Smith And The Pink Backpack

Anthony DiComo at Mets.com writes about Billy Wagner's gift to Joe Smith before last night's game:

Rummaging through some belongings in his locker prior to Wednesday's game against the Angels, Billy Wagner pulled out a bright pink backpack and, beaming -- almost cackling -- handed it to Joe Smith.

It was the brightest object in the room, emblazoned top to bottom with Hello Kitty logos. Smith's expression drooped as Wagner told him that from now until the end of the year, he would have to carry the backpack out to the bullpen with him before every game.

Well, Folks, I am Truly Numb Tonite...Just Not "Comfortably" Numb...

First of all, before I get accused of over-reacting, todays loss to the Nats was just another shovel of dirt on the casket that's starting to form on this Mets' season - it's not a done deal, by any means, and we can, certainly, come back- but at this point, I just don't have the hope that I did for this season before it began...

Now let's get one thing straight- when we decry where the Mets are right now, and the job that Willie Randolph has done as Mets' manager, we are NOT judging the team on just this season, fair or not. We are taking into account everything that has transpired since 2005, Willie's first season, as well as the fact that, even when we had a better team then the current one, in 2006, we still couldn't get the key hit we needed to get into the World Series. One Carlos Beltran hit, instead of a strike-out, and it's true, things might be different; but the hit didn't happen, we didn't get to the Series, and after losing 3 of 4 to the Nationals, let's face it- it's looking like the odds of doing it this season are getting longer by the day. So where does this leave us?

Well, for starters, we're looking at a very flawed team, more so then I cared to admit to start the season. The contributions we've received from Brian Schneider and Ryan Church far exceed anything that we thought possible, and if you'll remember, we were quite high on both players in our pre-spring preview. Facts, however, are facts, so let's take stock of our current roster; David Wright is a bonafide superstar, and hopefully will remain our cornerstone for many years to come; Jose Reyes has been merely average since last season, and the great progress he had made has come to a grinding halt- as Jonathan said the other day, he's currently the third best shortstop in his DIVISION; Luis Castillo was overpaid and signed too long, probably in an effort to help land Santana- that deal is done, so perhaps it's time to eat that contract and move forward in another direction; Carlos Delgado might still rebound to have a semi-decent year, as he's shown flashes of better things lately, but he's not the all-star that he was and remains a hall-of-fame candidate on the extreme downside of his career; Moises Alou is still a great hitter, but at 42 isn't exactly a long-range solution; and Carlos Beltran remains an enigma, seemingly playing through pain at the cost of his own stats and status, and while admirable, as Kenny Rogers said, "you gotta know when to hold up and know when to fold up" and sometimes I think Beltran should just take a few days off to recover, as he is prone to major hot and cold streaks; John Maine, Johan Santana, Joe Smith, Scott Schoeneweis (yes, you read that right) and Billy Wagner have been incredible in the rotation and bullpen, respectively; will the real Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman, Oliver Perez and Matt Wise please show himself; Mike Pelfrey has been improving by the start (thank goodness) and the bench, led by Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley, have been okay but a bit lesser than expected; finally, the addition of OF Angel Pagan, now on the DL, has been the biggest surprise this side of Church this season, but his starting job has been taken by Alou and Endy Chavez has replaced him as the first OFer off the bench, so we'll see how much longer he retains a place on the club.

Every day, someone else writes how managers (and, for that matter, pitching coaches) don't win games or lose games for their team; and yet, if one had to analyze the main differences between this years Marlins team, sans Willis and Cabrera, it would be the maturity of their manager, Fredi Gonzalez, and the addition of their new pitching coach, Mark Wiley. Gonzalez stresses fundamentals, and isn't out-managed; Wiley has merely taken what looked to be one of the worst, and least experienced, pitching staffs in the game, not just the NL, and has mediocre starters (like Mark Hendrickson) believing in themselves, while he's also convinced a merely ordinary bullpen that there's no situation they can't get out of - and it's working, folks! What about the amazing job that Dave Duncan is doing in St. Louis, WITHOUT the likes of Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder - including the recent meltdown of formerly reliable relief ace, Jason Isringhausen! So the next time someone says that managers don't "win" or "lose" games because they don't pitch, hit, or field, remind them of these examples- or, simply ask them what "might" have happened in yesterday's game IF Willie had left Vargas in for one more inning!

