Monthly Archives: March 2008
Willie Randolph, talking to reporters today in Miami, speaking about his team’s attitude going from spring 
training to the regular season, while starts tomorrow:
“I feel real good about it. Everybody got their work in, we got a lot of fundamentals done, after starting out a little beat up every one seems to be coming in to shape, so, yeah, we’re ready to rock and roll.”
Randolph told reporters he does not feel any additional pressure because of the way things ended last season. In fact, he says welcomes the increased expectations, adding:
“We expect to win, too. I don’t mind people expecting us to win, that’s the way it should be…I wanna win, we all wanna win…That’s why we’re here: to win a championship. That’s where my focus is.”
…hot damn, i am excited…i really am…i can’t wait for this season to get started…it’s been a particularly long off-season, considering the painful and abrupt ending to last year…tomorrow is the first step on the road to redemption, and i can’t wait for it to begin…
Tagged Willie Randolph |
The Mets will use the following starting lineup for tomorrow’s game against the Marlins, who will have the left-handed Mark Hendrickson on the mound:
SS Jose Reyes will bat leadoff, followed by 2B Luis Castillo, 3B David Wright, CF Carlos Beltran, 1B Carlos Delgado, LF Angel Pagan, RF Ryan Church, C Brian Schneider and LHP Johan Santana.
…so pagan, who’ll likely bat righty, will hit between delgado and church, who will bat from the left side…fair enough…it’s the lineup i hope to see all season long, with Moises Alou eventually replacing pagan in the same spot in the order…
According to the team, Orlando Hernandez, Duaner Sanchez and Ramon Castro will begin the season on the 15–day disabled list.
As such, Raul Casanova, Mike Pelfrey, Joe Smith and Brady Clark have been added to the team’s 25-man roster.
Clark will wear No. 44, i.e., R.I.P. Lastings Milledge.
Therefore, the following will be the 2008 New York Mets:
Starting Pitchers: Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine, Oliver Perez and Pelfrey
Relief Pitchers: Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoenweiss, Jorge Sosa, Matt Wise and Smith
Starting Lineup: Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Ryan Church, Angel Pagan and Brian Schneider.
Bench Players: Brady Clark, Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson, Damion Easley and Casanova.
For what it’s worth, Brian Stokes was designated for assignment while Fernando Tatis, Ricardo Rincon and Nelson Figueroa were sent to minor league camp for reassignment.
The Mets have told Mike Pelfrey he will be the team’s fifth starter, making his first appearance against the Braves in Atlanta on April 5.
…fair enough…like most of us had been saying, the job should have gone to el duque if he is healthy…if he is not, then go to the disabled list and give pelfrey another chance - his third in 12 months - to take hold of a spot in the starting rotation…
…good luck, mike…be aggressive…b…e…aggressive…
…Update…12:29 pm…
To hear from Pelfrey, check out the Journal News.
Joe Smith has beaten out Brian Stokes, Nelson Figueroa and Ricardo Rincon for the final spot in the team’s bullpen, according to the Journal News and Newsday, both of which also provide quotes from Smith.
…excellent…welcome back, smith, who has been fairly consistent of late, which is exactly what the team wanted to see from him…
Also, Brady Clark beat out Fernando Tatis - and Ruben Gotay - for the team’s final bench spot.
Following last night’s win over the White Sox in Memphis, the Mets flew to Miami, where they’ll face the Marlins tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm in the season opener.
The Mets will work out in Miami today, after which the team is expected to announce their final, opening-day, 25–man roster.
…it appears that the decisions are are as follows: either put Orlando Hernandez on the disabled list and give Mike Pelfrey the first few starts in April, or demote pelfrey and start hernandez; choose between Brian Stokes, Nelson Figueroa or the young Joe Smith for the last spot in the bullpen; and, lastly, pick either Brady Clark or Fernandez Tatis for the final roster spot, and then regret your decision in a few months when Ruben Gotay is doing well for the Braves…
In his weekly piece on baseball history for The Hardball Times, Richard Barbieri gives a brief rundown of the history of Shea Stadium, which will inevitably be overshadowed by Yankee Stadium as both venues complete their service runs in 2008.
Meanwhile, the top baseball story at ESPN.com this morning links to a special section entitled “Remembering the House that Ruth Built.”
…the universal fanfare won’t be there when shea’s demolished…in fact, i wouldn’t be surprised if half the fans are happy to see it go…but as barbieri—a yankees fan, no less—reminds us, shea had some notable moments…
…i think—i hope—that mets fans are trying not to lose sight of shea’s historical value, despite the circus surrounding yankee stadium this year…
Tagged Shea Stadium |The Mets will play the White Sox today at 5 pm 
in Memphis, Tenn., in the second annual Civil Rights Game.
The game will air live on ESPN.
John Maine will start for the Mets.
SS Jose Reyes will hit leadoff, followed by 2B Luis Castillo, 3B David Wright, OF Carlos Beltran, 1B Carlos Delgado, OF Ryan Church, PF Angel Pagan, C Brian Schneider and DH Brady Clark.
…well, that is the opening day lineup, plus clark as the designated hitter in place of maine…
For more on why the Civil Rights Game is so important and personal for Willie Randolph, check out Anthony DiComo’s report for MLB.com.
Today is the final exhibition game of the spring.
The Mets lost to the Orioles by the score of 4 to 3 today in Fort Lauderdale.
- Orlando Hernandez allowed one run, four hits, and one walk, while striking out two over five innings of work. He lowered his spring ERA to 6.75.
- Mike Pelfrey threw 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out two. Pelfrey’s spring ERA rose to 8.14.
- Jose Reyes had a single and a double in three at-bats. He also scored two runs and stole two bases, increasing his spring total to five.
- Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado were both hitless in two at-bats.
- Ryan Church was 0-for-5, leaving five men stranded.
- Fernando Tatis, who played both first base and left field, was hitless in four at-bats, lowering his spring average to .212.
…well, if today’s appearances were the determining factor for the final spot in the Mets starting rotation, then el duque clearly came out on top…i was hoping big pelf would seize the opportunity, but its becoming more obvious by the start, pelfrey needs to gain more confidence and experience by pitching in the minors…
…alright, duque, you “earned” your spot as the fifth starter, but now the question is, can you remain healthy until your expected first start on April 5…
Tagged Mike Nichols |The Braves have claimed Ruben Gotay off waivers.
According to a team press release, Gotay will be on Atlanta’s 25–man roster.
…no pressure, Fernando Tatis…no pressure…
…this is disappointing, especially since – the whole reason behind tatis making the team instead – is because tatis is a better hitter against left-handed pitching and is more versatile…whatever…i’m not so sure tatis can hit lefties, as much as he can stand in the box against lefties…i’ll believe he can hit them when i see it…also, versatile…really…hey, i can play outfield too…it doesn’t mean i can play it well, but i can stand out there and run after the ball…so, to call tatis versatile may be a slight stretch…
…i’m probably just annoyed that it’s the Braves, actually…ugh…if he turns in to the next Melvin Mora, so help me…
In similar, but different news, Steven Register was returned to the Colorado Rockies, and Anderson Hernandez was optioned back to Triple-A New Orleans.
…according to multiple reports, and logic, the Mets had been trying to work out a trade with the Rockies so they could keep register…i suppose it could still happen, but it doesn’t seem likely…
Tagged Ruben Gotay | ← Older postsNewer posts →
