Lost Season for Pedro
When reporters are summoned from their seats during a game, and told that the general manager has something to say, chances are it doesn't involve the third-string catcher.
We knew the news from Omar Minaya was going to be about Pedro Martinez. And we figured it wasn't good. Minaya confirmed that when he told us that a muscle tendon tear in the left calf was discovered during an MRI in New York on Thursday. That it was the left calf, and not the right one that had sidelined Pedro for a month from mid-August to mid-September, tells you what kind of season it's been for Martinez.
At least one Met wasn't shocked at the news. "When Pedro walked off the field Thursday night," Tom Glavine said, "I don't think any of us were optimistic he'd pitch again. We all knew it was a possibility. Now it's a reality."
And the reality is, the Mets weren't really counting on him anyway. "If he was there, it was a bonus," Billy Wagner said.
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Comments (13)
who needs him
Johnette Howard says,"Their (Mets) rotation of Hernandez, Glavine, Steve Trachsel and perhaps John Maine scares nobody."
She's wrong. It scares every Met fan.
Omar insisted all season that the Mets were deep in the pitching department. Boy was he wrong! Their playoff rotation is mediocre at best. They should have got another starter instead of relievers for Nady. I hope they can hit enough to protect their pitching. It's unfortunately the only way they can win. Minaya is no genius.
Ed:
What other starter would you have suggested? Greg Maddux, Jamie Moyer? No front line starter was traded at the deadline as most of the teasm were still in the wild card hunt (which makes the Astros look pretty smart not trading Oswalt).
Another point missed is that the Mets were on a five year plan and have gotten ahead of themselves.
If someone told you in April that the Mets would win 95 games, have home field up to the WS, but Pedro would be out, you'd take it in a hearbeat.
Mets need Zito and should spend whatever it takes to get him next year.
Pedro's finished?,I doubt it. It simply looks like he wrote a few too many checks that his old body is having trouble cashing. If we believe what they are writing about him he seems to be Cooperstown bound. There should be a way that they can have him suited up and on the bench during the playoffs. Sure he might be done throwing but I'd use him in some other way. Perhaps a lot of the younger players would benifit from Pedro's experience and words of wisedom in the dugout during the play off's, just a quiet word to someone or a bit joking to pick up someone's spirit might be just as good as a 95 mph fastball.
Ed, I agree with your response. However, that the Stros entertained the thought of dealing Oswalt, and they did, would prevent me from ever calling them smart. Zito looks like a strong 3, possible 2. He's no ace, but his agent will demand no. 1 dough. I expect Omar will pass.
Mets on a 5 year plan???With Glavine,ElDuque,Pedro and Wagner I think you mean a one year plan.Oh yea, I think Greg Maddux would of been a great addition....He helped put the Dodgers over the top.
Zarek -- remember that this team is two years removed from 71-91 and Glavine was a Duqette signing. Wagner has been pretty much lights out and should stay that way for at least another season or two. Pedro got hurt a year early. The core posiiton players (with the exception of Delgado) are young. We now need to sign a frontline starter and hope Pelfrey/Humber step up next year.
Glavine 40---ElDuque 37?---Trachsel 36---Wagner 35---Hernandez 42---Oliver 36. The pitching is old and worn and we need more than Zito or else we could very easily be a 500 club. It's either this year or back to the drawing board.
Zito - 28
Maine - 25
Heilman - 29
Pelfrey - 22
Humber - 24
Billy Wagner shows no sign of age yet. Can probably get another year out of Glavine (may want him for the gate attraction of 300 wins). Like I said, some of the young pitching has to step up.
MT, I understand your rational with showing the ages of a potential starting staff. Maine has been a great find. Zito, although he never pitches well in New York or against NY is headed for the Mets. I see Heilman becoming a starter based on talent, desire and history as a starter. Humber and Pelfry have both proven to be injury types, that scares me. I do like Gil Meche a lot, he reminds me of Rick Reed. I was startled Omar did not pick him up and Seattle did not sign him either. He has overcome an immense amount of adversity and he is blossoming as Rick Reed did. Pedro Martinez I believe is finished, at best he has one more year. Glavine will be back around.....so:
Glavine
Zito
Meche
Maine
Heilman
Reserves: Pelfry,Humber.
FYI: Jason Schmidt vanished down the stretch as usual, stay away from him. I was at his 16 game strikeout performance from a contest I won with MLB.COM, I was on the field holding the flag. But the next game he couldn't find anything. That is Jason Schmidt. He is not a money pitcher but fantasy baseball loves him.
The Mets have not developed a pitcher in over 20 years and you expect them to develop 4 next year? It's either this year or forget about it. Wilpon's are the Dolan's of baseball. They got their network and stadium and will try to get the fans to live off this season for the next 5 years. No way will they pay to sign Zito.
Zarek:
I don't think you could ever accuse the Dolans of being cheap, just outright stupid.
Wilpons on occasion
have been cheap and on occasion stupid (they passed on A-Rod and Sheffield, didn't resign Olerud; wouldn'
t post for Ichiro); but they signed Piazza, Leiter, Appier, Vaughn, Burnitz, Alomar. Problem was Al Harazin and Steve Phillips were two of the worst GM's in major league history. Omar Minaya is not. You could sign Zito, get a cheaper FA #3, hold on to Glavine and develop one pitcher from Maine, Pelfrey, Humber. It's been said all along the stadium and network will help fund a bigger payroll. We shall see.