Where does this leave this team? Let's face it, loyal readers- we're not looking too good right now, and perhaps this should become a "building" year, not a re-building year, if things continue as they are now for a while longer, which means we could bring up players like Mike Carp, Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese and Eddie Kunz, in order to see what they have to offer to us. At the rate we're going, Willie is probably going to lose his job if he doesn't take 2 of 3 from the Yankees (just my opinion, not based on any heresay, etc.) and a revamp of the entire coaching staff will have to follow thereafter. That gives us the perfect excuse to try out some younger players, in an effort to build a more exciting team to open Citi-field next season with, as well as shedding unproductive payroll. I'd rather forget the likes of Adam Dunn, Kevin Millar and Joe Blanton and, instead, see exactly what we might have in the organization that will help us in future seasons.

Now, lest you think I'm giving up on this season, you'd be wrong; I wouldn't want these steps to be taken until after June, at which time we'll all have a better idea as to where we stand. However, IF, at that time, it's not looking good for this season, forget about taking on other people's "baggage rentals" and worry about who's already in our system. There will be free agents to sign and inflated salaries to trade for in the off-season, one in which, I still believe, needs to be led by Omar Minaya. Remember this- before Omar came to the organization, NO ONE had any faith in this team; now, we are angry because we think we should contend, and can contend, and that, friends, is because of Omar. He deserves to be given a few more years to enact his plan, either with or without Mr. Randolph, as he still hasn't shown every "trick" up his sleeve.

I still can't believe that, a few days after we take 2 of 3 from the Reds, we can't win a series over the lowly "softball girls." Everyone on that team who ISN'T a pitcher should walk over to Vargas and Pelfrey and apologize for wasting their excellent starts the last 2 days - Billy Wagner had the right idea when he layed into his teammates today, which you can see by clicking here, courtesy of Metsblog.com. I just wish everyone on the team, and in the organization, would be as candid and self-aware as Wagner is, as this would certainly be a different team...



who we are remains to be seen- I just know that, right now, it's not so easy watching, and hope seeps away by the moment- not a good feeling on May 15th, that's for sure, and it's feeling more and more like this is just the appetizer for the rest of the season!

Shooting Yourself In The Foot

At SI.com they quote Billy Wagner on how the Mets have dropped nine straight to the Phillies:

"There's none of us in here going, geez, the Phillies are coming to town, we're probably going to lose,'' Mets closer Billy Wagner said after New York lost its ninth straight to Philadelphia, 5-2. "I think all of us are tired of hearing the Phils have our number. The Phils don't have our number. We shoot ourselves in the foot every time we go out there. When they come here, they bring it. They show up and they play great. That's what we have to do.''

Great quote by Wagner. I mean every time he’s asked a question, he gives it to you straight up. I’m surprised that there aren’t more reporters running to him after a game.

Does He Throw A Slider?

David Lennon at On The Mets Beat writes about Billy Wagner's live batting practice session:

It was no contest. Pitchers are clearly ahead of the hitters at this point and Billy Wagner proved that emphatically this morning. Facing the top four in the lineup, few even bothered to swing, and the hardest hit ball was Jose Reyes' chopper to second base. "That's an out right?" Wagner said smiling.

Even Carlos Beltran left the cage wondering what he was looking at. "Does he throw a slider?" Beltran asked. Pitching coach Rick Peterson assured Beltran that he did.

