The NY Hot Corner

So, how about that John Maine guy, huh? What can you make of him? He starts the season off completely terrible, allowing 15 earned runs in 13 IP and everyone thinks that he’s never going to be the old John Maine from 2006 & 2007 when he had an ERA around the mid-3s. Then he tells us that he has been using a new technique and that he’ll go back to what works for him. Next thing we know, Maine turns into a pitching machine only allowing 6 earned runs in 23 IP while striking out 23 batters and it looks like we’re getting back the old Johnny Maine of the past. Then he goes to Florida and pitches a game that would make Oliver Perez jealous. 12 straight balls to start the game and allowed 3 runs in the first inning. Although he seemed to settle down in the game, he ended up finishing the game allowing 6 earned runs in 5 IP. In his next start he wouldn’t even go 1 inning, not even 1/3 of an inning. He left after 5 pitches for what was called “bad mechanics and low velocity.” Maine said he was fine and that the coaches didn’t allow him to build up his velocity in the game, but Jerry wouldn’t have any of it and took him out. The next day Maine ended up on the DL with “Rotator Cuff Tendinitis.” 

Maine doesn’t appear to agree with the doctors or the coaching staff and he isn’t afraid to let people know. All season he has appeared to be angry with the team. Any time a coach comes to the mound, Maine  rolls his eyes and stands there as if he didn’t need to be told what to do.If you watch him on the bench during the game, he has looked visibly upset.  Ted Berg points out that Maine hasn’t even got excited at some of the most exciting points this season. His body language has told a story that he is not happy and that he doesn’t want to be in the situation he is in. But what can he do? The coaches think he is a “habitual liar,” so the most important opinion in the situation, his own,  is basically worthless. He showed in spring training that he can’t work out of the bullpen and it wouldn’t be smart to turn the bullpen into a rehab center for bad starters. He most certainly won’t accept an assignment in the minors, especially with the attitude he has shown with the front office.  This all could be solved if he comes back from the DL and performs well, but what if he doesn’t? Would you want your team to trade for a pitcher with shoulder issues that sports an ERA of 6.13 and a BAA of .297? If they designate him for assignment, he wouldn’t accept anything in the minors and would walk, leaving the Mets paying his $2.6 million salary until the end of the year. Perhaps the best thing to do with John Maine is to let him be John Maine. Let him put his hands on his hips and sigh everytime someone gives him advice and if he gets people out who cares if he sits alone on the bench. If he continues to struggle, then let him leave New York and let him be happy.