Category: Roster

Mets Johan Santana Struggles Again Against Dodgers

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 20: Johan Santana #57 of ...
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 20: Johan Santana #57 of the New York Mets walks back to the dugout after the final out of the second-inning during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at CitiField on July 20, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Johan Santana got bombed last by the Dodgers for 6 runs in 3 innings. It’s the third straight really bad start that he’s had. The Braves got him for 6 runs in 5 innings and the Cubs got 7 runs in 4.2 innings against him. It’s undeniable that he’s struggling.

The Mets are “considering options” for Santana which basically means they’re thinking about tinkering with getting him off his regularly scheduled starts. I’m not sure if that’s the answer because it doesn’t look like he’s lost velocity. So it doesn’t appear that he’s going through a dead arm period.

Things started going sideways for Santana after his no-hit miracle on June 1st when he didn’t start again for seven days. Sure, the 134 pitch no-hitter could have taken something out of him. And, yes, he is coming off a major shoulder surgery a year and a half ago. But in-season modifications to a starting pitchers schedule can cause big problems. Continue reading “Mets Johan Santana Struggles Again Against Dodgers”

Video: Mets 2012 Bullpen, Trades, Jason Bay

I haven’t had the chance to chat with Kerel Cooper of On The Black much this year. But we finally got to talk about the state of the Mets at mid-season. The biggest issues facing the team during their surprising early season success was on the agenda.

We talked about the Mets great starting pitching, miserable bullpen, Jason Bay, and the pleasant surprise that the Mets are actually in the playoff race in July. I thought they would be looking forward to 2013 by July.

Video: Johan Santana No-Hitter Final Out

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 01: Johan Santana #57 of ...

Here’s the video from MLB with Johan Santana striking out David Freese for the final out of his no-hitter last night. It’s funny, I still can’t believe that this actually happened last night. I have the game on my DVR and there’s no way  that I’m deleting that video. I’ll burn it to a DVD and hold onto it.

This is one of the rare videos that MLB makes available for us to embed on our site. So enjoy it and Let’s Go Mets!!!

Mets Johan Santana Throws Mets First No-Hitter

Johan Santana
Johan Santana (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I can’t believe that I’m finally writing this post. After 50 years, over 8,000 games… Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in Mets history. The Padres are the only team left in MLB without a no-hitter in their history. And it feels good.

The game will be defined by two plays. Mike Baxter caught a fly ball while crashing into the left field wall. The catch kept the no-hitter in tact, although Baxter left the game with shoulder pain. The second play was a hit by Carlos Beltran down the left field line that was called a foul ball. Replays showed it hit the chalk but the umpire’s call on the field was foul.

After all the great pitchers in Mets history. And all the pitchers that went on to leave the Mets and throw no-hitters for other team, the Mets finally have their own no-hitter. It’s still hard for me to believe this actually just happened.

Video: Mets May Offer to Extend David Wright’s Contract

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 08: David Wright #5 of t...

Mets GM Sandy Alderson spoke recently about his desire to discuss a long-term contract  with David Wright’s agent soon. It makes sense for Wright to negotiate a deal now because he’s hitting nearly .400 for the first two months of the 2012 season. But the Mets don’t need to rush into anything. Wright is under team control through the 2013 season with an option year that’s certain to be exercised.

I expect serious negotiations to take place after the 2012 season ends between the Mets and Wright. Don’t forget that Wright is only 29 years old and has already earned about $40 million in his career, not including endorsements. So he doesn’t need to be in a hurry to sign an extension either. Plus, he would be one of the best free agents available after the 2013 season along with Curtis Granderson and Jake Peavey.

Check out the video from ESPN below with their take on the possibility of a contract extension for Wright during this season.

http://player.espn.com/player.js?&playerBrandingId=4ef8000cbaf34c1687a7d9a26fe0e89e&pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:7993935&thruParam_espn-ui%5BautoPlay%5D=false&thruParam_espn-ui%5BplayRelatedExternally%5D=true

Ike Davis Is Hitting – On the Road

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Ike Davis #...

Much has been written this year about Ike Davis’ struggles at the plate. And he sure has struggled mightily. But when you look at his splits, he’s not hitting that badly on the road. He just can’t hit a lick at home. Going into tonight, his slash line for the season is .173/.236/.276. Really ugly!

But if you look at his home/road splits, he’s not hitting that badly on the road. He’s hitting a home run every 16 at-bats on the road this year. That’s better than his (short) career numbers of a home run every 25.8 at-bats. His slash line on the road this year is .286/.340/.490. Not bad.

Take a look at his home/road splits:

http://www.sports-reference.com/js/sr_share.js
Report from Baseball-Reference.com.

I’m not sure what to make of his road success this year in the same number of plate appearances and at-bats as he’s had at home. Do you?

Mets Ruben Tejada Likely to Disabled List

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 13: Ruben Tejada #11 ...

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada did a face plant on first base legging out a bunt in the fourth inning yesterday. He just got tripped up before the base and stayed on the ground for a few minutes. It was bad enough that he left the game and had an MRI.

It looks like the damage is a strained quad and facial cuts and bruising. He’ll probably go on the DL today before the Mets start their series in Philly.

Jordanny Valdespin is already on his way to Philly to re-join the team. He’s played in 7 games this year with only 6 at-bat’s and no hits. He’s also been playing the outfield at Buffalo but he’s a natural middle infielder.

It’s a shame to see this happen to Tejada so early in the season in a freak play like that. He’s been a big surprise to me so far this season. I thought he was going to be an automatic out but he’s been solid offensively hitting .305 with a .762 OPS.