Get your morning dose of Mets in the Papers.
Adam Rubin, “Mets’ Midseason Report Card: Amazin’s don’t make the grade”
The Mets are under .500 at the break for the first time since 2003, when Steve Phillips and Art Howe were running the show, and we all know how that turned out. Now we assign the blame, and a little bit of praise, too.
Adam Rubin, “Francisco Rodriguez, David Wright have good showings in All-Star Game”
John Harper, “Mets need a miracle to turn around 2009 season”
“Because they don’t have the prospects to make a big trade,” one scout said, “I don’t think there’s much they can do except hope like hell they get their players back in a hurry.”
Mark Hale has a talk with Billy Wagner in “Wagner Doesn’t See Big Comeback Role”
Wagner doesn’t believe he’s headed for a major role at all with the Mets. In a conversation with The Post yesterday, the rehabbing, fireballing, straight-shooting Wagner predicted he’ll be used sporadically, admitted he won’t be able to help if he can’t bounce back well and insisted he won’t be a bullpen cure-all when he returns.
Wagner also added, “I’m not killing myself to get back for them,” he said. “I want to get back because [of] Fred Wilpon and that’s it.”
Mark Hale has quotes from Pedro Martinez in “Report: Pedro Deal Done With Phils”
“I’m an old goat. I’m very hard to get excited,” Martinez, 37, told The Post yesterday. “Probably maybe a good-looking woman will get me excited, and that’s my wife.”
Kevin Kernan, “Source: All-Star Game at Citi Field in 2013″
The Yankees had their All-Star party last year, with an All-Star farewell to Yankee Stadium. The Mets and Citi Field will be having their All-Star Summer hello in 2013.
Kevin Kernan, “David Wright: I Want To Stay With Mets For Career”
This season has crystallized the third baseman’s baseball vision. Even though Wright’s contract runs for three more years and the club holds an option for 2013, he said he would be willing to work on a new deal at any point in the future that would make him a Met for life.
Najib Aminy, “Senior Softball Players Create Videos to Help Mets”
Three strikes and you are out – add a losing record, 56 errors, a bunch of balks and a number of questionable plays, and it’s inevitable that the New York Mets would be offered help.
One compelling offer comes from some seasoned Long Island baseball veterans, who are joining to produce a video on the fundamentals of baseball to help their hapless metropolitan team.
Or rather Wright?!? } – 
72 comments
mrose
7/15/2009-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
yay Wright wants to be a met and yay to all-star game
mrbill
7/15/2009-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
John Harper is 100% correct.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
Probably maybe? Good thing Pedro signed elsewhere.
dirtysanchez
7/15/2009-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
lol senior circut going to teach mets fundies…that should be interesting.
metsfan4decades
7/15/2009-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Jeeze, we needed John Harper to state the obvious for us Met fans?
Thanks, John…’Grim reality’…..
Yay to Wright wanting to be a Met forever. And just who was the last Met to start and finish for us? Ed Kranepool?
stickguy
7/15/2009-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Rubin wnet a bit overboard here. A “C” for Wright (same grade as Maine?) Just because he hasn’t hit a ton of HRs?
If the Mets had a team full of guys haveing years like Mr. C (DW), they would be in front by about 12 fames.
mrbill
7/15/2009-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Just because he hasn’t hit a ton of HRs?
Hrs, the 87 strikeouts, the errors and how many RBIs this year?
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
Wright is hitting .343 w/ RISP. Is it his fault or Alex Cora’s and Dan Murphy’s that he hasn’t driven in more runs?
What else would you like him to do?
Anyway, he can stillr each 100 RBIs this season.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t care about the RBI’s, as you know Wanny that’s a poor metric. The slash stats are inflated by lucky hitting though. That IS a concern. Don’t get me wrong. He’s still our best player. He’s had a rough first half, one half of a season does not a career make. He’s still on a HoF path, but this first half has not been stellar.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
One caveat to best player. I think Beltran is our best when he’s on top of his game. Both players at the top of their game are special.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
At their best, David will have the higher OBP. Beltran will be the better base runner and the better fielder but David is no slouch in either department.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t disagree that he’s been very lucky on his balls in play.
But at the same time, the results are the results. If he hits the ball better in the second half he might wind up with a batting title.
