Tag: Gary Matthews

Mets’ Angel Pagan: A Refined Talent

Angel Pagan
Image by slgckgc via Flickr

Entering the 2010 campaign, the ceiling of Angel Pagan was seemingly an enigma. A talented outfielder plagued by injuries and bone-headed on the field mishaps, all we could really be confident about was that Pagan was a better alternative in center field than the great Gary Matthews Jr. Up to this point though, hitting in a line-up that lacks a true identity, Pagan has been an offensive propeller for the Mets.

So far this season, Pagan has proved all of his critics wrong. Boasting a solid .283 BA, he’s hit in all different slots of the Mets lineup and is well on his way to scoring 100 runs on the season. Pagan has also proved that he’s more of a threat on the bases this year with 12 swipes in 15 chances. He was gunned down a third of the time last season by opposing catchers. Continue reading “Mets’ Angel Pagan: A Refined Talent”

Video: Mets’ Minaya on Beltran, Matthews, Castillo

Luis Castillo batting for the New York Mets on...
Image via Wikipedia

Mets GM Omar Minaya addressed the media before last night’s game to talk about a flurry of roster moves the Mets made and the one that will be made today. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Gary Matthews – designated for assignment and will go home to count his money
  • Luis Castillo- on the 15-day disabled list for his bad foot/gimpy legs
  • Ruben Tejada- re-called to play second base
  • Omir Santos- re-called because Henry Blanco is slightly hurt
  • Jon Niese- starting tomorrow and they need to find a roster spot but Oliver Perez won’t leave

Carlos Beltran also played in an extended spring training game but didn’t run. So he’s starting to work his way back.

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

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Mets and Gary Matthews Jr’s Struggles

Florida Marlins at New York Mets

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsWhen the Mets traded Brian Stokes to the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason they were hoping to get some decent production from Gary Matthews Jr., who they envisioned as a possible starting center fielder.

…Yeah, that hasn’t worked out so well.

Matthews Jr. is hitting .152 with no RBI, and 19 strikeouts in 46 at-bats.

He’s been extremely late on the fastball and his confidence is just about as shot as possible. Hell, my confidence in him is shot, as I’m one of the more patient Mets fans out there. It was tough to back Minaya on sending Frank Catalanotto to the minors rather than Matthews Jr. Sure, they both haven’t been able to buy a hit this year, but at least Catalanotto was putting the ball in play and giving himself a chance. Matthews Jr. hasn’t been able to do that.

The only way to help snap this funk that Matthews is in is to… well, play him. He’s not going to break out of it pinch-hitting every few games. It may not be pretty, but it might be the only way. If he gets a couple starts in and still can’t snap it.. well, it might be time for Matthews Jr. to head down the same road that Catalanotto did.

But striking out in almost 50% of your at-bats is not a good sign.

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