Please explain the Mets

[keystone]

What is going on with them? I know there was a problem with Billy Wagner, but now there's a race thing with Randolph? What gives? Why are they losing so many games with all of that talent?

Is Jose Reyes traumatized? Injured? Lazy? Freaked out?

[metfan13]

What is going on with them? I know there was a problem with Billy Wagner, but now there's a race thing with Randolph? What gives? Why are they losing so many games with all of that talent?

Is Jose Reyes traumatized? Injured? Lazy? Freaked out?

Difficult to explain. Some of it's the usual BS with the NY media. Small things get blown up, etc. Some of it's what people predicted. You rely on older guys and sooner or later it gets you. Between reduced production (Delgado) and more injuries (Alou, Pedro, El Duque) you're plying with fire relying on older guys.

Seems this team was primed to win it in 2006 and should have at least made the post season in 2007. If those had happened this year would have been easier to take. But now it seems nothing worked as planned, so you get angry fans, questions in the clubhouse and calls for the manager's head.

After the Yankee series it looked like maybe they could ride this out, get Pedro back soon and get something going. Now they're actually in worse shape than they were a week ago.

And with Willie opening his mouth management may just decide to make a move. But who do they bring in? Some retread to fill the gap, someone else with no ML experience? the quick answer is Jerry Manuel, but hasn't he been part of this same clubhouse as Willie's righthand man?

[KCGHOST]

It is fairly straight forward. They were expected to win and they aren't, the fans weren't very happy with Randolph before the season started and are even less happy now, the players are feeling the pressure from the fans and media, and some key players really aren't doing much. And this failure to produce has created friction between the players themselves.

I am not sure that Randolph can last another two weeks if this keeps up. His ill-founded claim of racism was really the type of thing that can break the bond between a manager and his GM.

[TonyStarks]

That team needs to be blown up.

The Mets 1st order of business is: Carlos Delgado
This guy is absolutely killing them. Hell, if I'm Minaya I'd fire right across the players bow and I'd release Delgado.


The Mets have to lead David Wright lead and Jose Reyes be himself. Stop trying to contain him...let him lose. The heart and soul of this team has been Pedro and when he's around, he magically just makes them play better. But the problem is that he's always injured.

Unfortunately, it's not really Randolph that's the problem. I think he's a good Manager. His team just seems to have quit on him though. They play with this "Woe is me" and seem to just be standing around waiting for something bad to happen.

A change in Manager isn't going to fix this....there has to be a change in players.

[CROM]

nl east is competitive.. braves, marlins, phillies... its going to be a battle

[keystone]

I figure Willie is going to take the fall --- especially since he got crazy with the racism thing. It's always hard to tell if the players are playing badly because they don't like the manager or because they're just playing badly.

Delgado is a big problem. I see he's been moved down in the order, but he's batting something like .173! And he's got that big contract. If they release him, who's going to take his place?

They are such a train wreck. I expected a lot more from them.

How about getting Davey Johnson out of moth balls? :laugh

[SamtheBravesFan]

I
They are such a train wreck. I expected a lot more from them.


Now... why exactly did you expect a lot out of them? Just curious.

[metfan13]

Now... why exactly did you expect a lot out of them? Just curious.

Because if pedro comes back they have a pretty good rotation. Because it's unlikely Beltran will hit like this all year. It's also possible that Reyes and Wright will hit better the rest of the year.

Still lots of question marks, but it's probably going to be a tight division all year, so they shoudl stay in it.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Because if pedro comes back they have a pretty good rotation. Because it's unlikely Beltran will hit like this all year. It's also possible that Reyes and Wright will hit better the rest of the year.

Still lots of question marks, but it's probably going to be a tight division all year, so they shoudl stay in it.

Quite frankly, I'd peg the Braves and Mets to be about the same, all things considered, so it should be a close race. Why anything else should have been expected of the Mets, I can't say.

