Alex Cora Must Be Stopped

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I can't take it anymore. I know he's not the only thing wrong with the Mets, but man is he wrong with the Mets.

Can't go out there everyday playing an old shortstop with a broken thumb. Just can't. That old up the middle saw is only too accurate.

Play Berroa... Recall Exxon Valdez ... Sign Todd Rundgren's son... something ... anything...

[Fman99]

You can't stop Alex Cora, you can only hope to contain him.

(Yes, he sucks. All heart, no bat.)

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I have a feeling Berroa will get chances.

[Frayed Knot]

I'm fine if they want to spot Berroa out there for a trial - but I'm not sure he ever was a real good SS even back in the one year he actually did hit.

[Guest Triple Dee]

Yeah, I didn't particularly like what I saw of Berroa at the Cyclones game on Wednesday night, in field or at the plate.

[nymr83]

I'll take berroa as "change for the sake of change" at this point, cora is terrible, and maybe jerry wouldnt bat berroa leadoff whuch would help the team by itself.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Wel, since Pagan showed up, it looks like Cora is doing his damage from the bottom of the lineup.

If only the issue was the order of the batters, and not the viability.

[metirish]

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":34fe1t20] Can't go out there everyday playing an old shortstop with a broken thumb. Just can't. That old up the middle saw is only too accurate. [/quote:34fe1t20] Didn't Cohen mention during the game that Manuel told him Cora would be rested a bit now that Berroa is here? Let's see. What kind of team is this now anyway. Doesn't hit home runs , doesn't steal bases , seems incapable of playing station to station small ball.....it's horrible to watch.

Edgy DC Jul 17 2009 07:23 AM

Well, I don't think their stolen base capacity is out the window. I imagine they'd be attempting to steal more if (1) they reached base more, and (2) they weren't falling into early holes. All the more reason to bat Castillo at the top of the lineup. That psychotic is taking two strikes every time up there and is still getting some hits. Try Pagan second maybe. If only the issue was the order of the batters, and not the viability.

Vic Sage Jul 17 2009 09:30 AM

But don't youse get it... Cora is a leader! He makes me nostalgic for miguel cairo.

Nymr83 Jul 17 2009 09:37 AM

="Vic Sage"]But don't youse get it... Cora is a leader! He makes me nostalgic for miguel cairo. he makes me miss Rey Ordonez, at least I knew he was helping on one side of the ball (even if he was the WORST every day player in the league.)

Edgy DC Jul 17 2009 10:02 AM

Let's not suggest that his leaderliness is some cheap spin for why he's in the lineup day in and out. He's there, with a fractured thumb, because the Mets are out of options. He's hurting the team daily but the team is in an injury crisis. I'm just as glad as can be that (1) he's not at the top of the lineup no more (though eighth would be better than seventh) and that there's an alternative in Berroa.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 17 2009 10:13 AM

By the way, I hated Jeff Francoeur last night for the first time as a Met. Too many games like that and I'm gonna go on a killing spree.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 17 2009 10:45 AM

