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Adam Rubin Chat

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 09:54 AM

Starts at noon here: [url]http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/ I already submitted a Q as "Johnny Catfish" let's see if he responds!

Edgy DC Mar 11 2009 10:05 AM

Good question from "Mike" about potential Maine unhealth.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:06 AM

Bad job by Rubin to take 5 minutes to answer already.

metirish Mar 11 2009 10:08 AM

I'm only watching because you submitted a question.....

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:11 AM

oooh, good question, DJ.

metirish Mar 11 2009 10:12 AM

Prismo's question was lame , who cares by then....hope Prismo is not someone form here.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:15 AM

Stop wasting our time, jetstapietro.

metirish Mar 11 2009 10:15 AM

Could Church have been rolling his eyes because he was all messed up from the concussions?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:16 AM

All this chat about yesterday's news. Camon, Rubin, answer the one we all be talking about tomorrow!

Edgy DC Mar 11 2009 10:17 AM

Yeah, the Mets had forgotten that trading was an option. Hey, Mr. Moderator! Stop with Sanchez already!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:21 AM

I share Ken F.'s concern -- not with Putz specifically but with the general idea that relievers are mercurial and could emerge or disappear anytime. It's a lot to expect a guy to be great.

GYC Mar 11 2009 10:22 AM

There ya go - Johnny Catfish.

Edgy DC Mar 11 2009 10:22 AM

Nice suck-up signoff, ass-kisser.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:23 AM

That Johnny Catfish dork misspelled Cherry

metirish Mar 11 2009 10:23 AM

Oh boy here we go with Johnny Cat fish

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:24 AM

Boo, Mets suck!

GYC Mar 11 2009 10:27 AM

He really copped out on the question about the bullpen's abilities. Looks like he forgot to take off his Mets-colored glasses before answering that one. Yeah, his answer is the IDEAL situation, but since when does anyone actually perform as completely well as they're expected to, and to stay healthy?

GYC Mar 11 2009 10:28 AM

Jetsaplero needs to stop asking questions.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:30 AM

Bazooka LoDooka has submitted a question.

Edgy DC Mar 11 2009 10:31 AM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3erhn2fe]That Johnny Catfish dork misspelled Cherry[/quote:3erhn2fe] Edgy DC with a "spot spots" error. Trying to get an inside tip on Competition III.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:31 AM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3de8zxn7]Bazooka LoDooka has submitted a question.[/quote:3de8zxn7] Interestingly, similar to edgy dc's but wothout the Marlon Anderson assumption.

Edgy DC Mar 11 2009 10:42 AM

Wow! Bill F. Metsiac.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 10:47 AM

Hubie Brooks Robinson has submitted a question.

metirish Mar 11 2009 10:55 AM

Good question on Kiner , unfortunately Rubin has not seen him.

metirish Mar 11 2009 10:59 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 11 2009 11:00 AM

S has got to be our own SJR especially with a lick arse intro like that.

Edgy DC Mar 11 2009 11:00 AM

I was looking a little outside the box. No luck.

Edgy DC Mar 11 2009 11:00 AM

[quote="metirish"]S has got to be our own SJR especially with a lick arse intro like that.

I'm betting no.

metsguyinmichigan Mar 11 2009 11:01 AM

I have one in there about Valentin.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 11:02 AM

Oh well. Hubie Brooks Robinson wanted to know why all the writers got so bent out of shape over Jerry finagling with the lineup.

metirish Mar 11 2009 11:07 AM

Is this something Rubin does a lot?. Newsday has these kind of chats quite often.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 16 2009 10:39 AM

Turns out that Newsday had scheduled its chat at the same time. Today (Monday), Newsday has David Lennon at 1pm and the Snooze has Rubin at 2. [url]http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/blog/ [url]http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/ Lennon;s taking questions NOW. ... Come on let's give them something interesting to talk about.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 16 2009 10:51 AM

OK, Hubie Brooks Robinson is on the Lennon queue.

Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 10:56 AM

Rubin's chat application isn't working for me. Ask him this one. "Jose Reyes had a two-homer game at the start of spring training. But he hasn't hit squat since then, for the Mets or the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Is he one of those players who hit a few homers and get their swing messed up trying to hit a few more?"

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 16 2009 10:58 AM

Rubin's chat won;t be taking Q's till later. Ask Lennon. Besides, we shouldn't care care what a sportswriter thinks of Reyes' swing. Come on man.

Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 11:03 AM

I got two in the queue.

Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 11:06 AM

Crap answer on Dillon Gee. "Nobody's talking about him, so I don't have an opinion of my own."

Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 11:08 AM

Hubie Brooks Robinson, I think you broke his brain.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 16 2009 11:11 AM

Prolly shouldn't have personally put him on the defensive but it wasn't a bad answer regarding Jerry's own selfish reasons -- I think he does do that. I also thought Gee was not a hard-thrower.

Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 11:18 AM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3tdzu7tm]Prolly shouldn't have personally put him on the defensive but it wasn't a bad answer regarding Jerry's own selfish reasons -- I think he does do that. I also thought Gee was not a hard-thrower.[/quote:3tdzu7tm] I could just hear him flipping through the dictionary to find "rancor."

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 16 2009 11:19 AM

Back in as "Mr. Worst-Case Scenario"

metirish Mar 16 2009 11:21 AM

Lennon certainly likes to give expansive answers , of course it could be that the quality of questions have gotten better .

metirish Mar 16 2009 11:26 AM

Going to start calling you ET now Edgy...

Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 11:27 AM

Dodged my enormous question.

metirish Mar 16 2009 11:41 AM

Mr. -Worst-Case-Senario is one of you guys?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 16 2009 11:59 AM

Yes, that was me. I'm asking a similar question to Rubin under the name Jeff Torborg Experience.

Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 12:00 PM

My wife asks all the personal questions

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 16 2009 12:58 PM

Comment From Jeff Torborg Expe...] Hi Adam, I recall a very good analysis you did around the time of the Willie firing last year suggesting that perhaps it was Bernazard who was the future king of the Mets. How if at all has that dynamic changed? Is Bernazard a bad guy? How secure should Omar be in the event of a poor start or poor finish? Well, I think the fact that Jeff Wilpon gave Omar Minaya a three-year extension after last season, even though Omar was signed through 2009, indicates he’s in great shape. I think things would have been different had the Mets just gone into a freefall in the second half and not made it a race until the final day. Tony Bernazard wants to be a GM, and has interviewed in Seattle and Pittsburgh. He’s a very intense guy, so he has friends and enemies. I think in the early days of Omar taking over from Jim Duquette, Tony was the primary person making decisions behind the scenes. I think Omar has asserted himself now a little more, and Tony’s opinion is strongly weighed but not the definitive word.

metirish Mar 23 2009 02:31 PM

Missed the Lennon chat today but I'm reading over it now , Heyman is reporting that the Mets " are believed to have made an offer" to Pedro...Lennon says a team guy he talked to says no firm offer was made. http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseb ... on_14.html

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 30 2009 08:08 AM

Lennon is on again today at noon. He says there is barely any drama tyo the selections anymore, as they're down to Dessens, Nieve and O'Day for the final bullpen slot. That means we've got to come up with some creative questions.

metirish Mar 30 2009 08:35 AM

I have my Rubin question about the size of Piazza's balls locked and loaded....Lennon can have it. Hi David , love your work..regarding Mike Piazza there has been a lot of talk about back acne , maybe too much talk , has there been any talk about "shrinkage" as George Costanza might say.

Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 08:43 AM

Well, George was talking about the frank, and you about the beans.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 30 2009 10:01 AM

OK, Lennon is underway. http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/blog/ Sham-WOW has asked about Oliver Perez's disposition

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 30 2009 10:04 AM

Duffy D'yer Maker asks about The Schneid

Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 10:05 AM

Mazzilli Vanilli has asked.

metirish Mar 30 2009 10:06 AM

Pete Flynn's spade asked his question

Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 10:08 AM

Dude is taking a lot of redundant questions.

metirish Mar 30 2009 10:09 AM

Lennon indulging silly questions...

metirish Mar 30 2009 10:12 AM

Sham -WOW up - good question

metirish Mar 30 2009 10:16 AM

For prosperity [Comment From Sham-WOW] David, Is there something about Oliver Perez's disposition, or maybe the way he treats writers, that invites critical coverage? How does he get along with teammates? 12:13 Didn't know the WOW was all caps in Sham-Wow. Always learn someting during this chat. Perez invites critical coverage by his pitching more than anything else. I don't think he's a bad guy and his teammates seem to live him. From a reporter's standpoint, he doesn't express himself particularly well - in either english or spanish -- and that makes it difficult to get the full perspective from his end. Santana in particular seems to have struck up a friendship with him. That should help.

Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 10:17 AM

My question got cut off at my paragraph break.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 30 2009 10:18 AM

[Comment From Mazzilli Vanilli] Hi, David. Thanks for your work. I accepted a long time ago that Mike Piazza is (or has been) a likely PED abuser. But it's one thing to believe it and another (I think) to run with it in print. Don't you think Murray Chass and Jeff Pearlman are running with speculation and hearsay? What standard do you think a reporter should have for outing a guy as a cheat? Do you think that the back page of a tabloid has the same standard as section A of the Times? Or should have the same standard? I was prepared for this story, but I expected, when the other shoe dropped with Mike, it would be based on a better source than Reggie Jefferson saying, "Everybody knows Mike did it?" Everybody? Then follow up with some supporting names closer to the situation maybe. Build a real case.

Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 10:20 AM

I must've broken the chat module.

metirish Mar 30 2009 10:21 AM

Hey MV -- I agree with all of your points. Accusing someone of doing steroids is a much, much larger issue than trade rumors or blind items on Page Six. There needs to be solid proof -- not just a player such as Reggie Jefferson spouting off about something thart he heard. Take SI for instance. They had the A-Rod story confirmed on a number of fronts before goign with it because they knew of the legal implications. There's only way to out someone as a cheat -- with evidence. Just throwing out names, or making statements without backing them up sufficiently, is not evidence. It's irresponsible.

Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 10:22 AM

Duffy Dyer Maker is too good a handle for a one-off question.

sharpie Mar 30 2009 10:25 AM

I worked on a parody at one point with that title but it didn't get any better after the title.

metirish Mar 30 2009 10:30 AM

Oh Janet , my thoughts exactly

Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 10:32 AM

Interactive Zep parody time: Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh You know how to throw, oh-oh-oh-oh But still you back up Gro', oh-oh-oh-oh 'Cuz you're fat and white and... slow You go.

metsguyinmichigan Mar 30 2009 10:32 AM

[quote="Edgy DC":11rjqm9o]Duffy Dyer Maker is too good a handle for a one-off question.[/quote:11rjqm9o] Bonus points if you can tell me how "D'yer Mak'er" is properly pronounced.

Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 10:34 AM

Jamaica.

metirish Mar 30 2009 10:38 AM

That's a 10 out of 20?...I kid

metsguyinmichigan Mar 30 2009 11:46 AM

[quote="Edgy DC":2txnb3li]Jamaica.[/quote:2txnb3li] Awesome! I cringe when I head DJs get it wrong.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 22 2009 09:18 AM

Newsday's David Lennon chatting NOW.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 22 2009 09:35 AM

[Comment From Planet Boisclair] Hey David, Coming off a bad year, off to a rotten start, hurt already and a free agent to be: When do the Mets stop pretending Brian Schneider should continue as the "No 1 catacher"? 11:33 Good point, PB. They put him on the DL awfully fast this weekend and he could be slipping on the depth chart. At least it's his last year. Schneider's role could be further dimished in the weeks ahead as Manuel raved about Omir Santos yesterday. Hey I got a "good point" award.

Edgy DC Apr 23 2009 11:07 AM

[Comment From ZuZus Nettles] HI, Kat. It seemed clear from the length of the Sabathia deal and the size of his body that the trick was to get what you can up front, and accept that the deal would turn bad at the back end. Do you think anybody in the front office is as nervous as the fans in the seats... fearing that deal is already looking like a white elephant? 1:05 ZuZus, Not yet they aren't. Sabathia is often a slow starter. In fact, last April, he was way worse than he has been this April. However, if we don't see some dominant performances in the next several weeks, you can bet there will be major concerns in the front office. No such award for for me from Kat O'Brien.

Edgy DC Apr 23 2009 11:20 AM

Comment from Tom Comment from Diane Comment from Brian Comment from Hugh Can't these people come up with a handle?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 23 2009 11:22 AM

You're into that redheaded young Lass arent you.

Edgy DC Apr 23 2009 11:24 AM

It's all her, I swear.

