K-Rod
Mets C Schneider Return From DL Delayed
Brian Schneider is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sunday in Philadelphia. He’s been on the 15-day DL because of a muscle strain in his back. Apparently, he’s now having a calf problem that will keep him on the DL a little longer.
This isn’t a big problem for the team. Schneider has been an automatic out this season, hitting only .143. Combined with his lack of power and average defense, the Mets aren’t really missing him.
For now, Ramon Castro and Omir Santos will continue catching. It’ll be interesting to see if Santos continues to get the bulk of the playing time in Schneider’s absence.
Florida Marlins To File Complaint Against Mets
- Image by Getty Images via Daylife
The Marlins plan to file a complaint with Major League Baseball about the Mets stalling tactics during the April 29,2009 game at Citi Field. With two outs in the ninth and the bases loaded, Mets manager Jerry Manuel called for a pinch hitter for catcher Ramon Castro. It was a curious move considering that Castro already had two hits in the game. More curious, was that it took about five minutes to get the hitter into the game. Omir Santos was in the bullpen and later admitted that he went into the batting cage under the stadium to get some warm up swings in before the at-bat.
The Marlins even called the stalling tactic Bush League. And I have to admit that I agree. The complaint will center around MLB’s pace of game rules. Although I doubt there will be a fine or suspension, Manuel should be warned about using such tactics again. It’s not in the spirit of the rules of the game.
Jerry Manuel Plays Favorites, Hurts Mets
Last season I was completely on the bandwagon to fire Willie Randolph and I still think it was the right move. At the time I thought the Mets should have hired someone from outside of the organization to manage the team. They didn’t, and I really liked the way Jerry Manuel led the team for the remainder of the 2008 season. But I have to admit that he’s starting to wear on me already this season. Now I can see how he lost the team in Chicago in 2003. He plays favorites with the players to the detriment of the team.
I’m definitely not saying that Manuel should be fired. He won’t be this season no matter what. Omar Minaya just signed him to a 2-year deal before the season started and the team won’t eat the money. Besides, they’re still paying Randolph and there’s no way that they’ll have three managers on the payroll for this season.
What I am saying is that I’m paying much closer attention to his moves now than I have in the past. I’m looking at him with a much more critical eye than I did last season. The honeymoon period is over. Manuel always impressed me with his talk, and actions, about how if players produce they’ll play. That’s the way it should be. But this season he’s not showing it.
Manuel’s Doghouse
Luis Castillo – He was awful last season and deserved the backlash that he received. That being said, he appears to be healthier and in better shape this season. He’s hitting .370 with a .878 OPS. What more does he have to do to get out of the bottom of the order? Alex Cora is hitting at the top of the order when he plays for Castillo. That doesn’t make sense.
Ryan Church – Manuel chided him all spring, then the Mets brought in Gary Sheffield and Manuel said he’ll see time in right field. Church is hitting .313 with a .845 OPS and playing a very good right field. Why is he the outfielder to lose playing time and be chided all spring? Daniel Murphy can’t play the field and has a lower OPS than Church. He should be losing plenty of playing time to Sheffield.
Ramon Castro – The guy is a solid #2 catcher. Sure, he’s not a star player but how does he get pinch hit for by Omir Santos? Castro has 2 hits against the Marlins on Wednesday and gets pinch hit for with two outs in the ninth and the bases loaded. It makes no sense. Castro can hit, let him do his thing.
I’m starting get tired of Manuel’s stubborn attitude. That’s one of the things that I disliked about Randolph. Omir Santos, Daniel Murphy, and Alex Cora are getting favored treatment over players that deserve better. This is a classic recipe to lose the team. Manuel needs to wake up before it’s too late.
The Mets Report 