Daily Archives: March 19, 2008
In a post to his blog for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark writes:
“The Mets love Marcus Thames, but
they’re not going to trade Aaron Heilman for him.”
According to Stark, while the Mets prefer Thames or Xavier Nady, “They continue to kick the tires on a group that includes Reed Johnson, Ryan Freel and Juan Rivera.”
However, in this morning’s Daily News, citing team officials, Adam Rubin writes that the Mets are unwilling to trade a young pitching prospect, such as Jon Niese, for a player like Rivera, “thwarting any potential deal with the Angels.”
…thanks to Peter Wade for the link to stark’s blog…
The Mets are home tonight taking on the Cleveland Indians.
SS Jose Reyes will bat leadoff, followed in order by 2B Luis Castillo, 3B David Wright, CF Carlos Beltran, 1B Damion Easley, RF Ryan Church, C Raul Casanova, LF Angel Pagan and tonight’s pitcher RH John Maine
John Maine will start for the Mets. He has allowed 11 hits and 4 runs in 13 2/3 innings pitched this spring.
Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoeneweis are scheduled to pitch as well.
The game is being broadcasted tonight on SNY at 7:10 pm.
According to Anthony De Rosa, reporting for SNY, while in Port St. Lucie, Brian Schneider will once again not be in tonight’s lineup due to a sore right hamstring.
Raul Casanova will start instead, with Ramon Castro sidelined with a strained right hamstring as well.
According to Anthony De Rosa, reporting for SNY, Jose Valentin is currently taking infield practice at first base.
Earlier today, Valentin told reporters that anti-inflammatory pills have helped to relieve pain from a pinched nerve in his neck.
…whether or not jose decides to get an injection to help stop the pain, which could impact his decision to retire, could be determined by how good or bad he feels following today’s work out and batting practice…
Mets management had a meeting earlier today to discuss whether Brian Schneider and Duaner Sanchez should play in tonight’s game.
Schneider told reporters he is feeling better today than yesterday, while Sanchez told reporters he is eager to increase his workload in an effort to be ready for opening day.
Meanwhile, the team told Jose Valentin to try and stretch and take batting practice before today’s game.
For other news and notes, including an update on Ruben Gotay, who says he is at 85 percent, check out blogs from Newsday, the Star-Ledger and Daily News.
…by the way, Anthony De Rosa is in Port St. Lucie working this week as a reporter for SNY…he will be filing reports for SNY.tv, while feeding us the occasional bit of info as well…
Tagged Ruben Gotay |In a post to Minor League Ball, prospect guru John Sickels takes a closer look at Fernando Martinez, of whom he writes:
“Martinez has enormous potential, clearly…While scouts are unanimous about his tools, no one is quite certain about how his skills are going to develop. Some see him developing into a 30+ homer guy, while some think he’ll be more of a high batting average guy with OK power, and some see him developing both…Given a normal growth curve, Martinez should be an excellent player. But the shape that excellence will take is unclear to me…If I was a Mets fan, would I be super-excited about Martinez? Sure. As a general baseball fan I find his case a fascinating one.”
…i’m as excited about this kid as the next fan, but i try to always remind myself that he has yet to have a full, successful season in double-a or higher, and he is only 19 years old…at which point, i usually bring my expectations down to earth…though it’s only a matter or minutes before i get giddy again…
…thanks to the irreplaceable Peter Wade for the link…
In a post to NYFS, the entire staff writes about who will be the team’s back-up catcher, should Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro be unable to start the season on time.
…as i said earlier today, i hope schneider does not play today…give it one more day, and play tomorrow at home at night against the Orioles…
…i seem to be the only person who is not worried about castro and schneider…i don’t know why, but i expect them both to be ready when the season starts…12 days from now…
In a report for the Port St. Lucie News, Eric Phaler writes about David Wright and his ability to adjust to the big leagues without skipping a beat.
Wright, on Jose Reyes being his teammate, as quoted by Phaler:
“Both of us have kind of come up together; we’ve learned from each other. We’ve both made plenty of mistakes, but we try not to make them again. But having a player the same age - you know, kind of the same expectations - playing next to you definitely helps out.”
At the Eddie Kranepool Society, Steve describes this portion of the exhibition season as The Dog Days of Spring.
For a book she is writing, Kathy Henry is looking for stories from 
fans who have made an annual trip to Port St. Lucie, Fla., to see the Mets.
She writes…
“I’m looking for those extraordinary Met fans who have made the annual pilgrimage to Port St Lucie, once, twice, every year for the last 20 years, whatever. I’m working on a project about Mets Spring Training and would love to hear about some of their experiences – unique, funny, interesting, moving, crazy. What have they done to get the attention of their favorite player? Did you meet someone there years ago who is now a best friend? I am not interested in stories about players who blew you off or how it’s not as fan friendly as it used to be at Tradition. Nothing negative, please. Any stories from Spring Training at Albert Lang Field would be especially appreciated.”
If you’re interested in helping Kathy with her book, email her your stories at chasingmets@verizon.net.
In the Daily News, citing ‘scouts,’ Adam Rubin reports 
that the Mets are looking to acquire a right-handed bat for the outfielder who can also play first base
Rubin continues on to explain why acquiring Angels OF-1B Juan Rivera is ‘unlikely.’
…i have a feeling this exact same justification can be transposed on to any attractive player you would like to see acquired by the Mets…remember, a) nothing is free, and b) if there is a player on your roster that you don’t want, odds are good that the other team has no interest in him as well…
Yesterday, Orlando Hernandez threw a four-inning, 80-pitch simulated game at Tradition Field.
Following the ‘game,’ he told reporters he is scheduled to start in a real game on Sunday at home against the Cardinals.
According to multiple reports, Hernandez topped out at 81 mph, while mostly throwing fastballs in the upper 70s.
…yesterday, in the comments section of this site, sincekindergarten wrote the following:
“81 mph??? I drive faster than that.”
…which made me laugh out loud…well played…
Willie Randolph, on El Duque, yesterday afternoon:
“With El Duque, you’ve got to go one day at a time.”
…man, you can say that again…i mean, usually this would be an expression…with el duque, it’s the absolute truth…
For more on Hernandez’s simulated game, including a tepid reaction from Omar Minaya, read the Daily News, Newsday, the Star-Ledger, and the Bergen Record.
Mike Pelfrey also threw a simulated game yesterday at Tradition Field, of which Steve Popper writes the following in the Record:
“He not only threw 90 pitches in six innings, but had far more life on his deliveries than El Duque.”
Ramon Castro, who caught Pelfrey during yesterday’s ‘game,’ said the following to reporters after the outing:
“He’s a different pitcher than last year. He’s more confident. He’s got other pitches he can use. He can be behind the hitter and throw a changeup, or a slider…Last year, it would be basically be all fastballs.”
…i understand that when orlando is healthy, he can be a huge asset, because he is crafty, a winner and has tons of experience pitching in big games…the thing is, he’s never healthy…
…so, emotionally speaking, and considering that pelfrey has looked better, i’m starting to wonder why the Mets bother to go through this charade every five days, since we all assume it’s only a matter of time before el duque comes up lame again…
…fortunately, the Mets do not have to rush to make a decision…they can avoid making definitive statements, and wait and see how both pitchers progress through the next month, at which point they’ll need to decide on a fifth starter…
Tagged Mike Pelfrey, Orlando Hernandez | ← Older posts
