Category: Roster

Mets’ Mike Jacobs Designated For Assignment

MLB: Mets vs Rockies APR 14

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsThe Mets made a roster move to bring in Tobi Stoner from Triple-A Buffalo this afternoon. The surprise is that they designated Mike Jacobs for assignment instead of Raul Valdes. But after a 20 inning marathon last night they could use 13 pitchers on the roster for at least a day.

According to MLBTradeRumors, Jacobs does have an option left. So he could be forced to go to Buffalo. The Mets don’t typically force veterans to the minors though. They’ll probably release Jacobs if he requests it.

The big question is where this leaves the Mets at first base. They can certainly go for a while with Fernando Tatis, but not too long. And they’re certainly not going to go with 13 pitchers on the roster for long. Continue reading “Mets’ Mike Jacobs Designated For Assignment”

Oliver Perez Shuts Cardinals Down – Bullpen Fails Him

Oliver Perez delivers
Image by afagen via Flickr

The Amazin’ Mets find another Amazin’ way to lose a game. Oliver Perez pitched a great game, but from what I’ve seen of Ollie in the past he has about two or three games like this a season where he gets up and totally dominates a much better team while losing to the crappy ones. If you were one of those people who said Ollie would rise to the occasion and pitch a good game last night, you were right.

I have never seen this Ollie though. I have seen overpowering Ollie, I have seen completely nasty Ollie but I have never seen crafty Ollie. The curve-balls, sliders and off-speed stuff kept the Cardinals off balance all night. I have to admit I was glued to the TV watching this Ollie. Will he be back again this year? Continue reading “Oliver Perez Shuts Cardinals Down – Bullpen Fails Him”

2010 NL East Champs?

Houston Astros vs St. Louis Cardinals

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsDid you think I was talking about the Mets? Funny! Actually I was imagining what it would be like to just take the whole Cardinals team and trade them for the whole Mets team. Imagine that… Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, that pitching staff, a possible future Hall of Fame manager, Mark McGuire! At least the Yankees wouldn’t kick us around during inter-league play and we could stand toe-to-toe with the Phillies.

But alas, we are stuck with our poor Mets who are now in St. Louis where they’ll spend three games against a team, I think, that would win the National League East.

They will win it because of a pitching staff I am just drooling all over. Omar Minaya, take note. This is a pitching staff. Watch the Mets pitching, including Johan Santana, get rocked by Pujols and Company. Watch the weak hitting Mets made to look silly by the Cardinals superb pitching staff. Watch a team come to play. A team that doesn’t believe in comebacks because they are up right from the start. Continue reading “2010 NL East Champs?”

Mets May Bat Jose Reyes Third in St. Louis

Jerry Manuel has been talking publicly since spring training about hitting Jose Reyes third in the order until Carlos Beltran comes back. That may become a reality this weekend in St. Louis.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

There’s been a lot of chatter since the beginning of spring training that Jose Reyes would begin hitting third in the Mets’ lineup. Jerry Manuel told reporters that in spring training. He said that he likes the idea to “lengthen” the lineup without Carlos Beltran. The reporters keep bringing it up to Jerry, and it sounds like it might become a reality this weekend in St. Louis.

First, let me say that I have no problem with this at all. And I hope that Reyes hitting third in the order is successful until Beltran gets back next month. The baseball season is so long that it invites experimentation with the lineup to find the best configuration. But baseball has become so prominent in the public domain that it also invites people like me to comment or express my own opinion or dissatisfaction. I’d like to take this opportunity to do that… Continue reading “Mets May Bat Jose Reyes Third in St. Louis”

John Maine Rotation Spot Safe, For Now

John Maine has maintained his spot in the starting rotation despite two terrible starts to begin the 2010 season. His spot may not be secure for long.

Image courtesy of Edorf81 via Flickr

After John Maine’s 3 IP 8 ER blow up last night in Denver, there were some legitimate questions about whether he would stay in the rotation. Those questions were answered today by Jerry Manuel. Maine will remain in the rotation for now.

The beat reporters are all writing about Maine’s lengthy conversation with Manuel this afternoon in Colorado. And I think there is something admirable about sticking with your guys. I’m sure the rest of the players on the roster are happy about Maine not getting the boot so quickly. Continue reading “John Maine Rotation Spot Safe, For Now”

Mets’ Maine May Lose Rotation Spot

NEW YORK - JULY 10: Manager Jerry Manual #53 ...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The Mets have to think long and hard about pulling John Maine from the rotation. But he’s had two awful starts to begin the 2010 season. And what has he done recently that he deserves any more of a chance than that? The Mets can’t allow him to put up stinker after stinker. Where’s the fast start that Jerry Manuel’s been telling us about? Maine is killing that fast start.

You may recall that I recommended that the Mets non-tender Maine last October. Clearly, that’s looking like the right move in hindsight. But that’s neither here nor there at this point.

Despite getting bombed for 3 runs in 0.1 IP last night, Fernando Nieve should take over the spot. He can lengthen out after working out of the bullpen. He was fighting Jon Niese for the last spot in the rotation three weeks ago. So it won’t take him long to be ready. It’s a no-brainer to me. Continue reading “Mets’ Maine May Lose Rotation Spot”

Mets 2010 Slow Start – Nats Swat Back!

New York Mets starting pitcher Oliver Perez reacts at Citi Field in New York

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsSo after tearing into the Nationals on Friday night, winning by a score of 8-2, I was starting to feel upbeat. Maybe a few games against the Nats is just what this team needs to get some kind of momentum going before going on a tough, short, road trip.

Instead on Saturday, in comes Old Ollie who still resembles 2009 Ollie. No “New”, no “Improved”, just plain old Oliver Perez. Typical 4 runs in 5.2 innings and he was up there at 101 pitches before being pulled. This has been the same formula that has killed this team for the past few years. Get 5 innings from your starter and kill your bullpen. On the bright side the bullpen has performed well. How long will that last?

But that’s all okay. That’s why Jerry/Omar shuffled the rotation, to have Johan Santana follow Ollie.  Oh, they’ll swear it’s because the pitching match-ups are better but who better to follow Ollie than Santana. In theory, we would forget about Ollie’s poor performance after getting another outstanding outing from Santana.

Well, we watched that theory blow up today. Even Santana has bad days and after a 1st inning grand slam we are left to wonder, can this team ever win a series this year? Can this team beat the Nats? Can this team stay out of last? Continue reading “Mets 2010 Slow Start – Nats Swat Back!”