Month: May 2009

Game Preview: Mets at Braves [Game 25] May 5, 2009

Atlanta Braves logoNew York Mets (11-13 Road: 5-7) at Atlanta Braves (11-14 Home: 5-8) 7:10 pm

Livan Hernandez (1-1 6.75) vs. Kenshin Kawakami (1-3 7.06)

TV: SNY Radio:  WFAN

What to watch:  The Mets go for the short series sweep tonight in ATL. Kawakami was one of the Braves big pitching signings this offseason and has been a big disappointment so far. He got rocked in Cincinnati in his last start giving up 8 runs in 4.1 innings. Hernandez has been what we expected when the Mets signed him, very mediocre. We could be looking at a high-scoring game tonight.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Live Game Chat during the game to chat with other Mets fans!

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Audio: Minaya, Manuel, Maine, Wright May 4, 2009

WFAN logoPrior to last night’s game against the Atlanta Braves Omar Minaya spoke to WFAN’s Ed Coleman about the decision to move Oliver Perez to the bullpen. That decision has certainly been controversial with the media and blogs typically arguing that Perez should have been sent to the minors. Listen to Minaya’s explanation of what happened below.

Minaya audio

After the Mets beat the Braves 6-4 in Atlanta, WFAN got the reaction from the team.

David Wright audio

John Maine audio

Jerry Manuel audio

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Mets Remove Local Papers From Locker Room

Logo of New York Post of New York, USA.
Image via Wikipedia

This one is interesting. The NY Post reports that the Mets have removed the NY Post and the Daily News from their locker room. The implication is that the Mets don’t want to see what’s written about them. The only paper that’s allowed now is the USA Today. Mets PR man Jay Horwitz tells reporters that it’s because the USA Today is the official paper of MLB. Yeah, right Jay.

I didn’t realize that anybody still read actual newspapers. Apparently, the Mets were the last people to still do that.

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Mets 6- Braves 4 May 4, 2009

Carlos Beltran hit two long homers to center field in the sixth and seventh innings to put this one away for the Mets. David Wright also homered in the sixth and was 2 for 4 on the night, which is great to see him get something going offensively.

John Maine was solid except for a meltdown in the second inning. He walked 3 and they all came around to score. But he recovered to pitch 6 innings, only giving up the 3 runs and he got the win. He ended up with 7 K’s and 6 walks. It was too many walks but his velocity and location was pretty good for much of the night.

J.J. Putz did give up 2 hits in the eighth including a solo homer to Chipper Jones. That raises his ERA to 3.60. I expected him to be more dominating than he has been. We’ll have to keep an eye on him as the season goes on.

Box score

5409

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Mets Move Oliver Perez To Bullpen

New York Mets BullpenThe only logical conclusion occured from Oliver Perez‘ early season struggles, he’s going to the bullpen to get “right”. Many of you were in favor of shipping him off to Triple-A Buffalo but that wasn’t likely to happen. Perez was afforded a veto of an option to the minors due to his major league service of more than five years.

As I wrote yesterday, Perez should be in the bullpen. Ken Takahashi will take over Perez’ start on Friday against the not-so-lowly Pirates.

In case you were wondering, Perez’ last and only career relief appearance was on September 2, 2002 for the Padres against the Rockies. He gave up one hit, no runs, and had 3 strikeouts.

It’s interesting to note that Omar Minaya and Jeff Wilpon made the trip all the way to Atlanta today for this decision. There was some talk that Perez may have a slight knee problem that could put him on the disabled list, then in the minors. But I’d have to think that Perez and Scott Boras would object to that plan since the knee problem seemed to be very minor.

If you think about this from Perez’ perspective there’s very little to gain from accepting a demotion to Buffalo. Then he’s stuck with no leverage about when he comes back. Certainly, the Mets wouldn’t want to pay $12 million/year for a minor league pitcher. But look at what’s happened to Dontrelle Willis. He’s been stuck in the minors since last season.

If I were Perez, there’s no way that I would accept the option to Buffalo either. I’d tell the Mets if they don’t want me on the major league roster to release me and pay out the rest of my $36 million. I have a feeling that conversation happened in not-so-many words.

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Mets Executives In Atlanta To Discuss Oliver Perez

Omar MinayaSeveral of the Mets beat reporters are writing today that Mets GM Omar Minaya and COO Jeff Wilpon are on their way to Atlanta today. The purpose is to discuss the ongoing Oliver Perez saga. Presumably, they’re going to try to convince him, and his agent Scott Boras, that it’s in everyone’s best interest for him to accept a demotion to Triple-A Buffalo.

I get nervous whenever Jeff Wilpon sticks his nose into something. Remember, Jeff is the one responsible for Kaz Matsui and the much-maligned Citi Field. The Wilpons are the ones that forgot that the Mets play at Citi Field, not the Dodgers, and that fans would actually like to see the whole field from their seats.

Perez has the right to refuse an assignment to the minors. That’s his right under the Collective Bargaining Agreement as a player with more than five years of MLB experience. Jeff Wilpon’s involvement certainly doesn’t inspire confidence that this situation will be resolved properly.

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