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 Link Dump Comment 35 comments

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.

Brian Bannister for KC GM!

Beyond the Box Score takes a look at the Alou family dynasty.

Finally, Mad Dog Radio is looking for a sports talk radio host.

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Comments

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.

by -ben- on Jul 24, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Except perhaps the father of the IFA we just signed.

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

by squid92 on Jul 24, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

these jokes are just never going to get old

I am going to enjoy the Urbina era.

by mets81 on Jul 24, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we make Bannister our GM?

You know, since he was our farmhand originally…

by meigs1414 on Jul 24, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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?

by Gina on Jul 24, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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.

by Gina on Jul 24, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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

by Sokojoe on Jul 24, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by JDizzzy on Jul 24, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by Gina on Jul 24, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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

by squid92 on Jul 24, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by Sokojoe on Jul 24, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by Gina on Jul 24, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by Sokojoe on Jul 24, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by Mount17 on Jul 24, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by David G on Jul 24, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bleh

my ex is a massive texas fan. I like to pretend they both don’t exist. Plus the pirates have at best 3-4 more years of suck to mediocrity left in them so it’s less suspicious if I jump on the bandwagon now.

by Gina on Jul 24, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by njk237 on Jul 24, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

are we getting a new manager?

there’s no way Jerry bats Nick Johnson 2nd

by JoshNY on Jul 24, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson?

Just sign Laroche

by Jadden Hopkins on Jul 24, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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)

by JDizzzy on Jul 24, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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

by Jadden Hopkins on Jul 24, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

+1 that.

The Jays GM would even drive Rios to the Airport personally if the Mets just wanted him.

He’d probably even throw in a 3rd-rounder(if he’s ecstatic enough)…

by MetsGod on Jul 24, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by mnbv on Jul 24, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs