The State of the Mets -- 3/14/09

As I fly home from Aruba, I'll leave you with the weekly edition of The State of the Mets.

I cover: Tim Redding, Johan Santana and Pudge Rodriguez.

Enjoy.

Santana encouraged by first start of the spring

47 pitches. Three runs. One happy pitcher.

Not a normal thing to see when a pitcher gives up three runs in 2 2-3 innings on the mound, but for Johan Santana, it was all about how he felt.

Ben Shpigel relays a quote:

“To be my first time and my first time being in a real game — a real game situation — it felt pretty good,” Santana said.

I like it.

Lenny Neslin was getting on me in the comments of a previous post as to why I am pleased, even if Santana didn't pitch very well. On one hand, of course it's not good to see him giving up runs, but for his first time on the mound, it's not terrible. (Tim Redding is a different case entirely.)

For Santana, who was struggling with injuries, it's good just to get him on the mound and in a game. The results don't quite matter, as it was nothing absurd (again, not like Redding) and it's all about how his arm feels.

Ambiorix Burgos found guilty

Ambiorix Burgos was found guilty of beating his girlfriend in New York, and will be sentenced on April 3.

From the Daily News:

Burgos, 24, was convicted Thursday of beating his girlfriend in a hotel near Shea Stadium in September after she tried to leave their room to go register her young daughter for school. A jury spent just over an hour deliberating before convicting the 6-foot-3, 235-pound righthander of misdemeanor assault.
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Burgos beat and bit single mom Maria Lopez, 26, and threw her up against a wall. But his lawyer, Edgar DeLeon, said the woman waited two days to photograph her injuries and implied that she was out to get the free agent ballplayer's money. He was sent straight to Rikers Island and faces up to a year when he is sentenced April 3.

This is only the first hurdle for Burgos, as he still is set to stand trial in the Dominican Republic for reportedly killing two women with his Hummer. Burgos claims he was not driving.

What an idiot.

Tim Redding seems to be struggling

In his first appearance in spring, Tim Redding got rocked by the University of Michigan. His second time around, last night, he got trounced by the Florida Marlins.

Redding allowed nine runs on eight hits, including three home runs, in only two innings of work. Adding that to his 1-3 of an inning and five runs against U of M, he's given up 14 runs in 2 1-3 innings. He now has an ERA of 40.50.

Still, though, Redding will make the Mets. All of his $2.5 million contract is guaranteed so there is no way the team can cut him and save money. His early performances have seemingly knocked him out of major contention for the fifth spot in the rotation. I think he'll be the long man in the bullpen.

Here's a pretty telling little exchange, via David Lennon:

When Redding was brought up, Manuel said, "Ooooo," then looked under his desk, adding, "Let me find something I can say about Tim Redding."

Once the laughter stopped, Manuel straightened back up. "It's still relatively early in spring training," he said. "He's a veteran pitcher ... he'll get better."

He likely will get better (because you can't be that bad for that long, right?) and will fit in nicely in the bullpen.

This opens up the door for Jon Niese, Freddy Garcia and Bobby Parnell for the possible fifth spot in the rotation.

Santana into the third

This morning, I predicted Johan Santana would only throw two innings in his first Grapefruit League action. Right now, Santana is into his third inning of work.

Through 2.2 IP, Santana has given up one run on a Dan Uggla home run. He also allowed a single to pitcher Ricky Nolasco.

Update: Still only though 2.2, Santana has allowed another hit and another run.

Update 2: Another run is in, but Santana is out of the game.

Final line: 2.2 IP, 4 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 Ks.

I'm more than happy with this. Hope his arm feels fine.

Single game tix on sale for Citi Field starting March 15

Here's the press release from the Mets:

The New York Mets today announced that single game tickets for April and May home games for the Inaugural Season at Citi Field will go on sale this Sunday, March 15 at 10:00 a.m. exclusively online at Mets.com, LosMets.com, and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX. Ticket prices start at $11.

The following day, Monday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m., the sale will expand to include in-person sales locations at Citi Field's Bullpen Gate Advance Ticket Window on 126th Street at 37th Avenue, the Mets Clubhouse Shops in Manhattan (42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, across from Bryant Park) and at the Roosevelt Field Mall (Garden City, Long Island), and KeySpan Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn (details attached). The Mets in the weeks ahead will announce the on-sale date for single game tickets for the balance of the season.

Non-refundable service charges are applicable on Mets.com, by phone, and at the Mets Clubhouse Shops. Fans will have the same access to available ticket inventory online at Mets.com and LosMets.com, as on the (718) 507-TIXX phone line.

Single Game tickets to Opening Day at Citi Field - Monday, April 13 against the San Diego Padres - were available to the general public through an online random drawing, which generated more than 800,000 registrations. Limited inventory for Opening Day remains available in Mets Season Tickets.

Mets Season Ticket and Plan sales are pacing nearly 10% ahead of last year's comparable year-to-date record breaking sales.

Tickets for the March 29 Citi Field Big East college baseball game between St. John's University and Georgetown University and the April 3-4 exhibition games against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field each sold out earlier this month in 45 minutes through Mets.com, LosMets.com, and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX.

The 2009 Mets schedule - including information on promotional dates, heritage and theme days/nights, and other special events - is available at Mets.com and LosMets.com.

Tom Martin breaks wrist

Tom Martin, a possible bullpen candidate, broke his wrist in a fall in his rented home on Thursday. Martin fell down the stairs at his home.

Ron Villone's signing becomes bigger and bigger with each passing day. First Duaner Sanchez gets cut, now Martin is out.

If you're competing for a Mets bullpen spot, I'd watch your back.

Santana to pitch tonight, on track for Opening Day

Johan Santana will make his first Grapefruit League appearance tonight against the Marlins. The game is at 7:10 p.m., under the lights at Tradition Field, and will be aired on SNY.

Santana, who has been struggling with elbow issues as he attempts to come back from knee surgery, will likely only pitch two innings in his first stint on the mound.

This is good news for any Mets fans, as we all have been watching the injury reports with bated breath. If the ace of the staff can walk off the mound confident with his arm and how he threw the baseball, I think there will be a collective sigh of relief from the Citi Faithful (That was weird to type!).

There is no doubt that he is the most important player to the Mets. His stats are not important tonight, only how he feels. I'm sure we'll hear a lot of whining if he gets rocked for three runs in two innings, but we must disregard that tonight.

If he feels good, I'll be happy.

Mets sign seven

Joel Sherman is reporting that the Mets have signed seven players, all for roughly the same amount of money.

• Daniel Murphy -- $401,000
• Nick Evans -- $403,000
• Robinson Cancel -- $408,000
• Jon Niese -- $400,000
• Bobby Parnell -- $400,000
• Connor Robertson -- $400,000
• Brian Stokes -- $409,500

Much better quote from Maine

On Thursday, John Maine was quoted as saying:

"I just don’t feel good out there," Maine said. "I’m trying to do something different mechanically every pitch. It’s not working. I just feel terrible out there."

I was, obviously, worried.

Yesterday, Maine pitched again, and had much, much better things to say:

"It is frustrating - just the results - but I felt good out there," Maine said. "I wasn't throwing the ball all over the place. If I was missing, I was barely missing. I threw the ball well. It could have just as easily been 0-0 as 5-0 and that happens. But I felt fine throwing."

We all can breathe a little easier.