Sosa and Figueroa DFA’d by Mets
Posted on May 13th, 2008 by Mr. Fleece
According to Metsblog.com, the Mets have designated pitchers Jorge Sosa and Nelson Figueroa for assignment. Figueroa did a nice job for New York spot starting while Pedro Martinez is out. Even though he posted a 5.12 ERA in 6 starts, the Mets won 3 of the 6 games in which he started. Sosa has been a nightmare out of the bullpen. He has given up two grand slams, and posted an ERA over 7.00. Matt Wise was activated, and Claudio Vargas’ contract was purchased from AAA to take their spots on the roster.
The Mets have also placed outfielder Angel Pagan on the disabled list, while recalling veteran Fernando Tatis. Back-up catcher Raul Casanova has cleared waivers, and will report to AAA.
Filed under: New York Mets
Surprised (but pleased) that Omar chose to keep the pitcher who was doing well but had options (Joe Smith), while letting go of the veteran Sosa who was getting lit up (although you have wonder why Willie Randolph seemed to be pitching him in practically every game). As for Figueroa, the numbers are misleading. His last three starts he did not look good and had control issues (always a problem for a pitcher who tops out around 89 mph). It was a nice story while it lasted and I was pulling for a fellow Brandeis grad, but in the long run, Figgie just wasn’t the answer.
This was absolutely the way to go for Omar. Very happy with the decision. I figured at least one of them would hang around as someone who could stretch out from the pen, but that’s overrated. Sosa’s a horrible reliever (although he’s a streaky starter, I still think the Mets should have gambled on him in the rotation, maybe catch a hot streak, Omar could be selling him for another team’s “junk” like John Maine or Ryan Church). There was no way you could option Smith. He’s been the most effective righty in the pen.
Jorge Sosa DFA’d, no way ! I can’t believe it. That guy pitched great for the Braves too.
OK, I’m joking. Sosa stunk in Atlanta to.
Sosa does stink…
Finally, one thing you and I agree on, Coach.
I wish Sosa would go back to Atlanta. Carlos Delgado’s lifetime stats against him are RIDICULOUS.
Good riddance (to Sosa, not Figgy). Heilman’s next.
Did you see Willie’s postgame presser last night? He was a mess. He was trying to convince the media that Heilman was the right guy to bring in and he just couldn’t keep it together at all. He looked like he was almost in tears. I think he might be out the door soon too.
I don’t know. I think Omar will stick with Willie for the remainder of the year. Remember what almost happened to Tom Coughlin. If they miss the playoffs, he’s gone. Otherwise, I think only Aaron Heilman (and maybe Carlos Delgado) has his head in a noose.
By the way, what a horrible loss today. Pelfrey throws a no-no into the seventh, and they lose. Pathetic. Howard Johnson has to go before Randolph.
I know that was ridiculous. Hojo did a tremendous job tweaking Church’s swing and keeping Wright hot in the second half last year, but he’s done nothing for me otherwise. Today was an absolute disgrace. Games like today’s and yesterday’s were exactly why the Mets weren’t a playoff team last year.
Although I’m feeling Delgado get back into it a bit lately. Its just a question of keeping him on the field now, but I like the way he’s swinging the bat. Keeping his hands back much better, driving the ball well, etc. Its a shame for him that Shea’s power alleys have become some kind of mutant wind-tunnels with the scoreboard and Citifield there, but I think Delgado’s headed in the right direction. Not right enough to make his option next year worth it, but right enough so that there’s no reason to scramble for a replacement.
Next year the Met lineup needs to read like this, or we’re in some serious trouble:
Reyes
Church
Wright
Teixeira
Beltran
Martinez
Schneider
Castillo
The rotation should look like:
Santana
Maine
Sheets/Perez/Garland/Lowe (one of those)
Pelfrey
Vargas/Bostick/Other
The bullpen needs to have Wagner as its stopper, Joe Smith as the set-up guy, and another set-up caliber pitcher like a Brian Fuentes as a seventh-inning guy or the eigth-inning guy when Smith is off.
I’m this close to throwing in the white flag on this team, and I consider myself a pretty patient fan. That’s why I posted my 2009 wish list. I’m already sick of 2008. If the Mets do not win the game that Johan Santana pitches, I’m done. Of course I’ll keep watching and hoping (as a true fan always does), but that inner swagger from the offseason will be gone. I’m even considering a name change.
*Just for clarification’s sake, when I say the game Santana pitches, I mean the one this weekend against the Shankees. It should be tonight (Friday), but a rainout is possible.
