The Mets 2010 Starting Rotation
NY Sports Day reported this from the “21 Days of Clemente”, where Omar Minaya was a special guest:
The GM was asked his opinion of the 2010 Mets starting rotation. He quickly answered, “[Johan] Santana, [Mike] Pelfrey, [John] Maine, [Oliver] Perez , [Jonathon] Niese and possibly a free agent.”
Though it wasn’t an official press event, and there is still time for the Mets to upgrade their rotation, seeing that in print is something of a splash of cold water in the face.
Think about it: the Mets’ starting rotation currently consists of four pitchers coming off injuries and/or surgery. One of their backup plans — Fernando Nieve — is also recovering from a major injury and surgery.
This may not seem like a big deal until you look back to the past few years, and remember the pitchers coming off injury that the Mets counted on. For example: Duaner Sanchez, John Maine, Orlando Hernandez, Scott Schoeneweis, Dave Williams, and Pedro Martinez. In fact, the only pitcher that comes to mind who had “minor surgery” and pitched effectively the next season was Aaron Heilman (elbow scoped after the 2006 season). Not a good history, and history is supposed to shed light on the future.
Keeping a rotation intact through an MLB season is enough of a crapshoot when you begin with relatively healthy arms, but in the Mets case, they’re counting on 4 or 5 men to a) come back from surgery on schedule; b) come back at 100%; c) return to their form prior to the injury; d) avoid any setbacks; and e) keep their stamina through a 162-game schedule.
Anyone else have doubts?
2009 Analysis: Johan Santana
Through the first two months of the 2009 season, Johan Santana was — hands-down — the best pitcher on the planet. In fact, his first ten starts were the stuff of legend, and one of the most auspicious beginnings to a season for any pitcher in modern MLB history (all the more impressive considering he was accomplishing it in a hitter’s era).
At the end of May and through ten (oops) eleven starts his ERA was a miserly 1.77, but his record was “only” 7-4 — mostly because of the lethargic Mets offense but also partially due to Santana’s inability to hang around long enough to be on the winning side. Through most of the season (including and beyond those first two months), he would be spectacular through 6 or 7 innings, but his soaring pitch counts put the ballgame in the hands of an inconsistent bullpen. As I noted in mid-June, he seemed to be moving away from his previously successful strategy (while a Twin) of Read more
Winners Take the Blame, Losers Point Fingers
Daniel Murphy is far from an excellent defender at first base, and he may never hit enough to make up for that deficiency as a full-time cornerman.
But he does have at least one trait that is commonly seen in players on winning teams: Read more
Mets Injuries: Not Bad Luck
After having his knee examined, Oliver Perez has been shut down and scheduled for season-ending surgery because of patella tendon tendinosis. No word on whether he will have his head examined.
Johan Santana will have elbow surgery.
J.J. Putz has been shut down for the season, due to new fraying in his elbow near the ulnar collateral ligament and a slight tear in his right forearm. He will NOT have surgery to correct the condition.
No word on Carlos Beltran , Carlos Delgado, John Maine, nor Jose Reyes.
There are others on the DL and/or lost for the season, but I mentioned the above for a specific reason. Can you find the common thread?
If not, I’ll make it plain and simple: in each of the above cases, the player’s original injury was misdiagnosed and/or rehab was mishandled.
In other words, all this talk about the Mets being “unlucky” because of all the major injuries suffered is a bunch of bull. Maybe some of it is luck, but at least half of it is due to incompetence.
Though, I tend not to fault the Mets’ medical staff — I have a hunch they know what they’re doing, and making the proper recommendations. In the end, the doctors and trainers have no control over whether a player goes back on the field or to the disabled list — that decision is made by the front office.
If you’ve been paying attention since spring training, you don’t need me to re-hash each individual case and point out where the team went wrong. And it goes back further than the spring — last year’s handling of Ryan Church and Billy Wagner are the most obvious examples from 2008 (you can put Maine in there as well).
In every case, a player continued to play despite an injury. Now, we know that all athletes have to learn to play with pain, and can often play through injuries without causing further damage. But over the past several years, the Mets have been grossly negligent in the evaluation and assessment of injuries.
