Report: Thole, Kunz, Evans expected among Sept. call-ups

In an exclusive report for the Daily News, Adam Rubin is reporting that 22-year-old catcher Josh Thole, Eddie Kunz and Nick Evans will be among the September call-ups for the Mets.

Thole is hitting .332 /.401 / .429 with the Double-A Binghamton team.  He has 28 doubles, one home run and 43 RBI in 415 plate appearances.

Kunz has a 4.91 ERA and 1.382 WHIP in 55 innings with Triple-A Buffalo.  He’s walked 29 and struck out 35.

Evans has appeared with Binghamton, Buffalo and the Mets this year, not to mention a stint at extended spring training.  With Buffalo, split between two stints, Evans is hitting .204 / .274 / .400.  In 15 games with the Mets, Evans hit .250 / .298 / .409 with a home run and six RBI this season.

For the full report, head over to Surfing the Mets.

Opening Day with the Buffalo Bisons

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…From top: Jon Niese on the mound, Jeff Wilpon accepting the key to the city of Buffalo, Nick Evans manning first base, Fernando Martinez standing on third after a triple, Eddie Kunz pitching in relief. (Click for full size.)

Thanks, Howie!!

Poll Results: Daniel Murphy will be breakout star in '09

Going back to a poll that got lost in the shuffle of The 2008 Met of the Year Award, I asked which player would be the breakout start of 2009 -- here are the results:

Daniel Murphy -- 55% (94 votes)
Jon Niese -- 15% (27)
Bobby Parnell -- 11% (20)
Eddie Kunz -- 5% (10)
Mike Carp -- 4% (7)
Nick Evans -- 4% (7)
Other -- 2% (4)

If Carp is going to have a breakout year, he'll be doing it with the Seattle Mariners.

No surprise that Murphy led this list. He provided a spark and a glimmer of hope at the end of 2008. He also advanced to the Elite 8 in the 2008 MotY bracket, the lowest seed to do so.

Hopefully all of these players have a big (positive) impact on the 2009 Mets season.

Next poll: Which free agent pitcher would you prefer? (Poll in the right sidebar)

Rumor Rundown: All the names the Mets are linked to

As the GM Meetings come to a close in Dana Point, Calif., the market and buzz will likely slow down until early December, when the winter meetings kick off in Las Vegas.

Here are some of the latest rumors involving the Mets...

Adam Rubin has an article in the Daily News where he explains that even though Omar Minaya came away empty handed (as did every other GM), "Minaya believes he has laid the groundwork for future deals."

From Rubin we got the usual two closing names with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes. He also mentions Kerry Wood, who started all of last year for the Chicago Cubs and Chad Cordero, who we first hear rumors for yesterday. Cordero is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and a Met official told Rubin that he probably won't be ready for opening day and should expect a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training if the team decides to pursue.

** * **

As always, the Mets bullpen needs an overhaul, and the team is currently shopping Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Pedro Feliciano.

According to Ken Davidoff:

There definitely will be takers for Heilman and Feliciano; among the teams that like Heilman at some level, are Oakland, Tampa Bay and Texas, and Feliciano has value to any club looking for a left-hander.

The Mets would be willing to pay some of the $3.6 million owed to Schoeneweis in 2009. They feel that Schoeneweis could have appeal to other clubs because of his strong numbers against lefty hitters (.520 OPS in 2008).

I think it's going to be pretty easy to unload these guys, if the Mets contact the right team. Heilman, who we all know has struggled, still garners interest due to his age and foreseeable talent.

Feliciano will be a target of a lot of teams due to which arm he uses to deliver pitches. Being a lefty never looked so good. And Schoeneweis caught some attention before the Aug. 31 trade deadling during the season, so if those teams (Tigers were the more interested) are still looking, I'd ship him out as soon as possible.

** * **

Davidoff also breaks down what the Mets Plan A, Plan B and Plan C look like for this off-season.

Plan A entails signing K-Rod or Fuentes, Derek Lowe, and a "low-cost, high-ceiling pitcher (Freddy Garcia, for instance) to compete for the fifth starter's job with Jonathon Niese." Then, trade Heilman and Schoeneweis for some decent bullpen arms, pick up Raul Ibanez, trade Luis Castillo and sign Orlando Hudson.

Well, that'd be nice. That's definitely my Plan A as well, but I just don't think they have the payroll to add all those guys.

Check out the article for Plan B and C. (I like Plan B a lot as well.)

