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	<title>The John Delcos New York Mets Report</title>
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		<title>Mets Weighing Ike Davis Demotion</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/18/mets-weighing-ike-davis-demotion/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/18/mets-weighing-ike-davis-demotion/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 13:17:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andrew Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ike Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Statin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rick Ankiel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Until Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zach Lutz]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14178</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If, and when, the Mets demote Ike Davis, it shouldn’t be interpreted as the franchise giving up on him. It should be looked at as tough love, that they are doing what is in the best interests of themselves and &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/18/mets-weighing-ike-davis-demotion/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If, and when, the Mets demote <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisik02,davisik01&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ike Davis</a></strong>, it shouldn’t be interpreted as the franchise giving up on him. It should be looked at as tough love, that they are doing what is in the best interests of themselves and their frustrated slugger.</p>
<p>The Mets must make this decision, whether he’s the future or not. If he is the future, then the Mets must make him right. If he’s not the future, then the Mets should stop spinning their wheels.</p>
<div id="attachment_14179" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 193px"><a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Davis15.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image-14179" alt="DAVIS: Could be optioned soon." src="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Davis15.jpeg" width="183" height="275" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">DAVIS: Could be optioned soon.</p></div>
<p>I don’t believe the Mets will bail on him long term because, 1) he’s shown flashes of success, 2) they have more urgent needs in other areas so they can afford more patience, and 3) he has a manageable contract.</p>
<p>Davis will need to work on mechanics and approach when he’s sent down, and the Mets will have to judge him on those and not stats, as you can make them say anything you want.</p>
<p>Davis just looks uncomfortable at the plate and this wide stance is such that he’s awkward looking. It makes him prone to lunging and getting off balance.</p>
<p>His approach is just plain bad. He should look at striking out as a disease. His pitch recognition is poor, which is how you explain his reaching for low-and-away breaking balls. Until Davis proves he can adjust and hit this pitch, there’s no reason why any pitcher will throw him a fastball.</p>
<p>Finally, he has to understand it is better to put the ball in play than to walk back to the dugout. There’s nothing sexy about striking out, and good things happen when you go up the middle.</p>
<p>Reportedly, the Mets are close to pulling the trigger on this, but are weighing their call-up choices. If and when the Mets make this move, it likely won’t be for Josh Statin because he is not on the 40-man roster and bringing him up would require some juggling.</p>
<p>The likely choices would be <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=brownan01,brownan02,brown-005and&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Andrew Brown</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lutzza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Zach Lutz</a></strong>. Because Brown was sent down when the Mets signed <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ankieri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Rick Ankiel</a></strong>, he’s not eligible to be brought up until next week.</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, Davis will put an incredible amount of pressure on himself trying to snap out of this funk and attempt to stay, but that would only make things worse.</p>
<p>When you look at the Mets’ roster, Davis is one of the few players you can look at and realistically project he will still be here in five years. However, if he doesn’t get things fixed soon, you can also realistically project he won’t be here next year.</p>
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		<title>May 17 Mets Wrap: Matt Harvey Does It All</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/17/may-17-mets-wrap-matt-harvey-does-it-all/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/17/may-17-mets-wrap-matt-harvey-does-it-all/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 21:38:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets News & Notes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alfonso Soriano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bobby Parnell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Murphy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Darwin Barney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ike Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Justin Turner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marlon Byrd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ruben Tejada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Terry Collins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twitter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14172</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Matt Harvey settled down after a rocky two-run first inning to produce one of his most impressive starts of the season in a 3-2 victory at Wrigley Field. The victory was the Mets’ second straight after losing six in a &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/17/may-17-mets-wrap-matt-harvey-does-it-all/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Matt Harvey</a></strong> settled down after a rocky two-run first inning to produce one of his most impressive starts of the season in a 3-2 victory at Wrigley Field. The victory was the Mets’ second straight after losing six in a row.</p>
<div id="attachment_14173" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i-4.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-14173" alt="HARVEY: Does it all vs. Cubs. (AP)" src="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i-4-300x225.jpeg" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">HARVEY: Does it all vs. Cubs. (AP)</p></div>
<p><strong>ON THE MOUND:</strong> Flirting with perfection is one thing, but pulling it together when it isn’t going well is more indicative of what he’ll normally face. Harvey gave up three hits in the first inning and only two after, at one point retiring 14 straight.. … In 7.1 innings, Harvey gave up two runs on five hits and no walks with six strikeouts. … <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parnebo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Bobby Parnell</a></strong> worked the ninth for his fifth save.</p>
<p><strong>AT THE PLATE:</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wrighda03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">David Wright</a></strong> homered in the first, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murphda08.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Daniel Murphy</a></strong> homered to tie the game in the fourth, and Harvey drove in the game-winner with a seventh-inning single. … Wright had three hits. He also stole his ninth base. … <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisik02,davisik01&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ike Davis</a></strong> snapped a 0-for-25 slide with a single in the sixth.</p>
