2008 Mets Strengths and Weaknesses

I was recently asked to give my take on the Mets strengths and weaknesses as we head into spring training in a few weeks. While I could probably go on about this topic for pages on end, I've tried to compile my list in a concise manner which I'll share with you below:

Strengths
(a) Starting Pitching - The Mets are the only MLB team with three 15 game winners in Perez, Maine & Santana. Plus having Pedro Martinez for a full year makes it possible to have four 15 game winners in one season which would be a remarkable feat.

(b) Speed - arguably the fastest lineup in the NL with Endy, Reyes, Beltran, & Wright leading the way. Bunts, steals, and hit & run are all options available from anyone in the lineup.

(c) Infield defense - at pretty much every position we have a solid defender. If Delgado can keep picking balls out of the dirt and Reyes & Wright can keep his errant throws to a minimum the infield could have fewer than 20 errors this year.

Weaknesses
(a) Bullpen questions - If El Duque is in the pen it makes it a lot stronger. Otherwise we're pretty much bringing back the same group of guys who blew a ton of game last year, minus Mota. Wagner is going to be solid but Feliciano, Schoeneweis and the return of Duaner Sanchez will decide the fate of at least 20 games this year

(b) Power hitting - Outside of David Wright and Beltran power hitting is rare in the Mets lineup. Alou will put up numbers when he's not hurt, but Delgado & Church are huge question marks as far as power at the plate. If the Mets got 50 home runs between those two we'd be in good shape.

(c) In-game managing - Randolph has a tough time managing a tight game. His refusal to put down a squeeze with Reyes/Chavez on third and 1 out or less cost the Mets at least 2 or 3 games last year. His bullpen maneuvering is always questionable as we've seen with his obsession with putting Mota in close games. Randolph has a lot to prove in how he handles games down the stretch.

Overall I think the Mets are in good shape as a team heading into spring training. I'd like to see a power right-handed bat be added to the bench for those late game situations, but otherwise I like the reserves we have in Marlon Anderson, Jose Valentin, Ruben Gotay & Endy Chavez.

The Mets should be positioned to make a run late into the playoffs, but that's what I thought last year.

Johan Santana the Movie

Johan Santana: The Movie
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

Starring:
Daniel Sunjaya as Johan Santana
Billy Dee Williams as Willie Randolph
Tony Shalhoub as Omar Minaya
Sean Bean as the Evil Twins GM
and Tara Reid as Anna Benson
with Frank Caliendo as Hank Steinbrenner

Synopsis:
ACT I: Major League Baseball's top pitcher, Johan Santana, decides he's through with pitching for a middle market team that is bent on driving the team back to mediocrity. Santana cries for salvation in the cold dark winter of Minnesota, while back in New York Mets GM, Omar Minaya, is awoken by the sound of a distant cry. He runs to his window thinking it's another angry mob of Mets fans wanting to lynch him for his lack of offseason moves following a collapse in September that sent Mets fans to asylums and nursing homes across the country, but instead he realizes it's a cry of hope and that Johan Santana might actually pitch in Queens.

ACT II: Minaya quickly calls Mets manager, Willie Randolph, to let him know that he will be completely depleting the minor leagues and his best young outfielder for the game's most dominant pitcher. Randolph replies, "These are my guys." Minaya tries to explain that if the Mets get Johan Santana, that Santana will become one of "his guys." Randolph reaches for the phone to try and bring in Guillermo Mota, but before he's able to make a call, Minaya pulls out his secret weapon, Anna Benson. Quickly Anna Benson threatens to ruin every Mets pitcher's career unless Randolph complies to Minaya's demands and swears off Guillermo Mota forever. Randolph submits.

ACT III: Minaya starts to make some offers to the evil Twins GM who demands Jose Reyes as a sacrifice on the trade wire altar. Minaya refuses. The evil Twins GM swears off Minaya and speed dials Hank Steinbrenner who refuses to answer his phone in the middle of his KFC wings. Minaya tries to hypnotize the Twins GM into taking Johnny Estrada, Rickey Henderson and Mike Pelfrey but to no avail. Omar desperately offers Gomez, FMart, Guerra, Mulvey & Humber, but as the offer hits the Twins GM's desk, Hank Steinbrenner enters the room with a final offer.

But before Steinbrenner can sign his agreement, Anna Benson surprises everyone with a manila envelope full of revealing pictures. No one knows what to think as they are just pictures of Ms. Benson as Mrs. Claus, when she pulls out another envelope full of pictures of Steinbrenner & Benson eating those tasty new crunchy KFC hot wings.