** * **

Seems that looking in-house for a closer is the last resort for the Mets.

Davidoff (yes, again!) quotes Minaya in another article:

Asked yesterday if the Mets could turn within the organization for their closer - a youngster such as Eddie Kunz or Bobby Parnell, for instance - Minaya said, "That is not Plan One."

Smart man, I just hope he doesn't disregard them altogether.

Rumor Rundown: More pitching

The Mets may have found a taker for Aaron Heilman, and they might be able to land a young starter in return. Hold on, let me check my pulse. I may have died and gone to heaven.

Joel Sherman is reporting that the Mets and Tampa Bay Rays have had preliminary discussions about Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson. The Rays seem to fancy Heilman (but would need more than just him to complete the trade).

Sherman:

But Tampa is blessed with depth in Sonnanstine (13-9, 4.38) and Jackson (14-11, 4.42), plus Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot. They have let the Mets know there might be a potential for a deal among that group.

Tampa continues to have interest in Aaron Heilman Aaron Heilman , but not to the extent it had in the past, in part because the Rays' belief that Heilman can be transitioned to the rotation has dwindled. Thus, the Mets would have to surrender more to complete a deal.

Have any use for Luis Castillo?

** * **

The Mets are not on the list of teams that Jake Peavy and his agent are dealing with. Too bad.

** * **

Seems the youth movement may be a forced hand in 2009.

VP Tony Bernazard has stated that if the team cannot land a closer via free agency or a trade, they are willing to go with youth.

From the Daily News:

Bernazard said if the Mets strike out through free agency or trade, they're prepared to potentially use Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz in the closing role.

"Why not? What's wrong with that?" Bernazard asked. "You can't sign one of those guys, what are you going to do - not play?"

It must be noted that in 10 2-3 innings pitched in the Arizona Fall League, Kunz has posted a 8.44 ERA. He has picked up two saves, while allowing 15 hits and 10 earned runs to score. He's walked seven and struck out eight.

Parnell, on the other hand, has thrown 9 1-3 innings, allowed three earned runs on seven hits, for a 2.89 ERA. He's walked seven and struck out 11 batters for Peoria Saguaros.

** * **

Scott Boras wants a lot of money. No surprise here.

Ken Rosenthal notes that the Mets are willing to pay up to $12 million for Oliver Perez, but Boras will likely want more, thanks to Carlos Silva's ridiculous contract.

Who will stick in the bullpen?

The Mets 2009 bullpen will look radically different.

According to David Lennon, an overhaul is most likely in the works to fix the Mets Achilles heel over the past few seasons. From today's Daily News:

Other than Joe Smith, Brian Stokes and Pedro Feliciano, the bullpen should look drastically different in '09.
---
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon has spoken about addition by subtraction, meaning Aaron Heilman (two years from free agency), Scott Schoeneweis (one year, $3.6 million remaining) and Luis Castillo (three years, $18 million) all potentially are goners. Since the Mets would have to eat so much of Castillo's contract, or trade for an equally bad contract, they may be stuck with him.

Stokes really came out of nowhere at the end and surprised the team with an above-average fastball and ability to go multiple innings.

Smith and Feliciano are the opposites of each other, which means they are delegated mostly to a specific batter, either LH hitter or RH hitters. The Mets are going to need a lot more versatility out of the bullpen, and they're going to have to sign, trade and promote to fill out the pen.

Eddie Kunz, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Jason Vargas are all players who may find themselves either starting or in the bullpen in '09. Players available via trade include perennial-rumor name Huston Street, J.J. Putz and George Sherrill.

One big name who filed for free agency on Thursday is Chad Cordero. Cordero is working back from an injury and surgery of a torn labrum, and it's said he'll be ready by spring training. The Mets have been linked to Cordero for a while, so I'd expect some interest from Omar Minaya. We all saw Cordero before he went under the knife, and his fastball was flat and slow. If those problems are solved, and he's the Cordero of old, I'd be more than happy to have him on the Mets.

Any way you look at it, it's going to be a busy off-season for Minaya, and the bullpen is a major point of concern, especially if the young guys cannot perform up to snuff.

AFL update from Eddie Kunz

He likes Daniel Murphy at 2B. Did you expect him to say different?

Eddie Kunz is blogging his time in the AFL, and he posted his second update last night. Here's what he had to say:

I have pitched 4 innings so far and felt really great! All my pitches are working for me and I am doing alot better with my control as well. I have closed out all 4 games and got 2 saves out of 2 tries.

Now with the question of what do I think of Murphy at 2B? I like him there he has great arm and reacts really well! I have confidence in him all the way.

He loves the exclamation point!

Good to see him throwing and feeling fresh. I think he has a definite shot to be the set-up man next year. I think the Mets will spring for a proven closer, but the bullpen and it's roles are wide open for the taking.

And to Murphy at second: I'm glad Kunz likes him and trusts him (or so he says). I'd love to see him there next season, too. Don't think it will happen, though. The Mets have to move Luis Castillo first. That will be the toughest task.

Don't expect K-Rod

The Mets need a closer. One of the best closers in the game is a free agent this off-season. Too bad he's going to cost a fortune.

According to Jon Heyman, Francisco Rodriguez would command a five-year, $75 million contract.

Woah.

The Mets are unfortunately still paying Billy Wagner $11 million to get surgery and attempt a recovery for his career, not the Mets. He has thrown his last pitch as a member of the Mets, without a doubt.

I'd love to see K-Rod wearing orange and blue, but the Mets have a lot of fish to fry, and they can't blow it all on a closer, who earned the season saves record last year, but also struggled with putting runners on base. According to Jeremy Cothran, he was the fourth best reliever in the AL last season.

Omar Minaya would love to add him, but the Mets have to look elsewhere. Maybe Eddie Kunz can make an impact, maybe Brant Rustich can join the ranks, but the Mets still need to add a few key free agent acquisitions that won't break the bank.

One giant free agent or a bunch of smaller ones? Omar and the Mets have a lot of holes to patch in the bullpen.

Mets trade for Luis Ayala

Why?

Anderson Hernandez is heading to Washington for Luis Ayala as the Mets try to sure up their bullpen issues.

I'm not a fan of Ayala, and I feel this actually hurts the Mets pen. Obviously, they're not giving up much, as A-Hern was never going to amount to much of anything.

I guess this is goodbye to Eddie Kunz...for now.

Ayala, you have a lot to prove to me before I begin to trust you. I don't like this trade.

A good win, and maybe Eddie Kunz isn't the closer we all thought he was...yet

What to say about Pedro Martinez? His last four or five starts have been good to great. He may be giving up hits, but he's limiting the numbers of runs allowed, and that's all that matters.

Still, the home runs, especially of the Solo variety, seem to be a big issue lately. I haven't seen anything different going on with Pedro that would make him more prone to home runs or anything like that, but by my unofficial tally in my head, I think he's allowed 6 or 7 over his last 5 starts.

Pedro pitched well, and the Mets went into the bottom of the ninth with a six run lead. This was the perfect oppourtunity to work "the closer of the future," Eddie Kunz into the mix. Well three runs and a hit batsmen later, Kunz had to be removed in favor of Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano before the game got entirely out of hand.

Kunz is in a tough spot, as he hasn't pitched in days and is never sure if, or when, he'll get a shot. When he's finally called upon, he's most likely rusty and unprepared, not the best situation for a young pitcher.

Give Kunz a steady job in. A year or two, and I think he'll be a huge asset to the Mets bullpen, but he just doesn't seem ready yet and the Mets are unwilling to hand him the keys to the bullpen car...yet.

Early Morning Madness: David Wright needs a day off but won't get one edition

David Wright finally got a hit last night. Two in fact. But in the field and on the basepath, he looks lost. Today's noon game would be the perfect opportunity to give him a breather, give him the chance to clear his head.

Apparently, Jerry Manuel thinks the same way, but Wright talked him out of it.

On one hand, I love that he wants in the lineup no matter what. On the other, Manuel is the manager and should be able to lay down the hammer if need be.

All I know is he better come out and perform well today or he will be sitting on Friday.

** * **

Another little tidbit from Adam Rubin:

Eddie Kunz hadn’t given up a homer as a professional, or during his final two seasons at Oregon State, until Chase Headley took him deep.

That's unbelievable. Time to start that streak up again.

** * **

The starter for Saturday's game is still up in the air. It seems unlikely that Jon Niese will get the start.

Seems like Brian Stokes will be the man on the mound. I was impressed with what Stokes put together at the end of spring training. He has a nice fastball and can get it up in the zone, past batters.

Should be interesting to see what he can do. Maybe he could stick around in the bullpen if he shows he can pitch.

Early Morning Madness: Aaron Heilman at closer is a bad idea

Don't ever make the fans sit through that again. When he came into the inning, was there anyone who has watched this team over the last few years that he would make it through the inning unscathed?