<p><strong>IN THE FIELD:</strong> Davis missed coming up with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tejadru01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ruben Tejada</a></strong>’s one-bouncer that allowed two runs to score in the first. Amazingly, the official scorer gave <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/soriaal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Alfonso Soriano</a></strong> an infield hit and a throwing error to Ruben Tejada. … <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/byrdma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Marlon Byrd</a></strong> threw out <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/barneda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Darwin Barney</a></strong> at the plate to preserve the lead in the eighth inning.</p>
<p><strong>METS MATTERS:</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wheele001zac&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Zack Wheeler</a></strong> returned to Triple-A Las Vegas and resumed throwing today. He received a cortisone injection in the AC joint of his right shoulder Wednesday. … <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/collite99.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Terry Collins</a></strong> suggested a platoon with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/turneju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Justin Turner</a></strong> at first base and/or dropping him to fifth in the order if his problems continue.</p>
<p><strong>THEY SAID IT:</strong>  &#8220;The run support has been lacking, but most of our starters can complain about run support the last couple of weeks. … Pitching, run support and defense; we got all three of those.’’ – Wright on Harvey’s performance.</p>
<p><strong>BY THE NUMBERS:</strong> 18: First-pitch strikes thrown out of 27 hitters faced by Harvey.</p>
<p><strong>ON DECK:</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hefneje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jeremy Hefner</a></strong> attempts to win for the first time in eight starts Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p><strong><i>Your comments are appreciated and I will attempt to answer them. Please follow me on Twitter</i> <i><a href="https://www.twitter.com/jdelcos">@jdelcos</a></i></strong></p>
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		<title>Mets Must Option Ike Davis; It&#8217;s The Only Way To Save Him</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/17/mets-must-option-ike-davis-its-the-only-way-to-save-him/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/17/mets-must-option-ike-davis-its-the-only-way-to-save-him/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 16:02:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[192]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Murphy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ike Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jason Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jordany Valdespin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ruben Tejada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Terry Collins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travis Wood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twitter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zach Lutz]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14168</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Mets’ lineup for today’s game in Chicago has Ike Davis batting clean up, just where Terry Collins promised he would. Collins said Davis will hit fourth today and tomorrow, but doesn’t know where he’ll bat – if he bats at &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/17/mets-must-option-ike-davis-its-the-only-way-to-save-him/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Mets’ lineup for today’s game in Chicago has <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisik02,davisik01&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ike Davis</a></strong> batting clean up, just where <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/collite99.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Terry Collins</a></strong> promised he would. Collins said Davis will hit fourth today and tomorrow, but doesn’t know where he’ll bat – if he bats at all – Sunday against left-hander <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodtr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Travis Wood</a></strong>.</p>
<p>&#8220;Through this weekend,’’ Collins told reporters yesterday in St. Louis after Davis went 0-for-5, including four strikeouts. &#8220;I told him last week that this week, when we play against right-handed pitchers, he’s going to hit fourth. That’s where he belongs. And that’s where he’s supposed to hit.’’</p>
<div id="attachment_14170" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 495px"><a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/alg_ike_davis_reacts.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-14170" alt="DAVIS: We've seen this reaction a lot." src="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/alg_ike_davis_reacts.jpg" width="485" height="400" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">DAVIS: We&#8217;ve seen this reaction a lot.</p></div>
<p>That is, of course, if he’s hitting at all, which Davis is not. He takes a 0-for-22 slide and .157 average into today’s game. Davis already has 45 strikeouts and is on pace for 192. Here’s another way to look at things: If his strikeouts were hits, he would be batting .354.</p>
<p>I realize this is a different era, but Davis’ strikeouts are inexcusable. He didn’t seemed concerned about them when I spoke with him earlier this spring, telling me he’s a home run hitter, that he likes to hit home runs and strike outs are part of the package.</p>
<p>That’s nonsense, and in some ways, just as selfish as <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jordany Valdespin</a></strong>’s styling after hitting a meaningless home run.</p>
<p>No matter how you slice it, a strike out is a wasted at-bat. So many things can happen if you put the ball in play: you can get a hit; reach on an error; drive in a run; or simply advance the runner into scoring position.</p>
<p>You don’t do anything when you strike out, and the worst thing about Davis now is that he doesn&#8217;t grasp that concept.</p>
<p>Mets hitters average just under ten strikeouts a game, which,means they aren’t putting the ball in play for a third of the game. No wonder they are losing.</p>
<p>Everybody in the normal starting line up but <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tejadru01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ruben Tejada</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murphda08.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Daniel Murphy</a></strong> are on pace for over 100 strikeouts, and the double-play combination is on pace for nearly 170, so it’s not like we’re talking that great an improvement.</p>
<p>I don’t know what Collins will do after this weekend, but the Mets need to move Davis, and I don’t mean to seventh in the order.</p>
<p>If the Mets honestly believe Davis is their future first baseman based on the 32 homers he gave them last year, then sending him to the minor leagues is their best option so he can straighten his head and shorten his swing. If the Mets don&#8217;t believe he&#8217;s their future, then sending him to the minor leagues is their best option because it will give somebody else a chance to play.</p>
