Remembering the Maine

[MFS62]

Over the past few days, when Willie and Omar have been asked about pitching, they have been bringing up the name of John Maine more and more.

The reporters are asking about Bannister and Pelfrey, but they keep intruding Maine into the conversation.

When the Mets got him, I checked out his record. There was nothing there to make me think that he was a really good prospect. Then when I saw him pitch, he didn't do anything to change my mind.

What is your opinion about him?

Later

[metirish]

My opinion is that Maine is insurance for the rotation, nothing long term but a fill in if needed.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I'd be willing to see him pitch another game without a blister on his finger.

If the Mets want to put him on the depth chart above Bannister I have no objection. And if Maine is currently ranked above Pelfrey, I can only assume that that's just for the short term.

I don't want to see Maine displace Soler in the rotation. He can replace Hernandez if Orlando doesn't follow up on his Thursday complete game. He can even replace Trachsel if he's dealt, which I suppose is possible.

[Elster88]

MFS62 wrote: Over the past few days, when Willie and Omar have been asked about pitching, they have been bringing up the name of John Maine more and more. The reporters are asking about Bannister and Pelfrey, but they keep intruding Maine into the conversation. When the Mets got him, I checked out his record. There was nothing there to make me think that he was a really good prospect. Then when I saw him pitch, he didn't do anything to change my mind. What is your opinion about him? Later

I didn't think of it that way, but now that 62 points it out I'm thinking it is funny how they keep bringing him up. I wasn't impressed with him.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

They may also be trying to talk up his trade value.

[Guest Edgy DC]

He's perhaps healthier than Bannister and perhaps readier than Pelfrey. I see no reason not to keep him in the conversation.

Can't have enough pitching.

[Frayed Knot]

* Where Maine is right now is re-assigned to AAA. His DL time and rehab time ran out so he was officially demoted just recently.

* Bannister, on the other hand, isn't even eligible to come off the DL for another 2 weeks, at which point he'll have missed 2 months and will need 2 or 3 starts in rehab (those things have time limits as well - I think it's 20 days) before a decision needs to be made on him. Best case scenario here seems to be after the AS Break.

* Jon Heyman in Newsday had a note yesterday that the Mets were close to promoting Pelfrey -- but maybe the recent successes of Soler & El Ducky have reduced the urgency there.


I personally haven't heard anyone even mention Maine's name recently, but if they are it's more likely because he's the closest-to-ready choice if one needs to be made and not necc that he's considered the best of the bunch. Maine was a fairly highly regarded prospect in the Bal'mer system before somewhat losing some of his luster. As far as my/our personal opinion(s) of him, well there's only so much that can be judged on one start.

[Elster88]

="Frayed Knot"]* Jon Heyman in Newsday had a note yesterday that the Mets were close to promoting Pelfrey -- but maybe the recent successes of Soler & El Ducky have reduced the urgency there.

Heyman should also note that Duque's recent successes total one game.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

At this point at least, Steve Trachsel looks most threatened by a Pelfrey promotion.

I'm sure he gets -- and deserves -- every chance to get himself together, but he's got to get himself together.

His next 3-4 starts will be interesting.

[MFS62]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: They may also be trying to talk up his trade value.

That makes sense.

LAter

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I agree. If the Mets suddenly find themselves flush with starting pitchers, Trachsel may need to be the guy to give way.

It would be a shame if, after toiling for the Mets for six years, he was shown the door just before getting into the postseason, but sometimes thems the breaks.

[metirish]

I don't know guys but I would rather have Trax pitch a post-season game than Bannister or Maine...I agree that his spot might be in doubt but he has shown great resolve before, believe in Steve.

[Frayed Knot]

]Heyman should also note that Duque's recent successes total one game.

Well the second part of that comment was mine, not his.

What he said was that the Mets had considered bringing him up earlier this season (skipping AA altogether) and that he may only get 1 more start in AA before his inevitable promotion.

But with only 3+ weeks to go until the mid-season break (and then a 3-games-in-9-days stretch to start the 2nd half) AND the back end of the rotation pitching well (even if just briefly) I'm guessing that they may slow that timetable up a bit.

[Elster88]

I'm not ready to give up on Traxxx yet either.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Nice Met children kicked out of the house just before the holidays: Al Jackson, Ed Lynch.

I can't think of any 1999 equivalent.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Trachsel and Floyd seem most likely to join that sad little list this season.

[Elster88]

Kaz.

Mora?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Mora played in the 1999 playoffs. (He was traded during the 2000 season.)

I don't think Kaz has the tenure to qualify for that list. Also, it's hard to argue that he's deserving of playing in a Mets postseason.

[Elster88]

I'm struggling to think of better examples. I forgot Mora played in the 1999 postseason, I was thinking of 2000.

[Gwreck]

Todd Hundley?

[metirish]

I don't think he quailfies for what Edgy was asking but Jason Isringhausen was traded on July 31st to Oakland for Billy Taylor, Izzy had only appeared in 13 games up to that point......thanks to UMDB for the info.

http://leaptoad.com/mets/profile.php?PlayerCode=0530

[Guest Edgy DC]

Hundley didn't go during the season, but he's probably a damn good example otherwise.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

George Foster.

[Centerfield]

Again, tough to argue that George was deserving.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

True. But from his perspective it must've sucked.

Though he did have his past glories from the Big Red Machine.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Actually, yesterday was the anniversary of the date Al Jackson was sold to Cincy for cash in 1969. I hope his eleven innings pitched and 10.64 ERA got him a ring and a partial share.

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: Actually, yesterday was the anniversary of the date Al Jackson was sold to Cincy for cash in 1969. I hope his eleven innings pitched and 10.64 ERA got him a ring and a partial share.

I think I do recall Al getting a partial share. Not sure about the ring, though.

Later