9 Games Out Applesauce - Ollie's Ceiling, Lugo not a Met yet, Paul McCartney, Jason Schmidt, and random research

by Joe Budd on Jul 20, 2009 10:08 AM EDT in Applesauce

Even the British Open couldn't even live up to my hopes or provide any sanctuary from a crappy sports weekend, as Stewart Cink basically punched everyone's father/grandfather in the face on national TV. Oh yeah, the Mets played too. Once again, thank goodness for the Washington Nationals, otherwise the Mets would be a deservedly last place team.

Meet the Mets

Joe Sokolowski from Mets Geek believes that we have already seen the ceiling for Oliver Perez. That was fast. It's like we live in the Shire.

Well, at least we'll have a 1969 Met reunion to look forward to in August.

The rumors were flying around that Julio Lugo would take Tim Redding's roster spot. That did not happen and Redding had to go 3 innings for the Mets as Fernando Nieve was carted off with a quad injury. Any move involving Lugo will have to wait until the shortstop is a free agent, otherwise the Mets would be on the hook for that ridiculous contract.

You can add Gary Sheffield to the list of ailing Mets.

Metsradamus does an autopsy on the team and blames Jose Valentin.

The Daily Stache wants to keep JJ Putz around, if only as trade bait.

At least the Mets can host an amazing concert, even if it starts an hour late.

Around the NL East

The Phillies won their 8th straight game, sweeping the Marlins, and taking a nine game lead over New York. At least we can mock John Mayberry for striking out a lot. Woohoo...

Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez returned last night for the Braves and shut out the Mets in his one inning of work. Starting pitcher Tim Hudson made a pain-free rehab start in single-A, throwing 27 pitches.

We probably won't see another pitcher like Greg Maddux for a long time.

The new Florida Marlin stadium looks really cool. I'm a fan of the modern look, rather than the new retro. Despite the tradition of recognizing new stadia (grammar h/t to the trash cans outside of Shea), Bud Selig remained quiet on its All-Star chances.

The Nationals have released Julian Tavarez and have promoted Logan Kensing.

Around MLB

Remember Freddy Garcia? He of the 80 mph fastball? Well, he may wind up back in Chicago.

Jason Schmidt is scheduled to make his first start in two years tonight.

Scott Schoeneweis does not want his wife's cause of death to be made public.

Michael Wuertz's slider has caused batters to swing and miss 49.7% of the time, the highest rate in the bigs.

Former Yankee Aaron Small battled encephalitis and was pitching in this weekend's Old-Timers' Day.

Speaking of Old Timers, the Yankees are expected to make "prospect" Sergio Mitre their fifth starter.

The Diamondbacks dumped Felipe Lopez on to the Brewers.

Minnesota has signed Mark Grudzielanek to a minor league deal.

In other news about second basemen the Mets could have/should have signed, Orlando Hudson is proving he was one of the value free agents of the off-season.

And, finally, baseball research goes off the deep end in the Wall Street Journal. Looks like Roger Clemens naming all his kids with "K" names actually may have handicapped their hitting careers.

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Comments

That Wall Street Journal article was really interesting.

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

by squid92 on Jul 20, 2009 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

+1 for the Lord of the Rings reference

-1,000,000 for Oliver Perez

by cjmulrain on Jul 20, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

Also

just checked my e-mail and apparently tomorrow is “t-shirt Tuesday” at Nationals Park. I’m going to the game, and the first 10,000 fans get free shirts – considering the Nats struggle to draw 10,000, I think I’ll be getting one. In the e-mail, they advertised with a #44 Shirt, which we all know was Lastings’ number – how awesome would it be if that’s the shirt they’re giving out?

by cjmulrain on Jul 20, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

It would be awesome

but Milledge, who wore 44 as a tribute to Aaron, selfishly and immaturely let Adam Dunn keep 44 when he signed with the Nats without Dunn having to ask him.

by Sokojoe on Jul 20, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

ah

that’s right. Forgot Dunn took 44. Oh, well…shows how closely I follow the Nats haha

by cjmulrain on Jul 20, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't even bring myself to go

A friend of mine just gave me vouchers for free tix for any weeknight game at Nats Park, and I just can’t bring myself to cash them in this week. The Mets are just so awful right now and watching those two teams play might be a soul-crushing experience. I also hate to put my personal 7-game Mets winning streak in DC on the line with this squad.

by dcmetsfan on Jul 20, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I'm starting to worry

about my “baseball week” – 3 Mets @ Nats games (in late Sept) and 3 Astros @ Mets games (early Oct) – I think I’ll be seeing a cast of nobodies!

by deadspy3 on Jul 20, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Now that the season is over...

