Mets Hazing the Rookies

Since everyone is laughing at the Mets this year, the Mets thought they'd take matters into their own hands and start laughing at themselves.

The Mets instituted some good ol' fashion hazing on the newbies of the ball club, requiring them to dress up like it's Halloween. Omir Santos looks much slimmer as Robin than he does in his uniform. Might be a look he wants to stick with.

You can see photos of the ridiculous outfits worn by Santos, Parnell, Takahashi, Murphy, Thole and others over at the Daily News.

Brian Schneider is a Reincarnated Charlie O'Brien

I don't think there was a Mets player I disliked more growing up than Charlie O'Brien. Ok, maybe Doug Sisk, Don Aase and Kevin McReynolds after 1988, but O'Brien is definitely in the top 5.

I couldn't understand how a major league baseball player could bat under .200 and be completely worthless at the plate. Every time O'Brien would get up with runners on base, it was an automatic out or a double play. How on earth did a guy like this get to play every day?

Fast forward 18 years and I give you Brian Schneider.

Schneider has become the same liability that O'Brien was back in the early 90's. Schneider is a pretty good defensive catcher, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking his woes at the plate are covered because he's got an arm like Yadier Molina. Schneider is a serviceable defensive catcher who calls a good game, but his presence in the lineup is as fearsome as Oliver Perez's.

In 2008, Schneider had arguably his best offensive year batting .257 with an OBP of .339, both career highs. This year Schneider is taking a step backward as his current average is a few notches below the Mendoza line at .192 and his OBP is a horrific .288.

Compare that to O'Brien's back to back years of batting .185 and .212 in '91 & '92 and you have a closer resemblance to Schneider than you may initially think.

I was one of those people that liked the Schneider pickup. For some reason I thought he was a decent hitter and a very good defensive catcher. The truth is he's a not-so-good hitter and a respectable defensive catcher. And in this lineup of mediocre bats, Schneider's ineptitude at the plate is all the more glaring.

What about Omir Santos you ask? Santos is the heir to Ramon Castro's throne. He's a guy who comes up big a few games a year and has you thinking he can be an everyday player. I think Santos is a solid backup or platoon catcher, but not a guy you can expect to deliver every game.

I'm starting to think that this off season after the Mets acquire ________ (insert really good starting pitcher here), they should start investigating a new catcher.

“B” Mets Keep Rolling, Should Consider Trading Putz

No Reyes. No Delgado. No Beltran. No problem, as the Mets beat the Marlins today to take the series and finish 5-1 on this home stand. This squad just continues to win ball games and it’s been nothing short of amazing’

Once again, the super subs had key hits in this game to drive in all 3 Mets’ runs. First it was Angel Pagan who hit a two out double in the 5th to drive in Wilson Valdez to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead. Then in the 7th, still clinging to that one run lead, it was the 20 year old rookie F-Mart, who smacked an opposite field double down the left field line to drive in a run, which was followed up by Omir “Still Call Me Clutch” Santos who hit a double off the wall to drive in the third and ultimately winning run for the Mets.

John Maine looked great as he worked an easy 6 innings, not allowing run. But of course, he had to leave the game early due to, what else, the Beltran stomach virus. Angel Pagan had to leave early as well when he pulled up lame chasing down a deep fly ball over his head. He looks like he’ll go to the DL with a pulled groin. I feel sorry for Pagan as he has been great filling in the lead off spot and has played a flawless outfield. Pagan was visibly upset as he had to walk off the field, showing his frustration as he finally made it all the way to the big leagues and now he looks like he’ll be out for a while. I hope he returns and makes a contribution to this team somewhere down the line.

JJ Putz came on in the 8th and continued his mediocre run in a Mets uniform by allowing two runs before being pulled, leaving men on 1st and 3rd with one out for Bobby Parnell. Parnell, who is now showing a sweet breaking ball to go along with his heater, got out of the inning after allowing a soft hit for a run (charged to Putz), but struck out “Met Killer” Jorge Cantu, and then induced a ground out to end the inning. K-Rod closed it out and is now 14 for 14 in save opportunites this year. Can you believe that? What a difference a good bullpen makes.

However, the Mets should seriously consider trading JJ Putz. He’s been very inconsistent since he came aboard, and for me, he has been the most disappointing player this year. (I already knew Ollie was terrible and would have never signed him). I know he lengthens the bullpen, and allows Parnell to pitch the 7th, but since Putz has only been average so far, I think the Mets could get more value for their roster right now than having a so-so middle reliever, who openly admitted that he finds it hard to get pumped up to pitch the 8th. Other teams will covet him as their closer so Omar can get something good in return. I’d look to the Blue Jays to try to find a way to get Alex Rios, who would be perfect in right field. Plus, I’m sure the Rays could use him as well. Maybe Carl Crawford. Reyes, Crawford 1-2 in the lineup? Fantastic! Of course, I’d love to add another ace to this staff, but getting a Peavy is unlikely, and I hardly think the Astros would trade an Oswalt for a closer. That’s why Omar needs to shop him to a team who will contend and who needs a stopper.

Whatever Omar decides to do, he knows he has a big chip to work. Let’s just hope he makes the right move.

Sheff, Santos Carrying Mets

Proving yet again that it’s all about rooting for the guys in the blue and orange uniforms, I am ecstatic with the play of Gary Sheffield. Here’s a guy who I not only did not want, I wholeheartedly detested for a number of reasons. Well since he has joined this 2009 Mets’ team, Sheffield has been an absolute savior, especially since Delgado went down. Once again, he came up huge, this time in the bottom of the 11th, in a 1-1 game, he led off with a hard single to left, then, surprisingly, he stole second and went to third on a bad throw. This guy is 40 years old!

This of course, set up the heroics for Omir “Call Me Clutch” Santos, who proved his worth (and made us forget Ramon Castro) by contributing to both NY runs with a solo homer on an 0-2 pitch in the 5th, and then hitting the game winner to drive in the old man Sheffield to win it in the 11th. The entire team mobbed Santos, including Sheffield who sprinted over to him at first after touching home.

I don’t know what it is, but this team looks a lot different since Delgado and Reyes went down. They’ve been playing with an edge, they’re clearly more focused, and not to mention, they’ve proven that there is nothing better than having good pitching, which the Mets have exhibited in recent weeks. Pelfrey is a solid #2 guy, once again, pitching another great game. If Maine continues to throw well, this team, with its now formidable bull pen will be tough to beat.

Think about it. Where would this team be without Sheffield, Santos and Livan Hernandez? On March 25th, we would never thought these guys would be contributing in such an important way for this team. All I can say is that I am happy they are. Including Sheff!

Now only if David Wright could exorcise the anxiety demons he clearly has with men on base in the late innings, we’d be unstoppable.