Daily Archives: February 19, 2010
Thank you to everyone who helped me test out live streaming, pics, etc., it’s gonna be an interesting two weeks of blogging in PSL.
Earlier today, Jerry Manuel told reporters he would like to bat Jose Reyes third in the lineup, assuming all the parts fit, and Reyes is comfortable with it.
Later, according to SNY, Reyes told reporters:
“Whatever spot he puts me in the lineup, I’m going to be able to do it. Whatever is best for the team, I’m going to do it. So let’s see what happens. He said when Beltran comes back, I’m going to be the leadoff guy again. I don’t know if he’s sure right now. We just talked about it yesterday. He doesn’t know if it’s going to happen or not. He’s going to think about it… He’s the boss. Whatever he says I’ll do it. I just want to be on the field playing baseball.”
According to Steve Popper from the Bergen Record, “Reyes seems to find best part of move to No. 3 in the batting order getting to mock Wright for stealing his spot.”
…i just don’t think it’s smart to mess with jose, right now, coming off of last season… but, jerry did make an interesting case for having Luis Castillo, pagan and reyes, all switch hitters, all quick, at the top of the order… plus, with David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay all batting behind him, jose is probably going to get a ton of fastballs, as opposed to those off-speed pitches off the plate…
[poll id="355"]
Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano told the Daily Herald that he was never asked to waive his no-trade clause, but if he had been, he would not have agreed to a deal, adding, “I want to finish my career here.”
…as i had been saying all off season, from what i understand, the Mets and Cubs had been in contact regarding zambrano, and even agreed on what players they could swap… but, it was irrelevant… as i wrote the following in mid-January:
…according to people connected to the Cubs, the team has talked with zambrano’s agent about the no-trade clause, but the agent has never needed to talk to zambrano, since he’s made it quite clear he isn’t agreeing to leave chicago…
The 28–year-old Zambrano was just 9–7 in 28 starts this season for the Cubs, but with a 3.77 ERA in 169 innings, during which he struck out 152 batters.
Zambrano, who has a full no-trade clause, will earn roughly $18 million each of the next three seasons, and has a vesting player-option for 2012.
Here is video of Manuel’s press conference from Tradition Field:
Jerry Manuel talked to reporters in Port St. Lucie today, and said:
- He would like to bat Jose Reyes third, but a) all parts would have to fit, and b) Reyes would need to comfortable in that role.
- Jon Niese can be the team’s fifth starter, if he pitches like he did last summer.
- Daniel Murphy is the starting 1B.
- He wants a power bat for the bench, like Phillies had with Matt Stairs, even if the player is unable to play a variety of positions, like Mike Jacobs.
- Henry Blanco is a back-up catcher, and Alex Cora is the back-up SS.
To see video of Manuel’s press conference, go here.
“Kelvim Escobar expressed little concern about being ready for Opening Day, or about the rigors of pitching regularly in the back end of the bullpen,” reports Adam Rubin of the Daily News, who talked to the pitcher this morning in St. Lucie.
To read direct quotes from Escobar, check out Rubin’s report, here.
For additional insight, read Newsday’s David Lennon, here.
Original Post at 9:55 am:
Yesterday, Johan Santana told the Daily News that he recently played catch with Escobar, and reports that Escobar is unable to grip a baseball are not true.
Santana also told the New York Post that the Mets have Escobar on a program, and, “They are going to take it slow with him.”
To read quotes from Omar Minaya on Escobar, check out the Post, here.
…i wouldn’t say he isn’t good… i mean, he’s not bad… but, he’s got work to do… he can throw, no question, he gets lots of swings and misses, because he’s got good stuff… but, he needs a better balance to his repertoire, and he needs better command… and so, he’ll look great one day, then be a total mess the next, because too much of his success depends on situation and competition…
In his interview with Rich Coutinho of 1050 ESPN Radio, Mets GM Omar Minaya referred to Henry Blanco as his team’s ‘back-up.’
According to Minaya, though Josh Thole, Omir Santos and Chris Coste compete to be the team’s starting catcher, he is always looking at ways to improve the catching position.
“If we have to go with (Omir), we will,” he said.
Yesterday, Jon Heyman of SI.com said free-agent C Rod Barajas is likely to accept a one-year, roughly $1 million minor-league offer from the Mets.
According to Marty Noble of MLB.com, as of last night, the Mets hadn’t heard from his agent.
…i keep hearing barajas will sign with a new team either today or, at the latest, this weekend… i have to think it will be with the Mets… i mean, he can sign with minaya, and, even though it’s likely to be a minor-league deal, he knows he will likely end up the starting catcher…
…for my take on barajas’s talent, and his role on the Mets, go here…
To listen to Minaya’s interview with 1050 ESPN Radio, during which he talks about Oliver Perez, Jose Reyes and others, as well as expectations and being the underdog, go here.
In the report, David Waldstein explains, “The American ball is different from the one used in Japan. The seams are slightly more pronounced on the major league ball, the grip a little slicker. For some Japanese pitchers who come to the United States, the different feel has caused problems.”
…that is fascinating… also, the strike zone here is smaller… add those two things together, and it’s no wonder it takes them a bit of time to adjust… or not adjust at all…
(By the way, remember, the Title of these recommended link posts is the actual link)
Jeff Francoeur has arrived to Tradition Field, with his locker placed across from David Wright and Jose Reyes.
According to David Lennon from Newsday, Francoeur said, ‘winning ballgames,’ is the best way to stop the negativity surrounding the team.
…word… up… so far, i’m liking the attitude of this team’s leadership… good spirit… now, nobody get hurt, play smart, play hard, and good things will happen…
To read other comments from Francoeur, check out Lennon’s Twitter feed, here.
← Older posts
