Mets Fans Forever

Mets Call up Josh Thole

Author: Will Sommer

As expected the Mets have call up top catching prospect Josh Thole this according to Joel Sherman.

Obviously I am very excited to see him. Jerry Manuel said the other day that Thole might be limited to facing right handed pitchers. I am not sure I agree with that. I know that Jerry wants Thole to gain confidence and have success immediately, but Thole did have dead even splits in AA. Also this September call up is a tryout for 2010. Omar Minaya and Co. have to see if they have a catcher in Thole for next year. So if Thole doesn't get regular AB's against LHP, how will Minaya, and Manuel know if Thole can hit lefties at the major league level?  Hopefully though, he gets the start tomorrow in Colorado.

If you haven't already be sure to read the Q & A I had with Thole last week by clicking Here. 

Also Thole will be wearing number 30.

Mets Salvage Finale 4-1

Author: Drew Costello

The Mets were able to grab the final game of the series against the Cubs 4-1. Nelson Figueroa got the win going 7 strong innings giving up 6 hits and only one run. The Mets were able to hit Carlos Zambrano hard piling up 11 hits off the ace and scoring 4 runs.

It was nice to see the Mets have a pitcher step up and shut down an opposing offense, while the offense was able to knock out the opposing ace. When the Mets came into the season, I expected to see a bunch of games like this.

The Mets scored their runs in the third and fourth innings. Jeff Francoeur and Daniel Murphy had RBI singles in the third inning, while Anderson Hernandez and Nelson Figueroa added RBI singles in the fourth.

The Mets are a team that is lacking power at this point in the season. The only way they're able to score is via base hits and they were able to do that against Zambrano this afternoon.

The Mets start a series in Colorado against the Rockies on Tuesday night. Mike Pelfrey will face Jorge De La Rosa.

Yankees Claim Chris Carter

Author: Greg Pomes

Yes, that Chris Carter, the Chris Carter who was one of the players that the Red Sox were sending to the Mets in the Billy Wagner trade.  The Red Sox put Carter on waivers with the expectation that he would pass through waivers and be dealt to the Mets but the Yankees claimed him instead.  The Red Sox then pulled Carter off waivers and will send him to the Mets in the off season.

This announcement at first surprised me but it does make sense as Carter is on the Red Sox 40 Man Roster and now he will have to remain on the roster for the remaining season.  The Red Sox signed Paul Byrd in the beginning of the month and one of his conditions Byrd insisted on was that he would be added to the 40 man roster for the final month of the regular season.

Of course the Yankees would have to add to the troubles of the Mets.  It would have been nice to have a look at Carter at the end of the season, to see how he plays in regular season games instead of checking him out during Spring Training. 

It was a smart however by Brian Cashman, forcing the Red Sox to keep someone they don't want on their 40 man roster. 

I wonder if Omar had the chance to do this to the Phillies would he?  I don't think so as the thought would not have even crossed his mind, shows why the Yankees are going to the playoffs, most likely as the AL East champions and the Mets are trying to keep ahead of the Nationals.

Q & A With Josh Thole, Catcher of the Binghamton Mets

Author: Will Sommer

After the game in Binghamton I had the chance to interview Josh Thole, who is expected to get the call up to the majors when rosters expand September 1st. Thole has struggled with the bat in August but still has a .324 batting average, with 32 XBH. Even though he lacks power, my belief while watching him take his AB's, is that he will be a quality everyday catcher in the majors.

Will Sommer: Have any coaches in Binghamton told you that you will indeed be called up to the majors September 1st?

Josh Thole: No, nothing I'm just trying to finish the season strong with Binghamton, and that's all I'm focused on.

Will Sommer: So as to Adam Rubin's report you haven't heard anything about you getting the call?

Josh Thole: Nothing, I'm just trying to win here in Binghamton. And that's all I'm focused on.

Q & A With Mako Oliveras, Manager of the Binghamton Mets

Author: Will Sommer

While on my trip to Binghamton I had the chance to interview Mako Oliveras manager of the B-Mets. He was a great guy to talk to,  and based on what players have to say about him he's a great manager.

Will Sommer: How did you begin your coaching career in minor league baseball?

Mako Oliveras: I signed in 1968 with the Red Sox and ever since then I've been in baseball

Will Sommer: For how many years have you been coaching with the Mets organization?

Mako Oliveras: This is my 3rd year. I have been the manager of the B-Mets since 2007.

Will Sommer: What are your thoughts on how the season has gone so far?

Mako Oliveras: Well you know record-wise it's not what we'd like to have but with developing players we've done a good job.  (Jonathan) Malo, Tejada, Holt, Mejias, (Emmanuel) Garcia are guys who are al ot better now than when they started the season.

Will Sommer: Ruben Tejada is 19 years old and struggled somewhat last year in advanced A ball, how do you think he's held up this year physically and mentally?

Mako Oliveras:  I think with better players he's turned it up a notch. He's been doing outstanding. He's hitting close to .280, and he's been a very solid player all year.

Mets Lose 5-3

Author: Drew Costello

The Mets lost to the Florida Marlins Wednesday night by a score of 5-3. Mike Pelfrey took the loss going 5.2 innings giving up 5 runs on 11 hits. Josh Johnson got the win for the Fish going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs on 9 hits.

