Daily Archives: March 12, 2009
J.J. Putz hit 95 mph on the radar gun during his first game in the World Baseball Classic, reports Anthony McCarron in the Daily News.
In a report for MLB.com, Marty Noble profiles Jose Valentin, who he feels is most likely to start the season at Triple-A.
…it’s the right move… valentin can go to Triple-A, and wait and see how the Mets bench shakes out through April and May, while 
working with the team’s minor leaguers like a coach… then, come mid summer, both sides can re-evaluate…
David Lennon of Newsday writes about Howard Johnson, “Who takes it personally when we lose,” according to David Wright.
…he also votes in American Idol… seriously…
According to Steve Phillips from ESPN.com, “Both Pedro Martinez and Ivan Rodriguez could help major league teams this season.”
Phillips says, having watched Martinez in the WBC, “I believe that his shoulder is healthy.”
Lastly, Phillips talked to Rodriguez and says, “The idea that he would sign a deal only if he were the every-day catcher is false.”
…i agree… from what i can tell, pudge wants a guaranteed contract… not a guaranteed job, in the sense that he must start every day… instead, he just wants to know he has a spot on the roster and guaranteed money coming to him… the question is, how much money…
Tagged Pedro Martinez |In a report for the Daily News, Adam Rubin profiles Luis Castillo, who feels bad about 2008.
Rubin talks with Rafael Landestoy, 
Castillo’s mentor of sorts, and details the second baseman’s off-season training routine, which helped him lose 17 pounds.
Castillo, on the booing from last season, as quoted by Rubin:
“The fan wants you to do well all the time. That’s why they pay to watch the game… Sometimes, if you get hurt, you try to do the best you can. If you don’t do well, people don’t understand that. That’s the game. I respect the fans, whatever they do. The only thing I say: I do the best I can. And I want to change this year.”
In 17 at bats, Castillo is hitting .294 this spring with a .478 OBP, one stolen base and two extra base hits.
Last week, Ted Berg discussed Castillo in his Flushing Fussing column for SNY, in which he said a .280 batting average seems reasonable for Castillo.
…well, if castillo was truly hurt last season, and he’s healthy now, as he says and it appears he is, then, sure, he should hit .280… i mean, that would be a pleasant surprise, and yet it’d also be his worst batting average since 2001 – not counting last season…
…here’s the thing, people love a comeback… our society is enamored with people who fall and rise again… and so, castillo will not be short of fans if he’s hitting, running and scoring runs…
…also, i want the Mets to win… and so, i want castillo to do well, because his success will help the Mets win… it’s pretty simple…
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