<p>Davis said he’s been hitting the ball well during this slide, which is puzzling, and he’s not even in agreement with Collins on what’s the problem. Collins said Davis is missing off-speed and breaking pitches, but Davis says otherwise.</p>
<p>Collins said teams are giving Davis a steady dose of off-speed pitches. Davis said that&#8217;s only partially true. He&#8217;s missing fastballs early in the count and becomes vulnerable for the off-speed pitches with two strikes.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not the off-speed that I&#8217;m missing,’’ Davis said. &#8220;I&#8217;m missing the fastballs. When you miss the fastballs, they have pretty good off-speed pitches in the big leagues. `And when you have two strikes, you&#8217;ve got to protect [against] the fastball at 97 mph. And then there&#8217;s a good off-speed pitch. The bottom line is I need to hit the pitch earlier in the count that&#8217;s over the plate, and hit it in fair play.’’</p>
<p>Huh? Did you get all that? If you did you should get frequent flier miles for following him all over the map.</p>
<p>Overall, Davis is missing the off-speed pitch because that&#8217;s what he&#8217;s getting. There&#8217;s not reason why a pitcher would throw him a fastball. Yes, he’s missing them, too, when he gets one.</p>
<p>One scout told me Davis isn’t doing anything right at the plate, that he’s pull happy and doesn’t use the entire field, let alone go to left. He said Davis is in love with the home run, which is killing any chance he has to become a solid hitter.</p>
<p>Is it too late for Davis to live up to the expectations?</p>
<p>Davis can be salvaged, but not on this level. When he gets home he’ll hear the booing just as <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bayja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jason Bay</a></strong> heard them and the pressure will only intensify.</p>
<p>The Mets must send him to the minor leagues and keep him there until he changes his approach. Minor league results are meaningless; the Mets must see a change in style. Davis must learn to be patient and wait for his pitch. He must eschew the low-and-away breaking stuff; he must stop trying to pull everything.</p>
<p>If his approach improves and he’s making consistent contact, the home runs will come. If he stays on his current approach, he’ll soon be an ex-Met. Josh Statin and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lutzza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Zach Lutz</a></strong> can be brought up, if nothing else, to see what they can give the Mets. As of now, it can’t be any less than what Davis gives  them.</p>
<p><strong><em>Your comments are appreciated and I will attempt to answer them. Please follow me on Twitter</em></strong> <em><strong><a href="https://www.twitter.com/jdelcos">@jdelcos</a></strong></em></p>
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		<title>Mets Wrap: Jon Niese Shines In Win Over Cards</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/mets-wrap-jon-niese-pitches-mets-past-cardinals/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/mets-wrap-jon-niese-pitches-mets-past-cardinals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 22:37:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets News & Notes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bobby Parnell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Murphy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Wright]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ike Davis]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Four more strikeouts from Ike Davis, another boneheaded play from Jordany Valdespin, and another lumbering Met thrown out trying to steal, and yet The Boys From Flushing beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-2, today to snap a six-game losing streak. &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/mets-wrap-jon-niese-pitches-mets-past-cardinals/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Four more strikeouts from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisik02,davisik01&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ike Davis</a></strong>, another boneheaded play from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jordany Valdespin</a></strong>, and another lumbering Met thrown out trying to steal, and yet The Boys From Flushing beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-2, today to snap a six-game losing streak. The reasons were mostly <strong><a href="/players/n/niesejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jon Niese</a></strong>’s strong performance of working into the eighth inning and four hits from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murphda08.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Daniel Murphy</a></strong>.</p>
<div id="attachment_14166" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i-3.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-14166" alt="NIESE: Breaks slide." src="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i-3-300x206.jpeg" width="300" height="206" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">NIESE: Breaks slide.</p></div>
<p><strong>ON THE MOUND:</strong> Niese was superb, and it didn’t have anything to do with the color of his wife’s panties. Niese threw first-pitch strikes to 19 of 29 hitters and registered 14 groundball outs. … He gave up two runs in 6.2 innings. … <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parnebo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Bobby Parnell</a></strong> earned his fourth save.</p>
<p><strong>AT THE PLATE:</strong> Murphy went 4-for-4. … <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wrighda03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">David Wright</a></strong> drove in two runs. … Davis’ four strikeouts upped his total to 45 and put him on pace for 192. Here’s another way to look at things: If his strikeouts were hits, he would be batting .354. … Unbelievably, with runners on the corners and one out in the seventh, Valdespin bunted on his own. … Mets hitters struck out 11 more times.</p>
<p><strong>THEY SAID IT:</strong> &#8220;Today was an awful day. I can’t really say anything else. Just really bad.’’ – Davis after going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Thursday.</p>
<p><strong>BY THE NUMBERS:</strong>  22: Consecutive hitless at-bats by Davis.</p>
<p><strong>ON DECK:</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Matt Harvey</a></strong> will attempt to break his string of four straight no-decisions Friday at Wrigley Field.</p>
<p><strong><em>Your comments are appreciated and I will attempt to answer them. Please follow me on Twitter</em></strong> <em><strong><a href="https://www.twitter.com/jdelcos">@jdelcos</a></strong></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Found: Guts In Mets Clubhouse</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/found-guts-in-mets-clubhouse/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/found-guts-in-mets-clubhouse/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 15:30:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Murphy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Wright]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ike Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Buck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jordany Valdespin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lucas Duda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rick Ankiel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ruben Tejada]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14159</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Finally, guts. LaTroy Hawkins has been around a long time. He has forgotten more about clubhouse protocol than most Mets will ever know. Yes, we’re talking again about Jordany Valdespin, this time Hawkins’ take on the matter to national baseball &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/found-guts-in-mets-clubhouse/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Finally, guts.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hawkila01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">LaTroy Hawkins</a></strong> has been around a long time. He has forgotten more about clubhouse protocol than most Mets will ever know.</p>
