Daily Archives: February 12, 2009
Tonight, at 7 pm, Kevin Burkhardt will host Mets Hot Stove on SNY live from Duffy’s in Port St. Lucie, with guests David Lennon from Newsday, and Mets set-up men Sean Green and JJ Putz.
By the way, Jerry Manuel is expected to arrive in camp tomorrow, and will give his first talk with reporters on Saturday, following the team’s first offcial workout for pitchers and catchers, though several position players at already in camp.
Tagged SNY |
Mike from TapeMastersInc.net sent in the following video from his tour of Citi Field, from Feb. 11:
The following is my final off-season discussion for SNY.tv with Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors, during which we talk about the left-handed reliever market, and whether the Angels will look to trade an outfielder now that they have signed Bobby Abreu:
After a few requests for a MetBlog.com sponsored fantasy baseball league and my obsession of fantasy sports, I will be running a league on Yahoo.com.
If you are interested in joining, (more…)
Tagged MetsBlog, Mike Nichols |
According to El Nuevo Dia, the Astros have made a one-year, $2.5 million offer to free-agent C Ivan Rodriguez, which includes an additional $2.5 million in incentives.
However, the newspaper cites an anonymous source as saying Rodriguez would rather sign with the Mets, who have yet to make him an offer.
…thanks to Jacob G for the link…
Last week, Joel Sherman of the New York Post said the Mets are still trying to trade C Ramon Castro, in an effort to remove his $2.8 million from the payroll.
…as i said before, most people around the league seem to think pudge will remain a free agent through the World Baseball Classic, where he hopes to prove his health in advance of signing a major-league deal with a new team…
I decided to raise money this year for the American Cancer 
Society in honor of my father who passed away from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in March of 2004.
For every home run the New York Mets hit this season, I will be donating $5 to the American Cancer Society.
I have an overall goal of raising $5,000, but I can’t reach it alone.
Please help me ‘Knock Cancer Outta Here!,’ and reach my goal before season’s end on October 4th. All contributions go to the ACS and will help to fund cancer research.
All the details are on my ACS sponsored site.
Seriously, even $1 will help, and I will periodically update you on my progress.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and Let’s Go Mets!
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
Hess in New Paltz: It looks as though the Phillies have a good shot at signing Joe Beimel, particularly at a bargain. Do you think the Mets would get involved… I’d hate to see the Phillies replace JC Romero with Beimel on the cheap and potentially have two strong lefties come July.”
Matthew Cerrone: The Mets are open to signing an additional left-handed reliever, but I sense they’re only looking to give a minor-league deal, be it to Beimel, Will Ohman, etc.
Actually, I should point out, there was some confusion yesterday with regards to Ken Rosenthal’s recent report about Ohman for FoxSports.com. Tim Dierkes, Bart Hubbuch from the New York Post, and I all misfired and relayed Rosenthal’s report incorrectly.
In fact, the Mets did not make an offer to Ohman. Actually, according to people connected to the team, the Mets are unlikely to do so.
Frankly, given the number of pitchers that are out there, and the limited number of jobs, I don’t blame them. Plus, at this point, they’re already locked in to most roster spots in the bullpen, so it would be wise for them to avoid locking themselves in to another, so to stay flexible during the season.
Leonard P: “Why do you hate WFAN so much?”
Matthew Cerrone: I don’t. I actually listen to it constantly. It’s like a drug, frankly. I like most of the hosts. It’s Mike Francesa who I tend to take issue with, it just happens 
he works there. It’s funny, though, because I admire Francesa and listen closely when he’s talking about football, or any sport that isn’t baseball. However, as soon as he starts talking about baseball, I feel my level of frustration start to rise. Of course, I keep listening, because I’m addict, and that’s probably all that really matters to him or the station any way.
Dr. Cashman: “It would make sense for the Mets to sign Adam Kennedy at the league minimum, since he was waived, as a insurance plan for Luis Castillo. I just don’t see Castillo regaining his old form.”
