Hi, Jeremy Schilling from http://jschil.wordpress.com here:
ESPNNewyork.com's Adam Rubin is reporting that Mets sources have told him that Shortstop Jose Reyes will start the season on the disabled list. While he's been rehabbing furiously in camp since being cleared to do baseball activites, Rubin reports the Mets' brass wants to take it slow.
Reyes is eligible to come off the DL on April 11 against Washington. That's the 6th game of the regular season.
3/31/10
Rubin: Murphy will start season on DL
Adam Rubin is reporting that Daniel Murphy will start the season on the disabled list. He is expected to miss two to three weeks.
Update: Brian Costa says the injury could sideline him up to six weeks.
Update 2: It’s a Grade 1 sprain of his right MCL.
Mike Jacobs will likely start at first base while Murphy is out. Fernando Tatis and maybe even Chris Carter might see time.
Rubin: Mets HoF to open Monday
All the more reason I will not be going to Opening Day.
It’ll be a madhouse.
Murphy in question for OD, Misch to Buffalo
Daniel Murphy was just spotted leaving the Mets facility in street clothes and visibly limping. Rich Coutinho “seriously doubts” he will play Opening Day.
Also, Pat Misch has cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A Buffalo.
Three tidbits to look forward to [Quotes]
Quick and dirty quotes from three different articles.
Sources: Santana to start Opening Day by Adam Rubin
New York Mets ace Johan Santana will oppose Florida right-hander Josh Johnson on Opening Day, but manager Jerry Manuel has tweaked the rest of his rotation after a string of underperformances, team sources said.
I wasn’t worried that Santana would miss OD, but I guess this is reassuring for those with tickets.
Top 10 for '10: What I'm most looking forward to this season by Tom Verducci
10. The surprise team
Fourteen teams had losing records last year. One of them will be in the playoffs this year. How do I know this? Of the 120 playoff teams in the wild card era, 30 of them had a losing record in the previous season. That's 25 percent of your playoff teams, or an average of one turnaround team in each league each year. There has been at least one turnaround team in the playoffs every year but one in the 15 wild card seasons.
Verducci tabs the Mets as one of the teams to keep an eye on for this spot.
NL East Preview: A Steady Reign by Albert Chen
Prospects like 23-year-old first baseman Ike Davis and 22-year-old center fielder Fernando Martinez brightened an otherwise gloomy Mets camp as they sliced up opposing pitchers and gave hope to an injury-cursed team.
Chen also picks the Mets to finish 4th with a 79-83 record.
Yay?
Lennon on Green in Buffalo
David Lennon is doing a live chat right now (you can use your one free page view to join in) and I asked this question:
How many dinners will Sean Green be buying in Buffalo? He'll be making nearly $1 mil and playing in Triple-A. How long until he comes back up / is traded?
Here’s Lennon’s response:
For the Bisons sake, hopefully there is an Outback or Carrabas in Buffalo. Seeing the state of the Mets pen, they may call up Green sooner rather than later. I don't see him being traded.
Manuel’s Musing
“For some reason, I just feel that
everything is going to be all right.”
-Jerry Manuel on the season
Um, Chris Carter?
Daniel Murphy has been diagnosed with a sprained right knee. He is listed as day-to-day.
Everyone and their mother is going bonkers and calling for Ike Davis to be called up to replace him. What about Chris Carter?
I know Carter isn’t the homegrown prospect that Davis is and Davis already looks to be the future of first base with the organization, but I still maintain that he needs to get steady playing time every day. Carter, on the other hand, could be used right now. There’s not as much riding on Carter’s ability. If he hits, he hits. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t.
If the Mets call up Ike Davis and put him on the 25-man Opening Day roster, what’s the guarantee he gets steady playing time? If Mike Jacobs is on the team, which seems all the more likely now, who’s to say they won’t split time?
For now, I would pencil in Carter to replace Murphy. Let Davis go to Triple-A and refine his game. I’m all for the future, but the future doesn’t have to be right now.
3/30/10
Did the ESPN hammer already fall on Adam Rubin? (Updated)
Update: Rubin is back to tweeting today. In fact, he sent nearly the exact same tweet early this morning.
With the launch of ESPNNewYork.com a few days away, Rich Coutinho, who covers the Mets for ESPN 1050 tweeted the new account for Adam Rubin, who left the New York Daily News to join ESPN New York.
The account, @AdamRubinESPN, already has 404 followers in roughly three hours.
Rubin greeted his new followers with a kind thanks and tweeted that the Web site launches Friday.
A half-hour later, Rubin sent another tweet from his BlackBerry, reading: “Not supposed to start yet but some tidbits: Rotation shuffle/Pelfrey not starting Game 2; Santos and F-Mart to AAA; Acosta claimed for Bisons”
But when clicking through to that tweet a few minutes later while I was preparing to write something about Mike Pelfrey being bumped, I was directed to this page, telling me that “This page does not exist!”
Going back to Rubin’s Twitter page, the second tweet he sent, where he mentioned he “wasn’t supposed to start yet” had been deleted. Below is the screengrab from my TweetDeck, for evidence…
Either Rubin pulled it himself or the suits behind ESPN New York got him to pull it, we may never know. But ESPN New York hasn’t even launched yet and we’re already seeing the tightening of the leash.
Waiver Wire: Mets pick up Acosta, place Misch
The Mets have added Manny Acosta off the waiver wire from the Atlanta Braves. He has been placed on the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, according to Brian Costa.
Acosta, who has pitched for the Braves for the last three seasons, went 1-1 with a 4.34 ERA and 1.714 WHIP in 37 1/3 innings over 36 games in 2009.
Also, the Mets have placed pitcher Pat Misch on waivers. If he clears, he will be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo, but can be picked up by another team.
Manuel’s Musing
“We're going to have to get our heads together and see what we think fits for getting off to a good start for a championship team.”
-Jerry Manuel on the roster
From the comments: A tag-team rotation
Commenter RonOK presents an idea for the Mets rotation and bullpen…
Perhaps the Mets should present a "tag-team" rotation in 2010.
1. Johan
2. Pelfrey (R) - with Nieve (R) ready for the 5th or 6th every time Yippie starts
3. Perez (L) - with Figueroa (R) ready for the 5th or 6th every time Ollie starts
4. Maine (R) - with Takashi (L) ready for the 5th or 6th every time Maine starts
5. Niese (L) - with Igarashi (R) ready for the 5th or 6th every time Maine startsI started writing this as a lark, but with the way this pitching staff is developing and the way the roster is coming together, why not?
If you replaced Nieve with Misch, you would have a righty and lefty available for every game depending on how the starter performed in a given game .... if you had to go to the second guy, you would cause some issues with the opposition's batting order since most managers build their lineup based on whether a lefty or righty is starting the game.
Again, I started this as a joke and don’t ever see this happening -- but with this organization, you just never know.
Interesting. As I replied, I doubt it will ever happen because that’s just not “how baseball works.”
What do you think?
Mets have lots of (good) bullpen depth
Marty Noble penned an article last night with a headline that has since changed. When published, it read that Pedro Feliciano had “landed” the 8th inning job with the Mets. Today it reads that Feliciano is “eyeing” that role.
Whether Perpetual Pedro lands that role or not, another nugget caught my eye (and James’ over at Amazin’ Avenue) in terms of the bullpen.
Noble notes that the Mets seem to be high on pitcher Raul Valdes.
If you just said “Who?” out loud to yourself, you’re not alone. Just take a look at his Baseball-Reference page.
But, for the sake of argument, let’s say Valdes makes the Mets and Feliciano is tabbed as the set-up man. Where does that leave the bullpen?
Well, with the report that both Sean Green and Bobby Parnell will start the season in Triple-A, that likely leaves these players in the Mets bullpen come Opening Day (expecting Jon Niese is the 5th starter):
- Francisco Rodriguez
- Pedro Feliciano
- Ryota Igarashi
- Hisanori Takahashi
- Raul Valdes
- Fernando Nieve
- Nelson Figueroa
The retaining of Takahashi, Nieve and Figueroa could benefit the team as John Maine continues his struggles of staying on the mound past four or five innings. These pitchers can all toss multiple innings without batting an eye. This, with the Mets current rotation question marks, would be a smart and savvy move by the front office to help keep the rotation fresh and (with luck) keep the team winning.
This also bumps young-gun Jenrry Mejia to Triple-A and keeps rehabbing Kiko Calero and Kelvim Escobar in extended Spring Training and/or heading to Buffalo.
With what the Mets would deem five, if not more, major-league ready arms ready to fill in the bullpen come injuries or ineffectiveness, the Mets have a large surplus of bullpen arms ready to fill in.
Link: Photos of McFadden’s Citi Field and more
One of my best blogging buddies, Kerel Cooper of OnTheBlack.com, went down to Citi Field yesterday to get a tour of McFadden’s Citi Field.
He snapped a bunch of photos of both the construction on the bar and many other shots, especially of the new banners and memorial stones that have been placed around Citi Field.
I love it all. It’s too bad it took a year for this to get done, but it’s there now and we should all revel in it.
3/29/10
Coste picked off waivers by Nats
Chris Coste, who was reported to be on waivers by Adam Rubin, has been selected off of them by the Washington Nationals, according to Brian Costa.
Coste, who signed with the Mets after they were the only team to guarantee him a 40-man roster spot, became much of an afterthought after the team signed Henry Blanco and Rod Barajas. Many believed he would be the tutor for young Josh Thole at Buffalo.
With Coste to Washington, likely with concerns for ex-Met Jesus Flores’ shoulder, Josh Thole and Omir Santos are likely behind the plate for Buffalo next season.
Goodbye, Chris Coste. We hardly knew ye.
Fun with spring training stats
We’re nearing the end of spring training and the time of stats and wins not mattering is coming to a close. So let’s take a look at some of the numbers from 2010 spring training (so far).
- Ruben Tejada leads the team with 53 AB. He also leads the Mets with 60 plate appearances.
- Fernando Martinez leads the Mets with 18 hits. Tejada is second with 17.
- Jason Pridie has hit 5 doubles.
- David Wright’s 4 home runs leads the team.
- No one has driven in more runs that Wright or Martinez, both with 11.
- Gary Matthews Jr. has struck out 13 times. Jason Bay is second with 11.
- Angel Pagan has swiped 4 bases.
- Of the likely five starters, Mike Pelfrey has the highest ERA: 7.97. John Maine has a 7.94.
- Johan Santana has the highest WHIP with a 1.98.
- Pelfrey has surrendered 8 home runs in 20 1/3 IP (leading the team in innings).
- Sean Green and Oliver Perez walked 8 batters each.
- Hisanori Takahashi has struck out 13 batters, the most by a Met.
And that’s enough meaningless stats for today. Enjoy your rainy Monday.
“Too close to call.”3/28/10
Rubin: Green and Parnell likely to start at Triple-A
In an e-mail to Matt Cerrone, Adam Rubin, whose stint at ESPNNewYork.com starts next week, said he was told be a major league source that both Sean Green and Bobby Parnell are expected to start the season in Buffalo.
With those two subtractions from the 25-man roster, spots are open for three of Hisanori Takahashi, Nelson Figueroa, Jenrry Mejia or Kiko Calero. My guess: The first three of those four make the team, with Calero getting called up a few weeks in.
