Tagged: jose reyes

Help vote Reyes into the ASG

~VOTE JOSE REYES INTO THE 2011 MLB ALL-STAR GAME~

With the balloting for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game ending this Thursday at midnight, Mets and baseball fans need to help Jose Reyes get the honor of starting this year’s game. 

Jose Reyes is behind Troy Tulowitzki by about 240,000 votes.  Reyes leads baseball in average, multi-hit games, triples, while he is also amongst the leaders in hits, stolen bases, and doubles.

You have the ability to vote up to 25 times for Jose Reyes.  For Mets fans, if you select the Mets as your favorite team on the voting poll, you have the ability to win Mets tickets.

To vote for Jose and other Mets, visit Mets.com or MLB.com!

Reyes better than Wright? Not so fast…

Since Jose Reyes stepped onto the field April 1st, he has been unstoppable. He’s hitting .341 with a Major League leading 103 hits and 12 triples. Not to mention he’s stolen 25 bags as well. He has been slick at the shortstop position, as usual, and he has been collecting big hit after big hit.

Now David Wright, not so much. Before David was forced to go onto the Disabled List, he was batting .226 with 6 homers and only 18 RBI. Not to mention he was striking out just as much as before. Again, he hasn’t shown that he can return to his 2006 and 2007 form. Still, David Wright is a very good player.

Of course there’s Fred Wilpon, who doesn’t know when to shut his mouth and help his team. I could write all day about how Fred Wilpon needs to get out of the baseball scene and leave the Mets and their fans alone, but that’s for another time. According to Fred, David isn’t a superstar. Ah ha! That’s it! He knows everything about baseball. After all, he let the team give Oliver Perez have $36 million and my man Luis Castillo $6 million per. And, he’s been in the postseason 5, yes 5 times since 1980. Wow, he’s a baseball guy alright.

Maybe David Wright isn’t a superstar. He may not be a Ryan Braun, Albert Pujols, or Joe Mauer, be he is one hell of a good player, that’s for sure.

But I’m not ready to call David Wright better than Jose Reyes. Mets fans and baseball fans are riding the Jose band wagon, as I am guilty of as well. But, Jose Reyes has never hit above .300 in his career and hasn’t been this consistent.

I was reading an ESPN article by Ian O’Connor about how Jose Reyes was better than David Wright and how Wright needs to be traded away. I disagree. What will happen if David Wright gets traded away and the Mets keep Reyes, and Reyes gets hurt. And once the Mets trade Wright, he hits 35 with 120 a year and returns to his post concussion form? Mets fans will be up in arms and booing Jose and the franchise.

I have a solution: Keep both. Although David Wright may not be quite as good as before, but he is better than any other option.

Buster, Reyes, Heyman on Einhorn

I just wanted to put in my two cents on the Buster Posey injury. In case you didn’t see it, Posey broke a bone in his left leg when he was blocking the plate on a play at the plate. Buster was blocking home plate, waiting for a throw as the runner, Scott Cousins, was barreling towards home. When the Cousins arrived at the plate, Posey was on the third base side and Scott lowered his shoulder and took him out. He was safe as Buster Posey couldn’t catch the ball. It appeared that Posey’s leg bent in an un-natural position. Posey could be gone for 6 – 8 weeks, which is a relatively short amount of time considering. But, it’s also a possibility that he could miss the rest of the year, depending on how the bone heals, along with the torn ligaments in the knee.

After this incident, many people are arguing that the rules need to be changed and the catchers, along with runners, need to be protected. I was listening to an interview with Giants Manager Bruce Bochy, and he essentially said that the rule needs to be changed. Bochy was a former catcher in the Major Leagues.

I don’t see how you can change the rule, because it’s been part of the game for over 100 years. Players have been hurt before, but it hasn’t been a frequent occurrence in recent years. I think that people now-a-days protect players too much. Sure, I don’t want to see a player get injured, but it’s how the game should be played. It should be played as a tough, physical game. Not a game with a bunch of panzees of the field.

I do agree with Brian Cashman (for once) on this topic. He suggested that during Spring Training games plays at the plate should be banned. I agree, because Spring Training games don’t mean anything. Why injure someone in a game that doesn’t count. But, in a game that does count, the play at the plate needs to be kept.

