Tag: Carlos Beltran

Video: The 2010 Mets Disappointment

July 10, 2010 - Flushing, N.Y, United States of America - 10 July, 2010: New York Mets left fielder Jason Bay.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThere’s been a lot written on ESPN by Adam Rubin about what a mess the Mets are. It’s certainly hard to dispute that notion. We all know the sources of frustration so I won’t go on and on about Oliver Perez, Carlos Beltran, Jason Bay, and the rest of the underachieving bunch.

Here’s the Baseball Tonight crew talking about the Mets and the mediocre season they’ve turned in through August this year. It’s a fair assessment of the multitude of players that just haven’t lived up to expectations. The Wilpons have to be sick watching their payroll investment go down the tubes again this year.

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

Mets 6 – Marlins 5 August 24, 2010

July 30, 2010 - Flushing, New York, United States of America - 30 July 2010: New York Mets outfielder Angel Pagan.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets got a big win in the bottom of the ninth on a hit by Luis Castillo, of all people. R.A. Dickey pitched well until the top of the seventh when he gave up a 3-run homer to Gaby Sanchez that gave the Marlins a 5-4 lead. Dickey’s line looks bad but he pitched pretty well until he seemed to lose it in the seventh.

The Mets had some big offense getting 12 hits and 5 walks in the game. Angel Pagan was huge, as he has been all season, going 4 for 5 with 3 runs and a stolen base. This is the kind of offense I’ve been waiting to see all year. The Mets scored one in the eighth to tie on a Carlos Beltran single that scored Pagan. Then they put some hits together in the ninth capped by the Castillo single that scored Ike Davis.

It’s too bad that it took until the end of August for this kind of offense to show up. Too little too late. But it was good to see.

Box score

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

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

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

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”

Mets 1 – Phillies 0 August 13, 2010

New York Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey throws a pitch to the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning of their MLB National League baseball game in New York August 13, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsTonight’s game was a fantastic pitcher’s duel and R.A. Dickey came out on top with a 1-hitter. The only hit he gave up was a single to Cole Hamels of all people with one out in the sixth. Hamels also pitched a complete game 5-hitter. It was a real treat for fans of good pitching.

The Mets only run was scored in the sixth inning when David Wright doubled over the head of Shane Victorino. Carlos Beltran doubled off the wall in left to score the run.

That was a great way to start a tough series with the Phillies. Tomorrow’s pitcher will be Pat Misch making his first start of the year after having a very solid season at Triple-A Buffalo.

Box score

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Omar Minaya Fails Chemistry 101

New York Mets General Manager Omar Minaya watches batting practice prior to the game against the Washington Nationals on September 18, 2008 at Nationals Park in Washington. (UPI Photo/Mark Goldman) Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.js

I’ve been silent for almost two weeks because what I have been watching has left me speechless.

I could definitely say I told you so when, before the season started, I predicting this team was not much better than a 4th place team. I also continue to believe that the GM, Omar Minaya,  is the root cause of this teams problems.The Mets inspired play of May and June left me hoping that things were finally going to change. Wrong on that count. Omar’s high priced players are back and with it came the downfall of a lovable team that played above it’s talent level for at least 6 weeks.

 

Why is Omar the root cause of this teams problem?

Any business student could tell you the reason why and they wouldn’t even need to now anything about baseball. Anyone in the military could tell you the same thing. Anytime you have a breakdown in the chain of command your team will know it and respond accordingly. It always gets ugly!The only explanation for a team-wide collapse is that someone just above the manager (cough, cough, ahem… the GM) is cutting the managers feet out from under him by making some decisions that only the manager should be making. A GM should not be making out the lineup card and deciding who plays.

 

When this happens the whole team team chemistry gets screwed up. Players who earned playing time are no longer playing. Players who were leaders are now asked to sit the bench. Playing your butt off no longer earns you playing time, the size of your contract now determines your playing time. There is no incentive to perform.

This bad chemistry keeps breeding and growing turning player against player until even the good players, who play their hearts out, start to screw up. Continue reading “Omar Minaya Fails Chemistry 101”

Braves 4 – Mets 1 August 2, 2010

New York Mets Carlos Beltran hits a single in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York City on June 13, 2009. (UPI Photo/John Angelillo) Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Braves picked up 3 runs in the bottom of the first inning off Johan Santana and the game was over. The Mets defense didn’t help Santana out with some sloppy play in the field which we’re becoming accustomed to after the most recent home stand. The Mets didn’t have any errors, but they weren’t hustling in the field and allowed Braves runners to take extra bases.

The Mets offense wasn’t terrible with 8 hits and 3 walks. But they left 10 runners on base and couldn’t get any timely hitting. The only run scored was a Carlos Beltran RBI double in the fifth.

The Mets continue their downward trend. It’s starting to become eerily reminiscent of 2009 watching this team.

Box score

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js