Don't panic but this is really going to hurt....a lot.
It’s April 15th and I’m not looking for someones head. I’m not ready to blame the starting pitching or bullpen. I’m not putting any player on notice. I’m not looking at the front office in any way. No, I don’t want the team to be sold.
Not yet.
Like I said, it’s in the middle of April and I, for one, am not ready to push any panic button or declare any game a “must win.”
But I will admit that this has been a tough week watching the Mets-in all sorts of ways. I’m not going to go through some grueling details about what went right(very little) or what went wrong ( a lot, but we’re trying to stay positive), but after seeing Collins yesterday I must admit I have a feeling that things are going to get better simply because they can’t get any worse.
A couple of observations about the Rockies series if you have a minute or two. If Tulowitzki is hitting every pitch out of the infield or the ball park, why can’t someone just dust him off the plate a bit? Hey Parnell, are you listening? You throw 95. How about a little chin music instead of serving up a nice flat fast ball. If I’m Sandy, I’m trying to find a way of signing Reyes. What the hell happened to the outfielders yesterday during Dickey’s game? And lastly, I never saw a score change so much in 15 minutes. One second the Mets are up by 2 and cruising, 3 beers later, there down by 4 and scrambling!
And now the Mets are going to try to get back on track…… by playing three in Atlanta! That means I’m going to have to stock up on Captain Morgan this weekend.
The Mets and their fans are going to have to forget this last week. It hurt a lot. Personally, I feel like the kid who went to the doctor thinking I was getting a check-up only to find out I need three booster shots in my arm. I didn’t expect it but like a man, I’ll endure it.
I’ll just cry when I get home.
45 comments
metsfan4decades
4/15/2011-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
Sums it up very nicely, Gonzo. Pass that Captain Morgan, will you? I’ll be watching all weekend as well.
- Agree about Reyes.
- Parnell isn’t smart enough right now to know how to pitch to batters to get them out, let alone realizing it’s time someone brushed Tulo off the plate.
Big part of the problem IMO is moves that were made by the previous FO that lead to what we’re watching right now. Nothing to be done about the past. Can only wait until the remnants of that past FO are all the way gone.
I’ve watched all the games. I think another part of the problem, particularly with the OF, is we don’t really have one right now, outside of Pagan playing CF. By TC’s own admission, he played everyone and everybody all over the OF in ST trying to determine who could fill in for Bay and Beltran, if necessary. Now we’re seeing the results of that. None of them are comfortable out there. OFs aren’t working together. 1/2 don’t know Citi and how to play it. Only time and better quality players are going to fix that.
The pitching…we knew it was a ? but so far it’s been so much worse than anyone expected. To a man, none of them are getting it done consistently. Have no idea what to expect now going forward.
But I’ll be watching and I’ll be following to the last pitch just like I always do. I’m not the type of fan that only tunes in when it’s going good. I love baseball, I love the Mets and even bad Met baseball is better than none. Here’s hoping that bad starts turning sooner rather than later.
stickguy
4/15/2011-9:24am at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
I agree 110% with your last paragraph. Maybe it was coming of age in the late 70′s, and loving those teams (even when Shea was empty), but I like to watch and discuss the team. Yes, they can be aggravating at times, but they are still “my” team.
It would be lovely to see them playing in the WS, but if that can’t happen, at least try hard, and give me some interesting young players to watch develop.
stickguy
4/15/2011-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
3 beers in that span? How do you remember your name by the end of the game?
So, just chill out. Sometimes they win, sometimes they lose, but the bottom line is you get to see them play a game either way. Which is better than the alternative of no games to watch at all.
the odds are that they will win another couple of games this season. maybe even a couple in a row. Just have to be patient.
and you can also look forward to the brewing fire sale (gutting?) of players, since I suspect that is coming, and it may start sooner than you think.
oh, as to Reyes, I still say that Sandy’s biggest mistake was not trying to extend him to a reasonable compromise deal his first day on the job.
I see too that the Red Sox just signed (or are about to) another 20mill LT deal (A Gon, 7 years at 22mill/year). They might be behind the Mets in the standings, but they are catching up tot he yankees in payroll!
darknova306
4/15/2011-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
I expected them to be mediocre, and I expect them to continue to be mediocre. Either way, I can’t wait to get back to the states to start watching the games again. Bad baseball is still baseball.