Lets say, if baseball were to ban the play at the plate, what would the players do? If you’re a catcher, are you supposed to just let the guy score? Or if you’re a baserunner, are you supposed to let the catcher tag you out and you can’t attempt to get in safely? Catchers won’t be allowed to block the plate. And, if there is a wild pitch and another player fields the ball, and they throw home, the catcher’s not supposed to be covering the plate with his body?

It’s a big topic with many opinions, and this is my view on the subject.

Once I heard of Buster Posey getting hurt, I began to wonder if this will force the Giants’ hand and they will seriously attempt to acquire Jose Reyes to fill the void in the lineup with Posey out. Could it pressure the Giants to pay high, as they are leading the division. But, with Posey healthy they didn’t hit very well, I can’t imagine the team’s run production without him.

Below I am posting an article that Jon Heyman wrote regarding David Einhorn’s position with the team.

David Einhorn’s $200-million deal to become a limited partner with the Mets is expected to give him about 30 percent of the team once all the final details are negotiated, say people familiar with the deal. Einhorn is also expected to receive some say in the major decisions of the team (though not control — i.e., the final call) and also importantly, he will hold the option to buy the team should the Wilpons’ money issues cost them the team. All the bidders were insisting on the first right to buy the team should the Wilpons lose the financial wherewithal to retain majority holdings.

Einhorn, only 42, is a hedge-fund titan who correctly predicted the demise of Lehman Brothers and someone who once finished 18th in the World Series of poker. In the conference call, Einhorn spoke hopefully about improvement in the Mets “over time,” but didn’t promise any quick fixes. He also had great praise for Mets GM Sandy Alderson. But Einhorn is no wilting flower: The day before his Mets deal was announced, he called for the ouster of Microsoft president Steve Ballmer. Word is, his spotless reputation and deep pockets (his reported worth is $2.5 billion) should mean he’ll easily win MLB approval.

Through the negotiations, it appears that the valuation of the Mets will be north of $1 billion, according to people familiar with the talks. The reason Einhorn won’t be paying at that rate is that he doesn’t have a controlling stake.

Also, I have to add this, Gary Carter has cancerous brain tumors, according to his family after he underwent an examination at Duke University. I hate to see this, I can only wish the best to Gary Carter and his family. The Mets need to strongly consider retiring his number in honor of him.

Fred’s digging his own baseball grave

The Mets’ owner Fred Wilpon made some outlandish comments about Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and David Wright. Over the past few days, in an interview with a New York based newspaper, highly criticized the three players. In regards to Carlos Beltran, Fred called him “at 65 or 70% of what he used to be” and said that he regrets giving him a seven-year, $119 million dollar deal off of one good post season. Let me tell you, if I were Carlos, I would be livid.

As for Reyes, Wilpon said that Reyes won’t be getting a Carl Crawford like deal from the Mets, thus Fred Wilpon has just told Reyes, all of the fans, and the 29 other Major League Baseball teams that Reyes won’t be signed by the Mets, and that Reyes will no longer be a Met.

Now, this is what bothers me the most. Wilpon called David Wright a good player, but not a superstar. Sure, this past year David Wright hasn’t looked like a superstar, but how can you say that about players on your own team. Why should David Wright want to play for Fred’s team anymore? Fred is giving David Wright a lot of reasons not to resign here after the 2012 season.

As Jayson Stark pointed out on Mike and Mike this morning, Fred Wilpon’s criticizing Carlos Beltran has caused a few major problems. The first, Carlos has to be severely upset and he must have great animosity toward Fred and the ownership. Secondly, Fred just made Sandy Alderson’s job a lot harder. How is Sandy supposed to get a good prospect for Carlos when Fred even believes that Carlos isn’t what he used to be.

And, for Jose Reyes, the Mets now may have trouble getting a couple good prospects for Reyes because now everyone knows that the Mets will not be resigning him, so he will be on the open market.

Fred is just digging himself a deeper grave. This is all coming amongst the $1 billion dollar lawsuit and the Mets’ financial problems. Fred also added that “the Mets are bleeding cash” and suggested that their payroll could go down as much as $60 million.

I’m not sure I quite understand. You’re having trouble getting people to attend games at your $800 million dollar stadium (ticket sales are down 10%), yet you’re doing to get rid of many of your superstars and will not bring anybody of high quality back in? How does he expect to bring in fans? By throwing Minor Leaguers on the field? If I were considering buying the team, I would back out immediately due to the fact that my money wouldn’t go towards player resigning or club improvement, but towards helping the Wilpons get out of debt.

