Daily Archives: February 23, 2010
In a report for Newsday, David Lennon says Jose Reyes is wearing new shoes by Under Armour this year, but unlike last year, the new shoes are custom made for his feet rather than the off-the-shelf shoes he wore last year.
According to Lennon, Reyes didn’t receive his custom-fit shoes from Under Armour until after he went on the disabled list last year, but Lennon says he is happier with these new, custom-fit shoes, saying they’re “much, much better…it’s a big difference.”
…there may be no way to know if the shoes he was wearing last year resulted in his leg problems, but nevertheless, i don’t think he should’ve been wearing shoes which were uncomfortable for him for any period of time last year…
For more on Reyes and his new footwear, check out Lennon’s report for Newsday here.
Luis Castillo said he’s happy, he lost weight, he’s healthy, and he had no pain during the offseason, reports SNY’s Matt Dunn.
Castillo told reporters he heard the trade rumors during the winter, but said he has no control over what the team wants to do – and he will still work hard for the Mets.
…he went through a similar experience last year, dealing with all of the trade rumors and how Orlando Hudson basically wanted his job, and despite his diminished skills at second base, he had a good year at the plate, putting up a typical offensive season by his standards…he definitely didn’t hurt them offensively…
In addition, Alex Cora said, after having surgery on both hands, he is trying not to slide head first, instead switching to feet-first, but he is finding it difficult to make the adjustment.
…i just hope alex doesn’t get hurt trying to protect his hands…
According to SNY Producer Matt Dunn, Jerry Manuel expects more from Luis Castillo this season, especially his defense, as he is a big part of the team.
Regarding Jason Bay, Manuel believes he fits the model of a player the team needs for Citi Field, but if other players had performed better and/or were healthy, they might have considered bringing in a player with more speed.
…i think from an offensive standpoint, bay fits Citi Field… but in the end, while he is no Carl Crawford defensively, i don’t think his defense is going to hurt this team over the next few years…
Lastly, Manuel described Fernando Martinez as ‘a special player,’ and said he would like to see him become a center fielder.
…i have watched F-Mart for a couple of springs now, and i really believe the only thing holding him back, at this point, is his inability to stay healthy…
Here is my first Video Diary from Day One at Tradition Field, which features clips of Jenrry Mejia and Jon Niese throwing bullpen sessions; pitchers taking ground balls at second base; and Jose Reyes doing running drills: among other things:
According to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post, Jason Bay says right now, he intends to figure out his place with the Mets, but believes he will be a leader with this club.
In addition, Bay says he is a “lead by example” guy, telling Kernan:
“You won’t see me on the top step waving a towel…But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to be a leader. I’ll kind of feel my way around, but I think by the time that we leave here, I’ll be pretty comfortable in that role.’’
…i don’t know much about Bay’s leadership qualities, but i’m sure he will transition real well from Boston and fit in nicely in the Mets clubhouse…i like how personalities like Bay and Johan Santana, and David Wright are stepping up and being vocal leaders early on in camp and basically sending the same type of messages, but eventually, all of them, as Bay points out, will need to lead by their examples on the field…
For more on Bay, check out Kernan’s report for the New York Post here.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Rod Barajas has passed his physical, and is expected in camp tomorrow.
Update, 8:31 am:
Adam Rubin of the Daily News says there is still nothing official regarding Rod Barajas’ physical.
Update, February 22 at 6:59 pm:
Jon Heyman of SI.com says Barajas’ deal will pay him $500,000 in guaranteed money, $400,000 if he is on the Opening Day roster, and an additional $1 million in incentives based on games played.
Jose Reyes did running drills with his strength coaches on the main field this afternoon.
…i was exhausted just watching him…
The most interesting drills, one which you can see in the following video, focused on his ‘explosiveness,’ as they repeatedly said.
In the first drill, Reyes would lay on his stomach, the coach would clap his hand, and Reyes, or, ‘Rey, Rey,’ as they called him, would push himself up on to his feet then sprint roughly 90 feet.
In the second drill, he would toe the line, get set, and the coach would drop a yellow tennis ball, or pretend to, and only when the ball released from the coaches hand Reyes would burst off the line. In most cases, the coach would fake him out. They’d all laugh. But, the point, according to the coach, was to keep Reyes acting, not thinking, focusing on the explosiveness, and not his legs.
By the way, I have to see Reyes with a baseball cap on.
Instead, he’s rocking the long braids and a skull cap. Also, he’s clearly ‘the life of the party,’ as there’s a totally different vibe when he’s on the field.
Here is the video:
