Closing the Book on Johan Santana

Johan Santana is injured...again. It's a recurring storyline that Mets fans have lived through for several years. This time, it's the final chapter in the Santana story with the Mets. With his contract expiring this year, there's zero to no chance we will ever see him pitch in a Mets uniform.

It's a horrible injury and Santana will have a long road back which is an awful thing for a fierce competitor like Santana. But here's why it's a good thing for the Mets.

It officially closes the book on the past.

Johan Santana has been the subject of "what ifs" for the last three years. What could have been or should have been with him as an ace never culminated the way Mets fans would have hoped. It's no fault of Santana's. He was without question the ultimate "gamer" in a big spot. He won pretty much every game that he absolutely had to. His body let him down, but Santana did not let Mets fans down.

We need to stop the second guessing of whether Santana should have thrown so many pitches in his no-hitter. No Mets fan would trade that for anything this past season. Why? Because that was the highlight of the Mets season. The Mets were not going to win anything whether Santana pitched a full season or not. What he gave us last June 1 was one of the most memorable moments in Mets lore. Santana has no regrets about it. Neither should we.

And that's where the story should end. That should be our lasting memory of this dominant force.

Now that Santana is no longer an option, Mets fans can't hold onto a fading thought that "maybe we could be better if Santana was healthy." He's officially gone. It's time for us to move on.

The team's future now rests in the hands, and arms, of youth. Harvey, Niese, Gee and Wheeler are what we need to look to. David Wright and Ike Davis are now the shoulders that must carry the weight of this team.

Santana's injury is a horrible thing, but the fact that he is no longer an option for the Mets makes our move towards the future hope and success of this club all that more clear.

Johan Santana is the ultimate competitor. He's a fighter and I expect he'll pitch again. I wish him the best, but I'm happy to close the book and look forward to what's next.

Defending Mets Jorts Fan

On Friday night as I jumped around in front of the TV as Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in Mets history I was shocked to see a Gary Carter jersey in the pile of Mets players mobbing Santana (image above courtesy of NY Post). As the camera zoomed out I finally saw that this was a man wearing jean shorts and he was about to get pummeled by security. I laughed at the brazen move by this die hard fan and then was a bit surprised to see he was the only one who ran out on the field during an iconic moment for Mets fan.

I was surprised and saddened to find out that this Mets fan, Rafael Diaz, spent the next two nights in jail for this moment of admitted stupidity and he actually missed his son's first birthday because of it. On top of that he has been banned from Citi Field - FOR LIFE!!! Really? Are they going to hang up his picture at every gate and have security make sure he doesn't enter? Come on. This is an unenforceable ruling, but it gets worse. Diaz could also spend a year jail and a $25,000 fine.

I understand that's the law. He broke the law and there's a penalty for it, but let's put things in perspective. It was a victim-less crime. This poor guy is probably getting sufficient punishment from his wife for getting thrown in jail and then missing their son's birthday. He'll be working this one off for way longer than the 1 year jail sentence.

But beyond that, what Diaz did is an iconic moment. Every single highlight of the Santana no hitter shown for the next 50 years will have Diaz in it. I know I won't soon forget him and it reminded me of another iconic baseball moment.

When Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record what's the first visual that comes to your mind? I'm guessing it's probably this image to the right. You may not remember who the pitcher was or where the home run was hit to, but you distinctly remember these two guys in funny looking outfits running with Hank Aaron around the bases. In fact an image of this shot is hanging up in the hall of fame. The hall of fame.

Today's game, fans and environment is much different than when Hank Aaron entered the record books, but the fan's reaction is still the same. Uncontrollable jubilation that makes you do something crazy.

Here's to you Rafael Diaz. You did what we all wanted to do. You can have one of my tickets the next time I head to Citi Field. Just wear a mustache and glasses.

Only True Mets Fans Can Understand the Significance of this Moment

You can talk about the hit that should have been. You can boast about how your team has thrown multiple no hitters. You can be impressed at the pitching prowess of Johan Santana. But unless you're a true Mets fan, you can't appreciate just how special the no-hitter last night really was.

I received tweets, texts and messages from friends who are fans of the Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, Brewers and a handful of other teams who all knew how excited I would be about Santana's no hitter but as I browsed my Twitter stream and Facebook feed to see other Mets fans reaction our feelings were all the same...amazement.

I honestly didn't think I'd see a no hitter in my lifetime. I certainly didn't expect it to come this season with low expectations and an uncertainty of what to expect from a Santana just coming off of surgery. If you look at last night's lineup it was littered with 8 left handed hitters and 6 of them from the Mets farm system. 2 of them were batting under .200. 1 of them just came off the DL.

Then you have Santana who's pitch count has been scrutinized more than the Dead Sea scrolls. You have Collins who was a manager no one expected or wanted. There are so many unexpected elements in place this season that to see a no hitter in this year of all years is simply surreal.

I've watched the highlights at least 15 times already and it's not old. I'm perusing every Mets blog imaginable and every post I'm reading is exactly the same although the words are different. The thread that connects us is not just that we're Mets fans, but we're appreciating the unexpectedness of this moment.

I watched this video from Andrew Vazzano of The Ropolitans and felt it could have been a video from any true Mets fan across the country. Enjoy this moment Mets Lifers. Appreciate it for what most Mets memorable moments are...amazing.

A Typical and Untypical Opening Mets Weekend

The Mets have completed their first series of the season and have done so in both a typical and untypical fashion. What do I mean? Take a look:

Typical: Santana gets minimal run support while pitching masterfully.
Untypical: Bullpen holds a 1-0 lead including a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Typical: Jason Bay stinks.
Untypical: Jason Bay actually got an RBI.

Typical: Mets find a way to turn an almost no-hitter into a 4 run inning and threaten losing the game.
Untypical: Bullpen holds for a 3rd straight day.

Typical: David Wright is on a hot streak.
Untypical: Ruben Tejada has a 4 hit day and makes Mets fans wonder who played SS last season.

Typical: Mets starting pitching gives up multiple homers during the series.
Untypical: Mets hit more homes at Citi Field than opponent.

Typical: Mets bring in closer during close games.
Untypical: Francisco, who was atrocious during spring training, looks more like Rivera than Rivera on opening weekend.

Typical: Daniel Murphy is hitting.
Untypical: Lucas Duda is crushing.

Typical: Mets win opening day.
Untypical: Mets sweep the Braves.

It's only April, but no team needed a good start like the Mets. It puts fans in the seats, exceeds expectations and gives confidence to a young squad. Possibly the most impressive performance for me was not that Niese through 6 no-hit innings, but Bobby Parnell pitching really well in the game on Saturday.

The bullpen being consistent will be a huge asset this year as long as the starting pitching can keep the run totals at or below 3. The Mets will hit this year, but pitching will make or break their success.

The What If Game

...the following is a post from a guest blogger, Eli Montag, who is a displaced Mets Lifer currently living in Miami, FL. i know you'll enjoy his take.

You don't have to navigate through too many baseball publications and preview articles to know what people are predicting for the Mets this season.  You don't have to compare and contrast the opinions of Buster Olney, Jayson Stark, Peter Gammons,Tim Kurkjian or check in with any other baseball pundits and prognosticators.  It's not looking too good -- in fact, its pretty terrible.  So just how bad can we expect the Mets to be this season?  Sportsbook.com has the over/under win total at 71.5.  That's predicting them to finish about 20 games under .500.  Only the Astros (63) and Orioles (69.5) have a lower over/under (NOTE: Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's odds are off the board since they started the season already in Japan).  Sportsbook.com also has the Mets at 100:1 to win the World Series.  Again, the Astros and Orioles are the only bigger long shots (300:1 and 200:1 respectively).  The Mariners, Padres, A's, and Twins are all 100:1 too.  To summarize using these "Vegas metrics" -- the Mets are being pegged as a bottom 5 team in baseball this season.  Vegas has them in the absolute bottom tier of teams below the Pirates, Cubs, Indians, White Sox, and Royals -- YIKES!

Being the eternally optimistic Mets fan -- I want to believe more than anything that Vegas, the pundits, and all the naysayers are wrong.  My inner Lloyd Christmas wants to believe there is a chance.  So what will it take for the Mets to shock the world this season?  How is it remotely possible for the Mets to contend in 2012 with the heavily favored Phillies, greatly improved Marlins and Nationals, and always solid Braves?  To answer this question -- let's go down the Mets roster and play the "What If" game:

Rotation

Johan Santana - What if Johan is 100% healthy after missing all of last season and returns to his dominant form?  He's looked strong all spring, his velocity is back up to the 90-92 range....What if he starts 30+ games and gives us 185-200 innings?  With a very good bullpen (more on that later) isn't it possible he can win close to 20 games, with a sub 3 ERA, and a 1.15 whip?

