A Friend Returns

[Guest Edgy DC]

Well, you perhaps wouldn't expect Pirate fans to have believed that, having seen Mazzilli go .226 / .392 /.301 // .693 in 61 games in 1986, before getting released.

I thought the main difference is the lack this year of the void that Mazzilli stepped into. He was expected to take the veteran pinch hitter role that Rusty Staub retired out of after 1985, which was believed to be an unsuitable fit for George Foster, by both the Mets and Foster, when Foster was removed from the everyday lineup. I think if any team has ever had the "veteran pinch hitter" role filled, it's the 2006 Mets.

That said, the Mets have been uncharacteristically carrying only three middle infielders since the Matsui trade, and have been without a substitute at all there since the Rey's injury, so they may indeed be looking at him to potentially back up second and third, pinch-hit, and maybe help Valentin with a lefty now and then.

It gets me in trouble, but I'll also continue to argue that Alfonzo did fine in 2002.

[Gwreck]

Edgy DC wrote: That said, the Mets have been uncharacteristically carrying only three middle infielders since the Matsui trade, and have been without a substitute there since the Reye's injury, so they may indeed be looking at him to potentially back up second and third, pinch-hit, and maybe help Valentin with a lefty now and then.

I guess this is where we again lament Julio Franco's lack of defensive utility, for he is seemingly redundant with Woodward, Marrero, Nady, Valentin (and LoDuca) all able to play first.

There are really only two spots for Alfonzo to take on the roster -- Eli Marrero's or Heath Bell's. If Willie is really going to use Marrero's versatility (the stints at 3B and C in the blowouts were encouraging) I can't see Fonzie warranting a spot on the roster.

[Vic Sage]

He DID do fine in 02 (as indicated by an OPS+ of 130).

The problem was, after an awful 01, he came back in 02 without the same pop of his earlier years, and so it felt disappointing. While he was a perfectly good #2 hitter in 02 (though not always used in that slot), he was no longer the Fonzie we once knew.

And his last 3 1/2 years have been dreadful. In fact, I've never seen an excellent player have his production fall of a cliff like his did, at such a comparatively young age. Washed up at 31? geez.

Still, i'm happy to see him back and wish him well.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Fonzie could replace Jose Valentin, Julio Franco, or Chris Woodward.

The only problem is that each of the three is doing a better job than Alfonzo probably would. So unless one of them is injured or traded, there's probably no room on the postseason roster for Fonzie. (But we might see him after September 1.)

[Gwreck]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Fonzie could replace Jose Valentin, Julio Franco, or Chris Woodward. The only problem is that each of the three is doing a better job than Alfonzo probably would. So unless one of them is injured or traded, there's probably no room on the postseason roster for Fonzie. (But we might see him after September 1.)

That's hardly the only problem. Franco's contract; Woodward being the only backup SS; Valentin has a starting job in which he's doing admirably.

I suppose it's worth waiting to see what happens in the minors but Jeff Keppinger seems to be much more deserving of the next middle infield promotion than Edgardo Alfonzo.

[Guest Edgy DC]

And we will see.

If he does hit well enough to warrant post-season roster consideration (still an if), I don't see a lot of teams needing 12 pitchers on a post-season roster.

That said, we probably could have used us some Rigo Beltran in the 1999 playoffs.

[Theoldmole]

They're not gonna bring him up if he can't help them, so I don't see that as a huge problem.

If he can help them, and they bring him up, I'll be glad to see him back. If not, I'm glad he's back in the organization, and I hope he stays in the Met family. He's one of the good ones.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Only thing I can think of is Bell being left off the playoff roster because of the 4 man playoff rotation, with Fonzie taking his place.

Although I guess he'd first have to show some kick when the rosters expand.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Fonzie would have to prove himself before the rosters expand. There's a little room for loopholes if somebody's on the DL, but generally a player has to be on the active roster by August 31 to be eligible for the postseason.