And I know RBI are not that important of a stat. They are obviously team dependent, which is the point that I am seemingly having to make endlessly to e guys like Mr. Bill who try to find any reason to criticize Wright.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I don’t mean to jump in bed with Wright haters, because I’m not. He’s on track to be a HoFer. He is the franchise and can become so much more. I just think that by expected standards this has been a pretty poor season for Wright.
mrbill
7/15/2009-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
I just think that by expected standards this has been a pretty poor season for Wright.
Saber, this is all I’m saying in 2009 re Wright.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
Absolutely. I understood you…I just think people were mistaking us for Wright haters.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
Saber — no one has mistaken you as a Wright hater (at least I didn’t). But Mr. Bill has a track record of Wright hate that is equaled only by Louis Farrakhan’s track record of hate.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I love David but I can’t defend him too much this year. Even his high BA and OBP is aided by luck. As can be seen by a majors leading BAbip at a whopping .426!
stickguy
7/15/2009-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
You are both right. Thanks Mr. Bill for setting me straight.
He is barely average or replacement level, so A C is probably too generous. SHould have traded his sorry carcass for DeRosa when they had the chance.
Probably too late now to get anything for him
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
I love how people overreact to facts. “Oh crap, our best player has played average in the first half? Well, look at his intangibles, that makes him great.” No one suggested trading him stick. If you don’t like facts then maybe you’re a fan of the wrong sport. Go try sports where stats are meaningless like basketball or soccer.
stickguy
7/15/2009-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
What facts? A .324 BA and a .410 OBP, and a .872 OPS and an OPS+ of 131?
If that is a C, and the same as John Maine, less than Castillo, etc., then you are a tough grader.
He struck out a lot early in the year, and his HRs are down. Both relatively flukey, and 1/2 season is still a small sample size.
I was really responding (with some sarcasm, which apparently was missed) to Mr. Bill.
A C should be for a guy tht was OK, barely better than someone off the bench, etc. Church can get a C. Maybe Murphy.
I didn’t argue, facts or not, that Wright was having an MVP year. SO he is a little off in a few catagories, drop him to a B. Not a C.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I agree that we have to calibrate our grading system first. By C, I was thinking in terms of expected value to the team. I agree that if you are using a scale with no expectations that he should be above Maine and Castillo. I thought you were being critical of the BAbip, which I actually find a little disconcerting. I think you’re right that things are a bit flukey. The alarming part with David is that with his age and talent I would expect him to be having a fundamentally career year (of course team dependant stats would be down, because of the missing cogs).
stickguy
7/15/2009-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
just looking at his 1/2 year stats (what I reember off the top of my head) he is .006 off his career high in OBP, .01 off in OPS+, and on pace for a record # of 2B, 3B and SBs (all based on projecting current stats).
BA I think is also close to his career high.
RBIs are down, but that is a function of the team for the most part.
Really, only HRs are way out of whack, and slugging is a bit off (hmm, a correlation?)
Maybe he has reinvented himself, but frankly, this model (especially with any talent surrounding him) is still pretty danged good.
All will be a moot point if he goes on a little HR binge (and over the years he has tended to hit them in batches) and gets up to ~20 on the year, and his slugging back over .500.
trs86
7/15/2009-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
Wagner also added, “I’m not killing myself to get back for them,†he said. “I want to get back because [of] Fred Wilpon and that’s it.â€
Another classic example of Wagner being Wagner. Please Wags, hurry the hell up and get back so we can trade your ass.
dirtysanchez
7/15/2009-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
lol who would want him..besides we will be way past the trade deadline by the time he comes back. That line really did not sit well with me at all though.
trs86
7/15/2009-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
He could still be traded as a waiver deal. Deals like Sean Green and Elduque. His salary might be enough to help him pass through waivers for sure.
trs86
7/15/2009-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
Whoops, meant Shawn Green.
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
think we’ll offer Wagner arbitration? He’s on track to be a Type A
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
A roll of the dice, but it would be an interesting move.
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
he’d certainly decline since he wants to be a closer.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
I’d be worried if he would decline or not. I agree with your logic, but do you think he’d be smart enough to think, “One year as a set-up man to re-establish myself.”
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
not w/ his ego. plus, he could sign on for a cheap 1 year contract as a closer, and would be able to establish himself.
he’d prob get less in FA than arbitration, but I don’t see Billy setting up for anyone.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
One other thing Case, when the club has an option can they still offer arbitration? I don’t know at all, but I could see how that could be considered a conflict.