R.A Dickey - What if we get the 200+ innings he threw in 2011 with the 2.84 ERA and 1.19 Whip he put up in 2010?  Isn't 18 wins and a 3rd great season from the late blooming knuckle baller doable?

Jonathan Niese - With 2 full seasons under his belt, and a new 5 year, $29 million extension coming his way -- can the 25 year old pitcher break out this season?  No fan or scout will questions his "stuff"  -- Niese has a Barry Zito in his prime curve ball in his arsenal.  He's been a great 1st half pitcher that tends to tire out after the All-Star break --What if he stays strong for an entire season, keeps his walk totals down, and shows maturity and progression in his 3rd full season?  Isn't 16/17 wins, a 3.25 ERA, and a 1.25 Whip reasonable?

Mike Pelfrey - So clearly Pelfrey isn't the 97 mph, flame throwing monster Mets fans were led to believe he was when we drafted him with the 9th overall pick in the 2005 draft.  Seems like the Mets haven't had a hard-throwing SP in 20 years (since Doc Gooden).  What if Pelfrey embraces the "pitch to contact" type pitcher he really is and actually throws a heavy sinker that stays down in the zone throughout the season?  He's still only 28 years old.  Derek Lowe -- one of the great "pitch to contact sinker ballers" of my generation didn't have a great season until he was 28/29 years old.  How about a modest Derek Lowe type season of 200+ innings, 16 wins, 3.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP?  [BTW - Octavio Dotel started 14 games for the Mets in 1999 -- I think he was the last Mets starter to throw over 95 mph fastball consistently].

Dillon Gee - What if he puts up the same numbers as last season?  15 wins, 4.43 ERA, and 1.38 Whip from your 5th starter is very solid.  All you want out of your 5th starter is someone that can eat innings and keep you in games.  Although Gee cooled off after a hot start -- I'm confident he'll be steady overall again.  He's about to turn 26 this season and for the first time in his career enters the MLB season knowing he's a lock for the rotation.  What if he were to improve even just slightly this season?

Lineup:

1. Andres Torres - What if he returns to his 2010 form?  That season he led off for the World Champion San Francisco Giants and  hit 16 homers, 43 doubles, stole 26 bases and had an OPS of .822.  That .822 OPS is higher than Reyes career OPS average.

2. Daniel Murphy - What if he picks up where he left off before getting injured last season?  In 109 games last season, he had 125 hits, 28 doubles, and was hitting .320.  He was emerging as a terrific contact hitter that put the ball in play.  He's also gritty, heady, and understands situational hitting.  What if he keeps it going and even adds to the 12 home run total of 2010?  He can be a very nice bat and perfect hitter for the 2 hole.

3. David Wright - What if he is fully healthy and has a new found confidence with the new, more hitter-friendly dimensions of Citi Field?  What if he gets back to the .300, 25-30 homer, 100+ RBI stud seasons we always use to count on him for?

4. Ike Davis  - What if he breaks out as one of the stud young sluggers in the game?  He was already on his way last season - hitting 7 homers and 39 hits in just 36 games played before going down to a freak calf injury.  He just turned 25, and it looks as though we finally have a 1st round draft pick that has panned out.  What if he can maintain the pace  he was off to last season before getting injured and put up .300 BA, .383 OBP, and .927 OPS?

5. Jason Bay -  What if he really was just spooked by the massive dimensions of Citi Field his first 2 seasons?  What if bringing the fences in helps Bay get his swing back?  Can he put up a year consistent with his seasonal averages of 22 homers, 80+ RBIs, .373 OBP, and .873 OPS?

6.  Lucas Duda - What if "THE DUDE" picks up exactly where he left off last season?  "The Dude" hit .292 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs in 100 games last season.  He also led NL rookies in slugging and on base percentages last season.  This guy is without a doubt the strongest hitter on the Mets and possesses some serious power.  What if he maintains a strong batting average, and increases his power to the tune of 30 home runs and 95 RBIs?

