IGT 7/31/11 - Mets at Nationals

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

2nd weekend in a row where we lost 2 of 3 to the last-place team.

2nd weekend in a row where I looked at them and was convinced: "Not happening."

[MFS62]

Now that Paulino wasn't pulled from the game because he was traded, do you think Nickeas will be sent back down soon and another position player brought up?

Later

[Gwreck]

Nick Evans was sent down when Wright was activated off the DL.

He has to be in the minors 10 days before returning (which is why he is not here yet) but is the logical replacement for Beltran on the roster (rather than Nickeas).

[Guest Edgy DC]

It strikes me that the team could use Tejada back (or some other infielder), in order to get Reyes a day off.

[Gwreck]

If it's a day off that Reyes needs, and this Thursday isn't enough, then I think Turner or Wright are sufficient.

I see no reason to bring Tejada back unless Reyes needs multiple days off.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Well, backup shortstops are good things to have, especially when your starter has already gone down with a hammie strain.

I would love to see Wright get a game here and there at shortstop. Schmidt did. Brett did. Ripken got a few too.

[Gwreck]

Sure. Except Wright or Turner are fine for half a game or a full game in an emergency.

Reyes is an everyday player and unless he's hurt, there's no reason to have a backup shortstop on the roster unless they can contribute in other ways (ie. a useful bat, which Tejada is not).

I also see no reason to deprive Tejada (or Turner) of regular playing time.

[Guest Edgy DC]

You made Tejada sad!



Well, there are plenty of ways Tejada contributes:

• Providing defensive replacementness at second;
  
• Backing up at short;
  
• Backing up at second;
  
• Pinch-running;
  
• Getting the bunt down;
  
• Being a not-altogether useless batsman;
  
• Generating income for vendors of shell necklaces in the five buroughs.

All of which adds up to a fistful of usefulness, granted, but it beats the salt out of any list Mike Nickeas' adoptive father (I, myself) can assemble.

While I agree that some other guy (Turner or Wright, but don't forget Willie Harris) could provide spot-work, I think it's Collins bashfulness about making such an assignment that has led him to ride Reyes so hard, and perhaps contributed to Reyes' recent mini-slump.

[Gwreck]

Ruben, I'll never forget your walkoff double against John Axford last September that made a memorable game in an otherwise forgettable month of Mets baseball.

But I still want him playing every day and I don't see that happening here. I get your point that Collins won't give Reyes a day off but then it becomes Sandy's job to tell Terry that he's not getting Tejada until September and to freaking play Turner there one day already.

[ashie62]

Gwreck wrote: If it's a day off that Reyes needs, and this Thursday isn't enough, then I think Turner or Wright are sufficient. I see no reason to bring Tejada back unless Reyes needs multiple days off.

So there!!!