Monthly Archives: March 2010
In the above link for the New York Times, I answer more questions about the Mets with Sam Page from Amazin Avenue and Greg Prince and Jason Fry from Faith and Fear in Flushing, such as:
New York Times: What one player or coach, or topic, has generated the most buzz among your online readers heading into the 2010 season?
Sam Page: Francoeur has been the center of many spirited discussions. He’s an interesting player for a number of reasons and the minutiae of his game can be debated endlessly, to the point where people lose sight of the bigger question of whether he should even be a starter. His personality is also very divisive. Some people really take to him as carefree, while others perceive that attitude, because of his very mixed track record, as willful ignorance or sloppiness.
Greg Prince: It’s been a battle of pervading senses, with “despair” leading hope from the first pitch, but “hope” getting a couple of runners on base in the late innings of spring training. Everybody’s pulling for “hope,” but “despair” has been on a roll.
Matthew Cerrone: Jenrry Mejia. I know, for me, I’ve been waiting years, decades actually, for the Mets to develop another dominant pitcher, and this kid looks like he could be it. The debate has been whether he should be a starting pitcher in the minors, or a reliever now in the big leagues. I don’t know the answer. I’m not a scout. However, what I do know is that the Mets should not jerk him around. Have a plan and do it, and let this kid succeed, because he’s going to be good – it’s just a matter of where and when, and most every fan knows this.
As you know, Adam Rubin moved from the Daily News to ESPNNewYork.com.
… rubin had to start up a new account for his new job, so if you like his work and want to follow him again on Twitter, you need to add his new account – here – to your feed…
By the way, ESPNNewYork.com launches on Friday.
…i look forward to seeing what they’re up to, and linking to their content… as far as i am concerned, the more media the better… and adding rubin to the mix is a great move…
Meanwhile, Andy Martino leaves his post covering the Phillies for the Philadelphia Inquirer returning to the Daily News to be the team’s new Mets reporter.
In this post, here, to his blog, he introduces himself to Mets fans and says, “Win or lose, the Mets are an eternally fascinating team - and that is why I’m thrilled to cover them.”
Mets GM Omar Minaya talked to reporters this morning in Port St. Lucie.
According to SNY producer Matt Dunn, Minaya said Daniel Murphy will be evaluated by team doctors today.
Minaya said Fernando Martinez had a great spring.
He said he had a positive conversation with Martinez this morning, before informing him he would be sent back to Triple-A. Martinez will play more corner outfield in Buffalo, as opposed to center field.
In regards to the bullpen, he said he would like to get two left-handed pitchers in the Opening Day bullpen; Jerry Manuel will make the decision on how the bullpen is used, and who he will use as a set-up man; and all of those decisions are still being made.
Minaya would not answer questions about whether Jose Reyes will play on Opening Day, simply saying, “Let’s get through today, and see how he bounces back.”
According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Johan Santana will start Opening Day for the Mets, followed by John Maine on Wednesday and Jon Niese on Thursday against the Marlins, then Mike Pelfrey on Friday and Oliver Perez on Saturday against the Nationals.
…i am not sure why the first turn of the rotation is so important to people… nor do i put any stock in to labeling pitchers by number… i want the best five pitchers pitching, period… the order in which they pitch will make no difference in time anyway, as off days, injuries, rest, etc., all begin to disrupt the rotation sooner than later… the only slot that equals status is Opening Day, other than that, who knows what dictates…
…i have no idea how or why these decisions are made… for instance, i hear the Mets think perez is going through a dead-arm phase, which is typical, and so perhaps they want him to have extra rest… maybe they think Mike Pelfrey would be better served facing the Nationals than the Marlins to start the year… maybe Jerry Manuel wants to separate the left-handed starters for the first run… i just hope they throw strikes, get outs and execute… on what day they do it, i don’t really care… just do it…
…i want to see him in action, too… but, the most important thing is that he’s able to play, period, ideally in about 150 or so games… so, why do anything to jeopardize that… i want him in the lineup opening day, and he still might be… i have heard from people connected to the team that he’s in good-enough shape to start… but, what’s five games, if it helps him play more… plus, if he gets in Spring Training game today, and something happens, his DL trip starts Monday… but, if they keep as is, in these minor league games, and something goes wrong, and he starts the season on the DL, he will only need to miss five games… so, why do anything… just keep it looking like he’s working back, and go easy…
…if he’s ready he’ll play on Monday, if he isn’t he should be back by the end of next week… the reality is, it doesn’t matter what is happening right now, all that matters is what happens Saturday night – when the announce the roster – and Monday, when the season officially begins…
For more on Reyes’s return, or lacktherof, and quotes on the subject from Jerry Manuel, read David Lennon in Newsday, and Anthony McCarron in the Daily News.
