Figgy A Member Of The Church Of Manuel?

I guess every year Jerry has to have one. Better said, Jerry has to have one player that just gets into his doghouse for reasons unknown.

While with the Mets, Ryan Church was greatly mistreated. We all know of the problems the Mets had understanding the concussion diagnosis. But even when Church was "better" he was treated as a second class citizen.

To say the Mets stopped going to Church, and not just on Sunday's, is an understatement. He became Persona Non Grata. Regardless of how well the Mets made out on the trading of Church, to Atlanta for Jeff Francoeur, it does not diminish how poorly and disrespectfully they treated him. We know Church, who was released by Atlanta at season's end 2009, was not, nor ever will be Roberto Clemente, but were the likes of Fernando Tatis any better?

Mets/Bisons pitcher Nelson Figueroa is today's Ryan Church. Figgy has done all that was asked of him since making his Mets debut in 2008. He has been lights out in the minors, both in New Orleans and Buffalo, and has pitched well for the Mets when called upon.

Figueroa's nickname should be Yo-Yo; the way the Mets bounce him between AAA and the parent club is dizzying. He pitches well, and is rewarded with not only a demotion, but must also clear waivers due to having exhausted his minor league options. Figgy has handled it better than anyone should expect. He has handled himself with class and professionalism.

This past off-season, Figueroa pitched well for the Dominican Repulic team that wound up winning the Carribean Championship. He has pitched well for the Mets this Spring. Now he is in the fight of his life to not only be a starter/reliever, he is in the fight of his life to make the squad.

It seems as if the #5 starters position is Jon Niese's to lose, but has Maine done anything to establish himself? Maine is still having trouble finding the strike zone, throws way too many pitches, and over the last year and a half, has been hit hard. I will give Maine a mulligan for last year, coming off shoulder surgery, but he has done zero to establish himself.

Figueroa has outpitched Maine, but is in for the fight of his life. Over the last two seasons (2008/2009) has Maine really pitched better than Figgy? No, he hasn't.

This is not to bash Maine. But if the Mets take the stance that there is competition, why hasn't Figueroa been given more respect? Think about it...Figueroa has pitched better than Santana this Spring. Figgy will never be Johan, but why not, at the very least, give a little respect to a guy who has done more than enough to earn it?

Jerry has this flaw where he makes moves beyond comprehension with no factual basis. Church. Figgy. Playing Wright after his concussion when he said he would rest him every other day. Putting Tatis in the line-up too frequently.

It's too late for Jerry to start going to Church. It's not too late for him to start going to Figueroa.