SOUTHERN METS

2010

2009-11-06T10:49:00.002-05:00

Well the Hot Stove season has officially started and I will make no mention of the World's or the participants. I did not watch a single pitch or see any highlights and I am going to keep it that way. In a season that was from hell to begin with, we as Mets fans had our worse nightmare become reality with the 2 teams in the World Series.
Now we can finally move ahead and pray that 2010 will be a much better year. I just can't see how it can get worse that 2009. If it does, then holy crap, the world must have ended, because there is simply no way it can get any worse.
So as we move into Hot Stove season it is finally time to start getting the pieces in place that will once again make the Mets World Series contenders. There is alot of work to be done and lets hope that Omar can get his crap together and get it done.

This can't continue on into 2010

2009-10-08T10:25:00.005-04:00

Well the Mets never recovered from their below .500 record this season, so you never got a chance to read another post from yours truly. Now that 162 games have come complete, I will not take time to look back on what was hands down one of the most miserable, money draining season I've had to experience in some time. From the Extra Innings package on DirecTV to over $600 in game tickets and God knows how much on merchandise.

As I look forward to 2010, I would like to see an impact made on the Starting Rotation. I think all Mets fans are talking bats, Matt Holliday, Prince Fielder, Jason Bay, etc. Which that would be awesome to sign a bat to put in the middle of our lineup but can we trust John Maine and Oliver Perez? What about Pelf?

I'm officially starting the Roy Halladay Rally.

Roy Rally!!!!

2009...A Year To Not Remember

2009-10-05T10:15:00.002-04:00

Well...OUCH!!! That is all that can be said about the 2009 Mets season. A season that should have been so much better, just fell flat on its face. It still kills me how the guys on ESPN and other media outlets are dogging the Mets for having the 2nd highest payroll and having a losing record. Do these guys not realize that they had over $70 million on the DL?

Reyes played in 36 games, Delgado played in 26, Beltran played in 81...can't win with that many games missed by top tier players. So we had our Big 4 (Reyes, Wright, Delgado and Betran) in the line-up together for a total of 26 games...OUCH!!!

So what about 2010? What is going to happen? What do I want to see? Honestly, I don't know what I want to see...I know who I want back and if I could put together a line-up for that, it might look a little like this:

1. Reyes SS
2. Orlando Hudson 2b (Trade Castillo...he had a solid year and trade value is up)
3. Wright 3b
4. Beltran CF
5. Some power hitting 1st baseman
6. Francouer RF
7. Pagan LF
8. Thole C (I like the kid and we need to have a young catcher behind the plate who is on his first pair of knees)

Pitching is another story...we know Santana and KRod will be back, and probably Feliciano, but after that I think it is a crap shoot. We obviously need starting pitching...Perez will probably still be here because no one will take his contract...Maine is too often injured to get traded...Pelfrey needs to improve if he is to stick around.

Bottomline is that there are a lot of questions this off season for the Mets and it starts today.

18 Games Left

2009-09-14T11:51:00.003-04:00

In a season that started with so much promise, there are only 1 games left in what has become a season to forget. People are always asking me "You're a Mets fan? They suck!" Well. when you have $80 million dollars of your payroll sitting on the DL for basically the whole season, that is going to happen. Someone tell me a team that can lose 3 all-stars (Reyes, Beltran and Delgado), then additional players like Perez, Maine, Santana, Putz...the list goes on and on, and still try to compete in the NL East? It is just not possible. Even if the Mets had the top minor league system in baseball, there is no way they could have competed at a productive level for the season will all those guys out.
So as we move forward in 3 weeks to the off season, it will be quite interesting. The Mets need starting pitching and many other things, so I am looking forward to it.

Remember 9/11

2009-09-11T12:39:00.001-04:00

It is only fitting that on this day that we remember those who lost their lives on 9/11. This video is one that I have watched hundreds of times and it still gives me chills.
I find great joy that it was our beloved Mets who brought hope back to NYC. The Mets were the team who did the most during this time and it was just something that makes me proud to be a Mets fan!