Mets fans, it’s time to start protesting the games, and don’t attend. Why should we support your team if you don’t even believe in them? Step in Bud Selig, end the pain.

Boys, that’s how it’s done

I took a huge sigh of relief just minutes ago when the Mets and Francisco Rodriguez closed out the game in the Bronx, a 2 – 1 win, and that win puts the Mets at the .500 mark and keeps them at only five games back of the Philadelphia Phillies. After their 5 – 13 start, who would have thought the Mets would be here?

The Mets played a great game tonight, as did the Yankees (and yes, it isn’t easy for me to admit it). R.A. Dickey started tonight for the Mets, allowing only one run in six innings pitched tonight. The only run that R.A. allowed was a cheap home run that Texieira hit into not even the first row of the right field stands. To be honest, a high school kid could have hit one out there, as I’ve seen it done myself. That wall is ridiculously short. When first hit, I thought for sure that it was an out, and when I saw Carlos retreat, I thought he was gonna reel that one back in. Although he couldn’t, it’s nice to see that Beltran has the ability to attempt that catch.

Dickey did encounter baserunners quite frequently tonight, but was able to make the pitches necessary to work his way out of the jams. This is a good sign for Dickey, because he didn’t appear to have great stuff, but he was able to get it done.

Also, Jose Reyes played great once again. His diving stop on a ball hit by A-Rod likely saved the game. With two out, Jose sparked the club and got R.A. out of the inning. When Murphy came off the bag, and the error was charged to Jose, that was a terrible scoring call. Not Jose’s fault at all. Great game played by Jose.

What more can Justin Turner do? Since he arrived here from Buffalo all he has done is hit. Since arriving, he has had 14 RBI in about 55 at-bats. That’s not too shabby. He has been such a spark, and a team player. He does what needs to be done, and isn’t worried about anything but winning. That’s the kind of guy you want, and need to have to be a player who can sustain a career in the Major Leagues. Three hits tonight, and the game tying RBI. This shows that the Mets have a different mindset because of Terry Collins. He pushes and instills confidence in his players, and with that gets 110% out of them.

Thanks to Daniel Murphy’s solo shot down the right field line, the Mets went ahead for good. While that was great, I was psyched about how well Jason Isringhausen pitched. He was straight out dominant tonight. Izzy has really stabilized the bullpen and helped out the younger guys, and that has clearly shown. Good job by K-Rod also. He pitched a great inning and closed the door. Franky has been a great comeback this season.

Just as a quick side note, I love the comment that Pedro Beato has regarding the Yankees. He said, “I hate the Yankees.” Pedro did grow up a Mets fan here and I love his honesty, and his opinion.

ESPN’s Parker: Mets must pull the trigger, deal Reyes

 

NEW YORK — The New York Mets can’t afford to be prisoners of the moment.

Everyone knows this franchise needs an overhaul. Big time. It has to be broken down and built back up. There are no more quick fixes — no magical free-agent signings out there to turn the Mess back into the Mets.

Enter Jose Reyes.

The Mets can’t be afraid to pull the trigger on a deal that will send Reyes, their starting shortstop and one-time pride and joy, packing sooner rather than later this season.

There was even talk on this current homestand that the defending world champion San Francisco Giants would be interested in his talents, if he became available.

Some might look at this scenario as a dilemma. It’s not a dilemma, it’s a golden opportunity. Remember, you have to give in order to get. If the Mets, currently in last place in the National League East, are looking to add a top prospect or two — including a pitcher, of course — they have to be willing to part with a top-shelf player.

Reyes has been red-hot of late. The Mets should be thrilled, because it only raises the ante. On Saturday, Reyes went 2-for-5, including a two-out RBI single to give the Mets a 2-0 lead in their 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. He had two triples Friday night. In the team’s past 11 games, Reyes is batting .355.

“Every time on the field, you play with no problem, I’m going to have fun,” said Reyes, who started last season on the disabled list after playing in just 36 games in 2009. “This year, I went to spring training with no problems.

“Last year, I wasn’t able to play in a game in spring training. This year, I could. That’s the big difference for me to come into this season ready.”

