Terry, Sandy Winners in Beltran Move to Right

By this time most of you are aware that Carlos Beltran has agreed to move to right field, allowing for Angel Pagan to assume the responsibility of patrolling center field. It makes perfect sense, as the less stressful position will be easier on his aging, fragile knees and should allow him to spend more games, and hopefully more effective games, in the lineup than in the last few years. However, in addition the Mets' hopes this year, the biggest winners to come out of this are Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson.

We don't know exactly how Beltran arrived at this decision, but we do know a few things. He can, and probably does, read the newspapers, and it wasn't hard to find an article that suggested he make the move. These articles weren't mean or insulting; in fact, the ones that made the best case insisted it was best not only for the team but for his knees, health, and long term career. We also know the welfare of his career is probably the only thing that drew the concern of his agent, Scott Boras. Seeking one more big contract out of one of his star players, you can be assured Boras directed him to take the less demanding position and bide his time until the end of the season. As Beltran continues his running regimen and takes extra precautions this Spring Training, we also can be pretty sure of another thing: Beltran knows his knees aren't 25 years old anymore.

What we don't know, and probably won't ever know, is how hard Terry and Sandy pushed the issue, or if they did at all. For all of the off field nonsense surrounding the team, one of the biggest on field hurdles has just been cleared gracefully. Beltran's transition could have occurred with much more friction, or not occurred at all. Collins and Alderson have been well received by the media and players alike so far, which may have led to Beltran's decision. That, or any of the other things listed above. Regardless of the reason, the manager and general manager come through smelling like roses. With Omar Minaya's bungling of, well, everything still fresh in people's minds, its certainly nice to see something like this pass without a problem.

Something doesn't seem right with Beltran's knee situation...

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Carlos Beltran decided today that he was moving to right field, Beltran stated that didn't want the situation prolonged  and that it was best for everyone involved to make the move now.  It's admirable for him to make this move, I got on him last year when he returned and Pagan was clearly the better center fielder.  Now I'm praising him for putting the team first, this allows him to make the necessary adjustments to RF and gives Pagan a chance to have a defined role.  In the long term I think it's best for Beltran's career to make this move and it's nice to see the camaraderie between Carlos and Angel.

While I agree that it's the right move, what I find puzzling is the condition of Beltran's knee.  The extent of the injury as far as I know is that he had knee surgery in Feb. 2010 to relieve a bone bruise.  While I know everyone responds differently, it seems like an awful long time if that's the extent of the injury.  It leads me to ask questions; did he have the rumored micro-fracture surgery that was denied or should he have had a more aggressive surgery and is attempting to play through it, was he re-injured, did he rush back and retard his progress or is this a chronic condition that is going to slow him for the rest of his career. 

We heard nothing but positive progress reports, there have been no reports of set backs or lack of improvement in his condition, so why then a year removed from minor surgery was Beltran not ready for camp.  While he looked hobbled this is a guy who played 64 games last year after three months of rehab and then had an entire off-season to continue his rehab. 

I understand playing it safe with the cornerstone of your offense, an offense that may need to carry your team if your going to have a chance to contend.  But after all this time a red flag went up when Beltran hadn't tested the knee in running drills entering camp and another flag is going up with him slow to even DH in games. 

I hope he's just being extremely careful but something just doesn't seem to add up and I'm concerned that Carlos' condition is /was worse then anyone was letting on....

Adams older version of Emaus Why isn't he in the mix...

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Please don't misinterpret this post as a sudden knee jerk reaction to a good spring training game but after seeing that Russ Adams hit a three run homer to make-up for Oliver Perez's mess, I'm left wondering why Adams isn't in consideration for the 2B job.

Especially since Brad Emaus in many corners is considered the front runner for the position while by all accounts Adams isn't even an after thought despite being an almost identical player.  The biggest difference is there age, Emaus is four years younger then Adams.

Adams was J.P. Riccardi's first pick in the 2002 draft, within two years he was in AAA and in hitter friendly Las Vegas he hit .319, OBP .363 and SLg. .514.  His lifetime minor league numbers are BA .275, OBP .351 and Slg .410.  He's primarily played 2B and SS with a sprinkling of 3B, 1B, RF and LF.  Adams is four years older then Emaus and he did make it to the majors, in parts of five seasons with the Jays he hit .247, .313 OBP and .372 Slg. 

Emaus was an 11th round pick of J.P.'s in 2007 and within two years he was also in AAA where in Los Vegas he hit .298, OBP .395 and Slg. .495.  His lifetime minor league numbers are BA .276, OBP .364 and SLg. .426.  He's primarily played SS, with some 2B and a sprinkling of 1B/LF. 

Again my point isn't that after Adams hit a three run homer I suddenly think he should be the 2B or on the bench but more if Emaus is the front runner for the 2B job, then why isn't Adams even in the conversation since they're such similar players...

"Adams can do a lot of things for you," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He's got good power." source MLBcom

Weekend Poll Results: Murphy Remains the Fan Favorite

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 This weekend we asked, which Mets' "prospect" would you move like to see make the team.  Daniel Murphy still seems to be the fan favorite this spring, reaching 43% of the vote.  Oddly enough, he seems to be the only member of the four with an almost guaranteed spot on the roster.  If even Murph doesn't prove to be proficient enough to win the 2B job, he would likely be a fixture on the team's bench, due to his ability to play nearly any position on the diamond.

Pedro Beato scored a healthy 28% of the vote.  He had a positive first outing with the team on Saturday, and is a favorite to make the team based upon his Rule V draft status.  Should he be left off the team coming out of camp, he would have to return to Toronto.  If nothing else, he was born on the date the Mets won the World Series in 1986.

Brad Emaus and Nick Evans just about split the rest of the votes.  Things are still wide open at second base.  Luis Castillo has performed just fine thus far, but Terry Collins' declaration that 2B is now an offensive position may provide the opportunity for Emaus to allow his bat to take him to the starting line up.  Evans on the other hand, currently finds himself as the odd man out.  The early power displays by Scott Hairston and Willie Harris don't aid Evans' cause.  It should also be noted that he did not start in the outfield on Sunday, despite the team fielding two teams, leading one to assume that he isn't even in the teams top seven outfield options.