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3kcp310m]By the way, I hated Jeff Francoeur last night for the first time as a Met. Too many games like that and I'm gonna go on a killing spree.[/quote:3kcp310m] Warn your neighbors. It'll happen. Edgy DC Jul 17 2009 11:59 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 17 2009 11:19 PM While we're hurting as much at shortstop as anywhere (see table 1), I think our need may remain to be in the firstbaseman/outfield category --- as any help there would allow the team to more effectively distribute the resources it has within that range of positions (where they're overtaxed in many ways). Could make our bench better also. Position P C 1b 2b 3b ss lf cf rf ph NL Standard OPS+ -1 96 131 104 101 93 108 110 107 81 Current Met Santana, Pelfrey, Perez, Hernandez, Nieve Schneider/ Santos Murphy/ Tatis Castillo Wright Cora Sheffield Pagan Francouer Multiple 2009 OPS 0 97/87 80/87 96 130 68 128 105 69 (83) 48 Career OPS --- 79/83 97/101 93 138 74 140 86 89 --- Raise your hand if you thought the Schneid's account would be in the black. Edgy DC Jul 17 2009 12:45 PM Julio Lugo has been DFA'd. Obviously, he's also been a liability to his team, but, well, beggars-choosers. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 17 2009 12:48 PM Yeah, we should be on him, but prolly won't be. Nice chart. What it doesn;t show is that Muffy is hitting better and Cora so much worse, over the last 4 weeks or so. Frayed Knot Jul 17 2009 12:59 PM Julio Lugo: worse signing than Luis Castillo LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 17 2009 01:02 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]Yeah, we should be on him, but prolly won't be. Nice chart. What it doesn;t show is that Muffy is hitting better and Cora so much worse, over the last 4 weeks or so. True. But the problem is that Murphy-Cora isn't so pertinent a comparison as Murphy-Adam LaRoche, or Murphy-Loney or Murphy-Nick the Stick. I mean, you'd expect-- you'd rely-- on Murphy to win any head-to-head offensive comps with Cora. He's been wretched for a hitter this year, and if the recent upward trend doesn't continue (and amplify, frankly) through season's end, the team might have to revise its expectations re: Danny downward from their already modest place. Farmer Ted Jul 17 2009 01:14 PM Shoulda kept Reyes at 2nd and Kaz at short. Living in a hindsight paradigm here. Don't mind me. metirish Jul 17 2009 09:00 PM ="Frayed Knot":2jjco0k4]Julio Lugo: worse signing than Luis Castillo[/quote:2jjco0k4] I'm sure it's been mentioned elsewhere but this from Lennon ATLANTA - The Mets are interested in acquiring Julio Lugo, who was designated for assignment Friday by the Red Sox. Primarily a shortstop, Lugo - who also has played second base, third base and the outfield - is owed roughly $4 million for the remainder of this season and another $9 million for next year, which is why Boston ideally would like to work out some sort of trade during the next 10 days. If the Red Sox release Lugo, he can be signed for the minimum, leaving Boston responsible for the remainder of his contract. G-Fafif Jul 17 2009 09:13 PM ="Farmer Ted":2zzmo27y]Shoulda kept Reyes at 2nd and Kaz at short. Living in a hindsight paradigm here. Don't mind me.[/quote:2zzmo27y] The last homegrown Met to start a game for the Mets at second was Jose Reyes in 2004. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 18 2009 05:36 AM Adam Rubin sez Lugo is working out at the Mets complex in the DR while Redding is in danger of whacking to make room for him. Edgy DC Jul 18 2009 08:01 AM Good and good. I mean I guess. It's a baby step when we're more than a baby step over the trouble line.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Well, I don't think their stolen base capacity is out the window. I imagine they'd be attempting to steal more if (1) they reached base more, and (2) they weren't falling into early holes.

All the more reason to bat Castillo at the top of the lineup. That psychotic is taking two strikes every time up there and is still getting some hits. Try Pagan second maybe.

If only the issue was the order of the batters, and not the viability.

[Vic Sage]

But don't youse get it... Cora is a leader!
He makes me nostalgic for miguel cairo.

[nymr83]

="Vic Sage"]But don't youse get it... Cora is a leader! He makes me nostalgic for miguel cairo.

he makes me miss Rey Ordonez, at least I knew he was helping on one side of the ball (even if he was the WORST every day player in the league.)

[Guest Edgy DC]

Let's not suggest that his leaderliness is some cheap spin for why he's in the lineup day in and out. He's there, with a fractured thumb, because the Mets are out of options.