According to Adam Rubin, reporting for ESPN New York, the Mets have dispatched Fernando Martinez to Triple-A.
…dispatch… i like it… that is a much nicer word than cut… i wonder if Omar Minaya used a walkie-talkie to make that announcement…
Martinez hit .383 with nine extra base hits and 11 RBI in 21 games this Spring.
…yes, there was an argument to be made for giving the Opening Day gig to martinez… but, a) he is not skilled enough to patrol center in Citi Field, especially for a team in need of the best possible defense, and b) what happens to the roster if he stays… i think this is the right move… Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews Jr. are both playing well enough to carry the position to Carlos Beltran, who is telling people he hopes to be back in May… i hate to say it, but, at some point, some one in the outfield is going to be out of the lineup, and when that happens, martinez will be prime to take over… there are people in the organization who say he grew up a lot over the last year, and he’s turning an emotional and psychological turn in his development, as a young man… now, he just needs to stay healthy, get some wind in his sails and be ready for the call…
The Mets pitching staff does not look ready for Opening Day… and, for a team that really, really needs to get off to a good start, being unprepared is not good.
I know what to expect from Johan Santana and Francisco Rodriguez, and maybe Pedro Feliciano depending on what role he plays… and that’s it. The other 10 or so guys are a total mystery to me. I suppose the silver lining to that is, the other 10 guys could have career years. But, I see no evidence this will happen.
For instance, I was encouraged early in camp, because Perez had changed his mechanics a bit… and he looked to be in very good shape. I liked that he was trying to do something different.
The problem is, that difference has his release point too high, and he seems to be aiming the ball – because of the focus on throwing strikes – and now he has zero life on his fastball. He looks timid, the opposing hitter looks aggressive, and it’s all a bad, bad combination.
Feliciano is super successful as a left-handed reliever, which is extra important since the Mets play the Phillies so many times. Yet, Jerry Manuel is talking about Raul Valdes replacing him, so Feliciano can be the team’s set-up man. I mean, they are actually considering pulling a 20–year-old kid – with a ton of potential – in Jenrry Mejia, off his plan and putting him in the big-league bullpen because they have no better option. Hisanori Takahashi is a strike-throwing robot one day, a left-handed specialist the next, then a long man, now a risk. Nelson Figueroa is on the roster… no he isn’t… he might play in Japan… wait, he’s on the roster… wait, no he’s not. The Mets tinkered with Ryota Igarashi’s repertoire. Mike Pelfrey can’t pitch on hard surfaces, and John Maine looks bored. They picked up Manny Acosta on waivers, adding him to the mix with just three days before the Opening Day roster must be set.
I think the team is pressing the trade market looking for a starting pitcher. But, what happens if they acquire someone? Who goes? Because, at this point, it better not be Jon Niese.
Look, I know Spring Training games and stats do not count. Win totals and ERA in March mean nothing. My concern is the sense of scrambling and confusion I get when watching this team manage it’s potential pitching staff every day. What’s more, I see a staff that needs so much to break right in order for them to win. This is not to say I don’t think it can happen… it just means 2010 will be more of a gamble than I initially thought.
In other words, choose wisely, Omar Minaya, choose wisely.
According to Marty Noble of MLB.com, a person with knowledge of the Mets pitching plans says they might move Jon Niese to the third spot in the rotation, with Maine and Perez to follow.
…if this were the case, then it looks like Pelfrey would remain in the number two spot in the rotation…either way, it appears the Mets are at least recognizing the problems behind Johan Santana in the rotation…
Original Post, 6:41 pm:
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York says Mike Pelfrey will not be starting the second game of the season against the Marlins at Citi Field.
…interesting…i wonder if John Maine will get the start over Pelfrey, and what this means for the rest of the rotation…
Pelfrey is expected to start on Friday night against the Rays at Tropicana Field, followed by Oliver Perez and Jon Niese on Saturday against the Orioles in Sarasota.
In addition, Rubin says both Omir Santos and Fernando Martinez will start the season at Triple-A Buffalo.
To follow Rubin at his new Twitter account for ESPN New York, click here.
Carlos Beltran took indoor batting practice today in St. Lucie.
… the buzz from st. lucie continues to suggest beltran could be back around mid-may… though, nobody on the team is talking about timetables at this time…
According to SNY, the Mets have claimed RHP Manny Acosta off of waivers from the Braves.
Acosta has a lifetime 5-7 record with a 3.55 ERA in 103 games over the last three seasons with Atlanta, and last year, in 26 relief appearances, Acosta was 1-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 37 1/3 innings, allowing 45 hits 18 earned runs, 19 walks, and 32 strikeouts.
Acosta has been added to the 40-man roster, and will be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
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