According to Ken Davidoff, Omar Minaya said that as of now, Nieve is penciled in as the fifth starter in the rotation. Davidoff further clarifies that Nieve is ahead of Jon Niese as the Mets “want to take it slow” with Niese.
He also mentioned that the Mets still want to add another arm, be it John Smoltz, Jon Garland or Ben Sheets (not in that order).
Here’s the top 10 list from Baseball America…
Agree? Disagree? Don’t care?
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.
Yikes.
Thanks, David!
Mike Pelfrey will miss his scheduled start on Saturday in San Diego for the birth of his first child. Pelfrey did not make the trip to California.
That, coupled with Jon Niese’s injury, leaves two holes in the Mets rotation over the next week. Here’s how the pitching matchups look for the next five games…
The way I see it, Pelfrey can work the first game of the Arizona series, slotting back in behind Santana. That means the Mets will need just one pitcher to fill in on Saturday.
Nelson Figueroa was more than serviceable yesterday, coming off a disaster of a start against the Diamondbacks. Bobby Parnell’s named has also been tossed around as a starter, so that could be an option.
And don’t bother looking down at the minor leagues. No pitcher is near the “major league ready” level of Jon Niese, so don’t expect a call-up to fare well.
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?
That leaves a hole in the already thin rotation.
Do the Mets trust Figueroa enough to hand him a starting job after his effort against Arizona? (Though today was absolutely brilliant for the New York native.)
Parnell pitched three innings for a reason. He earned his first career save, picked up his first career hit in his first career at bat and scored his first career run.
(Side note, for those wondering about how Parnell earned a save in a game that ended 9-0, here is the MLB save rule:
Parnell satisfied the three inning rule, therefore earning the save.)
Anyway…
Robert Allen Parnell was drafted by the Mets in the 9th round of the 2005 amateur draft out of Charleston Southern University.
In 94 games in Single-A through Triple-A, Parnell started 92 times. Only when Parnell came to spring training did the Mets move him into a relief role.
So today, as Parnell worked and worked and worked, something in the back of my mind was shouting “Are they really going to make Parnell a starter?” Seems I wasn’t alone in my thoughts, either: Joe Janish jumped on this as well.
With the Mets minor leagues already devoid of talent due to injuries at the big league level and no prospects are seemingly ready to make the jump, this “Parnell, SP” may be something to keep your eye on for the rest of this season and beyond.
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 
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.
Though everything is quiet, some believe the Mets may be looking to add a left handed reliever. Instead of looking around at other teams for players the Mets could pick off of, why not look to the minor leagues?
If they’re searching for a lefty guy out of the bullpen, the team should take a look at Adam Bostick in Buffalo.
Bostick came to the Mets as part of the trade that sent fireballer Matt Lindstrom to the Marlines back in 2006. Jason Vargas, the other player in that deal, was sent to Seattle in the J.J. Putz trade.
Bostick spent the first two season in the Mets organization pitching at Triple-A New Orleans. The 2007 and 2008 seasons were pretty awful. 32 starts, 8-9 record, 5.85 ERA and a WHIP of 1.2870.
This season, though, is much better. Bostick started the season with Double-A Binghamton, going 3-0 in 11 games. He posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.154 WHIP in 17.1 innings. He was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo back on June 1, and has been excellent in 22 innings.
Fifteen appearances for Bostick, with one start, has seen him post an ERA of 1.23 and a WHIP of 0.909. He’s set down 23 batters by way of a strikeout, while walking eight.
Bostick is also good friends with Jon Niese, who credited his moving in with Bostick and Tim McNab with his turn around in Triple-A.
If I was Omar, I would look to Bostick as an option before shipping away players for anyone else. At least until Billy Wagner comes back.
Though there are conflicting reports about the validity of the proposed trade for Roy Halladay, I took to Twitter and asked my followers if they would have pulled the trigger on a trade that sent Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Ruben Tejada to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.
Here are their responses…
YES
BlueAndOrange said: yes
mikexdavis said: The deal would be done before I could even finish this tweet.
michellegraz said: Yes
Sicilianboy6 said: yess I wuld, we'd still have holt,Flores, davis and meija
julierubes said: YES! Him and Santana together with an eventually healthy roster. YES.
SportsEcycloped said: Yes
gecko32899 said: i wouldn't have had to think about it. We'd be selling orange Halladay shirts by sunrise
Turbo1289 said: We should have got Halladay so the Phillies wont get him, besides Santana and Halladay would be awesome
dmgerbino said: Yes, I would make the trade
elZi said: Yes I would
Matt_Pignataro said: Yes. Just think of a rotation with Santana and Halladay, one and two, especially in the playoffs. Wow!
Sportz_Nut said: yes I would have. Halladay and Santana at the top of a rotation? KRod closing? Mets are built to win NOW!!!