Honestly, I’m trying not to get too caught up in all of it. I like to think I have some objectivity in me, and I always enjoy watching baseball, even when my boys in Orange and Blue are struggling. I definitely know the feeling you’re expressing, but at the same time I think we (we being the fans, the players, management, front office, etc.) are all searching for something in this team. The reality is, searching isn’t what’s going to win ball games. Hustling, fundamental baseball, and having fun are what’s going to win games. If there is “one thing” that will turn this team around, it will be subtle and likely go unnoticed to the majority of interested parties, at least in an immediate sense. More likely it will be a series of things.
Although, I do expect to see a new name on the manager’s office pretty soon I should add. Personally, I’d like to see Obkerfell. The other name that interests me is Bobby V., but honestly I’m not a huge fan of his. I think he’s a bit too weird and cooky for this team the way its built.
Figgy cleared waivers and is back in AAA, I’m glad for that. He may eventually slide into the role Sosa had before, which is probably where he is best suited. Maybe sooner than later the way Heilman’s been going. I think the Mets have to try Heilman in a mop up only role for a little while. Stretch him out, but give him lots of time off. Let him get his head straight. He still has the stuff, but the guy is a headcase. When it rains it pours with Heilman. He’s a second half guy though, has been the last two years anyway, and there’s no way he’d clear waivers. He has too much of a track record.
How about Joe Smith though? Awesome. 17.1 IP, 2.60 ERA, 18/5 K/BB, 15/16 inherited runners stranded.
I have to say, the bullpen is really Willie’s weakness. This is one thing I have come to blame him for. Why is it that your two least effective relievers also happen to be tied for the team lead in relief IP? The only Met relievers with 20+ appearances are Aaron Heilman (21, 5.82 ERA, 1.62 WHIP 21.2 IP), Pedro Feliciano (21, 1.98 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 13.2 IP, the middle ground will eventually come out of that ERA/WHIP imbalance), and Jorge Sosa (20, 7.06 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 21.2 IP). I can forgive giving these guys some opportunities in big spots here and there, but this is just poor management. Scott Schoeneweiss has shown some tremedous signs of turning it around (16 appearances, 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 12 IP). I understand you didn’t have Matt Wise, and you can’t be too aggressive or even have very high expectations at this point for Duaner Sanchez. But you have three lefties in your pen that have been pretty solid (Wagner, Feliciano, Shoeneweiss) and then Joe Smith. That should be a fine group to choose your 7,8,9 from. Even if it means letting Show and Pedro face some righties, those guys have the hot hand, they’re confident, and they need to be the go-to guys.
The way it should be seems completely intuitive to me. Feliciano’s had some trouble coming into the middle of innings and walking guys, so you give him the 7th if someone needs to start the inning. If not, and you need a guy mid-inning, you can go to Show, or if you need a righty you go to Wise. ONLY go to Smith here if you have to get someone like Albert Pujols or Ryan Braun out with multiple baserunners. You’ll still have one or the other lefty available for the eighth, plus have Smith and Sanchez to handle a good chunk of that duty. Seems to me that should be the bridge to Wagner. NOT Sosa in the 7th Heilman in the 8th. That’s asking for disaster they way they’ve been going. There are plenty of acceptable permutations for shortening ballgames with this pen. Its just Willie hasn’t often used them, and right now they don’t include Aaron Heilman, and thank god they will no longer include Jorge Sosa.
On paper, the bigger problem with this team is scoring runs. But that’s something Willie has less control over, and therefore should be less accountable for. The bullpen IS one thing the manager has a great deal of control over, and he simply hasn’t handled it very well.
Willie Randolph has no idea how to manage a bullpen because he’s a Joe Torre disciple. Torre is a fantastic players guy and is really very good at managing his clubhouse and the atmosphere inside it (something Randolph can’t do), but as an in-game manager, he’s an idiot. There’s no denying it. The Mets CAN NOT have a Yankee guy as their manager. It’s not their style.
Willie Randolph and everyone else has to go. Andy Pettitte is not that good of a pitcher. He shouldn’t be doing what he’s doing to us. The way these guys are swinging is pathetic. The Mets need to clean house (including some of the players), throw this year away, and start building for a run in 2010 or 2011.
If the Mets get swept, I’m going to change my username to Mitch Rocks!, for the (should-have-been) 2008 NBA Executive of the Year. Let’s go Lakers!
Haha, a little panicky are we? The Mets got to everyone the Yanks threw at them tonight except Ramirez.
Yeah, that was nice. Mitch Rocks! will have to wait for another day. Until then, Mr. Minaya will continue to rock my username.
Great win today. That team meeting must have worked. If they win tomorrow, then I think they might have a chance this year. I’m still thinking .500, but I’m hoping .600. Or at least .580.