Should the Mets rest their stars for the playoffs??

jesterson · 07-27-06, 03:17 PM

As a HUUUGE Mets fan, I think you'll see Willie give the regulars 2-3 days off per week (save Wright and Reyes: 1-2)once the division is completely under control (late august perhaps lol). To rest everyone for the last, say, 2 weeks of the regular season would be a very big mistake IMO and he knows better. As far as pitching goes, Pedro won't go more than 6 innings unless he's pitching a no-no, Glavine's going to be left in to work through any troubles he's having after the 5th inning, the young guys (Maine, perhaps Pelfrey if he's still up) are going to get every stinkin opportunity that comes up...and the bullpen: Can you say Heath Bell???

Basically, Willie's gonna play everyone just enough to keep them sharp, and maybe get them back in there full time the last week or two to get em on a roll....but I could be wrong, especially if one or more Mets have a shot at any awards, milestones, etc. Plus, I have nothing, absolutely nothing to base this on as it's been a while, a tortuously long while, since the division has looked like this much of a cakewalk. Just guessing, but thank goodness for my guaranteed playoff ticket options!!

Bulldog · 07-27-06, 03:36 PM

So....
Mets fan you say...
hahahahahaha
just kidding
well it seems like we are gonna have something to talk about this weekend... although Id rather be on your shoes for this one year.
Anyway, I agree with your take, I think they will probably do that especially with the banged up guys like Loduca, Floyd, Pedro, etc.
So do you think the Mets are gonna make a move man?
Tell us what you think
And congrats on the tickets... good for you man.

jesterson · 07-27-06, 03:59 PM

Ha, you guys have been the bane of my existence for the past 10 years (I can't believe any Tigers fans trust Kenny Rogers in the playoffs...)

As far as the Mets making a move, who knows??? A starter (Zito, but the best bargain would be Meche if Seattle didn't have that ridiculous June) would be great, but I can see them making a move for a reliever and moving Heilman to long man duties or more likely competing with Maine (on fire!), Trachsel, and maybe Pelfrey from here on out as a game 3 or 4 playoff starter. But, I really think Pelfrey gets sent back down tomorrow to make room for Pedro. Honestly though, it's anybody's guess, but I think that would be the best way to go because I sure don't trust Trachsel in a big game, and Glavine's been scaring me lately with his "please, please don't swing at my first pitch, I need to get ahead" approach.

bigboydan · 07-27-06, 04:04 PM

the mets fans that think they should rest there starters are nuts. what in the world would are these people thinking about this subject when it's only august, and this is the time of the year where the braves just shine.

Bulldog · 07-27-06, 04:25 PM

I hope they shine bbd, they lost again today. (damn it!)
I agree that its a little early to talk about it but its hard to believe that the mets are gonna have any trouble at all winning that division.

As for the moves and rumors I read something interesting about Paul Byrd being the best fit for the Mets. I agree, I think hes better than Meche, Hernandez, Lopez and all those pitchers mentioned. Of course he's not Zito but... hes pretty good. I actually wanted the Braves to take a chance on him again this year, cause when he's healthy hes been good, I remember when he was at KC how lines changed when he pitched.

On the Braves side I know they are desperately looking for a reliever but I think they need an everyday outfielder as well.
Realistically maybe not Soriano or Lee but someone like Conine, or Pierre would be nice...
It just gets on my nerves that I dont hear anything about the Braves even asking about a bat.

jesterson · 07-27-06, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by bigboydan

the mets fans that think they should rest there starters are nuts. what in the world would are these people thinking about this subject when it's only august, and this is the time of the year where the braves just shine.

Because the Mets are clearly the best team in the east, and probably the NL...the Braves can shine all they want, but if they don't take at least 2 of 3 this weekend they can forget about the division and very possibly the wild card. Quite frankly, the Braves are mediocre this year, for once, in large part to Giles' disapperance and their awful bullpen.

And of course the Metropolitans shouldn't rest their starters, but if you had a choice, knowing you're all but guaranteed a playoff spot, to leave Pedro in during a meaningless game or put him on a pitch count, what would you do?? The bottom line is, Pedro is the absolute KEY to the Mets' playoff and World Series hopes, so he's getting the kid gloves from his "hip injury" to "food poisoning", conveniently just before the break. They ARE resting their starters, at least 1 anyway. See ya in October.

jesterson · 07-27-06, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by Bulldog

I hope they shine bbd, they lost again today. (damn it!)
I agree that its a little early to talk about it but its hard to believe that the mets are gonna have any trouble at all winning that division.

As for the moves and rumors I read something interesting about Paul Byrd being the best fit for the Mets. I agree, I think hes better than Meche, Hernandez, Lopez and all those pitchers mentioned. Of course he's not Zito but... hes pretty good. I actually wanted the Braves to take a chance on him again this year, cause when he's healthy hes been good, I remember when he was at KC how lines changed when he pitched.

On the Braves side I know they are desperately looking for a reliever but I think they need an everyday outfielder as well.
Realistically maybe not Soriano or Lee but someone like Conine, or Pierre would be nice...
It just gets on my nerves that I dont hear anything about the Braves even asking about a bat.

I'd be very OK with Byrd, but the reason I like Meche better is if he pitches well and the fans take to him, he's still young and can be signed to a nice deal. That's exactly what we need, is young arms. The best part about the mets is they are not only built to win now, but also for the next 5-10 years too with Wright, Reyes, Milledge, Pelfrey, etc. and that is a great, great, great feeling. Once the Braves straighten themselves out, the rivalry is definitely going to be the hottest it's been in the past 5 years with 2 young, good teams going at it...but this year is the Mets' in the East.

