End of 2010: New York Mets

It's now a reality the Mets will once again be looking to a new season for redemption. While many fans gave up weeks ago, the reality is today is the final day of 2010 regular season and yet another Mets loss 2-1 to the Nats. The Mets really never got off the ground losing Johan Santana, trading away a re-surgent Jeff Francoeur, the K-Rod "incident", endless Oliver Perez incidents, What is Jerry Manuel thinking?, and the is Mike Pelfrey for real? Carlos Beltran came back after what seemed like a decade out of the line-up. However, the rumor is that he and two other members of the team are causing trouble in the clubhouse.

The Mets did have some bright spots though mainly on the pitching side. R.A. Dickey turned out to be one of the biggest bargains of the year and Jon Niese was another stand-out. The Mets can hope they re-sign Hasanori Takahashi, who pitched admirably this season. Jose Reyes provided some flash in hopes of receiving a new contract and David Wright was the offensive MVP.

The future is uncertain at this time. Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel(possibly) won't be back. Rumored by the great Peter Gammons, the Red Sox maybe interested in trading Daisuke Matsuzaka for Carlos Beltran. Jose Reyes's future is undetermined until a new GM is installed, despite desiring a long-term deal. Pedro Feliciano has a potential for a new home, as well as K-Rod. More on this as it unfolds and be on the look-out next for the Red Sox 2010 wrap-up.

Summer's Last Swan Song

It's almost the worst time of the year, when the baseball regular season ends and the post-season begins. This post-season my attention will be on the Phils who have the BEST 1-2-3 punch pitching rotation in all of baseball. Can I say I was bummed out about my beloved Sox missing the playoffs? Totally, but I for the first time in years gave up on watching and paying attention to them. Did they give it a good run? I think so given the fact they still a .8% chance of making it. The regular season though, was great. I went to a few games this season (Is four considered a few?). My final game of the season took place on Saturday at PNC Park where believe it or not, I saw the Pirates win. Pedro Alvarez smacked a 3 run shot over the RF wall and the Pirates gave Zach Duke the support he needed to get his 8th win of the season. It was a fundamentally horrid game( 4 errors and a few pitches in the dirt). After all was said and done, I left with a retro Roberto Clemente jersey at a great price, plenty of pics, and a happy note to end my baseball trips for 2010.

Already looking forward to next season, but for now Go Phils! ....and here's to hoping the Yankees choke.

Trying To Keep The Faith

Whether you're a Phillies fan or Red Sox fan, you're close to the edge of your seat with 30 games left in the 2010 regular season( Sox fans like me are past the edge and have fell off curled up like a fetus with every passing game). At least Mets fans don't have to worry about this..(sorry, had to throw it out there). The Sox are about 8 games out of first and 6 of the wild-card( after dismally losing to the O's tonight). The Phils meanwhile as I blog, are up 3-1 to the Dodgers in the 2nd inning (off a Brian Schneider 3 run HR). The difference between these two teams is of course health. Both teams were ravaged by injuries to crucial players like Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and etc. However, the Phils have those players back and just aren't hitting. The Red Sox would kill to have Youk and Pedey back (Fans would kill, too). Fact of the matter is, they're done and the Sox hopes die every day, unlike the Phils who are just stuck in an offensive slump.

I'm pulling for both teams, (even if the Mets could make an improbable run I'd be stoked), but I know more than likely my beloved Sox will be home watching the post-season hoping for a better( and healthier) 2011 season. So keep believing Phils fans...

(Mets fans should hope that in a freak event R.A. Dickey wins the NL Cy Young Award lol).

P.S. my reaction to the Delcarmen trade....Not sure how this helps the Sox out. He wasn't the best reliever, but Robert Manuel has yet to reach his effectiveness.

Mike Cameron: Goat

I may not be right about much this season as most of my predictions have bombed at this point, but there is one thing I was certainly more than right about: Mike Cameron was a waste of time and money for the Boston Red Sox. Cameron called it a season earlier citing an abdominal tear that has hurt him since the early portion of the season. This deals the fledgling Red Sox another blow at a crucial time when it appears they're trying to turn their season around and make the playoffs. Can Nava, McDonald, Kalish, and the rest of the scrubs crew get it done? My answer is yes--but by a miracle. That miracle of course, the Yanks falter(unlikely) or the Rays choke up(more likely, but still unlikely). One player doesn't impact an entire team as evidenced by the play of the Sox without Youkilis.

The problem is the Red Sox locked themselves into an unnecessary contract (2yr/$15.5M) with a limited range OF in his decline. Had this been pre 2007, Cameron would be the value he's currently being paid to ride the pine. Worse off is the fact Cameron has hurt since spring training. The Sox never thought, "Maybe we should cut ties now?" Manager Terry Francona credits Cameron with "fighting an uphill battle to return" and help the beleaguered Sox. Cameron did nothing in the first two weeks before injury and was less impressive in spring training. Nothing redeeming have I seen in him. Pedroia is doing more even though he's struggling to get back in the swing of things. Ellsbury in his short return did more. Youk stated earlier this week, "I'd love to return if we can make the post-season." Meanwhile, Francona and Cameron are worried about 2011. Cameron should be gone by 2011 and Francona and Epstein should be discussing a new OF.

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Trade DeadLine thoughts 2010

By now, you've scoured every source you could and waited patiently or impatiently for your team to make the necessary move they need for a post-season run. If you're me, you've watched your team(s) fail miserably. So let's begin:

- What can I say about the ill-thought Roy Oswalt trade that hasn't already been said? J.A. Happ will be a consistent 15 game winner given enough run support in Houston. Roy Oswalt will be a higher priced Joe Blanton for the Phils.

- Did anybody inform the Mets today was the deadline?

- Typically, when the team leading your division makes several moves to bolster their reinforcements and the team ahead of you deals for a decent reliever/closer, you should probably make a really good move considering the underachieving done thus far in the second half. Theo Epstein felt none of this mattered after dealing Ramon Ramirez to the Giants. Thankfully, he tried redeeming himself by getting Saltamacchia from Texas, but designate their best reserve OF instantly shrugged that progress off.

- The Rangers are freakin' stacked! This could be their year if the Yanks or Rays bow out early.

- I'm still confused what the Pirates were trying to accomplish today.

- The Dodgers were about the most active team aside from the "Skanks", but I don't see them working out as well as the Yanks move.

- The Cards TOTALLY overpaid for Jake Westbrook, just saying.

- Disappointed Adam Dunn didn't move as well as Josh Willingham, but I see the Nats building a contender finally.

- The Royals weren't properly compensated for Rick Ankiel.

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Sox And The Phils: The Great DL Race

By now if you're a Red Sox or Phillies fan (or both), you're just praying that one more person doesn't go down. It's been rough for both teams with the highest of expectations to be in third place. Who knew all the hitters we're going to get injured in Philly? Who knew the hitters and some pitchers were going to go down in Boston?

Current DL status for Phillies:

Antonio Bastardo (P) -- Could be a long time before we see him again
Chad Durbin (RP) -- rehab assignment Sat.
Ryan Madson (RP) --ready to be activated supposedly
Placido Polanco (3B) (sore elbow; could see baseball activities resume Saturday)
Chase Utley (2B) -- optimistic for an early return, but early Aug still looks like target.
Carlos Ruiz (C) --saw a concussion specialist Monday
Brian Schneider (C) --DTD (thumb sprain)

Having Utley and Polanco hurts the Phils for a big bat leaving Ryan Howard unprotected. Ruiz not being in the line-up hurts them by not bringing in runs and him getting on base. Ryan Madson can hopefully return to closing duties because Brad Lidge has just been terrible in close games. The bullpen is also hurting without Chad Durbin whose been a steady arm in 29 games this season with a sub 4 ERA. Things are looking up post All-Star Break for the Phillies, they just can't get too far behind the Braves and Mets (who are semi-injured).

As for the Sox, they've overachieved as an injury-plagued team in the AL East. A few days ago, the Yankees were sweating bullets as the Sox pulled within half a game for first place. The bullpen couldn't get it done for them against the Rays and the bats came too late after the Rays built up a lead. No need for the Sox to panic, though. Right after the AS break expect to see Clay Buchholz back in the rotation, Jacoby Ellsbury could be back, and Victor Martinez.

Current Red Sox DL:
Josh Beckett (P) --threw 64 pitch simulated game; rehab assignment discussion
Clay Buchholz (P) --threw an aggressive side session yesterday
Junichi Tazawa (P) -- done until 2011 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April
Manny Delcarmen (RP) -- late July return after MRI revealed forearm strain
Jacoby Ellsbury (LF) -- resuming baseball activities very soon
Jeremy Hermia (OF) -- Takes BP; late July return
Jed Lowrie (SS) -- Rehab assignment
Mike Lowell (3B) -- ready, but on personal leave as per Tito
Victor Martinez (C) --Thumb sprain; surgery not needed
Jason Varitek (C) - broken right foot; out 6 weeks
Dustin Pedroia (2B) -- early august return after broken left foot
Kevin Youkilis (1B) --playing through ankle pain
**Hideki Okajima battling back issues

There's a lot of season to play for both teams and both play their best ball after the All-Star break. No need to get alarmed, but expect trades to add temporary depth until these stars come back.

Rumored Trade Targets for Phils:

Jeremy Guthrie (SP) Orioles
Ty Wigginton (2B) Orioles
Miguel Tejada (3B) Orioles
Cliff Lee (SP) Mariners
Dan Haren (SP) D'Backs
Ben Sheets (SP) Athletics
Mike Lowell (3B) Red Sox

Rumored Targets for The Red Sox:

Chris Snyder (C) D'Backs
Scott Downs (RP) Blue Jays
Kerry Wood (RP) Indians
Will Ohman (RP) Orioles

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Happy 4th

Happy 4th of July all! It's been awhile since I typed up anything as I been preparing for my new job( which will mean I'll be posting even less) and such. However, I did attend last Sunday's Mets game against the Twins. Phenomenal game and a great time with my buds. For the first time ever live, I witnessed back-back HR's (courtesy of David Wright and Ike Davis) and a shut-out. Jon Niese pitched 7.2 innings of four hit ball on a sweltering New York afternoon. Lucky for me, that was before the Puerto Rico trip, but the Mets still trail Hotlanta by a few games with the injury-depleted Phillies two games back.

Ironically enough, next Sunday I may be in Philly for the game against the Reds. I'm hoping to catch Mike Leake pitch after watching him pitch against the Phils earlier this week. Let's hope the Phils can squeeze out a win against the red hot Reds.

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