writingitall.com

The Dog Days of Winter

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:18:00 +0000

Well this off season has been slow and with the list of free agents somewhat unimpressive, the Mets have only really done what I expected them to do. They re-signed Easley, Anderson and picked up the option on Moises Alou’s contract.
I am a Paul LoDuca fan and I’m sorry to see him go but I am excited about the possibilities that Brian Schneider brings with him as a strong defensive catcher. Ryan Church is an interesting pick up though I had my heart set on signing Aaron Rowand.
As for the pitching staff, the Mets just signed Matt Wise who though started the first half of the season well for the Brewers, had a miserable second half. Lets see if the Jacket can get him back on track.
Still waiting, as we all are, to see what comes of the many rumors surrounding Johan Santana and the Mets working out a trade deal. I don’t want us to trade the future for him but understand that we have to give up something. Glad Reyes and Wright are not up for trade discussion.
Minaya has something to prove to me this year. He’s on the right track by getting rid of G. Mota and not costing us anything.
Opening day for the Mets has them in Dolphin Stadium. I’ll be there rooting them on and providing more of my insights and analysis. Thanks for reading. Happy New Year everyone!

And Now What?

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:21:00 +0000

It’s been a bit over a week since the Mets meltdown and I’ve been thinking about what I would do to try and improve the team and hopefully avoid a repeat next year.
First regarding the pitching staff and bullpen:
1) I would not bring back Tom Glavine. I understand that we would need to replace his 13 win and 200 plus innings but I just feel that having him back again (assuming he will not retire and be available to re-sign) would be a mistake. He is the type of pitcher who has been squeezed by umpires and their narrow strike zones more often than not this year. It might be time to let Pelfrey, Humber and maybe even Mulvey fight it out for that spot.
2) I would let Guillermo Mota go and just take our losses with his contract.
3) I might be inclined to use Aaron Heilman as part of a trade to get another starting pitcher. The only way I would entertain a trade with Minnesota for Johan Santana is with the stipulation that Santana agree to a long-term deal and not become a free agent after the next season. He’s going to cost the Mets a few young players and it’s not worth it to have him as a one year rental. If he’s not available, Minaya needs to look around the league for another decent starter to fill in as a 4th or 5th starter. I guess that leaves someone like Dontrelle Willis–a sure reclamation project for Rick Peterson.
4) Keep Jorge Sosa in the bullpen and find another long reliever.

As far as free agents:
1) I know that Luis Castillo has knee problems, but I would take the risk and sign him to at least a two year contract.
2) I would not bring back Jose Valentin, instead opting to sign both Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley.
3) Re-sign both Paul LoDuca and Ramon Castro.
4) Pick up the option on Moises Alou. He’s too valuable, even at 41, to let go.
5) If Luis Castillo does not or is not available, the Mets should consider signing David Eckstein and putting him back at 2B.
6) I would offer a contact to Phillies outfielder Aaron Rowand. He is a hardnosed player who would fit in as another leader on this team. He could play either corner position and I anticipate that Lastings Milledge would be part of a trade package for a quality pitcher like Santana, so Rowand would be a perfect fit.

Coaches
1) I think it’s time to say so long to Ricky Henderson and Sandy Alomar, Sr. Why not bring up Ken Oberkfell and make him our 3B coach. Put HoJo back at first and hire another hitting instructor.

Full Steam Ahead

admin — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:10:00 +0000

With four games remaining, one tonight versus the Cardinals and three with the Florida Marlins, the Mets need to leave it all out on the field. It comes down to what baseball has always come down to: Pitching. If the Mets get good pitching during the next four games, they will probably win the division. Short of that, the results might not be too pleasing to Mets fans.

Tonight Pedro Martinez faces the Cardinals. He’s a big game pitcher who is certainly in a big game. My hope is that he gives this team 7 strong innings. As Lee Mazzilli often says, “give me twenty outs and I’ll find someone to take care of the rest.”

Let’s Go Mets!

