N.Y. Mets: Whole Lotta Second Guessing Going On

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SPRING TRAINING 2018

First Word: Year Sixteen After Doubleday 

Five Hurlers of the Metropolis 

On the Jason Vargas Acquisition 

Ninth Inning Closer Need Not Apply 

Catching Hell
Who's On First?

New York Mets: What's On Second?

Once upon a time, the future of second base belonged to a minor league prospect named Dilson Herrera.

I wish that were still the case.

Instead, the Mets traded him to the Cincinnati Reds in 2016 in exchange for slugging right fielder Jay Bruce.

I was opposed to the trade at the time due to the particular cost involved.  I preferred Sandy Alderson remain true to the rebuild despite the Mets winning the National League pennant the year prior.

Herrera could have potentially eliminated much, if not all, of the uncertainty presently afflicting second base.  After all, the original plan was to have Dilson Herrera teaming with Ahmed Rosario up the middle.

Then again, maybe not ...

Dilson underwent shoulder surgery last season, and has yet to play the field this spring.

But there are also collateral matters regarding this situation.  I was somewhat dismayed Bruce was coming to play a position for which the Mets had no particular need.  However, the Mets were in the midst of their second straight pennant race, and therefore I do not want to come off as being overly critical of the general manager's attempts to upgrade the team.

After all, one could rightly argue the Mets were playing with house money.  Dilson was originally acquired in 2013 from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Marlon Byrd.  Two years later, the Mets acquired second baseman Neil Walker (for Jon Niese) in yet another exchange with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Both trades were a coup in my opinion.

Today, however, neither second baseman plays for the Mets as Walker's employment here wound up being transient in nature.  And by the way ... he's still available on the open market.

Point being, had the Mets retained Herrera, Michael Conforto would likely be playing a corner outfield position where he's more comfortable.  In turn, Sandy Alderson could have been seeking out a legitimate center fielder/lead-off hitter.

Therefore, my point is about team building.  I'm not at all satisfied with the way this club is presently constructed up the middle.  But with the outfield situation being what it is - with Conforto slated to play center - the last position Sandy Alderson had room to maneuver and address the lead-off spot in the line-up was second base.

Then there's the curious matter of Jason Kipnis.  A potential trade that would have brought Cleveland's second baseman to Flushing in exchange for reliever Paul Sewald was reportedly nixed by ownership according to The Record.

This development quite obviously deserves a post unto itself.  But if the report is true, this means Sandy Alderson does not have complete autonomy, and that all fingers point to Jeff Wilpon.  Per the report, it was then Alderson was forced into seeking alternatives.  Kipnis is still owed $30 million dollars over the next two seasons (with a 2020 club option).  Instead, the Mets signed Todd Frazier for $17 million dollars over two years to play third base.

Where it concerns second base, we therefore must continue speaking of Asdrubal Cabrera, Wilmer Flores, Jose Reyes, and Gavin Cecchini.

• ASDRUBAL CABRERA

In December 2015 the Mets signed a thirty-year old free agent infielder whom many outside the organization speculated had effectively reached the end of his career.

Asdrubal only recently turned 32-years old last November.  Meanwhile, all he's ever done since arriving in Flushing is play at least 135 games a season and quadruple-slash above his career average.  In fact, he's been one of the Mets best clutch hitters.  His famous bat flip is now part of Mets lore.  And because of his gregarious nature, the veteran Carbrera has also been a tremendously positive influence in the clubhouse.  And so I welcome his presence again this season.

Asdrubal at least stabilizes the position, and should work well with Ahmed Rosario at short - or so we hope.

Cabrera has now appeared in 276 games in a Mets uniform, but has only started 32 games for them at second base.  Over his career, though, he has logged 242 career games at second and owns .995 fielding percentage, which has generally ranked ten points above the league average.

• WILMER FLORES

Wilmer has become an indispensable role player capable of filling in anywhere around the horn.  That's important considering the Mets may at times carry an extra reliever, therefore making bench space limited and precious.

Since we've already spent several seasons decrying his defensive inefficiencies, we might as well leave his inability to field these positions well for another time.

In the meantime, Flores is still only 26-years old.  There is a part of me that still believes Wilmer can be the .300 hitter he demonstrated himself to be throughout his minor league career.  So far, he is trending .267/.307/.455, with 15 home runs and 53 RBI in 375 at-bats over the last three seasons.  Last year, he established career highs in home runs (18), slugging (.488), and batting average (.271).

• JOSE REYES

The Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Colorado Rockies, all took their turns paying Reyes over $100 million dollars just to make him go away.  In fact, Colorado still is.  Otherwise, no other team seemed interested in his services during the off-season.  And so Jose will quietly go about his business playing perhaps for the only city and team that would accept him.

Now 34-years old and a veteran of 15 major league seasons, his days of bold face italic numbers on the back of his baseball card are long gone.  Reyes served as a jack of all trades last season, starting games at third, shortstop, second, left field, and center.  He slashed .246/.315/.413, with 25 doubles, 15 home runs, 58 RBI, and 24 stolen bases.  For $2 million dollars, Jose is price worthy - if not lucky.

• GAVIN CECCHINI

The Mets selected Gavin in the first round (12th overall) of the 2012 draft.  He made his major league debut in 2016, and has since participated in 36 games for the Mets.  Originally a shortstop, he only began transitioning to second base in earnest last season, due in part to the emergence of Ahmed Rosario.

He's presently having a fine spring training, batting .350 (7/20), with four extra base hits and five RBI.  Although he already has 227 games and 899 at-bats worth of triple-A experience, he is likely headed to Las Vegas for yet another season.  If the Mets go with twelve pitchers, they'll only have roster space for five bench players.  After Kevin Plawecki, Juan Lagares, Brandon Nimmo, Jose Reyes, and Wilmer Flores, it would seem Cecchini is the odd man out.

N.Y. Mets: Flores' Bat Keeps Talking, But Is Terry Collins Listening?

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Despite decreased playing time, 

Wilmer Flores still winning the day.

Home runs in each of his last two games, 

and a league leading seven home runs in July.

NEW YORK METS: There is no denying Jose Reyes can potentially help, although, that remains to be seen. In the meantime, Wilmer Flores continues banking results.

Let's just say Jose Reyes originally became available because both personally and professionally he's had difficulty being a thirty-something.

Suffice it to say the Rockies were eager to pay him countless millions of dollars to play baseball anywhere else but Denver ... and did just that.  They released him from the final three years of his contract - paid in full - making him eligible to become a free agent at the end of this season again.

The New York Mets in turn took a flyer on him (at the MLB minimum) during a time when injuries were still decimating their line-up, particularly to third baseman David Wright.

It was also thought he'd find a safe haven back in Flushing.  Sure enough, Reyes was able to return to the organization of his roots without major backlash.  In that sense, it's worked out fairly well for Jose so far.

But what about for the Mets, who after posting a pair of sub.500 records during May and June now own a precarious 9-7 record in July?

Well, the remaining physically abled Mets were performing like walking dead, ranked near the bottom in most N.L. categories, except the long ball.  Despite ranking #3 in the N.L. in homers, they only rank 11th in OBP, 12th in RBI and 13th in runs scored, so, what's the use?

Enter Jose Reyes, who now has 12 games under his belt since rejoining the team on July 5 with mixed results.  As of Tuesday afternoon's 6-2 loss in the rubber game at Chicago, Reyes is slashing .213/.269/.511, with three doubles, a triple, three home runs, six RBI, and seven runs scored through his first 47 at-bats.  Meanwhile, the Mets have gone 5-7 since that time.

