Matsui a Met?

No, not Kaz.  Hideki.

David Lennon ponders in Newsday if Hideki Matsui could make his way across town. 

Please, no.

Matsui did not play one inning in the field this season.  Let me repeat that.  Matsui did not play one inning in the field this season.

At least Gary Sheffield appeared in 12 games for the Tigers in 2008.

Matsui is also on two surgically repaired knees, which Lennon points out one was drained twice, this season alone.

Sure, a guy that can hit home runs would be a nice addition, with Matsui belting 28 this year, but there is no designated hitter in the National League.

No.  Thank.  You.

Graph: Mets Top 10 HR leaders in 2009

Albert Pujols led the league with 47 home runs.  The league average was 10. 

Five Mets at least met the league average, while only one surpassed it.

It should be noted that Carlos Beltran hit 10 home runs in 357 plate appearances, Gary Sheffield hit 10 home runs in 312 plate appearances and Jeff Francoeur hit his 10 home runs in 308 PAs.

Remember home runs?

Have you seen this apple lately? It used to pop out when the Mets hit home runs.  Crazy, right?

The Mets have hit only 42 home runs this season, with Gary Sheffield leading the team.  Sheffield had only 307 plate appearances for the Mets, good for sixth most on the team.

18 different players hit home runs for the Mets this season.  They are…

Player	Home Runs
Gary Sheffield	10
Daniel Murphy	9
David Wright	8
Carlos Beltran	8
Jeff Francoeur	7
Fernando Tatis	7
Omir Santos	6
Angel Pagan	6
Carlos Delgado	4
Ramon Castro	3
Brian Schneider	3
Cory Sullivan	2
Jose Reyes	2
Ryan Church	2
Nick Evans	1
Luis Castillo	1
Alex Cora	1
Fernando Martinez	1

Yeesh.  That’s a sad list.

Pelfrey spectacular for eight innings, Mets win first series since July

Mike Pelfrey has had a roller coaster of a season.  In terms of a roller coaster, this may have been the peak.

Pelfrey turned in eight spectacular innings, allowing only one earned run against the Chicago Cubs.  The Mets rode Pelfrey’s arm and Daniel Murphy’s bat to a 4-2 victory.

The win gave the Mets the series victory over the sinking Chicago Cubs, their first since they took three-out-of-four from the Colorado Rockies July 27-30.

Pelfrey surrendered five hits and one walk while striking out five.  Pelfrey needed only 105 pitches to power through the eight innings on the mound.  Seventy of those pitches landed for strikes.

As Pelfrey dominated on the mound, Murphy had the Cubs’ pitchers numbers at the plate.

Murphy went 3-4, driving in all four Mets runs. 

In the fourth Murphy blasted a solo home run into the Pepsi Porch for his 9th of the season.  He is now second on the team in home runs, behind Gary Sheffield.

Murphy drove in one in the next inning with a single to center field.  Two innings later, he tripled in two runs, the eventual winning runs, off of beleaguered reliever Kevin Gregg.

Great to see these two guys perform.  These are two big question marks for 2010 and both showed their promise today.  If only fans could see that all the time.

Baseball Digest: Sheffield cracked

Head over to Baseball Digest to read my latest:
“Sheffield cracked”

Sheffield released? No, but he asked for an extension [Updated]

Update 4 – 7:19 p.m.: Steve Popper is on top of this.  He just reported that Sheffield first asked for an extension three weeks ago.  Tonight, he “revisited” it.

Update 3 – 7:10 p.m.: Sheffield is in uniform and sitting on the Mets bench as the game gets underway.

Update 2 – 6:58 p.m.: This gets better and better.  Patrick, in the comments, alerted me to the fact that Sheffield asked the Mets for an extension.

David Lennon provides us with an update…

A person familiar with the situation just said that Sheffield asked the Mets for an extension today and they refused. Now at standoff.

I was siding with Sheffield until I heard this.  As Patrick said, it’s a very Brett Favre thing to do.

Update – 6:55 p.m.: Joel Sherman tweets…

A Mets official tells me that "Sheffield has not been released."

Original Post: According to Steve Popper, one player told him that he was told Gary Sheffield had been released.  Brian Costa reports the same story.

Joel Sherman notes that Tim Redding was the anonymous player, if it matters.

At this point, since the Mets already screwed up by pulling him off waivers, this would be the classy thing to do by the Mets.  The team should grant Sheffield his release and let him possibly play elsewhere.

It’s not like the Mets are going anywhere or doing anything.

Sheffield thinks he’s a goner

Gary Sheffield, a brash player who has flown pretty much under the radar this season, is starting to stir the pot a bit.

Sheffield, whom the Mets are paying only $400,000 this year, thinks his days as a Met are numbered.  Sheffield told Larry Brooks on the NY Post that, “Based on what I know now, no, I do not think I will be here.”

He was already placed on waivers and pulled back this season, meaning if the Mets were to dump him, they would not, as Brooks wrote, “be able to negate a claim.”

Sheffield leads the Mets in home runs with 10.

I don’t think there’s a future for Sheffield with the Mets.  He’s getting older when the Mets really need to be getting younger.  He’s 40 and has provided some surprise power that the Mets would otherwise not have.  He was a smart pickup at the time, but there’s no need to hold on to him with a tight fist.

An eight-run frame and an injured Ollie

I watched the Mets put up eight runs in an inning last night.  I wasn’t dreaming.  It wasn’t a video game.  And it wasn’t a Mets Classic.

The New York Mets, with this lineup, put up eight runs in an inning.

The bottom of the 4th inning saw 10 hits, the most in franchise history in one inning.  Gary Sheffield and Luis Castillo each picked up two hits, driving in two runs a piece.  Jeff Francoeur, Fernando Tatis, Anderson Hernandez and Angel Pagan each drove in one.

Who woulda thunk it?

And Oliver Perez, forever the enigma, threw 81 pitches over five innings.  He let up two home runs, accounting for the four runs.  Perez walked one and struck out four.

Jerry Manuel later said that he removed Perez from the game due to pain behind his knee, the same knee that landed him on the DL earlier in the season.

An eight-run inning and possibly losing another player to injury.  Something so rare and something so common.  Oh, 2009.

Parnell Power

Bobby Parnell was fantastic.  Six innings of three-hit ball, throwing 86 pitches.  Sixty-one of those went for strikes as Parnell struck out seven while on the bump.

The Mets got runs from an Angel Pagan solo home run in the first inning, a Jeff Francoeur double in the fourth and a Gary Sheffield sac-fly in the sixth to compile their three runs.

Still, the star of the game was Parnell, who looked absolutely dominant out there.  He pumped mostly fastballs by the slightly anemic Giants bats.

From my seats out in right-centerfield, I had an awesome view of the game as I was perched out in “The Piazza.” It was a beautiful night for baseball and a fairly stress-free one for the Mets.  There were a few tiny bumps in the road, like pebbles to a Jeep Wrangler, that the Mets rolled over and did what they needed to do to win.

Too bad they’re still 9.5 games out of the Wild Card.

Mets DL trips

This list was put together by reader and friend David Cancel.  It lists the date, the player, the injury and where it took place.  It’s long and excruciating.  Take a look.

• 8/5 Jon Niese (Torn hamstring) - 8/5 @ Citi [Added]
• 7/25 Gary Sheffield (Strained right hamstring) - 7/17 @ ATL
• 7/20 Fernando Nieve (Torn right quadriceps - out 6-8 weeks) - 7/19 @ ATL
• 7/9 Fernando Martinez (Right knee inflammation) - 7/1 @ MIL
• 6/22 Carlos Beltran (Bone bruise, right knee) - bruise first mentioned between LA and BOS (5/21), finally out after OF slide 6/21 @ Citi
• 6/12 John Maine (Right shoulder fatigue) - last pitched 6/7 @ WAS
• 6/5 J.J. Putz (Right elbow surgery - out 8-10 weeks) - 6/3 @ PIT
• 6/3 Ramon Martinez (Fractured left pinkie finger) - slide 6/2 @ PIT
• 6/1 Angel Pagan (Strained right groin) - 5/31 @ Citi
• 5/26 Ryan Church (Strained right hamstring) - 5/22 @ BOS
• 5/26 Jose Reyes (Right calf tendinitis) - complained of stiff right calf after 5/13 game @ Citi, rested 6 days, re-aggravated @ LA on 5/20
• 5/18 Alex Cora (Torn right thumb ligament) - slide @ SF on 5/17
• 5/16 Carlos Delgado (Right hip impingement) - slide @ Citi on 4/26, rested for 5 games, played 7 games, then shut down.
• 5/7 Oliver Perez (Right patellar tendinitis) - last start 5/2; was complaining about it since Spring Training
• 4/17 Brian Schneider (Strained back muscle) - @ Citi
• 4/5 Angel Pagan (Right elbow sugery - out 2-3 months) - bone spur, prolly from Winter ball
• 4/5 Tim Redding (Right shoulder fatigue) - spring training

Yikes.

Thanks, David!

What I missed while I was hugging the porcelain throne

Last night was terrible.  Hopefully it’s only a 24-hour bug.

Anyway, here’s what I missed…

- Bobby Parnell will make a start on Saturday, filling in for Mike Pelfrey.  Pelfrey will be back with the Mets in Arizona, starting on Monday.

I like the idea of seeing what the Mets might have in Parnell, but don’t you think they should stretch him out a little more?  Though he was on the mound for three innings on Wednesday, he only threw 30 pitches.  I guess the Mets are hoping to get just five innings out of him, as he will be held to a 60-75 pitch limit, reports Adam Rubin.

- Angel Berroa DFA’d to make room for Anderson Hernandez.

Oh, goody.

- Gary Sheffield and Luis Castillo may not be as injured as we all thought.

Sheffield was in one of the lineups for the Mets last night, but ended up sitting out.  Castillo may return as early as Saturday, said Jerry Manuel.

- Mets lose to Padres by a score of 8-3.

Not much to see here.  Livan Hernandez had a rough first inning, as usual, but couldn’t stitch together much after that.

Can the Mets consider yesterday’s game a victory?

Wednesday’s 9-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals was one of the more impressive games I’ve seen the Mets play this season.  But can they consider it a victory after possibly losing two more players to the disabled list?

We know Jon Niese will miss the rest of the season after completely tearing his hamstring tendon off the bone and already had the subsequent surgery.  Gary Sheffield is in murkier waters, leaving the game with cramps in the sixth inning.

Sheffield had recently come off the DL, so where he ends up in the next few days is one big question mark.

But back to the game. 

The Mets pounded out 15 hits and plated nine runs.  David Wright connected for a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

They got a two-run triple from Nelson Figueroa, who entered the game in relief of Niese and pitched 4 1-3 beautiful innings.

Angel Pagan had the best day of all, going 3-4 with 4 RBI.  In the 6th, he drove a ball into the gap between center and right field, tripling in Jeremy Reed.  Two innings later, Pagan drove a ball to straightaway center, a 425-foot two run home run.  That homer chased in Bobby Parnell, who is 1-1 in his career with a run scored.

Parnell’s efforts on the mound should not be overlooked, either.  Three solid innings in relief, which he needed only 30 pitches, striking out three.  I suggested it and Jerry Manuel may be in favor of it, but it looks like Parnell may get a chance to start this season.

So a solid all-around victory is marred by the definite loss of a young, up-and-coming pitcher and a possible loss of the team’s biggest slugger.  Is that a win?

Niese tears hamstring and Sheffield leaves game

Jon Niese went down in a heap.  Gary Sheffield simply walked off the field.

Niese injured himself covering first base during the second inning of today’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  The results from the MRI were just released, and they showed a complete tear of his hamstring tendon.  Niese immediately had surgery on the tear, reports Bart Hubbuch.

As you would expect, he will miss the remainder of the season.  He is expected back for spring training, 2010.

Sheffield walked off the field and into the clubhouse after singling in the sixth inning.  His hit looked like it would have been a double, but the 40-year-old stopped at first base, turned and walked straight into the clubhouse, trainer in tow.

Two more losses for the already injury depleted Mets.  It’s time to bring up the kids.

Cancel out for Sheffield, Misch out for Figueroa

Robinson Cancel has been designated for assignment to make room for Gary Sheffield.  Sheffield made his return from the disabled list on Sunday, but did not start.  He eventually entered the game in the sixth inning and went 0-2.

Pat Misch, the lefty who saw his first action in two weeks today, was optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for Nelson Figueroa.  Figueroa will make a spot start Monday against Dan Haren.  He had been up twice previously, starting one game.

Wondering about the lineup today

Update: Naturally, after writing this, David Wright is in the lineup today.

Before yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel said he would rest both David Wright and Gary Sheffield today. 

Strange, considering the Mets will be facing Yovani Gallardo, the Brewer’s ace and they’re already struggling for offense.  Benching the two of the best hitters might not be the greatest idea.  Yes, they need days off, but both on the same day doesn’t seem too smart.

But what does intrigue me about this is the young guys getting a shot.  They haven’t been all too good lately, but today might be the day Nick Evans, Daniel Murphy and Fernando Martinez all start on the same major league team.

It’s apparent that F-Mart needs some more time in the minors, and the same could be said for both Evans and Murphy.  If Manuel chooses, today, we could see a few of the (hopeful) cornerstones of the future Mets team all playing together in 2009.

The lineups aren’t out yet, but if Wright and Sheffield are taking a seat, this might be the best thing to hope for.

Update: Here is what I assume the lineup will look like.  Or I hope.  I’m not sure.

