Wright as Rain

As previously reported, I made it to two of the three Giants-Mets games this week and saw pieces of Tuesday’s game on TV between poker hands. A few notes about the Mets, since I won’t see them again this year (until maybe the playoffs):

They have a hell of a lineup. Beltran didn’t play in the series, but Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, Wright, Floyd is quite an order topper. I don’t believe Nady will continue to hit like this, but Delgado, Wright and Floyd were just mashing the ball all week. Delgado and Floyd each hit water shots, and there haven’t been that many non-Bonds splash homers at Telephone Park since it opened. Of course, this is the moment for the obligatory doffing of the cap to the Crespo brothers, each of whom have splash hits.

Endy Chavez can’t hit, but he has some serious wheels. He beat out two straight infield hits by blazing down the first base line, and he almost beat out a sacrifice bunt that the Giants knew was coming.

David Wright can play. The first time I saw him, as a rookie for the Mets in 2004, it was obvious here was the real deal. He doesn’t look fast (he kind of looks like a catcher), but he can fly, and he can swing. He’s 23, and barring major injuries, the minimum is making it to the HOF ballot. He has all the tools, and is going to be a star for years. Craig Biggio with more speed and more power?

I’m not sure the Mets have the starting pitching to go all the way, but Atlanta is not the team they used to be. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make the playoffs, and I would be shocked if they weren’t at least contending right to the end.

Finally, Steve Trachsel did another number on the Giants on Tuesday. He seems to have the Giants’ number. He came off the DL last fall and pitched his first game at what was SBC, and just mowed them down. If he were on my fantasy team, I’d be trying to trade him off of this week’s outing right now.

Boof Brittain told a funny story about Trachsel coming to town a few years ago. He had thrown out Trachsel’s name for a buck to buy some time, and he got crickets. He had been holding the spot for someone, and ended up with Trachsel, who proceeded to absolutely kill his pitching staff. As he put it, he was out of the race by May 15.

Boof went to a the game that season in Kenny 9’s seats down the right field line in front of the visitor’s bullpen for a game with the Mets in which Trachsel was pitching. He got to the game early and standing along the bullpen while he was warming up were 25 other Trachsel fantasy owners who were screaming curses at him for ruining their teams. They were absolutely abusing him. The crowd was so incensed that the Giants had to send extra security down there.

We all have guys who have wrecked us. Trachsel’s been around long enough, that he’s wrecked almost everyone at one time or another. You can never forgive a pitcher who has wrecked your team. Fantasy players have long memories. You know what they say: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

Which is why he always goes for a buck, year in, year out. Usually to a new guy.