It’s hard to watch Reyes play and not want him on the Mets for years to come. He’s both a good player and an exciting player. And when he’s healthy — as he finally is this year after a couple of injury-plagued campaigns — he’s an All-Star shortstop most teams in baseball would love to have on their roster.

The Mets can’t just offer Reyes, in the last year of his contract, a big-bucks deal to stay and not entertain the idea of life without him. It must be explored and given strong consideration, especially when you realize he will bring you the best young talent back out of all the players they will eventually unload as the trade deadline approaches.

Reyes, who will turn 28 in June, isn’t kidding himself. He understands the business of baseball and knows there’s a good chance he will be dealt. When asked if he wants to stay, or whether he has envisioned wearing a different uniform for the first time in his career, Reyes was honest.

“My focus right now is playing baseball and continuing to do my job,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens in the future.

“But right now, my main thing is to continue to play.”

The Mets have made many mistakes since 1986, their last championship season. One of the biggest is not dealing players when their stock is sky-high. Too often, they wait too long and aren’t able to get full value. Outfield prospect Fernando Martinez is a recent example. He could have been the centerpiece of a big deal a few years back. His career is now stalled by injuries.

It’s not just about Reyes, though. It’s about all the major pieces to this organization — the players who were supposed to be the nucleus of a championship-contending squad. But at this point, the Mets should be listening to everybody about anybody — especially Reyes, David Wright, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay. No one has to be saved.

As good as Reyes and Wright have been, the left side of the infield represents what went wrong, not right with the Mets. It’s hard to look past the historic late-season collapses both autographed by the pair.

The notion that the Mets can’t part with Reyes because fans won’t buy tickets is crazy. Reyes is playing well, but the Mets haven’t been selling out Citi Field. Fans buy tickets to see a winning team, not just a player or two.

If there was ever a team that needed to be fumigated, cleared out, it’s the Mets. And if management is serious about doing it, it can’t be afraid to start with Reyes.

Ike Davis gets called to Majors

Ike Davis will start tonight at Citi Field, his first game in the Major Leagues.  Ike will be wearing number 29.  He is going to start and will continue to start, according to Omar Minaya.

In addition, Jose Reyes asked for today off  saying, “I need a day.”

Tonights lineup:

  1. Pagan
  2. Castillo
  3. Wright
  4. Bay
  5. Francoeur
  6. Davis
  7. Barajas
  8. Cora
  9. Niese

Mets win 2-1 in 20th

The Mets played a doozie today (and tonight) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.  The Mets entered the game with Johan Santana toeing the rubber against rookie Jaime Garcia. 

Both offenses left numerous runners on base through the first 9 innings.  Santana and Garcia both pitched stellar outings. 

For the entire boxscore, click here.

Here are some game notes (a lot of ’em):

  • Johan pitched 7 scoreless innings
  • Reyes, Bay, and Francoeur were all 0 for 7
  • Reyes and Francoeur both had sac flies to give the Mets the lead
  • Every Mets player participated in the game except Oliver Perez
  • K Rod blew his first save opportunity
  • Mike Pelfrey saved the game!!!
  • Lopez and Mather both pitched in relief
  • Joe Mather took the loss
  • The Mets’ offense was dismal, yet they won the game
  • This game was full of luck

The Mets really needed this one tonight.  Apparently, Francoeur really wanted to pitch tonight.  And, that would have been quite the sight. 

Tonights game lasted 6 hours and 53 minutes

Boy, its a good thing the Mets dont play until 8pm tomarrow.  I have a feeling the Mets will be sleeping in tomarrow. 

I was really impressed with the Mets bullpen.  They got out of huge jams. 

**************************************************************************************************************

The Mets and John Maine play the Cardinals tomarrow night on ESPN.

And, congrats to Ubaldo Jimenez on his no-hitter against, who else, the Braves.  It doesnt get much better.

 

Reyes, K-Rod, and the Phillies

Jose Reyes will start the 2010 MLB season on the Disabled List.  I’m glad that the Mets are not rushing him back, but I hope the Mets dont get off to a bad start. 

Francisco Rodriguez has left the team to got to Venezuela.  He is going home because of a personal matter and should be back for Opening Day.

It looks like the Phillies are getting a taste of the Mets’ luck. JC Romero, Joe Blanton, and Brad Lidge are all on the DL.  Boy, as a Mets fan, Im glad they are facing what we have.

Mwahahaha!

Good Luck Mets…Opening Day is Monday