He's hurting the team daily but the team is in an injury crisis. I'm just as glad as can be that (1) he's not at the top of the lineup no more (though eighth would be better than seventh) and that there's an alternative in Berroa.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

By the way, I hated Jeff Francoeur last night for the first time as a Met. Too many games like that and I'm gonna go on a killing spree.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3kcp310m]By the way, I hated Jeff Francoeur last night for the first time as a Met. Too many games like that and I'm gonna go on a killing spree.[/quote:3kcp310m] Warn your neighbors. It'll happen.

Edgy DC Jul 17 2009 11:59 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 17 2009 11:19 PM

While we're hurting as much at shortstop as anywhere (see table 1), I think our need may remain to be in the firstbaseman/outfield category --- as any help there would allow the team to more effectively distribute the resources it has within that range of positions (where they're overtaxed in many ways). Could make our bench better also. Position P C 1b 2b 3b ss lf cf rf ph NL Standard OPS+ -1 96 131 104 101 93 108 110 107 81 Current Met Santana, Pelfrey, Perez, Hernandez, Nieve Schneider/ Santos Murphy/ Tatis Castillo Wright Cora Sheffield Pagan Francouer Multiple 2009 OPS 0 97/87 80/87 96 130 68 128 105 69 (83) 48 Career OPS --- 79/83 97/101 93 138 74 140 86 89 --- Raise your hand if you thought the Schneid's account would be in the black.

Edgy DC Jul 17 2009 12:45 PM

Julio Lugo has been DFA'd. Obviously, he's also been a liability to his team, but, well, beggars-choosers.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 17 2009 12:48 PM

Yeah, we should be on him, but prolly won't be. Nice chart. What it doesn;t show is that Muffy is hitting better and Cora so much worse, over the last 4 weeks or so.

Frayed Knot Jul 17 2009 12:59 PM

Julio Lugo: worse signing than Luis Castillo

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 17 2009 01:02 PM

="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]Yeah, we should be on him, but prolly won't be. Nice chart. What it doesn;t show is that Muffy is hitting better and Cora so much worse, over the last 4 weeks or so. True. But the problem is that Murphy-Cora isn't so pertinent a comparison as Murphy-Adam LaRoche, or Murphy-Loney or Murphy-Nick the Stick. I mean, you'd expect-- you'd rely-- on Murphy to win any head-to-head offensive comps with Cora. He's been wretched for a hitter this year, and if the recent upward trend doesn't continue (and amplify, frankly) through season's end, the team might have to revise its expectations re: Danny downward from their already modest place.

Farmer Ted Jul 17 2009 01:14 PM

Shoulda kept Reyes at 2nd and Kaz at short. Living in a hindsight paradigm here. Don't mind me.

metirish Jul 17 2009 09:00 PM

="Frayed Knot":2jjco0k4]Julio Lugo: worse signing than Luis Castillo[/quote:2jjco0k4] I'm sure it's been mentioned elsewhere but this from Lennon ATLANTA - The Mets are interested in acquiring Julio Lugo, who was designated for assignment Friday by the Red Sox. Primarily a shortstop, Lugo - who also has played second base, third base and the outfield - is owed roughly $4 million for the remainder of this season and another $9 million for next year, which is why Boston ideally would like to work out some sort of trade during the next 10 days. If the Red Sox release Lugo, he can be signed for the minimum, leaving Boston responsible for the remainder of his contract. G-Fafif Jul 17 2009 09:13 PM ="Farmer Ted":2zzmo27y]Shoulda kept Reyes at 2nd and Kaz at short. Living in a hindsight paradigm here. Don't mind me.[/quote:2zzmo27y] The last homegrown Met to start a game for the Mets at second was Jose Reyes in 2004. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 18 2009 05:36 AM Adam Rubin sez Lugo is working out at the Mets complex in the DR while Redding is in danger of whacking to make room for him. Edgy DC Jul 18 2009 08:01 AM Good and good. I mean I guess. It's a baby step when we're more than a baby step over the trouble line.

[Guest Edgy DC]

While we're hurting as much at shortstop as anywhere (see table 1), I think our need may remain to be in the firstbaseman/outfield category --- as any help there would allow the team to more effectively distribute the resources it has within that range of positions (where they're overtaxed in many ways). Could make our bench better also.

Position	P	C	1b	2b	3b	ss	lf	cf	rf	ph
NL Standard OPS+	-1	96	131	104	101	93	108	110	107	81
Current Met	Santana, Pelfrey, Perez, Hernandez, Nieve	Schneider/ Santos	Murphy/ Tatis	Castillo	Wright	Cora	Sheffield	Pagan	Francouer	Multiple
2009 OPS	0	97/87	80/87	96	130	68	128	105	69 (83)	48
Career OPS	---	79/83	97/101	93	138	74	140	86	89	---

Raise your hand if you thought the Schneid's account would be in the black.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Julio Lugo has been DFA'd. Obviously, he's also been a liability to his team, but, well, beggars-choosers.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeah, we should be on him, but prolly won't be.

Nice chart. What it doesn;t show is that Muffy is hitting better and Cora so much worse, over the last 4 weeks or so.

[Frayed Knot]

Julio Lugo: worse signing than Luis Castillo

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]Yeah, we should be on him, but prolly won't be. Nice chart. What it doesn;t show is that Muffy is hitting better and Cora so much worse, over the last 4 weeks or so.

True.

But the problem is that Murphy-Cora isn't so pertinent a comparison as Murphy-Adam LaRoche, or Murphy-Loney or Murphy-Nick the Stick. I mean, you'd expect-- you'd rely-- on Murphy to win any head-to-head offensive comps with Cora. He's been wretched for a hitter this year, and if the recent upward trend doesn't continue (and amplify, frankly) through season's end, the team might have to revise its expectations re: Danny downward from their already modest place.

[Farmer Ted]

Shoulda kept Reyes at 2nd and Kaz at short.

Living in a hindsight paradigm here. Don't mind me.

[metirish]

="Frayed Knot":2jjco0k4]Julio Lugo: worse signing than Luis Castillo[/quote:2jjco0k4] I'm sure it's been mentioned elsewhere but this from Lennon ATLANTA - The Mets are interested in acquiring Julio Lugo, who was designated for assignment Friday by the Red Sox. Primarily a shortstop, Lugo - who also has played second base, third base and the outfield - is owed roughly $4 million for the remainder of this season and another $9 million for next year, which is why Boston ideally would like to work out some sort of trade during the next 10 days. If the Red Sox release Lugo, he can be signed for the minimum, leaving Boston responsible for the remainder of his contract.

G-Fafif Jul 17 2009 09:13 PM

="Farmer Ted":2zzmo27y]Shoulda kept Reyes at 2nd and Kaz at short. Living in a hindsight paradigm here. Don't mind me.[/quote:2zzmo27y] The last homegrown Met to start a game for the Mets at second was Jose Reyes in 2004. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 18 2009 05:36 AM Adam Rubin sez Lugo is working out at the Mets complex in the DR while Redding is in danger of whacking to make room for him. Edgy DC Jul 18 2009 08:01 AM Good and good. I mean I guess. It's a baby step when we're more than a baby step over the trouble line.

[G-Fafif]

="Farmer Ted":2zzmo27y]Shoulda kept Reyes at 2nd and Kaz at short. Living in a hindsight paradigm here. Don't mind me.[/quote:2zzmo27y] The last homegrown Met to start a game for the Mets at second was Jose Reyes in 2004.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 18 2009 05:36 AM

Adam Rubin sez Lugo is working out at the Mets complex in the DR while Redding is in danger of whacking to make room for him.

Edgy DC Jul 18 2009 08:01 AM

Good and good. I mean I guess. It's a baby step when we're more than a baby step over the trouble line.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Adam Rubin sez Lugo is working out at the Mets complex in the DR while Redding is in danger of whacking to make room for him.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Good and good.

I mean I guess. It's a baby step when we're more than a baby step over the trouble line.