JohnnyRanz said: Absolutely!
Mike_Peters said: in a heartbeat...
twayward said: YES!!!
darknova306 said: I did that trade 37 times in my sleep and would do it again (if we extend him). Rotation behind Johan is a huge concern now.
darknova306 continued: it's really a trade for 2010. We're built to win now/soon. If they don't intend to win now, blow up the team for prospects.
kerelcoop said: Yes & I would have added another minor leaguer if the BlueJays asked.
ArizonaSecrets said: YES
patrickboegel said: yes, very much so yes
sparbz said: Yeah.
ClareLafferty said: yes..we need the pitching help
bstronge said: them and beltran!!
tfc3rid said: No question about it... I'd do that yesterday...
MarcARodriguez said: if it's true , it should have happened in a heartbeat, front office is gonzo for not pulling the trigger
metsphanatic said: i would have done it in a heart beat
disgruntmetsfan said: Throw in Ray Ramirez and a bag of sunflower seeds and the price is just right.
reggittino said: In a heartbeat
fscker said: what's wrong with the mets? that's a no brainer.
MetsToob said: Yes!
NO
ProctorsArm said: Unless Halladay can bring Reyes, Beltran and Delgado back with him, no.
mattclausen said: nope....I have another but crazier offer in mind
YaGottaBKiddnMe said: no. we need to have some semblance of a farm system that can at least sorta play baseball.
Retire31 said: No. I'm not stupid.
yaysarcasm said: No. But I'm starting to think F-Mart is going to be a bust, and we should get rid of him. Lets not Milledge this up
McKern said: No. For all the reasons others has said. I don't want the #mets having any more reason to tighten up and not score.
Topher33 said: No, Mets would be giving up way too much. Plus, who's to say they'd be able to score any runs for him.
thebrowncoat said: No. One player can't make this team a contender. Mortgaging the future would be stupid. And we got Santana for less than that
Drewthedew086 said: I agree with the non-move as well. We're never going to get out of the situation we're in now if we don't hold on to prospect
nymets945 said: Nope unless they gave us Alex Rios as well
wrongheaven said: I wouldn't.
Jbones72 said: no glad they didn't make trade
metsjetsgirl said: No. Wouldn't help the non-existent offense. You can't win games without run support. Not worth depleting the farm.
drsexington said: No to the Halladay trade. Doc is a great P but he ain't the answer unless he plays every position a la Bugs Bunny.
pAuLiE_bRuZ said: i'm happy we turned down the halladay deal, losing all that talent for yes a great pitcher but then what? no young talent!
Jim1975 said: definately not. It looks like the future is all we have. we should have stepped in and got Pedro.
BlackMagic718 said: As of today, no.
letsgoduke said: of course not. That is a ridiculous trade. If we were the red sox, maybe.
NYMetsGrrl94 said: No. The loss of prospects isn't worth it when the Mets aren't in any race.
tyronem said: nope.
s2kmikey said: no. we don't score any runs for santana. what makes people think we'll score any for halladay?
FMauceri said: I wouldn't make that trade. Mets would be giving up too much potential. And they can't afford the salary.
gabefarkas said: No. I like Bobby Parnell too much, and out bullpen would have been decimated by that trade.
andy79 said: no. too high a cost to ultimately miss the playoffs this year. keep the young guys.
Colarusso42 said: . call me a sentimental Mets' fan but I wouldn't have made that trade. Not cost-effective.
dances_w_vowels said: No.
Split pretty evenly. I’m intrigued.
Easily the most participated in Twitter Poll. If this level of response keeps up, I won’t be able to use everyone’s, so start making them count!!
Where do you stand on the true/not true proposed Halladay trade?
According to Jon Heyman of SI.com (again), the Mets turned down a proposed trade between them and the Toronto Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.
Halladay, the most prized pitcher on the market and easily one of the best in the games, is being sought after by many teams. Heyman relays that the Jays asked for Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Ruben Tejada in return for Halladay.
“The Mets responded with a resounding no,” writes Heyman.
Update – 10:02 a.m.: Keith Law tweeted that this proposal is “bogus,” citing multiple sources. (Still, the rest of the post stands.)
If you read my blog, you know I put very little stock in prospects. They’re too much of a hit or miss affair to have too much value placed upon them. But, these three prospects are probably three of the top five prospects in the Mets system right now.
But, Halladay is one of the top five pitchers in the league.
And here I am, on the fence about all of this. I’m glad the Mets didn’t pull this trade off in the situation they’re in. 2009 seems to be slipping away and shipping out more farm pieces for a cog in an otherwise broken down machine doesn’t do much good.
For 2010, though, this could have been amazing. Can you imagine a 1-2 punch of Halladay and Johan Santana? It would easily be the best combo of pitchers in the game.
Honestly, if the Mets made the trade, I would be ecstatic for the team. Bringing in a pitcher of that caliber must be celebrated, even if a lot of young talent was heading to Canada.
