Put It In The Books! The Mets 2011 season is finally over! What can I say about the Mets 2011 season except thankfully it has finally come to an end. Coming into this season I didn’t expect much and in turn we didn’t get much from this team Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins put out there this year.

I know there are people who will for some reason say this was a good season. I honestly can’t fathom what is so good about a team that finished their season 77-85, just 5 games out of last place. In fact the Mets actually finished worse than last year. That is not what I would call good. Far from it in fact!

I guess the writing was on the wall on how the season was going to go when our GM didn’t offer Jose Reyes, who won the NL batting title yesterday, an extension last off season. In fact he didn’t do much at all last offseason to improve this team. There were some free agent signings of course, bad free agent signings like Chris Young who after starting just 4 games had season ending surgery. That was no shocker, I fully expected to see him wind up on the DL. I know the Alderson defenders will cite that he was cheap but what does that matter? He was brought here to pitch for the season and if the season was only a month then it would’ve been a great signing but that’s not the case. How can we forget the great signing of Taylor Buchholz who went home and was never seen again? Let’s not even get into the mind-boggling 2 year deal that was given to D.J. Carrasco. Capuano was another bad signing by Alderson. R.A. Dickey was not deserving of a 2 year deal for one good year in 2010. Not good!

I know everyone just loves the trades Alderson did for K-Rod and Carlos Beltran. Paying most of K-Rod’s contract for what we got back was a horrible move! These guys are nowhere near worth that kind of money. In fact Alderson got played by Milwaukee. As soon as K-Rod got there, the Brewers got K-Rod to waive his option as K-Rod obviously wanted to test free agency at a year younger. It should’ve been obvious that K-Rod wanted to be a free agent next year when he enlisted the services of Scott Boras.

Beltran’s trade is another instance of paying too much. I thought Alderson was supposed to be great at saving money? Wheeler, a Single A pitcher is not worth 4 million or so dollars. If he was a Triple A pitcher on the cusp of the majors then I wouldn’t have minded so much, but of course Alderson botched this trade, I wouldn’t expect anything else from him.

Normally I would say I’m excited for the World Series to end and wait until next year, but we have to be realistic, Sandy Alderson is not a big market GM. Next year is already off to a bad start. With DJ Carrasco and Tim Byrdak returning to the pen and Terry Collins guaranteed to be back there’s not much hope. Adding to the Mets woes will be the departure of one of the best position players in this franchise’s history Jose Reyes and it wouldn’t surprise me if David Wright is traded.

In conclusion this year was bad and we should expect an even worse one in 2012.

Who will be available? You can argue many names that will come up in discussions. Carlos Beltran? Francisco Rodriguez? Jose Reyes? (hope not). Even names like say Mike Pelfrey could generate discussions.

As I went over the possibilities for each player in both the AL and NL, one team always came to mind the most – Chicago White Sox.

Why? For one, the AL Central is up for grabs. The Tigers have great hitting, but questionable pitching with a deep, but unproven pen. The Twins have a lineup with potential, however Morneau’s health is a major concern. Their starting pitching is young and unproven, and their bullpen is questionable regarding Joe Nathan’s health. Therein lies the White Sox. Strong lineup, starting pitching is adequate, and bullpen lacks a true closer.

Could they have interest in K-Rod? Could he be the closer they so desperately seek? It gets deeper. Would they be interested in a Beltran/K-Rod for two prospects deal? Kenny Williams is sure crazy enough. And if Sandy realizes the Mets are out of it, with a position to build towards to future, I bet he does it. Yes, the White Sox farm system is bare. I’m strongly aware. But if you have a chance to recoup some decent prospects, move K-Rod’s option, and take some ease off the Wilpon’s checkbooks, I bet he does it.

Names that may be involved - Chris Sale, Gordon Beckham, Eduardo Escobar, Sergio Santos, Jared Mitchell all come to mind. Not so high on Escobar, but with the Reyes uncertainty it’s never bad to have organizational depth at SS.

Either way it’s interesting to think about upcoming scenarios such as these. LETS GO METS!

Updated 11/5 11:00 PM

This is starting to feel like an episode of the Sopranos. You won’t believe what the Daily News is reporting now. Apparently, KRod was holed up at Charlie’s place after he beat his girlfriend’s father and was ordered to stay away from his home. Also, Jeff Francoeur may not have been able to draw a walk, but nobody could accuse him of not being a great tipper. Anyway, read on:

According to law enforcement sources close to the probe being conducted by the Queens DA’s office and the NYPD’s Organized Crime and Control Bureau, the probe has revealed that Samuels:

* Received a $50,000 tip from outfielder Jeff Francoeur before Francoeur left the Mets for the World Series-bound Rangers earlier this season;

* Provided Francisco Rodriguez with a place to stay in his home after the closer was ordered by a Queens judge to stay away from his common-law wife following an altercation with her father at Citi Field in August.

* Once received a new Lexus from Mike Piazza, whose father had lost a bet to Samuels on how much weight the elder Piazza could lose.

So far the probe is centering on Samuels, who was also the Mets’ traveling secretary, but his relationships with players, including stars Johan Santana, Rodriguez and David Wright, are bound to raise questions about how deep the investigation will go. The sources, however, said K-Rod is not a part of the probe and that there is “no evidence so far that K-Rod did anything wrong, no gambling or anything else.”

Updated 11/5 2:00 PM

According to ESPN New York, Charlie Samuels has admitted to MLB officials that he indeed bet on baseball.

New York Mets clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels admitted betting on baseball, according to a person familiar with the investigation.

Samuels made the admission to an investigator for Major League Baseball in the last few weeks, the person said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Also, the Daily News adds some additional discouraging information:

The associates were caught in photographs in $400 comped seats to Mets games provided by Samuels, according to the sources.

Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz declined comment when asked about the allegations Friday.

The News also reported that Samuels is suspected of using his access to Mets accounts to cover his gambling debts and of selling bats, balls and jerseys, signed by the players, without authorization from the club.

Updated 11/4 11:00 PM

The Daily News updates what was previously reported regarding the suspension of Charlie Samuels.

Mets’ clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels has been linked to an NYPD investigation into illegal gambling, law enforcement sources familiar with the probe confirmed to the Daily News on Thursday, leading club officials to suspend the longtime employee on Oct. 27.

The investigation is being conducted by the NYPD out of Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s office, according to the sources familiar with the investigation, and is expected to result in arrests within the next two weeks.

Samuels hired Kirk Radomski, the convicted steroids dealer who acknowledged providing PEDs to many major leaguers in baseball’s Mitchell Report, to be a Mets clubhouse attendant in 1987. Radomski worked for the Mets until 1994. A source told The News that Samuels’ suspension was not tied to any performance-enhancing drug distribution or usage.

Original Post 2:00 PM

This one is out of left field. From Adam Rubin:

Longtime Mets equipment/clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels has been suspended by the organization, the Mets confirmed. 

The organization offered no elaboration beyond the following statement: “Last Wednesday, the Mets suspended Charlie Samuels indefinitely without pay. As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we have no further comment.” 

Samuels has been the team’s equipment manager for 27 seasons. He succeeded the late Herb Norman, the original equipment manager as an expansion team, after the 1983 season after spending four years as an assistant.

Initially, a few beat writers thought he may have been fired, but the Mets released a statement calling it an “indefinite suspension.”

Wow, that’s kind of shocking to me.

Samuels has been with the team well over 20 years. I can’t help, but wonder what they mean by “personnel matter”.

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 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.

I guess this seems like a victory for the Mets but the Mets were wrong in doing this. K-Rod attacked a 50 year old man at Citi Field in front of the families of his teammates.  The 50 year old had to be taken the hospital after the savage attack.  I find it amazing that so many people are willing to look past this and just move on.

