Mets Demote Igarashi, Promote Nick Evans

Posted on July 9, 2010 by loge mezzanine

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Joel Sherman – Cliff Lee Won’t Be Wearing Pinstripes

Posted on July 9, 2010 by loge mezzanine

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Quote of the Day: Mets Didn’t Have the Prospects For Lee

Posted on July 9, 2010 by loge mezzanine

With sources confirming to the Daily News’ Mark Feinsand that Lee is about to become a Yankee in a package that includes top catching prospect Jesus Montero, what had long been clear became nearly official: The Mets–because Ike Davis and Jon Niese are no longer prospects but important contributors to the major league team–could not match other teams’ minor leaguers.

– Andy Martino, NY Daily News

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Video: Jayson Werth Goes Full Wally on a Fan

Posted on July 9, 2010 by loge mezzanine

Well, maybe not FULL Wally Backman, but a quarter-Wally… or an eighth?

Just to put Werth’s frustration into context, this is from the 12th inning of last night’s game.

A young child may have been scarred for life last night after his father, who was in perfect position to catch a foul ball, didn’t yield to the advances of mountain man Jayson Werth as he also attempted to catch the fly. Except, you know, if Jayson Werth caught the ball it’d end up as an out instead of a memento on top of the fireplace. Unfortunately for the Phillies and the virgin ears of the foul ball catcher’s kid, the dad caught the ball and Werth unleashed a string of cuss words that would’ve sent him straight to the principal’s office. At least Werth can claim he was just trying to expand the young boy’s vocabulary. (With Leather)

My gut reaction was that a fan should ALWAYS get out of the way in a situation like this, ESPECIALLY if it would help the team he is rooting for… However, consider this:

  • The fan did not reach over the railing, as the ball was clearly going to land in the stands.
  • The fan was watching the ball, not Werth, so he probably didn’t realize Werth was upon him until the last second
  • If the fan doesn’t go for the ball, he better hope Werth catches it or else that ball is going to hit him or his kid

That’s alot to be thinking about with a ball falling directly onto your head.

In case you’re wondering, the Phillies won the game in the bottom of the inning on Brian Scheidner’s walk-off home run.

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Feel Good Friday: David Wright is a Leader

Posted on July 9, 2010 by loge mezzanine

David Lennon has an article today about how David Wright is becoming the team’s leader, both on and off-the-field. According to Lennon, Wright demanded a team meeting before the first Mets-Yankees subway series and the meeting was a huge success:

That player was Wright, who arrived earlier than usual that day. Wright marched into the manager’s office and told Jerry Manuel that it was time to summon everyone for a meeting, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Wright told Manuel the team was out of sync, so gathering everyone to clear the air might be a step toward fixing the internal issues. Manuel did, squeezing the entire roster into his office, and the Mets responded by winning 19 of their next 25 games.

It was Manuel who received credit for the meeting and the resulting bounce in the standings. But that group therapy session probably wouldn’t have taken place without the intervention of Wright, who is content to be a leader – a captain if you will – as long as he can do it on his own behind-the-scenes terms. (Newsday)

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July 9: Morning Mets Links

Posted on July 9, 2010 by loge mezzanine

NY Post – Joel Sherman reports that the Yankees have leapfrogged the Rangers and are very close to acquiring Cliff Lee, with a package that includes catching prospect Jesus Montero. Unless this scares the Mets into becoming serious about him, Lee will not be coming to Queens.

ESPN New York – A preview of this weekend’s series against the division-leading Atlanta Braves.

Daily Stache – Matthew Falkenberry discusses the Mets, Braves and the renewal of the rivalry.

Mets Gazette – Jason Adamowicz thinks the Mets should hold Jose Reyes out of the All-Star Game.

ESPN New  York – Adam Rubin thinks Nick Evans could join the Mets soon.

