Daily Archives: February 14, 2009
Earlier today, Francisco Rodriguez said to reporters:
“Whatever happened is in the past… You 
have to move forward… I don’t want to make any controversy, but with me and Putz and the additions in the bullpen, I feel like now we are the team to beat.”
Rodriguez doesn’t expect there to be any problem with him and J.J. Putz, who had been a closer for the Mariners, but will now be a set-up man with the Mets. He says the two will certainly talk about it at some point, and he expects it to be fine.
He acknowledged being a little anxious and nervous to be in Mets camp, noting it’s a different environment for him.
For pictures from camp today, including Rodriguez in Mets gear, check out Howard Simmons’s photos for the Daily News and Adam Rubin’s blog.
GM Omar Minaya spoke with reporters in Tradition Field today.
In response to a question about Pedro Martinez, Omar thinks that with the signing 
of Livan Hernandez, they are set with the pitchers they have.
Earlier today, Jerry Manuel told reporters that he may look to bat Jose Reyes third, while batting Luis Castillo in the lead-off spot.
Minaya noted that it’s what spring training is for – to try out new things, and that it doesn’t matter what Reyes thinks about it if it’s what’s in the best interest of the team.
Minaya said they gave permission to Johan Santana to play in the WBC, but the issue with insurance prevented him from playing in the tournament.
Also, he says he envisions Jose Valentin acting as a player-coach for Triple-A Buffalo, much like Mike DeFelice did last season.
Lastly, he likes the team, as he did in ’06, ’07, and ’08, but thinks he has put together a team that is better than last year’s.
Tagged Omar Minaya, Regis Courtemanche |
Update, 12:35 pm:
The Mets have issued an offical statement announcing Hernandez signed a minor-league deal, just as Manuel said.
Original Post:
The Mets have signed free-agent RHP Livan Hernandez to a minor-league deal, according to Jerry Manuel, while speaking to reporters earlier today from Tradition Field in St. Lucie.
According to the Daily News, Hernandez could earn $1 million if he is added to the roster.
Manuel also said he will consider batting Luis Castillo lead-off at times in an effort to get him going.
Manuel also envisions using both Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy as a platoon in left field, ad expected.
Lastly, Manuel says he will speak to his team about the collapse, but not until later in camp, when the team is back from the WBC and begining to form its Opening Day roster, during which he plans to emphasis the idea of team over the individual player.
The Venezuelan Baseball Federation announced Friday that Johan 
Santana will not play for them in the World Baseball Classic because they will not pay the insurance premium necessary to add him to the roster.
…well, that made that a lot easier for the Mets, even though santana told the New York Post last week that he would be playing anyway…
The Mets issued a statement saying, “Despite Johan Santana‘s strong desire to participate for Team Venezuela and the Mets being an avid supporter of the World Baseball Classic, it has been determined that the pitcher will not be able to participate in the tournament. The decision was based on the uncertainty of Santana being fully recuperated in time to participate in the Classic and the prohibitive insurance costs required to cover Santana’s contract coming off of his knee surgery.”
