The Mets Trading Perdicament

At the beginning of this year it was a given that the Mets would be ready for a trading bonanza come mid-July in an effort to get some value back for those expiring contracts. The picture is a bit muddier now that the Mets are overachieving and consistently find themselves floating around .500, just within reach of Wild Card dreams.

While there is much baseball to be played before the July trading deadline, the idea of the Mets unloading talent and payroll is becoming less appealing to Mets fans. Injuries have depleted the roster as it is and we have been pleasantly surprised to see those players we were ready to trade at the drop of a hat have now become the best performers on the team.

For the sake of this post I'm going to leave Jose Reyes out of it. At this point, there's no way the Mets are trading this guy in the midst of an MVP season. Just not going to happen.

But the two other popular names in trade conversation, Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodgriguez, are now less likely to be traded in my estimation. Let's start with Beltran. He's leading the team in home runs, RBIs, and trades off every other week with Jose Reyes in leading in doubles too. If you look at the Mets lineup, he is the only thing the Mets have that even comes close to being a home run threat. If the Mets were to trade him at this point, there would be a crater in the middle of the lineup and the Mets may set the record for longest game streak without a home run.

With Bay being Bay, Davis out potentially for the season and Wright struggling to come back, the Mets can't trade Beltran. Who would replace him? Jason Pridie? Fernando Martinez? Egads! Scott Hairston? All of those options are serious downgrades from a Beltran who is having a great year. And what would the Mets get back for Beltran? Perhaps some minor league talent? Maybe a struggling middle reliever? The return for Beltran won't be much as he's simply a rental player for a few months. The Mets would be better off keeping Beltran, providing the fan base with a notable player performing at the top of his game who can potentially help win some ball games down the stretch.

So what if he leaves for free agency? The biggest thing Beltran can provide the Mets is payroll space, not minor league talent. The same goes for KRod. He's easily the best closer in the NL this year even with his recent blown saves. If you get rid of KRod, do you really think the Mets ability to close out games will improve? We know how Parnell gets. Izzy is inconsistent. Don't think Beato is ready for that role.

The vesting option for KRod is a concern for the Mets and that might be the sole reason they trade him, but if the Mets are anywhere near a Wild Card race ditching KRod would be detrimental even though he makes me incredibly nervous every time he takes the mound.

Ultimately the Mets will do what they think is best. I just hope that a chance at some entertaining, pennant related baseball and fan interest weighs into their equation.

It should.

Don't Write Off KRod Yet

KRod did a horrible and down right despicable thing last week when he got into an altercation in the family clubhouse area after the Mets game with the Rockies. It's inexcusable and he should be punished for it by the Mets and the law if that is what the system ultimately decides. But I'd still consider him to be on my team next year.

The Mets are using this opportunity to try and save face with the fan base.They're posturing to get rid of KRod, but not for the moral standards by which the orgnaization wants you to believe they posses. They want to get rid of him to save money. The almighty dollar.

Let's not fool ourselves. The Mets are a business and they have every right, and are obligated, to find ways to be profitable. But exiling KRod isn't smart business.

Here's why. Would you want Kobe Bryant to be on your basketball? Hmm, yup. What about Ray Lewis? Do you want him on your defense? Even though he's not as spry as he used to be I'd absolutely want him on the Giants. These are guys who arguable have done worse things than KRod (allegedly in Lewis' case) and were publicly vilified for it. But yet here they are both on the same teams that contracted them before their public troubles unfolded. Why? Because sports fans forgive when a player can perform.

KRod had been at the top of his game since coming to the Mets before the altercation last week. The Mets have zero options for future closers. Takahashi might be ok for the rest of this season but I can't see him being a long term solution. Parnell? 102 mph fastball is stunning, but ne needs to do show his stuff for more than one game before being crowned the successor. So if the Mets are looking to save money by voiding KRod's contract due to moral clauses, they're still going to have to go out and spend money to replace him next season.

Sure they might get someone for less money, but they'll also be most likely getting someone with less talent which may in turn result in fewer saves, more Mets losses, and more outcries from the fan base. It's a vicious cycle. Also the KRod contract is not even close to being the worst contract money-wise that the Mets have on the books (see Bay, Castillo, Beltran, or Perez).

Banishing Krod gets the Mets 15 minutes of reprieve from the media. They'll be applauded for "doing the right thing." But in another year, they'll be in hot water for not having an 8th inning or a 9th inning arm in the bullpen.

Whether it's right or wrong, sports figures are able to be forgiven for their misdoings. KRod needs to pay for his misdeeds. He definitely needs some psychological help and counselling. He should get it. He should pay his dues. And come spring of 2011, we'll be ready to welcome him back...as long as he performs well.

Just ask Ron Artest, Big Ben, and Santonio Holmes.

Already Looking Forward to 2011 Mets

The hope of success in 2010 is gone. You can watch the Mets games if you enjoy pain and disappointment, but I'm already thinking about 2011.

For some reason, I think 2011 has the potential to be interesting. Sure, that's what every Mets fan says about the next season, but for once the cards might fall in the Mets favor. The Mets have some truly awful contracts on the books next year, but even with those abysmal deals there's a silver lining.

First off it's a contract year for Beltran & KRod. Beltran will be playing for his last major payday and nothing is a motivator like the almighty dollar. Having an awful comeback in 2010, I believe Beltran will have a big year as he woos the Mets and other teams into giving him a few more dollars and years to add to his quiver. KRod has been lights out of late. In 2011 he'll put his personal issues to rest and like Beltran be on a quest for another big time paycheck.

Secondly, it's Jason Bay's second year. In 2005, Carlos Beltran was awful. He did nothing for most of the year after coming from small markets in Kansas City and Houston the year before. In 2006, Beltran broke out in a major way and we got to see the player we hoped we'd have. I honestly believe the same will come true for Jason Bay. Playing in New York is a major adjustment. Concussion aside, Bay will be ready in 2011. He's a guy that works hard and plays hard, and his sophomore season should be a significant improvement.

Lastly, the kids are going to grow up. Jon Niese is turning into a really solid middle of the rotation pitcher. Ike Davis will have been through his rookie slumps and be ready to start the season as the everyday first baseman. Tejada will play winter ball and develop his swing. Who knows what Kirk Nieuwenhuis will do if given the chance to perform?

All of this and I haven't mentioned Johan Santana, David Wright or Jose Reyes. Sure there are negatives like what's the deal with Mike Pelfrey, what do you do with Oliver Perez/John Maine, and how do you solve a problem like Luis Castillo? But for now there's hope. It's something to look forward to.

The Mets Will Drive You Mad, Just Ask K-Rod

The Mets will drive you absolutely insane. To call Wednesday night's loss devastating sadly sounds so repititve that you might as well just call it another Wednesday in Flushing. While I mildly resort to tossing remotes and pillows, the Mets have made KRod so frustrated that he's throwing his father-in-law around.

After Tuesday night's loss (yawn), KRod was asked by reporters how he felt about not getting called into the game in the tense 8th inning when the Mets were desperately trying to hold onto the lead. Silly reporters. Don't they know the outcome would probably have been the same if the Mets brought in KRod? Some people never learn.

In any case, KRod erupted, unlike the Mets bats, and went on a tirade basically telling the reporters to get out of his way. I had hoped he was hunting for Jerry Manuel's head, but instead the decent guy that KRod is took his frustrations out on his in-laws. But before we jump to conclusions, maybe his father-in-law deserved it? Doesn't make it right, but hey...

Oh KRod. It was only a matter of time before the losing, disappointment, sadness, apathy and vile circus that has become the New York Mets finally sent someone over the edge. Let this be a lesson to family members of Mets Lifers out there. Stay away after a bad loss...so basically come see us in October when it's all over.

It's amazing how in the span of an hour the Mets can go from a potentially great win and opportunity to sweep a series to utter implosion that ultimately results in physical blows. That's the effect of Mets baseball.

Statistics Prove the Fall of KRod

ESPNNewYork.com has put together a statistical analysis of the fall of KRod (hence making him Pray Rod). Hitters are batting an unbelievable .340 on balls in play, meaning that basically anytime a ball is hit that's in fair territory KRod is getting tagged.

The article goes on to show his velocity is down 4-5 mph and his control is off as well. The analysis is saddening, but it's a truth the Mets have to address. See the chart below for more.

