Rumor: John Maine for Corey Hart
The big rumor out of Indianapolis early this morning was a trade of John Maine to the Brewers for Corey Hart.
As of 9:30 am, however, the deal was either dead or on the back burner, as Milwaukee is focusing on bullpen help.
But what the heck, let’s discuss it — at least until a more salacious rumor comes out of Indy.
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Brewers DFA Bill Hall
As part of a flurry of moves intended to shake up the ballclub, the Milwaukee Brewers have designated Billy Hall for assignment.
Hall has another year and over $8M left on his contract, a hefty sum unlikely to be picked up by an opposing team.
In the past few days, Brewers also DFA’d pitchers Nick Green and R.J. Swindle; sent shortstop J.J. Hardy to the minors; promoted shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar and pitchers Jesus Colome and Jason Bourgeois; demoted pitchers Tim Dillard and Chris Smith; signed OF Corey Patterson; acquired pitcher David Weathers; and fired pitching coach Bill Castro.
Why are the Brewers making all these moves? Because GM Doug Melvin is making a last-ditch attempt to salvage the season, and give the team a shot at the postseason.
The 55-58 Brewers are in fourth place, 7.5 games behind the NL Central leading Cardinals, and one slot ahead of the Mets in the Wild Card standings. Things don’t look great, but Melvin is not about to give up on his team. The moves may not make a difference, but his feeling is that the way they were going wasn’t working, so a change was in order.
This is the same GM who last year fired his manager with 12 games left to play, in an attempt to end a late-season collapse. Remember how that turned out?
In any case, Bill Hall will likely clear waivers. At the Major League minimum, he might be worth auditioning for a 2010 job. Not as a starter, mind you, but in a super utlity role. I would not expect him to stop swinging and missing, nor would I expect to see him hit 35 homeruns again. But he brings other things to the table — namely, versatility, a good glove, strong fundamentals, hustle, and occasional pop. He is a younger version of Fernando Tatis, and someone who would be nice to have on the bench.
But, I think that another team in contention will take a chance on Hall for exactly that reason. In addition, he is an emotionally driven player, and will be motivated to prove the Brewers wrong. My bet is he signs with someone like the Cubs or Cardinals and has a big September, doing just well enough to fool some team into signing him to a two-year deal over the winter. (Not unlike the time Scott Schoeneweis parlayed the end of the 2006 season into a 3-year, $11M contract.)
Mets Game 77: Win Over Brewers
Mets 1 Brewers 0
Too much, the magic bus … magic bus!
Fresh off a wonderful bonding session through the streets of Milwaukee, the New York Mets pounded Yovani Gallardo for five hits and an entire run to claim their first victory in six games.
Mike Pelfrey was spectacular, exhibiting the skillset and resolve of an ace. No temper tantrums in the dugout, no glaring at teammates for making mistakes, no meatballs to sluggers on 0-2 counts, and no free passes to the opposing pitcher — just 7 2/3 solid innings of hard-nosed pitching.
The lone Mets run was scored by Luis Castillo on a single by red-hot Ryan Church in the sixth inning.
Sean Green retired the one batter he faced in the 8th to pull Pelf out of a jam, and Frankie Rodriguez made things interesting before notching his 21st save.
Notes
No one has confirmed whether it was the magic bus ride or the family talk that was the reason for the Mets victory. But it had to be either one or the other, if not both. That Jerry Manuel is one heckuva motivator, as we all know.
Next Mets Game
The Mets ride the magic bus to Pittsburgh for another day game on Thursday. Tim Redding faces Pat Maholm in a 12:35 PM start.
Mets Game 76: Loss to Brewers
Brewers 6 Mets 3
One for the thumb … the Mets have now lost five in a row.
Career minor leaguer Mike Burns held the Mets to two runs on five hits over 6 2/3 to earn his first MLB victory in his second MLB start, while ace Johan Santana struggled with his command and his composure through six lacluster innings, as the Mets found yet another new way to lose.
The Mets actually jumped ahead 2-0 in the first frame thanks to David Wright’s two-run homer, but that was the extent of the offensive output for the evening.
The turning point in the game came in the bottom of the fourth. It all began when Santana walked opposing pitcher Mike Burns. Then, a Corey Hart fly ball dropped safely as Fernando Martinez slipped and fell flat on his face (no error charged), putting men on second and third. J.J. Hardy followed with another walk to load the bases. Supermensch Ryan Braun ripped a double to left to clear the bases, and advanced to third on the throw to home. The throw home went past catcher Omir Santos, and Santana –backing up the play — fired the ball to third in an attempt to nab the overly aggressive Braun. However the ball sailed over David Wright’s head and into left field, allowing Braun to score easily. It was an ugly, demoralizing ten seconds that ended the Mets’ hopes for the contest. Unfortunately, we as fans had to endure five more lifeless frames before being put out of our misery.
Notes
Santana finishes with a 6.19 ERA for the month of June. In case you’re wondering, it’s the worst month of his MLB career as a starting pitcher.
As Ron Darling pointed out in the postgame, Santana has walked the opposing pitcher SIX TIMES this season. That’s inexcusable.
Hank Hill … er, Dan Warthen … was thrown out of the game for jawing with home plate umpire Jim Wolf. Apparently the two men had contrasting interpretations of the strike zone.