[Captain Cold Nose]

We easily could do this thread about the Tigers. And Jim Leyland would get as much heat if not more than Randolph, because of his pre-Detoit tenure.

It's early. We're seeing a lot of things in the last few years, especially by way of comebacks, the last few years. In this era of multi-divisons and wild cards, any teams that have the talent to catch fire and stay there can easily turn things around. We're a quarter of the way done, or barely over, so don't be surprised if things change. Not even the July 4th rule holds true anymore.

[whoisonit]

It's early. We're seeing a lot of things in the last few years, especially by way of comebacks, the last few years. In this era of multi-divisons and wild cards, any teams that have the talent to catch fire and stay there can easily turn things around. We're a quarter of the way done, or barely over, so don't be surprised if things change. Not even the July 4th rule holds true anymore.

The reason it's hard to believe this team is capable of turning it around is they simply don't seem to care. It's not a two month problem either. This has been going on since last July.
They haven't had a hot streak since the early part of the 2007 season. It's not a matter of a slow start. This team is deeply flawed both talent wise and, more importantly, personality wise.

As I said in mid April, and was called "absurd" by myopic 'fans', the team as presently constituted is hopeless. Hopeless. Major changes need to be made.

[Urbanshocker13]

The reason it's hard to believe this team is capable of turning it around is they simply don't seem to care. It's not a two month problem either. This has been going on since last July.
They haven't had a hot streak since the early part of the 2007 season. It's not a matter of a slow start. This team is deeply flawed both talent wise and, more importantly, personality wise.

As I said in mid April, and was called "absurd" by myopic 'fans', the team as presently constituted is hopeless. Hopeless. Major changes need to be made.

That is the difference I see with the Mets, their attitude for the most part sucks! There is that feel that they don't really care and it's been there since last year. You can also see frustration on players that do care, it's kind of weird. Both New York teams have been flat, underachivers and just plain bad but the Mets have a more hopeless feel because of that attitude.

[mtortolero]

Why not try at 1B any of their regular 1B in Binghampton AA :
Mike Carp (.341/.399/.536) or Nick Evans (.296/.359/.556)?
Worst than Delgado (.217/.302.348) they can not be.

[Captain Cold Nose]

The reason it's hard to believe this team is capable of turning it around is they simply don't seem to care. It's not a two month problem either. This has been going on since last July.
They haven't had a hot streak since the early part of the 2007 season. It's not a matter of a slow start. This team is deeply flawed both talent wise and, more importantly, personality wise.

As I said in mid April, and was called "absurd" by myopic 'fans', the team as presently constituted is hopeless. Hopeless. Major changes need to be made.

It was like that in the early to mid-90's, too, wasn't it? They had all that talent, but the players seemed so uninspired for the most part. That was the era of Dallas Green, fire crackers and the Shea infield keeping Vince Coleman out of the Hall of Fame. (He hated running on it.)

[whoisonit]

It was like that in the early to mid-90's, too, wasn't it? They had all that talent, but the players seemed so uninspired for the most part. That was the era of Dallas Green, fire crackers and the Shea infield keeping Vince Coleman out of the Hall of Fame. (He hated running on it.)

Yes. Very depressing, very unlikable team, just like those days.

When will NY team owners learn. You cannot build through FA. You must build from within.

[metfan13]

Yes. Very depressing, very unlikable team, just like those days.

When will NY team owners learn. You cannot build through FA. You must build from within.

Mets traded for:

Santana
Perez
Maine
Schneider
Delgado
Castillo
Church
El Duque

Yes Beltran, Pedro and Wagner were big FA signings, but most starters were Met prospects or acquired by trading prospects.

[Urbanshocker13]

Yes. Very depressing, very unlikable team, just like those days.

When will NY team owners learn. You cannot build through FA. You must build from within.

It's not just from within that's a big part, but it is also SMART Free Agent deals and SMART trades for team players, not just big names.

