The Beltran Situation: What Next?

[Guest Edgy DC]

It can't be.

[Guest old original jb]

themetfairy wrote: The Mets should put out the oldest group of players they can, and Jim Edmonds fits right into this. Think about it; if they win anything, anything at all, they will be the heroes of past their prime middle aged guys like me everywhere. If they don't win anything, well, what do you expect from a bunch of old guys. Maybe they can get Julio Franco back to play first while they are at it. jb! How the hell are you?

Well, the fact that I've officially embraced reaching middle age in a public forum should be a clue.
Seriously, I'm fine. I now have a second daughter and face the moral dilemma of whether to ruin her life as well by brainwashing her to be a Mets fan as we did with our first.
Not much time for the internet these days, and Mets land is pretty depressing anyway.

I know he's not on the team anymore, but it seems appropriate to say anyway.
Everybody say it with me, once with real disdain:

"LOOPER!"

[batmagadanleadoff]

Carlos Beltran's recovery from knee surgery taking longer than Mets first expected

By Brian Costa/The Star-Ledger
April 16, 2010, 3:21PM

ST. LOUIS -- Carlos Beltran�s recovery from offseason knee surgery is taking longer than the Mets initially expected, and it�s not certain when he�ll resume baseball activities. When Beltran had surgery on his right knee on Jan. 13, the expectation was that he would resume baseball activities 12 weeks later -- around April 7 -- which would have put him on pace to return sometime in May, barring any setbacks. And just before the end of spring training, Beltran said he expected to start running around April 10. But Beltran has said all along his progress would be dictated by how he felt and there would be no definite timetable. Apparently, there still isn�t. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said today that Beltran has not been cleared by doctors to start running and has not resumed baseball activities. Beltran is still rehabbing in Port St. Lucie, Fla. �There�s been no setback,� Horwitz said. �He�s just not at that stage. He�s still in a rehabilitation stage.� On April 1, after the Mets� final spring training game in Port St. Lucie, Beltran said: �I don�t want to talk about when I can come back because I don�t know yet. When I run, then that can give me an idea of where I am. Right now it�s hard for me to say because I haven�t run.�

http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2010/04/carlos_beltrans_recovery_from.html

[ashie62]

Not a shocker. I've kinda forgotten about Beltran and believe that his knee is "shot." It will be interesting to see if Fmart becomes an option in CF in 2010.

[Ceetar]

Ashie62 wrote: Not a shocker. I've kinda forgotten about Beltran and believe that his knee is "shot." It will be interesting to see if Fmart becomes an option in CF in 2010.

This lack of communication is really fueling conspiracy theories about him not wanting to play, and about 'secret surgeries' that are worse than was reported.

I've been trying to figure out what was the catalyst for him not to run on the 10th. Did he wake up and not feel right? From all reports he hasn't felt a day of pain since the surgery. Was biking the next day. was taking light bp recently.

So why did he not run? Was there a test? Did he put pressure on the knee and the doctors not like his response? Are they being super-insane cautious with it? I've never been able to gleen what exactly would be required for him to resume baseball activities and I actually had hope that he'd be back in early may/late April at one point.

At this point, until he runs and reports no pain/setbacks from that, it's hard to count on him for anything. I also think that if he has even one setback from that day, when he actually runs (provided that's soon), you bring up Fernando Martinez. (Provided he's still hitting well in the minors) I also use this philosophy with Murphy, who we should also have a date on soon. If he has a setback or say, he won't be back for the Phillies series, get me Ike. (Or at least Evans/Carter/Hessman/Keith instead of Jacobs or Cat)

[Guest Edgy DC]

Conspiracy theories don't need information or lack of information. They just need untrusting (or crazy) people.

I assume there's plenty we don't know. I assume there's plenty the Mets don't know, the doctors don't know, and Carlos doesn't know. In the absence of facts, I'll work with what I've got and consider what's put forth on the basis of avialable evidence.

But thinking what's being sold to you is unlikely doesn't mean you have to construct a (usually far more unikely) alternative theory. Just try and prepare for all possible eventualities, starting with the most likely.

[Mex17]

Conspiracy theories notwithstanding, I find it curious that, given. . .

a) It looks like it's possible Beltran is either permanently damaged, twerked off at the Mets to the point that he may want to end the relationship as soon as he can, or both

and

Francoeur seems to be maturing as a player a bit more than he was

. . .that the Mets seem to insist upon looking at Fernando Martinez as a rightfielder as opposed to a centerfielder.

