Who will pitch in more games for the Mets this season?
Mike Pelfrey - 27 votes (71%)
Jorge Sosa - 7 votes (18%)
Orlando Hernandez - 4 votes (10%)
It looks like readers feel Pelfrey's going to get his shot this year. Sosa might work out of the bullpen, so he might get to pitch more than El Duque, especially at the rate Duque is working these days.
New poll: Who will play more games in left field?
3/6/08
Interview with Keith
Head over to Matt Tracy's blog to check out his interview with Keith Hernandez, among others (David Wright, Moises Alou) from his trip down to Port St. Lucie.
From Tracy:
From Tracy:
He even told me that the Mets are the best team in the NL East. Speaking of the NL East, I asked him about his opinion on the comments made earlier in Spring Training by Mets Outfielder Carlos Beltran.He's one of my buddies in the blogsphere, and he was pretty lucky to get down to PSL for another year of interviews and press passes. Good stuff, so check it out.
“I don’t know if it was smart, but I don’t mind it. I liked it,” said Hernandez. “I like the fact that he said that, especially coming from him.”
Two players cleared for action
The injured starters remain injured, but two bench players have been cleared to play in the game tonight in Florida.
Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley have both been green lighted by the medical staff and will make the trip to Viera, Fla. tonight to take on the Washington Nationals, reports John Delcos.
Well it's about time we got some good news around these parts. Glad to see both of these players back after being part of some pretty horrific injuries. Easley is coming back after that gruesome ankle injury last year, and Anderson was involved in the collision with Ryan Church last Saturday.
Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley have both been green lighted by the medical staff and will make the trip to Viera, Fla. tonight to take on the Washington Nationals, reports John Delcos.
Well it's about time we got some good news around these parts. Glad to see both of these players back after being part of some pretty horrific injuries. Easley is coming back after that gruesome ankle injury last year, and Anderson was involved in the collision with Ryan Church last Saturday.
Is it Pedro's day to get hurt?
With the recent onslaught of injuries, is it really smart for the Mets to even allow Pedro Martinez to make his first start of the spring tonight against the Nationals?
If you read my "padded room" article, I now think Pedro should be one of the guys wearing all the pads too. Just wrap their entire bodies in bubble wrap, until they're barely able to move, just like Randy from "A Christmas Story."
I am pretty excited to see Pedro go tonight, though he probably wont be throwing for strikes or outs, just to get some solid work in against live batters in a game situation. Still, the idea of Pedro and Johan Santana, back to back, is just drool-worthy.
If you read my "padded room" article, I now think Pedro should be one of the guys wearing all the pads too. Just wrap their entire bodies in bubble wrap, until they're barely able to move, just like Randy from "A Christmas Story."
I am pretty excited to see Pedro go tonight, though he probably wont be throwing for strikes or outs, just to get some solid work in against live batters in a game situation. Still, the idea of Pedro and Johan Santana, back to back, is just drool-worthy.
Protect Wright and Reyes at all costs
With the New York Mets dropping like flies left and right, I think it's time to put David Wright and Jose Reyes on the pine.
The latest casualty on the Mets is 41-year-old Moises Alou, who will miss the start of the season due to a hernia operation. The only two starters who are not injured at this time are Wright and Reyes.
Omar Minaya needs to have a padded room constructed in Port St. Lucie, and quick. Just get a trailer, coat the inside in bubble wrap, add a few cots and there you have it. An injury-free, protective cave for anyone you hold dear to make the Mets.
Put these two young studs in there, seal it up, and don't let them out until the season is ready to start. It's either that, or have them running around with full pads, a la a young child on rollerblades, complete with helmet, knee pads and hand protectors.
Oh, and while you're at it, toss Johan Santana in there too. And some food I guess.
The latest casualty on the Mets is 41-year-old Moises Alou, who will miss the start of the season due to a hernia operation. The only two starters who are not injured at this time are Wright and Reyes.
Omar Minaya needs to have a padded room constructed in Port St. Lucie, and quick. Just get a trailer, coat the inside in bubble wrap, add a few cots and there you have it. An injury-free, protective cave for anyone you hold dear to make the Mets.
Put these two young studs in there, seal it up, and don't let them out until the season is ready to start. It's either that, or have them running around with full pads, a la a young child on rollerblades, complete with helmet, knee pads and hand protectors.
