The Friday Recap: Bobby Parnell blows wind into Pirates sails; Mets lose 3-2 in 10th

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(63-53)
Forty-six games left in season.

ICYMI:

Podcast #114

With regards to Bobby Parnell, Mike Silve was right, 

and I was wrong.  Take a listen.

The Friday Recap: 

Bobby Parnell Blows Wind Into Pirates' Sails; Mets Fall 3-2 in 10th Inning

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Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Resting Jeurys Familia now would benefit team later

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Hey Terry and Sandy, give the guy a break!

Mets: A Proactive Plan For Getting Jeurys Familia Much Needed Rest

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

For Rising Apple: Failure to trade Dillon Gee creates problems for bullpen

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Failure To Trade Dillon Gee Creates Problems In The Bullpen

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

Today for Rising Apple: Sandy Alderson Still A Transaction Away From Catching Washington

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Sandy Alderson Is Still A Transaction Away From Catching Washington

Mike

N.Y. Mets: Let The Off-Season Begin

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS: Stick Those Few Free Agent Dollars Back In The Piggy Bank, And Focus On The Trade Market.

That's a wrap; the World Series is done.  Let the off-season begin.

Mets fans however, had better prepare themselves for a quiet, dark, and cold winter.  There will be little activity to speak of, and few logs afforded by the front office for the (hot) stove.

The annual free agent period will open shortly, and here's what we need to know.

Speaking back in September with regards to improving the team through free agency, Sandy Alderson described the Mets financial situation as prohibitive.

He also went on to say, "We'll have some flexibility.  We'll be able to do some things.  We just have to see what's there."

Fair enough, because that's perhaps the most honest assessment he's rendered over the last 3 years.  In fact, I applaud his pragmatism.  Finally.

This year's free agent class. however, features no one the Mets should be pushing other teams out of the way for.  So, for Mets fans, Sandy Alderson, and ownership, there appears to be a convenient common ground this off-season.

The Mets entered 2014 with somewhere near $88 million in payroll, and finished the season slightly above $83 million.  Next season, payroll will increase whether the club likes it or not, and that's even before figuring a potential free agent.

In 2015, Bartolo Colon's salary goes up by $2 million (to $11 million), and Curtis Granderson's swells by $3 million (to $16 million dollars).

They should also expect to dole out handsome raises in arbitration to Matt Harvey, Daniel Murphy, Lucas Duda, Bobby Parnell, Dillon Gee, and Jenrry Mejia.

We can only speculate the club's plans for their remaining arbitration eligible: Ruben Tejada, Eric Young, Buddy Carlyle, and Dana Eveland.  Non-tendering them, however, does not afford the Mets sufficient relief.

• See Baseball Reference > The Mets are getting off light this season.  It will cost them roughly $20 million to retain their arbitration eligible players.  Of the current Mets, 15 will be arbitration eligible next year, and upwards of 20 by 2016.  By then, they'll potentially be paying in the neighborhood of $60 million in arbitration alone.

In 2014, the Mets finally snapped 5 straight years of declining attendance at Citi Field.  But, not by much - just barely in fact.  From a Citi Field high of 3.1 million fans in 2009, attendance steadily dropped down to 2,135,657 by 2013.  Last year, 2,148,808 fans spun the turnstiles - a modest increase of 13,151 patrons.  Again, that hardly lifts ownership's financial situation.

Lastly, (as if we fans need reminding), ownership still has massive debt issues.  Somehow, that just doesn't get talked about much lately, or to the extent their financial woes should.

O the field, what the Mets need are a shortstop, and a corner outfielder.  To be more precise, the Mets need middle of the order power - a slugger.

There are no available shortstops who fit that description, unless the Mets are foolish enough to court Hanley Ramirez.  (please don't)

The outfield market includes Melkey Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, and Michael Cuddyer - none of which particularly interests me.

Nelson Cruz at least showed he's predisposed to accepting a one-year contract.  Baltimore paid a mere $8 million for his services in 2014, and Cruz in turn led the A.L. with a career high 40 home runs.  Although outside of Camden Yards, I'm sure that home run number reverts back to his Texas averages.  However, with a one-year deal and a raise, Cruz could serve the Mets offensive needs well.

Outside of that, I'm afraid there's little else the Mets can do to impact the offense through free agency this Fall.

That said, the Mets might be better off sticking their dollars back in their pocket this off-season, and focus more on the winter meetings and the trade market.




Mike

Today For Rising Apple: Sandy Alderson Earns First Blown Save Of Season

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Sandy Alderson Earns His First Blown Save Of The Season

Mike.BTB

Senior Staff Writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets Preview: In Search Of The Elusive .500 Record

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Back To Queens!

NEW YORK METS: Entering 2014, they are now a team about to venture out from their cave.  They will either adjust to the light, and continue forth with Amazin' confidence, or hide their eyes from the light, and venture back into the safety of the shade.

On Monday, a truck filled with Mets stuff started driving north on I-95, back towards Flushing. The question is, who's stuff will the last truck out of Florida be hauling?  With less than a week to go before the Mets season and home opener against the Nationals, the 2014 roster is starting to finally take shape.  Few questions remain, but, not all the answers are quite exactly to Mets fan's liking.

I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but as we know, the Mets have not posted a winning season since Citi Field replaced Shea Stadium as home of the Mets.  That's five straight losing seasons.  I think finally however, the 2014 season begins the turnaround in Flushing.  While the upcoming season will still require patience on behalf of the fans, which also includes pleas for their increased patronage, I believe finishing .500 or better would certainly be an affirmative step forward for MetsKind.

I'm not greedy, 81 to 84 victories would do just fine.  The Mets posted a 74-88 record last season. In order to finish .500, they need a seven game swing.  That's considerable.

It's hard to tell if Sandy Alderson's 90 win projection was just more of his acidic humor, or if it was said after one too many, or came from the bottom of his heart, or was just simply wishful thinking on his part.  Some of it was unmistakably pom-pom shaking, and trying to drum up interest in the team, and entice ticket sales.

Memo to front office: Only winning will do that.  And through that, attendance will go up.

If the Mets compete for anything this season, it will be thanks to the new Wild Card set-up.  That still joins them in stiff competition with several quality teams.  But, with a good, sustained start to their season, if the Mets can indeed make a compelling case for Sandy Alderson to make additions, all eyes will be on the Wilpons for approval.  That's when they will be revealed as either players, or pretenders.  Of course, should the Mets flop in the first half of the season, they're off the hook until the following year again.

Sorry, no Mets preview is complete without calculating the effect ownership's situation still
has on team operations, or Alderson's real autonomy.  Any potential roster enhancements will increase payroll, and any REAL addition, will cost considerable money.  Remember, over the winter, Sandy Alderson didn't exactly go on a won-ton spending spree.  He merely gave different people the same money he was already operating with.

There is no doubting that Curtis Granderson, Chris Young, and Bartolo Colon made for a curious shopping list.  But, grading Sandy Alderson's off-season is something best attempted much later in the season.

The Mets outfield had long been ridiculed as an AAAA outfit.  Sandy secured two outfielders.  One is a proven MLB caliber slugger, while the other is a huge gamble.

Chris Young was the first of Alderson's winter signings.  The timing was bad, because, his signing came rather early in the free agent process, but nevertheless followed a standard procedure in recent years.  Let the alpha predators feed first, then make due on the left-overs.  Preceding him were Marlon Byrd and Scott Hairston.  If Chris Young provides similar productivity, I guess the signing will reflect well.

What Sandy Alderson didn't do was, acquire an MLB level catcher to back-up d'Arnaud, like he said wanted to back in October, nor did he acquire a shortstop, which he stated as his top priority at the onset of the free agent period.  Lastly, Sandy Alderson stood by while the run on quality relief pitchers took place in December, and only very recently addressed the bullpen with rolls of the dice on Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Valverde.  In the big picture, that tells me the money wasn't there.

All that said, let the games begin!  The influx of young talent may save this organization yet.


STARTING ROTATION:

Unlike Matt Harvey, who is noisily trying to exercise his CBA right to be the rehabbing Dark Knight of Gotham, Zack Wheeler is quietly going about his business this spring.  That wasn't always the case. While still in the minors, Wheeler was involved in a few incidences that drew attention his way.  He now appears to be approaching his 2nd MLB season, and 1st full season, very confidently, and with maturity as well.

If you're interested in the truth, then there is only one way to view Zack Wheeler - as the ace of this staff.  In the grand scheme of things, Bartolo Colon and Dice-K do not factor deeply into the Mets future.  And without really proving himself over a full MLB season yet, the expectations placed upon him already surpass those placed on Dillon Gee and Jon Niese anyway.  So, real or imagined, why don't we just call an ace an ace.

Dillon Gee has had his share of ups and downs.  He was already a good pitcher, but now seems even more in command of himself than ever.  With health, Gee is poised to become a 15 game winner.  I believe that.  Due to Jon Niese's recent arm development, Dillon Gee has been named this year's Opening Day starter.  He will become the Mets 23rd different pitcher bestowed with the privilege.  His selection was also well deserved.  He's been a good soldier.

Bartolo Colon has looked sharp this spring.  He remarkably remains unfazed by age and girth.  It's a long season though, but early indications say he's ready to challenge National League line-ups. The balance of power is currently tipped towards the American League, and if you also consider that he will no longer be facing the DH nearly as much, Bartolo Colon could have a very good season.  The Mets would benefit handsomely if Colon can secure 15 victories this season.

The Mets paid Dice-K $100,000 in order to retain him, yet temporarily keep him off the roster.  To start the season, the Mets can therefore utilize an extra bench player, until the fifth starter role comes into play.

Sandy Alderson said Jenrry Mejia will not be pitching in the bullpen.  So, either Mejia makes the starting rotation over Dice-K, or spends time in Las Vegas.

I left Jon Niese last, believing he will pose a potential problem for the starting rotation at some point this year, if not soon.  He suffered a partial tear in his rotator cuff last season, which he rehabbed without surgery.  So far this spring, he's been flown to NYC for two different MRI's on his shoulder and elbow, with negative results.  However, I fear all is not well.

Niese is the lone left-hand pitcher in the rotation.  Lefty John Lannan could be utilized to back fill Niese's spot.  Or, Jenrry Mejia could very well find himself right back in the rotation mix.

STARTING FIVE: Zack Wheeler, Dillon Gee, Jon Niese, Bartolo Colon, Daisuke Matsuzaka
POTENTIAL DEPTH: Jenrry Mejia, John Lannan,
POTENTIAL 2014 CALL-UPS: Rafael Montero, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom


BULLPEN:

I don't know that Mets fans can exhale with confidence, but they can certainly sigh with relief.  On the one hand, Bobby Parnell has looked fine this spring.  On the other, unfortunately, Vic Black has not.  That should not preclude Black from coming north though.

Scott Rice is the known lefty in the bullpen.  A second lefty still remains a questionable item.  John Lannan will most likely join Rice in the bullpen.  Josh Edgin, who will begin the season with Las Vegas, can, and should be an option.

After a shaky stint in the Arizona Fall League, followed by decent work pitching in winter ball, Jeurys Familia is having a fine time in the Grapefruit League.  He has regenerated high expectations for himself.

Jose Valverde and Carlos Torres seem likely to round out a bullpen of seven pitchers.

TOP SEVEN: Bobby Parnell, Vic Black, Jeurys Familia, Jose Valverde, Carlos Torres, (LHP) Scott Rice, (LHP) John Lannan
REINFORCEMENTS: Josh Edgin, Germen Gonzalez
POTENTIAL 2014 CALL-UPS: Jack Leathersich, Jeff Walters, John Church, Joel Carreno


THE DIAMOND:

Catcher - Travis d'Arnaud's defensive skills, and handling of pitchers are apparently up to snuff. But, his Grapefruit League production is starting to give people the jitters.  He was short circuited last year by an injury to his foot.  He returned to post a .304 average in 56 at-bats for Las Vegas. He then only managed a .202 average over 99 at-bats during his call up to Flushing.  This spring, he is batting .154 over 36 at-bats, with three extra base hits.  At 25-years of age, there is a measurable amount of pressure being placed on d'Arnaud to produce respectable numbers in what is officially still his rookie season.

For the last two seasons, I've been wanting the Mets to sign A.J. Pierzynski to a one or two year deal.  He'll be with the Boston Red Sox this season.  I digress.  Anthony Recker will once again be the back-up catcher in Flushing.  I'm cool with that.  You either like players, or, you don't.

First Base - Sandy Alderson stated the Mets will head north with both Ike Davis and Lucas Duda on the roster.  I guess the Mets have no current available alternative, but what a broken situation this has been, and for quite some time may I add.  Josh Satin will serve as the right hand bat in a platoon situation, and come off the bench.  It is believed Ike Davis will get the season's first crack.

It's hard to envision Lucas Duda's bat not in the line-up on days he does not play first.  His at-bats in the outfield will bleed into Juan Lagares' and EYJ's playing time.  Odds are, Ike Davis is being showcased with diminishing hopes of still trading him.  Lucas Duda was said to be the team's preference at first base some time ago.

Second Base - Daniel Murphy is going to be 29-years old this season, and I'm expecting big things from him - not gargantuan numbers, but very productive, well rounded, balanced numbers.  The only thing I feel that can derail him from having an all-star season is injury.  Otherwise, I look forward to a stronger, wiser, Daniel Murphy taking advantage of an improved line-up behind him.

