Once again it’s time to grab your favorite morning drink, kick your feet up, and get your daily dose of Mets in the Papers.
Glenn Blain, “Former Baseball Star Darryl Strawberry Had Trooper Bodyguards, Probe Says”
Baseball great Darryl Strawberry had state troopers watching over him as he recuperated from cancer surgery in 1998, it was revealed Tuesday.
Mark Hale, “Beltran’s Back, Nearly Hero In Defeat”
“Today I felt like a kid in the playground,” Beltran said after coming off the disabled list at Citi Field, “because I feel good to be here.”
Bart Hubbuch, “Maine to Start Philly Nightcap”
“It feels good,” Maine said yesterday after his bullpen outing. “Strength-wise, it’s not quite 100 percent. But as far as the pain, it’s just not there. I think with a good offseason, I’ll be able to put it behind me. It should go away and should be fine.”
David Lennon, “Beltran Doubles, Just Misses Slam In Return”
On a bruised right knee, Carlos Beltran still made a giant leap forward last night, when he returned to the Mets‘ lineup after an 11-week absence and showed that he’s not far away from regaining his All-Star form. Maybe just a few feet short.
David Lennon, “Maine Has One More Tuneup Before Sunday Start”
Maine, who has been on the DL since June 12 with shoulder weakness, is expected to pitch a short simulation Thursday as the final tuneup for Game 2 of the split doubleheader against the Phillies. He’ll be on a pitch count, maybe in the 60-70 range, and Tobi Stoner, recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Buffalo, will back him up.
Marty Noble, “Beltran’s Comeback Creates Good Problem”
However Manuel arranges his outfield, it should be stellar defensively. Beltran and right fielder Jeff Francoeur have each won Gold Gloves, and Pagan and Sullivan have each shown impressive range in patrolling their respective positions over the past two months.
Adam Rubin, “10 Year Old Kyle Singh Lives Dream, Does Play By Blay of Mets For SNY”
And the 10-year-old – unlike his team this year – was simply Amazin’.
Adam Rubin, “Carlos Beltran Makes Return, But Mets Fall to Marlins, 4-2, At Citifield”
“You can’t fake those plays,” Beltran said. “You just react on those. If I have an opportunity to catch a ball like that, I will do it. I’m not thinking about my knee right now. If, after I slide, I feel something then I have to let the trainers know how I feel. But I’m not thinking about that on the field. I’m thinking right now about finishing the season without pain and being able to manage the situation.”
George Willis, “Mets’ Remaining Games Are Meaningful, After All”
So maybe these games are meaningful after all. Regardless of whether you’re winning or losing “you’re still servicing people,” the young man in the suit said in honor of his late father. It’s a message that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Let’s Go Mets !
49 comments
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
Did anyone catch the kid during the broadcast? It’s pretty cool that he knows what he wants to do at 10 years old and practices at home.
prismo
9/9/2009-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
I didn’t, but I’m going to watch that half inning in the archive out of curiosity!
fongy2
9/9/2009-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
I hope everyone who disagreed with me from Jan.10th on about the Redding signing
have seen the light! God!…This season can’t end soon enough!
stickguy
9/9/2009-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
FOngy, I will give you this one.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
fongy for GM, or at least TRDMB Talent Scout. Maybe we’ll send you down to Spring Training.
fongy2
9/9/2009-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
I might well be down there anyway in spring! My Mom just moved to Coco Beach.
And b/t/w…Certainly better me than you, Case.
fongy2
9/9/2009-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
No great talent scout here BUT it didnt take much of an eye to
see that a career 34-51 Pitcher w/a 5ERA,ordinary stuff AND coming
off a serious toe injury wasn’t a great sign…..
Although many of you argued otherwise.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
from now on, I’ll stick to the big name FA’s.
fongy2
9/9/2009-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Too bad Omar/the Wilpons won’t!
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
Hmm, Fongy live blogging from Spring Training. Very Interesting! Only if you promise not to assault Omar.
fongy2
9/9/2009-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
Never happened. It’s nothing personal with Omar.
Just think hes a below average GM.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
did you get a chance of seeing Ruben Tejada this year? I wonder if he’ll play 2B this year in Buffalo.
stickguy
9/9/2009-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
my speculation is that he stays at SS this year.
Since Reyes is only signed for 2 more years (through 2011 season, right?) they do need to have someone knocking on the door that plays SS. That, and in case of another injury soaked year.
I also think they have some other guys that will be moving to 2B (Havens is my bet if the dude can survive the winter, and play a full MiL season next year!). And a couple of other guys already playing 2B that have possibilities.
If they decide to move him it will be for 2011, and that really might have as much to do with Reyes as Tejada.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
Reyes signed for 4 years/$23.25M (2007-10), plus 2011 club option
stickguy
9/9/2009-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
Actually, I think I was in the catagory of: it was worth a shot to bring him in for #5 SP depth, and he could be useful out of the pen, but why did they rush to sign him, and pay way too much?
I never expected him to do better than the Livan role, which is pretty much what he did once he got healthy.
fongy2
9/9/2009-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Indeed! Signed Jan.9th,2009….Before anything else was address AND
while there were a few dozen better options/gambles still available.
But ‘cha know once Omar becomes fixated on a guy,its a done deal.
See: Alou and Castillo.
stickguy
9/9/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
then we better hope he fixates on better guys this off season!
stickguy
9/9/2009-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
Let’s see, I think I am free this sunday. SInce I live outside philly, I think I will try to get a ticket for the 1st game. Something in the RF OF seats.
With Maine getting a rehab start, and Stoner making his ML debut, there should be plenty of balls heading that way! I’ll just make sure to make bathroom and beer runs while the mets are batting!
It is nice to see Beltran able to come back. Hopefully he takes it reasonably easy (plenty of time off, etc.) Then, with a full off season to rest and rehab, he should be 98.4576% by ST.
Also, I know he has been an adventure sometimes int he field and on base, but Pagan has put up very good offensive #s, especially out of the leadoff hole. You might be seeing more of him next year than some posters hope to!
I still think they either get a LF or a 1B (depending o nwhat they can get at what cost). But, if it is a LF, and they are still High on Pagan, maybe Frnacouer goes? Or they sign another RF, and Frenchy gets moved.
Hey, they are going to be creative, right?
fongy2
9/9/2009-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
I wish I’d known Stick. I just got rid of 4 tix to Sunday nights game.
Never thought I’d give away box seats to see my Mets BUT it just
wasn’t worth the 5 hr round trip drive.
stickguy
9/9/2009-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
well dang it. I can make it in 20 minutes!
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
I really like the Pagan, but I hope he’s limited to 4th OFer duties. The guy can’t stay out of the Dr’s office. Too bad he can’t play the infield, then he’d be Chone Figgins like.
I wish and prey that Frenchy stays in RF for the remainder of his contract. It’s Amazing the lack of stability the Mets have had in RF, they should put a carousel out there.
trs86
9/9/2009-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
Not any different in LF.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
true, but LF had Uncle Floyd for 443 games. The most recent everyday RFer was Burnitz for 290 games.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/pos.shtml
Kingman 26
9/9/2009-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
I totally agree with Case….Pagan could be an excellent 4th OF, but is NOT a starter, and Frenchy should just be told RF is his next year. Yes, he could walk a little more, but he has power, is a fine fielder with an excellent arm, plays hurt, and is young.
With all of the injuries and instability, having RF finally set would be nice.
stickguy
9/9/2009-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
Pagan actually seems to be doing better now that he is playing everyday. But of course, he has to stay off the DL for an extended period to really prove if he is or isn’t.
9 triples in 250 ABs is nothing to sneeze at!
I agree that upgrading to a bigger power bat would be best, but since he has been playing full time, Pagan hasn’t been one of the Mets problems.
Kingman 26
9/9/2009-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed on the triples and that he has been the least of our troubles.