Steinbrenner leaves in a huff and the Mets give away the farm (literally) to sign the most dominant pitcher in baseball.

THE BEGINNING (it can't possibly be the end!)

My List of Demands to Willie Randolph

Ok, Willie. Now you can go take a vacation since Omar has announced that you're not going to be fired (yet). But don't think that you can go manage this team the same way you did this year.

Nope. Some changes need to be made. There's no negotiating these points. It's my way or the highway. So read them carefully. Memorize them. Tattoo them on your body if that's what it takes. I want these points to roll off your tongue as if you were naming your children.

Here are my demands:

1. Bunt more - You have possibly the fastest team in baseball next year if Reyes, Gomez, & Chavez are all back on the team. And them with Wright, Beltran and possibly Gotay and you have 6 guys who can steal 20 bases. Don't be afraid to bunt, especially if Chavez/Gomez/Reyes are on 3rd base and there's only 1 out. You'll add more runs and avoid more double plays. You'll thank me for this later when you win manager of the year.

2. Erase Guillermo Mota from your memory - Guillermo who? That's right. Never heard of him. Is he a hot shot second baseman? No? Then I'm not interested.

3. Demand bullpen help from Omar - Omar preaches pitching but come the trading deadline we got Jeff Conine. You've got to let Omar what you need to win. Sometimes he gets his own ideas. Speak up, be heard.

4. Bring back Luis Castillo - The guy's legs are going to fall off at any second, but he'd still bat .300 for this team. He's the kind of no nonsense, get the job done while sacrificing yourself type of player that New York loves, and needs. Think Mark Bavaro at second base. He's the only guy who consistently came through down the stretch outside of Wright & Beltran.

5. Defend your guys - Willie you're always quick to say that Mota's "your guy" or these are "my guys" and I'm sticking with them. Well show them some support from time to time on the field. Marlon Anderson & Paul Lo Duca are getting hosed by the umpires and you lally gag out on the field and don't even put up an argument. Get tossed from a game once in a while. The fans will love you for it. I know this against every fiber of your being, but we need to see your passion in more than words in a post game interview.

6. Bring back Marlon Anderson - This guy is our modern day Rusty Staub. He doesn't have to start a game the whole year and he'd come through in the clutch for us. Must have.

7. Have faith in your young studs - Milledge can play. Gomez has got talent. Gotay has got skills. Don't be afraid to let them play. Milledge was leading the team in batting with runners in scoring position and you buried him in the 8th spot or made him platoon with Damion Easley in right. If they show they can play, let them. I want you to protect them and not force them into the spotlight too early, but please let them help us win ball games. We don't want any more Julio Franco's or Jeff Conine's, old veterans who are supposed to add help but end up just hurting. Youth movement my friend. Remember these youths turn into pretty good veterans.

8. Tell Mike and the Mad Dog No More Interviews - Tell WFAN you'll do all your interviews with Steve Sommers or Joe Baningo. Until Mike and the Mad Dog become decent radio personalities again, you're cutting them off. They want to hate the Mets, let them. But you don't have to feed their fury.

Those are my demands, Mr. Randolph. You've got all offseason to work on them.

Magic Eight Ball Look Into 2008

Let's give the Magic 8 Ball a shake and see what's ahead for the Mets in 2008.

Q: Will Paul Lo Duca return to the Mets?
A: Outcome not favorable.
As much as I love Paulie Walnuts and his flare, I don't see the Mets resigning a catcher who's entering the last years of his career. Look for the Mets to run at Posada, but have him stay with the Yankees. I salivate at the thought of Saltilimacchia, but probably won't happen.

Q: Will Tom Glavine finally retire?
A: Ask again later
Tom, Tom, Tom. I don't care if you retire you just have to get out of New York. You, Terry Pendleton, Mike Soscia, and Yadier Molina have ruined my recent Mets hopes and aspirations.

Q: Will Willie Randolph be fired?
A: Not likely
As much as I second guess Willie Randolph and absolutely abhor some of the moves he made this year, he wasn't the reason the Mets lost. Sure he needed to show some more urgency and perhaps a little more fire in his belly, but this team collapsed in spite of Randolph. Expect him to finish out his contract.

Q: Will Jose Reyes return to his normal self?
A: Outcome looks good
I'm betting we'll hear something in the coming weeks about Jose Reyes that will shed some light on what his problem was these last two months. I wonder if he's going through some trouble at home that's effecting his mindset and ability to focus. That's what his problem was. He lost focus. I expect him to rebound next year.

