giving WWSB credit when credit is due

[Vic Sage]

Instead of pulling another Cairo on us this year, Willie is letting the hot-hitting Valentin take over some 2b duties from Matsui, despite Jose's inexperience at the position and Kaz' clear defensive superiority.

Willie even said he'd go with Valentin, Woodward and Kaz based on "matchups" and computer data, rather than blathering on about going with his gut, or the importance of defense.

This seems like progress to me.

[metirish]

Yeah I'll give him credit where it's due, although the cynic in me thinks Willie was blinded by a fellow ex MFY that he knew and kept sticking with Cairo because of that..

[Guest sharpie]

Otehr than going with Anderson Hernandez at all I think Willie has handled the 2B situation pretty well. It was just at the point that I thought "they gotta sit Matsui" that he started sitting Matsui.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Certainly not governing by 'CYA' as alleged here.

I'm glad Kazooie got a shot; unhappy that he blew it; pleased (but not hopeful) that Valentin is anxious not to lose his shot; and surprisingly OK with the idea of Kazooie as a bench player (switch-hits, good wheels, some pop, etc). Could still use a LH-hitting masher there, tho.

Ray Durham -- even more available in a trade than last year. Plus, the Cubs are gonna jump ship any day now and have tons of second basemen.

The Royals could be urged to part with Grudzialanek only too easily, I would bet.

[seawolf17]

I think Edgy has a Ray Durham Mets jersey burning a hole in his closet.

[Guest sharpie]

On what basis do you say that Durham is available? He's playing every day for the Giants (and batting 5th). The Giants are 3.5 games out of first place and don't seem like they're going to throw in the towel anytime soon.

[metirish]

Dickshot has a thing for Durham, has for more than a few years IIRC.

[Guest Edgy DC]

seawolf17 wrote: I think Edgy has a Ray Durham Mets jersey burning a hole in his closet.

You've got the wrong cat. I'm the stand pat cat.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I don't have a 'thing' for Durham, even though he's a borderline Very Good Player� -- I just think it was dumb that he appeared to have been overlooked by fans and media last year (including a lotta yous here to this day) when it seemed the only alternative even considered was to trade Milledge + for Freaking Soriano.

Had we traded for Durham last year we might have made the playoffs. Might.

As to sharpie's point, you know I wasn't really considering the Giants position so much as the Mets' -- with the $/Year comittment on Matsui winding down, they have to be open to an alternative.

[nymr83]

I like this "move" too. When everyone has shown they can't hit you just make it an open position for whoever has the hothand that week.
Part of me wants Hernandez to get another shot or Keppinger to see some ABs, but i think it might actually be smart to use this opportunity to get semi-regular ABs for Woodward and Valentin, 2 guys you are counting on off the bench and would like to keep fresh.

[seawolf17]

Sorry Edge. I meant JD.

[Elster88]

If anyone can find the Willie thread please bump it. I couldn't.

So....does anyone else think he shoulda pulled Soler quicker in the 3rd of the Yankee game on July 2nd?