Fourth Place Applesauce - Francoeur returns as a Met, Stewart & Dykstra, F!, Angler, and El Duque

by Joe Budd on Jul 17, 2009 10:06 AM EDT in Applesauce

Hopefully the applesauce itself isn't fourth place, just the team that it mainly covers. I'm so glad the Nationals are in the division, otherwise we could easily be looking at a last place Met team. Remember when they were in first place for a few days? Yeah, that was pretty nice.

Meet the Mets

Second verse looks to be the same as the first. Francoeur went hitless in his return to Turner Field. Ryan Church pinch ran and scored a run.

Rob Neyer declares that the Mets need a miracle to remain competitive.

Jon Stewart loves his Nails posters and Jim Cramer.

The Red Sox are ready to dump Julio Lugo, a sub-par defensive, adequate offensive shortstop. Do the Mets take the bait?

Nytimes.com compiles the best entries to Banner Day.

Why is Wilmer Flores still playing shortstop if everyone agrees that's not where he's going to end up?

As usual, the Mets' initial release regarding Fernando Martinez's injury was incomplete. He is having surgery. In better news, however, Jose Reyes is taking BP.

Around the NL East

Jamie Moyer, Ryan Madson, and JC Romero combined for a one-hit shutout of the Marlins. Phillies Nation dubs Moyer the "Angler", which just happens to be Dick Cheney's Secret Service code name.

Ryan Howard is the fastest big leaguer to 200 home runs.

Rodrigo Lopez is hoping to join Pedro Martinez in the Phillie rotation.

More fodder for coyote522000, Joe Posnanski talks about Raul Ibanez's history of being underappreciated.

The Nationals began the Jim Riggleman era acting like it was still the Manny Act era, losing to the Cubs 6-2.

Around MLB

The Rangers don't think El Duque's a big leaguer and will keep him in the minors, activating a clause in his contract allowing Hernandez to opt out and become a free agent.

The Cubs have signed recently released Toronto closer B.J. Ryan.

Jake Peavy has his protective boot removed, feels good. GM Kevin Towers says he's 50-50 on a return this season.

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Comments

If the season is gonna go down the tubes

might as well bring in El Duque. That guy is fun to watch. Demote Livan for him – it’ll be like that time Jered Weaver replaced Jeff Weaver.

by James Kannengieser on Jul 17, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

It will be just like that

except we don’t know which is the younger brother…

by djg2111 on Jul 17, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

The Mets organizational philosophy

dictates that the prospects stay at their premium positions as long as possible. It’s a philosophy I agree with because:
A. Makes them more valuable as a trade chip
B. If they figure it out, it makes them more valuable as a player.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on Jul 17, 2009 10:58 AM EDT reply actions

But what happens when inevitably, they can't cut it?

They’ve wasted years of defensive development. I think it is pretty obvious that Flores is not going to end up as a shortstop. Why keep throwing him out there?

Case study is Daniel Murphy. They played him at 3rd knowing that he was blocked for the next 10 years and did not give him the opportunity to assimilate to other positions.

That cost us.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but Jerry abuses the privilege.

by AnthonyR on Jul 17, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I can understand this being the philosophy at lower levels...

but when you get to the upper levels, they should be preparing guys to contribute.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but Jerry abuses the privilege.

by AnthonyR on Jul 17, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

It's good

that F! got an at bat in when he needed surgery. That’s also the organizational philosophy.

by Mount17 on Jul 17, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

Way to go, trainers.

Jeez, you guys suck.

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

by squid92 on Jul 17, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

Remember when the said F! was going to be a "couple of weeks"

whoever handles injuries on this team should be gone

by Jadden Hopkins on Jul 17, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

NSF, muh fren...

The Hospital for Special Surgery has had and continues to have one of the top 2-3 orthopedic staffs in the country. Even Ray Ramirez is good at his job, if not quite so sterling in reputation— that they’ve gotten this much out of Voltron over the last 2-3 years with the same meniscus-free knee is a testament to both Los’ pain tolerance and Ramirez’ ability to get him battle-ready.

Decisions about when to sit/whether aggressive treatment is the thing are between management and the player/his representatives. ALWAYS. The people who ultimately make the call on how to “handle” injuries on this team are the same people you can blame the Francoeur trade and the Castillo/Perez signings on.

by LeiterMilnerFasterStronger on Jul 17, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions