Mets Go 1-3 Over The Weekend, Fire Everyone...

After today's 13-3 lashing at the hands of the Nationals (box score), I think it's finally about time we fire everyone...

There's no reason to wait, because there's nothing to gain by waiting.  Fire Jerry and Fire Omar already (HoJo can go too-as much as that hurts to say)...The team is done this season, at least give them a few extra games to get acclimated to their new manager, whoever the team feels it should be next season.  If you're going to fire Omar, then do that first, bring in your new GM and then let him get his manager in here.  Either way, something needs to be done.

The only real things left to look forward to this season is watching the young kids get a taste, and see what they're made of...

Speaking of young kids, Dillon Gee gets the start tomorrow against the Nats.  That should be fun to see...

Phillies Working on Big Deal?

Jayson Stark on twitter, here, tweeted that "Indications Phillies are working on major deal for starting pitcher & would move Jayson Werth in a companion trade."

This report is supported by Buster Olney on twitter, who then took it a step further and tweeted, " Jayson Stark and I hearing a whole lot about the Phillies working hard on a deal for a frontline pitcher. Don't know for sure, but Oswalt fits in a lot of ways. They could make the dollars work by moving Jayson Werth's contract -- and they'd have Oswalt for 2011."


Wow, wow, and please GOD NO!


I mean isn't it bad enough the Mets are playing like crap right now, and the Braves are having a great season...Now the Phillies need to go out and get ANOTHER frontline pitcher.  The ONLY positive about this potential story is that Werth could end up somewhere else, which is great because I can't stand that guy.  BUT, a series against the Phillies where you would have to face Halladay and Oswalt does not make me feel good as a Mets fan...


If this happens, it sure as hell better kick Omar in the ass and get him to make SOMETHING happen.  BUT, he needs to be smart about it.  Either way, this isn't looking good...

You can read more in an article by Stark on ESPN.com, here. 

Looking Forward to a Strong Weekend of Baseball

Tonight the Mets open a three game set against the Phillies in the "Illa-delph".  I'm not saying this is any sort of turning point for the season, because it's too early for that stuff, BUT winning this series would be a nice confidence boost for a team (and fan base) on the rise.

Mets fans didn't REALLY know what to expect this year because of the lack of impact free agent additions  this offseason, injuries from last season, and zero faith in the front office and manager.  However, this Mets team is showing some real signs of life and is starting to look a little bit like Omar knew what he was doing this offseason by laying off of a big first base signing (with Davis waiting in the wings), thinking that some of Pelfrey/Maine/ Perez could rebound, believing Niese was ready and that the bullpen could come together.  Although this team is far from great, they do look good, and most importantly are watchable.  This season has been exponentially more fun than last season, but it is only April 30th...

Regardless of the big picture stuff, tonight the Mets have an early season test against the Phillies.  The pitching match ups for the weekend series starts with Jon Niese taking the hill against Kyle Kendrick, to be followed tomorrow by Pelfrey/Halladay, and then another Sunday Night game with Johan Santana facing Jamie Moyer.

I'm not going to get too hung up on this because we know that Phillies line up can really hit...BUT...to me, it looks like the Mets have the advantage in two of the three pitching match ups, with the Halladay/Pelfrey game being the only advantage I see the Phillies having.  I'm just saying this looks promising for the Mets because a weekend series with your three best pitchers going against a top team in the league is not a bad position to be in.

Should be some good baseball, hopefully the weekend will end with the Mets taking the series, gaining some more credibility and, most importantly, putting some life back into the Mets/Phillies rivalry...

Alright Ike's Coming, So Let's Be Real...

According to Matt Cerrone of Metsblog, which relayed the info from SNY's Brad Cuomo account on twitter, Ike Davis will be called up today.

It has been brought to my attention that I have been accused of "wavering" on my stance with the Ike call-up situation, but please allow me to clarify... 

I wanted (still want) to see Chris Carter get a chance before Ike, because in my opinion, Ike could probably use some more seasoning before bringing him up to the bigs and Carter deserves a shot.  Also, I am slightly concerned about what the Mets will do when Daniel Murphy is ready to return from the DL.  If the Mets are bringing up Ike as a stopgap until Murphy is healthy, then this move is flat-out moronic.  However, if they're willing to commit to Ike, unless he struggles big time, then I'm fine with it.

