Attorneys and prosecutors continue to work on a plea bargain in the case of New York Mets reliever Francisco Rodriguez, who is charged with third-degree assault, second-degree harassment and criminal contempt.

Rodriguez would not comment Wednesday morning after appearing briefly in Queens Criminal Court. After the hearing, Judge Elisa Koenderman adjourned the case until Dec. 3, mentioning Rodriguez’s next court appearance as “a possible disposition or trial date.”

But Christopher Booth, Rodriguez’s attorney, is confident the case will be disposed of. “This is not going to go to trial,” he said Wednesday.

Original Post

Adam Rubin of ESPN  tells us that Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has a court date scheduled for today at 9:30 AM at Queens Criminal Court.

Rodriguez’s defense attorney, Christopher Booth, had indicated at last month’s hearing that a plea bargain likely could be in place by this scheduled courthouse visit.

Rodriguez already has settled his grievance with the Mets. He forgoed the $3.1 million the Mets’ withheld in 2010 pay and was reinstated from the disqualified list.

Rubin also reminds us that Rodriguez is set to earn $11.5 million next season, in the final guaranteed year of his contract. The contract will vest for 2012 if he finishes 55 games. Otherwise, he is entitled to a $3.5 million buyout — essentially making his 2011 salary $15 million.

There has been some speculation the Mets could try and move Rodriguez, and one Angels beat reporter suggested a possible return to Anaheim, but the odds are K-Rod will still be on the team come opening day.

The post K-Rod Closing In On A Plea Deal appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The New York Mets are open to trading closer Francisco Rodriguez, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $37 million contract that will pay him $11.5 million in 2011.

Would the Angels be interested in re-acquiring K-Rod? Possibly, if his legal problems related to an altercation with his father-in-law are resolved this winter.

The Angels don’t have a proven closer after trading Brian Fuentes and watching Fernando Rodney struggle with his command in his late-season trial as bullpen stopper. So if the team doesn’t believe power arms Kevin Jepsen and Jordan Walden are ready for the role, why not make a play for K-Rod?

I would have to believe that if this opportunity presented itself to Sandy Alderson, he would surely pave the way  for Francisco Rodriguez to return to Anaheim.

There are certainly many obstacles of course. In addition to his legal problems, there is the matter of his $13 million dollar salary this season, and more importantly his 2012 option for $18 million dollars that vests after 55 appearances, an easily obtainable figure if he remains healthy for an entire season.

Still, anything can happen once the two sides can begin talking. There is no doubt that if the Angels can get K-Rod for about $9 million this season, it would represent a great value for them based on what top closers get in today’s market place. That would mean the Mets paying about $4 million of his salary, and it may not be a bad idea.

Moving K-Rod would cetainly clear up some payroll and give Alderson some much needed flexibility, even if he were to assume a large chunk of his salary. Fingers crossed.

The post Will Angels Be Interested In Re-Acquiring K-Rod? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Under baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, the meeting is required before the grievance can be scheduled for argument in front of arbitrator Shyam Das.

New York’s decision, and an earlier move to put him on the restricted list for two days, cost Rodriguez $3,142,076 of his $11.5 million salary this year.

In addition, the team said it was exercising a contractual right to convert the rest of his $37 million, three-year deal to non-guaranteed, meaning the Mets could try to avoid paying most of what’s left on it. That move also is subject to the grievance.

If the conversion is upheld, the Mets could release Rodriguez in the early part of spring training next year for 30 days’ termination pay. That would mean paying $1,885,246 rather than his $11.5 million salary next year. They still likely would owe the $3.5 million buyout attached to the $17.5 million club option for 2012.

If the Mets do get to exercise their contractual right, and let Rodriguez go, I wonder if they will trade for or sign another closer to replave him, or simply keep the cash and go with what they have?

The post Lawyers To Meet Ahead Of K-Rod Grievance Hearing appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Victorino & Werth score on Wright's fielding error in sixth inning

Mets couldn’t keep the win streak going as they lose game two against the Phillies, 4-0. The Mets held the Phillies to 38 scoreless innings in Citi Field but that was snapped in the third inning. Pat Misch pitched well in his first start with the Mets on the season. The bullpen was great. The offense was not there. And neither was the defense as three errors on the night cost the Mets three runs. Mets fall back to .500 on the season.

