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

Whomever the Mets choose as their general manager –  indications are Sandy Alderson has the inside track – he’ll have a long list of managerial candidates to consider.

SANDBERG: Could be considered for manager job

Add Ryne Sandberg to that list. The Cubs bypassed Sandberg for Mike Quade, and the Hall of Fame second baseman is not pleased and he’ll obviously listen to other offers.

He’s done everything the Cubs asked of him in preparation for the opportunity to manage in the major leagues, including working his way up the minor league chain, from Single A to Triple A, with success, including being named Pacific Coast League manager of the year.

Sandberg does not have the major league experience advocated here and in other forums, but we don’t know how much that criteria will be weighed by the new general manager. If that is lower on his priority list, Sandberg would undoubtedly receive consideration, as will Wally Backman.

It’s all speculation for now, and some of it will fall on Sandberg.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Game #135 at Cubs

Welcome to the expanded Mets Chat Room. I’ve linked up with Metsmerizedonline.com to bring you to the ground floor regarding chat rooms and blogs.

In addition to being hooked up to another successful Mets blog, we will eventually be linked to other blogs from around baseball.

To access, please click onto the Mets Chat Room icon to the left of this post. It will bring you to another page. At the bottom on the right is where you can click on to register. If you can use your same screen names that would be great. If not, do the best you can.

This is a work in progress. I am greatly optimistic about the future of this type of chat room.

Today, the Mets are in Chicago to play a team that is more inept than themselves. I know, it is hard to imagine, but true. With the Mets having dealt veterans and concede going with youth, they’ve raised the white flag on the competitive aspect of the season. From here on out it is about seeing the kids and hopefully finishing above .500.

Ah, talk of lowered expectations.

See you online.-JD

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

Jose Reyes, SS

Luis Castillo, 2B

Angel Pagan, LF

David Wright, 3B

Carlos Beltran, CF

Ike Davis, 1B

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Henry Blanco, C

Mike Pelfrey, RP

NOTES: Triple-A Buffalo’s Mike Jacob was traded to Toronto for a player to be named later. … Reportedly, the Mets turned down a deal for Ted Lilly that would have sent Josh Thole to the Cubs.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

REYES: Not 100 percent.

That Jose Reyes is batting right-handed against a right-handed pitcher, hitting second in the order and saw a doctor today suggests he’s not right.

Of course, they’ll push the envelope with the Braves in town, but had they rested him for the Cincinnati series perhaps there would be these issues.

I think the Mets might have forced it with Reyes. Not smart.

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

Angel Pagan, CF

Jose Reyes, SS

David Wright, 3B

Ike Davis, 1B

Jason Bay, LF

Josh Thole, C

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Ruben Tejada, 2B

RA Dickey, RP

NOTES:  With Cliff Lee seemingly headed elsewhere – a lot of heavy speculation today has him headed to the Yankees – and Roy Oswalt perhaps out of their price range, the Mets have turned their attention to the Cubs’ Ted Lilly. … Nick Evans was recalled from Double-A Binghamton and RP Ryota Igarashi was optioned to Single-A St. Lucie.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

After hinting at change, Jerry Manuel opts for the status quo tonight against Cubs lefty Tom Gorzelanny, so the slumping 3-4-5 of David Wright, Jason Bay and Jeff Francoeur will remain intact.

Perhaps this weekend against a right-hander there could be some change.

In a nutshell, Wright is averaging a strikeout a game, Bay has 22 strikeouts and Francoeur, who opened the season with a 10-game hitting streak is on an 0-for-22 slide.

“I’ve never been so hot, and then so cold,’’ Francoeur said.

Here’s the line-up for the 6-9 Mets:

Jose Reyes, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Jason Bay, LF
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Ike David, 1B
Rod Barajas, C
Angel Pagan, CF
Johan Santana, L

Posted under Chat Rooms, Chat Rooms/2010, Mets Features

With a victory tonight against the Cubs, the 6-8 Mets would win their third straight game and first series of the season.

On the mound is Oliver Perez, who is coming off a solid start last Friday at St. Louis when he gave up one run in 6 1/3 innings.

Perez worked quickly and got ahead in the count in that game, spotting his pitches low and on the corners. It was how the Mets have wanted him to work for years.

He’ll be backed by this line-up:

Jose Reyes, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Jason Bay, LF
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Ike Davis, 1B
Rod Barajas, C
Angel Pagan, CF
Oliver Perez, LP

Offensively, Wright and Bay have been strikeout machines lately and Francoeur’s hot start is now a memory. On the upside, with four hits Reyes might be getting into a groove.

Ryota Igarashi was placed on the disabled list today with a strained left hamstring (he was replaced by Manny Acosta), which leaves the eighth inning to Pedro Feliciano and Fernando Nieve.

Posted under Chat Rooms, Chat Rooms/2010

Jerry Manuel said he’ll keep an eye on Mike Pelfrey tonight as he his pitching for the third time in six days in an effort to give the Mets two straight wins for the first time this season.

Last Thursday he pitched seven shutout innings in beating the Rockies and Saturday worked an inning of relief in the 20-inning marathon against St. Louis.

Remember how woeful the Mets were the first week of the season? Well, that’s the Cubs right now. This is the team the Mets should get well against.

Here’s the line-up for the Mets (5-8):

Jose Reyes, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Jason Bay, LF
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Ike Davis, 1B
Angel Pagan, CF
Henry Blanco, C
Mike Pelfrey, RP

SOME THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS: Will be interesting to see how Reyes responds from his day off. First thing I thought of when I heard he requested last night off was a thyroid reaction. … I’m waiting for Wright to take off at the plate. Some tentative at-bats lately. … Also waiting on Bay. He hit the ball yesterday, but still looking for the long ball. … Francoeur needs a hit to snap out of a slide. Those long games have sent many players into slumps. … Looks like to the center field platoon is no more. … Blanco is with Pelfrey because they worked so well the last time. Could it be permanent?

NOTE: I am taking my class tonight so I’ll miss the start of the game. Should be back around nine. I hope you guys pick up the flow.

Posted under Chat Rooms, Chat Rooms/2010, Mets Features

Ben Sheets apparently wasn’t worth the gamble, so he signed with Oakland for $10 million. I’m not even sure the Mets made an offer.

I understand the Mets’ reasoning and can’t fault them here. Sheets was a DL trip waiting to happen, and the Mets have too many of those already.

On Jan. 23, I wrote, “But, it’s better than remaining stagnant,’’ regarding Sheets which was a lukewarm endorsement.

Elsewhere:

• Johan Santana and Oliver Perez threw in Port St. Lucie without pain.
• The Mets are still contemplating signing John Smoltz.
• The Cubs signed former Mets outfielder Xavier Nady.

Check out the new poll.

Posted under Mets News, Mets News & Features/2010