It was hoped Reyes he would bring an element of speed to a terribly static, station-to-station offense, not necessarily more slugging - and there's the rub.  Reyes has just two stolen bases so far, leaving David Wright, who only appeared in 37 games this season and last played on May 27, in the team lead along with Curtis Granderson with three stolen bases.

Along with Jose's low OBP, he's leaving much to be desired.  That compels me to question how long Terry Collins will remain loyal to the name and reputation attached to Jose Reyes, over that of the actual performer?

Reyes has played in all the Mets game since returning.  Wilmer Flores, meanwhile, was in fact solidifying himself at third base when the opportunity was taken away from him.  Undeterred, his performance continues screaming for more time.  Wilmer Flores was already performing well since taking over third base full time for David Wright, batting .315 from June 3 through July 4, the day prior to Reyes' arrival.  In the 12 games since, Flores has started just five games, and came off the bench in four games, leaving him idle in three others.  Yet, he batted .280 with a double, five home runs, and eight RBI.  In fact, he now leads the N.L. lead with seven home runs in July.

There's an argument to be made both for and against pulling the rug out from under Wilmer Flores for sake of inserting the likes of Jose Reyes at third base.  But now the club seems intent on moving forward with playing Jose Reyes in the outfield as well.  It's not like they didn't warn us.  Reports say he has indeed been working out for a debut in center field.

In truth, I fret the day!!

I'm a been there/done that kind of guy to begin with.  So trying to shoe-horn Jose Reyes into the Mets line-up is threatening to reveal itself as pure nonsense.  There's a stronger case to be made arguing Reyes doesn't fit, than in favor.  But despite their respective performances, only Wilmer Flores' naysayers seem to be arguing otherwise.  With regard to Jose Reyes, I'd counter with love is blind.

Become a better third baseman, hit more consistently and change the stationary dynamic of this offense, and I'll have no issue.  Who would?  Until then, Wilmer Flores has been the better performer.

N.Y. Mets: Look What Daniel Murphy Did to the Amazin's, Again

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS: Daniel Murphy continues pounding away at former team with breakout season Flushing faithful waited eight years for.

Through nine games now, Murphy's Law has come crashing down upon the Mets.

Daniel Murphy is now 15 for 35, for a .428 average against his former team this season, with 4 home runs and 11 RBI.

Murphy went deep twice Wednesday night, once into the second deck in right at Nationals Field, helping Washington cap off a three game sweep of the fading Mets.

In fact, Murphy tied his career high with his 14th home run, while still yet reaching the mid point of his first season playing for the Nationals.  And with 53 RBI to date, Murph is only 23 more away from tying that high as well, previously set during the 2013 season.

The Mets have now fallen to just three games above .500, while their 40-37 record puts them six games back of the first place Nationals, the most they've trailed Washington this season.  They even find themselves 1.5 games behind the Miami Marlins.

In fact, last year the Mets were 40-37 on Sunday June 28, entering a three game series against the Chicago Cubs.  This year, the Mets have the exact same record entering Thursday's series opener against the same Central Division leading Cubs.

Murphy's Law ... Einstein's definition of insanity ... you tell me.

BONUS

Here's my latest for 

Rising Apple.com

Jose Reyes and Juan Lagares 

Lead Binghamton in Romp over Altoona Curve

Including updates on Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Jose, Jose, Jose, is in the House

From the desks of:  

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

But will he be welcomed with open arms..?

Say hello to the bad guy ~ Scarface

New York Mets reunite with Jose Reyes, who'll commence his comeback with the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Jose ... Jose ... Jose ... is back!

But not after serving a 51 game suspension stemming from his arrest for a domestic violence incident dating back to October 2015 in Hawaii involving his wife.

Reyes was preparing for an eventual return, recently working out in the Colorado Rockies minor leagues when the organization elected instead to designate him for assignment.

He easily cleared waivers this week and agreed to a minor league contract with the Mets shortly thereafter.

Now 33 years old, Reyes is still owed more than $40 million dollars per his original contract signed with the Miami Marlins, of which, the Rockies remain responsible for the balance.  The Mets get him for the MLB minimum.

Baseball aside, the incident in Hawaii did in fact happen.  His wife, however, was uncooperative during the investigation and so charges against Reyes were dropped.

But that doesn't make it right.  I'm the first to say all is fair when it come to Love and War.  Couples fight.  It's what they do.  And sometimes tempers escalate and things get ugly.  A man who brings or causes physical violence upon a woman, though, goes too far, and quite frankly, beyond civility.

As we move forward, whatever verdict the court of New York City public opinion levies against him is okay with me.  I'll root for him, with the hopes he can actually help the Mets, but I will not defend him, stick up for him, or go out on a moral limb for him.  If I'm at the game, I'll side on mindful ambivalence and defer particularly to women sitting in my presence.

Reuniting with the Mets, however, was a natural.  As Sandy Alderson implied, this organization was indeed his extended family.  And so the embattled major leaguer gets his chance at resuming his career in the same place it started.

First, he'll need to spend time getting into game shape playing for the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Jose Reyes will also learn how to play new positions, namely, third base, and some outfield.

Whatever speed Jose Reyes can add to the Mets would be a major improvement, as the team is last in the National League in stolen bases.  The Mets station to station offense has been ponderously inept for the better part of two months now.  At least Reyes represents a player who can actually make it from first to third on a hit.

MCU Park should be a mad house Sunday.  I'm expecting the media to descend upon Coney Island like locusts.

I plan to be there.

N.Y. Mets ~ Few Came Out to See Jose's Return

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Johan Santana vs. Jose Reyes

NEW YORK METS:  The Return of Jose Reyes Was a Rather Uneventful....Event.




The Return of Jose Reyes was also.....underwhelming.  The reason?  Citi Field was more than half empty.  A more representative response to Jose's return necessitated a much larger crowd than the one that ventured out Tuesday night.  As fate would have it, the hype and anticipation of Jose's return to the Big Apple came and went without much of the bravado declared by many fans over the week leading up to the game.



But this is how it went down between the former Mets shortstop and the fans in attendance.



The evening started when Jose Reyes first popped out of the Marlins' dugout for pre-game stretching.  Fans gathered by the left field tarp who noticed Jose first, immediately rendered cheers for the former Mets' shortstop.  The booing followed within seconds to gain a fifty percent share of air space.  During stretching and wind sprints, Jose engaged with the crowd while sporting his usual wide smile.





Then at about 6:56 p.m., without any forewarning; without any prepared PA announcement; without any request to turn our attention to the scoreboard; the video tribute to Jose Reyes commenced.  The presentation was appropriately short.  But the video itself lacked many of the images I personally retain of Jose Reyes.  When the video tribute ended, there was a light spattering of cheers.




Before the call to Play Ball! - Jose Reyes stopped over to that left field line crowd, and spent a handsome amount of time signing autographs.  From my vantage point, Jose was being received rather well.

In his first at-bat of the evening, he was both cheered and booed with more volume than during the pregame reception he recieved.  When he drove a pitch off Johan Santana to the left-center field wall, there was a collective gasp from the crowd.  A resounding cheer let out when Kirk Nieuwenhuis tracked down the fly.

With each ensuing Jose Reyes at-bat, the booing became louder.  By his last at-bat of night, any cheering was mute.  Boos rained.  And Jose's night at the plate facing Johan Santana yielded no fruit, and just as well.




