Ken Davidoff's baseball insider

Ken, history is littered with those who felt they could get somewhere with appeasement. You will be no different.

How did you even get that comment up so fast, Jim? LOL. Your point and perspective are well-taken. I'd hate to actually have to vote someone off the island. But we will get to that point, soon, if things don't change.

You can't take Maine out of the starting rotation. The starters are the only thing holding the Mets together right now, and even though Pedro had a good outing, you can't feel completely comfortable relying on him yet.

I say give Stokes a try. If nothing else, he's got a 94-96 mph fastball, and that plus a decent second pitch is usually enough to get through an inning or two -- unless your name is Aaron Heilman.

I was watching Girardi's post-game interview and it was certainly tense. It was obvious he was close to exploding. I was extremely uncomfortable listening to and watching his response to why Christian started (instead of Damon). His answer was laughable and he definitely wasn't interested in any follow-up questions on the topic.

For a team that desperately needed a win, I think it was very shortsighted not to start Damon and Giambi. Pudge and Sexson contributed nothing again. I am starting to believe we will see a dramatic remaking of the roster in the off-season.

I really hope Joe doesn't lose it, but if the team drops a few more in a row, I think all bets are off. I think a real explosion is a possibility.

I am extremely disappointed in Girardi. I desperately wanted Torre out (since the 2006 ALDS) and Girardi was the guy I wanted to replace him. However, I believe Girardi has been most unimpressive in his Yankees tenure so far and has made several poor in-game decisions. The team badly needs wins, is coming off an awful series, playing a team they need to beat who they're chasing, and Girardi is resting Damon, the AL's leading hitter for Christian, and Giambi?!? Girardi PH for Melky and PR for Pudge a little earlier in the season?!

I know Girardi will be back regardless, but even with all the injuries, I believe the team still has enough talent coupled with the deadline acquisitions to be much better than they are. Torre made the playoffs every season. Girardi missing the playoffs in his first season and being this much out looks embarassing.

Girardi must improve and make the necessary adjustments or hes going to be out. The fanbase and media have been on him now. Management will be soon if this keeps up.

Girardi is frustrated right now. So is the team and so are the fans. This road trip has been a disaster. Don't understand why Damon or Giambi was not in the lineup last night against the lefty. THe Yanks offense has been hot and cold all season. We know about the pitching issues. But the Yanks offense has clearly let this team down this year.
This is last year all over again for the Mets. The pen fall apart down the stretch last year, and its doing it again right now. I won't put Maine in the pen because he is too valuable in the rotation. Give Kunz a chance to close because everybody else has stunk up the joint. And here's the most disturbing thing I have notice about the Mets. The Mets against under .500 teams have been awful. They were awful down the stretch against under .500 teams and this year it has carryover. They have 8 games against the Nationals and Pirates coming up, 2 teams that are under .500 and both teams stink. The Mets should take advantage, but the way the Mets have play against under .500 teams, I wouldn't bet on it.

Here's what I don't get. The Yankees are in dire straights right now and need to win every game to even have a chance of sniffing the playoffs. So by resting Damon last night, what exactly is Girardi accomplishing? So he won't be tired in September -- but what good is it going to do to have a well-rested Johnny Damon in September if the season is already over?

If I was a reporter, at this point in time, I'd be making a game of seeing how far I could push before Girardi's head explodes. Kudos to Kim Jones for asking the question last night, because far too many nights, no one asks it (I'm still waiting for an explanation of why he pinch ran Pudge and pinch hit Melky).

Girardi always looks so tense and uptight in the dugout and after games that you can't help but wonder if the tension is rubbing off on the players as it permeates the clubhouse.

I thought Girardi would cite a need to rest Damon, even though Damon rested while on the DL and should be able to play everyday. But, instead Girardi really focused on Christian, saying that he was swinging really well against lefties. Damon might not be the player he once was but he's a heck of a lot better than Christian. If the Yankees were 30 games over .500 and leading the division by 8-10 games I could understand sitting down Damon and even Giambi. But, how could Girardi do it when the team is in dire straights? I really don't understand it. He's grasping at straws.

I don't understand moving Maine or Perez into the closer's role if Wagner is coming back next week. If he was out for the year, that would be a different story.

They might as well try everybody at this point. Ideally, Sanchez would be the guy but he's been so inconsistent this year.

Two quick Mets questions...

Any chance they pick up Shannon Stewart, who was just released? I'm still harping on this "only two outfielders on the team" issue.

Whatever happened to Tony Pena's son? He was supposedly a young, hotshot catching prospect and I never hear anything about him anymore.

I can understand sitting Giambi since he would've been sliced and diced by the Twins lefty but Damon has been red-hot against all pitchers.

Last night was my first look at Christian. I thought he played very poorly. And his appearence (high socks) accentuated his thinness. He looked like a 16-year-old out there.

Met bullpen features 4 clowns that deliver the ball from the side; Feliciano, Heilman, Smith and Schoenweis. Hitters only have to see the ball on one plane (left to right). Mussina's success this year is his ablilty to change speeds and throw over the top so the ball comes down and away (or in). Omar's reliance on sidewinders will cost the team a divisional title and possibly a playoff spot.

I think Jerry was seduced by Heilman's success over the weekend. With a heavy left handed lineup Schoeneweiss should have started the 9th. Not that he might not have blown it, but the percentages favored him over Heilman.

Girardi thinks he is smarter than everyone when he isn't. He tries to do crazy things with the lineup and the pitching staff. His moves have been hit or miss, and mostly miss. Its one thing to manage the Marlins, where the expectations are low and media is not on you. Its another thing to manage the Yanks, where expectations are much higher, and everybody including the media and the fans dissect every move you make. Girardi is starting to feel the heat right now.

I thought we were all good? Now you're getting Survivor on me? Oh well.

I was going to say thanks for the peace offering, it was not needed.

I guess Luis Castillo > Ricie G. (Lynbrook). But on a baseball note about him, I'm not the only one that thinks he has underperformed because of desire and lack of effort.

Anyways, I woulda liked to get back to baseball. You need to let things go easier Ken and not take things so personal. Today shoulda been a day all about peace. And you let Jim get to you.

One day you're going to turn out like this and its going to be sad. You know how it ended ;(

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I think Girardi has done a really nice job with this team. With all the devastating injuries and the failed developments of Hughes and Kennedy where did you expect the Yankees to be? Obviously the Red Sox were a superior team going in, and its really no surprise about the Rays if you play fantasy baseball. All those players got picked early and they have a true Ace in Kazmir and Shields you knew could throw as well. I didn't expect them to be this good but I'm certainly not surprised.

Had you told me before the season that Chamberlin, Hughes, Kennedy, A-Rod and Jeter, Posada, and Matsui all would have gone on the DL with Posada being out for the year, I would have told you the Yankees would have trouble winning 75 games. Girardi has made sure what I just wrote doesn't ever get in the Yankees heads. No excuses. He seems to be handling the bullpen fairly well.

As for Mussina, Hughes, Kennedy...I give him very little blame for the two kids failing, and only slight credit for Mussina's resurgance.

I think Girardi's biggest mistake was taking this job in the first place. The Yankees mix of these veterans combined with these kids were going to have a very hard time succeeding. I dont think the Yanks will be the team to beat in the near-forseable future. And I'm not sure he's going to be able to last 4 years here if he misses the playoffs the first three years.

As much as I dont think CC Sabathia is the long term answer, he may save Girardi in the short term. Because this team needs an inning eating stud. This Mussina will never be around again.

I think the best reason the Mets bullpen stinks is because their rotation is no good either. I can't do it, but anyone who can name any team with a lousy rotation and a good bullpen, go ahead. Bullpens result from depth of starting pitching.
Now, can we please drop Castillo conversations, he isn't even with the team right now and I got disgusted reading through all that sludge I missed yesterday because I decided to play hide and seek with a lizard living in my living room. Richie, remember this and keep remembering this for every minute of the day you breathe: THIS IS KEN'S BLOG NOT YOURS. You don't insult the blog owner, because instead of sitting there until the middle of the night arguing with all your contractions, all he has to do is delete your ass!! And boy reading through all the sludge, did you cotradict yourself on nearly every post you made. So you would probably be wise to drop it. And make believe I didn't just call you out, ok?
Sexton played last night because he hits lefties, and that's why the Yankees brought him over to play against lefties. Damon is pretty banged up, maybe he couldn't go?

"contractions" should say contradict as should the other word in the following sentence.

The Philadelphia Phillies have a lousy rotation and an excellent bullpen. The Mets bullpen can't use the starting pitching as an excuse. Going back to last week, the Mets starters went 431/3 innings and Phillies' starters went 411/3

Sandy: Teams with good bullpens but lousy rotations? Seattle, Cincinnati, and the Phillies, in my opinion.

Ken, I just read from MetsBlog.com Matt Cerrone's analysis of the bullpen woes that REALLY puts this problem into perspective...

"The Mets have 20 blown saves this season, which is fourth-worst in the National League.

The Phillies have blown just eight saves, best in the league.

…i’m officially sick…do you realize if the bullpen had blown just half of that number, the Mets would be in first place by eight games, and have the best record in the league…"

Incredible, truly. I live in the heart of Red Sox nation and they say their bullpen is bad. I can only imagine what they'd do if they were Mets fans.

It's been absolutely horrible, Doug. There's no getting around it.

Andy, 1) I'd be surprised if they went after Shannon Stewart. Their attention is focused fully on the bullpen at the moment, and 2) Haven't heard much lately on Pena's son. I think he should be 18 by now. It's amazing how often those 16-year-old kids from Latin American don't pan out. It's so hard to project kids at that age, and the cultural adjustment is difficult, although I'd think less so for Tony Pena's son.

Doug, JJ Putz has been downright brutal this year. Its one of the many reasons Seattle stinks. He got injured the 2nd game of the year after giving up a GW HR to Josh Hamilton and I dont think he ever recovered.

Maybe he has now cause he had a killer week last week, but I dont trust him. Though he was the best reliever in the game the last year and a half before this season.

