Lumpy Humpday Applesauce

by Joe Budd on Apr 22, 2009 9:55 AM EDT in Applesauce

I must admit that I fell asleep soon after the second bases loaded walk and was soon greeted by visions of Casey Fossum fluttering fastballs and Razor Shines randomly sending Daniel Murphy. Fortunately, I didn't even have the chance to envision Carlos Beltran not sliding into home or Daniel Murphy falling down in left field.

Meet the Mets

The New York Post has given us a twist on "Murphy's Law," a phrase that I wish had never even been considered to begin with. I really don't know what to do with Murphy at this point. His terrible fielding doesn't appear to be affecting him at the plate, but it is certainly affecting the team, playing a big role in two of the team's seven losses.

The loss last night can only be described as "ugly." Metsradamus compares it with a Met team from the 60s, unfortunately not 1969.

Some good news, however. Mike Pelfrey is set to make his start on Saturday.

Andrew Vazzano doesn't really understand Omar's roster maneuvering this past weekend. Neither do I, Andrew, and neither does Nelson Figueroa.

Newsday's David Lennon makes some quick and easy suggestions to improve Citi Field: paint the wall blue and kill "Sweet Caroline."

Keith Olbermann has found Mr. Met's office. Maybe that's where he should be sleeping then.

Bernie Madoff's tickets have finally found an owner. That leaves the rest of Citi's field level seats to be sold.

I can't believe if this is serious or not, but Rick Peterson will be playing himself in a movie adaptation of Moneyball.

Around the NL East

Phillie outfielder Shane Victorino awoke from his early season slumber in last night's 11-4 drubbing of the Brewers.

National outfielder Elijah Dukes is in trouble with the team for his late arrival for a team meeting. The only caveat: he was meeting with a local little league who is offering to pay his fine.

Meanwhile, the Nationals bullpen drama continues, as Joe Beimel went on the 15 day DL and they recalled Saul Rivera. The pen responded, throwing 3 shutout innings during the Nats' 4-3 win over the Braves. The Nats are on their first winning streak of the season. Brave outfielder Garret Anderson sat for the second consecutive game with a quad strain.

Stephen Oh at Accuscore gives the Marlins a 29.3% chance of winning the division. The Mets are at 26.4% and the Phillies 24.4%.

Around MLB

No solid word on Vladimir Guerrero's timetable for a return to the Angels. Meanwhile, Anaheim is showing some interest in Pedro.

Yankee outfielder Xavier Nady will not have surgery on his elbow and hopes to return in four to six weeks.

The Royals have recalled pitcher Brian Bannister.

A scary moment in Toronto as umpire Kerwin Danley was carted off the field on a stretcher after getting hit in the head with a broken bat.

Don't dwell on last night too much. Tomorrow/today's another day...

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Comments

Can we afford more OJT for Murphy?

Murphy’s miscues have greatly contributed to, what, half of the Mets losses so far? Like many, I’m sort of fond of the Irish Hammer and hope he’ll have a long future with the Mets. But I suggest he learn to play the outfield in Norfolk. Sheffield can’t be much worse than Murphy at this point. Instead of taking at bats from Church, let Sheff platoon with Tatis, at least until Murphy has learned his defensive trade down at the farm (whether that be OF or 2B).

By the way, wise parting words. Never dwell. Learn and move on.

by TomDC on Apr 22, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

The beauty of baseball

There’s another game tonight. I think Maine can put it together

by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Apr 22, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

But would tatis/sheffield cost us any fewer wins in the field?

by Gina on Apr 22, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I am inclined

To like the idea of sending Murphy down to a less stressful situation at AAA just to gain some confidence in the field and using the platoon mentioned above, and maybe bring up Nick Evans as insurance. Keep in mind that neither Shef nor Tatis is much of a better fielder than Murphy, and all Murphy really needs now is to get some positive results going to get his confidence back. The guy has to be crushed by his mistakes so far, but you would never tell from his quality AB’s. On a team where quality AB’s have been somewhat lacking so far I hate to take an effective bat from the lineup, but, even though it is early, I think now is the right time to do this.

by zmanmetfan on Apr 22, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

your idea is premature

but worthy of consideration if Murphy’s problems continue.

by Endys Game on Apr 22, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

If not now, when?

When is it not premature? When a few more games have been compromised because of ineffective defense/defensive lapses, or when Murphy’s psyche is so bruised that it takes him months to recover?

by zmanmetfan on Apr 22, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

ah, the sweet caroline "controversy"

i say we keep the song but make it explicit that we are attempting to needle red sox and or yankees fans who think they somehow have exclusive ‘rights’ to playing the song between innings. while the song is going on the jumbotron can show pics of annoying sox and yanks fans with the caption “SHUT UP TURDS”.

re: playoff odds, here’s BPro’s

yeeech

HELLO HELLO MR WILPON. WE WANT THE MANSION NOT THE CONDO.

by kendynamo on Apr 22, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

those are bad

but it could be worse, we could be the Phillies. Also, here’s the PECOTA adjusted playoff odds (combining diminishing PECOTA projections + in-season stats so far)

by cjmulrain on Apr 22, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

It's funny to me that

the marlins at 10-3 still only have a 6% chance according to Pecota.

by Gina on Apr 22, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

yea

I think it’s maybe over-relying on the PECOTA a bit, but it does balance out some of the other projection systems which can be thrown way out of wack by the small amount of data they get from 13 games. I think you’d really have to wait until a month or two into the season when every team in the NL East has faced each other at least once before you can really try to make any kind of reasonable projections. The Marlins benefited greatly from playing the Nationals 6 more times than the Mets.

by cjmulrain on Apr 22, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Re. roster shuffling, starting Fossum against the Brewers (as suggested in the piece on The ‘Ropolitans) doesn’t make sense because the Brew Crew’s lineup is so RHB-heavy.

Re. painting the wall blue, please do it. One reason why New Shea doesn’t feel like our home yet is because it doesn’t look like our home.

Re. Sweet Caroline, it’s not even our crappy song, let alone a good song. Please get rid of it. Bring back Never Gonna Give You Up if need be!

by JoshNY on Apr 22, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions