Pedro open to Mets, relief role

Jim Baumbach is in Puerto Rico covering the World Baseball Classic and got a chance to chat with Pedro Martinez.

Via The Final Score:

"If they want a fifth starter, I've been there. I don't know how much they want me but I'm available," Martinez said. "That's all I can say. But at the same time, I'm available for every team out there."

Martinez, who threw three scoreless innings against the Netherlands on Saturday, also said he's open to being a reliever, though it's not his preference.

What really needs to be known is if he's open to the minor league, just to be waiting in the wings for an injury.

The Mets really have nothing holding them back. It's a no-lose situation.

Santana throws more BP; May pitch Thursday

Johan Santana again took the mound in the bullpen, in preperation for a Grapefruit League game, hopefully soon.

Here's a report from Steve Popper:

Throwing a bullpen session on the six-pack of mounds just outside Tradition Field, the sort of side session that normally is completely lifeless, he prodded bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello to stand in as a hitter (in his catchers equipment and without a bat). And after almost every pitch, he would quiz Racaniello for his reaction to the pitch - until the final one when he threw a slider that Racaniello - and probably David Ortiz - couldn't hit. Santana didn't need to hear from anyone, shouting loudly in celebration that this pitch, the final piece, was in place.

Good to hear.

Santana was asked about the possibility of a Thursday game, but was non-committal. He told Adam Rubin, "I felt pretty good and felt like I could get in a game."

3-D baseball cards

I was never much of a baseball card collector. I still have boxes of unopened cards from 1988 in my basement that I rarely think about or even remember. Even with that, these new Topps cards are absolutely awesome.

From the New York Times:

Beginning Monday, collectors who hold a special Topps 3D Live baseball card in front of a webcam will see a three-dimensional avatar of the player on the computer screen. Rotate the card, and the figure rotates in full perspective. It’s called “augmented reality,” a combination of a real image with a virtual one.

“This is the ‘Beam me up, Scotty’ version of a baseball card that will get kids to buy more. We see this baseball season as a redefining moment for us,” said Steve Grimes, chief digital officer at Topps.

Check out the photo. (Too bad it's Ryan Howard!)

Too cool.

I'm officially in the 'Bring Back Pedro' camp

For months, I've been thinking that the Mets were done with Pedro Martinez. They had signed guys like Tim Redding and Freddy Garcia who could easily outperform the aging, injured Pedro. No more.

With Redding, Garcia, Livan Hernandez and a bunch of others in the running, and none of them pitching effectively, there is no reason the Mets shouldn't bring back Pedro.

I'm not going to argue the statistics route, because it's only spring training and numbers really don't matter. So far though, we've seen Redding struggle in his first appearance. Garcia just doesn't seem to have any power left in his arm. Hernandez is bound to have an ERA over five, even if he does throw 200 innings.

Pedro would do a few things for the Mets. He would push the other pitchers in competing for that last spot. He would provide insurance, if he was willing to go to AAA if he did not win the roster spot. He would also mentor some young pitchers.

Sign him to a one-year deal, with a bunch of incentives, and I'll be happy. He did help change this franchise, if you like to believe it or not.

Bring back Pedro Martinez.

Redding gets rocked

Tim Redding made his first appearance in a game against the University of Michigan and let's just say it didn't go very well.

Redding's line: 0.1 IP, 5 hits, 5 earned runs, 2 home runs, 1 K. And that was against the University of Michigan.

Freddy Garcia, who made the start today against U of M, allowed three hits in two full innings, but no runs.

Also in action in split-squad style, some Mets are taking on the Washington Nationals with Livan Hernandez making the start. Four innings for Hernandez, who allowed three runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out one.

The fifth starter position is wide open.

Pagan out with elbow issue

Angel Pagan will be losing ground for the backup outfield position, as he will head back to New York City to have an MRI on his right elbow.

Pagan has been sidelined with swelling in his elbow and may be out for an extended period of time with the issue and subsequent travel.

Again, where the heck are all the MRI machines in Florida? Oh, there are only 428 results that come up when you search "MRI, port st. lucie" in Google.

Anyway, I think this knocks him out of roster spot contention. This gives a pretty nice lead to Jeremy Reed.

Fulfilling my Sidney Ponson post obligation

I believe it's written somewhere that if you write about baseball, and you travel to Aruba, you must write something about Sidney Ponson. Thankfully, there is some news about him that does not involve punching a judge or shutting down the New York Mets.

Ponson, through all his hardships, is apparently still "worshiped" in Aruba. According to my parents, who have been here five times previous, there is an entire wall dedicated to him in the Champions sports bar. I will make it my mission to capture photographic evidence.

Born in Noord, Aruba, Ponson is able to pitch for the Netherlands team because of the lineage of the island.

Ponson, starting for the Netherlands against the heavily-favored Dominican Republic team on Saturday, threw four innings, allowing five hits and two runs. He walked three and struck out one.

Thanks to three runs off of Edison Volquez in the first inning and strong relief help, the Netherlands were able to upset the Dominican team for their first win in the 2008 World Baseball Classic.

I will try my best to find this mini-shrine to Ponson.

One up, one down

Two steps forward, one step back for the Mets rotation today.

Johan Santana finally faced live batters, throwing 36 pitches. Twenty-two of the 36 went for strikes and his changeup was "especially sharp" according to David Lennon.

Adam Rubin relays this quote:

"I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be ready for it," Santana said about Opening Day.

Sounds good, but the Mets shouldn't let Santana call the shots. First of all, he should be tested for whatever may be ailing him, not matter what. Good to see and hear, though.

But it wasn't all good news for the Mets. Mike Pelfrey has been shut down indefinitely due to a muscle strain in his leg.

Hopefully it's nothing and he can bounce back soon enough.

The State of the Mets -- 3/7/09

As you're reading this, I'm likely flying over your heads on my way to Aruba, but I prepared my weekly State of the Mets in advance.

Topics covered: Luis Castillo, Fernando Tatis and the race for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Enjoy.

It begins with Castillo

Adam Rubin again, this time with an completely un-shocking update after the Mets beat the Cardinals 5-4 in Jupiter.

Luis Castilo had to leave the game as a precaution. He had his left hamstring wrapped after the game and indicated he'd be fine. “With these surfaces down here, they’re a little hard and guys tend to tighten up a little bit,” Jerry Manuel said. “We’re just being extra careful.”

Everyone that is surprised, please raise your hand...

OK. I see no one raised their hands. I'm not surprised either.

Is this the beginning of the end? Or has the end already come?