Perfect Game Applesauce - Ramon Castro catches perfection, Reyes coming back, Maine probably isn't, robot baseball players
by Joe Budd on Jul 24, 2009 9:40 AM EDT
in Applesauce
Email
Print
Add yet another story to the New York Met near perfect game/no hitter lore. I've come to accept it as a law of nature that the New York Mets will be shut out in this department. It's only frustrating if you allow yourself to think that something is actually possible.
Meet the Mets
Of course, the big news in MLB is Mark Buehrle's perfect game and Dewayne Wise's amazing 9th inning catch. So, let's try and find something Met related in the news. Well, that's easy. Buehrle was throwing to former Met Ramon Castro. To make you feel better, Castro is hitting .156 as a White Sock. We all know how many Met pitchers have thrown no-hitters/perfect games in other uniforms, but Metswalkoffs has compiled a list of Met catchers who have participated in these feats. Remember when there was talk about landing Buehrle?
Jose Reyes is drinking the Omar Minaya-we-can-still-compete Kool-Aid and insists on rushing back. John Maine, on the other hand, is visiting Dr. Andrews and might miss the rest of the year.
Toby Hyde gets some face time on SNY and talks about Brad Holt. Some pitching video as well there. Holt gave up 5 runs in 6 innings in last night's Binghamton victory over Connecticut. Metsmerized begs Omar to keep Holt.
Daniel Murphy means business worst OPS for a first baseman in a while.
Around the NL East
The Nats showed that they really are bad again, losing to the Cardinals 4-1 in a rain-shortened game.
The Giants knock off the sloppy Braves, 5-1.
Brave pitcher Tim Hudson's progress took a step back after a bad rehab start.
Kelly Johnson has been recalled to Atlanta.
The Phillies got right back to their winning ways after having their 10 game winning streak snapped.
Around MLB
Former MLB pitcher Jim Parque has a great steroid confession article in the Sun-Times. This is one of the best counters to the normal media sanctimony I've seen yet.
The Carlos Voltron story might not be too far from the truth.
Beyond the Box Score takes a look at the Alou family dynasty.
Finally, Mad Dog Radio is looking for a sports talk radio host.
35 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
How could I have missed this????
The Village People are performing at the August 1 Florida Marlin-Chicago Cub game in Miami.
ironically
Bannister was traded for someone who is possibly the most stupid (ex?)player in baseball if his off-the-field antics are anything to go by.
Except perhaps the father of the IFA we just signed.
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw
Can we make Bannister our GM?
You know, since he was our farmhand originally…
If Maine misses the rest of the year
What does that say about our 2010 rotation, since unlike Omar I know when something is a lost cause. Santana, Pelfrey and… me?
Really our 2010 team looks like a nightmare waiting to happen
I think it’s time for me to jump on the pirates band wagon.
Or 2010 can be totally sweet
Santana (Yay!)
Pelfrey (Yay!)
Niese (Yay!)
Mejia (Yay!)
Perez (Boo!)
Not saying Mejia should be rushed or that he’s as good but it’s not impossible to see him next year at the current pace as Tommy Hanson shown
08 – A+ – 40 innings, 49 SOs, 11 BBs
08 – AA – 98 innings, 114 SOs, 41 BBs
09 – AAA – 66 innings, 90 SOs, 17 BBs
09 – NL – 48 innings, 36 SOs, 23 BBs
Im not soo sure about that
Niese, Mejia and Perez are all risky. I dont think you can count on two rookies to step in and expect success and I’m not even going to get into Perez. We need at least one solid free agent pitcher and let Niese compete for the 5th spot. (Assumes Perez is #4). I hope we get Washburn but since he is having such a great year (mostly due to his unsustainable BABIP) he may be overpaid in the offseason. I think he would fit in well with the Mets ballpark (similar to Safeco) and is consistent.
what about positions
Who’s at first and in the corners? Plus back ups? This is why selling for depth would make sense now, too bad Omar doesn’t get it. And who’s behind Perez, Meijia and niese would injuries inevitably happen, especially with 2 rookie arms.
Holt is definitely a possibility.
Gee (if the labrum injury is healed up), Figgy, and co.
We should, however, consider signing someone else as a fifth starter. Like, a legitimate fifth starter. Not Livan Hernandez-esque.
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw
I know we're flawed but if Beltran/Everyone else is healthy
I think we should make another run with the core. Pitchers can be fickly beasts so my point was more that with some luck the rotation has a chance to be awesome just by the development of Pelfrey and our prospects. As Squid, mentioned we do have some depth in the minors regarding startes esp. if Maine is healthy for some of next year. As for first, I would go with Nick Johnson, OF, see what Holliday is looking for even though he will get overpaid, and go with FMart in RF. Evans, Murphy backups and see how the market plays out for the rest. It’s flawed, but ya gotta believe.
But the problem is at best we're as good as we were this year
And still depending on too many breaks to go our way and too susceptible to injuries. Replacing Delgado with the injury prone Johnson, and downgrading from Church to Frenchy in left a rotation still full of question marks, which could just easily go wrong as it could go right if we’re depending on luck, plus still question marks in the bullpen.
Next year isn't looking great
but I still think this core if good enough to compete in this division with the right moves. What’s the alternative, let everyone walk, trade Beltran, Santana, Frankie and leave Wright, Reyes and Pelfrey? I don’t think we have the prospects nor can aquire the prospects needed with the players we have to rebuild another playoff contender around Wright and Reyes while they are still huge assets because of their contracts.
If Omar doesn't get fired
he’ll definitely be on the hot seat, and I see him getting desperate and offering to overpay for someone, anyone. Adrien Gonzalez and Prince Fielder come to mind – not that I would mind either of them, but at what cost? It’ll be a winter of wild trade rumors.
How about Texas?
I’ve adopted them as my favorite American League team. They are fun to watch, they run the bases and crush the ball. They have likeable players with Kinsler, Hamilton, Cruz, Blaylock and Andrus makes some sick plays over at short.
doesn't look great
The free agent class really is weak. We need to upgrade at least 2 positions. I can accept Nick Johnson at first, but if they don’t persue Holliday (and I don’t think we will), there’s not much out there for the OF.
Reyes
Johnson
Beltran
Wright
GLARING HOLE
F!
Santos
Castillo
That’s still weak. You can lengthen it a bit if you bat Castillo 2nd, I guess. We need a hitter.
re Holliday
Depending on how he does with the Cards, I think he would be a good fit for the Mets actually. He is still an upgrade to our outfield and even though he wasn’t the same as his years in Colorado he is no slouch. He has heated up lately and should only improve hitting behind Pujols (or behind). If he really picks it up he might still command to much money but he could be a good addition if he doesn’t go off in St. Louis. Remember that even though Citi is a large field like Oakland he had absolutely no protection in their lineup and he still sports a great OBP. F! is no lock to be a above replacement level player. (Although I hope he is)
I worry about getting caught in the cycle of overpaying
in order to fill massive holes. On one hand, this gets you Frankie but it also gets you Perez. We have the ability to get the one good option because we’re a big market team but even with the largest payroll in the National League, we can’t afford much else after the big signing.
The moral of the story, 2009, is: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
by TheBigStapler on Jul 24, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
insted of going after Holliday
why don’t we just trade for Rios.the jays will not ask a lot because of his contract.And he could play LF
This is an especially attractive idea since you’d have to give up 2 draft picks to sign Holliday anyway.
by TheBigStapler on Jul 24, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
Not quite 2 draft picks. 1 is supplemental, so it’s not given up by the team per se. And if the Mets continue to lose in this fashion, they could find themselves in the bottom 15, which would mean the first round pick is protected regardless.
All of this assumes the Cardinals offer Holliday arbitration, which seems likely enough.
Brian Bannister apparently is an expert on everyone's favorite Subject(except for mine) :
Sabermetrics.
bleh.
I say that's an awesome thing.
What’s your favorite stat? Grission points? RISP? RBIs?
/snicker
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw
Rios
Rios would be a great fit, I wonder if Omar has checked in on him (probably not). If they added Johnson and Rios, would the lineup be potent enough? Also, what does Johnson command? Would a two year 15 suffice?
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Photo: Comerica Park readies itself for Hockeytown
- Podcast: Dirk Hayhurst talks about Italy, the reality of the big leagues and his new book
- Dennis ‘Oil Can’ Boyd claims he used cocaine before a majority of his games
- Does Billy Beane’s contract extension signal an optimistic dawn for Oakland fans?
- Ask Alex: Will Alex Avila be an All-Star again?
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