<p>Yes, we’re talking again about <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jordany Valdespin</a></strong>, this time Hawkins’ take on the matter to national baseball writer Bob Nightengale.</p>
<p>Nightengale has been around a long time. He knows the ropes, and after years of living in Minneapolis developed a relationship of trust with Hawkins, a long-time Twin.</p>
<p>&#8220;What were we supposed to do there? We were down six runs, he hits a home run and he acts like it&#8217;s a walk-off,’’ Nightengale said of Valdespin’s posing after a meaningless home run.</p>
<p>&#8220;This isn&#8217;t Little League. What, now we&#8217;re supposed to get into a fight for that? We&#8217;re supposed to throw at somebody because he did a bonehead thing? Now, if they throw at him for no reason, that&#8217;s a different story. We protect our team. But to do what he did put us in a bad spot, a real bad spot.</p>
<p>&#8220;He showed absolutely no respect. If you&#8217;re going to pimp it, you&#8217;re going to suffer the consequences. I have no problem defending my teammates, but some things, you just can&#8217;t defend against. He&#8217;s created a lot of unnecessary tension around here.’’</p>
<p>Earlier today, I listed several action steps for Sandy Alderson. I wonder if he’s taken the temperature in his clubhouse. I wonder if he’s spoken to a veteran like Hawkins.</p>
<p>I don’t expect a general manager to act on the basis of one quote, but I do expect him to know the sentiments of his players.</p>
<p>Perhaps the Mets will wise up and get rid of Valdespin soon, but for now he’s in the starting line-up as the leadoff hitter in right field.</p>
<p>Here’s today’s line-up as the Mets attempt in St. Louis to avoid a seventh straight defeat:</p>
<p>Jordany Valdespin, RF: Whatever he does today, let’s hope he’s quiet about it.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murphda08.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Daniel Murphy</a></strong>, 2B: Broke out of slump with seven hits in last four games.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wrighda03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">David Wright</a></strong>, 3B: Coming off his worst game of the season with a costly run-generating error and three strikeouts. Is batting .419 with runners in scoring position.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisik02,davisik01&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ike Davis</a></strong>, 1B: Hitless in 11 at-bats in the three games so far against Cardinals. Overall, one hit in last 20 at-bats and hitting .164.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dudalu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Lucas Duda</a></strong>, LF: Hitless in ten at-bats in the series. Is .143 (3-21) with runners in scoring position.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buckjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">John Buck</a></strong>, C: Thrown out twice at second Wednesday night. Why was he trying to steal?</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ankieri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Rick Ankiel</a></strong>, CF: Homered last night.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tejadru01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ruben Tejada</a></strong>, SS: Batting .174 for month of May.</p>
<p>Jonathan Niese, LHP: Hasn’t won in five starts. Has to try to do it with this line-up.</p>
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		<title>Alderson Needs To Take Action Now On Distractions</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/alderson-needs-to-take-action-now-on-distractions/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/alderson-needs-to-take-action-now-on-distractions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 14:10:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ike Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jason Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jordany Valdespin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Satin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Terry Collins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wally Backman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wilmer Flores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zack Wheeler]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14154</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are getting perilously close to the time in the baseball season where free-falling clubs tend to fire their manager. Should the Mets sack Terry Collins in the wake of his ripping the fans – who by the way, aren’t &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/16/alderson-needs-to-take-action-now-on-distractions/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We are getting perilously close to the time in the baseball season where free-falling clubs tend to fire their manager. Should the Mets sack <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/collite99.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Terry Collins</a></strong> in the wake of his ripping the fans – who by the way, aren’t coming out to Citi Field these days – they can claim justifiability, but would be making a mistake.</p>
<p>Like many quick-fixes, it will not work. Despite Collins’ outburst, firing him is not the answer as it screams panic.</p>
<div id="attachment_14155" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 192px"><a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Alderson.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image-14155" alt="ALDERSON: Some action needed." src="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Alderson.jpeg" width="182" height="278" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">ALDERSON: Some action needed.</p></div>
<p>As the appearance is things spiraling out of control, the Mets desperately need to show signs of stability and reiterate the growth process. Sacking the manager does not achieve this goal.</p>
<p>General manager Sandy Alderson needs to take several steps to show the fan base there is a plan, and it has to entail more than asking for patience and talking about a supposedly increased payroll after this season.</p>
<p>The first thing Alderson must do is speak out in defense of his manager. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jordany Valdespin</a></strong> isn’t being hung out to dry, it is Collins. Alderson must say Collins is his man and his job is not in jeopardy.</p>
<p>Supporting Collins also entails ridding the Mets of the topic, which set him off in the first place, and that is Valdespin. If Alderson can’t trade Valdespin, whose value is low, then designated him for assignment. Don’t bother sending him down because you don’t want to pollute a farm team with his selfish, punkish attitude. Get rid of him, and if he comes back to bite the Mets in the butt, so be it.</p>
<p>You will notice an immediate cleansing in the clubhouse. The Mets spoke about changing the culture of the franchise, and that should include getting rid of that kind of attitude. One can’t help but notice neither Collins nor Alderson care for Valdespin, and for whatever talent he has, he’s not worth the trouble.</p>