But, he seems to be a serious dumbbell with strange instincts, and he seems to be injury prone….I would definitely keep him around as a backup OF/PH/PR, as it seems as though he could be very useful and his negatives would be minimized in that role.
trs86
9/9/2009-2:48pm at 2:48 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, he MAY allow you to gamble a bit in LF if you choose to upgrade 1B. Example you go get a guy like Ankiel for LF as a reclamation project it blows up and Pagan is there to take his place until a new guy is brought in or Fmart is ready.
Same as Murphy MAY allow you to gamble at 1B and bring in a Brynan type.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-4:12pm at 4:12 pm (UTC -4)
Pagan has a .496 SLG% in 254 ABs. Very Nice!
stickguy
9/9/2009-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
Lot’s of talk (and hyperbole from stiffs like Stark) about the huge, gaping, insurmountable holes the Mets have.
Well, sure they have some spots to fill, and no, you aren’t going to get a superstar for every opening, and may not even be able to upgrade every guy on the roster. But, you can still make some major improvements.
and remember, you don’t win by comparing position to position, you win by having a team that is overall better than the competition (or more accurately, that wins more games!)
Actually, just get the DL crew back, and find at lesat a solid, middle rotation SP to help anchor the staff, and they are already a legit playoff contender, if you count the WC!
But, that one extra bat will certainly help. And if they decide to spend money, you can have this (alternate is replace the new bat with someone via trade):
Castillo
Reyes
Wright
beltran
Holliday
Murphy
Francour
Thole/vet C platoon
with say Pagan, that Carter dude, and a couple guys that can play IF on the bench, and it is a pretty solid lineup. And Holliday (or whichever big bat slots in at #5) should have a ton of guys to drive in. Can you imagine Carlos Lee there? Just don’t imagine him in LF!
rotation mostly has to stay healthy and be serviceable if the offense stays on the field. Say,
Santana
new guy (Lackey? Marquis? trade?)
3 from the poo poo platter of maine/pelf/ollie/neive/neise/parnell, and probably a few surprises added along the way.
Keep them off the DL, and yes, you can put together a pretty draned good rotation out of that. And even better, lots of spares in the 6-8 holes!
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
I agree, I don’t see the Mets as swiss cheese (with so many holes)
Instead, they need 1 bat and 1 SPer. That’s really it.
Sure, they could use a C but Santos can split time w/ my grandma until Toe-Lee is ready for the call-up.
Of course they could use a RFer who gets on base more, but the Mustard’s arm and power is quite enought for a 6/7 hitter.
So give me a 20+ homer guy @ 1B or LF and a SPer that isn’t hurt, doesn’t have mental problems, and believes he’s a good pitcher.
Kingman 26
9/9/2009-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
Real, real good analysis Stick.
darknova306
9/9/2009-3:24pm at 3:24 pm (UTC -4)
Stick, does your lineup mean you want Thole as a platoon catcher on the ML roster opening day? If so, I would disagree with you. He hasn’t even finished a full season at AA, no need to rush him up. Get a serviceable catcher to platoon with Santos and I think that position is fine. I’m really sick of seeing us rush the kids through the system.
If that’s not what you’re saying, then just ignore me.
stickguy
9/9/2009-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
could do that depening on how he looks in sept, winter and ST. Or, just get a serviceable vet (but better and different than Schnieder!) to hold down the fort. In any case, don’t look for a mojor impact bat at the position.
darknova306
9/9/2009-3:53pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t need a major impact bat there, just someone better than Schneider. Ugh, what a disaster he’s been.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-3:31pm at 3:31 pm (UTC -4)
I’d really like to see Reyes bat 3rd, especially to keep him from running so much. Get some high OBP guys in front of him like Castillo (.402) and Nick Johnson (.423). W/ Reyes gap power, he’ll have tons of RBI’s.
stickguy
9/9/2009-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
he will also get called out a lot for passing Nick on the bases.
I wouldn’t mind Johnson on a 1 year deal, but do you really want someone that injury prone after this year?