metirish Apr 27 2009 12:04 PM

What's with Lennon and the 11AM chats? A few nuggets from today's chat. [Comment From Bill] David, great job covering the Mets for us Mets fans. You think they will keep Santos and find a way to dump either Schneider or Castro? 11:04 Thanks Bill. I'm starting to think that's a real possibility. The front office is not a big fan of either Schneider or Castro, and Manuel has really been talking up Santos. I think they will option Santos back to Buffalo if Schneider is ready to return this weekend. But if Schneider falters, the Mets may have to dump either him or Castro to keep Santos on the roster. It's a possibility. [Comment From Tom] Hi Dave. On the radio it's been mentioned that David Wright, who is viewed as the future captain of this team, cannot openly take charge and lead in the locker room because he still defers to Carlos Delgado when push comes to shove. Is this true and if so, do you think that needs to change for this team to succeed? 11:13 Hey Tom - No, I don't think that's true. I talked to Wright about that in spring training and he said he was not intimidated by anyone in the clubhouse. He's fine with calling people out when necessary. Plus, right now, Wright is not playing well enough to take the reins of this team. He has his own issues to work out at the plate. When that happens, it can be tough for players to look at the big picture. Wright should be captain of this team at some point -- and maybe it won't happen until Delgado's contract runs out at the end of this season. But I don't believe Wright defers to him. [Comment From Sam] How long can the Mets afford to let Daniel Murphy stumble around in left field? At some point, do they have to send him down to the minors to actually learn to play the position, or maybe a different position? 11:17 Hey Sam -- the Mets can't afford to have Murphy make one spectacular misplay per game. It just can't happen at this level. But I'm not sure what the breaking point is yet. Honestly, I think they're a better team with Tatis in LF and Castillo batting second. It just makes more sense. Tatis is no great defender, but he's a significant upgrade from Murphy. That's their best lineup, in my opinion. [Comment From Neil Best] Why are the lines at the Shake Shack longer than in other locations? 11:22 Ladies and Gentlemen ... Neil Best! I'm flattered if this is really you Neil and not some WatchDog imposter. As for the lines, I think Shake Shack -- like its Bryant Park location -- benefits from the hype. The burgers are phenomenal. But when it comes to bang for your buck, I favor the Taco Combo ($9.50) at El Verano Taqueria, which is directly across from Shake Shack. Much shorter lines, a brief wait and THREE different tacos with three different salsas. They even give you a fresh lime to squirt on them. [Comment From Tom] The Mets built Citi Field to be a park that rewards speed, pitching and defense. Why? This team is noticeably deficient in all these areas. 11:36 Well put, Tom. The Mets wanted to make Citi a pitcher's park like Shea and they've succeeded at that. They may need to make more alterations to their roster to take full advantage, however. Having Beltran in CF is a good start, but it's obvious they need to keep Church out there too. Otherwise, it's been a challenge for Murphy. I do believe the Mets can be a good gap-hitting team. They just haven't shown it yet. [Comment From Mitch] Love Daniel Murphy but I think it's time for him to go to AAA and learn how to play LF. Remember when veterans asked if team was "really trying" during Greg Jefferies 2B conversion? Although it appears that team likes/respects Murphy, it's hard to keep playing him with Tatis, Shef, and even Jeremy Reed all on the bench. 11:48 I agree Mitch. But I'm not sure Murphy will ever be a "good" leftfielder. No one works harder than Murphy. He's out there every day before every game. But that doesn't mean he can become something he's not. Maybe he just can't be a solid reliable defender, even if he does go to Buffalo. I think Tatis should be playing there.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 27 2009 12:18 PM

The Schneid is eligible to come back on Sunday and is expected to. I suppose the only answer now is to demote Santos but who knows.

Nymr83 Apr 27 2009 02:18 PM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":kmekpnm7]The Schneid is eligible to come back on Sunday and is expected to. I suppose the only answer now is to demote Santos but who knows.[/quote:kmekpnm7] Well they could always pretend that whatever minor ailment is keeping Castro out is serious enough for a 15-day DL trip so he can get himself healthier while Santos remains available to backup Schneider, especially if Schneider is not yet ready to play every day.

soupcan Apr 27 2009 02:54 PM

The tacos don't live up to the hype.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 14 2009 10:43 AM

Rubin goes at 1pm today. Duffy Dyer Maker ain't throwing any meatballs

metirish May 14 2009 10:52 AM

Boy but I'm lame, I'm sure my question is buried as I spent fully five minutes trying to think of a cool name....lame....metirish wants to know about Delgado....

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 14 2009 11:17 AM

Holy shit this guy brings it strong. [Comment From Duffy Dyer Maker] Pardon my French but WTF is up with Putz excusing his pitching woes by suggesting he can't get the energy up for pitching the 8th? Perhaps he'd like to pitch the 5th inning instead, because that's what his performance would indicate. The fans by the way see right through the painstaking attempt to create an illusion of a lockdown endgame, to the point where they're (over)using Putz simply because he's been anointed as the "8th inning guy." Do you think there will come a point where they just try and win games instead? Thanks and keep up the great work.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 14 2009 11:19 AM

Adam Rubin Replies: Thanks for the kind words. I heard J.J. on WFAN yesterday suggest that it’s hard to duplicate the adrenaline in the eighth inning. I actually understand it. But what he told me a few days earlier, not assigning blame or anything, is that he just feels a little worn down by getting leaned on so much to pitch. He insisted there was no specific injury - just generally feeling a little blah by how much he’s relied upon.

Edgy DC May 14 2009 11:23 AM

Good answer.

metirish May 14 2009 11:30 AM

It's a concerning answer too and speaks to what you are saying, certain bullpen guys getting overused already.

metirish May 14 2009 11:53 AM

[Comment From metirish] Adam , Interim Jerry was a lot better than full time Jerry....last season he was pushing his starters to go that extra batter or inning and this year he's got the quick hook working and in my opinion overusing his pen. 1:28 The one thing I would point out is that interim Jerry was managing in the second half of the season. Full-time Jerry is managing in the first half. He’s specifically said with respect to Johan Santana that he doesn’t want to gas him now so there are those same bullets left late.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 30 2009 09:03 AM

Lennon is on Newsday.com NOW!!!! Look for questions from Jackson Todd is God and Joel Oldblood

metirish Jun 30 2009 09:20 AM

Not what Jackson Todd wanted to hear?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 30 2009 09:23 AM

[quote="metirish":7vxtamv6]Not what Jackson Todd wanted to hear?[/quote:7vxtamv6] Eh. I think I'd be satisfied with an all-scrub team if I could at least be convinced they wouldn't commit the same fuckups over and over again.

metirish Jun 30 2009 09:25 AM

Yeah it's not like this is a fun bunch to watch , for me they are not anyway....

Benjamin Grimm Jun 30 2009 09:29 AM

Me neither. More and more, I'm just neglecting to tune in.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 30 2009 09:31 AM

Rico, calling for blood.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 30 2009 10:05 AM

[quote="David Lennon":1mm88z6s]Omar's three-year extension doesn't even begin until after this season.[/quote:1mm88z6s] Good grief.

metirish Jun 30 2009 10:09 AM

Lennon has always been adamant that Minaya was going nowhere , I keep telling myself that Minaya has a good bat in the works but as Lennon said there several times the few good chips they have they want to hold onto....Flores ect. So what's left out there....Huff?....he doesn't make me hard that's for sure.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 30 2009 10:24 AM

Maybe they should get Megan Fox then.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 30 2009 10:26 AM

[Comment From Joel Oldblood] Argenis Reyes? Leading off? Playing shortstop? Is Jerry even trying? 11:53 Total hunch on his part. There was no statistical evidence to support that decision -- none. And he got burned by it.

metirish Jun 30 2009 10:31 AM

WOW.....

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 30 2009 10:40 AM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket"] [Comment From Joel Oldblood] Argenis Reyes? Leading off? Playing shortstop? Is Jerry even trying? 11:53 Total hunch on his part. There was no statistical evidence to support that decision -- none. And he got burned by it.

Da-vid Len-non! (Clap, clap, clapclapclap)

Edgy DC Jun 30 2009 11:50 AM

Thatr was me in the role of Bud Harrelsdaughter, cribbing the dat from Gwreckx-n-Effect. Tim Kerfuffle, also, and Lennon had nothing to give me but speculation. He's probably right, but I'm going to stay on the Peña thing until I get some solid answers. Get used to it.

metirish Jun 30 2009 11:59 AM

Were you also crazy eddie?

Edgy DC Jun 30 2009 12:12 PM

Nyet.

Fman99 Jun 30 2009 12:24 PM

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":1hktxmgn]Me neither. More and more, I'm just neglecting to tune in.[/quote:1hktxmgn] I can't bring myself to not watch. I stayed tuned in till the last pitch, yesterday and all weekend prior. What does that say about me? I don't even know anymore.

Nymr83 Jun 30 2009 12:26 PM

i turned it off at 10-3 and was watching star trek on sci fi until my computer showed me that it was 10-6 with hoffman coming in and 2 on. i'm getting to the point where there are other things i'd rather watch. if tonight werent Santana i'd probably watch Deadliest Catch instead

