OMAR MINAYA’S GOTTA FIX METS
NYP: Kevin Kernan
Lets start with the big one. Oh God, Omar has the flu too. Swine flu hits the Mets….. OK maybe not. That’s not the story here. Omar did have the flu but he’s fine. According to Kernan, Minaya said he is not going to give away the future to make a deal. That I hope is a relief to all of us, IF he will hold to that. Kernan, however, still says a move HAS to be made. In his opinion heading to Baltimore this week would be the perfect time to check in on Huff or Luke Scott. But here’s where Kernan loses it.
“The Mets should think big and try to make a bigger deal. How about going after Carlos Lee from the last-place Astros? Lee is making $18.5 million every year up until 2012. Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres would be the perfect fit, but he doesn’t make enough money for San Diego to be inclined to trade him — only $3 million this season. The Nats would shop Nick Johnson; he’s worth a shot. The White Sox’ Jermaine Dye (15 home runs) would be a perfect fit.”
So lets look at this comment. Carlos Lee? So you think the Mets are not going to have to give up top prospects for Lee? The Astros are not giving up on hopes of winning and I don’t see Lee getting traded. Adrian Gonzalez? If we here this rumor anymore I may scream. The Mets just can’t get a great player just because they want one. Why not try and get Hanley to play SS while Reyes is out and Miguel Cabrera to play 1B while Delagdo is out? Then he conviently throws Nick Johnson into the group who by all means would be cheaper than any of them. As for Dye and his 15 HR, check the standings.
Then he goes on to rationalize that the Mets need to make a move because the Nationals have this year’s number one and next year’s number 1 pick. What in the hell does that have to do with anything? Kernan then details many of the miscues the Mets have had but throws in this “The shame of all this is that the Mets should be in command in this division, but again are making it extremely hard on themselves.” Now raise your hand if you thought the Mets would run away with this division this year?
And then Kernan closes with the classic panic quote: “Fix the Mets, Omar, quickly. Make a deal — any deal.” Damn, talk about sensationalism in journalism. I think I may actually have lost intelligence by reading this article.
If Mets keep fading, will Manuel follow Randolph?
Manuel’s roster has dealt with 11 players on the DL, including key ones such as Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado, who remain out for an indefinite period. The Mets also are missing two-fifths of the starting rotation in Oliver Perez and John Maine.”
I have been wrong before guys, but I don’t see anyway the Mets are firing Manuel during the season. That being said, if they don’t make the playoffs I don’t see anyway he is back next year either. Good luck Jerry.
The Mets Should Learn From K-Rod Example!
“K-Rod showed he had some fire in him, something that the Mets do not display on a regular basis. How many times this season have we’ve seen pitchers throw at David Wright’s head or force him to move out of the box? Wright does not glare at the pitcher. The Mets pitcher(s) do not brush the opposing pitcher or the other team’s third baseman off the plate. I’m not looking for the Mets to become brawlers and start fights every night. We don’t need these guys to get suspended, break a hand, hurt their backs, etc… fighting but it would be nice to see some of fight and passion in the rest of the team.”
Now whether you buy into the fact that this team is soft or not gritty or all of those other joke words, there is one thing that is clear Krod IS the Man.
61 comments
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
The one positive I took from the KRod-Bruney exchange was that at last the Mets finally have someone on the team who doesn’t just roll over and die when challenged by an opponent, whether it be verbally in the press or physically on the field.
The two negatives I took from it were, the team got blasted like it seldom has in it’s history immediately following the exchange, and, while KRod handled that meeting with Bruney on the field “like a man,” Bruney handled it “like an adult.”
dirtysanchez
6/16/2009-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
lol good point regarding the way they handled it. When else have they been challenged in the media by an opponent. Only guy i can think of was Hamels but they knocked him out early when we faced him. Isnt that what we all were calling for…them to do their talking on the field?
mrbill
6/16/2009-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
Knocking Hamels out would have meant for him to take the loss. He didn’t because the mets could not execute.
