While the rest of the bullpen was largely ineffective today, Jason Isringhausen was perfect in his inning of work. He continues to enhance his chances of making it onto the big league roster. Terry Collins said, “If he’s healthy and he can throw with the velocity we know he can have and the breaking ball and his experience, I think he’s got to be certainly one of the frontrunners right now.” It would be a nice story to see Izzy pull it off, and if he does, Jason Bay has already promised him his old No. 44 uniform number.
Terry Collins talked to reporters after the Mets 9-3 loss to the Nationals today, and said he was extremely impressed with the professional way that Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan conducted themselves regarding the centerfield switch. He also added that Beltran will make his Grapefruit League debut this weekend as the designated hitter. In Collin’s first big test as a manager, he scored an A+ in my opinion.
Daniel Murphy started at third base today and made a couple of slick plays in the field while fielding his position smoothly. He charged toward the plate and made a couple of dazzling barehanded grabs and strong throws to first base. I still haven’t seen him play second base yet, but if he was anything like he was at third base, I can see this really working out for him. Murph was also solid at the plate pasting a double in the gap and scoring a run.
David Lennon nails it with this take on Oliver Perez. “During the final moments of Oliver Perez’s fourth-inning meltdown Sunday, the Champion Stadium loudspeakers blared “The Twilight Zone” theme. In reality, Perez was standing on the mound, but his head always seems to be in some alternate universe that defies explanation. One minute, Perez is striking out Dan Uggla with a 73-mph slider. The next, he’s walking three straight batters, the last with the bases loaded on a full-count pitch to David Ross. Perez is thoroughly unpredictable, and for that reason, it will be very difficult for the Mets to trust him in any role – starter, long reliever or specialist.”
Speaking of Ollie, does the New York media give Brian Cashman a free pass on A.J. Burnett? Perez was signed for three years and $36 million, but Burnett hauled in a five year deal for $82.5 million. They have both been big-time busts, but we keep hearing more about Ollie than you do Burnett.
The Mets officially announced their Minor League managers and coaching staffs Monday, naming former players Tim Teufel and Wally Backman as the managers of Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A Binghamton, respectively. For the entire Mets organizational managing and coaching staffs, check out ESPN New York.