Six games left

admin — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:38:00 +0000

With only six games left, the Mets are hanging on to first place by a mere two games. Last night was frustrating to all Mets fans. I am disappointed that Mike Pelfrey did not pan out and hasn’t been able to show whether he’s made to be a big league starter or not. What is also disappointing are the boos from the fans. My philosophy is that though you pay for admission, booing is not something that I find to be a fair deal. Boo someone who doesn’t play hard or hustle, but to boo a player because they didn’t perform to your expectations is unfair. I am not a fan of Guillermo Mota but I wouldn’t boo him. He is trying and that’s the problem. He’s just not very good. The Mets are really on shaking ground when it comes to their pitching staff– all of them. The starters can’t seem to go more than 5 and the relief corp can’t hold the lead when they’re given the opportunity.
It becomes a vicious cycle…because the starters don’t go deep into the game, Randolph needs to use his bullpen more often and for longer stretches–thus tiring them out and leaving them susceptible to poor showings.
But don’t boo. They care and they try…let’s face it some of our bullpen are not very dependable and others are just not very good. I wonder why fans haven’t booed Jose Reyes? He’s not playing very well in the field at times and he can’t seem to buy a base hit. But the fans are quiet with him. I don’t think he should be booed but it doesn’t make any sense to only boo the pitchers or Guillermo Mota.
I wonder what’s in store for this team’s future. We have an old team and an old starting pitching staff. If we do make the playoffs, it doesn’t look promising that we’ll get very far. I love baseball and the Mets and don’t fancy the idea of not having them on the television to watch after watching 6 months worth of games. But what they do this offseason is going to be very important. Minaya will sure earn his pay. They need to fix a lot of holes and I’m not sure our minor league system has the answers to what ails them.

Decisions, decisions, decisions….

admin — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:50:00 +0000

When it comes to me questioning or disliking the way Randolph manages/handles the bullpen, I question his decision regardless of whether the reliever is successful or not. For example, I still don’t understand why Randolph only uses the same few people (while the bullpen has a few more pitchers because of the Sept. call-ups) over and over. Billy Smith is not ready for the majors. I believe he was successful early on back in April and May because other teams had nothing on him…they’d never seen him before and probably had limited scouting reports on him. Once he started to pitch more and more frequently, teams began to find his weak points and he was exposed and has been mostly ineffective since then.
Humber is in the bullpen but never sees one pitch. Feliciano was brought in on Thursday night and pitched to one batter who hit a single off of him and he was gone. It’s this type of usage by Randolph that seems to defy logic.
Mota was good for the one inning on Friday and in the last couple of months a second inning of work by him has led to disaster…so why chance it (yes, this time he didn’t hurt the team) but can Randolph honestly say that Mota has re-earned his trust because he pitches one good inning?
I realize that he was saving Heilman should he need a closer since Wagner is hurting, and he could not use Sosa because his arm would REALLY FALL OFF from overuse, but his reliance on the same four or five guys does not seem to be a smart decision on his part.
Now when it comes to Gomez….if he had a green light on base…well I think he should have those privileges revoked. He is YOUNG and obviously not very smart about situations and the game. If he was sent by Randolph then one has to question Randolph’s decision making (ONCE AGAIN)….
The same steal on Thursday night was successful so I guess either Randolph or Gomez thought it would work again??? Is that what either or both were thinking? Shame….
Different catchers and I still contend that Thursday night’s steal was a lucky break….don’t chance it again. TO make the first or last out at third base is a definite NO in baseball.
Randolph’s undying loyalty to veterans is completely flawed thinking on his part. Sometimes a younger player can do the job and sometimes it’s important to give them the opportunity because if not, how are they ever going to get experience.
I guess Humber is getting experience…..just what kind I have no idea.

Glavine wins game number 298

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:22:00 +0000

Tom Glavine pitched a gem of a game and won his 298th game of his outstanding career and his 8th of this season. Lastings Milledge singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 8th. The Mets continue to leave runners on and looked terrible with two on in the seventh when Beltran and Wright struck out.

Hope Randolph shakes up his lineup a bit.

Sosa is back to pitch on Monday and Pelfrey moves to the bullpen. Wonder if Pelf is really setting up to be trade bait?

Mets play the final game of the four game set Sunday afternoon, then head out west to play the Padres and Dodgers (again).