7.  Josh Thole - What if Josh Thole can be the effective contact/situational hitter he's shown he can be at times?  He's very difficult to strike out and has a steady career OBP of .350.  He will not give us the leadership and grittiness that Paul LoDuca gave us in 2006 [dam that feels like forever ago] but what if he gives us a similar type year at the plate: .300 batting average, 5 homers, 39 doubles, and .355 OBP.  Lucas Duda is going to be in scoring position plenty for him....Mets are going to need him to deliver.

8. Ruben Tejada - .284 batting average and .360 on base percentage with 93 hits in 96 games last season.  That is quality production from the 8 spot.  Tejada has shown patience and great pitch selection in his short career thus far and he's looked impressive this spring.  What if he builds on his nice season last year and becomes a stable bat and solid presence at the bottom of the lineup.  Mets haven't had a quality bat at the bottom of the order since Jon Valentin in 2006.

Bench

What if a few of the Mets bench players prove they can be quality fill-ins and late-inning contributors?  Scott Hairston has got power from the right side of the plate and hit a few big home runs last season.  Justin Turner proved he could handle himself at the plate and should be a nice option to give Ike Davis rest at 1st base against tough lefties [The NL east is filled with those now - Cliff Lee, Hamels, Buehrle, Gio Gonzalez, and Mike Minor].  Ronny Cedeno is a very capable backup middle infielder.  Mike Nickeas should be a solid defensive backup catcher and Mike Baxter could maybe give us a left-handed complement in the outfield.

Bullpen -

The Mets slashed payroll in a major way this past off season - but the one area they chose to spend was in the bullpen.  They invested over $15 million for the services of Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco.  Both players have had successes closing out games.  Mets also got a very nice bullpen piece in Ramon Ramirez in the Angel Pagan deal.  What if these three pieces join together nicely along with Bobby Parnell, Pedro Beato, lefty specialist Tim Byrdak and either DJ Carrasco or Miguel Batista as the long man.  The Mets bullpen has the potential to be one of the best in baseball this season.

Summary:

The Mets will need mostly all of the "what ifs?" mentioned above to come true if they want to contend in 2012.  The Mets can finally put the Madoff suit behind them and they possess some nice young players and prospects to build with.  They also should be able to bring in some nice prospects via trade by the deadline this season.  If Rauch and Francisco are pitching well they should bring back good value in a trade to a contender as they are reliable veteran bullpen pitchers on short term contracts. 

Personally, I'm just hoping the Mets can play solid, competitive baseball this season and not be totally out of contention by May.


...you can follow Eli on Twitter at @miamicondoguy

Like the Economy, Mets Are Poised for a Double Dip

There is no aid coming to the Mets in the near future. The economy may avoid a double dip recession if certain programs are eliminated or added and possibly if there's change at the top. But for the Mets the hope of change and a revival are looking less likely.

The thought of Jose Reyes leaving the Mets was an improbability just a few months ago. Now, it seems almost certain, and even worse he could likely remain in the NL East with the likes of Florida or Washington. Reyes is guaranteed to haunt the Mets and their fans for years to come if that happens.

So let's say Reyes leaves. What's that mean? It means David Wright is less likely to stay around and management may officially begin to rebuild. That leaves Johan Santana hanging as the Mets mid-season trade bait if he proves to be healthy.

And so by July of 2012 the Mets will be completely void of stars and any real identity. Tejada, Ike & Duda are all fun players to watch but hardly the players that will fill the seats. On top of that who on earth is going to pitch?

The core of the Mets will be officially dismantled. This all starts if Reyes leaves. The last 3 seasons of pitiful baseball are certain to continue for another three if these departures come true and the Mets look to save money instead of adding talent.

But what if Reyes stays? That's a totally different story. Looks like one found in fairy tales.

Fixing the Mets for 2011 in Three Moves

Welcome to the off season. It's time for every Mets Lifer to take on the honorary role of being an armchair GM. We'll hear a new rumor every week about who the new GM or manager will be. Trade rumors will pick up after the playoffs. And it will generally be a long 6 months before regular baseball activity picks up again.