Rubin also notes that Chris Coste is on waivers and can be picked up by any team. If he doesn’t get picked up, the Mets can send him Triple-A, if Coste chooses to accept it.
Not really a surprise here.
With Green and Parnell heading to Buffalo, one wonders if Parnell might be worked more as a starting pitcher, as was the plan for the second half of last season before it was scrapped. Green, whose $975,000 contract is guaranteed, will be sitting pretty in Buffalo waiting for a spot to open up on the big squad.
This seriously messes with my 25-man roster predictions.
Your Vote: Niese and Carter should make team
On Friday I posted a poll for which players should fill two of the last spots left up for grabs.
Here are the results for the bench spot…
And the 5th starter…
Manuel’s Musing
“I see him definitely as a part, because he has the
ability to throw strikes.”
-Jerry Manuel on Hisanori Takahashi
3/27/10
Jose Reyes, Opening Day and why it doesn’t matter
“Each day as the Mets move closer to the beginning of their season, the farther Jose Reyes seems to be from playing on Opening Day.”
Frankly, I don’t care if Reyes plays on April 5 or not. If it takes him an extra week or two to recover from his fortnight off, get his swing back and get back into baseball shape, so be it.
If Alex Cora is starting on Opening Day, I’ll be mildly disappointed, but it won’t be the end of the world. I’d rather Reyes, and the Mets medical staff for that matter, use extreme caution in working back into baseball shape. Yes, they have to worry about the thyroid, but I’m more worried about his hamstring. Let him slowly come back to baseball even if it means missing Opening Day.
And yes, Mets fans, you’ll just have to deal with it. Wouldn’t you rather 150 solid games out of Reyes instead of hurrying to get back in time for Opening Day and risking injury or ignoring his health issues? I would.
So take your time, Jose. Don’t worry if you’re not ready for Opening Day. In fact, I hope you miss it just to make sure you’re all right.
Link: Home run leaders by team
Bill Chuck, in the New York Times, published a list of home run leaders by team and some other home run related stats.
Here are where the Mets rank…
All-Time Team HR Leaders
24. New York Mets — Darryl Strawberry 252
All-Time Team Single Season HR Leaders
29. Mets – Carlos Beltran/Todd Hundley 41
I was shocked to see the Mets so low on the single season list. I mean, I know 41 is the most a Met has hit in a season, but the fact that every other team outside of the Kansas City Royals has had a player hit more home runs in a single year was surprising.
3/26/10
Make The Call: Finish out the Mets roster
Two clear-cut spots are left up for grabs on the Mets roster: the final bench spot and the 5th starter.
Vote below to make your call and place your vote for who should make the Mets.
The 2000 Mets all over again
Jorge Says No! links us to a Newark Bears press release which is looking to bring you back 10 years to the 2000 Mets.
Via the Newark Bears…
The Newark Bears announced today the signing of pitcher Armando Benitez and infielder Edgardo Alfonzo to the 2010 roster. Benitez and Alfonzo were teammates for the 2000 New York Mets.
“I am excited to add to the Bears tradition. Two more established Major Leaguers, Edgardo and Armando were both key components to the Mets success in 2000,” said Manager Tim Raines. “They are both proven talents on the field and their leadership in the clubhouse is the perfect fit for our 2010 team.”
Go Mets Bears!
3/25/10
Boy, I’m excited now! [Image]
Is this the best they could come up with for today’s game?
How depressing…
Manuel’s Musing
“The last time we called him up (last season), he was impressive, and we have not seen anything different from that. I kind of see that might fit better for us as we speak here today”
-Jerry Manuel on Jon Niese
3/24/10
New food at Citi Field
Via the Mets and edited for length… Interesting items in bold…
The Mets and award-winning ARAMARK chefs have collaborated with their world-renowned partners at Drew Nieporent's Myriad Restaurant Group, Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, and Dave Pasternack of Esca to offer expanded menus, highlighted by new items such as a Crab Cake Sandwich, Peking Duck Bun and Lasagna Bolognese.
In response to fan requests, the Mets and ARAMARK will debut a gluten-free stand, courtesy of Kozy Shack. The Kozy Shack Gluten-Free Stand on the Field Level outside the World's Fare Market will feature a full line of Kozy Shack puddings, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages and beer. For vegetarian fans, Yves Spicy Veggie Hot Dog & Harvest Veggie Burger will be available at general concession stands throughout the ballpark.
---
The Caesars Club will now feature the Café Colosseum - a new, casual, first-come, first-served, sit-down dining area offering carved sandwiches and salads - in addition to its expanded grab-and-go menu. The Promenade Club will also add a sit-down option for its updated menu of pub-style food.The Champions Club, formerly known as the Ebbets Club, will offer a rotating Chef's Table of carved meats and other ballpark fare, while also providing the comfort and convenience of in-seat food and cocktail service.
The Acela Club will serve up a savory menu with an emphasis on local purveyors and farmers. A full bounty of Asian, Latin, Greek, Italian, and other cuisines will be expanded for 2010, including Market Tables featuring artisan crafted cheeses, meats, and seafood.
---
Last year's late-season additions, Tai Pan Bakery, featuring Chinese cuisine, and Café Hanover, showcasing Korean delights, will return along with local favorites Mama's of Corona and Daruma of Tokyo.Fans will also have a wide selection of beverages, with Delta's signature cocktails added in the Delta Sky360 Club, and frozen drinks featuring the Rums of Puerto Rico available at the new Rum Bar by section 104.
Another link: Mets rank among lamest sports banners
ESPN’s Page 2 published a list of the Top (Bottom?) 10 Lamest Sports Banners and the Mets rank in at No. 9.
9. New York Mets
Location: formerly Shea Stadium; currently Citi Field
Honors: 1999 wild-card status/NLDS victory
Lameness quotient: Very high. Largely because the banner shares space with two World Series pennants, which is like placing a sixer of wine coolers in the same cellar as a 1787 Chateau Lafite.