Game Summary

Pat Misch made his first start for the Mets tonight against the Phillies. Had had a great start to the game, getting the first eight guys out. He later gave up a hit to the pitcher Halladay. He would also score later in the third to end the Phillies 38 inning scoreless drought when playing in Citi Field. Misch, who doesn’t blow away hitters and isn’t a superb pitcher still did his job and did his job well. He went 6 innings, giving up 8 hits, four runs – one earned – walked two batters and struck out two batters on 106 pitches. Expect to see him on Tuesday in Houston. However, because of the three errors on the night and no offense to back him up, his debut this season ends in a loss.

Bobby Parnell came into the seventh and pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Elmer Dessens pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning with a strikeout. Dessens hasn’t been used since August first. Frankie Rodriguez, who was released from his suspension today, pitched the ninth inning only giving up one hit.

The Mets tallied only six hits while being shutout by the Phillies. Halladay aced the Mets tonight. Eight innings, four hits, seven strikeouts. There was no Mets offense. You know the story by now.

Mets six hits belong to their 1-4 hiters plus Thole and Carter who each had one hit. Tejada was the only starting hitter not to strikeout in the game.

Ike Davis went 0-4 with a hat trick of strikeouts.

David Wright went 1-4 with a K. Wright who had four at-bats saw 11 pitches on the night. Ruben Tejada who had two at-bats saw 12 pitches on the night. Take that as you will.

The biggest blunder for the Mets on the night were the three errors. The first one was by Misch throwing, second was by Tejada throwing that cost a run, and the biggest error was by Wright’s fielding error that cost the Mets two runs. “Gets by Buckner Wright!” He was assuming the ball would take another hop into his glove. He needs to go back and learn the fundamentals. Starting by not assuming anything in this game.

Turning Point

The error by Wright really sealed the deal for the Phillies win tonight.

Game Ball

The bullpen, after getting 18 innings of rest, didn’t allow any runs in the game.

Up Next

Mets will have Mike Pelfrey on the mound for them as he starts the rubber game against the Phillies. Philadelphia will have Kyle Kendrick (7-4) on the mound for him. Kendrick has gotten to the seventh inning or beyond in only two of his last ten starts. Game time is 8:05 PM and will be broadcasted on ESPN.

The post Mets Errors Prove Costly, Lose 4-0 To Phils appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets have sent down Ryota Igarashi and Raul Valdes to AAA-Buffalo to make room for Pat Misch and Frankie Rodriguez returning.

Original Post 5:34 PM

Jerry Manuel has confirmed that left-hander Pat Misch will start for the Mets on Saturday against the Phillies. The choice was between Misch and Oliver Perez. They made the wise decision.

Pat Misch will go up against the Phillies ace, Roy Halladay.

Pat Misch has spent this season with AAA-Buffalo and has composed an 11-4 record in 23 games pitched. He has a 3.23 ERA in 150.2 innings pitched. He has 99 strikeouts, 34 walks and has giving up eleven homeruns on the season. He has pitched two complete games and one shutout.

Misch has gone at least five innings in each of his last 10 starts, including a game where he went eight innings and only gave up three hits and struck out seven. Misch was pulled early in his last start only going five innings but still getting the win.

Frankie Rodriguez will also be back in uniform on Saturday as his two game suspension will have ended.

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Police say Rodriguez will be charged with third-degree assault.

Police say the incident occurred after the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Police did not say which family member Rodriguez scuffled with, but said the unidentified man had minor injuries.

The Mets confirmed there was an incident between Rodriguez and his family, and referred all questions to the police.

Daily News updates the situation.

Rodriguez and his wife’s father brawled in a tunnel just outside the Mets clubhouse in the moments following the team’s 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

The father-in-law suffered facial abrasions and was taken by ambulance to Flushing Hospital shortly after the 10:15 p.m. incident, police said.

Rodriguez, 28, was charged with third-degree assault, police said.

Moments before the explosion with his family, Rodriguez snapped at reporters who asked why he was not summoned to pitch in a bases loaded situation in the 8th inning.

Investigators believe the emotional closer threw at least one punch during the altercation, which spilled into the hallway outside the team’s Family Lounge.