Whomever the new GM will be, they're going to have their hands full. Lots of decisions to be made, budgets to be balanced, and reputation to be restored. But I honestly believe the 2011 Mets can be fixed in just three moves. They're not easy moves. They may not be achievable. But three moves is all it will take.

Of course there are a few caveats that have to occur in order for these three moves to have their full effect. The assumption is that the Mets keep Carlos Beltran for the final year of his contract, they sign an extension to Reyes so they keep him at shortstop, and finally (save the best for last) K-Rod is able to pitch in 2011...assuming he's not in prison.

If this is the case, here are the three moves the Mets have to make to return to respectablity:

1. Get a #1 pitcher
I've been preaching this point for at least 3 off seasons now. In fact, I'd been shouting about the need for Roy Halladay specifically, but alas my cries have fallen on deaf (and dumb) ears. Johan Santana is still a great pitcher. I think we all know that, but he still needs another solid, reliable arm to support him. I'm not talking about Javier Vazquez either. He'd be a nice addition, but the Mets desperately need the likes of a Cliff Lee, Felix Hernandez or Josh Johnson. Someone to partner with Santana and then allows guys like Pelfrey, Dickey and Niese to take their deserved role as supplements to the staff. Not marquee pitchers as they've been forced to be. This is the toughest achievement of the three moves, but it's the most important. If the Mets start the season with the same rotation as they've had this year, the Mets won't make the improvements they need to be competitive. Why? See #2.

2. Get a reliable 8th inning guy
Bobby Parnell may turn into a solid reliever for years to come, but I highly doubt that it starts next year. He's got heat on his fastball, but his pitches lack movement and he has no supplementary pitches that are effective. If he can develop a Wagner-esque slide to go with his fastball, then he's ready for prime time. Until that occurs, Parnell needs to start the season in the minors. The Mets biggest vacancy in the bullpen was the revolving door that became the 8th inning. Is it Takahashi? Could be. I know it's definitely not Feliciano or Dessens or Green or any other arm that currently resides in the pen. Whether the Mets have to secure someone via trade or free agency or turn Takahashi into that guy, they need to enter 2011 with a firm understanding of who will be pitching in that 8th inning. If the Mets add a #1 starter to partner with Santana, we'll see the bullpen cut down on their innings pitched and be in a better position to help down the stretch should a pennant race occur. Without an 8th inning guy, it won't matter who the closer is because we'll continue to struggle to reach that 9th inning while wearing down arms and psyches trying to figure out who that person should be.

3. Improve at second base or catcher
I doubt the Mets can improve at both, but they have to get some additional production at one of these positions. Josh Thole can hit for average, but his lack of power production leaves you two positions without a home run threat. Let's say the Mets have to keep Castillo or platoon with Tejada at second and Thole is your catcher. Between second base and catcher that's a grand total of maybe 5 home runs for a season. If you have another position player who gets injured (like a Beltran) or under performs (like a Bay) then you've got some gaping holes in your lineup. Maybe Daniel Murphy will return and become the Pete Rose type of player everyone dreams he will be (unlikely). Then you might have your solution at second base. Also it's not like there are a ton of power hitting catchers out there that you can just grab up. You don't want to pick up a Varitek or Pudge who are aging, one year rentals either. So I think your move has to be to get some extra pop at second base. Maybe a Ty Wiggington can return? I'm not sure, but there has to be some additional RBI/HR production from one of these two positions.

If the Mets can make these moves, I honestly think we'll see a significant improvement in 2011. Of course I'm assuming the Mets remain healthy and we don't see players regular production magically disappear (a la Jason Bay).

Here's to a long and interesting off season.

Mets Are A Tease

Just when you think the Mets are on the right track, they slip back into the mediocre club you know they are. During today's broadcast even Gary Cohen got caught up in the Mets tease of a win streak stating that they might find themselves back in the Wild Card race next week.

Wishful thinking Mr. Cohen.

The Mets had an unbelievable opportunity this week to make baseball interesting again, but instead they split the series against the Astros and failed to sweep the Pirates behind another complete game by Johan Santana. And so the Mets find themselves in no better place than where they were a week ago.

Treading water seems to be the plight of this team. They can't seem to go anywhere.

So the Mets return home to face the Marlins and soon the rest of the NL East will have their way with them.