<p>Next, send down <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisik02,davisik01&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ike Davis</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dudalu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Lucas Duda</a></strong> until they show signs of understanding how to hit. I keep hearing there’s nothing down below that can help. Well, how will they know unless they try?</p>
<p>Clearly, Davis and Duda aren’t getting it done on the major league level and the pressure is only increasing. When they get home, they will hear boos and that won’t help. It will be like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bayja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jason Bay</a></strong> all over again, but in two positions.</p>
<p>The Mets aren’t going to make a trade or sign anybody now, so let’s see what is below. If you don’t want to screw with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=flores003wil&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Wilmer Flores</a></strong> changing positions, I understand. But, let’s look at <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/satinjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Josh Satin</a></strong>. Or <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lutzza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Zach Lutz</a></strong>. Or any Little Leaguer in the Tri-State area. I’m just tired of watching strikeout after strikeout.</p>
<p>Davis shows no signs of patience or understanding of the strike zone and Duda has regressed from a promising start. Maybe these guys are the future, but they certainly aren’t the present. And, it is obvious they aren’t learning anything up here.</p>
<p>Finally, Alderson should flat out say <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wheele001zac&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Zack Wheeler</a></strong> is not coming up and it is because of his contract status. We all know about Super Two, so let’s stop the charade. Putting a date on Wheeler will eliminate the distracting groundswell, which has included <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=backmwa01,backma002wal&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Wally Backman</a></strong>’s muddying projection.</p>
<p>Collins’ status, Valdespin, Davis, Duda and Wheeler are all distractions that could be eliminated by forceful actions from Alderson.</p>
<p>Just do it.</p>
<p>As always, your comments are greatly appreciated and I will attempt to answer them.</p>
<p>Please follow me on Twitter <em><strong><a href="https://www.twitter.com/jdelcos">@jdelcos</a></strong></em></p>
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		<title>Mets Wrap: Losing Streak Reaches Six Straight</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/mets-wrap-losing-streak-reaches-six-straight/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/mets-wrap-losing-streak-reaches-six-straight/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 03:30:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets News & Notes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adam Wainwright]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Wright]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ike Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Buck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Keith Hernandez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lucas Duda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rick Ankiel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scott Rice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shaun Marcum]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14149</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Mets received a strong outing from Shaun Marcum and Rick Ankiel hit a two-run homer, but that was the extent of the highlights as the Cardinals scored the game-winning run in the seventh inning on Scott Rice’s run-producing wild &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/mets-wrap-losing-streak-reaches-six-straight/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Mets received a strong outing from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marcush01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Shaun Marcum</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ankieri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Rick Ankiel</a></strong> hit a two-run homer, but that was the extent of the highlights as the Cardinals scored the game-winning run in the seventh inning on <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ricesc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Scott Rice</a></strong>’s run-producing wild pitch in the 4-2 loss. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buckjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">John Buck</a></strong> was doubled off second base and was caught stealing, and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wrighda03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">David Wright</a></strong> dropped the ball attempting to tag John Jay, who eventually scored. The Mets dropped to 14-23 with their sixth straight loss.</p>
<div id="attachment_14150" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i-21.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-14150" alt="ANKIEL: Homered to tie game. (AP)" src="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i-21-300x232.jpeg" width="300" height="232" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">ANKIEL: Homered to tie game. (AP)</p></div>
<p><strong>ON THE MOUND:</strong> Marcum had his best moment with the Mets, giving up three runs on five hits in 6.2 innings. Marcum walked one, but as fate would have it for the Mets, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/descada01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Daniel Descalso</a></strong> came around to score the go-ahead run on Rice’s wild pitch.</p>
<p><strong>AT THE PLATE:</strong> Ankiel had two hits, including a game-tying two-run homer in the seventh. … Seven more strikeouts by Mets hitters, including three by Wright. … <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisik02,davisik01&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Ike Davis</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dudalu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Lucas Duda</a></strong> are hitting .164 and .205, respectively.</p>
<p><strong>METS MATTERS:</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wheele001zac&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Zack Wheeler</a></strong> took a cortisone injection to his right shoulder and will resume throwing in 48 hours. He will miss at least one start.</p>
<p><strong>THEY SAID IT:</strong> &#8220;Oh boy,’’ sighed <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernake01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Keith Hernandez</a></strong> when Cardinals went ahead in seventh on run-scoring wild pitch from Scott Rice.</p>
<p><strong>BY THE NUMBERS:</strong> 5: Number of Mets in tonight’s lineup hitting less than .240.</p>
<p><strong>ON DECK:</strong> <strong><a href="/players/n/niesejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jon Niese</a></strong> (2-4) tries to win for the first time in six starts Thursday afternoon against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Adam Wainwright</a></strong>.</p>
<p>Your comments are always welcome and I will attempt to answer them.</p>
<p>Please follow me on Twitter <em><strong><a href="https://www.twitter.com/jdelcos">@jdelcos</a></strong></em></p>
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		<title>Terry Collins Spins Into Damage Control</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/terry-collins-spins-into-damage-control/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/terry-collins-spins-into-damage-control/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 23:00:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Busch Stadium]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jordany Valdespin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandy Alderson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Terry Collins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wfan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14145</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Terry Collins is a smart guy who made some pretty out-of-bounds comments Monday night. Some might even call them stupid. I leaned in that direction when I came down on Collins for ripping the fans in his response to a &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/terry-collins-spins-into-damage-control/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/collite99.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Terry Collins</a></strong> is a smart guy who made some pretty out-of-bounds comments Monday night. Some might even call them stupid.</p>
<div id="attachment_14147" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/420x316-alg_terry_collins-dugout.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-14147" alt="COLLINS: Spins into damage control." src="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/420x316-alg_terry_collins-dugout-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">COLLINS: Spins into damage control.</p></div>
<p>I leaned in that direction when I came down on Collins for ripping the fans in his response to a question on if the Mets were leaving <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jordany Valdespin</a></strong> out to dry after his actions last weekend.</p>
<p>&#8220;I don’t answer to fans,’’ Collins said reporters in St. Louis. &#8220;They don’t play this game. They have no idea what goes on. They have no idea what goes on in there. They have absolutely no idea what it means to be a professional teammate at this level.’’</p>
<p>Collins also went on to say he didn&#8217;t care about the perception of the Valdespin incident, ranging from the player celebrating his meaningless home run in a blowout loss, to the manager anticipating the payback plunking, to the player&#8217;s dugout tantrum.</p>
<p>There’s no mistaking what Collins meant, but it should be noted this could have been alleviated had he danced around the question and later vented his true feelings in an off-the-record session with the New York traveling media. Had he done so, Collins’ comments wouldn’t have left his Busch Stadium office.</p>
<p>Speaking on WFAN this afternoon, Collins was in full damage control, saying: &#8220;The New York fans are maybe the most knowledgeable fans that I’ve ever been around.</p>
<p>&#8220;When the question was asked, it pretty much was … Look, as much as I respect everybody’s opinions, it’s my opinion that counts and what’s best for this club. I can’t be influenced by outside people who aren’t here, and that’s pretty much all I meant. Certainly I misused the words. I shouldn’t have said ‘fans.’ I should have just said ‘people.’ ’’</p>
<p>However, what are fans, if not people?</p>
<p>Collins might have meant fans and media lumped together when he said &#8220;people,’’ but either way, why take on a foe when you don’t have to?</p>
<p>If you want to give Collins benefit of doubt, which I don’t have a problem with, you have to recognize his frustration and the pressure he’s under. His is not an easy job, made harder by the cards Sandy Alderson dealt him. We can go on item-by-item of all Collins doesn’t have to work with, and then add the headache that is Valdespin.</p>
<p>To understand fully what Collins is dealing with, you have to hear what Valdespin said last night. Valdespin was sent up to pinch-hit in another blowout loss. After taking a couple of pitches, he stepped out of the batter’s box and took a deep breath.</p>
<p>When asked after the game what he was thinking about, Valdespin said what he would do if he hit a homer.</p>
<p>Yeah, after hearing that, I’m willing to give Collins a pass on Monday’s comments. He deserves it for having to deal with Valdespin.</p>
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		<title>Where Would This Team Be Without Harvey? You Don&#8217;t Want To Know&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/where-would-this-team-be-without-harvey-you-dont-want-to-know/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/where-would-this-team-be-without-harvey-you-dont-want-to-know/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 18:37:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joe D - Mets Merized Online</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dillon Gee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Era]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jeremy Hefner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Niese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Harvey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shaun Marcum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zack Wheeler]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14142</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Where would this team be without Matt Harvey? Is it safe to say that as of this moment, the only proven and legit core player under the age of 30 this team has is The Dark Knight of Gotham? I &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/where-would-this-team-be-without-harvey-you-dont-want-to-know/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-116781" alt="matt harvey" src="http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/matt-harvey6-400x266.jpg" width="400" height="266" /></p>
<p>Where would this team be without <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Matt Harvey</a></strong>?</p>
<p>Is it safe to say that as of this moment, the only proven and legit core player under the age of 30 this team has is <a href="http://metsmerizedonline.com/2013/05/matt-harvey-is-the-dark-knight-of-gotham.html" target="_blank"><strong>The Dark Knight of Gotham</strong></a>?</p>
<p>I like <strong><a href="/players/n/niesejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Jon Niese</a></strong> a lot, but is he a core player? Or just an number three pitcher who plays the role of an ace on a very bad team?</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-118952" alt="pitching" src="http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/pitching.jpg" width="599" height="228" /></p>
<p>I quickly threw some numbers into a spreadsheet and I can&#8217;t believe how appalling the numbers are once you take Harvey out of the equation.</p>
<p>Two of our top three starters have ERA&#8217;s of 5.93 for Jon Niese and 6.13 for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/geedi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Dillon Gee</a></strong>. Our number four starter, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hefneje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Jeremy Hefner</a></strong> has got them both beat with a 4.28 ERA. You may recall me saying back in January that he would be a sleeper and best choice for fifth starter?</p>
<p>Then you have the pitcher who was supposed to help replace <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dicker.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">R.A. Dickey</a></strong>&#8216;s innings in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marcush01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Shaun Marcum</a></strong>. The Mets gave marcum a guaranteed $4 million dollars and in return he&#8217;s already missed one month and since his debut is averaging 4.1 innings in three starts and has a team worst 8.31 ERA.</p>
