Lunch Links- Mex, Billy Martin, MLB Network, and More

While I’m here getting pumped up for the Phillies series, I decided to put some links out today. Some of them I’ve had for a while now but I think you’ll like. Anyway, onto the links…

  • This one is from July 7th but I thought you’d want to see it anyway. David Pinto wrote a piece for Yahoo Sports about the parallels between the Yankees 1978 firing of Billy Martin and the Mets firing of Willie Randolph.
  • David Peters, a PhD professor of engineering from the Washington University of St. Louis wrote a tremendous piece about how lefties have an advantage in baseball. It’s really compelling information and got picked up by Sporting News.
  • Cyril Morong, writer of the excellent blog Cybermetrics, writes that fast players such as Jose Reyes aren’t “blocked” from hitting doubles and triples with slower runners on base in front of them.
  • ESPN’s Jayson Stark picks the Phillies to win the NL East in his “That’s Debatable” column.
  • John Donovan tries to make sense of the NL East in his column for Sports Illustrated.
  • Awful Announcing has some good information on the upcoming MLB Network. Included is the rumor that they’re considering adding analyst Harold Reynolds from SNY to the network.
  • SI’s Jon Heyman gets into the latest trade rumors including the Mets interest in Seattle Raul Ibanez and Cleveland’s Casey Blake. He says that Omar Minaya especially likes Blake.
  • SNY analyst Keith Hernandez talks to WFAN’s Boomer & Carton about the Mets and his reported dispute with Jose Reyes. Listen here.

Billy Wagner Is Day To Day With Shoulder Spasms

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Billy Wagner #13 of ...Image by Getty Images via Daylife

WFAN beat reporter Eddie Coleman just reported that Mets closer Billy Wagner is day to day with shoulder spasms. He had an MRI that didn’t reveal any structural problems with his left shoulder.

Coleman said that he believes that Wagner will be available to pitch tonight.

Great news for the Mets! Duaner Sanchez could handle closing but I’m much more comfortable with Wagner closing and Sanchez in the eighth inning, especially for this huge series against the Phillies.

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Fire Joe Morgan Defends Johan Santana

IMG_0098Here’s a link to a great blog post by Fire Joe Morgan (one of my favorite blogs). The blog post is in response to Chicago Tribune columnist Phil Rogers mid-season awards column. Talk about a tired idea. The mid-season awards are done by every sports writer on the planet it seems.

Anyway, Rogers give Johan Santana the award for “Worst Surprise, Player”. If you read this blog regularly, you know that I’ve supported Santana big time this season. That’s my disclaimer.

Fire JM does a great job of completely de-bunking Rogers’ argument for Santana as the worst surprise of the early season. Check it out.

Delgado’s Resurgence In Option Year

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: Carlos Delgado #21 of...Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The New York Mets have an option for Carlos Delgado to come back next year. The option can vest for $16 million if Delgado achieves a specific ranking in MVP voting which isn’t going to happen. Delgado’s not even on the radar for National League MVP. The option will be mutual if it doesn’t vest for $12 million or a $4 million buyout.

Delgado though has begun to pick up his offensive game over the last month (.333/ .431/ .656 over the last 28 days). Don’t be fooled! Delgado’s always been a streaky hitter. His batting average and slugging go up and down like a roller coaster during the season.

I’m not surprised that this offensive outburst comes in the second half of his option year. He wants to play his way into the $12 million for next season. Sure, he’s made over $140 million during his career. But why not take home another twelve if it’s right there?

In my opinion, Delgado quit on the Mets and Willie Randolph in the first two months of this season. He’s got no game other than power hitting and he isn’t very good at that anymore. He’s got no glove, no arm, no speed, and can’t hit for average. He’s a one dimensional player in decline.

I don’t want to watch him again next year. Don’t join the Delgado bandwagon… I know that I won’t.

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Mets Injury News- Wagner, Church

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Ryan Church #19 of the New...Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I’m sure that you saw Jerry Manuel go out to the mound yesterday with trainer Ray Ramirez to talk to Billy Wagner. Wagner appeared surprised that Manuel was there to see him. Apparently, Wagner had some tightness in his throwing shoulder while warming up yesterday. There have been contradictory reports about whether Wagner’s having an MRI today or not. The latest news is that he felt better on the plane last night and he’s only going to see a doctor today if he wakes up and feels any pain or stiffness.

Today’s the big pow wow for everyone involved in the Ryan Church head injury saga. There’s been word that there are some differing opinions among the medical people that he’s seen on how to handle the situation. Church wants to come off the disabled list tomorrow for the Phillies series. But the Mets are playing it cautiously (after not doing so originally). That gets up to today. Everyone involved in Church’s medical care regarding his post concussion syndrome/migraine problem is meeting to determine the course of action for him.

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Mets Split Series With Reds With Extras Win

Mike Pelfrey came back to Earth a bit today, but he was still pretty good. He went seven innings and gave up five runs. Although he only threw 89 pitches in the game, which is a good sign. He did give up three big home runs today though which is odd for Pelfrey.

The Mets got huge offensive games from Jose Reyes (4 for 6, 3 R, 3B, SB), Ramon Castro (2 for 5, 1 R, 2 RBI, HR), and Carlos Delgado (3 for 4, 1 R, 2 RBI, HR). Delgado has raised his average to a respectable .261 for the season. That’s not far below his .279 career average.

Robinson Cancel had a clutch double in the tenth inning that started a rally in which the Mets scored two runs to take the lead for good. Billy Wagner locked down the tenth inning for the save to secure a 2-2 series split with the Reds. Wagner struck out the side for those of us getting concerned about his shaky outings recently.

The Mets come home for an off day tomorrow and start a big three game series with the Phillies at Shea on Tuesday. With the win today and a Phillies loss, the Mets are tied with the Phils for the lead in the NL East and .5 games up on the Florida Marlins.

Box score