It is certainly early, and there is still a ton of baseball to play before all the cuts are made.  There has been very little poor performance thus far, so it is still anyone's guess who will worm their way onto the 25 man roster next month.

Injury News: Chase Utley

It appears that the injury bug has chosen to bite in Philadelphia first this season. As David Murphy reports:

The Phillies second baseman has been diagnosed with patellar tendinitis in his right knee after undergoing an MRI here in Florida on Saturday.

Both Utley and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. stopped short of calling the condition "serious", saying they hope an ounce of prevention during the spring will pay dividends down the road. ~Philadelphia Inquirer~
Utley, who missed 49 games during the 2010 season as the result of a thumb injury has battled similar knee issues in the past, but this particular instance has been cited as the most severe. On Saturday, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel insisted "soreness at this time of the year is normal and that Utley isn't hurt." If the media attention this has received is any indication, I believe that Manuel may be sugar coating things just a hair.

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

Should the problem linger, there are surgical options when it comes to such an injury, but the Phillies have chosen to take the rest and recovery approach. Considering how early in the year it is, that only makes sense.

I hesitate to call this good news, because I wouldn't wish injury on anyone, but everyone seems to think the Mets will need all the help they can get this season. We all know how quickly injuries can pick apart the "best team on paper" and alter the balance of power in the division. This is just something else for us to keep our eyes on as the season approaches.

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Cappy and Young strong in debut

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The two pitchers I expect to be in the rotation started today in split squad games and both received positive reviews. 

Chris Young started against the Braves, in which he went two perfect innings which included two strikeouts.  Dusty Ryan has caught him this spring  as he did last year in camp with the Padres and this is what he had to say about Young's stuff.

"Definitely the most noticeable thing is his velocity," Ryan said. "He has a lot more velocity back. All of his pitches are a lot sharper. I mean, he's always had that curveball, but he's got movement on it. Everything just looks a lot better." source ESPN NY

Chris Capuano started against U. of Michigan, keeping his pitch count down allowed him to pitch a rare three innings in his first start.  Cappy allowed one run on three hits, while striking out four and not allowing a walk.  The three hits were all hard hit doubles, but Cappy is a contact pitcher so hits should be expected.  He had a decent outfield in Bay, Martinez and Pridie so those hits just found holes and weren't a result of inferior defense. Still even with three doubles it was a solid outing...

"It's a good test for my arm this early in spring to be feeling good," said Capuano, who is nearly three years removed from the second of his two career Tommy John surgeries. "Last year, I was able to get my fastball back up into the 87 to 90 range, and if I can get it up into that range and stay there, I don't expect too much more than that. I'm happy there." source MLB.com

Ollie on thin ice...

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

On the heels of reports that Oliver Perez has until approx. March 10th to prove he belongs in the rotation, his first outing of the spring didn't go so well.  In two innings Ollie gave up four runs on four hits and three walks in two innings of work.  I hope this moves Ollie one step closer to being cut, plain and simple I just don't trust him in any role and even if he has a good stretch you know a melt down is only one pitch away...

The Good, The Bad & The Ollie

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The Good: Chris Young pitched two perfect innings today in Orlando against the Atlanta Braves.  More importantly his velocity was a bit better than when he was fresh off of surgery late last season, topping out in the 88 to 90 mph range and relying on his fastball and curve exclusively.  The significance of this outing must be kept in perspective, as it was only two innings of what should amount to a very long road back for Young. That said, he was effective, he faced major league caliber hitters and most importantly, he was pain free.

The Bad:  With the exception of Manny Acosta and Armando Rodriguez's struggles late in the game Saturday, there is very little that can be coined bad for the Mets at that point.  If we had to find something, it would have to be the additional news that the team received a loan from MLB in order to maintain financial liquidity late last year.  Although this undoubtedly raises additional concerns over the Wilpon's ability to maintain control of the team, from a baseball standpoint, fans should simply be happy that the team is healthy.

The Ollie:  Today may have marked the end of the Oliver Perez as a starting pitcher experiment, although Andy Martino reported this afternoon that he would have until March 10th to prove his worth in the rotation.  Despite throwing 15 of his first 20 pitches for strikes, Perez finished his outing with three consecutive walks and  a stat line that read: 2IP, 4ER, 4H, 3BB.  Bottom line, Perez cannot afford another outing like this this spring.  He simply has the odds stacked too steeply against him.  For what its worth, Perez did retire the two lefties he faced on the day, recording a strike out and a fielders choice.

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Young hopes debut is a step forward

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

The Mets were able to land Chris Young because he's coming off a shoulder injury and only had three starts at the end of the season before entering free agency.

Young will make his spring training debut today, he's feeling 100% and he hopes that it equates to success on the field. 

I actually think Young is one of the keys to this season, if he's effective and healthy, then I think the weakest component of the team, the rotation has a chance to be solid.


"Last year I thought I was going through a normal spring training," said Young, who entered Padres camp coming off a shoulder injury. "But I couldn't have the throwing days between starts the way I've been able to do here between bullpen sessions. Here, there have been no issues bouncing back, and I'm pretty excited about the way I feel." source NY Post

Could you live with Castillo making the team...

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

I have to admit Louis Castillo has looked good so far in camp, Louie has been smooth compared to the other candidates during infield drills and yesterday turned a tough double play moving toward SS, that I don't believe any of the others would have made. 

I disagree with Terry Collins on this one point, you win with solid defense up the middle and I don't think you can sacrifice that defense for offense at those positions.  That's not to say you can afford to have a .237 hitter but you also can't have a decent hitter who boots the ball around the field.

I don't trust Oliver Perez, no matter how good he looks I think eventually he will burn us but I don't feel the same about Castillo.  I believe he has tried hard as a Met but for most of the time injuries have inhibited him from preforming to expectations.  Unlike Perez if Castillo can show he can preform, I can live with him making the team. 

Of course, he has to hit along with fielding and while he had a base hit, he also ground into a double play with Jose Reyes on first....

"I hope he gives me a chance in spring training to see I still can play," Castillo said. "Sometimes I feel like I have 15 years in the big leagues and now I feel like I’m a rookie. I have to show I can still play. Sometimes that’s the game. I’m OK with that. Let Castillo play, play good." source NJ.com

Starting Lineups - 2/26/11

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Today marks the first official game of Spring Training as the Atlanta Braves travel to Digital Domain Park to take on your New York Mets.  The game will start at 1pm and although it will not be televised, it can be heard on WFAN radio.

