Every time an updated injury report is released, August appears to be the month circled for the majority of the disabled players to make their return to the Mets. What will this mean for the players who have been thrust into everyday roles over the past few months? Let’s start analyzing what August has in store for the Mets, beginning with the hitters.
The key Mets injuries in 2009 have been the ones to Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes. Their replacements have been Daniel Murphy, Angel Pagan and Alex Cora, respectively. They have all performed well defensively at their positions, but other than Pagan, their offense has been a considerable dropoff from the players they replaced. What role will they serve in August?
Although he started out rather poorly in left field, Daniel Murphy has become more than adequate at first base. In fact, on occasion, he has been nothing less than brilliant. He has participated in numerous key double plays, with the most recent being the 3-2-3 twin killing he started during Saturday night’s game against the Diamondbacks to help Oliver Perez get out of a bases-loaded no-outs situation. Also, who can forget the behind-the-back flip he made to Bobby Parnell on July 8 against the Dodgers?
However, Murphy is not the power hitter Delgado is. He has been flirting with a .250 batting average for most of the season and has only produced six home runs. Murphy certainly has a role as an infielder on this team, but until he shows he can be a better hitter, especially at a corner infielder spot where more power is expected, he will most likely be relegated to the bench once Delgado comes back. Fortunately for Murphy, Delgado appears to be the furthest from returning from his injury of the three core hitters, as he is still not able to run the bases. He has been hitting in the batting cages and has been taking light infield practice. Once he is able to run the bases, he should be able to return to action with the Mets. Although no timetable has been set, mid-to-late August seems to be the best bet for Delgado’s return.
Angel Pagan has been heaven sent. He has been better than advertised since he replaced Carlos Beltran in center field. Pagan has been a great clutch hitter and has played well covering Citi Field’s vast expanses. Beltran was able to take outdoor batting practice on Saturday for the first time since he was placed on the disabled list in June. He might be two to three weeks away from returning, but that hinges on his ability to test out the bone bruise in his right knee.
When Beltran is well enough to return from the disabled list, he will surely be reinserted into the everyday lineup as the starting centerfielder, forcing a move for Angel Pagan. However, Pagan should not be placed on the bench. He has earned his starting role and should be moved to left field. An outfield of Pagan, Beltran and Francoeur is exceptional defensively. The only question will be where Pagan would hit in the order since Jose Reyes will take over the leadoff spot once he returns.
Speaking of Jose Reyes, he suffered a setback on Friday when he was unable to run hard around the bases. Reyes can take infield practice and has been able to hit, but as with the other disabled players, his problem has been running the bases. Since Reyes’ forte is his speed, he will not come back until the team feels he can run at full speed without feeling tightness in his hamstring.
A return from Reyes would put Alex Cora back on the bench. He has been a good injury replacement for the Mets, filling in nicely on the defensive end for the injured Reyes, but he has gotten far more at-bats than he ever expected and is nothing more than a singles hitter. As a leadoff hitter, Reyes was not expected to drive in many runs. However, even though he hasn’t played since May 20, he still has more RBI than Cora (Reyes has 15 RBI to Cora’s 14). Cora is far more effective as a bench player and a backup for Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo.
As far as the pitchers go, namely Billy Wagner, J.J. Putz and John Maine, Wagner is the closest one to returning. He pitched a perfect inning in his rehab appearance on Friday night, needing only ten pitches to retire the three batters he faced. With a few more pain-free rehab appearances, he could be back in the Mets bullpen at some point in the next few weeks.
J.J. Putz said during a Sunday interview on SNY that he expects to be back in about three weeks. He reported no pain after completing a favorable bullpen session on Saturday in which he threw 25 pitches (20 fastballs and five splitters). His next bullpen session is scheduled for Wednesday where he is expected to throw 30-35 pitches. If this is also favorable, he will then face live hitters before beginning a minor league rehab assignment.
John Maine may or may not return this season. However, he did receive some positive news from Dr. James Andrews when it was revealed that he has nothing more than shoulder weakness, confirming an earlier diagnosis. Maine has since returned to the minor league complex in Port St. Lucie but the Mets have not stated what his upcoming rehab schedule will be.
Three hitters. Three pitchers. August will herald the return of some, if not most of these players. Once they do come back, the bench will be strengthened and the players currently getting playing time will get much-needed rest. Jerry Manuel will have plenty of lineup decisions to make over the next few weeks, but fortunately those decisions will not involve which bench player or minor league call-up to insert into the game. They will involve which established major leaguer is going to play. That’s a decision a manager loves to make.
In closing, I’d like to ask the readers what they would do with the players currently playing on an everyday basis. Which players should continue to play every day? Which should return to the bench? What roles and/or positions should they play? Would the Mets be better served if the disabled players were shut down for the remainder of the season? Here’s your chance to play manager. Let’s see what you’ve got.