It’s nice to see at least one player on the team is not a pushover. An entertaining soap opera in the midst of an infamous play by Castillo.
dirtysanchez
6/16/2009-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
i just dont buy that these guys are push overs…what because krod got in some nobodys face that makes him more gritty than the team? Also i dont think that because he did not get the loss we did not make our point. We hit cole hamels hard…he was the one who was talking junk
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
Every time Jimmy Rollins opens his mouth he challenges the Mets through the media. The “team to beat” thing, the “they got Johan but one guy isn’t enough” thing at the World Series parade, plus the Hamels “choke artist” thing you mentioned.
The Cardinals chanting “Jose Jose Jose Jose” in their dugout after taking game 7 at Shea in ’06. I’m sure there are more.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/16/2009-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Pelf isn’t afraid to go after anybody either. He’s a hot head.
mrbill
6/16/2009-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Oh yeah, that’s true. And Santana (remember him in Boston?)I take it back… 3 players not one… lol
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/16/2009-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
3 pitchers with balls.
dirtysanchez
6/16/2009-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Ugh i am really sick and tired of the fight/grit/passion arguement already. I mean what do the mets have to do to get across to people this msg. They have 8 ppl on the DL and still managed to hang with the best teams in the league but they still dont have grit…why because krod gets in a nobody’s face he has more fight than anyone else on the team? That article is stupid. If you say that krod has more fight than anyone because he got in that kids face but then say you dont want the mets to follow that model, then how can you justify that krod has more fight/grit than the team and therefore we need to follow his example….im sorry but that just dumb
Manuel unfortunatly is not going anywhere. Manuel is still keeping this team competitive in the division and he automatically imo gets a pass by the HO because of all the circumstances he has had to deal with so far that no other team/manager has had to deal with.
Carlos Lee would be perfect for this team imo and i dont think we need to give up alot in terms of propsects if we take on that huge salary but frankly i dont think the astros are willing to part with him. The easiest person imo would be johnson at this point but i guess we will wait and see on that one.
Kingman 26
6/16/2009-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
Utley did not look like he wanted a piece of Big Pelf….
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Other than looking smug, I have no problem with Utley. He and Howard are probably the only two guys on that team I don’t mind. The others are just idiots. I even soured on Ibanez after i saw his 3-run homer and going into the dugout with the dip in his mouth and sharing a laugh with Victorino. Jealousy sucks.
Kingman 26
6/16/2009-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
Actually, I think the way Utley leans into pitches is the only thing I really hate about the Phils!
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Utley doesn’t need to lean into pitches. The guy can flat out hit. Luis Castillo needs to lean into pitches.
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
You’re right, he doesn’t need to. That’s why the fact that he does is so annoying.
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
Utley is better than just about everyone on our team. Only position player I would take over him is Beltran.
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
Yet another reason why he doesn’t need to lean over the plate.
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
That’s his comfort zone. Probably makes it tougher on pitchers to throw inside. I don’t think he does it because he wants to get hit. I think he probably does it to give himself an advantace and because he’s not afraid of getting hit.
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
TA ’09, I don’t think he does it because he wants to get hit either, he does it for plate coverage, which IMO he doesn’t need his swing is plenty good, but I do think because he does it he should be hit (not in any life threatening way, but certainly in a bruising back yourself up pal kind of way).
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Grave,
I totally agree that he deserves to get hit. However, I don’t think that will stop him from doing it. Utley seems like the kind of player that would gladly get drilled in the back if that means he is put on for Howard, Ibanez, and Werth to drive in.
Kingman 26
6/16/2009-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
My thoughts precisely Grave…to me, his doing that is really the only legitimate gripe I have with the Phils.
darknova306
6/16/2009-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
If you see what goes on, you realize that teams are called ‘gritty’ when they win but aren’t dominant, and teams are ‘soft’ when they don’t win. I like to see fire and anger on my team, but grit is a meaningless word. I’m sick of hearing all of these words.
dirtysanchez
6/16/2009-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
agreed..
mrbill
6/16/2009-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
Even with a new bat, the mets cannot be fixed this year.