[Baseball Guru]

Quite frankly, I'd peg the Braves and Mets to be about the same, all things considered, so it should be a close race. Why anything else should have been expected of the Mets, I can't say.

Well it should have been expected after losing the division by 1 game after a monumental collapse and acquiring one of the best pitchers in baseball to that staff...

On paper they should have been the favorite as well as doing better than they are...

[Baseball Guru]

They haven't had a hot streak since the early part of the 2007 season. It's not a matter of a slow start. This team is deeply flawed both talent wise and, more importantly, personality wise.

As I said in mid April, and was called "absurd" by myopic 'fans', the team as presently constituted is hopeless. Hopeless. Major changes need to be made.

Ok, I disagree with this... Seriously, what is the difference in the talent of this team than what we had on the field the first part of 2007 and the 2006 team that was 1 game from the World Series?

People are so quick to blame this on personality and lack of talent... Thats BS IMO...

Lets look at a comparison:
2006:
1B: Delgado
2007:
1B: Delgado
2008:
1B: Delgado

2006:
2B: Valentin
2007:
2B: Castillo/Valentin
2008:
2B: Castillo

2006:
3B: Wright
2007:
3B: Wright
2008:
3B: Wright


2006:
SS: Reyes
2007:
SS: Reyes
2008:
SS: Reyes

2006:
C:Lo Duca
2007:
C: Lo Duca
2008:
C: Schneider

2006:
OF: Floyd, Beltran, Nady/Green
2007:
OF: Alou, Beltran, Green
2008:
OF: Alou, Beltran, Church

2006:
SP: Glavine, Hernandez, Pedro, Maine, Trachsel
2007:
SP: Glavine, Hernandez, Maine, Perez, Pelfrey/Sosa
2008:
SP: Santana, Maine, Perez, Pelfrey, No clear #5

2006/2007/2008
CL: Wagner

The bullpen is even very similar with Heilman, Feliciano and Sanchez anchoring the pen...

My point is, this team is not THAT much different from a team that dominated the East in 2006.. But who predicted Pedro would be injured most of the last 2 seasons or that Delgado's production would just suddenly drop this dramatically?

I personally think our starters, especially if Pedro comes back is better than in 2006 and 1 big loss in the bullpen is Bradford from that 06 team but I like Smith in that spot on this team..

[milladrive]

Well, it all started with that unnecessary kneejerk Nady trade... :p

Actually, the "on paper" argument is just further proof (at least to me) that chemistry is a key component to winning. Schneider, as well as he's performing, is not Lo Duca. Church, as well as he's shining, may or may not be what the clubhouse needs for spunk. Tom Nieto is not Howard Johnson; Sandy Alomar is not Manny Acta. Tatis is not Valentin. Reyes may have actually become complacent now that he's got the big bucks (and Henderson's tenure certainly did no good for him). And I won't even get started on the pitching staff.

Then there are the internal conflicts of recent weeks.

Team looks great on paper, sure, and the bulk of the team may even be the same is it's been, but the chemistry in the clubhouse has certainly undergone some major changes.

[Baseball Guru]

I see Church and Schneider as great teammates and good for the chemistry of this team.. They were not on the team last year when they choked the last month of the season.. Lo Duca was....

Church is definitely an upgrade and IMO a better clubhouse guy over Green..

[milladrive]

Church is definitely an upgrade and IMO a better clubhouse guy over Green..

No argument there.

[Baseball Guru]

No argument there.

As is there is no argument from me on your Nady statement.. You are absolutely right on that one! Horrible trade!

[milladrive]

I dunno why, but for some reason, that trade still sits with me like the midnight massacre. Sure, we got Perez, but... well... you know.

As for Schneider, I like him. I really do. I'm just not sure he's the strategic leader that a winning team needs behind the plate. I could be wrong. In fact, I hope I am. Either way, I'd like to see more of Castro.