Sandy Alderson sent Wilmer Flores to minor league camp.  I understand the GM wants Flores playing 2B and SS everyday while in Las Vegas.  I can't say I'm happy about it though.  I wanted Wilmer Flores heading north with the team.  Instead, Omar Quintanilla once again seems to be this year's utility infielder up the middle.  I also wonder whether Sandy Alderson still has lingering ideas of trading Flores.

Shortstop - Ruben Tejada has the unrealistic demands of others to thank for his employment this season.  Jhonny Peralta priced himself out of the Mets pocketbook early in the free agent process, while Stephen Drew and his agent Scott Boras, continue to reside in outer space with their contract requests.  With no one of quality, ready, available, or otherwise, to step into the position from the minors, and no trade prospects on the horizon, Ruben Tejada wins the shortstop job by default. To date, he has done little to change the minds of Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson, or reverse his falling out of the club's favor.

Omar Quintanilla may get more starting time than any of us anticipated, unless Sandy Alderson strikes an in-season deal.  In truth, Wilfredo Tovar would still be an inconsequential addition to the mix.

Third Base - The Captain of the Mets has not been impervious to injuries.  They've hampered him throughout his prime years.  He's provided enough evidence however, to prove he is far from through.  At 31-years of age, David Wright appears poised to strike back.  He finally has the line-up protection he sorely lacked over recent years.  With health, a renaissance season seems in order.

He is entering his second decade with the Mets.  He's been here for down times, good times, and down times again.  He is still in prime position to lead the team into the next good period of Mets history.  There are also 20 million other reasons why David Wright needs to have a good season.

For now, Josh Satin will also serve as the back-up third baseman.

THE STARTERS: Travis d'Arnaud, Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy, Ruben Tejada, David Wright
BACKING-UP: Omar Quintanilla, Josh Satin, Anthony Recker
REINFORCEMENTS: Zach Lutz, Wilfredo Tovar
POTENTIAL 2014 CALL-UPS: Wilmer Flores, Juan Centeno


OUTFIELD:

Since Sandy Alderson insists both Ike Davis and Lucas Duda will be on the opening day roster, Lucas Duda's presence in the outfield means a number of things.  In an effort to keep Duda's bat in the line-up, playing time will be taken away from Jaun Lagares and EYJ.  On a second tier, players like Andrew Brown, Matt den Dekker, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis are forced to start the season in Las Vegas, as the fifth outfield slot now belongs to Duda.

The only major question remaining is whether the Mets find Juan Lagares' defense more preferable to Eric Young's speed potential.  Both factor into the lead-off role, and to date, there is no clear answer as both need improvement at the plate.

While I believe Curtis Granderson certainly possesses Pepsi Porch power, I do not think he'll be achieving 40+ home run levels again.  Tiger Stadium and Citi Field have more in common with each other, than either park has with Yankee Stadium.  But, if Granderson can still hit 25+ home runs hitting behind David Wright, he will be well worth the investment.  His addition should ideally have a domino effect throughout the line-up, and help get overall scoring up.  The Mets ranked towards the bottom of the N.L. in runs last season.

Chris Young may be the biggest question mark the Mets have.  The team has been through the circus hoops with Ike Davis and Ruben Tejada, but Young is the truly unknown commodity.  So far, so good - Chris is fine, and doing well in Grapefruit League action.  More so than Travis d'Arnaud, or either left handed first baseman, Chris Young is the true X-factor in the line-up.  If he can somehow recapture his home run and RBI totals he posted from 2007 through 2010, the Mets can make more noise than anyone anticipated.  He is also being counted on to provide line-up protection for Curtis Granderson.

STARTING THREE: Curtis Granderson, Chris Young, Juan Lagares
4th AND 5th OUTFIELDER: Eric Young Jr., Lucas Duda
REINFORCEMENTS: Matt den Dekker, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Andrew Brown
POTENTIAL 2014 CALL-UPS: Cesar Puello, Dustin Lawley


UPDATES:

Wednesday 3/26 - Vic Black sent to minor league camp.  Jose Valverde added to 40-man roster.


Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets: Climbing The Hill In 2014

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS - Call To Arms; The Mets Are Loading Up.

After three full years of reconstruction, Sandy Alderson's minor league pipeline seems ready to provide for the pitching needs of Flushing.  The arrivals of Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler are what many fans hope is just the beginning.  In the near term at least, the Mets will be shuffling up quite a number of quality arms - more so than position players.

Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero are just two of several starting pitchers that should be sprouting up in Flushing soon.  The club will no doubt consider Super-2 status when deciding upon their call-up dates. Then behind them, perhaps starters such as Logan Verrett, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz are not too far off.

For now, the Mets will return with Zack Wheeler, Jonathan Niese, and Dillon Gee in the starting rotation. Bartolo Colon is the fourth man in, while the club is holding a competition for the fifth spot, consisting of John Lannan, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jenrry Mejia, and long shot Carlos Torres.

John Lannan is a 29-year old, left-handed pitcher.  That, in itself is worth its weight in gold, but some might argue he never delivered on the promise Washington held for him earlier in his career.  I'm not one of them.  I feel he can still be a fine pitcher if he can shake the injury bug.  Last season, he was shut down due to a knee injury.

It's been a long road back for Daisuke Matsuzaka, but last season in seven appearances for the Mets, he didn't look too shabby - did he?  In fact, he was a very worthwhile late season acquisition, who showed, at age 32, there was certainly something left in the tank.  He enters this season as a 33-year old, and is a good insurance policy to have around.

Of course, spring training will decide how Lannan and Dice-K ultimately fit into the Mets plans.

Bartolo Colon is the fourth man in.  What he still has in the tank remains to be seen.  If he continues to pitch with the effectiveness he displayed last season, he will be worth every penny Sandy Alderson committed to him.  However, the fact that he'll turn 41-years old in May, and isn't in prime shape has many fearing Colon will turn into, among other things, a National League bust.  With health, he will do what he does best, which is consistently pound the strike zone with fastballs.  It will be interesting to watch him, and his pitching style play out in the senior circuit.  If Sandy Alderson indeed thinks the Mets can win 90 games this season, then Bartolo Colon will need to play a huge role in that.

In the bullpen, all eyes are on Bobby Parnell.  Will he be healthy enough to resume his role as closer?  That still remains to be seen.  The next question that begs asking then, is who would potentially take his place? There is no clear choice.  According to Coach Terry, the rest of the bullpen could include Jeurys Familia, Vic Black, Josh Edgin, and Scott Rice.  Carlos Torres will most likely join them, while Lannan and Jenrry Mejia could both realistically wind up in the bullpen as well.

What comes next concerns me.  After failing to retain LaTroy Hawkins, and watching the free agent relief market pass them by, the Mets signed Kyle Farnsworth, and Jose Valverde to minor league contracts, and invited them to camp.  I guess there is no harm in that...., yet.

