Let’s go under the assumption Aaron Heiman’s bad knee was the real reason for his miserable year and he could be a viable pitcher again. Before we torch the guy, remember he was very effective in 2006 (save that one pitch) and for the most part in 2007.

Here are the options:

-Never mind, just trade him for what you can get.
-If the Mets are unable to land a significant starter, finally give him a chance in that role.
-If the Mets are unable to obtain a significant closer, give him a chance in that role.
-Keep him in the bullpen as a set-up reliever.

Posted under New York Mets

For the longest time, I looked at the first Sunday after the World Series as the start of the football season. Sure, we’re eight weeks in, but it’s a chance to channel surf without having to worry about missing a pitch.

The Hot Stove Season will really kick with rumors this week. Watched some of the Jets this afternoon and ready for Giants-Cowboys. Giants are defending their title well with the exception of their meltdown in Cleveland.

The win today, and Washington loses tomorrow night against the Steelers – a real possibility – then they would have gone a long way toward locking down their division.

Posted under New York Mets

Is it possible for tonight to eclipse last night in terms of drama? Would be a classic if it does.

It’s “must win” for the Rays tonight because Cole Hamels starts tomorrow for the Phillies. Hamels is the best starter in the Series and you fully expect him if not to win, surely pitch well.

I said last night I believed the Game 3 winner would take the Series and see no reason be back off that tonight.

Posted under New York Mets

Sunday afternoon. I’ve got ribs in the oven. I figure they’ll be done by the start of the third quarter of the first game. Fall-off-the-bone, of course.

Baseball game doesn’t start until 8:30 tonight. No other comment is necessary.

Ran all my errands and shopped this morning. Plan to watch football this afternoon. New York is absolutely the worst place to watch football because of the blackout and the Jets and Giants are always on at different times and they don’t telecast against the home NY team. Good thing the Giants are on Monday night.

We’ve got the Bengals and Jets and Cowboys and Cardinals this afternoon. Oh boy! Come to think about it, I might not watch much after all. But, if there’s something on your mind, feel free to leave a post.

Of course, I’ll see you tonight for Dodgers-Phils.

Posted under New York Mets

The Mets blew 29 save opportunities so far this season, and with them, perhaps a chance at the playoffs. Adding a top notch closer such as Francisco Rodriguez would improve the bullpen, but not put it over the top.

Billy Wagner blew seven save opportunities, but even worse was the bridge leading up to him. It was more than just a bad season.

Here’s how I see the pen:

-Billy Wagner: Won’t pitch for the Mets again. No brainer. However, he will get paid $11 million by them, and that will inhibit what they do this winter. I don’t see them paying both Wagner and Rodriguez.

-Aaron Heilman: They’ve resisted trading him the past two winters. They should pull the trigger if they get an offer this time. Heilman wants to start and since the Mets won’t give him that opportunity, they should try to get what they can. If they wanted to give Heilman a chance at being the fifth starter, I’d entertain it because it is clear this bullpen thing isn’t working out.

-Scott Schoeneweis: I can’t believe they gave him three years. (I mistakenly said he was done after this year. He’s signed through 2009).

-Joe Smith: Has his moments, both good and bad. Will be brought back.

-Pedro Feliciano: I’ve always been cool on him for some reason, even when he’s pitched well. I think they’ll bring him back.

-Luis Ayala: He saved a few games. Big deal. I don’t see him as the answer at closer. I do see him coming back.

-Carlos Muniz: Wouldn’t miss him.

-Ricardo Rincon: Ditto.

-Duaner Sanchez: He doesn’t have his fastball anymore. Certainly not a set-up man or closer type anymore. Not a loss if they don’t bring him back.

-Brian Stokes: More good appearances than bad. I’d like to see him back.

-Nelson Figueroa: Feel good story early this season. Very hittable.

-Brandon Knight: Pitched decently. Long man?

-Bobby Parnell: Can bring the heat. Let’s see what he can do in spring training.

Posted under New York Mets

-John Maine threw a 30-pitch simulated game today and declared himself 90 percent. Maine would like to pitch, but again, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.

-The Mets announced they will move their Triple-A team to Buffalo and will be called the Bisons. Good move. The closer the Triple-A team is to New York geographically the better.

-Pedro Martinez said he could pitch out of the bullpen in the playoffs. Problem is he’s allowed over 25 percent of his runs in the first inning.

Posted under New York Mets

Last winter I wrote how I didn’t want the Mets to trade for Johan Santana. I was thinking he would cost too much in prospects and money, and would break down before the end of the contract. Who knows about injuries?

But, he’s been worth it. Every time he goes out there you expect him to throw a good game and have the feeling the Mets will win. He provides a sense of confidence. You are surprised when he doesn’t pitch well.

That’s an ace.

The man should have 20 wins this season. Seven games the bullpen coughed up for him. Many more times the offense snoozed.

If he keeps pitching like this and the Mets give him some help, he will win a Cy Young Award here. I’m glad he’s here. I always enjoy seen the best perform.

Posted under New York Mets

It is too late in the season to say “they won, that’s good.”

They had better win from here on out if they expect to see October. They did what they were supposed to do, which is beat an inferior team to keep pace in a pennant race. No kudos for that.

I wrote yesterday the offense needed to wake up to support Brandon Knight, which is what happened. Knight didn’t pitch badly, but needing seven relievers to close the deal is not a good sign.

A lot of heat directed at David Wright last night, but relax, he’ll be fine. You can tell watching him at the plate that he’s trying too hard. I believe Wright is too good a player to get consumed by the pressure. He will break out of it.

Posted under New York Mets

When Billy Wagner was healthy and popping off on a regular basis, he often joked about retirement. He liked the idea of going out on his terms.

That’s gone now.

Wagner will have surgery to repair a torn MCL in his left elbow, and with recovery time of one year, we’re talking 2010. Wagner has his money, but what remains to be seen is whether he’ll have peace of mine and be willing to leave like this. No athlete wants to leave the game injured.

“That was a scenario that I was not expecting,” general manager Omar Minaya said today.

Wagner walked off the mound during a bullpen session Sunday afternoon. At 37, he has one year and $10.5 million left on the contract signed before the 2006 season.

The Mets hold an $8 million option for 2010, which they likely would not pick up without having seen him pitch next year.

Wagner saved 101 of his 385 career games with the Mets and was a two-time all-star. He lived up to his end of the bargain. Yes, he had blown saves, but nobody quite blew a save like Wagner.

Wagner went on the DL with a strained left forearm, Aug. 5, and the team has gone to a closer-by-committee role. Things were spotty at first, but Luis Ayala settled into the role by converting five of six save opportunities.

“Surgery was always a possibility if things did not get better,” Minaya said. “And we’re at the point right now where things did not get better. … In a lot of ways, you almost got the feeling that we were going to have to do this without Billy. Baseball is not about one guy. It’s about a team, and the concept of togetherness.”

Posted under New York Mets