[NYMets523]

I dunno why, but for some reason, that trade still sits with me like the midnight massacre. Sure, we got Perez, but... well... you know.

WTF? Please explain how trading Nady (who was a decent OF) is anything like trading the best player this franchise has produced for nothing?

[AutographCollector]

Two things need to happen: Get rid of Delagado (call up Carp from the minors ~> saw him play last year, the guy is a monster). And get rid of Heilman.

[NYMets523]

The crap has officially hit the fan.

[nerfan]

Two things need to happen: Get rid of Delagado (call up Carp from the minors ~> saw him play last year, the guy is a monster). And get rid of Heilman.

We should have traded Heilman while his stock was high.

1) Bring Carp up
2) Nady for Perez was a good deal. Plus not only that we got Roberto Hernandez, who we got a draft pick for. Xavier Nady is a league average right fielder. Perez is an above average starting pitcher.
3) Fire Willie.
4) WTF was with retard Willie batting Endy Chavez 2nd? Castillo is a far superior hitter. At least Castillo can get on base with a .371 OBP.
5) Use Schoeneweis more. I cant believe im saying it, but use Schoeneweis more.

[Seattle1]

"Please explain the Mets"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mets

:D

[STLCards2]

Instead of thinking 2007 and 2008 are slumping years for Reyes, it may be more accurate to say that 2006 was an anomoly year for him. His 2007 and 2008 seasons are much closer to his pre-2006 seasons too. I could be wrong about Reyes. Just a thought.

[NYMets523]

The thing with Reyes is he's still only 24. We really don't know what kind of player he is.

[bobby valentine]

1ST THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH REYES.
2ND THE METS NEED A CHANGE, WILLY IS IT, HE MUST GO
3RD BRING BACK BOBBY VALENTINE
4TH FANS PLEASE STOP THE BOOO'S EVERY DAY
5TH LETS PLAY BALL, PLAY 100% NOT 63% LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN
6TH BRING BOBBY VALENTINE BACK
7TH PLAY THE PLAYERS THAT WANT TO PLAY, THE OTHERS TRADE OR SIT THEM DOWM
8TH LET REYES BE JOSE JOSE JOSE THE PLAYER THAT WE ALL FELL IN LOVE WITH FOR THE ENERGY HE BRINGS TO THE GAME. LET HIM STEAL AS MANY BASESAS HE WANTS TO STEAL. HE CAN REST DURING THE OFF SEASON.
9TH WAGNER HAS BEEN GREAT THIS YEAR, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. HE KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE CLUB HOUSE AND HE ADDRESED IT
10TH PLEASE BRING BOBBY VALENTINE BACK:applaud:

[SamtheBravesFan]

That last post stands for itself, though I can't resist saying this:

Bobby Valentine is under contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of NPB. He's not coming back. And, even if he did, he's not the answer.

[NYMets523]

And, even if he did, he's not the answer.

He might be. But we don't know what the question is.

[AutographCollector]

he's not the answer.
You guys just saw us for 4 games. What did you see or did not see as far as the Mets were concerned?

[SamtheBravesFan]

You guys just saw us for 4 games. What did you see or did not see as far as the Mets were concerned?

What I was saying is that a manager, at least in general, might not be an answer to this situation. After all, earlier this season, I at least read complaints from some Braves fans that they didn't play with any passion. I never once thought that Cox was part of that so-called "problem". It's all in how you perceive things.

I probably should have been more clear on that.

[keystone]

Wow, I seem to have struck a nerve here...

I think letting Nady go was unfortunate, but I don't think anyone could have forseen what he's doing this year. Church is a good acquisition, and a good lefty bat in that line-up. It all seems to have balanced out, IMHO.

SamBravesFan -- I think I expected more of this team because of what I saw them do in the first 3/4 of the season last year. I thought the swoon was a fluke, and that they'd be back to their winning ways. PLUS, they have Santana this year, who is probably wondering why he left Minnesota about now. The bullpen (except for Heilmann) is good, even though the rotation is sketchy without a healthy Pedro. So, I was thinking they'd do well even with an iffy rotation.