*Mets Merized Online Needs Your Help*
Line-up:
Reyes
Pagan
Wright
Delgado
Beltran
Francouer
Santos
Castillo
Rotation:
Santana
Pelfrey
Niese
Figueroa
Ollie
Bullpen:
K-Rod
Wagner
Putz
Feliciano
Parnell
Green
Stokes
Bench: Sheffield, Schneider, Cora, Sullivan & Murphy
DFA: Redding, Livan, Reed
You’re gonna DFA Livan??? for Figueroa??? are you nuts? Livan has been pretty solid most of the season and has come through a lot more in his career than figueroa has.
anyways… here’s mine
Lineup:
Reyes
Castillo
Wright
Delgado
Beltran
Pagan
Francouer
Schneider
Rotation:
Santana
Livan
Pelfrey
Ollie
Niese
Bullpen:
K-Rod
Putz
Wags
Feliciano
Stokes
Parnell
Redding
Bench:
Sheffield
Santos
Cora
Murphy
Sullivan
And i’d send down Redding, reed & green (not to sure we can send green down though)
you seriously have Livan as the number 2? Figueroa has been better than Livan.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
HERE’S HOPING LAST NIGHT’S AZ START SETTLED THE FIGGY QUESTION FOR THIS YR. I BELIVE TO STAY SHARP U’LL NEED SHEFF TO START SOME GAMES IN LF & ON THOSE DAYS MY LINEUP WOULD LIKELY LOOK LIKE:
REYES
BELTRAN/WRIGHT
WRIGHT/BELTRAN
DELGADO
SHEFFIELD
FRANCOUER
SCHNEIDER
CASTILLO/CORA
POITCHER
WHEN PAGAN’S IN LF HE BATS 2nd WITH WRIGHT 5th & BELTRAN 3rd
MY ROTATION IS SIMILAR; BUT I’D ENSURE AT LEAST 2 L FACED PHL IN ANY SERIES BY:
SANTANA
PELFREY
OLLIE
LIVAN
NIESE
PELF STAYS @ 2 ONLY BECAUSE IT’S DIFFICULT TO CHANGE EXISTING SLOT BY MORE THAN ONE POSITION AT THIS STAGE. TIME FOR THAT MOVE SHOULD’VE BEEN AFTER/DURING BREAK.
MY PEN CONSTRUCTION OF
LONG- MITSCH
STOKES
PARNELL
WAGS
PUTZ
FELICIANO
K-ROD
AT THIS POINT & ESP WITH 9/1 EXPANDED ROSTERS I PREFER AS MANY COMPETANT LH ARMS IN PEN AS POSSIBLE. MY ODD MAN OUT IS REDDING DESPITE LAST NNIGHT’S EFFECTIVNESS.
BULLPEN USE IN THE LISTED ORDER WITH WAGS & JJ SPLITTING THE 8th DEPENDING ON HOW MANY LH DUE UP IF NONE IT’S JJ, 1 OR 2 WAGS. FELICIANO COMES IN Vs LH ONLY IN 6 & 7 SITUATIONS.
Mets62, Just what ARE you talking about? Reyes and Beltran are in your lineup? Uh, just in case you haven’t noticed, those guys aren’t available and are unlikely to be available for quite some time. Reyes is headed back to the docs for more look see. Just watch, we’ll be finding out he will get scheduled for surgery. Beltran is giving it a try, but it’s pretty obvious there is quite a ways to go. So you’re best off writing a new lineup with some other stiffs in it to take their place. Matt Holliday would have been a superb add, but the Cards used their mental faculties and grabbed him when he was available. Anyway, why even bother making a lineup, since the season is totally shot?
MASK, WERE U AWAKE WHEN U POSTED? IN CASE U DIDN’T KNOW THE SUBJECT WAS “WHAT WOULD U DO WHEN THE 3 WOUNDED CORE PLAYERS RETURN IN AUGUST?”
I FULLY ANTICIPATE THE POSSIBILITY REYES’ LONGSGHOT TO AVOID THE KNIFE THROUGH REHAB MOST LIKELY DIDN’T PAN OUT. THEY STILL NEED TO GET DELGADO, PUTZ & WAGNER BACK TO HONESTLY ASCERTAIN THEIR DIRECTION FOR ‘10. THE POTENTIAL FREE AGENT FIRST BASEMEN ARE VERY UNEXCITING:
BRANYAN, SEA
DELGADO, NYM
GIAMBI, OAK
GLOAD, FISH
HUFF, BIRDS
JOHNSON, FORMERLY DC
LaROCHE, ATL
QUINLAN, LAA
STAIRS, PHL
SWEENEY, SEA
THOME, CHW
TRACY, AZ
IF DELGADO DOES COME BACK & IS STRONG HE MAY BE THE BEST VIABLE OPTION ESP SINCE I BELIEVE WE NEED TO ONLY FOCUS ON A TYPE A PITCHER, THUS SAVING AS MANY FIRST ROUND PICKS AS POSSIBLE. BTW, MURPH IS NOT A 1B OPTION ON A TRUE CONTENDER.
HOLIDAY? @ WHAT PRICE? DON’T BE A FOOL & THINK IT WOULDN’T COST US CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN STL, IF BEANE SMELLS BLOOD IN WATER. LIKELY NIESE & ONE OF HOLT,MEJIA. FOR A RENTAL SUBPAR DEFENSIVE OUTFIELDER WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE POWER TO TAME CITI’S DEPTHS.