Kingman 26
6/16/2009-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
TRS–
Really outstanding compilation and post!
That program page must be from 69, right??
trs86
6/16/2009-2:46pm at 2:46 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, Game 5 of the WS.
mrose
6/16/2009-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
hey guys… help me out here http://www.rootzoo.com/articles/view/MLB-Baseball/General/Who-is-Shane-Victorino_14264
I got the Victorino article published here and Phillies fans are killing my rating
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
Philadelphians voted for a mayor who bombed his own city. Their voting prowess is widely known.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/16/2009-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
These Philly idiots cannot distinguish between taunting and celebrating.
mrose
6/16/2009-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
i gave up in hopes that we’ll get more rational people later…
its mainly the one guy who can’t do it…
either way, hopefully one way or another this helps the site
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
What’s the difference between Reyes having a handshake with Delgado and Jeter having a handshake with everyone? To me, this is nothing more than looking for a reason to hate the other team. For me, I just can’t stand guys that think they are much better than they actually are. One of them (Rollins) has pretty much convinced everyone of this fallacy.
Mr North Jersey
6/16/2009-2:59pm at 2:59 pm (UTC -4)
I just read article and comments. I have to say way to go there Mrose. To be able to take the high road and maintain your composure amongst idiots like tea-bagger is not easy to say the least.
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
Any shot we sweep this week?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/16/2009-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
I think so.. like 2%. I think we can sweep the Orioles, but Rays would be hard.
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
Haha 2%. Imagine if Johan was pitching? He’d bring the probability down to 1.25%.
darknova306
6/16/2009-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
Sweep what? The floor? Even the scrub pitching staff of the Orioles can beat up a lineup like ours. I say we have a chance at taking 2 of 3. That’s assuming Redding doesn’t bomb like I expect him to.
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
We’re missing their best pitcher (Bergesen) so my hope is that if Sheffield is healthy enough to continue as DH even our weak lineup will succeed in that park against their pitchers. We face Guthrie (5.52) Uehara (4.37) who starts out well but suddenly loses it (I had him on my fantasy team) and Berken (7.32). Their bullpen outside of Sherrill who is mediocre is horrible. If the O’s stifle our lineup, I will then have to strongly consider giving up on this season.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/16/2009-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t forget, Our lineup couldn’t really hit against the Pirate’s rotation. But I agree that Oriole’s rotation is bad. But what I’m worried about is their offense. They have good offense to win games, especially if our offense cannot solve their pitching.
darknova306
6/16/2009-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
And we’re throwing two #5s out there this week. And I’m still convinced Redding is a bag of crap. He’ll be exposed for it soon. Heck, we could wind up playing down to the competition like we did in Pittsburgh. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to get swept by the Orioles after that dismal week we’re just coming off of?
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
Pittsburgh’s SPs significantly better than Baltimore’s IMO. Pitt was leading the league in starters ERA for a while there.
darknova306
6/16/2009-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
True. Though, we haven’t really seen these upcoming pitchers much, and we tend to be pretty lousy against pitchers we haven’t seen. We’ve witnessed it time and again.
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
I think that’s a myth that’s gotten overblown. I am currently going through the game logs and I’ll put my results below. If I’m wrong I’ll admit it.
darknova306
6/16/2009-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
Cool. I’m curious to see what you find. It’s probably just a perception that’s been blown out of proportion, but man it really seems like pitchers we’ve never faced dominate us.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/16/2009-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
Good point.
darknova306
6/16/2009-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
“Starts strong but suddenly loses it”… like our offense.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/16/2009-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
sounds like Vicky in bed
darknova306
6/16/2009-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
Haha!
There's Always '09
6/16/2009-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
What I want everyone to do is look at this Orioles team and think to yourself, does Aubrey Huff scare me? Does Luke Scott scare me? If not, the Mets don’t need either one of them. They need a hitter that pitchers fear.