At first glance, it appears the Braves will play their "B" team of sorts, as players throughout their depth chart will start in the infield.  The Mets on the other hand, will play their proposed starters, with the exception of Carlos Beltran who will be kept out of gameplay until he completes his running program.

Lets Go Mets!!!

Byrdak numbers don't support crossover/multiple inning concept...

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Andy Martino has an article on Tim Byrdak today in the daily news, much like Andy I too was surprised that Byrdak was considered one of the slam dunks for the pen ( this post). 

If the Mets were to tell me that the reason Byrdak was a near lock  because they wanted a veteran for the position, then I would fully buy into the idea.  After all; a lefty will more then likely be coming in to pitch to someone like Ryan Howard with men on base and the game on the line, a veteran wouldn't succumb to nerves.

But Martino is being told that Byrdak is viewed as a crossover pitcher who can go multiple innings, the problem with that is that his numbers don't support the concept.  Only in one season of his entire career has his innings pitched out numbered his appearances and that was only by 6 innings in 2007 (39 APP./45 inn.).  While he's posted a solid .211 BAA with LHB, it jumps to .288 against RHB and his SO/BB is an even at 1.04 against RHB compared to a 2.17 LHB.

"We see Byrdak as someone who can be successful against righties and lefties and throw one or two innings," pitching coach Dan Warthen clarified Friday source Daily News

I have no problem with Byrdak making the team as a left handed reliever, I just don't understand where the team is coming from on his role as he appears to be strictly a LOOGY...

Iggy back to basics and Collins likes the results...

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Ryota "Iggy" Igarashi pitched two perfect frames in his first spring training exposure and received the praise of his manager.  No longer on the 40 man roster, the former Japanese closer has an up hill battle to be anything more then an expensive AAA reliever.  Barring an upset there are reportedly two open spots on the roster in the bullpen.

It's interesting to note that Terry Collins feels Iggy's problem last year was that he tinkered with too many pitches, what makes that interesting is that Dan Warthen was the one who didn't like his curve ball and attempted to implement a slider. 

Also Collins said Iggy needed to get back to the pitcher he was in Japan which is what got him here, NPB Tracker called him a fastball/sinker pitcher.  However, Iggy said earlier this month that his fork ball was the key to his success, which lead me to wonder if he called his sinker a fork ball. 

Anyway all that's covered in this post. 

Yesterday, Iggy picked up a little momentum towards one of those pen spots, in which predominantly used his fastball and mixed in his curve to record six straight outs, two of which were K's...


"I told [Igarashi] the first day of this camp: What got him to the United States, what got him to this team, he needs to continue to do," Collins said. "He cannot try to become an American, he's got to try to throw the way he did in Japan, and that is a lot." source NY Post

Video: A Quick Look At Emaus' Swing

As a new member of the New York Mets, yet a legitimate contender to win the the starting role at second base, here is a quick look at the swing of the team's Rule V draft pick, Brad Emaus.



His swing seems fluid enough! Emaus is described as an average hitter with a bit of pop. This may be important as new Mets' manager, Terry Collins has described the second base spot as an "offensive" position this year.

A special thanks to Ed at New York Future Stars for the video! Check them out!!

LINK: Mets Received $25 Million From MLB

The New York Daily News and several other major media outlets are now reporting that New York Mets ownership took a $25 million "short-term" loan from MLB in the face of their impending legal struggles.  Now that this information has come to light, the Mets issued the following statement:

"We said in October that we expected to have a short-term liquidity issue. To address this, we did receive a loan from Major League Baseball in November," the statement read. "Beyond that, we will not discuss the matter any further."
I expect that this information is going to draw more attention than it warrants. As we originally assumed, we did not know all the details of the Mets impending financial struggles. As the New York Daily News reports, the loan is expected to be repaid in only a matter of months.

More information can be found via the link above.

**UPDATE** There seems to be some discrepancy in the reports, as some media outlets are reporting the amount of the loan to be $20 millions, while others are reporting $25 million. More to follow when information becomes available.

Boyer scratched

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Blaine Boyer is a 30 y/o right handed relief pitcher who is hoping to catch on as a middle reliever as a non-roster invite. 

More then likely he'll end up in Buffalo waiting for a recall, the veteran spent the first four seasons of his career in Atlanta before pitching for the D-Backs last year.

He has a career 4.63 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP in 228 appearances. 

Boyer was slated to pitch today but was a scratch when Collins didn't allow him to pitch due to a stiff back, it doesn't appear to be serious and Boyer wanted to pitch...

Bench Candidates show some power; Hairston/Harris

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Two of the front runners for bench spots made their presence known in today's first baseball action, a six inning intra-squad scrimmage.

Both Hairston and Harris have similar resumes, solid defensive players in all three outfield position and while they don't hit for average they do provide decent power off the bench. 

In today's scrimmage Hairston homered twice while Harris had a late inning game tying homer. 

Hairston is a shade more of an all-round player; Harris is more the Endy Chavez win-you-a-game-with-a-catch-squeeze-or-steal type. Room exists on the big league roster for both. And each is the kind of player whose value increases as the team's winning percentage increases. A poor team has less use for late-inning defense because, more often than not, it is trailing and in need of offense. Each has a relatively modest offensive resume. source MLB.com

Regardless Of Spring Success, Tejada Should Start Year In The Minors

It appears it has taken only two weeks of actually baseball for new Mets' manager, Terry Collins to send his first set of mixed messages. As a result, Ruben Tejada may now be in the discussion to win the 2nd base job. This comment may just be in relation to Collins claiming that 2nd base is now an offensive position as well, but as David Lennon reports:

After seemingly settling on three candidates - Emaus, Murphy and Luis Castillo - Collins abruptly threw Ruben Tejada in the mix. His initial plan was to have Tejada start at Triple-A Buffalo as the everyday shortstop. But watching him during these last two weeks apparently planted a seed in Collins' head. Said the manager, "If his bat comes, he may be that guy, who knows?" ~News Day~
I understand the argument that Tejada may be the most capable 2nd baseman in camp in terms of fielding the position. Ultimately, in the end when he has fully matured, he may also feature the best bad amongst the potential candidates, However, the Mets need to stick to their guns and send Tejada down to AAA Buffalo so he can prepare for a job at shortstop in the event that Jose Reyes is traded or gets injured.