<p>Mets pitchers are now officially the worst in the National League and second worst in the Major Leagues. And that&#8217;s with Matt Harvey who is in the top five in over a half dozen pitching categories.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s kind of embarrassing, wouldn&#8217;t you say?</p>
<p>Gee has been the latest starter to deliver an abysmal performance after allowing six runs and nine hits against the Cardinals last night in 4.0 innings.</p>
<p>“I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t even know what to say, really. I didn&#8217;t feel all that bad tonight&#8221;, said Gee after the game. &#8220;Physically I feel great. There’s nothing going on there. I don&#8217;t know. I&#8217;m kind of lost.&#8221;</p>
<p>You don&#8217;t say?</p>
<p>Gee and Co. is partly why the Mets bullpen has been as abysmal as it has. They are burning through arms at an unprecedented rate. Six weeks in and already eight transactions related to the bullpen alone. And it&#8217;s not as if it was a great bullpen to begin with. It was put together with sticks and Krazy Glue.</p>
<p>So while everyone is piling on when it comes to the Mets offense, the truth of the matter is that this team is quite atrocious on all fronts. Take a look at the evidence:</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ff;">METS PITCHING RANKINGS</span></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-118954" alt="Screenshot_15" src="http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screenshot_15.png" width="557" height="59" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ff;">METS HITTING RANKINGS</span></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-118955" alt="Screenshot_16" src="http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screenshot_16.png" width="558" height="58" /></p>
<p>That stinks to high heaven. It&#8217;s a shock to the system to even look at those awful, awful numbers.</p>
<p>I can tell you right now that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wheele001zac&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Zack Wheeler</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=darnau001tra&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Travis d&#8217;Arnaud</a></strong> alone are not going to fix that. In fact I think it&#8217;s a sin that those two are being setup for a unfair amount of undue pressure, as if trying to stick in the majors wasn&#8217;t already challenging enough.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, Sandy Alderson seemed concerned that Wheeler is being looked upon as some sort of savior and he admitted to Mike Francesa that he wasn&#8217;t. But the fact that both he and d&#8217;Arnaud will be walking into this disaster is going to be something to behold and I don&#8217;t mean that in a good way. I wonder how they will handle it, and God forbid if they don&#8217;t produce immediate results and hit the ground running.</p>
<p>The other day on Twitter I tossed out the suggestion of just letting both of them stay at Triple-A and don&#8217;t bring them up unless this team turns it around. Losing is contagious. I know you all know that. If this is what those two kids are going to walk into, I&#8217;d rather wait and call them up in September.</p>
<p>At least in September they can come up without the pressure of having to carry a team that was poorly constructed. It&#8217;s bad enough that Matt Harvey has had to deal with this. I totally feel sorry for that kid. On any other team, but the Mets, Harvey would probably be 8-0 right now.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t know if this is rock bottom, but heaven help us if it isn&#8217;t and it continues to get worse.</p>
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		<title>Thoughts On Terry Collins Blasting the Fans</title>
		<link>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/thoughts-on-terry-collins-blasting-the-fans/</link>
		<comments>http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/thoughts-on-terry-collins-blasting-the-fans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 13:36:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Delcos</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mets Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alderson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clint Hurdle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Wright]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jordany Valdespin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Neither Collins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pirates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ruben Tejada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shipping Valdespin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Telling Hurdle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Terry Collins]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/?p=14129</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[COLLINS LASHES AT FANS OVER VALDESPIN ISSUE Terry Collins did what no manager should do, especially one with a career losing record likely to be made a scapegoat for what figures to be the Mets’ fifth consecutive losing season. Collins, &#8230; <a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/2013/05/15/thoughts-on-terry-collins-blasting-the-fans/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mlb_a_collins_gb2_600.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-14130 aligncenter" alt="COLLINS: Lashes at fans." src="http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mlb_a_collins_gb2_600.jpg" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>COLLINS LASHES AT FANS OVER VALDESPIN ISSUE</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/collite99.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Terry Collins</a></strong> did what no manager should do, especially one with a career losing record likely to be made a scapegoat for what figures to be the Mets’ fifth consecutive losing season.</p>
<p>Collins, who has been erratic and puzzling on several issues this season, took on the exceedingly frustrated Mets’ fan base Tuesday night, basically calling them clueless and he didn’t care for their perception of his team, which is rapidly falling out of relevance before June.</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, the catalyst for Collins’ anger was the lingering <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Jordany Valdespin</a></strong> issue. Neither Collins nor general manager Sandy Alderson has been able to get through to Valdespin, and both handled his self-glorifying home run and subsequent beaning poorly.</p>
<p>If the Mets were winning, it would have gone away. Because they are not and in the midst of a stretch that could blow up their season, Valdespin is an issue.</p>
<p>After Valdespin’s homer last Friday in a blowout loss, Collins alluded to the possibility of the temperamental outfielder getting beaned as payback. Collins spoke of baseball’s unwritten code, and how Valdespin’s attitude is the norm and he couldn’t do anything about it.</p>
<p>Basically, he left it up to the Pirates teach his player a lesson, when what he should have done was rip Valdespin’s actions. Collins could have also told Pirates manager <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hurdlcl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">Clint Hurdle</a></strong> he would handle Valdespin.</p>
<p>By not doing so, Collins invited the Pirates to throw at his player. After the plunking, Collins pretty much said, &#8220;that’s baseball,’’ and Alderson took the same milquetoast approach.</p>
<p>No Met approached Valdespin after his dugout temper tantrum, and only <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wrighda03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-www.newyorkmetsreport.com" target="_blank">David Wright</a></strong> offered any verbal support. The perception is the Mets don’t have Valdespin’s back, and several nameless quotes say he is universally scorned in the clubhouse.</p>
