Feb 22
Video: Santana/Halladay Comparisons
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- Mets Acquire Eric Young Jr., Designate Collin Cowgill
- Mike Zagurski Clears Waivers, Outrighted To Triple-A
- Draft Signings: Bohn, Salazar, Verbistky, Healy, Moll
- Yankees Acquire Fernando Martinez
- Yankees Designate Chris Bootcheck For Assignment
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- City Of San Jose Files Lawsuit Against MLB
- Diamondbacks Sign Braden Shipley
- Phillies Sign J.P. Crawford
100 comments
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
“He stepped in a bucket of sassy!”
I love Plesac’s schtick. He brings a lot of levity to the network. His impression of Hawk Harrelson never fails to make me laugh. “He gone.”
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/22/2010-3:03pm at 3:03 pm (UTC -4)
I would love to see Johan vs Doc game…. Especially for Game 1 of NLCS. Bring it on Philly Phucs!!!
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
Read a few Philly blogs last week when the comments from Johan and Doc about this item first came out. Philly fans obviously believe Roy is the best pitcher and he has ‘class’ for not naming himself.
Not quite sure I see it that way. They’re close. So in that respect, as a Met fan, I love the fact that Johan came right out saying he believes he’s the best in the NL east. What Met fan would want him to say otherwise?
darknova306
2/22/2010-5:05pm at 5:05 pm (UTC -4)
There’s irony. Just go to CBP as an out of town fan… you’ll see plenty of ‘class’ directed at you. :p
Seriously, though, too much gets made of all these statements from players. They get baited by the media, then idiots on message boards rant and rave over it. *yawn*
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
If the Wilpons are truly worried about dwindling crowds at Citi Field they could hire these folks cheaper than trading for Adrian Gonzalez:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayVi9lB432w&NR=1
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/22/2010-4:07pm at 4:07 pm (UTC -4)
There’s halftime in baseball?? I didn’t realize that….
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:09pm at 4:09 pm (UTC -4)
This is why I love baseball.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-4:42pm at 4:42 pm (UTC -4)
Gives new meaning to the term ’7th inning stretch’….
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:44pm at 4:44 pm (UTC -4)
Nice!!!! 4D a guy couldn’t of had said it any better.
stickguy
2/22/2010-6:17pm at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
but at the end of th eperformance, do they run out and beat up the umpire?
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:14pm at 4:14 pm (UTC -4)
1050 Michael Kay talking about that because Manny Ramirez after he got caught taking fertility drugs his numbers were not Manny-like it calls into question his prior stats but because AROD after he was caught still had the year his numbers his numbers are legit.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:18pm at 4:18 pm (UTC -4)
What a joke
ceetar
2/22/2010-4:20pm at 4:20 pm (UTC -4)
A-Rods numbers were down weren’t they? besides, he’s obviously still taking something.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, I mean I won’t go so far to say that ARod couldn’t be a great player without whatever performance enhancing drugs he took but the audacity to say all of ARod’s numbers are legit because he still produced in 2009 strikes me as hypocrisy to the 1oth degree.
ceetar
2/22/2010-4:25pm at 4:25 pm (UTC -4)
yup.
Definitely.
Hmm, I’m going down to Philly on Saturday. anything I should blow up?
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:34pm at 4:34 pm (UTC -4)
Bring back Hoagies! Lots of Hoagies mmmmmm
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-4:46pm at 4:46 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – did anyone see this? And we thought Tim Redding had the lock on a beard….
(re: the pic that goes along with the latest post titled ‘If I could grow a beard, I’d name it Jayson Werth’)
http://www.4daysrest.com/
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:33pm at 4:33 pm (UTC -4)
Kay has an L.A. Media guy Tony Jackson of ESPN on and asked him if Manny had a bad year due to not being on fertility drugs anymore. Tony said well that he had barely a Spring Training plus the 50 game suspension plus once he got back ha had 1 or 2 games made like the perfect storm to Manny probably not having a good year. I think Kay was fishing for something else.
Kay asked him if Manny is liked in the locker room to which Tony replies emphatically OH YES and Kay replies sarcastically Really??? WOW
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:35pm at 4:35 pm (UTC -4)
OH Boy Reyes talk by Kay coming up next.
ceetar
2/22/2010-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
Can’t they wait until 5? just means I’ll get to hear him kill Reyes post-interview on my drive home.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
LoL I think that is his strategy.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:43pm at 4:43 pm (UTC -4)
Where is everyone today? I’m gonna post that Mets rumored to be worried Wright is doing Roids and see if that brings em out of the woodwork.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-4:48pm at 4:48 pm (UTC -4)
You don’t even want to breath that rumor. You know some Philly troll will pick right up on that.
Must be a busy Monday for some of our regulars……
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:59pm at 4:59 pm (UTC -4)
Actually I am sure it’s coming I see Yankee fans driving that point home all season so best to just embrace the inevitable and enjoy the OH Yeah debates all season long.
whataputz
2/22/2010-4:53pm at 4:53 pm (UTC -4)
I think Holliday is better, and it’s by a pretty decent margin. The thing Santana does (and I’m thrilled we have him, and rainbows and unicorns), but he doesn’t ever go the distance. He’ll give you a consistent 7 1-3 runs, but he doesn’t do the Holliday complete game, and imo that’s what separates the two. I think Johans’ k’s last season where an aberration due to his injuries, and will pick up this year, but if had to pick one, choose Holliday.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-4:56pm at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
Kay just called Jerry’s laugh demonic.
Says Jerry batting Reyes 3rd is a terrible move. My thing is I find how the suggestion of Reyes batting 3rd as a foregone conclusion funny.
Rich Couhtino is on and he says he’s tired of Jerry’s lineup changes and it’s only February. What lineup changes Rich this is mere talk until you see it on the field?
Kay talking Mets is always a recipe for disaster lol.
whataputz
2/22/2010-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
With that said batting Reyes third is pretty idiotic.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-5:31pm at 5:31 pm (UTC -4)
The thing is this Reyes has never batted 3rd How can we know Reyes hitting 3rd is idiotic?
I agree in this sense that Reyes coming back from injury should be put in the most comfortable position to succeed as possible and that is leadoff.
Do I think Reyes can hit from the 3 hole? As long as Reyes is all for it yes.
whataputz
2/22/2010-5:49pm at 5:49 pm (UTC -4)
he is already rehabbing and trying to get back into a game he hasn’t been in a while, why confuse him more. Not to mention I think him swinging for the fences will result in a lot of pop outs. His game will and always will be, and should be a leadoff speed demon, so put him there and let him get comfortable doing his thing again.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-5:57pm at 5:57 pm (UTC -4)
I totally agree about him being comfortable and I don’t want to sound like Reyes hitting 3rd is a no-brainer I just feel that for it to even have a chance at succeeding Reyes has to believe he can do it and be all in or else it’s like putting a square peg in a round hole.
Also this idea that he has to change his hitting approach by swinging for the fences is just not true. If his approach is he needs to swing for the fences then someone needs to tell him that his approach is wrong and that is not what they need from him out of the 3-hole.
All he needs to do is what he did in the 1 slot when he came to bat with runners on base.
This notion that somehow he needs to change his approach batting 3rd is something I fail to see.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-6:05pm at 6:05 pm (UTC -4)
Good point on those last two sentences. Batting first, the only time Reyes is guaranteed to lead off an inning is the first one.
whataputz
2/22/2010-7:21pm at 7:21 pm (UTC -4)
At least that’s a guarantee. There’s alot of momentum in sports, and in baseball. The first hitter, a pitcher might be a little flat and not 100 percent. When jose starts a game off by getting on base, he scores a lot. And getting ahead early is a great way to win games. Remember 2006? I guarantee you they were tops in baseball in 1st inning runs.
While theoretically batting third should do nothing to change his game, it will. c’mon, you see how his eyes light up in situations with men on. How many times do you yell “why are you swinging for the fences! Just put it on the ground!”, it’s just his aggressive nature. Batting him third also takes away from the possibility of a drag bunt, and infielders can play him different and could result in less triples down the line. If you were to answer the question “Who would you want on first base with no outs?” and could pick anybody in the game, who would it be? Jose Reyes. He’s a leadoff man with pop, not a middle of the order hitter with speed. Could he succeed batting third? Sure, maybe. But his bread and butter is the lead-off spot. With Castillo behind him (and not in front of him, which would be true if he batted 3rd), he will get a lot of chances to steal, and combine Castillos patience with Reyes’ speed, and impact on the minds of pitchers, and your talking a lot of long at bats and walks for Castillo, which equals a lot of first inning pitches for pitchers, and you know what that means.
