The final roster cuts...

Just wanted to take one final look at how the final roster impacted those that didn't make the cut. 

Luis Hernandez and Pat Misch made it through waivers and accepted assignment to Buffalo.  Both could have opted for free agency after making it through waivers. 

Much to my surprise Nick Evans made it through waivers and was optioned to Buffalo.  There was a great deal of discussion as to why Evans didn't replace Bay on the roster; first of all once on waivers Evans couldn't be pulled back and when he cleared, if he was put on the roster to be removed again he would have to make it through waivers again. 



There hasn't been any word on Manny Acosta because he was designated for assignment, the Mets now have 10 days to work out a trade with another team.  This puts Acosta in limbo, he's off the roster but isn't at risk of being lost on waivers.  This is probably an indication that they thought Acosta wouldn't make it through waivers or accept assignment if he made through.



Finally Izzy agreed to stay in PSL for two weeks, during which time if another team offers him a major league deal the Mets have agreed to let him go but they also have the right to first refusal.  Not sure what will happen in two weeks, it seems like a small window to evaluate pitchers on the roster and Izzy's durability but I guess it was better then nothing.

Keep Calm? Please. We're Mets Fans

Josh, our newest writer here at Mets Fever, has just advised me to "keep calm and carry on." Poor Josh. So young, so much to learn. Mets fans worry, incessantly, and with great cause. No matter the state of the team, no matter how deep the depths we reach, it can be worse. Historic late season collapse, breaking our hearts on the final day of the season? That's pretty rough. No need to worry, not like we can do it again the very next year. Oh, wait, we totally can. Going through a tough season and need to replace your manager? That can be tough for anybody, but the Mets make it... well, special.

The Daily Show - Intro - Willie Randolph Fired

The list goes on, and on, and on. But it is a huge part of being a Met fan. There are no guarantees of any kind that go along with this team. Its difficult, and we love it. We despise Yankee fans for having it too easy. We hate Phillies fans for jumping on the bandwagon. (Who could find a Phillies fan seven years ago?) We hate St. Louis fans because they're too polite to boo. We hate Braves fans just for being Braves fans.

Opening day is tomorrow, and we'll all tune in. We're all Christmas Eve excited tonight. We can't wait to follow are team to October baseball, or we can't wait to have our hearts ripped out by a bad season. We don't know which yet. But the one thing we know, with absolute certainty, is that we will worry.

Follow me on Twitter @kmflemming

Keep Calm and Carry On

On November 23rd, 2010 Terry Collins was announced as the new manager of the New York Mets less than a month after Sandy Alderson was introduced as the new General Manager. Along with new front office acquisitions J.P Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta, the silver lining became faintly visible.

However, it hasn't taken long for the typically impatient New York fans to jump on the veteran manager for his first official in-season decision: The Opening Day Lineup

The Mets will field a lineup tomorrow that will boast three potential All-Stars in Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and David Wright. Meanwhile, Ike Davis and Josh Thole will both look to build on their impressive first full major league seasons while Brad Emaus will get his first taste of the major leagues. The only problem? Left Fielder Willie Harris, who will only be appearing in the first game of the season before giving way to Lucas Duda for the final two games of the series. Several fans have questioned Collins' decision to bat Harris second(who has a .500 OBP against Josh Johnson). The bigger question should be: Why not?

While the health of Carlos Beltran is largely in question, there are far fewer questions that the Mets will face in 2011. It was only but a year ago that the opening day lineup included superstars such as Alex Cora, Mike Jacobs and Jeff Francoeur. While many are quick to jump the gun to call Terry Collins a "joke"--it's usually important to give the manager a chance. Negative sentiments have surrounded the team due to performance in recent years but people will be quick to forget that Willie Harris was batting second on opening day if the Mets start off hot and are still in contention come the All Star Break.

2011 is sure to be an enigmatic season-- but given the circumstances Terry Collins appears to be the least of the organization's problems. Keep calm, carry on and enjoy opening day. Besides, when did worrying ever do anyone any good?

Paulino and the Catching situation

Photo by Michael Baron

The good news is that the results of Ronny Paulino's biopsy were negative but Paulino is now faced with a blood disorder and it's unknown when he will return to the club. 

"He needs to get his blood count up," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "Right now, we don't know what time frame is involved. It's going to be more than a week." source MLB.com 

Adam Rubin explains that the Mets don't have a third catcher identified on the roster....

So catching instructor/bullpen coach Jon Debus was at somewhat of a loss as to who would fill the role. He eventually surmised it would have to be Daniel Murphy or Chin-lung Hu ... "probably Hu," he concluded. source ESPN NY

The Mets currently have Mike Nickeas backing Josh Thole and while Nickeas can defend, his bat is a huge question mark especially for more then a week or two.

Opening Day Fever

Do you smell that? It's not easy to describe and yet the day comes once a year, much like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The faint smell of spring, the warm vibes of the impending summer. It's the strongest pseudo odor of them all--and it's called opening day.

Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida will play host to the first ballgame of the year for the New York Mets tomorrow night at 7:10 PM ET, who will oppose the Florida Marlins for the second consecutive year. While the baseball Nostradamus's predict more of the same for the club , the lineup will be vastly different. In fact, David Wright will be the only Met taking the field this year that was in the lineup for opening day 2010.

Amidst speculation that his power had dropped off due to Citi Field's dimensions, Wright quickly silenced his critics by blasting a two run homer off of Marlins ace Josh Johnson to kick off the season. Wright will need to replicate his performance tomorrow night and beyond in order for the Mets to have a fighting chance this year.

The New York Mets will face Josh Johnson(11-6, 2.30 ERA in 2010) for the second consecutive year on opening day and will hope to find more success than they have in the past. Since 2009, Johnson has held the Mets to a 3.46 ERA through 45 innings.

Willie Harris has been on the wrong end of criticism for getting the start in left field, but Harris has had tremendous success against Johnson in the past(reaching base 11 times in 22 tries) while also being a favorable match to the RHP Johnson.

Mike Pelfrey will make his first opening day start as the De Facto ace of the club. Pelfrey pitched like an all star excluding a miserable July and will be another major piece in the Mets success. Yes, this means no erratic performances, hand licking or running laps around the stadium after a poor outing. Leadership is an element that has been lacking on the club, and as Pelfrey enters his 5th full season on the big league roster those traits should be beginning to show.

While the questions the team faces have been played more times than a Lady Gaga song this offseason, now's the time for action. There won't be plagues of predictions and speculation--just the true, cold hard facts and emotions that only a full 162 can bring.

It's time to rush out of the gate tomorrow night--the winter is finally over and the boys of summer are back for another roller coaster season.

Has Terry Collins Faltered On His First Big Decision As Mets' Skipper?

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

Spring training had been uneventful for the New York Mets. The team entered camp knowing that Johan Santana would never be ready to join the team and it was no surprise that Carlos Beltran would be hobbled once again. Until 48 hours ago, the most drama we'd see thus far would be whether or not Beltran would accept a move to right field. That issue came and went, with minimal altercation, and one could generally praise manager Terry Collins for the way it was handled.

In fact, there is very little one could pick at when it comes to Collin's...so far. However on Monday, Collin's got his first dose of New York reality. The roster moves he made were required, as the roster must be trimmed to just 25 guys. It is only fair to indicate that these cuts were made with precision, as the Mets did not lose a single player through the waiver process.

So all was well and good, but Collins' decision making abilities would be tested immediately due to the recent injury to Jason Bay. That decision, oddly enough, lead to the announcement that Willie Harris will be the opening day starter, only to be followed by Lucas Duda for the final two games of the opening series against the Marlins.

As a result I ask you this, has Terry Collins dropped the ball for the first time as New York Mets manager? One would assume that after the Mets' skipper spent the entire off season preaching about offense at each position, he would surely select the best offensive player to fill the spot left by Bay.

That doesn't seem to be the case though. Willie Harris' spring shook out to a .268 BA, 10 R, 10 RBI and 3 HR. Luca Duda was actually worse off, with a .254 BA, 6 R, 6 RBI and 2 HR. Meanwhile, the only 'extra' outfielder brought to camp on a major league deal, Scott Hairston, has had a great spring, with a .354 BA, 11 R, 12 RBI and 4 HR.

I don't mean to blow this out of proportion. We are talking about the first few games of a very long season. However, Harris is here as a late inning defensive replacement, and Duda will only break camp with the team because Jason Bay is headed to the disabled list. Not selecting Hairston sends mixed signals to the ball club in my opinion, as it downplays performance for some other unknown factor at this point. This is the first of what will be countless decisions made by Collins this season, I hope they get better as we go...

Follow me on Twitter @RobPatterson

NL East, My 2011 Predictions

1. Philadelphia- Despite an offense that at times bordered on anemic, the Phillies will manage to ride an elite pitching staff to just short of a hundred wins, finishing 98-64. Cliff Lee will overcome some of his regular season issues while Roy Halladay remains an extraordinary force. Bonus prediction: Halladay throws another no-hitter.

2. Atlanta- The Braves will ride an effective rotation and young, powerful lineup to the wildcard, meaning the NL East will represent two of the National League's playoff teams for the 2011 season. Plugging Dan Uggla into a squad that already featured Jason Heyward, Martin Prado, Brian McCann, and Chipper Jones could spell a tough season for opposing pitchers. 91-71.

3. Florida Marlins- Despite losing Uggla within the division, the Marlins will remain fairly competitive this season. Bolstered by the young pitching of Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, and Anibel Sanchez, the Marlins will spend the season on the outside of the wild card fight looking in. 85-77.

4. New York- The Mets problems and upside has been detailed extensively on this blog, but I feel the squad has too many question marks to compete. The pitching staff is one long shot after another, with Pelfrey never being a consistent starter and Dickey having an extremely small body of work to base it on. Niese is too young to be relied upon and the last two are no guarantee to twenty starts apiece. The lineup could provide the only bright spots of the year. 74-88.

5. D.C.- Strasburg is hurt, Bryce Harper won't be appearing in the majors this season. Jayson Werth is a good player, but almost ridiculously overpaid with the contract they tendered him. He's replacing Adam Dunn, and they were terrible even with Dunn. Strap in for another long season, Beltway fans.

Opposing Beat Writers - On The NL East & The Mets

Over the course of spring training I've had several conversations with the beat writers of opposing teams.  I thought it would be interesting to get their take on the National League East. Generally speaking, I feel as those most of us have a pretty good grasp on the Mets this year, but I also believe there is a little bit of 'homer' in all of us that might skew our opinions.

I asked each of them the following questions: (1) How do you see the NL East finishing up? and (2) What, if anything, should rival NL East teams fear about the NY Mets this season?  Their responses are as follows:
____________________________________________________________________

Jeff Schultz - Atlanta Journal Constitution
1) Braves win the East, followed by Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Nationals.

2) They’ve been hit by a crazy number of injuries. If they can get and stay healthy, it’s still a team that can hit, score runs and go on a run. But they’re not a playoff contender.


Mark Zuckerman - CSN Washington
1) The Phillies may have their issues (especially with injuries to the lineup) but it's tough to see that starting rotation not get them into the postseason. They'll probably win the division, though I don't think the Braves get enough credit for being as good a team as they are. Atlanta should challenge for the division title and definitely will be in the mix for the wild card. The Marlins always seem to overachieve, and I like what they did this offseason adding Javier Vazquez and several relievers. They should finish above .500 and in third place. The Nationals have made some significant strides, but without Stephen Strasburg it's tough to see them reaching 81 wins. They'll probably finish more in the 75-to-78-win range. That just leaves the Mets, who I think are a mess right now and are likely to finish last in the division.

2) What, if anything, should rival NL East teams fear about the NY Mets this season? Not a whole lot on the field. But I will say this: Sandy Alderson is an excellent GM, and I have faith he'll rebuild that franchise into a successful one. It may take some time to tear down the broken pieces that are still lingering around, but eventually the Mets should be back in the mix.


Matt Gelb - Philadelphia Inquirer
1) Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Nationals and Mets

2) What should other NL East rivals fear? R.A. Dickey's knuckleball throwing off their lineup for a week. (It's happened before.) This spring has at least proven Chris Young and Chris Capuano are healthy. If Mike Pelfrey, Dickey, Young and Capuano can stay on the mound, a road trip to cavernous Citi Field could be trouble for some teams. But those are big "ifs."

You always fear David Wright in the middle of that lineup. That will not change in 2011. He may even have a capable Jason Bay as protection.
____________________________________________________________________

With the exception of Jeff Schultz, its more of the same from the men covering our enemies.  I am completely at a loss for how the Mets drop below the Nationals this season.  I realize that, as Matt Gelb points out, the team is comprised of a number of ifs this season, but I think just about everything would have to go wrong in NY while simultaneously going right in DC for that to happen.  As I've written before, I expect the Mets to finish third this season.  If they are in range at the trade deadline, I don't believe the front office will dismantle the team and I can even envision circumstances (such as additional significant injuries in Philly) where they make a run at the wild card.

While I hope each of these men are 100% wrong, I do greatly appreciate their time in answering my questions.  Be sure to check out their pages, as each has good analysis of the teams we'll be seeing the most this season!  We're a little over a day away... Lets Go Mets!!!

Follow me on Twitter @RobPatterson83

Willie Harris: Your Opening Day Left Fielder

With opening day 2011 less than 48 hours away, the New York Mets have named Willie Harris their opening day left fielder with news that Jason Bay is likely to start the season on the disabled list.

Harris, 32, was signed on January 17th, 2011 to a minor league contract that included an opt-out clause if he didn't make the opening day roster. Known for his superb defense and speed, Harris won't be mistaken for Jason Bay with his bat despite a strong performance this spring.

Jason Bay's health following a season ending concussion was a huge question mark heading into the season, and the newest speed bump isn't helping matters. It's unknown when he'll be able to take the field this year, but the foundation of the lineup will be significantly different without him. The sensible options would be to bat Angel Pagan behind Carlos Beltran while Harris or Josh Thole move up to second in the order, but hopefully Bay won't be out of action for long enough that the lineup will need to shift for an extended period of time.

Harris appeared in 132 games with the Washington Nationals last year, posting a .183/10/32 line with a .291 OBP in 262 plate appearances.

A look at Dykstra and Pads draft Philosophy

As most of us have heard the Mets made a minor trade today, sending reliever Eddie Kunz to the Pads for 1B/OF Allan Dykstra.

Dykstra was drafted by the Pads the same year the Mets drafted Ike Davis, even then he was considered a stretch.  In fact the Padres after that draft found themselves defending themselves as Baseball America ranked them 29th out of 30.  Since Depodesta and Sandy Alderson were in that front office taking a look at how they defended themselves might give us a little insight into what to expect...

“Let's take the true Baseball America that we all know,” Fuson said Monday. “We all know that they love high school, first two rounds, and/or overpaid type players. The reality is that we are a little more selective in that group. So, in other words, we don't take every high school guy that runs and throws, or that has a 93 mph fastball, just because he throws 93. We're a little more selective with delivery, with a true ability on projecting some command down the road.


