You always tell kids in Little League (as Ron Darling stated) when a ball goes under a fence, raise both your arms straight up in the air. Willy Taveras  must have missed that lesson when he was seven but his folly is Omir Santos gain with an inside-the-park-grannie.

Ollie Perez threw strikes today and the Nationals and most of them were tattooed by Nationals batters. The Mets will spin OP performance like a Maytag washer. Don’t worry he still feels great and looks very fit in his snow white’s.

On the other hand, Hisanori Takahashi was incredible punching out 6 in 3 innings of work. That’s NON-ROSTER LHP Hisanori Takahashi. LHP Pat Misch also was stellar in his 3 innings at work. Sometimes the solution to your problems are right under your nose.

Frenchy loves to show off that cannon he has throwing out Kevin Mench and Pete Orr at the plate. Each play was no contest.

Big Pelf took a shot off the leg yesterday but and X-Ray didn’t show any damage. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.

Everybody Loves Ike

Has Charlie Samuels lost his mind? How the hell does Chris “The Phuckin’ Phillie” Coste get uni number 3 ?

As you know I made reference to Joe Mc Donald proclaiming on PRO BASEBALL CENTRAL last Thursday that the Mets will be a 90+ win team in 2010. His reasoning was that Oliver Perez will revert to his Good Ollie personality. I did say, it was encouraging news that OP, under the urging of both Scott Boras and Carlos Beltran, has spent the off season in Arizona, training hard to lose both the stigma of bring mentality and physically inept to pitch in the big leagues.

I’ve been looking around at the team as it now is constructed and have tried to make the case for 90 wins. It all starts of course with the pitching staff:

#1 Santana 15-17 wins

#2 Pelf/Joel Piniero/Bronson Arroyo/Aaron Harang/Gil Meche 10-12 wins

#3 Pelf/OP/Maine/Doug Davis/Jon Garland 8-10 wins

#4 one of the above at #3  8-10 wins

#5 Maine/Neise/Neve/Holt/Stoner/(Gulp!) Smoltz 8-10 wins

That comes to 49-59 wins from your starting rotation

Now from the seven relievers you figure will be in the pen:

Frankie Rodz

Ryoto Igarashi

Bobby Parnell

Kelvin Escobar

Sean Green

Pedro Feliciano

Lefty to be named later

You figure you can and average of 4 wins from each. That’s an additional 28 wins, brining my projection to 77 to 87 wins.

Now say I leave the bullpen projection alone but I up the ante on the #2 pitcher to 12-14 wins and the #3 to 10-12 wins, that would put the team’ record between 81-91 wins. Of course all this is predicated on the Mets signing one of the remaining free agent pitchers, of which just Joel Piniero is desirable if he comes cheap or can trade for the one of the Arroyo/Harang/Meche troika.

So what do you think? Am I out of mind thinking there is a way the Mets could be a 90 win team and contend? Am I drinking the Omar/Jeffey Kool Aid? Has Joe Mac brainwashed me?  Or am I just tired of freezing my ass off this winter and dying for spring and summer and baseball season? Could be the cold has made me delirious.

As far as I’m concerned there are three spots open in the rotation. Johan Santana is of course the ace and with his pittance of a contract picked up Big Pelf gets a spot as well. So who gets the other three spots? John Maine and Ollie Perez are in the mix if both are still around as the rumblings are that Maine could be non-tendered and maybe Omar can get someone drunk at the winter meetings to take on OP but even with them still on the roster, I say the need to show that they belong. Both pitchers along with Big Pelf, Jon Niese , Fernando Nieve and Nelly Figs should fight for the 4 or 5 spot. Which means the Mets need to bring in two solid big league pitchers, so here are my candidates:

John Lackey

Lackey would be the signing of the off season but how much will it take and do the Skill Sets have the scratch to pay him? This will be the theme of the off season. Jeffey Skill Sets proclaims he and his daddy and Uncle Saul are far from broke, in fact we found out they made $48 mil off of Bernie The Kid Madoff Field of Scheme ,so do they go toe to toe and dollar for dollar with the Bronx Bastards for Lackey’s services? Do the Texas Rangers get in the mix as well as Lackey is from outside of Dallas and rumors are he’d love to pitch in Arlington and for Nolan Ryan. What to do, what to do and how high to you go? 5yrs/$75-$80 mil which is AJ Burnett money ? As much as the Highlanders need another starter and all their bluster about going after stars, I don’t think even they can take on another contract like that. So let’s see how much hair Jeffey’s got on his balls and make that offer to Lackey and see if he turns it down.

Jason Marquis

Word on the street is Marquis wants to be a Met but at what price? Marquis made a shade under $10 mil last season, so what would be his price 3yr/$36-$40 mil ? He is a workhorse and he has won 10 or more games the last 6 years with last year and 2004 as 15 game win seasons but is he a number 2 starter ? More of a 3 or 4 if you ask me.

Randy Wolf

Omar Minaya fucked up royally last season when he didn’t sign Wolf. He now has a chance to redeem himself. After signing with the Dodgers last year for about $5mil, Wolf finds himself on the free agent stroll again and a two year with an option should be what it takes to sign this journeyman.

Aaron Harang

I have always been intrigued by Harang and if the Mets wanted him and are willing to pick up the bulk of his contract they could get him for a couple of low level minor leaguers. The last two seasons have not been good for Harang  and he is due $12.5 mil in 2010 and $12.75 in 2011 and if he is traded his contract calls for Harang to make $14 mil mutual option or a $2.5 mil buyout. If I were the Mets GM I’d grab Harang at worst he’s a solid 3 at best he’s a strong #2 and excellent compliment to Santana.  This is the best low risk high reward move the Mets could make.

Bronson Arroyo

If Omar wanted to break Mike Francesa’ heart he’s go after Mike’s Man-Crush Arroyo. Both Harang and Arroyo cleared waivers last summer as their price tags are prohibited. Arroyo is owed $11mil in 2010 with a club option of $11 mil in 2011 or a $2mil buyout. Would you deal for both Harang and Arroyo ? I’d be very tempted to go for both and  I don’t think the price would be outlandish but again the Mets would be taking on close to $24 mil in salary for both so that looks like a long shot but taking either Arroyo or Harang would be a plus for the Mets.

If you’re Omar you also have to at least kick the tires on Erik Bedard and Ben Sheets again low risk/high reward types. Both pitchers are coming off suergy and both can be had for 1 yr deals so why not take a look see.

So if I’m ranking who I’d go after to fill the starting rotation next season it would be:

1. Lackey

2. Harang

3. Arroyo

4. Marquis

5. Wolf

5a. Bedard

6 Sheets

I think Lackey is a pipe dream as it will take a lot of years and money to land him so I don’t see him as a Met. Harang and or Arroyo is a much better bet via trade and I can see either Marquis or Wolf in Mets clothing next year.

Not even the comedy team of Cohen and Hernandez could get me to watch last nights game. It was 11-1 Bravos after three and that sent me right to the Rangers-Red Wings exhibition game from MSG.

For all of you screaming about getting another bat or two for 2010, it’s time for you to wake up and smell the elevated Team ERA. This team is in dire need of starting pitching, not just a solid #2 compliment to Johan Santana but a good # 3 starter as well. If I’m making the decision around the Mets, I’d be priming both John Maine and Oliver Perez for bullpen duty next season. I’d move Maine, as I feel the wear and tear of being a starter is too much for him both physically and mentally. Bobby Ojeda, who has been fantastic these last few weeks with his critique of this team, took Maine to task last night for bitching and moaning about his aches and pains. Ojeda said that Maine needs to take a page from the Johan Santana book of “even though my knee and elbow need surgery I’m feeling fine no problems”. Ojeda stated that guys like Maine who talk about what hurts and talks about his aches and pains so much turn off their teammates and the front office. Ojeda claims there is a  time to tell the truth and there is a  time to shut the fuck up. Well Ojeda didn’t say fuck I just threw that in.

If the Mets could land Roy Haliday or even make a move on Felix Hernandez that would be the best news all off season. If they can get El Loco from the Cubs for fifty cents on the dollar that would be swell too. Then add a lower level guy like Jason Marquis, or Randy Wolf to go with Big Pelf and a healthy Jon Neise you have something of a pitching structure in your rotation.

I’d love to see Maine become the 8^th inning guy and add him in with Bobby Parnell, Pedro Feliciano in the late innings and add OP as a long man  with Frankie Rodz closing then add in your filler guys.

Maybe it’s me but I think Jose Reyes’ thinking that he needs to get into a game the next couple of weeks for his own gratification is what’s wrong with this team.  It’s more how does this help ME than how does it help WE. If Reyes wants to test his leg then in the afternoon before the game run around the bases as fast as you can if you feel good great go home and you know what? Go play winter ball if you wish. If the leg is still a mess, the go get the god damn surgery you need and report to St. Lonesome in the spring. It’s time everyone in this fucking organization from the owner to the General Manager to the manager to the slow as shit counter person at the Shake Shack concession stand takes some fucking pride in be affiliated with the New York Mets. It’s not about “YOU” it’s about the M-E-T-S. It’s about players getting the proper medical and training help they need to stay on the field. It’s about competence in the front office and sticking to the edict of getting younger and athletic. Its coaches who have the ability to actually teach the game of baseball to the minor leaguers and having competent baseball people on staff to help young players at the big league level become better players.

Really, it’s time this organization got its head out of its ass and did something positive and productive for the team and its fan base. You know when a good chunk of the season ticket holder don’t renew for next year the Skill Sets will have a dumb ass look on their faces wondering why they are not renewing. I guess not everyone loves the Brooklyn Dodgers Freddy!

There are still plentyof seats on the Daniel Murphy bandwaggon for all of you who jumpped off after his rough start.

Lastings Millidges is hitting .325/.374/.442 since he joined the Pirates. I’m just sayin’. Why do get the feeling the Pirates will see a post seaon before the Mets.

Big Pelf was fantastic yesterday and watching him pitch like that verifies why I love the big lug. What drives me nuts though is his next start he could tank just as easily and that’s is the madness that is Mike Pelfrey.

How can the Mets bring Carlos Beltran back now? Who is going to lead Brooklyn to a NY-PENN League championship?

Maybe John Maine can start the first game for Brooklyn against Mahoning Valley instead of against Philly?

If you put Corey Sullivan’s brain with Angel Pagan’s ability you’d have a solid ML player. Pagan has talent but on the baseball field he’s dumber than a sack of rocks.

I see where SNY is going to add a couple of gimmicks to their game telecasts next week. One game there will be a silent inning where Gary, Keith and Ron will not speak for a full inning. Another game, SNY will let Gary stay home and allow Ron and Keith handle the play by play. Now that should be fun.  What would be even better is having bloggers do commentary during a game like a Mystery Theatre 3000 sceanrio, that would bring the network an Emmy.  

Enjoy you Labor Day

I’m mean really,  this team, this organization is in real trouble and needs a full overhaul from the manager to the front office to ownership and of course the on field personnel.

This will be a big topic tonight on Pro Baseball Central with me and Joe McDonald. Joe and I have spoke about the direction of the organization before but we will have a lot more info on who is staying and who is going as Joe is our eyes and ears at $iti Field. So tune in tonight at 9PM EDT on Blog Talk Radio and call in as well with your questions and comments at (646) 595-4462. If you can’t listen live then check us out on the podcast right here on the Kranepool Society or at our Pro Baseball Central site.

Of course it is admirable that Carlos Beltran is a player of pride and wants to come back and play this season to both ease his mind about playing and because he feels he has an obligation to the organization to come back. But really does this make sense for the Mets to bring him back, if they intending to keep him around in 2010? My guess is if the Mets allow him to play again this season, its’ to showcase him for trade, otherwise what’s the sense in bringing him back?

Right now what is the difference between Oliver Perez and Big Pelf? Big Pelf has better knees. Has any team ever had two head cases like these two coconuts? After coming out of Tuesday game in which he shit the bed, Big Pelf storm out of Coors Field and ran around the parking lot. Is that how he handles adversity, running around like a dog chasing his tail? So Old School Warthen what do you think the problem with Pelf is?:

  ”I think he’s tense,” pitching coach Dan Warthen said. “I see him get irritated at one bad call. I don’t know if all these things that have happened over the year have worn him out mentally. Physically he’s fine. The delivery is in great shape. His bullpens have been fantastic. But the tension of this year has really beat him up.”

WOW what a great observation Dan? What else you have for us? Water is wet. Fire is hot. Then J-Man had to add his two cents in as well:

Manuel noticed yesterday that Pelfrey had reached a tipping point, which is why the manager called him into his office shortly before batting practice. During the half-hour discussion, Pelfrey said that Manuel “challenged” him to finish strong and let the pitcher vent a little of his anger.

OK that’s a little better. I hope Manuel used some strong words on Pelf as maybe the soft touch that’s been used on Pelfrey should be scraped and a good old ass kicking in it’s place.

I wish there was a baseball player equivalent to New York Rangers winger Donald Brashear:

Welcome to New York, Donald Brashear, where even at a friendly meet-and-greet the fans will boo the home team.

And welcome to Donald Brashear, New Yorkers. He’ll fight you.

The new Ranger was greeted at a “Meet the Blueshirts” event for season-ticket holders with a sizable smattering of boos among the several hundred in attendance, the residue partly of the former Capital’s vicious hit on Blair Betts in last spring’s playoffs, partly of Brashear’s years as the rival bruiser for Philadelphia and Washington, and partly, perhaps, of the free beer.

It made for something of an awkward moment – “Come on, now,” emcee Dave Maloney said – but also an opportunity for the Blueshirts’ new big man to provide his own introduction in his very own style.

“Those fans that are booing, I’ll take you one-by-one,” Brashear deadpanned when he reached the stage in the Garden Theatre’s anteroom.

That reaction from Brashear was met with laughs and cheers from the Garden Faithful. Brashear went on to say that he did not intended to injure Blair Betts last season during the Rangers-Caps playoff round but said his team needed a boost so he saw an opportunity to shake things up with a big hit. The Caps rallied back from a 3 game to 1 defict to beat the Rangers in the series. As piss off as I am about the hit on Betts (my favorite Ranger who is now an ex-Blueshirt) the first time he puts an opponent (Islander/Devil/Flyer preferred ) through the glass, he will be a fan favorite.