Oh, and while you're at it, toss Johan Santana in there too. And some food I guess.
3/5/08
Photo of the Day: Santana
Johan Santana made his second start of spring training, allowing one run on two hits, while striking out 4.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Fantasy baseball draft I (enemy edition)
I was asked to participate in a Yankee blogger league, and I accepted. My goal was to be the lone Mets blogger to take down the "evil empire" and their bloggers.
We drafted earlier tonight, and here is my lineup, dissect it, if you must:
Catchers:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, TEX (10th round, 92nd overall pick)
Brian Schneider, NYM (18th,172nd)
Infielders:
Mark Teixera, ATL (3rd, 29th)
Casey Kotchman, LAA (20th, 192nd)
Placido Polanco, DET (9th, 89th)
Orlando Hudson, ARI (19th,189th)
Ryan Braun, MIL (2nd, 12th)
Evan Longoria, TB (16th, 152nd)
Miguel Tejada, HOU (5th, 49th)
Outfielders:
Chris Young, ARI (4th, 32nd)
Jason Bay, PIT (8th, 72nd)
Kosuke Fukudome, CHC (14th, 132nd)
Starters:
Johan Santana, NYM (1st, 9th)
Roy Halladay, TOR (7th, 69th)
John Maine, NYM (11th, 109th)
Dontrelle Willis, DET (12th, 112th)
Chad Billingsley, LAD (12th, 122nd)
Relievers:
J.J. Putz, SEA (6th, 52nd)
Jonathan Broxton, LAD (15th, 149th)
My starters are listed first of their grouping.
I'm not 100% sure who my starter is going to be at second base, guess I'll base it on hot streaks. Also, Longoria might not even make the Tampa team this year, but I had to take him to spite my roommate.
We drafted earlier tonight, and here is my lineup, dissect it, if you must:
Catchers:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, TEX (10th round, 92nd overall pick)
Brian Schneider, NYM (18th,172nd)
Infielders:
Mark Teixera, ATL (3rd, 29th)
Casey Kotchman, LAA (20th, 192nd)
Placido Polanco, DET (9th, 89th)
Orlando Hudson, ARI (19th,189th)
Ryan Braun, MIL (2nd, 12th)
Evan Longoria, TB (16th, 152nd)
Miguel Tejada, HOU (5th, 49th)
Outfielders:
Chris Young, ARI (4th, 32nd)
Jason Bay, PIT (8th, 72nd)
Kosuke Fukudome, CHC (14th, 132nd)
Starters:
Johan Santana, NYM (1st, 9th)
Roy Halladay, TOR (7th, 69th)
John Maine, NYM (11th, 109th)
Dontrelle Willis, DET (12th, 112th)
Chad Billingsley, LAD (12th, 122nd)
Relievers:
J.J. Putz, SEA (6th, 52nd)
Jonathan Broxton, LAD (15th, 149th)
My starters are listed first of their grouping.
I'm not 100% sure who my starter is going to be at second base, guess I'll base it on hot streaks. Also, Longoria might not even make the Tampa team this year, but I had to take him to spite my roommate.
Alou has a hernia, out 4-6 weeks
If you didn't think it could get any worse, Moises Alou will be out 4-6 weeks due to a hernia.
David Lennon is reporting that Alou has a hernia, and will have surgery to repair the damage.
This is unbelievable. Angel Pagan is the front runner at this point, but if Endy Chavez can come back healthy, I think he's got the spot in left.
Also, I think this opens up another spot on the roster heading into the season, possible for a guy like Brady Clark if he can produce.
David Lennon is reporting that Alou has a hernia, and will have surgery to repair the damage.
This is unbelievable. Angel Pagan is the front runner at this point, but if Endy Chavez can come back healthy, I think he's got the spot in left.
Also, I think this opens up another spot on the roster heading into the season, possible for a guy like Brady Clark if he can produce.
Game Recap: Mets 3 -- Dodgers 2
The Mets continue their spring hot streak, again in dramatic fashion, beating the Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth by a score of 3-2.
Johan Santana made his second start of the spring, allowing one run on two its through 3 innings. Santana walked his first batter, which was his only walk of the day and struck out four while on the bump.
