Sorry for the bad pun, but here we are, almost at the quarter-pole for 2008, and Ryan Church is on pace for a 32 HR, 120 RBI season. Wow. Raise your hand if you had Church penciled in for that kind of year when the L-Millz trade went down last November. Thought so.
I figured that Church would be more help for THIS season than Milledge, but I couldn't imagine that he'd lead the Mets in a bunch of offensive categories. He's already turned in the defensive play of the year, too, with that incredible throw to help save that May 4 win in Arizona.
Too bad for Nelson Figueroa that his epitaph with the Mets could be the infamous "softball girls" quote he uttered after Tuesday's loss to the mouthy Nats. Figueroa was a nice story for the start of the season, but he's sure to take a pretty big drop down the depth chart now that Claudio Vargas has been called up. The Mets also have Brian Stokes and Tony Armas Jr. waiting a turn down at Triple-A New Orleans.
I'm a little surprised that the Mets went ahead and designated Jorge Sosa for assignment. I know he's been lousy, but that went against Omar Minaya's usual MO of holding onto those pitchers no matter what. Guess he finally admitted to himself that Sosa's $2-million contract was indeed a mistake and there's no sense compounding the error by keeping him on the major-league roster at the expense of Joe Smith.
Comments (1)
Church has been a pleasant surprise, no doubt. who said he can't hit lefties? and he plays solid D - way better than L Millz. Good riddance to that punk
Maine doesn't get enough respect, he pitches his a$$ off every start. I love the way that he started last night with the beanball. That's what Figueroa should have done instead of bitching to the media (no offense Lennon), but Maine shows that he knows what the game is about. He's a legit #2 and working his way towards a #1
Also good riddance to Sosa, this is his pattern, and exactly why he wore out his welcome in the ATL, etc. He has long lapses where he forgets how to pitch. the Mets couldn't rely on him at all...much like they can't rely on Castillo