I'm not big on ripping guys right after a terrible performance. It's tough to make an even handed analysis right after someone's just defecated all over the cot, cost the Mets the game, and ruined your evening.
That said, the analysis is pretty easy in this case. Putz didn't just have a rough night. He's had several of them. His velocity and control have been erratic most of the year. There's no question he's not "right," as compared to how he was throwing the ball two seasons ago.
So what are the practical implications of this? Well, for one, I think it makes Parnell untouchable, unless you're bringing an 8th inning guy back for him.
For two, it makes you wonder what is going on with the Mets medical staff. These guys have to pass a medical before being signed and/or traded for, right? The list of injuries right now is off the chart: Beltran (knees), Church (hammy), Reyes (calf), and Pagan (groin) are all out with the type of lingering flexibility/strength issues that you would think could be addressed through conditioning.
For three, it makes you wonder about the manager. When you play a 162 game season, you're going to have to fight through injuries. No one on this team seems to have the desire to do so. They ask for days off, and say they can't go at the first sign of trouble. Could this be tied in to the same laissez-faire attitude that is evidenced by players--whether established stars, rookies in the first week of their big league career, or journeyman shortstop who presumably are a bad game away from needing to get a real job--NOT running out fair balls in the infield?
Possibly so.
2 comments:
A few thoughts. First, putz had both rib and elbow injuries in '08, IIRC. That should've sent up some flags to a competent medical team.
Second, the number of injuries on this team is ridiculous, and repetitive.
This goes back to what I was saying a few days ago. Either we have the world's most incompetent medical, strength and conditioning staffs, or incompetent management that overrides them and forces whatever decision they want down the team's throat regardless of implication. I'm not sure which it is right now, but seeing how they handled Church last year, and how Omar seems to refuse to answer for putting together an old, hobbled team during his first few years, I'm leaning towards the latter. Because if it's the former, THEN SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED BY NOW. The fact that no one has been fired tells me it's because the guy in charge (omar) is the one who's incompetent.
One final note: it sure is a good thing we signed Putz and Ollie instead of D. Lowe.
Two points on the Lowe thing:
1) the fault for that one, from what I understand from the FAN, lies directly with the Wilpons. They were simply not going to shell out the money Lowe was asking for, and turned to Ollie as a cheaper alternative. Was that a bad baseball decision? Sure. Was it a bad financial decision? Doubtful. And that, apparently, is the basis on which the decision was made.
2) Despite losing their number 3 pitcher to injury, the failure of Niese to develop, and Garcia being an absolute bust, their starters put up really good numbers in May. Pelfrey has looked legit, Maine has recovered his form, and Livan is pitching like he did pre-knee problems.
Starting pitching has not been this team's primary problem for the past 5 weeks.
Come playoff time, will we be lamenting the failure to secure Lowe as a #2? That depends if we get anyone else before the deadline. If we don't, then I'm sure we (the fans) will be regretting it.
But the Wilpon's apparently won't.
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