Fail Applesauce

by Joe Budd on Jun 15, 2009 9:48 AM EDT in Applesauce

What more to say about the past week that hasn't already been said? I guess all that talk about Saturday's win being good for chemistry was bunk. Chemistry, just like momentum, is as good as your starting pitcher and Santana was not good. It was about as bad a week as we've had in the past 3 years, but I'm going to try some optimism again. It's still only April May June.

Meet the Mets

Prior to yesterday's 15-0 debacle, Met reliever Francisco Rodriguez got into a shouting match with Yankee reliever Brian Bruney. At least Rodriguez brought the issue up directly with Bruney and not the media, I guess.

John Maine is feeling better and will throw in Port St. Lucie. Gary Sheffield, however, will have an MRI on his right knee.

In good injury news, Billy Wagner is throwing 90 miles per hour.

Another Castillo is joining the Met organization, this time Javier Castillo. Also, Tobi Stoner has been promoted to triple-A.

Priced out of the Citi has closed up shop after this weekend. Right...

The New York Post shines the spotlight on some former Mets, Tom Seaver and Julio Franco.

Metsblog continues the never-ending look at potential trades. How about Penny or Pavano?

Fox Sports teases Met fans with the possibility of a return of Bobby Valentine. However, if Philly newspapers think the Mets should fire Jerry Manuel, I'm more inclined to keep him.

Ted Berg talked with reliever Bobby Parnell.

Around the NL East

So, which is worse, the Mets' firing of Willile Randolph or the Nationals' of Manny Acta? Acta will be fired at some point in the near future, but it still hasn't happened. Jim Riggleman will replace him.

The Nationals may be looking to deal Lastings Milledge.

Oh yeah, and the Rays swept the Nationals over the weekend.

The Red Sox took 2 of 3 from the Phillies over the weekend, so that's something.

Philadelphia sent down Sergio Escalona in favor of Tyler Walker.

Marlin manager Fredi Gonzalez threw the vast south Florida print media out of the clubhouse yesterday after a spat between him and Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez was upset that the Marlins did not retaliate after he got hit by a pitch. In spite of all the drama, the Marlins swept the Blue Jays.

Helped in part by Chipper Jones' 0-21 slump, the Braves lost 2 of 3 to the Orioles. Derek Lowe lasted only 2 and a third innings and Yunel Escobar was benched by Bobby Cox after two mistakes.

Around MLB

According to one of his handlers, Pedro has reached 94 mph on the gun. The Cubs are interested.

Pittsburgh shortstop Jack Wilson was almost traded to the Red Sox, but the deal has cooled down.

Dontrelle Willis walked 8 batters in his start against the Pirates, as Pittsburgh won 6-3.

Padre ace Jake Peavy has an injured ankle and will miss one month.

A's third baseman Eric Chavez (remember him?) will have season-ending back surgery.

Joe Posnanski asks why Kyle Farnsworth is so hated.

The White Sox have cut Wilson Betemit.

Bryce Harper, the Nevada 16-year old hailed by Sports Illustrated as the "Chosen One", will enter the 2010 MLB draft.

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Comments

At the very least

Acta should be brought in to replace Razor Shines at third base.

by Eric Simon on Jun 15, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

I agree but the move

would be seen, rightfully so, as the Mets hiring Manuel’s replacement if the team should continue to falter. The Mets (under Wilpon) like to avoid awkward situations like that, which is too bad because Acta was a highly regarded third base coach let alone our perfect manager.

by Sokojoe on Jun 15, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

a rolling stone gathers no moss

it’s all on Kyle Farnsworth.

Thanks for linking to that piece on farnsworth.

by wobatus on Jun 15, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

Culture change

The Mets seriously need to consider firing Minaya and Manuel. We may have gotten rid of Willie but his regime still lives on. The Mets need someone that going to crack the whip on some of these guys and make it so they come to the Park prepared.

If not you don’t play.

by Chickendirt on Jun 15, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

I doubt Minaya gets fired anytime soon

I’m just hoping the Wilpons are too worried about public backlash to let him do anything to crazy.

by Gina on Jun 15, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Manny Acta and Bobby Valentine are going to be available any second.

This is our chance…to get rid of the idiot.