And that's all it really was.  To be quite honest, aside from the Mets' win itself, the night, and reaction to Jose Reyes, was a mere fraction of the event Darryl Strawberry's return to Shea Stadium was.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ the Banker is Real In...

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Occupy Roosevelt Avenue?

Stop FLUSHING Money Down the Drain!

"A mere bag of shells..."  -  quote, Ralph Kramden.


"Peanuts!  What am I gonna do with peanuts?"  -  quote, Ralph Kramden.


"There's plenty more where that came from...."  -  quote, Ralph Kramden.


That's right!  The Mets want us to believe this is the 1950's.  "The Honeymooners" was the top show of the day.


Hey Buddy, can you spare another $40 million dollars?    BuDmp  Bmp....Cshhhhh!  Cue laugh track.


Hey! Shecky.., Shecky!   A financially broke baseball team owner from NY walks into a bank and asks for $40 million dollars.......and gets it!     BuDmp Bmp!  Cue laugh track.


Oh boy... Pure Vaudeville!  WooHoo!  Read on.

With two outstanding loans, the Mets are now officially $65 million dollars in the hole.  Unofficially, according to the Sandy Alderson principles of accounting and after factoring in the projected $70 million dollar loss the Mets claim they will sustain next season, the SAUL B. KATZ DILEMMA is now due to hemorrhage somewhere in the neighborhood of $140 million dollars in fiscal year 2012; the same year incidentally, the Mayans predicted this Age of Man would end.  And with any luck at all, perchance The Age of WILPONianism might end also.  Yeah...perchance to dream.  I'll get back to you on that.



It's been disguised badly enough, but what is becoming more evident and gaining clarity, is the days of reaping consistently high yielding, not to mention regular returns on their Madoff investments are clearly missing from the Wilpon's lives. 



Based on Sandy Alderson's economics alone; with fixed monies such as SNY, local Radio, MLB Properties like Internet etc., and national TV contracts; not to mention the naming rights received for Citi Field; there's a lot of money being made.  And the fact is, the Mets still drew more than two million last season; which used to count for a lot once upon a time.  As an owner, or just being a realist, to expect three and four million fans every season, and budgeting for that, is not only a dream, it's unsound business, and more importantly, short-sighted and delusional.  Yes!  Things are making more sense now.  Aren't they?



In the absence of the Wilpon's personal ATM machine, I'd still like to know where the hell all the Mets' revenue is going, or what it's being used for.  Am I being made to believe that once all the fixed monies are accounted for and payroll gets factored in, the Mets start any given season at the break even point and are actually surviving on gate receipts?  Really?  Is this the 1950's?  NO!  Because back then a man could take his family out for a nice dinner for the price of one hot dog and beer at the park today.  Even a bag of freakin peanuts is a slap in the face these days. 




We get it.  The Mets have organizational responsibilities, and of course player salaries.  They have debt on the new park (which is partially taken care of by the naming rights income).  Then there's the...



And then there's........?  Brandon Nimmo's bonus?        ?   ?  ??



First..., let's clear something up right now.  Bud Selig went after Frank McCourt because he was syphoning cash from the Dodgers to pay his own personal bills.  Selig reasoned that was basically akin to stealing from the organization.  There is no such matter regarding the Wilpons.  To our dismay, our ownership is merely running the team into the ground because their world around them is crumbling.  Thus, in the loosest manner possible, there's no harm in being the impotent owner of a NYC team and robbing the Fans of their dignity.  Of that, he's guilty as charged. 



But as long as the Wilpons are actively trying to sell-off shares of the team, and people are still willing to foot them loans, the Wilpons are free to own the Mets without any threat of the Commissioner stepping in and demanding Fred sell the entire team.  The fact the Wilpons and Commissioner Selig are friends I'm sure helps the situation and the fact Selig doesn't like McCourt is a side-bar and coincidental.  For it's not the reason Selig went after McCourt and continues to leave Wilpon alone.



But if you're just looking for another excuse to bash the Wilpons, then I'm with you.



This $40 million dollar loan comes on the heals of the still outstanding $25 million dollar MLB loan they took out earlier this year.  The Wilpons said their efforts to sell box-set shares of the team are going "very well".     ....No, they're not. 



As a matter of opinion, I think their efforts are going horribly.  They have sweetened the deal for potential suckers purchasers....again, by offering interest.  Right!  Now they're in the business of issuing certificates of deposit against our team?  Great!  They wouldn't have to do such a thing if the current asking rate was drawing in the necessary investors..., now would they? - No.  Additionally, you'd think they'd be done selling by now. - No?  And so, the continuing lies spawned by the Original Lie keep rolling in.  I'm paraphrasing of course:

No..no; ......Met Fans need not worry.  This Madoff situation will not interfere with the operations of the New York Mets.  We will run the organization as we always have.  We haven't been in the habit of telling our General Managers - NO, -  and we're not about to start now.  All is well.  The situation is under control.  Go back to your farms.  There's nothing more to see here.

Right.



The Mets' payroll is slated to drop like a piano out of the sky.  Finances, more than any other reason, are why Jose Reyes is not a Met today.  And they will be primarily responsible for David Wright's departure as well.  There's always other factors.  But finances will be the dominant one at play when David's time comes due.  The easy counter point is the Mets will be spending less money more wisely now.  As opposed to spending more money foolishly?  Jason Bay anybody?  Precisely.



What's good news for the Wilpons is bad news for Met fans.  With this latest loan, Fred Wilpon gets to pay for an extended stay in The Grey Zone.  Wonderful.  Were the Mets forced into rebuilding because of financial calamity?  Or does this much needed rebuilding just happen to coincide with financial ruin?  The Wilpons are not misappropriating money away from the team like McCourt "did", but they are certainly robbing the Fans of a good time to say the least.  And they may not have money to operate their organization with, to include laying-off office personnel, but yet people still seem willing to keep extending them credit.  Go figure.



Lies and voodoo economics continue to rule the day in Flushing.  Is this a sign the time may soon come upon us when we might need to go OCCUPY ROOSEVELT AVENUE!?




The "Banker" is Real in.  -  inspired by Lucy Van Pelt.


"Good Grief!"  -  quote, Charlie Brown.







Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ State of METropolis Report; Part V

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

METropolis:  Year Nine A.D. - (After Doubleday)

"THE AGE of WILPONianism"

State of METropolis Report:

PART IV - Fans and Tradition

PART III - Positional Players

PART II - Pitching Staff

PART I - Ownership; Front Office

PART V - The Saul B. Katz Dilemma...continued.

If you follow my blog then you know what's coming.  If you're new to my site and Head-Butting Mr. Met; the Mets portion of my blog; then allow me to explain first. 


THE SAUL B. KATZ DILEMMA - is the catch-phrase I've given to the continuing folly emanating  from the local Roosevelt Avenue Mets-R-Us, which is the direct result of sole ownership under Fred and Lil' Jeffery Wilpon; or just the Wilpons if you will; since 2003.  Poor Saul Katz sits idly-by while his in-laws flush his investment into the Mets down the toilet, while at the same time disenfranchising a Fan Base, and running our beloved Metropolitan BBC into the ground - ...Just like Nelson Doubleday said Wilpon would do upon his own exit from the Mets' hierarchy.  You may now consider yourself updated.  So with that said.....,


HAPPY GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY MET FANS!!  You're owner basically jettisoned one of this organization's best players in all it's fifty year history because (see above) ...because he couldn't afford it even if he wanted to.  I myself am not mad Jose Reyes is gone.  I have a problem with not trading him last season.  But if I may, I think I can speak somewhat for my fellow Met Fans who are furious our beloved shortstop is no longer a Met.  And we are equals in that respect; I loved Reyes too.  But my particular frustration lies with this organization's impotence and it's inability to operate like a large market team.

