Daily Archives: February 12, 2009
SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt sent in a text message and photo from his BlackBerry of Mike Pelfrey working out in camp this morning wearing a chin-strap, black, military helmet on his head.
So weird. He must be channeling a little John Olerud today.
For more on why he’s a wearing a helmet, read Adam Rubin’s blog for the Daily News.
According to Burkhardt, Tim Redding arrived to camp today, and Francisco Rodriguez is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
According to Rubin, Redding and Jon Niese made a 20–hour drive together from the mid-west to get to St. Lucie.
Remember, 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.
Putz threw a bullpen session this morning, and impressed David Lennon from Newsday, who calls him a ‘serious upgrade.’
Tagged Mike Pelfrey |
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post notes that, although pitchers and catchers don’t officially report to Port St. Lucie 
until tomorrow, ‘J.J. Putz has been here throwing for almost two weeks,’ and doesn’t mind playing under the media microscope here in New York.
“The season can’t come soon enough” Putz said to Hubbuch yesterday.
To hear what John Maine has to say about Putz, read Hubbuch’s report.
…the hot stove season is fine and all, but until players start showing up in florida, baseball seems so far off…i finally got excited for the season to start this week, and guys like J.J. Putz certainly make it easy…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
Despite filling their biggest need, Steve Popper of the Bergen Record takes a look at five issues facing the Mets, such as having same starting rotation, the left field platoon, and who will be the fan’s favorite new target this season, writing:
“The Mets’ plans this winter included addition by subtraction,
hence the departure of Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis, who were fan targets. But the Mets did not rid themselves of Luis Castillo and know that the target is on his back… If Castillo doesn’t get off to a quick start, the Mets will look to dump him again and the fans will be harsher. Castillo did not respond to the criticism last year. He’d better be ready this time.”
…i agree with popper on all of his issues, but one significant problem still stands out to me the most, the bench…
…omar minaya has seemingly neglected the bench the last few seasons…and, yet again he has done virtually nothing to improve it this offseason…yes, he signed Alex Cora and a few others journeymen to fill roles, but the still have the same old problem, the options are all old and bat from the left side…
…there is no significant threat from the right hand side…i don’t count Ramon Castro, as he never gets opportunities to pinch hit, unless the Mets carry three catchers…
…it may be tough finding that younger, right handed option, and i’m sure minaya has done due diligence, but with the left field platoon being as is and without obtaining a player, such as Nomar Garciaparra, the Mets glaring weakness may shift from the bullpen to the bench…
Tagged Mike Nichols |David Lennon at Newsday catches up with Brian Schneider in Port St. Lucie and discusses, among other things, his health, and playing time in 2009.
According to Lennon, when asked about splitting catching duties with Ramon Castro, Schneider said “I want to play every day. I want to face lefties. I don’t want it to be a platoon situation, but that call goes to Jerry [Manuel]. Jerry knows I want to go out there every day.”
In a recent post, Christian at MetsMerized Online breaks down how Schneider stacked up to other catchers around the league in 2008.
…i’m curious to see how Jerry Manuel handles the catching responsibilities this year, but i feel that schneider – despite rumors of being traded this winter – will get the majority of the starts…and if healthy, he should…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche | Newer posts →
