Tag Archives: Philadelphia

Sep 05

Today in Mets’ History: Seaver wins 20th.

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The Mets made several runs at the Chicago Cubs in 1969 before they finally overtook, then lapped them en route to their Amazin’ championship season.

SEAVER: First Met to win 20 on this date.

Gil Hodges said in spring training he had a feeling for his team. Not that they would win it all, but he believed their pitching would be good enough to be a factor.

That pitching was highlighted by Tom Seaver, who on this date in 1969, became the first pitcher in franchise history to win 20 games with a 5-1 victory over Philadelphia in the first game of a doubleheader.

It was a typical, efficient, workmanlike effort from Seaver, who went nine innings, and gave up one run on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.

With the victory, the Mets pulled within 4 ½ games of the Cubs. The Mets lost the second game, 4-2.

BOX SCORE

SEAVER CAREER

Seaver was incredible that season, winning the Cy Young Award and finishing second in the MVP voting.

Going 25-7 was one thing, but he had a 2.21 ERA with 18 complete games, including five shutouts.  Seaver also worked 273.1 innings (which didn’t lead the NL) – unheard of today – with 208 strikeouts, averaging just under seven per nine innings.

 

Jul 27

REPORT: Beltran to Giants.

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Although the Mets haven’t confirmed it, several media outlets are reporting the team agreed to a deal with San Francisco for outfielder Carlos Beltran in exchange for top pitching prospect Zach Wheeler.

In addition, the Mets will pay $4 million of the roughly $6.5 million remaining on Beltran’s contract.

Calls to the Mets and Beltran’s agent, Scott Boras, have not been returned.

Beltran has been held out of the lineup for tonight’s game at Cincinnati, and manager Terry Collins expects the deal to be finalized by tomorrow. Beltran has 24 hours to approve the trade. Beltran has not reported to the Mets’ clubhouse in Cincinnati.

With Beltran in the final season of a seven-year, $119 million contract – and with his contract not allowing arbitration and subsequently compensatory draft picks – it was a formality coming out of spring training Beltran would be dealt.

Five teams – the Giants, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston and Texas – emerged as the favorites, but Boras said the determining factor was which team has the best chance to win.

It had been speculated with catcher Brian McCann’s injury last night Atlanta might sweeten its offer, but the Braves held firm on not wanting to part with their pitching prospects.

Likewise, Alderson held his ground on demanding a top pitching prospect, which defines Wheeler, 21, who throws a fastball in the mid-90s with a fall-off-the-table curveball and a change-up with movement.

Some scouting reports have Wheeler three years away – he’s currently in Single A – but that’s to be expected for such a young prospect.

In the end, Alderson made the best possible deal considering his limitations. Beltran was going to walk at the end of the year and the Mets would not get any compensation.

 

Jul 27

McCann injury could open way to Beltran deal to Braves.

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The latest has the Mets closest to working out a deal involving Carlos Beltran to San Francisco or Texas, with Philadelphia and Boston lagging behind. But, that’s now and four days remain.

McCANN: Injury could shift Braves' priorities.

The Braves have been adamant about not giving up their prime pitching prospects, notably Mike Minor or Julio Teheran.

However, out of necessity, their thinking might have changed with last night’s 19-inning victory over Pittsburgh when they lost catcher Brian McCann indefinitely with an oblique strain. These are tricky injuries, as Mets’ fans are aware of with Jose Reyes. Two weeks on the DL could easily become three or four.

With Chipper Jones’ knee ailing, and Jason Heyward and Nate McLouth not hitting, the Braves are in desperate need of a power bat, which might cause them to reconsider at least Minor.

The Braves sought offense even before McCann’s injury, and now their needs are more pressing. They are the frontrunners for the wild-card and have enough pitching to win in the playoffs. But, they need to get there first, and that will take some runs.

Publicly, the Braves are saying they aren’t close with the Mets on Beltran, but privately it is another matter.

Beltran’s agent is Scott Boras and so far he has not made any indication of wanting to make a deal contingent on a contract extension, so this will mean nothing more than a rental.

 

Jul 23

Five teams in mix for Beltran.

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Carlos Beltran prefers a trade to a National League team because he’s not cool on the idea of being a designated hitter, but reportedly he’s willing to accept a deal to the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox. Philadelphia, Atlanta and San Francisco are also in the mix.

The favorite to land Beltran depends on who you listen to and when. Since the Mets are talking with the Phillies and Braves, there are apparently no reservations in dealing within the NL East. Their thinking is since they won’t win this season, it doesn’t matter if the Phillies or Braves win if the Mets can gain a cornerstone player for several years in exchange for a two-month rental.

Jul 21

It doesn’t matter if Beltran ends up with Phillies or Braves.

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The more I think of it, the less I have a problem with the Mets dealing Carlos Beltran to Philadelphia or Atlanta. Beltran is going anyway and won’t be back next year. The Mets aren’t going anywhere this year, either, so if they can get a key prospect for a player they’ll lose anyway without compensation, then go for it?

As for as Beltran signing long term with the Phillies or Braves, he’s a free agent this winter anyway and will sign with who he wants. If it’s the Phillies or Braves, or the Yankees for that matter, so be it. The only way the Mets can alleviate that scenario is for them to re-sign Beltran now to an extension, and that’s not  happening.

So, it is good bye to Beltran and good luck to him.