The Mets didn’t pull the trigger and I’m OK with that, too. It shows they’re not in desperation mode to try and save this season. Maybe they think they have a shot with what they have or maybe they’ve given up, but either way a knee-jerk reaction was not made, and that means something.
(Side note: Don’t you think J.P. Riccardi could have asked for some better players? Or did he not think they were going to take it anyway? Using the Mets to prompt the Phillies, I assume. But still… Where’s Holt? Mejia? Thole?)
A few hours ago I wrote about the choice the Mets would have to make between Nelson Figueroa and Jon Niese. Now, what if I told you I don’t think the Mets should make that choice.
I think they should call them both up.
Bring up both Niese and Figueroa. Replace Tim Redding and Livan Hernandez.
Redding, we know, has struggled the entire season. He’s 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA and a WHIP of 1.681. Just not good at all.
Hernandez, over his last six starts, has allowed 47 hits in 33 1-3 innings, to the tune of a 7.56 ERA and a WHIP of 1.963. (In his last two starts, where he pitched seven innings combined, his WHIP is 4.142. Woah.)
Yes, Niese and Figueroa have been collecting their stats at Triple-A Buffalo, but they’re also pitching for the worst team in the International League.
Send Redding on his way while eating the $2.5 million owed to his and move Livan somewhere else. He’s been eating innings but he’s not really helping the Mets.
Bring up both of the players from Triple-A Buffalo. It can’t get much worse.
Another day, two more Mets losses. One gets notched up in the loss column, the other scratches a player off the roster.
Fernando Nieve went down in the bottom of the second inning trying to leg out a groundball. His foot landed on first base awkwardly and he went down in heap on the first base line. He was said to have a right quadriceps strain, but more will be revealed after an MRI today.
One has to feel terribly for Nieve who was making the most of his chance at the big league level.
Now, the Mets have a choice to make: Nelson Figueroa, the journeyman pitcher they’ve designated for assignment twice in 2009, or Jon Niese, the young prospect who has seen the majors with little success so far, but is mowing down the International League.
Figueroa, who pitched once for the Mets in 2009, despite being called up twice, turned in a quality start against the Milwaukee Brewers before being DFA’d the first time. For Triple-A Buffalo, Figueroa was the team’s lone All-Star representative.
For the months of June and July, Figueroa made eight starts, winning six of them. His ERA was a miniscule 1.41, with a WHIP below 1.000 at 0.998.
Niese made two starts for the Mets in 2009. In 10 2-3 innings, he surrendered 14 hits and seven earned runs. But over June and July for Buffalo, he was equally impressive as Figueroa.
In the past two months, Niese has made nine starts, winning five. His ERA over the past three games is an unbelievable 0.41, as he allowed only one earned run in his last 22 innings.
If the Mets choose Figueroa to fill the roster spot, I feel that it will signal that they still believe they can compete in 2009 and want a “veteran” to come up to fill the spot. If they opt for Niese, it would seem that they are planning ahead for 2010 and will let Niese progress at the major league level, a la Mike Pelfrey a few years ago.
Though the Mets have two solid options waiting in upstate New York, whichever player they choose will show their attitude for the 2009 season.
After an abysmal start to the 2009 season and a call-up to the Major Leagues, Jon Niese has been impressing at Triple-A Buffalo.
Last night, in the 7th inning of his start, his consecutive scoreless innings streak was snapped by a sacrifice-fly. The streak ran 24 1-3 innings.
Niese is 3-0 over his last three starts and has a 1.03 ERA over his last four, according to Joel Sherman.
With John Maine and Oliver Perez on their way back to the major leagues and decent starting pitching already on the roster, this logjam is a great problem to have.
After two starts, one good and one bad, Jon Niese has been sent back to Triple-A Buffalo. Nelson Figueroa has been called up to take his spot on the roster.
Niese lasted only 4 2-3 innings today against the Braves, allowing five earned runs on seven hits.
The game went 12 innings as well, forcing the Mets to use every reliever. Figueroa’s addition will add a rested arm to the bullpen.
The question here is: Where is Tim Redding? Redding is said to be ready after rehabbing with Buffalo and will probably be activated for Niese’s spot in the rotation when it comes around again.
Does that mean Figueroa gets sent down again? Maybe the Mets will play with a short bench, putting Carlos Delgado on the DL and using his roster spot for Redding?
None of those questions can be answered just yet, but the Mets have done quite a questionable job with their roster shuffling in 2009, this just presents another hurdle in the road.
Figueroa has become a fan favorite around the Citi, so I know a few people that will be glad he’s back with the big club.
A walk-off win wasn’t in the cards two days in a row.
The Atlanta Braves (17-17) beat the New York Mets (18-15) by a score of 8-7 in 12 innings.
