Mets Merized Online

A few days ago, my co-writer Danny Krieger wrote a nice post pitting the recently acquired Mike Jacobs against the incumbent Daniel Murphy.

I decided to do a quick 4-day poll to see what our readers thought about the Mets first base situation going into the 2010 season. Here are those results:

And the winner is…

Daniel Murphy is the overwhelming choice for our readers, more than doubling the support that Mike Jacobs received. As Danny pointed out in his post, Murphy had a higher batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage than Mike Jacobs.

Although I was hoping for a significant upgrade at first base this off season, I think the addition of Mike Jacobs was a good thing whether he wins the job or just a spot on the bench.

I am very curious to see how Murphy builds on last season and his 54 extra-base hits were still pretty impressive in his first full season.

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When you take a look at this current Mets team, it’s not that dificult to figure out that they are woefully short in the power department. During last weeks interview between Jeff Wilpon, Omar Minaya and Mike Francesa, a great deal of time was dedicated toward finding a big-time power hitter. It got quite confusing as Francesa tried to get them to say where they would add that power hitter; first base or leftfield? Or even yet another position that could become vacated after a trade.

Obviously, another big issue for the Mets is acquiring a top of the rotation starter to pair up with Johan Santana and head the rotation. With another top starter onboard, the rest of the rotation would sort itself out in spring training from an assortment that includes Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, John Maine, Nelson Figueroa, Jon Niese and Fernando Nieve.

The Mets are not expected to pick up the option on J.J. Putz who never returned from surgery this season. It once again leaves an opening for a setup man. Bobby Parnell, Pedro Feliciano and Brian Stokes all tried their hand there toward the end of the season and had their moments, but did little to really distinguish themselves and really standout.

Then there’s the everday catchers job which now remians in the hands of rookie Josh Thole who started and finished strong, but had a 1-22 slump in between, and Omir Santos who had some moments, but looks more like a backup catcher.

Considering all of these things, where do you feel the Mets need to focus most of their resources and attention above all?

Poll Question:What Concerns You Most About The Mets Right Now?

Despite the amazing turnout at the poll for this question (734 votes), the results are extremely too close for my taste. The majority of voters (247 34%) believe that the Mets’ biggest concern is starting pitching, and of course that would make sense especially with uncertainty over Maine and Perez .

An alarming 25% or 183 of MMO poll takers, believe that Jerry Manuel is a big problem. Next, at 22% (162) are concerns at corner outfield. Lastly, 19% (142) of voters were concerned with production at first base and while that’s the least of the four answers only 15% separates it from the top answer.

When you have this many concerns for one team, the future might not seem too bright. But I have a feeling that if the Mets can make adjustments in each area, there is still hope for a big turnaround. Of course, that doesn’t include Jerry Manuel. Manuel will have to learn from his mistakes as the season goes along and hopefully make changes that will help this team see the light. At 34-33 this season, its apparent that some changes and improvements are needed.

It looks like the Gangsta approach is starting to wear thin on a lot of fans…

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New Poll: Whose injury has had a bigger negative impact?  

Please place your votes in the poll section on the right column. Thanks for voting!

When the news broke yesterday about Manny Ramirez being suspended for using a banned substance, many expressed surprise and some shock.

It was the same when Alex Rodriguez admitted he lied and that he did in fact use steroids.

When two big players such as A-Rod and Manny Ramirez get thrust into the performance enhancing drugs controversy, it’s going to become a tabloid-like, National Enquirer-esque sensation.

The rumors of PED use had already been tied to both these players for quite some time. Jose Canseco mentioned both Ramirez and A-Rod as being cheaters. As despicable a person as Canseco is, he’s shown a remarkable accuracy in singling out the offenders, so while yesterday’s news may have a shock to it, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

I wondered which players would really shock me if they were found to test positive for steroid use or PED’s…

The one name that immediately jumps out at me is Ken Griffey Jr.

I think if he were to fail a drug test, it would truly be the most shocking and surprising revelation of them all. He remains the most credible and trustworthy of all the recent additions to the 500 homerun club. He still maintains that wholesome youthfulness and enthusiasm  that endeared him to so many over the years.

Derek Jeter is another player who would send shockwaves through baseball if he were ever caught.

What players would totally blow you away if they were caught using Performance Enhancing Drugs?

I’ll also be polling my Twitter followers today and I will share those results tonight.

Omar Minaya spoke with Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and made some disparaging remarks when talking about the team’s lack of what he calls “an edge”.

“We have good guys, solid professionals. There is a smile on David Wright’s face, a smile on Jose Reyes’s face. But there is not an edge to them. Some people see edge as leadership. Sometimes, you need a little meanness to your game. Some people perceive leadership as meanness.

“I couldn’t tell you that we have that type of guy. We have leaders. But everyone’s perception of leadership is different.”

It’s interesting how he singled out Wright and Reyes while talking about his team’s lack of a killer instinct. A few moments later he threw Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado into the mix, saying that they were similar in temperament to Wright and Reyes and didn’t have an edge to them either.

When asked to explain edge, Minaya singled out Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, and said about him, “That guy has an edge to him.”

 If Omar really felt that none of his core players have an edge to them, why did he stay on the sidelines when Orlando Hudson, Raul Ibanez and others were available?

The answer is that he thinks he solved that problem with Alex Cora and Gary Sheffield.

“When you add guys like Sheffield, guys like Cora, they give you something different,” Minaya says. “We needed that. I think it will pay off in the end.”

Before the Phillies game, Omar Minaya stepped back from those comments.

“Let’s be clear – we have an edge,” Minaya said. “Our edge is different. Some guys are serious. Some guys are happy. There’s a different form of leadership.”

Sounds like Omar trying to do some damage control. But he can’t hide from his comments now. Much of the Mets fan base already believes the team had no edge anyway.

Let me throw this at our readers…

According to NJ.com, Tim Redding got a break from his rehab in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and was invited to Miami for Sunday’s game. It’s still uncertain how long it will be before he is invited to join the team on the active roster. He is scheduled to throw his third bullpen session today and then face hitters Wednesday, with a possibility of his first game action coming a week from today.

As long as his right rotator cuff strain continues to feel better, he hopes that will lead to a promotion by the end of the month, although manager Jerry Manuel cautioned that he won’t come up until he’s able to pitch starter’s innings. That doesn’t mean he’ll be a starter – not as long as Livan Hernandez pitches like he did Saturday.

Once Tim Redding is activated, someone will have to go to make room for him. I believe the choice might come down to Bobby Parnell or Darren O’Day. Parnell has options and can easily be sent to AAA without any ramifications. O’Day however, would have to be returned to his original team, the Angels.

It looks like this decision may come next week or  a short time after, so the Mets still have time to evaluate.

Who should the Mets keep on the active roster, Bobby Parnell or Darren O’Day?