August 07, 2006
NY's NL This Week
By jrhippe
The overrated non-waiver trade deadline came and went without a major splash by the New York Mets.
Only one deal was made by Omar Minaya, which he was forced to do after receiving the news that Duaner Sanchez (5-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 49 games) would be out for the remainder of the season.
Sanchez was involved in a serious looking automobile accident while riding in a taxi in Miami early Monday which was hit by another vehicle driver. Sanchez dislocated his right shoulder and required arthroscopic surgery last week.
So Minaya knowing that one of his team's best set-up men would not be available this year, he dealt right fielder Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh in exchange for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez. Two potentially effective relief pitchers, who just weren't getting their way as Pirates, but will surely find a spots out of the New York bullpen. Nady will be replaced by a platoon (Randolph won't call it that) of Lastings Milledge - called up this week from Norfolk - and Chris Woodward.
On the diamond, the Mets lost two of three in Miami including a blown save on Tuesday courtesy of Billy Wagner giving up a two run homerun in the bottom of the ninth. Wednesday saw him redeem himself with a save, albeit a little shaky. Pedro Martinez and Dontrelle Willis were involved in a pitcher's duel in the rubber match that saw Aaron Heilman (my favourite whipping boy) allow the Marlins to score three runs after Pedro left in a 1-1 tie. He picked up yet another no decision.
In the series with Philadelphia, Friday night saw the end of Chase Utley's 35 game hitting streak after going 0-5 at the plate. The Phillies did however win their fourth straight game. Saturday afternoon featured Tom Glavine finally picking up his 12th win of the season - his first since June 23 in Toronto (a game I was at), after going seven innings only giving up five hits and three runs.
The Mets took the rubber match thanks to a seven run fourth inning, which included a Jose Reyes grand slam, which was the team's eighth of the season tying a franchise record set twice in 1999 and 2000. They've hit six in their last 19 games. John Maine continued to sparkle on the mound, having yet another shutout performance - extending his streak to 23 scoreless innings. Amazing stuff. At ESPN.com, Elias says: "Maine has not allowed a run in each of his last three starts. He's the first rookie pitcher to do that -- while throwing at least six innings in each outing -- since the Brewers' Cal Eldred in August 1992."
BASE HITS
- On Saturday, the Mets and Jose Reyes agreed to a four-year, $23 million package with a club option for a fifth season. On Sunday, the Mets and David Wright agreed to a six-year, $55 million deal that includes a club option for a seventh season. Brilliant deals and the time is right to get them both locked up for the long term. Looks like they'll both be around for 2009 and Opening Day at the new Sheadium.
- Matthew Cerrone has now been doing interviews on his MetsBlog.com and recently conducted one with Tom Verducci from Sports Illustrated talking about his cover story on the Mets. They discuss the clubhouse camaraderie, among other things NYM related. Take a listen.
- Word is that Paul Lo Duca is finished talking to the media this season, because of a report in The New York Post citing that his wife has filed for divorce based on adultry. Whether it's true or not, the Lo Ducas are upset and it's unfortunate that's he's done with the media because he has great lines and provided a great quotation about the series with the Braves that I included in my column last week.
- More voting for your clicking pleasure: David Wright is the New York Mets' candidate for the Hank Aaron Award. Voting is done at MLB.com until September 30.
ON DECK
- Mike Piazza returns to Queens to play for the first time since signing as a free agent with the Padres. I am much looking forward to a warm welcome back from Mets fans as the three game set begins Tuesday. Thursday's game starts at 12:10 PM.
- Off to RFK to take on the Nationals in a weekend series. John Maine is schedule to make his next start on Saturday night in Washington as he looks to extend his shutout streak of 23 innings..
NY's NL This Week is a regular feature here at YankeesSuck.com, appearing on Mondays.
Questions, comments, conundrums, concerns? email: jrhippe@canada.com
LETS GO YANKEES!!!! Hope to see the mets in the world series, good for new york. Good for Yankees too because it's an easy win. hahaha
The Yankees and Mets makeout in the offseason. Broson Arroyo was the cutest guy on the Red Sox but he's dead to me now. Of active players I'd have to go with Beckett as the hottest. The Mets
are dorks and their uniforms are ugly. Anyone living below Connecticut should realize just how ugly they are and stop having sex with their sisters.
-Nat
Hey Nat,
That is officially the strangest comment someone has left for me -- not really sure how to respond. :)
Thanks for checking in though.
Lance Bass isn't hiding his preference, anyone in NY want to come clean?
-Nat
Yes, once and for all I want to come clean. Natsuki, I am your father.
IF the Mets are lucky, theyll get to the series and win ONE GAME. Thats if Pedro is healthy. The NL is the AL's stepchild this year and it will hold true in the Series. It was unfortunate what happened with teh injury to your reliever (Sanchez), but even with him you guys werent winning.
GO YANKEES!!! If the Mets were an AL team, you wouldnt even make it to the playoffs.
BML,
Just like 2003, right?
Just an observation...
Perhaps your scathing remark "Just like 2003, right?" would be more damaging if the Mets didn't lay down to the Yankees in 2000... Or if 2003 weren't the last time the NL even won a World Series game.. Or if you made reference to 2004, which would actually insult Yankee fans.
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
Wow, thanks for the tips!
My argument has nothing to do with the Yankees vs. Mets, but rather this whole anti-NL movement. The expectation this year is like that of 2003, where the NL champion is suppose to lay down for the AL champion, so I brought up 2003, which coincidentally is yet another year that the Yankees spit the bit and couldn't get it done.
Duh.
It makes me laugh when a Mets fan speaks of the Yankees "spitting the bit". For the last decade the Mets were the Braves bitches! Not to mention that the Yankees have won so many times(there has to be SOME losing, when you win so much).
You speak of the Mets as though their record in one of the weakest divisions in baseball is a great feat. The Yankees have a similar record, and they play much tougher opponents.
I want the Mets to do well despite fans like you, as I am a New Yorker, but you do make it difficult...
JR,
And so was I when I wrote "or if 2003 weren't the last time the NL won a World Series Game"...
Duh..
Its funny how you Met fans like to point out when the Yankees dont win it all. Not win. But win it all. Youre like bad back seat drivers. Just keep your mouth shut when the grown-ups are taking care of grown up business. The AL has never dominated the NL the way they did this year during interleague play. No pitching staff in the NL is anything to be scared about and I hope you know it. Especially since your best starter seems to be Maine right now. You better hope Pedro gets back to beaning people, or the Queens aint doing jack.
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