Mets Looking To Stop Streaking Phills

The NY Mets will send Tom Glavine to the mound in game two against the Phills. Glavine is in a little funk. He has not won in seven starts. Over that period he is 0-2 with 5 no decisions. He looks to snap out of it as he will oppose Jon Lieber. Lieber is coming off a horrible start in which he blames on trade rumors. Lieber insists that he was worried about being traded and he could not focus on the game. The Mets ended one Philly streak last night, can they stop the whole team today? We will find out in less than an hour. The game will be broad casted on FOX and will start @ 1:26 PM ET. Good luck Glavine and LETS GO METS!!!

Mets Lose 2 In A Row

The NY Mets have now lost two consecutive games. They lost the rubber game of a three game set to the Marlins on Thursday and they lost game one of a three game to the Phillies. On back to back nights the Mets saw their usually effective bullpen be well...ineffective. Against the Marlins, Dontrelle and Pedro were both dominant. The Mets took a lead into the bottom of the 8th and they turned to Aaron Heilman for the third straight night. Heilman blew up as he allowed three runs and put the Marlins ahead. In the end the Marlins won 4-1. Against the Phillies the Mets and Phills slugged it out and in the end they lost 5-3. A run was scored in every inning except the first, sixth, and eighth. After Met starter El Duque left the game the usually dominant Daren Oliver allowed a solo shot to Dave Delluccie to put the Phils ahead 3-4. Pedro Feliciano also allowed a solo HR to Ryan Howard. Coincidently enough Delluccie and Howard are lefty hitters and Oliver and Feliciano are supposed to be lefty specialists. This Mets club has taken a big hit with the loss of Dauner Sanchez but if they want to be effective they need to be effective in the bullpen. That is their strong point, it has been all year. The Mets need to figure out this bullpen problem ASAP.

Castro on DL

The Mets have placed Ramon Castro on the 15- day DL. He was sidelined for a few days with a strained obbliq and has not been able to make a recovery. Veteran Catcher Mike DeFilice has been called up to replace him. It is my guess that either DeFilice or utility man Eli Marrero will make the start behind the plate in tomorrow's day game. It will be the first time since the 28th of July that Paul LoDuca has not started behind the plate.

Martinez Promoted

The New York Met organization has promoted one of its highest sealing prospects from low A Hagerstown to St. Lucie in Fernando Martinez. Martinez was batting .333 with 5 homers, 14 doubles, and 2 triples, and 28 RBI in 45 games with the Suns. In his last game in low A ball Martinez won the game with a walk off grand slam.

Things Look Bleak

Things are looking pretty bleak for the Mets in the top of the 9th inning. Willie Randolph turned to Aaron Heilman for the third straight night and it blew up in his face. Heilman allowed 3 runs in his one inning. Miguel Cabrera hit a bases loaded, 2 out triple. Update: The Mets lost as Joe Borowski closed the door. They scored just one run and to top it all off that run was unearned.

Jose's New Deal

Jose Reyes would have been avalible for salery arbitration in the off season and as the Mets usually do they avoided arbitration. They gave Reyes a deal worth 23.25 million dollars over 4 years, with an option for a 5th year. In my belief Reyes gave the Mets a deal. I think he is worth way more.

2 Late Scratches

The Mets intended to rest Floyd and Delgado tonight with Dontrelle pitching but made two lat scratches. Julio Franco was scratched from the line up because of the flu. Eli Marrero was also scratched because of a stiff neck. Eli was replaced by Chris Woodward. Julio Franco also contributed in the game, despite not starting. Franco had a pinch hit single in the 7th inning and advanced to third on a error. Franco would eventually scoring the Mets first run.

Wednesday Morning News

August 2, 2006 In the NY Post Mark Hale writes about Billy Wagners blown save last night. "Billy Wagner leaves the mound last night after the Marlins' Josh Willingham hit a two-run, game-winning homer that handed the Mets a 6-5 loss, and left Willingham and the Marlins celebrating at home plate." Hale also touches on Beltran's hot streak. In the NY Times Ben Shpigel writes about Dauner Sanchez's "sooner than expected" surgery. According to Shpigel Sanchez is expected to make a full recovery and be back by spring training. Shpigel also touches on the return of Lastings Milledge, the promotion of Met prospect Phill Humber to AA Bighamton, and the activites of Victor Zambrano. In the Daily News Adam Rubin talks about Lastings Milledge's return to the majors. " Lastings Milledge's return to the big leagues included a $50 fine, three walks, a lost fly ball and spiked left hand." Rubin touches on Brian Bannister's and Ramon Castro's injuries, and Xavier Nady's shock of being traded to the Pirates. In Newsday Bob Herzog covers the trade of Xavier Nady to the Pirates for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez in seperate articles.

Game Time

It's game time folks. The Mets are about to open a 3 game set with the Florida Marlins. They will face LHP Scott Olsen. So far this season Olsen is 9-4 with a 3.79 ERA. The Mets will send Mike Pelfrey to the mound. Pelfrey is 2-1 with a 5.29 ERA in three starts. This is an important start for Pelfrey because it will likely decide if he stays with the big league club. The starting lineup: SS Jose Reyes C Paul LoDuca CF Carlos Beltran 1B Carlos Delgado 3B David Wright 2B Jose Valentin LF Cliff Floyd RF Lastings Milledge P Mike Pelfrey Player(s) to look for: Paul LoDuca- The last time LoDuca faced Olsen he went 2 for 3 with a walk. Carlos Beltran- Beltran is the hottest hitter on the planet look for him to do something big tonight. Lastings Milledge- Look for the rookie phenom to bring a spark to the Mets with his fiery attitude and electric speed.

Hernandez, Perez, Milledge, and Sanchez

As we all know the Mets acquired LHP Oliver Perez and reacquired RHP Roberto Hernandez for the Pirates in exchange for OF Xavier Nady. The club has decided to send Perez to AAA Norfolk. In all likeliness he will join the club in September and will get his opportunity to work with Rick Peterson and join the starting rotation in Spring Training. Roberto Hernandez will join the major league team. He will be taking the place of the injured Duaner Sanchez. Hopefully Roberto can contribute to this squad the way he did last year. Lastings Milledge, the Mets number one position prospect will be recalled to the majors. Milledge will be taking the spot of Xavier Nady. He will likely split time with OF Endy Chavez. In his last game in the minors Milledge was ejected for arguing a called third strike. There is also a rumor that Milledge bumped the home plate umpire. There is a chance that Milledge may be suspended. However that will not affect his time at the majors because a suspension in the minors only applies in the minors. As for Sanchez the GM of the Mets Omar Minaya has stated that the severity of Sanchez' injury is unknown. There is a chance he will be back this season. Sanchez will have some time off to let his shoulder heal. After that, if it is determined that Sanchez needs to have surgery he will miss the rest of the season. If not he will likely be back by the middle of September.

Hernandez Is Back

According to ESPN's Jason Stark the Mets have acquired RHP Roberto Hernandez and LHP Oliver Perez for Xavier Nady.

Sanchez Injured

According to Fox Sports RHP Dauner Sanchez has seperated his pitching sholder. He was involved in a car accident in Miami. He is out for the year. Looks like the Mets have to go get someone.

Just an Hour Left

With just an hour left before the deadline the Mets have yet to make a big trade. Many of us are starting to wonder if they will make a trade at all. Will the Mets get a big time pitcher? Is Omar willing to part with Lastings Milledge? I don't know but we will soon find out. Lot's of names have been tossed around but still no deal.

Lidge Off the Block

According to Buster Olney no one has come close to the asking price for Lidge and he will no longer be traded.

Zito Not Shea Bound

According to multiple sources Barry Zito is not going to be moved. So lets forget about that and hopefully the Mets can get Oswalt and Lidge.

Mets Complete Sweep and Move on To Florida

The Mets completed a sweep of the Atlanta Braves yesterday. Tom Glavine did not have his best stuff. He lasted 4 innings giving up 6 runs. The bullpen was solid again. But the big story was the Met offense. Carlos Beltran had his second 2 HR game in as many days. The Met offense scored a total of 10 runs. Next... The Mets head to Florida to take on the Marlins. The will send the rookie Mike Pelfrey to the mound in game one. Mike will be opposed by Scott Olsen. The first game is tomorrow at 7:05 PM ET.

Mets Swinging for the Fences?

