Yesterday, the Mets released RHP Duaner Sanchez.
In the New York Post, Bart Hubbuch writes, “Jerry Manuel obviously wasn’t happy with Omar Minaya’s abrupt decision to release Sanchez just hours before Sanchez was scheduled to pitch here.”
Manuel, on Sanchez, and whether the decision was ‘cut and dry,’ said yesterday:

“No, I would say not.  For me, you’re always optimistic, [...]

According to the New York Post, if the Mets release Duaner Sanchez by April 1, they can save three-fourths of his $1.6 million contract.
Yesterday, Sanchez walked two hitters, but did not allow a run, in one inning or work.
Following the game, Jerry Manuel told reporters Sanchez is competing for a spot to be on the team, [...]

At his blog for the New York Post, Joel Sherman reports Mets RHP Duaner Sanchez may be released or traded by April 1, ‘unless he makes a positive impression this spring.’
According to Sherman, Sanchez has come in to camp in good shape, but with several spots in the bullpen already set he could be the [...]

Ben Shpigel of the New York Times profiles Sean Green who the Mets acquired in the trade for J.J. Putz.
Shpigel writes, “Green projected as a more polished version of Joe Smith, who they sent to Cleveland in the three-team trade. Green’s sinker helped produce the eighth-best ground ball percentage among relievers who pitched in at [...]

The Mets have avoided arbitration with Duaner Sanchez, signing him to a one-year deal worth $1,687,500.
Sanchez, who made $950,000 last season, was 5-1 with a 4.32 ERA in 66 relief appearances in 2008.
John Maine, Pedro Feliciano, Ryan Church, Angel Pagan and Jeremy Reed remain in arbitration with the Mets.

For those keeping score, John Maine, Ryan Church, Angel Pagan, Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez and Pedro Feliciano are all eligible for salary arbitration this off-season.
According to Rotoworld.com, Church, Pagan and Maine are under contract through 2011, while Heilamn, Sanchez and Feliciano are under contract through 2010.

Before his shoulder injury in 2006, Duaner Sanchez was one of the best set-up man in Major League Baseball.
In 2008, his first full season back from injury, Sanchez leads the Mets with 21 holds but his average fastball velocity has been reduced from 93 mph to 90 mph according to ESPN.com’s Inside Edge.
Although his ERA [...]

The Mets bullpen has not allowed a run in it’s last four appearances, spanning 15 innings.
Duaner Sanchez, as quoted by David Lennon in Newsday:
“A lot of people have been talking about the bullpen, the bullpen, the bullpen.  Listen, everybody goes through tough times…Go and look at the record since Billy left.  If it’s a losing [...]

Yesterday, Duaner Sanchez entered the eighth inning with a tie score, but let up two singles, a double, and an intentional walk, while getting no outs, which gave the Pirates a three-run lead.
…the problem is that his fastball is clocking in at around 86 mph, which is around 5 percent off from what it usually is…
Sanchez, talking to reporters [...]

Yesterday, Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez, Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis combined to let up six runs in three innings, blowing a four-run lead handed to them by Pedro Martinez.
Martinez, regarding the bullpen, while speaking to reporters following yesterday’s loss:

“With me, it’s OK.  Everybody out there was trying to reel in and win.  They never quit, and [...]