Trades Trades Trades

Well, I've finally gotten a job, which means I have to go to work tomorrow. This is excellent news for the bank that holds my mortgage, and all my other creditors. And, well, me. But the bad news is that I can't keep a constant watch on the trade rumors. I'm betting that spending the day surfing the internet is not going to be the best way to impress the new boss.

So, during my last day of freedom, I've been reading all the rumor buzz I can find. I have to give a shout out to Matt over at Metsblog for his post On Soriano. He hits the nail on the head regarding that guy. Matt, I agree with you 100%. I'll root for Soriano if the Mets sign him, but it's going to make me seriously worried and a bit freaked out to see him in a Mets uniform.

As for Jeff Kent, I'm hoping that's just a nasty, nasty rumor. That guy is dugout poison. We've got nothing if not great chemistry on this team, and Kent is just a whiney, complaining, motorcycle-riding contract-violating jackass. The fact that the Mets had an article about a possible Kent trade on their web site this morning, but as of this afternoon, it's suddenly gone - well, that gives me hope it's just not going to happen.

That said, I'd rather have Soriano than Kent, but I'd rather have Anderson Hernandez come up from AAA more than either of those two guys. But if the kid isn't ready, he's not ready. Whatever Omar does, I will accept, and cheer or boo when necessary.

I've also heard we're looking seriously at Danys Baez of the D-Rays. This is good. Billy Wagner would be even better. ESPN writes that Mike Piazza might be on the block, but I hope not. I'd like to see him finish out the year with the Mets.

That's all I have for now.

Short Attention Span Theater #1

Sweeps are sweet.

It's not that I have anything against the Padres. Except maybe for the fact that they play in the worst division in baseball, and have almost the same record as the Mets yet still enjoy a comfortable first place lead. And there's the perfect San Diego weather they enjoy for most of the season. That alone is reason enough to send them packing with a few cans of whoopass.

Btw, for those of you who didn't hear it eighty-seven times during yesterday's broadcast, tonight is Merengue Night at Shea. It's going to be rockin, apparently.

I've noticed that I should have lost faith in Dougie a long time ago - since I started doubting him, he's been ripping the cover off the ball. He's been hitting .286 since July. You go, Doug! I mean.... uh, that means nothing. Yeah. He's terrible.

Kaz Ishii appears to be the new Houdini of the Mets pitching rotation.

Tonight is Merengue Night at Shea.

When Jose Reyes gets on base, we score runs. And win. Since the All-Star break he's hitting .385 - awesome. Keep it up, kid!

Mike Piazza seems to like hitting after David Wright. Perhaps with less pressure on him, he can finally relax. I'm really enjoying watching him play again. It's like seeing the Piazza of old - not only relaxed, but confident, and having fun. Now that's the way to go out, Mike!

By the way, tonight is Merengue Night at Shea.

I watched the entire game yesterday afternoon, and for those of you who had the good fortune to be working, consider yourselves lucky. Not only were you making money, but you didn't have to listen to the tag-team idiot show known as Fran Healy and Ralph Kiner. Ok, I know many of you are booing me and throwing rotten tomatos at your screens for dissing the Kiner Legend. I grew up listening to him too. The fact is, he's up there in age. Not as sharp as he was. Can anyone understand what he's saying? I swear, I could've used an interpreter listening to him and Juan Marichal talk to each other. Now, I could see letting Ralph come in for some color now and then for an inning or two - but an entire game? And with Fran? Are they trying to kill us?

Don't forget - tonight is Merengue Night at Shea. It's going to be rockin!

Woody!

First, before I write anything else, I have to give a shout out to Willie for finally flipping Wright and Piazza in the order. Now that wasn't so hard, was it?

Ok, it's official. I really, really hate to say this, but I'm finally climbing down off the Doug Mientkiewicz bandwagon (where I'm pretty sure I was alone anyway). This is hard though. It's like breaking up with someone you really care about, and you don't want to hurt them, but you know in your heart that it's just not working out.

It's funny, but when he booted that double play ball early in the game, even though he recovered enough to get one out, and no runs scored, I knew his game was going to be in the crapper. You could just see him out there muttering to himself, beating himself up. I had this feeling it was going to shoot the rest of his game to hell. Seems like it did. I seriously think he needs an appointment with Stuart Smalley.

