Ceetar

That's so tame. Was the 'attention' on Twitter? (I missed it if so) or is he referring to Rubin and the Beats? It was certainly a more intelligent tweet than "Yay, we're really rolling!" I like jokes.. lighten up people, funny tweets might be the only added value from McHugh this year. (although I hope not)

and Nova earned a demotion for it too.

Jeff Mathis has been around a while. He's the guy that messed with my 'home runs by pitchers' post by pitching in two games one year.

it's not an exact date. It's a percentage of some sort. I could dig for the actual specifics, but basically its' a roving date based on everyone's service time across the league and what not. It's also something that is probably ultimately bought out via contract extensions these days.

Does this mean I have to take a pessimistic approach? Projecting, even hoping for, 8/9 is madness even if this were the '86 team playing the '62 team. There is too much randomness in baseball. (and the '62 Mets once won 9/12. remember that.) Not just in this post, but in general, I feel like there's this expectation that the Mets should sweep the Marlins 6 games or failing that, at least 5 of the six. That's setting the expectations awfully high off of a 5 game win streak that didn't exactly have them smashing the ball. But yes, the Mets are sneaking back into things, and a continued trend of good play could really help them in that regard, and with the idea that d'Arnaud and Wheeler should be upgrades at some point, things ARE looking up. but we knew that. we always knew that. it doesn't change things. We need another hitter. Maybe that's Ike. maybe it's Tejada in two weeks. Maybe they make some strides and Sandy makes a trade. but damn, you're gonna get whiplash from the about face if every 5 game win streak (And losing streak, they will lose again) is going to drastically change your outlook.

Vic Sage wrote: Of course, now with Niese's injury, it's all moot. Maybe. Maybe not.

Edgy MD wrote: Yeah, avoiding a letdown is important. But passing five teams and catching a sixth, including three National League squads now in the rearview, is good stuff. avoid the letdown and it's not unreasonable that they could be in second, or sniffing it, but this time next week.

you see what happens when you discuss the 'too many starters' problem? DO YOU SEE? You should've learned in Spring Training with Santana.

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John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Fman99 wrote: Should be Gee. Will end up being Hefner, at least at first. What other than some nebulous "comfort" argument could we have for this? If it were a matter of degrees of difference in suck it would be one thing but Gee is an an entirely different level. The league is OPSing .900 against him. That's not the kind of guy whose comfort ought to be considered when ejected from the rotation. I mean, only if he twirls an absolute gem and demonstrates an ability to make a sustainable improvement in his next few starts does he even stand a chance from where I'm sitting. Maybe it's the .69 difference in their career ERAs. a 4.39 ERA over 350 innings is a pretty good 5th starter for sure, and an indication of some ability at least. Yes, Gee has to get it together, but he's probably got 2-3 starts to do so still. Gee's velocity was nearly 2 mph down early on, but there are indications he's regained it, and presumably that speaks to arm strength (I'm by no means an expert on this stuff) but his best year was last year with his highest velocity, and if he's got the velocity back and built back up after the 9 month layoff, well, I have hope he can shake off the bad start. Collin McHugh is almost definitely going to be the guy that actually gets demoted, and there IS a difference in preparation in the bullpen, and while I'm not saying it's a huge thing, Hefner has done it before and at least initially it seems simplest to let him do it again.

Edgy MD wrote: No H, but yeah, the Mets are totally working that angle. hmm. Does he favor Jonny over Johnny? that just looks wrong. He's got an H in his name, just later. hell, I'll just call him Jon Joseph Jingleheimer Niese. (I know that's not right either. whatever)

Edgy MD wrote: You only get one pick, but don't believe there are necessarily only two valid selections. I'm telling you, the Mets are entertaining offers for Jon Niese at this very hour! Johnny for Carlos Gonzalez.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I don't give rolling doughnut if Gee is "more comfortable" being a starter at least while he's one of the worst starting pitchers in the league. There's mounting evidence his junk is better suited for the bullpen anyhow. He was good last year. It's about maximizing his and Hefner's value (it's not going to be any of the other three) and if they're more comfortable, that probably swings it.