Citi Not Changing

2009-09-03T13:22:00.003-04:00

It appears that Citi Field will look exactly the same next season. Adam Rubin of the Daily News did a story on the subject today. He spoke to both Jerry and Omar and both say it will not change. Jerry was quoted as saying "We're going to try to build a team with speed and defense and pitching.I think that fits that style."
Maybe it is just me, but I like the long ball. However, I guess if we know what we need as far as players go, then we can build a team that will play well in Citi. However, what pitching is out there or speed guys this winter that the Mets can get? The other question is about Reyes, will he be mentally ready to play next year or will he be cautious because of the hamstring. I think Beltran will be a fine fit and I think Frenchy understands the field and how to play there.
This will be a very interesting off season.

Growing and Growing and Growing.....and taking a Break

2009-08-25T09:22:00.003-04:00

Could this list get any longer? It might as well, the season is already in the tank. I say shut Santana down no matter what and lets get ready for 2010. September will be an interesting month with all the call ups, can't wait to get a look at some of the future stars, at least that is what I hope.

In other news, I will be taking a little break from Southern Mets...I'm putting myself of the DL as well. Why not, all the Mets are, so why not me. Check back from time to time and see if I have updated anything. I'll sure be on after the World Series once the off-season wheeling and dealing starts. Again, that is my hope.

This Weekend

2009-08-24T09:23:00.002-04:00

You know when you are down 6-0 and still have 25 outs to get in the game, most teams would just fold and just playout the rest of the game and not worry about it. Well, not this team. After Oliver Perez was lite up like the sky over the Statue of Liberty on the 4th of July, the Mets scored 7 runs and had 2 men on with no outs in the 9th when Frenchy hit into the unassisted triple play. Can't blame Frenchy for this, he hit the crap out of the ball...it is just one of those things that seems to be happening to this team this year.
If we look at the positive, if we take away the first inning and Ollie didn't pitch, the Mets win the game 7-3...not bad, but that is not how it works.
Hopefully the Mets can salvage a series split this afternoon as Bobby Parnell takes the hill against Cliff Lee. Lee has been nothing but untouchable since coming over from the Indians, so hopefully the Mets can bring him back to earth. At least that would be nice.
In other news...Mets ownership confirmed that Omar and Jerry will both be back next season. In my mind, you can't blame either of them for this season. Who could have imagined that Beltran, Delgado, Reyes and DW5 would go down with injuries this year? I know not me...lets just hope that everyone is healthy next season.

Wagner Returns

2009-08-21T10:01:00.002-04:00

When Billy Wagner came into the game last night I had chills. I had really wished I could have been watching the game on the SNY feed, but because I fall into the Braves region, I have to listen to there damn announcers. Sorry, but that is B.S. Just because I live in a region doesn't mean I am a fan of that freakin' team. I am happy I could watch this video clip on Mets.com
Anyway...Wagner looked good and while the Mets have him on waivers and there is a good chance that he could be traded before August 31st, I am kind of hoping that they resign him for next year. I know it was only one inning and 14 pitches, but he looked really solid last night. He would be a great complement to Feliciano. How nice would it be to have two lefties in Wagner and Pedro and then two righties with Frankie and Putz? Just a thought...have to think about 2010!

Took Longer Than I Thought

2009-08-21T09:51:00.003-04:00

I knew when the Mets signed Sheffield this year that eventually he would self destruct or cause some major commotion in the clubhouse. I thought I would be earlier than yesterday, but it finally did happen. While Sheff has had a good year, the Mets need to think about 2010 and for me, that doesn't include Sheffield. We just can't go into next season with a 40 something Left Fielder. It just wouldn't make any sense.

Here is the story from Bart Hubbuch with the NY Post:

The ever-combustible Gary Sheffield was overdue for some drama this season, and he finally provided it last night.

