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Shake it up baby now!

Benjamin Grimm Apr 24 2009 06:18 AM

="Adam Rubin"] Slumping Mets eye major shakeup: Coaches on firing line; Pelfrey, Perez or Maine may get demoted BY Adam Rubin DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER ST. LOUIS - Jerry Manuel shook up his lineup Thursday afternoon, but the tinkering became irrelevant when the Mets' starting pitching again faltered. Now, a more significant shakeup may be looming, with coaches on the firing line and Mike Pelfrey's, Oliver Perez's or John Maine's rotation spot perhaps in jeopardy, the Daily News has learned. After the Mets were swept out of Busch Stadium with a 12-8 loss to the Cardinals, Manuel suggested changes to the rotation could be in the offing after each pitcher is given one more opportunity. A team insider later elaborated that no one, aside from Johan Santana, has immunity. Translation: Perez or Pelfrey, who can be optioned to the minors without passing through waivers, could be ticketed for the minors, while Livan Hernandez's standing as fifth starter could be on shaky ground. Perez would have to consent to a minor-league assignment, like Steve Trachsel did in 2001, since he has more than five years of major-league service time. Maine, who is 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA, is out of minor-league options and needs to stay on the roster, but - like Perez and Pelfrey - could be sent to the pen. With the National League's highest payroll and tickets to sell at six-game-old Citi Field, the disappointing 6-9 start takes on an added sense of urgency. While nothing is imminent, dialogue about coaching changes already has begun, a source told The News. Aside from Santana, who has allowed one earned run in 19-2/3 innings, Mets starting pitchers have a 7.32 ERA, including Hernandez's flop Thursday. Still, it's other members of the staff besides pitching coach Dan Warthen who might feel the early wrath. Manuel mentioned after the Mets' fourth straight loss that the club may be forced to add an eighth reliever, to guard against overworking the current bullpen with the starting pitchers not going deep enough into games. Adding an extra pitcher would be a difficult proposition, though, so it would be sensible to at least wait until Santana faces the Nationals Friday night, given his propensity for quality starts. To clear room for an extra reliever, Jeremy Reed might be optioned to the minors - although that wouldn't make sense since the defensive specialist is a late-game replacement in the outfield when the Mets have leads. The more interesting question would be whether to pull the plug on Gary Sheffield, who went 0-for-5 Thursday as part of Manuel's rejiggered lineup, dropping his average to .111. Manuel's tinkering didn't matter much after Hernandez (1-1) allowed seven runs in 4-1/3 innings. The Mets fell three games under .500 for the first time since between games of a doubleheader against Texas last June 15, two days before Willie Randolph was fired as manager. Albert Pujols twice homered against Hernandez on 2-0 offerings, the first to even the score at 1 in the first inning, the second a two-run shot in the fifth. Two batters after the second blast, Rick Ankiel also took Hernandez deep, giving St. Louis a 7-2 lead and chasing the righthander. "I didn't have anything on the ball today," Hernandez said. Manuel tried to shake things up by also inserting Alex Cora at second and Omir Santos at catcher, and by flipping Carlos Beltran and David Wright in the order. Jose Reyes' two-out RBI single in the sixth against reliever P.J. Walters pulled the Mets within 7-3, but Sean Green surrendered five runs over a two-inning span as the Cardinals (11-5) reopened a comfortable cushion. Ryan Church hit a two-run homer in the seventh and Beltran had a three-run shot an inning later, both against Walters, but that merely pulled the Mets within 12-8. The Mets hope to get things turned around Friday night as Santana faces the last-place Nationals in Flushing, but then the rotation spins back to Pelfrey (1-0, 8.10) and Perez (1-1, 7.80). "We have to address our starting pitching. It's that simple," Manuel said. "We can't expect to compete if you have that type of starting pitching."

Benjamin Grimm Apr 24 2009 06:22 AM

I don't really know that they have many viable options, other than the token firing of a designated scapegoat coach or two. Sure, you could demote Pelfrey or Perez or Maine, but who do you replace them with? I'd give Pelfrey a bit of slack, too. His two outings have been with tendonitis. Let's see what he can do when healthy. (Assuming he is, in fact, healthy.) Perez is a white elephant, much like Castillo has been. I think he's going to be an ongoing problem.

metirish Apr 24 2009 06:36 AM

Why would Wharten be safe when the pitching is dire? , not advocating firing anyone but if you are going to demote pitchers then you are saying that they need to be fixed elsewhere.

Fman99 Apr 24 2009 06:43 AM

You're not going to fix Perez in the minors. He needs to extract his head from his chute and keep it out for 6-7 innings. I think Maine and Pelf have health issues affecting what they've done to date. Livan is what he is.