*   *   *

Nolan Ryan was traded from the Mets before he became Nolan Ryan.  No foul there.  Tom Seaver and the organization grew to hate each other.  So Seaver demanded a trade....and got it.  That remains to this day the single most incredulous gaffe in Mets' history.  We did it to Jerry Koosman too.  And now the fact that the Mets effectually sent Jose Reyes packing for South Beach most certainly earns a spot in the conversation regarding Met stars who for one reason or another, never get to stay.



Let's see.... Darryl Strawberry said, "I wanna be the richest!" - and decided to play before the home crowds in Los Angeles.  Doc Gooden forced his exit out of Flushing by sticking his career up his nose.  Mr. Wilpon was quite sympathetic towards Dwight the first time around when he came up "hot".  Not so much the second time however.  Strike two resulted in Mr. Wilpon suggesting it was perhaps better if Dwight and the Mets parted ways.  That was fair.  Just for fun - David Cone was the victim of a rebuilding effort.  And for Mike Piazza, his time had come.  For me personally, trading Rusty Staub and Tug McGraw were killers.  And I know Lenny Dykstra was a biggie for many fans too.



Again, as to not mislead you, I would have traded Jose Reyes last season.  And if you really, really follow Head-Butting Mr. Met, you'd know I would have traded Jose Reyes back in 2007, along with everyone else.  Yes, I would have gutted this team then.  But that's for another day.  You're welcome to question me about that.  But forget about what I want, or what I would have done.  Forget me.  For there are still matters of "state" to be addressed in this now YEAR NINE of WILPONianism.  Let's figure out why Jose Reyes is not a Met today for all METropolis to know.



With even a fraction more success between the years 2007 through 2009, it's safe to say Omar Minaya would still be here and Reyes would have been locked up long term.  I think we can assume Omar would have pushed for that (then).  And with just one more win in 2007 or 2008; with just a smidgen of more luck; with one more playoff appearance, the Wilpons would have most certainly agreed on the spot.



After several stints on the DL since then with bad hamstrings, then add the Madoff mess into the equation and what you have is a quandary.  Sandy Alderson has been trying to make it clear his intention to scale down payroll is independent of Wilpon's financial situation and pending litigation in the Madoff case.  Not signing Reyes he reasoned, wasn't necessarily worth the monetary risk based on dollars, years, and Jose's compromised lower appendages.  The GM also points directly at ticket sales and fan dollars not being spent at the park recently, or anticipated to not be spent next season as salary trimming factors.



In this case, the singing of Jose Reyes by the Miami Marlins was precipitated by no action taken by the Mets.  They never offered Reyes a contract extension prior to this winter.  And without any sense of want, the Mets did not make their former shortstop a free-agent offer.  That, in itself, is not perturbing to me.  The fact that the pilot light on the Mets' Hot Stove is out and the owner of a major league baseball team in New York City couldn't foot the bill.....is!



And so Jose Reyes has gone FISHing.



I just hope.... I hope! ...Sandy Alderson did not come here to be Fred Wilpon's spin-doctor.  Because that's what it's starting to sound like around here; at least to my ears.  I have no reservations regarding Sandy Alderson's ability to point this organization in the right direction.  In that regard, I still believe there are still more player purgings to be made.  Yes, I believe David Wright should be next.  That's for a follow-up posting.  But for right this minute, I'm not appreciating the "Spin-Control" I'm getting from the Front Office.  Met Fans have gotten their full share of spin over the years from the former Day Manager of Mets-R-Us; Lil Jeff Wilpon...thank you.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ State of METRopolis; Part III

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  State of METropolis - PART III.

State of METropolis; PART II - Pitching Staff
State of METropolis; PART I - Ownership, Front Office; Management


VII.  THE POSITIONAL PLAYERS:

Nothing too scientific here.  This is just the way I see the field right now.


Catcher - Mike Piazza took his last at-bat for the Mets in 2005.  Over the next five years, there was  exactly one season that speaks well for the position.  That season came in 2006 and was authored by Paul LoDuca who hit over .300 batting second in the order.  Outside of that, the back-stop position has been...backed-up. 


After several years of bar league backstops, I was more than happy to welcome virtually the only catching prospect we had; Josh Thole; to the club, albeit prematurely.  He rose through the system based on the strength of his hitting.  He clearly needed more time in the minors or at least one more full season at Buffalo prior to his promotion to Flushing.  We all get that.  But with his arrival also started my man-crush. 


I realize I may be part of the minority of Thole supporters.  However, I am am wholly committed to giving him the starting job behind the dish next season.  On-the-job training is a tough way to learn your craft.  And defensively, to his detractors I cede the fact he needs work on his technique.  But I believe in him.  He's shown himself to be a very pushy receiver with his pitchers.  I like that.  And when allowed, he's called very nice games along the way (especially when Coach Collins lets him catch Dillon Gee). 



Otherwise, what can I tell you?  I like him...  I believe more than anything, last season Coach Collins didn't exactly utilize him they way I would have liked.  And it's hard for any young player to establish a feel for the game when asked to be a second option.  That's a way of me saying - no platooning.  At least in my eyes, the catcher has exhibited quite a few instances of being a clutch hitter and finished the season on a strong, positive note.  Thole is still a young guy.  But my guess is Sandy Alderson might be looking to upgrade the position if something presents itself.  I would kindly ask for patience however for our young back-stop and a steady dose of playing time.


There is no catching prospect currently in the system to speak of.  So if Sandy's plan is to just swap Thole out with a middle of the road, low salary, yet more experienced catcher, I'd sooner stick with Thole, unless he is retained as a back up or sent to Buffalo with a possible future as Met catcher still in tact.  I do not want him traded.  This is all part of his developmental process.  If Thole doesn't exhibit significant enough progress in 2012, then I'd consider a decision to make a move a bit more reasonable.




First Base - I once though how nice it could have had Carlos Delgado been able to get his 500th home run as a Met.  He came close.  His bad hip said no however.  After the solid years he had in Flushing, if he had hit that milestone home run here, how high in regard would we have elevated Delgado in Met history?  I wonder.  I'd imagine the range would be from not at all, to fairly important.


Fast forward and Ike Davis is a story about an injury which still has everyone puzzled.  Even when the injury occurred, no one who was at the park to witness it, nor watching on TV could have ever  imagined that seemingly minor collision between him and David Wright would turn out so disastrously.  If his recovery goes well over the winter and he's ready for Spring Training and available on Opening Day, I'd assume the job is still his.  And if he picks up where he left off, the Mets will be in great shape at first base.


Showing power as part of a strong finish to the season, Lucas Duda played himself into the official back-up plan should Ike Davis be slow to return.  He's by far a better first baseman than he is a right fielder.  But that doesn't mean he won't wind up back out there. 



This is another position where there is no clear cut minor league prospect ready to step in.  Additionally, there's two very prominent first basement on the free agent market this season; Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder.  Will or can the Mets be players for either player's services?  Uh...,No.  Next position.




Second Base - Justin Turner is a spunky kid.  He made the memory of Luis Castillo disappear from our minds quickly.  Is he the answer at second base?  Probably not.  Looking back, this position hasn't been manned by a good quality player since Edgardo Alfonso.  And not since Jose Valentin hit 17 home runs from this position in 2006 have we had anything to scream about.  Kaz Matsui made us scream but for different reasons.