Sandy Alderson really dropped the ball on this one.  This is right in line with his overall inability to build a bullpen - ever since he first commissioned Frank Francisco, Ramon Ramirez and D.J. Carrasco to be his firemen.  That said, even with continuing uncertainty, this year's bullpen might very well turn into Sandy Alderson's best yet.

Reliever Vic Black will have a full season to show his worth, and the healthy return of Jeurys Familia, possibly teaming up with Jenrry Mejia, is being eagerly anticipated.

But the real key to the Mets bullpen might very well lay in who they decide to promote from within.  The Mets have a number of quality, and very interesting candidates with varying AA and AAA experience to chose from.

Relievers Jeff Walters and Jack Leathersich are just two of a crop of relievers who have all pitched at least one season with AA Binghamton.  Overall, the bullpen depth at Binghamton last season was particularly quite deep.  John Church, Chase Huchingson, and Adam Kolarek are a few others who potentially stand ready to reinforce the bullpen by late summer if needed.

Heading into the 2014 season, pitching will no doubt be the team's primary strength.  Even minus Matt Harvey, there is a lot to like, and feel good about with regards to the Mets pitching options, and increasing depth of quality.

From top to bottom, the Mets are still somewhat organizationally light in left-handed pitching though.  Sandy Alderson can fix that, but the greater decision he eventually will face is, which pitcher, if any, would he trade in order to secure a premium position player?

There is one school of thought that says you need to give in order to get.  However, there is a large pocket of Mets fans who will have none of that, and are fiercely resistant to trading any of them.  Me?  I prefer the Mets hoard their pitchers, and explore other strategies for securing more offense.



Mike.BTB

Today For Rising Apple: A Review Of The Mets Current Bullpen Situation

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A Review Of The Mets Current Bullpen Situation

Mike.BTB
Senior Staff Writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Sizing Up Next Year's Payroll And Pitfalls

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS: So Just How Much Is Mr. Wilpon Willing To Spend Anyway?

Jonathon Niese and David Wright will cost the Mets a combined $25 million dollars to operate next season.  They are the only two players under contract beyond the 2014 season.

The Mets have eleven arbitration eligible players: Daniel Murphy, Ike Davis, Lucas Duda, Dillon Gee, Eric Young, Mike Baxter, Justin Turner, Bobby Parnell, Scott Atchison, Omar Quintanilla and Ruben Tejada.  I personally would grant Atchison, Quintanilla and Baxter their free agency. 

The following are no brainers: Daniel Murphy enjoyed a career year, and should realize a substantial increase from his $2.9 million salary.  With double-digit victories, Dillon Gee should likewise see a considerable increase in pay.  He made just over a half-million dollars last season.  The Mets can expect to shell out roughly six million-plus dollars next season for the pair.  Bobby Parnell, who earned $1.7 million last season, effectively staked his claim to the closer's role.  He will be coming off neck surgery, but is expected to recover.  Expect him to get bumped up to $3 million or so.

Eric Young Jr. led the National League in stolen bases.  That should be enough to get him into the millionaire's club.  Players almost never lose, and so Justin Turner will get a raise too.  The pair should cost the Mets around another $3 million to retain.

So far, we have spent $37.5 million.

There is a reason why Ike Davis, Lucas Duda and Ruben Tejada were left for last.  What the hell do we do with them now?  The 2013 season was supposed to solve some team issues.  Instead, we came out even more problems.  Despite doing everything possible to give away his starting job, the Mets are lacking a shortstop that can adequately replace Ruben Tejada.  He might cost the Mets a million.  Outfield is no longer an option for Lucas Duda.  That leaves him and Ike Davis fighting it out for first base.  Or does it?  It would be difficult to let either one just walk away for nothing.  If both are offered arbitration, one would certainly have to begin the season in Las Vegas.  Another option is one gets traded during the off-season.  My over-riding sentiment is, this competition needs to end.  The time has come to make a definitive decision on one, or the other.  Where ever possible, the make-up of this team heading into the 2014 season needs to change.  Ike could only get see a marginal raise after last season.  The Mets should be able to keep him for under $4 million.  Lucas Duda however could possibly get bumped up to as much as $2 million next season.

Let's average this all out, and put the Mets at $40 million so far.

LaTroy Hawkins wants to continue pitching, and the Mets would be wise to resign him.  He made $1 million last season.  Let's give him a half-million dollar raise, and plug in Zack Wheeler, Juan Lagares and Travis d'Arnaud for the major league minimum.
.
I will add another six players who will also make the major league minimum.  You can argue over who they will be: Matt den Dekker, Germen Gonzalez, Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia, Vic Black, Wilmer Flores, Josh Satin, Wilfredo Tovar, Anthony Recker, Carlos Torres, or other.

That brings the Mets 2014 bill up to $46 million, with six more roster spots to fill.

Sandy Alderson said he will be active in the free agent market.  So let's spend some more of Wilpon's money then.  Say the Mets sign two major free agents this off-season, that cost sixteen and twenty-one million per season each.  That would bring the Mets 2014 expenditure to $83 million dollars, with four more roster spots to fill.

Fortifying the starting rotation should bring the club to $90 million dollars.  If the Mets pick up the option on Johan Santana's contract, the number goes up.

Will Mr. Wilpon dare approach this number?

Attendance at Citi Field had dropped in each of the years since it opened.  Ownership already forecasted and announced their 2014 projected $10 million dollar loss last year.  Currently, their money is mostly spoken for.  The people refinancing ownerships debt load are making sure of that.  The Mets are additionally looking to renegotiate another $250 dollars....again.  A NYPost report says Mr. Wilpon will look to arrange that over the Winter, but supposedly this will not effect 2014's player salary budget.  I honestly do not see that ownership will have any potential cash flow for the upcoming season.  Meanwhile, Sandy Alderson still needs to know what he'll be allowed to spend soon.

Another question is, how closely should the 2014 Mets resemble the team of the last two years?  Many of the above players have contributed to an overall 148-176 record.  Perhaps the Mets could benefit from trading some of their more valuable players for the sake of finally changing the direction of this club.  They certainly need to cut the chord with others.


P.S.  Bobby Bonilla is still on the books!




Mike.BTB

New York Mets: Year Fifty-Two Of Orange And Blue

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

HEADING NORTH:

Next Stop - Roosevelt Avenue

Queens

The 52nd SEASON OF NEW YORK METS BASEBALL

FIRST OPENING DAY:  April 9, 1976 - With Tom Seaver on the mound, the Mets defeated the Montreal Expos 3-2.  Buddy Harrelson drove in two runs with a double.  Tom Seaver pitched seven innings, allowing one run. five hits, and one walk.  He struck out eight batters.  Skip Lockwood, one of my favorite Mets at the time, earned the Save.