“When it comes to the offensive players, do I want (those) that can run and throw? You bet. But we are also very offensive-minded in our selections. With that said, I think we should be judged a little bit on the quality in the last three or fours years on the offensive players – not just the one-dimensional bangers – but with skills that can play. How can you define those guys as non-upside guys?” source San Diego Union-Tribune

After Dykstra's first season this is what Sickel's had to say about him, by the way if your interested since they were in the same draft class, Davis is also reviewed in the quoted link below...

Allan Dykstra: Drafted 23rd overall by the Padres out of Wake Forest, Dykstra was the only one of the first round corner hitters considered to be an overdraft by most experts. He also had a health issue with a degenerative hip condition that reduced his signing bonus, though so far durability on the field hasn't been a problem. Unfortunately, performance was: he hit just .226/.397/.375 at Fort Wayne in the Midwest League. He also drew an amazing 104 walks, giving him a very high OBP despite his poor batting average. His power production was less than anticipated, and he was hampered by a difficult home park, hitting .185/.385/.325 at home vs. 265/.408/.422 on the road. His glove at first base is solid, and the high walk rate is certainly intriguing, but I'm not sure what to expect from him at higher levels. source Minor League Ball

The Soft Spot

New York baseball fans are known for being some of the most die-hard, passionate fans in the world. A testament to this is the sheer number of New York Mets fans still on board, remaining optimistic following two largely disappointing seasons and ownership in the midst of a huge lawsuit.

New York Met fans are slightly different than Yankee fans, though. We've not only become accustomed to the gritty players who were rescued from baseball Siberia to become stars, we embrace these players. Yep, the same New York fans who boo their own players(sometimes deservedly), love their football, beer and complaining loudly about the price of a hot dog...have a large soft spot right in the middle of their hearts. This spot is reserved for the players who come into the organization with few to no expectations and end up contributing in a large way. The fascination began long ago, but the sentiments have recently been shown by fans in 2008 when Fernando Tatis made a big contribution, in 2009 when Jeff Francoeur flashed those pearly whites and in 2010 when R.A Dickey emerged as a hero in a lost season.

Rewind to June 5th 2009--the date when the Mets claimed Pat Misch off waivers from the San Francisco Giants. Misch wasn't a big deal in 2009 and still isn't a big deal now, but has made a good impression on fans during his occasion spot starts. He threw a brilliant shutout against the Florida Marlins during the final days of the 2009 campaign and ended the 2010 season well enough to be considered for a relief role on the team this year. Although Misch failed to stand out this spring, it's a safe bet that he'll be making a spot start or filling a void in the bullpen at some point during the year. Besides, he's the new Nelson Figueroa. He's a player that fans can get behind--soft spoken, hard worker and not particularly great at anything. He's serviceable without a doubt, but pitchers like Misch are a dime a dozen. Just as with Figueroa, it's easy for fans to see past the mediocrity and glorify his role with the team.

Nick Evans is another person suffering the same fate as Pat Misch. Evans, who was placed on waivers yesterday, has floated around the Mets system after being drafted in 2004. Most notorious for his superb finishing stretch in 2008, Evans has seen limited playing time since and struggled mightily in the minor leagues after failing to make the big league club in 2009. Evans played hard this spring, but with the additions of Scott Hairston and Willie Harris, Evans' fate may have been sealed before he was given a chance to compete.

Much like Misch, Evans hasn't proven that he's a major league caliber player-- but is able to contribute in smaller roles efficiently. It's particularly hard for a player like Evans to stick without standing out at any position, but could see extended time on the Mets this year if Hairston or Harris don't perform well from the outset(assuming he's not claimed). Regardless of his current status, Evans, too, falls under the same umbrella due to a small sample size that has led fans to believe that he'll be better than what's currently available.

Being soft in a few areas to establish connections to players is something that will never leave, and that's a positive in sports. Emotional connections help make the game personal--but being too soft for the run of the mill players compiled with a lack of depth has cost the Mets greatly in recent years. The soft spot may be nice to have--but there shouldn't be a lack of a hard outer shell to possess this.

MLB News: Seven Day Disabled List Option

Major League Baseball and its players' union have announced a new set of protocols for dealing with concussions, including the creation of a new seven-day disabled list for players with the injury.

The league and the union announced the protocols in a joint statement on Tuesday. They include mandatory baseline testing for all players and umpires and new steps for evaluating players who may have suffered the injury and for having them return to action. ~Associated Press~
Good job by both the MLB and MLBPA in addressing the issue of concussions before a player experiences a major injury on the field that will follow them for the rest of their lives. This seven day disabled list option is a nice proactive approach that provides teams with a not so intrusive option when addressing the onset of post-concussion symptoms.

Mets' fans know all too well that concussions are a major part of the game today. In recent years having both Ryan Church and Jason Bay miss significant time as a result. Both players returned briefly, maybe too quickly, before eventually being sidelined again. Perhaps these adjustments will prevent that in the future.

Misch makes it through waivers...

Photo by Michael Baron

Pat Misch appeared in six spring training games, two of which were starts, he allowed 10 ER on 19 hits and five walks, while striking out seven for an ERA of 4.82. 

Over the last two years Misch has appeared in 34 games ( 13 starts) with a 4.00 ERA and 1.32 WHIP for the Mets. 

He can pitch as the longman or spot start and is a great asset to have in AAA. 

Misch cleared waivers and is expected to accept assignment to Buffalo...

Keep Duda leave Evans off the roster

Photo by Michael Baron

This is all pure speculation because we have no idea whether Jason Bay is going to end up on the DL or not.  But in the event Bay is placed on the DL, I think the Mets should use someone from on the 40 man roster instead of Nick Evans.

I know many of you are saying; Aren't you the guy who went on this long winded tirade yesterday about placing Beltran on the DL to keep Evans, now there's the opportunity to keep him and you don't want to.

If Evans clears waivers at 1pm today I will be pleasantly surprised, what I wouldn't want to happen is for him to be recalled and then in two weeks, have to make it back through waivers again.  Basically; count your blessings that he made it through and don't push your luck by trying again. 

If there appears to be a long term spot on the roster, then sure bring him back but for a 15 day DL stint use Lucas Duda. 

Lucas Duda replaced Bay in Tuesday’s lineup and would be a candidate for a roster spot, but the team is also waiting to find out if Nick Evans clears waivers Tuesday, making him eligible to rejoin the Mets. source NY Post

Should the Mets be looking outside for a catcher...

Photo by Michael Baron

With the news today that Ronny Paulino has a stomach/colon issue and will more then likely start the season on the DL (after his eight game suspension), I'm left wondering whether they should be looking for another catcher.

Mike Nickeas would be fine for the first eight games, but the kid hasn't shown the ability to hit major league pitching and even though catchers aren't usually expected to hit much, under .100 isn't even enough for a backup catcher. 

The Mets could sign/trade for a catcher to a minor league deal or with options who is projected to produce better then Dusty Ryan or Raul Chavez.

Send him to Buffalo, if Paulino looks to be out long term and Nickeas isn't hitting, you call them up and send Nickeas through waivers...

There must be some of those journeyman type catchers available due to  roster crunches or who were on invites and didn't make the team, because the only two free agents are, Chad Moeller and Bengie Molina. 

--Ronny Paulino has stomach and colon issues, and will probably head to the disabled list after his eight-game suspension for PEDs ends. Sandy Alderson said that he was not currently considering looking outside the organization for a backup catcher. Mike Nickeas will get a chance to hang around in that role. source Daily News

Breaking News: Izzy, Bay, Paulino

Several media outlets, including the NY Star Ledger are now reporting that the Mets have made their bullpen decision. Blaine Boyer will open the season with the team this Friday, meanwhile Manny Acosta has been designated for assignment. This leaves Jason Isringhausen with a decision to make. The Mets have asked him if he would be willing to start the season in extended spring training in order to prove the health of that right elbow.

In other news:


Bay has not returned to the line up since experiencing 'back stiffness' late last week. He has returned to PSL this morning to be examined by team doctors and could be placed on the disabled list. This would leave a gap in the roster for Nick Evans should he clear waivers.

And finally:


The questionable blood results from Mets' backup catcher Ronnie Paulino have uncovered stomach/colon issues that could see him shelved for the foreseeable future.

Mets Fever - The Bet

Click To Enlarge

Its amazing that despite following the same team, reading the same articles and following the same individuals on twitter, that die hard Mets fans can have such varying opinions on where this team is headed.  Will they finally shed what is quickly becoming a culture of mediocrity or will they once again fall into the late summer abyss that has plagued them in recent years?

We smelled a bet coming on, so we put one together amongst the writers on this site.  The over/under for this season is 85.5 wins.  Beer is whats on the line.  As it turns out, Ed and I are confident enough in this team winning 86 or more games this season so thats the road we've taken.  Kieran on the other hand is not convinced and will wager two cases of beer to take on both of us.

Only time will tell if Kieran is laying out the cash for two cases, or drinking himself into oblivion on our dime should the Mets falter this summer.  In order to hit the over, the Mets will need an improvement of 7 wins, exactly the improvement posted by this group from the 2009 to 2010 season.  Kieran feels its impossible without ace, Johan Santana.  Ed and I feel that the rotation remains stronger than its being given credit for and that this is the healthiest the line up has been in years.  The wildcard in either direction here will be whether the team begins trading players at the deadline.  Should that be the case, there will likely be some suds in Kieran's future.

So what do you think?  Are Ed and I set up for disaster or is Kieran going to have mix emotions as the Mets put together a solid season?

You can follow all of us on twitter:  Ed - @Mets_Fever  Rob - @RobPatterson83  Kieran - @KmFlemming

Boyer and Izzy not inclined to accept..



Photo by Michael Baron



One report says that both relievers will refuse to accept anything but a big league job.

It is their right not to accept assignment; Boyer has an out clause and has pitched well enough to catch on elsewhere and Izzy probably feels he's earn the right to refuse, as a veteran. 

Of course, you'd love to keep them all in case of an injury or what you see in spring training isn't what you get in the regular season but stuff like that rarely works out.

Acosta has been wild in his carreer, Boyer until last year was a journeyman pitcher and Izzy is huge injury risk.  So while all are pitching well, none are a sure thing.





...and both pitchers told the Mets execs that they won’t go to the minor leagues or submit to an extended spring training session. source NJ.com

Izzy asked to stay in PSL...

It appears that the Mets have made their move, asking surprise bullpen candidate Jason Isringhausen to remain in PSL when the team breaks for opening day this week:

The Mets have asked the right-handed reliever Jason Isringhausen to remain in extended spring training for a week or two to increase his arm strength and reassure them that his elbow is healthy. source NY Times
This is a risky move by the Mets, as Isringhausen has on at least two occasions said that he has no intentions at pitching on the minor league level this season. The Mets like Izzy's previous experience as an elite closer and the veteran leadership he would potentially bring to the team.

While the details remain sketchy at best, it is reasonable to think that the Mets simply want Isringhausen to prove the health of the elbow that acted up as recently as last week. A seemingly reasonable request, but one which may send the veteran in search of other options.

I for one hope that Izzy will reconsider. If that arm is healthy, then there is no end in sight for this 'feel good story'. He would provide a veteran presence in the pen which could prove lasting dividends for the younger members of the staff and at the same time, provide the team with an 8th inning setup man that will bridge the gap to Krod.

The article also states that they have considered asking Blaine Boyer to accept an assignment despite his opt-out clause, I would guess in case Izzy refuses. Ultimately, the Mets are trying to keep as many relievers as possible.  They have a false sense of depth due to the fact that they stand to lose many of these hurlers to waivers and/or opt out clauses.  With that said, if Jason Isringhausen can prove himself to be healthy, he brings more to this club than just his on field performance, and its for that reason the Mets could benefit if he accepts this assignment.

A Not-So-Crazy Lineup Idea

As we draw close to Opening Day and the roster decisions become finalized, its time to figure out the best lineup we can make out of our starting nine. While the team has its fair share of question marks, lineup depth could prove to be a problem the Mets don't have. I have devised what I think would be an effective lineup, but Terry Collins won't return my calls. I would put in a call to Mr. Met, but he has no ears... so if anybody sees them, get this to them please.

1. Jose Reyes.

2. David Wright

3. Carlos Beltran

4. Jason Bay

5. Ike Davis

6. Angel Pagan

7. Josh Thole

8. Brad Emaus

9. Mike ".078" Pelfrey

Reyes at the top of the order is a given. Wright in the two hole is something I think would work. You want him to focus more on not striking out and put him in a position where he needs to make contact and get on base? Slot him second. Reyes will be there to distract the pitcher and force fastballs, and he'll have very good protection behind him. Another option would be to take Thole from the seven slot and put him behind Reyes, and sliding everybody else back a spot.

The key here is to put Wright somewhere he'll see fastballs to let him get on track. He's had two seasons where he has lacked consistency and been way too extreme in both directions. He is one of the two best bats on the team... when he's hot. During his cold streaks, sending up Brian Schneider was more effective.

As down as I've been on the team this off season, that is a very good lineup. You have quality hitters throughout and a pretty good mix of average and pop. Better lineup ideas? Share them, or hit me up on Twitter @kmflemming

Roster Moves Continue: Evans, Hernandez & Misch On Waivers

With the announcement that Carlos Beltran will play in a Grapefruit game tomorrow, he will undoubtedly break camp with the Mets for opening day barring further injury.  That decision eliminates the final roster spot available for minor leaguer, Nick Evans, who was placed on waivers this evening by the team.  Evans, who is out of options is now available to any team who might claim him in the next day or so.  Should he go unclaimed, which is unlikely, he would be required to report to Triple-A Buffalo.

Other Mets who were placed on waivers today are Luis Hernandez, thought to be in the mix at second base as recently as two weeks ago, and Pat Misch, who found himself without a place on this roster.  It is unclear whether either will clear waiver, as there is believed to be interest in Hernandez and Misch has nearly 200 innings of major league service.

One thing to note is that should Misch clear waivers, he does have the option of opting out of the organization, although, according to ESPN's Adam Rubin, he is unlikely to do so and he too would report to Triple-A Buffalo if he remains with the club.

The only member of the organization who remains in camp, without options, is reliever Manny Acosta who finds himself in a dog fight with Jason Isringhausen and Blaine Boyer for the final spot in the bullpen.  The next few days will be very interesting, Sandy Alderson and company put the finishing touches on the group of 25 that will suit of for opening day this Friday.

I don't agree with Beltran making opening day...

First let me start by saying that I think when Carlos Beltran is healthy he is, by far the most talented player on the roster. My stance on him and the organization is not negitive, this is not Oliver Perez and Louis Castillo are gone who can I pick on now.  I simply disagree with the appraoch being taken and would want to take a more precautious approach. 

I also think that Carlos has been given a bad rap by some fans as being soft or not intense enough, I believe just the opposite. Beltran has shown to be a highly competitive and tough player. Despite being wrong, he's the player who stuck his neck out to call the Mets "the team to beat" when everyone said the Mets lacked a vocal leader and he was the player who went hard into second to defend his own player. His quiet demeanor has thrown many off from his true leadership skills but there are many organizations that would be thrilled to have his leadership by example mentality.

Based on the amount of time it's taken for him to recover, which I view as indication to the severity of his condition, it would seem that he has endured, both on the field and in rehab settings, a significant amount of pain for Mets fans.

I find his perseverance and endurance commendable, but it's that mental toughness that I'm concerned could lead the organization to make a mistake. We've all heard the clichés before in regards to tough players: "He's a ball player: He wants the ball: I’m fine; rub some dirt on it". Given the choice between playing and not playing, I think most players of Beltran's ilk believe they are better compromised then whoever would replace them. In Beltran's case that maybe true, but is that a short sighted look at the situation. He might be much better than Scott Hairston on opening day, but if by game 15 he’s not on the field, was it worth it for opening day.

I know this stance has been taken wrong by some who think I feel Beltran is manipulating the situation and that he’s selfish because he’s in a walk year. That’s not case at all and it’s probably my fault for not articulating myself better. I do not see Beltran as a selfish player, but what I do see, is just like in any sport when you have a highly talented and competitive player who is injured, what do they do; make their plead/case to stay in the game…

What I see is Beltran on the side lines, begging his way back into the game, which I find absolutely commendable and while it’s tough not to take that star player at a percentage below 100% because that’s much better than anyone else can produce, I’m looking at this as 162 games.

I’ve been asked what makes me think that this is coming from Carlos’ side and not the Mets.

Let’s put aside: Mike Francesca on the WFAN ( 660am) stated that he spoke with Terry Collins on Friday and Collins said that he was very concerned with Beltran’s condition, along with Francesca saying he knew Beltran was pushing to make the team. I hardly consider sports entertainment radio a source of information but in defense of Francesca I don’t believe he lies or makes things up, of course most Mets fans despise him and find him not credible because he tweaks them for ratings.

But like I said, my opinion is based on reading the tea leafs and not what I’ve heard on the radio, it’s just an opinion and yes, I know what opinions are like. But my opinion is not a negative one; it’s more pragmatic and attempting to look at the big picture.

The Alderson front office is said to be very roster savvy and always trying to keep all their options available, if that’s the case then it doesn’t make sense for them to make this decision.

Why would they allow a 25 y/o, hitting over .300 to be placed on the waiver wires for a player coming off multiple knee issues, who’s at most going play in four spring training games before the season and was described by one beat writer as a shell of himself. If they keep him out of games against major leaguers, they can back date his DL to the one game he DHed and give him some more time playing against minor leaguers, which would ensure his timing was down and his knees were truly ready for the outfield. More importantly one-two week into the season Evans would be much easier to slip through waivers, since other clubs would have their rosters set and not willing to take a flier on an unknown.

Based on how the front office is described it would make much more sense for them to DL Beltran and then in a week or two slip Evans or at least try to, through waivers.

Couple that with the type of competitive mentality I believe Carlos Beltran has, the same type of mentality where he fought his way back and despite his lack of range in center field played there for the rest of the year. Again; I’m not saying he did this for selfish, egotistical reasons, I’m saying elite athletes have that mentality that they are better injured than their replacement.

Finally, in talking with another blogger they said to me that Alderson is a tough Marine who’s not afraid of confrontation, just look what he did with Ollie and Louie. That is very true, but the Marine Corps also teaches tact and diplomacy where it is needed. This isn’t a situation like Manuel/Omar allowing a clearly struggling Beltran to remain in CF, but I do believe that Sandy understands that for the Mets to be competitive this season they are going to need a productive Beltran. If that means allowing him to make the opening day roster, despite it maybe not being the most prudent decision he may be willing to make that compromise.

Aside from compromising to ensure that the new regime had its star player in their corner, the only other reason I can think of having Carlos Beltran on the roster is for team morale, since I do believe he is a veteran leader of the club.

Beltran missed a significant amount of last season, looked hobbled in his return, wasn’t ready to start at the beginning of spring training and will only have 2-3 games to prove his health before the season starts. While he maybe petitioning that he’s healthy and ready to go, I would attempt a diplomatic way to keep him behind in PSL.

This is not a negative view of anyone involve, I disagree with the route their taking but I’m not down on any of them. I would simply take a more precautious approach with Carlos and allow myself the best chance to keep all my assets (Evans). I would rather have him ( Beltran) for as many games the entire 2011 season, then to attempt to evaluate his health in three games, so that he can be on the openign day roster...

