Category: Video

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: Matt Den Dekker First Buffalo Home Run

Matt Den Dekker
Matt Den Dekker (Photo credit: slgckgc)

It’s starting to become obvious that Matt Den Dekker will be playing center field for the Mets at some point this season. Let’s face it… Andres Torres and his .220/.331/.325 line is better suited as a bench player than he is in center field every day at 34 years old. Kirk Nieuwenhuis has played a solid center field but Den Dekker is better. And if Den Dekker can hit consistently like he has this season at Binghamton and now Buffalo, it’s a done deal.

This season, between Binghamton and Buffalo, Den Dekker’s line is .333/.393/.562 in 249 at-bats. If he can play an outstanding center field, as he normally does, and make a contribution offensively at the big league level there’s no reason for him to remain in the minors. The Mets have several offensive black holes on their roster and Torres is one of them.

Check out the video below of Den Dekker’s first homer for Buffalo and ninth of the season last night in their 8-3 home loss to Pawtucket.

Video: Mets Nieuwenhuis on Subway to Yankee Stadium

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: RY 24: RY ...

MLB Fan Cave comes out with some decent videos and this one is pretty good with Yankees pitcher Cody Eppley and Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenheis riding the 4 train together to Yankee Stadium. It’s pretty funny to see people’s reactions to them riding, in uniform, on the train.

Nieuwenhuis has been solid both offensively and defensively for the Mets so far this season. And he’s come up with some clutch hits too. I’m glad to see that the Mets kept him on the roster even though Jason Bay came off the disabled list this week. I think Nieuwenhuis should be starting in center field regularly with Andres Torres coming off the bench or late in games for defense.

Check out the video below.

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

Video: Mets David Wright Gives Phillies the Finger

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

Despite playing with a broken pinkie finger, David Wright returned to action yesterday and crushed the first pitch he saw to deep center for a home run. The bomb off Vince Worley can be seen in the video below. Wright ended up going 3 for 5 with 2 runs in the game.

As I wrote earlier this week, he broke the finger diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt. And there was serious consideration about putting him on the disabled list. As a matter of fact, Josh Satin was flown in from Buffalo and was in Philly warming up before the game yesterday.

The Mets took both games of the series so far and go for the sweep this afternoon against Cole Hamels. Mike Pelfrey is on the mound for the Mets and I’m sure he’s glad to have Wright in the field behind him after that performance yesterday.

Mets Niese, Tejada Power Sweep of Braves

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Jon Niese #...

The Mets put the nail in the Braves coffin today at Citi Field to sweep the first series of the season. It’s early, so I’m not getting too excited. I know that this roster doesn’t stack up, on paper, to the other rosters in the division. But I like that they’ve got some fight in them.

The Mets finished off the last game of the series with a 7-5 win highlighted by Jon Niese taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning. He ended up coming out in the seventh inning before recording an out after throwing 103 pitches.

Ruben Tejada, who usually looks like an automatic out to me, led the Mets offense going 4 for 5 with 2 RBI’s and 2 Runs. Hopefully, it’s not a fluke and he’ll be able to contribute offensively with some consistency.

Here’s some video of the post-game from SNY.

http://web.sny.tv/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=20464291&width=400&height=224&property=sny