He looked so much better today. Started off a little rough missing high a lot, but settled in nicely and only allowed a chopper up the middle to score the only run. If you were lucky enough to watch, that's the kind of stuff we will be expecting from Johan, and I have no doubt in my mind he's going to deliver.
Steven Register came in for two innings allowing 2 hits while striking out 2. Scott Schoeneweis pitched a hitless 6th, also striking out two.
As I said in my game commentary, Register is my dark horse candidate to make the team. Schoe looked pretty darn good as well.
Juan Padilla allowed one run on two hits in the 7th inning. Nate Field and Joe Smith finished out the game, with Smith allowing 2 hits, but benefiting from a double play to end the inning.
Anderson Hernandez delivered the game winning hit in the bottom of the 9th inning, with a double down the line and into the bullpen scoring Greg Veloz. Anderson went 3-5 on the day, scoring once and driving in one.
Great day from Anderson, who also turned an absolutely beautiful double play while in the field.
Angel Pagan continues to hit, going 1-2 with a walk. Ezequiel Carrera went 1-1, driving in one run in the 8th inning. Fernando Martinez also continued to have a great spring, going 2-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Great production from our young outfielders.
The Mets are undefeated in March, and have won 5 straight games. The young guys are getting their shot, and they continue to produce.
Johan Santana made his second start of the spring, allowing one run on two its through 3 innings. Santana walked his first batter, which was his only walk of the day and struck out four while on the bump.
He looked so much better today. Started off a little rough missing high a lot, but settled in nicely and only allowed a chopper up the middle to score the only run. If you were lucky enough to watch, that's the kind of stuff we will be expecting from Johan, and I have no doubt in my mind he's going to deliver.
Steven Register came in for two innings allowing 2 hits while striking out 2. Scott Schoeneweis pitched a hitless 6th, also striking out two.
As I said in my game commentary, Register is my dark horse candidate to make the team. Schoe looked pretty darn good as well.
Juan Padilla allowed one run on two hits in the 7th inning. Nate Field and Joe Smith finished out the game, with Smith allowing 2 hits, but benefiting from a double play to end the inning.
Anderson Hernandez delivered the game winning hit in the bottom of the 9th inning, with a double down the line and into the bullpen scoring Greg Veloz. Anderson went 3-5 on the day, scoring once and driving in one.
Great day from Anderson, who also turned an absolutely beautiful double play while in the field.
Angel Pagan continues to hit, going 1-2 with a walk. Ezequiel Carrera went 1-1, driving in one run in the 8th inning. Fernando Martinez also continued to have a great spring, going 2-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Great production from our young outfielders.
The Mets are undefeated in March, and have won 5 straight games. The young guys are getting their shot, and they continue to produce.
Live Commentary: Dodgers at Mets 3/5
I'm going to run some live commentary for today's game. It's a little different from live blogging, as I don't do a play-by-play recap, just different notes and observations throughout the game. I should get the first 5 innings down here, before I have to trudge off to class.
First inning:
Johan Santana was a little wild with his first batter, not coming close to the zone a few times, and eventually walking him. He's consistently missing high, very high, bringing Raul Casanova to a standing position to field some balls. Santana strikes out Andruw Jones with a great pitch, and shows a bit of emotion, hopping off the mound. I love it. Santana works his way out of trouble in the first.
Anderson Hernandez gets on with a chopper up the middle that was misplayed by Young and Hu. This is all he needs to do if he ever wants to play in the bigs. Put the bat on the ball and hope it squeaks through a hole. David Wright is simply amazing at going the other way. I love when he pops one into right field. After loading the bases, Olmedo Saenz grounds into an inning ending double play. And that's why he has zero shot at making the team.
Second inning:
I'm also watching the Yankees / Twins game, as my roommate is a Yankees blogger (Scott Proctor's Arm) and Michael Kay just mentioned that Minnesota had to trade Santana away to the Boston Red Sox. I just looked at our other TV, and chuckled, as Santana strikes out Andy Laroche. Woah, I thought Brady Clark made that catch. Chopper up the middle, Dodgers score. 1-0 L.A., inning over.