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
good question, will have to investigate
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I’ll look into it to. Track me down if you find anything.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
too*
stickguy
7/15/2009-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
pretty sure they can declien the option, then offer him arbitration. But don’t hold me to that.
I would do it, but only if he comes back in time to prove that he can still be effective. Otherwise, who wil lwant him?
And I have no idea what he would be offered or ask for, but isn’t there a rule you can’t offer more than a 20% cut or something?
trs86
7/15/2009-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
Yes if it is a TEAM option they can decline it and still offer arbitration.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
Can you think of an example?
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
If that’s the case they’ll have to do the same with Putz.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
I agree Wanny. If things go right and we offer arbitration appropriately we could really come through with a decent draft. (Our top pick is looking better and better every loss we get too).
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t even know if Putz will qualify for Type A status after his last couple of seasons, which were mostly lost to injury and mediocrity.
But he will certainly get signed if let go and would likely not accept arbitration given his last two seasons.
On the other hand, Wagner might accept arbitration knowing that it will be difficult for him to find work given the compensation the team signing him would have to forfeit. Who is going to give up a 1st round pick for Wagner, with the uncertainties that will surround his health?
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Chris (New York)
I know this team was built to win now and that injuries have been 90% of their problem, but if the Mets were to blow it up this offseason, what pieces would / could they move and what teams would make sense for them to deal with? Do you scatter Beltran, Johan and K-Rod across the league and replenish your farm system or is 2009 just a blip?
Steve Phillips (1:28 PM)
I think that if the Mets don’t win this year, they have to reconsider reconstructing their roster and should have some flexibility. Carlos Delgado is in the last year of a deal and they should be able to use his money to rebuild. I still believe the Mets should consider trading Beltran and spreading his money around the field for improvement. They will need starting pitching — Perez and Maine can’t be counted on. I keep David Wright and Jose Reyes as I believe they are part of the solution and not part of the problem. Beltran has a no-trade clause, but I don’t get the sense he’s enamored with NY, and if the right opportunity presented itself, I think he’d be inclined to accept. It might be best for him and the Mets if that kind of deal presents itself. He is a good player and citizen, and a player who cares, but he is inconsistent at times in critical situations, and for the money, doesn’t serve as the face and voice of the organization.
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
what did beltran ever do to stevie?
dirtysanchez
7/15/2009-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
i thought wright was the face and voice of the organization
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
that’s his point. that beltran gets paid like he should be but doesn’t take the role.
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
that’s dumb. So leadership is based on salary? In that case, the Yanks have 20+ leaders.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
I rarely agree with this guy. But I think what he is saying is not that money = leader, but that with money comes an expectation of leadership. And for a team that appears to lack leadership, you would expect your star player – and highest paid player — to contribute more in that role.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
I see what you’re saying Wanny, but I believe that Beltran is unfairly criticized for this very issue. He has been a spokesman at times for this team (Rollins comeback, Pittsburgh play) and people (team, fans, writers, organization) seem to ignore it. You can’t lead something that refuses to be led.
And we don’t know how much he does for the team behind closed doors.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
All fair points.
metsfan4decades
7/15/2009-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
Stop. After Phillips rant that night on ESPN, I can’t take anything he says seriously. Guy has a big chip on his shoulder and the way he went on and on about Beltran that night you with think Carlos shot his dog.
There is a reason Phillips is no longer with the Mets organization…
I guess Beltran’s recent quote of he’d like to finish his career with the Mets translates to ‘not enamored with NY’ to Phillips.
Other than the Beltran rant, he’s only stating the obvious.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
I have to disagree with Steve on some points. Beltran is inconsistent in critical situations? His playoff record is incredible. I hate these dopes that point to one or two instances and say that Beltran isn’t clutch. I agree that we need starting pitching and Omar decided not to address that this offseason, but we don’t need to overhaul the ENTIRE system, just some parts. It does need to be more than Omar’s usual band-aid approach though.
stickguy
7/15/2009-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
It scares me, but I actually (mostly) agree with Steverino. I disagree a bit on his analysis of Beltran, but I don’t disagree that they should keep DW and JR, punt Delgado, and if the right (and it would have to be real good) deal presented itself, yo ucould move beltran.
It would, however, have to be part of a more sweeping shuffle, but that has to happen anyway.
Really, if they have to replace C, 1B, and LF at least, what’s adding CF to the mix, since Beltran could certainly fix maybe 2 of the other holes?