The veteran slugger was a late scratch from the lineup, and a high-ranking club source confirmed that Sheffield threatened to leave the team after the Mets rejected his request for a contract extension.

Neither Sheffield nor manager Jerry Manuel did much to clear up the situation before or after last night's 3-2 loss to the Braves at Citi Field, though Sheffield stayed with the team and struck out as the tying run in an eighth-inning pinch hit role.

Sheffield avoided reporters after the game, quickly ducking out of the clubhouse, while Manuel claimed he wasn't aware of Sheffield's extension demand.

Manuel had said before the game that Sheffield had asked for "a day off to kind of clear some thoughts and things."

But Sheffield told reporters shortly after he was scratched -- and before Manuel spoke -- that he did not ask out of the lineup.

"I'm fine," Sheffield said. "It's just the best thing for today. It's just the best thing to let someone else play. I'm 100-percent healthy."

Sheffield is in the final year of his deal and wants to return to the Mets, who are paying him just $400,000 this season while the Tigers -- who released him in spring training -- pick up the remaining $13.6 million.

But the Mets are not interested in an extension because Sheffield will be 41 next season and -- though still a potent hitter -- he has had trouble staying healthy as a position player in the National League.

The timing of Sheffield's request for an extension also was curious because he told The Post earlier this week that he didn't expect to finish the season with the Mets.

The Mets placed Sheffield on revocable waivers last week, but they pulled him back after San Francisco claimed him. By pulling Sheffield back, the Mets are not allowed to trade him.

The Mets' only options now are to place Sheffield on irrevocable waivers or release him to finish the season with a contender, but the team had made neither move as of last night.

Manuel's regular pregame news conference was delayed nearly an hour while general manager Omar Minaya struggled to handle the standoff. Manuel then tried to downplay the situation with reporters.

"I think it would do him good both physically and mentally to get a day [off]," Manuel said.

Manuel, who was bench coach with the Marlins in 1997 when Sheffield helped lead Florida to a World Series title, earlier this month proclaimed his desire for the Mets to bring Sheffield back next season.

But management has not been as enthusiastic, though Sheffield has been surprisingly productive this season. Sheffield is hitting .285 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs in 89 games since being signed at the end of spring training.

So what about the Mets outfield for next year. For me, there are 2 spots taken...Center with Beltran and Right with Franceour. Left field is the mystery and I don't know if it come via a trade or free agent signing in the off season or if it moving Murphy back there and signing a solid first baseman. I guess we will have to see.

Wagner Back...Livan Gone

2009-08-20T16:42:00.005-04:00

The Mets activated Billy Wagner today and with that, they released Livan Hernandez. While Livan was good the first half of the year, he hit the wall and hasn't been very good.
Happy to see Billy back...although who knows how long he will be here since the Mets put him on waivers. We'll just have to see.

Great "W"

2009-08-19T08:56:00.002-04:00

No matter how bad the season is going, it is always nice when the Mets beat the Braves and the Phillies and Marlins. Our 3 hated division rivals!
Last night was no exception. Thanks to an 8 run 4th inning, the Mets walked away with a 9-4 win against the Braves. When we are throwing our "C" team, not even "B" team out there and we string together an inning like the 4th last night, it puts a smile on your face. I know I enjoyed it. Hopefully the fun will continue tonight as the Mets face the Braves again.

Next 10

2009-08-17T11:26:00.004-04:00

After tonight's game against the Giants, the Mets have 10 games against the 3 teams that are in front of them. The Braves, Phillies and Marlins. Can the Mets move up in the standing? Who knows. Now with DW5 on the DL, it is going to be tough, and just don't know if it can be done.
The fun starts tomorrow night with 3 games against the Braves at home, followed by 4 home games against the Phillies. Then it is off to Florida for 3 games. These 10 games will really test the metal of this team.
Would we all be happy with a 5-5 record, or do we want more then that?
All I know if that I am going to have to listen to the stupid Braves announcer for 3 games. Chip Carey is terrible!
The goal for me this season is for the Mets to finish at .500. I think that would be a tremendous task for this team. To do that, they must go 26-19 in their last 45 games. So just need them to play 7 games over .500 the rest of the way.

