Tagged: cliff lee
It’s my time to vent…
The Mets just lost their second straight game tonight by a score of 10-3. The Mets lost a tough game last night, but tonight’s game gives most fans heart burn. Mike Pelfrey was once again comepletely ineffective and had no idea what he was doing (or it appeared that way).
Mike lasted only 4.1 innigs tonight, throwing 71 pitches, but most of those pitches from the second inning on were melons coming toward the plate.
Mike doesn’t appear to understand how to pitch. He NEEDS to bust Howard inside. Someone needs to do it. Brush him back, hit him with a fastball (not the 80 mph slider Pelf hit him with) to send a message. When you do not brush someone off the plate, your bound to leave one out and he can extend and reach pitches on the outside corner. Mike left a pitch out over the plate and Ryan drove it into the upper tank. That’s what happens when you don’t brush someone back, Pelf!
First of all, there is no way Mike should have started the game. He lost around eleven pounds due to the flu during this week. He probably didn’t have the best strength. Dillon Gee needed to get the start. He was effective from the rotation and there is absolutely no way he should have been placed in the ‘pen.
Gee walked some guys tonight and was pitching well against Howard, until he left one on the inner half of the plate, but it had enough, and he went yard and collected 4 RBI off of his grand salami.
It’s not even Gee’s fault, atleast I don’t believe so. He shouldn’t have been brought in in a tight situation like that.
Jason Bay didn;t help things by grounding into an un-timely double play. Also, the home plate umpire was absolutely awful. He missed calls (balls and strikes) and he had a very inconsistent strike zone.
Also…Mike just said in an interview that he needed to tip his cap to Howard for hitting the pitch? Tip your cap? In high school if you get a ball there you’re expected to drive it. Come on Pelf, it’s his job to hit the junk you throw up to the plate.
The two positives: Jason Pridie and Ike Davis’ home runs. Good jobs guys, for what it’s worth.
Another bad taste left in the Mets fans’ mouth. It makes it even more painful when yet again it is Philadelphia who does it. Now the Mets can expect two more losses when they face Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee…Gulp!
Break out the pepto, it’s gonna be a long two days in Philly.
Yankees Close to Deal
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees are close to a deal with the Mariners to acquire pitcher Cliff Lee. Cliff Lee is scheduled to pitch against New York tonight for Seattle.
The Yankees will likely send catching prospect Jesus Montero to Seattle, who is ranked the sixth-best prospect in baseball according to Kieth Law and second baseman David Adams. The Yankees may also need to include a third prospect to get the deal done.
I personally believe that is a lot of talent to be giving up for a rental player, although the Yankees can likely re-sign him in the offseason. Cliff Lee will still test the free agent market. The biggest piece, Jesus Montero, is going to be a big piece of a team when in the major leagues. If I were the Yankees or a fan, I would be against giving up this player.
The thing that is frustrating for me as a Mets fan is that, why do the Yankees need all of these superstars? Yes, they have money. Sure, they should spend it. But I am of the fan who believes it isnt the greatest thing to have a full team of superstars. The bench players and utility men are an important factor. They have just as much to do with a championship.
So, what will the Mets do to gain ground in pitching and who can help them make a run at a championship. The Mets are reportedly going to make a run at Ted Lilly, who I personally like. He is only 3-7 this season, but has an ERA of 3.76.
Ted Lilly would be a good pickup for a few reasons. He is likely going to be a ‘Type A’ free agent, which means if the Mets dont resign him, they will get 2 first round draft picks. He will cost significantly less than Cliff Lee. He will be due around 6 million the rest of the year.
Ted Lilly would also be good for Citi Field. His home runs allowed would likely go down and he could pitch to the ballpark. The Mets may also be interested in Roy Oswalt.
Pitching Options
The Mets will be faced within the next month with a huge decision. Who can the Mets acquire who is a quality starting picher who is a winner? Even more importantly, who can be gotten at a good price.
The Mets, surely, will ask and attempt to wheel-and-deal with the Mariners. The Mets need to stand their ground about who to and not to give up in a deal for Cliff Lee. If the price is too high and Seattle refuses to come down in the price department, they need to walk away.
I personally think the Mets should acquire Ted Lilly. His ERA id good and he could come fairly cheap prospects wise.
Around Baseball; Mets Venture to San Juan
The Mets will be playing a series tonight in San Juan, Puerto Rico versus the Florida Marlins. The condition and attitude around these two clubs are at total opposite ends of the baseball spectrum. The Mets are coming off a big series win ve. the Twins while the Marlins are coming into the series after being swept by the Padres.
The Mets will have some decisions to make regarding the club in the next coming weeks, The biggest challenge, how to swing a Cliff Lee deal without giving up big prospects if Lee refuses to sign an extension.
The Mets are unwilling to trade Jenrry Mejia and other ‘big’ names for a three month rental player who is determined to test the free agent waters this coming offseason.
Reports also state that the Mets will not be interested in Kevin Millwood of the Orioles or Jake Westbrook of the Indians. Personally, I agree that these would not be the top people to be going after because I dont think these two could change the season like Cliff Lee can. But, these two may come VERY cheap, prospects wise.
The other problem is that recently, Jenrry has had shoulder stiffness and had to leave his last start.
On the other side of the coin, the Marlins are stubbling. There coaching staff is in flux also. Fredi Gonzalez was fired this past week and replaced by a minor league coach. Also, two additionals coaches were fired along with one another coach who resigned after Fredi was fired.
Bobby Valentine may be in the running for the job.
Also, be sure to VOTE for David Wright for the All Star game.
Put it in the Books! 