Dirtysanchez
4/15/2011-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
Bobby is too busy giving up home runs to tulo to give him any chin music…beginning to wonder if he has tulo on his fantasy squad or something.
This series was absolutely disgusting in so many ways. You can settle for moral victories(mets ALMOST came back at the end) but they dont reflect where it counts most, the W/L column. Mets are going into turner field where they already dont win struggling to keep pace with normal NL teams. I am beginning to readjust my outlook for this season.
Dirtysanchez
4/15/2011-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
I guess the real question is if the mets continue to go into episodes of playing this poorly, will that affect how sandy handles jose at the deadline. It is at least conceivable based off how they have played so far that they could really be out of it by july. Do you guys think that will play huge to what Sandy might do with Jose?
Ceetar
4/15/2011-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
I’m not ready to discuss that 8% into the season. The season is full of peaks and valleys, for all teams. I want to at least have 1 of each before I start making initial judgements. (For instance, if they counter the 4-9 valley with a 10-2 peak, or a 7-5 peak, will play largely into the analysis of what this team is)
kingman 26
4/15/2011-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
Do you understand how horrible this pitching staff is?
Ceetar
4/15/2011-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
I understand what/who the pitchers are on the team yes. They’re not horrible, only idiots think that the small sample size in 2011 overrides all of last year and previous history.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
Well, while I definitely am an idiot, Chris Capuano had two good years—2005 and 2006.
Niese has consistently been very inconsistent and very mediocre for his 41 start MLB career.
Byrdak? Parnell? Carrasco?
Does Dickey’s 2010 or 2011 reflect his career norms?
Many of the Met pitchers’ numbers thus far VERY MUCH reflect their major league careers.
gategem
4/15/2011-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Precisely! If this was a pitching staff with an excellent track record then we would confidently wait for them to shed the chains of what is just a poor start or pitching slump. But this staff may be pitching near what is the norm for them.
gategem
4/15/2011-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
He doesn’t want to. Denial can be a wonderful state of mind. LOL
metsfan4decades
4/15/2011-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
IMO, the Reyes decision at the trade deadline should have nothing to do with the Mets win/loss record come trade deadline.
If he’s healthy and having a good year and they do trade him, then it’s about the money and nothing but the money. They either had no intention of spending that much on one player right now or just plain can’t afford to spend that much on one player right now.
IMO Reyes is part of the solution going forward. I’m willing to bet though even if they don’t trade him, they’ll lose him to FA. I don’t care how they spin that, it’s going to be ugly.
njstuckintx
4/15/2011-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
Amen.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
I think playing like this increases the chance of re-signing him early.
Alderson knows there is no hope of contention with this pitching staff.
Reyes clearly is healthy again, and re-signing him shows the fans that there is hope for the future. I really think they will begin trying by June.
Also, considering the few save situations, and how bad he has looked, there’s almost no chance KRod’s option vests, and that pays Jose for 2012 right there.
metsfan4decades
4/15/2011-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
Good point about Reyes, Kingman.
I’m not so sure about KRod though. He notched another finished game in this series, even though there was no save to be had. I wonder how many other opportunities he’ll be given to do that.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, but once the team is really out of it, if KRod continues to pitch as he has, I can totally see Collins giving other guys the chance to close games.
Still, 3 games finished in 13 games—it is early, but at that pace, he would finish 37 or 38 games.
No way he is getting to 55; no way.
And MF4D, don’t get me wrong—I love this team and I am watching. I just totally prepared for this, so I am not too disappointed. Expecting anything from guys like Capuano or Emaus or much of the pen was, to me, not realistic.
I love the future, and while I hope they win 10 straight, they are not going to, and the worse they play means the sooner dramatic change comes.
We will eventually win regardless.
stickguy
4/15/2011-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
non competitive years are basically used for clearing deadwood off the payroll, and sorting out the younger guys to see who is a keeper, and who gets thrown onto the scrap heap in the off season.
that, and trading all the expiring (and not to be extended) deals you can for a talent (or at least bodies!) infusion into the system.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
I agree 100%.
And I think this is what we will see very much of, short of a serious sustained resurgence over the next six weeks.