FAVORITE OPENING DAY:  April 5, 1983 - Tom Seaver Returns.  I was sitting between first base and right field towards the back rows of field level.  Upon completion of his pregame warm-ups, Tom Seaver walked from the bullpen to the dugout.  The fan ovation was special.  The game was also notable because we were facing the Philadelphia Phillies featuring three future HOF players; Joe Morgan, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton; in addition to Pete Rose.  The Mets shut-out Philly 2-0.  Seaver got a no-decision.  In he return to Shea, he pitched six innings, allowed only three hits, walked one, and struck out five.  Doug Sisk got the win in relief.  The unremarkable Brian Giles and Mike Howard drove in the Mets two runs.

MOST RECENT OPENING DAY:  April 13, 2009 - A 6-5 loss to the San Diego Padres.  Adrian Gonzalez was the only Padre worth mentioning from that team.  Ponderous.  Mike Pelfrey started but took a no-decision.  David Wright homered in the losing effort.....Played at night - Terrible!

OTHER OPENING DAYS ATTENDED:  1977 - 1978 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1984 - 1990 - 1997 - 2005 - 2006 - 2008.

OPENING DAY 2013

 

 

Monday, April 1, 2013

 

San Diego Padres

vs.

NEW YORK METS

from

CITI FIELD

Flushing, Queens

 

 

 

A very strange season is about to begin off Roosevelt Avenue.  Mets fans are being teased now more  than ever.  Both the team and fans are patiently waiting for some new, young, talented players to fill roles, and seats, at Citi Field.  Then for whatever his motivation, the owner announced a clean(er) bill of financial health heading into (and here's the catch...) next season.  To the club's credit, they are fresh off enriching their third baseman and additionally naming him Team Captain - a well deserved appointment earned by David Wright.  Money-wise, Sandy Alderson also actively pursued Michael Bourn during the off-season, who would have cost a handsome dollar.  So perhaps, finances are indeed easing up.  Over the winter, ownership secured some fancy all-inclusive refinancing they believe will give them ample flexibility moving forward.  I have my suspicions regarding their math and sustainability.  But with Spring Training at its end, it is time to delve less into that, and more into winning baseball games during the upcoming season.
 

 

In spite of a spring filled with injuries, the Mets fifty-second Opening Day roster is just about set.  Word is David Wright satisfactorily recovered from his rib strain, and will play Monday.  Daniel Murphy on the other hand, should not.  That's just me talking though.  His own strained intercostal muscle considerably hampered his entire Spring Training regimen.  Until he gets up to game speed, I feel he should miss a few games.  Regardless of what I think, the latest from the club is Murph will play on Opening Day.  In the bullpen, Pedro Feliciano is literally contemplating his baseball future, while Frank Francisco and his elbow are nowhere near ready to resume his former role as team closer.  The starting rotation's depth was originally thought to be facing a major dilemma when Jeremy Hefner was struck on his elbow by a come-backer.  He now appears fine.  As Johan Santana's replacement, Hefner has a fan in me.  Shaun Marcum's reliability however, looks to pose a problem.  But without a doubt, the biggest news of Spring Training started and ended with Johan Santana.  He is headed towards a second surgery this Tuesday.  His season, and Mets career, are now all but over.

 

N.Y. Mets - Johan Santana's Situation Cuts Like A Knife
 

 

 

The hope entering Opening Day and the 2013 regular season is that Jon Niese will come into his own.  All indications point to this being the season that happens.  At twenty-seven years old, his ability and mentality look to finally be in sync.  Stardom may elude him, but Jon Niese has the potential to become a highly respected pitcher this season.  With Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey no longer serving as Mets ace, the onus is on Jon Niese to fill that role by leading Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, and Jeremy Hefner through a long season.  Ditto goes for Zach Wheeler upon his promotion.  I'm openly backing Jeremy Hefner, and therefore say the Mets have four young quality starters to begin the season with.  When Zach Wheeler arrives, they'll have five.  Starting pitching is clearly the team's strength.
 

 

Is there such a thing as growing into the closer's role, or, are certain pitchers just better suited than others to finish-off opponents and end games?  This will be Parnell's 2013 challenge as he embarks on his third shot at becoming the team's closer.  For a third consecutive season, someone else's injury is opening the door to an opportunity.  But in his first two attempts, Parnell generally failed to seize the moment.  As the team's interim closer this year, Bobby Parnell will be as successful as his  knuckle-curveball allows.  The knuckle-curve is relatively new to his arsenal.  So maybe with it will come different results.  In order for his "Knerve" to be an even more effective pitch however, he needs to add some more bite to it.  Last season it looked like a two-to-eight o'clock breaking slurve.  The pitch needs an adjustment because if he doesn't throw it for a strike early in the count, batters have been doing a good job laying off, and waiting on his fastball instead.
 

 

The bullpen as a whole appears to be better stocked than last year.  A better relief corp can potentially be a season maker, as the Mets blew nineteen saves last season.  As noted, Pedro Feliciano is out.  So the Mets will be substantially short from the left side.  Entering his second season, Josh Edgin is already an indispensable member of the bullpen.  With Robert Carson assigned to Las Vegas, Scott Rice becomes the next southpaw in line.  If Aaron Laffey makes the team, he can spot start as well as relieve from the left side.  From the right side, LaTroy Hawkins is making the team.  He will join a plethora of righties heading north which include Scott Atchison and Brandon Lyon.  The new Odd Couple - Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia continue to be two very curious specimens.  Lost in all the Harvey and Wheeler hoopla, fans still do not know what to make of these two.


Terry Collins announced to start the season, there will be no platooning in the outfield.  The initial plan is to go with Lucas Duda in left, Collin Cowgill in center, and Marlon Byrd in right.  Only one of them is out there on a sink or swim basis however.  No one will be more be scrutinized this season than Lucas Duda.  After a Grapefruit League start that drew early moans and groans, Duda bounced back to put together more than just a respectable spring.  He finished batting .270 in 63 at-bats.  The good news was Lucas tied with Collin Cowgill for the team lead in home runs with five.  Lucas Duda also wound up leading the Mets in RBI with thirteen.  That's exactly what the Mets need from Duda - slugging, power and run production.  With another bad season, he could very well play himself out of Flushing.  But with a move to left field and another year of experience under his belt, he could also finally acclimate himself to the big leagues, and start to excel.  Since baseball is a game of averages, Lucas should be given the entire season in left, regardless of struggles or success.  A full season will  better help determine Lucas Duda's future in Flushing once and for all.


Collin Cowgill was my surprise player of Spring Training.  His Grapefruit League efforts definitely warranted a starting job to begin the season.  At least on this team they did.  Perhaps Collin Cowgill is benefiting from having escaped a crowded situation in Oakland.  In any event, his new challenge is to translate a good spring into the regular season.  Jordany Valdespin's Grapefruit play suggested he should have been the next outfielder in line.  The right field job however will go to veteran Marlon Byrd.