And no, I am not advocating getting rid of Beltran, and I am not going to speculate on what they get for him and what the roster will be, but the concept is not comepletely ridiculous either.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
I wouldn’t look to trade Beltran after this season, but given his age, his knees and the fact that his best value is as a CFer, I would consider it for the right package of high-end prospects and a young major league pitcher could be found.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
Just like Wright continues to carry the “Dan Murphy incident,” Beltran continues to carry the “called strike 3 incident” from the 2006 NLCS.
mrbill
7/15/2009-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
incident? lol
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:07pm at 2:07 pm (UTC -4)
You never got back to us yesterday (or today) about Wright’s inability to drive in runs despite his .343 BA w/RISP.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
I understand the logic to trading Beltran, but I don’t see it extending much past that. Keep DW and JR, gut the rest? I hope he’s not talking Santana. He never mentions that but if you’re only keeping DW and JR that’s an issue. I would love to see us be sellers this year, but the Wilpons seem to have made it clear they just need a contending team on the field. You become sellers and you might not have that next year.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:19pm at 2:19 pm (UTC -4)
I read Steve’s comment to be limited to trading Beltran (from among the “core”) so that his salary could be spread around to get good players at two to three positions.
I tend agree about selling this year. But I wouldn’t enter a wholesale rebuild. I would only sell what can’t be expected to contribute to a playoff run next year or what won’t really affect the ability to bounceback this year, i.e. Livan, Schneider, Redding.
Putz and Wagner would obviously be good trade pieces, but, alas, that won’t happen.
I bet a guy that could command a pretty good return in a trade right now is Pedro Feliciano.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
I say go all in. Trade Livan, Nieve, Schneider, Redding, Murphy, Sheff if there’s a taker, Luis if there’s a taker, and Pedro (maybe). Package some of these guys for something better if you can.
stickguy
7/15/2009-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
I’m in there with you on this one.
Build your core teaqm for this time next year, and if a player isn’t on it, they are fair game now (and again post season) to be dealt for help where needed.
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
to follow up on putz and wagner, putz would be a Band wags an A.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
thanks, case.
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
I’d decline Putz’s option and offer arbitration to get the supplemental pick. Though, I wonder if we could get more via trade.
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:08pm at 2:08 pm (UTC -4)
If you accept his option, I’m not sure who is trading for him for $9m (?).
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-2:13pm at 2:13 pm (UTC -4)
Seriously. I know I wouldn’t want Putz as my closer for $9 mil.
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
hopefully Putz can raise his value when he comes back
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
was that a pun?
CaseStreet
7/15/2009-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
if it is, I’m a poet and don’t even know it
wannybackstra
7/15/2009-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
Mulvey recalled; Morales sent to minorsComment Email Print Share Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have recalled right-hander Kevin Mulvey from Triple-A Rochester to add some depth to their bullpen.
Mulvey was 3-6 with a 3.93 ERA in 17 starts for the Red Wings this year. He came over from the New York Mets in the trade for Johan Santana before last season.
The Twins have carried 11 pitchers and three catchers for the last few weeks. But manager Ron Gardenhire said before the break that he would need some help for his tiring bullpen. The Twins could also make a trade to bring in a more experienced reliever, but for now Mulvey will try to fill the void.
To make room, the Twins optioned third catcher Jose Morales to Rochester. He hit .343 in 32 games with the Twins.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-2:55pm at 2:55 pm (UTC -4)
If we don’t get something going over these next 17 games then our season is done. With that in mind we can determine whether to be buyers or sellers. We have 14 games before the trade deadline. I say if we are 5-9 or worse in those 14 games we should become aggressive sellers (even listen to big offers for Beltran). If we are 6-8, 7-7, 8-6 stand pat, with maybe a small trade or two. If we are 9-5 or better be aggressive buyers. Do whatever it takes to land at least Duke if not Holliday, Bedard, or Halladay. If we win 9+ in the next 14 it will show that we can win enough to hang in until the cavalry comes back.
sabermetrician
7/15/2009-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
By being aggressive buyers I mean we should be willing to trade even the best of our prospects.
Joe R
7/15/2009-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
Oh man watching Met classics from 06…So amazing to see Reyes lead off with a hit, another guy get on, Beltran homer, Delgado double. Geez…What happened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They scored 3 runs with 3 batters!! Wow I really got numb and use to us scoring nothing this year. i forgot how quick we use to strike and the excitement etc etc etc etc
I want winning baseball now!!