Is Jerry Manuel Ruining the Mets Future?

July 22, 2010 Los Angeles, CA..New York Mets Josh Thole at bat in action during the Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium July 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, California..The Dodgers defeat the Mets 2-0.Louis Lopez/CSM.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsEvery time a left-handed starter for the opposing team pitchers New York Mets Manager Jerry Manuel decides to sit left-handed hitters Ike Davis and Josh Thole.

For example, last night the Mets faced left-hander Wandy Ramirez. Both Josh Thole and Ike Davis sat and Mike Hessman and Henry Blanco took their place.

Davis has struggled since the All-Star break batting just .212. Thole has had only five at bats in the major leagues against lefties.

Manuel continues to sit the youngsters against the lefties. Last evenings win against the Houston Astros put the Mets at 59-59, 9 games back of the wild card. Continue reading “Is Jerry Manuel Ruining the Mets Future?”

K-Rod’s Injury A Blessing In Disguise?

New York Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez is escorted by police for his arraignment on assault charges at Queens Criminal Court in New York August 12, 2010. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL CRIME LAW IMAGES OF THE DAY)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsTwitter is hinting about the possibility the Mets will be able to void K-Rod’s contract. This is the first good news I’ve heard all week! Not only is he owed $11.5 million next year but the Mets also get the chance to eliminate a problem in the clubhouse and on the field.

Statistically speaking, I have always felt the closer position was the mostĀ overratedĀ position in baseball. Correct me if I’m wrong but the average Major League pitcher will normally get out 70% of the batters they face. In the 9th inning, for every 5 batters a closer would face they technically can give up 2 hits and get 3 outs to earn the save. Is this really a tough job? Continue reading “K-Rod’s Injury A Blessing In Disguise?”

Mets 3 – Astros 1 August 16, 2010

New York Mets Jon Niese pitches during the first inning of the Mets MLB inter-league baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland, Ohio June 16, 2010. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsOnce again, Jon Niese was great going 7 strong innings on a night when they really needed it without a closer. Niese allowed 7 hits, no walks, and had 5 strikeouts. The bullpen cleaned up the final two innings without K-Rod only allowing 1 hit and 1 walk.

The biggest surprise of the game is that the Mets actually had a little offense. More surprising is where the offense came from. Ice cold David Wright was 3 for 4 with a key run scored in the ninth on a wild pitch. Equally cold Carlos Beltran was 2 for 3 with a solo homer in the fourth and 2 runs scored. Even Jeff Francoeur got into the act pounding a triple off the left field wall in the ninth to drive in Beltran with an insurance run.

The Mets get off to a nice start in Houston with a win and face Nelson Figueroa tomorrow.

Box score

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Video: Mets’ K-Rod Out For 2010

New York Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez is escorted by police for his arraignment on a third-degree assault charge at Queens Criminal Court in New York August 12, 2010. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL CRIME LAW)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsI didn’t really think there was much left in the tank for the Mets this season anyway. But the news today that Francisco Rodriguez is done for the year seals the deal. He tore a ligament in his pitching hand thumb putting a beat-down on his girlfriend’s father.

It’s really ridiculous that it’s come to this. But the word is that the Mets may try to void the rest of K-Rod’s contract for sustaining a non-baseball injury. I’m not so sure they could void 2011 and the vesting option for 2012 if he’s healthy and ready to play. I could see the Mets trying to recover the $3 million they owe him for the rest of 2010 though.

Here’s some video from ESPN on the issue:

http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf

Carlos Beltran’s Future with the Mets

July 23, 2010 Los Angeles, CA..Mets Carlos Beltran in action during the Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Mets defeated the Dodgers, 6-1..Josh Thompson/CSM.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsIt’s been over two weeks since Carlos Beltran’s return from his knee injury and you can just about stick a fork in the Mets. Prior to his return, I was cautiously optimistic that Beltran would be capable of igniting a power surge in the middle of the lineup. This has not been the case. Instead, we’ve seen him not be able to bat his weight and not be able to display his graceful mobility in center field, suggesting that he is better suited for a corner outfield position at this stage in his career. With another month and half left of what just about promises to be meaningless baseball, Carlos Beltran’s future can be a topic of discussion.

Should the Mets shop him around to other teams this off-season or no? He is Carlos Beltran, and when healthy, he undoubtedly provides a game changing presence. My answer to that question is ‘no’ based on the fact that he will be playing for a new contract in 2011 with his biggest fan Scott Boras by his side. Beltran also has a full no-trade clause and would likely request a contract extension and only accept a trade to a few teams to waive that clause. Continue reading “Carlos Beltran’s Future with the Mets”

Phillies 4 – Mets 0 August 14, 2010

New York Mets starting pitcher Pat Misch throws a pitch to the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning of their MLB National League baseball game in New York August 14, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets were victimized by a great game by Roy Halladay and their own poor fielding. Halladay went 8 strong innings only giving up 4 hits. Pat Misch was decent giving up 4 runs over 6 innings but only 1 run was earned. The Mets had 3 errors from Misch, David Wright, and Ruben Tejada. It was ugly in the field and that led to 3 runs for the Phillies.

The Mets had nothing going on offense really against Halladay. Jose Reyes did have a triple with no outs but the Mets couldn’t bring him in. And they did manage to load the bases against Ryan Madson in the ninth with two outs but Josh Thole struck out to end it.

Francisco Rodriguez did make it into the game in the ninth. There was a lot of booing but it was a good idea to get that first appearance after his arrest out of the way, even if it wasn’t a save situation.

The Mets and Phils will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow night on ESPN.

Box score

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Preview: Phillies at Mets August 14, 2010

Philadelphia Phillies (64-51) at New York Mets (58-57) 7:10 pm

Roy Halladay (14-8 2.34) vs Pat Misch (0-0 N/A)

TV: WPIXĀ  Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets will try to build on their two straight wins behind Misch just called up from Triple-A Buffalo. He was 11-4 3.23 at Buffalo this year. K-Rod will return to the team and address the media before the game. Halladay has won his last four starts but didn’t pitch that well in his last one against the Mets on Aug. 8 giving up 5 runs in 7 innings.

Donā€™t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

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