Fernando Martinez drives one to the warning track for a leadoff double. He doesn't have the best running motion, so hopefully the Mets don't try and change that. (See: Jose Reyes) Casanova grounds out to first, and Clark attempts an unnecessary takeout slide, doesn't touch the bag, and is easily tagged out. Martinez scores, 1-1. Just a silly mistake by Clark, who needs a lot of things to go his way to find himself in Shea at the end of March.
Third inning:
Santana K's another. And another. And then induces a ground out. 4 strikeouts as his day is probably done. Final line: one run, two hits, one walk, four strikeouts. Very good day.
Reyes called out for running inside the base line. Shenanigans. Legend Ralph Kiner is in the booth. I love him, so much. Too bad it was a quick inning. 1-2-3, still tied at one. Kiner will be back after the break.
Fourth inning:
Steven Register is in the game, and quickly gets a fly out to center for the first out. Register is my dark horse to make the team. And just as quickly he allows a single to Laroche. Why does Wright always make his throws to first so interesting? Nice inning by Register, who struck out his last batter. I really like this guy.
Ex-Dodger and ex-Met Chan Ho Park is on the mound. Remember that start he made for us? Yecch! Pagan keeps it up, adding another single to his already great spring training numbers. Keith Hernandez says he has "Mad skillz." Saenz lines out, and Pagan almost gets picked off, but Laroche comes off the bag. Whew. Martinez is putting together a tough AB here, and works a walk out of it. 2 on, 1 out for Clark. Here's your chance. Clark K's, not good. Casanova K's to end the threat.
And that will be it for me. When the season rolls along, and games are at night, you'll get full game commentary instead of this shortened version.
First inning:
Johan Santana was a little wild with his first batter, not coming close to the zone a few times, and eventually walking him. He's consistently missing high, very high, bringing Raul Casanova to a standing position to field some balls. Santana strikes out Andruw Jones with a great pitch, and shows a bit of emotion, hopping off the mound. I love it. Santana works his way out of trouble in the first.
Anderson Hernandez gets on with a chopper up the middle that was misplayed by Young and Hu. This is all he needs to do if he ever wants to play in the bigs. Put the bat on the ball and hope it squeaks through a hole. David Wright is simply amazing at going the other way. I love when he pops one into right field. After loading the bases, Olmedo Saenz grounds into an inning ending double play. And that's why he has zero shot at making the team.
Second inning:
I'm also watching the Yankees / Twins game, as my roommate is a Yankees blogger (Scott Proctor's Arm) and Michael Kay just mentioned that Minnesota had to trade Santana away to the Boston Red Sox. I just looked at our other TV, and chuckled, as Santana strikes out Andy Laroche. Woah, I thought Brady Clark made that catch. Chopper up the middle, Dodgers score. 1-0 L.A., inning over.
Fernando Martinez drives one to the warning track for a leadoff double. He doesn't have the best running motion, so hopefully the Mets don't try and change that. (See: Jose Reyes) Casanova grounds out to first, and Clark attempts an unnecessary takeout slide, doesn't touch the bag, and is easily tagged out. Martinez scores, 1-1. Just a silly mistake by Clark, who needs a lot of things to go his way to find himself in Shea at the end of March.
Third inning:
Santana K's another. And another. And then induces a ground out. 4 strikeouts as his day is probably done. Final line: one run, two hits, one walk, four strikeouts. Very good day.
Reyes called out for running inside the base line. Shenanigans. Legend Ralph Kiner is in the booth. I love him, so much. Too bad it was a quick inning. 1-2-3, still tied at one. Kiner will be back after the break.
Fourth inning:
Steven Register is in the game, and quickly gets a fly out to center for the first out. Register is my dark horse to make the team. And just as quickly he allows a single to Laroche. Why does Wright always make his throws to first so interesting? Nice inning by Register, who struck out his last batter. I really like this guy.
Ex-Dodger and ex-Met Chan Ho Park is on the mound. Remember that start he made for us? Yecch! Pagan keeps it up, adding another single to his already great spring training numbers. Keith Hernandez says he has "Mad skillz." Saenz lines out, and Pagan almost gets picked off, but Laroche comes off the bag. Whew. Martinez is putting together a tough AB here, and works a walk out of it. 2 on, 1 out for Clark. Here's your chance. Clark K's, not good. Casanova K's to end the threat.
And that will be it for me. When the season rolls along, and games are at night, you'll get full game commentary instead of this shortened version.
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