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

Also, the Mets need to start letting their young players develop. In an impressive article at MMO, Joe D takes a look at a glaring trend that the Mets are rushing their prospects through the minor league system at an alarming pace. In fact, Mets minor leagues have fewer plate appearances before being called up to Flushing than any minor league system in baseball. Collins' references Tejada's bat coming alive, but this should just be about having a hot spring and making the team. Allow Tejada to go down to the farm, and the get plate appearances necessary to make make him successful at the major league level in the long term.

Should Tejada win the second base job coming out of camp, the Mets will also greatly limit the options should he falter later. His inclusion with the team goes north means either Luis Castillo, Brad Emaus or both will not be with the team when camp breaks. If that's the case, should Tejada struggle the Mets will be left to rely on Daniel Murphy to field the position and while I love the type of ball player Murph is, he has been less than fluid at the position by all accounts.

This team needs to start operating with a long term plan rather than making it up as they go. Allowing players to arrive at the big league level before their ready can greatly retard their success. In addition to destroying any trade value they may have, it can also have a lasting impact on their confidence. Tejada may be the best candidate, but the the team this year, and in years to come, will benefit by having him start the season in minors.

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The Mets Will Benefit Most From?

The 2011 New York Mets will need a variety of things to go their way if they're going to be successful.  That success, for the most part, will be the result of wheels already in motion, rather than things yet to come.  Heading into this offseason, it was clear that the Mets had a number of holes to fill.

First and foremost, the Mets needed to fix themselves on an organizational level.  While its fair to assume that both Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel meant well, it became clear that they were simply over matched for the positions they were in.  Its often said that winning heals all ills, but in New York in particularly, a lack of media savvy can mean disaster...and it did.  Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins have already proven they can handle the NY media in the midst of a public relations crisis.  While Alderson's ability to evaluate talent and Collins' in-game decision making skills remain to be seen, early indications are that they may be better equipped to handle this squad.

With those needs addressed, the Mets and Sandy Alderson turned their sights towards repairing the product on the field.  Alderson was tasked with the completion of the Met's starting staff.  This has been the hot button issue for many Mets' fans, as they feel that the team does not have the pitching to compete this season.  Although their returns from injury are too recent to be comfortable with their presence in the starting rotation, Chris Young and Chris Capuano likely hold the success of the rotation in their hands.  Also in their grasp, is the ability to make or break Sandy's first offseason in New York.

The one thing the Mets' front office and their players cannot control is lady luck.  The team will need its premiere players to stay on the field this season.  While this is the case for every team in the NL East, the Mets have experienced extremely poor luck in recent years.  That said, injuries will undoubtedly happen this year, but if they're able to avoid those season altering injuries to players like Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay, then the team's outlook is much brighter.

So I ask you, which of these will have the biggest impact on the team?  If all three were to fall into place, a playoff push could be in the cards.  However, assuming that doesn't happen, what one is most important to you?  Will the team benefit most from better management, better pitching, or having their players stay on the field for a change?

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Beltran making strides...

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Carlos Beltran asked for a week to ten days for a running program to assess where his knee is at.  So far it sounds like he is progressing well. today was suppose to be a light day but instead Beltran decided to push it.  He's now running the bases and it was said that once he started running the bases he was close.  There has been some speculation that he could DH early on to at least get his bat going in actual game situations. 

Collins said that Carlos Beltran's running program was progressing well. "They actually wanted to back him down today, and he said no, he felt good enough that he wanted to run the bases," he said. "That's a huge sign, because he told me when he starts running the bases he'll be close to playing." source Daily News

Paulino still delayed

Photo Courtesy Brian Krieger

The Mets knew when they signed Ronny Paulino that he would miss the first 8 games of the season, but what they didn't know was that his positive test would delay him from arriving at camp. 

Apparently the consulate frowns upon any players who have a negative incident and the league doesn't get involved.

It seems that the Mets chose Paulino as the back-up catcher because they wanted someone capable of starting if Thole were to struggle as a second year player.  While I agree with Collins that there's plenty of time, I would still like to see him in camp getting familiar with all the pitching staff...

"We've got a lot of time to get him ready," manager Terry Collins said. "He'll get his chance to catch. He can learn that fast." source MLB.com

Izzy has a new pitch...



Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

 Jason Isringhausen is pulling out all the stops, which includes adding a new pitch to make the team.  Izzy is experimenting with a changeup and after receiving rave reviews from Terry Collins it sounds like he's going to keep the pitch.  I know I have a soft spot for Izzy but a 38 y/o with almost 300 saves, who is willing to add a pitch seems like the type of player you want in the pen. 

"I'll keep throwing it then, if he likes it" Isringhausen said. "All you have to do is show those guys (hitters) on video you have a changeup, so they have to keep it in the back of their mind. Will it be my bread and butter? Not right now, but it could be. I always told myself I could do anything with a baseball if I worked at it." source NY Times

Must read on FMart...

Fernando Martinez and Ruben Gotay have a communication problem
Originally uploaded by Michael G. Baron

Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal has a must read article on Fernando Martinez. Costa takes a look at how injuries have impacted this once top prospects development and where he goes from here. Take a look at this must read Here...












"Sometimes I say, 'Come on, what happened?'" Martinez said. "What happened to me? I think I play very hard. I'm very young. Maybe all the injuries will stop one day."source WSJ

Door still open for Tejada at 2B

Ruben Tejada 4
Originally uploaded by Michael G. Baron

Since Terry Collins began discussing his game plan with this team, we've heard that Ruben Tejada would end up in AAA Buffalo. The slick fielding infielder needed to develop his bat more for the major league level and while SS is his natural position, the team was going to get him as many reps as possible with Jose Reyes a free agent at the end of the season.

Collins is a praiser, it's already evident that he's about building his players up no matter where they truly stand on the depth chart. There are already 15 relievers looking great and at least 5 position players showing power he didn't know they had.

Keeping Collins approach in mind, Today; he did leave the door open for Tejada at 2B for the Mets...