Bullpen Is The Key

David Lennon at On The Mets Beat writes about an interview with Billy Wagner who put his spin on the Johan Santana trade:

"Definitely it’s an improvement," Wagner said. "Johan is definitely a huge step in the right direction. Butwe’ve got to put it in perspective, too. He’s coming from Minneapolis, where there’sone of you [reporters]. I mean, we can’t put a lot of pressure on him to do more than he can do. I think that once he settles in and gets comfortable, and relaxes around us and the fans of New York, then he’ll settle in. If he starts out and does well, it’s a bonus for us. But our bullpen, that’s the whole key."

Wagner And Wright On Santana

Marty Noble at Mets.com writes about Billy Wagner and David Wright on their new Ace:

Wagner, among others, believes the feeling will return this year, so long as the Mets' trade for Johan Santana is finalized. Without having spoken with any of his colleagues, Wagner is certain that same feeling, that sense of "watch out, we're good" will take hold and bring out an element he thought was absent from the first day in Port St. Lucie last year.

"If we get Johan Santana, we're back to being one of the five best teams in the game. I couldn't be happier," Wagner said. "I know we'll all feel that way."

Wright has come to know Santana through Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

"I've gotten a chance to get to know him over the past couple of years and he seems like a great clubhouse guy who's going to fit in perfectly with the chemistry that we have," Wright said. "If it's true, then we're going to welcome him with open arms."

Does Wagner Gives Mets Advantage In East?

Eddie D'Anna at Ya Gotta Believe writes about Billy Wagner and how he will give the Mets the edge in 2008:

If the starting five remains the same come April, the Metropolitans will have to rely heavily on their relief corps if they are to contend -- ala 2006 -- and as the closer, Wagner's given the team its biggest advantage over the rival Phillies and Braves.

Here's how he stacked up last season with counterparts Brad Lidge (Phillies) and Rafael Soriano (Atlanta).

Wagner: 68.1 IP / 80 K / 2.63 ERA / 34 saves in 39 opportunities ( 87%)Lidge: 67 IP / 88 K / 3.36 ERA / 19 saves in 27 save opportunities (70%) Soriano: 72 IP / 70 K / 3.00 ERA / 9 saves in 12 save opportunities ( 75%)

Wagner Speaks His Mind

Marty Noble at Mets.com writes about Billy Wagner and what he has to say about the Mets past, present and future:

"Someone asked me what I thought of our team," Wagner said in an interview with MLB.com. "I said, 'What team?' We've lost 13 games [Glavine's victory total], and now we are going have to give up something to get those games back. I'm afraid we're just going to create other holes if we give up a [Lastings] Milledge, a [Mike] Pelfrey or a Heilman."

"I'm trying to be positive," he said. "I'm saying we have some good players. But I'm worried. The Braves are getting better, and the Phillies made a move[acquiring Brad Lidge]. We've brought back some people, and that's good. But losing Tom is big. It's a lot more than the 13 games he won. It's what he did for John Maine and Oliver Perez and how professional he was. People want to focus on one bad game or just the day-to-day stats. I do that myself when I read about football. By I'm involved in this, and I know how important [Glavine] was. We don't have him [in 2007], and we don't even get to the last game with a chance. He was one of the few leaders we had.

"The Mets didn't do anything wrong. I know he wanted to be home more. I understand that, but where does that leave us?"

Some Bullpen Suggestions

The number one place where the Mets need to make some major improvements is their Bullpen. In order to accomplish this feat and return it to it’s 2006 for there is really only a couple of moves that are going to be required, in my opinion anyway.

1. First of all the Mets have to figure out what they are going to do with Guillermo Mota and his 5.76 earned run average. After he spent the first 50 games on suspension, Mota showed us Met fans why baseball players go on the juice in the first place. He had the knack of making every in game situation considerably worse and cost the Mets some vital games as we can all tell. The Mets can try and move him in a trade and add some cash, or simply eat his contract and send him down to Triple-A to figure himself out.