I won't say Ruben Tejada's mighty struggles in this year's Grapefruit League went unnoticed.  But they did go largely unspoken.  He finished Spring play with a .098 batting average, managing only five hits (two doubles and one home run) in fifty-two at-bats.  I'm quite sure Terry Collins noticed though.  If you ask me who I think Terry Collins is toughest with, I would immediately answer - Ruben Tejada.  Coach Terry was not all too pleased with either his conditioning, or that Ruben famously felt "tired" last season.  Tejada reported to camp very early this year.  But that didn't translate into a productive spring.  I am by no means concerned.  Baseball is like that.  I expect Ruben to continue along his career averages.


Without a catcher, you're going to have a lot of passed balls - I love that line.  The Mets have a good situation behind the plate.  Of course, the future now lies in the mitt of Travis d'Arnaud.  Until he receives his bus ticket to Flushing, John Buck is no less a fine improvement.  Interestingly, both he and Travis d'Arnaud, along with Jordany Valdespin and Marlon Byrd had perhaps the most consistent springs trainings.  With Anthony Recker serving as back-up until the d'Arnaud era begins, the Mets turned the position of catcher into a strength.  All three catchers have a little pop, and can provide protection in the bottom of the order.


There is no secret - the Mets corner infielders will be the cornerstones of their overall offensive  production.  The grand failures or fortunes of the Mets offense lie in tha bats of David Wright and Ike Davis.  Wright's WBC mishap aside, both David and Ike enter the 2013 season healthy, and together.  With both wielding hot bats, the Mets can make life miserable for a number of opponents.  There is not much else to say here.  A vintage season from David Wright would be nice.  I think most fans agree he still has the kind of years he posted from 2005 through 2010 within him.  Meanwhile, after a horrendous first half at the plate, Ike Davis finished the 2012 season with fury.  If he can somehow get off to the kind of start he did in 2011, and couple that with his 2012 second half, now we're talking about a total package.  Realistically, a .275 average, thirty-five home runs, and 110 RBI would be suit everyone just fine.  If these two do not produce up to the Mets needs, the outfield will become a season long source of derision.


As we know, the team the Mets start with, may not necessarily be the one they finish with.  Zach Wheeler and Travis d'Arnaud are on the horizon.  For Terry Collins, their arrivals can not come too soon.  For the last two seasons, he has managed a club being stripped of virtually all its high profile players, while forced to nurture younger, unproven players.  He additionally has no contract assurances beyond this season, and the general manager seems in no rush to address his field manager's situation.  In fact, the Mets only have two players under contract beyond the 2014 season.  That means Terry Collins isn't just your traditional lame duck manager.  He is roasting over an open flame.  Under Terry Collins, the team has become known for spirited starts and horrific finishes.  In each of the last two seasons, there even came a moment where the manager seemed to crack.  Overall though, Terry Collins has been a good dude.  A bad start to the upcoming season may doom him, and open the door to his successor.  Then again, a good start, reinforced by the arrival of Wheeler and d'Arnaud could possibly save him.  Maybe.  At best, I'd describe Terry Collins' situation as fluid.  Wally Backman is at the gates.


Let's Go Mets!




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets: 2013 Bullpen

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET


NEW YORK METS - Building A Better Bullpen.


The bad news - Bobby Parnell blew Wednesday's Grapefruit League game.  The good news - only 3,908 fans saw it.  Of course that's unfair to say.  But it's spring training for fans too.  I'm just trying to get in shape - like Sandy's bullpen remix.  Compared to last year's unit, and despite Frank Francisco's prolonged elbow issue, you can't help but feel a little better about this year's group of bullpen candidates.  Despite taking a cheap shot at Parnell, Wednesday was his first hiccup in Grapefruit League action.  Prior to surrendering four runs (three earned) against the Nats, Bobby hadn't allowed an earned run in six innings.  Until Frank Francisco is game ready, Bobby Parnell is still tentatively scheduled to start the season as the Mets closer.


From the right side, Brandon Lyon and Scott Atchison have combined to pitch nine innings.  They've allowed five hits and three earned runs.  Together they have issued one walk and struck out five.


Corey Mazzoni is certainly doing enough to earn a seat on the bus trip back north.  But will the Mets allow the clock on this twenty-three year old to start ticking so soon?  Or will the club delay his MLB debut till late April or beyond, as the rules for service time change?  Although he escaped the first round of 40-man roster cuts, odds are Corey starts the season in Las Vegas.  In 2012, Mazzoni pitched in twelve games at St. Lucie, then made fourteen appearances at Binghamton.  So far, Corey has participated in four Grapefruit games, compiling seven strikeouts in eight innings pitched.


In truth, Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia remain as unfamiliar to us as they were two years ago, when we were hyping them as the future.  At least with Familia, we are starting to get a regular view.  He has tossed six innings so far, allowing three hits, and striking out four.  Jenrry Mejia, however, has been limited to two innings so far.  Visa issues caused him to arrive late to camp.  Jenrry then missed time when he was discovered to have a hyper-active thyroid gland.  He has since been cleared to resume his life and told to lay off the seafood.


It is hard to say where Greg Burke; the sub-mariner; stands in the eyes of Sandy Alderson.  In 6.1 innings, he has allowed seven hits and four earned runs.  However, he struck out eight with no walks.  His ERA sits at a lofty 5.68 mark.  And lastly, LaTroy Hawkins seems to have made a friend in Terry Collins.


I think the Mets have issues from the left side.  As their top southpaw, Josh Edgin has been getting hit around some, allowing nine hits in six innings of work.  The Mets are hoping he avoids a sophomore slump as it relates to hurlers.  After stepping in last year in the manner which he did, Edgin made himself indispensable to the Mets entering this season.  Robert Carson hasn't fared much better.  In seven innings, he has allowed eight hits, and five earned runs.  Third in, free agent pick-up Aaron Laffey is yet to surrender an earned run in 5.2 innings pitched, but has allowed seven hits.


With all due respect to Pedro Feliciano, you would be hard pressed to find another left-hander headed north with the team.  It is hard to say what Pedro can offer the Mets.  My guess is, not much; not this time.  The other lefty the Mets had in camp was Darin Gorski, who was re-assigned to AA-Binghamton along with some of his fellow Spring mates.


As part of the first round of cuts to get within the 40-man limit, the Mets re-assigned Gonzalez Germen, and Gorski as mentioned, to Binghamton.  Colin McHugh, Elvin Ramirez, and most notably, Zach Wheeler, have been re-assigned to AAA-Las Vegas.  Hansel Robles gets a promotion from Brooklyn, to Savannah.



Mike.BTB

New York Mets: The Bullpen 2013

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Spring Training - Pitchers And Catchers - 2013

 

Part II - THE BULLPEN

PART I - Starting Pitchers and Catchers

NEW YORK METS - Please Pardon The Appearance.  Bullpen Still Under Reconstruction.