I would have respected the Mets if they had taken this grievance as far as they could even if they lost.  Of course the Mets were only thinking of that 3.1 million dollars.  I understand that they were scared of a union with way too much power, but this was not K-Rod’s first incident here in New York and with the Mets.  Let’s not forget the incident with Brian Bruney where K-Rod had to be held back.  Also last year it was reported that K-Rod had an argument with Tony Bernazard.  Then earlier this season K-Rod had a confrontation with Randy Neimann, the 54 year old bullpen coach. Clearly K-Rod likes to fight with older men.  K-Rod also violated a court order by texting his girlfriend.  It also was reported by the daily news that K-Rod at least on 1 occasion attacked his girlfriend and the mother of his two children so bad that she had to be hospitalized.  Even with all this evidence to support their argument, the Wilpons decided to take their 3.1 million dollars and let this guy continue be handsomely paid and a part of the team.

K-Rod is a bully and an abusive pig, no other way around it. The guy obviously has personal problems and should not be on this team.  I respected the Mets originally for going up against the Players Union but in typical Mets fashion they took what little money they could save and just dropped it.  Everyone wondered why the Angels would let K-Rod walk after a record setting season, and let the Mets sign him.  Obviously it wasn’t just the money, they were just happy to get him off their team.

It’s just a matter of time before K-Rod does something to hurt someone else or make the team look bad.

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?

About 2 weeks ago principal owner Fred Wilpon was asked about Omar Minaya’s job status after the 2010 season.  Clueless Fred responded by saying:

“Is the sun coming up tomorrow?”

I cannot understand where this vote of confidence is coming from.  Omar Minaya has been the General Manager since the end of the 2004 season.  In that time Omar has built a team that went to the playoffs ONCE!  As we all know in 2007 and 2008 the teams that Omar Minaya built collapsed in September.  2009 was an embarrassment as the injuries mounted, resulting in the Mets finishing in 4th place.  If the season was a week longer there was a real possibility that the Nationals could have finished about the Mets.

Omar was given up to 150 million dollars and could not put a championship team together.  Omar gave Pedro Martinez a contract that in all honesty he didn’t deserve.  Pedro was actually coming off the worst season of his career. I liked Pedro and was happy to have him on the team but there was a reason why Boston didn’t want to sign him that long.  Pedro eas injured for most of his contract and did not help the Mets win a championship.  Omar has given guys like Carlos Beltran and Frankie “Punchy” Rodriguez contracts that they didn’t deserve because they were coming off of career years.  For some reason Omar felt the need to give Luis Castillo a 4 year deal even though he was clearly on a decline.  Omar bid against himself and signed Oliver Perez to a contract that he flat out didn’t deserve.

Omar has been a horrible in season General Manager.  The Mets have needed help every year at the trade deadline but Omar except for trading for Castillo in 2007 has done nothing.  Every Mets fan knows that when July 31 is over the Mets will not make a single trade.

Last year he embarrassed the team by accusing then Daily News beat writer Adam Rubin of lobbying for a job within in the organization because Rubin exposed the inexcusable behavior of Omar’s buddy Tony Bernazard.  Omar gave an apology that made K-Rod’s seem heartfelt.  Whenever he gives a statement it turns into a downright disaster.

Now I know Omar has made the Wilpon’s a lot of money.  Remember the Wilpon’s never said their goal was to win a World Series, it was just to play “meaningful baseball in September.”  From 2005-2008 Omar’s teams accomplished that goal.  Omar has done a pitiful job as the GM.  He has not developed an impact player, he has let prospects come up way too early and he has brought guys in just because of their nationality.  Anybody who has run a organization like this should be shown the door, but this team gives him a vote of confidence.  Only the Mets.

As bad as the Mets can look at times, whether it be their anemic bats or K-Rod imploding or Pelf being lit up, we have to remember they are also capable of winning 10 in a row.  Not only that, but if you’ve followed carefully this season, they seem to have that never-say-die attitude that has been missing in recent years.  In other words, even when the Mets are down 7-1, you don’t feel like they are out of it.

I think if we can salvage some of this trip, we’ll get back home and get back on track. The Braves are playing so well that they may have the division locked up before September, but the wild card is still a very real possibility for this team.  They are 6.5 back of Atlanta but 3.5 behind the Reds for the NL Wild Card.

It sure wouldn’t hurt to acquire a #2 starter, especially before the Phillies do.  But either way I still feel pretty good about this season.  How about you?  Do you still believe?

The Mets do have some questions as they enter the second half, and chief among them is the glaring lack of a true setup man to bridge the gap between the starter and their closer. To their credit, the Mets have gotten pretty far without a setup man, but I’m not so sure their luck will continue and I expect the law of averages to soon catch up.

Despite their poor showing in one-run games this season, and their MLB leading ten walk-off losses, the Mets have blown a late lead in 18 of their 40 losses. For those of you who like to bet on MLB, hopefully you had plenty of Rolaids on hand for those losses.

When you look at the overall stats for Mets relievers this season, the situation doesn’t look as dire as you would imagine. They rank 10th in the league with a 1.43 WHIP and 9th with a .251 BAA, putting them just slightly lower than the league average. The thing that has haunted the Mets bullpen for a few years now has been the overwhelming number of walks they give up. To date, they have allowed 131 bases on balls which puts them at third worst, but only two BB’s away from leading the majors.  As Hall of Famer, Frankie Frisch would say, “Oh, those bases on balls.”

Jerry Manuel showed up at spring training this year, and when asked who he expected would win the setup job, without hesitation he said that Kelvim Escobar would probably be that guy. Two weeks into camp, those plans were dashed. With no other clear cut options, Manuel said he would play the hot hand and see who steps up to grab the role. We’ve seen Ryota Igarashi, Jenrry Mejia, Pedro Feliciano, Fernando Nieve, Elmer Dessens, and lately Bobby Parnell all take a turn at the helm, but neither of them were able to stay the course. The Mets setup man position remains adrift at sea.

While I don’t disagree that the Mets could use another starter in the rotation, you could make the argument that acquiring a setup reliever would make a bigger impact than any middle of the rotation starter. A top setup man could make an impact in 30-35 games in the second half, while a starting pitcher may be lucky to get 12-13 starts after the trade deadline.

According to MLBTR, Kerry Wood, David Aardsma, Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, Brandon Lyon, Will Ohman, Brandon League, Octavio Dotel and Matt Capps are among the late-inning relievers who could be traded before the July 31st deadline. There’s more than a few excellent options in that group.

The Mets could still play meaningful baseball in September and October without addressing this situation, but I would think that adding a solid arm to pitch in the eighth inning, would make the ride a lot less bumpy.

As of today the Mets have the 11th best bullpen ERA in the majors at 3.67. Unfortunately we tend to remember the implosions such as Francisco Rodriguez’ recent meltdown and the revolving door that has been the Mets set-up man.

“Perpetual” Pedro Feliciano and Fernando “Nightly” Nieve have both seen time as K-Rod’s set-up man as has journeyman and forty-something Elmer Dessens.

When you take into account the loss of Ryota Igarashi to a hamstring injury earlier this year and Hisanori Takahashi’s move to the rotation, the success the Mets bullpen has had so far is quite extraordinary.

There are a few options out there – some possibly more creative and complex than others – that can help bridge the gap to K-Rod in the 9th. Some of his options could include:

Chris Perez- Cleveland Indians

Perez has a career 3.62 ERA and currently is posting a 2.73 ERA for the lowly Cleveland Indians. One issue against the Mets acquiring Perez may be that he’s essentially been Kerry Wood’s backup this year and has saved 7 games for the Tribe so far. It would be difficult to pry a young and cheap ($423,800 – 2010) talent from Cleveland right now.

Will Ohman- Baltimore Orioles

Ohman’s line so far has been stellar especially considering where he’s been pitching. He’s posted an ERA of 2.84 with 13 holds for the Birds. He’s 32 and making 1.35 million this year and could definitely be “Perpetual” Pedro’s backup since both men are lefties. He’s not really a set-up type of arm I would want- preferably a power arm- but his 13 holds for the Orioles speaks for itself.

Evan Meek- Pittsburgh Pirates

Here’s another good arm hiding amongst a band of AAA major leaguers. He’s a young power arm who has a nasty 4 seamer that hits 95 regularly and has movement. He also features a cutter that he throws at around 92-93 in which Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says has “unfair biting” movement even against left handed hitters. Either way Meek is someone to watch out for, he’s young, talented and hungry. His 2010 stats .94 ERA in 48 innings with 44 k’s. Nasty.

Octavio Dotel- Pittsburgh Pirates

Who says you can’t go home? Second time’s the charm. Insert cliché here however Dotel is still dealing it and doing so also for those hapless Pirates. So far as the Pirates closer he’s saved 19 out of 22. The one problem with Dotel seems to be he excels more in the closer role than set-up. His best season’s came as a closer but even at the ripe old age of 36…the original Jenrry Mejia is still bringing it.

Brandon Lyon- Houston Astros

So far the one time closer for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers has been used as the set-up man for Matt Lindstrom in Houston. So far so good is the line on Lyon as he’s put up 16 holds and has allowed only 1 homer which is saying a lot considering Houston’s Enron/Minute Maid park is a southern fried launching pad. Lyon is boasting a solid 3.52 ERA in 40 appearances.

Now my final option is the one that should fall into the creative and complex category I mentioned a while back.

David Aardsma- Seattle Mariners

Now of course we all have been brow beaten with Cliff Lee stories since what, early June? The story has that less than fresh feeling for most of us now but perhaps including Mr. Aardsma to the mix could revive what has become MLB’s version of the LeBron soap opera. David Aardsma is Seattle’s closer, and a pretty damn successful one at that. 2009 was his breakout season having saved 38 games for the Mariners. It says a lot considering he bounced from four different teams from 2004 to 2009 when he finally settled in Seattle.

Some may feel leery of a pitcher who’s been turned down by that many teams but the former 1st round pick (22nd overall) of the Giants has some major league chops that could garner some interest if a Mr. Lee trade ever becomes reality. His 2010 stats aren’t as stellar as last year’s but he has a respectable 16 saves in 20 chances. His control is his main issue and may be the main obstacle if he ever pitches in a Met uni. The Mets have enough issues with K-Rod’s control let alone having a set-up man with similar issues.

All in all I’m leaning on Evan Meek of Pittsburgh. His stuff is nasty and he’s just young enough to have a few years of upside going for him. How would he pitch under the bright lights and big city that is New York is anyone’s guess. He does have that unbalanced, intense closer’s mentality which would help tremendously. Either way I think he’s obtainable, at the right price.

It sure has been a while since the Mets were playing for the division lead this late in the season.  And this time it feels different, not only because we’re battling the Braves for supremacy, but because this team was not expected by most people to contend.  I was one of those folks, and even suggested they might be a last place team.  And I have no problem admitting I was wrong and being quite happy about being wrong.  This is a team that has played above its collective head, or at least played up to its potential.  And even when we lose a couple games, we win a few more.  There is just something special about the roster as it’s constructed right now.

There are questions, yes.  Will Mike Pelfrey get it back together after his Monday night implosion?  Will K-Rod also stop imploding?  How will Carlos Beltran be able to contribute after major surgery?  And was Johan’s gem last night the shape of things to come or not? And of course, will Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt be wearing Mets’ blue any time soon?

I don’t know the answers to those questions, but I sure do like that we’re asking them in mid-July.  Let’s go beat the Reds tonight, and then let’s sweep the Braves and really make a statement heading into the all-star break.

“Manager Jerry Manuel planned to speak with team brass last night about the possibility of adding a seventh reliever, after the Mets emptied their bullpen yesterday in a 9-5 victory over the Nationals.”

Whether you think Jerry Manuel has done a poor job of handling the bullpen or not, the bottom line should always be winning and doing what is best for the team.

It’s kind of hard to distribute work evenly when the game is on the line and there are few options that you really trust.

There’s been several complaints of late about how Manuel may have burned out guys like Fernando Nieve, Raul Valdes, etc. But we’re talking about a couple of waiver wire rejects who could have been simply been pitching over their heads for three weeks. I don’t see any star quality relievers that have been physically overused to their ultimate demise.

Puma suggest that Manny Acosta could be an option to be called up from Triple-A Buffalo, and of course they recently signed former Yankees reliever Brian Bruney before the weekend.

I don’t know why Pat Misch isn’t ever brought up in the conversation as he is having a solid season at Buffalo and he could replace Hisanori Takahashi in the rotation and Tak would give Manuel a reliable, quality innings eater in the back of the bullpen.

Misch is currently 8-3 with a 3.40 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 103 innings pitched, and has a 58/18 K/BB ratio.

Brian Stokes. Fernando Nieve. Raul Valdes. Sean Green.

No, I am not listing the all “keep those guys off my team” list – this is a listing of the guys Jerry Manuel has ridden like a 1981 Chevy Astrovan across the border. Jerry Manuel is to the concept of MLB bullpens and how to keep them productive for long periods of time as Dusty Baker is to the concept of pitch counts and not annihilating starting pitchers under the age of 26.

Disregarding the 2009 anomaly of an injury season, misused relievers as starters and letting guys pitch for the Mets who should have been at Triple A, we will view the usage of the bullpen in the 2010 season and what it may mean for the bullpen at the end of the season.

Just for arguments sake, omit the 70 innings that Hisanori Takahashi has pitched. I will also discount any of the innings and appearances accrued today, Sunday, July 4th 2010 in which Bobby Parnell, Elmer Dessens, Ryota Igarashi, Pedro Feliciano and K-Rod all decided to contribute to Jerry’s weekly bullpen exploitation.

Fernando Nieve, or as he was known in April and May as Jerry’s everyday guy, has already pitched 33 and two third innings, only eight and two thirds which have come in the entire month of June. He has looked horrible since about the middle of May and its pretty evident what the overuse has done to him and his value. If it weren’t for the fact the Mets fear losing Nieve if they demote him to Triple A, he would probably be in Triple A anchoring the bullpen with Manny Acosta. But of course, that is not and will not be the case anytime soon.

Raul Valdes racked up thirty innings, and hasn’t pitched since June 18th. He was demoted for ineffectiveness, but was used for more then two innings eight times over his twenty games.

Pedro Feliciano, now moonlighting as an eighth inning reliever, has accounted for 33 innings of work, and went through a period in early June where he was ineffective.

Jenrry Mejia, starter of the future for the Mets, pitching in no-leverage to low-leverage situations, racked up 27 uneventful innings, possibly stunting his growth.

……Not to digress, but just between these four relievers, two of which who aren’t with the Mets anymore, have racked up 103 innings of work. The season, as of today just reached its halfway point and Nieve is already floundering, and Feliciano, the best lefty in the bullpen is already halfway to his workload last season, and on pace for 92 appearances.

Frankie Rodriguez has already amassed 41 innings, and thats only with 19 saves to show for it. K-Rod’s always on the verge of a blown save, and really letting him get up into the 70-80 inning range is a scary thought

Which brings me to the next contestant on the Tommy John gameshow…Bobby Parnell. Since June 22nd, Parnell has made 8 appearances, spanning 8.2 innings, but showing good control.

Overall, I feel Jerry Manuel has been mismanaging his bullpen the entirety of this season, and not letting his starters run out there and give him some quality innings. In the end, when the Mets are in contention, either for an NL East banner or a Wild Card birth, the bullpen that is the freshest and can shut the games down will almost always win the game. By September, this bullpen is gonna look and smell like 2008..and Mets fans know, that 2008 stunk.

On Tuesday, Jerry Manuel had no problem bringing Frankie Rodriguez, his best option, in the eighth inning of the game. However, he opted against bringing in Rodriguez in the ninth inning of a tie game. Both times he gambled and lost.

Adam Rubin of ESPN NY, reported on the situation, Manuel’s explanation and justification, and a few quotes.

Manuel insisted closer Francisco Rodriguez was not the right person to summon with the score tied in the bottom of the ninth, one out and the bases loaded. Instead, Ryota Igarashi entered to face Ryan Zimmerman and surrendered a game-ending sacrifice fly.

“That’s not what a closer does. That’s not his role,” Manuel said, a belief reiterated by pitching coach Dan Warthen.

Manuel then appeared to make the case that the Mets need a bona fide back-end-of-the-bullpen-type reliever more so than a starting pitcher. He suggested the Mets’ inordinately high number of walk-off losses — nine — is tied to the lack of a legitimate eighth-inning pitcher.

The Mets had hoped in spring training Kelvim Escobar and Igarashi would team for that role, but Escobar will never throw a pitch for the organization because of a shoulder injury and Igarashi has underwhelmed. The most trusted eighth-inning pitchers at this point are Pedro Feliciano and Elmer Dessens.

“All the walk-off losses on the road is indicative of an eighth-inning guy. That’s where an eighth-inning guy pitches. It’s basically that simple,” Manuel said. “If that eighth-inning guy is the guy, he pitches the tie game on the road. At home, the closer pitches the tie game because you get a chance to bat. That’s just the way that works. I mean, that’s baseball.”

I believe the Mets need a bona fide setup man as much as they do a frontline starter. The nine walkoff losses could have meant 4-5 more wins for the Mets if Manuel had any sort of effective bridge to his closer.

We knock Manuel a lot for his end-game bullpen management, but truth be told, he hasn’t been playing with a full deck all season.

But what I’m getting at is this….we haven’t had injuries to key players like David Wright, Jason Bay, Davis, Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Pedro Feliciano, or K-Rod…or to any of our catchers.  Last year, it was like we were legitimately cursed with the injury bug. So with the core of the Mets in the lineup and on the mound each day and each week, and with the team playing just about as well as it’s capable, second place and 1.5 games out on June 23 doesn’t seem so ridiculous.

And seriously, after last year, we were due for some better luck both with injuries and with the performances of our regulars.  Now, if the tides turn and David Wright rolls his ankle running the bases tonight, I’ll take the heat that’s coming to me.  But I think we’re in for a wild (and hopefully successful) run toward the playoffs this season.

First of all, while we all clamored for a #2 or even #3 pitcher behind Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey has stepped up unexpectedly into that role, and then some.  You can almost call he and Santana co-aces at this point.  And who would have thought RA Dickey would be picked up off the scrap heap and delivered quality innings the way he has?  Those three guys have the Mets right in the thick of an early pennant race–2.5 games back of the Braves and a half game back of the mighty Phillies.  Of course, the Marlins and Nationals are right there too, making this a potentially explosive second half in the NL East.

Also, guys like Ike Davis and Chris Carter have provided pop and spark, collectively, and Rod Barajas leads the team in homers.  Oh, and David Wright has regained the power stroke he lost last year.  All this and Carlos Beltran hasn’t even seen the field.  Heck, we may not need him!  Finally, K-Rod even seems to have re-discovered his fastball or become more confident in it.  Sure, he’s blown a few, but what closer hasn’t?

So yes, on June 9, I do believe.  I believe this team has a significant shot at winning the division and making noise in the playoffs.  Wins like last night continue to breed confidence in the players, management and in us fans.  Let’s go Mets!