Santana Can't Handle Hunter Pence

After singing Santana's praises following his last start, he seriously let the Mets down on Tuesday night. A very winnable game was flushed down the toilet because Johan Santana couldn't get out one Hunter Pence. Pence accounted for all 4 runs on two swings of the bat, both being homers.

The Mets scored 3 runs on 8 hits which for them is an unbelievable offensive onslaught. David Wright even tallied his first RBI of August with a game tying home run in the top of the 8th. While the Mets had opportunities to score more runs, squeezing out 3 runs against a horrid Astros offense should be enough to win for a top pitcher like Santana.

Instead the dream of a series sweep and igniting some energy into the ball club is flushed away and replaced by a familiar sub .500 feeling.

Again, it's one bad inning from Santana that put the Mets behind the eight ball and unable to notch the win. Off the top of my head I can recall at least 5 starts in which this issue has plagued Santana and all of them ended in Mets losses. And so the pain continues.

Johan Santana is Underappreciated

In a 24 hour span the Mets went from winning back-to-back games for the first time in months to utter disappointment to pure chaos and criminal charges to back to baseball. The reason for this turnaround is one man: Johan Santana.

We don't fully appreciate what we have in Johan Santana. You think I'm being hyperbolic? Remember earlier this year when you were making the statement that Pelfrey was really the #1 starter because Santana was on the decline? Remember when you talked about how if the Mets got another top notch starter they would be the #1 starter and Santana would be 1a. Remember when you thought Santana's best days were past him?

I do and I was wrong.

Johan Santana has the best winning percentage after the All Star break than any other active pitcher. We know he's a second half stud, yet we want to write him off when he doesn't perform well in April. Sure he's had some horrific starts that are inexcusable from a #1 starter, but the body of work that Santana has produced in a Mets uniform should be legendary. But it's not.

The Mets have a 15-20 game winner for the last three seasons, but the lack of run support and bullpen implosions have prevented Santana from being that perennial Cy Young contender. His ability to acknowledge situations where he knows he needs to dominate for the good of the team is unparalleled and he rarely lets us down.

Before yesterday's game he approached Jerry Manuel and said, "Don't bother coming out to get me today." That's a guy who knows what he needs to do for his team to win. With the circus of KRod, the devastating loss the night before and the early game to be played, Santana put this team on his back and carried them to victory.

He's done this before. He'll do it again. Don't let the side show that has become this Mets team blind you from the fact that we have one of the best pitchers in the game on our side.

Ruben Tejada Knotches His First Save

Johan Santana pitched most of the game in masterful fashion. Jeff Francoeur was the lone player to drive in a run. Pray Rod amazingly pitched for 5 outs without giving up a run. But Ruben Tejada is the one who saved the game for the Mets.

The recently called up babyface second baseman went 0 for 4 on the night. In fact, he'll probably hit a shade over the Mendoza line for the rest of the season, but he proved what a liability the Mets had at second base with Castillo and Cora.

Tejada made three separate plays tonight that drastically affected the outcome of the game. All three of these of the plays would have been impossible for Castillo or Cora to make because of their lack of quickness. But Tejada has the agility, the speed and the youthful ignorance to be able to make some amazing plays in the field.

Tejada was able to save the Mets from back to back crushing defeats not with the bat, but with his glove, or more specifically his young legs. So long Alex Cora. You're a great character guy, but character doesn't get you W's. Castillo, you're on notice.

Pelfrey's Epic Fail

Mike Pelfrey is unraveling before our very eyes. During Wednesday night's matchup with the Braves, Pelfrey came undone and every Mets Lifer knew it was over. You could just tell that once Pelfrey got into trouble and some ridiculous errors forced him into a tough spot that Pelfrey would not man-up and grind out a gritty inning like Dickey, but rather come unglued and bring his team along with him.

There's plenty of blame to go around. Mets didn't get hits with runners in scoring position. Ridiculous errors extended innings when they should have been over. But I'm sorry. Pelfrey is the goat of this one. In what was potentially his biggest start of the season and coming off a gutsy comeback win yesterday, Pelfrey crumbled under the pressure.

He's become almost as unreliable as Oliver Perez. What? Pelfrey has 10 wins you say? Yes, he does but since he got win #10, Pelfrey has reverted back to the timid, unstable and inconsistent pitcher that he was last year. How on earth does Jon Niese, a rookie pitcher, have more poise and control than Pelfrey?