<p>Collins was asked whether Valdespin is on an island and told reporters in St. Louis: &#8220;I don’t answer to fans. They don’t play this game. They have no idea what goes on. They have no idea what goes on in there.</p>
<p>&#8220;They have absolutely no idea what it means to be a professional teammate at this level. … I’ll tell you one thing: Jordany knew they were going to throw at him. He knew it. And you’ve got to go take your medicine. That’s part of being a big guy in this league.’’</p>
<p>If Valdespin knew he would get hit – and his reaction suggests he might be oblivious to the baseball code – then why would he put his player in that position?</p>
<p>Telling Hurdle he would handle things might have prevented the rib-banging pitch.</p>
<p>There are varying perceptions of the incident brought on by how Collins and Alderson handled things. Shipping Valdespin’s butt out the next day would have sent a strong message to the Pirates as well as his clubhouse his hot-dogging would not be tolerated.</p>
<p>The perception of that would have been clear and decisive. If nothing else, it would have shown Collins and his front office were in sync.</p>
<p>Instead, Collins put himself in position to handle another question of which its answer could grease the skids on his exit.</p>
<p>&#8220;I don’t care what the perception is,’’ Collins said. &#8220;All I know is what goes on here. I’ve been doing this for 42 years. I don’t care what anybody on the outside thinks.</p>
<p>&#8220;I know how to get it done in the clubhouse. I’ve been doing it a lot longer than a lot of people. He’s fine. He handled it great, I thought, the way he went about it. He went to first base. He didn’t throw his bat any place. … He did it the right way. And now it’s over. Now we move on.’’</p>
<p>Easier said than done, because Valdespin did not handle it the right way. No, he didn’t throw his bat or charge the mound, but he did slam his helmet, which prevents moving on.</p>
<p>Collins then went on to make excuses for Valdespin, saying he had a tough background. He also said Valdespin has to be careful not to alienate his teammates, which might already be the case.</p>
<p>One day, Collins spoke of baseball’s code and another made excuses for his polarizing player. You can’t help but wonder how Valdespin’s teammates might be annoyed by that defense.</p>
<p>Valdespin was not in the lineup Tuesday, and for a team struggling for offense, the perception is clear he’s on the outs. So, why is he still here?</p>
<p>Yes, Collins has been in the game for over 40 years, and in that time one would have thought he would have learned a few things.</p>
<p>One, managers are hired to be fired, so don’t align yourself with a seemingly lost cause like Valdespin, because by the time he gets it, you’ll be gone.</p>
<p>Secondly, this fire keeps on burning because Collins refused to put it out. He knows he could have given a neutral answer with the Cardinals media in the room, then after the session gathered the New York writers into his office for an off-the-record briefing. That way, his ripping the fans never gets out.</p>
<p>Finally, don’t take on the fans, as they always have the last word. That word is &#8220;boo,’’ and Collins will hear it loudly if things don’t change fast.</p>
<h1><a href="http://metsmerizedonline.com/"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Thoughts from Joe D.</span></a></h1>
<p>I get emails all day long asking me why don&#8217;t we let the story die. My answer to them we are not the story, the Mets are the story and we do what we&#8217;ve been doing which is to report and debate things as they happen.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago there were plenty here who told me that it was a non-story when I wrote that there was something amiss between <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Jordany Valdespin</a></strong> and his teammates in the clubhouse.</p>
<p>I picked up on that during the start of Spring Training when two players came into the clubhouse to find their lockers and said, &#8220;Thank god I&#8217;m nowhere near Valdespin&#8217;s locker.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Joe D. you are reading too much into things.&#8221;</p>
<p>I commented on the jokes that were made when Valdespin was hit right in the groin and lied on the ground in pain.</p>
<p>Then there was the pie.</p>
<p>All I did is what any rational and reasonable person who reports would do and connected the dots.</p>
<p>Now it&#8217;s a full blown controversy and the only story that anyone is talking about.</p>
<p>How can you hope it goes away when the General Manager only two days ago added more fuel to the fire by saying he wasn&#8217;t hung out to dry, and then learning that Valdespin ask out of going to the plate a second time after being plunked the first time. A fact that Collins even admitted to shortly after he ripped into the fans.</p>
<p>The Mets create the stories and it&#8217;s on the Mets to stop feeding us the stories, not me. I don&#8217;t have the power to keep players, coaches and management from saying things that are better left unsaid. I can fault the players for saying silly and inappropriate things, but when management does it how can you find that to be acceptable and professional behavior.</p>
<p>I agree with Mike Vaccaro of the <strong><a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/hitting_the_fan_zhZVDUsW434JmlaKJRZ8PL?utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_content=Mets&amp;utm_source=dlvr.it">New York Post</a></strong> regarding Collins who said:</p>
<blockquote><p>Collins probably knew, as soon as he said this, he shouldn’t have said this. He knows the fastest way to be packing your belongings in boxes &#8212; faster than losing games in bunches &#8212; is to take on fans. Fans are undefeated. Fans are a franchise’s lifeblood. Fans &#8230;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Well, fans allow you to stay relevant, long past your expiration date. I’ve believed, and written, that Collins deserves a full and fair accounting before his time is done here. But Collins has also found trouble in Houston and Anaheim when the losing became too much for him. In both cities, he lost the players, and that’s bad enough (and judging from the listless way the Mets mailed in another game with the Cards last night, 10-4, that may be happening again).</p></blockquote>
<p>My big concern right now is that the Mets are blind to their own problem. That means nothing is being done to keep more incidents like this one from taking place. The best way to fix a problem is to admit you have one. So far management seems to think everything is hunky-dory when it&#8217;s clearly not.</p>
<p>How many dog houses does Terry Collins have and why was <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tejadru01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-metsmerizedonline.com" target="_blank">Ruben Tejada</a></strong> apparently in one of them last night when the manager decided to scratch him from the starting lineup before last night&#8217;s trouncing at the hands of the Cardinals?</p>
<p>That factoid came from Eddie Coleman who is not known for exaggerating the truth and conjuring up false storylines. Eddie is as straight as an arrow.</p>
<p>Is there anyone else residing in these dog houses aside from Jordany Valdespin and Ruben Tejada and when are their parole dates?</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t make the stories, I just talk about them and ask the tough questions and am usually the first to do so. Ahh&#8230; the benefits of having an independent Mets site.</p>
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