Daily Archives: March 11, 2008
In a spot called First Person at 
, Billy Wagner and Aaron Heilman talk about the impact Johan Santana will have on their team’s bullpen.
Wagner, among other comments, says:
“He eats innings, and it allows you to be able to use your bullpen in the right way. Willie we’ll be able to stack his bullpen on the days Johan pitches because he has a good chance of pitching seven innings, and possibly a complete game, which could lead to your John Maine or Perez not feeling like they have to throw seven or eight innings…Our bullpen will get a rest…So, he’s a huge, huge asset.”
…last season, Willie Randolph received a ton of criticism for how he managed his team’s bullpen, which was fair on some days, and unfair on others considering that his starting rotation did need him no favors…which is exactly what wagner is talking about here…if willie’s bullpen is healthy, rested and pitching well, it will be interesting to see how he does with the staff, because, if i remember correctly, he didn’t get a lot of flack in 2006, when the bullpen was brilliant…
…you’re right, David Lennon from Newsday, it’s time i accept Angel Pagan for what he is…he’s earned it, so far…i’m not saying he should be guaranteed an opening day roster spot, just because he is hitting .415 in 13 games this spring, and with three weeks left until the start of the season, but i should at least accept him as the front runner to fill in for Moises Alou…
…plus, let’s not forget, pagan is a former Mets prospect, who is now back in the fold, so we should want him to succeed…
…so, for now, until pagan proves otherwise, i do not want the Mets to trade more young talent, or extra relievers, and over-pay to acquire a guy like Juan Rivera, Randy Winn or Xavier Nady…
Facing Carlos Beltran and three minor leaguers, 
including Mike Carp, Pedro Martinez successfully tossed a 59–pitch simulated game earlier today at Tradition Field.
Beltran was 1–for-5 against Martinez.
…i would have enjoyed watching pedro pitch to beltran…that’s unique…even if it is just a simulated game…
For more on Martinez’s afternoon, during which he had an 87–mph fastball and a 67–mph change-up, check out the Journal News, Daily News, New York Post and the Star-Ledger.
As expected, Martinez is still on pace to start Sunday in St. Lucie against the Detroit Tigers.
Tagged Pedro Martinez |
In an interview with WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog today, Yankees GM Brian Cashman cited the failure of Generation K while defending the slow-paced development of Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes.
…lovely…i’m glad our blue-and-orange nightmare could help pave the way for the subsequent nightmare of joba and hughes…ugh…
…Generation K, it’s the gift that keeps on giving…
Bill Shaikan of the Los Angeles Times speculates, with a crowded outfield, the Angels may look to trade OF Juan Rivera for ‘pitching depth.’
Rivera, who missed all but 14 games last season due to a broken leg, batted .279 with two HR and eight RBI in 43 at-bats.
…rivera, in my opinion, would be the ultimate fit for the Mets this season…a right-handed bat, who has some pop and a good eye (career .340 OBP)…with the absence of Moises Alou, rivera is an immediate fit and would give the Mets the opportunity to not overexpose the likes of Endy Chavez and Marlon Anderon…plus, when alou returns, rivera would be the slugging right-handed bat off the bench the Mets so desperately need…
Rivera is due $2.025 million and will become a free agent at the end of the season.
Tagged Mike Nichols |The Mets will face the Red Sox today in Fort Myers, Fla., at 1 pm.
2B Argenis Reyes will bat leadoff, followed in order by OF Endy Chavez, OF Angel Pagan, OF Ryan Church, 3B Damion Easley, DH Jose Valentin, C Raul Casanova, 1B Olmedo Saenz and SS Anderson Hernandez.
…poor Ryan Church…poor, poor Ryan Church…
Nelson Figueroa will start for the Mets.
…wow, with figueroa on the hill, this may be the most rag-tag of lineups to get the nod this spring…outstanding…
In a post to his blog for the Boston Herald, Tony Massarotti talked with 
Pedro Martinez yesterday while in Port St. Lucie, and deduced that Martinez will likely seek a three-year contract when he becomes a free agent after this season.
Massarotti also writes: “Martinez is candid about his desire to remain in New York, but he still has friends and feelings for Boston.”
…pedro for three more years…hmmm…i don’t know…i really, really don’t know…i need to think about this more, or at least see how he pitches in 2008…
[poll=58]
Tagged Pedro Martinez |The Mets will travel to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox today.
…interestingly, the Red Sox took an airplane to St. Lucie to face the Mets, while the Mets took a bus over the same distance to Fort Myers…
Meanwhile, Pedro Martinez will throw simulated game in Tradition Field.
…the Mets have said he’ll throw at 12:30…in reality, pedro will throw when pedro wants to throw…
Lastly, this morning, Jose Reyes arrived to the clubhouse to find his locker completely empty.
For more, check out Jeremy Cothran at the Star-Ledger, and Peter Botte in the Daily News.
At MiLB.com, Jonathan Mayo takes a closer look at the Mets minor-league system, listing 10 prospects to watch in 2008, such as OF Fernando Martinez, of whom he writes:
“Martinez is a natural hitter, the kind of talent the Mets feel comes around once in a generation…He has the ability to hit for average and power and can run…His makeup is off the charts - he’s worked tirelessly at improving his English and is willing to do what it takes to become great…If he stays healthy and produces the way he’s capable, he could see New York before season’s end.”
…i can’t help it, i’m getting very, very excited about this kid…i watched him a lot while i was in Port St. Lucie, and the more and more of these reports i read, the more and more i get giddy…which is never a wise move…but it is what it is…
Mayo also writes about RHP Eddie Kunz, LHP Jon Niese, C Francisco Pena, and 3B Daniel Murphy, among others.
By the way, speaking of Mayo, he recently released the book Facing Clemens, which will give you a sense of what it’s like to stand in the box and face Roger Clemens.
Tagged Minors |In a post to his blog for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark mentions that the Giants are shopping a variety of players, including 
33–year-old OF Randy Winn.
In 155 games for the Giants last season, Winn hit .300 with 57 extra base hits, 15 stolen bases and a .353 OBP.
What’s more, he hit .351 against left-handed pitchers, while playing all three outfield positions and one game at third base.
…he could actually be a perfect, temporary replacement for Moises Alou, should Angel Pagan slump and does not make the opening day roster…winn is healthy, consistent and reliable, which is exact what i would want in alou’s place…plus, if alou comes back healthy, there are always teams interested in a player like winn - and so he could probably get traded again…
Winn will be a free agent after this season, during which he has a partial no-trade clause and can block a deal to 10 specific teams.
According to a previous report from Gotham Baseball Magazine, the Mets had been scouting Winn prior to last year’s trade deadline.
Speaking of rumors, according to Jon Heyman at SI.com, at least one GM believes there is no chance that 1B Mark Teixeira will re-sign with the Braves, instead he’ll be heavily pursued by the Red Sox, Orioles, Yankees, Giants, Mariners, Dodgers and Angels.
Tagged Randy Winn | ← Older posts