Now the other shoe or four will start to drop, as we’ll see if John Maine, Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez can keep the Mets in games this season.  It also remains to be seen if the lineup can consistently drive in runs like they did on Monday.

But I will say this.  With all of the pundits (myself included) picking the Mets to finish third or fourth in the division and having absolutely no chance to make the postseason, there seems to be an air of “whatever” about this team.  It’s not that they don’t care or don’t want to play hard, but that the expectations have been lowered to the point that they really can only exceed them.  And sometimes you never know if players will have career years or at least play to their capabilities.  So if they all do that, it’s not exactly a pipe dream to think that this team CAN succeed and reach the postseason in 2010.  It’ll be a big surprise to us all, and maybe even to them, but surely, stranger things have happened.

So will tonight be the start of reality setting in, or will it be continued good fortune as well as good baseball that began earlier this week?  Let’s Go Maine, and Let’s Go Mets!

I saw the Mets do a lot of good things yesterday afternoon:

• The Mets were patient enough at the plate and they played good defense out in the field.
• Jason Bay didn’t take for granted that his triple was only a double as he hustled his butt out of the batters box and got that triple.
• Marlins made 3 errors in the game’ but unlike past seasons the Mets took advantage of those mistakes and drove up the score to give the bullpen a bigger cushion.
• The Mets were also aggressive on the base paths, not allowing the pitchers to be comfortable on the mound which caused 2 Marlin errors.
• I liked the attempted squeeze play as Cora is a great bunter and Pagan has great speed.
• Nieve and K-Rod looked confident against the Marlins offense.  I also think K-Rod should keep those goggles for the rest of his Mets career.
• Barajas behind the plate I thought called a good game.  He saw what Santana was doing well and what wasn’t working for Santana, the Mets pitching staff did not have that last year with Omir Santos behind the plate.

If I had to complain it would be:

• Cora did go 0-4 with an RBI, Mike Jacobs went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and Luis Castillo also went 0-4 in the game.

I don’t know what to think about Mike Jacobs batting cleanup.  I understand the logic because Jacobs will see better pitches with Bay behind him but Jacobs needs to be more patient and not swing at balls out of the strike zone.  Also pitchers are going to give Wright better pitches to hit with Jacobs behind him because Jacobs is a power threat.  I don’t expect Jacobs, Cora and Castillo to go 4-4 everyday but the team is going to need them to hit, that is 1/3 of your lineup and you need them to step up and help with the offense.

If I have to nitpick a little it’s the fact that Jerry Manuel didn’t use Jenrry Mejia today out of the bullpen in the 7^th or 8^th inning.  Now I know the plan is not to immediately use Mejia as the 8^th inning guy but I just think with a big lead it was the perfect time to use Mejia.  Mejia would have had his first major league appearance and it would have left a little room for error to work out the nerves that I’m sure he has.

Overall it was a good Opening Day but it’s a long season that has started out good, hopefully there will be more positives than negatives this year.

K-Rod had a nice season, but his dip from 62 saves in Los Angeles the year before to 35 with the Mets was both a reflection on the Mets having a bad season and him being a bit inconsistent.  His 3.71 ERA was also way inflated from his 2.24 mark the previous season.  Putz was pitching pretty well before blowing out an elbow and being put on the DL about a third of the way into the 2009 season.  And Parnell was great at times, and a gas can at others.

So now, how do you feel knowing that K-Rod is coming off a sub-par season, with Parnell, Kelvim Escobar, Jose Feliciano, Sean Green, Pat Misch and Ryota Igarashi behind him?  On paper, this bullpen is almost as much of a question mark as the starting rotation is.  That’s not to say they can’t overachieve and keep the team in games, but how likely is that?  And the rotation is not exactly the kind of group that will give the bullpen long stretches of rest at a time.  To the contrary, they will be called upon to pitch 2-3 innings each night.

So I ask you, how do you all feel about this bullpen?