We know this because:
- the manager, general manager, and player are rarely ever on the same page in terms of information
- the general manager cannot “remember” serious injuries to vital players
- the manager has admitted to allowing injured players to talk him into letting them on the field
- the team has admitted to hiding injuries and allowing players to continue to play through them
- the team has consistently waited too long to place players on the DL
- cortisone shots have been administered so frequently and easily it has become an industry joke
- more than one player has sought a second opinion from outside doctors, without the team’s recommendation
- Maine, Putz, Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, and Church all experienced failure in the rehab process
The only successful injury rehabilitation in the past year was Billy Wagner’s recovery from Tommy John surgery. Is it any coincidence that Wagner, for the most part, rehabbed on his own, at his home in Virginia?
Yes, there is some luck involved in a player becoming injured, and recovering from injury. But bad luck is not a valid explanation for this level of medical failure. In addition to personnel moves, the Mets need to make sweeping changes in the way they a) prepare and condition their ballplayers; b) evaluate and assess all injuries; and c) make determinations based on the recommendations of their medical staff.
** UPDATE **
David Lennon at Newsday has written a similar, more in-depth piece. Good thing to see the professional journalists are seeing things similarly to the fans and bloggers.
Mets Forgot About Johan Santana’s Elbow
During the team’s conference call with the press today, Ben Shpigel asked Omar Minaya if Johan Santana’s elbow issue was related in any way to the discomfort he felt back in February. Minaya was stunned by the question — he had not remembered the elbow problem, stating that “spring training was a long time ago”. Later, Minaya said that the “spring training problem” had “more to do with Santana’s knee”.
Wow … and we wonder why the Mets’ medical issues have been such a problem this year. If the team can’t remember their $137.5M investment and ace pitcher had elbow issues, how can they possibly deal with the phyical problems of “lesser” players?
Now we understand why Jose Reyes played on a bad hammy, Carlos Beltran on a bad knee, and J.J. Putz with a bad elbow (among others) — the Mets simply “forgot” those players were injured!
Another strange quote by Minaya … after being asked why Santana wasn’t shut down earlier in the season — since he hasn’t thrown in between starts since June — Minaya’s response was:
“That’s why we’re shutting him down now. … After his last start is when he brought it up.”
Um …. huh?
In any case, Johan Santana was seen by Dr. David Altcheck, and the result of the examination is that Santana has bone chips in his elbow. He will have season-ending surgery to remove the chips.
There has been no confirmation one way or the other as to whether Santana had an MRI — only that he saw Dr. Altcheck. Strange, no?
Minaya also announced that Oliver Perez would be heading back to New York to have his knee examined. No word on whether Perez would also have his head examined, unfortunately.
Further, Minaya confirmed the Billy Wagner trade, and said that both Pat Misch and Nick Evans would be activated.
Finally, J.J. Putz will NOT pitch tonight in Brooklyn as scheduled. The Mets are going to “play it safe” with Putz and have him wait a little longer before throwing in a live game.
Johan Santana To Have Elbow Examined
As if the Mets’ injury problems couldn’t get any worse, it’s been announced that Johan Santana will miss Tuesday night’s start in Miami and have his elbow checked out by physician David Altcheck.
According to Mets manager Jerry Manuel:
“He has not been throwing between starts for quite awhile,” New York manager Jerry Manuel said Monday after his team’s 6-2 loss to Philadelphia. “I would say since before the All-Star break. He has been pitching with this problem, but not with the level of discomfort he has now. … Now, it concerns him.”
Since before the All-Star break, eh? Suddenly, Santana’s inconsistent command and velocity issues are explained.
You may remember that we discussed the possibility of an elbow injury right here at MetsToday back on June 15th.
To refresh your memory:
In the case Johan, he has had both a loss of command and velocity. From what I’ve seen, he’s also been throwing more pitches, and had a different approach from previous years, in that he’s been more aggressive about getting batters to swing and miss, as opposed to “pitching to contact” on occasion. As a result, he’s been throwing more sliders, which tend to put more strain on the elbow and forearm. Again, this is what my eyes tell me …
What does it mean? My best guess is that Johan is hiding an issue with his arm. He’s too much of a competitor to use it as an excuse, and he’s too intent on fulfilling the value of his contract and filling the role of “the franchise”, to consider taking off a few starts. He has watched so many players go on the DL, he may feel obligated to pitch through pain — the old concept of the captain must go down with the ship.
You may or may not also remember that Johan had an issue with his elbow in spring training, which some people thought may have been “made up” as an excuse to miss the World Baseball Classic. (You may also remember that the Mets scheduled, and then canceled, an MRI on his elbow back in February.) Now we may wonder if indeed Santana has had an elbow problem all year. Further, I wonder if his first two months of lights-out performances were thanks to the Mets’ magic needle — a cortisone shot. With nearly every injury that’s been reported this season, the first treatment has been a shot. That said it wouldn’t be surprising if Johan received one to provide temporary relief, and put off the inevitable.