whataputz
2/22/2010-7:28pm at 7:28 pm (UTC -4)
Not to mention batting Reyes third, leaves a stretch of hitters 7-2 with very little run producing capabilities. Reyes does have some pop, and can drive in that 2 out 1 man on hr. Take a situation that occurs alot, lets say pitcher bunts a runner over to second, for the second out. With Pagan or Castillo leading off, outfielders can play in, eliminating the run on a single, especially with Barajas (or any of our catchers) running, whereas they have to respect Reyes’ power.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
You make valid points I don’t disagree with you of what Reyes brings to the top of the order how can anyone?
I just will say that for reasons that I have already said I think Reyes can maybe succeed and add another dimension to his game by batting 3rd to help the club if he really put his mind into it.
whataputz
2/22/2010-8:37pm at 8:37 pm (UTC -4)
how does moving him to 3rd add a new dimension to his game? Does it make his arms bigger? Give him more pop? All it means is he will get up with men on more often, so it might translate into more rbi. But imo that means jack. In a team sense R’s are all that matters. In the end of the day all that matters is how many runs the team scores. whether everyone drives in 70 rbi a piece, or some drive in 100+ and others drive in 50, all that matters is that the team scores as much as possible to win games. Reyes is a run table setter, not a run producer. And yes, he could potentially be one I guess, but when he was on top of his game batting leadoff, we were one game within going to the WS without our 1 and 3 pitchers. Especially with the Citi dimensions, he’s only going to hi at best 20 hr’s, and that’s a stretch. He’s much more usefull being on base for Beltran, Bay and Wright, than he is for driving in hitters, and weakening the top of our order.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-8:44pm at 8:44 pm (UTC -4)
Again I think I have explained my point of view on the subject.
Regarding the use of the word dimension It was to say rather than being seen only as a leadoff hitter he can be seen as a run-producer also. Not that it would in any way change him physically but rather change how he is viewed mentally.
whataputz
2/22/2010-8:53pm at 8:53 pm (UTC -4)
Reyes is a player that has the combination of Speed in Power. So does Beltran. Beltran has more power and less speed, thus he bats third, Reyes has more speed than power, thus he should bat first. It’s not like Reyes has had 25+ hr seasons. He hit 19 once! He’s a leadoff hitter that with some pop. If he hit 5 hr’s a year, he’d still be viewed as a top player in the game. If you put him in the 3rd spot he’s going to bat in the .260′s and the 5 extra hr’s he hits will mean nothing in the long run.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-9:00pm at 9:00 pm (UTC -4)
You may be right you may be wrong I don’t know having never seen Reyes hit 3rd I can’t definitely tell you he is an automatic .260 hitter.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/22/2010-5:07pm at 5:07 pm (UTC -4)
He hates the Mets. Kay really hates the Mets personally and takes it out on the radio show. What a professional guy he is. I used to like him for being blunt about things. But he’s proving everyday that he’s a jerk. If you get on his good side, he’ll love you and will not say anything bad about you. If you get on his bad side, you are a devil no matter what you do.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-5:41pm at 5:41 pm (UTC -4)
Where is my Dark Horse Carter at?
Cmon kid I’m rooting for you.
stickguy
2/22/2010-6:27pm at 6:27 pm (UTC -4)
SO am I. At least for the 5th man on the bench role.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-6:07pm at 6:07 pm (UTC -4)
They asked Francoeur on The WeaselHouse “over/under 20 home runs” and he responded “over, 27.” He also said the team should win 85-90 games.
As they were going to commercial, Brandon Tierney who doesn’t go out of his way to say nice things about the Mets said of Francoeur “all kidding aside, he’s a great pick up for them.”
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-6:13pm at 6:13 pm (UTC -4)
The closer I get to Opening Day and the longer I have to wait to watch the team play a Spring-Training game the more my stomach gets this uneasy feeling.
