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April Player of The Month

Johan Santana 3-1 | 1.10 ERA | 0.95 WHIP – Santana could easily be 5-0 if not for an error by Daniel Murphy and a blow up by J.J. Putz. If not for Santana’s performance in April, I don’t know where this team would be.

Up Coming Schedule

The Mets are on a stretch now where they will play 20 in a row. Needless to say, I am concerned as to how the starting pitching will hold up and the wear and tear on the bullpen. Are you also concerned?

Q & A

Q: tstrongmets20 - what do u think they will do with Ollie if he gets light up against the phillies? Do u think he’ll go to the pen or be sent down? And if hes sent down who do they call up?

A: First and foremost, let’s hope Oliver Perez turns it around. If Perez continues to struggle, no matter what the Mets do with him, it won’t be good for the team. If I were the manager, I’d give Perez the next two starts to work it out. His next two starts are scheduled to be against the Phillies, a team he normally does great against. I don’t agree with putting Perez in the bullpen. I don’t think that accomplishes anything. What I might do if he struggles the next two starts is send him down to the minors and bring up Nelson Figueroa. 

Q: ronnismetsblog – What was Manuel thinking pulling Castro in the ninth for Santos against the Marlins? I love Santos…but Castro had 2 hits.

A: It’s safe to say that was a bad move by Manuel. Manuel said he thought Santos had a better shot of getting a hit because he has a shorter swing. To me this makes no sense. Up to that point, Castro had a nice game while Santos was sitting in the bullpen for 8 innings. This was not a good move, regardless of how much confidence you have in Santos.

Q: MetsFan575 – I want to know your opinion on firing Jerry Manuel

A: Barring a complete utter embarrassment on the field, I think Jerry Manuel will be the Mets manager all season. The Mets fired their manager mid-season last year, I don’t see them doing it again. Even though Manuel has made some questionable decision this year, let’s remember it’s not his fault that none of the starters (besides Santana) have been inconsistent and it’s also not Manuel’s fault the offense is not hitting with RISP.

I’ll be doing a Q & A segment every week. If you have a question that you would like me to discuss and answer, please Email Me. Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Met Roster Moves:

• Called up Nelson Figueroa – P from Triple-A Buffalo.
• Designated RHP Darren O’Day for assignment.
• Added Brian Schneider – C to the 15-day disabled list.
• Called up Omir Santos – C from Triple-A Buffalo.

Thoughts on Citi Field:

• What I like:
  • Jackie Robinson Rotunda: I like the Rotunda from the outside, meaning that it’s a great focal point and entrance into the park. I think the inside it a little underwhellming from the standpoint that I’m not really in awe by anything. I think it’s nice and a great idea but I think it was hyped up too much.
  • Old Apple: I like the fact that the old Shea Home Run Apple is on display and accessible to the fans.
  • Kiddie Field, Batting Cages, Dunking Booth: I like that entire area beyond center field and think it’s a great gathering place for fans and has some activities for kids. The only bad thing about this area is if you look out across the street, you will see all the garages and tire shops. This is kind of an eye sore.
• What I don’t like:
  • The Bullpens: I’m not a fan of the bullpens being so close together and right on top of each other.
  • OutField Walls: I think the outfield walls are too high and I don’t like the quirky right field area where the Pepsi Porch over hangs.
  • Mets History: Outside of the old Home Run Apple, I would like to see more Mets history throughout the park.
• Overall Thoughts:
  • It’s a great facility to watch a game and I think with a few enhancements here and there Mets fans should be happy with the park.
  • See Related Posts:
    • Home Opener: Photos From Citi Field
    • Mets Open Citi Field In Disappointment
    • Visit To Citi Field

Q & A

Q: ronnismetsblog - do you think Jose Reyes has lost a step or were these just perfect throws from the Reds Ryan Hanigan and the Marlins Ronny Paulino?

A: Absolutely not. Jose Reyes is not going to beat out every single throw. These other guys are MLB players as well. Reyes is 26 years old, not even in the prime of his career yet. Expect some big years from Reyes in the future.

Q: NYMNYJ22 –  If Ryan Church keeps up this hot streak, do you see sheffield taking any of his playing time away?
I hope not…

A: As long as Church plays well, he will continue to get playing time. I think you’ll see Sheffield go back and forth between left and right field. He won’t play every day but he’s going to get starts here and there to give others a day off.

Q: tstrongmets20 - If Darren O’Day continues to pitch the way he is now do you think he’ll be sent down and if he does who would you call up?

A: Yes and he already has. I think we may have seen the last of Darren O’Day. As I stated in my Q & A last week, I thought Figueroa would be the first Met pitcher called up because of his versatility to start or come out bullpen.

I’ll be doing a Q & A segment every week. If you have a question that you would like me to discuss and answer, please Email Me.