2. The next move would have to be to sign a legitimate set up pitcher and one such a pitcher will be available.

Scott Linebrink was traded to the Brewers last season and will become a free agent at the end of the World Series. The Mets would become a considerably better team with his veteran presence in the pen. I would say they should sign him to a one year deal, worth $1.75MM. If there is another team willing to go beyond this bid, then the Mets should double up on the deal. They have no other option for a proven veteran set up man and must bring someone of Linebrink’s credentials in to help turn around the mess.

3. Duaner Sanchez has to do anything and everything to make sure that he will remain healthy for the 2008 season. After getting hit by the drunk driver in Miami in 2006, he has missed a year and a half to rotator cuff surgery and a hairline fracture. With Sanchez back in the pen, the Mets will have the option of pitching Sanchez or Linebrink in the eight inning role on any given night and the other, possibly pitching the seventh.

4. Joe Smith, the youngest member of the Mets bullpen, must do everything in his power during the off season to make sure that he doesn’t get dead arm syndrome in the middle of the season next year and let’s not forget to remind Willie Randolph not to over use the youngster and let him get his rest in between appearances.

5. Orlando Hernandez has shown that he doesn’t have the endurance to go the stretch in the starting pitcher’s slot. So the logical move would be to the pen, where he can act as a two headed long inning monster with Jorge Sosa and make the inning or two appearance if the Mets know that they don’t need to get those kinds of innings out of him and his Bugs Bunny pitch.

With all of the above mentioned moves made the bullpen would shape up to look as follows:

Joe Smith
Pedro Feliciano
Jorge Sosa
Orlando Hernandez
Scott Linebrink
Duaner Sanchez
Billy Wagner

This will surly be a far cry, in the good way, from the 2007 bullpen and if you were wondering about Scott Schoeneweis, I would have to try and include him in a deal for a starting pitcher from the Athletics or the Pirates (my personal preference).

Mets Call Up Minor League Closer

Adam Rubin at Surfing The Mets writes about Carlos Muniz getting called updue to Wagner's back:

With Billy Wagner's back barking, the bullpen in disarray and the season on the verge of collapsing, the Mets will call up minor-league closer Carlos Muniz tonight, according to person familiar with the decision.

Muniz, 26, played collegiately at Long Beach State. He was 2-4 with a 2.45 ERA and 23 saves in 44 games at Double-A Binghamton, then moved to Triple-A on Aug. 29. He had been slated to represent the Mets in the Arizona Fall League.

Pelfrey Could Be The Next Great Closer

Since 2005 when Mike Pelfrey was chosen in the first round (9th overall), Met fans have looked towards him as the future Mets ace for years to come. In his last year at college he was a second team All-American, Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year and Missouri Valley Conference All-Star. In his first year in the Mets Minor Leagues he was awarded the New York Mets Minor League Player of the Year.

All of these honors and awards should have garnered some results in the Majors, but they haven’t. In 2006, when Pelfrey was called up due to constant injuries to the Mets starting pitching, he posted a 2-1 record to go along with a 5.48 ERA in 4 starts. These weren’t bad for a pitcher who didn’t even have a full season of Minor League ball under his belt, but when he pitched lights out in Pre-Season, before the 2007 season, and earned a spot in the Mets rotation, as the fifth starter, he didn’t fair too well. So far, this season, Pelfrey has posted a 0-7 record to go along with a 5.92 ERA in 9 starts.

The main problem I, I think with Mike Pelfrey, is that he relies on his fast ball too much. He does have a devastating slider and if he decides to use it effectively he could be the next Brandon Webb, but for some unknown reason, he feels that his good old number one is his bread and butter. Now, a lot of pitchers do make a living off of their fast balls. The only problem is that they aren’t starters. Mainly they’re set up men and closers.

For this reason, I believe that Pelfrey could be one of the most dominant set up men and once Billy Wagner’s contract runs its course, a dominant closer. For this to happen, Wagner is going to have to take Pelfrey under his wing and show him the ropes of being a closer and dealing with the high pressure situations.