Fun fact(s): We wanted to use the infamous "Colorado Rockies 1995 Wild Card Champions" mural that used to adorn the Coors Field outfield wall, but couldn't find photographic evidence. Well played, Rockies!
Sadly, my Quinnipiac Bobcats come in at No. 7, too.
Link: The best Mets ad this year
Head on over to MetsGrrl to check out a new Mets ad spotted in what seems to be a subway station.
The timing of such a find is very apropos.
Sherman: Mets shopping GMJ; Who would take his place?
Two major league officials told me the Mets are shopping Gary Matthews Jr., and the Reds could be a possibility.
If the Mets do find a trade partner for Gary Matthews Jr., and who they would get in return is fodder for another post, who would take his likely spot on the 25-man roster?
Chris Carter, who is simply tearing the cover off the ball to the tune of .444/.500/1.056 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI, can play corner outfield spots, but isn’t a centerfielder. He’s also somewhat in the running for the first base spot, but he has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning out over Daniel Murphy, Mike Jacobs and Fernando Tatis.
Fernando Martinez, the Mets young and exciting prospect, has been tabbed to start the season in the minor leagues. F-Mart, who is also having a fantastic spring (.447/.439/.868, 3 HR, 11 RBI), can play center field and would be able to take over for Angel Pagan if needed. (Pagan, obviously, is the starting centerfielder with Carlos Beltran out.)
An older option would be Frank Catalanotto. Catalanotto, who has played nearly every position (except CF), would be another option if the corner outfield spots were needed. But again, he doesn’t have any CF experience and at his age, speed isn’t a strong suit.
Other options might be Jason Pridie or someone the Mets might get in the GMJ trade. With Pagan’s injury history and this short list of possible, but not very good replacement candidates, if the Mets have the foresight to think about this before they make the trade, they might not be dealing GMJ anytime soon.
Manuel’s Musing
“This process is unique, very unique. I mean, it is for me. What I’ll probably do is I’ll call around and find out if anyone has had a situation such as this and see how they handled it and what are the results.”
-Jerry Manuel on Jose Reyes
3/23/10
Reyes cleared for return; Opening Day possible?
Jose Reyes will return to Port St. Lucie and will begin baseball activites, which is excellent news.
Though we all will wait and watch Reyes and his thyroid as he begins playing again, but with millions of fingers and toes being crossed, Opening Day is not out of the question.
“He has put his name in the hat very strongly.”3/22/10
Spring Training power surge [Graph]
Here is a chart showing the number of home runs hit by the Mets in all of the full months of last season and so far during spring training.
Twelve of the Mets home runs this spring training have come from players who will likely not make the team (Chris Carter, Ike Davis, Fernando Martinez, Omir Santos and Russ Adams).
Nine of the home runs have come from players that will likely make the 25-man roster, but were not on the team last year (Jason Bay, Mike Jacobs, Gary Matthews Jr. and Rod Barajas).
Stats from Baseball-Reference and Mets.com
1983 Mets banner day [Video]
I’ll be out most of the day, so take a look at this video from the Mets banner day in 1983. It’s a home movie from YouTube user NaOHKDBO. Pretty cool…
3/21/10
Mets fans getting two new beat writers?
With the news that Adam Rubin is leaving the Daily News for ESPN, I did some digging to see who is replacing him.
As Michael Baron just published on MetsBlog, there are a few people who believe Andy Martino is leaving Philly.com and the Phillies beat to come to the Daily News and the Mets. Martino used to operate @PhilliesZone on Twitter, but that page is suspiciously deleted. Is there reason to believe it will be @MetsZone soon?
And the Wall Street Journal is pulling in another Philly reporter, as Michael Sielski, who used to write for the Bucks County Courier Times, will join the WSJ to cover the Mets, as per this tweet.
Welcome them with open arms, Mets fans.
Manuel’s Musing
“I think I'll take him with me to Kissimmee, so he can face Roy Oswalt. That'll be his reward.”
-Jerry Manuel on Ike Davis’ power output
Adam Rubin leaving the Daily News
Adam Rubin appeared on WFAN with Tony Paige last night and at the end of the interview, he revealed that today is his last day with the newspaper.
Rubin denied to reveal where he was heading, but he will not be leaving New York, or even the Mets beat.
Here’s what Rubin had to say (starts around 10:40)…
“Tomorrow is my last day at the Daily News, but I’m still going to be covering the Mets. I don’t think I’m exactly supposed to say what yet, so hopefully people just hold tight and it will come out soon, I guess.
But I really just want to say about the Daily News that I thoroughly enjoyed the last almost 10 years there including seven-plus seasons as the beat writer.
They stood behind me last year when everything happened with Omar. they were tremendous to me then. And just bringing me to New York. i grew up on Long Island but I was in Birmingham, Al. to cover White Sox Double-A baseball.
For them to show the faith to bring me to New York in the first place, I’m always going to be thankful.”
As to where Rubin is going, Tom Pich from Mets Guide posted to Twitter last night that he was “shocked that Adam Rubin is leaving the Daily News for ESPN.”
Update – 10:55 a.m.: Pich spoke to Rubin who confirms he is heading to ESPNNewYork.com and will start in two weeks.
This makes sense because ESPNNewYork.com, the latest in local ESPN web sites, is just about to launch, but there’s no confirmation of that yet.
The Daily News will miss Rubin, but I guess this means we’re about to welcome a new beat writer onto the Mets beat.
3/20/10
Goodbye, Josh Fogg
Josh Fogg, who signed a minor-league deal with the Mets on Jan. 29, has been released as per his request, according to Adam Rubin.