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Huff: 8 HR, 41 RBI
Scott: 14 HR, 36 RBI
I realize they play in a better hitter’s park and with a DH, but either guy would improve the Mets lineup depth. Imagine Huff’s production in our lineup from 1B instead of the nothing we’ve been getting from Murphy/Tatis. Anyway Scott is cheap and 3-4 years away from free agency. Unless he’s blocking a stud prospect the O’s have no reason to trade him unless blown away.
mrbill
6/16/2009-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Manny! … LOL
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/16/2009-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
LOL
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
Darknova here’s what I’ve found about Mets facing a pitcher for 1st time (in his career) this season:
4/13 vs. Padres Walter Silva: 4.66 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 R (Mets lost late)
4/18 vs. Brewers Yovani Gallardo: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 0 R (Mets won the game late)
4/25 vs. Nationals Daniel Cabrera: 2.33 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 5 R (Mets beat him)
5/5 vs. Braves Kenshin Kawakami: 5 IP, 8 H, 3 BB, 2 R (Mets beat him)
5/8 vs. Pirates Jeff Karstens (this was actually the 2nd time he’s pitched against the Mets but not only did the Mets win this game late against the bullpen but they had beaten Karstens the 1st time they faced him).
5/22 vs. Red Sox Daisuke Matsuzaka: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 R (Mets beat him)
5/26 vs. Nationals Craig Stammen: 5 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 R (Mets beat him)
5/29 vs. Marlins Sean West: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 R (Mets won late)
This is not perfect because I did it by looking at the name of the starter then guessing that it was his 1st start against the Mets (which I then confirmed, but I may have overlooked someone by assuming that it was not his 1st start against them). But nonetheless that’s 8 games against a starter for the 1st time that the Mets won 7 of.
darknova306
6/16/2009-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
I know I’ve had this perception of us for at least a year or two, so I’d be curious about it over the 08/07 seasons, but that’s a lot of research better done later.
I guess we’ve done pretty well against guys we’ve never faced before this year. Only two of those guys dominated us.
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
I agree in that I’ve had this perception about the Mets for most of my adult life, and I have to believe that it was based in some reality. I think it just took on a life of it’s own at some point.
The amount of research necessary to go back prior to this year I’m not sure I wish to undertake. But I think this is interesting enough that I’m going to turn it into a post of it’s own later today.
darknova306
6/16/2009-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, kinda like the perception that Wright is un-clutch: based on a few specific instances, but blown waaay out of proportion. Well, let’s hope we light these scrubs up this week and that our pitching can hold its own.
sabermetrician
6/16/2009-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
Damn good work Heb.
metsfan4decades
6/16/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
O.K. Kernan is a fool. ‘Fix the Mets, quickly’????? Yeah, if only it was that easy.
I think the media, sports writers, analysts, etc. are worse arm chair GMs than your average fan. Do they really think it’s that easy? If it was, Omar would have done it by now.
I really don’t expect anything will change until after the ASB. Even then, it’s going to depend where we are at in the standings then, how Reyes and Maine coming back fare, how many more injuries we’ll need to contend with. Making a panic move now, especially to give up a lot to get back more of what we already have, I think is a mistake.
Time will tell how this all plays out. Meanwhile, best we can hope for, I think, is to play at least .500 ball over the next 20 days….
mrbill
6/16/2009-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
From a Yahoo.com article:
NEW YORK – Hope you had a better weekend than the New York Mets. Unless you went skinny-dipping in a septic tank, it would have been hard to have a worse one.
stickguy
6/16/2009-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
An article about the Mets 17th round oick this year. Think he can teach his drill to DW and CHurch?
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/mcfarling/wb/201316
lgm09
6/16/2009-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
I guess batting over 360 isnt good enough for ya?
mrose
6/16/2009-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
so funny enough guys, on that rootzoo link I sent earlier, that same Philly fan arguing his butt off just proved my point, lol
nice!
GravediggerHebner
6/16/2009-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
Your severe test of a Philadelphian’s sense of irony may cause their prehistoric brain to explode.