In any case, Johan will not pitch on Tuesday night, and regardless of what the doctor says, it behooves the Mets to shut down Santana for the remainder of his senseless season. After all, there are at least four more years and about $100M left on his contract.
Mets Game 121: Loss to Braves
Braves 3 Mets 2
So strange to feel indifferent with Chipper Jones and the Braves in Flushing.
I tried really hard to care about this game, but just couldn’t get anything going — much like the Mets offense.
Kenshin Kawakami held the Mets to one run on seven hits through seven strong innings, pitching just a bit better than Johan Santana. Santana pitched well, but just well enough to lose, allowing 3 runs on 9 hits.
Notes
Fernando Tatis grounded out with the bases drunk in the first, the first of only two rallies by the home team on the evening. With that, the Mets are 4-for-49 this season with bases loaded and two outs.
Mets pitching threatened to go an entire game without walking a batter, until Francisco Rodriguez entered and handed two free passes.
Luis Castillo collected another two hits and is now hitting .312 — good for ninth in the NL.
Strange to see the Braves bunt in the ninth after K-Rod walked the leadoff hitter. I’d never give outs to Frankie Fantastic, and especially not when he might be struggling.
Billy Wagner made his 2009 debut in the 8th and pitched an easy 1-2-3 inning, hitting as high as 96 MPH on the SNY radar gun. If he’s throwing a legit 96, I see no reason to trade him now unless he brings back serious prospects. Pick up the option and shop him all winter … and shop K-Rod as well. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to have them both in 2010.
Wags was throwing with a slightly low elbow on several of his pitches, which is a mild concern. He needs to make sure he gets on top of the ball at release.
When was the last time you heard entrance music for a reliever in the 8th inning? Pretty cool … and emotional.
Many pundits criticized the Braves for acquiring Adam LaRoche, but the guy is hitting a shade under .400 since re-joining Atlanta. The Braves’ defense was that he is a second-half hitter and strong finisher. Well played.
Next Mets Game
The Mets begin a four-game series against the Phillies on Friday night at 7:10 PM. This is the Mets’ big chance to get back into the race … if they sweep the Phils, they’ll be back to within single digits of first place. Mike Pelfrey faces Cole Hamels.
Mets Game 116: Loss to Giants
Giants 5 Mets 4
A suprisingly eventful game for what began as a lazy Saturday afternoon.
With all the injuries happening around him, it seemed only a matter of time before David Wright was struck by physical harm — but who would’ve guessed he’d actually be STRUCK?
Wright was plunked by a Matt Cain fastball that knocked him out of the game in the fourth inning — it was a frightening episode that shook up Cain himself as well as everyone else in the stadium. Cain seemed to lose focus, feeding Gary Sheffield one fastball after another over the middle of the plate before Sheff flied out to send Luis Castillo to third; a few pitches later Dan Murphy hit another fly to score Castillo with the first run of the game.
However, Cain regrouped and proceeded to set down — rather than knock down — the Mets bats through the 8th, when he finally allowed the Mets a rally and yielded to the bullpen. However, the Mets feasted on the Giant relievers for three runs to tie up the game.
Prior to that, Johan Santana allowed 4 runs on 9 hits and a walk through 6 2/3 innings. His outing ended when he lost his cool and threw at Pablo Sandoval, allowed a monster homer to Sandoval, and then threw at Bengie Molina. Jerry Manuel removed him before the umps could toss him.
The game remained tied at 4-4 until the top of the 10th, when Bengie Molina blasted a homer into the leftfield seats off Frankie Fantastic.
Notes
The Wright HBP: Matt Cain threw three fastballs past Wright on the outside part of the plate. With the count 0-2, Bengie Molina called for an inside fastball. This is a routine strategy — bait the hitter with outside pitches until he starts looking outside, then strike him out / get a popup by jamming him inside. (BTW, this is the scouting report on Wright — feed him outside, and he becomes vulnerable in.)Unfortunately, Cain missed too in and too high, and Wright — who was looking outside and leaning a bit into the plate — was hit hard on the helmet. Cain showed immediate remorse and definitely did not intend to hit him.
