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

PELFREY: On the cusp of stardom

The qualifier, of course, is it was against the Pirates, but it was good to see Mike Pelfrey throw a good game last night. His July swoon was alarming, but he seems to have corrected his mechanical and concentration problems that slammed the brakes on a potentially great season.

It is premature to say he’s completely there as a starter, but he could win 16, 17 games this year which is a watershed mark for a pitcher. And, if he even went .500 during his slide he could be looking at a 20-win season.

Pelfrey worked quickly and efficiently last night. He mixed his pitches well and worked both sides of the plate. The movement on his pitches was excellent, just the way it was at the beginning of the season.

I said going into the season Pelfrey might be the key Met, and it should be that way again next season. This guy is on the cusp of being right there and there will be more pressure than ever in 2011 because we don’t know what, if anything, the Mets will get from Johan Santana.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Game #147 vs. PIrates

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The Mets have more than a few pitching questions heading into next year, and Mike Pelfrey is one of them. After a brilliant start, Pelfrey hit the skids in July, seemed to right himself, then was hit hard again. He’s coming off a good start and the Mets want him to finish on a roll to give him the confidence heading into the offseason.

With Johan Santana injured, unless the Mets make a stunning move in the offseason, Pelfrey will go to spring training as the No. 1 starter.

The Mets will be seeking their first four-game sweep of a team tonight at home against Pittsburgh.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

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Game #146 vs. Pirates

Yes, it has been a disappointing season. There was reason for optimism around the All-Star break, but then things went south.

The Mets stand 72-73 heading into tonight’s game against Pittsburgh, already two wins better than last year’s win total. At 70-92 last year, most everybody would have grabbed a .500 season if guaranteed during spring training.

Finishing at .500 would represent significant improvement, and it could be better than that. And, it could be done with a nothing year from Jason Bay, a half-season from Carlos Beltran, and Jose Reyes missing significant time.

This isn’t to say all is well, because it is not. It is to say they are better than they were last year.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Game #144 vs. Pirates

Mike Pelfrey, who turned his back to Jerry Manuel Saturday in a show of disrespect, has endorsed pitching coach Dan Warthen’s return next season. So too, has R.A. Dickey. It’s a nice gesture, but it is uncertain as to the weight it will carry.

Assuming Manuel is gone and a veteran manager is named to replace him, he would want to name his own pitching coach and staff. That the Mets’ have shown significant improvement – you can chalk that up to not having John Maine and Oliver Perez- is a positive reflection on Warthen to where he merits an interview.

However, Warthen’s best chance would be if the Mets hired young and inexperienced, say Wally Backman, who might have a staff assigned for him.

Either way, the rate of progress from 2009 to 2010 has been significant and he deserves an interview at least.

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Thanks, JD

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Tonight’s lineup vs. Pirates:

Jose Reyes, SS

Angel Pagan, RF

Carlos Beltran, CF

David Wright, 3B

Ike Davis, 1B

Josh Thole, C

Lucas Duda, LF

Luis Hernandez, 2B

Dillon Gee, RP

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

The Mets still haven’t won a road series against a National League team this season, but this could be the weekend.

Games #122-124 at Pirates.

Too little, too late, of course.

The Mets are in Pittsburgh tonight for the start of a three-game series, a series they should have won. Then again, there have been so many of them this season, including Houston.

There is no guarantee they’ll beat the Pirates, because afterall, they have a losing record against teams with losing records. They have a losing record on the road – a terrible record on the road. They have a losing record in one-run games and in extra-innings.

In all the benchmark statistics that dictate what kind of team they should be they have a losing record.

The Pirates always play the Mets tough at home, so why should this weekend be any different? I’ve been waiting all season for the Mets to take the next step and they haven’t.

I certainly don’t expect them to start now.

NOTE: I have been planning a trip for awhile now and won’t be around to monitor the chat room on a regular basis this weekend. Have a great weekend.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

PEREZ: Time to cut ties.

The fear is there, but is it any worse than the embarrassment?

The fear is the Mets will cut loose Oliver Perez and he’ll find out what ails him under another pitching coach – maybe worse, it might be somebody in the NL East or The Jacket.

But, is that any worse than the embarrassment of watching Perez make a mockery of the concept of teamwork and force the Mets to play with what is a 24-man roster because of his refusal to accept repeated requests to go to the minor leagues to attempt to iron out his problems?

I would love to see the Mets attempt to suspend Perez for his selfishness for his unwillingness to make himself better, and label it conduct detrimental to the team. If an athlete doesn’t condition himself, doesn’t work out, then the team has some recourse. How is this not the same? How is refusing to go where you’ll get work different?

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Posted under Commentary/2010, Mets Commentary

Delgado: Wants to return. Few other options.

Then he had a week in one afternoon at Yankee Stadium and never looked back. While the Mets floundered in September, Delgado sizzled, hitting .340 with eight homers and 22 RBI. He finished the season batting .271 with 38 homers and 115 RBI.

Those numbers warrant a return for 2009.

“I’d like to be back. I like this group of guys,” Delgado said. “I think they’re a great team. There’s a lot of talent here. In my stage, you don’t want to be bouncing around any more than you absolutely have to. The decision is in their hands.”

Since the Mets would pay Delgado $4 million regardless because of the buyout, it’s really only an $8 million investment they would be making. That’s not much in the grand scheme of things. The Mets have five days after the World Series to make a decision.

Delgado said he’d like to play several more years, but considering his off-year in 2007 and how long it took for him to get started this season, the Mets would be wise to make him earn the extension and not do anything until the end of 2009.

Should the Mets go the buyout route, there aren’t many appealing options in the free-agent market. Here’s what’s available:

Rich Aurilia (37)
Hank Blalock (28) – $6.2MM club option for ’09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) – $12MM club option for ’09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) – $22MM club option for ’09 with a $5MM buyout
Wes Helms (33) – $3.75MM club option for ’09 with a $0.75MM buyout
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)
Daryle Ward (34)

Should the Mets bring him back or not?

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09