The Mets issued the following statement:

“There was an incident between Francisco Rodriguez and his family tonight at the ballpark. He was questioned by police and all other questions pertaining to this incident will be referred to the police department.”

The post Frankie Rodriguez Arrested For Assault, Father In Law Hospitalized appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets take game two against the Phillies in a tight 1-0 win. Johan Santana had a great start not giving up any runs, and not allowing a hit for the first five and two-third innings. Frankie Rodriguez pitched five outs to get his twenty fourth save and win it for the Mets. Jeff Francoeur supplied the only Mets run in the seventh with a solo homerun. This the Mets first nine innings 1-0 win this season. Also, it was the Mets major league-leading 15th shutout of the season. Mets get back to .500 on the season.

Game Summary

Johan Santana had another great start of the season. After the big debacle of Manuel pulling Niese out after seven innings, Manuel let Santana go out for an out in the eighth inning before having to take him out of the game. Santana was great early not allowing a hit for the first 5.2 innings of the game. He also had three innings where he got hitters out 1-2-3. However, Santana had to get pulled as the last two innings he pitched, you can see his fastball rise about 3 or 4 inches and hitters were able to get hits off of it. In the end, Santana pitched 7.1 shutout innings, gave up five hits and walked three but also struck out six batters. Not only was his pitching on point, but so was his defense as Santana shows off that gold glove of his making a nice out at third on a bunt play. Santana walks away with his first win since July 23rd.

Frankie Rodriguez pitched five amazing outs to get his 24th save of the season. He didn’t allow a single hit, walking one batter but struck out two. Nice to see Frankie doing his job as a closer without all of his antics.

The story of the Mets offense not supporting Santana much continues once more. Only one run scored for the Mets on seven hits. Mets offense were struck out thirteen times in the game, eleven coming from the starter Hamels.

Jeff Francoeur had one hit in the game, but the one hit was the difference maker with a solo homerun in the seventh inning.

Ruben Tejada was brought up to bring in youthfulness and for his defense and he sure didn’t disappoint. His defense was on point all night long with making three great plays in the game. Ike Davis also had a hand in helping out Tejada with one of those great plays. His offense is still a concern though, as he went 0-4 with two strikeouts.

Why is Angel Pagan bunting? Really Manuel?

Fernando Martinez was also called up recently, he went 0-1 in a pinch hit role.

Turning Point

Jeff Francoeur’s solo homerun in the seventh inning gave the Mets enough runs to win.

Game Ball

Johan Santana is still not getting much run support, but he has another great start and deserves the game ball.

Up Next

Mets will have R.A. Dickey on the mound for the Mets as he finishes the series in a rubber game against the Phillies. The Phillies will have their ace, Roy Halliday, will look for his fourteenth win of the season. Game time is 1:35 PM.

The post Don’t Mess With The Johan! Mets Shutout Phils In 1-0 Win! appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Earlier this year Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel fawned over minor league phenom pitcher, Jenrry Mejia. Somehow through that love affair the kid surprisingly made the major league team right out of Spring. It was a desperate move then and looking back, it remains the same.

Especially considering one, the kid had barely over 200 innings of work in the minors and two, unbeknownst to him, he was anointed by Jerry Manuel and few other prominent figures around the team, a future Mariano Rivera armed with a Godly cutter and all.

No pressure there Jenrry. Here’s the ball, have fun. Nobody ever accused the Mets of being masters of public relations but this situation took the cake for me. Instead of dealing with the reality of not having a bona-fide set-up man, Minaya and Manuel decided to thrust Jenrry Mejia into the spotlight.

Why? Do I really have to ask? Remember, during Spring, both Minaya and Manuel were a Metro Card away from taking the 7 train out of Citifield. Anyway, what was done was done and yes Mejia did gain major league knowledge, but at what cost?

As of now he’s still out of commission with an injury. The plan before the injury, stretch him out to become a starter. I love that phrase, stretch him out, as if he’s a human Stretch Armstrong. That’s an old toy back in the day for you digital kids here.

It is very tempting to get an arm like his in the rotation. Just as tempting as it was for the Yankees to have Mariano Rivera go nine. If some of you remember Rivera wasn’t always thought of as a closer. He went from prospective starter to set-up man to the Mariano Rivera we know today.

