Giants gearing up for training camp
As the Mets begin their pathetic fade into space, many fans of the Mets and Giants are now turning toward Big Blue as they prepare for training camp.
In just nine days, the Giants will hold their first practice of the 2010-11 season at the University of Albany. The Giants have trained at the University of Albany since 1996, their longest tenure at one location for training camp. According to the University of Albany’s website, the Giants have previously trained in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Oregon.
Although last season ended with a nasty slide following an impressive 5-0 start, there really has not been any serious drama this off-season. Osi Umenyiora has been pretty quiet after complaining throughout the end of last year when he lost his starting job. At one low point of last season, Umenyiora even indicated that he wasn’t totally sure he would return with Big Blue this season.
In other news, the Giants will be welcoming former first round draft pick Antrelle Rolle to training camp, who spent the first few seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Rolle’s 5-year $37 million dollar contract makes him one of the highest paid safeties in the NFL.
Speaking of money, wide receiver Steve Smith is hoping for a big deal following his monstrous 2009 campaign in which he shattered franchise records, including receptions in a season. He said he will not hold out, which is probably the smartest thing to do on his part. The Giants will most likely give him his desired paycheck sometime in the near future.
The Giants have a very highlighted schedule this year, beginning week 1. The Giants kick off their season against the Panthers, who closed out a sold out Giants Stadium in what was quite a disaster considering the Giants had playoff chances on the line.
It doesn’t get any easier week 2 as Big Blue will travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts in the second Manning vs Manning matchup. In the first matchup in 2006, the Giants came up short at Giants Stadium, 26-21.
Besides divisional teams and the above mentioned opponents, the Giants will also face the Titans, Bears, Texans, Lions, Seahawks, Jaguars, Vikings, and Packers.
Wheels falling off Mets on long road trip
It was just before the All-Star Break when the Mets had a chance to enter the break tied with Atlanta in the first place spot in the NL East. Instead, the Mets struggled and won only one game of that series before the break and then embarked on a difficult road trip out West. The twelve-game road trip marks the first time in years that the Mets have had such a long road trip.
The Mets’ offense has failed to generate runs, and they’ve scored more than two runs in only two games on this road trip, which will continue tonight when the Mets finish their series in Arizona. The Mets will fly further west to face the Dodgers in a four-game series to conclude the road trip.
On the pitching side of things, the Mets are now left with questions in their rotation. This was expected after R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi surprisingly stepped up and dominated earlier this season, which wasn’t expected to last. While Dickey has made a name for himself in the rotation, Takahashi seems to be a pitcher that would pitch well from the bullpen as many of his runs come in the later innings.
After what seemed to be a bogus stint on the disabled list, the Mets are now activating troubled and erratic lefty Oliver Perez. There cannot be very high expectations for Perez and the Mets are going to throw him in the bullpen for the time being.
The Mets currently sit 6.5 games out of first place in the NL East, while the Phillies are just behind the Mets at 7 games behind Atlanta. The Braves have continued to win while the Mets have struggled to even score any runs, which needs to change of they hope to bounce back into contention down the stretch.
Reyes and Wright will represent New York in Midsummer Classic, but what about Pelfrey?
Thanks to a late surge in the online polls, David Wright will represent the National League as the starting third baseman in the All-Star Game. He will be joined by teammate Jose Reyes, who made the All-Star Game as a reserve behind fellow arch-rival Hanley Ramirez from the Florida Marlins.
Although it is nice to see Reyes and Wright back in the Midsummer Classic, it is unfortunate to see that Mike Pelfrey was snubbed from the game despite his dominant start to the season. Pelfrey had already amassed ten wins before the Mets reached the statistical midpoint in the season, which ranks him near the top of the league among starting pitchers.
Pelfrey’s reliable spot in the rotation has shown stability, which the Mets’ rotation hasn’t featured in some time. Along with Pelfrey, Johan Santana had a decent first half along with the surprise of knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Hisanori Takahashi did a great job of stepping up from the bullpen to start.
The Mets will be looking to re-insert disgraced starter Oliver Perez back into the rotation once he returns from his injury, and they will be forced to make a decision on John Maine sooner or later. Oliver Perez has been making rehab starts with the St. Lucie Mets, along with improving outfielder Carlos Beltran. Beltran is expected to return to the lineup just before or after the All-Star Break.
Mets barely lose, but first place Braves drop third straight
As the Mets were in the process of losing their series finale against the Detroit Tigers, I was in the broadcast booth at Cooperstown All-Star Village. I was the color commentator for the Week 2 Championship Game at All-Star Village alongside John Horne, who handled the play-by-play duties. To watch the entire game, complete with pre-game conducted by yours truly, click here.
With that, I was unable to witness the Mets’ 6-5 loss at home, but I’ll provide a few notes. Starter Hisanori Takahash had a rough start, allowing a run early on and then some more later before he departed in the fifth. This doesn’t bode well for Takahashi’s already unlikely dream of remaining a starter in the Mets’ organization. The Mets see him as a reliever, and it may only be a matter of time before he is back in the bullpen. Takahasi was a decent reliever early in the season before he was inserted into the starting rotation last month.
Takahasi may remain in the rotation for longer than expected, however, as it is believed that the Mets will be shutting down ailing right hander John Maine. Maine struggled through his first few starts of the season as he was unable to touch 90 miles per hour on the radar gun. He found himself on the disabled list with arm weakness and has never returned since.
Tonight was a great chance for the Mets to leapfrog the Atlanta Braves and take sole possession of first place, but the Mets have won so many games lately that it was no surprise that they finally had an off day. Thankfully for the Mets, Atlanta has struggled as of late and the Braves have dropped three straight.
The Mets will begin a series with the Twins tomorrow night at Citi Field.
Beltran inches closer to return as Mets must choose between Pagan or Frenchy
Angel Pagan could not have chosen a better night for a near-cycle.
Just hours after general manager Omar Minaya announced that star center fielder Carlos Beltran is improving and will begin rehab games soon, Pagan nearly hit for the cycle. Pagan, along with Jeff Francoeur, said they aren’t worried about what will happen to the defensive alignment in the outfield upon Beltran’s return. Beltran is expected to return to his normal center field position, while Jerry Manuel will be forced to make decisions on whether he will use Francoeur or Pagan more often in right field.
This situation has left me scratching my head a little bit, but not too much. I’m surprised Jason Bay’s job seems so secure, considering his mediocre season thus far. I understand the team has invested a lot of money into him and he still has half the season to live up to some of the expectations, but he really hasn’t shown that his position on the team should be etched in stone.
One way the Mets may handle this situation is by inserting Pagan in the starting lineup in right field and then putting Francoeur in during the late innings for defense. Francoeur is known for having a great arm and tends to leads the league in outfield assists year after year.
Minaya said that Beltran will begin his rehab assignments with the St. Lucie Mets, and the team will monitor his progress and make decisions about his future based on his performance.