Just Some Thoughts

2009-08-17T10:15:00.003-04:00

It has sure been a while since I have posted anything and well I still don't have much to say, but will try to force myself to write something so the Southern Mets fans can have something to read.
Nice picture, huh? Man, you want to talk about scary a moment for any baseball player? In a season that just keeps on getting worse, got even worse on Saturday when DW5 was hit in the head. I do not believe it was intentionally and anyone who does I think is nuts. It was a 0-2 count and Cain was just trying to bust David inside and the pitch got away, just that simple. I was happy to see that Johan stepped up later in the game with his pitches to the Giants and that is part of the game. You can tell that Cain was visibly upset about the incident. That shows class.
So what is going to happen the rest of the year? With DW5 now out for at least 2 weeks, looks like Tatis will get most of the work at 3rd base.
So if the Mets have a line-up that has Castillo, Murphy and Santana on the mound, that is all that will be left from the opening day roster. How crazy is that? I've never witnessed a season like this in my entire life and I really can't remember any team with the rash of injuries that the Mets have endured this season. It is mind boggling.
The good news is that the season is almost over and we can look forward to hopefully a productive off-season with hopefully some key additions.

When It Rains....It Pours

2009-08-06T08:51:00.002-04:00

There comes a time when you just have to sit back and shake your head in disbelief at what has become the 2009 season for the Mets. It seems every player needs to be on high alert, because they maybe the next one to go down with an injury. Who would have thought that simply walking walking down the dugout stairs would result in a sprained ankle? Ask Luis Castillo...OUCH!
Then yesterday...Jon Niese goes down and goes down hard. A complete tear of the hamstring, requiring season ending surgery. It is just simply unbelieveable! Then the news of Reyes flying back to NY from rehab because of more discomfort, to find out through an MRI that he has scar tissue that is causing the discomfort...add more time for him on the DL.
I am at a point now where the Mets need to just shut these guys down for the rest of the season. There is no need to rush back Reyes or Beltran for the sake of a season that is all but dead. Let them rehab, take their time and get ready for 2010. The last thing I think any of us want is for these guys to come back, only to re-injure themselves even worse and miss time in 2010.
The Mets need to focus on the long term and not the short term. While I know we all want the Mets to go to the playoffs, but this is a battered team that just needs to rest.

2010

2009-08-04T11:37:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts the last couple of days, but I have now moved onto 2010. The Mets are 8 game back of the Wild Card right now and I just don't see how the Mets can compete with the pitching staff that the Giants have or even the Rockies, who are 1 and 2 in the Wild Card standings.

The Mets have 57 games left in the season and unless they go 40-17 the rest of the way, I don't see how they can come close to winning the wild card or the NL East. I think it is going to take more than 90 wins to win the Wild Card and the NL East is a whole other story. When the Phillies added Cliff Lee, I pretty much resigned myself to them winning the NL East again and I don't think I am alone in that assumption.

So what about 2010...what do the Mets need to do? Good question.

If we look at position players, we will have the following back for sure: DW5, Reyes, Franeour, Beltran, and Murphy. I can see Pagan and Castillo sticking around. I am not sure about Delgado, Sheffield or other bench players. I would be surprised is Schnieder is still here...and Santos will probably stay and be the back-up to whomever the Mets could get.
As far as pitching goes...Santana and Pelfrey will be back and after that I don't know. Do the Mets try to trade Perez and eat some money in the process? K-Rod will be back, as will probably Parnell and maybe Putz, but I think Putz wants to be a closer, so it would surprise me if he's not here.

So many questions to answer this off season.

These are just my thoughts and not based on anything I have read or heard.

4pm

2009-07-31T09:35:00.002-04:00

Well today is the trading deadline and I've got MLB XM on at work and will be constantly checking out Metsblog.com for updates. I know Cerrone will keep me up to date throughout the day.
I don't know what the Mets will do if anything, so it should be an interesting day, that is for sure.