Back then, I wrote:
Fogg, [Troy] Renck writes, is “one of the coolest guys I have ever covered — think of Vince Vaughn in “Dodgeball.” Renck believes Fogg has a shot to make the Mets out of spring training, and might even compete for the fifth starter spot.
Unfortunately, that might be the best thing to be said about Fogg.
Happy trails, Peter La Fleur.
One magic loogie [Video]
In honor of Jerry Seinfeld taking in today’s Mets game, I present one of the greatest scenes in the history of television…
Here’s a question I always had about Seinfeld: If Jerry is such a big Mets fan, why did George work for the Yankees?
3/19/10
Twitter Poll: Who should start in CF?
With Carlos Beltran sidelined (until early May?), the Mets have a hole in centerfield. Angel Pagan is the favorite to start in Beltran’s place, but the Mets also have a veteran in Gary Matthews Jr. and a young-gun in Fernando Martinez.
I took to Twitter to see which player fans preferred. Here are some responses…
F-Mart
kstrauss11: F-Mart for now until Beltran comes back...then F-Mart in right.
metsfanmurph: Fmart because he is currently the best player
m1735: F-Mart. He provides speed that the team lacks sans-Reyes and Beltran, and has more of a future in blue + orange than Pagan
EliseMichelle: I would almost always go with Pagan but the injury streak pushes me towards F-Mart.
Pagan
saffir_99: Pagan. F-Mart probably should stay in the minors a bit longer and GMJ doesn't have his defense anymore.
rad_ryan: Pagan. Fernando hasn't even played a full season in the minors in his career yet. Let him do that first.
maggie162: Pagan - he showed good consistency last year and has decent offense and defense.
GMJ
*crickets*
Where do you stand? Which player do you want starting in CF in Beltran’s absence?
Manuel’s Musing
“I am still holding out. I am still believing he will show up here in parking lot No. 7 any day.”
-Jerry Manuel on Jose Reyes
3/18/10
Why I’m already looking ahead to 2011
Though we’re right on the precipice of the 2010 baseball year, I continually find myself looking ahead to 2011.
Next season for the Mets doesn’t look too bright. With “injuries” to two starting position players
likely keeping them out for Opening Day and beyond, the team will have to struggle to get out of the gates.
With a dead-man-walking manager, a slow start will likely cost him his job. With a poor season, there very well may be a new general manager come December.
A new manager and a new general manager, both looking to make a splash, win over fans and get off to a hot start in 2011, will do anything and everything to make the team as good as it can be.
And just look at the possibly roster come 2011…
Here are the players in their walk year: Carlos Beltran, Oliver Perez, Francisco Rodriguez (2012 option), Jose Reyes (if the Mets pick up his ‘11 option) and Luis Castillo.
Obviously, guys like Johan Santana, David Wright and Jason Bay are under contract well beyond 2011.
But what really excites me is the possibility of the young players making big impacts.
Guys like Josh Thole and Ike Davis are already penciled into my ‘11 Opening Day lineup/roster. Very different players, but both at key positions to make an impact on both sides of the ball.
Fernando Martinez, if he can stay healthy, may be manning right field to start the ‘11 season. Jenrry Mejia, hopefully continuing his work in the minor leagues as a starter, may be a bit closer to being major-league ready.
Though that might be a bit of a pipe dream to hope all four are perfectly fit for major league duty in only one more year of minor league duty, it’s a dream I will hold on to through this year.
Those four prospects, the cream of the crop of the Mets minor leagues, plus the Mets under contract, and a very strong free agent class next offseason have me dreaming big. We’ll just have to wait through the 2010 season first.
Manuel’s Musing
“I don't want us to get in the mode of, ‘Oh, here we go again,' as an organization because I think and feel that we're in a position to sustain a hit, whereas last year I didn't think we were there.”
3/17/10
Poll: Which Mets player would you want to be friends with on Facebook?
I posted this question to The ‘Ropolitans page on Facebook and got quite a few responses, so I figured I would share it on the blog.
I asked: Which Mets player, past or present, would you want to be friends with on Facebook?
Here are the responses…
Who would you want to be friends with on Facebook?
3/13/10
The Kelvim Escobar signing
On December 14, when the initial offer was made to Kelvim Escobar, I wrote…
“As a bullpen arm, Escobar could be a good low-risk, high-reward player, something the Mets will probably see a lot of in spring training.”
Two months later, when we found out he had a “sore shoulder,” on February 17, I wrote…
“And so signals the beginning of joke cracking and rehashing last season’s injuries from everyone and their mother.”
On February 19, when Hardball Talk reported that Escobar could not pick up a baseball, I wrote…
“Did the Mets work him out? Let him pitch for someone, anyone from the organization? Is there any way they could have gotten away with the “no physical” route, a la J.J. Putz?”
And now today, in a story in El Nacional (Spanish), via MLBTR, Escobar says that he is waiting until April 1 to begin throwing and if he still feels pain that day, he will make his decision then.
“If I wanted to retire, I would have done it already,” Escobar said.
Yeah, and take the $1.25 million guaranteed from the contract Omar Minaya inked you to and run for it.
3/12/10
The bet
My father and I just shook hands, sealing the bet.
The stakes: Ten whole dollars.
What we wagered on: Whether or not the Mets will finish the season in last place.
He has them in the cellar, I do not.
Last year, the Mets finished a full 11 games ahead of the Washington Nationals for last place in the NL East.
Obviously, this looks to be a two-horse race. All the Mets need to do is finish ahead of the Nationals, and I’m the winner. My dad needs the Nats to eek out any sort of lead over the Mets when the two teams finish their end-of-the-season series on October 3.
$10 is on the line. Let’s go Mets!
The list of unsigned free-agent pitchers: Who would you sign?
