Tag: Joe Smith

Mets Get Putz From Mariners

The Mets traded for “closer” J.J. Putz from the Seattle Mariners. It took three teams to get the deal done with the breakdown looking like this:

Mets Get: RP J.J. Putz, RP Sean Green, OF Jeremy Reed

Mariners Get: RP Aaron Heilman, OF Franklin Gutierrez, OF Endy Chavez, and four minor leaguers from the Mets- Mike Carp, Jason Vargas, Ezequiel Carrera, and Maikel Cleto

Indians Get: RP Joe Smith, IF Luis Valbuena

Clearly, Putz is the big fish in this deal and he’s due to make $6 million this season with a club option for $8.6 million with a $1 million buyout.
Rosenthal: Putz packing for New York
Rosenthal: Putz packing for New York

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Marlins Over Mets 7-5 To Take Series

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Mike Pelfrey got bombed and lost a game for the first time since May. He only went four innings and gave up five runs in the fourth inning. Joe Smith also had a bad inning in the eighth, giving up two runs on two walks and a hit.

Marlon Anderson had a big offensive game going 3 for 4 with 2 runs. That’s good to see because he’s looked completely lost at the plate recently. Anderson also looked smoother in left field than he has before. He must be shagging some fly balls because he looked more comfortable out there last night.

Damion Easley hit a big three-run, pinch hit home run in the seventh to get within one run of the Marlins but it wasn’t enough. The Mets did get a nice rally going in the ninth as well but they couldn’t sustain it long enough to tie or win the game.

The Mets are off on Thursday and in Houston on Friday with Pedro on the mound.

Mets Tatis Homer in 12th Downs Phillies 4-2

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Not only was this a 12 inning game but there was a three hour rain delay in the eighth inning with the Mets leading 2-0 and the Phillies with a man on base.

Oliver Perez had his second consecutive excellent start. I have to think that the work that pitching coach Dan Warthen is doing with him is working. Perez has commented publicly that he felt like he was being forced to be a different pitcher under Rick Peterson. Warthen has said that there isn’t any one philosophy that’s right for every pitcher. Each one has to find what works for them. Apparently, Perez has found it. Perez went seven innings giving up no runs. He did give up four hits and two walks but was able to work out of situations with men on base.

Carlos Beltran was one of the offensive stars hitting a solo homer in the third inning to right field. In the ninth inning his RBI single scored Jose Reyes to make it 2-0 after the lengthy rain delay.

Billy Wagner came in for the save in the ninth. Shane Victorino singled and Jayson Werth homered with two strikes and two outs for Wagner’s sixth blown save of the season. After playing nine innings and waiting out the rain for hours, the Mets and Phillies went to extra innings.

The extra inning hero was Fernando Tatis hitting a two run homer with Carlos Delgado on to take a 4-2 lead. Joe Smith shut down the Phillies in the bottom of the 12th for the win. The Mets take the third game of the four game series to go up 2-1 in this critical division rival series.

In the field, Jose Reyes also had two great plays in the field ranging to his left. Marlon Anderson missed an easy fly ball to left that he should have caught. Carlos Delgado couldn’t get the ball out of his glove on a pickoff throw from Perez that caught Werth stealing.

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Wagner Blows Third Straight Save; Mets Lose To D-Backs 5-4 in 10 Innings

Another great game by Johan Santana was wasted today. He went seven shutout innings giving up three hits and three walks with ten strikeouts. Joe Smith was terrible in the eighth inning giving up two walks and two hits in .2 innings. Two runs scored on him.

Billy Wagner blew the save in the ninth inning allowing two runs to score on two hits and two walks. Then Aaron Heilman threw gas on the fire in the tenth inning. Justin Upton doubled off him, moved to third on a sacrifice, then scored on a sacrifice fly.

The Mets offense came on a solo homer by Ramon Castro in the second inning off Dan Haren. David Wright doubled in Endy Chavez in the third inning but was thrown out going for third base. Fernando Tatis hit a two run single in the seventh inning.

The Mets lose the home series to the struggling D-Backs and have the Texas Rangers coming to town for a weekend series.

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Flurry Of Roster Moves Shakes Up Mets

WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog just discussed several roster moves for the Mets today:

  • Mets purchase the contract of Claudio Vargas
  • Mets purchase the contract of Fernando Tatis
  • Mets activate Matt Wise from the disabled list
  • Angel Pagan was placed on the 15 day disabled list
  • Nelson Figueroa was designated for assignment
  • Jorge Sosa was designated for assignment

The purchase of Fernando Tatis’ contract is a bit of a surprise. Luis Castillo must be hurt enough so that the Mets feel like they need some infield insurance. Tatis can provide that if Castillo is out for a week or more.

Claudio Vargas will pitch Wednesday against the Nationals. Who knows what we’ll get from him? He was released by the Brewers for a reason, so don’t expect miracles from him. We should be thrilled to get five innings out of him. He was on the street a month ago.

The Nelson Figueroa dream comes to an end for now. He was a great story but just couldn’t get major league hitters out consistently. He was fantastic the first time through the order and may have been more suited for a relief role.

I’m ecstatic that Omar Minaya designated Sosa. This is best for the team despite the fact that they may have to eat $1.5 million of his salary if he doesn’t accept a minor league assignment. Joe Smith earned the right to stay on the team. I would’ve been livid if Minaya kept Sosa instead of Smith. It would have displayed a lack of concern for winning now. Not to mention the fact that it may have adversely affected Willie Randolph’s ability to keep his job. Good job Omar!

Matt Wise Back In New York

Relief pitcher Matt Wise is in New York and ready to be activated from the disabled list. Reports from MLB.com state that Joe Smith will be sent to New Orleans. Willie Randolph was non-committal about whether Smith or Jorge Sosa would go when Wise came back if you listened to his interview on WFAN yesterday.

I’d prefer to see the Mets DFA Jorge Sosa. His $2 million salary and poor performance would most likely preclude him from being claimed from waivers. If he decided to become a free agent it would be fine with me.

Joe Smith has done a nice job with the Mets and doesn’t deserve to be sent down to New Orleans.

Mets Injury Report

New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya before a Mets/Devil Rays spring training game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.Image via Wikipedia

Pedro Martinez– Threw in Port St. Lucie last Friday and again on Tuesday. The Mets are just seeing how he feels after throwing before putting him up against live hitters.

Orlando (El Duque) Hernandez– Doctors allowed him to take the boot off that he’s been wearing. He’ll be in Port St. Lucie starting a light running and throwing program.

Matt Wise– He’s pitching in a Florida State League game today. The Mets will evaluate his performance. He’s eligible to come off the disabled list now. The Mets want to see how he looks pitching back to back days.

Angel Pagan– He flipped over the railing into the stands catching a fly ball in Los Angeles. He stayed in the game for another inning but Endy Chavez substituted in left field for him. It sounds like it isn’t anything serious.

The big decision for the Mets will come when Matt Wise comes back. Do they DFA Joe Smith or Jorge Sosa? That seems to be the logical choice. Smith has options so it would be easier to do it that way. The problem is that Smith has been more effective than Sosa. This is sure to create a big debate among us in the near future.

Read the full story at ESPN.