Daily Archives: February 11, 2008
The Mets signed RHP Tony Armas Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
He appeared in 31 games last year as a starter and reliever, posting a 4-5 record with a 6.03 ERA.
…armas is probably best known for being one of the top Boston prospects sent to the Expos for Pedro Martinez…now he’s fighting for a roster spot on pedro’s team…
In an update to Stadium Page, Derek Pistek has posted new photos from the construction site for Citi Field.
…great work, derek…
…hat tip to steedy for the link…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
Tonight at 7 pm on SNY, Kevin Burkhardt sits down for an exclusive SNY Spotlight interview with Willie Randolph.
According to SNY, “Viewers will see a lighter 
side of the Mets Manager as he discusses a range of topics including what Jackie Robinson meant to him growing up, the historic Mets collapse in 07, Barry Bonds and steroids, as well as Johan Santana coming to the Mets.”
Randolph, speaking about the Collapse, while talking with Burkhardt…
“I didn’t like the way things were feeling to me, I’ll admit that. I could just sense, and I have a good feel for the pulse of my team, so I could sense that we were on our heels a little bit obviously, but to the last day…to the last day Kev, I had a feeling…I knew we were going to win it. I was supremely confident. I’ve always been that way with my players. They were confident, even though you could see there was a little bit of a different body language, there wasn’t as much enthusiasm, but that happens when your struggling so that’s natural, but I felt to the last day until Glavine took the ball, that we were going to win that game, and possibly go to Philadelphia for a playoff game.”
…man, i am super eager to see how willie handles this coming camp and to hear what he has to say to his players when they all gather for the first time on Feb. 21…i expect him to revert back to Camp Willie, the no-nonsense, focused, overtly-professional camp that he brought to the team in his first year…at that time, i worried that he was turning the team in to the Yankees…but, i know realize what that style accomplished…and i see now that it could be of use again…it doesn’t have to be permanent…but, after last year’s end, this team must be 100 percent about winning…nothing more…nothing less…
Tagged SNY, Willie Randolph |
Mike G. wrote in:
“I was wondering if you would consider David Wright a five-tool player considering what he did last season.”
…although the subjective debate for what a five-tool player actually is never ends, i 
think wright qualifies for several reasons, and not just because of last season…
Wright’s first full season was in 2005, and since then he has averaged nearly 28 HR per season, placing him in at least the top five among all national league third basemen each year since. Wright also joined the 30-30 club last year.
Wright’s batting average has increased in each of the last three seasons, topping off in 2007 at .325. He has made it a primary focus to become more of an all-around hitter, and it has been paying off.
Wright has led all national league third basemen in stolen bases in each of the last three seasons.
…the only third basemen across the league to swipe more bags since 2005 are Alex Rodriguez in ’05 and Chone Figgins, pretty good company…34 stolen bases in 2007, and overall good baserunning ability make this third tool a no-brainer…
…david’s defense and throwing arm is the only questionable area…he continues to make around 20 errors per season and still has a problem with erratic throws from time to time…personally, i feel his defense is sufficient because wright gets to more balls than most third baseman would, and makes above average plays on them…some of the ground balls he gets to, and can’t complete the play on, shouldn’t count against him – but unfortunately they do…although he still has room to improve in this area, the foundation is there for wright to remain a five-tool player for a long time…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
SNY and Keith Hernandez have agreed to a multi-year contract extension.
Tonight on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove Report, Kevin Burkhardt will talk with Hernandez about the Mets off-season.
…also, i will be on to talk about my experience at the Johan Santana press conference…
The program airs at 6:30 PM EST, and again at 11:00 PM EST.
Immediately after Hot Stove, at 7 pm, Burkhardt will talk with Willie Randolph, and at 7:30 pm Mets Classics will debut Mike Piazza’s first game as a Met from May 23, 1998.
By the way, Hot Stove is asking, “Who should be the Mets’ Opening Day starter?”
To vote, go to 
and scroll down.
Donovan Mitchell will manage the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats in 2008.
Mitchell, 38, managed the Mets Rookie League team in Kingsport, Tenn. the past two seasons. Before that, he served as the hitting coach with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2004 and 2005.
Mitchell is replacing Tim Teufel who now manages St. Lucie.
