2/25/10

Manuel’s Musing

Manuel's Musing “What Jason Bay gives us is a guy who is an average runner that has power. Even though we have a big left field, I think he can handle that.”

-Jerry Manuel on Jason Bay

2/24/10

Arturo Lopez DFA’d to make room for Barajas

As I wrote on Sunday, Rod Barajas needed to be on the 40-man roster when he got into camp.  The Mets, though, already had 40 players on that roster.

Today, with tweets from Steve Popper and Brian Costa, we learn that reliever Arturo Lopez has been designated for assignment to give a spot to Barajas.

Lopez, who was never called up to the Mets, was picked off waivers in the middle of last season.

Ex-Mets: You just can’t keep Livan away

Livan Hernandez has signed a minor-league contract with the Washington Nationals and could compete for a spot in the rotation.

Hernandez could earn up to $1.25 million if he makes the team and notches all his performance bonus benchmarks.

Hmm…I wonder what El Duque is up to.

Barajas contract breakdown

Here’s how Rod Barajas’ contract plays out, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts…

  • 1 year/$0.5M (2010)
    • signed by NY Mets as a free agent 2/21/10
    • $0.4M roster bonus for making Opening Day roster
    • $1M in performance bonuses

Manuel’s Musing

Manuel's Musing “I think if you told Jose today, 'Jose I am going to bat you eighth until you get right,' he wouldn't bat an eye. He is so excited to be back on the baseball field, I don't think it would be an issue with him at all.”

-Jerry Manuel on where he might bat Jose Reyes

2/23/10

Taking a stab at the 25-man roster

Though most of the positions are set for Opening Day (even though spring training is just kicking off), a few remain up in the air to be battled for in Port St. Lucie.

As I have it penciled in now, the Mets will carry four outfielders, with Gary Matthews Jr. able to play all OF positions.  Fernando Tatis can also work at the corners if needed.

I also have the Mets carrying three catchers.  I’m assuming Henry Blanco is going to be Johan Santana’s personal catcher.  I’m also assuming at 34, Rod Barajas may need some time off.  That leaves Santos on the roster as well.  (Assuming the team is smart and wants Josh Thole to get the full starting time in Triple-A.)

I have Fernando Nieve making the team as the long-relief man in the bullpen and Jon Niese as the team’s fifth starter.

The bench would be made up of GMJ, Alex Cora, Fernando Tatis, Henry Blanco and Omir Santos.

The outfield

  • Jason Bay
  • Angel Pagan
  • Gary Matthews Jr.
  • Jeff Francoeur

The infield

  • Daniel Murphy
  • Luis Castillo
  • Jose Reyes
  • David Wright
  • Alex Cora
  • Fernando Tatis

The catchers

  • Rod Barajas
  • Henry Blanco
  • Omir Santos

The starters

  • Johan Santana
  • Mike Pelfrey
  • Oliver Perez
  • John Maine
  • Jon Niese

The bullpen

  • Francisco Rodriguez
  • Kelvim Escobar
  • Pedro Feliciano
  • Bobby Parnell
  • Sean Green
  • Ryota Igarashi
  • Fernando Nieve

Where do you stand?  Who do you think will make the 25-man roster?

Mets sign Alex Cintron

The Mets have signed infielder Alex Cintron to a minor-league deal, as first reported by Baseball America.

Enjoy Buffalo.

2/22/10

Link: Coutinho toots own horn, explains Beltran

Head on over to Hot Foot to read an oddly self-serving quote from Rich Coutinho on Carlos Beltran and his path back to the playing field.

Um, thanks Rich.  You can hop down off that high horse now.

POLL: Where do the Mets finish the season?

Last week, I ran a poll asking how many wins the Mets would notch in 2010.  The results came back with the majority of fans picking them to win between 81-90 wins.

With such a wide span of wins, I figured it only made sense to post this poll.  Where do you see the Mets ending the 2010 season?  Vote below and hit the comments to discuss.

Heyman: Reyes to bat third until Beltran returns

Last spring training, we were all intrigued when Jerry Manuel discussed putting Jose Reyes in the third spot of his lineup.  We all scoffed when we heard the same thing this season.

But, according to Jon Heyman, this plan will be in action for more than just spring training.

Heyman tweets that Reyes will be batting third in the Mets lineup, at least until Carlos Beltran returns.

This, I think, is stupid.  We all know the saying “As Jose Reyes goes, so goes the Mets.”  That saying didn’t come from nowhere.  Reyes is the Mets sparkplug and dropping him to third seems silly.

There are other tweaks I’d like to see Manuel make with the lineup, but dropping Reyes out of the top spot is not one of them.

Here is what the opening day lineup will likely look like, if Manuel sticks to this plan…

  1. Angel Pagan
  2. Luis Castillo
  3. Jose Reyes
  4. Jason Bay
  5. David Wright
  6. Daniel Murphy
  7. Jeff Francoeur
  8. Rod Barajas
  9. Johan Santana

It’s actually not too bad, but I still think Reyes is better suited for the leadoff spot.

What do you think?  Leave your comments below.

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