Greetings again from Cape Cod and a Happy 4th of July to all. I didn’t see or hear any of today’s game but from reading around so far this evening a 2-0 Mets lead fell fast as Chris Young was done in by the dreaded “third time around the lineup” and of course a bullpen meltdown which cost Jeremy Heftner his job and gives a big opportunity to Pedro Beato.
The Mets made a couple of head scratching moves, first it seems like Kirk Nieuwenhuis has a sore hand that’s not bad enough to land on the DL but just in case, Jordany Valdespin was recalled from Buffalo at the expense of Justin Hampson. I was quite surprised that Hampson was DFA (we all know where he’ll land right? Cleveland.) the only thing I see with this move is Sandy Alderson is ready to move on either Will Ohman or Brian Fuentes, both lefties who were DFA. I’ll bank on Alderson signing Fuentes if he clears as he has late inning closer experience.
The bullpen is in dire need of repair and Alderson is well cognizant of that, which is why we’re hearing of the Mets talking about a Frankie Rodriguez reunion. I’m a bit on the fence here bringing K-Rod back but he was able to handle the late inning pressure here (the family room at Citi Field was a different story) and it wouldn’t coast much in players to get him and it is a sign that the Mets have some dough to spend as they would have to take the remaining $4mil in his contract.
So if you add Fuentes, K-Rod and maybe Houston Street or Grant Balfour that is a major renovation of you bullpen. Hey it worked for the Cardinals last year didn’t it?
For your entertainment pleasure check out the Q & A I did with Justin Klugh of the Phillies blog That Ball’s Outta Here.
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