Edgy DC Apr 24 2009 07:02 AM

Much of this sounds like shots in the dark.

DocTee Apr 24 2009 07:34 AM

I thought this thread was about the controversial Iphone app.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 24 2009 07:37 AM

="DocTee":2f5h2yg1]I thought this thread was about the controversial Iphone app.[/quote:2f5h2yg1] Oooh, snap. I didn't think of that. batmagadanleadoff Apr 24 2009 07:40 AM ="DocTee":2nozydcy]I thought this thread was about the controversial Iphone app.[/quote:2nozydcy] I tohught it was gonna be about the Citi Field Shake Shack. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 24 2009 07:41 AM I think a certain amount of what Jerry says is calculated to send a particular message. Although it only stands to reason that if Maine and Perez go around sporting 7+ ERAs they're not going to be starters for long, so it's not like that's news, and the Mets whack a coach or two every time they don't get off to a hot start --- that's not shocking either. batmagadanleadoff Apr 24 2009 07:50 AM I wonder if this new pressure on some of the pitchers and coaches came straight from the top, and if so, whether it's motivated by money (ultimately, isn't everything?) to an extent that is greater than usual? MFS62 Apr 24 2009 08:01 AM IIRC, Pelfrey got off to a slow start last year. Wasn't he something like 1-5 and then got hot? Perez got off to a slow start last year, too. Maine was around 2-1 at this time. I'd like to see one more time around the rotation beofre they do anything drastic. 1/10 of a season gone. Be patient. (I can't believe that I was the one who just said that) Later John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 24 2009 08:03 AM Paul Byrd, anyone? He apparently is angling for a new job and is persoannly out there denying reports that he wpuldn;t be ready till the ASB Edgy DC Apr 24 2009 08:27 AM I can't unconflate Paul Byrd and Cory Lidle, and therefore I think Paul Byrd is dead. mario25 Apr 24 2009 08:56 AM What does Omar have to lose in calling the Padres about Peavy? the Mets cant wait until midseason to fix this mess. Fman99 Apr 24 2009 09:00 AM ="Edgy DC":25323lp7]I can't unconflate Paul Byrd and Cory Lidle, and therefore I think Paul Byrd is dead.[/quote:25323lp7] Paul isn't dead. Your Beatles' albums have been lying to you. metirish Apr 24 2009 09:01 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2gndu3v2]Paul Byrd, anyone? He apparently is angling for a new job and is persoannly out there denying reports that he wpuldn;t be ready till the ASB[/quote:2gndu3v2] A lighter and whiter version of Livan , the only plus I see is that he's a a FA. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 24 2009 10:47 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 24 2009 11:09 AM ="Edgy DC":5na5fhxi]I can't unconflate Paul Byrd and Cory Lidle, and therefore I think Paul Byrd is dead.[/quote:5na5fhxi] Holy crap-- tell me you're serious. I thought I was the only one. Nymr83 Apr 24 2009 11:02 AM ="mario25":zuadabrx]What does Omar have to lose in calling the Padres about Peavy?[/quote:zuadabrx] Well he could lose his Dignity, Jonathan Niese, and Fernando Martinez. metsguyinmichigan Apr 24 2009 11:09 AM Before we freak out too much, I just looked at the standings for the first time. Didn't realize that only one team in the division is above .500. And we're one game out of second place. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 24 2009 11:12 AM It's less about that standings than about how big a pile of shit we resemble. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 24 2009 11:12 AM ="metsguyinmichigan":286cr7j7]Before we freak out too much, I just looked at the standings for the first time. Didn't realize that only one team in the division is above .500. And we're one game out of second place.[/quote:286cr7j7] To rebut, tonight marks ten percent of the season already completed. And the troubling thing is that this isn't something that seems luck-borne-- the starting pitching outside of Johan has been consistently bad. (For the record, MGIM, I'm with you in the take-deep-breaths club. But there is significant reason for worry.) metsguyinmichigan Apr 24 2009 11:26 AM JC, we do resemble a pile of pooh, and what happened in St. Louis was just horrible. But I'd be freaking out more if we were sucking and already buried and climbing out of a deep, deep hole. But I have to think: 1) The Sheffield experiment if drawing to a close. 2) Murphy works too hard to suck that much in the field. He's an infielder converting, and we're seeing the transition. Maybe they shouldn't have had him play second in the winter leagues. Bad call in hindsight. But you have to think he'll be adequate beofore long. 3) Maine and Pelfrey are recovering. 