If memory serves me right, Billy Wagner, who was selected in the first round of the draft (12th overall) , was a full time starter (3-2 3.28 ERA) until he made his way into the Majors and was immediately converted into a set up man/closer where he converted 9 of his 13 save opportunities. This kind of experience would be of enormous value to a pitcher of Pelfrey’s credentials.

Imagine it if you will, a right handed pitcher who can throw in the mid to high 90’s, setting up for a left handed closer who can also throw in the mid to high 90’s. That would be one of the most dominant duos in baseball for relievers and, just might, solve the on going problem in the Mets bullpen.

Heilman The Back Up

Anthony Di Como at Mets.com writes about Aaron Heilman and his duty in the bullpen:

Should Wagner need that extra rest in the coming weeks, setup man Aaron Heilman has proven he's a capable replacement.

Heilman closed out Saturday's win in neat order for his first save since 2005. That year -- one in which he also made seven starts -- Heilman saved five games, four of which came in September after the Mets were eliminated from playoff contention.

"That's always good," Heilman said of the experience. "It's not such a brand new situation."

Wagner Wants To Finish Potter

Marty Noble at Mets.com writes about Billy Wagner and his ambition to finish the last Harry Potter book:

Billy Wagner had planned to finish reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" between the end of the game Tuesday and game time Wednesday. He thought he had seven chapters to go, but there were more. "And I had to stop," he said Wednesday. "I have to get my mind out of that for a while."

Someone offered the services of a relief reader. But Wagner declined. "No, I want to finish it," he said. "But I'm going to hate that it's the last one."

Wagner Gets 350th Save

At Rotoworld theywrite about Billy Wagner and his 35oth save:

Billy Wagner's 350th career save was a real nailbiter as he wriggled out of a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the ninth on Wednesday.

After loading the bases by giving up two singles and a walk, Wagner got Jeff Francouer to bounce into a force play at the plate. And then he induced an Andruw Jones' game-ending double play for his 26th save in 27 tries. The veteran closer has been untouchable of late, pitching 19 straight scoreless outings, covering 21 innings, since June 15.

Top Mets Producers Since All-Star Break

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog writes about the Mets since the All-Star break and who leads the way in production since then:

Through 25 games, David Wright and Lastings Milledge lead the Mets with 16 RBI each since the All-Star break.

Carlos Delgado is second with 15.

Meanwhile, also since the All-Star break, Billy Wagner has not allowed a run, which is best on the team, while Guillermo Mota is second with a 2.40 ERA in 12 appearances.

Wagner Wins Delivery Man Of The Month

At the MLB Press Release they write about Billy Wagner and his award of DHL presents the Delivery Man of the Month:

Billy Wagner of the New York Mets was selected as the winner of the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award" for July, it was announced today. This officially sanctioned Major League Baseball (MLB) award recognizes the most outstanding relief pitcher during each month of the regular season.

Wagner was 8-for-8 in save opportunities in July allowing no earned runs in nine games. The lefthander struck out seven batters over 9.0 innings pitched while only surrendering two hits. Wagner has not allowed a run since June 15th, a span of 20.0 innings. He currently ranks seventh all-time in saves with 349 and recently moved past Randy Myers for second all-time among lefthanders. For the season, Wagner is 1-0 with 25 saves, 58 strikeouts and a 1.30 ERA in 46 games. This is the first DHL Delivery Man of the Month award for the five-time All-Star.

Lessons Learned on a Mets West Coast Trip

The Mets escaped the clutches of California with a 4-3 road trip and even ended the trip with a stellar 10th inning victory over the Dodgers on Sunday. As I enjoy my morning coffee I contemplated what some of the lessons I've learned about the Mets on this West coast swing.

Lesson #1 - 300 wins is not guaranteed for Glavine
How embarrassing would that be? But after this week's pitching I can't discount anything. Glavine to me was always a second half pitcher. I don't know if it's anxiety, old age, or a lack of concentration but he needs to start winning. Soon.