Mets Mustn't Look Far For Motivation

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

Although they may not be the best team on paper, its difficult to argue the fact that the Mets have a lot of talent. Despite their pitching concerns, they may boast the most potent lineup in the National League. This will be important considering the 2011 New York Mets may have to out slug their opponents should their pitching staff struggle. As a result, there is no question that this will a difficult season. The Mets have plenty to overcome both on and off of the field, but do they possess the motivation necessary to do so?

A lot has been written about the tens of millions of dollars set to come off the books following this season. Even more has been written about where that money may or may not end up going. But not nearly as much has been written about how much talent may depart as a result of those expiring contracts. Yea, Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo will finally disappear at season's end (at the latest), but there is the potential for Carlos Beltran, Francisco Rodriguez and maybe even Jose Reyes to depart as well. These three men are/were premiere talents at their respective positions and its foolish to think the Mets won't struggle to replace them.

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

This will be the final year in which this particular group of Mets has the opportunity to prove the critics wrong. They were brought here for one purpose, to win a championship. Yes, some may be in Queens on bloated contracts which they have little chance of living up to, but that isn't to say each member of the team doesn't have pride in their performance.

Is it unreasonable to think that the players this year won't have additional motivation?  Picked to win the World Series in 2006 by Sports Illustrated, these core players have since fallen far from grace. This will be the last season they take the field together.  Shouldn't that provide the motivation necessary to allow them to overachieve?  There will be no tomorrow for this unit.  If they are finally going to put it together, it must happen now.

If that isn't enough, there are players in contract years, players seeking contract extensions and players simply looking to secure a permanent place on the team. Is this not enough to warrant extra effort, additional hustle and increased commitment?

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

I've never claimed to have all of the answers, but this Mets team has arrived in camp with renewed vigor. Different players, Beltran included, are willing to play where needed rather then where preferred. For the first time since arriving in Queens, these core players have a manager with some spunk. Someone who is not going to stand in the dugout and watch their player argue a call.  Someone who won't laugh in the postgame press conference following a loss because they don't know what else to say. Finally, they have someone who is going to stand up for them and more importantly, get in their face when necessary.

There will be no shortage of motivation this year. Whether it be contract years, new management or pride, the 2011 New York Mets will have no reason to leave anything on the field. The years of questioning their collective heart should be behind us, because if this group is going to prove they can win together, the time is now...because there is no tomorrow.

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Video: Murphy sloppy while Castillo makes a highlight

Luis Castillo 4
Originally uploaded by Michael G. Baron

The other day Matt at Metsblog posted a video of 2B completing a double play drill and while Murphy looked awkward it could be justified by the simulated runner. However, there was a second video of those drills that can be found at Long Live Shea Stadium.

In that video Murphy struggles to grab an easy grounder and then short arms the throw, making the shortstop come off the bag to pickup the ball in front of the bag.

Meanwhile, Castillo ranges deep into the whole to his right, makes a nice grab and flicks it behind his back, right on the money to the bag. you can hear cheers in the background as he makes the play...

Pedro Beato making a good impression

Pedro Beato Throws to first
Originally uploaded by Michael G. Baron

Pedro Beato is a 24y/o right handed relief pitcher who posted  a 2.11 ERA in 43 appearances last year at Bowie ( AA- Baltimore affiliate). 

Beato was selected in the Rule V draft this year and needs to remain with the team this entire season for them to keep him.  Of course, if the Mets truly like what they see then they could attempt to work out a trade.

According to Andy McCullough of NJ.com Beato is getting rave reviews so far in camp...

He throws four-seam and two-seam fastballs, cutters, curveballs and changeups. Collins complimented the break of his curveball. First baseman Ike Davis noted the sink of his two-seamer. Beato cautioned that he won’t hit his top velocity, 97 mph, until adrenaline floods his system during the season. He believes in his pitches. source NJ.com

Mets Spring Training - A Very Early Review

Every year spring training has its story lines. The carry over from an offseason of moves... or in our case non-moves provides fans with a plethora of things to talk about. This year, the Mets major league camp is not short compelling topics.

New General Manager - Look, we'll never know whether Alderson knew of the financial difficulties to come when he took the Mets gig, but that really doesn't matter now.  I am impressed with his short term work with the team. He handled himself well when the Madoff scandal broke and was successful in waiting out some other teams in order to sign veteran (albeit previously injured) players to cheap contracts. Each of those players is in camp and currently healthy.  While this is an early review, the real litmus test Alderson will be how he handles the extension or departure of Jose Reyes. While he may have no emotional attachment to Reyes, the fans certainly do. And while a franchise should not make decisions solely on the wishes of it's fan base, there will be those fans with justified concerns for the long term plans of the franchise if he isn't retained.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Baron

New Manager - It is really tough to judge a coach prior to playing games that matter, but so far you have to be happy with Terry Collins. He engages EVERYONE, as seen in Matt Cerrone's video yesterday. He is more than candid with the media, which may get him into some trouble at some point, but he so far he has been true to his word. He is certainly different than his two predecessors, who seemed to lose the clubhouse halfway through the years in which they were eventually fired. Collin's approach may not allow for that, should the team produce at least mediocre results this year.

Home Grown Talent - Its interesting to think that over the past few years the Mets minor league system has been highly criticized for its lack of prospects. Yet, as it stands right now the Mets will field at least five home grown players in their line up and at minimum of two in the rotation. Some people may say that's a good thing, others would imply that this is half the teams problem. I personally find it to be a lot of fun rooting for players we've been hearing about for so long. While it seems that Daniel Murphy is likely to make the team in some capacity, I would like to see Nick Evans to get an opportunity as well.

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

The Villains - Lets face it, short of crappy on field performance neither Oliver Perez or Luis Castillo have done anything earth shattering to warrant the criticism they endure. Yes, Ollie was horrid last year and twice rejected demotions to the minors, but even Francisco Rodriguez, who completely embarrassed this club late last season, hasn't seen nearly the hostility from fans this spring. But nonetheless, Ollie and Louie have a long way to go to win back any type of fan appreciation. All signs seem to point to them leaving town, but that remains to be seen as the team's first spring training game looms.  With the amount of money they're owed, a decent spring performance could keep them on the roster.

All things considered, the Mets have had a pretty uneventful first two weeks in Florida.  Uneventful means that no one showed up to camp terribly out of shape, no one said anything stupid and most importantly no one has gotten hurt.  If the biggest thing the beat writers have to report about is the team bowling outing, then we may just be headed in the right direction after all.  This are sure to spice up a bit as games start this weekend, but so far... so good?

