When someone you love dies, and you’re not expecting it, you feel cheated. You didn’t get to say goodbye. It’s not fair…

You feel lost and hollow inside. At night you lie in bed clutching her pillow close to you because you could still faintly smell her. It comforts you until the morning sun reminds you that she’s really gone.

Yesterday, when I first heard that Pedro Feliciano died suddenly in his sleep at 45, it stunned me and gave me some pause.

I didn’t realize how strong my emotional connection to Pedro was. I said a little prayer for him and thought of all the times he came through in a big spot… All the times he sent us home happy after preserving another victory for the Amazins.

Perpetual Pedro….

Some nicknames are just silly and have no meaning, but “Perpetual Pedro” was different… It was the perfect nickname for Pedro Feliciano and it truly defined who he was.

From 2006-2010, Pedro was one of the most dominant left-handed relievers in the game and he was all ours. Few Met relievers were as reliable and serviceable as Feliciano.

In three seasons spanning 2008-2010, Perpetual Pedro earned his moniker, leading the majors in appearances and also setting a Mets franchise record with 92 appearances in 2010. That’s a record that will likely stand the test of time.

“Pedro Feliciano will be remembered as a beloved member of our organization,” the Mets said in a statement.

They recognized “his impact as a great teammate as well as his reputation as one of the most competitive, durable and reliable relievers during his time in Queens.”

The organization was quick to respond and their statement struck a perfect chord and sentiment.

It really is sad when you lose someone who still had so much more life to live. I feel bad that I had nothing to remember him by…

When Gary Carter passed away, I had his 1986 Mets jersey to hold onto. It hasn’t fit me in many years but I still cherish it.

When Rusty died, I dug out all the autographed items I had collected, but none meant more to me than a Mets Scorecard he personally signed for me when we worked together at a charity drive. I loved Rusty.

I’m so mad at myself because I didn’t have one thing in my pretty vast Mets collection to remember Perpetual Pedro. Not even a single baseball card.

I am definitely going to right that wrong this weekend,  as I scour through eBay for something cool to remember Pedro by.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” to quote Frodo Baggins.

“So do I,” said Gandalf.

“But all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

Rest in peace, Pedro.

The post A Death in the Family appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The 2006 New York Mets are most remembered for their final moment. Carlos Beltran striking out looking at the end of Game 7 of the NLCS against the St Louis Cardinals.

Yet prior to that game or even that series, there was plenty of injuries to the pitching staff that could lead a Mets fan to ask, what if?

Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez both missed the postseason due to injuries, significantly impacting the Mets starting rotation. Prior to those injuries however, the Mets lost a key reliever due to an accident that took place off the field. When Duaner Sanchez infamously separated his shoulder in a taxicab accident.

Sanchez was in the midst of a career year prior to the injury, becoming a key set-up man for closer Billy Wagner. Sanchez was traded to the Mets in the offseason in a deal that sent Jae Weong Seo and Tim Hamulack to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sanchez had pitched to a sub-4.00 ERA in each of his prior two seasons in L.A., eclipsing 80 innings pitched each year.

In his first year with the Mets, Sanchez got off to an amazing start as he did not allow a single run until May 9th, in his 16th appearance of the season.

Across his 49 appearances in 2006, Sanchez only yielded runs in nine of those contests. He recorded 14 holds and won five games out of the Mets bullpen.

On July 19th, Sanchez lost his only game of the season, giving up three runs to the Cincinnati Reds. Those were the only runs he yielded across his 11 appearances in July, as Sanchez looked primed to be a big factor for the Mets down the stretch.

Then early in the morning on July 30, 2006, Sanchez’s taxicab was hit by a drunk driver on interstate-95 in Miami, Florida. Sanchez had to be flown to New York City to undergo season-ending surgery to repair his separated shoulder. He finished the year with a 2.60 ERA, the third-best mark out of the bullpen behind Wagner and lefty-specialist Pedro Feliciano.

Sanchez’s shoulder would never be the same, as he suffered a hairline fracture in spring training the next year, costing him the 2007 season as well. The right-hander did appear in 66 games for the Mets in 2008, but pitched to a 4.32 ERA.

Sanchez’s last big league appearance came in May of 2009 with the San Diego Padres. At 29 years old, less than three years removed from the accident, his career was over.

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Good morning, Mets fans! This afternoon, the Mets will go for the series win against the Nationals. Zack Wheeler will take the mound for the Mets. The righty will look to continue his recent stretch of success.

The Mets won 3-0 last night thanks to a good start from Jason Vargas and a homer from Jay Bruce. That is a sentence I expected to type way more in Spring than I actually have.

Latest Mets News

Marc Carig of the Athletic details David Wright‘s grueling road back to the Majors. Highly recommend the piece and if you really don’t respect Wright after reading that, I don’t know what else to say.

Former White House Communications Director, Anthony Scaramucci, said the Mets need to start spending more. He is a part time owner of the team.

The Mets will host the Staten Island Little League team that reached the semifinals in the US Bracket of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA on Sunday, August 26 at Citi Field. In addition to meeting Mets players and coaches, the little leaguers will take batting practice on the field, have lunch at the ballpark and be acknowledged in a pregame ceremony before the Mets take on the Nationals at 1:10 p.m.

Mickey Callaway says the Mets expect to see more of Jay Bruce at first soon and that could ultimately lead him to the full-time gig in 2019.

The Mets are reportedly finalizing a switch from WOR to WCBS.

Latest MLB News

Jesse Hahn underwent UCL surgery. This is not the same as Tommy John Surgery.

The White Sox shut down their pitching prospect, Dylan Cease, to limit his innings.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed Shumpei Yoshikawa, a top NPB prospect.

Latest NL East News

David O’Brien of the Athletic writes about some more bad blood between the Marlins and Braves.

Rhys Hoskins (Big Fella) and Tommy Hunter (Bigger Fella) explain their nicknames.

Stephen Strasburg will make his next start per the Washington Post.

Latest on MMO

John Sheridan wrote about Jarred Kelenic‘s inability of being scared by intimidation.

This Day in Mets History

2009: Mets trade Billy Wagner.

Birthdays: Pedro Feliciano turns 42, Gary Matthews Jr. turns 44, Shaun Fitzmaurice turns 76

LGM!

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Tonight, the Mets will head to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Nationals. Jacob deGrom will take on the A.J. Cole at 7:10 p.m.

Yesterday, the Mets lost 3-2. Rafael Montero was solid but ran out of fumes later on. Yoenis Cespedes homered in the loss but Michael Conforto left with a serious injury.

Latest Mets News

Conforto tore his posterior capsule in yesterday’s game in addition to dislocation. Surgery is an option for the young outfielder. On the strong chance his season is over, he ends it hitting .279/.384/.555 with a 145 wRC+. He’s just 24 years old. His wRC+ ranks 17th for an all Mets single season and his slugging percentage ranks tenth.

Jeurys Familia will return tomorrow.

Matt Harvey will rehab again on Saturday with Port St. Lucie. Zack Wheeler has been shut down.

Seth Lugo could start on Sunday if his bullpen goes well.

Latest NL East News

Byron Kerr of MASN has the latest on Max Scherzer.

Joe Frisario of MLB.com has the Marlins players’ weekend news.

David O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes about Jim Johnson‘s struggles.

Matt Breen of Philly.com has the latest on J.P. Crawford.

Latest on MMO

Mike Mayer writes about the future of Brandon Nimmo.

This Day in Mets History

1985: Dwight Gooden becomes the youngest Mets ever to win 20 games.

Birthdays: Pedro Feliciano turns 41, Gary Matthews turns 43, Shawn Fitzmaurice turns 75

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In the biggest non-story of the day, the Mets plan to decline the $25 million option on Johan Santana and will pay the $5.5 million buyout instead.

There’s still a chance that they could bring back Santana this winter on a one-year deal, but don’t count on it. It’s most likely that Johan has pitched his final game with the Mets.

He ends his Mets career with a 46-34 record, 3.18 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 109 starts including tossing the first no-hitter in franchise history.

In other news…

The Mets added seven players to the 40-man roster today by activating first baseman Ike Davis and pitchers Josh Edgin, Matt Harvey, Jeremy Hefner, Jenrry Mejia, Bobby Parnell and Scott Rice from the 60-day disabled list.

With pitchers David Aardsma, Tim Byrdak, Pedro Feliciano, Frank Francisco, Aaron Harang, LaTroy Hawkins and Daisuke Matsuzaka all becoming free agents, the 40-Man roster now stands at 35 for the Mets – as they will not be negotiating with any players during their exclusive five-day window.

They’ll use at least two of those spots to protect Steven Matz and Jacob deGrom who must be added to the 40-man roster or the Mets will risk losing them in the Rule 5 Draft.

The post Mets News: Santana, Hawkins, Dice-K and Feliciano Head To Free Agency appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

In looking at the free-agent market, the New York Mets will first consider which of their own eight they might think of bringing back.

It isn’t an impressive list, but there are several the Mets might think of returning. If they don’t bring back they can always find their replacements in the market.

The filing period begins five days after the end of the World Series. Here’s the eight:

David Aardsma: He had some decent moments coming out of the bullpen, but nothing that screams, “we gotta have him back.’’ Aardsma was 2-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 43 appearances. He allowed 53 base runners in 39.2 innings, so we’re not exactly talking about a slam-the-door reliever. Walking 19 and giving up seven homers isn’t good for such a limited time.

Tim Byrdak: He worked 4.2 innings in eight appearances because he was coming off an injury. He pitched in 72 games two years ago, but was injured in 2012. Because of his health issues, he should come relatively cheaply and might be worth offering an incentives-laden deal. If he rejects it, the Mets haven’t lost anything.

Pedro Feliciano: He is far from “Perpetual Pedro’’ but after missing the past two seasons he did find his way into 25 games. It was too small a window to measure his effectiveness. He might be worth a shot, but the Mets must ask themselves, “can we live without him?’’ Chances are they’ll answer in the affirmative.

Frank Francisco: I mention him because he’s on the list, but there’s no way the Mets want him back. Frankly, I thought the only reason they brought him up at the end of the season was in the hope of finding a trading partner.

Aaron Harang: The Mets can pick up his option and since they are two short in the rotation, he’s somebody worth considering. He started four games for the Mets, and worked six innings in three of them. Harang struck out 26 in 23 innings, so there’s some hope there. On the flip side, he also gave up five homers among his nine runs. That he gave the Mets innings is what they should look at considering he’d be a back end of the rotation starter.

LaTroy Hawkins: He’s 40 and still throws in the mid-90s. When Bobby Parnell went down he assumed the closer role and saved 13 games. Parnell is not a certainty coming off neck surgery and constructing the bullpen is a must. Frankly, I’m not sure they would get much better in the free-agent market.

Daisuke Matsuzaka: He started seven games and went 3-3 and worked into the fifth inning is all but one game. He gave the Mets 38.2 innings when they needed it desperately. GM Sandy Alderson said he was pleased with what Matsuzaka gave them. Of the eight free agents, he’s probably the most likely to come back.

Johan Santana: He wants to pitch again and Alderson said he’d keep his mind open. He’s already received a pile of money from the Mets, and unless he accepts a minor league deal, I’d be reluctant considering his health situation.

The post Mets Offseason Plan: First Things First, Considering Our Own Free Agents appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Great pitching was the lifeline of the Binghamton Mets record setting baseball season this summer.  Wherever you looked; the starting rotation, long relief or closing, the B-Met pitching excelled.  There were multiple B-Mets who could be considered the 2013 Most Valuable Pitcher.  I’ve boiled that choice down to four promising righthanded arms — Rafael Montero, Logan Verrett, Noah Syndergaard and Jeff Walters and one lefty, Darin Gorski.

