This series vs the Cardinals will mark the final home games for Carlos.  This is kind of sad for me to think about.  Ever since he signed here, Beltran has been one of, if not the BEST player on the team.

Most people associate him with his recent injuries and the called third strike in 2006.  But we cannot forget the countless big hits he has had, and the All-Star seasons he has put together (such as this one).  Whenever there was a big spot in a game, Beltran was the player you wanted up.  More often than not, he delivered.

Many people think that he is too laid back and too lacksadaisicle in the field.  In reality, he is just that good.  If someone looks like they are working hard to accomplish something, they aren’t as good as that accomplishment.  Beltran was/is always positioned so well that he never had to make the spectacular play (hello Andrew Jones).  Instead, that spectacular play is just “a play in the outfield” for Carlos.  The same goes for his hitting.  I never viewed him as a home run hitter.  You can tell when someone is trying to hit a home run.  Carlos is all about a steady and consistent approach.  He just happens to have the power to hit 25-30 homers.  This shows how talented a player he is.

So, before he goes, I want to say “Thank you” to Carlos Beltran.  He brought the Mets back to respectability in 2005 and provided me with many great memories.  Unfortunately, he were not able to bring a championship back to Flushing. He shouldnt beat himself up though…no one ever does.

Thanks for reading!

LETS GO METS GO!

The trade of Rodriguez had to be made. If the option vested, the Mets would have serious financial problems next year…and at that point you could forget about resigning Jose Reyes. Even with K-Rod being gone, it’s not a guarantee.

In my opinion, a closer does not win you games. The offense and the starting pitching wins you a game. The closer, just finishes off the win. Why do you think they are not awarded wins…just saves? I am sure that the combo of Parnell and Izzy will do just fine in that spot. Besides, unless your name is Mariano Rivera, you are crap.

The Mets are in a tough spot. They have essentially two weeks to determine their fate. If they can cut into the wild card lead, the outcome is different than if they fall further behind, or worst case scenario, stay in the same spot. If they falter or stay status quo, Beltran will most certainly be traded. This would be the “white flag”. And to me, that is ok. His value at the deadline will be rather high. He could actually fetch a good prospect or two. In order to build up the farm system, these types of moves need to be made.

Do not get me wrong, I love Beltran. He has been one of the most productive and clutch players the Mets have had in a long time. Granted, he did get hurt a lot, but when he played, he always gave 100% and produced. I will be sad when he leaves…be it through trade or at the end of the year. Either way, however, he is helping the team. If he is still here past the deadline, then the Mets are in it. If he is gone, he gets us some new young prospects and we build towards future seasons.

The Mets have two weeks to prove that they can be a contender. Let’s just hope the Mets can keep on winning…and if course, the Braves lose a few along the way.

Thanks for reading.

Let’s go Mets go!!!!

In his first major player move since taking over as GM of the Mets, Sandy traded K-Rod to the Brewers for two players to be named later.

When I first heard this, I was a little disappointed that we were just getting back two unknown players. But as the day progressed, and I thought about this more, I congratulate Sandy Alderson on a great move.

Since he has taken over, Sandy has stressed the desire to have “payroll flexibility” in 2012 and beyond. This move provides exactly that. By sending K-Rod packing, the Mets avoid his 2012 option from vesting. Thus, saving the team around $17 million. Add that to Beltran’s contract being up, and you have just dumped close to $40 million for next year’s payroll.

Not only does this make the payroll lower, but it raises the Mets chances of resigning Jose Reyes. Had K-Rod’s option come into play, there would be no way the Mets would have kept Reyes. They can now afford to pay him a market value contract.

Now, there are some negatives to the move. First, the Mets got virtually nothing in return player wise. They get two mediocre minor leaguers in the deal. Secondly, the Mets now lack a closer. Sure Parnell can throw 100 mph and Izzy has done it before, but K-Rod was still one of the top closers in the NL, if not all of baseball. That is hard to replace. If I had to guess, Parnell will get the brunt of it. And hopefully he can get the job done.

Despite these two negative aspects, this was still a great move. The fact that there is no more talk of “the option” or “games finished” is a relief. The Mets can now go out there and use their guys wherever and whenever they want.

So whats next for the Mets. I do think that they will eventually trade Beltran. He is too valuable on the market right now to hold onto him. However, the team is still in the race. By the end of July we should know more about where the Mets stand. If they go out the next two weeks and play bad baseball, well its time to move on. But if they play great and chip away at the Braves’ lead, then maybe we should stand pat. The worst case scenario is if we continue to hover around .500. It’s nice to be in this spot, but sooner or later the team has to lean one way or the other. Lets just hope that its trending up and we can make a run at this thing.

Thanks for reading!

LETS GO METS GO!!!

We have the game tickets and also train tickets for the weekend. We just need a place to stay. Does anyone have any suggestions of hotels or areas to stay?

I have heard such great things about Fenway. I can’t wait!

