Pudge-y

The rumors have been swirling that the Mets are setting up to trade away Ramon Castro.

They're trying to shed payroll, it seems, and they're confident enough in Robinson Cancel that he can serve as a competent backup. Still, though, Ivan Rodriguez continues to lobby, and find ears, with the Mets.

According to Pudge, he will sign with one of three teams: Mets, Marlins or Astros.

Pudge said, via Mets.com:

"I'm in great shape," Rodriguez said. "Whoever gets me, it's going to be a lot like hitting the lotto. I'm back in the shape I was in 2004. I'm at 195 to 200 [pounds], and I'm ready to go."

Being in great shape doesn't mean you can hit, though.

First of all, I don't quite understand the trading of Castro. He's not terrible as a backup and as long as he's healthy that's all the Mets really need him to do. We all saw last year, when the Mets were struggling to keep any catcher on the field.

Secondly, if they do trade Castro, why would they sign Pudge? He's likely going to cost more than Castro's earning ($2.5 million) and would want to start over Brian Schneider.

There are no positives to bringing Pudge in. Please pass, Omar.

K-Rod says what he needs to say

Here we go again.

In 2009, the player to step up and say the Mets are the team to beat is the new guy, Francisco Rodriguez.

Via David Lennon:

"This is a different year, a different ballclub now. We've just got to go out and compete. Like I said before, I don't want to make no controversy. But with this ballclub, the way I see it, with those guys, me and J.J. Putz and the other acquisitions in the bullpen, I think now I feel like we're the team to beat."

Good for him.

A player on every team with a fighting chance is going to come out and say those words. Everyone thinks they're the team to beat, and why shouldn't they?

If a player came out and said, "Yeah, we'll probably finish in third this year. We're just mediocre." He'd be in the managers office quicker than you can say "team chemistry."

I like that K-Rod has stepped up, being the fresh face, and taking a stand for his team already. He's been around his fellow players for 72 hours and he's already up to defending them. I hope he's a true thorn in the side for the rest of the NL East for more than just words.

I can't wait to see him pump his arm in victory on Opening Day. And then again for the first game in Citi Field.

Come on, Mets. This year, show everyone that you actually are the team to beat.

Castillo to bat leadoff?

Jerry Manuel made a pretty significant comment today, but it was buried at the end of this story.

Via Mets.com:

Changes to the lineup could also be in store for the Mets, as manager Jerry Manuel is considering batting Luis Castillo in the leadoff spot and bumping Jose Reyes down to third in the lineup.

More, from Adam Rubin:

Luis Castillo may bat leadoff for the Mets. Potentially, Carlos Beltran could bat second and Jose Reyes third. It may make more sense to bat Carlos Delgado fourth and David Wright fifth in that scenario, since otherwise the Mets would be stacking a ton of lefties at the bottom of the order.

Interesting. Both Reyes and Castillo have similar OBP numbers, with Reyes putting up a .358 last year and Castillo notching a .355. Reyes' power may suit him better later in the lineup, where runner may be on ahead of him.

If Reyes moves to third, I'm assuming that bumps Carlos Beltran up to the second spot of the order, where he seems to enjoy hitting. That, or bump him lower in the order so the bottom of the lineup won't be as weak.

I think it's an interesting scenario to toy with in spring training.

Mets sign Livan Hernandez

Jerry Manuel accidentally let slip that Livan Hernandez would be joining the Mets in camp, likely on a minor league deal.

Since then, the report has been confirmed.

Great. I'm all for stockpiling pitchers, but there is a line at which a team doesn't need to cross before it looks desperate. The Hernandez brothers, either of them, are beyond that line.

Prove me wrong, Livan. This move just rubs me the wrong way.

I guess it's time to congratulate Omar Minaya for finally getting Livan in a Mets uniform.

Hmmm...I wonder what El Duque is up to...

Here's some info, relayed by Adam Rubin:

"Inventory" is the word Minaya used. Reports are that Hernandez's velocity was just 78-83 mph in Colorado late last season. Minaya revealed that he was very close to trading for Hernandez at the '06 deadline once Duaner Sanchez had the taxi cab accident, but instead pulled the trigger and acquired Oliver Perez from the Pirates. Minaya also mentioned he wanted Triple-A Buffalo to be strong this year.

Someone really doesn't trust Luis Castillo

Because the Mets just signed another possible backup.

Ramon Martinez, the star of the last seven games of 2008, has been signed to a minor league deal and will be in spring training with the team.

With Jose Valentin also back in the fold, it seems the Mets brass is very worried about Castillo's health. Or they just like to stockpile aging, middle infielders.

The State of the Mets -- 2/13/09

Here is the fifth edition of The State of the Mets.

This week, I talk about the World Baseball Classic, some bonehead signings this off season and pitchers and catchers reporting for duty.

Enjoy.

Who is in camp [Updated]

As of Friday morning, this is what we know: Johan Santana, David Wright, Duaner Sanchez, Ryan Church, Brian Schneider, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey (complete with helmet after he flipped his golf cart), J.J. Putz, Daniel Murphy, Nick Evans and Eddie Kunz.

Next round: Jerry Manuel, Tim Redding and Freddy Garcia.

Next: K-Rod.

Pitchers and catchers officially report today, so look for that list to grow. I will continually update it as I find out who is in camp.

Cleaning out my To Do list

Sometimes if I'm short on time, or think something is noteworthy but don't feel like writing at that very second, I file a story away in a To Do list.

Well, it's time to clean it out. I'll post the link and my two cents.

For ESPN.com, Bob Klapisch notes that Francisco Rodriguez will be the lightning rod for the Mets in 2009 and it will hurt their image.

K-Rod's celebrating profile will be layered atop Jose Reyes' customized high-fiving after scoring an important run in a big game -- outside the dugout. Such gloating, which has been part of the Mets' legacy since the '80s, has been steadily irritating opponents for the past four years.

Well...good! I still think the team needs some swagger, and I believe K-Rod will help bring that to Flushing. I like the abrasiveness he brings, and hopefully the players attitudes can shine through and fuel the team this time around.

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The Daily News caught up with Anthony Young a while back, and I thought it was a pretty good read. I bring this up for only one reason. In researching Young's career, in the seasons he went 2-14 and 1-16, his ERA was 4.17 and 3.77 respectively.

Steve Trachsel won 15 games for the Mets in 2006. He had a 4.97 ERA.

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Jose Reyes: The leader?

I noted before that I love Reyes' high-fiving, dancing, exciting ways. But is he the leader of the Mets? Jerry Manuel believes so. Here's a quote via The New York Times.

“Oh, I consider him becoming one — no question,” Manuel said Tuesday morning ... “I think that’s the next level for him, to add responsibility to him. That, to me, is maturation. You can be 50 years old and have no responsibility so you never mature. But if you have some responsibilities, then the maturation process takes over.”

Unfortunately, I think the language barrier will hinder Reyes from becoming a "true leader" of the team.

And yes, I believe the team needs a "leader."

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Keith Hernandez feels baseball nowadays is "tainted." How can you not agree?

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Carlos Delgado in the Hall of Fame? Joel Sherman brings it up, and interestingly, I actually did a project on this.

We had to compare a current HoF'er to a current player and see if the current player belongs in the hall. Eddie Murray, the most recent first baseman in the Hall was pitted up against Delgado. Through a whole series of comparisons and break downs, we came to the conclusion that if he keeps playing a few more years, Delgado will make the hall.

We also came to the conclusion that Murray shouldn't really be in the Hall. He was a compiler, and that's the only reason.

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Daniel Murphy is obsessed about hitting.

“The guy is obsessed,” said [J.J.] Putz, who lives across from Murphy in a hotel here. “All he talks about is hitting, hitting, hitting. It’s not a stretch to say that it consumes about 90 percent of his day.”

Hopefully that other 10 percent is dedicated to learning to play left field.

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Jon Niese and Tim Redding are battling (along with Freddy Garcia) for the 5th spot in the rotation. They're also sharing a condo.

Hey SNY, I smell a sitcom!!

No offer to Ohman

Will Ohman has received four offers from NL teams, but Cameron Smith writes, "Interestingly, none of those offers are from the Phillies or Mets"

There goes that.

Pitchers and catchers report today

A handful of players have been in camp for a few days now, but today is the official report day for all pitchers and catcher on the roster.

Because it's pitchers and catchers day, I present to you, Crazy Johan. This is from last season's spring training, but it's just too good to pass up.You crazy, man. Crazy!

It's officially spring training. I'm a happy man.