[Guest Edgy DC]

twerked off at the Mets to the point that he may want to end the relationship as soon as he can, or both

Highly speculative.

It's not like playing Martinez on the corner right now means he can never play center.

[ashie62]

I'm beginning to feel like I don't care when or if Beltran comes back at all.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I care.

[ashie62]

Edgy DC wrote: I care.

I know that I should care. It's nothing against Carlos, I just feel burned out by the speculation of when he will return. Part of me is very content with Angel Pagan out there.

[soupcan]

Ashie62 wrote: Edgy DC wrote: I care. I know that I should care. It's nothing against Carlos, I just feel burned out by the speculation of when he will return. Part of me is very content with Angel Pagan out there.

I don't understand how a Met fan can be 'content' with Pagan out there. The team is 5-8 and not hitting. They NEED Beltran.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Pagan is doing a nice job as a sub, but he's no Carlos Beltran. Getting Carlos back as soon as possible would go a long way to making something out of this season.

[Centerfield]

Certainly, but I can see where Ashie is coming from about being tired of the whole process. We've been back and forth on Beltran so many times over the past year, there would be some small relief in hearing "micro-fracture surgery, Met career likely over".

But that would be very, very small.

I'm rooting like hell for Carlos to get back as well. Maybe I'm a moron, but I think I've convinced myself that if Beltran gets back healthy, and Davis works out, and Francoeur keeps hitting, that maybe the Mets can contend for the Wild Card...

[Benjamin Grimm]

And if we continue to get good outings from Pelfrey, Niese, and Perez, then yes, I think the playoffs are a possibility. It's a lot of ifs, but sometimes there are seasons when just about everything goes right. All we can do is hope that this turns out to be one of them.

[soupcan]

Agree with both of you on all counts.

If the starters can somehow keep this going, I have to believe that with Wright, Bay, Francoeur, Reyes and eventually a healthy Beltran, that this team can provide some offense, win some games and maybe give us an interesting summer.

But then again the Mets haven't hit with RISP for about 2 years now, right? Other than the law of averages why should I think that'll change?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Mebbe Jerry will stop bunting.

I think that's connected to the whole RISP-y thing. That and the injuries.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Edgy DC wrote: Mebbe Jerry will stop bunting. I think that's connected to the whole RISP-y thing. That and the injuries.

That, the injuries and Rod Barajas, you mean. He hasn't walked once this year and gotten to ball 3 only 3 times. He is outmaking at 81%.

[Guest attgig]

Ashie62 wrote: Part of me is very content with Angel Pagan out there.

I think that's the part in all of us who saw GMJ out there for the first few games...


sure, stacked up against GMJ, Pagan is the superstar CF that the team had been missing.... but, I miss beltran.

[Guest attgig]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Mebbe Jerry will stop bunting. I think that's connected to the whole RISP-y thing. That and the injuries. That, the injuries and Rod Barajas, you mean. He hasn't walked once this year and gotten to ball 3 only 3 times. He is outmaking at 81%.

speaking of barajas seems to only hit fly balls. what's up with that?

[Guest Edgy DC]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Mebbe Jerry will stop bunting. I think that's connected to the whole RISP-y thing. That and the injuries. That, the injuries and Rod Barajas, you mean. He hasn't walked once this year and gotten to ball 3 only 3 times. He is outmaking at 81%.

Yeah, though Barajas hasn't been around for 2 years. Of course, he may have been around and calling himself Brian Schneider.

I realized this morning while filling out my PotG ballot that I haven't really mentally accepted Barajas as a Met yet, and I'm usually really quick with this. I ticked off everything I know about him:

• Good defense.
  
• Good against the running game (but not as good as Blanco).
  
• Puncher's power.
  
• Makes outs like nobody's business.
  
• Funny California dude.
  
• Has to position himself like a tight end to jump and stretch to catch Francoeur's throws and then dive for the tag.

And yet, he's still not really a Met in my head. Why is that? I've certainly made the adjustment with suckier guys and creepier guys.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Mebbe Jerry will stop bunting. I think that's connected to the whole RISP-y thing. That and the injuries. That, the injuries and Rod Barajas, you mean. He hasn't walked once this year and gotten to ball 3 only 3 times. He is outmaking at 81%.

Y'know how a few of us were arguing pretty mightily against Molina, because he uppercuts the hell out of everything, and outmakes (I like this word) so frequently that it actually mitigates anything positive he might do around the batter's quadrangular area? And how he's shit on the basepaths, and maybe not nearly as good defensively as his rep? And how he's definitely not worth a 6-7 million dollar deal, much less a 2-year/12-million one?