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2B is an offensive postion...



Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

 Terry Collins says that he sees offense as the priority at the second base position.  Now most have said that it doesn't bode well for Louis Castillo, however; most are forgetting that he's a lifetime .290 BA with a .368 OBP and is a perfect fit for the two hole ( even Collins suggested) if he's hitting.

Now before the hate mail starts, I'm not in Castillo's corner, all I'm saying is that if all you need to be is a serviceable fielder and the bat is more important, then Castillo maybe back in the race. 

His knees reduced his range and base path speed but his plate discipline and contact were still there, even if his numbers were down.  I still think Murphy will end up on the bench or in a platoon and Emaus will either win the job or platoon with Murphy and that's quite a statement when I've never seen either at the position. 


“Second base, to me, has become an enormous offensive position,” Collins said. “Why? I’m not really sure, except some of the guys that have been playing there recently [Chase Utley, Dan Uggla] have put up huge numbers at second. But it’s become an offensive position, so to me that’s a big piece to the puzzle, especially when you’ve got that guy [Ike Davis] playing first base that can eat up so much ground over there. It helps out." source ESPN NY

Adam Rubin on the Second Base Candidates

I believe this falls in line with what most fans are expecting (or hoping). Daniel Murphy playing second base regularly would fill out the home grown infield, which I personally would love to see. Emaus is expected to be efficient if unspectacular, and a platoon or partial platoon would be great. Castillo would seemingly need one of those two to either get hurt or fall on their face to head north with the team.

A look at Harris at 2B

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Yesterday Kevin Burkhardt tweeted that aside from Ruben Tejada, Willie Harris looks the best defensively at 2B during infield drills. 



Tejada is slated for AAA, his bat needs more development and he's going to play the year at SS, as a contingency plan in the event they can't resign Jose Reyes. 

Today, in his chat Adam Rubin sees Harris as a bench player for the outfield, complimenting Scott Hairston.

In 2009 Beyond the Box Score suggested that the Braves reacquire Harris and while the numbers support him being a bigger asset in the outfield he was average at 2B. While Harris maybe only average at 2B we still have no idea what Murphy, Emaus or Turner will be at the position and while I suspect one of the others will win the position, he's appears to be a nice back-up plan...

A move from 2B to LF saw Harris's defensive value jump. Although Harris was actually a roughly average 2B (-1.2 UZR/150 in roughly 1460 innings), he put up a 7.8 UZR in 105 games in the outfield in 2007. At the same time, Harris's wOBA rose from a career sub-.300 clip to .325. A .325 wOBA is still below average, but when combined with his defensive prowess, lead to a 1.4 win season in a mere 344 PAs. source Beyond The Box Score

Izzy has a legitimate chance

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Jon Harper reported this morning that Jason Isringhausen has a legitimate chance of making the team. 

Terry Collins identified five relievers who are almost locks for the pen, if that remains to be the case then it leaves two spots up for grabs; Francisco Rodriguez, Bobby Parnell, D.J. Carrasco, Tim Byrdak and Taylor Buchholz.

The biggest question for Izzy is whether he's healthy, until 2008 he produced seven 30 save seasons in eight years ( exception 2003 - 22 saves in 40 appearances) with an ERA under 3.00.

The Mets' decision-makers don't want to hype the idea publicly, largely because they need to see if Isringhausen's arm holds up, but privately they're excited about the possibility.source Daily News

News Only the Mets Can Make

No Fred, the other middle infielder.



For winning, David got to sit in the front seat on the way home.



Alderson was also reportedly overheard complimenting Ollie's shoes.



I bet when he gets there, his legs will never hurt again.

Pelfrey the Veteran Leader ?

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

If the Mets are to contend this season they need Mike Pelfrey to step up and become the ace of the staff, at least until Johan Santana gets back.

There's no question in my mind Pelfrey has the talent to be an ace, the issue has always been his confidence.  Pelfrey needs to believe in himself not his stuff convincing him of who he is...

Just maybe a playful jab today at some younger hitters is a little insight into the maturation of Pelf.  There was a time when he would have never taken notice of such a thing because he viewed himself on the same footing and while it might seem a bit prima-donna-ish, it shows that just maybe he's viewing himself as a veteran leader...

Video of Tsujimoto's delivery...

There were many scrambling yesterday to find information on newly signed pitcher Kent Tsujimoto.  A 21y/o right hander who hits the high 90s with his fastball and was the youngest Japanese pitcher signed, ends up falling to the Mets on a minor league deal because of back issues.  Here is a video of his delivery, I'm no pitching coach but he seems to have a wiping motion that could explain the back issues...

Omar Minaya Just Won't Go Away

With an update on the status of Omar Minaya, Mike Puma of the NY Post writes:

A high-ranking Mets official told The Post the door remains open for former general manager Omar Minaya to join general manager Sandy Alderson's staff in some capacity.

Minaya, who is still owed $2 million by the Mets through 2012, recently was vacationing in Europe and is weighing all options, the source said.
This still baffles me! It has to be his relationship with the Wilpons that kept Omar in as GM for as long as it did, that would allow him to remain with the franchise in any capacity whatsoever.  I can't foresee a way Omar can remain with the team and not at some point potentially undermind Alderson's authority to ownership or create another public relationships fiasco.

As a fan, I have as much interest seeing Minaya connected to the team, as I did watching Steve Phillips break down game film on Baseball Tonight after he was ousted.  I just don't see the benefit in it.  If Omar was such a great scout, as many people have said, than he would not have dealt out the contracts the Mets have been forced to endure in recent years.  Enough is enough, but instead...we wait.

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The Mets Go...Bowling?

Terry Collins' initiative to promote team unity commenced last night with the first edition of Mets Bowling at a local bowling alley in PSL. It seems to get fairly well, as Collins drew a few laughs when he whipped out a bowling ball branded with the Mets' logo which you can see HERE. Sandy Alderson, who you can see HERE, also joined the team for the night.  He is some of what was said on twitter about the trip:



So, we get a few jokes at Ollie's expense, and lets face it...each of those assumptions is warranted. As always, David Wright seems to shine, earning the high score on the night of 259 and not taking himself too too seriously. And finally, we see some good-hearted joking around between Ike and Jose, which is the EXACTLY the type of thing Terry Collins is trying to promote.

