Saturday Morning Mets Newsstand

by Eric Simon on Jul 21, 2007 10:22 AM EDT in Applesauce

Sure, the Mets won last night. But they suffered a great loss, too, according to Steve Popper of the Bergen Record. I didn't read the article, but I assume he's talking about Jose Valentin and his .241/.302/.373 batting line that they just can't afford to go without. If anything, Valentin's injury is a stroke of good luck for the team. Second base has been an offensive sinkhole this season, almost entirely due to Valentin himself. Ruben Gotay is tearing the cover off of the ball, but Willie Randolph had trouble finding him enough at-bats with a Proven Veteran™ like Valentin around. With Valentin out of the picture, Gotay can scoop up all of his plate appearances, and we can hopefully see if Gotay is a viable 2B option now and down the road.

During last night's game, Omar Minaya spoke in the SNY booth about Pedro Martinez's progress. He claims that Pedro has not suffered a setback and was on a scheduled break. He threw a sixty pitch bullpen session in Dominican Republic yesterday and is slated to throw a simulated game this week before beginning a rehab assignment. I'll believes it when I sees it.

New pictures of Cit Field are available, and you can really see the place starting to come together (Hat Tip: MetsBlog.com).

New JoeChat at Fire Joe Morgan. Always a nice time killer on a Saturday morning/afternoon.

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I felt like an asshole

But I was in a way relieved when it Valentin got hurt, since Willie now has no excuse not to play Gotay (save the occasionaly Damion Easley start, which there's nothing wrong with).

Jose, thank you for your contributions to last year's run, but whether it was injuries or age-related regression or both, this year was really bad. Good luck in the future, but I think it's time to call it a career.

Free Ramon Castro!

by Greenpoint Ian on Jul 21, 2007 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

Also

The JoeChat is outstanding. Morgan accuses the Rockies of cheating by manipulating the balls as "one day it's 13-1, and one day it's 1-0"

I think the Dodgers are cheating and manipulating the balls. One day it's 13-9, the next day it's 4-1.

Free Ramon Castro!

by Greenpoint Ian on Jul 21, 2007 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

nice win last night

and I feel for Valentin, but I can see the benefits of Gotay getting more playing time. Have to see if he can hit well right-handed. His defense is not great either, but he does look like a real hitter up there.

M. Anderson had two good games but I get the sense Willie starting him two games in a row is a sign that he doesn't like or trust Milledge. Don't know if its personal or Willie is just being conservative going with the veteran. In any event, I do get the sense that Lastings' days here are numbered. Mets are on the verge of making a big mistake, but the handwriting seems to be on the wall.

Save America. Impeach Bush

by elifriedman on Jul 21, 2007 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

FWIW

I think Willie really wanted to get Marlon in there against the Dodgers, his former team and all. It remains to be seen if he will be used in a platoon situation will Milledge until Alou gets back. I'd like to see Lastings get some more playing time to see what we've got there, but despite a few key RBI the past week he is hitting just .133/.156/.267 in 30 at-bats this season. Small sample size, of course.

by Eric Simon on Jul 21, 2007 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

very small sample

how do you get somebody acclimated to the majors if you don't give him playing time. Also, he was getting some very hard outs. When Alou comes back he should spell Green in right. Green is a waste product at the plate and in the field. I don't want to see him in the lineup come October.

Save America. Impeach Bush

by elifriedman on Jul 21, 2007 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

No arguments here

Green is useless, and Milledge needs to play.

by Eric Simon on Jul 22, 2007 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Milledge > Green

A giant boulder that deflects baseballs would have more defensive value in RF than Shawn Green. Give Milledge a chance, and see what he can do.

by ams258 on Jul 22, 2007 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

No Option

I feel bad for Valentin, but I agree that his injury will benefit the team. The Mets can go with the more productive Gotay at 2nd, or maybe a Gotay/Easley platoon if Gotay has trouble against lefties. And Valentin's injury will keep his option for next year from vesting, so the Mets will have no obligations to him beyond this season.

by ams258 on Jul 21, 2007 2:52 PM EDT reply actions