Mack: Yeah Tony, I am, but I hate back problems. They tend to become chronic and can really play havoc on a baseball player’s career. One caveat… Havens looks like one in a series of sub-par defensive infielders (Daniel Murphy, Josh Satin) that the Mets keep churning out. He seems to have a pro bat, but no one has a better one than Murphy. I expect the Mets to give 2012 to Daniel while they hope Havens stays injury free in Buffalo.
Frankly, I’m pretty sick of looking for a second baseman for this team.
Let’s try and remember that this team used to have a player that could hit the snot off the ball, but just didn’t fit into any position on the field. So, they put him on second base and moved on.
And the last time I looked, Jeff Kent had a pretty good career.
Give the job to Murph and be done with this.
Andy asked: “What’s your thoughts on the 2012 rotation now that Johan Santana is a question mark?”
Mack: Let’s project this as if Santana never comes back. R.A. Dickey ($4.75mil), Mike Pelfrey (ARB-2), Jon Niese, and Dillon Gee will be back. Chris Schwinden will be given an opportunity in spring training if the Mets don’t add someone like they did with Chris Young. I don’t expect much free agent money spent here next season what with the projected arrival of four new starters in the system, starting with Jenrry Mejia and Matt Harvey by next year’s all-star break. Long shot: Harvey makes the team out of ST.
Also, there’s been some press today about Santana’s lack of mechanics. Look. No one complains about mechanics when things go well. Operations like he had usually don’t result in a 30+ year old pitching in the major leagues.
Hobie asked: “Any word on the return of OF Sean Ratliff?”
Mack: Yes. I talked briefly with Josh Satin and he said things were going along well. Sean has one more operation on his face and, after that heals, everything will be re-evaluated before January’s extended camp. This turned out to be a pretty serious injury and everyone has been really hush-hush about his eye, but candles continue to be lit in the Mack den.
First, I take it that Ratliff had been hit in the face with a ball. That just sucks. Ratliff, Duda, and Niewinhous all seemed to be progressing together and with Duda up already, Kirk on the mend , but he was also so close, it just stinks to think that Sean couldve been in AAA right now awaiting a September call up. Hopefully the Lord will help to make his future struggles a little easier and give him the strength he'll need in his recovery. I sure pray that he literally sees the light at the end of the tunnel sooner rather then later. Secondly, the only time I saw Havens at the plate, he was with the Cyclones and crushed a line drive with a sweet swing right over the right field fence. Unfortunately, it seems that he's been hurt 60% of the time ever since. Theres no doubt he has thunder in his bat, but that doesn't help any one sitting on the bench. At some point, you have to figure what you see is what you get, move on to another player, and if Reece proves he can stay healthy, then he can play his way back to the front of the line.
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