Matthew Cerrone: Alex Cora is the insurance policy for Castillo, and he’ll cost $2 million, which is why I don’t see the Mets signing Kennedy – even for the league minimum. Also, Jose Valentin can play second, though, at this point, he’s probably just a pinch hitter, and occasional back-up first baseman and outfielder.
Nick in Trumbull: “Matt, can you touch on the timeline of Billy Wagner‘s possible return to the Mets this year.”
Matthew Cerrone: I grew up in Trumbull, actually, graduated from THS. 
If you play baseball there, Nick, tell the varsity coach I said, ‘Hi,’ he’s my brother in law and one of my best friends. Anyway, yes, from what I can gather, Wagner is doing light throwing, and has told people he hopes to return before September. People connected to the team, however, say he is not in their plans, and if he’s able to return it would be a pleasant surprise. You’re right, though, he, J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez would be strong.
J Ross: “Have they changed the dimensions at Tradition Field to match those of Citi Field? It had been the same dimensions as Shea, it would be nice for the outfielders to play under the new dimensions.”
Matthew Cerrone: No, they have not. However, last season, the back field was remade with Citi’s dimensions, so they can always go and play there to get a feeling of what it will be like. Of course, the real trick will be the porch in right field, which has not been recreated. So, good luck with that, Ryan Church.
John Maine, talking from Tradition Field, speaking about the end of last season, missing the final month of the year, and the current state of his shoulder:
“It was tough, I think because I missed the last month and a half of pitching and we lost by a game again. I think I could
have helped to make up one game at least, and that was the toughest part just sitting and watching and not being able to help… It was hard not getting out there…
“I feel 100 percent. Who knows what the trainers and doctors are gonna say, but, I feel 100 percent. I don’t think there are any limitations, and I’m ready to go.”
To watch Maine’s quick talk with reporters, as well as other video from Port St. Lucie, courtesy of SNY, click here.
The 2009 Spring Training broadcast schedule begins Thursday, Feb. 26 at 
1:10 p.m. with SNY’s and WFAN’s play-by-play coverage of the Mets Grapefruit League home opener against the Marlins from Tradition Field.
WFAN will carry 10 total games, SNY will televise 16 games this season, while WPIX 11 will televise four weekend games.
SNY’s first spring broadcast will be on February 26 when the Mets take on the Florida Marlins at 1 pm.
According to a press release, “Covering all the action throughout spring training is SNY’s critically acclaimed broadcast team of Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez, Gary Cohen and Kevin Burkhardt. Ralph Kiner will also be a regular contributor during the telecasts. Throughout spring training, Kevin Burkhardt will share play-by-play duties with Gary Cohen.”
To check out the spring training TV schedule, click here.
Tagged SNY |According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Mets 22–year-old RHP Brad Holt just finished throwing in the bullpen of Tradition Field.
Burkhardt said Holt was throwing mostly fastballs, adding, “He can bring it. I see where the 96 strikeouts came from last season.”
In eight starts for Single-A Brooklyn this season, 
Holt was 5–3 with a 1.87 ERA, while striking out 96 batters in 72 innings, during which left-handed batters hit just .115.
Holt was ranked the team’s fourth-best prospect by Adam Rubin and Baseball America, as well as John Sickels of MinorLeagueBlog.com, and Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus.
In November of last year, John Manuel of Baseball America said the following about Holt:
“My single favorite pick of the draft, I think, is Brad Holt. I’m way intrigued by the reports we’ve got, both from within the Mets and outside, of his improved breaking ball, that he flashes a plus, power breaker…
“He sounds like he might be Mike Pelfrey with a bit less downhill or sink, a better breaking ball and considerably less hype. I bet he makes their draft.”
By the way, Holt was born on the same day the Mets won the 1986 World Championship against the Red Sox.
Lastly, Burkhardt will be hosting Mets Hot Stove tonight at 7 pm on SNY, broadcasting LIVE from Duffy’s in Port St. Lucie, with David Lennon of Newsday and Mets set-up man J.J. Putz.
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