Speaking of Kaz Mastui, he reminds me of the foolish attempt by the Mets to switch Jose Reyes to second base to accommodate Matsui upon his signing.  And that's why I'm still against Daniel Murphy being a viable candidate at second base.  I don't like putting players out of position.  But Murphy never really had a position to begin with.  The best place for him is probably the American League.  The Mets have a history of playing guys out of position, that I do not believe I ever found myself in agreement with even once.



It seems as if Met fans have been waiting for Reese Havens to rise through the system forever now.  He's been slowed by injuries which no doubt set him back a bit.  Josh Satin is also part of the conversation now.  So at least organizationally, the Mets are showing a little depth at second base.  What that means for 2011 is still indeterminable.  Of course, if Jose Reyes is retained, this job should belong to Ruben Tejada.



Trades, Free Agents?  Next position.



Shortstop - Jose Reyes with the Miami Marlins?  !Aye caramba!  Does it matter?  It doesn't look like Jose Reyes is coming back whether he winds up in South Beach or Siberia.  If his price stays low due to a lack of serious bidders, then there's the chance he stays a Met.  But Sandy Alderson assured METopolis the club won't be dictating the pace of negotiations, nor establishing a market-maker's offer.  With next year's payroll becoming more fixed and rigid by the day, it seems unlikely the Mets can afford to retain him and still maintain a projected $100 million dollar payroll with only a handful of players earning the lion's share.


Where do they potentially go from here?  Ruben Tejada?  He got a little better with every game he played.  But like many of the early season mayday call-ups, he/they were forced into the big show prematurely.  That said, he like Duda, finished strong as the season wound down.  Tejada is versatile enough to play second base also.  But this is his natural position and one that just might be his on Opening Day.



Prospects?  Wilmer Flores remains the top future prospect at shortstop but may not be ready till 2013.  Buffalo's Jordany Valdespin would be next in line for the often needed emergency call-up.



Tades; Free Agents?  Next position please...



Third Base - He of the butterfly-net sized third baseman's glove and humbled by the Great Wall of Flushing - What a tangled web he's caught in.  If Reyes goes, David Wright is next.  They'll be no use in keeping him around even though the Mets will never call this a rebuilding period.  But the time is coming soon when David Wright will be in the same position Jose Reyes found himself in entering this last season; his contract year.  Are the Mets committed to David Wright long term?  Most teams would have come to that determination already.  Should the Mets commit to David Wright long term?  Those are two different questions that take a back seat to the fact the Mets can't commit to David Wright long term.  And this time, I hope the Mets learned a lesson, unless they prefer the potential compensation as in the case if Reyes signs elsewhere.  But if I had my way, David Wright gets traded no later than next year's dead-line.  If we can trade him over the Winter...better.



I believe the return on trading David Wright will help the Mets move forward more effectively than by retaining David Wright in light of the organization's tribulations.  The team has other more pressing needs and the truth is third base is an easily replaceable position.  Let's face it, Sandy Alderson is taking this team in a grass-roots direction so why waist David Wright's time in an uncompetitive situation.  If you thought the 2011 season was a downer, 2012 will be down right depressing.



It's natural for things to get worse before they get better.  That's part of the RE-building process.  There's much to gain by selling high.  While Carlos Beltran represented a bit of a different dynamic for the Mets, you still have to consider the potential return by making an early move.  The Mets got back a nice San Francisco treat for Beltran.  It's something to consider.



I would also remind Met fans, David Wright was drafted by the Mets with their compensation for Mike Hampton.  Like Reyes, David Wright's situation is unfortunate.  I'm with you on that.  But in this organization's present situation, and condition, it's in our best interest to maximize on David Wright's current return value.



On the farm?  There's nothing much to speak of in the way of third basemen that can help anytime soon.



Left Field - This, along with catcher, second base, and right field, has been The Land of the Lost; replete with stop-motion action dinosaurs; Sleestaks; and a bunch of Will and Holly players.  The position was last best served by the hobbled Cliff Floyd.  When healthy, he was cool.  Before him you'd have to recall Benny Agbayani and Bernard Gilkey before that.  After Floyd broke down, the position has been in an Ice Age.  Omar Minaya, didn't just acquire a recovered caveman like Moises Alou.  Omar made the huge mistake of relying heavily on him.  Only a great catch by Endy Chavez made us forget how woeful the position really was.  What we got out of left field since then has been strictly bar league stuff, right up until the day we acquired Jason Bay as a free agent...in a strictly knee-jerk signing by the organization.  And well, we all know how that has gone..., like a fart in a space suit I'd say.  There's been no escaping the stink of the deal.



As far as trades or free agents?  Next position...



Center Field - Angel Pagan was recently tendered by the club.  OK.  He's another player I have an attachment for because of his days playing for Brooklyn.  And by his standards, he's been somewhat healthy these last two seasons.  The question is which player is he?  Is he Pagan of 2010, or is he the regressed player of 2011?  Either way, the truth is he's a fourth outfielder.  He's a tremendous bench player.  But as far as being the starting center fielder?  Well, he's leaving something to be desired.  He filled his need with the Mets admirably and always conducted himself humbly and with class.  He even took it upon himself to make sure the Media and the Latin speaking players communicated correctly together, this way nothing got lost in translation.  That's all fine and well, and my sentiments for him aside, center field is officially a need of the New York Mets.



Jonathan Malo and Darrell Ceciliani are still down below.  How far away are they?  Maybe a year and two respectively.



Trades?  The rumors displease me so much, I'm not even getting into potential deals.  As far as free agents?  Next position...



Right Field - ...Or should we call this Adventure Land?  The position never recovered from the ugly collision between Mike Cameron and Carlos Beltran.  Xavier Nady, whom I really grew to like in his short time here was hastily traded for relief pitching.  Then Omar kicked the tires on a clearly finished Shawn Green.  Ever since Ryan Church suffered a concussion and turned out to not be the solution in right field, the position has remained a no-man's land.

*   *   *   *

 

Regarding all outfield positions, whatever the Mets already have in their system is clearly Plan B at this point.  Lucas Duda seemed more comfortable and showed more smoothness at first base than he did in right field, where he looked like Frankenstein wrecking the lab upon misjudging balls hit in the gap.  But that's where he may very well wind up next season.  His bat put him into a position where his pop is now needed in the line-up.  But we know his position hinges on the recovery of Ike Davis.



One time Brooklyn Cyclone, Kirk Nieuwenhuis is close.  He just may be ready to make the step up to the Bigs next season,  He started the season in Binghampton before a promotion to Buffalo.  Keep in mind however, many Buffalo players were promoted from Double-A in part because the big club needed to back-fill so many injuries.



As mentioned above, Darrell Ceciliani has potential to skyrocket through the system as a center fielder.  He was the 2010 NYPL batting champ.  Jonathan Malo is another former Brooklyn player whom I thought we'd hear from sooner but is still held in high enough regard.



Maybe in a few years we may one day see what the fuss over 2011 Draftee Brandon Nimmo is all about.  But the outfielder creating perhaps the largest buzz within the system right now might be Corey Vaughn.





PART IV is in the works to bring our Mets situation a little more up to date.






Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Coda

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET




NEW YORK METS:  Exit Stage...Right?