Capt. Cold Nose -- You make a good point about the Tigers. Leyland's head isn't in a noose, but he hasn't made himself a target, either. And, let's face it, we're talking New York here. It's a different universe than Detroit.

There are other managers who aren't blazing trails, but they aren't managing in the Big Apple. I wonder how long before Torre feels the heat? The Dodgers have not been great, but maybe LA is just enough more laid back to give Torre a longer leash. Besides, they've got a bunch of kids in that line-up, so perhaps the expectations aren't as high to begin with.

I think Randolph has to go, whether he's the problem or not. Dierker was let go for far less egegious sins, and the Astros didn't do any better without him. Still, something has to happen. And the Carp kid sounds like a good idea, too. His eager energy might make a big difference in the apathy.

[NYMets523]

What I was saying is that a manager, at least in general, might not be an answer to this situation. After all, earlier this season, I at least read complaints from some Braves fans that they didn't play with any passion. I never once thought that Cox was part of that so-called "problem". It's all in how you perceive things.

Bobby Cox won 14 consecutive division titles. Randolph has only won 1. And that was 2 years ago.

[NYMets523]

Wow, I seem to have struck a nerve here...

I think letting Nady go was unfortunate, but I don't think anyone could have forseen what he's doing this year. Church is a good acquisition, and a good lefty bat in that line-up. It all seems to have balanced out, IMHO.
Nady is streaky and started out hot last year, too.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Bobby Cox won 14 consecutive division titles. Randolph has only won 1. And that was 2 years ago.

That has nothing to do with my point. Believe it or not, Cox has been ravaged almost constantly on his bullpen usage and sometimes accussed of starting (or inserting) the wrong player. That is something that can be pinned on every single manager (some moreso than others) because it happens on every team. What is probably the most important then, is the group of players. Sure, a manager can have an influence. I don't discount that at all. What I'm trying to say is that he's not the overriding influence over a team in general. He can only say so much and teach so much. It's up to the players to go out and do their jobs. Essentially then, the manager, aside from making the lineups and personnel decisions, is partly just a figurehead that gets blamed when things go wrong.

[metfan13]

That has nothing to do with my point. Believe it or not, Cox has been ravaged almost constantly on his bullpen usage and sometimes accussed of starting (or inserting) the wrong player. That is something that can be pinned on every single manager (some moreso than others) because it happens on every team. What is probably the most important then, is the group of players. Sure, a manager can have an influence. I don't discount that at all. What I'm trying to say is that he's not the overriding influence over a team in general. He can only say so much and teach so much. It's up to the players to go out and do their jobs. Essentially then, the manager, aside from making the lineups and personnel decisions, is partly just a figurehead that gets blamed when things go wrong.

This is true. however the impatient NY types are happier if the manager runs out and spits, kicks dirt and curses at the umps. It shows "fire" or something.

[Baseball Guru]

Instead of thinking 2007 and 2008 are slumping years for Reyes, it may be more accurate to say that 2006 was an anomoly year for him. His 2007 and 2008 seasons are much closer to his pre-2006 seasons too. I could be wrong about Reyes. Just a thought.

Reyes was hitting .250 the 1st month of the season with a .307 obp and is now up to .276 with a .338 obp%

Not sure why everyone is ragging on him so badly.. He is playing MUCH better as of late!

Heck, I'll take his 2007 season any day! Sure he slumped at the end of the season but he had the same exact obp% as he did in 2006 and he stole 14 more bases...

[John Shoemaker]

More problems for the Mets - Moises Alou is back on the DL.

[NYMets523]

This is true. however the impatient NY types are happier if the manager runs out and spits, kicks dirt and curses at the umps. It shows "fire" or something.

Actually, they just don't want the manager to say "The champagne will taste sweeter" as everything around him is crumbling down.