Onfield, Barajas is the discount version of the exact. same. guy. (A lower contact rate, which isn't so good. A few more flyballs, though, so fewer DPs. That's nice.)

("Puncher's power" is pretty much his only offensive plus. And G-d help me, but I like the Tony Gonzalez bit when he blocks the plate. )

[soupcan]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: And G-d help me, but I like the Tony Gonzalez bit when he blocks the plate. )

Remember the Nats game before the Willingham grand slam was actually determined to be a homerun and Adam Dunn came barreling into Barajas at full-speed? Hot Rod got absolutely clobbered and just shook it the hell off.

[Fman99]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Mebbe Jerry will stop bunting. I think that's connected to the whole RISP-y thing. That and the injuries. That, the injuries and Rod Barajas, you mean. He hasn't walked once this year and gotten to ball 3 only 3 times. He is outmaking at 81%. Y'know how a few of us were arguing pretty mightily against Molina, because he uppercuts the hell out of everything, and outmakes (I like this word) so frequently that it actually mitigates anything positive he might do around the batter's quadrangular area? And how he's shit on the basepaths, and maybe not nearly as good defensively as his rep? And how he's definitely not worth a 6-7 million dollar deal, much less a 2-year/12-million one? Onfield, Barajas is the discount version of the exact. same. guy. (A lower contact rate, which isn't so good. A few more flyballs, though, so fewer DPs. That's nice.) ("Puncher's power" is pretty much his only offensive plus. And G-d help me, but I like the Tony Gonzalez bit when he blocks the plate. )

I think it's because of the discount that I like him. If you got a Big Mac for 25 cents, it'd still be a fatty slimy mess, but you'd feel better about scarfing it down, wouldn't you?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Fman99 wrote: LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Mebbe Jerry will stop bunting. I think that's connected to the whole RISP-y thing. That and the injuries. That, the injuries and Rod Barajas, you mean. He hasn't walked once this year and gotten to ball 3 only 3 times. He is outmaking at 81%. Y'know how a few of us were arguing pretty mightily against Molina, because he uppercuts the hell out of everything, and outmakes (I like this word) so frequently that it actually mitigates anything positive he might do around the batter's quadrangular area? And how he's shit on the basepaths, and maybe not nearly as good defensively as his rep? And how he's definitely not worth a 6-7 million dollar deal, much less a 2-year/12-million one? Onfield, Barajas is the discount version of the exact. same. guy. (A lower contact rate, which isn't so good. A few more flyballs, though, so fewer DPs. That's nice.) ("Puncher's power" is pretty much his only offensive plus. And G-d help me, but I like the Tony Gonzalez bit when he blocks the plate. ) I think it's because of the discount that I like him. If you got a Big Mac for 25 cents, it'd still be a fatty slimy mess, but you'd feel better about scarfing it down, wouldn't you?

Agreed. Much less nose-holding involved than we probably would have if Molina had come to town for 2 years-plus. (Literally, too-- Tubby squatting 150 times a game's got to give off one hell of a waft, y'know?)

I just meant that if anyone here is looking for more than rally-killing pop-ups and Ks with occasional power from LeRod, you're shopping at the wrong store, bud.

[metirish]

Per Gary, Beltran saw Steadman and the news is that Beltran is not yet ready for " baseball activities".

[Fman99]

But what does Oprah think?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

metirish wrote: Per Gary, Beltran saw Steadman and the news is that Beltran is not yet ready for " baseball activities".

Cripes.

Good thing he came back to brighten that unforgettable September 2009.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Marty Noble prints the party line but examines it without enthusiasm.

Marty wrote: NEW YORK -- The Mets announced Tuesday that Carlos Beltran was "making progress" in rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee. Whatever that vague declaration suggested, it hardly prompted rejoicing in the organization. Beltran remains unfit for baseball activities -- i.e., running. At one point, Beltran believed he'd resume running by mid-April. "That's kind of unfortunate," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "What we have to do is we have to continue to play the way we have in the last three or four games and hope that Carlos begins to recover quickly. I mean, he's obviously an integral part." Beltran was examined in Vail, Colo., on Tuesday by the doctor who performed his surgery in January. His return by mid-May, once considered likely by the club, now seems less likely.

[soupcan]

It just means he'll be back 2-3 weeks later than we originally thought. Lousy, but I'm not jumping off any bridges...yet.

I am hoping this doesn't become a Reyes situation like last year, where they keep telling us 'oh just a few more weeks' and then he's out all year.