The team will begin talks with Reyes I hope and begin the cleaning out of the garbage in early June unless the team is above .500.
And they already would have to go 24–18 to be one game over .500 on June 1.
As I said to MF4D, I am as horrified as anyone else Stick. I expected this though.
But the guys who have played in Bay’s absence, Pagan’s regression, Emaus’ offense, and the pitchers’ general suckitude have made it even worse.
There is indeed a serious cancer within this team, and the clubhouse needs to be cleaned out of just about everyone (most definitely including Warthen) other than Wright/Reyes/Ike and maybe a few others.
May it begin soon.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
Completely agree on Reyes. He has happily proven me wrong, and signing him to an extension ASAP would be the ONLY way the team can give the fans some hope for the future.
I do think they will play better—largely because they cannot play worse.
But they really might not even get to my 75 wins.
Build around Wright/Reyes/Ike, maybe keep Thole and Niese, and barring a complete turnaround over the next few weeks, seriously entertain offers for just about anyone else on the roster.
And 3 beers? LOL! That might get one safely through the pre-game show.
Personally, I recommend starting off with a nice Tom Collins with Tanqueray for innings 1-3, Cabo Anejo tequila chilled with lime for 4-6, and finish the game off with Woodford’s or maybe Booker’s straight up; leads beautifully into Bobby O’s postgame rantings..
stickguy
4/15/2011-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
glad to see you came around on Reyes. he is pretty much doing exactly what I expected him to do.
I agree that it would buy a ton of good will (and probably help with revenues this year!) to extend him. It clearly says the team is still open for business, and does not plan to gut to the studs and run nothing but rookies out there.
Wright, reyes, Davis is a pretty good start to a team, and should all be in roughly peak/prime years for at least as long as David is signed for (through 2013). Who knows, maybe Murphy settles in to 2B, and stays for a while. At least it gives them a legit bat there.
The OF? Well, I think we are stuck with bay (if he ever comes back), but the other 2 spots need to be dealt with soon.
and cross your fingers for the pitching. Who knows, maybe this time (unlike generation K), the next seaver/koosman/etc. really do come in together! Until then, you get temp guys like Young filling in the margins.
Of course, I have no idea what really happens, or how many games they win, but there is a very real possibility that the next few years can feature a very interesting young team, with some real potential to grow into a force through the middle of the decade.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
I agree with almost every word of this.
Murph will soon be playing every day, as Emaus is Chris Carter.
Reyes, Murph, Wright, Ike, and maybe Thole is a fine start.
I think that the team can be fine in two years. But Omar left us in far worse shape than we even imagined. There’s little help in the minors anytime soon.
Alderson must be given time to rebuild.
And as KRod’s option will never happen, that’s another 14 mil off the books. That is a lot.
Use Beltran sparingly and if he keeps getting XBH someone might give us something for him.
Reyes has looked amazing; right back to where he was in 2006–2008.
Even if they do trade him, every day he looks like this increases his value.
It will take time, but there future can be bright.
stickguy
4/15/2011-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
Alderson to me is the key difference. Well, him and the overall philosophy change he represents.
Unlike under Omar, I think this year they will be realistic, and sell off spare parts, instead of hanging onto everyone pretending they are going to really be in the race.
One good thing about low expectations (and hell, general apathy) is you can do damn near anything, and not make matters worse!
wannybackstra
4/15/2011-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Hard to believe that Murphy has looked better defensively than Emaus.
njstuckintx
4/15/2011-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Go Big Murph! I feel like a proud father.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
I think Emaus is basically the Chris Carter of 2B. Cannot hit, not much of a fielder, and really is probably a AAA player.
Soon enough, Murph will get the chance to play 2B every day.
The guy works so damn hard.
Dirtysanchez
4/15/2011-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
And…he doesnt have a cool nick name
kistics
4/15/2011-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
He’s definitely far from ‘Animal’..
njstuckintx
4/15/2011-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
6 years, 100 mil? Think that does it? Still leaves enough time for him to score one more big contract afterwards…
wannybackstra
4/15/2011-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
I hate to say it so early but tactically Terry has not managed any better than Jerry. There’s been an unusual number of questionable decisions so early in the season. Maybe he’s out of touch after so many seasons out of the job?