The Mets aren't looking for government handouts to help pay off their debts.  But their bullpen desperately needs relief assistance in the worst way.  Truth is, there are no readily available answers for their dilemma.  While the Mets aren't the only team to suffer this calamity, it just goes to show the value of a good, reliable closer.  This also goes to show how great the Mariano Rivera's in life really are.  Sorry for the cross town reference. 


Sandy Alderson tried renovating the bullpen last season..., remember?  Frank Francisco remains his largest free agent signing to date.  And I do mean large.  The Mets were not happy Frank-Frank showed up in camp last season out of shape.  His two injuries and subsequent surgery only exasperated an already terrible season.  He made forty eight appearances and only recorded twenty three saves.  That's a low save-to-game rate by any measure.  His 5.53 ERA was equally disheartening.  But he's back!  And he says He Is The Closer!  His manager Terry Collins (who's contract status beyond this season is still unresolved), agrees with Frankie.  However, Sandy Alderson, in so many words, expressed a lack of confidence in his 2012 acquisition.


Based primarily because Sandy Alderson signed Francisco to a two year $12 million dollar deal, he gets to survive the purge.  Relieved of their duties over the course of 2012 are - D.J. Carrasco, Miguel Batista, Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch, and Manny Acosta.  Tim Byrdak was originally set free by the Mets, but was re-signed to a free agent contract in December.


So if you're Sandy Alderson, how do you rebuild another bullpen?  Well, you put on your mining hat, and start prospecting the baseball landscape for pitchers....again.  The Mets took not one, but two looks at ex-Giants closer, Brian Wilson.  Several teams seemed interested in at least monitoring a private work-out held by Wilson.  But so far he has failed to impress anyone, especially for the guaranteed money he is reportedly seeking.  There were also rumors swirling the Mets could be considering failed ex-Detroit closer, Jose Valverde.  Those two examples are another way of saying - Yes Mets fans, the bullpen will be a source of agitation..., again.


LAST YEAR'S RETURNING PITCHERS:  Frank Rodriguez - Bobby Parnell - Robert Carson - Elvin Ramirez - Josh Edgin - Jeremy Hefner - and I'll include Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia.  All eight are on the active roster.


TRANSACTIONS:  Signed back in November to a free agent contract, Greg Burke is now on the 40-man active roster.  Additionally, Brandon Lyon signed a free agent contract with the Mets earlier this month.  He is on the 40-man active roster as well.


In addition to Burke and Lyon, Sandy Alderson signed six other pitchers over the winter to free agent contracts.  Scott Atchison, Pedro Feliciano, LaTroy Hawkins, and Carlos Torres are all non-roster invitees this winter/spring.  Aaron Laffey, and Tim Byrdak as noted, were also signed to free agent contracts back in December.  In one other free agent transaction, Alderson signed Dario Alvarez who will likely be assigned to low A-ball.


Who is the Closer?


If you're asking Frankie and Terry Collins, we already know the answer.  But Sandy has made his opinion well known.  The GM's acquisition of Brandon Lyon speaks very loudly.  Both pitchers throw from the right side.  So there can only be one - not a tandem.  This looks like a situation where the Mets will just pitch the hot hand, and be satisfied with depth.  Bobby Parnell is still good for the occasional spot save.


Frank Francisco is reportedly healthy now.  Ideally that should enhance his performance over last season.  If he can regain the form he displayed in Texas, the Mets would benefit handsomely.  His ability to strike out batters is still in tact.  He demonstrated that last season.  But he has to get his walks under control.  Last season, his hits allowed per nine innings also sky rocketed.  That needs to change as well if he is to claim and hold the closers role.


Perhaps Brandon Lyon is the more adaptable of the two.  He served as both closer and set-up man on his previous teams.  Make no mistake however.  He was signed to pose a direct challenge to Frank Francisco and the closers role.  Serving in set-up roles in both Houston and Toronto in 2012, he appeared in 67 games and pitched 61 innings.  He posted a combined 4-2 record, one save, with a 3.10 ERA.  Brandon allowed 57 hits, walked 20, good for a 1.246 WHiP, and struck out 63 batters.  He averaged 8.3 hits per nine innings, 3.0 walks, and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.  He saved 14 games in 2005, and notched 26 saves in 2008, both for Arizona.  In 2010, he posted 20 saves for Houston.


Bobby Parnell is coming off arguably his best season as a pro.  As a small reward, Parnell and the Mets avoided salary arbitration and reached agreement on a one year $1.7 million dollar deal.  Bobby is the Mets incumbent top set-up option.  The difference between being good and great for Bobby Parnell is that darn thing he calls a curve ball.  Let's call it for what it is - when he uses it late in the count, breaking ball is ineffectual and easy to lay off.  His curve is too horizontal - it's a slurve.  His curve is not the more classic twelve to six type curve ball; or even one to seven; or even two to eight.  Batters wait for the fast ball - foul off about four or so, then hurt him.  In other words, his lack of a better curve ball allows hitters to linger in the box.  Therein lies the knock on Bobby Parnell.  He still lacks an out-pitch.


Looking Left:


By default, Josh Edgin and Robert Carson will head north with the club.  They are lefties.  Nuf ced.  But seriously, Josh Edgin looks like a real keeper.  He capped off a handsome three year minor league career with last season's call up to Flushing.  His walks allowed spiked in Buffalo last year.  But on the big club, he actually brought his rate down by a full walk allowed per nine innings pitched.  In 25.2 innings for the Mets, he only allowed 19 hits and struck out 30 batters.


We won't hold Robert Carson's call-up against him.  After a few minor league seasons not really flourishing as a starting pitcher, the Mets converted Carson into a reliever last year.  In a split season between Binghamton and Buffalo, Carson posted a 3.86 ERA, and recorded 10 saves.  He also posted a combined 1.597 WHiP last season.  And after six minor league seasons, his career 1.521 WHiP is still unrepresentative of major league standard.


The third key left handed pitcher in the bullpen equation might again be Pedro Feliciano.  What he has left remains to be seen.  What we do know is that he is coming off a lot of rest at the Yankees expense.  Between 2008 and 2010, the Mets ran this guy into the ground.  He led the majors with 266 appearances over that three year span, with a high of 92 games in 2010.  Heading into 2011, Pedro Feliciano declined the Mets offer of salary arbitration, and signed a two year $8 million dollar pact  with the Bombers.  He got injured before the 2011 season began, and wound up never throwing a pitch for the Yankees.  He subsequently underwent rotator cuff surgery.  He'll be thirty-seven years old in August.


Also lurking around camp seeking employment are right handers Tim Byrdak and Aaron Laffey.


Looking Right:


RIGHT - Frank Francisco; Brandon Lyon; Bobby Parnell; Jeurys Familia; Jenrry Mejia.


Scott Atchison is thirty-six years old but coming off his best MLB season with the Red Sox.  In 42 appearances, he posted a 1.58 ERA in 51.1 innings.  He limited hitters to 42 hits and walked 9 for a stellar 0.994 WHiP, and struck out 36 batters.  Where is the red flag?  He is a fourteen year career minor leaguer, who missed all of the 2006, 2008, and 2009 regular seasons.