Train Keeps A Rollin'

2009-07-30T14:58:00.002-04:00

The Train Keeps a Rollin' and I hope it doesn't stop anytime soon. 5 wins in a row, back to back shutouts...it is nice to watch this team again. AWESOME!!!

Santana was his typical good self: 7 innings pitched, 4 hits, 1 walk and 8 K's

The Mets had a great 2nd inning when the first 5 batters on the inning got a hit (Murphy, Franceour, Sullivan, Santos adn Berroa)...that was followed by a K from Santana and then another hit by Pagan. It was a productive 5 run inning that held up the rest of the way.

Another game in a couple of hours...again, I love 2 games in one day!

Coming off the DL

2009-07-30T11:29:00.000-04:00

Excuse my absence the past week, I've been dealing with my painful wisdom teeth that finally had to come out the past Monday.

Even though I recovered quicker then some of our beloved Mets, I'd like to say that I'm going to continue and hold out from writing on this blog until they decide to right the ship back to .500.

With that being said I need another Oxy!

Trade Deadline

2009-07-30T10:05:00.002-04:00

So here we are...less then 30 hours left until the trading deadline (Friday at 4pm), and the question becomes what do the Mets do? Do they do anything, or do they stand pat, hoping that Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, Putz, Sheffield, and Wagner come back and help them out.
According to George Willis at the NY Post, the Mets need to go after Victor Martinez, or should I said, he thinks it will help Omar.
Filip Bondy with the NY Daily News thinks the Mets should bring Halladay in...boy would that make a splash. Guess what....Mets don't have the prospects in their system to make this deal happen and the prospects that they do have, if they get rid of them then the minor league system is total shot. Plus, it is not the pitching that I am worried about, it is the offense more than anything.
So we will have to wait and see what happens in the next 30 hours. I'm just looking forward to 2 games today...man I love doubleheaders.

Phillies Get Cliff Lee

2009-07-29T14:35:00.003-04:00

So the Phillies finally picked up a pitcher...its Cliff Lee. Obviously the Roy Halladay takes were going no where, so they made this move. Do I care? Not really...its just another pitcher. If I was Roy, I would have been a little concerned, but not as much with Lee. Don't get me wrong, he is a solid pitcher, but doesn't strike fear into me like Roy does.

With this signing I thought I would find out how Met players have done against Lee. Only a handful have every faced him and here are some of their stats:

Angel Berroa: 11 for 34 (.324), 3 doubles, 2 walks, 6 K
Gary Sheffield: 4 for 16 (.250), 4 walks, 3 K
Luis Castillo: 4 for 14 (.286), 2 doubles, 2 walks
Carlos Delgado: 4 for 5 (.800), 1 double, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 walks
Jeremy Reed: 1 for 5 (.200), 1 double
Carlos Beltran: 0 for 4 (.000), 2 walks

These Mets are a combined 24 for 78 (.308), 7 doubles, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 12 walks and 9 K

It would be nice if Delgado was back in time to face Lee when the Mets play the Phillies in late August or mid-September. I like his numbers.

The Mets Are Now Fashion Designers

2009-07-29T13:18:00.002-04:00

Check out this story from Mets.com by Tim Britton of MLB.com:

Prior to Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies, the Major League Baseball Players Association unveiled the Players Choice Signature Series -- a set of merchandise designed by six Mets players for their fans -- that will be sold exclusively at the Players Clubhouse Store at Citi Field and on MLB.com.

Daniel Murphy, Bobby Parnell, J.J. Putz, Omir Santos and Gary Sheffield were on hand to model their own gear. John Maine, the sixth Met to take part in the project, was not available due to his shoulder injury.

The players designed T-shirts, jerseys and hats with consistent themes, working with Steve Wolff of Majestic in partnership with Aramark and Twins.

