The John Delcos New York Mets Report Featuring Mets' commentary, analysis and news.

Sorry for getting the post up so late. Computer was frozen. All right now. Hopefully.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Well, the Mets don’t have Ramon Castro to kick around anymore. From the moment Jerry Manuel pinch-hit Omir Santos for him you knew Castro’s Mets’ days were numbered.

Fittingly, the deal was pulled last night, announced moments after Santos’ game-winning single. Very cosmic.

The timing of the deal was such as to make room on the 25-man roster for Brian Schneider, who was activated from the disabled list for this afternoon’s game against the Marlins.

The line-up, where David Wright and Luis Castillo are both rested, is something that would look like the “B” squad in Lakeland.

Here’s the line-up:

Angel Pagan, LF
Fernando Martinez, RF
Carlos Beltran, CF
Fernando Tatis, 3B
Daniel Murphy, 1B
Ramon Martinez, 2B
Brian Schneider, C
Wilson Valdez, SS
Tim Redding, P

Five of the starters, including Redding, weren’t on the Opening Day roster. Redding gets another start with Oliver Perez ailing on the DL. Perez left his minor league rehab assignment to return to Port St. Lucie, Fl., with discomfort in his knee following his last start for Triple-A Buffalo.

An MRI has diagnosed tendinitis of the patella tendon.

One other thing.

I scanned the comments this morning and disappointed to read some of the dialogue. This really is a heady blog with a lot of intelligent comments and theories. We digressed a little last night. I don’t care if you disagree with each other. Hey, passionate fans do that, but please, no cursing at each other.

We’re better than that guys. Disagree all you want, be spirited, but this isn’t the Wild, Wild West. You can disagree without the attacks.

Thanks.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Carlos Beltran’s cortisone-treated knee returns to the line-up tonight against the Florida Marlins.

After being swept in a three-game series at Los Angeles, the Mets rebounded to win five of their next six games. Tonight they hope to continue their roll behind Mike Pelfrey.

Pelfrey is coming off a strong performance at Boston, but the Marlins represent a considerable obstacle. Pelfrey is 1-5 with a 6.12 ERA lifetime against Florida.

Here’s tonight’s line-up:

Angel Pagan, RF
Luis Castillo, 2B
Carlos Beltran, CF
Gary Sheffield, LF
David Wright, 3B
Fernando Tatis, 1B
Omir Santos, C
Ramon Martinez, SS
Mike Pelfrey, P

NOTES: Alex Cora is at Triple-A Buffalo to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. … Word is Ramon Castro is on the block with Brian Schneider due to be activated from the DL soon.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Did Mets manager Jerry Manuel miss an opportunity last night to set a career molding example for Fernando Martinez?

There’s no doubt Manuel talked to Martinez after the 20-year-old rookie gazed at his pop-up, and only failed to run after it was dropped by the catcher.

I’m thinking more should have been made of it, and a mold would have been set had Manuel pulled Martinez from the game with the warning if it ever happens again he’ll go to the minor leagues. If such a reprimand scars Martinez, then doesn’t it show he’s not mentally tough enough?

I throw this out there because Martinez was warned two years ago by Tony Bernazard when he wasn’t running out ground balls. Maybe Martinez had a brain cramp, maybe he was upset because he isn’t hitting, but it doesn’t really matter.

They tell you in Little League that when you hit the ball you run hard, and don’t stop running until the play is over. And, you’ll know when the play is over.

Lastings Milledge never got it and the Mets gave up on him. Don’t you think if Milledge’s attitude was better he’s still be here? But, Milledge didn’t give the Mets hope he’d change.

And, Jose Reyes? Well, they’ve already lost him. The Mets have coddled Reyes to the point where discipline won’t help. There are too many times when Reyes fails to run hard, or loses focus and muffs a play in the field, or give away an at-bat.

What, all of a sudden they are going to clamp down on him? Don’t think so.

Martinez is a different story. By all accounts he’s a good kid with a load of talent. No ceiling, the scouts say. Now is the time to put a harness on Martinez.

I just wonder if Manuel missed an opportunity last night.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

The Mets go for the sweep tonight of the Washington Nationals. The Mets have been in this spot before, on the verge of a sweep against an inferior opponent, but somehow manage to stumble.

The odds of doing so tonight are greatly reduced with Johan Santana pitching. Santana is coming off an emotional victory last Friday over the Boston Red Sox.

Daniel Murphy is back at first base tonight, with Fernando Martinez batting seventh and playing right field.

For as long as Jose Reyes is out, it looks as if Angel Pagan will get the lion’s share of the time as the leadoff hitter whenever he’s in the line-up. Luis Castillo took a few turns there, but manager Jerry Manuel likes him batting second, which I have advocated all along.

Here’s tonight’s line-up:

Angel Pagan, CF
Luis Castillo, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Gary Sheffield, LF
Daniel Murphy, 1B
Ramon Castro, C
Fernando Martinez, RF
Ramon Martinez, SS
Johan Santana P

Note: Carlos Beltran, who took a cortisone injection in his knee, is on target to return Friday. … Omir Santos was scratched with a bruised shin. … Oliver Perez’s knee is still bothering him. … Four of tonight’s starters weren’t on the Opening Day roster.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

We begin with the news of Ryan Church and Jose Reyes being placed on the disabled list, and the announcement of the promotion of Fernando Martinez to the big club.

Also, the Mets acquired minor-league SS Wilson Valdez from Cleveland for cash considerations. Valdez will be placed on the 25-man roster.

Here’s tonight’s line-up:

Angel Pagan, CF
Luis Castillo, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Gary Sheffield, LF
Fernando Tatis, 1B
Fernando Martinez, RF
Omir Santos, C
Ramon Martinez, SS
Livan Hernandez, P

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

I knew I heard her name before. Obama’s Supreme Court pick, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, was instrumental in ending the 1994-95 baseball strike when she issued an injunction preventing Major League Baseball implementing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and using replacement players.

Replacement players. That was another brilliant idea by Bud Selig.

I remember that time as I spent nine weeks in the Marriott in Tampa covering spring training that year waiting for the strike to end. I was at the hotel so long I got my own parking space.

I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend and looking forward to speaking with you tonight on Mets Chat Room.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Greetings all. I hope you enjoyed the holiday with your family and friends. Three-day weekends are always a treasure. Made even better when your team is doing well.

Beyond my wildest dreams, the Mets won two of three against Boston at Fenway. I expected a sweep in the other direction. But, they surprised everybody, but hopefully not themselves.

Their recent road trip was a test. They won five, lost five, so let’s take this with a grain of salt. With how they started, they should have won six. They also could have lost six had it not been for Omir Santos.

This next stretch is also a test with games against Washington, Florida and Pittsburgh. These are all series the Mets should win, but series they’ve struggled with in the past – especially when coming off a rough stretch.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

I have to be honest with you. Never would I have expected the Mets to be on the verge of sweeping the Red Sox. Honestly, I thought it would be the other way.

Tim Redding vs. Tim Wakefield. Redding will try to make his second straight strong start since rejoining the team.

The Mets are already guaranteed coming home no worse than 5-5. I would like to think they have weathered the storm.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

The Mets will attempt to stay on track tonight at Boston with Mike Pelfrey. When we last left Pelfrey, he was balking three times at San Francisco, which put the runners in position to score.

The balks were the ball game.

Since then, Pelfrey has been to a sports psychologist, but we’ll see if he’s corrected the yips. Of course, the best way to avoid balks is to not let anybody get on base. He’s not going to pitch a perfect game, but perhaps he’ll cut out the walks which have beaten him this year.

Pelfrey’s record is better than how he’s pitched. He’s had the benefit of support other in the rotation have missed out on.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09