Welcome to another addition of Jeremy's Weekly Worm! In the coming weeks I will have the very first audio addition of Jeremy's Weekly Worm via podcast so keep a lookout for that. Gotta a lot to get into, so lets dig in!
The METS
We start on the lowly Mets who just finished their post all-star break road trip with a dismal 2-9 record scoring about 7 runs during the entire break. Ok maybe not 7 runs, but anyone who followed the series knows exactly what I am talking about. The Mets' bats just disappeared on this road trip and they got lucky in one game, which allowed them 2 wins when it should have been 1. Jason Bay cannot hit a beach ball right now, David Wright has hit a slump and everyone else seems to have an oblique injury. The return of Carlos Beltran has provided nothing to this team as he himself has done absolutely squat since coming back.
It's time to face the music in that this organization needs a major over-haul in both management and players. Mets fans who are frustrated and barking for a trade, please stop. This team needs to hang onto every young asset it has for the future because this ball club needs some new blood. There is no move that will make this team better right now. Don't tell me about Roy Oswalt, the team can't hit!!! They have been getting stellar pitching from Santanna and Dickey with nothing to show for it. Helping the bullpen won't do much unless you can get KRod outta there and replace him with a closer who can make batters swing and miss. And if you try to add a bat, at what position do you add? Jason Werth doesn't work for two reason, 1, the Mets are already trying to rid themselves of Jeff Francouer and 2, I doubt that the Phillies would trade him to a rival. As far as the infield goes, 3 of the 4 spots are occupied for the long-term and the other spot, 2nd base is occupied by a guy that no one wants. Not to mention that even if someone would take Castillo, who is available that is a significant upgrade at 2nd base? Same goes for catcher.
And for those fans looking beyond this season and hoping the Mets throw millions upon millions for Bobby Valentine to come back, no way I see him taking this job. For one, if Minaya is still GM, why would any good manager want to have this guy as their GM? Look at what he did to Willie Randolph and look at the moves he has made during his time there. Why go to a losing franchise with an idiot GM when there are much more desirable jobs out there? The Braves, Marlins, Orioles and Cubs jobs are all more attractive than the Mets. Very sad, but very true.
Speaking of sad, the saddest thing about the Mets is that they have wasted some of the prime years of the career of Johan Santanna. Since he has been with the Mets Santanna has lost out on the opportunity for so many wins that he still has not hit 150 mark. He is only 31, but I believe that he has lost any chance for 300 wins.
The YANKEES
After being carried by the starting pitching in the first half of the season, the Yankee bats have finally woken up, scoring at least 10 runs in 3 of the last 5 games or so. And it could not have come at a better time. Andy Pettite is on the DL, A.J. Burnett continues to beat himself, Hughes seems to be hitting a wall because it's the first time he's pitched this much in the Majors and Vasquez is still no sure thing.
And what is also definately not a sure thing is the bullpen. While Robertson has come around nicely since his terrible start, Joba is having major issues with control. Had a good 1-2-3 yesterday only after giving up a walk and a homerun. Boone Logan did a good job yesterday as well but getting a reliable arm via trade has to be a priority. The starting pitching can tread water until Pettite gets back because of the bats being hot right now, but the bullpen will need to be upgraded for the post-season run.
Mark Teixeira has reached base in 41 straight games, since June 8th, he has rasied his average from low .200's to .264. The Captain has also been on a nice little tear bringing his average to respectability, but still not near his career average. Cano continues his fine season. Granderson hit 2 homers yesterday and it would be nice to see him finish the season strong. And although A-Rod has been stuck on 599 for a few days, he has not slumped as he hit the 80 RBI mark yesterday.
The KNICKS
Well it looks as though Chris Paul is not going anywhere from the reports that I have read on espn.com. And Knicks fans I would not be too upset about this, and in fact, I am elated at this outocome and I will tell you why. For one, I am still holding out on the possibility that Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony want to team up with Amare Stoudemire here in NY. And as of right now with Chris Paul not being traded away from the Hornets, as long as Melo does not sign that extension with Denver, that possibility is there.
Chris Paul staying put allows the Knicks to go into this season with what they have right now, which is a young, athletic and talented team. I want to see what Felton, Gallo, Randoplph, Stoudemire and Chandler can do as a team. This way, should Melo not sign, the Nuggets would have to give serious consideration to trading him at the deadline so they do not have to go through what the Cavs just did. Randolph, Chandler and some expiring contracts would be a very nice package.
And even if there is no deadline trade for Melo, with Eddie Curry finally coming off the books, we will be under the cap once again next summer. Perhaps with one year left on his deal Chris Paul could then force his way out of New Orleans, and the Knicks could put together a package or Randolph, Chandler, Gallo, and maybe Toney Douglas.
To me Chris Paul remaining a Hornet was the best situation for the Knicks. Thid will now give them a chance to develop some of these young players into a team, or to use them as trade bait for the Summer of '11. Or as I now think it will be, the "Summer of the Knicks."
That's all for today folks. Stay tuned as later this week I will have my training camp previews for both the Jets and Giants.
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