Tag: Josh Thole

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?”

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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Phillies 6 – Mets 5 August 8, 2010

July 25, 2010 - Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES - epa02261051 New York Mets' R.A. Dickey pitches during first inning of a Major League baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, California, USA, 25 July 2010.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe glory days for R.A. Dickey came crashing down today as he only lasted 3 innings and gave up 6 runs (4 earned). The Phillies put up 5 runs in the third, mostly on a 3-run shot by Raul Ibanez. Dickey just didn’t seem to have it from the get-go the Phillies were really patient today taking a lot of his pitches.

The Mets had some offense going with 10 hits and 1 walk in the game. They got to Roy Halladay, which doesn’t happen very often. But it was just too little to recover from the damage done to Dickey earlier in the game. The Mets put up 2 runs in the first and looked like they were going to run rough-shot over the Phils today. Josh Thole went 3 for 4 and Angel Pagan was all over the place going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and 2 SB’s. Chris Carter had a great pinch hit RBI double to the wall in center field that just missed going out and tying the game.

The Mets drop another series and head home to play the Rockies on Tuesday.

Box score

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Mets Quiet at 2010 Trade Deadline

July 23, 2010 Los Angeles, CA..Mets Luis Castillo 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.js“Mets are in no position to deal prospects of any worth at this point.” -David Lennon of Newsday Long Island

One month ago I would have disagreed with this tweet, as would most Met fans, but at this point I wholeheartedly agree. The team has basically let their season unravel and has not been able to overcome key obstacles. We are now seeing the Mets for what they really are, a flawed .500 caliber baseball club.

The asking price of many of the players on the block is far too high in my opinion to begin with. With the Mets sinking lower and lower in the standings, to trade away the team’s young talent in an act of desperation now would make no sense. Although the Mets do have some promising young players on the farm, the depth of the system is still a concern. The Mets are simply in no position to dispatch prospects in an effort to get climb back into the thick of the race.

As dissatisfied as I was that Omar Minaya didn’t make a move when the team looked like they would stay in contention, I can’t say that I really believe that any pitcher, except for maybe a Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt, would have made a significant difference. During the recent stretch that has buried the Mets in the standings, the offense, or lack thereof, has been the team’s primarily fault. This is after fans were calling for Minaya’s head for not acquiring a top of the line starting pitcher. I’ll admit, I was one of them.

Although the front office failed in the Lee and Oswalt sweepstakes, I was happy that Omar did not give up Jon Niese or Ike Davis, as I view those two as cogs of the future and trade untouchables. Recently, it was understood that the Astros were asking for Josh Thole and Bobby Parnell in exchange for RHP Brett Myers or perhaps LHP Wandy Rodriguez. Thole looks to be the catcher of the future and Parnell seems to be progressing nicely in his development. Neither of those pitchers are worth Parnell and Thole in my opinion. Continue reading “Mets Quiet at 2010 Trade Deadline”

Mets Perez Returns, Turner Out

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Starting pitcher #46...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

In a surprising move, the Mets activated Oliver Perez and shipped out Justin Turner. Turner heads back to Triple-A Buffalo. The Mets will continue to carry three catchers plus Alex Cora, Chris Carter, and Jeff Francoeur on the bench.

Keeping three catchers on the roster seems like an unsustainable strategy. Josh Thole has earned the right to be on the Mets roster. Rod Barajas has earned a trip to the waiver wire. It’s that simple.

As far as Perez goes, we’ll see how Manuel uses him. I have a feeling he’ll be doing mop-up duty and that’s about it.

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Video: Oliver Perez in Arizona

May 09, 2010 - Queens, NEW YORK, United States - epa02150562 New York Mets starting pitcher Oliver Perez firing a pitch to home plate to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Citi Field, in Queens, New York, USA, 09 May 2010.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe day we all feared is here. It looks like Oliver Perez will be activated from the disabled list today. Likely, Josh Thole will be sent down to Triple-A Buffalo but we’ll find out for sure later this afternoon.

Perez threw in the bullpen in front of Dan Warthen and Jerry Manuel yesterday. From their comments, they didn’t sound impressed. Manuel said that Perez will be the second lefty out of the bullpen and he’ll try to find spots to use him. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Perez’ return to the team.

I’m really disappointed to see Thole leave, if that’s what they decide to do. I understand that he has options and that’s a factor. But Rod Barajas certainly isn’t in the Mets long term plans. And there’s hardly anything left on his 1-year contract. They could easily release Barajas and go with Thole and Henry Blanco.

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

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Reds 3 – Mets 1 July 7, 2010

New York Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese throws a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field in New York City on June 22, 2010. UPI/John Angelillo Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets lost the game and the series tonight despite another solid performance by Jon Niese. The problem was that Bronson Arroyo was better. Niese went 7.2 IP giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and 1 walk. He also had 8 strikeouts but did give up 2 home runs.

The Mets offense did put together 8 hits and 1 walk but just couldn’t make it translate into runs. Once again, Angel Pagan had a big game with the bat. He was 2 for 4 with a solo homer in the first off Arroyo and that was all of the Mets scoring. Josh Thole was 2 for 3 also.

The Mets lose two out of three to the Reds and, unfortunately, the Braves won again tonight over the Phillies.

Box score

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