[SamtheBravesFan]

This is true. however the impatient NY types are happier if the manager runs out and spits, kicks dirt and curses at the umps. It shows "fire" or something.

Yeah, it's strange that people have to see things like that to believe a team can win.

[STLCards2]

Reyes was hitting .250 the 1st month of the season with a .307 obp and is now up to .276 with a .338 obp%

Not sure why everyone is ragging on him so badly.. He is playing MUCH better as of late!

Heck, I'll take his 2007 season any day! Sure he slumped at the end of the season but he had the same exact obp% as he did in 2006 and he stole 14 more bases...

Oh. I am not saying that he is not a very good player, but I am just not sure that he will consistantly play like he did in 2006 every year. He raised his own expectations pretty high. His OB% was the same, but his slugg. went down quite bit. I am not "ragging" on him at all.

[Baseball Guru]

Oh. I am not saying that he is not a very good player, but I am just not sure that he will consistantly play like he did in 2006 every year. He raised his own expectations pretty high. His OB% was the same, but his slugg. went down quite bit. I am not "ragging" on him at all.

Sorry, I wasnt referring to you about the ragging...:D

Some Met fans have been...

I agree, that his bar was set pretty high in 2006...

[NYMets523]

Oh. I am not saying that he is not a very good player, but I am just not sure that he will consistantly play like he did in 2006 every year. He raised his own expectations pretty high. His OB% was the same, but his slugg. went down quite bit. I am not "ragging" on him at all.

The good thing in 2007 is his OBP was the same but his BA was 20 points lower which means he became less dependent upon getting hits to get on base. I don't think he'll hit 300+. I'd like to see his OBP increase though. I don't think the power will ever be consistently there though.

[nerfan]

The good thing in 2007 is his OBP was the same but his BA was 20 points lower which means he became less dependent upon getting hits to get on base. I don't think he'll hit 300+. I'd like to see his OBP increase though. I don't think the power will ever be consistently there though.

I'd tend to agree. Reyes isn't really physically filling out like some expected him too. I think he might be a 15-20 home run a year guy but definitely not Hanley Ramirez type power.

[soberdennis]

Bobby Cox won 14 consecutive division titles. Randolph has only won 1. And that was 2 years ago.
If you win one division title, you're supposed to win every year? I don't necessarily think so. Sure the Yanks and Braves seemed to do it for a while. But generally that is the exception, not the rule.
I think Randolph should at least be allowed to finish out the season. It is only May.

[NYMets523]

If you win one division title, you're supposed to win every year? I don't necessarily think so. Sure the Yanks and Braves seemed to do it for a while. But generally that is the exception, not the rule.
I think Randolph should at least be allowed to finish out the season. It is only May.

My point was Bobby Cox was not blamed or on the hot seat when fans thought the players weren't passionate because of his past success. With Willie it's a different story because he's had 2 major disappointments in his tenure here and the team has been flat out awful this week. It also didn't help that after a two-game sweep of the Yankees, he has an outburst and blames SNY for his portrayal and brings up race.

It is only May but June is coming up very shortly.

[Zagi-CRO]

The Mets pitchers didn't do their job well.

Johan Santana 1.6 5 3 3.36
John Maine 0.3 5 4 3.41
Oliver Perez -2.6 4 3 4.53
Mike Pelfrey -7.9 2 5 5.00
Nelson Figueroa -10.8 2 3 5.13
Claudio Vargas -19.2 1 2 3.93
Pedro Martinez -182.5 0 0 10.80

Santana is good but not excellent while Maine and Perez got into trouble.
No pitching - no win.

The Mets hitters are so-so..

3B David Wright 8.00
SS Jose Reyes 7.60
OF Ryan Church 7.43
OF Carlos Beltran 7.10
2B Luis Castillo 6.12
1B Carlos Delgado 5.62
OF Angel Pagan 4.99
C Brian Schneider 4.79
2B Damion Easley 2.83
OF Endy Chavez 1.82


Only few hitters Wright, Reyes, Church, Beltran and Castillo played consistently. They have weakness on C, 1B, OF...