Q: Will the Mets make some major offseason moves?
A: Absolutely
Expect Omar Minaya to be a man on a mission this offseason. You'll hear rumors about Johann Santana, Jorge Posada, maybe even Mark Texiera. But expect Omar to go hard after pitching. He always says that's what's most important. Hmmm, than why didn't we get bullpen help at the trading deadline? Regardless, Minaya won't let this season become a ritual. Should be a very, very hot Hot Stove this winter.

Q: Will this feeling of disappointment in the Mets go away?
A: Ask again
It seems like this will go on forever, but we got over 1987, 1988, 1998, last year. Didn't we? Ok, maybe not. But that's why we're Mets Lifers. As much as it is a badge of honor, it can also be a life sentence.

2007 Mets: Your Season Has Come (And Gone)

The Mets deserve no second chances. After the game last night Willie Randolph was asked how you deal with a losing streak like this. His reply, "you have to stay positive."

He was then asked what he said to his team after the game. His reply, "Just a few words. Positive stuff."

Positive? What was positive about last night? Okay, Pedro did his thing, but that's one man. There was nothing positive about last night. There has been nothing positive since Sunday's win against the Marlins. Nothing. Why are we staying positive?

This team needs an enema. They need a fire. I saw it Luis Castillo after Wednesday's loss, but I'm not seeing it elsewhere. David Wright is hitting well. Moises Alou is hitting well. But we're lacking a fire and sense of urgency.

What's that you feel against your back? Oh yeah, that's the wall. The wall of torture. The wall of the longest offseason in major league baseball history. It's the wall all Mets fans will want to put their head through because we'll have to deal with Yankees fans whose team is in the playoffs while ours folded like an origami swan. This is the wall we're going to have to climb to get out of this pit we're stuck in.

No one is going to help the Mets win. They need to get out of this ditch themselves. And that's what has me worried.

Willie Randolph, Please Report to the Principal's Office

Via Metsblog.com I came across an SI article where Mets owner Jeff Wilpon gives a pretty juicy quote about his thoughts on the Mets' current situation:

“I’m disappointed with the way the team is performing overall, and that’s everyone, top to bottom. I’m disappointed in Omar, Willie, the players…that’s everyone. We shouldn’t be in this position. But we are. We’ve got to fight our way out and pull this out.”

Ouch. SI writer Jon Heyman also refers to Randolph as a man ‘who assumes the posture of a man without a care.’

Double ouch. But hey, the truth hurts. Just look at Willie's reaction to the Mets recent losses in this post from just two days ago. If the Mets don't make the playoffs, Willie Randolph is gone. End of story.

But if the Mets make the playoffs and win the World Series, we'll carry him down Broadway on our shoulders and crown him King of New York.

The real question will be what happens if the Mets make the playoffs, but don't win the World Series?

Right now I can't think about that. We've got bigger fish to fry in the Florida Marlins. One game at a time people.

This Is Our Manager

Marty Noble of MLB.com wrote a very interesting piece this morning about the current Mets situation. Here's a blurb that took me by surprise:

This is the middle-of-the road reaction to the pennant race that Randolph spoke about before the game on Monday: "If we smell the roses and sip some champagne, so be it. If not, that's life."

This got me seriously angry. I'm trying to contain myself right now, but it did remind me of a similar quote from 19 years ago. This is the quote from Kevin McReynolds the day of the 7th game of the NLCS against the Dodgers when asked about his thoughts for Game 7. McReynolds replied that either way "he wins." If the Mets won the game, they'd be in the World Series, if they lost he'd be hunting tomorrow. Either way he wins.

It's no wonder that Kevin McReynolds was not appreciated amongst Mets fans. Sure he had some good seasons with us, but that comment was enough to make me detest him.

Now Willie Randolph comes out and says something like that in the middle of a pennant race? You gotta be kidding me. I'm sure the players really want to rally behind him now.

The Wizard Followed the Mets to Washington

Bryan had a fantastic post yesterday that was highlighted on Metsblog.com and discussed the idea that there was a wizard hired by the Phillies that put a hex on the Mets.

I believe the wizard has followed us to Washington, which can only mean one thing: the wizard is within our own organization. Also this is no ordinary wizard. This is a seriously powerful other-wordly creature. Think Sauron from the Lord of the Rings movies except with a propensity for bad baseball.