Regarding Reyes, I’d have to see what the potential trade returns were before locking him up. While he’s been mostly fantastic so far, he still doesn’t draw any walks, steal bases when you need him to and until later in the season we won’t know if he has another late season swoon. When the hits stop falling in as they are now, we’ll be back to having a .335 OBP leadoff hitter. Combine that with the fact that this team is not close to being good, I’d have to see if there’s a trade out there that could accelerate the rebuild with 2 or 3 pieces.
Dirtysanchez
4/15/2011-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Thats all im saying wanny. Ya gotta at least kick the tires about what a return reyes can have. I know met fans are emotionally tied with reyes and all but if he is wanting a carl crawford type deal(which he has no reason to ask for any less) then we may need to let him go.
Reyes’ needs to drastically improve in two areas so far this season that would make him a must sign, walks and SB. When he becomes the annoying runner at 1st again and competing for the SB lead in the NL..then i think he becomes an invaluable commodity. Also a lead off man needs to be adept at getting on base one way or another. Both of these have not been flashed around so far for reyes, i hope he can improve. Also would like him to improve on that 2-15 with RISP.
wannybackstra
4/15/2011-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
The salary is another good point. If the Mets are going to operate under new budgetary restrictions, Jose will not be worth Crawford type of money to them — it will be too restrictive.
kistics
4/15/2011-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. But you have to remember that with Jose’s past 2 seasons, he’s probably not a type A FA. WIth a healthy season, I’m sure he’ll get the type A status, but if I’m a GM that is trading FOR Reyes, I’m not giving up two 1st round pick-type of players.
Dirtysanchez
4/15/2011-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Good point…ive already ticketed him to type A…would be very interesting if he doesnt qualify for type A, would that be more of an incentive to trade reyes instead of offereing him arb and if he signs somewhere else, only have a 1st round sub pick for him.
Ceetar
4/15/2011-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
He’s type A. there’s no way he’s not. It’s not like he played 80 games last year. It’s based on position and he still out performed most of them.
kistics
4/15/2011-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not sure if that’s an incentive or not since other teams trading for him would value him the same way. So if they don’t see him as type A, then the Mets won’t get prospects that are worthy of 1st round pick.
IF Jose is projected to be type A FA, it might be better for the Mets to keep him and get 2 picks back for him. Granted that the teams that you probably won’t get first 15 picks, but I’m sure Sandy will weigh that factor when trading him.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
One thing–maybe you know this Wanny, but leadoff hitters just generally do not have OBPs better than Reyes at his best.
Check out last year’s OBP leaders—almost no leadoff hitters.
The best OBP guys are usually the guys hitting 3rd—-Votto, Pujols, Wright at his best, etc.
Reyes has flaws, to be sure, but the idea that lots of leadoff guys have OBPs like Rickey or Raines is a total myth. It’s just not true.
.360 for a leadoff guy really is fine.
wannybackstra
4/15/2011-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
that’s fair but he’s never reached .360 and if he continues with the approach he’s had last season and so far this season, he’s more likely in the .330 range like he was before his 4 year run of .350 or better.
saltygary
4/15/2011-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
The core is finished, I just don’t understand why people want to hang on to it. Reyes will go down as a great Met but why should nostalgia keep him around. He is not the same player and he will regress quicker then most since his game is based on speed. The money that would be paid for his production value can be attained in other positions for less. Lets get something for him and move on.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
Gary, have you watched Jose this year? The speed is back, everything is back.
I am not his biggest fan, but he is so young and such a unique player.
saltygary
4/15/2011-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
He’s been a breath of fresh air in a sewer. Will the speed be there on the 3 year of a 7 year 100m contract? That’s what we need to be concerned with.
njstuckintx
4/15/2011-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t see him falling off a cliff or start running around with a piano on his back. year 3 he’ll be 31-ish. That ain’t old.
kistics
4/15/2011-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. I just don’t see Jose having .330 BA all season. You gotta assume that his BA would come back to his average which will be around .280-.290.
gategem
4/15/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
Is it possible that the luckiest man in the Mets organization just may be Wally Backman.
kingman 26
4/15/2011-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
Haha!
He can come pick up the pieces in 2012 or 2013.
Gategem, I really hope you are feeling great and recovering nicely!
Great to see you here!