Don't worry its OKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Ok, I’m not just pilling on David Wright ... But with Brad Emaus out of the organization and Angel Pagan playing his most usual position (DL), Wright is currently my scapegoat . Assuming he is not traded this year, David Wright will take over yet another All-Time Mets record. He is 124 strike outs away from breaking Darryl Strawberry’s all time Mets record with 960 strike outs. So far through 34 games he has 37 strike outs, with 128 games to go 124 is well within reach.

A hole on the left side of the infield

I wonder if we Mets fans are appreciating Jose Reyes more and more, because we know he will soon be gone? Perhaps its just his one final  gift for his fans, but he is just unconscious out there. He is a triples machine.

Can someone tell Sandy Alderson, that they built Citifield for Jose Reyes? That enormous outfield, those deep gaps? Its for Reyes to line doubles and triples.

I know I’m not the first to say this but, how about we trade David Wright. He is going to command more money than Reyes will after next season. And he is much more easily replaced. Daniel Murphy could play third.  I like our lineup better with Murphy replacing Wright much much better than Ruben Tejada replacing Reyes in the line up. I’m just saying. Ughhh just add-on whomever they are going to run out there in right field to replace Carlos Beltran.


RANDOM THOUGHTS: 


The LA Dodgers (despite last nights win) have a terrible record at Citifield, ironic since it is a shrine to their franchises history.

Was R.A. Dickey a fluke? Just like Angel Pagan. He sure is pitching that way.

I wish there was a way for Terry Collins to juggle the rotation so Mike Pelfrey only pitches at home.

Two years from now people we Mets fans will really begin to appreciate how good Carlos Beltran really was.

musings on a off day

Its 8pm and there is no Mets game on the radio, that is why I hate these days off early in the baseball season. It couldn't come at a worse time for the Mets, after a four game winning streak, and five consecutive games with quality starts for Mets starters.

Here are some quick thoughts.

Jason Bay has really solidified the lineup since his return, even with Angel AAAA Pagan out.

Anyone miss Brad Emaus? Me neither.

Dillon Gee has looked really impressive through two starts. But then again Terry Leach was 10-1 at one point. It would be nice to have a rotation with a bunch of home grown arms, Pelfrey. Niese, Gee, and Mejia. That is a lot of arms if you add Young/Capuano/Santana to the mix. There are lots of worse problems to have.

I really have the itch to go out to Citifield ... Gotta see if I can find $1 tickets on Stub Hub. I saw $15 tickets right behind the plate for one of the games versus Houston.

It could be worse

A few months back I like many other Mets fans day-dreamed about new ownership for the Mets. I'm still pulling for you Mr. Cuban.

But an interesting name came up Donald Trump. He has money; he has New York roots, why not. I'll tell you why not he's nuts.

I heard Boomer and Carton talking about him on the radio this morning; apparently he was saying that LaGuardia airport is like a third world airport. This guy has two speeds talk and sleep.

Picture this scenario Trump buys the Mets; they lose a game Terry Collins is called up to his office. Trump is behind a table, that old dude George is on one side of him a very uncomfortable Sandy Alderson is on the other. "Terry, Your fired".

The next night on the Tonight Show he announces that he is going to pick the next Mets manager on the next installment of the apprentice.

After burning through a few interim managers, he starts trying to change the players. "Alderson sign Willie Mays to play center field this Pagan guy is a joke!"

"With all due respect Mr. Trump. Willie Mays is nearly eighty years old," Alderson replies.  Trump stares.

Sensing his new boss was joking Alderson joked back "perhaps if we had a time machine."

Trump nods his head. "That's why I keep you around. Get the time machine warmed up. Ok you can leave, tell Jay Horowitz to come in he has to write up an announcement about our new centerfielder."

It would be like 1980s era George Steinbrenner.

Honestly as horrible as it would be for him to own the Mets it would be way worse if he were President of the United States, so if you have to choose one, ahhh choose the Mets. We Mets fans suffer enough already.

Lazy Sunday

Why is everyone giving David Wright a pass. He's been brutal as of late.

Is it me or does Howie Rose seem to always segue Carlos Beltran at bats into commercials. "Carlos Beltran wears number fifteen and I'm fifteen minutes you can save fifteen percent with Geico." You are better than that Howie.

So when Jason Bay comes back is he going to play Left Field and pitch middle relief?

Is there anything more American than listening to a ball game on your car radio, while your toddler daughter sleeps in the back seat in the parking lot of a Walmart? Perhaps a nice slice of melon.

I bought some big league chew, originally it was for one of my buddies son's easter basket. I think we'll find him something else. I love big league chew. God bless you Jim Bouton and Rob Nelson. Kind of ironic that big league chew was invented by independent or minor league players.

Ike Davis is safe a secure at second base like you and your family is safe a secure with some life insurance company.

That is right I'm not going to mention two double header sweeps in a row.

No way Jose

I hit .340 all all I got was this non-Mets T-shirt

Dear Jose Reyes,


How they screwed up a game where you hit two triples is unbelievable to me, I guess you can ask Johan what it feels like to be stellar and get nothing in return for you efforts.. Did everyone forget, the more you score the more the Mets win? Seriously you were standing on third base twice ... the crowd was going ape cakes and you only scored once. Nice clutch hitting behind you! That is right I am pointing to you Angel Pagan and you blistering .179 batting average. A whole four RBIs when Reyes is in the midst of a 9-game hitting streak. Guess what he scores from every base on just about any base hit. I’m just saying.  


Does a walk put asses in the seats? No, but triples and inside the park home runs do.

There a lot of people who just love the laundry, but I get connected to the name on the back of the jersey as well, it will be crushing if you have to go. So hopefully someone will come a save the Mets soon enough so you can stay with us for the rest of your career. Because we are long past the time when we can run out a un-exciting slap hitter as our shortstop.

Your pal,

Niel

Your 2011 Mets - Part 4 - I had no catchy line to describe ... Carlos Beltran

With Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo gone, the Mets fans will have Carlos Beltran to kick around. Unless he gets off to a hot start and is traded. Regardless, the Carlos Beltran era for the New York Mets will come to an end in 2011, as there is no way he will be resigned. 

I think part of the fans problem with Beltran is he doesn't look like he is hustling. He isn't diving all  over the place, "running through walls", getting really dirty. He is a much more nuanced ball player than that. He is more like a fine wine rather than a six pack of PBR.  I always thought he doesn't run to the ball like a wild man, because he knows where its going and he's gotten there already.  

During his career Carlos has proven himself as a five tool player. Probably the only one the Mets have ever had during the prime years of his career.

a five-tool player is one who excels at hitting for average, hitting for power, base-running skills and speed, throwing ability, and fielding abilities.

Yes this year will be sort of an experiment with Carlos in right field. I think the transition will be easy on him, being such a gifted outfielder.  He has such great instincts out there he is going to be such a huge help to Angel Pagan in center. I hope that his last year in Flushing will be a good one and that we can once and for all forget about the called strike three in the 2006 NLCS.

In addition to being such a fine overall player, he is such a valuable cog in the line up. As power hitting switch hitter he protects the righty David Wight before him and the lefty  Ike Davis behind him. He helps extend the line up out. 

     

Projected lineup with Carlos

1. Reyes (s)
2. Pagan (s)
3. Wright (r)
4. Beltran (s)
5. Davis (l)
6. Bay(r)
7. Murphy (l)
8. Thole (l)

Projected line up without Carlos

1. Reyes
2. Pagan
3. Wright
4. Davis
5. Bay 
6. Murphy
7. Thole
8. Duda (Seriously Lucas Duda would be replacing Carlos Beltran! F-Mart sprained an ankle just thinking about replacing Beltran)

I think without Beltran in the line up there is something lacking and you quickly get

unproven players in the line up. With him you have unproven hitters 7,8 and 9, without him your lineup drops off after the five hole. 

So Mets fans boo him while he is still here. But ask your self why. What did Carlos Beltran ever do to you?

Carlos is tied with Todd Hundley as the Mets single season home run leader with 41.

Technology sucks!

So I wrote this really great post about Ike Davis for my "Your 2011 Mets" series but then I accidentally deleted it off of my Blackberry. So I'll have to re-write it.

I head K-Rod and Dan Warthen on WFAN yesterday and they both were so positive ... I was really pumped up. I want the season to start right now. The pitching staff seems good and solid and quoting the human-cliché machine David Wright "if we play up to what it says on the back of our baseball cards" this team should hit. So if they stay healthy  ... Maybe they can make a run.

I was so pumped up, I threw on a Johan Santana t-shirt and a Mets onsie for my son.

Speaking of Johan, apparently he had a great throwing session.

Angel Pagan said he is going to steal more bases as a Met this year than Jose Reyes ... Sure because Reyes will be gone long before Jose Reyes banner day in August.

I think this blog his becoming a little anti-David Wright. Hmmm.

Your 2011 Mets - Part 1 - Angel Pagan

I wrote an article a few years ago for Seven Train to Shea about Angel Pagan ... and I just can't find it anywhere. I don't remember what I thought about Angel two years ago. I know what I think about him now. I am pretty sure he is not a legitimate major leaguer ... perhaps a AAAA player. Yes he had a good year in 2010 .290/11 hr/69 rbi ... actually 11 hr and 69 rbi is not that impressive.  He was better in the outfield and didn't make all the mental mistakes he had as a part time player.

Pagan will probably hit second behind Jose Reyes, but I personally like him down the lineup better. He isn't a very patient hitter and not the ideal contact hitter to help move along Jose Reyes. I understand having him bat after Reyes, since they are both speedsters. But I like the idea of having a second leadoff batter down the line up, perhaps sixth. Here's to me being wrong about Angel.

As of August, 2010 Pagan has had over 1,150 plate appearances without being hit by a pitch. Take one for the team dude!