This evil power is in the Mets minds. He's in our gloves. He's in our bats. And sometimes I think he's possessed our manager. Now not even Willie Randolph can be blamed for the game last night, but isn't that the beauty of a powerful mythical force? Do you ever realize what it's actually doing until it's too late?

The fact that Brian Lawrence was the starting pitcher was forgotten when the Mets went up 4-0, but don't tell me that didn't play a major role in the demise of the Mets last night.

What about the fact that 90 pitchers have been used by the Mets in the last two games, both of which were major blowouts? So if the Mets are in a tight game tonight no one can be called on to pitch except for Billy Wagner. Actually, that might be a good thing.

This is one tricky wizard folks. He's evil to the very core. But we must maintain hope.

Right now it's the only thing we have.

Keys to Tonight's Game

Don't you just love it when before a baseball game the announcers discuss the "keys to the game." Usually they're based on some facts or statistics that show how one team can beat another one.

My keys to tonight's game aren't that scientific, but that doesn't make them any less valid. Here are the keys to winning tonight's game against the Nationals:

1. Commit less than 5 errors: I can almost guarantee that if the Mets commit another 5 errors tonight, they will lose.

2. John Maine pitches a no-hitter: This might be going out on a limb, but I'm pretty sure if John Maine pitches a no-hitter, the Mets will win. It'll still be a close game though.

3. Tell Guillermo Mota to stay home: If at game time the Mets announced that Guillermo Mota was sent home, the bookies in Vegas would be scrambling to adjust the betting line because the chances of the Mets winning just went up 100%.

4. Tell Willie Randolph to stay home: I'd like to see what would happen if Randolph just stopped managing. Would we notice a difference in the team's play? No more bringing in Mota. No more double switching only to pinch hit for the very person you double switched in. No more lack luster arguing with umpires. No more refusal to squeeze. It might be interesting.

5. Let Keith Hernandez straighten out Jose Reyes' swing: Why is it that Hernandez can see what Reyes is doing wrong at the plate and yet it doesn't seem that Reyes is trying to fix it? Is it that HoJo doesn't see it or is that Reyes refuses to fix it? I'm not sure so I can't blame HoJo but something has got to be done about Reyes' uppercut swing. We all know he's the key to this Mets offense.

Unwatchable

I've been to my fair share of Little League games in my lifetime and I have never seen such disregard for the fundamentals of the game as I saw last night. On two occasions a double play should have gotten the Mets out of the 6th inning only to have errors made. Errors on somewhat routine plays.

But the play in the field is not the only unwatchable thing. The performance at the plate is equally repulsive. We are able to beat John Smoltz, but somehow struggle against pitchers with ERA's over 5?

Willie Randolph needs to get this team loose. Scratch that. Someone needs to get this team back on track. At this point I think it's beyond Willie's ability to do so. I'm not sure who's will step in, but someone has got to. Otherwise we'll be remembered just as the '69 Cubs are remembered.

The Curse of Bad Relief Pitchers

This is the debate. Who would you least like to have pitching in a close game?

a) Guillermo Mota
b) Armando Benitez
c) John Franco
d) Braden Looper

Go ahead and think about it. Your knee jerk reaction will Armando Benitez. It was mine too, but at least Benitez could throw hard. You had a chance that he was going to strike out the sides. Otherwise he was giving up a 3-run home run.

Then I went to John Franco. Franco was always good for giving up at least two hits in the inning. But then you have to think that he is in the top 5 for all time save leaders by some miracle.

Then you have Looper and Mota. Pick your poison. I'd have to argue that Mota might be the worst of the bunch, but when it comes down to it I wouldn't want any of them in a close game.

What is with the Mets long history of bad relief pitchers? This year alone we have Mota AND Schoenweiss. Are we cursed? We shouldn't be.

The great thing about relief pitchers though is you don't have to put them in the game. You have the option not to pitch them for a month (like Aaron Selee) or you can pitch them every day if you like. The sad part is Mets managers throughout our history have struggled with not putting in bad relief pitchers.

Someone needs to talk to them about this. Send them to counseling. Something, anything! Charlie Manuel, Sandy Alomar, Sr. I beg you! Speak to Willie Randolph about his problem (a.k.a. infatuation) with Guillermo Mota.

Only you can prevent bad relievers.

Painful Loss

Losing is one thing, but to lose on a night where your starting pitcher pitched a gem and you've had every opportunity to win is another.

Tom Glavine showed tonight why he should be considered as a #1 starter. For the 4th straight start Glavine went 7 innings and provided the Mets with an incredible opportunity to serve a little revenge to the Phillies.