I think everyone should really try and enjoy their summers. Take a weekend trip somewhere and just forget about this team for awhile. No reason to watch unless Santana is pitching.

by David G on Jul 20, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

Will really do.

For what it’s worth, at least they took us into consideration and foregone the heartbreaking September. I’ll be able to enjoy that month for the first time since ’06.

I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!

by R_Adragna on Jul 20, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Or when the "Franchise" Jon Niese

is pitching

by Jadden Hopkins on Jul 20, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

im going to the game tomorrow.

trying to get pumped for it but oliver perez and the JV squad makes it kind of tough.

Lets hope that when gut check time comes again the Mets will pass it with flying colors.

by kendynamo on Jul 20, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

I was gonna go to a couple games down there to check out the park but

I think i’ll save some money and time. All Hope=lost

by Rigsay on Jul 20, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

You get nicknames

when you are GOOD. Usually.

Unless it’s Anderson IPOR Hernandez.

"I got my pregnant wife (the Yankee fan) with me. Hoping my kid learns to kick her everytime the Mets score." -Schifftis-

by future on Jul 20, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Lets get Halladay

I don’t care if the Buffalo Bisons become the Toronto Bisons or what the cost. Just do it. You know you want to, Omar. :) Unless by some miracle this happens, I’m giving up on this season…

by Jsz on Jul 20, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

I think I'm gonna pass on tonights game

I can’t watch Livan Hernandez.. He’ll give up seven runs by the third inning.

I have no clue why we keep this stiff around. This is one of those occassions where you are better off bringing in a pitcher from your system to give him at least one start.

by Chickendirt on Jul 20, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

The odds

The odds of making the playoffs this year are slim, between 3 and 4% according to Baseball Prospectus. But, then again, what were the odds of all these guys getting injured at the same time and for long periods of time? I’d say at least that slim. Some things, both horrible and great, are still possible.

Sincerely,
TheBigStapler

If playoff odds are so important, why don’t they put it on the scoreboard?

by TheBigStapler on Jul 20, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Haha

I like that last part a lot.

by James Kannengieser on Jul 20, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

This will end up as an AA meme

“If ___________ are so important, why don’t they put it on the scoreboard?”

by Michkin on Jul 20, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I gotta update that

by James Kannengieser on Jul 20, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

That's a good one

man

by Jadden Hopkins on Jul 20, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Would be asking too much if they just concede the season?

There’s no more “hanging in there” at this point. Expecting that is expecting the impossible and the damage has been done at this point.

Take the pressure off and have a look at some kids. At least getting them the experience of some major league at bats gives them an idea of what they need to do moving forward.

As of this point I think Murphy looks like a usefull player. Wouldn’t mind seeing him get some starts at third to give Wright a few days off.

Neiese could benefit from about 3-4 starts up here as well. He can take what he learns down to the farm to iron out some kinks.

There’s really no point in pretending this team is still in the race. June was a night mare month and this team ain’t bouncing back. Looks like the Cubs and Milwaukee are gonna be in the Wild Card hunt.

At least this team can approach the rest of the season as spoiler. That means dumping Livan and Redding. Not to mention trading Sheff when he’s healthy for some prospects.

by Chickendirt on Jul 20, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

Some Ideas to liven up these now meaningless games

1) Play a volleyball style Defense: After every out, Met players rotate positions. It will add some intrigue when Omir Santos is at short and Frenchy is behind the plate.
2) Players running on every pitch. Regardless of score or count, we just take off. It will be like when the Arena Football wideouts get a running head start at the line of scrimmage.
3) Let’s try and set a modern day record for most games without a homer. Or how about a home run Lottery? If you hit a homer, you are sent to Buffalo, or you get stoned to death by villagers.
4) Let’s bat our pitchers’ 8th and bat Wright 1st or 2nd. Why the hell not?
5) Our pitchers must throw one eephus pitch every at bat. Livan already does this, so let’s just have all our pitchers do it.
6) Turn games upside down: K-Rod pitches the first inning, followed by Parnell, Feliciano, Stokes, and then the starter takes over in the 4th or 5th. We may not win, but we will blow minds!!!

by David G on Jul 20, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs