Category: Injuries

Carlos Beltran Surgery Highlights Mets Medical Problems

Antonio Margarito v Kermit Cintron

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By now you’ve likely heard the news that Carlos Beltran had knee surgery without the Mets permission. The surgery was performed by Beltran’s doctor in Colorado. His contract requires that the Mets provide written permission to have elective surgery from the reports that I’ve heard. At issue is whether the knee surgery was medically necessary or not. Now Beltran will miss spring training and likely won’t be able to play until mid-May.

There are several factors involved here including:

  • NY Times– Beltran’s agent, Scott Boras, says that they did have the Mets permission for surgery
  • NY Post- David Wright wonders like every Mets fan why the surgery is being done now?
  • Always Amazin’– Beltran has gone against team medical advice before, in 2000 with the Royals and got suspended for 30 days by the team

This is where the Mets are going to get killed by us and the media for not making any changes to their medical staff after last season’s miscues. Every star player was on the disabled list at some point last year and there was constant confusion about what to do with the players. Remember Carlos Delgado flying to San Francisco for the Mets series there, only to be sent home to go on the disabled list? This situation goes as far back as the 2008 season when Ryan Church was flying around the country with the team after his second concussion of the season.

Continue reading “Carlos Beltran Surgery Highlights Mets Medical Problems”

Mets 2009 Season Disaster Finally Ending

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Carlos Delgado #21 of...

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The 2009 version of the New York Mets will finally disappear into oblivion this weekend. And I can’t wait for them to go away. There’s a chance for the team to wind up losing 94 games this season, the most losses since the Art Howe-era 2003 team that finished with 95 losses. In case you’re wondering, you can find a complete list of the Mets season records here. In a dreadful season, it’s worth taking a look at some past horrible seasons.

Sure, the Mets announced that they’re lowering ticket prices for next season. But don’t mistake that move as benevolence on the part of Mets ownership based on the torturous team they subjected us to this season. Reducing tickets prices is actually a calculated move to fill more seats for more games to meet revenue goals. The team likely didn’t meet their revenue goals for Pity (Citi) Field this season. So they used mathematical projections to determine the most likely pricing scheme to deliver their goals based on price/attendance correlation. Thanks Mr. Wilpon.

Continue reading “Mets 2009 Season Disaster Finally Ending”

Mets News Aug. 31, 2009 Santana, Beltran, Perez, Thole

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The Mets are flying from Chicago to Colorado today. There’s no game but still plenty of news. Today is also the deadline for any trades of players that cleared waivers to play on the acquiring team’s postseason roster.

Anyway, here’s the news:

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Mets News Aug. 30, 2009 Wright, Minaya, Prospects

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Fernando Tatis #17 of the ...
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I’ve already written so much about the Mets injuries this season that I’m really tired of it. Unfortunately, the injuries are the theme of the season and I do have some more links on the topic for you today. But we do have something to look forward to as well with news about the Mets prospects and the ones that’ll be joining the roster in a few days.

Anyway, here’s the news:

  • Bill Madden of the Daily News has a great summarizing column about the injuries. The Mets have lost 1,095 days to the disabled list.
  • Bob Raissman of the Daily News wrote a column about Omar Minaya and his communication problems. This topic has been beaten to death but Raissman brings up some good points like whether Minaya has these same communication issues with his staff or other GM’s.
  • Although this isn’t Mets-related, David Waldstein of NY Times writes about players tipping pitches. Specifically, he gets into the allegation that Miguel Tejada was tipping pitches to his friends on opposing teams in 2001 when he was with the A’s (and Art Howe). It’s definitely an interesting read.
  • Dave Singer of NY Sports Dog has a good piece about Mike Pelfrey and the Verducci Effect.
  • Mark Hale of the NY Post wrote about Adam Wogan who’s been filling in for Tony Bernazard since he was fired.
  • Marc Hulet of FanGraphs wrote about the Mets having hope for the future with some minor league talent coming. Specifically, he writes about Kirk Nieuwenhuis a 22-year old lefty in the Florida State League.
  • The NY Times reports on David Wright returning from the disabled list on Tuesday in Colorado. He’ll immediately start wearing the new, more protective, batting helmet that we saw Ryan Dempster wearing yesterday.
  • Adam Rubin of Surfing The Mets has the September call-up list including catcher Josh Thole who will be with the team in Colorado this week.
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Mets Jose Reyes May Need Surgery

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 3: Jose Reyes #7 of the...
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The news sites are filled with stories about Jose Reyes possibly needing surgery to repair his torn right hamstring tendon. He’s been on the disabled list since the end of May. Reyes is currently rehabbing in New York after leaving Port St. Lucie because of problems with his leg.

It doesn’t look like we’ll see him again this season, which is fine. The season is over anyway. But surgery would make it impossible to trade Reyes in the offseason. There’s been a lot of chatter about “breaking up the core” and Reyes is the prime player that people are pointing to in the trade discussion. But that can’t happen until he proves that he’s healthy.

I wouldn’t trade Reyes because his production compared to his contract has been favorable. It’ll start to become a little more questionable over the next couple of years though. Reyes is going to make $9 million in 2010 and the team has an $11 million option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout.

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Mets News Aug. 28,2009 Wilpons, Fans, Injuries

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Johan Santana #57 of...
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The Mets make their annual trip to Wrigley for a weekend series. There are a few stories that peaked my interest today that I thought you might like. By the way, if you haven’t been to Wrigley it’s a fantastic venue for a game. The stadium is still holding up really well, the neighborhood is perfect, and the Cubs are perennial losers so you have a pretty good chance to see the Mets win in most seasons.

Anyway, here’s the news for today:

  • Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports gets into the Mets injury situation. Basically, he accuses the Mets of not taking proper care of their players.
  • Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog links to an article that says that the Wilpons lost so much money in the Madoff scandal that they’ll be forced to sell the team as early as next season. I can think of several readers that will be thrilled to read that.
  • The Daily News has an article about how nobody showed up to watch the Mets-Marlins on Wednesday at the Ziegfeld Theater. Big surprise! Mets fans are smart. This team isn’t worth paying to see.
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Piling On Omar Minaya; Mets Won’t Fire Him

New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya befo...
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As the 2009 season slips away, it seems that more fingers are pointing in Omar Minaya‘s direction when we try to determine who’s to blame. Although Minaya didn’t cause the severity and depth or the Mets injuries this season, he didn’t have a good backup plan either. As I’ve said all along, I can’t see the Wilpons firing Minaya with three years left on his contract.

Sure, Minaya has his share of bad deals. Oliver Perez certainly comes to mind. But don’t forget that he’s also the one that brought Johan Santana and Francisco Rodriguez to the Mets with very fair contracts. And he didn’t give up much of anything to the Twins to get Santana.

Certainly, I don’t defend Minaya’s meltdown/attack of Adam Rubin. Those were the actions of a person that isn’t prepared to be in front of the public. I’m sure that incident put him on extremely thin ice. It had to. I don’t think it was a fire-able offense, but I’m sure it means that Minaya needs to watch his step over the next year or so. Continue reading “Piling On Omar Minaya; Mets Won’t Fire Him”