 
Did we all want a player; our player; to behave in a more gentlemanly or Victorian-like manner?  Were you looking for Civil War era respect for protocol out of Jose Reyes?  As a younger Mets Fan (younger than me), were you looking for an instantaneous moment in time to live in; something to endlessly recreate in your mind and be able to hand down a great Baseball tale to your grand children some day?  Are we in such desperate need of a legendary moment like we see those players have in old black and white reels during the earlier eras of the game?  Well hell then, I wrote about Jose Reyes and a game like that in my last post.


Or, ....did we just want Jose Reyes to achieve something no other Met player has, in a reasonably more traditional manner with respect to the 150 years of baseball achievements that precede him; and just treat and play through the situation with a little more class and sense of responsibility to finish what you start?  That should not insinuate he is without class or is irresponsible.


On why he played the game the way he did, Joe DiMaggio spoke of the hypothetical kid who might be in the stands that day who never saw him play before.  I guess it just depends on who you ask.  Because I know none of this has to do with Yankee envy.  Right?


It's days like today that lends itself to better understanding the subdivisions and psyche of the once great place called METropolis.  This afternoon's intra-fan base flare-up pitted a faction of Met Fans who are tired of their team getting ragged on for all the incredulous things they do, against a faction of Met Fans who continually rag on their team for all the incredulous things they do.      .....Or don't do; or get wrong; or have things turn out badly; or go awry; or with the best laid intentions have things blow up in their face.


You get the idea.


Me?  By the time I get to typing, I'm a pragmatist.  I'm somewhere in the middle with most of you.  But I learned long ago when to react in anger, and when not to; and have learned to pick and chose my battles.  On Jose Reyes Gate?  I'm more ambivalent now than anything and I think, that, comes with age.  But I was right there with all of you today.  I went through the whole gambit of anger and frustration; then chastising the jury who won't admit this happens all the time.


After tonight, it looks like he'll have the batting title all wrapped up.  And if he doesn't win?  A batting title only gets you some bold italic numbers on your baseball card anyway....(wrong!)  But what were the majority of us Met Fans really upset about today?


I think years of frustration came cascading through over today's development and filled into Flushing Bay in what amounts to be a trivial matter for most of us.  I don't think we were really upset with the Jose Reyes thing at all.  But there were certainly a portion of fans that were probably more upset they couldn't have a pre-meditated moment with their shortstop.  That part of it is a little too contrived for me and belongs on a stage.  But because today was the last day of the season, this is the lingering event/non-event we'll take with us into a precarious off-season of pondering our future with or without Jose Reyes.


If this was indeed his final game playing for the Flushing Nine, then what an underwhelming good-bye it turned out to be.  That's where my displeasure lies.  The Mets won the game against the Reds.  But the day was supposed to be much better that it was.  But the weight of METropolis shouldn't have come crashing down because he took himself out of the game.  But you'd be within your right to graffiti up the walls because Fans at the park and Jose didn't have a last moment together, if that's what you wanted.


Led Zeppelin's last released album went similarly.  Coda.


Update:  Jose Reyes wins the 2011 N.L. Batting Title ~ .337


Mike.BTB

N.Y. METS ~ The Night The Curtain Came Down

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET





NEW YORK METS:  Don't Forget The Night We Sang Jose Reyes' Name All The Way Home.


With two games left in the season, are we seeing the last of one of the greatest Mets ever?


The last, most electrifying moment I had at Shea Stadium came while walking down the ramps as me and all my fellow 57, 000 Met Fans emptied our former home sweet home after winning Game Six of the 2006 NLCS, largely based on Jose Reyes' home run to lead off the game.  We sang Jose-Jose-Jose from our seats; through the aisles; and into the corridors of Old Shea; all the way down the ramps; into the parking lots; in our cars and all the way home as we all no doubt listened to the Happy Recap on the radio. 


Once the singing started early in the game, it never really stopped.  I was sitting in the upper deck that evening.  And being part of the red seats mass of Met humanity, I'm proud to have helped the upper deck literally rock up and down.  But it wasn't until leaving, that I had goose-bumps all the way down Shea's winding ramps, more so than I did during the game or even watching Jose Reyes round the bases in the first inning.  And for a night, I experienced magic again; you know...like when you were a kid kinda magic.  The magic of being ten years old and these guys being the greatest people in Orange and Blue pinstripes on the planet.  And it was damn-near one of the greatest nights ever to be a Met fan; period.


We sang!  We sang inside; outside; and across Roosevelt Avenue.  Woodstock would have been proud.


Little did we all know leaving Shea Stadium that glorious night, the curtain on this current Met show was coming down for good.  Hind-sight now takes it's course and so let it be written; October 18, 2006, goes down as our last greatest moment in Met history - authored by Jose Reyes.


With two days potentially left in his Mets' career, he's chasing down an encore to that night almost five years later.  Of course he's marvelled us since the 2006 season.  But now he's chasing a Batting Title.  No Met has ever won the batting championship before; just as no Met has ever won the Most Valuable Player Award.


But the most bitter-sweet aspect of this dilemma the Mets and the Fans find themselves in is Jose Reyes may win his batting title, but win it going away.  The songs will end this season for sure.  The schedule dictates that.  Then the songs will turn into pleas of  - Jose, Won't You Stay; Please Stay; Don't Go Away! Jose.


Good-byes are never easy between people who care about each other.  It's clear Jose Reyes has an affinity for us Fans, just as we have a great fondness for him.  There's an all encompassing phrase that with carefully selected usage; in context and content; all emotional ties are revealed and stand to be reaffirmed by the very declaration - He is one of us!


The thought of losing Jose Reyes; the healthy version; sickens me.  Honest.  Even the compromised Reyes is still enough of a favorite for me to want him continuing and ending his career as a New York Metropolitan.


But when I'm in my world and get to play GM, I base my opinions on what I think should be in the Mets' best interests in order to reach a high level of play and sustain long term success.  And when I think that way, I'm content to bring Jose Reyes back, but only under "my" so-called terms.


If his speculated price tag remains as reported.  I say we're out; and not because we may not be able to afford it.  My offer; stated previously in my blog; is for no more than five years and an average annual salary of  +/- $17.5 million.  I would not budge much further from that.  If he can get a better deal elsewhere, so be it.


I now believe it safe to say; although I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night; that Jose Reyes' legs are permanently damaged.  Perhaps on a microscopic level, there's deterioration that if not properly managed with scheduled time off, will continue to resurface as hamstring issues and plague his career; maybe sporadically; maybe often.  But the problem will not go away.


His leg(s) condition now dictates he plays roughly, a 145 games a season.  You now have to manage the stress of this bi-pedal creature very carefully now.  What if the team is in the middle of a "tight" race, and Reyes has been on a torrid streak of triples and doubles, and stolen bases and such?  Do you  schedule rest for him then?  Or, do the Mets press on and take their chances?  Alas, the root of the matter is risk.  His legs affect the Mets on many different levels.  Risk; how much of it does he pose?  And how much of it will Sandy Alderson assume by resigning him?


As he enters his physical prime; even if Jose continues to bat for average like this season; and still take his total package into consideration and value as a lead-off man; what if I said his rate of injury will continue as well?  If you knew going into negotiations on a new deal, would you still sign him at his price?  We don't know how much longer his legs will service him and us.  So again, it's all about managing Risk again. 


The Mets don't just sweep bad contracts under the rug as a matter of policy.  Sandy Alderson unloaded some in 2011, but they were needed demolition before reconstruction can begin.