1. Cora – SS
2. Murphy – 1B
3. Evans – LF
4. Church – RF
5. Tatis – 3B
6. Martinez - CF
7. Schneider – C
8. Castillo – 2B
9. Pelfrey - RHP

Again, this is not the official lineup.  But it could look something like it.

Brewers 10 – Mets 6

GOOD

• Ryan Church: 4-5
• Church’s outfield assist (even if it was Braden Looper running).
• Gary Sheffield: 3-5, HR, 3 RBI
• Elmer Dessens: 1.2 IP, 0 H
• Three run 9th inning rally
• Five extra-base hits

BAD & UGLY

• Too little, too late
• Braden Looper: 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 2 K
• Argenis Reyes leading off
• Brian Stokes: 1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, HR (GS)
• Fernando Nieve: 11 H in 3.1 IP.  He had allowed 10 hits over last three starts.

Game Ball: Ryan Church

Game Recap: Yankees 9 – Mets 1

Slppy.  Slopy.  Lopy.  Sloppy.

The New York Yankees (40-32) beat the New York Mets (37-34) by a score of 9-1.

Three errors led to two unearned runs off of Mike Pelfrey, who surrendered four runs total over five innings. Pat Misch pitched well for his 1 1-3 innings on the mound.  Elmer Dessens escaped trouble in the seventh, then surrendered two home runs in the 8th inning.

Bobby Parnell got one out, but also balked and threw a wild pitch.  Sean Green allowed two runs on three hits in mop-up duty.

Overall, not a great night for the Mets pitchers.

Also, not a great night for the Mets batters.

The Mets managed just three hits and CC Sabathia carried a perfect game into the fifth inning.  Gary Sheffield broke up the bid with a solo home run to deep left field.  Sheffield now leads the Mets in home runs with nine.

That says something when a 40-year-old outfielder who doesn’t play everyday leads your team in home runs.  Yeesh!

Gary Sheffield and his cortisone shot

Gary Sheffield, the Mets biggest power bat right now, hasn’t played in the last two games.  Now, he is said to have received a cortisone shot in his right knee to help with the pain he’s been feeling.

Remember, this is the knee that the Mets said didn’t warrant an MRI last week.

It’s only a matter of time before Sheffield lands on the DL.  His 40-year-old body just can’t stand up to everyday play in the field and that’s what he’s been unfortunately forced into.

How long will he last?  If I had to put money on it, I’d say not long.  Not long at all.

The Mets and their injuries

For about a week, we’ve heard that Gary Sheffield has an ailing right knee and will get an MRI on it.  That MRI was always said to be today.  Now, Evan Roberts on WFAN said the Mets called him up and told him that Sheffield was not getting an MRI and one was never even planned.

Huh??

Yesterday, in the three short innings Johan Santana was on the mound, everyone noticed how his velocity was way down.  He was topping out around 88 mph and according to Joe Janish, letting his arm drag behind slightly.

After the game, Santana and Dan Warthen revealed the pitcher had been dealing with blisters.  Santana also said he had been sore for the past month, specifically in his back.

Where was all of this…hmm…as it happened?  Why is this just coming out now?

Why did it take up until Thursday, two days before John Maine’s start in the Bronx, for him to land on the DL?  Where’s Angel Pagan?  He left and landed on the DL with a strained groin two weeks ago.  Is he ready to return?  Is he actually fully healthy if he is?

The team doctors have been called into question for a while now, but it should be specifically worrying when it’s Santana they’re dealing with.  The ace of the pitching staff and one of the three most important players on the team, he should be handled with the utmost care.

Better safe than sorry.  But maybe not safe in the hands of the Mets doctors.

Game Recap: Yankees 15 – Mets 0

You read that right.

The New York Giants Yankees (36-27) beat the New York Jets Mets (32-29) by a score of 15-0.

Johan Santana did not have his best stuff.  In fact, he had his worst stuff.  His worst career start, to the tune of nine earned runs in three-plus innings.  He walked two and struck out three.  Santana was removed after only 60 pitches.  His velocity was down, usually off by three to five miles per hour. 

Not good.  Not good at all.  He told reporters afterward that he was “sore.”  Likely story.

Brian Stokes made his first appearance in nine days, allowing four earned runs to score in two innings of work.  Jon Switzer allowed two runs in 1 1-3 innings.

Stokes will likely not pitch again until they face the Yankees again in two weeks.

The Mets bats were quieted by a very impressive performance by A.J. Burnett.  Gary Sheffield picked up two hits as the designated hitter. David Wright stretch his hitting streak to 10 games with a single.  Unfortunately, his multiple hit streak ended at six.

Can someone explain why Sheffield, who will be getting an MRI on a gimpy right knee played an entire game in a 15-0 game?  Sure, he was just DH-ing, but still.