[NYMets523]

The Mets pitchers didn't do their job well.

Santana is good but not excellent while Maine and Perez got into trouble.
No pitching - no win.

The Mets hitters are so-so..

Only few hitters Wright, Reyes, Church, Beltran and Castillo played consistently. They have weakness on C, 1B, OF...

You need to work on your formulas. The pitching has been what's carried this team. When they have bad outings, they lose because the run support is horrible.

Other than Church, the guys you mentioned have been inconsistent.

[whoisonit]

The Mets pitchers didn't do their job well.

Johan Santana 1.6 5 3 3.36
John Maine 0.3 5 4 3.41
Oliver Perez -2.6 4 3 4.53
Mike Pelfrey -7.9 2 5 5.00
Nelson Figueroa -10.8 2 3 5.13
Claudio Vargas -19.2 1 2 3.93
Pedro Martinez -182.5 0 0 10.80

Santana is good but not excellent while Maine and Perez got into trouble.
No pitching - no win.

The Mets hitters are so-so..

3B David Wright 8.00
SS Jose Reyes 7.60
OF Ryan Church 7.43
OF Carlos Beltran 7.10
2B Luis Castillo 6.12
1B Carlos Delgado 5.62
OF Angel Pagan 4.99
C Brian Schneider 4.79
2B Damion Easley 2.83
OF Endy Chavez 1.82


Only few hitters Wright, Reyes, Church, Beltran and Castillo played consistently. They have weakness on C, 1B, OF...

No, the pitchers once again are not getting the job done. The fault here lies solely with the farce of a pitching coach, Rick Peterson. You'll often find posts concerning Willie Randolph, one of the more knowledgeable people in the game, being called an idiot by people who know nothing about baseball. Somebody needs to tell them their dad's opinions are as worthless as their own. The real problem that plagues the Mets is the disasterous influence of what may be the worst, most harmful pitching coach in organised baseball. Peterson induced injuries, Peterson induced personel dumping, Peterson induced lack of proper mental focus during games. Randolph may, unfortunately, lose his job, but having a pitching coach that actually helps pitchers would make a world of difference on this team.

[NYMets523]

No, the pitchers once again are not getting the job done. The fault here lies solely with the farce of a pitching coach, Rick Peterson.
Here we go again...

You'll often find posts concerning Willie Randolph, one of the more knowledgeable people in the game, being called an idiot by people who know nothing about baseball.
As opposed to Rick Peterson who is one of the stupidest people with a job in all of professional baseball.

Somebody needs to tell them their dad's opinions are as worthless as their own. The real problem that plagues the Mets is the disasterous influence of what may be the worst, most harmful pitching coach in organised baseball.
And you know this from first hand experience?

Peterson induced injuries, Peterson induced personel dumping, Peterson induced lack of proper mental focus during games. Randolph may, unfortunately, lose his job, but having a pitching coach that actually helps pitchers would make a world of difference on this team.
What injuries has Peterson induced? He was responsible for some players leaving like Heath Bell (who hated Peterson and was overweight) and Bannister (who really isn't that talented and his .262 BABip last year suggests he was more lucky than good), Kazmir was Duquette, Franco, and Leiter.

I think your irrational hatred towards Rick Peterson can be best summed up with a quote from none other than yourself:

Their opinions are not based on any sense of right & wrong, only infantile crying about anything they can grasp onto. They're not to be taken seriously.

[Mattingly]

I think I've identified one of the problems in the organization:

One meeting can't clean up the Mets (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/05/26/2008-05-26_one_meeting_cant_clean_up_the_mets-2.html)
Two green words scrawled on the clubhouse greaseboard before the game told the Mets this was a "regular day," and in many ways it was just that, from early afternoon to late-night defeat.