To me, giving Carter a chance would have made the most sense because of the flexibility, until Murphy could return, and how if Carter were to perform well it would afford the team the option to keep both Carter and Murphy, especially considering Carter's ability to play other positions along with first base.  Couple those arguments with the fact that this kid has almost never been given a shot to succeed, there's no doubt in my mind that Carter would be hungry and would perform well.

Since that isn't the case and Ike is on his way up...I'm on board with this too.  Mainly because I think Ike is the team's best option at first base, given the realities of the situation (with Carter etc.).

So...

Mets fans here we go.  This move should be the start of something.  It should be the beginning of the organizations realization that maybe, just maybe, it's time for a youth movement.  This applies to both players and management.  Let Ike play, bring up Carter too, maybe F-Mart, Gee and Tejada at some point.  The team's future should be given a shot.  They can't be much worse than the team that's been out there for the first two weeks...

And while we're at it, lose Jerry and Omar.  Hand over jobs to Backman and Ricco.  Change the direction of the team and organization and bring HOPE to the fans.  Trying to float with this team that is clearly not as talented as other teams in the NL is a recipe for breeding more contempt within an already agitated fan base.

Ike will hold fans off for a bit.  But it's not enough.  I think Evan Roberts summed it up best, as Cerrone quotes him on Metsblog, "Mets fans would rather lose with Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada and Fernando Martinez, than lose with Fernando Tatis, Luis Castillo and Gary Matthews Jr." (Note the only reason I used the second baseman's name was for the quotes sake)  Also, my feeling is the first three Roberts mentioned are actually better than the second three.  So why not do it?

My one request is that fans temper expectations.  Ike Davis will eventually be good, it just may not happen right away.  Regardless it'll be exciting tonight should he crack the line-up, and I think it'll be fun at CitiField.  Man am I happy I have tickets...

Mets Go 2-4 on Road Trip, But Won One in St. Louis (Omar Loves It)

Tonight the Mets fell to the Cardinals 5-3 (box score) on two big homers by Ludwick and Colby Rasmus.  John Maine was acceptable tonight, which is a glowing endorsement compared to what he had done in his earlier outtings this season.

The only real positive at the plate was Angel Pagan who drove in the only two earned runs off of Wainwright tonight, who after a rough third inning looked unhittable.

Honestly, there is nothing else to say, EXCEPT, that tomorrow it looks like we'll finally be seeing some Ike.

Overall though, this team is struggling, and the only hope is that more change is on the way and that it'll happen early enough to give them a real chance to compete this season...

Please, fire Jerry and Omar and give this team and this season, a chance.  A team cannot win in spite of their manager, so it's about time to give the team a chance.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! FIRE MINAYA AND JERRY, NOW!

"St. Louis is always tough. If we can win two out of three, that will be outstanding. If we win one, I'll take it."  That's straight from the mouth of Omar Minaya.  I'm suprised he could get all those words out while cramming his foot in there at the same time.  But as we've learned throughout his tenure, he's multi-talented...

This quote was taken from an SI.com story, written by Jon Heyman, here.

It's one thing to give a good team (Cardinals) credit, it's another to call your own team second-rate and deciding that not getting swept is an accomplishment.  THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

I've had enough of Jerry and Omar, clean house, and end this crap already.  I don't want this team run by people who don't even believe in them.  No wonder people say they have no passion, their bosses think they suck.

SERIOUSLY THIS IS UNREAL.

Two words: Immediate termination. 

My Reaction to Omar on WFAN

Earlier today, Omar Minaya was a guest of Mike Francessa's on WFAN.  In this interview, which Matt Cerrone did a recap of here, Omar talked about a few of the burning questions as we head toward opening day, and the final roster cuts.

The first thing I want to talk about is Omar being willing to go with what he has at first base in Murphy's absence.  This means, to me, that Jacobs will be the guy and Tatis will be the back-up, unless Chris Carter makes the team, which Cerrone seems to feel won't happen (I agree).  I hope that's not the case but tend to agree that Catalanotto will probably fill the last bench spot. 

Okay, so I have no real problem going with Jacobs over Carter or Davis, mainly because I don't think Davis is ready and Carter isn't a full-time first baseman.  What I do have a problem with is this feeling that Catalanotto will make the bench over Carter.  I think Carter is a better hitter, and is almost as versatile as Catalanotto in the field, but not as good a fielder overall.  However, I think the logic that the Mets needed a lefty power bat off the bench should not have changed when Murphy went down.  Don't they still need a lefty power bat off the bench?  It's pretty obvious that Carter has more power of the two bench-bat options.

And the thing that bothers me the most is this idea that because people don't have options they will make the team.  I thought the Mets would want to put the most talent out on the field, not just make sure they don't lose guys on minor league deals just because of a fear of depth.  I guess that's just me...

And as far as the line-up without Murphy, I think the team now has more pop at first base.  It's just funny to me how the same people wondering why we had Murphy at the top of the depth chart are now the same complaining about the line-up without him.  It just makes no sense to me...

Another thing that I want to talk about is Omar's breakdown of the bullpen, as not having one set-up man.  I think this is more Omar staying behind Manuel because all we (bloggers and media) do is jump all over them when they're not on the same page.  I would have to assume that we're looking at either Mejia or Feliciano as the primary set-up guys.  If this isn't the case then Mejia should be at Binghamton learning to become a starter, anything less than that is a waste of this kid's talent.  I still think that at the end of the day Pedro Feliciano will be the one doing most of the heavy lifting in the eighth inning.

The last thing I want to touch on is Omar saying that Tejada will play, should he make the team.  I like that a lot, but when we they find time?  With Reyes returning 5 games into the season, I really don't see when Tejada gets any playing time.  Maybe this means that Catalanotto and Carter will make the team to start, and Cat will be the back-up at second for the first 5 games.  I know that's a risk, but a move can always be made if something happens to Cora or Castillo.  I also like the feeling that Tejada will be the second baseman of the future.  Well he's hit so far this spring, and can definitely work on his fielding, but regardless he looks good.

I'm just getting  tired of talking about the make-up of the team here.  Let's just get to it and play a game already...

Beltran Likely to Return Sometime Between Early May and Early June

According to the New York Post, as reported from an interview by WFAN's Craig Carton with Omar Minaya, it seems as though the earliest the Mets can expect Carlos Beltran back will be May 8th.  Minaya said in his interview that Beltran cannot start running until April 10th, and that once he starts running, "it could be somewhere between 4, 6 to 8 weeks, in that range." That would put his return as early as May 8th but as late as possibly early June.

Minaya seems confident in the team's ability to perform without Beltran, saying, "I feel that with Gary Mathews and with Pagan we're covered there and we don't have to rush Carlos back...We want to get Carlos back but we don't want to feel like we have to rush him."

I'm in agreement not to rush Beltran, although with today's showings I'm much, much, more concerned with this team than I was yesterday.  It's hard to be a fan and think objectively when you saw what went on this afternoon.  Tough day...

Lennon Says Reyes to Return To Baseball Tomorrow

So in a bit of good luck for the Mets it looks like Jose Reyes will be back to getting in shape tomorrow, according to David Lennon on twitter.

This is without a doubt the best news Mets fans have gotten in awhile.  While Omar apparently will not rule out Jose for Opening Day, I wouldn't bet on him being there.  Although my guess is it'll be a week or so before he gets into a game situaion, I just don't know if that's enough time for Reyes to be ready for opening day.  But, here's to hoping...

The Only Option To Start If Jose Isn't Back For Opening Day

In an article in the Newark Star-Ledger, Andy McCullough, talks about a possible replacement for Jose Reyes until he is cleared to return to action.  McCullough points the finger at Alex Cora as the likely candidate, but does mention Ruben Tejada as someone who Jerry Manuel called, "an interesting name."  In the article McCullough says, "While forecasting replacements for Reyes, general manager Omar Minaya mentioned a 20-year-old Panamanian prospect, Ruben Tejada. Cora was an afterthought."  McCullough quotes Omar as saying, "The good thing is Ruben Tejada's playing pretty well...I know Jerry's been playing him."

At this point considering how well Tejada has been playing this spring, to me he's the only option.  McCullough shares some interesting Tejada stats in the article.  According to McCullough, "Tejada swiped 19 bags last year in Double-A Binghamton and he's hitting .364 in six games this spring."  The kid is showing he can hit, and is learning in the field.  Regardless of his age, and lack of experience, Tejada should be the obvious choice here for a few reasons...

First off, we've seen what Cora can do as an everyday player, and it wasn't pretty.  I like Alex Cora off the bench, but he's not a starting player in the majors.  Now, I understand neither is Tejada...yet.  But the interesting part about Tejada is that he CAN be an everyday player at some point.  And while Cora is past that point in his career, Tejada is still trying to figure out what he is all about.  Tejada very well may be the Mets 2011 opening day second baseman if he lives up to potential (and the Mets lose some dead weight- Castillo).  So, I say give him a shot, and see what he can do...

Secondly, the line-up looks really bad with Cora in it.  Now we're talking a line-up that looks something like this:

Pagan, Castillo, Wright, Bay, Francouer, Murphy, Barajas, Cora, Pitcher's spot.

That is not an overly exciting line-up to me.  The 6-9 hitters would most likely be posting a batting average of .250, at the most.  Not quite good enough to compete.

However, if you through Tejada in the mix, and slot him in instead of Cora, there is a bit more excitement in the line-up.  An unknown entity in the majors, who has been hitting pretty well in the minors, .289 in double-A last season with a .351 OBP.  Cora, meanwhile, put up these numbers last season, .251 average with a .320 OBP.  Although I understand Cora was hurt, Mets fans who watched the games saw an inferior player who was worn down by day-to-day action.  He's just not a starter.

It seems like Jerry only has one option to start the season at short, should Jose not be ready, and it's the 20 year old option.  If it comes down to starting someone who isn't Jose Reyes on Opening Day, it really should be Tejada...

Someone's Got A Man(uel) Crush

According to an article by Mike Puma of the New York Post, Jerry Manuel has a crush on Jenrry Mejia.  Manuel has gone as far as to say, "[Mejia] wears No. 76 and Frankie is No. 75, if you know what I mean...They might follow each other out there. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

I don't blame Jerry, it's hard not to see this kid pitch and start salivating.  Especially since, Jerry's got a set-up problem that's yet to fix itself and this kid's got unlimited potential.  It's hard for Jerry to not think about teaming this kid up with K-Rod in the back-end of the Mets bullpen. 

My message to Jerry would be to hold on.  Don't get ahead of yourself.  There is too much potential for this kid as a starter to just throw him out there in the eighth inning to save your job.  I think Omar knows that, which is why Puma writes in his article, "Minaya made it known before yesterday’s game that the plan is for Mejia to begin the season as a starter for Double-A Binghamton."  I have no idea why Omar is being so smart about this, given his proclivity to do this in the past. 

If the Mets want to do what the Rangers did last season with Neftali Feliz, then I say go for it.  Get him some big league experience when rosters expand, for the stretch run as a set-up guy.  But for now, don't ruin the chance to create the second coming of Doc Gooden...

While You (and Omar) Were Sleepin'...

According to Jon Heyman on Twitter it looks like Yankees are about to re-acquire RHP Javier Vazquez along with RHP Boone Logan for Melky Cabrera, LHP Mike Dunn and a prospect. Despite Vazquez' poor first stint in NY, you have to give credit to Cashman for landing one of the best pitchers available, yet again. As a Mets fan it's starting to get pretty annoying to see that the Yankees 3rd and 4th starters would be a number 2 starter on your team.

On an equally frustrating front, Ken Rosenthal on twitter reports the Mariners are nearing a deal to send Brandon Morrow to Toronto for Brandon League and a prospect. Now, I don't mean any offense to Brandon League (who had a 4.58 ERA last year), but Omar couldn't put together a better package than that? Did he even try? I'd like to know he looked into it, as he claims he looks into everything.

Now, I know Morrow has been up and down, but where is the harm in obtaining a young arm with a high ceiling for say, Brian Stokes and a prospect. It's not like Omar isn't stock piling relievers anyway.

In general, I woke up cranky because I'm starting to get concerned Omar is a little too focused on his targets and is missing out on some opportunities to think outside the box, and improve this team.