4) Our hitters are hitting, but just not at the right times. You just have to think that can't last. I wouldn't be stunned if this team got its act together in a hurry and goes off on a vicious tear. But then, I'm an optimist. metirish Apr 24 2009 11:36 AM ] 2) Murphy works too hard to suck that much in the field. He's an infielder converting, and we're seeing the transition. Maybe they shouldn't have had him play second in the winter leagues. Bad call in hindsight. But you have to think he'll be adequate beofore long. I've never played baseball but I think I'd do better than Murphy in the outfield , with my hurling background and pulling the sliothar out of the air I think Razor would have me in passable shape in a few weeks. Seriously, I think Murphy is brutal out there. Benjamin Grimm Apr 24 2009 11:38 AM ="metsguyinmichigan":3j769mbn]JC, we do resemble a pile of pooh [/quote:3j769mbn] You mean, like this...? <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2347291752_f916f8a2e8.jpg?v=0" height="373" width="500"> ="metsguyinmichigan":3j769mbn] I wouldn't be stunned if this team got its act together in a hurry and goes off on a vicious tear. But then, I'm an optimist.[/quote:3j769mbn] Clearly! I do think it's possible that things might turn around in a hurry, but I'm not at all sure how likely it is. I would think that one or two of the four awful starters will get better soon, but that still would leave the Mets with two other awful starters to replace. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 24 2009 11:38 AM My pessimism is about Maine. I don't think he's hurt. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 24 2009 11:38 AM Another option, should Pelf feel balky on Saturday morning. Do 12-year-olds count against the 40-man? ]FROM DEADSPIN/THE STAR-LEDGER: The taunting rings in your ears and burns like fire, and will for years. A girl pitched a perfect game against your Little League team, and you struck out three times. Nelson Muntz approves. On Tuesday Mackenzie Brown became the first girl to throw a perfect game in Bayonne Little League history. Her reward? Today she gets to pitch for the New York Mets. She'll throw out the first pitch before the Mets take on the Washington Nationals at CitiField — finally Jerry Manuel has a reliable starter — as part of a whirlwind publicity tour that has included newspaper and TV interviews and a mention on SportsCenter. From the Star Ledger of New Jersey: Norman Brown expressed countless thanks to a mysterious voice on the other end of his cell phone. He then snapped it shut and turned to his 12-year-old daughter, Mackenzie. "Yo dawg," he said, thrusting his arms in her direction, "you're throwing out the first pitch at the Mets game on Saturday!" Brown retired all 18 batters she faced on Tuesday, striking out 12; including the last six of the game in succession. This season is her baseball swan song, however. When her Little League career ends at the conclusion of this season, she will make the switch to softball. She has enjoyed her heyday playing ball with the boys but has aspirations of a chance to play college sports — either in softball or basketball, in which she's a highly touted point guard. The Nationals, of course, are also thankful that she's only throwing one pitch today. metirish Apr 24 2009 11:40 AM John's balls are high , his pitching high in the zone and getting hammered. Benjamin Grimm Apr 24 2009 11:43 AM ="metirish"]John's balls are high. Now that sounds like it might be painful John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 24 2009 11:47 AM Giraffe walks into a bar. "Highballs on me!" metsguyinmichigan Apr 24 2009 12:00 PM Good Pooh pile! Has anybody ever won anything out of one of those claw games? I wrote a story once about how Connecticut had inspectors who checked them (among other duties) because the owner can adjust the tension on the claw to keep it frm closing down too tightly on something. metirish Apr 24 2009 12:00 PM John needs his balls to be below the knees........ all joking aside his fastball is staying high , wasn't that a mantra of Peterson , pitch low in the zone all the time. Edgy DC Apr 24 2009 12:04 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":2l96utz6]Murphy works too hard to suck that much in the field. He's an infielder converting, and we're seeing the transition. Maybe they shouldn't have had him play second in the winter leagues. Bad call in hindsight. But you have to think he'll be adequate beofore long.[/quote:2l96utz6] Actually, they didn't. He played second in the Arizona Fall League, but then went off to the Caribbean to play the outfield again, though I think that season was cut short for him by an injury. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 24 2009 12:39 PM ="Edgy DC":v3l5pbx6] ="metsguyinmichigan":v3l5pbx6]Murphy works too hard to suck that much in the field. He's an infielder converting, and we're seeing the transition. Maybe they shouldn't have had him play second in the winter leagues. Bad call in hindsight. But you have to think he'll be adequate beofore long.[/quote:v3l5pbx6] Actually, they didn't. He played second in the Arizona Fall League, but then went off to the Caribbean to play the outfield again, though I think that season was cut short for him by an injury.[/quote:v3l5pbx6] Wasn't there a practice field at PSL built to the exact dimensions of CitiField? Didn't they use this one for outfield practice? If not, why not? If so, why not more?