Category Archives: MetsBlog
In response to a question asking why there isn’t more excitement surrounding Lucas Duda, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo writes in his latest mailbag:
In 100 games for the Mets last season, the 26-year-old Duda hit .292 with 10 HR and 50 RBI, and just 57 strike outs, during 347 plate appearances.
To read DiComo’s answers to questions about pursuing Roy Oswalt, Dan Gorski and whether Daniel Murphy should bat second, check out his latest mailbag here for MLB.com.
In response to a question about the possibility of being the Mets Opening Day starter ( Johan Santana be unavailable), R.A. Dickey told reporters:
I certainly hope that’s not the case. My first reaction would obviously be that I would be honored to do it, but it would be by default, because Johan is our ace. … Hopefully he can come back and do what he has always done. If the gauntlet is passed for even a moment, I will try to accept the challenge the best I know how.”
In 33 appearances for the Mets last season, Dickey was 8-13 with a 3.28 ERA in 207 innings pitched, during which he struck out 15 percent of the batters he faced.
To read more quotes from R.A., who was honored at last night’s Thurman Munson Awards dinner in New York, check out this post from the Daily News.
To read Matthew Cerrone’s opinion on if Dickey should start Opening Day, as well as Johan’s status, read this post from yesterday on MetsBlog.com.
Last night at the 32nd Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner in New York, R.A. Dickey told reporters the following:
“You can’t just go in and say, we’re going to be this team. It’s a real organic process. Hopefully it won’t be dysfunctional and we’ll all be able to cohese together and do it. But we’re in a tough division and we have to be honest about that . . . we certainly have to be honest about where we are, and that’s really the only way I see us getting any better is doing that.”
Daniel Murphy, who was also in attendance, was much more optimistic as he told reporters that expectations for the Mets this season are to make the playoffs.
“Expectations for us this year are like any other,” Murphy said. “We expect to go to the playoffs.”
In addition, Murphy told reporters he has talked to several teammates and they are just as eager as he is to start the season.
While most Mets fans I have spoken to are very down on the team this season – even the most optimistic of fans – it’s nice to know that the players haven’t adopted that same attitude.
To read more quotes from both Murphy and Dickey check out these posts from the New York Times and Newsday.
Last night at the 32nd Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner in New York, Daniel Murphy talked to reporters and said:
“I sent Ike Davis a text. I told him I was putting in a request with Terry Collins to hit somewhere near him to get some good pitches. That guy is a killer and I want to be near him. … He kind of laughed and texted back: ‘Let’s go dominate.’ I think we’re ready and excited for the season.”
To see more quotes from Murphy, who also talks about his defense, timing, Ruben Tejada, admiring Ryne Sandberg and playing without Jose Reyes, read this post on ESPN New York.
In response to a question about Johan Santana‘s status, and if RA Dickey could instead be the Opening Day starter, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo writes in his latest mailbag:
“No one knows exactly how ready Santana will be come Opening Day. … Collins has said on multiple occasions that he believes Santana is a true ace, hinting that if the left-hander is healthy, he will receive the Opening Day nod. And that makes sense. But if Santana is anything less than 100 percent come April, then I suspect you’re right: Dickey will indeed earn the assignment. Coming off a better and more consistent year than any other Mets pitcher, Dickey would really be the only choice at that point. He was the clear leader of this staff in Santana’s absence, and its best pitcher to boot.”
In 33 appearances for the Mets last season, Dickey was 8-13 with a 3.28 ERA in 207 innings pitched, during which he struck out 15 percent of the batters he faced.
To read DiComo’s answers to questions about Jenrry Mejia, Andres Torres batting leadoff, Matt Harvey over Zack Wheeler and whether Justin Turner should start over Daniel Murphy, check out his latest mailbag here for MLB.com.
To see other #Mets80sPopBands posted to Twitter, click here.
In a post to Mets by the Numbers, Jon Springer writes:
The last player to where 17, according to Springer, was Fernando Tatis on July 4, 2010.
To see the list of 15 players who wore No. 17 between 2010 and the time Hernandez left the Mets, check out Springer’s post on MBNT.
Here are the results from this past weekend’s poll on MetsBlog asking fans if they will boo Jose Reyes when he makes his return to Citi Field with the Marlins:
In case you missed it, at the BBWAA dinner in New York City on Saturday, Reyes was honored with the Good Guy Award.
According to the Daily News, “Reyes was cheered by fans in the audience when he was introduced. He told Mets fans while receiving the award, “I know I am not going to be here no more, but I appreciate all the support you gave me all these years.”
Last Friday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN said the Mets, Reds, Blue Jays and Mariners have been “keeping tabs” on free-agent LHP Jeff Francis.
The thing is, it’s a delicate balance, because (as is the case with these other teams) the Mets will need to find a guy who is good enough to have upside, but questionable and desperate enough to take a low-paying, minor-league deal that (if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster) can keep him pitching in extended spring training and not elect to be a free agent (like they had with Jason Isringhausen last year).
In term of talent, I realize Francis had 16 losses last year, but his advanced statistics indicate he actually performed better than he did when he won 17 games in 2007. So, he could end up being a bargain if he agreed to come to St. Lucie on Sandy’s terms.
In either case, I do think the Mets will sign one of these guys to act as insurance, which should also help them keep from rushing a guy like Matt Harvey later this summer.
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