Are we content with Jason Bay's contract?  At this moment, are you happy with Johan's deal?   David Wright's deal is coming around the corner.  How are you feeling about him?  If we sign Jose Reyes at his price, the moment he goes down, you know damn well, the phone boards across the metro area talk shows will blow up with cries of - Why Did We Do This?!  It will happen.  You know it.  I know it.


We booed Johan in his first start at Shea.  Yankee fans booed Jeter and ran him out of town before he turned himself around this season.  Mariano Rivera got booed once upon a time too.  What do both fan bases have in common?  We're New Yorkers!  We're going to complain whether we sign Reyes or not.


Part of the problem is that we all; including the Mets organization; have a semantics problem.  No one wants to officially declare this a Rebuilding of the Mets team.  That word keeps getting shushed around here like saying crap in front of your Grandmother.  And what I am vehemently opposed to is spending any more time chasing down carrots on a stick.


To err is easy. Doing the right thing, is hard. Some of the best decisions in life are quite often the most unpopular decisions ever made.  Jose Reyes will always remain in my Met heart of hearts. But the Mets must go on and finally right their ship and thereby get the organization functioning like a New York National League member should.


I'll sign him.  But not without the proverbial Home-Town Discount.


I love Jose Reyes.  But my Baseball Heroes from when I was a more impressionable boy; all the way through the 80's; and through today; were New York Metropolitan Baseball players.  They didn't come from the Reyes Family tree.  Jose Reyes is not a matter of money.  With him, Risk rules the day.  While his injuries were often times frustrating for us, sometimes, they proved ruinous to the team.


Our destiny lies elsewhere now; with other players; and future players.  I would have loved as much as you, to have Jose Reyes go down as a life-long Met and be owner of a vast array of our team records.  He's done so much of the re-writing already.  But, perhaps it's not meant to be.  Two parties need to sit down and reach an agreement in order for that to happen.  But one of the parties is in kind of a dire straights right now.  And the other party just admitted he's not fully healthy yet and is weary of running full steam.


What now?  Here come the brewing storm clouds high above Citi Field.  The clash between the Business Side of Baseball versus the Business Shenanigans of a Baseball Owner is fast approaching.  The Jose Reyes- N.Y. Mets saga will soon start to swirl about under the ever darkening and threatening skies thundering above Flushing Bay.  Early forecasts call for off-season rain.


Watch the last two games of the season or go to Citi and watch him in person.  But don't let the games apathetically slip by.  Hind-sight is always right.  But when hind-sight re-enters this conversation one day, we'll hash out the rights and wrongs of the Mets actions then.


Don't forget that night in 2006 when a city sang his name all the way home.






Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Brain Busters

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET




NEW YORK METS:  In the immortal words of Aretha Franklin -  "...you better, THINK!  ...'bout what you tryin' to do to me!  You better, THINK!"



His curve ball follows the curvature of the Earth.   His sinker rises like a weather balloon.   His fastball suffers more drag than Sky-Lab did falling down to Earth.   And the guys’ mind is in orbit.  This space cadet is in dire need of a lobotomy or learning how to sequence his pitches better.   But then again, he’d still need an effective out-pitch; which is his downfall.


Otherwise, he makes his case a tough call because we still like the guy and want to give him that one last chance.  But I assure you, sending Mike Pelfrey to the bullpen is not a remedy for his woes.  I don't know if time is on our (the Club's) side when it comes to options.  I may be off on the logistics, but I wish we could shuffle him off to Buffalo and keep him there until September 5th; ...that's right.....  The last game of Buffalo's regular season.


This man needs to have his psyche impacted and shaken up.  He's thinking way too much and I believe his brain is fried for having been thrust into the Ace's role and not coming through.  More and more, he's exhibiting poor mental make-up.  Additionally, there's a lot of work to be done with regard to an out-pitch; not to mention his whole unimpressive repertoire.


In the Mets' present situation, giving someone a mental make-over and diagnosing a pitcher's failed craftsmanship should not be done from the bullpen, nor on the Major League level.  Impact his brain a little and send him down for three starts where he'll have nothing to think about but throwing a damn ball.  Heck; we should have done this a week ago.  And we just might learn a little more about his make-up after putting him through a demeaning process like that and be better prepared to deal with his situation in the off-season.  Because after all, he is a Scott Boras client. 


Can we do that?




Jose; Jose; Jose;....Why Hurry Jose?

Funny; ...ever since Jose Reyes returned to the dugout to do sprints at Citi Field, the "Spotlight is on You" has returned.  There's a lot to be said about that, among which is his value to the club. 


So why rush back?  And for what?  There is nothing he can do between now and the end of the regular season that will change any one's perception of him; good or bad; on the part of the Mets; us fans; or any other team interested in the soon to be free agent.


At this point in his career, I believe he IS what he IS.  Jose Reyes is one of the most dynamic players in baseball; whether it be on the base paths; in the field; with a bat in his hands; or through his overall exuberance and it's effect on a club.


He is also proven to be injury prone; namely those legs.  And more and more, his lower appendages seem to be; if only slightly; permanently damaged....but hopefully manageable at the same time.  In an effort to keep his legs healthy, he might have to become a player who now plays 147 to 150 games a season by design.


When I play GM, I would have traded him.  That's a different post.  But I'm like you; a Fan.  And he's a Met today.  So why rush him back?  For what?  If we do in fact reach a deal with him this off-season, we still have to rethink the way we utilize him.  What we decide to do this very day, may still work in our benefit down the road.  And if I'm Jose Reyes, ...I get he may know no other way than to play as soon as possible, but it's in his best interest to take it slow also.  And if the Met Doctors are having a routinely bad day, they can potentially ruin him for life.


There is no evidence a divorce between the Mets and Jose Reyes is written in stone.  But to even the staunchest Reyes supporter, I know this latest setback has touched the pragmatist in you.


Ask yourself; -  from this moment forward, will you ever think about Jose Reyes, and not think about his hamstrings ever again?  The rethinking of Jose Reyes has already begun. 


Here's my proposal; $83 million over five years; no more.  Like I said, there is nothing he can do to change my perception of him now.  He is one of the most dynamic players in Baseball with mounting hamstring injuries.  And if his time in New York has proven one thing if we are to move forward with him, is that he will need ample, scheduled days off; ....in his prime years.  But I also say it's a risk.  I'd rather let DePodesta and Ricciardi utilize the compensatory pick(s) and continue their stock-piling  coming off this year's draft.


However, because it's more about what the Club does, than what I want, having Jose Reyes in a Met uniform could never rub me the wrong way.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ The Spotlight Is Dimming

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET





NEW YORK METS:  With Reyes Not Available to Shine the Spotlight, Met Issues Lurk In The Shadows.


Mike Pelfrey took a line drive off the elbow, but probably suffered more from a bruised ego and shattered confidence on the heals of misconstrued comments he made about his team outlook about the "upcoming" 2011 season, mixed in with his overall underachievement and single digit win total.  But hopefully, just as long as the Met Doctors don't get involved, he should be OK (or so we all hope).  However, there was a noticeable knot and swelling on the bone. 


But it's his pitching this whole season that has been a real pain in the posterior for all concerned, although, to his credit he left the game leading 5-2 in the fifth inning after a flaky start in the first.  On arguing with Coach Terry about coming out of the game, he admitted his  .....brain wasn't working correctly.  And about his sensationalized comments, ...he knows he should have taken a different tact to better convey his meaning - he said he takes full blame for that.


