Daily Archives: March 11, 2008
Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado returned to the lineup yesterday.
Beltran was hitless in three at-bats, while Delgado was hitless in two at-bats.
For more on their return, read the New York Post, Newsday, and the Star-Ledger.
Yesterday, Willie Randolph told reporters that Pedro Martinez will throw a second simulated game in Port St. Lucie today, while Orlando Hernandez will do the same on Wednesday.
Luis Castillo, who continues to work out in camp, taking batting practice and running the bases, told reporters that he hopes to get in a game towards the end of this week.
Tagged Orlando Hernandez, Pedro Martinez |In a report for the New York Post, Joel Sherman compares Willie Randolph’s current position with the Mets to where Giants coach 
Tom Coughlin was heading in to last season.
Ultimately, Sherman writes:
“It was not long ago that the general opinion was that Coughlin could never reach his players, that he did not know the buttons, did not have the temperament. Then it changed in that New York minute, a super transformation…Randolph shunned the comparison, stating his career is more than 2008…But no matter how you look at it, this season is going to be a huge part of Randolph’s biography. Will he emerge a giant?”
…i think it’s a fair and clever comparison…on a lot of levels, as sherman explains…
…i still believe, the only way willie is not back in 2009 is if the team does not make the playoffs in 2008…and i’m not even sure that is hard and fast…i mean, if the Mets win 90 games, play hard and just get beat - not like last year, in which the Mets essentially stumbled and lost their grip, but if they actually get beat - i could see him staying on…however, if the team stumbles and loses, or if they play uninspired, well, i suspect willie will be toast…the same can be said for the playoffs, too, i would think…
…however, as coughlin proved, this sort of debate can easily be rendered moot…either way, it’s premature…
Tagged Willie Randolph |During yesterday’s game, Johan Santana allowed no runs and two hits through four innings while striking out 
four of 15 batters.
For more on Santana’s day, read Jeremy Cothran in the Star-Ledger.
In the Star-Tribune, Joe Christensen talks with Santana about leaving Minnesota for New York.
Yesterday was the first time this spring that Brian Schneider was able to catch Santana in a game.
For more from Schneider, who let Santana call the shots, check out the Daily News.
Following the game, Santana told reporters he felt good, and that he is happy he was able to be more consistent with his pitches.
In the Daily News, Bill Madden talks with Red Sox GM Theo Epstein about the off-season scramble for Santana.
Epstein, among other comments, as quoted by Madden:
“It was portrayed that we were trying to drive up the price on the Yankees…Santana is certainly one of those players we were most interested in acquiring and we were willing to pay a significant price, contrary to reports that had us pulling out. The Twins just thought the Mets’ offer was better.”
…gee, imagine that…go figure…
Lastly, Rick Peterson was a guest on XM’s The Show with Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy yesterday, and said:
“You watch his bullpen, the guy is so intense, he’s so committed - whether it’s a game or practice. He’s a special individual, and with him and Pedro Martinez at the top of the rotation, I mean, that is just a pitching coach’s dream because they take it seriously. And Johan is so cerebral it’s amazing. He thinks on the mound about pitch sequences and situations and that on top of his talent makes him so great.”
…thanks to Peter Wade for the quote…
In a post to Always Amazin, Matt Artus takes a look at the team’s ‘leftover’ players in camp, from Ruben Gotay to Ricardo Rincon to Matt Wise.
According to Metstradamus, if the Mets have interest in 
acquiring a softball player, like Barry Bonds, they should look in to Team USA’s Jennie Finch or Nintendo’s Dusty Diamond.
Lenny Dykstra was a recent guest on HBO’s Real Sports. For more, check out Hot Foot.
In a post to Mets Fever, Ed Ryan wonders if it could be time to move Carlos Beltran to left field.
…we’re not there yet…however, this will come up in discussion more and more over the next few years, especially if the Mets can acquire a center fielder, while shifting beltran to left…in fact, i would not be surprised to hear more about this one year from now, when Moises Alou is a free agent…
In the New York Times, Ben Shpigel describes the scene in Tradition Field yesterday, which turned in to Fenway South.
…by the way, a few weeks ago, i purchased the Rotoworld Draft Kit, which recently won an award from the Fantasy Sports Trade Association…i just finished my fantasy draft, but, if you are still preparing, i highly recommend it…
To purchase the Rotoworld Draft Kit, click here.
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