He also doesn’t have much power, and I thought that was the big missing ingredient? His hr/rbi/slugging are all almost identical to Murphys this year, although of course he has a higher BA and much higher OBP.
so are we looking to add another table setter or a power bat?
Oh, fun fact: Nicky is actually about 2 weeks younger than Chase Utley. And, he had a whopping total of 109 ABs in 2007 and 2008 combined.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
Nick for cheap and you can spend big money on LF or SP. Similar to TRS’ Branyan idea, but I’m going for OBP at 1B and power in LF. Kind of what Murphy and F-Mart are supposed to be in the future.
Just because the Mets will have to add a power bat to LF or 1B doesn’t mean they shouldn’t improve the other, even if it is just a minor improvement.
Kingman 26
9/9/2009-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, do I like this.
Castillo, Nick J, Reyes, Wright, Beltran is a really great looking 1-5.
Murph becomes a supersub all over the place for a year.
stickguy
9/9/2009-3:56pm at 3:56 pm (UTC -4)
could work. the key (especially with FAs) is keeping the cost in check, and more imprtant, the term down).
Can they get Nick J for 1 year? Partly so he doesn’t block someone like Davis, but also so he doesn’t clog up the roster/payroll if he breaks down!
But, if he falls like Abreu did, worth a shot. Just keep in mind money (see my tome below).
I also am not worried about Murphy. they will find something to do with him.
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
Can’t imagine Johnson getting too much. Guess, we’ll have to see.
I do agree w/ you though.
Priority is SP#2, then Power Bat, then upgrades elsewhere.
asod75
9/9/2009-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
Ladies and gentlemen,
I’m here for some shameless self-promotion. The newspaper I work for (Naples Daily News in southwest Florida) has encouraged us to start blogs to drive traffic to our web site. I had one a few years ago, abandoned it and have now brought it back. It’s an all encompassing sports blog called The Grounds Crew. We’ll talk about everything under the sun, so please come check it out and perhaps sign up. Here’s the link, folks: http://www.naplesnews.com/blogs/grounds-crew/
CaseStreet
9/9/2009-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
Congrats TRDMBers. We hit 30,000 comments today.
Kingman 26
9/9/2009-2:43pm at 2:43 pm (UTC -4)
30,001 now!!
trs86
9/9/2009-2:44pm at 2:44 pm (UTC -4)
Not OFFICIALLY. Shhhhh! We are a few away and I plan on giving away the TRDMB toaster again to the lucky commenter. The one at the top does not count the ones that were deleted or never posted due to the filter.
Kingman 26
9/9/2009-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
Damn, I need a toaster!!
trs86
9/9/2009-2:49pm at 2:49 pm (UTC -4)
Well keep posting, it’s a secret but we are a little over 100 away.
stickguy
9/9/2009-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
if you want to get there before dinner, throw up a post with “trade wright” in the header.
stickguy
9/9/2009-3:12pm at 3:12 pm (UTC -4)
I will start breaking up my 1000 word posts into shorter, twitter size ones.
Hey, I got a pretty good shot at this, based on shere volume! Especially if you disqualify the authors from winning the appliance.
stickguy
9/9/2009-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
Some fans/posters keep overlooking the econimics that drive putting together a roster (unless, of course, you are a Yankee fan in which case they don’t really matter).
And yes, unfortunately, the Mets are likely to have a budget again this off season!
so you can’t just debate #s, yo uhave to figure in $s too.
so, it is fine to compare laroche or Johnson say, and Murphy. But, you have to also include slaary and production/$ (aka value).
Laroche might give 10% more offensive output (pulling a number out of my hat). But if he costs you 7 million, and Murphy is getting $700,000, is the extra (theoretical) production worth a 6.3mill hit to the budget?
the flip side is where does the money come from? Again, not likely the wilpons will just write a bigger check. So that 6.3 is going to come out of another position. Marquis vs. Redding? or some other downgrade.
also goes back to the hollistic team approach. You need enough production to win games, but it doesn’t really matter where you get it from.
I also like the pick ‘em game. you can have marquis/murphy or laroche/redding. pick one.