Late last night, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus announced that the Mets were "Swinging for the Fences". Many thoughts crossed my mind of what type of blockbuster deal might the Mets be concocting. I went to sleep and woke up in a great mood, knowing that the Mets are working on a deal to get either Jason Schmidt or Roy Oswalt. Anyone of these guys could not only solidify the top of the rotation but will automatically place us in World Series contention. Oswalt clearly is the better pitcher, but Schmidt can hold his own also. Lets face it these two guys beats the names we have been hearing, Levan, Kip Wells, Tony Armas Jr. ect What it comes down to is a Schmidt deal will not include Milledge and a Oswalt deal Milledge will be the centerpiece. Potential three way in the works: Houston Mets and Nationals, Major cogs Oswalt to Mets, Soriano to Astros. Prospects and throw-in players sill in works

Morning Papers

Mets Made Pitch For Schmidt July 31 New York Post (registration required): "The Mets have long had heavy interest in Giants righty Jason Schmidt, and yesterday they made a push for the All-Star, according to an MLB team executive... Another pitcher who would also match Minaya's need is Houston's Roy Oswalt, whose name surfaced publicly yesterday as part of a potential deal with Baltimore involving Miguel Tejada." Trade Winds July 31 Newark Star-Ledger (registration required): "Late last night, the Mets were in negotiations with the Giants in an effort to acquire right-hander Jason Schmidt. The deal is a long shot, but it was intriguing enough to both sides that they were exchanging names." Willie: We don't need any trades July 31 New York Daily News: "A team official said John Maine's emergence - he's tossed 17 consecutive scoreless innings - has significantly reduced the urgency to find a starting pitcher in a market that's far from overwhelming, with veterans such as Pittsburgh's Kip Wells and Washington's Livan Hernandez mentioned most often." Mets ponder choices with deadline looming July 31 Journal News: "Mike Pelfrey hears the whispers. He's in a major-league clubhouse, so how couldn't he? His is the second name selling clubs throw at Mets general manager Omar Minaya when he calls; Lastings Milledge is the first."

Glavine Working Hard For Win

The Mets are currently in the 4th inning. They lead 8-3. Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado both have home runs in this game. Beltran's being his third grand slam of the season. Glavine is laboring, but he is trying to work through it. He is already thrown over 65 pitches. Hopefully he can step it up. Good luck Glav, and LETS GO METS!!!

Abreu and Lidle to Yanks

The Phills and the Yanks have tentatively agreed to a deal. The deal will send Cory Lidle and Bobby Abreu to the Yankees. In return the Yankees will send a bunch of prospects to the Phillis. Don't worry Yankee fans Phill Hughes is not one of those prospects.

Mets Bomb Braves

In game two of the current three game set between the Braves and Mets the Mets won 10-3. El' Duque took the mound for the Metropolitans and he knew this was a big game for him, as he is on the verge of being pushed into the bullpen. And Duque did what he usually does in big games; he pitched 8 innings giving up 3 runs, all unearned, on 3 hits. He struck out 7 batters and at one point he retired 12 Braves in a row. Chad Bradford came on in the 9th to finish it off. He gave up just a hit. Defensively the Mets are usually very sure-handed, however they committed 2 errors early on that allowed 3 runs to score. In the first inning David Wright threw the ball into center field while making a routine play. Wright's error caused Marcus Giles to score from third base on a sac fly by Adam LaRoache. In the second inning Jose Reyes booted a ball that prolonged the inning allowing two more runs to score. However the defense was solid for the rest of the game. Offensively the Mets excelled. A form of production was contributed from every defensive position including the pitcher. Reyes had 1 hit in 5 tries. LoDuca went 4 for 4 with a BB, he also scored 2 runs. Beltran hit HRs number 29 and 30, he also contributed 5 RBIs. Carlos Delgado did not get a hit in his first AB, and was removed promptly after his second. However his replacement Julio Franco contributed 2 hits and a stolen base. David Wright walked and scored a run. Floyd contributed with 2 hits and 2 runs. Valentin got a hit and walked twice, he also scored 2 runs. Endy Chavez contributed 2 hits, a BB, and 3 RBI. El' Duque hit a 2 RBI single up the middle. The two RBI's were the first ever of his career. With regards to Delgado... he was hit by a pitch in the third inning. According to Mets.com Delgado has a bad bruise on his knee and is listed as day to day. Delgado said that if he can put weight on the knee today he would like to play. However manager Willie Randolph had decided against that. Game 3... The Mets will attempt to sweep the Braves later today. Tommy Glavine will take the ball for the Mets and he will face off against rookie LHP Chuck James. Tune into the WB-11 for the Lefty-Lefty duel. The game starts at 1:05 PM ET.