KRod - Last 5 Seasons

	06	07	08	09	10
In zone pct	48.9	46.7	48.0	48.7	52.0
Miss pct	32.3	34.4	31.6	30.1	29.1
BB pct	9.5	12.2	12.0	12.9	9.1
BABIP	.288	.301	.303	.256	.340

The Mets Have a Problem and His Name is Pray Rod

A 3 run lead in the 8th inning against the perennial bottom dwelling Nationals should be enough to seal a win for the Mets, but that was not the case on Saturday afternoon.

RA Dickey outpitched universal phenom Stephen Strasburg,but has absolutely nothing to show for it. Parnell gave up what appeared to be a harmless run to make it a 5-3 game only to have Pray Rod enter victoriously in the 9th to blow it.

Pray Rod was in mid season form out there walking the first batter he faced on 4 pitches and proceed through the inning without any semblance of control. The crazy thing is a 2 run lead with your closer should make you feel pretty good about your chances of winning. Not so much with Pray Rod. He has an uncanny ability to make the most comfortable of margins appear slim. He appears to be bouncing his fastball at least once an appearance and hangs his offspeed pitches high in the zone.

In summary, he's becoming worthless. Tell me what Pray Rod offers that Parnell, Feliciano, Dessens or Igarashi don't? What makes Pray Rod so worthy to be the Mets closer? Nothing.

But his contract, his career and his attitude make him the de facto option and thus he continues the Mets long history of closers who have a knack of crumbling when you need them most.

Jerry Manuel keeps whining about the Mets need for an 8th inning guy. Jerry, maybe the problem isn't the 8th inning. The Mets now have 10 walkoff losses on the season. Do the math Jerry.

But for now Mets fans, get on your knees and pray when #75 enters the game. It's our only hope for a favorable outcome.

One Torture is Over and the Other is About to Begin

The Yankees are your World Series champs. (yawn)

What does that mean? It means the Yanks finally accomplished what they were expected to do for the last 9 years: win the World Series.

For Mets fans, the 2009 baseball season is finally over and along with it the torture of the lingering bad tasted that was the 2009 Mets. But now another torture begins: the unknown.

There are so many questions the Mets face this offseason that could make it just as torturous as July through September. Questions about Reyes, catcher, starting pitching, Pelfrey, free agents, trading for Halladay, Luis Castillo, Delgado, Murphy, Thole, Maine, Omar, Manuel, and on and on the list goes.

It is impossible for the Mets to solve every problem in the next 4 months, so curb your expectations now and just hope for a winning season in 2010.

While Mets management is talking about getting a bat for left field, I hope they don't lose sight of the real problem which is starting pitching. The chances of signing Lackey are slim because of his desire to play for Texas and there aren't too many free agent pitching options, but the focus needs to be on pitching first.

Would I like to sign Matt Holliday? Sure. Would I rather have a tier 1 pitcher? You betcha. The Mets made the right move last off season by signing K-Rod right away. That dealt with the number one problem in 2008.

Now you have to deal with the number one problem of 2009, inconsistent starting pitching. Then worry about the situation in left field.

There is No Justice for the Mets

When you start to expect a storybook ending to any game this year, please remember this is 2009. This is the year of injustice for the Mets.

Absolutely nothing can go the Mets way this season. In a season where every star, every important player to the success of this team has found themselves injured, David Wright was the only bastion of hope for Mets fans.

And then yesterday, every Mets fans' heart skipped a beat when Wright was crushed in the helmet by a 95 mph fast ball. I literally gasped when it happened and stared blankly at the TV waiting for Wright to get up. How can this happen? Why is this happening?

Matt Cain had no intentions of hitting Wright, but he did commit the one unpardonable act a pitcher can do, hitting a batter in the head. Thankfully Wright seems to be okay and sustained a concussion but CT scans were negative according to a Mets spokesperson.

But after Wright exited, I found myself thinking that this would be just the spark the Mets needed to jump start this team. Then Santana folded giving up 3 runs in the 6th inning on back to back to back to back to back hits.

The worst part of Santana's outing is when he tried to provide some justice for Wright's beaning by throwing at Sandoval's back. Of course this is the 2009 Mets, so Santana missed him and on the next pitch Sandoval crushed a home run.

