Coste picked off waivers by Nats

Chris Coste, who was reported to be on waivers by Adam Rubin, has been selected off of them by the Washington Nationals, according to Brian Costa.

Coste, who signed with the Mets after they were the only team to guarantee him a 40-man roster spot, became much of an afterthought after the team signed Henry Blanco and Rod Barajas.  Many believed he would be the tutor for young Josh Thole at Buffalo.

With Coste to Washington, likely with concerns for ex-Met Jesus Flores’ shoulder, Josh Thole and Omir Santos are likely behind the plate for Buffalo next season.

Goodbye, Chris Coste.  We hardly knew ye.

Fun with spring training stats

We’re nearing the end of spring training and the time of stats and wins not mattering is coming to a close.  So let’s take a look at some of the numbers from 2010 spring training (so far).

• Ruben Tejada leads the team with 53 AB.  He also leads the Mets with 60 plate appearances.
• Fernando Martinez leads the Mets with 18 hits.  Tejada is second with 17.
• Jason Pridie has hit 5 doubles.
• David Wright’s 4 home runs leads the team.
• No one has driven in more runs that Wright or Martinez, both with 11.
• Gary Matthews Jr. has struck out 13 times.  Jason Bay is second with 11.
• Angel Pagan has swiped 4 bases.
• Of the likely five starters, Mike Pelfrey has the highest ERA: 7.97.  John Maine has a 7.94.
• Johan Santana has the highest WHIP with a 1.98.
• Pelfrey has surrendered 8 home runs in 20 1/3 IP (leading the team in innings).
• Sean Green and Oliver Perez walked 8 batters each.
• Hisanori Takahashi has struck out 13 batters, the most by a Met.

And that’s enough meaningless stats for today.  Enjoy your rainy Monday.

Manuel’s Musing

“Too close to call.”

-Jerry Manuel on final bench spot

Rubin: Green and Parnell likely to start at Triple-A

In an e-mail to Matt Cerrone, Adam Rubin, whose stint at ESPNNewYork.com starts next week, said he was told be a major league source that both Sean Green and Bobby Parnell are expected to start the season in Buffalo.

With those two subtractions from the 25-man roster, spots are open for three of Hisanori Takahashi, Nelson Figueroa, Jenrry Mejia or Kiko Calero.  My guess: The first three of those four make the team, with Calero getting called up a few weeks in.

Rubin also notes that Chris Coste is on waivers and can be picked up by any team.  If he doesn’t get picked up, the Mets can send him Triple-A, if Coste chooses to accept it.

Not really a surprise here.

With Green and Parnell heading to Buffalo, one wonders if Parnell might be worked more as a starting pitcher, as was the plan for the second half of last season before it was scrapped.  Green, whose $975,000 contract is guaranteed, will be sitting pretty in Buffalo waiting for a spot to open up on the big squad.

This seriously messes with my 25-man roster predictions.

Your Vote: Niese and Carter should make team

On Friday I posted a poll for which players should fill two of the last spots left up for grabs.

Here are the results for the bench spot…

And the 5th starter…

Manuel’s Musing

“I see him definitely as a part, because he has the
ability to throw strikes.”

-Jerry Manuel on Hisanori Takahashi

Jose Reyes, Opening Day and why it doesn’t matter

“Each day as the Mets move closer to the beginning of their season, the farther Jose Reyes seems to be from playing on Opening Day.”

-Marty Noble

Frankly, I don’t care if Reyes plays on April 5 or not.  If it takes him an extra week or two to recover from his fortnight off, get his swing back and get back into baseball shape, so be it.

If Alex Cora is starting on Opening Day, I’ll be mildly disappointed, but it won’t be the end of the world.  I’d rather Reyes, and the Mets medical staff for that matter, use extreme caution in working back into baseball shape.  Yes, they have to worry about the thyroid, but I’m more worried about his hamstring.  Let him slowly come back to baseball even if it means missing Opening Day.

And yes, Mets fans, you’ll just have to deal with it.  Wouldn’t you rather 150 solid games out of Reyes instead of hurrying to get back in time for Opening Day and risking injury or ignoring his health issues?  I would.

So take your time, Jose.  Don’t worry if you’re not ready for Opening Day.  In fact, I hope you miss it just to make sure you’re all right.

Link: Home run leaders by team

Bill Chuck, in the New York Times, published a list of home run leaders by team and some other home run related stats.

Here are where the Mets rank…

All-Time Team HR Leaders

24. New York Mets — Darryl Strawberry 252

All-Time Team Single Season HR Leaders

29. Mets – Carlos Beltran/Todd Hundley 41

I was shocked to see the Mets so low on the single season list.  I mean, I know 41 is the most a Met has hit in a season, but the fact that every other team outside of the Kansas City Royals has had a player hit more home runs in a single year was surprising.

Make The Call: Finish out the Mets roster

Two clear-cut spots are left up for grabs on the Mets roster: the final bench spot and the 5th starter.

Vote below to make your call and place your vote for who should make the Mets.

Let us know who you voted for, and why, in the comments.

The 2000 Mets all over again

Jorge Says No! links us to a Newark Bears press release which is looking to bring you back 10 years to the 2000 Mets.

Via the Newark Bears…

The Newark Bears announced today the signing of pitcher Armando Benitez and infielder Edgardo Alfonzo to the 2010 roster. Benitez and Alfonzo were teammates for the 2000 New York Mets.
 
“I am excited to add to the Bears tradition. Two more established Major Leaguers, Edgardo and Armando were both key components to the Mets success in 2000,” said Manager Tim Raines. “They are both proven talents on the field and their leadership in the clubhouse is the perfect fit for our 2010 team.”

Go Mets Bears!