metirish Jul 07 2009 07:13 AM

Adam to chat today at 11:30 Meanwhile his article from today makes for grim reading if you are to believe the scouts he talks to Mets' glass half empty despite size of Phillies' NL East lead BY Adam Rubin DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER In case it might have faded from consciousness, the Phillies overcame a seven-game deficit with 17 to play in 2007. So can Mets fans feel better knowing there's hope? After all, they completed the weekend only trailing Philadelphia by four games with 81 to play. In reality, the Mets are reeling as they enter Tuesday night's game against Los Angeles, which kicks off a six-game home stand before the All-Star break. Continued struggles could doom the Mets by the All-Star break if the Phillies stay hot after the weekend sweep broke them out of a 3-12 funk. Suddenly, Jerry Manuel's goal for the Mets to tread water and stay above .500, which was viewed as an underwhelming ambition by the fan base a few weeks ago, may even be unachievable. A team official reiterated Monday that there are no foreseeable quick fixes via trade, and that the reinforcements should, in fact, be the eventual returns of Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, as well as of J.J. Putz and Billy Wagner to bolster the bullpen. No staff changes are expected soon, either. The remaining top-tier players, David Wright and Johan Santana, appear to be buckling under the weight of carrying the team. Wright, who has started all but one game this season, is 1-for-20 with eight strikeouts since convincing Manuel not to rest him in Milwaukee last Wednesday with the Mets at risk of getting swept. Santana, despite limiting the Phillies to a pair of solo homers in seven innings Sunday, may be gassed as well. His second pitch, which Jimmy Rollins pulled over the left-field wall, registered only 89 mph. Santana didn't make too a big deal about missing location later, on a homer by Chase Utley that accounted for the 2-0 score. After all, he noted in the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal, what much does it matter if the team didn't score? "What Rollins had done in the first inning was sufficient for them to win the game," Santana told the newspaper. Why no reinforcements? GM Omar Minaya has cited these primary reasons: Not enough sellers with so many teams in contention, and hence the price tag is too high. And what happens when the Mets' injured players return? The unspoken addendum is that scouts assigned to the Mets say there's little they find attractive. Aside from four core prospects - pitchers Brad Holt and Jenrry Mejia, shortstop Wilmer Flores and outfielder Fernando Martinez - scouts have found little enticing. Mejia is currently on the minor-league DL, too. The second-tier prospect group is highlighted by lefthander Jon Niese, who actually has turned things around at Triple-A Buffalo and was named International League Pitcher of the Week, as well as first baseman Ike Davis. One scout who recently watched the Mets' high-A St. Lucie team told the Daily News: "I cannot, in good conscience, write up anybody here. There's not a single major-league arm on the pitching staff." The scout went on to say that Reese Havens, the first-round pick from the University of South Carolina last year, has too long a swing and is out of position at shortstop. "I talked to three other scouting supervisors. They all told me they had him in the third or fourth round last year," the scout said. Triple-A Buffalo's roster was scathingly ridiculed in one NL scout's report to his GM. The scout mentioned Niagara Falls and a nearby casino as what salvaged his trip. One NL team official did compare the Mets to the Phillies - the Phillies of early this decade, that is. Then, Philadelphia forfeited high draft picks for debatable signings such as Rheal Cormier, Jose Mesa and David Bell. Philadelphia exacerbated the loss of draft picks by dealing prospects for marginal relievers. The Mets' first pick this season was 72nd overall because of free-agent signings, although sacrificing their first-round pick did land them Francisco Rodriguez. "The Mets are in the same exact spot," the official said. "It reminds me so much. They have nothing in their system." STRAINING TO RETURN: Angel Pagan, on the DL with a right groin strain, was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with St. Lucie Monday night. With Martinez's right knee ailing, Pagan could soon replace the rookie on the roster.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 07 2009 07:21 AM

Santana feels free to speak more candidly to the Venezuelan press, doesn't he?

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 07:28 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 07 2009 07:31 AM

Evrey year it's the same. The Mets have nothing in their system, besides the guys that we know they have. Can somebody tell me which debateable signings the Mets forfeited their high picks on? Francisco Rodriguez? Moises Alou, I guess.

metirish Jul 07 2009 07:30 AM

[quote="Edgy DC":q5oaxpi4]Evrey year it's the same. The Mets have nothing in their system, besides the guys that we know they have.[/quote:q5oaxpi4] You're in quite the mood this morning......you are right though , I don't think I have ever read about how the Mets system is stocked with future big league players.

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 07:34 AM

It's a story that writes itself. Did they lose any picks for Schoeneweiss?

metsguyinmichigan Jul 07 2009 07:36 AM

[quote="metirish":1tmx1ky0][quote="Edgy DC":1tmx1ky0]Evrey year it's the same. The Mets have nothing in their system, besides the guys that we know they have.[/quote:1tmx1ky0] You're in quite the mood this morning......you are right though , I don't think I have ever read about how the Mets system is stocked with future big league players.[/quote:1tmx1ky0] That's because we sign a lot of free agents -- losing picks in the process -- and have done well enough in recent years so that we're among the last teams making picks. If we don't sign free agents, people howl all offseason.

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 07:47 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Jul 07 2009 08:23 AM

And that's why it writes itself. Either you're the pussies who wouldn't sign Derek Lowe, or the morons who gave up a pick (plus that unseemly bonus!) and gave the Dodgers two picks for Derek Freakin' Lowe. Nobody loves you when you're down and out.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 07 2009 07:49 AM

I wonder how many farm systems are just brimming with hot prospects. And how many of the current stars in the game were considered top prospects when they were in Single A or Double A?

metirish Jul 07 2009 07:55 AM

[quote="Edgy DC":2pc9gw2o] Nobody loves you when you're down and out.[/quote:2pc9gw2o] There's a good C&W song in that right there.