Johnson to be named hitting coach

admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:06:00 +0000

According to Yahoo Sports writer, Tim Brown, the Mets have decided to name Howard Johnson their new hitting coach and have new coach, Ricky Henderson coach first base.
Johnson managed and was a hitting instructor in the Mets’ minor leagues before being named to the parent club as first base coach before the start of this season.
Johnson replaces Rick Down who was fired after the All-Star break.

Mets 3 Cincinnati 2

admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:20:00 +0000

The Mets started the post-All Star break with a win over the hapless Cincinnati Reds, 3-2. Jose Reyes and Ruben Gotay hit back to back home runs to open the Mets 1st inning and helped El Duque win his 5th game of the year. The bullpen once again pitched almost flawlessly: Smith, Feliciano and Wagner.
Of course the story today was the firing of Rick Down as Mets hitting coach and the releasing of Julio Franco.
The Mets are set to bring on Ricky Henderson in an as of yet announced coaching role.
I’m glad that Omar finally decided that this team couldn’t have a player taking up a spot the way Franco was. Let another club pick him up for this egocentrics pursuit of playing until the age of 50–but beware, he’s playing like a 48 year old.
Still glaring is the Mets inability to get the 2 out base hit and to help put away the other team. In the 8th, with bases loaded and 2 outs, Milledge grounded to third base. Not putting blame on him, as he had a good game-full of hustle and good outfield play, but this team has to develop that killer instinct they had last year if they’re going to get anywhere via the post season.

Report Card

admin — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 22:32:00 +0000

It’s time for the All-Star break report card.

Pitchers:
Pedro Feliciano – A
Tom Glavine – C
Aaron Heilman – C+
Orlando Hernandez – B-
John Maine – A
Guillermo Mota – D
Mike Pelfrey – C-
Scott Schoenweis – C
Aaron Sele – C+
Joe Smith – B-
Billy Wagner – A+
Dave Williams – D
Oliver Perez – B+
Jorge Sosa – B

Catchers:
Ramon Castro – B+
Paul LoDuca – C+

Infielders:
Carlos Delgado – C+
Damion Easley – B+
Julio Franco – F
Ruben Gotay – B
Jose Reyes – A
Jose Valentin – D
David Wright – A-

Outfielders:
Carlos Beltran – A
Shawn Green – C-
David Newhan – D-
Endy Chavez – B
Moises Alou – Incomplete

Coaches:
Willie Randolph – D
Jerry Manuel – C
Sandy Alomar, Sr. – C
Howard J0hnson – B
Rick Peterson – A
Rick Down – F
Guy Conti – B
Tom Nieto – B

This is July

admin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:39:00 +0000

It would appear that the start of July is continuing like the month of June. The Mets are still not ‘clicking on all cylinders’ and I have begun to wonder if this is going to happen at all this year. They are impatient at the plate. The team is old. I really think Minaya needs to make some changes or this season is going to be a lost cause. Valentin is not playing well since his knee injury. I would start Gotay and keep Easley as the backup. Green has been too inconsistent since he has come back from the DL. When Milledge is ready to come back, I think I would bring him up. Sele never pitches. Delgado seems be on the downside of his career. Glavine is showing his age.
Last year was like we caught lightning in a bottle up to the last inning of game 7 against the Cardinals. I think everyone just thought it would be easy to repeat the way we won games and dominated this season too. The baseball gods don’t work that way. The Braves and Phillies are not very good teams and that is the only reason the Mets have been able to hang on to first place in the East.
With half a season to go and the trading deadline (without clearing waivers) looming at the end of this month, I hope Minaya makes some smart decisions and doesn’t trade away prospects for a rental. I think the Mets need to look for a first baseman. I am not sure that F. Martinez is going to be ready to play in the majors yet.
It’s becoming more difficult to watch this team play every night. It seems like Randolph believes that if the Mets just keep ’swinging the bats’ everything will start to click.
Delgado made outs yesterday 2 times with men on base. He’s killing us. If this is a business then let’s act like it is. When you’re not performing, you get fired. I would sit Delgado and let Green play 1st, Milledge in RF, Franco should be released outright, Gotay at 2b, and find another hitting coach who believes in teaching guys to be patient at the plate.