Dave Duncan is pissed off at the Cardinals and the St. Louis media for the treatment of his son Chris who was sent to the Red Sox for nothing. Duncan is in the last year of his contract (as is the Stinkin’ Genius Tony LaRussa) and is talking like he wants to go elsewhere. And what a better place to go but Flushing NY.

So if the Skill Sets want to prove they mean business then make Dave Duncan the number one targeted free agent this winter. 

How much is it worth to the Mets to have Duncan work with Big Pelf and Bobby Parnell? Or how about Ollie Perez? If Duncan can get anything positive out of OP he gets a street named after him in Queens

Congrats to Big Pelf on becoming a first time Daddy.

It seems I’ve hit a nerve with some readers on calling out D-Wright for not charging the mound after Brad Thompson whizzed a pitch at his head, and I will say that I am stunned that some of you guys think he did the right thing by not going after Thompson. All I can tell you pacifists is the Mets have a rep around baseball as a bunch of pussies who when they are challenged never step up not just to fight but when times get tough they wilt like flowers in a rain storm. Thing will never change until the team grows some balls and if you think that is neanderthal thinking well it is and I don’t apologize for that and if you don’t like it then kiss my hairy cave man ass.

Thank God for the New York Fottball Giants to take my mind off this awful Mets season

I see I struck a nerve with my Billy Joel comments but like I say his is not the kind of music I listen to and it’s pretty weak to plat th elast concert at Shea and be a New Yorker and give in to Phillyfans by wearing thier colors.

Speaking of Philly fans there were a lot of them in the Magic Kingdom all of them in thier new Phillies cap andnew shirts all bandwaggon jumpers.

Tons of Rays fans as you wouls suspect and many Cardinal fans but the biggest group here are the English soccer fans with Everton the team most fancy.

GTG later

After watching Big Pelf suffer through another bad outing and a partial melt down on the mound where I think it’s now at least three straight stats that D-Wright had to go to the mound early to have a heart to heart with Pelf.  Add the struggle back from injury to John Maine,  Bobby Parnell’ difficulty making pitching adjustments the second time around,  Ollie P being Ollie P, Tim Redding not rehabbing correctly from off season surgery, not dealing with J J Putz injured elbow and back to the reporting to pitchers and catchers in late February when Johan Santana seemed to be on a training schedule that did more harm than good and the whispers that maybe it was a mistake caning The Jacket, Old School Dan Werthen should be squarely in the cross hairs of management to be the first coach relived of duties by the end of the weekend.

As much as Rick Peterson is one of the great pitching minds around it wasn’t a mistake to fire him during the season and when Old School Werthen came on board he made a difference but it seems to me that Werthen is either fed up or just out of ideas on how to get the best out of the Mets pitching staff. The most telling non-move from last night that brings me to this conclusion was the fact that Werthen never left the dugout in the first inning when Pelfrey was struggling with his command especially his fastball that was up, up and away, even Gary Cohen couldn’t believe that Werthen never came out after first Wright then Santos went out to check on the young righty as the situation was crying for an old head intervention. Maybe Werthen has given up, maybe he’s tired of going out there and spewing the same old advice, maybe he’d love to put his foot up Pelfrey’s ass but management is holding him back. Whatever it is, it’s a problem and one that needs to be addressed not for this season as this season is over but for 2010 and beyond.

Are you getting the vibe that J-Man may not want to be fired as Mets manager? Last night during his post game presser Manuel made a joke at the expense of the Mets medical staff, that validated those of us that have questioned the front office, the training staff and the doctors.  When asked about Gary Sheffield leaving in the 5^th with a leg problem, Manuel said “They’re calling it cramps,…. surgery is Thursday” and then he let out a laugh which translates to me Manuel saying to the fans “you guys are right this organization is a joke” After realizing that his boss will not be happy with his comment (J-Man has been called on the carpet about talking about making trades to bring in reinforcements) he tired to get SNY to not air the footage, fat chance Jerry besides you said nothing that we weren’t thinking ourselves.

Last night looks to be Tim Redding’ last appearance as a Met word in the NYDN is Redding will be released and another move in the minus column for Omar. I said back in spring that Redding looked fat and out of shape but just his track record alone should have been a red flag for the Mets to sign him. But don’t worry Julio Lugo is working out at the Mets academy in the D.R. and will be here once he passes waviers. The longggggggggggggggggggggg summer continues.

The headline on Adam Rubin’ story says” Mets Deny Claims That Jose Reyes Suffered A Set Back in Port St. Luice” The Mets are also denying that today is Saturday, water is wet and the organization is in FUBAR (Fucked Up Beyond All  Recogntion) mode.