I will not allow the denigration of the life essence

by GenJackRipper on Jun 15, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

But they won't hire either of them this season

It would be Sandy Alomar. I can see firing Manuel after the end of the season, even though he should go sooner. This team would go in-house for this season, and with that, I’d let Manuel stick around for the rest of the season. That being said, I’d love for Bobby V to come back. And a vintage John Olerud would be pretty sweet too.

Trying to believe is my full-time occupation.

by Preach19 on Jun 15, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll tell you one thing.

I think I’d prefer Manuel to Sandy.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Jun 15, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

His extension doesn’t even kick in until NEXT YEAR

by Mount17 on Jun 15, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Adam Eaton once threw a fight and a batter hit it

I will not allow the denigration of the life essence

by GenJackRipper on Jun 15, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

This seems like a good place to say this.

How come, all of a sudden, journalists are saying the Mets need a better middle infielder to spell the “fragile Jose Reyes”. I don’t disagree in needing a better backup infielder. But fragile? The guy who’s played over 150 games each of the past 4 years, and last year missed like three or something?

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Jun 15, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

The answer to your question is the media are stupid

BTW, on a sarcastic note, isn’t it a great day to be a Yankees, Lakers, and Phil Jackson fan?

I will not allow the denigration of the life essence

by GenJackRipper on Jun 15, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

ah

every day is good to be a Yankees and Lakers fan, which is why I hate those ~~teams~~ fans so much.

by BlackOps on Jun 15, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

All the trade talk . . .

We don’t have much to give, why not try to make a deal with pittsburgh for Malholm and a Laroche. We could give them Murphy and 2 prospects to make the deal work.

What do you guys think?

Sorry for my brief absence from the message boards; Friday nearly resulted in a destroyed laptop.

by Delgado on Jun 15, 2009 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

a Laroche?

or A. laroche. I would want Adam, although Andy is more versatile, he isn’t much of a hitter despite having been promising.

Just in time for Adam’s patented second half binge. If anyone has a first half/second half split thing for realz, it is that guy. .314/.374/.578 slash line last 3 years post break in 663 at bats. He doesn’t hit lefties but is good against righties .280/.355/.517 slash line last 3. AND his walk rate is up to 14%, well above the 10% the last 3 years.

Only problem is he only can play first, and at that he is eh. what to do when carlos comes back. But I’d worry about that later. How about Dunn or Willingham?

Anyway, the idea of seasonal splits is usually bogus. Laroche in 2005 ws better in first half i think. Although in 2004 again, much better in second half. maybe he hates the cold?

Santana, btw, is thought of as asecond half guy. Most seasons that is true. Not true in 2007, as he pitched to a 4 era, but that may have been luck, or the contract/trade issues. I mean, he is usually damn good both halves. We all know he was lights out second half last year. And in 2006. And in 2005, he ws at a 4.00 almost e.r.a. first half, sub-2.00 second half.

Eh, i will take solace anywhere i can get it. Hope it ws just a brief period here of lower velocity, whether dead arm (he denies) or the back or blister. Whatever, I bank on him being lights out.

by wobatus on Jun 15, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds as good as anything else we could do.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Jun 15, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I know it's probably a terrible move

but i would love to see the mets pick Pedro up. It probably has more to do that he is my favorite pitcher ever than that he’ll help the team, but Livan is going to suck sooner rather than later, and Pedro is a better option than anyone other than Niese, and we all know that as long as his ERA is that high, Omar won’t give him another shot. If Pedro is really reaching 94, I can’t imagine hm being that bad.

"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."

by Evan_S on Jun 15, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh

I can’t even bring myself to do fanshots on this. Apparently, via Cerrone, apparently the Nats are courting Bobby V, and also some knucklehead on WFAN suggested trading Ryand Church and a minor leaguer for Jeff Francouer. Yeah, lets give up two players to get one inferior player. Sounds great to me. Jackass.

"All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet

What a fool I was to defy him"

-HST

by Mark Himmelstein on Jun 15, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

I read that too...

and was wondering, does Cerrone really not have time to even quickly check slash stats? Even though Francoeur’s younger, Church is so demonstrably a better player it’s not even funny. Francoeur has an arm, and that’s about it.

by DonGately on Jun 15, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually think Cerrone said he didn't like the idea

To his credit.
\

…i don’t understand why frenchy would be a better or worse option that church… i mean, all these guys are around the same caliber player…

"All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet

What a fool I was to defy him"

-HST

by Mark Himmelstein on Jun 15, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Well, I guess...