It’s like a big tease waiting to see anything on the field that will give me some hope that some of these if’s we have will break in our favor.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-6:21pm at 6:21 pm (UTC -4)
You have to wait until 3/2 for a ST game to see. But as I get older I realize ST games don’t tell us a whole lot. So IMO you’ll have to wait until 4/5 before you get to see a game you can really take something worthwhile from. I hope you have about 6 weeks worth of Pepto.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-6:47pm at 6:47 pm (UTC -4)
lol
Hazmet
2/22/2010-8:08pm at 8:08 pm (UTC -4)
Different Media Point from Today:
From Francesa on Nick Johnson to a supposed Met Fan Call In:
“Nick Johnson is too smart a player for the Mets, his intelligence would get lost over there in all that”
“He signed for what?, 6 million…, yeah, yeah, next caller”
Now, what exactly is Nick Johnson so smart at, how to find new way’s onto the DL? And for $6M for such an injury prone player? I get Nick Johnson a nice first baseman with an OK bat but he’s never hit .300, he’s alway’s hurt, the highest he ever ranked in fielding at his position was 8th and he only played in 129 games that year. To me that smacks as overrated, overpaid and alway’s hurt.
Then he tied the conversation in as Nick being the perfect compliment to Murph to take pressure off him. What???? Yeah, kid no need to look over your back if Nick Johnson was on the roster. Un F’in Real!
whataputz
2/22/2010-8:22pm at 8:22 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I am going to disagree and say I would take Johnson (for the 35 healthy games he will play) over Murph, but that just shows how stupid Franseca is. Johsnon has never won jack, and has a career .209 post season BA. He’s never even played 150 games, which is sad for a first basemen. It’s incredible how Francesa can just say the biggest bs and have such a large following and make so much money. He’s equally stupid when it comes to the NFL. He’s so smart that he played with the Nationals for most of his career. He’s never hit .300, and has 1 career 20 hr season. Sure, he’s good, but to make such a harsh statement is ridiculous.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-8:30pm at 8:30 pm (UTC -4)
And come Aug. – when Johnson is yet on the DL again and contributed about a month to playing time all year, some caller will get on air to remind MF what he said and he’ll deny it, then hang up on him.
Would be a big side benefit to having the Mets going into the post season, the Yankees falter and not make it, and MF having to talk about it for two months. From what little I heard him say about the Jets, he’ll be choking on it. LOL…..
whataputz
2/22/2010-8:45pm at 8:45 pm (UTC -4)
The Jets could have one the super bowl, and he would have opened up the monday show talking about what the Giants need to do in the offseason, and how the Jets were lucky to win, no matter what actually transpire in the game. I recently moved and no longer get the fan, so I occasionally listen to it, and I have to say I really don’t miss it too much.
whataputz
2/22/2010-8:47pm at 8:47 pm (UTC -4)
won*
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-8:30pm at 8:30 pm (UTC -4)
All I’ll say is while I like Murphy I hope he finds success and proves all his doubters wrong. When I start thinking about what Murphy can do this season I only get nervous not confident.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-8:37pm at 8:37 pm (UTC -4)
It’s a shame about Mike Francesa really. He’s seen a lot of great baseball players, teams and games in his life and he does know a lot about the game. But his over-the-top love of the Yankees and utter disdain for the Mets really get in the way of what could be a fantastic guy to listen to talk about baseball.
Nick Johnson is “too smart?” What the hell does that even mean? He’s fantastic at taking pitches and getting on base, truly among the best at getting on base but you can’t get on base if you don’t play and he’s only played more than 133 games (meaning he’s missed at least 29) once in 7 seasons. Not counting his partial rookie season, he averages 107 games played per season in his career. That’s awful.
If you give any credence to UZR he was a bad 1B last year and using UZR Murphy was far superior but Murphy didn’t play enough games to qualify. Of the 20 guys that did play enough games, Johnson ranked 19th out of 20 defensively. He made 12 errors at 1B last year, only 2 guys made more (Pujols, Howard) and both of those guys demonstrated superior range AND played more games (30 & 27 more respectively) so they got to more balls. No wonder the Yankees got him to DH.
Johnson’s poor defense and the fact that he and Murphy are both left handed makes the idea of them complementing each other at 1B far fetched to me. Other than getting on base the only thing going for Nick Johnson is his resemblance to Private Pyle from Full Metal Jacket.
Francesa knows a lot about baseball but he seldom uses his knowledge for good instead using it for evil when it comes to the Mets and Met fans. He knows how to get callers by pushing peoples’ buttons though. I listened to his show for about 15 minutes today and I assure you they were the worst 15 minutes of my day. He’s vinegar and water
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-8:57pm at 8:57 pm (UTC -4)
I am usually in the minority when it comes to Francessa I understand the disdain many have toward him. I just for whatever reason still enjoy his show but I think your comment about him using his knowledge for evil is pretty accurate.
He has had success for so long and has been recognized for how knowledgeable he is that he likes pushing buttons with it rather than just humbly educating fans to why he feels they are wrong.
His Ego is bigger than him and it’s ashame because at his best he really can like you Grave give some great perpectives when discussing sports.
Hazmet
2/22/2010-9:11pm at 9:11 pm (UTC -4)
Cause there’s a fat man in the bathtub with the blues
I hear you moan, I hear you moan, I hear you mo oh ohan…
Thank you Lowell Geoge, I feel better now.
Somehow I alway’s think that when he goes over the top.
Hazmet
2/22/2010-9:19pm at 9:19 pm (UTC -4)
*George, obviously
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-9:18pm at 9:18 pm (UTC -4)
That’s quite a compliment thank you.
Now I’ll try and use my calm rational self to jump in to your and Whata’s discussion about Reyes batting 3rd.
I may be mis-stating it and if I am please tell me but from reading both of your points above you both have sound reasons for your perspectives. What separates them IMO is that Mr. NJ you are taking more of an open minded viewpoint acknowledging the possibility that it might work out while Whata you are taking more of a closed minded viewpoint that it won’t work and will be detrimental. That shows a lack of trust that Reyes is maturing and growing as a person and ballplayer. In taking that approach you’re basically saying “this is what he is and it’s all he’ll ever be.”
I think we don’t know for sure it won’t work so we’re faced with a choice of leaving Reyes alone in his comfort zone or trying something new with him. I think as a dynamic offensive 27 year old player it’s OK to try something new and give it a little time to see if it might actually work. Beltran being on the DL and therefore the lineup being down a run producer seems like a great excuse to experiment. There is no available run producer the team can slip into Beltran’s spot in the lineup but there are multiple capable guys that can be placed at the top who have good on base skills and speed.
That’s why I’m open to the idea. I’m interested to see it in action and see if it works. If it does it really does make Reyes a more dangerous overall hitter and makes the lineup longer and more difficult for opponents to deal with. It’s all about runs crossing the plate, but whether he’s scoring them or driving them in isn’t as important, the fact that they happen is. We know he’s good at getting on and scoring them. Why not try to find out in a circumstance when the team needs another run producer whether he’s good at driving them in. To me it’s “no harm, no foul” to try it while Beltran is out.
He’s never batted 3rd in a regular season major league game and while it is a terribly small sample interestingly enough his numbers are better all around when he’s batted 2nd than when he leads off. So I see no harm in giving a lower spot in the order a temporary try. If it leads to him becoming uppercut happy swinging for the fences that’s a weakness in him. After 7 major league seasons he should be mentally tough enough to bat anywhere and not change his game because of it. No one is asking him to do anything differently, just to do the same things he does but in a different spot in the lineup.
whataputz
2/22/2010-9:34pm at 9:34 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not saying it can’t work, by if it ain’t broke why fix it? Reyes is the best lead-off hitter in the game. 3 hitters should be able to hit 25+ hr’s and drive in 90+ rbi (should be able to, but if you want to win a ws should be better). I don’t see Reyes as this guy. He couldn’t hit 20 in Shea, so why would he at Citi? He is less productive when he puts the ball in the air. He’s just as fast as anyone in the game, and can steal 60+ bags. People that can do that should be getting the most ab’s on your team. If you put reyes 3rd, you have Murph Barajas pitcher, Pagan/Castillo (w/e order). That is 5 consecutive weak hitters, not to mention 3 in a row that can’t hit hr’s in citi, or have very little chance. As well as what Reyes can do leading off, he can pick up the scraps from the bottom of the order because he has power. His power is a nice addition to his talent. If you bat him 3rd, you now need his power, and his 15 or w/e hr’s becomes a liability as opposed to a luxury. He’s not going to get as many sb’s batting 3rd, and less ab’s.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-9:50pm at 9:50 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t tell you that you are wrong, you may very well be completely right but I don’t like your reasoning.
To say that a third hitter “should be able to do” blank is not fair. Why should he? Did Keith Hernandez hit 25 home runs? Not to my knowledge. Did he ever drive in 90 runs? Yes, 6 times, while hitting 15, 11, 16, 7, 15 and 10 home runs. Tommy Herr batted third for the 1985 Cardinals and drove in 110 runs with 8 HR. HR are not a requisite for driving in runs.
Should Daniel Murphy not be allowed to play 1B because he doesn’t hit as many home runs as Albert Pujols or Ryan Howard? To me that’s not a good reason to say Murphy can’t play first (I know you didn’t but it’s an extension of your Reyes can’t bat 3rd “because” logic).
There may be valid reasons why Reyes shouldn’t bat 3rd, but some mystical idea of 25 HR isn’t one of them.
I like the concept of Reyes third precisely because Pagan and Castillo (especially Castillo) have proven they can get on base in front of him. I’d rather Reyes use the XBH power he’s already demonstrated in his career to drive in Castillo and Pagan than hope they drive him in specifically when Beltran is on the DL.
I just think the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” logic is a scared logic. Reyes isn’t broke I’m not trying to fix him. The lineup is broke with Beltran out and I’m trying to find someone to slide into the order to replace him. The best player I have to do that with is Reyes both because of his XBH/speed ability and because I have speedy OBP guys I can sub for him up top, I just don’t have XBH/speed guys I can take from anywhere else to replace Beltran.
I definitely appreciate your passion for the subject and your willingness to debate it. I just think with Beltran out it is a great time to find out if it will work or not.
whataputz
2/22/2010-10:07pm at 10:07 pm (UTC -4)
You can’t compare the 80′s to today. And I do think it’s a major problem that our first basemen can’t hit for power. Thus why we have to contemplate batting Reyes 3rd in the first place.
We’ll have to see when ST is over and things fall into place where they decide to bat Reyes
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:13pm at 10:13 pm (UTC -4)
It’s not the 80′s he is comparing it’s 2 players that happen to have played in the 80′s.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
I think it’s fair of you to say that we shouldn’t compare the 80′s to today, but I also think we can’t compare today to the previous 15 years of the steroid era. “Today” is new ground that is unfolding before us. 1B and 3rd place hitters don’t “have” to be 35-40 HR guys and I think in this drug testing era they will be so less often.
Last year in the NL 5 guys drove in between 80-90 runs with between 12-18 Hr so it can be done.
As you say, we will see if they even do it, they may not. I guess it’s safe to say I’m more intrigued by the possibility than you are.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:21pm at 10:21 pm (UTC -4)
Your mistaken if you think the problem with Murphy is his power. It’s his batting if Murphy could hit for average rather than power it would be ok but he has yet to show that he can do either, hit for average or power.
Tony Gwynn was a right fielder where you expect power and never hit for power but it was ok because he hit for average.
Hazmet
2/22/2010-9:00pm at 9:00 pm (UTC -4)
I step away for a few minutes and what have I wrought? Your words of what does that even mean on the “too smart” thing was exactly what had me just peeved and what I said when Mikey boy spewed it. And for the years Nick didn’t make double digits in errors if he had played enough games he most probably would have. Now, he’s alright but like ya’ll have backed me on, seriously now WTF???
Love the Private Pyle comment.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-9:09pm at 9:09 pm (UTC -4)
The afternoon drive by show was just so much different when it was Mike and the Mad Dog. As crazy as Russo is, they balanced each other.
My dislike of MF has more to do with his arrogance and rudeness with callers than anything else. I just cannot stand how he either talks over people or hangs up on them.
To me, the afternoon show took on a completely different flavor when Russo left. I thought they would replace him – someone else to pair up with MF – but that never happened. After about 6 months, when I realized that, I had to limit my listening b/c he, by himself, just grates on me. I don’t know if it’s what Mr. Jerz describes below – or age – or a combo of both, but it’s not even remotely enjoyable to me.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-9:10pm at 9:10 pm (UTC -4)
obviously should have said ‘what Mr. Jerz describes ABOVE’……
whataputz
2/22/2010-9:17pm at 9:17 pm (UTC -4)
It’s very simple. Franseca wants to talk about something and has an opinion on it. Lets say, it’s “Yankees have the best 1-2 in baseball”…he will then take calls on that subject, hang up on people that disagree but make valid points, keep the idiots on the other side to make himself look better, or and usually put on his loyal following of brain-dead annoying yankees fans. His bias is so obvious it’s a joke.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-9:15pm at 9:15 pm (UTC -4)
Here is a lil something Fonzie Forever posted.
http://www.baseballinjurytool.com/
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-9:25pm at 9:25 pm (UTC -4)
Wow that’s the most comprehensive detailed injury data I’ve ever seen, what a great link thank you for passing it on.
The first two names I entered were Nick Johnson and Carlos Beltran and the “details” section for Beltran was waaaaaaay longer. I guess that tells me that Carlos plays through injuries a lot more than Johnson, I’m not sure I’ll have to study them more closely.
Hazmet
2/22/2010-9:31pm at 9:31 pm (UTC -4)
That is cool…and scary at the same time.
GDH – I entered Carlos too, good observation on playing hurt. The scary for me was the 14 knee injuries cited. Get well soon Carlos, we need you.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-9:34pm at 9:34 pm (UTC -4)
For those of you with SNY the Santos-Papelbon at bat is about to happen.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-9:43pm at 9:43 pm (UTC -4)
Just saw it one of the few highlights of 2009.
stickguy
2/22/2010-10:21pm at 10:21 pm (UTC -4)
still arguing the reyes third idea I see.
I actually wanted him 2nd, largely to get Castillo out of the 2 hole.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-10:24pm at 10:24 pm (UTC -4)
Interestingly enough Reyes’ career numbers batting second (very small sample) are better than his batting first.
Batting 1st
.286/.339/.438/.776 tOPS+ 101
Batting 2nd
.322/.365/.429/.794 tOPS+ 107
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:25pm at 10:25 pm (UTC -4)
lol yea Putz is adamant that it is a terrible idea.
whataputz
2/22/2010-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
Never said Murphy’s power is the problem, he’s a mediocre player. He shouldn’t be a starting 1st basemen, especially on a team with so many offensive woes. Plus, it’s not like he’s a great fielder.
Closing Reyes statement: why bat the best base stealer in the game, who’s never even hit 20 hr’s in the third hole?
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
You keep getting hung up on hr’s
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
regarding Reyes i mean
whataputz
2/22/2010-10:38pm at 10:38 pm (UTC -4)
And you keep looking past his speed, and the impact his speed has on pitchers. Remember that Angel Pagan has never even started 90 games, and that everyone wanted Castillo’s head on a platter 2last year at this point. And you want to trust them with the 1-2 in our line-up.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:39pm at 10:39 pm (UTC -4)
I think he can still steal batting 3rd
whataputz
2/22/2010-10:43pm at 10:43 pm (UTC -4)
he can’t be the 60+ threat he would be batting first.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:44pm at 10:44 pm (UTC -4)
The point is what makes us a better lineup?
why?
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
why cant he still run i meant?
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:42pm at 10:42 pm (UTC -4)
Now you want to debate Castillo?
Castillo will hit 2nd no matter what Reyes does unless you know something I don’t. Also as much as I dislike Castillo I’d be lying if I tried to tell you he was terrible offensively last season.
Kingman 26
2/22/2010-10:58pm at 10:58 pm (UTC -4)
He can steal plenty batting 3rd—almost EVERY time he hits a double batting 3rd he will have a chance to steal 3rd and get in SF position for Wright. And he will of course come up plenty with no one on first.
Jose is not a leadoff man, and is being shoehorned into a non-natural position.
His extra base hit power is being wasted batting 1st.
Castillo
Pagan/Matthews/Beltran
Reyes
Wright
Bay
Francoeur
Murphy
Barajas
Pitcher
Maximizes everyone’s ability for the 2010 Mets.
Castillo’s few remaining strengths are maximized–he sees a ton of pitches and this is a great way to annoy an opposing pitcher. Wright sees more fastballs. Bay has more RBI chances. Frenchy bats with more men on base and sees more pitches to hit.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
Murphy is another conversation all together. We can debate the merits of Murphy at 1st as opposed to who ever you would like but I don’t know if I can multitask and hit them both at the same time with you.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:02pm at 11:02 pm (UTC -4)
As far as why bat the best base stealer in the game who’s never hit 20 HR third, you do so precisely because Beltran is out, and precisely because of all the other prolific base stealers in the league Reyes is the one with the most power.
Last year 2 NL players stole over 40 bases, and both guys hit 3 HR each. Reyes is more powerful than they are, thus better able to do it than they are.
The year before 5 guys (including Reyes) stole 40 or more and Reyes hit the most HR of all of them, 16. Only Rollins with 11 even reached double figures.
That demonstrates to me that Reyes cannot and should not be pigeonholed as a “great lead off hitter” because he has more power than the other leadoff base stealing guys. He is “more” and “better” than they are and his team should try to take advantage of that.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-11:47pm at 11:47 pm (UTC -4)
Been following this debate all day and your points above so far make the most compelling argument for trying him 3rd, IMO.
Last year when batting Reyes 3rd was first mentioned, I thought it was ludicrous. Last week when it was mentioned again, I was more inclined to give it a try simply b/c Beltran is out.
The more I read the points being made and stats to go along with it, the more I’d like to see them give it a try.
The only thing that bothers me is what the lineup then looks like with 7-8-9-1. If Pagan then hits lead off, I think it’s a fair trade off then.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:47pm at 10:47 pm (UTC -4)
putz You seem to suggest Reyes can only steal if he is batting 1st. I have no idea why that is so you make it sound like he can only run when leading off an inning.
Kingman 26
2/22/2010-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
It is very possible that Jose is being held back by being asked year after year to take pitches and be far more conservative at the plate than is his nature.
He leads off once a game, and bats 4–5 times a game. In addition, those 1st inning doubles and triples will clear the bases as well as get Jose in scoring position.
For the 2010 Mets, Jose batting 3rd may maximize his talent, but clearly will help maximize everyone else’s in the top 6 spots in the order.
The comparison to someone like Dykstra is a really bad one, as Dykstra did not hit any triples or HR compared to Jose.
Thank you, and have a nice day.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:57pm at 10:57 pm (UTC -4)
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
Lemme see how many of Reyes HR’s came leading off an inning brb.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-11:00pm at 11:00 pm (UTC -4)
No luck with baseball-reference their splits don’t make sense to me.
It says with nobody on in his career he has zero stolen bases. That can’t be right. I must be reading it wrong.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:07pm at 11:07 pm (UTC -4)
If I’m reading it right, Reyes has 14 career HR when being the 1st batter in a game, and 26 career HR when leading off an inning. Whether the 14 are included in the 26 or not I can’t quite figure out but I’m making a wild guess that they are included.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=reyesjo01&year=Career&t=b#leado
Also, he has 63 career HR, 39 with no one on base and 24 with men on. Batting third at least in theory a greater percentage of his HR would be with men on base thus he’d drive in more runs.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=reyesjo01&year=Career&t=b#bases
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-11:14pm at 11:14 pm (UTC -4)
My apologies I just realized I wrote HR’s up above and what I meant to say was how many stolen bases came leading off an inning as opposed to coming with 1 or 2 outs.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:18pm at 11:18 pm (UTC -4)
Oh OK well I don’t know why but as you probably noticed they leave SB blank in their lead off split.
I’m not sure how to find that out.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-11:15pm at 11:15 pm (UTC -4)
I think Putz called it a night will probably leave the Reyes debate for tomorrow or when the media brings it up again.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:20pm at 11:20 pm (UTC -4)
Cool. It’s been fun debating anything that is not a signing or a lack of a signing.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-11:22pm at 11:22 pm (UTC -4)
+1
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:32pm at 11:32 pm (UTC -4)
This article is 4 years old so it’s not entirely relevant but IMO it makes some good points for both sides of the argument.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_6_65/ai_n26921254/
prismo
2/23/2010-4:15am at 4:15 am (UTC -4)
My Phillies fan friend can be quoted as saying Santana and Halladay are 1a and 1b, which I agree with. They’re both great pitchers, and I don’t think anyone would be surprised if either one had a better season than the other.