I could see Wheeler getting the call June 7th at home against the Marlins before settling into the rotation and facing major league teams. Everyone should probably get 2 starts by then, maybe 3 for Gee to really iron it out. If Gee rights himself I feel like the Mets are most comfortable with Hefner as a long man than anyone else but I could see them messing around with a 6-man rotation for a bit too.

I just hope Lyle homers to LF against the Mariners so we can get a "Overbay homers Over Bay!"

I don't dislike Sterling, although him blowing calls like that is still a bad thing, shtick aside. Whenever I hear him talking outside of calling games, he seems reasonably intelligent and like he really understands the game. But there's gotta be a reasonable baseline of bringing you key details right? The Mets were off a couple of weeks ago, and I was going to pick up 3-Chica's burritos in Wyckoff (Chicken burritos, wet, fyi), about a 15 minute trip from home. I listened to the radio all the way there, got out just before the inning was over to get my food (so missed the inning summary) and it wasn't until the inning ended again 3 minutes from home on the way back that I figured out what the score was. This including what must have been putting tying runs on base.

duh, I have Gameday audio and provides radio archives. found it. he called it fine/perfectly. boo.

Frayed Knot wrote: Did Sterling have any clue on Byrd's HR? I could see him calling that one an out, an upper deck HR, a grounder to 2nd, or anything in between. I don't listen to WFAN at all anymore. anyone still like to replay Sterling's home run calls? I might tune in for it.

Edgy MD wrote: Hey, have a Snickerdoodle, Mr. Bitter Sarcasm. You're missing the point tremendously. I in no way claim or imply that he always has performed or is always doomed to perform as such. My faith in my team's players is no less than your'n. I just happen to think of Q-bert as one of those players. dammit, now I want a snickerdoodle. Bitter Sarcasm is my bit. Hell, i tone it down on the internet. Hopefully he comes up and does well. fine with me, I just worry there's inflated expectation from him based on an extremely small sample when he stepped in in an emergency last year. And that people like that his name starts with Q. Maybe he can give us 15 good days and Tejada with rest will get his act together. You can probably get 15 good days, with luck and timing, from anybody talented enough to be in AAA.

metirish wrote: I love it too, met some very quite MFY fans here at work this morning......obviously winning helps but I like this four game format during the week. Not that I think there's a ton they can do about it, but the Yankees and Mets probably prefer the weekend since it seems it's not enough to sell out weekdays. But it's fun, I find it easier to devote my attention to it on a weekday (I even almost went last night since it wasn't sold out) than it is during a summer or otherwise busy weekend. And we don't have to deal with Fox/ESPN crap this way so really pushes the localness of it.

Things That Are Generally Simple ... 11. Calling up Quintanilla There must be 50 ways to change your shortstop. Well yeah, his .220/.279/.302 career line fits right in with what Ruben was doing.

Edgy MD wrote: The Mets aren't contending this year, but.. .. Nonsense. The Mets gain tonight on both the first-place Braves and second-place Nats. They also gained a game on the Reds in hot, sexy Wild Card action. closer to the division at this point, but yeah. 9.5 games but control their own destiny. (well, doesn't everyone at this point..except the Marlins?) For now, just keep winning.

Zvon wrote: Wow, what an effort by Hawk, who really shouldnt have been there. But still. guess he figured with Wright overshifted (and kudos for being aware of it?) he was the only shot..but I think Wright catches it if he's not there.

Frank Francisco to the 60-day? We haven't heard about him recently have we? We're approaching 60 days at this point anyway. Otherwise try to squeak Gonzalez Germen through? Familia to 60 day? Actison? Rick Ankiel? He's pretty useless. It wouldn't really be out of place since the Mets have 6 outfielders..