Category: Latest News

Mets Castillo Will Be Activated and Start Today

Luis Castillo will return from the disabled list. He hasn’t played since July 2nd due to a hip flexor. Manager Jerry Manuel told reporters yesterday that he’ll also return to the starting lineup tonight against the Astros.

The bigger question is which currently active player will be going off the roster to make room for Castillo. The speculation is surrounding Nick Evans, Brian Stokes, and Argenis Reyes. It would be a shame to see Argenis go back to the minors because he’s played so well in the field and he’s done the little things with the bat. Evans doesn’t look like he’s really ready to be a Major League player yet to me. And it doesn’t make sense to keep him on the bench. I’d rather see him continue to get at-bats in the minors and come back to the Mets when the rosters expand in September.

Billy Wagner Still Hurt; Return Unknown

The Mets got the news that Billy Wagner still has pain and swelling in his left elbow after being examined in New York. His return is unknown and there’s early speculation that he may not be back this season at all.

Wagner’s had a checkered record this season but he’s the only legitimate closer on the team. There isn’t a back up eighth inning guy that can walk in and take his place.

This could be a huge blow to the Mets playoff hopes if he can’t come back this season. Omar Minaya needs to work the phones for a waiver deal to see if he can work a team that’s out of contention for a legitimate closer.

The Mets did make a deal with Washington last week for Luis Ayala but he’s not the solution to this problem. Ambirorix Burgos is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and may be able to get on the roster by the end of August or September. But who knows what we’ll get out of him this season?

Mets Complete Trade With Nationals For Luis Ayala

The Mets picked up relief pitcher Luis Ayala from the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later. That player is expected to be second baseman Anderson Hernandez according to multiple media reports.

This season Ayala is 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA. Pretty ugly numbers but he’s had much better seasons prior to this year with Montreal/Washington.

Hernandez is playing at Triple-A New Orleans where he’s appeared in 125 games to the tune of .203/.262/.307. Not very impressive either.

Ayala should provide some help in the bullpen. To make room on the 40 man roster the Mets placed Moises Alou on the 60-day disabled list.

Thumbs Up For Mets Manager Jerry Manuel

Today is two full months since Jerry Manuel was hired as the interim manager of the Mets. He took over for Willie Randolph on June 17th in the ill-fated late night firing in Los Angeles. Although the Mets front office took a lot of heat for the logistics of the firing, it turned out to be the right move. Now we’ve had a good sampling of the type of work that Manuel can do.

Manuel’s been able to develop positive relationships with the players. Some of the players he takes a “big brother” tact with, and others he has harsh words for in the media (e.g. Luis Castillo). That contrasts with Willie Randolph who didn’t seem to have any relationships in the locker room by the end of his tenure.

image Manuel’s moves on the field have been aggressive offensively, hitting and running is getting much more than lip service now. He’s picked his spots to show faith in his pitchers to get out of jams, and he’s shown a quick hook on occasion as well. He’s working with a good feel for the team, something I always though Randolph lacked.
Best of all, Manuel shows no favoritism to big contracts or veteran status. Players perform and they play, period. I hated the way Randolph made young players “earn” a move up in the batting order based on Major League tenure, not performance (e.g. David Wright).
I’m going to put my opinion out there that barring some dysfunctional collapse (e.g. 2007) I’d like to see Jerry Manuel get a contract with the Mets beyond this season. As the SNY crew mentions ceaselessly, Manuel is very self-aware and at peace with himself. What a great contrast to the paranoid Randolph, who became obsessed with denial of the 2007 “Collapse”.
Bring back Jerry!

Announcement- Mike And Mad Dog Show Is Done

Neil Best of Newsday is reporting that WFAN Radio announced tonight that Chris “Mad Dog” Russo is leaving WFAN. Mike Francesa will do the show on the Mets flagship station by himself for now after the 18 year partnership has ended.

“Mike and Chris pioneered the genre more than 18 years ago and have shaped the sports talk format into what it is today,” WFAN operations director Mark Chernoff said in a statement.

“As we embark on this next step in WFAN’s history, we wish Chris nothing but the best and look forward to all that Mike will do in a role in which he has excelled at for years.”

The report says that Chris Russo is expected to move to Sirius satellite radio.

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Perez or Maine May Go To Mets Bullpen

Mets manager Jerry Manuel told reporters before today’s game that Oliver Perez or John Maine may go to the bullpen. The Mets beleaguered bullpen is in desperate need of help. Manuel wants a guy that can get swings and misses.

Most likely Jon Niese would be called up from Triple-A New Orleans to take over a spot in the rotation.