Rafael Montero was brilliant throughout his brief stay in the Binghamton rotation during the early weeks of the season.  Montero started 11 games as a B-Met — good for 66.2 innings on the hill.  The early season pitching ace went 7-3 with a sparkling 2.43 ERA, striking our 72 batters and walking only 10.  That helped Montero to an outrageous WHIP of just 0.92.  Montero’s impact on the B-Mets was profound.  His business like work on the mound seemed to set a tone in the early season that the 2013 B-Met season was about competitive excellence. Montero’s lead was a great model to follow.

Darin Gorski had a similar impact on the B-Mets, but during the closing portion of the season.  Gorski returned from an early season injury in Triple-A Las Vegas and was assigned to Binghamton.  Without much hype, Gorski was arguably the most effective B-Met pitcher down the homestretch.  The tall lefthander started 13 games for Binghamton winning 6 and losing only one with the best ERA among starters, a sterling 1.83. Over 78.2 innings, Gorski allowed only 46 hits, striking out 67 and walking only 22.  That was good for an eye-popping 0.86 WHIP, the best on the B-Met team other than Perpetual Pedro Feliciano.

Logan Verrett was the workhorse of the B-Met starting rotation, someone who took the ball every six days working 146 innings on the hill.  Verrett’s 12-6 record tied him at the top of the Eastern League leader board in wins.  Varrett’s blazing start was a key factor in the B-Mets early emergence as the premiere EL team during the regular season.  The righthanded ace has pinpoint control striking out 132 batters and walking only 31.  Keeping the ball in the park was an issue as Verrett allowed 21 HR’s.  He had a 4.25 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP.

The arrival of Noah Syndergaard in Binghamton during the later part of the season had the city buzzing.  The highly regarded Met prospect lived up to all the billing during his 11 starts.  Syndergaard went 6-1 for the B-Mets throwing 54 innings, striking out 69 and walking only 12.  A fastball that regularly reached mid and upper 90’s and held that speed throughout an outing tabs Syndergaard as one of the promising future Met power arms.  Syndergaard finished with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

Arguably one of the biggest success factors of the 2013 Binghamton Mets was the performance of the bullpen, however. Pedro Lopez had multiple left handed and right handed options in the pen.  This season’s Most Valuable B-Met Pitcher comes from that relief corps, Jeff Walters, the record setting Binghamton closer.  Walters was a lights out ninth inning option for Lopez earning 38 saves, the highest single season and career total in Binghamton Met history and the second highest save total in the history of the Eastern League. Walters pitched 56 innings of pressure packed relief allowing only 46 hits, striking out 60 and walking just 16.  That gave the B-Met closer a 1.11 WHIP to complement his 2.09 ERA.  Walters fired a fastball that consistently reached 95-96 mph and used a compliment of off-speed pitches.

Walters’ value on the 2013 B-Mets was about more than statistics, however. In Walters, Binghamton had that cocky, confident, care-free, end of the game option, a guy who relished having the ball in tight situations and exuded an attitude that had a residual effect on his teammates.  It was those personal traits along with a toolkit filled with pitching choices that make Jeff Walters the Binghamton Mets Most Valuable Pitcher of 2013.

(Photo Credit: Gordon Donovan)

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Pitchers

Will the Mets bring back Johan Santana? If so, in what role?

With Matt Harvey likely out for all of 2014, who will assume the number one starting pitcher position?

Could LaTroy Hawkins close for a full year in 2014 if Bobby Parnell cant?

Is Vic Black the closer of the future?

Do David Aardsma and Scott Atchison have a role with the team going forward?

Who is the lefty specialist next year? Scott Rice? Tim Byrdak? Josh Edgin? Pedro Feliciano?

Infielders

Was 2013 a sign of things to come for Travis d’Arnaud?

Is Anthony Recker back next year?

Is Ike Davis back next year?

Could Lucas Duda be the everyday First Baseman?

Will Daniel Murphy be moved (to another position or team)?

Could Eric Young Jr. play Second Base?

Where will the Mets look for a Shortstop?

Will Justin Turner be back? In what role?

Is Josh Satin an everyday player or a backup?

What position does Wilmer Flores play?

Outfielders

Is Eric Young Jr. the long term solution in Left Field

Can Juan Lagares hit enough to stay in the lineup everyday?

Is Mike Baxter a Met in 2014?

Does Kirk Nieuwenhuis become a forgotten (and unspellable) name?

What about Matt den Dekker?

Will the Mets outfield have a 25+ home run player next season?

Management

Will Terry Collins record an above .500 season during his tenure as Mets manager?

Will the decision to bring the entire coaching staff back for 2014 pay off?

Is Sandy Alderson pushing the team in the right direction?

Are the Wilpons running the team into the ground?

Free Agency

Can the Mets find another Marlon Byrd?

Can Sandy Alderson pull off another trade for prospects?

Is Shin-Soo Choo the answer in the outfield?

Is Jacoby Ellsbury a better option?

Will the Mets look externally for a First Baseman?

Will they add a Starting Pitcher?

How much will the Mets spend?

Thoughts & Predictions

Personally, I believe a Niese-Wheeler-Gee rotation is in order to begin the season, with LaTroy Hawkins and Bobby Parnell closing and Vic Black providing the bridge in the 8th inning. Scott Rice and Pedro Feliciano could be the Lefty Specialists in the pen out of Spring Training. David Aardsma will also be back in a middle inning role. Travis d’Arnaud will just barley receive the starting catcher nod, with Josh Satin, Eric Young, Stephen Drew and David Wright rounding out the infield.

Daniel Murphy has been traded away for a package of prospects and Ike Davis is starting in Las Vegas. Drew was signed for two years at $12 million. Lucas Duda, Juan Lagares and Marlon Byrd go left to right in the outfield. Duda only received the job because he impressed in the Spring while Byrd was brought back at $4 Million for a one year contract. Josh Satin, Justin Turner, Jordany Valdespin, and Mike Baxter come off the bench. Yes, JV1 was given another chance at a Major League roster spot. Juan Centeno backs up at the dish while Wilmer Flores and Matt den Dekker were left back at Triple A for conditioning and big league preparation. (Sorry, but .211 and .207 just won’t cut it).

Well, that’s my thoughts, what are yours?

LGM

The post So Many Questions As The Mets Head Into the Offseason appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Jack Leathersich or Jeff Walters?

Here’s what some of our guys had to say:

John Bernhardt:

Jeff Walters had a breakout season for the B-Mets in Binghamton. Used exclusively in the closer’s role, Walters was lights out setting single season and career save marks for Binghamton. His 38 saves also led the Eastern League and was the second highest all-time saves total in the EL. It’s not just the numbers, but Walter’s stuff and his attitude on the mound that impressed. Walters has a fastball touching 96 miles per hour and a dirty breaking pitch. He’s also a bit older having finished a four year stay in college. You would think all that might add up to an accelerated path to the majors.

Leathersich, too, was brilliant during his summer time in Binghamton. 16.9 SO/9 innings, a 1.53 ERA and a reduction in his base-on-balls percentage earned him a call up to Las Vegas. That elevation was daunting for Leathersich. The young left-hander maintained a high strikeout rate (14.6/9), but he walked one batter per inning and his ERA ballooned to a ridiculous 7.76.

It is probably more than previous performance alone that will answer this question. The health of Bobby Parnell, the development of Vic Black, will LaTroy Hawkins be re-signed, what is the status of veteran lefties like Perpetual Pedro Feliciano, Tim Byrdak and the rehabbing Scott Rice? The resolution of those mysteries will probably make the difference.

