the deadline? I think they would have made the playoffs with that influx of talent.
GravediggerHebner
6/15/2009-10:42pm at 10:42 pm (UTC -4)
It’s precisely this line of thinking that keeps me from getting too worked up about things currently.
gategem
6/15/2009-10:43pm at 10:43 pm (UTC -4)
That must be an ancient photo of Marty Noble since he looked that way when he was a columnist for Newsday.
On Geico SportsNite they were discussing moves the Mets might make. The one caveat that was always included was whether or not the Wilpons can or will expand the payroll to include an Adam Dunn or a Matt Holliday.
Considering the strange ways the Mets find to lose games and the sloppy play and some of Jerry’s unusual managerial moves I find it difficult to have the optimistic prognosis that some have for the Mets in the games leading up to the ASB. It’s difficult to tread water in your row boat with the Queen Mary ready to drop an anchor on your boat.
gategem
6/15/2009-11:02pm at 11:02 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t mean to plug another blog but over at “Amazin’ Avenue†there is an excellent piece on “Johan’s Velocity This Seasonâ€
http://www.amazinavenue.com/
trs86
6/15/2009-11:04pm at 11:04 pm (UTC -4)
Feel free. Don’t mind at all. Bring all the good info here.
trs86
6/15/2009-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
Also, take a look at Mejia’s stats too. Wow. 2 starts 1.64 ERA in AA as an 19 year old.
Mr North Jersey
6/15/2009-11:40pm at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
EXTRA!!! EXTRA!!! Read All About It!!!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/IIXXKRAZEXXII/TRDMB_FrontPage–1_507x675.png
trs86
6/15/2009-11:43pm at 11:43 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, that’s great. You have author privileges. Go ahead and make a post with that up. Or do you want me to?
Mr North Jersey
6/15/2009-11:44pm at 11:44 pm (UTC -4)
I’d rather you but let me fix it i spelled Francessa wrong ok?
Mr North Jersey
6/15/2009-11:44pm at 11:44 pm (UTC -4)
My bad it is only 1 s
Mr North Jersey
6/15/2009-11:45pm at 11:45 pm (UTC -4)
Go ahead post it