Seattle Times – A very interesting article about the evolution of Mariners fans. It’s not really about Cliff Lee, but it is a great read. Next time you hear Joe Beningo whine about the horrors (bro) about growing up a Mets/Jets/Knicks fan (bro), just remember that we all could’ve grown up rooting for the Mariners/Seahawks/Sonics. And that’s not stellar (bro). (via MetsGrrl)

And now, Kerel Cooper of OnTheBlack will recap who’s hot and who’s not:

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Cliff Lee Update: The Rangers Take the Lead!

Posted on July 9, 2010 by loge mezzanine

FoxSports is reporting that the Rangers are currently the frontrunner in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. The main stumbling block appears to be the Rangers’ reluctance to part with prospect Justin Smoak, however Smoak’s inclusion could help alleviate problems related to the team’s bankruptcy:

The Rangers’ ongoing sale — through a bankruptcy process — is a significant element in the trade dialogue, sources say. Lee has roughly $4 million left on his contract for this season, which is almost certainly too rich for the Rangers to afford right now. The Mariners can pay the remainder of Lee’s salary to facilitate a deal, but they will ask for better players as a result. Smoak is likely to be one of them.

Meanwhile, several of our MLB sources feel the Mets were never especially interested in Cliff Lee to begin with, preferring instead to look at cheaper targets – that is, cheaper in terms of money and prospects. Judging by recent buzz on MetsBlog and other online outlets, that would likely mean the Mets are looking closely at Ted Lilly, Ben Sheets and several other alternatives.

This makes perfect sense. Recent reports seem to indicate that: 1.) The Mets haven’t gotten far in their talks with Seattle, although it serves their purposes to appear like they are working on acquiring Lee up until the moment he is moved to a different team… 2.) The Mets are floating possible alternatives to gauge who can be had for the right price to keep the team in contention into September.

However, one source I spoke to said he believes the Mets could become serious about Cliff Lee if they are unable to pull the trigger on an alternative, for whatever reason. In one scenario, Lilly, Sheets and Oswalt could go to other teams – including the Phillies and other NL wildcard contenders who will be battling the Mets. In which case, the uproar from the fan base might force the Mets to overpay for Lee.

We will find out soon enough…

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More on Francisco Rodriguez’s Balky Ankle

Posted on July 8, 2010 by loge mezzanine

Earlier today, Joe Janish posted a detailed analysis on Francisco Rodriguez’s altered mechanics. Joe hinted that Rodriguez may have altered his delivery to compensate for an ankle injury back in 2007, resulting in reduced velocity and an increased injury risk. If you haven’t read it yet – check it out.

Lest you think Joe was making any of this up, I invite you to check out the following links. After reading these, you will start to understand why the Mets were able to acquire Rodriguez on the cheap.

Title: Keep Watch Over K-Rod’s Ankle Injury
Date: April 4, 2008
Quote:

It is reported today that Francisco Rodriguez has been struggling with an ankle injury since late 2007, and it is believed to be causing him pain that is leading to him altering his mechanics while on the mound. This ankle injury was never really talked about last season, so he must have kept it a secret.

Link: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/fantasy/article/keep-watch-over-k-rods-ankle-injury/

Title: K-Rod’s New Delivery a Balancing Act
Date: April 3, 2008
Quote:

“Before, I used to be more open, swinging my leg around,” K-Rod said before Thursday’s series finale against the Twins at the Metrodome. “I’m trying to take a little pressure off my left ankle. It’s been really painful after every outing. That’s because my delivery was so violent.”

Link: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080403&content_id=2487768&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

Title: K-Rod Eases His Pain
Date: April 3, 2008
Quote:

“An altered delivery isn’t the cause for Francisco Rodriguez’s lower radar gun readings, but rather the effect of a left ankle injury suffered last year that still bothers him.”

Link: http://www.pe.com/sports/baseball/angels/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_angels_notes_04.42b891f.html

Granted, Rodriguez was able to successfully pitch through the injury, but his velocity and his K/9 and WHIP decreased despite his record-setting 62 saves in 2008. In addition to the immediate – and obvious – effects of the ankle injury on his peripherals, the prospect of signing a reliever with a violent delivery and a chronic ankle problem had to give pause to many interested GMs…

And that’s how the Mets got Francisco Rodriguez for $37 million over 3 years.

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