I have to echo Bryan's recent post and yet again question why Willie Randolph refuses to squeeze? He had possibly the fastest man in baseball on 3rd base in Carlos Gomez with possibly the best bunter in the National League at the plate in Luis Castillo and all of this with only one out. Even Keith Hernandez recognized that this was the perfect opportunity for a squeeze.

Castillo eventually struck out and after David Wright was hit by a pitch, Carlos Beltran struck out. Inning over. Last opportunity to score squandered.

Mike DiFelice ended up being the goat as he missed a little league pop-up behind home plate, and I had to feel for Aaron Heilman who should have gotten through the 10th if not for the DiFelice error and a throw to second that sailed just enough right for Reyes to not be able to catch.

I wanted a win tonight like nothing else. That loss rejuvenated the Phillies. We had them down and should have delivered the final knockout punch, but it'll have to wait until today.

Bring us victory Pedro.

Julio Franco: Addition by Subtraction

Via Metsblog.com, I came across a link to an article written by SI.com's John Heyman who had this to say about Julio Franco:

Some people around the Mets say things are better in the clubhouse with Julio Franco gone. They say he was a divisive influence who was constantly second-guessing manager Willie Randolph. "It was obvious he wanted Willie's job,'' one uniformed Met said.

How interesting is that? I never cared for Franco and thought he was dead weight the Mets were stuck dragging around because Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya liked him. Maybe not.

Either way I couldn't have been happier than the day they let Franco go. So who do you think the "one uniformed" Met was? My money's on Paul Lo Duca. Gotta love a man who speaks his mind.

This One Was Mailed In

John Maine was the last guy to know that this Wednesday afternoon game against the Reds was mailed in by Willie Randolph. Of course Maine didn't do much to help his cause, but I think Willie was pleased to have finally won 5 games in a row that he decided it was time to play team B. Scratch that, he played team C.

Jose Reyes finally got the much-hyped "day off" that everyone on talk radio was pleading for (hello, didn't Cal Ripken play shortstop?). Conine got the start. Lo Duca got a day off after tearing up the Reds for 7 RBIs the night before.

Even the bullpen got a day off as Willie marched out call up after call up to finish up this laughing stock of a game. I was pleased to see Humber pitch, but you could tell he was less than happy to be out ther in this situation. By the way what the heck was DiFelice thinking calling for a fastball from Humber facing Adam Dunn? Welcome to the big leagues kid.

You can't win 'em all, but you'd like to see a competitive game every day. Hopefully there's one on Friday. I'd settle for another Mets win at the least.

The Elusive 5 Game Win Streak

What a difference a week makes. Last Tuesday, the Mets began the long anticipated 4 games series with the Phillies with the chance of burying the Philadelphia club. Then it happened. The roughest 4 games of our seasons.

Now, life is good again. With a sweep of the Braves and the return of Pedro Martinez, confidence is back in the Mets dugout. David Wright has become the leader of this ballclub and the Mets lineup appears ready to handle the September stretch run.

One thing still remains undone: a 5 game win streak. The Mets have had half a dozen 4 game win streaks, but have often fallen apart after it ended. We have been waiting for this team to go off and win 7 or 8 straight, and win something like 12 out of 13 games.

Now is the time for it to happen. Willie Randolph has constantly talked about winning games at the end of the season. It doesn't get any closer to the end than September and I honestly think this team is ready to go on a run. With 2 games left in Cincinnati and a 3 game series against the Astros at Shea, there's no reason for the Mets not to win 7 straight and 9 out of the next 10.

This team needs to continue to build its confidence and get some swagger by the time the Phillies roll into Shea next week. They need to be ready to avenge their sweep.

I think they'll be ready.

Mets Need to Forget it and Move On

I'm over the fact that we got swept by the Phillies in the most crucial series of this season. I'm over the fact that this team fought to tie the game twice and then take the lead only to have the bullpen blow it yet again.

I'm over the fact that the same guys continue to beat us even though we know they are Met killers. I'm over the fact that we had a chance to have an 8 or 9 game lead at the beginning of this series, and now it's a measly two game lead.

I'm over the fact that our biggest game pitcher, El Duque, couldn't last 5 innings in the biggest game of the year. I'm over the fact that the Mets got picked off an unreasonable 4 times this series. I'm over the ever shrinking strike zone of these umpires.

I'm over the fact that Willie Randolph never puts the squeeze play on even when you have one of the fastest guys in baseball on 3rd base. I'm over the fact that we didn't get any bullpen help before the trading deadline.

