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

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Nobody knows how the Mets’ rotation will shape up in 2011, but after his strong showings so far, Dillon Gee will get an opportunity in spring training to crack the rotation. He’s given the Mets a chance to win when he starts and with the expectations of the Mets as low as they are, that’s all you can ask for.

As of now, I see Mike Pelfrey, RA Dickey and Jon Niese in the rotation, with my head shaking with wonder about the latter. He’s hit a wall in his development and has a long way to go.

The Mets will be without Carlos Beltran for tonight and the rest of the season, shut down with pain in his right knee. The Mets say there is no more structural damage, but he will be re-examined by the Colorado doctors who operated on him this spring.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

To access the New Chat Room, click onto the Mets Chat. I’ll been in an out during the doubleheader. Hoping we can chat some tonight.

Jon Niese and RA Dickey go tonight, arguably the No. 2 and No. 3 starters next spring with Santana out. Both have overachieved a bit and have come back to Earth. Dickey, simply, might be the Mets’ most valuable pitcher. Who knows where they might have landed without him.

Pleased to hear, Jerry Manuel’s admission of mistakes the other day. He threw himself under the bus first and pointed a minimum of fingers. I can’t say it would be enough to save him, ever if the Mets run the table and finish over .500.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

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Tonight is the first game of the Mets’ final homestand of the year, with Mike Pelfrey starting. It has been a tale of two seasons for Pelfrey, who got off to a 9-1 start, but faltered for July when the Mets began their swoon. Pelfrey has seemingly regained his early-season form, which is a positive sign looking forward in that he was able to correct his mistakes and make adjustments.

Pelfrey, under Mets control until 2014, is arbitration eligible in the offseason and can expect a big raise. Pelfrey said he’d like to avoid the process by signing a long-term extension.

“I would be interested,” Pelfrey said. “They’d have to bring it up, but I’m sure we’ll explore it. I’m definitely open to it.”

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

Jose Reyes, SS

Jesus Feliciano, RF

Carlos Beltran, CF

David Wright, 3B

Ike Davis, 1B

Nick Evans, LF

Josh Thole, C

Ruben Tejada, 2B

Mike Pelfrey, RP

Just a note: There are five players starting tonight who were not on the Opening Day roster.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

The Mets will attempt to snap their road doldrums tonight in Milwaukee when Fernando Nieve (1-2, 5.09 ERA) comes out of the bullpen. It’s not as if this is new to him, as he was 3-3 with a 3.12 ERA in seven starts last year before a torn right quadriceps ended his season.

“If he does well, he will continue to get the ball,” manager Jerry Manuel said. “And if we come into a situation where we have too many starters, I think that’s all good, too.’’

The start comes after a rocky May in which had a 7.20 ERA for the month, perhaps brought on by over use. Nieve said he prefers this role.

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Posted under Chat Rooms, Chat Rooms/2010

The Mets open a six-game road trip tonight at Milwaukee, which has only won six games this season at home.

Coincidentally, the Mets have only won six games this season on the road.

However, they are hot, winners of five straight, with the last three shutouts over Philadelphia. The Mets have been doing it with pitching, solid defense and timely hitting. They’ve been fundamentally sound, and fundamentals play anywhere.

Johan Santana (4-2, 3.41) gets the ball for the Mets. He is coming off a strong effort, 7 2/3 innings last Sunday against the Yankees.

Santana is 4-3 with a 3.53 lifetime ERA against the Brewers in ten starts.

Here’s tonight’s line-up:

Jose Reyes, SS
Alex Cora, 2B
Jason Bay, LF
Ike Davis, 1B
David Wright, 3B
Angel Pagan, CF
Rod Barajas, C
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Johan Santana, LP

NOTEBOOK: Carlos Beltran has still not been cleared to run full speed and begin baseball activities. There is no timetable for his return, but one can assume it won’t be before the All-Star break. … Jon Niese will begin a rehab assignment tomorrow at Port St. Lucie.

Posted under Chat Rooms, Chat Rooms/2010

By this time you should know the Brewers hired former Mets manager Willie Randolph as bench coach on Saturday.

Said Randolph: “I’m excited, looking forward to this next challenge and getting to work. I love teaching and I’m passionate about being in the game. … Eventually, I do want to get back to managing. I didn’t really want to wait around. … I thought it was best to make this move.

The Mets were 302-253 (.544) under Randolph, second to Davey Johnson in club history.

With the turnover in managers and Randolph’s numbers, there’s no doubt he’ll get another chance.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

The foregone conclusion is CC Sabathia will sign with the one of the Coast monsters, either the Yankees or Dodgers. The Mets will make agent contact, but aren’t believed to be big players. Then again, they weren’t supposed to be players for Johan Santana, either.

However, Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin said today in a conference call that the Brewers will try to retain the lefty who put them in the playoffs.

Sabathia, who was 17-10 with a 2.70 ERA, will command big bucks which lead to the conclusion the Brewers wouldn’t challenge the market.

“At least we have a chance, whereas before, we wouldn’t have any chance with a pitcher of CC’s caliber,” Melvin said. “I do feel we will make him an offer, and at that point, it will be in his court.”

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09