Once again it’s time to get your daily dose of TRDMB’s Mets in the Papers.
Kristie Ackert, “David Wright Closing On Howard Johnson’s Mets Mark of Starts at Third”
When Wright starts against the Marlins Friday night, he will start making good on Johnson’s wishes. Wednesday night against the Braves, Wright made his 834th start at third for the Mets, one shy of Johnson’s franchise record.
Tim Britton, “Mets Now In Position to Play Spoiler”
“The goal that we have is to try to finish as strong as possible. If that includes beating some teams that still have a chance, then so be it,” David Wright said. “Do we want to win? Of course. Is it because they’re mathematically still in it? No, it’s because we’re trying to accomplish our goals that we have set out to finish the season strong.”
Tim Britton, “Citi Field A Boon To Castillo, Murphy”
That extra space helps explain why the Mets have maintained such a high team batting average even as they have suffered significant and sustained losses to their Opening Day lineup. The Mets’ have hit .270 as a team, good for second in the National League behind only the playoff-bound Dodgers. The Mets hit six points better at home than on the road (.273 to .267), which mirrors the difference between their respective BABIPs (.311 at home to .305 on the road).
Anthony DiComo, “Mets Brushed Aside By Surging Braves”
Both throw a sinker as their signature pitch, though Hudson has apparently mastered the art better than Pelfrey. That much was on stark display Wednesday night at Citi Field, when Hudson’s three double plays marked the difference between his strong outing and Pelfrey’s mediocre one.
Anthony DiComo, “Mets Have Question Marks At Catcher”
Come winter, the Mets may not have much choice. Of the 17 Major League players who have caught at least 100 games this season, only 34-year-old Rod Barajas, 35-year-olds Jason Kendall and Bengie Molina and 37-year-olds Ivan Rodriguez and Jason Varitek are likely to be available on the free-agent market. None are particularly compelling options.
Bobby Dittmeier, “Mets Special Assistant Pena Won’t Be Back”
The departure of Pena, who was hired by the Mets in July 2006 to be a baseball operations consultant, is reportedly expected to be part of a larger shakeup in scouting and player development. Minor League field coordinator Luis Aguayo has been dismissed and vice president of scouting Sandy Johnson intends to retire, the Daily News said, citing sources. The newspaper said that the Mets are trying to persuade Johnson not to retire.
Bart Hubbuch, “Staff Firings Mean Mets GM’s Only Guaranteed 1 Year”
But the recent machinations increasingly point to Minaya and Manuel getting 2010 — and just 2010 — to make up for this embarrassment of a season.
David Lennon, “Minaya Is Running Out of Loyal Followers”
Even as the Mets put together a list of candidates to replace Bernazard and Peña, those interviews likely won’t begin until Oct. 31, when the contracts of executives and scouting personnel usually expire with other teams. The Mets expect to retain Sandy Johnson, the vice president of scouting, as well as Bryan Lambe, a special assistant to the GM. But Minaya is running out of trusted lieutenants along with options to fill holes in his shrinking staff.
Mike Puma, “Mets’ Santos Likely to Start Next Season”
“They are happy with Santos and Thole is up-and-coming,” said Schneider, who went 2-for-3 last night and his hitting .218 with three homers and 24 RBIs. “[Santos] can hit and he’s been real good defensively. But he’s got to be able to play a full major league season. It takes a lot. He’s a good, solid catcher.”
Adam Rubin, “Braves 5, Mets 2: No Hard Feelings For LaRoche”
“It’s unfortunate the way the Mets are playing. They are so much better a team than they are playing. I have never seen anything like the misfortunes they have had. It was like every week they had another player injured. Half their team is gone. Nothing has gone right for them. It shows how much luck is in baseball, and it does show how quickly things can change in baseball through a trade or injuries.”
Let’s Go Mets !
14 comments
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
Tim Britton’s article about Castillo and Murphy’s success is a must read. Makes me think a guy like Nick Johnson would do great in Citi.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
I am warming up to Johnson if he would take 2/10-12. If you got him and dye that could be a much better lineup if they stay healthy.
stickguy
9/24/2009-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
johnson could be interesting, but somehow I don’t think they will want to pony up the cash for whatever incrimental defensive upgrade he brings, plus higher OBP (but lower slugging).
As to Dye, the bat is intriguing on a 1 year deal, but from some stuff I read, his defense has gotten reall, really bad. Are you comfortable with another sheffield (maybe worse) out there?
Maybe just combine the 2, and sign Delgado!
trs86
9/24/2009-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
I think his defense would be fine for LF (Dye)
As for the difference in Murphy and Johnson? For next year I think it’s a tremendous difference. That fielding thing is still bothering me. He’s just not very good there either, YET. Maybe he gets better but I will take Johnson short-term over Murphy every time. Besides Murphy will still be there. I still think his best value will be as a utility player.
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
A look at leaders in BABIP who might be Mets next year:
Figgins .361
Crawford .346
Abreu .345
Holliday .343
Johnson .342
trs86
9/24/2009-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Is that stat good or bad? Are there not some that say that number shows luck?
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
yes and no.
Usually, the avg is around .300. However, there are some players who consistently hit for a high .babip because they consistently find the holes.
Castillo, Figgins, Crawford, Abreu, Holliday and Johnson are examples of this.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting but Cerrone seems to be at it again. He listed Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Krod, Johan, Murphy and Frenchy as hard workers but said Castillo was not. Now how is it that a guy who comes off his worst season of his career to come back and have a .400 OBP and be top 5 in BA did not work hard?
prismo
9/24/2009-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
Did you notice that Cerrone comes off extra know-it-all-y in that post? Like…more than usual.
darknova306
9/24/2009-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
Cerr-who? Who is this phantom blogger you speak of? :p
Pfft, Castillo not working hard… wow, someone’s not paying attention.
darknova306
9/24/2009-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe that came from one of his “sources”. Or is this something he ‘gathered’ on his own?
trs86
9/24/2009-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
He gathered it at ST when Beltran, Delgado, Wright and Perez were not there.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
Oh and pregame. LOL. As a coach pregame is about the most worthless piece of evaluation you can use.
trs86
9/24/2009-2:43pm at 2:43 pm (UTC -4)
MLBtraderumors seems to think the Marlins will only keep one of Uggla, Ross and Cantu.
I would be very interested in Cantu or Ross as they fill a current hole. I am guessing being that they are all advanced arbi eligible they will field offers for all. What would it take to get either of those 2?