But, I'm not over the fact that we keep losing. I'm hoping the players and Willie Randolph aren't either.

On to Atlanta.

Welcome to Frustration Nation.

Welcome to Frustration Nation, thy capitol is Philadelphia.

The Phillies swept the Mets at Shea just a month ago and it appears they might do the same in Philly this week. This may be the most frustrating series mainly due to the fact that the next stop is Atlanta where the Mets are almost guaranteed to lose two out of three because a) Smoltz is pitching & b) Glavine is pitching in Atlanta.

Marlon Anderson's takeout slide was suspect to say the least, but the frustrating part was why Willie Randolph pinch hit with Shawn Green in the ninth. Green's pinch hit stats are abysmal. Plus with Chavez on third and one out, it is the ultimate situation to lay down a squeeze. Ruben Gotay is the perfect man in that situation. He's got good speed and has been sensational. But Willie Randolph refuses to put down the squeeze even with the fastest of runners on third. I knew Green would hit into a double play, but I didn't envision it would end on that kind of double play.

The good news? Delgado is looking better and the bullpen didn't give up any runs.

Base running killed us tonight and only Oliver Perez could strike out 10 batters and lose a game. Perez pitched well though and I can't complain because he got out of some seriously tough spots.

Tomorrow afternoon is the game of the year to this point. Unfortunately, we'll have Mike DeFelice in the lineup. Say your prayers folks.

Delgado On 3-0 Count

Last night with the Mets up 2-0 late in the game, Delgado was up at the plate with runners on 1st and 2nd. Delgado worked the count to 3-0.

At this point Gary Cohen remarked how Delgado likes to swing 3-0, and Keith & Ron both admitted that they'd let him swing. It's at this point that I screamed at my TV and wondered if they were watching the same year Delgado was having that I was.

Of course, Delgado swung at probably the worst 3-0 pitch I've ever seen which would have been ball 4 and loaded the bases with one out. Sure Delgado ended up crushing a ball to right field that was almost a home run, but almost is not enough.

I assume Delgado swung on his own. I'm hoping Willie Randolph didn't give Delgado the green light because that would be a poor managerial decision. Willie has got to stop acting like Delgado is in a slump because he's not. This is the year he's having and we need to deal with it. The guy can't turn on an inside fastball to save his life.

Is it Delgado's fault the Mets lost? Absolutely not. But it would have been a different scenario with the bases loaded, 1 out, and Lo Duca and Chavez to follow.

No more swinging 3-0, Mr. Delgado.

I Was Dead Wrong About Marlon Anderson

In July when the Mets picked up Marlon Anderson, I didn't understand the move. In fact I thoroughly trashed the guy, basically questioning his manhood and reason for living, in a post in mid-July.

I'm here to tell you I was dead wrong about Marlon Anderson. Dead wrong.

As Ron Darling put it last night, Marlon Anderson may very well be the best bat off the bench in the National League. Now he doesn't have the best average, or the best power, or the best all-round player, but Anderson knows how to hit in spots. On Tuesday night, he came through in the 9th with a huge hit. Last night he absolutely crushed a 3-run homer into the right field seats. I don't think Delgado has hit a ball as hard and far as Anderson did last night.

The guy knows his role, which you have to appreciate. I do like the fact that he's got some speed in him too. I originally thought Willie Randolph was going to play him every day in left until Alou came back, and that's what mostly made me question his being on the team. But as THE man off the bench, I have come to really love what Marlon Anderson can do for this team.

Move over Lenny Harris, Marlon Anderson is my top pinch hitter.

Around the Horn: Willie Not Happy with Beltran's Chatter

Seems fans are not the only ones disappointed with Carlos Beltran. According to multiple reports, Willie Randolph, not happy with his star centerfielder for continually opening his mouth up about his 'sore quad' pulled Beltran aside during batting practice to talk to him about it.

David Lennon of Newsday writes: Randolph was mystified yesterday by another round of questioning about Beltran's quad and further annoyed by media accounts indicating he didn't know of his status. Quote from Willie "I don't see it as an issue," Randolph said. "Somebody suggested that we're not on the same page. Maybe a little bit at times, but so what? What about [Jose] Valentin? He looks restricted. He has a big brace on his knee ... From what I know, [Beltran] has been feeling the soreness in his leg since spring training."

In the Daily News, Vic Ziegel pens his own piece on the subject, quoting Willie saying, "I don't see where it's an issue." The manager will admit it's sore but that's as far as he goes.

In other words, Willie 'stelling him to shut up and play.