Now, fast-forward to the 7th: Johan Santana, with two outs and no one on base, throws behind the back of Pablo Sandoval. There was no question that it was a “purpose pitch”. Personally, I disagreed with the act, because the Wright HBP was clearly unintentional. I am “old school” and do believe in retaliation — when it is warranted. In this case, I did not see what “message” Santana was sending. Is it that opposing pitchers aren’t allowed to make mistakes? That they’re not allowed to throw inside? In many cases in the past, I’ve been frustrated by the refusal of Mets pitchers to throw inside and make batters “move their feet”. However, this situation did not, to me, fit the rules of engagement.
Later, when Cain was removed from the game, the Citi Field crowd showered him with boos. Just before stepping into the dugout, Cain tipped his cap. Many fans likely saw this as classless. I, on the other hand, saw it as Cain telling the fans, “screw you, it wasn’t on purpose, and you’re ignorant to think so”. Or maybe he just didn’t know how to react, and tipped his cap out of nervousness.
To further exacerbate the situation, the numnut, neanderthal FOX announcers 1) agreed that it was OK for Santana to throw at a Giant hitter; and 2) made a point to highlight the tip-capping by Cain. I don’t care if Mark Grace played MLB — if he thinks “eye for an eye” fits EVERY situation, he’s an idiot. With that kind of logic, I would have the right to punch him in the nose if he accidentally tapped my bumper in a traffic jam.
I don’t care one way or another for Matt Cain, but as a Mets fan I am embarrassed at the situation. Wright getting hit was unfortunate, and scary — but it doesn’t give Santana the right to throw at someone else, and it doesn’t mean I’m going to hate Matt Cain. Interestingly, Bobby Ojeda would not fully take one side or the other on the situation. His stance was more, “I’m not on the field with them; if they think something needs to be done, then the guys on the field take care of business”. Though he did agree with retaliating if the situation warranted it, he did not make clear that this was one such situation.
Also in the postgame, Santana said “I have to protect my teammates”. That’s fine, if, again, Cain threw at Wright intentionally. But if he didn’t, the “protection” line is bs — it’s false bravado, and the wrong way to “show his teammates” that he’ll “protect” them.
What’s most mind-boggling is that Santana truly believes what he says — that retaliation is “part of the game” and is “the right way to play the game”. Yes — IF it’s warranted. Sorry, I don’t care how long Santana has been playing this game, it’s NOT the way you play it, and whomever taught him that it is, they’re wrong too.
There was a time when pitchers threw inside more often, and hit people on purpose more often — but those days were a good 25 years ago. Back then, retaliation was a form of checks and balances, of the players policing themselves. Ever since Bud Selig eliminated the inside pitch with the asinine “umpire warnings”, however, the concept of retaliation no longer applies — you intentionally throw at a hitter, you get thrown out of the game. These players today who think that you retaliate after an unintentional HBP are delusional, and grasping to an edict that has been obsolete since the 1980s.
Again, I am an “old school” guy. I have been on a mound and intentionally hit people. I have also been on the receiving end of pitches (including 90+MPH fastballs to my head), both intentional and unintentional. So I understand “the code”. This retaliation, to me, was a weak and inexcusable way for Johan Santana to show his teammates that he’ll protect them, or that he’s some kind of tough guy. His actions and words on this evening tell me he’s more ignorant and confused than protective.
Notes
The Mets play the Giants at 1:10 PM. Mike Pelfrey pitches against Jonathan Sanchez.
Mets Game 111: Win Over Padres
Mets 5 Padres 1
Put away that broom — there will be no sweep in San Diego!
One of the big reasons the Mets acquired Johan Santana was to avoid prolonged losing streaks. What they didn’t count on, though, were periods of losing 6 out of 8, or 7 out of 10.
In any case, thanks to the brilliant pitching of Johan, and an unusual output by the offense, the Mets avoided a four-game sweep and pushed their record to 52-59 — a mere 10 games behind the Phillies, only 9 behind in the Wild Card standings, and more than a dozen games ahead of the Washington Nationals.
Johan hurled 8 masterful frames, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks. Against his better judgment, he handed the game to countryman Francisco Rodriguez, who did not disappoint. K-Rod was absolutely spectacular, coaxing three outs from the Padres without yielding a run. He would’ve earned himself his second save of the second half, too, if it weren’t for that meddling kid Danny Murphy, who drove in an insurance run in the top of the ninth that gave the Mets the four-run lead and removed a save situation.