Am I the only one growing tired of Johan Santana’s attitude toward his teammates? He glared at F-Mart after the infamous fly ball off Hart’s bat … but it was Santana who walked the pitcher to set up the inning (and Hardy a few minutes later). For those who forgot, it was Santana who threw Daniel Murphy under the bus earlier in the season for a dropped fly ball. Leaders don’t get down on teammates who are making an honest effort … no one is perfect (as evidenced by Santana’s walks).
Bright spots, bright spots … hmm … well, Fernando Martinez clubbed his first MLB homer in the top of the ninth, when the game was long gone. David Wright went 3-for-4. Ryan Church had another two hits. Nick Evans made a few nice plays at first and slashed a double. That’s about it.
Since my father-in-law refuses to watch any more Mets games with me, I have a quote instead from my wife, which came after witnessing the debacle also known as the bottom of the fourth inning:
“At least the Mets are entertaining, and isn’t that what baseball is about? Entertainment?”
Next Mets Game
The series finale will begin at 2:05 PM, with Mike Pelfrey facing Yovani Gallardo.
Another quote from my wife, in regard to the afternoon start time:
“So less people will see us lose?”
Um, yeah.
Mets Game 75: Loss to Brewers
Brewers 10 Mets 6
What’s that about self-fulfilling prophecy?
The Mets continue to play down to their manager’s (lackluster) expectations, this time getting pummeled by a Brewers team that on paper isn’t really THAT dominating.
The Brew Crew — or was it the ghosts of Harvey’s Wallbangers? — pounded out 19 hits and 10 runs in completely demolishing the Mets. The scary thing is, the Brewers were only a single or two away from another 3-4 runs, but the Mets wiggled their way out of a few tight situations.
Fernandomania is over — for the moment at least — as Mr. Nieve was pulled from the game with one out in the fourth inning after surrendering 11 hits and 3 runs. But at least the Mets were still in the game at the time of his exit. The bullpen went on to allow seven scores over the next five and two-thirds.
Notes
J.J. Hardy’s batting average coming into this contest: .220. Against the Mets on this night: 1.000. Feeling among Mets fans: priceless.
The Mets mounted a mini-rally in the top of the ninth, scoring three runs against Carlos Villanueva, who was throwing 89-MPH meatballs over the middle of the plate. Trevor Hoffman came in and threw one pitch to induce a double play from Brian Schneider to end the game.
Bright spots: Ryan Church was 4-for-5. Gary Sheffield had three hits, including his tenth homer of the year, which was a monstrous mash to dead center in the top of the ninth.
Father-in-law’s quote of the night:
I can’t even watch this … this is like … TORTURE. It’s painful, it’s really painful. This is the last Mets game I’m watching with you, I’m sorry.
In the sixth inning, Fernando Martinez hit a two-out, mile-high infield popup that was dropped by third baseman Casey McGehee. Ryan Church, who had been on first base, raced all the way to third, but F-Mart only made it to first base. Now, we don’t know for sure whether Martinez busted it out of the box, or watched his popup initially, because Bill “Wizard” Webb didn’t have any camera angles that showed Martinez on the play. The one somewhat telling camera shot showed an overview of the middle of the diamond, with Church about 25 feet from third and no one within 50 feet of second base. Considering how high the ball was hit, and how fast Martinez is, it’s hard to believe F-Mart couldn’t make it to second. Now, please don’t misconstrue — I don’t “have it out” for the youngster. Rather, I condemn the organization’s philosophy in regard to effort and their refusal to properly discipline young players for not hustling. Also, not hearing a peep out of the SNY booth in regard to F-Mart’s effort (or non-effort?) on that play was glaring.
As it was, Brian Schneider hit a booming double to score both runners moments later, so the situation was buried immediately. But it doesn’t erase what may or may not have occurred. And for all the people who continue to say “he already learned his lesson”, I don’t doubt it — I only wonder if what F-Mart “learned” has actually been applied.
And again, I’m not looking to taint F-Mart’s character. The kid DOES hustle — most of the time. Unfortunately, no one has taught him that hustling is not something you make a decision to do depending on the situation (which by the way is something Jose Reyes was never taught, either) — it’s simply something you ALWAYS do. Ask Mark Teixeira.
Next Mets Game
Mets and Brewers do it again on Tuesday night at 8:05 PM. Johan Santana faces Mike Burns.
Salomon Torres Retires
In a surprise move, Brewers closer Salomon Torres retired from baseball last week. Yeah, we’re a week late here but it takes a while for the pony express to get here from Wisconsin.
Torres chose to quit baseball in order to devote more time to serving God and his family.
Torres had the best season of his up-and-down career, saving 28 games and posting a 3.49 ERA for Milwaukee, who despite the retirement, chose to pick up the $3.5M option on his contract. The startling news further weakens an already emaciated Brewer bullpen, and puts them in the market for just about any relievers that are available.
So, add another team looking for a closer … and a setup man … and a few middle relievers … and a LOOGY.
Will this adversely affect the Mets’ pursuit of bullpen help? Possibly. While the Brewers aren’t likely to outbid the Mets on anyone, they could pluck some bargains (Kerry Wood) and have enough young talent to deal away for someone such as Huston Street or Bobby Jenks.
Willie Randolph Joins Brewers
Former Mets manager Willie Randolph finally made it to Milwaukee, as new Brewers skipper Ken Macha named Randolph his bench coach.
As much as Mr. Willie was criticized here during his tenure, it was a love/hate relationship. Randolph is greatly respected and beloved by yours truly and I wish him the absolute best in his new position.
Just stay away from the bullpen, will ya, Willie?
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