Frayed Knot Jul 07 2009 07:58 AM

The NYM system was rated about average (17th in fact) by Baseball America prior to this season. Not that that stops an awful lot of people from "knowing" that it's the worst system in baseball (not specifically talking about those in Rubin's article). The subject of minor league prospects is definitely one area that supports the saying about how a little bit of knowledge is frequently worse than none at all. Now of course that kind of rating is subject to interpretation and different sources can and will have varying opinions. Plus "average" doesn't always mean the same thing. Two teams might be side by side in such a ranking but have completely different systems. One might have fewer but higher ceiling-ed and closer-to-ready prospects while the other has more plentiful stock but ones who are more questionable about their future and further from being ready.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 07 2009 08:19 AM

Unnamed scouts give the best quotes.

Frayed Knot Jul 07 2009 08:28 AM

[quote="Edgy DC":3tr6ds2v]It's a story that writes itself. Did they lose any picks for Schoeneweiss?[/quote:3tr6ds2v] No. Stanton yes - although now we're going back a ways - but not for Schoeneweis. I think the team that lost Schoeneweis (I forget even who that was at this point) might have gained a supplemental pick for it but that didn't come at the expense of a Mets' pick. Other than that they've lost picks for Wagner, Alou & Rodriguez in recent years, and gained one (plus a supplemental) for Glavine.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 07 2009 08:33 AM

[quote="Frayed Knot":31dukaud]The NYM system was rated about average (17th in fact) by Baseball America prior to this season. Not that that stops an awful lot of people from "knowing" that it's the worst system in baseball (not specifically talking about those in Rubin's article). The subject of minor league prospects is definitely one area that supports the saying about how a little bit of knowledge is frequently worse than none at all. Now of course that kind of rating is subject to interpretation and different sources can and will have varying opinions. Plus "average" doesn't always mean the same thing. Two teams might be side by side in such a ranking but have completely different systems. One might have fewer but higher ceiling-ed and closer-to-ready prospects while the other has more plentiful stock but ones who are more questionable about their future and further from being ready.[/quote:31dukaud] Spot on. The ML-ready guys are the ones being asked for in trade, and the few guys the Mets have at those levels-- F-Bomb and Parnell (and, if you're squinting, Niese)-- are apparently off the table.

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 08:43 AM

[quote="Frayed Knot":2gig2joj][quote="Edgy DC":2gig2joj]It's a story that writes itself. Did they lose any picks for Schoeneweiss?[/quote:2gig2joj] No. Stanton yes - although now we're going back a ways - but not for Schoeneweis. I think the team that lost Schoeneweis (I forget even who that was at this point) might have gained a supplemental pick for it but that didn't come at the expense of a Mets' pick. Other than that they've lost picks for Wagner, Alou & Rodriguez in recent years, and gained one (plus a supplemental) for Glavine.[/quote:2gig2joj] So, Alou is the heartbreaker. A Lowe-supporter can also say that by signing him and letting Ollie walk, they'd have gotten a sandwich pick (if Ollie got signed away) --- one of the subtle ways in which the system unintentionally rewards a team for not sticking with its own players. But Moises Alou hardly makes a pattern of forfeiting high draft choices for mercurial supporting players.

metirish Jul 07 2009 09:32 AM

Chat has started Pete Flynn has submitted his question

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 07 2009 09:34 AM

As has Mackey Sassier.

Gwreck Jul 07 2009 09:35 AM

Tom Emanski had some thoughts as well.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 07 2009 09:47 AM

Don Hahnjahb has a question in but seems as though Tom Emanski stole his thundah.

metirish Jul 07 2009 09:49 AM

Mackey Sassier just totally stumped Adam....

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 09:55 AM

The Only Nolan and Desperate but not Serious are in play.

metirish Jul 07 2009 10:02 AM

I think the theme today as Rubin points out is Minaya..... [Comment From Brian] Why cant this team play solid fundies, as Hernandez says??? Firing the manager two years in a row probablly won't happen mid season. Bring back Bobby V. 12:01 Bobby V. ain’t coming back. And, trust me, if you brought in Frank Robinson, it would be the same result. Jerry nicely said recently that guys generally play like their histories suggest they will—a version of the cliché, “look at the back of the baseball card.” good question and answer

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 10:05 AM

I don't by the answer. Defensive talent may be static, but defensive preparedness and execution are coachable. That's not to say that the coaches aren't doing their damndest, but still.