Please, Jerry Manuel, Mets brass, and to anyone who will listen, never ever allow Aaron Heilman to attempt to close out a game ever again. If it was an experiment, then fine, we now know the results and they are not pretty.

Next time around, I'd like to see Eddie Kunz get a shot. If he struggles, just move to the next available arm in the bullpen. But no, not Heilman.

He gives up runs like they're candy when he's not closing, so what in the world would make anyone think in a higher pressure situation he would prosper??

Jerry, you could make every Mets fan happy if you just come out and say "Heilman will never close again. Ever."

If Billy Wagner is down and out, please let Eddie Kunz close

We've all seen what Aaron Heilman can do. He's had an up and down year, with a horrendous start, a miraculous June, and now what seems like another terrible rough patch.

This is the guy, right now, you would want to close games for the New York Mets if Billy Wagner has to go to the DL? In his last four appearances, Heilman has given up 7 earned runs in 6 1-3 innings. His ERA ballooned over .60 points.

Eddie Kunz was the closer for Binghamton for most of the year. If the Mets are willing to give Heilman a shot at saving games, Kunz should be given the same chance. Plus, opposing players haven't seen this guy pitch, they won't be ready for him. Most players have seen Heilman pitch, and probably have hit off of him.

Give Kunz a shot.

This should also serve as an impromptu poll. If you think Eddie Kunz should close, say so in the comments. If you think Aaron Heilman should, again, hit the comments.

Early Morning Madness: Lifeless edition

Flat. Dead fish. No oomph. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

This team looks dead. It has no spark, no fight. What we saw nearly three weeks ago, the 10 game winning streak, feels like it happened months ago. Such an abrupt fall from grace. After battling back strong, getting within a few games and finally taking over sole possession of first place, the Mets have fallen back to reality, hard.

A 1-5 road trip, one marked by bullpen disaster after bullpen disaster, was not easy to swallow. Almost every game, it seemed the Mets had a chance. Even Sunday's game, where they had men on base and threatening nearly every inning, but failed to push across any runs.

This team needs a spark. Maybe the youth infusion could do it. I'd love to see Jerry Manuel pull out all the stops and stock the lineup full of these young guns. Throw Nick Evans in left, Daniel Murphy at first. Argenis Reyes can man second base. Eddie Kunz can close. While we're at it...have Jon Niese start and Fernando Martinez in right (or left, and move Evans. It doesn't matter).

I like the way the team is moving. Instead of promoting the old guys hanging around at AAA, it's moving towards getting younger and healthier. There will be a bit of a learning curve, there is no doubt about that. But these kid are young and fresh and ready to go. If they're chomping at the bit, let them run.

Not good news: John Maine to DL, Billy Wagner injured

Doom and gloom from Adam Rubin:

John Maine is going to the DL. Jerry Manuel said he didn’t have a setback, but could use more time. The Mets needed an extra bullpen arm anyway because Billy Wagner is injured and unavailable. Wagner has a stiff forearm and will be examined in New York.

Looks like the wheels are coming off this season in a hurry. Injuries are starting to pile up and the offense has started to look flat.

The Mets need a run of a few wins here before things get worse.

Rubin also notes that Eddie Kunz could close today if needed.

Movin' on up: Eddie Kunz called up to the bigs

The youth movement continues.

Binghamton closer Eddie Kunz was promoted to the Mets. Kunz is 1-4 with a 2.79 ERA, tallying 27 saves for the B-Mets.

I called it. Well, so did a lot of people. Will update when we know who is getting demoted or heading to the DL to make room.

Update: John Maine is heading the DL. Kunz will take his spot.

The Mets need to call up Eddie Kunz

If the Mets were unsure whether or not to call up AA pitching prospect Eddie Kunz before last night's game, they must know what they have to do now.

Short of the bullpen staff making a sign that read "Omar, promote Kunz now! (Hi Mom!)," they could not send a clearer sign to the front office that they need help. They need reinforcements, and they need them now.

I think it's time for the Mets to wise up and send Duaner Sanchez to the DL. His velocity seems to be dropping with every appearance. The newest Met, Daniel Murphy, saved his butt with a beautiful jumping grab at the wall and eventual double play, or the game might not have gotten to Billy Wagner (not that it mattered, because Wagner blew the save anyway).

Sanchez, who spent a year and a half out of baseball rehabbing his injured shoulder, seems to have hit a wall. It makes sense, as he hasn't thrown this much in two years and his stamina just isn't there. It works on the same reasoning that the Mets don't want Mike Pelfrey to top 180 innings.

