Daily Archives: February 24, 2010
It’s always an adventure, trying to figure out a content plan upon arriving to Spring Training, where there’s a rush of ideas, opportunities and new technology to utilize.
So, after a sporadic two days, here’s how I’m thinking the next week or so will go:
I’ll be using Twitter (which I will feature in one post on the blog throughout the day) to let people know what I am working on, and what to expect next on the blog.- I will continue to do live streaming of players taking batting practice, throwing bullpen sessions, and so on, but I will do better at posting a heads up, so you will have enough time to tune in.
- Early in the day I will post a one-on-one video interview, plus the normal morning links, news and notes, then make posts throughout the day, typically built around one occurrence with a companion photograph.
- Lastly, later in the day, I will always post a high-res photo gallery and a video diary recapping the day’s on-field events.
Thank you, again, for the feedback; it’s always appreciated; and, if you have any other suggestions, ideas or ways you think things could be better, please let me know.
Adam Rubin of the Daily News says the Mets have designated LHP Arturo Lopez for assignment to make room for Rod Barajas on the 40-man roster.
According to Jim Bowden from MLB on XM Radio, Rays Senior Vice President Gerry Hunsicker says it will be very difficult for the Rays to keep both Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena beyond 2010.
Yesterday, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports said the Rays will continue to try and retain Crawford beyond this year, but those chances took a major hit when team owner Stuart Sternberg said last week the team’s payroll will be under $60 million in 2011.
…like i said yesterday, there are now some hurdles for the Mets to overcome in order for them to acquire Crawford, as either he or Jason Bay would have to be willing to switch positions, and his acquisition would displace Jeff Francoeur, but i would be overjoyed to see him in a Mets uniform next season…
The first full squad workout isn’t until tomorrow for the Mets, but there was plenty of action at Tradition Field this morning. Here is a quick rundown of the morning’s events:
- Rod Barajas arrived at Tradition Field this morning, and will wear number 21 for the Mets.
- The Mets have yet to clear a roster spot for Rod Barajas.
- Both Hisanori Takahashi and Ryota Igarashi threw live batting practice this morning.
- Mets catchers were involved in extensive fundamental drills, including blocking balls, throwing to first and second base, and foul popups.
Here is today’s Video Diary for SNY.TV, during which I check out Sean Green, who is using in a new delievery; Rod Barajas, who is wearing Carlos Delgado’s No. 21; young left-handed reliever Eric Neissen; and Ryota Igarashi and Hisanori Takahashi, both of whom threw live batting practice:
To see other video from today in Mets camp, check the MetsBlog Video archive, here.
According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, Rod Barajas was surprised it took so long to sign this winter, saying the process “was a little nerve-wracking.”
However, Rubin says Barajas feels he arrived at Tradition Field in good shape even though pitchers and catchers have been in camp for a week.
Here are some photographs I took today, while walking around Mets camp in Tradition Field.
Here, as Dan Warthen talked to the pitching staff about ‘focus,’ Johan Santana worked on his golf swing, and his batting swing, using a bat cut in half and weighted for stretching.
Here, Sean Green works on his new, side-arm delivery:
Here, Henry Blanco listened to catching instructions – I love that his tattoo says Hank:
Here is the rest of the gallery from today’s workouts:
This post will feature my last five updates to Twitter, which I will be using to let readers know where I am going, what I’m working on, and what to next expect on the blog:
To follow me on Twitter, go here.
According to SNY Producer Matt Dunn, Jerry Manuel says Pedro Feliciano is working on a cutter, and feels it can be a good extra weapon for him, depending upon the situation.
…i always like watching pitchers in spring training work on new techniques…sometimes they aren’t successful or comfortable in the end, like Billy Wagner and his full windup trial back in 2008, but it’s fascinating to watch them feel there way through the process and learn right in from of our eyes, and so i’m looking forward to seeing Feliciano’s cutter in action this Spring…
On Sean Green‘s pronounced submarine delivery, Manuel hopes it doesn’t make him a specialist.
…i kind of like the idea of having specialists out in the bullpen…i think it helps to limit a pitcher’s exposure and not exploit his weakness…it also helps to keep a guy fresher if he’s only facing a batter or two at a time…then again, the Mets will need rubber arms out there if their starters can’t figure out a way to last longer in games…
Regarding Rod Barajas, Manuel says he doesn’t know him very well, but while he knows his history of handling pitching staffs well, Manuel will see how the competition among the catchers plays itself out before deciding how many games he expects Barajas to start.
Regarding Hisanori Takahashi, Manuel has yet to determine what his role will be, but they are looking at him as either a situational lefty or someone similar to Darren Oliver.
Lastly, Manuel says Fernando Nieve will be in competition for the long man out of the bullpen, but also feels he is versatile enough to be an eighth inning guy, or in the starting rotation.
…Nieve was impressive last year as a starter before he got hurt…before camp opened, there were some indications he was the favorite to win the fifth spot in the rotation, but that was before Jon Niese proved he was healthy…
Mike Pelfrey was assigned a parking spot, so was Oliver Perez.
John Maine, however, was not.
In a post to Twitter, SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt wrote, “Maine has complained all spring that he doesn’t have an assigned parking spot. Figueroa solved that with this sign.”
…that’s hilarious… nice work, nelson… and nice catch, burkhardt…
Burkhardt later pointed out Maine has only been kidding about not having a parking spot.
← Older posts
