Frankly, I always thought Mejia should be groomed to be a closer. The Mets haven’t groomed a closer in… ever-ish?

But I understand a starter is more valuable, but I guess it doesn’t matter now

I certainly continue to have my concerns over Jenrry’s future as a Rotation workload capable stud, viewing his frame as much more condicive to CL responsibilities as many of u should recall!

I’d like to take this oportunity to share my response to Jel Sherman’s article in today’s?(5/3) paper Die-hard Mets’ dreamers may need to face hard facts – NYPOST.com

My detailed response was with your indulgence:

Joel, oh, let’s assume you’re right & they choose to deal the offensive heart out of the NYM for future considerations or pragmatic $$$ savings. Based upon what’s left & how many years it may take for the residuals + the acquisitions to return to actual meaningful contention, 2,3 yrs to transform from Minaya’;a team to Alderson’s team? So, that assumes, again, should every deal pan out as they hope, they’re looking @ 2013 or 2014 at best. in the meantime they’ve wasted $77.5M on a faltering, still young, ACE, Johan Santana dob 03/13/79. Here’s my math after 3 Seasons, 3 surgeries and a total of 40Ws

Joel, unfortunately, it appeared as if 2008 was a perfectly timed moment in NYM transformation, to surplant their rapidly aging, rapidly deteriorating 2005 gamble on Ace, Perdo Matrtinez.(unfortunately they chose what seems to be a younger mode(29)l traveling the same diminished returns patway)
They certainly appeared set offensively with a well balanced(youth/veteran) offensive lineup:

PLAYER || 2008 AGE

REYES 25
CASTILLO 33
BELTRAN 31
DELGADO 36
WRIGHT 26
ALOU 42
CHURCH 32
SCHNEIDER 32

CL. WAGNER 37
#4 OF reserve Chavez 30

On paper, at least, that contingent appeared perfectly sculptured to perform as a well oiled division favorite to add a top shelf competitor like Santana, making him the highest paid pitcher in MLB. As with many of the best laid plans of mice & men, this too has come to nought and the best use of current dealable assets for future use of the remaining foundation would have to first include sacrificing the crown jewel of the previous regime while finally surrendering to the understanding that as a concept, the acquisition of a topflight SP of Santana’s caliber was an excellent idea whose time has passed.
Joel I submit acomparison for future consideration; Johan Santana Vs. Wright & Reyes based upon the liklihood that the latter 2 combined for some time will likely earn the same $77.5M committed to Santana through 2013.
As it stands at this moment, Santana’s beast shot @ winning his most games in a season was 2008, when that aforementioned impressive lineup was @ his back and his repetoire was alien to most of his opponents & he was @ his PEAK PERFORMANCE EXPECTATRION AGE OF 29. with only minor adjustment surgeries already healed in his resume. despite ALL of those advantages, for whatebver reason, he only attained a relative mediocre record of 16-7 despite excellent peripherals of 2.53ERA & 1.15WHIP, while many supporters offer the “journeyman’s excuse of unsubstantial run support. I would counter that by definition, considering the bona fides of their most likely mound opponent( peer-ACE), the best overcome that obstacle with the ability to out zero their opposite number, compiling more scoreless innings of effective pitching.
As it’s most likely 2013/14 before the NYM amass as strong a lineup as they’d rostered in 2008 is it logically supported that Santana @ 34 after 3 significant surgical procedures+ coresponding rehab stress could accxomplish more @ age 34 with less offensive firepower than he did @ age 29 backed by a potentially dominant NL lineup?
Joel, I submit to you that the absolute best scenerio for these “steeped in realism” Mets would be to pray that Santana can return in time to pitch a representative small sample of MLB games to re-establish his viability as an acquisition as a #3 SP by a, desperate for pitching, deep pocketed contender like our crosstown cousin, NYY.
As to Reyes, immediate concern, and Wright a ’12 concern, I would believe the example set by resurrected Cincinatti Re. Brandon Phillips will serve them best, treating both as a very strong left side of the all important foundation in which to build the future success upon. a smidgeon of which may already be present in considering the 2013 picture these options/skeleton pieces may be in house needing the flesh & organ acquisitions attained during the interim reality check period:
PLAYER || 2013 AGE
REYES 30
MURPHY 28
WRIGHT 31
DAVIS 26
THOLE 27
NIESE 27
GEE 27
MEJIA 24 (PRESUMED HEALED & RETURNED TO CONTRIBUTE FOR/BEFORE ’13 CAMPAIGN)
BEATO 27
PARNELL 29
Joel most of the experts, I understand, consider a baseball player’s prime productivity period to be those years when they are between 28 & 31 yrs of age. while this list is far from a complete roster it certainly constitues a strong bedrock skeleton with which to reinforce with the missing complimentary pieces.
While trading Santana will more than likely cost in fan support as it will be interpreted as surrendering; by contrast, I believe that perception can be more quickly altered by establishing both Reyes & Wright along witrh Davis, Thole & Murphy as the new CORE of homegrown “babies to men” contingent. memory of a failed mercernary conscript(Santana) who’s every loss due to insufficient run support from a weakened talent lineup will add to fan unrest & desappointment. Whereas both Reyes & Wright present the hope & optimism of future contributions from “homies” beloved by many to begin with.
BTW, Joel, if Santana was able to pitch effectively in 2 or 3 MLB games prior to 7/31 and encounter zero setbacks and I were Sandy Alderson attempting to gauge potential NYY interest, I would not be seeking Montero or any other obvious prospect. My focus with the NYY would have to establish that all conversations inviolving Johan must begin with the name Dellin Betances(AA SP). my “jackpot” pkg from them would include both Betances & Corbin Josephs(AA 2B).

While Cashman would likely refuse my Betances inquiries, I’d trust in the Steinbrenner gene, that drives their overshadow the Mets at all costs motivation as they jump at an opportunity to erase the detractions of allowing Minaya to snatch the prize for a lesser pkg of goods in ’08.

Of course I realize there is a sizeable emotional & ecconomic obstacle to dealing Santana in as much as he’s the first “big deal” signed by COO(C uh O?) Jeffrey Wilpon along with Johan’s full no trade requiring some sort of accomodation deemed acceptable by the player. In addition the Wilpons, as was their custom, had incorporated a significant(considering current Picard/Madoff atmosphere) level of deferred salary amounting to $5M annually +1.25% compound interest per year commencing in ’08, the accruals for which were held in escrow accounts as part of the lost Madoff portfolio. payment of thiese annual deferrals commencces “7 years after season in which salary was earned” translates to still being in debt to Santana commencing 2015 & running through 2020 if deatl this season 2018, 2020 if held for contract completion without activating 2014 option @ $25M($5.5M buyout)

Joel, in conclusion, I submit the shortest path to rebuilding a contending team is by dealing away, former cornerstones to a failed structure Beltran, Santana, Rodriguez while retaining & locking in long term both Reyes & Wright framing both in the context once held jointly by Carter(KID) & Hernadez(MEX). as co-leaders.
Those dealt are too old, too expensive & too luxurious to consider retention by a team unprepared to mount their title challenge for another 2 years or so. Those retained, still within PRIME productivity age to edge out the potential contributions from younger, inexperienced challengers.
Joel, I submit, that Reyes’ +’s constitute him as the single MOST ESSENTIAL MET and that thiose strengths that are Reyes, make his talents much harder to replace than those of a top shelf SP; for instance it could be argued successfully that, proiperly trained & cultivated the LH SP Betances could conceivably be consideres as en equally formidable ACE than santana has provided thus far & for the forseeable future. Over the past 50 years of NYM history there have been a substantial parade of developed high talent level pitchers in SEAVER,KOOSMAN,MATLACK,SWAN,GOODEN et al. yet no [position player, let alone a SS as electrifying as Reyes. I submit the next 50 years do not poretend to improve upon tyhose results making Reyes a once in a Franchise level talent specifically designed to maximize the League & ballfield he currently is toiling in/on.

Regarding his great play on Saturday, Jose Reyes said:
“Unbelievable, there’s not too many second basemen who can make that play. I think he’s been much better than anybody expected. I’m surprised how comfortable he’s looked over there in his first year at that position.” Reyes went on: “That’s a hard position — I know from experience ….It’s not easy. The good thing about him is that he works hard. That’s important. He’s always out there during batting practice taking ground balls and working on double plays. A lot of guys wouldn’t do that.”

Terry Collins added: “He’s getting more comfortable with positioning. He’s getting more comfortable with where he needs to be on things. I think the ground balls are never a factor because he was a good first baseman. I think his mechanics fielding are good. The part that I think he’s been getting better and better at is around the bag. The tags, the double plays, and the more he plays, the more comfortable he’s going to be.”

I give you credit it looks like you have been consistent in your feeling that Warthen was onto something.

francis says:
February 12, 2011 at 8:07 pm

“Sorry dudes, but I would side with warthen here. If he says he is better off as a reliever, then trying to make him a starter just because you don’t have enough of them is a bad idea.
Don’t say he didn’t warn you when jennry has his second season ending injury.”

Some of the comments are interesting. Seems like some just wanted Mejia to get a chance to start in the majors instead. Not expressing any concern that the Mets were making a mistake by not using Mejia as a reliever instead.

The article is:
“Elbow Throwing Injuries: The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and Tommy John Surgery”

http://www.hss.edu/conditions_elbow-throwing-injuries-mcl-tommy-john.asp

http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/02/jenrry-mejia-is-his-future-in-the-bullpen.html

this is not the case with strasburg, lidge, or utley. nor was it the case with wainwright or hudson.

that kind of insight is why you have a pitching coach and don’t go to blog sites to decide the way you handle your prospects. maybe people should start giving warthen come credit – for not only this comment, but for getting any wins from one of the weakest staffs in met history.