Daily Archives: March 3, 2009
David Lennon of Newsday believes the Mets still remain very interested in free-agent C Ivan Rodriguez, ‘according to a person familiar with the team’s 
thinking.’
Lennon says the team is still concerned about Ramon Castro’s durability, and see Rodriguez as a better right-handed compliment to Brian Schneider.
Castro hit .245 with a .312 OBP in 52 games for the Mets last season, while spending two trips on the disabled list – he has not played in more than 52 games in a season since 2005.
Castro will be a free agent at the end of next season.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez will play for Puerto Rico in the WBC, alongside Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran.
According to Lennon, “If Rodriguez has a strong showing, the Mets’ pursuit could heat up quickly.”
In mid-February, Rodriguez told the Associated Press he might soon sign with the Marlins, Astros or Mets.
The next day, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post said the Mets are not interested Rodriguez, and weren’t talking to him about a contract, according to a high-ranking team source.
Speaking of the WBC, check out Chris Guy’s preview for Mets Minor League Blog, where he looks at Mets players in the tournament, including 24–year-old 3B Shawn Bowman.
Tagged Ramon Castro |Pedro Martinez talked yesterday with 
reporters in Jupiter, Fla, and said he wants to pitch in 2009, adding he would be a ‘bargain,’ despite wanting more than a low-base, high-incentive contract.
Martinez will play with Jose Reyes in the WBC for the Dominican Republic.
Martinez, on being healthy and whether he may pitch again for the Mets, said:
“I don’t know really. The season hasn’t’ started. I’m not really worried about what they do. I’m just getting ready. For sure I’ll be ready… The last few years, I’ll be the first one to tell you, I haven’t been the Pedro Martinez that I used to be. If nobody takes a chance, I’ll go fishing. If I’m healthy and I’m able to do the things I used to do, I think a lot of people are going to probably regret not taking a chance.”
To read the full Q&A with Martinez, go to Lennon’s blog for Newsday.
…Freddy Garcia has not looked good in spring training, so far… Livan Hernandez has looked just OK, despite seeming a bit behind pace when he came in to camp… Tim Redding is a week or so behind schedule as well… so, i have a feeling, regardless of pedro’s statements, at the very least, redding could be the fifth starter, with Ron Villone, et al, being used in the bullpen, while garcia and livan remain back at extended spring training, with niese getting regular work in the minors… but, that’s just a hunch, and so much still needs to happen…
Tagged Pedro Martinez | Newer posts →