Tagged Minors, Regis Courtemanche |
In his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes now that the likes of Dan Haren, Johan Santana and Erik Bedard have been traded, RHP Joe Blanton has become the best pitcher available on the market.
Olney explains how the Reds have been Blanton’s biggest pursuer, while the Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, Red Sox and Phillies are jockeying for position.
…if i had to take a guess, i think he lands in red sox nation following shilling-gate…no matter what, it definitely feels good that the Mets don’t have to get involved in these discussions…
In an article for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Brian Woodson relays Billy Wagner‘s thoughts on last season, his teammates, and this season.
Wagner, as quoted by Woodson on last season…
“Honestly, we were never really that good, we were lucky, we had a good team, but we never really had that killer instinct. You can’t turn it on and turn it off during a season, you’ve got to play the whole thing out.”
“Honestly, we were never really that good, we were lucky, we had a good team, but we never really had that killer instinct. You can’t turn it on and turn it off during a season, you’ve got to play the whole thing out.”Wagner on this season…
“We’ve got the team. We’ve got a great offense and a great defense, we’ve got some serious pitching potential so I think the Mets organization has given us every opportunity to be successful.”
Wagner on Carlos Delgado…
“He didn’t have his normal year and you know what, the New York fans were all over him, but he stayed his course and stayed positive and I expect him to have a great year this year.”
…for better or worse, you can always leave it to billy to comment on just about everything…
Wagner also opened the Second Chance Learning Center on Friday in Tazewell, Virginia where he played high school ball.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |In the New York Post, Steve Serby’s Sunday’s Q&A was with Johan Santana, who talks confidence, his hobbies, ‘three dinner guests,’ 
pitching under pressure and in the post season, Jose Reyes and his admiration of Rickey Henderson, among other things.
…this is a great interview, as are all of serby’s Q&As, which is a feature i have come to look forward to every weekend…
Santana, on confidence and winning a World Series, as quoted by Serby…
“You gotta be confident about the things that you want and the things you are capable to do. If everything goes right, we’re gonna have a pretty good chance to go into a World Series.”
…i have had the chance to talk with lots of people over the last week who know santana, or played with or coached him, and i keep hearing words like, “bulldog,” “focused,” and, “great teammate,” which is always nice to hear…talent aside, having his attitude and pedro’s attitude on the pitcher’s mound every few days all season long will help with this team’s confidence, all season long, no doubt…
Tagged Pedro Martinez |Over the weekend, 1B-OF Craig Wilson agreed to a minor league contract with the Reds and was invited to spring training.
According to last week’s New York Post, the Mets had interest in Wilson, who hit just .172 in 24 games with the Braves last season.
Additionally, the Padres agreed to terms with 1B Tony Clark on a one-year, $900,000 contract.
…according to my e-mail and eyeballs, there is a large group of Mets fans who are absolutely freaking out over 
not having a full-time, bona-fide back-up first baseman in camp…and i’m not totally sure why…i mean, it’s not like any option on the free agent market is going to be capable of replacing delgado on a full-time basis should carlos struggle or get injured…so, what’s the difference…at that point, i just as soon have the most well-rounded bench i can find…why lock one person in to one role…
…and so, as it stands, Damion Easley and Marlon Anderson appear to be this team’s back-up first baseman, both of whom have filled in at first during random times over the last few seasons…frankly, they appear to be this team’s back-up every thing…
…from what i can gather, the Mets had interest in wilson, but also had major questions as to whether he could ever crack the roster…like the team, i also believe that easley, marlon and even Ruben Gotay are better than he is…
In a report for FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal writes…
“The Mets do not believe Shannon Stewart or Kevin Mench would provide adequate insurance if Moises Alou were injured - Stewart has a below-average arm and Mench is a below-average defender.”
…i think the Mets like the idea of having a collection of bench players who can rotate in and out of the lineup, playing all different positions, giving Willie Randolph a lot of options while keeping his bench players fresh and alert…
…as i have said, my sense is that if a player like can be had on a minor-league deal, he may be invited to camp…otherwise, it just doesn’t sound like any more guaranteed contracts will be dished out, nor should they…
Tagged Ruben Gotay | ← Older posts