With Parnell, Black, and Hawkins all eighth and closer right- handed options and more questions centered around the left-handed status of the Met bullpen with Leathersich a possible lefty to lefty one batter option I’ll make a weak prediction Leathersich gets the first look. Verdict: Leathersich

Cole Benz:

I’m going with Jack Leathersich over Jeff Walters. The first thing I think of when looking at relievers is strikeouts. I want a guy to come in and be lights out. Leathersich had 42 more K’s than Walters did in 2013. Leathersich also has 76 more over the course of his career with one less season under his belt than Walters. I’m not too worried about Leathersich’s stats at Las Vegas. If you look at the last time he was promoted mid-season, 2012, his stats ballooned while adjusting to another level. Verdict: Leathersich

Joe D:

This one’s easy for me and even though I’m one of the biggest Jack Leathersich fans there is, I’d have to take Jeff Walters over him right now. Leathersich still needs to work on his command before he can become a force in a major league bullpen. Meanwhile, Walters has the three things you want from a shutdown reliever; velocity, control, and swagger. This kid has nerves of steel and proved his mettle in Binghamton this year, smashing their all-time saves record while leading the EL in that department. It’s tough for batters to get around on him because he has such a deceptive delivery and he comes right after you. It’s probably why he’s only allowed three home runs in the last two years. That’s a pretty remarkable feat. Verdict: Walters

Satish Ram:

This is definitely the most difficult one posed to date — so let me try to break it down. Walters has the better control and composure on the mound, while Leathersich has the better natural stuff and is left-handed. Both men have deceptive deliveries and solid mechanics, so I guess it boils down to a matter of preference. Walters might be the better pitcher right now, but Leathersich has the higher ceiling and boasts an outstanding career K/9 of 15.2. Even if he can’t cut down on the walks completely, he might be able to dominate hitters for years to come. Verdict: Leathersich

Matt Musico:

There is no doubt for me that Leathersich’s ability is greater out of these two. However, when I think of a successful reliever, I think of a couple things — one is to make hitters swing and miss, and the other is to throw the ball over the plate. It drives a manager nuts when they go to the bullpen in a tight spot, and they watch him walk the first batter they face. With the lack of control Leathersich had in Las Vegas and the wonderful year Walters put together, I think Walters has the upper hand with regard to their immediate big league future. Jack won’t be far behind Jeff, but he needs to walk less than one hitter per inning in Vegas before he gets the call. Verdict: Walters

With five writers weighing in, Jack Leathersich wins a tight battle in this week’s face-off, taking three out of the five possible votes. Who do you think will make it to the big league bullpen first? Sound off in the comment section below.

(Photo Credit: Gordon Donovan)

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The Milwaukee Brewers (72-87) defeated the New York Mets (73-86) by the score of 4-2 tonight at Citi Field.

For all the hell I gave you in the beginning of the year, Carlos Torres… I respect the work you’ve put in for this team in 2013. A depth signing turned into a guy who really put in some solid hours for the Mets, finishing the year with a 3.44 ERA in 86.1 innings across a mix of work out of the pen and in spot starts. He turned in one more quality start for the Mets today, going six innings and allowing three runs.

He was taken deep twice in the first inning for two of his four hits allowed, but he really didn’t seem phased and breezed through the next five innings without allowing a run. The only other Milwaukee run crossed the plate when Martin Maldonado crushed a pitch off Scott Atchison for a solo home run in the seventh.

The Mets didn’t really show much offensive prowess out there tonight, although they did scatter eight hits. Their only extra base hits were doubles, one by Lucas Duda and another by Daniel Murphy. Murphy’s hit was his 38th double on the year, so he’s just two away from 40 doubles in a season — a nice little number. Turner had a two-hit game out there, including an RBI single that accounted for half of the Mets run production. Juan Lagares brought in the other run with a sacrifice fly.

Gonzalez Germen picked up four outs cleanly, including a strikeout, after Pedro Feliciano picked up an out of his own. This game was pretty much an open-and-shut case, as the Mets only had three at-bats with RISP the entire game. There are only two games left in the season now, with Aaron Harang on the mound tomorrow and Jon Niese toeing the rubber on Sunday for the finale.

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