Daily Archives: February 25, 2008
…in case you care, my MetsBlog Minute was bumped from the Mets Hot Stove Report, and will air during Geico’s SportsNite instead…
In his latest mailbag for MLB.com, Marty Noble answers questions 
about the Mets leadership roles, the signing of Brady Clark, and the pitching rotation in 2008 and beyond, among other things.
Noble writes…
“The Mets would be better off now and in the future if they move Hernandez into the bullpen and start Mike Pelfrey in the rotation. Hernandez would stand a better chance of lasting the entire season, and Pelfrey would get some positive big league time. When 2009 comes, the Mets might only have Maine and Santana in their rotation.”
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
…man, this is really becoming the popular topic, isn’t it…we, as fans, were talking about this month’s ago it seems…but, now it’s all over the place…probably because newspaper and magazine people are staring a gimpy el duque in the face now, and once again realize that he is made of paper mache…
In a report for SI.com, Jon Heyman explains that at one point this 
winter, the Mets were shopping Orlando Hernandez, ‘who is literally hurting from head to toe.’
According to Heyman, had the Mets been able to trade Hernandez, who did not draw much interest, they would have signed Kyle Lohse, who is still a free agent.
…i keep getting e-mails from fans who still believe the Mets should sign lohse…sure, if he’ll take a minor-league deal, which i doubt he’ll need to accept…despite el duque’s instability, i just can’t see guaranteeing a roster spot to lohse, since it will mean moving el duque to the bullpen - no questions asked…
Heyman also gives a break down of both side’s positions during the Oliver Perez arbitration case; as well as information on Ryan Howard’s next deal, Barry Bonds and the future of Freddy Garcia, among other things.
Tagged Orlando Hernandez |Tonight on the final edition of 
‘s Mets Hot Stove Report, Kevin Burkhardt will talk one on one with Carlos Beltran and Marlon Anderson, and show clips from today’s intrasquad game.
…also, assuming i do not get bumped, i will be on talking about our collective confidence, which is surprisingly high for a group of people who won nothing last season…
By the way, Mets Hot Stove Report is asking: “How many games will the Mets win this season?”
To vote, go to 
and scroll down.
In his latest for SI.com, Jon Heyman talks about the recent ‘war of words’ between the Mets and Phillies.
Heyman writes…
“Beltran and other Mets types are understandably excited about the acquisition of ace pitcher Johan Santana. Yet the Mets should hold their tongues now for two very good reasons:
1) They had their chance last spring when Rollins spoke, but to a man, they were afraid to speak up, a reticence that was later reflected in the way they played — scared; and
2) Philly beat the Mets to a pulp down the stretch, winning the last seven head-to-head games.”
…if you’re interested in reading more about last year and heyman’s man love for rollins, then this is the article for you…the Phillies certainly did a number on the Mets head to head…there’s no denying that…and yet, it was still the Mets who flat out gave the division away, the Phillies didn’t exactly have to go on a tear to win it…anyway, enough already about last year...
In a post to Newsday, Mike Rose gives a quick recap of today’s intrasquad game in St. Lucie, during which Team Alomar won 7–5.
At Gotham Baseball Magazine, Mike Silva tells the 
Mets, “Don’t Tell Me, Show Me,’ with regards to the team’s spring-time confidence.
…i tend to agree with mike…i mean, wasn’t it over confidence that sort of got these guys in to trouble last summer…how about we table the confidence, and earn it with a nice long summer of winning…
Lastly, according to the Church of the Fonz, former-Mets 2B Edgardo Alfonzo has reported to Texas Rangers camp in hopes of returning to the major leagues for the first time since 2006.
In a post to Hot Foot, Matt Matros explains why tomorrow is the most anticipated spring training game in Mets history.
…thanks to Peter Wade for the link, and who wonders if the Mets could bring fonzi back if he is unable to make the Rangers…
…i doubt it, peter…first, this organization has so many second basemen, i’m starting to lose count…second, the Mets have had ample opportunities to bring back fonzi, even on a minor-league deal, knowing full well that he’d love to be here, and yet they have not brought him in…so, i have to believe the same would be the case again should the opportunity arise…
[poll=55]
Tagged Poll |As noted earlier, according to Jerry Crasnick at ESPN.com, the Red Sox have signed Bartolo Colon to a minor-league deal.
During an appearance on ESPN News a few moments ago, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney said…
“He kind of fell in to (Boston’s) lap. He actually was close to a deal with the Mets in early January, then the Mets to a close look at his arm and called off that deal.”
…added to by Peter Wade, who provided the above quote…
…since it only took a minor league deal to secure colon, i do wish omar would have taken a chance on him…having colon pitching and getting into shape would make me feel better than having no real back-up plan in case pelfrey is not ready or Orlando Hernandez is not healthy…plus with three minor league pitchers gone in the santana deal, there’s plenty of room…
…the word from Tradition Field is that Duaner 
Sanchez looked quite good, though a bit erratic, while pitching in today’s intrasquad game…he threw 26 pitches in one full inning, and though he walked the bases loaded at one point, and allowed a hit to Ramon Castro, he struck out Fernando Martinez, he looked healthy, and did not injure himself…which is really the real point here…
…i’m happy for duaner, who must be relieved to finally throw his first full inning of live baseball since late summer 2006…
For periodic updates from the game, keep an eye on Adam Rubin and his blog for the Daily News, as well as Mike Rose, who is pinch hitting for David Lennon at Newsday.
…Update…1 pm…
According to a text message from SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Sanchez looked ‘pretty good,’ and his change-up was real sharp.
After his session, Sanchez told reporters that felt good.
The Mets will soon start an intrasquad game on Field 7.
To check out the starting lineups, go to Newsday.
…i’d be willing to bet that somewhere, some place, there is a fan who is seriously annoyed with how Willie Randolph chose to make out his intrasquad lineup…
In a report for the Star-Ledger, Jeremy Cothran catches up with Matt Wise, who is competing for a spot in the team’s bullpen.
According to Jerry Crasnick at ESPN.com, the Red Sox have signed Bartolo Colon to a minor-league deal.
…which must mean that teams like the Mets, White Sox and others, who scouted him for months and checked in on his medical records, all decided he was not even worth that, let alone the two-year deal he had been rumored to be seeking…
In the Bergen Record, Steve Popper wonders if Orlando Hernandez is ‘damaged goods.’
…yes…he is…which is not to say he can’t be effective…but, if i’m Mike Pelfrey, i never let up this spring…
Lastly, at his blog for the Daily News, Adam Rubin has posted Johan Santana’s photo from this year’s Mets Cook Book.
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