Cinderella Got Dumped: Figueroa DFA's

Well Cinderella's ball ended a little closer to Carrie than to the fairytale ending we expected.

Nelson Figueroa, the Mets feel good story of the year, had his dream cut short as he was designated for assignment along with Jorge Sosa (woohoo!).

Wait, who did the Mets call up? Vargas? You mean from Seinfeld? And what's that? He's starting on Wednesday? Didn't we try something like this against the Nationals at the end of September? How'd that work out?

So the Mets reinstated Matt Wise, called up Claudio Vargas and Fernando Tatis. Hopefully Wise can do more than Sosa. As for Vargas and Tatis, I don't expect anything. Tatis was called up as the Mets placed Angel Pagan on the 15-day DL, so Tatis is on borrowed time anyway.

A win will make us forget the debacle of last night, but another loss will send Mets Lifers into a tailspin. These are the Washington Nationals for crying out loud! Possibly the worst hitting team in the majors.

Anyway, Nelson Figueroa, it was fun for a while, and I guess your family is going to have a tough time getting those box seats again any time soon.

Aaron Heilman Hits #2 on Most Hated List

Osama bin Laden still holds first place, but Aaron Heilman has officially moved up the charts to the #2 most hated person in New York right now.

This is completely in his head now and he needs to step away from the game. Did you see his face in the dugout after he was pulled? It's like he just was at his mother's funeral. And rightfully so because his career may have flatlined.

Willie Randolph has proven though he is capable of putting faith in the most unreliable of pitchers (a.k.a Guillermo Mota) so there's still the chance that Heilman will be allowed back into a tight situation in the very near future.

Hooray, for Willie's confidence.

Two bases loaded bombs in one week should be a signal that Heilman has lost his stuff. Oh and Jorge Sosa can go right along with hijm.

Redacting My Previous Post

In my previous post I wrote a thank you note to Aaron Heilman for restoring my confidence in him the way he pitched against the Phillies.

After last night's loss to the Cubs, Aaron is back in the dog house.

And Jorge Sosa, you're joining him.

I apologize for my previous giddiness. I'm now back in sane mind.

Guillermo Mota Needs To Go Back on Steroids

You kids out there should never, ever, never, ever, never use steroids. No one should.

Except for Guillermo Mota.

I know what you're thinking, and this is probably the most reprehensible post I've ever written but hear me out. Guillermo Mota was stellar last year coming out of the bullpen. Sure he gave up some home runs, but for the most part he was a vital part of the bullpen when Duaner Sanchez got hurt. (By the way is it just me or is Duaner Sanchez becoming the Mets' version of Kerry Wood?)

Then when the playoffs came along we found out that Mota was using steroids to get a little more giddyup on his fastball, which in turn made his changeup more effective. So Mota serves his suspension and lo and behold he now can't pitch like he once did.

So here's why he needs to go back on the steroids. Really it's a win-win situation for the Mets. If he goes back on the 'roids he's going to get some more power behind his fastball. With more power comes greater confidence, which will stop him from throwing 5 changeups every at bat. His slider will in turn be introduced more and we'll start seeing the Mota of 2006.

But you ask, "What happens if he gets caught?" Well here's the other side of the win-win. If he gets caught, the Mets will have an open roster spot as Mota will be gone and we don't have to worry about seeing the unpowerful Mota that takes the mound lately.

For some reason Mota is one of Willie Randolph's "guys" so if he's kicked out of baseball Willie can't use him anymore and Mets fans everywhere will save money on antacids.

In all seriousness, Mota probably shouldn't use steroids because of the whole cheating/moral dilemma issues, but Randolph has got to realize this isn't the same guy from last year. Jorge Sosa has proven himself to be effective out of the pen and has earned the spot as the 7th inning guy.

Sit Mota down next to Aaron Selee. Let them get comfortable.

Is Jorge Sosa Turning Into Aaron Heilman?

It was the summer of 2005 and I was stuck putting together some baby furniture on a muggy July evening. The Mets were playing the Marlins and this young pitcher was pitching for the Mets. For 6 innings, he had a no hitter going and I couldn't believe what I was watching. The game ended up being a one hit shutout, and I was impressed that the Mets were able to find a young pitcher like this who could be a future starter for years to come.

That was the last time I remember Aaron Heilman starting a game for the Mets. He may have started one or two more, but he quickly began his bullpen career. Flash forward to 2007 and I think the Mets are trying to do the same thing with Jorge Sosa.

Sosa started off with a stellar first 6 or 7 starts before hitting a wall. Sosa has never been a dominant pitcher, even when he was with the Braves. So what do you do with a starting pitcher who doesn't have dominant stuff but can pitch well? Throw him in the bullpen.

Sosa has performed well coming out of the bullpen. He seems to give up hits or walks early in the inning, but when he settles in he is able to get command of his slider and get batters out. I was extremely impressed with him in Milwaukee when he had the bases loaded and one out and was able to get out of the inning.

Is Sosa the bullpen help the Mets were looking for at the trading deadline. No, but he is a better option that Guillermo Mota or Scott Schoeneweiss, at least in my opinion.

Uninspiring Effort as Nats Defeat Mets

Well it’s good to be home, but no so good watching tonight’s game as the Mets reverted back to their sleep walking ways. Once again, the bats were silenced by another mid-level pitcher. Mike Bacisk, a former Met, threw 7 innings and allowed only 2 runs as the Nationals evened the season series 3-3.

Even the long-awaited return of Moises Alou couldn’t help energize this bunch, although he did hit a double off the wall and lined out hard to deep left. David Wright looked really clueless, or rather tired as he went 0-3 with a strikeout and a feeble ground out with, yet again, men on base. I love David but every time I see his stats flashed on the screen, I’m amazed he only has 62 RBIs.

The Jorge Sosa honeymoon is just about over. After a surprisingly good start at 6-1, Sosa is 1-5, with a terrible ERA. He is just serving the ball up similar to what BP looks like for hitters. Maybe he gets one more start but I wouldn’t be surprised if Pelfrey takes over that slot until Pedro returns (fingers crossed).

So with the home stand off to another slow start, it is important for the Mets to win at least 2 of the next 3 in order to save face and have a winning home stand. And just for the record, going 4-3 against Pittsburgh and Washington is pretty inexcusable for this club, but then again, I’m getting used to this consistently inconsistent season. From the looks of it, the Mets are too.

O Pedro, Where Art Thou?

The Mets are a team of constant sorrow this year. You'd think we were in last place, but even atop the NL East standings there are times of trouble and disappointment. As much as Jorge Sosa has helped the team this year, I'm anxious for him to step aside and see the return of an old friend.

Pedro Martinez.

Pedro pitched a simulated game yesterday and is scheduled to begin his rehab starts in the minors in the coming week. So if my calculations are correct, assuming he spends a month rehabbing, he'll be back at Shea around August 23rd.

That's a little later than they were projecting for most of this season, but it is just in time for the home stretch in September. But by then will it be too late? Let's say the Mets don't pick up another pitcher before the trading deadline because they are awaiting Pedro's return. What happens if he's not up to par? I guess we're stuck with Jorge Sosa, Mike Pelfrey or Dave Williams (please, no Vargas).

It's a chance the Mets are taking and it may work out. Even still, I'm anxious to see Pedro in the dugout and on the mound.

I guess even a little Pedro is better than a lot of Sosa.

Double Take

Is it me or does Jorge Sosa remind you of Armando Benitez? Physically, that is. Everytime I watch him pitch, he looks like Benitez. The way he throws, the way he walks around the mound, his facial reactions - all look eeirly like Benitez. Even when he takes a deep breath he looks like him. I almost can't stand watching him pitch because it reminds of the guy who killed us so many times when he was with the Mets. Be that as it may, get well soon Jorge, you've been a pleasant surprise this season.

Two Scary Moments in One Play

It was a scary moment yesterday when Jorge Sosa went down with a strained hamstring running to first base in the 6^th inning. But even scarier for Mets fans was the sight of Scott Schoeneweis coming out the pen to protect a 5-3 lead in a ballpark that can see games change in the blink of a…300 ft pop up. I really thought he was going to blow it again, but to his credit he came out of it unscathed. I’m not sure what was more surprising; that he delivered a scoreless inning or that he hasn’t allowed a run all season on the road. I couldn’t believe that stat when they showed it on FOX. Immediately, I thought of his trade value. Maybe Omar really can get rid of him since he doesn’t let up runs outside of Shea.