Notes
If only Murphy could hit .330 – .350 and run well, he’d be a serious candidate for 1B next year. But if you’re not Rod Carew, you can’t be a slap-hitting first baseman. Murphy has definitely proven to be “money” with runners in scoring position, and did a great job on a tough two-strike pitch to dump the ball into the outfield and drive in that fifth run. Maybe there’s still time to move him to second base … or sign Manny Ramirez / Matt Holliday in the offseason to make up for his lack of punch.
Five Mets had two hits in this ballgame, including Santana, who was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Also 2-for-3 was Anderson Hernandez, who had been passed over in previous days to inject more offense into the lineup.
Jeff Francoeur had two hits and is now hitting an even .300 in August. He’s 11 for his last 30.
Next Mets Game
The Mets’ late summer western swing continues in Arizona at 9:40 PM EST (why they can’t start the game 40 minutes earlier is beyond me … don’t they go to bed early out there?). Mike Pelfrey takes the mound in opposition to Doug Davis.
In unrelated news, the Yankees will be facing Marc Rzepczynski of the Blue Jays tomorrow. Say that name ten times fast.
Mets Game 106: Loss to Cardinals
Cardinals 12 Mets 7
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse …
Thanks to Iron Mike, the Mets were able to touch the previously untouchable Joel Pineiro for 7 runs on 11 hits in only five frames. Combine that with the fact they had ace Johan Santana on the mound, and you would think this game would be a slam-dunk.
You know how ugly a missed dunk is?
Santana was not his vintage self, but appeared to have pitched just well enough to win. Backed by the offense’s seven-run outburst (two of which he drove in himself), Johan allowed five runs on nine hits in eight innings, and exited with a two-run lead in the hands of fellow Venezuelan Francisco Rodriguez.
However, Frankie shat the bed, giving up back-to-back doubles to Rick Ankiel and Julio Lugo to start the ninth. He struck out pinch-hitter Colby Rasmus, but engaged in a 7-pitch battle royale with the next hitter, Skip Schumaker. Unfortunately for the Mets, Schumaker ended the at-bat with a single to score Lugo and tie up the game. Just like that, Santana had a no-decision and K-Rod his fourth blown save.
The Mets mounted a mild two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth but it petered out when Dan Murphy fanned. The Cards loaded the bases in the top of the tenth and were given the go-ahead run when Sean Green’s first pitch plunked Mark DeRosa. Green’s fifth pitch — an 0-2 slider — was deposited into the seats by Sir Albert Pujols, completing the Cards’ eight-run blitzkrieg over the final three innings.
Green’s HBP scored a runner initially put on base by Pedro Feliciano, so Feliciano was tagged with the loss — his fourth of the year.
Notes
To add injury to insult, Luis Castillo slipped on his way down the dugout steps and sprained his ankle after grounding out in the seventh. He’ll likely miss a few games as a result. Shame, considering how well Castillo has been playing of late.
Have to wonder why Brian Stokes threw only one pitch in the tenth. Jerry Manuel chose to play the Matchup Game one day after the bullpen was severely stretched, using Stokes, Feliciano, and Green. What exactly was the plan if the game went 11 or 12 frames? I suppose we would have seen Nelson Figueroa at some point.
K-Rod seemed to be having trouble with his release point, as he left many of his breaking pitches up in the strike zone — he wasn’t “finishing” his pitches, releasing just a hair too early. He threw a season-high 41 pitches, so with Wednesday’s game beginning in the early afternoon, you can forget about his availability. Additionally, Feliciano has thrown 40 pitches over the past 5 days, and 79 over the last 9. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but remember he’s warming up in the bullpen before coming into these games, so add in another 15-20 pitches at minimum per day.
In all honesty, I felt a slight pang of concern when Manuel pinch-hit for Santana in the bottom of the 8th. I know he was having a rough night, and had thrown 103 pitches, but there was this thought in my head suggesting that the best plan was to leave Johan in there. Naturally, if he was left in and the Mets lost as a result, I’d be raking Manuel over the coals for making such a boneheaded decision. Maybe the problem is that I’ve been trained to expect the worst from this ballclub.
Pujols, who had been “slumping” recently (1 for his last 13 coming into the game), was 4-for-5 with 2 HRs, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI. Hate to think what might’ve happened if he were on a hot streak.
Next Mets Game
The final game of the series occurs at 12:10 PM on Wednesday afternoon. Jonathan Niese faces Kyle Lohse.
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