PUTZ & WAGNER BOTH HAVE 8M CLUB OPTIONS FOR ‘10 & POSSIBLY OMAR MAY GAMBLE & LET BOTH GO HOPING TO RESIGN WHICH ONE HE WANTS AT HALF THAT. IN PRESENT MARKET. THAT’S CERTAINLY A GAMBLE SINCE BOTH WOULD LIKELY BE PURSUED AS CLOSER OPTIONS & CLOSER $. ACCORDING TO COTS THE NYM HAVE ONLY 92M COMMITTED FOR ‘10 PAYROLL WHEN LUXURY TAX LINE INCREASES FROM 162M TO 170M HOPFULLY LEAVING OMAR A LOT OF ROOM TO HOPFULLY ADD THE NECESSARY ‘GLUE’ PIECES FROM THE HIGH PRODUCTIVITY, NON TYPE A F/A POOL IN VARIOUS NEEDED POSITIONS. GUESS WE’RE LIKELY TO SEE THE TRUER FIN’L POSITION OF THE WILPONS AS TO WHETHER, OMAR IS CONSTRAINED MUCH MORE THAN LUXURY LINE HE’S HAD SO FAR.
I think Pagan and Sheffield have to alternate. I really love the energy and abilities of Pagan, but I still don’t trust him to be a great ballplayer. Insofar as Sheffield is healthy, we cannot simply keep his power on the bench and in reserve. Sheff needs to contribute immediately–if he can–because we all can see that while our Mets are giving it all they’ve got as currently constituted, it is highly unlikely we can advance much farther until the core returns and they get acclimated.
I’m not completely giving up on 2009, but nothing really adds up for us unless we start to hit consistently and the starters consistently pitch more than five innings. If things could just gel a little bit, September could be an absolutely fantastic month! Goal for August is to get at least three-four games above .500
Overall, I like your analysis very much, Ed. I keep wondering if Murph will become a great Pete Rose-type hitter in another two years time, or if he is just a streaky .250 type w/ occasional odd bursts of brilliance. Don’t expect him to hit 35 HRs but I think 15-20 for a year’s avg. isn’t out of the question. If he becomes a career .300 hitter, he must stay a Met.
I loved Murphy last year when he came up, but do you know who he reminds me of at first base now? Think a few years ago. We had a player with the same initials as Daniel Murphy. Doesn’t he remind you a little of Doug Mientkiewicz? He played well defensively but just didn’t have the power expected from a first baseman. Dougie also used to hit around .300 but when he came to the Mets, his average dropped. Murph hit over .300 last season but has gone back to the .250 level this year. If he becomes another Mientkiewicz-type player, then I can’t see him getting too many at-bats for the Mets in the future, certainly not as many as he got this year. I’m still a fan of Murph’s and hope he sticks around in some capacity.
NO, with a Capital N. I have been a Mets fan for 45 years now and i have basically given up for this year even though im still watching the games and hoping they win, but im being realistic here. This team basically is teasing everyone, they will win a few and then lose 3 or 4 in a row. This team is so frustrating to watch, they hit one night and then bats go to sleep for a week, very very inconsistent. It is very frustrating when boston goes out and gets a Victor Martinez for basically nothing in my opinion since i feel he is a Carlos Beltran type player, I would have traded a our top few prospects for him, this guy would have helped this year and the next 5 years, he was not a quick fix, he would have been a great addition to our team next year. Omar needs to go, i just dont trust this guy, im so disgusted with this team that i will not fall into the trap of this team winning anything this year since beltran, reyes and delgato are not going to come back in time to make a run at a wildcard. You need to have your head examine if you seroiusly think that this is going to happen. Oh well, there is next year and hopefully without omar running the team.
I agree with everything you write. However I expect 2010 to be a very good year and I’m sorry we havent begun to fill in holes in preparation. Our pitching staff is basically a #1 and five or six #5’s.
We’re going to need two good starters, a catcher, a first baseman and a left fielder. I’m definitely not sold on Murphy, Delgado, Pagan or Santos. All but Delgado will make for a strong bench. Parnell is interesting: I would give him three of four starts in September to see what he’s got. He certainly is not strong in the pen. Livan has some trading value right now: trade him. The same for Niese, unless he pitches a shutout on Wednesday. What do people see in Martinez that I’m missing? Pops
You’re right. The season is shot. The trade deadline was an opportunity to fills some holes, but Omar took a pass. These injured players are not going to provide anything this year. Without any new player pickups, 2010 may be a disaster as well. The Mets front office is in total disarray and the team is suffering for it.
August will come and go and all we might get out of it is a hobbling Beltran. I agree with Steven K that I have given up for any postseason hopes of this year. come on, if we did not make it last year and the year before with everybody healthy and 3 games out of 1st place tops. Think about it. I still watch and take pleasure in thier wins, few and far between as they have been.
Can the Mets return to form in August?
Answer: No.
I believe matters will get worse until Omar is replaced by a competent GM. Too often, Omar has placed the future of the organization into the hands of aging vets and inexperienced or ill-equiped replacements.