I think that while these is a bit unorthodox to have this type of thing mandated at the major league level, as long as no one ends up getting hurt, this will be a good thing for the team. In previous years, they have had their fair share of supposed club house rifts and if this team is going to win this year, they will need to work as a unit. Collins told ESPN's Adam Rubin that he would like to maintain this event on a weekly basis for at least four weeks before all things baseball start to get in the way.

Weekend Poll Results:

This weekend, we asked you which of the four news bits to come out of the first week of spring training is most encouraging.  This is what you had to say:

Coming in at #1 with 52% of the vote what the original news that Beltran may not be required to wear his brace this season.  That information has since been amended, as Carlos has stated that he will wear the brace, but he needs to have it refitted because his offseason workouts have increased the size of his quads.  There is still good news to be had here though, as Beltran's speed and flexibility seem to have increased with those workouts.

The rest of you split your votes between the late June time table for Johan's return (32%) and the fact that the Mets have managed to avoid any public relationships nightmares at spring training thus far (16%).

• All signs, so far, point to Johan rejoining the team prior to the All-Star Break, but that remains to be seen.  Any relapses could greatly alter that time line, as Johan's injury is a rarity amongst pitchers.  
• As far as public relations go, I think we are experiencing the Sandy and Terry effect.  They have been decisive and definitive for the most part, not allowing the media to spin there words and create more of a story than what is present.  Its good to see, coming off of the Omar years that were anything but 'calm and collected.'

Not a single vote for the declaration that the Wilpons will retain full control of the team, which is not totally surprising, because I don't buy it for a minute either.  This story is still evolving and while the immediate shock value has gone away, this one will stick with us until the results of the lawsuit or settlement are known.

As always, we appreciate your participation!  If there is a specific topic you would like to see us cover or poll here on the site, don't hesitate to let us know.  You can reach any one of us through the 'Site Team/Contact' tab at the top of the page.  Spring training really gets cranked up today, so...Lets Go Mets!

Mets Fever: Week In Review

These were the top five articles posted on Mets fever that peaked your interest this week:

1) Rob reviewed indicators (incorrect) that: John Main Might Sign In Philly.

2) Rob points out that: Wright And The Mets Will Be Better Off Without HoJo.

3) Ed looked at the: Reunion Of Two Members of Generation K.

4) Ed discussed how: Two Young Outfielders Have Impressed Thus Far.

5) Ed posted Michael Baron's: Image Of The Day.

*** Remember, you can review all of Michael Baron's photos by clicking HERE. ***

Thanks for reading! As always, if you have questions and comments, or there is something specific you'd like to see us cover here on the blog, you can reach each of us through the 'Site Team/Contact' tab at the top of the page.

Tsujimoto derailed by back injuries...

David Lennon passed on a little information about newly signed Kent Tsujimoto.  The hard thrower was once the youngest Japanese player to be signed and according to NPB Tracker he hit 94 mph on the radar gun, last year in the independent league.  So why is he available at 21 y/o, because his career has been derailed by back issues...



It’s a good time to be a former Hanshin Tiger, as Kento Tsujimoto has caught on with the Mets on a minor league deal. Tsujimoto made history a few years ago, when at age 15, he became the youngest player ever drafted in NPB history. According to Nikkan Sports he hit 94 on the gun in the indy leagues last year.source NPB Tracker

Emaus not Pedrioa maybe Keppinger

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Keith Law answered a few questions today on twitter, he didn't seem to like the comparison on Brad Emaus to Dustin Pedrioa but was okay with Jeff Keppinger. 

I would think comparing a rule V pick who hasn't played above AAA would be a bit of a stretch when considering Pedrioa's resume.  We're talking about a 3X All Star, rookie of the year, AL MVP, gold glove and silver slugger. 

Keppinger didn't start getting regular work until he was 28 y/o (2008), in a small market town ( Cincy) and the starter went down with an injury (SS).  The next year he was back to being a full time utility man, playing in 100 games and only 67 were at the same position (3B).  Last year he played 126 games at 2B and hit .288.  Overall he's a lifetime .281 hitter with a .339 OBP and .391 SLG while playing every position except CF and catcher. 

A few signed for Buffalo...

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

The Bison's have announced that Jesus Feliciano is returning, they also signed Chris Shelton and Kent Tsujimoti. 

Feliciano was a great story last year, on the verge of retiring as a career minor leaguer he became a 31 y/o rookie in which he hit .231 in 108 AB.  He's a fan favorite in Buffalo, as he's quite accomplished on the AAA level. 

It's funny having a blog you have all these archives to search, rarely can you look back and say "see I told you so", more often then not looking back results in a chuckle. 

Entering the 2008 season Delgado was coming off hip surgery, Valentin ( AKA The Stache) was recovering from an ankle injury and the only players with experience at 1B on the roster were Easley, Anderson and Gotay.  I suggested in this post the Mets pick-up Brad Wilkerson and if not him Tony Clark or Chris Shelton.  Three years later and all eight players mentioned in the post are out of the major leagues.

Shelton had two decent seasons with the Tigers back in 2005-2006 where he averaged a  BA of .280 with 50 RBI's and 16 HRs.  Since then he has struggled to stay at the major league level and now at 30 y/o looks like a long shot to ever return. 

There is very little on Kent Tsujimoti he's a 21 y/o who played in an independent league last year...

February 20, 2011 - The New York Mets today announced that they have signed OF JESUS FELICIANO to a minor league deal. The Bisons' major league affiliate also announced that INF CHRIS SHELTON and RHP KENT TSUJIMOTO have been signed to minor league deals. source MiLB

Beltran Sees Opportunity In Right Field

Photo Courtesy of Michael Baron

Its a shame that at only 33 years of age, the knees of Carlos Beltran have been claimed by a level of arthritis that will provide a permanent hindrance to his ability to play baseball. Once considered a five tool player, Beltran rode a superhuman post season with the Houston Astros in 2004 all the way to the Big Apple when he signed a seven year, $119 million deal the following year.

2011 brings with it the final year of that contract. Looking back, it would be unfair to consider Beltran's deal a bust. He anchored the Met's lineup for the first four years of his deal and has made countless 'web gem' type plays in center field. More recently, Beltran has been hobbled by knee injury after knee injury, playing no more than 81 games in his past two seasons. This has significantly impacted his ability to patrol the expansive outfield of Citi Field and begs the question, will Angel Pagan be a better option in center field this year for the New York Mets?