The fact David Wright has to defend anybody to the Media bugs me.  It also means Terry Collins either needs to scold the Media and get them to back off again.  Because ever since June 1st, when he told them en mass not to look at him like he was some kind of idiot, the fact is the Media has been tame as a puppy instead of playing the part of Big Bad Wolves.

Or...,

All that's really needed is for everyone to shut-up or speak only of the here and now.  If you're not talking about the last game or the next game, your head is in the wrong place.  That goes for everyone.  What David Wright should have told the Media was to "just drop it."


Truth be told, Mike Pelfrey didn't say anything that bad.  But timing is everything when you make jokes or in Mike's case, mis-speak.  We know Mike Pelfrey likes to kid and suffers from loose lips sometimes.  This time it came back to bite him.  It happens.


But that's all just a side-note. Let's not lose focus of the real matter at hand. The fact should remain Saturday's game was the Mets' fourth consecutive loss which drops them to a 58-61 record.

Ever since Jose Reyes went down again, no Met has been flashing the "Spotlight is on You" sign to his team mates anymore.   So it goes, one can sense the lights going out on the Mets rightful claim to respectability on the field this season.   Is there a correlation?  Or, is it just me?  But, falling three games below .500 again brings all that into question.  


And speaking of Reyes, I thought that was supposed to be just a tweak?  And Ike Davis...there is still no definitive determination on his foot.  And Johan...why push him so hard?  To me, those remain very ponderous medical questions and lingering issues.






Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ What To Make of a Big Win?

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTIN MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Terry' Kids Come Through Again.  But Are They Changing Any Minds?

I can't tell you how many times I intended to post something real snarky and riddled with sarcasm because of old gripes and continuing beliefs I have; ...and didn't for love of team.  There are two dueling fan bases that reside inside my cranium as well as the streets of METropolis.  That's the schizophrenia that sets in when following this team in 2011.  It's an exhilarating high one day, then crushing, manic depression other days.  As of last night, the ratio works out between 51% to 49% on the side of exhilaration and glee.  But 49% percent of the time is far too long to go around talking to yourself especially when the ratio is constantly fluctuating above and below the .500 mark.


Last night, the Mets mounted another one of those comebacks that warrant big crowds at Citi Field, and loud cheers in appreciation of their fighting spirit.  And if not last night, then tonight for sure if just to thank Terry's Kids for a good time. 


But for me personally, last night's game reinforces why letting go of the past and inaugurating the future is in our best interest; and has been for some time.  The Mets have given us many refreshing nights this summer and have remained mildly relevant deeper into the season than we've gone in the last three when at the present time, in our condition, we have no business doing so.  So, schizophrenia is fine for now as long as Sandy Alderson keeps things moving along.


It's the insanity I abhor.  Insanity; some really smart old guy with white hair once postulated; is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.... Or something like that.  That's the part that always rubbed me the wrong way about this team; upper management; ownership; and yes, us fans too.


Think about all the players involved in last night's win and how they've managed to get this team to fifty-eight wins on August 10th considering the lack of contributions from KRod and Beltran due to trades; Wright; Reyes; Ike; and Santana; due to injury; and Bay's lack of productivity.  Several of these same players (unmalicious) conspired for some bad starts in 2007 and 2008 in which they had to play like crazed dogs to recover from....and did, only to fail in the end.


Now think about all the players that were in the line-up when the team started out this season 5-13, and earning the ire of greater METropolis.  Some of the names are eerily similar.  And the complaints; rants and raves were venomous but far too repetitive.  Bad starts followed by debilitating injuries have been this teams downfall for years now.


Once again, Mets fans have been given a hard lesson in the following;  You Can't Win Pennants in April..., but You Sure as Hell Can Lose Them in April.  Does a slightly better start to this season put the Mets four or five games behind the Braves for the Wild Card instead of nine?  Absolutely.  Would the Mets have avoided a one game Gambit in 2007 and 2008 with better starts in April?  Absolutely.  Everyone chooses to ignore April and focus more on labelling those two seasons as September Chokes.  I'm not here to argue that aspect of our ruin.  I merely point to the yearly monsoon over Flushing they call April Showers and how we usually take a soaking in the opening month of the season.


Just remember who the ones still standing and wearing a Met uniform today on August 10th are.  They're a spunky group called Terry's Kids.  And now, recall the ones who have continually put us in this position.


The truth is, because the Mets were teasingly close, we fell for it (again) and didn't trade Reyes.  And the fact David Wright was injured rendered him untradeable.  In no well kept secret of this blog, I would have traded both.  It's almost fitting that David Wright has had numerous clutch at-bats this past week, yet they come in an increasingly inconsequential time of the season.  I believe the future success of the Mets no longer rests in their hands.  It's the clearest way to say I have not come to dislike them; that's farthest from the truth.  But my visions of the future of this team lie elsewhere now.  And yes, throw Johan Santana's name into this matter also.  However I realize they aren't going anywhere any time soon.


Last night's win was great.  But alas, it only put us one game over .500 and no closer to the Braves in the standings.  But there's a measure of mental health with a game like yesterday's come-from-behind win against the Braves because the faces on the field are measurable different.  And that's why the Mets have prevented apathy from setting in this season...to go along with all the other mental maladies one must endure being a Met Fan.


The kids proved something in 2010 when they rose to eleven games over .500 before a return of the regulars took hold again.  Young players have proved something again this year by keeping the Mets going without a pronounced collapse (so far) and without any discernible star player in sight.


So here's to hoping last night looks more like things to come and that change is kind.  But change we must.


In the mean time, Let's Go Mets.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Casualties and Concerns Mount

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET


NEW YORK METS: The Flushing Infirmary Is Full.  And the Time for Optimism and Rallying Around a Team Chasing Contention Has Passed.  A Closer and Colder View is in Order.

If you cringed when Daniel Murphy's knee bent back on the TV replay; if you winced in pain right along with him when Murph went down; if you felt bad for the poor kid watching him getting helped off the field; you're a good Met Fan and a compassionate human being.


But if you're surprised by Sunday's developments, you haven't been watching enough Met Baseball over the last three years.  That Daniel Murphy is now lost for the season, and Jose Reyes again felt an unwelcome amigo in his leg are not the astonishing part.  The incredible number and ever-mounting casualties the Mets have endured....is.  It just seems to never stop.


I don't think the play at second base was dirty; malicious; or an intentional spiking.  It looked like Jose Constanza escaped injury himself; needing to spring his leg free after sliding into the bag.  However which way you saw it, the end result is the same.  Chalk up another crippling, season ending injury to fallen Met fortunes.


Jose Reyes is proving more and more he is a player who will always suffer underlying tenderness that will and does occasionally flare up, than he is making a case to be a 7 year/stupid-million dollar contract recipient.  I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but that's the way I'd describe it.  He is perhaps now a player who requires more rest over the course of a season.  Maybe 145 games a season is his new max?  Multiple bouts with his hamstring point to more permanent issues with his cranky  muscle fibers.  And regardless the outcome from his tweaked hammy Sunday, Jose Reyes needs to be given a hard cold re-evaluation before the Mets make a decision to offer him a prohibitive deal.


As far as the game Sunday; the loss; the series against the Braves; and a season rapidly losing any appeal it had going for it; August 8th is that latest date in a season we've conversed about meaningful Baseball games in Flushing in the last three years.  Be happy for that.  But as I said in my last posting, I'm going to be taking a bit of a colder approach, and being a little less diplomatic about things as the time for optimism and rallying around their chase for contention has passed.





Mike.BTB