I am officially endorsing Chris Woodward for NY Mets Everyday Firstbaseman. He's young. He hits. He's versatile. His defense is probably better than most oversized, power-hitting firstbasemen in the league. I like him. Most of all, we don't have to trade away any prospects to get him, because he's already on our team.

Btw, Tom Verducci, you can just tell the Royals they can keep Mike Sweeney if it means trading away our top pitching prospects and Victor Diaz. Forget it!

Having said that, I still want:

1. More relief pitching (esp. lefty)
2. an everyday secondbaseman who isn't Matsui or Cairo
3. for Dave to make a Braves fan cry

I'm Still Around

Well. I just haven't been very motivated to write here or anywhere else much lately. You know, personal stuff.

Anyway, I've been listening with great interest to all the trade talk going back and forth. I guess my biggest wish is for Omar to not do anything stupid, meaning please please please don't trade away tomorrow's prospects for mediocre talent in order to placate fans today. If there's a magic bullet that's going to turn this team around and bring us up and away from .500 ball, I just don't see him out there right now. Not unless you figure out a way to clone Pedro Martinez.

I honestly am not looking for the Mets to do anything huge by the trade deadline. The way I see it, with Trachsel coming back in a week or two, we'll have a pretty decent rotation, so long as Ishii is dropped into the bullpen, or into the middle of the Pacific Ocean for all I care.

I think Woody has been doing a very nice job at first, though I was heartened to see Minky go two for four in his return. Of course, having Ramon Castro hit into two consecutive double plays right behind him was frustrating, but the catcher thing is something I think we can wait until the offseason to deal with.

I'm happy with Offerman and Anderson coming off the bench to pinch hit. Not so sure about Cairo at second though. But he's a heck of a lot better than Matsui at this point.

Mostly the thing that would make me very happy is if the Mets could get a hold of Billy Wagner, but I don't see it happening. With teams like the Red Sox so desperate for a closer, we might just have to give up too much to get him.

As for the poll, I know I'm sick of the annoying announcers. Predictably, after the Braves series, there was a surge in Braves votes. Honestly though, I'm not sure what pisses me off more - the Braves announcers themselves, or those stupid Turner South commercials. "My South!" Whatever, you chop chop freaks. Here's my very biggest wish: David, before the end of the season, could you make a Braves fan cry? Thanks.

And yes, Metstradamus, the Peach Schnapps commercial is starting to get to me too.

Around The Horn

The Mets managed to avoid a sweep at the hands of the less than impressive Pittsburgh Pirates. To quote Matt Foley, "well la de FRIKKIN' da!" We're still at .500, and still living in the basement. I know I don't have to tell you all how much that sucks.

Who's off my $#%*! list: Victor Zambrano. He's managed to give us several quality starts, and he's walking batters much less often. He's giving us a chance to win whenever he takes the mound, and that's all you can ask.

Who's at the top of my $#%*! list: Braden Looper. David Lennon over at NY Newsday seems to think Looper might be in the trade loop. I can't say I'd be mourning Mr. Anything Worth Screwing Up Is Worth Screwing Up Big. And hey, we still have Roberto Hernandez - he can actually consistently close games, and when Willie is really feeling the need to squander away a perfectly decent lead, there's always Danny Graves.

As for the All-Star break: I've become a curmudgeon about it. The sooner it's over, the sooner we get back to baseball that matters. As for Kenny Rogers, let him go and get booed. Who cares?

Finally, the Metstradamus hate list (which is an awesome idea I wish I had thought of) mentions a "stupid peach vodka commercial that's played over and over again." I'm afraid I've never seen that commercial. But if I had a hate list, my most hated commercial during ballgames would be that stupid Gulf commercial with the moron who keeps running out of gas so the pretty gas station girl has to bring it to him. First off, pretty girls like that DO NOT work in gas stations. Second, is this idiot ever going to ask her out, or is he just going to keep running out of gas? Third, and most important, the fatherly figure "isn't this the third time this month?" guy - wouldn't you be concerned if some freak kept calling your daughter-type-person to bring him gas all the time? Hell, I'd go myself the the third time, just to offer a couple of broken kneecaps along with his fillup.

Stupid Mets.

Oh, For Cryin' Out Loud!