Upon his arrival at spring training, this question, amongst others, were broached by the New York media. In response to the potential of moving to right field this season, Steve Popper of The Record quoted Beltran as saying the following:

"I will give a better answer once I finish my running progression. And I told Terry, I said, ‘Don’t worry,’ and I also told Sandy, I will be honest because I won’t cheat myself. I don’t like to look bad. There’s not a player I have met that wants to take the field and look terrible. I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want to embarrass myself. I want to make sure that when I’m out there and I’m willing to take the field, I’m good to go."
In not so many words, Beltran acknowledged that the level of play he brought with him when he returned from the disabled list was simply not good enough to play center field anymore. That isn't to say that another six months of rest and rehab this winter won't have resulted in a significant increase in Beltran's speed, power and flexibility, but we simply don't know that yet. Beltran also insinuated that a move to right field may be for his betterment going into his contract year, to which John Harper of the NY Daily News said:

Switch-hitting center fielders with speed and power may be the rarest of commodities, but if Beltran's knee is going to be an issue, Boras (his agent) may feel Beltran will be more marketable as a corner outfielder, saving some wear and tear on his legs that might help him put up bigger offensive numbers.
Someone will likely say that Beltran's potential willingness to make the move to right field is purely selfish in nature.  My question to them would be, does it really matter?  Beltran's departure from Flushing seems to be imminent, whether if be via trade this summer or free agency following the season.  There are no long term effects for the Mets, short of trade value if he starts the season well, that should impact this decision.  If Carlos Beltran is willing to make the move to right field for any reason, it should be jumped upon. He and his agent are likely correct that such a move will provide less wear and tear on the slugger's body moving forward, but that scenario could pay immediate dividends for the Mets this season if he is able to stay on the field. 

I was surprised to see this openness to change from Beltran.  Widely regarded as one of the best outfielders in the game when he arrived in NY, he is understandably proud and it would make sense if he was reluctant to make such a move out of pride alone.  In my honest opinion, if Beltran wants the opportunity to win the center field spot this spring he deserves that chance.  If he has done nothing else since arriving with the Mets it has been giving 100%.  He has played injured, significantly injured, on many occasions over the past several seasons and with the exception of the heated words exchanged between him and the Mets' front office following his surgery before last season, he has provided minimal distraction of the club.  As such, this issue no longer deserves the attention it was getting previously as Beltran does not necessarily oppose such a move and things seem as if they will fall into place as opening day draws near.

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R.A. Dickey Breaks the Mold

Photo Courtesy of Michael Baron

Its amazing the different personalities, attitudes and oddities that come together to make up a major league roster.  Players from all over the world, some of whom make tens of millions of dollars and others who make only a few hundred thousand, must do much more than just coexist if a team is going to be successful.  We find that some players are humbled by the good fortunes their talents have brought them and then there are those with egos so large they are almost intolerable to those around them.  And then there are those who are just at little..different.  They bring a rare quality to the locker room, that makes them not only an asset, but a fan favorite as well.

For the 2011 New York Mets, that player is R.A. Dickey.  Entering his fifteenth year of professional baseball, Dickey isn't like most major league ball players, if any.  Not only is he open and inviting when speaking to members of the media, he presents almost a 'regular guy' persona.  That's not to say he isn't a regular guy with a few quirks.

A knuckleballer by trade, which is rare in its own right, Dickey has exhibited some rare behaviors since becoming a Mets regular.  He followed the 2010 season by spending time out in the woods...alone, so that he could collect his thoughts.  Now we've come to learn that he will be arriving at Digital Domain Park each morning via bike.  No, not a Harley Davidson, but a regular old push pedal bicycle.  This is undoubtedly, not exactly the most lavish entrance for a player who recently signed a two year contract worth $7.8 million, but it works for him and it seems to be working for the Mets.

Although Dickey's odd behaviors don't lend themselves to superstitions, I am reminded of past Met Turk Wendell.  This was a man who took superstition to the limits.  From the simple skip over the foul line on his way to and from the dugout, to the awkward routine of brushing his teeth between innings, Turk was a strange one.  However, he was also a fan favorite.  I can remember waiting for him to enter the game with his crazy necklace, if only to see him slam down the rosin bag prior to making his first pitch.

Its unfortunate that players such as these only come along once in a while.  While this isn't too say that the other members of the team aren't 'good guys', there is just a quality about guys like Dickey that is simply endearing.  Watching the way he carries himself or the way he speaks to reports often brings a smirk to my face.  Hearing about these quirky behaviors does a great deal to humanize the men we follow so closely.  R.A. Dickey will be as good for this team on the field as he's been off of it, and I am excited to see where that can bring us.

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O'Connor is deceptive

Photo Courtesy Michael Baron

Mike O'Connor has members of the organization in his corner as I posted here.  Despite those supporters, as a non-roster invitee who doesn't have veteran respect to either make the team or be cut so he can catch on elsewhere, it's going to be an up hill battle.  While O'Connor can be tucked away in Buffalo, other pitchers are out of options, could demand a release or need to be sent back to their original teams. Collins is already penciling in Tim Byrdak as one of the lefties, if they go with two O'Connor is one of several candidates vying for the spot.

I don't know how Alderson will handle these situation but Omar tended to work of an honor system with veteran players. Giving them every opportunity to make the team even when other players out preformed them and then granted them their release if they didn't make the cut. If that's the case a guy like Byrdak is almost a lock with Tankersley close behind. 

Apparently one thing O'Connor has going in his favor is that he has a deceptive delivery. It's nice to have two lefties with different looks, so when you have a big hitter like Howard in th eline-up, you can throw different angles at him throughout the game...

Paulino continues to be delayed



Photo Courtesy Brian Kieger

 Brian Costa of the WSJ reports that catcher Ronny Paulino continues to be delayed due to Visa issues.  Apparently part of the delay maybe due to Paulino's positive results for banned substances.  Regardless of when he gets in camp, Paulino will miss the first 8 games or the regular season to complete his 50 game suspension. Paulino contests that the positive result stems from use of a deitary supplement ( source Pro Rumors).