Pelfrey has always had trouble with the Marlins in his career and tonight he continued to have difficulties. I am in the camp that believes Pelfrey threw too many innings last year and is still getting used to the work load of a major league season. Either way, Pelfrey needs to become more consistent to become the pitcher he is capable of being.

The Mets took an early lead in the ball game on a double by Fernando Tatis scoring Cory Sullivan. Anderson Hernandez followed Tatis' double with a single to put the Mets ahead 2-0.However, the lead didn't last long when Pelfrey's nemisis Cody Ross tripled in two runs to tie the game. The Mets would not regain the lead the rest of the way.

Tatis improved his career stats against Josh Johnson to 9 of 12 against the big righty. However, Pelfrey continued to struggle against Cody Ross who seems to get a big hit every time he faces Pelfrey.

The Mets finish their series against the Marlins tomorrow afternoon when Tim Redding (1-4, 6.10) takes on Anibal Sanchez (2-4, 4.97) at 1:10 EST.

Omar Has Done HIs Job As Wilpons Don't Desire Championships, Just Our $$$

Author: Greg Pomes

I think it's fairly obvious after the last 2 seasons and the way the 2009 season is coming to an end that the Wilpons don't have the desire to win championships.  When they hired Omar Minaya it was with the idea that Omar would lead this team into "meaningful baseball games in September."  September is generally the last month of the regular baseball season, not a month in which World Series Championships are won but it is a month that leads to an exciting playoff races. 

The last 2 years the Mets have missed the playoffs by 1 game, both of which have been decided on the last day of the season at our old home of Shea Stadium.  Every game the last 2 seasons in September that were played at home were pretty meaningful.  As far as Omar goes that is mission accomplished.

If the Mets are in a playoff race the last month of the season which is September fans are going to go to the stadium, they are going to spend money on tickets, parking, food, merchandise, etc...  All of this money goes to the Wilpons, they have made a fortune over the last few years in September as the Mets tried to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Wilpons have shown that they are interested in making money and not winning championships.  Omar took over the job as the Mets General Manager at the end of the 2004 season and in his first season as the GM in 2005 the Mets were in playoff contention up until the last week of September, the first year of meaningful baseball games in September had been accomplished.  In 2006 the Mets just missed getting to the World Series, clinching the NL East in September and celebrating on the field of Shea Stadium with their fans for what we thought we be a tradition of making the playoffs.  2007 and 2008 the Mets played meaningful games in September, not making it to October.  Is it any wonder in why the Wilpons gave him a 3 year extension and raise after a 2007 collapse?

After the way the last 2 seasons ended the team showed that they were close to being a playoff team but not there yet, needing a few more pieces.  Most fans and people who follow the club thought that the Mets would add those pieces and 2009 would be the year we made it back into the post season.  Between not signing good free agents and 19 players on the DL that was not to be.  Of course though the Wilpons are not too upset.  With the Mets in 4th place in the division, completely out of the Wild Card race the Mets are still making money as a new ballpark brings in just as much if not more money than "meaningful games in September.:

This year the Wilpons knew that they had Citi Field as it's cash cow as Mets fans were going to go to see the new park regardless of the teams position in the standings.  The same will most likely be true for next year as new parks generate money for a couple of seasons.  That scares me the most as the Wilpons won't make any adjustments, they and Omar will use the injuries as the reason for the failure of 2009 even though the team wasn't playing that well when it was whole.  The Wilpons will continue to take our money while putting out substandard product and Omar will be rewarded for a job done.

Oliver Perez Out for season

Author: Will Sommer

According to multiple reports Oliver Perez has been diagnosed with patella tendonosis. He will need season ending surgery.

OK then who's next? Who they going to call up, Stephen Matz? I don't know what to say anymore. Is anyone surprised at this most recent news? Omar and Ollie better not use this injury as an excuse for his terrible season.

Who knows maybe next year he'll have a 6 ERA instead of a 6.82. As Ted Berg points out the Mets rotation is as follows--Mike Pelfrey, Bobby Parnell, Nelson Figueroa, Pat Misch and Tim Redding...This rotation will scare any team. I don't see how the Mets can lose.

Putz Shutdown for Season

Author: Will Sommer

Omar Minaya announced today that JJ Putz has been shutdown for the season with a ulnar collateral ligament in his right forearm. Putz was supposed to make a rehab appearance tonight in Brooklyn which now of course won't happen.

After the simulated game on Saturday, Putz said he was fine. I wonder what happened between now and then. Is anyone else shocked? Can Minaya call the Mariners again and ask for a redo? However Putz will not need surgery...for now.

Santana Out for the Season due to Elbow Surgery

Author: Drew Costello

Mets fans can all breathe a sigh of relief this afternoon. Johan Santana is out for the season having surgery on his left elbow, but it is not Tommy John Surgery. Johan will have minor surgery to clean up chips in his elbow and should be more than ready for the start of the 2010 season.

I'm not really sure why they didn't look into this when Johan was complaining about it in April. He hasn't been the same pitcher he was last year for most of the season and this is a good reason why. Whoever is running the team next year needs to monitor the issue and make sure we protect what is our most valuable asset.