Also, I added a list of ballparks I have visited to the header on the blog. I plan on adding at least one park each year. Next year, we plan on hitting up PNC Park.

Lets go Mets Go!

For the first time in a long time, I have a team I can be somewhat proud of. Even last year when they went on their run into first place, I didn’t see it lasting. But this season, I see a team with heart, passion, grit and some old school mentality. I see a team with a bright future.

This all starts with the front office. Sandy Alderson and co. have done a lot with very little. Their biggest move thus far was naming Terry Collins as manager. So far this move has paid off. He is the type of guy who can get the most out of his players, and he isn’t afraid to put the hot hand into the lineup. Look at where this team is…they have been without Reyes, Pagan, Bay, Davis, Wright and Young for extended periods of time. And the team hasn’t missed a beat. This comes from the manager.

The pitching this year has been very good as well! In April and May, the Mets’ best pitcher was Chris Young. Everyone else was struggling. When he went down, we all thought the worst. But since then, Dickey, Niese, Gee and Capuano have pitched very well. Big Pelf has been up and down, but thats Big Pelf for you. The Mets have been winning with good pitching and timely hitting from some unlikely sources. But what about the big names on the team?

I know we have said this in years past, but imagine what we could do with a healthy lineup! That might not be too far away. Davis, Wright and Reyes should all be back in the coming weeks. This really excites me. Now that Jason Bay has begun hitting, we might actually get to see a Major League lineup when we go out to Citi Field.

So whats next for the NY Mets? A Wild Card? Division Champs? Or another year at home in October? The odds are, the Mets wont make the playoffs. The division is out of reach, and the Wild Card is held by a stronger Braves team. I have come to grips with the fact that the Mets might miss the playoffs. But that’s ok! This year was about getting the team steered in the right direction. So far it appears they are going that way. And who knows what will happen. As we stand today, the Mets are 7 1/2 back in the wildcard. There are a lot of games to be played. But win or lose this season, I think we can all be proud, once again, to declare, “I am a Mets fan.”

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the all-star break.

LETS GO METS GO!

Let’s go Mets go! Beat those skanks!

Everyone knows what Wrigley is all about, so there is no point in getting into details.  We all know about the ivy, lack of bathrooms, obstructed views, old school scoreboard, 7th inning stretch (which was Vince Vaughn) etc.  Even though I knew all about it, Wrigley was still awesome.  I would go back anytime.

The thing that I didn’t know about was the atmosphere around Wrigley.  The park is built within a few blocks of the city, so it’s a busy area.  LOTS of bars.  So many, in fact, that before and after the game, there are wall-to-wall people drinking and smiling and having a good time.  Growing up going to Flushing for games, this was a welcome sight.  I can only hope this is what they have planned for Citi!

Thanks for reading!  Enjoy the slide show.  Oh, and Let’s go Mets go!

The wife and I decided to take a quick trip to Chicago to take in a Cubs game. Here are some quick hits:

8:00am…arrived at gate 19 for an 8:38 flight. Nothing like cutting it close. I must also add that I love that every bar is open and packed.

8:15…We begin to board an notice that Pete Hornberger from 30 Rock is on our flight. I guess Tina Fey doesn’t pay him well. He’s flying JetBlue.

9:00…The tvs come on, and there is a Steven Segal film on USA! This is the best trip ever!

9:15…ugh, this movie stinks. Its basically the plot of Commando. I wish that were on.

9:30…Pete is sleeping and missed out on the snack/beverage cart.

10:06…Pete hit the stewardess button…what a primadonna.

10:15…There’s something on the wing…some THING

11:01 (10:01 Chicago time)…Welcome to Chicago!

My prediction is the Mets  take 2 of 3.  In fact, I am so confident about this that I made a small wager at work.  If the Mets win the series, my boss takes me to lunch, and if not, I take him.  Simple enough.

Here is why I think the Mets have the edge this weekend:

1) Pitching pitching pitching…The Mets have a big edge this weekend in the pitching department.  The only reliable Phillies starters are Halladay and Moyer (both are pitching this weekend).  But Halladay is facing Big Pelf (which should be a really good game) and Moyer faces Santana.  So, I assume the Mets win Sunday, and the Phils Saturday.  That leaves Kyle Kendrick vs. John Niese.  This game is a toss-up, but I think the Mets will come out on top, and therefore, take 2 of 3.

2) The tale of 2 teams…The Phils started off hot, but have since gone cold.  The Mets, conversely, starded ice-cold and are red hot.  I will always take the hot team.

3)  Are the 2010 Phillies the 2009 Mets…The Phillies are hurting.  Rollins, Blanton, Happ and Lidge are hurt.  Lidge is coming back tomorrow, but who knows how effective he will be.

So that’s all I have for today.  My wife and I are heading to Chicago for the weekend to take in a Cubs games, so I will give my full review of Wrigley on Sunday.

Oh, and as for my free lunch…Let’s plan for Bubba Gump Shrimp, ok Pete?

Thanks for reading.  Let’s go Mets go!