Tag Archives: Dh

Jun 12

Jerry: There’s no mute button.

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Sometimes, I wish Jerry Manuel came with a mute button. Or at least a filter. Considering all that Carlos Beltran has gone through, to think he’d even consider activating him now for these games as a designated hitter is absurd.

BELTRAN: Not ready yet.

Just because he’s playing extended spring training games doesn’t mean he’s even close to being ready, even as a DH. I can understand him thinking it would be nice, but to suggest it out loud is just ridiculous. It’s like when he suggested Jose Reyes hitting third.

Doesn’t he think these things through before saying them?

Beltran doesn’t go full speed in these games, even if he’s playing in the outfield. I’m even concerned about the outfield in these games if he’s not able to go full speed.

The Mets botched this with Beltran from the outset, and to think otherwise is being naive. If the Mets are lucky, they’ll have Beltran back in August. And, that’s after an extended time in Buffalo.

Jan 22

Jan. 22.10: Mets still looking for pitching.

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Published reports have the Met serious about pitching, and have contacted Ben Sheets. They also have interest in former Yankee Chien-Ming Wang, who is coming off shoulder surgery and won’t be available until May 1. The team is also reported to be interested in John Smoltz and Jon Garland.

The word is very encouraging about Wang, who has been throwing pain free for seven weeks. Because of the abundance of off-days in April, the Mets can afford to wait until Wang is ready.

Sheets, who missed all of last season following surgery, is also throwing without difficulty. Reports are he could go for $8 million for one year.

I like the idea of Smoltz for the bullpen and buying time for Wang.

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Elsewhere, the Mets are considering adding the often-injured Chad Tracy as well as bringing back Fernando Tatis. The Mets are also looking at bringing back Carlos Delgado, who has played winter ball mostly as a DH, which doesn’t answer the basic question about his durability.

Jan 08

Jan. 8.10: Same old, same old.

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DELGADO: Reheating a souffle?

DELGADO: Reheating a souffle?

The more I read and the more I hear, the Mets and Carlos Delgado are about to hook up again. The Mets are scouting Delgado and will look at him again this weekend in Puerto Rico.

Delgado posted good numbers in 2008 and was hitting well before he was injured last year. He’s an injury risk, but if the Mets believe they can be competitive it’s worth a shot to sign him to an incentive-laden deal. But, are they competitive?

If they like what they see, they could wrap things up quickly. Still, I believe their attention is better spent on pitching. There are too many questions in the rotation that can’t be willed away. They could score a pile of runs this year, but give up mountain, also.

Delgado is a better fit in the AL as a DH, or with a team that is a contender. I just don’t believe the Mets are a good fit. If healthy, Delgado will add some offense, but not enough to put them over the top.

I’m content with the Mets moving on and seeing what Daniel Murphy can do.

Jan 05

Jan. 5.10: Delgado update.

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Carlos Delgado is playing in the Puerto Rican Winter Leagues and is reporting no pain or difficulty with his right hip. He’ll play as a DH until the middle of the month then return to first base.

If there’s no problems with Delgado I can see Omar Minaya bringing him back for one year in an incentive-laden contract.

Dec 20

Dec. 20.09: Not knocking on Damon’s door ….

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There was a time when I would have jumped at Johnny Damon coming to the Mets. But, that was several years ago. Damon, coming off a fabulous postseason, has renewed interest in some. Mostly, his agent, who is salivating with thoughts of another payday.

But, even Scott Boras wasn’t able to fake the Yankees this time.

Damon is a good player, but he’s an aging one with an inevitable breakdown in his immediate future. There’s no DH to hide him. If they won’t to go one year, OK, I’ll do it, but that’s not happening.

Damon wants three, and as good as he was hitting at Yankee Stadium, I don’t see that production in Citi Field. I’m passing on Damon.

Oct 15

Responding to some comments

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Ramirez: He had to go.

Ramirez: He had to go.

Sorry … a little late today in responding to your comments from last night after I logged off.

1. chucky (about Manny Ramirez): I understand what you’re saying about burying grudges for the good of the team. But, I disagree that placating Ramirez would have been the way to go. I thought the Red Sox made the right decision to get rid of him. Even if it means not getting to the World Series (of course, we don’t know that, yet).

2. Jim (on dealing Delgado to Minnesota): The Twins might need a DH/1B type, but I don’t see them trading a top prospect in the offseason for Delgado, who has these red flags: salary, injury history, age and the question of whether his second half was a fluke.

3. Steve (The Original) (on Phillie fans at Citi Field): Tickets will be a premium next year at Citi Field. Plus, there are fewer of them to go around. If I had season tickets, I would sell my Yankee and Phillie tickets to pay for the whole package. I’m sure I’m not the only one with those capitalist leanings.-JD