For all you Reyes and Delgado haters, this is now the team you've been dying to see. Except for the talent they could've gotten back in a trade...
Meet the Mets
The Mets fell meekly to the Dodgers, 2-1, last night. Livan was fine, but Putz was not. More important than the loss, however, is that Jose Reyes injured his right calf and was sent to New York for testing. The Post suggests he may land on the DL, but provides no evidence.
Now to the first base situation. Jon Heyman believes that the Mets may have interest in Cleveland's Mark DeRosa. Wouldn't it be nice if there was an in-house solution to the problem? Oh wait, we got rid of him for Putz. The good news is that Daniel Murphy's left field experiment is over and will start at first base again. His debut there last night went well.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick thinks Fernando Martinez's time is coming soon. He's #7 on this ranking.
Can you imagine Met fans ever doing this for one of our managers? Bobby will really miss the love from the fans when he comes back to the States.
Armando Benitez returns to the mound for Newark. Could he be worse than Putz? Yes, yes he can.
And in underrating Carlos Beltran news, The Sporting News ranks Beltran 23rd in their top 50 players list. Johan Santana, however, was ranked third behind Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez. Also, Steve Phillips defends his Sunday night comments.
If the Mets don't make the playoffs, I firmly believe they need to reconfigure the core of this team. While Beltran does have talent, I just don't see him as a winning player. Even after my comments on Sunday night, Beltran let a fly ball drop in between himself and Angel Pagan in the Dodger game. I see him putting up numbers but not making plays to win games. I would take Torii Hunter, Grady Sizemore, Curtis Granderson, and Nate McLouth over Beltran, and use the financial difference to improve the team in other ways. Beltran isn't a $17 million dollar a year player. He just doesn't have the kind of impact for that kind of money.
And, playing off Catsmeat's eloquent plea, here's a real-life tragedy to happen to one of Met fans' least favorite players. Be careful what you wish for.
Around the NL East
The Nationals continue to find new and exotic ways to lose with their crappy bullpen. This time, a bases-loaded wild pitch by Joel Hanrahan scored Freddy Sanchez and the winning run, allowing the Pirates to win 2-1, and spoiling a solid outing by John Lannan.
Nationals starter Oliver Perez Daniel Cabrera has been sent to the bullpen. 25 year old Craig Stammen has replaced him in the rotation.
The Marlins also continued their pitching struggles, splitting a double header with Arizona, winning the opener 8-6, but losing the night cap 11-9. Dan Uggla broke out of his season long slump with a pair of home runs in the two games. The split might prove costly to the bullpen, however.
Do you remember when the Rockies were in the World Series? It feels like a long time for them too. They lost to the Braves 12-4. Bobby Cox is having some fun with his lineup. Too bad it doesn't works better than Jerry's.
Brave infielder Omar Infante is out for at least two months after breaking a bone in his left hand.
Aaron Harang bested Jamie Moyer, preventing Moyer's 250th victory. Moyer now has an ERA of 7.62. Charlie Manuel is trying to figure out how to use the DH this weekend against Sabathia and Pettite.
The Phillies have claimed Steven Register off waivers from Colorado. Expect the Met reject to be amazing.
Around MLB
Scott Kazmir is 1-3 with an 11.35 ERA in his last five starts. Ouch.
Jake Peavy may be on the move to the White Sox.
Tiger catcher Gerald Laird hit into a triple play against the Rangers last night.
Yet another lineup malfunction in the bigs. This time Kaz Matsui was called out after the team presented an incorrect lineup card.
John Smoltz is going to make a rehab start in the state of Georgia.
And, finally, Royals Review takes a look at the Wins Above Replacement statistic.