Mets Links: David Wright, Jay Marshall, John Smoltz

Mets vs. Marlins

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It’s 27 degrees and windy outside right now. I’m watching the NFL playoffs, but I’m thinking of warmer times when baseball is the sport of the season. With that, I’ve got some more links for you on this Sunday afternoon. Here are the links:

  • Jay Marshall claimed off waivers– I like this move. Marshall is a sidearming southpaw that has had great success in the minors, even at Triple-A level. But had no success at the big league level. He’s 26 years-old and it’s worth a shot to see if he can figure things out. This is a nice, low-risk move.
  • David Wright expects to bounce back in 2010– Mark Hale of the Post got an interview with Wright. Of course, he says all of the right things. He doesn’t blame Citi Field or the depleted lineup for his lack of production. Wright is media-savvy enough to make his 2009 10 HR, 140 K season all about himself.
  • Mets considering John Smoltz– Smoltz looked totally washed up to me last season. His 8.32 ERA with the Red Sox was atrocious. There are many options better than Smoltz at this point. The only way that I’d consider Smoltz a viable candidate is if he would take a minor league contract, and I don’t think there’s any way he would do that.
  • The Mets are actively scouting in Dominican Republic– Always Amazin’ has a link to a Peter Gammons-led discussion with Theo Epstein and Omar Minaya about the two teams being very active in the Dominican.

Mets 4 – Cubs 1 Aug. 30, 2009

PORT ST LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 26:  Pitcher Nels...
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The Mets avoided the sweep in Chicago on the back of Nelson Figueroa. He pitched into the eighth inning with 10 strikeouts and only allowing 1 earned run. He’s auditioning for someone for next season and really put on a show today. It still surprises me that they don’t give Figueroa a shot at the long man job out of the bullpen. I’d rather see him on the roster than someone like Tim Redding next season.

The offense was somewhat potent with 12 hits including 3 by Angel Pagan. Although the Mets only managed 1 extra base hit, a triple by Anderson Hernandez. The wind was blowing in today and the Cubs didn’t have any extra base hits.

The Mets are off tomorrow and start a series in Colorado on Tuesday night with David Wright back in the lineup.

Box score

Mets News Aug. 30, 2009 Wright, Minaya, Prospects

NEW YORK - MAY 13:  Fernando Tatis #17 of the ...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I’ve already written so much about the Mets injuries this season that I’m really tired of it. Unfortunately, the injuries are the theme of the season and I do have some more links on the topic for you today. But we do have something to look forward to as well with news about the Mets prospects and the ones that’ll be joining the roster in a few days.

Anyway, here’s the news:

  • Bill Madden of the Daily News has a great summarizing column about the injuries. The Mets have lost 1,095 days to the disabled list.
  • Bob Raissman of the Daily News wrote a column about Omar Minaya and his communication problems. This topic has been beaten to death but Raissman brings up some good points like whether Minaya has these same communication issues with his staff or other GM’s.
  • Although this isn’t Mets-related, David Waldstein of NY Times writes about players tipping pitches. Specifically, he gets into the allegation that Miguel Tejada was tipping pitches to his friends on opposing teams in 2001 when he was with the A’s (and Art Howe). It’s definitely an interesting read.
  • Dave Singer of NY Sports Dog has a good piece about Mike Pelfrey and the Verducci Effect.
  • Mark Hale of the NY Post wrote about Adam Wogan who’s been filling in for Tony Bernazard since he was fired.
  • Marc Hulet of FanGraphs wrote about the Mets having hope for the future with some minor league talent coming. Specifically, he writes about Kirk Nieuwenhuis a 22-year old lefty in the Florida State League.
  • The NY Times reports on David Wright returning from the disabled list on Tuesday in Colorado. He’ll immediately start wearing the new, more protective, batting helmet that we saw Ryan Dempster wearing yesterday.
  • Adam Rubin of Surfing The Mets has the September call-up list including catcher Josh Thole who will be with the team in Colorado this week.

Mets In The News Aug. 18, 2009

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02:  New York Mets chief o...
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Whether it’s a fastball bouncing off David Wright‘s helmet or an almost-forgotten closer returning from Tommy John surgery, the Mets always have something happening to peak our interest.

Here’s the Mets news for today:

  • Matthew Artus of Always Amazin’ hopes that we don’t see David Wright on the field again this season
  • Dave Singer of NY Sports Dog tries to come up with some names for David Wright’s hideous shirt
  • Tejesh at Mets Prospect Hub has his 8/18 links up. The Mets are done, it’s time to keep an eye on what players can help this team next season
  • Dave at Mets Lifers has a great post up comparing the offensive deficiencies of Brian Schneider to Charlie O’Brien. Must read!
  • Joe Janish at Mets Today writes about Jeff Wilpon’s trek across New York state apologizing for the pathetic teams that the organization is fielding, the journey started in Buffalo and should end in Flushing
  • Kerel Cooper of On The Black recaps the Giants series and doesn’t want to see Livan Hernandez start another game for the Mets

Video: Mets David Wright Discusses Beaning

The Mets put David Wright on the disabled list for the first time in his career. He was at Citi Field with the team yesterday and discussed the beaning by Matt Cain and the after-affects with the media. Thanks to NJ.com for the video below.

Mets’ David Wright says he feels good
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Giants 10 – Mets 1 Aug. 17, 2009

Livan Hernandez
Image by tedkerwin via Flickr

The Mets got smacked around by the Giants in the final game of the four game series to earn a split. The big news is that David Wright and Billy Wagner were both in the dugout with the team, although they’re headed in different directions.

Also big news, Livan Hernandez actually made it out of the first inning without giving up a run. But he ended up going 5.1 innings and giving up 6 runs on 11 hits and a walk. Tim Redding also got bombed in the eighth inning giving up 3 more runs on 4 hits.

The Mets weak offense reared its ugly head again with the team only able to come up with 8 hits and 4 walks. Only one of those hits was for extra bases, a double by Daniel Murphy.

The Braves come to town for a series starting tomorrow night.

Box score

Mets David Wright On Disabled List

David Wright
Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

The Mets finally got something right yesterday when they put third baseman David Wright on the disabled list with post concussion symptoms. As you know, he suffered a head injury in Saturday’s game after getting hit in the helmet by a Matt Cain pitch.

After a trip to the hospital, Wright was at home during yesterday’s game. It looks like they learned something after Ryan Church‘s concussion, then being flown around the country, then playing poorly for the rest of the season.

It’s possible that Wright could miss the rest of the season according to Jerry Manuel’s comments. Not that it matters anymore because the team is out of the playoff chase.

You can hear Mets GM Omar Minaya’s press conference announcing the move below:

Infielder Andy Green will replace Wright on the Mets roster. He’s a 32 year old that was hitting .270 in 35 games for Triple-A Buffalo.

Basically, there’s no reason to go to Citi Field now unless Johan Santana is pitching. If you’re thinking about buying tickets for a game, don’t bother. The team that the Mets are fielding isn’t competitive anymore with the injuries that they’ve sustained this season.

If you need a Mets fix, stay home and watch them on TV. This team isn’t worth paying the price of a ticket for.