I just assumed it’s obvious that Francoeur is the lesser option.

by DonGately on Jun 15, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll take the small victory

That the “voice of the fanbase,” at the very least, did not respond favorably to that suggestion. And its very sad that I feel that way.

"All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet

What a fool I was to defy him"

-HST

by Mark Himmelstein on Jun 15, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Well Francouer does have more homers and rbi

and we all know those are the two most important stats. Seriously though, Francouer hasn’t been good since 05 when he came up. Some people shouldn’t be allowed to talk about baseball.

I want Bobby V back, it’s not fair that we have to suffer with an incompetent buffoon like Jerry Manuel.

"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."

by Evan_S on Jun 15, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Jerry was fine

when he had to sit on the bench and keep his mouth shut. He’s just out of control now though. Zwill was making a great point in another thread, he’s been kind of sniping at Minaya lately, saying things about how he had “no choice with the way we’re built” after his decisions don’t work out, even in situations where he clearly had other choices. If you’re so handcuffed that you’re using a 29 year old minor league callup as your first reliever out of the pen with runners on base in a close game, you’re either managing the Nationals or you should be fired. Or using a lefty with reverse platoon splits to face lefty-masher alley. And he’s calling Minaya out on this stuff? Omar really needs to take him down a peg or four. I’m not too happy with Omar right now either, but where’s his influence? Where’s the F-Mart bromance? Where’s the “Just shut up the hell up Jerry and make the most obvious moves you can think of! No more thinking for you!” All he ever does is make stupid comments about “edge” that make David Wright mad enough to put up an .800 OBP for two weeks.

Honestly, I think the players could do a better job managing themselves than Jerry’s doing right now. Anyone can put ERAs in order. Boom, rotation. Before the 8th inning, unless Feliciano’s the obvious choice, the other MRs can just roshambo for the outings. Improvement in leveraging tactics, check. The lineup order can just be the order of placement from the March Madness pool or something. And otherwise, I’m sure David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Johan Santana still have some free time in between their awesomeness. They do everything else good that happens on this team. Why not in game management?

"All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet

What a fool I was to defy him"

-HST

by Mark Himmelstein on Jun 15, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Rochambo relief?

LMAO.

I will not allow the denigration of the life essence

by GenJackRipper on Jun 15, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Francouer is not even as good as Ryan Church.

Why would we EVER do that trade?

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Jun 15, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Only Mackie threw in the towel at POOTC

and “right…” is 100% correct.

by pricedoutoftheciti on Jun 15, 2009 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

Church?

I’m always suprised to see so many Church supporters. What has this guy ever really done? While I do somewhat sympathize for how the organization has handled him (flying him out to Colorado, being in Jerry’s doghouse), this guy has proven he fits in with all the other inept Mets. He has little power especially for a corner OFer and is a really streaky hitter whose proven other than the beginning of 08’ that he’s incapable of hitting LHP. He strikes out a lot, especially in big spots and is incredibly susceptible to the low pitch. While he plays a good RF, he shows little speed on the basepaths and is obviously not immune from bone-headed plays, like missing 3rd base.

I loved the guy last season when he broke out before the self-induced concussion, but there’s a reason he was a 4th OFer on a crappy Nats team. I’m pretty sick of watching him play baseball here.

by Rigsay on Jun 15, 2009 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

We don't really have any better options

by Gina on Jun 15, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Regardless

he’s better than Frenchy. Who’s just atrocious at baseball. And probably life.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Jun 15, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Get your Failcouer jerseys here

by James Kannengieser on Jun 15, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah its not that I think Church is anything amazing

But Francouer has just been awful. The only thing he has left, a throwing arm, is something Church already has anyway. At least Church manages to get on base at a clip that kinds resembles a decent major league outfielder. Francouer will hit the odd HR here and there, but his offensive value has completely evaporated over the last couple years.

"All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet

What a fool I was to defy him"

-HST

by Mark Himmelstein on Jun 15, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions