Continue reading »]]>

Collins gets angry

Before the Mets took on the Cardinals yesterday afternoon, Terry Collins spoke to reporters about the recent string of Mets injuries. It’s not news that Collins was unhappy about his guys getting hurt, but it was surprising to hear just how frustrated and even angry he was when asked about Ruben Tejada’s groin strain.

According to Newsday:

“This spring so far, we’ve been unable to put the team on the field. We eventually have to do that,” Collins said. “When I talk about patience, right now, I’m out of it.”

Before the game, Collins, referring to Tejada’s condition, said, “It’s not serious. It doesn’t have to be here. You need an aspirin, you’re off for a day.”

While it can’t be a good sign that Collins is already bent out of shape before a potentially disappointing season actually starts, I like that the fans are not the only ones upset that the Mets cannot stay on the field. To compete this season, the Mets are going to need to take advantage of every little edge they can gain (and probably get lucky as well). How are they supposed to do that when they don’t have the desire to be on the field everyday?

Maybe Tejada is more seriously hurt than Collins lets on and maybe he isn’t. Either way, its a bit disappointing to see Tejada seemingly take his opportunity to start at shortstop for granted. Hopefully minor injuries won’t keep him from playing in any regular season games.

Pelfrey hurls a clunker

In the Mets 7-1 loss to St. Louis at Digital Domain Park yesterday, Mike Pelfrey pitched 4.1 innings while allowing 6 hits and 4 runs. He recorded no walks, but no strikeouts either. In Matt Cerrone’s account of Pelfrey’s start, he seems unsure of exactly what the big guy was trying to do on the mound.

Pelfrey’s sinker looks flat today. The thing is, that would be OK from time to time, if he changed speeds more and used more breaking pitches. However, he isn’t doing that any more. And so, I just can’t figure out his strategy.

The non-sinking sinker allowed the Cardinals to hit a pair of home runs against Pelfrey. Always the optimist, Cerrone does offer that Pelf was terrible in March 2010 before starting the regular season 10-2 with a 2.71 ERA.

On offense in that game, the Mets obviously did not have much going on. Daniel Murphy was 2 for 4 with a pair of singles, Jason Bay went 1 for 3 with a double and Lucas Duda was 0 for 1 with a sac fly to plate the only Mets run.

More injury updates

• Pedro Beato, who has been out for more than a week with right rotator cuff inflammation, will begin throwing tomorrow.
• Ruben Tejada will take groundballs today.
• David Wright’s injury is a tear in his six pack, probably because he worked out too hard with The Situation last spring. He says he should be all set for Opening Day. Please let that be the case.

Mets vs. Tigers today at 1:05 PM on ESPN

Dillon Gee will start for the Mets. Max Scherzer takes the hill for Detroit. The Mets are starting mostly reserves and minor leaguers with the possible exception of Daniel Murphy, while Detroit’s lineup is loaded with regulars, so the Mets will probably lose today. But that’s why they play the games.

Continue reading »]]>

While looking at the Mets’ moves this off-season, it’s hard to get really amped up about any of them. Here’s a round-up of what we’ve seen thus far.

Nov. 17, 2011 — Mets re-sign Valentino Pascucci and sign Vinny Rottino
Dec. 7, 2011 — Mets trade Angel Pagan to San Francisco for Ramon Ramirez and Andres Torres
Dec. 12, 2011 — Mets claim Jeremy Heffner off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates
Dec. 13, 2011 — Mets sign free agents Lucas May and Garret Olsen
Dec. 14, 2011 — Mets sign free agent Jon Rauch
Dec. 15, 2011 — Mets sign free agent Chuck James
Dec. 16, 2011 — Mets re-sign Mike Baxter and sign Jeff Stevens
Dec. 19, 2011 — Mets sign Frank Francisco
Dec. 22, 2011 — Mets sign Rob Johnson
Dec. 30, 2011 — Mets sign Corey Wimberly
Jan. 3, 2012 — Mets sign Omar Quintanilla
Jan 10, 2012 — Mets re-sign Miguel Batista and sign Sean Kazmar and Fernando Cabrera
Jan. 11, 2012 — Mets re-sign Scott Hairston, outright Daniel Herrera to Buffalo, Fernando Martinez claimed off waivers by Houston
Jan. 13, 2012 — Mets sign Ronny Cedeno

Now what does this all mean? In my estimation, the Mets made three substantial moves (as far as substantial moves by the Mets are concerned). Bringing in Rauch and Francisco was the right move, but it could prove to be risky. Francisco has been given the ball in the ninth inning before, and he has tendencies to melt down. Do we possibly have another Armando Benitez in the making? Remember, Armando had some good times before he eventually fell apart.

Cue Jon Rauch. The guy is as big as a giant, but he throws a lot softer than one would think. With a fastball that occasionally strikes 90, this guy is not going to blow people away, but he’s proven in the past that he is capable of being a solid set-up guy, which is something the Mets have been trying to find for several years.

One more underrated addition to the bullpen was Ramon Ramirez. This is a guy who could strike some people out. He was solid in San Francisco, and he will likely fill the seventh inning role, but he could be called upon if Rauch and Francisco struggle.

The addition of Andres Torres? I am not thrilled about it, but I don’t hate it either. He is an above average defender with good leadership abilities. A couple of years ago, he showed some pop, and he seems excited to prove he still has something in the tank. My money is on him starting the year as the Mets’ lead-off hitter as well.

What Needs to Go Right — The Mets need several things to fall into place to be contenders, especially with the Marlins adding Mark Buehrle and Jose Reyes and Carlos Zambrano. I have listed them below.

1. Daniel Murphy stays healthy for a full season.
2. Johan Santana contributes with at least 10 wins.
3. Mike Pelfrey settles in as a No. 4 or No. 5 pitcher.
4. Ike Davis proves healthy and pelts 30 homers in the adjusted Citifield.
5. David Wright gets his game back, and pelts 30 homers in a contract year.
6. Lucas Duda keeps improving, provides some pop from the No. 5 or 6 spot in the lineup
7. Jason Bay returns to his old form.

What do you think?