Doug and Matt I can't give you the Phillies and the Mariners. When Myers is on (like he has been the last 2 starts) the Phillies have 2 guys who could be aces and two mediocrities in Jaime Moyer and Kyle Kendrick, they need another starter. It's somewhat debatable, however, I can see your point. As far as the Mariners their whole pitching staff stinks. Cincinnati maybe if you don't like Volquez and Harang at all and don't think Bailey will develop, Arroyo sux. But for this season they would probably fit the bill, I suppose.

Sandy I will do no such thing. When you call me out, be man enough to expect a reply. As I've said to Ken he is more than welcome to delete my responses. But just because someone writes a blog, doesn't mean that person is always right and always acts professional.

Please give specific examples of when I contradicted myself from yesterday. Thank you. After all, as Ken would say, if you sling it, bring it.

Sandy, I LOVE Edison Volquez, but the rest of their rotation has been pretty awful this year.

Doug and Ken: Francisco Pena is playing for the Savannah Sand Gnats in Class A in the South Atlantic League. He is now 6’2, 230 lbs. and turns 19 on Oct. 12. In 94 games this year is he batting .268 (95 for 355) with 33 runs, 21 doubles, three triples, six homeruns, 40 runs batted in, 24 BB and 87 strikeouts. His OBP is .313, SLG is .394 and OPS is .708.

If the Mets had a closer who doesn't blow games, aka Rivera, the Mets will be in 1st place in the NL East by 5-10 games. Instead they can't get out of their way with their bullpen.

Sandy:

Pitchers who are sent to the minors in the middle of a pennant race such as Myers are not close to being called an ace. The Phillies starting pitching has barely been adequate, yet their bullpen shows no sign of the mental and physical fatigue the Mets' does.

Ken: What's the status of Burgos. He had his Tommy John surgery at about the same time that Johnson did, so hopefully he could help this year. Any word?

Richie first how your apologize to Ken, then dont. How you don't hate Miller and Fehr but hate what they did to baseball (which says basically you hate them) how you want tapes, then you don't want tapes etc. Plus you blantantly insulted Ken There are way too many, go back and read what you wrote you have at least 14 comments up there and my head is still spinning from reading them.
Actually Matt, Lidge's shoulder is hurting right now and he may not be able to pitch for awhile. I said when Myers is on he is an ace-type, he has been his last 2 starts. Granted he sucked in May.
Ken remember back in June when I said the Mets should fire peterson and one of the examples you gave when you said no was look how he's gotten through to Pelfrey finally? So, do you tjink any of Pelfrey's recent problems are because Peterson isn't around anymore? It makes a lot of sense.

Good question on Burgos, Matt. I haven't heard a single word uttered about him since spring training. I'll poke around, but given the radio silence on him, I wouldn't expect him to return.

Sandy, funny on Pelfrey. David Lennon wrote a great "Mets Insider" last Friday in which he quoted Pelfrey taking shots at Peterson. I guess Pelfrey REALLY didn't like him. There's no doubt that Pelfrey's turnaround began before Peterson was fired, but I'm not sure it's fair to blame Warthen for the recent, erratic starts. It's still not clear whether fatigue, the Marlins or just the standard ups and downs of a season can explain what's going on with Pelfrey right now.

Jim, thanks for the Pena stats. I should've just gotten those myself, sorry...

Ken, Burgos pitched to nine batters on Aug 6 in his first minor-league rehab game

Sandy, hating what I think Fehr and Miller did to the game is different than hating them. I hate Osama Bin Laden. I want him dead. I hate what a few people have done to my family. I want them either injured or dead. I would never which nothing but perfect health on Orza/Fehr/Miller. I dont hate them at all. I dislike them, but hate what they did to the game I used to love. I hope you truly see that there is a difference.

I have apologized to Ken probably 7 times. I did not take back my apology. I just said I wont apologize again for it.

And obviously asking Ken to come up with all those game tapes is an absurd request. I was just making a point that I would need those game tapes to prove my point right or wrong.

I hope this clears some of the misconceptions.

Jeez, Jim, you just want to take over here? ;) I have not heard a single Mets official bring up Burgos' name, so I don't think they're expecting great things from him this year.

Just getting some work done while following the action here before heading outside for yard work. Terrible weather in Northport, LI yesterday. Heavy hail the size of golf balls for five minutes. Put at least 12 dings in my brand new car and tore through in several places on my patio awning. It was surreal watching it all. Maybe that's why I wasn't in the mood for last night's nonsense?

Richie basically what baseball was doing was illegal and unconstitutional. Somebody like Curt Flood did would have come along and done exactly the same things Miller and Fehr did. So blaming them, which is what Bob Tufts and Jim have been arguing with you all along, is wrong, the owners were their own worst enemies, and they did to baseball what has happened.
Anyway its time to stop this discussion.

Back from talking to my Phillies minor league co-ordinator freind.
He said that he has not seen any good catchers in the minor leagues this year at any level this year, and they are getting harder to find in the draft.

Tell your local little leaguers to become a switch hitting catcher at an early age and they stand a shot to play professional ball.