The Mets somehow rallied to tie the game and force extra innings and had every Mets Lifer hoping for some justice. But KRod threw the biggest meatball I have ever seen to Benjie Molina who slammed it into left field.

Game over.

So as the day came to a close it found Wright in the hospital, Santana with a loss, KRod with a blown save and justice still avoiding the 2009 Mets.

There are no breaks for this Mets team, unless it's a bone.

Mets Take A Walk Down Memory Lane

Ah yes. The season is starting to change. The leaves are almost ready to change colors. Night comes a little earlier than it used to and the Mets find a way to destroy a fantastic comeback.

You'd think it was September of 2008 (or 2007), but no. Unfortunately it's only the first week of August in 2009, but the Mets wanted you to remember what the last two Septembers felt like.

After taking a 7-4 lead, the Mets' bullpen imploded like it was in the middle of a pennant race ultimately losing the game 12-7. KRod got a rare chance at a save, but instead wanted to do his best Nelson Figueroa impression and gave up back to back doubles to start the inning and ended up tying the game at 7.

The Mets flirted with clutchness in the bottom of the 9th, but in September-like fashion couldn't seal the deal so in the 10th the Mets lovingly loaded the bases with Cardinals and brought in Blowenweiss wanna-be, Sean Green who on the first pitch (yes, the first pitch) plunks Mark DeRosa.

The pain of that pitch is two-fold. First it walks in the go ahead run. Second, it brings up all-universe star Albert Pujols with the bases still loaded. Of course you can guess what happens next. Bye-bye bally. On a 3-2 count, Pujols just crushed a grand slam.

Keith Hernandez even joked that it wasn't even September and this was happening. Not funny Keith. Sad, but not funny.

You think we'd be used to this by now, but it's like taking Robitussin. You've tasted the horribleness before, you expect it, but you never get used to it.

Good News About the Mets Being So Bad

There's always a silver lining, and the Mets being plain painful to watch has a bright side as well.

• For a change, you won't have to suffer through utter and total disappointed on the last day of September for 3 straight years
• The Mets being unwatchable frees up time for you to watch such fantastic summer shows as Wipeout and Big Brother
• You can learn a foreign language before the Mets hit their next home run
• You've never watched a double A baseball team before so now's your chance to see one on SNY...in HD!
• At least we're not the Nationals
• You can for the first time in a long time talk to your wife and children and not be distracted by a baseball game
• Gives you time to reflect back on the good ol' days when we just couldn't beat the Braves instead of not being able to beat anyone
• You suddenly have dreams of Rick Reed making a comeback
• At least K-Rod will be well rested for 2010
• Your Carlos Delgado jersey won't get any stains on it at your next BBQ
• Every 5 days you get to watch the best pitcher in baseball not get any run support
• Only 3 more years of Luis Castillo
• Whining and complaining is always much more fun than winning

Mets Friday Rant - 6/19/09

It's Friday and I should not be expected to put together intelligent sentences that form a paragraph, so from now on Friday will be a day for ranting on the Mets. Short & semi-short sentences to just get what's on my mind about this roller coaster of a team off my chest. Hang on:

• You will not see me write another post like this about K-Rod for a while. I think I jinxed him.
• Who's ready for a David Wright 0 for 30 streak. See you after July 4th David!
• Why is Sean Green pitching in every game these days? Is running relievers into the ground enjoyable?
• Aubrey Huff doesn't look bad, but I don't know if I'd give up prospects to get him.
• Luis Castillo deteriorates every day. Twice on weekends.
• Would this team be any different if we had a healthy Maine & Perez? The word no comes to mind.
• Is it just me or do you get nervous every time you see a pop-up and the guy catches it with one hand? TWO HANDS PEOPLE!!!!
• Thank you Toronto Blue Jays.
• Matt Pignataro at Seven Train to Shea feels the same way I do about the new Mets goat, Fernando Tatis.
• Very tough week ahead. Could be very bad.

The K-Rod Difference

When you think about it, K-Rod is no different than any of our other relievers from the past. He gives up base hits like John Franco. He fails to throw first pitch strikes like Braden Looper. He throws hard, but can get hit hard like Benitez and Wagner.