The Mets lost two out of three from the Braves. Their play throughout the three games was lacking the intensity and focus that you would have hoped from a team with their season on the line. But the saddest thing was the paltry performances you received from your supposed top two pitchers in Santana and Pelfrey allowing the Braves to score runs early and dig holes your team would struggle to get out of.

Meanwhile, perennial journeyman R.A. Dickey, without his best stuff, manages to fight through 7 innings and put the Mets in position to try and win.

It's Time Santana Took Some Blame

Johan Santana has been an exceptional pitcher. He doesn't get the run support he deserves for most of his time with the Mets. Some might argue that's been the case this year as well and you probably have a point, but for the last two starts Santana has been a let down in some key spots.

In what has been heralded by everyone as the biggest series of the year (myself included) who else would you want on the mound than your #1 guy, your big game pitcher, Johan Santana. And what does Santana do? He strikes out 11 batters. He's pitching out of jams. Oh yeah, but he forgot one thing: how to get out of the first inning.

There is nothing worse for the psyche of a ball club than being down early in a pivotal game. You're then forced to press situations the whole night. Yes, Hudson was good tonight as he has been against the Mets for most of his time with the Braves, but you see Hudson didn't put his team in a hole that they would have to spend 8 innings digging out of.

The Mets bats are awful right now. I won't argue that, but Santana was a huge letdown tonight. He got beat by two pitchers on Monday: Tim Hudson and Rick Ankiel. A loss on Tuesday and we'll start talking about 2011.

Things Not Heard at the Mets vs Cards Game Last Night

"Johan Santana looks good."

"Jeff Francoeur gets better at the plate in extra innings."

"At least, the Cardinals didn't score 7 runs in the first inning."

"Pedro Feliciano has amazing command."

"I'm glad to see the Mets walk Jay to pitch to Pujols."

"Jerry Manuel is a master of substitution."

"Can't wait to see if Oliver Perez gets to pitch."

"Castillo has fresh legs tonight."

"We sure could use Jason Bay in this spot."

"How could you not love Yadier Molina?"

"I wish McCarver and Buck were calling this game."

"Smart move. Let's take our chances pitching to Pujols with the winning run on third."

"I'm happy to see the Mets fight back even though they lost."

Mets Won't Make a Move

The Mets are pretty predictable when it comes to the trading deadline. Every year there's a ton of hype early on and the Mets are named as players in the market for top notch talent, but by the time July 31st roles around the Mets usually find themselves outside looking in.

2010 is no different. The Mets have gone from buyers for Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt to Ted Lilly and Brett Myers to now a number of middle of the road relievers. I guess a 2-9 road trip can change your perspective on things.

The Mets need to find some direction and purpose to the roster moves they make instead of reacting to the current situation. Since the Mets starting pitching has been doing well of late, although the bats have struggled, so Mets management feels that maybe they don't need another starting pitcher. That's a myopic view of things.

I applaud their caution in not wanting to trade Niese or Ike or even Mejia at the first offer that comes along. That's a huge step in the right direction from previous years. However, the Mets need to look at what will help long term. For the last two seasons, the Mets starting pitching has needed another top of the line arm. Halladay, Lee, or Oswalt are the type of talent that can make a huge impact on this team. But because of one or two weeks of solid performance the Mets think they don't need that extra help?

Yes Dickey is a great story and I believe Jon Niese will be a guy that can be a #3 starter over the long term, but you've got a clearly inconsistent Pelfrey, a reliever turned starter in Takahashi, and a total crapshoot in Perez/Maine.

The Mets NEED another arm. Santana has been awesome, but he needs help. Pelfrey started out great, but we can see he's not ready to carry the load yet. I'm not positive theirs a deal to be made that the Mets should take advantage of, but if they do make a move it clearly needs to be done with the long term in mind.

Don't let two weeks of decent pitching fool you. This starting rotation needs some insurance.

Last Night's Mets Win in 100 Characters

Santana stellar.
Ike homers.
Bay awakes.
Mets victorious.
Halleluia.
Saturday repeat?

Santana Out to Prove Something

After my post yesterday calling out Santana to prove to Mets fans he's still the pitcher we thought he was, Santana goes out and does just that. A complete game, shutout.

While I'm not about to pull a Jerry Manuel and call it a "gangsta" performance, it was a stake in the ground moment for Santana heading into the All Star break. Santana needed to dominate and come out with a win. In fact, he put the whole team on his back as he belted the first home run of his career. Hey, if no one is going to score runs for him, he might as well do it himself.

In the 9th I was pleased to see Manuel leave Santana in even when he got into trouble. This was Santana's game to win or lose. Nobody was going to take it from him.

The irony of Santana's 6-5 record at the break is it's the same record he had when he won his last Cy Young Award. It's true. Santana has always been a second half pitcher and I'm hoping and praying that he proves to be just that again this year. Santana's success not only helps the Mets win ball games, but it also takes pressure off of Pelfrey to be the #1 guy in the rotation.

The Mets still need to add another starting pitcher, but at least there's a new found hope in Santana that he can continue to be the ultimate competitor that we know he is.

Johan Santana Is in a Rare Position

Johan Santana will take the mound tonight and be in a position he hasn't found himself in for a long time. He's fighting to stay above .500. He's trying to stay relevant. He for the first time in ages needs to prove he's the best pitcher in the rotation.

All of these questions and more are on the line tonight. Man, do I sound melodramatic or what? But in all honesty the drama is warranted. Santana has lost his mojo. It was bound to happen sooner or later, but it's disappointing to find that it's been sooner rather than later. Santana needs a dominant start if for nothing else than to shut everyone up.

I'm dying for Santana to go out there and just dominate. I don't want to hear about lack of run support. I want him to leave no question in our minds that Santana has still got it, and is able to be the #1 starter this team needs him to be.

So what happens if Santana goes out there and gives up another grand slam or has one of his infamous implosion innings? The sad answer is pretty much nothing. It's business as usual. We've come to not be surprised when Santana crumbles.

That's not the way it's supposed to be. Tonight is the night for Santana to change our minds. If not now, then when?

Takahashi Belongs in the Bullpen

Takahashi has come down with the Johan Santana disease. This is where a decent pitching outing is destroyed by one horrible inning. Both Santana and Takahashi have been plagued with this problem in 2010. One inning ruins the whole game.

Such was the case last night. Takahashi gave up 6 runs in one inning thanks to a grand slam and a two run shot by Uggla and hence digging the Mets in a hole after they gave him a 3 run lead.

The amazing thing to me about last night was how after that inning Takahashi continued to get himself into trouble. On multiple occasions he had runners on second and third with less than 2 outs and was able to get out of the jam. Ultimately he only lasted 5 2/3 innings but it made me realize he's a guy that needs to be in the bullpen.

Hitters are able to make adjustments after seeing him the second time thru the lineup. He doesn't have amazing stuff, but if he were to enter a game after say Pelfrey pitched the first 6 innings, Takahashi's pitches would be a tremendous change for hitters to deal with.

With 6 wins on the season, I can't rail on Takahashi too much for being the makeshift replacement that he has been. He's done a decent job, but his starting rotation days should be numbered.

Cliff Lee's 9 inning performance against the Yanks last night should help move things along.

Are the Mets the Unluckiest Team in Baseball?

I offer as proof:

Sign the best closer in baseball who just set the record for most saves in a season only to have him lose velocity, control and effectiveness in the next two seasons.

Build a top notch ballpark only to have trouble filling the seats because of the pitiful decline of the team.

An unbelievable season of injuries is follow by a season of secret surgeries, pitching head cases, borrowed players from Mexico and sporadic injuries throughout the lineup.

David Wright recovers from his power drought in '09 only to have Jason Bay fall into home run poverty in '10.

Johan Santana has more games where he left the mound leading only to lose than he has total wins with the Mets.

Mets try to make room for Daniel Murphy on the team by moving him to second base only to have him blow his knee trying to play second base.

The 8th inning man the Mets signed is nowhere to be seen and so there's a revolving door of arms throwing the 8th inning this season.

The best starting pitching prospect is in the bullpen and currently can't leave because of a lack of bullpen talent.

Some of the most expensive salaries on the Mets roster have yet to perform at a minor league level this season (Beltran/Perez).

Mets make a miracle run from worst to first in a week only to plummet back to worst in another seven days.