Thursday Morning Applesauce: Walk Off Win, Not Trading Reyes, Some Love For Beltran

by Stephen Schmidt on Jul 21, 2011 9:01 AM EDT in Applesauce

Willie Harris lobby the Yankees to come get him

Last night the Mets managed to win in walk off fashion. This all came despite Carlos Beltran selfishly killing a potential winning rally with a two run homer in the 5th. It wasn't the prettiest game R.A. Dickey has ever thrown, but it was enough to lift the Mets back over .500. Josh Thole returned to the lineup and had a nice game as well.

BDMF (why did I just think of the wallet I had in junior high?) started an interesting little discussion on the merits of trading Mike Pelfrey here a few days ago. Patrick Flood has his own take on trading Big Pelf today.

This is a sentiment I wish more Mets fans shared. Terry Collins loves him too. While he'll never be universally loved around NY, I wish fans would just accept that he was a truly amazin' baseball player during his time here.

While Beltran and his potential trade will likely dominate the internets for the next several weeks, the Mets appear to have lost any interest in traiding Reyes.

Reports several months ago that Mets ownership had finalized its deal with David Einhorn appear now to have been a little premature. Here's a little update on the situation.

This is a couple of days old, but I didn't see it linked anywhere else on the site. Andy McCullough spent the all star break in Wyoming doing an interview with Mets first rounder Brandon Nimmo. In other Mets draft news, AJ Reed appears to be heading to college instead of taking the Mets offer.

Unlike the Jerrybot, Terry Collins seems to understand how to manage an injured player. According to Collins, the Mets will be cautious with Reyes after his hamstring injury. No more vest of doom and smart injury managment all in the same month? That's poor new Mets front office...that's poor.

Around the NL East:

The Phillies are good (yuck), the Cubs are not. That tends to lead to games like they played last night.

Martin Prado did his best Bill Buckner impression, allowing the Rockies to beat the Braves last night 3-2. It was all over the Internet yesterday that the Braves are close to adding Jonny Gomes.

It wasn't a good night for Ricky Nolasco or the Marlins. The fish got pounded 14-3 by the Padres.

Washington lost in 11 to the Astros to help them improve their draft position even further.

Around MLB:

Think a ML starter could go 8 innings without throwing anything but his fastball? It almost happened.

The Tigers may not be in on Beltran after all...It's sad when acquiring Wilson Betemit might actually be enough to push them over the top in that division.

Colorado is likely not trading Ubaldo Jiminez after all...is anyone here really surprised? I'm sure the MSM will still be in a frenzy over the idea of him to the Yankees though.

If you're planning on watching the HOF induction this Sunday, here is some info from MLB.com.

FanGraphs takes a look at a name that might start to appear in trade rumors soon. I'm sure Keith would leap at the opportunity to report on any trade involving him.

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Comments

hmm

So the Mets and Einhorn haven’t been able to finalize a deal yet, but the MSM already knows the exact details of all the buyouts and deadlines? hmm…

Obviously guys like Michael Kay will ignore all followup reports that contradict the point they want to make, so he’ll likely be talking Jimenez to the Yankees right up through the trading deadline. He’ll presumably continue to talk like the Mets will have a sub-100mill payroll next year, that Reyes has already demanded Crawford money and won’t stay no matter what, and that Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins are idiots for using K-Rod last night.

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Jul 21, 2011 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

It's almost like

the media is biased (sarcasm). And you’re exactly right.

I just wish they would write about Carlos leaving like the Steven Hirsch article above. Instead they will make stupid lists of Carlos’ worst moments as a met and my over / under of local papers to publish a picture of “caught looking” is 2.5.

Proud to root for the Jets, Mets, and Islanders!!!

by CharlieIsles on Jul 21, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

long time reader...1st time commenting

Just Enjoy it was the perfect way to describe Beltran last night and over his tenure with the mets…the grace in center, the power, the baserunning and now in his final yr the leadership he has shown has truly been special. He will certainly be missed.

ps stephen..didnt realize your involvement here.Awesome
GO METS AND KTBFFH!

by Jimm Bmore on Jul 21, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

hooray on not trading Jose Reyes

amest I bovvered forsooth?
ARE YOU DISRESPECTING THE HOUSE OF CITI
ARE YOU CALLING REYES A POX RIDDEN WENCH
ARE YOU CALLING DAVID WRIGHT A GOODLY ROTTEN APPLE
CAUSE HE AIN'T EVEN A GOODLY ROTTEN APPLE THOUGH

by Gina on Jul 21, 2011 9:19 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Nice to see you are alive

This might be the first comment I have seen you post since May.

Dear friends, please temporarily stop your footsteps To our website Walk
around A look at Maybe you’ll find happiness in your sight shopping heaven and earth You’ll find our price is more suitable for you.

by Coolpapabell on Jul 21, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Beltran

Do we really have to trade him? Can’t we try to resign him at a decent rate in the off season? Am I the only one who loves this guy? He’s been my favorite Met for 7 years.

by CCE718 on Jul 21, 2011 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

We can do both

Traded players are just about never re-signed by the teams that dealt them, unless you count Cliff Lee. However, this is a case where the Mets can deal him, get prospects, and then still sign Beltran without losing draft picks and therefore nullifying the point of trading him.

That said, I don’t want them to trade Beltran unless they get a good return. It’s not just for our sakes, but if we just give him away that’s not really fair for the competitive balance of baseball. But I don’t have any concerns that Sandy will be fleeced.

by dcmetsfan on Jul 21, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Why wait for the off-season

We all know that the Mets and Reyes’ agent aren’t talking, or at least that’s what we’ve been told. Couldn’t it be the case that Alderson is talking with Beltran’s agent right now?

by BobGu on Jul 21, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Isn't Beltran's agent Boras?

No hometown discount coming from there. Boras is famous for dragging out negotiations until the last dog is hung, so I’m doubting anything would get done until all 29 other teams have had a chance to bid.

by Curtis3331 on Jul 21, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Boras still has to do what his client wants

__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Jul 22, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess the "right" answer

is to trade Beltran, but I hope the Mets hold onto him for a few reasons. First, I’m a selfish fan and want to see an awesome player continue to be awesome for my team. Second, F! is a huge question mark at this point, Kirk was a question mark too & now he’s injured, and Duda in right is a disaster waiting to happen IMO. And lastly, I think being .500/above .500 at the end of the year after two consecutive awful seasons has some value to a team and its fanbase.

What's that about?

by Brian. on Jul 21, 2011 9:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

well

if we’re “rooting” for the Mets to fleece Philly or something, why don’t we root for an 8-game losing streak for the Braves and an 8-game winning streak for the Mets instead? We don’t control either situation anyway, and one is infinitely more fun than the other.

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Jul 21, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Sad to think

that today could be Beltran’s last day in a Met uniform before our hometown crowd.

I expect standing ovations.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jul 21, 2011 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Would be nice

Although I wonder how many knowledgable fans will be at a 12:10 Thursday game – my guess is that the stadium will be full of camp kids.

by dontstopbelieving on Jul 21, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

camp kids

love Beltran? how could they not? He’s awesome.. and they’re not reading the papers and listening to talk radio bash him.

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Jul 21, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

well...

a couple of guys I know will be there. hopefully they’ll give Voltron his due.

by JoshNY on Jul 21, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

too bad AJ Reed won't be in the system

he would have really boosted it….as far as it sounds like it anyway

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jul 21, 2011 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

Pridie in LF today

Blech. Harris and Hairston have both been hitting well lately…not really enthused to see Pridie starting…if your LF is hitting 8th, that’s probably a good clue that he shouldn’t be in the lineup at all.

by dontstopbelieving on Jul 21, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

1st comment on this site

ps stephen..didnt realize your involvement here.Awesome
GO METS AND KTBFFH!

by Jimm Bmore on Jul 21, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

I get emotional when thinking of carols leaving...

he’s been my favorite for like 5 years, and only with Reyes’ awesomeness is this bearable.

Ryan Miller was the true MVP. See my profile for rant.

by Jsz on Jul 21, 2011 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

i liked pete carrol as much as the next guy

but his tenure with the Jets was truly forgettable. also, with all the cheating at USC, maybe he isn’t a very honest person at all and would have screwed up something here over this time.

http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/

Mel Gibson shot the movie Apocalypto on location at the center of my taint.
-Fake Emcee

by Cory Braiterman on Jul 21, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Am I missing something here?

Ryan Miller was the true MVP. See my profile for rant.

by Jsz on Jul 21, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Non-Sequitur Man!

"Sometimes you make a mistake and you get hit in the head." - Eli Manning

by blains2000 on Jul 21, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

your typos

which you also missed the first time

http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/

Mel Gibson shot the movie Apocalypto on location at the center of my taint.
-Fake Emcee

by Cory Braiterman on Jul 21, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

oooooooooooooohh

I get it now.

Ryan Miller was the true MVP. See my profile for rant.

by Jsz on Jul 21, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe these will help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqrn0rLca38&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X23v5_K7cXk

by lstorie1971 on Jul 21, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Even better

Nothing beats some sappy Sarah McLachlan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSz16ngdsG0

by dcmetsfan on Jul 21, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Pre-Bobby Whitney

a girl you want to marry

by Coolpapabell on Jul 21, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Keep BELTRAN, trade BAY!!!

I was not always a Beltran fan, but, I have changed my mind. I think the METS should hold on to him for 2011 and, even, think about beyond that. If they trade him, what will we get that is as good as him? I really feel that with BAY sucking wind, we need Beltran more than ever. When DW and Santana get back, I think, we can make a serious run at the WC. LETS GO METS!!

by PiazzaHOF on Jul 21, 2011 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

Dear crazy person,

Please explain, in a rational and fact-based way, how Bay is going to be tradable for anything even if the team eats his entire contract. Also, please provide a serious argument that, in a huge change in direction, management should prioritize the 2011 team over future years. Otherwise, this kind of thing just sounds totally delusional.

Yours in sense-making,

A Rational Fan

by anonymous on Jul 21, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Recced just for the title

by Coolpapabell on Jul 21, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought you said the season was over, and we should look to 2012

Twice, in fact. Or more.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jul 21, 2011 2:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Steven Hirsch is alright

Queue the Citizen Cane clap

by Coolpapabell on Jul 21, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Any details on when we might sign Nimmo?

by mr1313 on Jul 21, 2011 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Deadline day, since it'll be above slot monies.

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis and Rickroll as the 7th inning song.
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jul 21, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Patrick Flood Pelfrey article

Was not very good. He analyzes data of low-K groundballers, and concludes that they are often up-and-down, and then arbitrarily says that Pelfrey will be better next season, because he’s having a down year this year. The continued loss of velocity, the lower GB%, the raised HR/9 at home and on the road, these are all red flags that aren’t even mentioned.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jul 21, 2011 2:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah that is exactly what I thinking when reading it too

And someone did mention the velocity drop and lower GB% in the comments. The basic premise- that all pitchers, especially low K pitchers, have up and down years and we should wait and sell high when Pelfrey starts pitching well again, sounds good on paper and his consitent xFIP over the years supports that he has basically been the same pitcher despite his fluctuating ERA year to year. I could accept this if not for the loss in velocity and I think more importantly the lower groundball percentage. Pitchers who can’t strike anyone out or keep the ball on the ground aren’t likely to have much future success. I’d hoped that when he learned the split-finger change last season he had found a pitch that could get some swinging strikes but alas, really no real improvement there. Short of him completely changing his approach and learning a new pitch or two I think we trade him before he loses anymore value.

by MatthewM11 on Jul 21, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions