Schoeneweis? Endy? Tatis?
I dare you to write me a more improbable script for a victory than what happened last night in the Mets' 7-6 victory over the first-place Marlins. I mean, Fernando Tatis? On a team with a payroll approaching $140 million? Maybe that's what makes this win so inspiring. The Mets need a few grinders in the day-to-day lineup, guys with a little bit of desperation, treating every at-bat like it could be their last in the big leagues.
That's why Tatis thrusts his arms in the air every time he gets on base. He said he's thanking God for another chance, and after spending all of last year at Triple-A New Orleans, Tatis is grateful to be at Shea. Others seem to have lost sight of that, and it's been reflected in the early play of the underachieving Mets.
I'm not mentioning any names (cough, cough, Carlos Delgado) but manager Willie Randolph apparently is through protecting his veterans. After getting chewed out by the Wilpons on Monday, it seems that Randolph is focused on getting this team to play better -- period. And he doesn't care whose butt has to be on the bench for that to happen.
That's how I see this Delgado benching. One game is a chance for a player to "clear his head." But two straight, and both against lefties, is the start of a platoon and I'm betting that Delgado is going to get plenty more opportunities to clear his head.
The Mets don't have to worry about upsetting Delgado because he's through after this season, pending a $4 million buyout, and it's not like they're missing his glove. Damion Easley looked just fine there last night, but look for the Mets to shop around for a righty first baseman. Too bad that the surprising Orioles are playing well because Kevin Millar would be a nice fit over there. Maybe GM Omar Minaya can convince the Pirates to eventually part with Xavier Nady.
Another thing I'm wondering about: why not move David Wright into the cleanup spot? Carlos Beltran, though lacking in pure power numbers, still has shown an ability to get on base, which might make him more valuable hitting in front of Wright. I know Randolph wants to split up the switch-hitters, but it might be worth a different look for a night.
Here's some more good news: Pedro Martinez completed his rehab start without incident and should be ready to move into the rotation next week in SF. But don't worry so much about losing either Mike Pelfrey or Claudio Vargas. The Mets are considering keeping both -- Pelfrey in the rotation, Vargas in long relief -- when they activate Martinez.
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Comments (10)
I would switch Vargas and Pelfrey the other way in fact I would put Pelfrey and his 93+ mh fastball in the 7th innng slot to bridge to Dirty and Wags stretch out Heilman for spot starts/long relief
Brain surgery it ani't
I'm glad you and I share the same opinion of some of the Mets players, [Delgado being at the head of the list]. All too often this last year they seemed too comfortable in the line-up. They acted like fat-cats and seemed to only worry about collecting their fat paychecks. Delgado and Schneider should both be platooned unless they prove they can hit left-handed pitching on a regular basis. Just because a guy makes millions shouldn't guarentee his spot in the line-up. Willie's job is to put the best players on the field and to win games. The fat-cats don't always play as hard as they should, and that doesn't win games.
And David, why shop around for a 1st baseman? What about Carp or Murphy? Teixiera will cost a fortune, and the Mets will be bidding against the Yankees for him. Carp and Murphy can also play the outfield if needed.
What could the Mets possibly lose by farming out Mike Pelfrey?
Fewer games, that's what!! Pelfrey has done nothing since his 2006 callup to show he belongs in a Major League rotation. I'd happily offer him to Pittsburgh to bring back Xavier Nady.
David, I'm not so sure I agree with putting Vargas in the bullpen and keeping Pelfrey in the rotation. Getting pounded every outing can't be good for Pelfrey's confidence, and he really hasn't spent a whole lot of time in Triple-A. Maybe a few starts down there would do wonders for his psyche. The bigger reason I disagree with this move, though, is how well Vargas is pitching. Why mess up a good thing? Vargas got cut by the Brewers because of his contract, not his performance. He has shown he is a good pitcher and definitely a battler. Until he shows otherwise, why demote him for a good body of work? A rotation of Santana, Martinez, Maine, Perez and Vargas working in front of a pen with Wagner, Sanchez, Heilman, Feliciano, Schoenweis, Smith and Muniz sounds pretty solid, for now. If Heilman is on to something (after striking out the side last night), Sanchez continues to come along, Muniz shows a little something, and the rest continue their steady play, I don't see why they can't have success.
As for Delgado, I just can't wait for him to be off the team. I like him and respect him as a person, but he has been a colossal disappointment at the plate and in the field, and often overlooked, in the clubhouse. Delgado has proven himself well-spoken and intelligent, there is no reason for him to be ducking out of interviews, and there is no reason he shouldn't be a leader on this team. He's had a very good career and has proven he's got a little thunder left in his bat. I'm content to let him take that thunder elsewhere.
trade Big Pelf in July..until then he belongs in the bullpen for mop-up work
why no mention by the media today over the fact that Delgado wasn't involved in the celebration after Tatis' hit? He was sulking in the clubhouse I bet.
Hey. I just watched tape of Aaron Heilman from 2 weeks ago when he blew the game against Washington and from last night. I can't believe no one has picked up on the fact he has gone back to his almost side arm delivery he had when he was racking up the strikeouts. Earlier in the year like in the Nats game he was at 3/4 delivery and you could see his ball rise but at the side arm angle his ball is going down and has some real pop low and is the reason why he seems to be doing better. Just an observation.
Maybe the Wilpons should have had this chat with Willie last year. Although Delgado has had a tremendous career and a wonderful first season with the Mets, the bottom line is he has not been stepping it up for almost a season and a half now. This year alone his defense is as bad as his offense. Willie was correct in sitting Delgado and he should not stop there with just him. I do believe AAA is a better please for Pelfry. He still is not major league ready. He will turn into a good pitcher, just now is not the time. In fact let Pelfry pitch in New Orleans and when the trade deadline arrives trade Perez, who most likely is going to leave at the end of the season because of his agen Boras, and then bring Pelfry back up.
Actually Delagado was bad all of last year, especially in the beginning of the season. He got hot for a while, cooled then warm then cool at the end. He still stinks.
Absolutely David! had the same reaction regarding Tatis and Delgado's performances (tonight notwithstanding, Carlos seems to have gotten the message) - one wants to play badly, while I recall that Delgado said he finally came to the Mets because he wanted to taste the playoffs; which he did in 06, and did quite well, but since that taste, it's as if his personal goal has been met (playoffs apparently don't include a WS ring) and he no longer cares. I've noticed that athletes who join a team for such reasons (see certain Yankee acquisitions who thought joining the Yankees = guaranteed ring) not only fail, but often cause the team to fail as a result, because often there is the underlying unconscious attitude that the rest of the team will do the heavy lifting.