Lesson #2 - David Wright likes 'em low, not high.
David Wright is the Atlas of this ball club. He puts the team on his shoulders and carries them to victory. But he's got to learn to hit the high fastball or just lay off it. Pitchers are burning him up in the zone. He's got the bat speed to hit it so I'm not sure why he's having problems. On the other hand, Wright is hitting balls in the dirt 400 ft. On at least 3 occasions Wright, pulled a Tiger Woods and tee'd a ball for a base hit that would have hit the plate.

Lesson #3 - Shawn Green should have his glove taken away from him.
This guy should not be allowed to pick up a glove in a close game. He's botched plenty of fly balls in right field this year, but yesterday took the cake. When he replace Delgado at 1st base and dropped Billy Wagner's perfect pickoff throw, I just about threw my remote through the TV. I could have sworn that was the game. Somebody buy this guy the Fred McGriff baseball training videos.

Lesson #4 - Billy Wagner can be clutch.
I'll be honest with you. I thought Billy was going to give up a game winning home run to Russell Martin in the 10th. After Juan Pierre got on and Green botched the pickoff, I thought it was over. But man did Wagner prove me wrong. He struck out the side to end the game with runners on second and third. After a couple walks, a wild pitch, and facing the Dodgers biggest clutch bat, Billy Wagner settled down and got the job done. That's what you want from a closer.

Lesson #5 - Chip Ambres is more clutch than Beltran & Delgado.
I know you're headed back down to Triple A, but man did you pull through yesterday. I tip my hat to you and you're the first guy named "Chip" that I think I've ever admired. Hope to see you in September.

Mets Shine In All-Star Game

Tom Singer at Mets.com, writes about the Mets All-Stars and how they did last night:

The trio of New Yorkers in the NL's starting lineup stood out like the Golden Gate through a fog blanket, with starters Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and David Wright collecting five of the NL's first six hits.

Beltran and Wright each went 1-for-3 before both left the game in the top of the seventh, but the star of All-Stars was Reyes, who went 3-for-4, stole a base and scored a run while playing longer than any of the other 15 starting position players.

"Oh, man, it was kind of an exciting game for me," said Reyes, who certainly made up for having to miss last year's game with a finger injury.

The final component of the Mets' All-Star quartet wasn't quite as smashing on the other end of the ball, as left-handed reliever Billy Wagner allowed a two-run homer to pinch-hitter Victor Martinez in his one inning of pitching, the eighth.

Wagner's Thoughts On The First Half

Kevin Kernan at The New York Post, writes about Billy Wagner and what he had to say regarding the Mets first half of the 2007 season:

“We underachieved,’’ Wagner told The Post during the All-Star National League interview session. “There was no consistency in our offense. There was no consistency in our bullpen. And we have the talent on both sides to probably be twice as good as what we played.’’

The Mets have to play the second half with more focus and Wagner wants that to begin immediately. They own just a two-game lead over the Braves.

Five Reasons To Like Wagner

Joe at Mets Today (Network Member), writes about Billy Wagner and gives five reasons why we should all like him:

Last night Billy “Country Time” Wagner pitched two solid innings of shutout relief, helping the Mets to their fourth straight victory.

Here are at least five great reasons to love Billy Wagner:

1. He’s as humble as pie, as most good southern boys are.
   
2. He says what’s on his mind, as most good southern boys do.
   
3. He gives credit where credit is due. For example, last night, when asked about Pedro Feliciano, Wagner stated, “If we don’t have Feliciano in that situation, we probably don’t win the game. He’s the best pitcher in our bullpen by far. He’s the one who gets the toughest situations of anybody, and he gets the job done.” How can you NOT like Billy Wagner after that?
   
4. He’ll take the heat and responsibility when he fails.


5. He can put a 99-MPH fastball at the knees — with movement.