Ok, the game isn't even over yet. It's between innings, and the Pirates are coming up in the bottom of the 10th. WHY is this game in the tenth? Because Braden Looper blew it, that's why.

I live in central Ohio, and because the game is in Pittsburgh, it's blacked out here. Because I guess being four hours away I'm considered a local. Whatever. So I'm listening to the game over the internet.

According to Pirates radio announcers, Floyd should have caught that fly ball in the bottom of the ninth that dropped in for a double and tied the game. But I didn't see it, so I can't comment on that. However, I can comment on this:

During Tike Redman's 11-pitch at-bat, Looper kept throwing 95-mph fastballs up in the strike zone, and Redman fouled them off, one after the other. During the at-bat, Castro came out to the mound to talk to Looper, presumably because they couldn't agree on the signs. I'm thinking that maybe he's telling Looper, "how about we don't keep throwing him the same exact pitch?" Or maybe it was the other way around. Who knows.

So I'm sitting at my computer, looking at MLB's Gameday, noticing that the pitch location is in the same place and at the same velocity for like five or six pitches in a row, and I'm thinking that he's making contact, and it's only a matter of time until he gets good wood on the ball, so throw the changeup. Throw the changeup, Looper. For the love of Pete, change speeds! Throw something different! You do have some other pitch, don't you? THEN THROW IT!

His next 95 mph fastball went slightly lower than belt high, and Redman drilled it up the middle for a hit.

I was just about to write that even if we won this game, I'd still be just as pissed off and frustrated. But while writing this I just heard the Pirates win the game, and I'm so -MORE- pissed off now that I'm just going to go to bed and bite my pillow.

A Month Or Two From Now

I had this happy little daydream that I was watching ESPN a few months from now, and Peter Gammons was saying "well, it's too bad about the Nats - they had such a great first half, but they look like a different team now. And you can't help but think that their downfall began with that series loss to the Mets back in July."

Stuff & Things

Well, Mets Fan readers voted two to one in favor of taking a pass on Brett Boone. As it turns out, the Mets are taking a pass on him as well. So that's the end of that.

The annoying announcers poll is back. I changed it, so if you already voted, vote again. Also, if you choose "Other" or think a team from a division I haven't listed should be considered, please leave a comment on this post, or just email me and I'll be sure to mention it in a future post.

Mets/Nats game two tonight. Go Pedro!

Yes, There Is Crying In Baseball

Especially at Shea.

Anyhoo, I'm interrupting my regularly scheduled "Annoying Announcers" poll for a quick yes or no question. Should we pick up Brett Boone now that he's been released by the Mariners? The poll is over on the right. Go vote. Annoying announcers will be back in a couple of days. Or maybe sooner.

This Is Funny

Jason over at Faith & Fear In Flushing posts the hilarious Conversation With My Son, Circa 2014. It's funny. Seriously, go read it.

I'd Rather Stick My Head In A Blender...

...than watch this team lose another series the way we lost to the Marlins. It was so painful, I can't even write about it. I just can't. It's like, if I were in the Mets locker room right now, I wouldn't be able to look at any of them. Even (or maybe especially) Willie. So rather than rant about this last series, I'd just like to make a simple demand:

Put the best players on the field every day.

I want some frikkin consistency here, and I think you get that by picking a guy at each position and going with him, day after day, until he gives you a reason not to go with him. I hate platooning. I hate experimenting. Not this late in the season. You might as well hang a sign at the entrance to Shea telling fans "We've officially given up, so we're just f-ing around for the rest of the season."

--------------------------

Well, because of my foul mood, I'm going to try to take my mind off the last few days by changing the poll. Here are the stats from the last poll:

Say You're Omar Minaya. Which Problem Do You Think Is MOST Pressing To Address By The Trade Deadline?

Signing a closer who won't blow saves or aggravate my ulcer -- 23%
Signing a firstbaseman who can hit consistently -- 19%
Signing a secondbaseman who can hit & field consistently -- 12%
Singing more reliable middle relievers -- 15%
Signing another big name starting pitcher -- 4%
Hiring a new pitching coach -- 0%
Hiring a new hitting coach -- 4%
Carpet-bombing the entire bullpen & starting over -- 8%
All of the above -- 15%

So the new poll will be mostly for us out of market fans who watch games via cable or satellite (MLB Extra Innings). Us folks have to put up with watching Mets games without the pleasure of Mets announcers all the time. I know hometown Mets fans probably have to deal with this on occasion as well (Yanks or Phils, or when the game is on ESPN.) Anyway, this very unscientific poll will determine which non-Met team has the most annoying announcers. What can I say - the Marlins guys really inspired me.