As far as the Braves getting a bat, all I've heard is that they want to DEAL Betemit. They've certainly got the pitching chips that everyone wants to go after a bat for the future, so I guess we'll see...

McBa1n · 07-28-06, 06:51 AM

Ahh, Bulldog. I don't want to come off as a cocky Mutts fan, since we're up by 12 games... I don't feel real worried about the Braves. Although, deep down, I already know that they'll get within 2 games and the Yankees find a way to get into the playoffs. In fact, it's on my brain all the time. Until it doesn't happen, it's just going to happen. That's the life of a Mutts fan, though...whaddayagonnado.

It should be a fun series, but sheesh, I still don't know how to react to having such a dominating lead, playing "decent" baseball (at best) and still being 12 games up on your rival. It's nuts. I'm sure the Braves have done it during their run... So you'd know better than me.

As far as Mutts moves... There's nothing out there, really. I think we're stuck with Trachsel as our #3. Lots of people thought Livan was coming here - but why would you want him? He ain't a top 3 guy.... Also, Omar was on WFAN yesterday and he flat out said, in not so many words, that there is no way the mutts will get a deal they like on a pitcher - so they won't be getting one.

What it comes down to is Pelfrey/Sanchez for Freddy Garcia (lol...yeah...) or Reyes for the D-Train.
heh... no... But a much more reasonable proposal (almost tempting).
... As for Zito, you don't trade a AAA prospect+ for a guy who is going to pitch game 3 in the playoffs and then leave next year. Zito isn't going to sign an extension with ANYONE, anyway, if a deal got done... I think he's a Boras guy, so you can be sure they have to talk with the Yankees first when the season is over.

If they could move Franco or Woodward and pick up a left hander utility guy (or switch hitter), their bench would be complete (they could use a left handed bat pretty bad)... But I think they'd have to get the right guy to make that deal, and those are pretty rare. I think their bench is pretty solid as is, left handed deficient or not.

I wish there was an arm we could get (like when we rented Mike Hampton), our starters aren't good enough to win a world series. IMO, not having Heilman in the rotation to start the season is going to be the big move that's going to sink the team... He's our 2nd or 3rd best pitcher IMO... And he isn't happy in the pen.

Bulldog · 07-28-06, 01:38 PM

Well its glad to see we have a couple of Mets fans on board.
It should be a fun series...
Althoug gotta confess the Braves cant worry about the mets too much. As far as Im concerned they are out of reach.
I think Braves fans should root for the Mets, the Cardinals and the Padres right now, the more games they win the better chance we have...
Anyway, I hope the Braves have a great series and a great August so September can be interesting.
I really do think that the Mets and Cards are gonna face off in the NLCS but who knows, maybe the Braves can win a a few games and get back in the WC hunt.
Its funny that you talk about Hampton, Im hoping hell be back next year and he will contribute...
As far as the rivalry goes I think the Braves need to straighten up their ownership issues.
Until they do its gonna be rough. If you cut your payroll every year, eventually even the Mets might beat you!!! Hahaha, just kidding guys. We´ll be in touch during the weekend... Im sure.

jesterson · 07-29-06, 01:49 PM

Well, it's looking less and less like the Mets are going to make a move for a starter...Howie Rose made a good point on WFAN about Beane analyzing the next year's draft when deciding to retain a player to let him walk at the end of the year, in order to get the compensatory draft pick, or trading him midseason to get prospects. In any Event, Zito's too expensive and it looks as though the only starter the Mets will trade for this year is El Duque.

On a side note, let me tell you how much it blows living in CT where the Mets Yanks and Sox are all local. This all but guarantees that if FOX has a choice between putting on the Sox or Mets here, it's the former, and again we get screwed out of seeing the mets. I switched to satellite for just this reason (Comcast doesn't carry SNY) only to be screwed once again every saturday because MLB and FOX can't get their crap together and seem intent on pissing off their fans. Basically, the FOX saturday contract assures the CT viewer of missing at least one local team at the expense of FOX's exclusivity in the viewing market....morons. Though, I must say, Beckett vs. young Weaver is a great matchup....this Kid's electric with a mickey mouse slider!

jesterson · 07-30-06, 03:57 PM

[QUOTE=Bulldog]So....
Mets fan you say...
hahahahahaha
just kidding
well it seems like we are gonna have something to talk about this weekend. QUOTE]

Holy cow, the Mets actually swept the Braves in the haunted house that was Turner Field...their magic number is somewhere around 44, so they could realistically have this thing clinched by early to mid-september if they play .667 ball and the next best team plays .500 or so. Wow.

And I just saw that Minnesota put up 4 in the eighth to take the lead, doing wonders for my day!!! That is one team that nobody wants to play in any 5 or 7 game series, with Santana and Liriano, it's almost a guaranteed 3-4 wins.

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bigboydan · 07-30-06, 04:58 PM

unlike years past, the mets have owned the braves this year.

now that chipper is back on the DL the division should pertty much should be locked up for the mets. although, i doubt they rest there starters this early.

Bulldog · 07-31-06, 10:23 AM

That was a tough weekend, Im glad I was out of town and didnt see anything...
Anyway, congrats to the Mets Fans...