This list was culled from MLBTR. Their ages are (in parentheses).
Starting pitchers
Brandon Backe (32)
Cha Seung Baek (30)
Kris Benson (34)
Paul Byrd (39)
Bartolo Colon (37)
Adam Eaton (32)
Mike Hampton (37)
Braden Looper (35) - Type B, not offered arb
Noah Lowry (29)
Pedro Martinez (38)
Eric Milton (34)
Odalis Perez (33)
Sidney Ponson (33)
Mark Prior (29)
Jason Schmidt (37)
John Smoltz (43)
Jarrod Washburn (35)
My question: Would you sign any of them?
This sucks [Tweet]
Couldn’t this have been solved with a phone call? Everyone has a cell phone these days, ya know.
(Aside: Seinfeld is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest shows of all time. But if the characters had cell phones, the show would have been completely different. Just think about it next time you’re watching the show.)
3/11/10
Santana is the Baryshnikov of the hands [Quote]
Watch a master at work and stand in awe. Before each start Johan Santana, the Mets' ace, struts past his teammates, smacking and fist-bumping and shimmying, as if performing a dugout Macarena, personalizing shakes for each teammate while throwing fake pitches. The innovation is ongoing (his shakes often change from week to week) and the complexity staggering—Santana is a veritable Baryshnikov of the hands, a choreographer of camaraderie.
-Chris Ballard, The Metaphysical Significance, Staggering Ubiquity
and Sheer Joy of High Fives
Read this article. (For the lazy, the Santana part pulls from here.)
Jeff Wilpon’s video blog [Day 2]
It’s funny because it’s true.
Here’s the second installment of Jeff Wilpon’s video blog from 12 Angry Mascots…
Jose Reyes’ overactive thyroid
From the Mets…
The additional blood tests confirmed that Jose Reyes's thyroid hormone blood levels are elevated and he is hyperthyroid. Mets Medical Director Dr. David Altchek last night spoke with Jose and his representatives. As prescribed by the doctors and specialists, Jose’s treatment plan is to rest, refrain from athletic activity and make changes in his diet. The doctors will monitor Jose's thyroid levels through regular blood tests. Once Jose’s thyroid levels return to normal, he will be cleared to resume baseball activities.
The waiting game begins.
Reyes’ thyroid could return to normal in a few weeks (mine were out of whack after my stint in the hospital at the beginning of February and were back to normal three weeks later), or it could be a lot longer.
Andy McCullough at NJ.com says it could be two weeks, or eight.
Update: Here’s why Reyes won’t be treated with medication, which I guess is a good thing.
For Reyes and for Mets fans, this sucks.
Just when he thought he would be returning to lead the team and when fans are itching to watch him play again, he’s sidelined once more.
Strangely, Reyes will not be receiving treatment (usually, a radioactive chemical, taken orally, to knock out some of the function from the thyroid), but will rather wait and see. The bad part about this is, if in a few weeks, nothing is changed, he’ll have to go the medicinal route, likely keeping him out even longer.
3/9/10
12 Angry Mascots: Jeff Wilpon’s vlog
The mad minds behind 12 Angry Mascots are launching a Jeff Wilpon video blog called The WilVlog.
Below is the first installment.
They plan to post every Tuesday and Thursday for the next few weeks.
This should be fun.
(Driving to Atlantic City for the next few days. Might have Internet, might not. If not, talk to you on Friday!)
My Q&A with Macho Row
I did a quick Mets and NL East Q&A with the Phillies blog Macho Row.
Here’s a quick sampling…
How hot is the water that general manager Omar Minaya is sitting in? Is the pressure on Minaya to get the team back to the playoffs at a point where this is a make-or-break season?
Sizzling. I'm not sure this is a make-or-break season, but it might be a make-or-break year. If the team stinks it up and then he doesn't go out and get some big names by 2011, he's out.
---
What about manager Jerry Manuel? Will Manuel be the manager at the end of the 2010 season?
If Minaya's is sizzling, Manuel's is literally on fire. Manuel could be out in 20 games if they fall flat out of the gate. He's a dead man walking and he knows it too. A lot rides on the beginning of the season. I may as well write up his "obituary" now and just wait to post it.
For the full Q&A, where I discuss Citi Field, Jerry Manuel’s love affair with Jenrry Mejia and more, head over to Macho Row.
Manuel’s Musing
“With the question marks we have at two, three and four, each day those guys go out and throw strikes and compete is a big plus for us.”
-Jerry Manuel on the starting rotation
At least he admits they are question marks. But no question mark at five? Isn’t that the biggest question mark of them all?
3/8/10
My fantasy baseball team: Ryota’s Toyotas
Because I will be out most of the day, I’ll post my fantasy baseball team for you to enjoy/laugh at…
Ryota’s Toyotas - “Putting the pedal to the metal!”
Batters
- Victor Martinez – 1B/C
- Prince Fielder – 1B
- Brandon Phillips – 2B
- Chone Figgins – 3B
- Marco Scutaro – SS
- Carlos Beltran – OF
- Nick Markakis – OF
- David DeJesus – OF
- Corey Hart – OF
- Martin Prado – 1B/2B/3B
- Cody Ross – OF
- Chase Headley – 3B/OF
Pitchers
- Cole Hamels – SP
- Joe Saunders – SP
- J.A. Happ – SP/RP
- Scott Feldman – SP
- Ricky Romero – SP
- Johnny Cueto – SP
- Heath Bell – RP
- Matt Guerrier – RP
- Jeremy Affeldt – RP
As you can see, I have no chance of earning any saves this season. I have tried to corner the market on holds, though.
Any questions, comments or suggestions for my team? Leave ‘em in the comments.
Manuel’s Musing
“If we were to speak today, and not having much history with him, I would say that he would definitely be one of the 11 or 12 pitchers that we take.”