The white players were lounging together on one couch, watching television. The Latin players were hanging out on another one, across the room, watching a different set. The place had all the energy and anticipation of a seaside resort hotel lobby in early November. Nobody, anywhere, seemed overly concerned that it was 4:30 in the afternoon and that Willie Randolph was not yet in his office.

Who, exactly, was managing their team? Who should be managing their team?

"They don't pay me to think," said Carlos Delgado, when he was asked point-blank whether he thought Randolph should be replaced. "That's not a question to ask me."

Delgado seemed upset by the line of questioning. He confronted a reporter briefly about the situation. Elsewhere, there was only apathy and evasion, another sign that Randolph is in deep trouble, and has not ascended into sainted Joe Torre strata around here. The 2008 Mets did nothing Monday night to disprove the notion they are as rootless and disconnected as any New York baseball team in recent memory.

Emphasis added is my own. I believe that the lack of a team mentality may be the problem. With the salary he's paid, and how well he did in Toronto, Carlos Delgado may be one of the problems, but certainly not the only one.

[Zagi-CRO]

You need to work on your formulas. The pitching has been what's carried this team. When they have bad outings, they lose because the run support is horrible.

Other than Church, the guys you mentioned have been inconsistent.

I said the Mets pitchers are good but not so good for the WS, right now, of course.
I have no doubt about thier qualities /J.Santana, Maine, Perez, Martinez/ but right now - they aren't good.

[Mattingly]

This shot in the arm should bolster their confidence against the low-payroll division leader.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05282008/photos/mets1.jpg
Fernando Tatis is mobbed by his teammates after
hitting the game winning double in the 12th inning.

TATIS' 2-RUN DOUBLE IN 12TH RALLIES METS (http://www.nypost.com/seven/05282008/sports/mets/tatis_2_run_double_in_12th_rallies_mets_112896.htm )

[NYMets523]

There have been dozens of games in the past 2 years where the Mets have a good win and people say "This is when they turn it on". They have yet to make good on it.

[Mattingly]

There have been dozens of games in the past 2 years where the Mets have a good win and people say "This is when they turn it on". They have yet to make good on it.
Yes, but 2 out of 3 against the division leader can't be a bad thing. The timing of this is good also.

Against the Yanks, winning 2 games wasn't capitalized upon, since they went into a slight nosedive immediatley afterwards. If the Mets do well against LAD, starting tonight, then it will start to put the team ahead a bit. Not totally leaving the 7-game lead fiasco in the rear view mirror, but at least make it less of an everyday nuisance, if I may say so.

[nerfan]

Another win against the Dodgers yesterday. Here's what their lineup should be against Kershaw

Reyes
Castillo
Wright
Beltran
Tatis
Easley
Castro
Chavez
Maine

but it won't be. It'll be Delgado in there tonight when clearly he needs a platoon (.212/.246/.379 against lefties). Delgado should continue to play against every RH pitcher. Fans are expecting way too much of Delgado. He has a .241 BABIP. Give him a freaking chance.

[digglahhh]

Fans are expecting way too much of Delgado. He has a .241 BABIP. Give him a freaking chance.

I'm not sure the seemingly low BABIP is as optimistic an indicator in Delgado's specific situation.

Let's look at the type of hitter Delgado is, and has been. This should be applicable to other guys as well, say, Giambi, Hafner, Ortiz (upon decline).

Now, these are all lefty slugger/OBP types who hit into the shift. At their bests, they are very good hitters, so their BABIPs will be fine. But, they have many things working against them in the BABIP dept.

1. They hit into the shift, the use less of the field and there are more fielders, per square inch there.

2. Even in decline, they still have above average power, so a nice portion of their safe hits will not be "in play," - homers.

3. They're slow runners.

Now, I don't know if this makes up .241-low. But there are good reasons to expect Delgado to sustain a lower BABIP than mostly any other player in the league.