Maybe the Mets need Hal Holbrook to talk to them in a closed clubhouse (it’s NOT a locker room) meeting.
This is pretty early for the Mets to be out of it, but out of it they are and the whole Mets world is watching who steps up and who doesn’t.
I don’t think you have to worry about most of the guys you still want around next season. David Wright and Jose Reyes will give 110% every night and Lucas Duda will do anything it takes to win a starting position, even if it has to be in the outfield.
It’s some of the others that have some things to prove:
Ike Davis: Heal.
Dillon Gee: Listen, Dillon. I know that, if you ain't reading this, your father is. This is not the time to be dishing out any eight run outings. There’s only room for one finesse guy on the 2012 rotation and Schwinny is lurking in the hallway. My money’s on you son, but what you do in September will determine what you do in April.
Ronnie Paulino – There are too many leaks to plug and no decent FA catchers on the market. All Paulino has to do to keep his platoon with Thole going is to get on base three times for every ten at bats for the rest of the season. So far, it’s working.
Josh Thole – You’re never going to see a bad attitude here, nor will Josh lay back just because the season looks lost. He knows how blessed he was to get this opportunity and the work he needs to address will be done in the off-season. Hire him a knuckler to pitch to him in the yard and get some arm specialist to design an exercise plan to run up his throwing speed to second.
Ruben Tejada – In typical Latin fashion, the spectacular plays are there as well as the electric arm. Now, you just have to get him to approach the simple plays with the same concentration he has on the impossible ones. He will be the Mets SS if Reyes bolts, but the Mets need his defense on 2B if Reyes stays. Show us that now, esse.
Justin Turner – Justin, you have to end hot. 2012 may be a tough year for you if Jose signs and Ruben becomes the every day second baseman. You’re then fighting it out with Daniel Murphy for the first bench job. You can’t out-hit Murph but you can end hot spraying the field in September to lock up a return.
Jason Bay – I don’t know what to say here. What’s this, the 9th slump in two years? Sandy Alderson doesn’t have the checkbook to go out and steal an outfield gem, so Bay is safe in 2012. All I ask here is for you to at least step up as a leader.
Mike Pelfrey – Where do I start? Forget the closer bullshit and stop sulking about the Mets fans. They’ll stop booing when you start pitching. And, while you’re at it, man up and lead the positive attitude until the season ends.
Ryota Igarashi - All Ryota has to do is keep up on the daily exchange rate between the dollar and the yen. The Asian Curse continues.
Angel Pagan – Pagan may get a push because the outfield is in the world shape in years. I know he has had his difficulties with the bat this year, but it’s his lack of defense that has me stymied this year. Angel, you look like you’re asleep out there sometimes. The Mets didn’t resign you for your bat. It was glove that brought you home. Come on, your safe. What are they going to do? Put Murph in center?
Bobby Parnell – okay, this is just me and I may be totally wrong, but I’ve followed this guy throughout his Met career and I never worried about his pitching ability. That being said, it’s my opinion that he lost his confidence the day he pulled out of the rotation and I haven’t seen it since. And would everybody please stop calling him Bobby! His name is Robert!
Jon Niese – This may be the only survivor in the 2013 rotation. I think he’s had a horrible season for a very good pitcher and Niese has the talent to be a great 3 or 4. Jon, don’t let the coaches take you out of the rotation in September. Work on what’s not working keep that curve curving.
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