Francisco Rodriguez

d when the bullpen and late-inning offense failed in 2008, the Mets added All-Star closers Putz and Francisco Rodriguez, once again making the Mets the trendy pick for the 2009 season.

But as we stand right now, with the Mets 34-32, sitting in second place and decimated by injury, the Mets are finally the underdogs.

Continue reading "The 2009 New York Mets are Finally the Underdogs"

(Note: I posted this a couple of days ago on my other blog at FanNation.)

When it comes to the Mets' starting rotation, I think all of their replacement-level options are better than Tim Redding. Redding's stuff is disgraceful, and his general approach to the craft of pitching is laughable. He's been embarrassed in his last two starts -- recently against the Marlins, and the Red Sox before that -- and there is little-to-no indication of potential improvement. I don't think there is any doubt at this point...

Continue reading "I've Had Enough of Tim Redding."

(Note: I've also published this post on FanNation, under the username JFro.)

About a month ago, I published a similar post complaining about Jerry Manuel's mind-numbingly awful managing. It actually generated some interest, as it appeared on a Mets blog and in various discussion threads.

Continue reading "Jerry Manuel Must Be Fired. Now!!!"

All right, so I've jumped the gun a little (the Mets are 21-17, giving them 38 games played, which means they're shy of the 1/4 season mark), but I haven't been too active on this blog and I'd like to get up to speed.

Continue reading "The New York Mets: A Quarter Season in Review"

But then again he sometimes forgets to slide...

2. Francisco Rodriguez - My father said to me the other day, "Why didn't you tell me he was John Franco?!?" Yes, it's true he never makes it easy. But damn I like his attitude. The dude's got swagger and he actually wants the ball. I don't care that he has to have at least 2 baserunners before he shuts the door, the man gets it done. 

Continue reading "Team Inconsistency"

Putz, and Francisco Rodriguez

It's not often that a bullpen goes from the absolute worst to the top five in the span of a single offseason, but the Mets have done so here. Putz is a top ten closer, and yet he'll be reduced to a setup role as a member of the talented Met relief core. Of course he'll set up for "K-Rod," the man who set the single-season major league record for saves last year.

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Bullpens"

half game behind Chicago, and a full game back in the loss column.  In the Angels' win, closer Francisco Rodriguez nailed down his 50th save of the season.  Los Angeles of Anaheim now leads the AL West by a ridiculous 17 games over the 63-68 Rangers.

Continue reading "Feliciano Blows Up In 10th"

y utilize his opt-out clause from the two remaining years on his contract.  The Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez already has a career-high 48 saves, and is threatening Bobby Thigpen's single-season record of 57.  Despite a slow start, the Mets' Oliver Perez, a Scott Boras client, has been one of the most consistent, and best big-game pitchers in the majors over the last two months.  Ryan Ludwick, who is currently playing on a one-year contract, has more home runs this year (31) than he had totaled prior to 2008 (28).  His 94 RBI are no slouch either, considering he only had 96 over five seasons through 2007, and his .305 batting average is far better than his previous career high of .267.  C.C. Sabathia has seen success in the past, but his off-season paycheck is increasing by the day with his 8-0 record and five complete games in nine starts for the Brewers.  Manny Ramirez stopped playing hard when contract issues arose with Boston, but he's been tearing it up for the Dodgers, hitting over .400 with more RBI than games in Los Angeles.

Continue reading "Pelfrey Goes The Distance"

bber game of the three-game weekend series, and moved six games up on the A's in the AL West.  Francisco Rodriguez shut the door in the ninth for his 38th save of the season, an all-time record before the All-Star break.  His 38 saves through 95 games put him on pace for 65, which would shatter Bobby Thigpen's record of 57 saves, set in 1990 with the White Sox.  On Monday, K-Rod declared that he will test the free agent waters at the end of the season, although he did not rule out returning to the Angels.  He is currently making $10 million this season after losing his arbitration case for $12.5 million this past winter.

Continue reading "Big Pelf and the Mets Take Nine Into ..."

sp; But the best game of the week featured the Rangers scoring three in the ninth off Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez to win 5-4 on Wednesday.  With the score tied 2-2 in the seventh, Juan Rivera homered to left center, scoring Torii Hunter, to take a 4-2 lead.  The Los Angeles bullpen held off Texas until the ninth and manager Mike Scioscia brought in K-Rod, who is having a fantastic season.  Ramon Vazquez led off with a walk, but Rodriguez struck out Ian Kinsler and got Frank Catalanotto to ground out, moving Vazquez to second with two outs.  The red-hot Michael Young stepped up to the plate and singled to left, scoring Vazquez to make it 4-3.  K-Rod fell behind Josh Hamilton 3-1, but threw an unexpected curveball on the fifth pitch of the at-bat.  Hamilton must have been ready for it because he blasted it into the right field stands to win the game 5-4 in walk-off fashion.  It was Hamilton's 20th home run of the year, and he leads the majors with 91 RBI.  The blown save was only K-Rod's third of the season, and he rebounded the next day to pick up his major league-leading 36th save of the year.

Continue reading "Mets Go For Seven Straight Tonight at Shea"

The closer position in baseball is a relatively recent development, one which has only come about as a full-time position with specific duties in the past twenty years. There were closers before then, guys who came into the game in tight situations, but they might appear in the sixth or seventh inning as the ninth, and (at least early in this century) might be starters pitching on their off-day.

Continue reading "K-Rod: King of Saves"