Note: This poll just includes TV announcers, not radio. Also, I was limited to ten answers, so I left Pittsburgh off the list so that I could include the Yankees. I also left West Coast teams off, because we just don't play them often enough. If there's an announcer(s) you think deserves a mention, leave a comment here or email me and I'll be sure to mention it when I post about the results.

More On Trades

So, I was bouncing around the Mets blogosphere and happened across Mets Analyst (my former teacher) and his Dear Omar letter. I must say, former teacher of mine, I agree with you 100%. Well, more like 98%, because I am willing to give Woody a chance at proving himself at 1B. He's been hitting well lately, so I say we keep him there and see what develops. You never know. I guess I must have a greater tolerance when it comes to that position, because I've been willing to give Doug Mientkiewicz half the season to come out of his slump, and I still love him. I can even spell his name now without looking it up. Go figure.

Other than that, I am with you in regard to being cautious about trading away guys we don't need to trade at this point (Cameron). I like our outfield just the way it is. I also think we've got enough potential in Keppinger or Hernandez that maybe one of those guys will be ready to come up next year. But as for what to do about 2B right now, especially as concerns one Kaz Matsui, I guess I really don't know either. Other than figure out a way to get rid of him without eating too much of his salary. Maybe a left coast team would give him a chance.

I guess my big hope is that Omar will get us more pitching. Particularly of the relief variety. Danys Baez. Billy Wagner (though I doubt Philly will let him go anywhere now... but then again, maybe he's pissed them off enough that we wont have to wait until the offseason). The catcher thing vexes me. I'd be happy enough with Ramon Castro if he could manage to get that average up closer to last year's numbers.

That's all I have for now.

Juxtaposition

Main Entry: jux·ta·po·si·tion
Pronunciation: "juk-stuh-puh-'zish-uhn
Function: noun
: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side; also : the state of being so placed —jux·ta·pose /'j&k-st&-"pOz/ transitive verb -posed; -pos·ing

Interesting thing to do, if you're a Mets Fan and you enjoy torturing yourself: juxtapose the Mets who beat the Marlins on Friday evening, and the poor excuse for a team (also called the Mets) who lost to the Marlins Saturday (today).

The Friday Mets played sound defensive baseball, and used clutch hitting and smart baserunning to win. They never gave up, they fought hard, they played hard. On the other hand, the Saturday Mets played stupid and sloppy, from the Manager to just about every player.

[Climbing up to my rantbox]

Willie, why didn't you start Chris Woodward? I mean, I understand the whole platooning thing, but why not let a young kid who has been doing a decent job defensively at first and an excellent job with the bat stay where he is? Chris is hitting .320, has gone four for his last eight, with 3 RBIs, and some great clutch hitting. He's young, and could have a permanent place on this team, unlike Jose Offerman (who struck out looking today, in addition to making a boneheaded play at first that cost the team a run).

Another thing I don't understand, Willie: WHY bat Miguel Cairo with the bases loaded in a critical situation? Again - Chris Woodward. Batting .320, hitting in the clutch. Cairo just came off the DL. I also can't help but think you gave up in the ninth. Putting in Danny Graves, then batting Gerald Williams. Was Chris Woodward even in the park today? That loser attitude must have permeated the entire dugout, because if David Wright's ground ball to Castillo at 2B had merely been bobbled rather than dribble into the outfield, he would likely have been thrown out freakin jogging to first.

And while I'm on the subject of lollygagging: I'm sure much will be written about Beltran's shameless failure to run out a pop-up, which Delgado smartly allowed to fall and turn into a double play. Carlos, did you think the infield fly rule was in effect, or were you just being lazy? I know you made up for it at your next at bat, so enough said.

This is why we're a .500 team, because it's the crap Mets that seem to keep showing up to pull the team two steps back after the good Mets take us a step or two forward. Well, we're going to definitely need the good Mets to show up tomorrow if we're going to win this series.

[Climbs off rantbox, promply stumbles face first into wall]