The Mack Attack - April 12, 2009

Mets:

How many relievers should a team use? The Mets have used 17 in four games in 2009. Good thing they got rid of the LOOGYs in the off-season. One of the most controversial issues in baseball is pitch counts. Most people hate them. It is pretty common to hear about how Tom Seaver or Nolan Ryan did not need pitch counts and that clubs are babying pitchers today. That may be true. But I do not think it is fair to cite the success stories and not mention the ones who could not handle the load. Since I mentioned two who did, I think it is fair to mention two who cracked under the weight of heavy workloads. Denny McLain, the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season, pitched a combined 661 innings between 1968 and 1969 during his age 24 and 25 seasons. His last year in the majors came three years later and he was washed up before 29.

http://metsonline.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/forget-pitch-counts-how-about-rp-usage


Former closer Billy Wagner is scheduled to arrive at the New York Mets complex in Port St. Lucie on Monday for the next step in his rehab from elbow surgery, according to the New York Daily News. The Daily News reports that Wagner, who underwent Tommy John surgery Sept. 10, is expected to begin throwing off a mound during a week-long series of workouts with Mets personnel at the Tradition Field Sports Complex. The Mets have not given a specific timetable for the southpaw, but it has been suggested he should be available by September if there are no setbacks

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/apr/11/wagner-headed-for-psl/?partner=RSS


While yesterday's loss was lame, the Mets should come out feeling a little better about their rotation. In a sense, John Maine only made 2 bad pitches the whole game, surrendering homeruns to the Marlins' two best hitters. While homers are bad, they're correctable mistakes and not necessarily a sign of things to come. It's early, but five strikeouts, two hits, and one walk in 5 innings is solid.

http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/4/11/830610/silver-lining-maines-start


Here's the job of the fifth starter. Don't chew the bullpen. Jerry has had to use the bullpen a fair amount this week. Nothing crazy, but it would sure be nice to give the guys a break. Last year Livan Hernandez had an awful ERA, and a so so record...however he pitched 180 innings in 31 starts. That means he's likely to get you through six, and he's likely to take the ball every fifth day. Unlike Pedro Martinez, you know Livan's gonna take be on the hill every fifth day. No panic calls to Nelson Figeuroa or the like. Jerry probably won't need to warm someone up in the fourth. Livan might even stink up the joint...but we'll save the calvary for another day.

http://www.metspolice.com/2009/04/livan-hernandez-better-for-mets-than.html



The Mets are 2-2 in this young season and a major problem has already shown itself. Leaving runners on base, a problem this team has struggled with in the past. In the first game of the season, the Mets managed to squeak out a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds while leaving 12 runners on base. The Mets then left 12 runners on base combined between the next two games against the Reds. They split those two games against Cincy.

http://theropolitans.com/2009/04/four-games-38-left-on-base.html


Bisons:


Bisons' starter Dillon Gee made quite the impression to begin his Triple-A career, but it wasn't enough to beat the Pawtucket Red Sox Friday, Buffalo falling 9-0 at Coca-Cola Field. With just four games of experience above Class A-Advanced, Gee (0-1) carried a scoreless ballgame into the fifth, retired 12 of the first 14 batters he faced. But the PawSox bats came alive midway through the game, piling up eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Three of those runs were charged to Gee, who went four and two thirds innings, striking out six in his Herd debut. Gee began the fifth inning by retiring the first two batters he faced. Sox shortstop Gil Velazquez then singled to right field, advancing to second when Bobby Kielty threw behind the runner at first base. Velzquez would score a batter later on a double from Ivan Ochoa. That broke the stalemate, putting the Red Sox up 1-0.

http://buffalo.bisons.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090410&content_id=560385&vkey=news_t422&fext=.jsp&sid=t422


B-Mets:

Binghamton Third baseman Shawn Bowman had the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning, and the Mets slipped past Trenton 4-3 on Friday night from Waterfront Park. With the score tied 3-3 in the seventh inning, Binghamton Center fielder Emmanuel Garcia walked to start the frame against Trenton reliever Wilkins Arias (0-1). After a sacrifice bunt by Binghamton Shortstop Ruben Tejada, Binghamton Catcher Josh Thole was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Bowman followed with an RBI single to put the Mets (2-1) on top 4-3. Binghamton's bullpen tossed three shutout innings to preserve the win. RHP Julio De La Cruz gave up only one hit in two innings, and LHP Roy Merritt came on in the ninth inning to record his second save of the series. Binghamton Starting Pitcher Jose Sanchez (1-0) yielded seven hits and three runs in six innings to earn the win.

http://www.mlntherawfeed.com/minor-league-baseball/2009/4/11/binghamton-mets-edge-trenton-thunder-4-3-el.html


Mets Alumni:

Former Met reliever Ron Villone signed with the Washington Nationals

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post a "longtime friend" of Pedro Martinez says the righthander "fully expects" to play in 2009. Pedro is apparently sticking to his $5MM asking price and incentive-based deals do not appeal to him. His agent says he's already attracted interest from a number of teams and he's expecting more calls when holes appear in rotations around the league.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com

Speaking with Ray Knight this evening prior to Nats Xtra, we both agree that, as things currently stand, Milledge is the fifth outfielder. Looking at the quintet of Milledge, Austin Kearns, Elijah Dukes, Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham, Lastings - in terms of big league accomplishments - ranks last. Having 5 outfielders who are all basically starters is a bigger problem than it looks. I can't help but think that Dunn, Dukes and either Willingham or Kearns would provide more offense AND defense than Milledge has shown. I know that Mike Rizzo has been working the phones trying to make a deal to lessen the logjam out there. I've heard from scouts that Milledge has legitimate trade value, given his age, his relatively low salary, and his offensive output during the second half last year.There are other outfielder prospects in the system, like Justin Maxwell and Michael Burgess. Willie Harris is an ideal fifth outfielder/utility guy. Unless Milledge turns it around, and I mean quickly, he may need to sit and watch for awhile.

-Mack: Poor Lasto…

Even after Major League Baseball and its players union bowed to pressure and started a testing program in 2003, the All-Star third baseman — Troy Glaus of the Anaheim Angels — and the worn-down pitcher — his teammate Scott Schoeneweis — said they continued using steroids. (Steroids had been banned in baseball since 1991, but there was no way to enforce the ban until 2003.) Glaus said he was “willing to take the risk” because he needed to play, according to a report written by the federal agent who interviewed him. Schoeneweis said he knew when players were tested because he was his team’s union representative, according to the report, though Schoeneweis said in an interview last month that the agent misinterpreted him. A basic tenet of effective drug testing is that the element of surprise is essential.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/sports/baseball/12steroids.html?_r=2&hp