-Jerry Manuel, not on Jenrry Mejia, but on Hisanori Takahasi
3/7/10
Fernando Martinez!
Woah, woah, woah.
It’s been four games, everyone. Let’s calm down a bit.
Yes, Fernando Martinez is hitting .667 / .667 / 1.333, but he’s only had 12 ABs. Yes, he went 4-4 yesterday. Yes, he hit two home runs.
There is no doubt in my mind that Martinez will break camp and head to Buffalo to get regular playing time. Sure, he might have a nice spring training, but the Mets had a pretty set outfield.
The centerfield job will be between Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews Jr., barring injury. Left field, obviously, is Jason Bay’s. Right field goes to Jeff Francoeur.
But, depending on the season, both the Mets and F-Mart’s, he could be up with the team later in the year. In fact, if the team doesn’t do very well, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Francoeur gets shipped elsewhere and F-Mart takes over in RF.
As long as he stays healthy and puts up numbers, that is. Not a small feat for the oft-injured prospect.
I’m glad we can get excited about F-Mart (and Jenrry Mejia, Ike Davis and Josh Thole). It feels good, doesn’t it?
3/6/10
Fun with a week of spring training stats
It’s (early in) spring training, where stats don’t matter and no one cares about wins, so let’s have some fun with stats from a handful of games.
- Jason Pridie and Ruben Tejada are tied at the top with 10 AB a piece.
- Luis Hernandez leads the team with 11 PA.
- Russ Adams leads the team with a 1.000 OBP. 3 singles in 3 AB in two games.
- Adams also leads the team in slugging percentage, with a 2.000.
- Four players have one home run so far: Russ Adams, Ike Davis, Gary Matthews Jr. and David Wright.
- Davis and Pridie lead the team with 4 RBI.
- Davis has notched 8 total bases, leading the team. Matthews Jr. trails by one base.
- Pridie also leads the team in strikeouts, with 4. Matthews Jr. has 3 and Jason Bay and Luis Hernandez each have K’d twice.
- Fernando Tatis is one of eight players to have grounded into a double play so far.
- Nelson Figueroa has tossed six innings so far, the most on the team.
- Figueroa, Sean Green, Eddie Kunz and Bobby Parnell have each walked three batters. Kunz managed to do that while only notching one out. Green, one more.
- Figueroa also leads the team in strikeouts, with eight. Bobby Livingston and Jon Niese each have K’d five.
- Parnell has allowed the most total bases, with 11.
- Ryota Igarashi has posted the lowest batting average against, with a .100.
And that’s enough meaningless stats for today. Enjoy the warm Saturday.
The Mets play tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. and the game is on WPIX.
Manuel’s Musing
“If we continue to see that, we have to have some strong conversations.”
-Jerry Manuel on Jenrry Mejia
3/5/10
Oh my… Just look… [Image]
The Brooklyn Cyclones will be giving this jersey away at their “Jersey? Sure!” Night on July 21…
Why, why, why must my home state have such a bad rep?
All I can do is shake my head.
TV lineup today
Here is the lineup we’ll be able to watch today as the Mets split-squad plays the Marlins in Port St. Lucie. The other half traveled to Jupiter to play the Cardinals.
- Angel Pagan – CF
- Luis Castillo – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Jason Bay – LF
- Daniel Murphy – 1B
- Rod Barajas – C
- Jesus Feliciano – RF
- Luis Hernandez – SS
- Kai Gronauer – DH
Slated to pitch: Jon Niese, Jenrry Mejia, Pedro Feliciano, Bobby Parnell, Ryota Igarashi, Elmer Dessens (guess his knee is OK) and Eric Niesen.
Reyes has a thyroid problem?
Jose Reyes has once again been scratched from the Mets lineup and is en route to New York for tests.
According to Adam Rubin, Reyes may have an out of balance thyroid.
It’s worrisome that Reyes has yet another problem, but if it is a thyroid issue, that is usually easily rectified. A pill treatment can usually solve most hyper- or hypothyroid issues.
I actually just had my thyroid tested, too. It involves some (more) bloodwork for Reyes to test the levels in his blood and an ultrasound to see if the thyroid gland is swollen or undersized.
Not encouraging news that Reyes is out once again, but if it is a thyroid issue, the Mets and their fans shouldn’t be too worried.
3/4/10
Mets sign Kiko Calero to minor-league deal
Enrique Nomar “Kiko: Calero, who last pitched with Florida last season, appeared in 67 games with a 1.95 ERA and a 1.100 WHIP in 60 innings. He surrendered 36 hits and one home run, while walking 30 and striking out 69.
In 302 2-3 career innings, Calero has a 3.24 ERA and 1.196 WHIP. He notched 3.7 BB/9 and 9.6 SO/9.
Clint Everts obviously hasn’t had his photo taken in a while [Image]
Just check the uniform he’s wearing in his MLB headshot…
Go Expos!
This is what I get [Image]
…for trying to watch an online feed of the Mets game.
A nice shot of R.A. Dickey’s butt.
The feed has been stuck on this image for about an hour now. Fun stuff.
Lineup today
Jose Reyes was scheduled to start today, but was scratched by Jerry Manuel. Reyes had more bloodwork done, but told reporters, “I’m fine.”
Where have we heard that before?
- Gary Matthews Jr. – CF
- Luis Castillo – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Jason Bay – LF
- Daniel Murphy – 1B
- Jeff Francoeur – RF
- Fernando Tatis – DH
- Henry Blanco – C
- Ruben Tejada – SS
Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will get the start today. Jenrry Mejia will also see time on the mound.
“It was a little sloppy.”3/3/10
My praise for the Amazin’ Avenue Annual
I was lucky enough to receive a preview copy of the Amazin’ Avenue Annual, the first book foray from the good men at AmazinAvenue.com.
