Category: Latest News

Mets Bullpen May Be Their Undoing

It’s become almost impossible for me to watch the Mets now. And this should be the most exciting time of the season. We’re right in the playoff hunt and there’s only one week left in the regular season. The Phillies and Brewers have had their own problems at various times this season. The Mets are better than both of them, or they should be.

At the All-Star break I would’ve told you that if the Mets don’t make the playoffs in 2008 it’s because Carlos Delgado can’t hit anymore or Moises Alou is injured again. But Delgado can, and has, hit and the left field combination of Daniel Murphy, Endy Chavez, Fernando Tatis, and Nick Evans has worked.

Now it’s readily apparent to every Mets fan that if the Mets don’t make the playoffs it’s the bullpen’s fault. Johan Santana should have 20+ wins right now. He’s been victimized more than anyone save the fans. And the bullpen may cost Jerry Manuel a well-deserved shot at managing this team for the next three or four years.

Take a look at the Mets statistics in releif appearances this season. But don’t look at it right after eating. You might lose your lunch. If you go to MLB.com, click Stats, then select the Mets, pitching stats, in relief appearances you’ll see all of the Mets relief appearance stats and it isn’t a pretty sight.

I won’t even single anyone in the bullpen out because they’ve all been so bad. It’s time to move Bobby Parnell to the top of the heap. Could he be worse than what we’ve already seen? I don’t think so.

John Maine Attempting Comeback From Injury

John Maine hasn’t pitched in a game for the Mets since August 23rd. He’s got bone spurs in his right shoulder but is trying to come back for the final week of the season and maybe the playoffs.

Maine will throw 15-20 pitches against three batters in Atlanta today. He did throw 10 pitches on Thursday in Washington and pitching coach Dan Warthen described the workout as “unimpressive”.

Warthen has downplayed the chances of Maine coming back and making a contribution this season. The plan going forward is for Maine to come off the disabled list on Monday and pitch in relief appearances of no more than one inning. Initially, he’ll be pitching in games with a run differential of five or more to keep the pressure off him.

As much as I’d like to see Maine get back and help the team this season, he’s one of the most valuable players the Mets have based on his talent and that he’s still under the Mets control for several years before he becomes arbitration eligible. They can’t take a chance on doing something this season that could hurt his chances of helping the Mets in the future.

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Mets Haze Rookies After Tough Loss

The Mets had planned their hazing ritual for Sunday night after their game with the Braves. Little did they know when they made their plan that it would turn out to be another late inning heartache of a loss.

But contrary to last season when the Mets canceled their hazing amid “The Collapse”, the Mets continued on with their plans.

The rookies all had to wear the crazy swimsuits and bathing caps leaving Shea on the way to the airport before heading to Washington.

It’s a good sign that the 2008 Mets aren’t paralyzed by a tough loss. The season, and hazing rituals, must go on as they have for years and years in baseball.

Mets Fans Face Uncertainties Without Wagner

Coming off two games against the Braves in which the bullpen blew a late lead, Mets fans are realizing just how fragile our post-season hopes are. If the Mets can’t find a solution for the problems at the back of the bullpen we very well may end up watching another September division lead disappear before our eyes.

Billy Wagner wasn’t perfect this season, having blown seven saves before his season ended on August 3rd, but he sure would be a sight for sore eyes now. The Luis Ayala/closer by committee situation that we’re suffering through now is about as disturbing to watch as Jose Lima or Brian Lawrence starting a game.

At this late stage of the season there aren’t many options. There isn’t a guy in the bullpen that I trust to get three outs consistently. And I do think the Mets gave up on Eddie Kunz this season a little too early. He may have been able to make a contribution in September.

So we’re stuck in a closer-less purgatory and left to cross our fingers and toes every time it’s a late and close situation. I can’t even call the Mets the cardiac kids because that would imply they’re coming back for some late wins. I would say buckle your seat belts because the last two weeks of the season are going to be a wild ride.

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Carlos Delgado Is Not The NL MVP

To the surprise of everyone that watched Mets baseball in April, May, and June of this season Carlos Delgado has worked his way into the conversation for National League Most Valuable Player. Sure, he’s hit some monsterous home runs. And he’s even carried the Mets at times since the All-Star break. But he’s no MVP.

Delgado has turned in a line that’s more than respectable at .264| 34 HR | 104 RBI. If the Mets continue on their current path to the playoffs he’ll certainly be in the MVP discussion. But look at what Mr. Consistency Albert Pujols has done at .360| 33 HR| 99 RBI for a team that’s nine games out of their division lead. There’s no comparison in my mind.

Ryan Braun of the Brew Crew may be the MVP if the Brewers make the playoffs. I think he’ll have several MVP’s in his trophy case by the time his career is over.

Carlos Delgado can’t sleep walk through three months of the season and be the MVP. You just can’t make up for that type of ineffective performance over such a large portion of the season. Read Fox Sports Dayn Perry’s column arguing that Delgado isn’t even the most valuable Mets player. He’s got it right.

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Mets Wagner To Have Season Ending Surgery

GM Omar Minaya told the media today that closer Billy Wagner is scheduled to have season ending Tommy John surgery this week. He’s got a torn medial collateral ligament in his left elbow and a torn flexor pronator in his left forearm. What a mess…

Wagner may be ready to pitch again next September, the last season in his contract with the Mets. He’s repeatedly said that the end of this contract will be when he retires. So we very well may have seen the last of Billy Wagner on the baseball field.

This is a huge hit to the 2008 Mets and their playoff aspirations. If the Mets can get through one round of the playoffs without a closer it’ll be a miracle. I mention that because I think the Mets will make the playoffs. But matching up against the top teams in October without a closer is an ominous prospect. Chime in below in the comments.

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Billy Wagner Suffers Setback During Workout

Injured Mets closer Billy Wagner suffered another setback in his comeback bid from elbow inflammation. GM Omar Minaya told reporters before tonight’s game that Wagner cut his workout short to only 12 pitches after feeling discomfort in his pitching elbow.

At this late stage of the season the Mets need to start thinking that they may not have Wagner back at all. I’m certainly not looking forward to seeing Luis Ayala closing games at the end of September and beyond. But that’s the reality starting to sink into my mind.