"We found we could make really fresh, dynamic products that reflect the personalities of the players," said Judy Heeter, the MLBPA's director of business affairs and licensing. "It also sounds like the phones are ringing from other players and other teams who want to do the same thing."

Murphy built off his Irish heritage by infusing the Mets' classic road look with both the color green and a logo of a clover over his signature.

Parnell went with "earth tones" -- brown with camouflage lettering -- to give his merchandise an outdoors look that is big in his native North Carolina.

Putz strove for a patriotic feel, going with a camouflage jersey with red, white and blue lettering. Putz also produced an elaborate T-shirt design with his name in gothic letters above two eagles and a home plate bearing the Mets' interlocking "NY" logo.

Santos paid homage to his native country with a Mets logo that integrated the Puerto Rican flag in the background. His T-shirt consisted of a big picture of Santos in catching gear.

"I just wanted to see myself on a T-shirt," Santos joked.

Sheffield's jersey utilized a black pinstriped look with an elastic collar and the racing stripes down the shoulders and sides from the Mets' uniforms of the 1980s. The "10" on the back of the jersey includes a picture of Sheffield in action -- an idea the designers thought was particularly cool. Sheffield also made sure to include a logo celebrating his 500th home run, which he hit on April 17 at Citi Field.

Maine's gear showed off both the New York skyline and Mr. Met. Even though Maine wasn't there on Tuesday, it was his merchandise that was generating the most interest from fans early.

The players worked closely with Wolff, throwing out ideas before settling on themes, sketching designs and finally seeing them come to life in the attire they modeled proudly, if a little awkwardly, on "the catwalk" on Tuesday.

All five of the players present agreed that the project was a lot of fun to work on; they couldn't reach a consensus, however, as to whose merchandise was going to sell the most.

"Nobody's going to beat J.J.," Sheffield responded immediately.

"The guy on the end is going to do okay," Murphy replied, pointing at Sheffield. Putz added that Sheffield had the unfair advantage of sporting a logo for his 500th home run.

Buyers or Sellers?

2009-07-28T16:59:00.002-04:00

So the Southern Met fans have spoken and it appears that 80% feel that the Mets should be sellers at the deadline. This now brings up an interesting question. What if the Mets take 3 of 4 or even sweep the Rockies. Does that change your approach? It may change mine a little. Not that I was leaning either way, but I think if the Mets continue to play like they are now and continue to rack up wins, I see no reason why we shouldn't be buyers and go on and take the Wild Card. Just my thought.

A Different Team

2009-07-28T08:34:00.003-04:00

Talk about a team that has a whole different feel to...the Mets seem to be playing with a fire and passion that has not been their for a very long time. I don't know what it is...is it the energy of a Jeff Francoeur or is it Luis Castillo and his hot hitting. All I know is that they are doing the little things to get the job done.
Last night was perfect example. In the past I would have turned off the game with the Mets down 2-0, because I just knew they weren't coming back...but now I am not worried about a 2 or 3 run deficit. They can come back now.
As for last nights game...it was nice to see Fernando Tatis get that Grand Slam last night, but it was the 6th inning when the Mets tied the game that I was more impressed with. It was smart, fundamental baseball that they played that inning. It went a little something like this:
Castillo leads off with a hit, then DW5 follows with another hit. Murphy singles through the hole on the right side and Castillo scores. This puts DW5 at 2nd and Murphy at 1st. Francoeur then does his job with no outs and flies out deep to right to get DW5 to 3rd, where a fly ball scores the tying run. Cory Sullivan comes up and does just that. Deep fly ball to right and DW5 scores. On that play however, Murph plays heads up ball and tags up and goes to 2nd on the throw home. Just smart, fundamental baseball. That is all we want to see from this team.
This is the Mets first 3-game win streak since the end of May...Almost 2 months without a 3-game win streak...it was a great win and lets hope that they can continue the magic again tonight.

Letter From Omar

2009-07-27T16:20:00.000-04:00

I always feel special when I get an email from the Mets.