Pelfrey's arm is young and fresh, but it's not used to throwing this much. Same thing with Sanchez. The promotion of Kunz would give Sanchez precious time off to both rest his arm and strengthen it.

Both games in Houston have seen a bullpen implosion, costing the Mets the game. A move needs to be made, and promoting internally is the only way to do it. The bullpen market is slim and the player would have to pass through waivers as it is.

Promote Kunz now.

Early Morning Madness: I need some Eddie Kunz in my life edition

And I need it now.

For some reason, I just have a feeling that Eddie Kunz will soon be promoted from AA Binghamton. The Mets need a big, burly arm in the bullpen, and this guy fits that role to a T.

Kunz, only 22 years old, is currently closing for the B-Mets. He's notched 26 saves in 42 games. This season, through 46 IP, Kunz is sporting a 2.93 ERA. He's allowed 38 hits, and struggled with walks, handing out 23 free passes. Kunz has also notched 39 strikeouts in that same span.

Standing at 6' 5", and weighing 265 pounds, this righty could take Carlos Muniz's spot on the roster. It'd be nice to give this guy a little bit of major league seasoning, and see what the Mets hopeful future closer has to offer. Kunz is also riding a hot streak, as he hasn't allowed a run in all of July.

Call him up, and quick. If the Mets can ride this hot streak, they can log innings under this guy's belt, benefit from some quality pitching out of the bullpen, and save their other arms for another time. That's a win-win-win situation. If he struggles, just send him back to Binghamton. It's as easy as that.

I want Kunz, and I want him now.

Early Morning Madness: Maybe we need a reliever edition

With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Mets seem to be trying to land an everyday left fielder more than anything. I think Omar Minaya needs to step back and look at his bullpen a little bit more.

First of all, Fernando Tatis is hitting better than almost everyone else on the team right now. Obviously, this production isn't going to last, but once Ryan Church returns, the LF spot could see Tatis, Endy Chavez, Damion Easley, and Marlon Anderson all sahring time depending on who is hot, who is pitching, and the like. It will be serviceable enough to work as one left fielder, some with plus bats, others with plus gloves.

I think the Mets real problem here is the bullpen. To put it simply, Carlos Muniz and Willie Collazo are not going to cut it. Muniz hasn't turned in a string of solid performances...ever. He's been riding the shuttle back and forth from New Orleans long enough I'm sure he know each and every flight attendant by now and they throw him an extra bag of peanuts on the flight. He's doing this for a reason, Omar. He's just not good enough to stick around.

Collazo recently came up, but to me, they are the same person with the same sort of stuff. Either way, these two aren't going to help the team. And now I see that Scott Schoeneweis' name is being tossed around in trade rumors. Well who is going to take his spot, I want to know?

Unless Omar is crazy enough to start promoting Eddie Kunz and Bobby Parnell ASAP, we're going to be stuck with relievers who can't seem to make it out of the minors, and have to depend on them down the stretch to the postseason.

The team doesn't have many chips to trade away, but I think the most pressing need right now is a new bullpen arm. Omar, I trust you and have since you took over. Sure, you've made some crappy moves, but you've also pulled out some gems. And right now, this team needs a gem.

Trade for Manny Ramirez at all costs

Update: Everything I mention seems to get blown out of the water within 24 hours. Jon Heyman reports the Mets won't look into Manny at all. I think my next article will deal with how the Mets won't win the World Series this year.

With Manny Ramirez's latest antics, Red Sox Nation seems to be reaching the end of it's rope with their left fielder.Trade for this guy at all costs. I'd be willing to part with Jon Niese, Eddie Kunz or some package of a few top prospects for this high caliber player. He's a professional hitter, and would take over left field for the Mets, something they dearly need for the stretch.

Jerry Manuel seems like the kind of guy who would be able to keep Ramirez in line, and Omar Minaya has always had a love for Manny.

Could you imagine Manny in a Mets uniform? Oh man. Let's just imagine this lineup, as I see it:
Jose Reyes
Ryan Church / Endy Chavez
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Delgado
David Wright
Manny Ramirez
Brian Schneider / Ramon Castro
Damion Easley / Argenis Reyes
Pitchers spot

Holy hell. That's powerful. If this is possible, at all, pull the trigger. People would be lining up around the block for Mets tickets just to watch his antics and ability. I know I would.