There's a reason LaTroy Hawkins has pitched for eight different teams since leaving the Minnesota Twins.......


The Mets brought Jeremy Hefner over from the Padres system.  He is still "only" twenty-six years old with no MLB experience to speak of.  But he has the potential to make LaTroy Hawkins look good by comparison.


Remember Elvin Ramirez?  In 21.1 innings last season for the Mets, he walked 20, and struck out 22 batters.  After five unremarkable years in the Mets low minors, last season was somewhat of a break-out season for the twenty-five year old.  While at Buffalo, he posted a 2.36 ERA in 33 games, and 42 innings pitched.  He struck out 41 batters.


Looking Forward:


So who do you trust?  I think Francisco will be better than people think.  Or at least better than last season.  Brandon Lyon is a fine addition - a very good decision.  And together, the Mets have two viable options to close games.  Depth is good either way you shake it.  Of course, I am still an unabashed Bobby Parnell fan.  And as noted above, Josh Edgin looks like a quality pitcher.  Without delving into the potential future roles of Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia, the list of pitchers I trust stops there.


The rest have some proving to do.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Amazins Pass a Major Test

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Starting Pitchers Continue to Dominate June.   End Tough Nineteen Game Stretch on Amazin' Note.

Dillon Gee took his place in the Mets' arms race tonight.  The sophomore righty contributed yet another splendidly pitched game by the Mets in the month of June.  He only gave up three hits on the night in 7.1 innings pitched.  He evened his season record to 5-5, and also lowered his ERA from 4.43, to a 4.27 mark.

Gee started out allowing just one hit through seven complete innings.  He only walked one, while striking out eight Orioles, and had only thrown eighty-two pitches to that point.  So the thought was he still had gas left in the tank.  He was working on the Mets' third consecutive shutout.

In the eighth inning, Dillon Gee set his new career high for strikeouts with number nine, but not before surrendering a two run home run to Wilsonn Betemit to make it a 4-2 game.  Then after issuing his second walk of the evening, Coach Terry went to the mound and removed his starter.  Dillon Gee walked off the field to a rousing ovation.

Then in came Bobby Parnell with a runner on first and one out.  He made it interesting by allowing the next batter to hit safely.  But Bobby got the Mets out of the inning without incurring further damage, and kept Dillon Gee's effort on the winning side.

Coach Terry went with his closer, Frank Francisco, in the ninth, who promptly loaded the bases with two outs.  Francisco proceeded to walk in a run, making it a 4-3 game.  Then up came Brian Roberts for the Orioles.  A ground ball to Jordany Valdespin at second base ended this game that almost started to go south on the Mets.  But with the 4-3 final, the Amazins completed their sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

It was a roller coaster finish, but the Mets have arrived at their off day having gone 10-9 over a stretch of nineteen games against teams with better than .500 records.  They got swept by the Yankees in the Bronx, then swept the Rays in Tampa.  They returned to Flushing and got swept by the Reds, and now, they sweep the Orioles.  For the moment, that's Mets' Baseball.  And we'll take it.

Enjoy your day off guys.  After recovering to improve your record to 38-32,  you've all earned a well deserved day off.  All that's left is to read, and listen tomorrow, to what all the Mets' media naysayers will have to say regarding the club now.  So come hungry boys.  There's plenty of crow for every one of you to eat.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ One Amazin' Win Away From Silencing Doubters

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Pitching Continues to be Amazin!

Mets One Game Away From Proving Their Nay-Sayers Wrong

It took R.A. Dickey all of two hours and seven minutes to dispatch the Orioles.  Monday's game was his ninth straight win, and eleventh of the season, which leads the Major Leagues. Overall this season, the Mets' starter is pitching at historic levels; not just by Mets standards, but in Major League history.  Back-to-back one hitters isn't exactly Johnny Vander Meer like.  But R.A. Dickey's last two efforts are about as close as we'll get in my, or our, lifetime, to accomplishing that age old feat.


In his last two starts, he has thrown eighteen innings, allowed two hits, walked two, and struck out twenty-five batters.  Monday night, he struck out thirteen Orioles to set a new career best.  Monday marked the fourth time this season R.A. has stuck out double digit batters.  He now leads the National League with 103 K's.  R.A. also leads the National League with an even 2.00 ERA.


In his last nine starts, he failed to pitch beyond the sixth inning only twice.  And the most remarkable statistic during R.A. Dickey's stretch, would be his 42.2 consecutive innings pitched without allowing an earned run.  Since breaking Jerry Koosman's club mark earlier this month, only one unearned run has been scored against him.


This pitching run is being spoken about in the same conversations, not only along with the previously mentioned Johnny Vander Meer, but along with the Mets' very own Dwight Gooden of 1985, Fernando Valenzuela of 1981, and Mark Fydrich's 1976 season.  I've witnessed all three of those seasons.  And so far, R.A. Dickey's run most definitely compares favorably with those.  What makes Dickey's campaign even more remarkable, is that he is a knuckle ball specialist, who throws his  specialty pitch with control, and with a certain degree of power.  In that respect, he's one of the most unique knuckle ball pitchers in history.


As far as the game itself, Monday's game was won on the strength of Dickey's arm, but more importantly, victory came off the bat of Ike Davis, who connected on the first grand slam home run of his career.


In Tuesday's affair, Lucas Duda supplied the power.  His two run home run in the sixth inning was Duda's eleventh, which came along with his forty-first, and forty-second, RBI of the season.  Jordany Valdespin had himself a nice game, going 2 for 4, with two RBI.


Johan Santana pitched six innings and earned his fifth win of the season.  He allowed four hits, walked two, while striking out five.  Of greater noting, Johan, Bobby Parnell, Miguel Batista, and Jon Rauch, combined on the Mets' eighth shut-out of the season, which leads Baseball.


More important than just the last two games, Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey have established themselves as the most lethal starting duo in the division; if not the National League.  That's not a stretch considering the Washington Nationals have let it be known, they will be shutting down Stephen Strasburg at some point this season.  In the mean time, between them, R.A. and Johan have pitched four complete game shutouts this month, while accumulating six wins.


Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey have now provided an answer to getting swept by the Reds.  The Mets are now 9-9 over this stretch against above .500 teams which started back against the Cardinals; the series in which Johan Santana authored the Club's first no-hitter in history.  Wednesday, the Mets will attempt to sweep the Birds with Dillon Gee, and improve their record to a game over .500 for the stretch.  It might just be the difference of one game, but should they pull off a victory in game three of this series, the narrative on the New York Mets' season deserves to change dramatically, for they continue to AMAZE.  If you remember, this was the stretch many in the media said the Mets would be lucky to end with a .500 record.




Mike.BTB