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 10:07 AM

[quote="metirish":26hdxt0d]Jerry nicely said recently that guys generally play like their histories suggest they will—a version of the cliché, “look at the back of the baseball card.”[/quote:26hdxt0d] What does Argenis Reyes' baseball card say?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 07 2009 10:08 AM

Bruise Boisclair getting in late

Gwreck Jul 07 2009 10:08 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 07 2009 10:10 AM

That's just the thing. The coaches *aren't* doing enough. Rubin seemed to agree with Emanski on that. Edit: Am I reading that right? You would be shocked at the amount of coaching that goes on in the early afternoons given how they look. Shocked at how little is going on, given how bad they look? Or shocked at how much goes on and how little they improve?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 07 2009 10:08 AM

[quote="Edgy DC":2zcbl3f5]What does Argenis Reyes' baseball card say?[/quote:2zcbl3f5] I doubt they ever bothered to print one.

metirish Jul 07 2009 10:10 AM

[quote="Gwreck":l3xbv0l9]That's just the thing. The coaches *aren't* doing enough. Rubin seemed to agree with Emanski on that.[/quote:l3xbv0l9] But he said you'd be shocked at the amount of coaching that goes on.....

Gwreck Jul 07 2009 10:11 AM

Yeah, I don't know how shocked I should be. (See above).

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 10:11 AM

Mankowski being a smartass.

Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 10:13 AM

[Comment From eeng168] David Wright made be hitting for average but his power is gone ( low home run totals) and strikeouts are way up. Why can't he go back to the tapes, see what's wrong, and just revert back to what worked the past couple of seasons? There was a piece on him on SNY...I think his stance is much wider and the front leg does not lift up as much. Well, that's one problem solved.

metirish Jul 07 2009 10:14 AM

Len having a laugh

smg58 Jul 07 2009 02:33 PM

[quote="Edgy DC":d5nqp3hb]And that's why it writes itself. Either you're the pussies who wouldn't sign Derek Lowe, or the morons who gave up a pick (plus that unseemly bonus!) and gave the Dodgers two picks for Derek Freakin' Lowe. Nobody loves you when you're down and out.[/quote:d5nqp3hb] Now's a good time to point out that Derek Lowe has been pitching like shit lately.

metirish Jul 13 2009 10:34 AM

Lennon chat going on now http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseb ... on_26.html

Edgy DC Jul 13 2009 10:42 AM

More on the barren farm.

metirish Jul 13 2009 10:43 AM

[quote="Edgy DC":11ruhwva]More on the barren farm.[/quote:11ruhwva] I thought of you as I read those questions, not in a gay way though.

Edgy DC Jul 13 2009 10:48 AM

I think Church of the Poison Mind triggered a long answer.

metirish Jul 13 2009 10:51 AM

Lennon with the nod towrds pop culture , awesome from him That had to be you edgy?

Edgy DC Jul 13 2009 11:00 AM

Me and George go way back. I also submitted the question about Cora. Not a very substantial answer there.

metirish Sep 01 2009 09:09 AM

Lennon chat.... http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ ... -1.1413222

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2009 09:24 AM

[quote="David Lennon":3d9tq7gx]Getting Lackey and trading for Prince Fielder would make for a pretty decent offseason, that's for sure. [/quote:3d9tq7gx] Is Fielder at all likely to be dealt?

metirish Sep 01 2009 09:26 AM

All of this Duncan talk sounds a lot like someone who is trying to drive up his price. The same thing happened when Mazzone was leaving the Braves. I wouldn't get my heart set on Duncan. I think Warthen is in a bit of hot water, but I don't know if the Mets will pull the plug because this was a very difficult year to read based on all of the injuries. exactly Dave

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 01 2009 09:28 AM

Cmon Dave. Stop taking questions from Josh and Mr Must See TV. Bone Bruise Boisclair has his hand up

Edgy DC Sep 01 2009 09:31 AM

Elephant and Castillo has asked a question.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 01 2009 09:36 AM

Casey Fossil

metirish Sep 01 2009 09:40 AM

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2mp5ijab]Cmon Dave. Stop taking questions from Josh and Mr Must See TV. Bone Bruise Boisclair has his hand up[/quote:2mp5ijab] Nice one

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2009 10:31 AM

So what did we learn from that? Francoeur: Big part of 2010 plans. Top priority: Catcher. Lennon's hunch: B. Molina. Wilpons: Don't want another disaster season. Big plan for offseason: Count on existing players returning to health. Delgado return: Maybe, but probably not. Schneider, Putz, Green: Gone. Next year's rotation: Santana, Pelfrey, Perez, Maine, Niese. Prince Fielder: A lot of talk, but he won't be a Met. (Before reading this session, the thought never even crossed my mind.) Nothing really earth-shaking, but kinda interesting.