The Mets have six and a half weeks to figure out who they're taking to the dance.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Gwreck wrote: I suppose it's worth waiting to see what happens in the minors but Jeff Keppinger seems to be much more deserving of the next middle infield promotion than Edgardo Alfonzo.

I don't think we should get prematurely offended on Keppinger's behalf. He's hitting .297, but that batting average is a gobstopping 84% of his offense (BAx2/OpS). His on-base percentage and slugging average at AAA is clearly below the 2003-2004 big league numbers posted by Alfonzo (though not the 2005-2006 numbers).

[Gwreck]

Edgy DC wrote: If he does hit well enough to warrant post-season roster consideration (still an if), I don't see a lot of teams needing 12 pitchers on a post-season roster. That said, we probably could have used us some Rigo Beltran in the 1999 playoffs.

Possibly, although we did have 11 pitchers on that roster. In 2000, the Mets only carried 10 pitchers on the postseason roster.

[smg58]

Vic Sage wrote: He DID do fine in 02 (as indicated by an OPS+ of 130). The problem was, after an awful 01, he came back in 02 without the same pop of his earlier years, and so it felt disappointing. While he was a perfectly good #2 hitter in 02 (though not always used in that slot), he was no longer the Fonzie we once knew. And his last 3 1/2 years have been dreadful. In fact, I've never seen an excellent player have his production fall of a cliff like his did, at such a comparatively young age. Washed up at 31? geez. Still, i'm happy to see him back and wish him well.

I'm inclined to think Fonzie is more likely 35 than 32, but I'm suprised by the number of people who think he's a LOT older than he says he is. That would mean he convinced somebody he was 17 when he was well into his twenties. And his development through the minors was not abnormally fast. Plus, did he go back to Venezuela while preparing for the WBC?

As much as I loved Fonzie and was angry to see him go, and as much as I welcome giving him a last chance here, I can't help wondering. A power spike in 99 and 00, then his back gives out, then he's not the same player... I hate to think it, but I don't know how to avoid being suspicious.

As for now, I could see moving him up in favor of Marrero if he gives a reason to think he's a better hitter. Otherwise, it think it would take an injury to see him.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Fonzie went 0-4 with an RBI in his Norfolk return, a 7-2 victory over Indianapolis last night.

it was a big night for Baby Mets, as the RBI went to Michael Tucker (35), Jacob Cruz (33, 2 RBI), Alfonzo (32), Sandy Martinez (35), and spring chicken Jeff Keppinger (26). Contributing with a run was Jose Offerman (37).

You ask me why I'm squinting? It's because the future looks that bright.

[MFS62]

Edgy, that post needs no sarcastic comment rating. But if I had to give it one, it would be up around 100.
LOL!

Later

[A Boy Named Seo]

Wearing #9, and batting fifth to protect the dangerous Offerman-Tucker 1-2 Punch, Fonz picked up a couple of hits and a couple of RBI's in Norfolk's 8-0 win yesterday. That brought him to a clean .300 in the early going (6-20) with one lone double in the XBH department.

What could've been behind him that was so terrible they had to dump this crazy gray background there instead?

[Guest KC]

Hello, I'm Edgardo, and I'm 47 years young.

[Guest Edgy DC]

It strikes me that we have a Fonzarelli at each of our top farm clubs.

Edgardo is with Norfolk (and hitting a disappointing 6-29.

Edgar is the hitting coach with Binghamton.

Edgar, Jr., is pitching relief with St. Lucie.

[MFS62]

Does anyone know if the guy catching for SF is a relative of theirs?

Later

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Since his name isn't Edgar I'd guess not.

[Guest Edgy DC]

smg58 wrote: Plus, did he go back to Venezuela while preparing for the WBC?

According to an article in today's Daily News, the team did work out in Caracas, although that doesn't mean everybody made the trip.

[Zvon]

Collect em all!

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]