He’s pretty much the antithesis of Frankie Rodriquez. He’s quiet, controlled, completely unflashy yet devastatingly effective, and oh yes, a future Hall of Famer.

Frankie Rodriguez would have fit in perfectly with the early 90’s Mets. He’s style over substance. Don’t get me wrong he was a pretty fantastic closer and at the time the Mets signed him, he was the best closer available on the market. That was then and this is now.

Then, while he was in Anaheim, Frankie was bringing the heat, regularly hitting 98 on the radar gun. Today he’s topping out at 92, but mostly around 90-91. Couple that with his erratic delivery, his arm slot is never the same game to game. It prompts one to wonder why Anaheim didn’t try to bring the single season saves record holder back?  What can the Mets do at this point? He’s signed through next year. However there are a few options, unfortunately if the team hits the skids, that could pan out.

Between now and the trade deadline the Mets would have to completely fall apart, to even entertain trading Rodriguez. None of us or the Mets are hoping for that obviously.

So let’s focus on next year, and what Jenrry Mejia could provide the Mets if they’re willing to go down that road with him. Instead of focusing on Mejia becoming a starter I’d have him when he’s healthy, working on his fastball and cutter and his command.

Mariano Rivera made his debut in 1995, appearing in 19 games for the Yankees that year, starting 10 of them. Starting simply wasn’t his forte and in 1996 Mariano Rivera became John Wetteland’s set-up man and did he ever blossom.

Pitching over 100 innings that year Rivera had an ERA slightly over 2 and racked 130 K’s. The second year stud was 12th in MVP voting that year, and earned his first of 5 World Series rings.

Jenrry Mejia next year, at some point, should join the team and truly set-up for Frankie Rodriguez. He should not be handed the empty innings that Manuel gave him earlier this season, which by the way, was a clear sign to me that he and Minaya were hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, while giving themselves enough wiggle room in case things went sour for the kid.

It was a terrible way to initiate your franchise’s supposed diamond in the rough. It was unfair to the fans but most especially unfair to Mejia. With hard work and a CLEAR game-plan, with proper expectations, Mejia could make his way back to Flushing and who knows, perhaps one day, make good on those Mariano Rivera comparisons. Only time will tell.

The post Should Jenrry Mejia Be The Future Closer For The Mets? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets were able to walk away with the 4-3 victory over the Giants in the tenth inning to avoid the sweep. Santana pitched great but Frankie blew the save and Johan’s chance for his eighth win. Ike Davis shows that he is a clutch hitter with a big RBI double in the tenth inning to give the Mets their first win in the second half. Bittersweet victory, but a victory none the less.

Game Summary

Johan Santana couldn’t have given the Mets a better opportunity to win. He delivered another amazing start, but ends up with the no-decision because of the same two usual reasons: not enough offense and Frankie Rodriguez. This story is getting old and Santana deserves better. He pitched eight strong innings, only giving up one run on eight hits. He walked one and struck out five. He had 115 pitches after the eighth inning and I highly doubt he could have gone out there for the ninth, but the Mets still should have gave him the opportunity to win the game himself. I mean, come on Jerry, how many times have you seen the bullpen cost Santana a win? Seriously! Nice job Santana, sorry the Mets couldn’t give you your well deserved win.

Where to begin with Francisco Rodriguez? He gave up two base hits before getting the first out in the ninth inning. Followed by a two-run single to Ishikawa to tie the game and saddle him with his sixth blown save of the season. If it wasn’t for Francoeur, it would have been the end of the game. K-Rod would later come back to pitch the tenth inning. He was able to get the first two batters out, but followed up by allowing a two out double. Manuel signaled for Frankie to intentionally walk the next batter, who would have been the winning run. (Uh, what was that all about?) However, Frankie was able to strike out the last batter, and after all the dust settled, the Mets walked away with a bittersweet victory in the tenth inning.