Jon Niese started the game and struggled to make it through five innings. He allowed five earned runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out five. Every member of the bullpen got into the game with Brian Stokes, Francisco Rodriguez, Sean Green and Pedro Feliciano turning in shutout efforts.
Bobby Parnell was charged with one unearned run. J.J. Putz allowed an earned run on two hits. Ken Takahashi allowed a solo home run in the top of the 12th inning, which ended up being the game winner.
The Mets pounded out 12 hits and seven runs, but fell one run short. Luis Castillo had an RBI triple in the first. In the fourth with the bases loaded, Fernando Tatis crushed a grand slam to deep center field, giving the Mets the lead.
In the 8th, with the Mets down one, Gary Sheffield blasted a solo home run, No. 501 of his career, deep to left. In the bottom of the 12th, Jose Reyes missed a game tying home run by a few feet and landed him on second base with none out. After Castillo sacrificed him to third, Mike Gonzalez struck out Carlos Beltran and Sheffield to end the game.
Again, nice to see some fight but the Mets came up just short. A great battle between two good teams. It was quite enjoyable, even if the Mets couldn’t pull it out. The Mets have won eight of their last 10.
The bats broke out late to lead the Mets to a win.
The New York Mets (15-13) beat the Pittsburgh Pirates (12-18) by a score of 7-3.
The Mini Recap
Jon Niese made his first start of 2009 and fared fairly well against the Bucco’s bats. Six strong innings, allowing only two runs. Niese scattered seven hits and struck out five. One of the runs wasn’t even his fault. Four pitchers put together the final four innings, with J.J. Putz struggling to end the game in the ninth. He allowed a run but no more.
Jeff Karstens matched Niese through it all, as the Mets tallied only two runs off of the Pirates starter. The Mets bats exploded for five runs in the 8th inning, including a three-run home run by Carlos Delgado.
For the full recap, please read my article
over at Baseball Digest.
With Oliver Pereez going on the DL, the Mets have turned to Jon Niese to make Perez’s scheduled start instead of Ken Takahashi. Why Niese over Nelson Figueroa, who already turned in a quality start for the team this season?
Well…I have no idea.
Figueroa was set to make a start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, but it was rained out (as have five of the last eight games for the Bisons). Niese last pitched on Friday against the Louisville Bats. Figueroa
Niese has pitched three games in the major leagues, with two poor starts and one excellent outing. His first and third starts saw Niese on the mound for only three innings, letting up five and six earned runs respectively.
Niese’s best outing came against the Braves, where he turned in eight shut-out innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out seven.
I guess the Mets are looking for something of a shock to put into their starting rotation. Youth may be one way to do it. I look forward to watching Niese pitch and hope he can turn in something similar to his start against the Braves.
Oliver Perez has been put on the disabled list with right knee tendinitis. Perez had an MRI on his knee on Wednesday, according to Adam Rubin.
Perez will be placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 3. Perez had an MRI on his knee on Wednesday, according to Adam Rubin.
Instead of Ken Takahashi making the start in place of Perez on Friday, the Mets will call up Jon Niese from Triple-A Buffalo to make the start against the Pirates.
Niese is 0-2 in five starts for Buffalo this season. He has a 6.55 ERA after letting up 16 earned runs in 22 innings. He’s allowed 29 hits and walked eight while striking out 25 batters.
Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting that the Mets are likely going to skip Mike Pelfrey in the rotation on Sunday.
“Skipping his start” would mean that he’s going to stay off the disabled list and a roster move is forthcoming. The most obvious move would be to send down / let go of Darren O’Day, who would have to be offered back to the Angels. O’Day was a Rule V draft pick this year.
Coming up to make the start would probably be Nelson Figueroa, who was pulled from his start with Triple-A Buffalo after only two innings. Jon Niese is scheduled to start on Sunday for Binghamton, but his 9.00 ERA is probably holding him back.
Smart move by the Mets here. No need to push Pelfrey through any injury. Let him rest and let him heal.
The Buffalo Bisons, the Mets new Triple-A affiliate, opened their season against the Pawtucket Red Sox. Friend of The ‘Ropolitans Howie Mansfield was in attendence, and he sent along a report and some photos.
Here’s what Mansfield had to say:
The Bisons lost 6-4 to the Pawtucket Red Sox on Opening Day in Buffalo. Jon Niese went two innings, gave up five runs. It was cold, and he never could get comfortable, and he was just rattled today. But the ump was worse...he should have gotten the game ball. Bisons had 11 walks as a pitching staff.
Fernando Martinez was great as DH. A double and a triple, but stranded both times. The Bisons had their chances to take the lead, but just not enough. Jonathan Malo had a nice game, while Nick Evans was quiet at the plate. I was surprised but there was no Argenis Reyes or Robinson Cancel.
And now for some more photos…
Thanks, Howie!!