And legitimately, it’s a book. All 342 pages of one.
(I’m going to be frank here: I hate reading long things on the Internet. Did I read it all? Hell no. Did I skim, read parts here and there and continue scrolling? Yes. That doesn’t mean it’s not good.)
I’ll be going to school, finding a rarely used printer, and printing out this book (because I’m in college and money goes toward food).
I highly, highly recommend either downloading or purchasing the book when it becomes available in a day or two. (Yeah, the only thing there right now is a banner. Don’t be alarmed.)
It contains essays on topics ranging from the business of the Mets in 2009 to the Gary, Keith and Ron drinking game. It also has player previews and statistical breakdowns on many. Just a thorough, thorough look at the Mets organization from minds of very well informed fans.
Pick it up.
And to the guys at Amazin’ Avenue and all that contributed to the book, awesome, awesome job.
Link: Q&A with Jason Bay
Head over to Big League Stew for a Q&A with Jason Bay.
An excerpt…
BLS: Who have you been hanging out with down here?
Bay: David (Wright), a little bit. Francoeur, of course. He gets along with everybody. Alex Cora I know from Boston and is a great guy. Shawn Bowman is also Canadian and we have an instant bond. I played on the Canadian WBC team with him and given all the hockey that's transpired lately, we've been close.
Lineup @ Braves
With most major players getting a reprieve from the two-hour bus ride to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports to take on the Braves, here’s who the Mets will trot out, at least to start…
- Angel Pagan – CF
- Alex Cora – 2B
- Daniel Murphy – 1B
- Fernando Tatis – 3B
- Fernando Martinez – LF
- Rod Barajas – C
- Frank Catalanotto – DH
- Russ Adams – SS
- Kirk Nieuwnehuis – RF
Getting the start today is LHP Pat Misch.
No word on who else is supposed to pitch today.
I hope this steroid/HGH talk begins and ends this week
Dr. Anthony Galea is a name I hope I don’t hear much more.
Because a steroid scandal is the absolute last thing the Mets need.
Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes have both been questioned by the FBI in connection with their relationship and visits to Dr. Galea’s office for treatment. Galea is being investigated by Canadian authorities for attempting to smuggle human growth hormones into the US.
Both players have met with investigators and discussed their treatment with Galea. Both claim that HGH or steroids were not involved or discussed.
Hopefully, as this week winds down, we hear less and less of this story. Unfortunately, steroids are too juicy of a story to overlook, so as long as it’s slightly relevant, it will be written about and discussed at length.
But please, for the sake of Mets fans minds everywhere, let’s hope we don’t hear much more of it. I think we have enough to worry about.
3/2/10
Manuel’s Musing
“He was so caught up in that Canada thing that he needed a day to breathe.”
-Jerry Manuel on Jason Bay
First spring training lineup from rainy Florida
The Mets will travel to the ESPN Wide World of Sports to take on the Atlanta Braves in what will likely be a rainy and wet afternoon of baseball. Reports are that the weather is clearing up.
The game, scheduled for 1:10 p.m., will be broadcast on SNY.
Here’s the lineup the Mets will trot out…
Gary Matthews Jr. – CFLuis Castillo – 2BJose Reyes – SSDavid Wright – 3BJason Bay – LFMike Jacobs – DHJeff Francoeur – RFIke Davis – 1BChris Coste – C
Due to the impending weather, a lineup change was put through. Your new lineup…
- Jesus Feliciano – LF
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Gary Matthews Jr. – CF
- Mike Jacobs – DH
- Mike Hessman – 3B
- Ike Davis – 1B
- Chris Coste – C
- Jason Pridie – RF
- Luis Hernandez – 2B
Nelson Figueroa will get the start. Pedro Feliciano, Bobby Parnell and Ryota Igarashi are slated to pitch as well.
Don’t read too much into this lineup. Yes, Reyes is batting third again, but who knows what Jerry Manuel will do tomorrow, in a week, in a month.
Baseball, with the weather cooperating, may be back on TV today.
This headline made me giggle
Matthews: I'm natural choice for Mets leadoff spot
Not that Gary Matthews Jr. can’t help the Mets (if any, not by much), but if he thinks he’ll be hitting leadoff (yes, he is today, but so what?) regularly, the Mets have much, much more to worry about.
3/1/10
Jose Reyes hits two-run triple in first AB [Quote]
“To be honest with you, it felt a little weird when I stepped in the batter's box,” Reyes said. “It was a long time that I don't face a big-league pitcher. When I hit the ball, I said, ‘Oh, God, I have to run now.’”
Reyes said he never thought about stopping at second, though. He said he wasn't running quite at full speed, but with the ball rattling around the right-field corner, he didn't have to.
Sorry if you drool on yourself after reading this.
Manuel’s Musing
“Johan is that good where he’s at a stage in his career where I don’t think that much matters.”
-Jerry Manuel on Johan Santana having a personal catcher
The first lineups of the season
And because it’s an intrasquad game, we get two for the price of one.
Visiting team
- Angel Pagan – CF
- Alex Cora – 2B
- Jason Pridie – LF
- Jeff Francoeur – RF
- Mike Jacobs – 1B
- Fernando Tatis – 3B
- Josh Thole – C
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Chris Carter – DH
--- - Tobi Stoner – RHP
Home team
- Gary Matthews Jr. – CF
- Luis Castillo – 2B
- Jose Reyes – SS
- David Wright – 3B
- Daniel Murphy – 1B
- Fernando Martinez – LF
- Henry Blanco – C
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis – RF
- Frank Catalanotto – DH
--- - Jon Niese – LHP
Matt Cerrone over at MetsBlog will be streaming some of the game, which begins at 11 a.m.
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