The only difference between K-Rod and our past relievers is in the end he gets the job done.

Last night was the perfect case in point. The scenario in last night's 9th inning has been played out countless times before over the course of the last decade. Mets are up a few runs in the 9th. Closer comes in. Base hit. Then another base hit. Then a walk. Then a run scores and the winning run is at the plate and the tying run at second base.

We've all seen it. And we know what happens. The closer blows the game. But that's not what happened last night.

To say K-Rod has a flair for the dramatic would be like saying John Daly has a weight problem. K-Rod loves the spotlight. He loves the tense moments. And you know what, he thrives in them.

Other than Luis Castillo's Buckneresque play the other night, K-Rod has been perfect even when he has found himself, or gotten himself, in dicey situations.

This is the first time the Mets have had a real closer who can handle the pressure. I love that he wasn't going to take any garbage from Bruney. Now other closers, like Wagner or Franco, may have played it out in the media with some jawing back and forth, but K-Rod backs up his smack by going straight after Brian Bruney on the field..

That's the kind of guy I want closing out games. I know he's going to blow a few saves this season because no one is perfect. But for the first time in a long time, I feel confident that the man pitching in the 9th inning knows how to seal the deal.

Bruney Rips K-Rod, K-Rod Doesn't Know Who Bruney Is

In what are some of the more laughable comments you will hear, Brian Bruney, a middle reliever for the Yankees said that last night's loss could not have happened to a "better guy." Sounds like he might have been piling on Castillo, right? I mean, he was the guy who dropped a pop up. But no, Bruney was actually talking about K-Rod, when he said "his act is getting tired," apparently referring to K-Rod's controversial celebrations after he saves a game.

First of all, who is Brian Bruney anyway? "I don't even know who the guy is," said Rodriguez when asked about the comments. "He should just say it to my face, and not through the media if he feels that way." Bamn, right back at ya!

What's even more hysterical is that the only thing that happened to K-Rod last night was that his blown save was a mere statistic, a technicality to complete the box score. Other than that, K-Rod was well on his way toward his 17th save in 17 chances. So what was Bruney even talking about "couldn't have happened to a better guy"? Hello?

Bruney's misplaced comments are all the more perplexing when you consider the fact that his own teammate, Joba Chamberlain, is one of the more demonstrative pitchers in the sport. Chamberlain is consistently criticized by his peers for showing the other team up. When Aubrey Huff hit a moon shot off him last month, he actually imitated Chamberlain as he ran around the bases. Huff said he never got so many calls, text messages before from players around the league who loved it, and thought it was hilarious.

This story will be all over the papers tomorrow and talk radio. I hope a reporter has the guts to ask Bruney what he thinks of Chamberlain's "act", because I would love to hear that response.

By the way, is it me or does Bruney look a little amped up in that photo?

Citi Field: Home Run Haven

You would have thought the game was being played in Philadelphia. A total of 6 home runs were hit last night and ended up being the only way the Mets could score against the Phils on Tuesday night.

Wright, Beltran & the newly returned Ryan Church all hit blasts to give the Mets a much need win against the division leading Phillies.

Johan Santana was not on his A game and I was fearful that the Mets would continue their habit of not giving him run support, but that was not the case. The Mets should have scored 8 or 9 runs, but the bottom half of the order is extremely light on "clutch" and it showed.

But really the key to this game was the bullpen. Santana gave up all 5 runs, but Parnell, Felciano, & KRod were able to help out Santana and lock down the Phillies power bats to close out a 1 run victory.

What a difference a year makes. Another game tonight, and I'm hoping the Mets can take 2 out of 3 before the Yanks come in on the weekend.

New Season, New Bullpen

I had flashbacks of Scott Blowenweiss and Luis Ayala in the 7th and 8th innings of today's opening game of the 2009 season. My palms were sweating. I had shortness of breath, and I thought Johan Santana was going to miss out on a well deserved win.

But then I looked at the calendar. This is 2009 and we have a new bullpen.

Green, Putz & KRod proved that Omar made the right moves this offseason in just the first game of the year. All 3 relievers kept the 1-run lead the Mets held when Santana left to give them their first win of the season.

Although it did feel a little like 2008 on the offensive side of things as the Mets left the bases loaded twice without scoring a run. Thankfully, Daniel Murphy pulled us through with a solo shot and a productive out as he drove in both of the Mets' 2 runs.

Now what would have happened if Castillo was batting second? Hmmmmm.

Glad they got the first game in and even more pleased to see Santana get the win.

A Huge Improvement

The details need to be ironed out, but when all is said and done the Mets have reached a deal to sign Francisco Rodriguez as their new closer. The terms of the deal are evidently 3 years for $37 million.

The amazing thing is the Mets got the guy they wanted, at the price they wanted, and for the amount of years that they wanted. Wow. How things change in a matter of months. Remember when KRod was going to have a bidding war for him and the Mets were going to have to shell out whatever he demanded?

Omar got it done.

Whether you like this move or not, you cannot argue the fact that KRod is the best closer on the market. I guess you could argue otherwise, but the facts remain the same that he holds the record for most saves in a season, he's playoff tested (and approved), and he's just turning 27 years old in January.

A young, hard throwing, proven closer with a career ERA under 2.40 and 587 K's in 451 IP. What more could you ask for?

Ok, I could ask for more and I actually I'm going to right now, give the Rockies Heilman & Feliciano for Huston Street. Are these two guys really that valuable that we wouldn't ship them off in an instant? I'm done with Aaron Heilman experiment and right now the Mets have two lefty specialist in their pen with both Feliciano and Blowenweiss. Make the move and unload the dead weight.

The Mets need another arm or two in the bullpen and as our good friend from Bugs & Cranks, Brad Bortone, previously commented getting a guy like Jason Marquis for the rotation would be a nice addition.

But the important thing is we have a closer. That's step 1. Way to get it done before Christmas, Omar. Christmas came early.

Meet the K-Rod

The Mets had dinner in Vegas last night with Francisco Rodriguez. Details of the meeting are under lock and key, but the feeling is the Mets will make an offer to K-Rod this week.

Let the bargaining begin.

I still feel strongly that the Mets should sign K-Rod AND another closer. I think having a two-headed closer rotation would be a huge asset for the Mets. Whether they go get Fuentes, Hoffman, or Street, I don't care. Just give me to guys with a closer mentality to secure those 8th & 9th innings.

All I want for Christmas is a closer and the disposal of Luis Castillo. Please Santa, please.

The Hunt for K-Rod

Bring me K-Rod to appease my anger. Bring me K-Rod and make me forget Scott Blowenweiss. Bring me K-Rod or I will have to suffer through yet another year of the BLOWpen.

According to ESPN radio, the Mets are arming themselves for negotiation battle for Francisco Rodriguez of the Angels. The soon to be 27-year old, all-time saves record holder is looking for a potential 5-year deal worth $15 million per year.

The Mets of course are saying they're not willing to meet those demands, but I guess that's the dance they have to play to get things started.

While getting K-Rod is not the only answer to the Mets problem, it does solve the most glaring, gaping hole in the Mets dugout. With 29 blown saves, the Mets only needed to cut that number to 27 or 28 to make the playoffs. I think K-Rod saved 29 games in April last year.

With Wagner pretty much done and Luis Ayala not looking like a solid answer, the Mets are in desperate need of a reliable closer. And the great thing about K-Rod is he's a young guy with a solid arm who appears not to have any issues with closing out games in clutch situations.

If the Mets get K-Rod, I'd be a happy man and I could then focus my anger on Luis Castillo.

Stupidest Statement of the Year

Newsday is reporting that the Mets will not go after K-Rod (a.k.a. Francisco Rodriguez) in the offseason, but instead look at more "creative ways" to fill their need for a closer.

Sure. Why would you want to sign the most reliable bullpen arm in all of baseball? Who wants a guy that can save 40+ games a year? Why would you want to lock up a young, powerful pitcher to help bolster the worst bullpen on the face of the earth?

This is idiotic and whoever was Ken Davidoff's source from within the Mets organizations should be fired. Immediately. Pack up your things and go find Willie Randolph.

If the Mets organization thinks they have a better option for a closer than K-Rod, the Mets need a psychologist on staff.