Terrible job by the home plate umpire whose many bad calls screwed both teams. He had a bad call on a Frankie pitch that was a strike, but called it a ball and got plenty of heat about it. He followed that up  by calling the Giants runner out at home plate, when he was safe by a mile. This did save the Mets the losing run, however. Of course, those two poor calls were not to be overshadowed by a ball that Huff hit in front of home plate and everyone was confused on whether the ball was fair or foul. Blanco threw it to first anyway and got the runner out to send the game into extra innings. However, the home plate umpire (who called the ball fair) let the third base umpire call the ball foul and sent everybody into a tizzy about the call that shouldn’t have been the third base umpire’s call to begin with. Damn this is confusing. The umps made such a mess of this game and were soundly booed after the game.

Back to the Mets… The offense did not score runs in bunches for Santana as usual, however, they did give him enough run support that could have given him the win if K-Rod’s ninth inning disaster didn’t happen.

Francoeur, Tejada, and Blanco all had 0-fer’s with Francoeur striking out three times. Thole needs to be starting everyday now and Tejada is not likely to be sticking around in the majors when Castillo returns on Monday.

David Wright had one hit, a solo homerun to left center, his 15th of the season. Justin Turner had one hit, the first double of his career, also his first hit of the season. Jason Bay had a three hit night, however, all of them were singles.

Ike Davis had the biggest offensive output once again. He had three hits and two RBIs, including a clutch double in the tenth inning to score Bay and give the Mets the lead and the win. Ike has shown that he is legit, and not just with his power, but the way he hits the ball into gaps and off of the walls. He would have had a homerun if the wall in right field was three feet shorter. We Like Ike!

Turning Point

The Ike Davis RBI double in the tenth inning gave the Mets their winning run.

Game Ball

Ike Davis deserves high praise, however, I’m giving the game ball to Johan Santana. Seeing as it’s the only thing Santana is able to walk away with.

Up Next

Mets head to the desert as they begin a three game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mike Pelfrey (10-4) will start the first game going up against Ian Kennedy (4-7). Kennedy was very impressive in his last start going eight innings, only giving up one run, three hits and striking out nine against the Giants. Game time is 9:40 PM.

The post Mets Win 4-3 After K-Rod Blows Another Johan Lead appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Game Summary

Hisanori Takahashi probably needs to be back in the bullpen where he has shown that he is a reliable seventh and even eighth inning man. Since his start against the Yankees, he hasn’t shown that he can keep the Mets in the game. He gave up six runs on seven hits including two home runs in just 2.2 innings pitched. He walked one and struck out two batters. Takahashi is a bullpen guy and the Mets need a replacement starting pitcher. Possibly a trade, possibly bringing up Pat Misch, maybe bringing up Oliver Perez?! It’s a possibility.

Fernando Nieve came in to aid the ailing Takahashi and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, and stuck out two. Haven’t seen Nieve pitch much lately, maybe Manuel is giving him all of the rest he didn’t get in April.

Raul Valdes pitched 2.1 innings in relief. Less emphasis on the relief, however. He gave up two runs on three hits, walked one and struck out three. Francisco Rodriguez pitched his first game in three days. “He needs the work.” He pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning, striking out two batters.

Carlos Beltran and Ike Davis provided most of the offense in the game. Beltran went 2-4 with his first triple and a run scored. Ike Davis also had a two hit night, belting a pair of long homeruns. He picked up three RBIs and scored two runs. When he hits homeruns, he really hits ’em. The first one went into McCovey Cove, while the second one went to straight center. This is Ike’s second two homer game of the season. His first time was also against the Giants.

David Wright, Josh Thole, and Chris Carter each had a hit. Wright went 1-3 with an RBI, while Thole and Carter both had pinch hit singles.

Ruben Tejada continues to be a target for pitchers as he got plunked in the shoulders during the ninth inning. That is his sixth hit-by-pitch this season.

Interesting note: At one point Matt Cain was standing on third. I wonder if Wright and Cain had a conversation about Cain plunking him in the head last year that sent him to the hospital.

Turning Point

The Buster Posey solo home run in the third inning was the big blow that pushed the Giants too far for the Mets to comeback.

Game Ball

Ike Davis hit two huge homeruns and knocked in three of the Mets runs tonight.

Up Next

Johan Santana looks to avoid the sweep as he will be going up against Jonathon Sanchez. Both pitchers are looking for their eighth win of the season. Should be a good lefty vs. lefty match up. Game time is 4:05 PM.

The post Despite Ike’s Two Homers Mets Fall To Giants 8-4 appeared first on Metsmerized Online.