NL East Prediction: Mets Contend...Phils Fall Short

And there you have it. In a final projection that is sure to get me chastised and ridiculed, the Atlanta Braves will steal the NL East from the all but already anointed World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. Here are the thoughts that lead me to these decisions:

Atlanta Braves (94-68)
Last season saw the Bravos surprise many in the process of winning 91 games.  Although the Chipper Jones era is coming to an end, the Braves now feature the dangerous second year player, Jason Heyward, and have added former Marlins 2B, Dan Uggla to fortify their lineup.  The biggest question for the Braves will likely be there starting pitching, as they are led by two elders, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson.  They do however, have formidable youngster, Tommy Hanson, who looks as if he'll be causing headaches for his NL East rivals for some time to come.  This roster doesn't seem to 'pop' on paper, but they certainly win games...

Philadelphia Phillies (91-71)
Yes, they absolutely boast the most intimidating starting rotation in MLB, but the story here is going to be their offense.  The departure of Jason Werth and the very real possibility that Chase Utley will be lost for the season leaves little protection surrounding Ryan Howard.  He will not see the pitches he frequently deposited in the upper deck in seasons past.  Combined with this, the current injury concerns of Placido Polanco and highly touted rookie, Dom Brown, and you have a recipe for a lot of disappointment in the city of brotherly love this summer.  I also feel its highly unlikely that one or more members of that powerhouse rotation doesn't see significant time on the DL this season, with each being over the age of thirty and several with some nagging injuries in recent years.

New York Mets (86-76)
As is the case with every season in the past decade, the Mets enter the season with a lot of ifs.  They quite possibly have the best lineup in the National League, but entering spring training it was their pitching that was questionable at best.  Well, both Chris Young and Chris Capuano have looked good, but it will be a matter of if they can stay off the DL.  They Mets will also need repeat performances from the likes of Mike Pelfrey and RA Dickey this season.  If that happens, then the Mets will surprise some people this season.  They are not nearly as bad as most self-loathing Met fans seem to think they are, however if the front office starts parting with major talents such as Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Fransisco Rodriguez...then all bets are off.

Florida Marlins (78-84)
Every year the Marlins seem to enter the season with one of the lowest payrolls in MLB and every year they seem to over achieve.  Once again, with the exception of Hanley Ramirez their lineup is not much to look at on paper.  They do however possess a fairly good starting rotation that will allow them to once again win more than there fair share of games this season.  The only thing that may impede their progress this season will be an apparent lack of depth, meaning they will be greatly impacted should they experience a rash of injuries.  A post season contender, certainly not, but don't be surprised if the Marlins yet again stay in the mix past the all-star break and play the role of spoiler come September.

Washington Nationals (73-89)
This has been a bit of a rough offseason for Nats' fans.  The organization is clearly trying to turn the corner.  They immensely overpaid for the services of Jason Werth, who will not single handedly fill the offensive void left by the departing Adam Dunn.  Overall though, I expect this group to win more games than in years prior, but I don't see how they pull themselves out of the basement with a pitching staff led by Livan Hernandez.  Enjoy this while it last though, because they've got significant prospects coming and have proven this season, both in the acquisition of Werth and the failed attempt at acquiring Cliff Lee, that they are no longer afraid to throw big money around in D.C.  The Nats won't remain in this beleaguered state for much longer.

I truly believe that the Mets once again find themselves in the best division in the National League, if not all of baseball.  The Phillies are no joke, but I refuse to crown them division champs before they've even taken the field, because Mets' fans know better than most that being the best team on paper...means absolutely nothing.  With regards to my selection of the Braves to win the division: I kept waiting and waiting for the Braves to fall off last season and it never happened, so there is no reason to think it will this year.  The addition of Uggla could prove to be the piece necessary to get them back to the division crown. 

Its going to be a long season with all five teams beating up on one another a good bit.  I don't see any one running away with it this year.  I can see the teams enter the second half of the season with three or more teams just a few games out of the top spot.  It will be the injuries and trades that will set one apart from the pack.  In this case, I just think it will be the Braves.

Follow me on Twitter @RobPatterson83

Parnell needs his slider...



Photo by Michael Baron



Bobby Parnell has predominantly been a power pitcher in his short career, but entering his third season there are concerns that the league can catch up to him by cheating on his fastball. 

Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal takes a look at just how important an effective slider is to Parnell's success as the set-up man. 


"Before, I had to try to beat people with my fastball everyday, and if I didn't have that, I was up the creek," Parnell said. "Right now, I feel like having two good pitches and being comfortable with where they're at is going to take me a long way." source WSJ

Why not leave Cappy in PSL...

Photo by Michael Baron

This is another one of those suggestions that I don't expect the club to make but since it's an option, I thought it should be discussed. 

Chris Capuano has been named the fifth starter but won't make his first start of the year until April 9th.  After his last spring training start Cappy said he was battling quad fatigue and needed his last start of the spring to work on his control. 

"Overall, it was kind of a battle, and it was good to have a game like that to try to fight through it. I'm glad I have one more to sharpen up a little and tighten up the command." source Daily News

Cappy is scheduled to start Tuesday and then won't start again for 11 days, all indications are that they will use him during that time as a second lefty in the pen.  For a guy trying to build leg strength and remain consistent the plan doesn't seem to be the best route to take. 

Instead of making a start on Tuesday against major leaguers he could face minor leaguers, allowing them to back date his 15 day DL to his last spring training start against major leaguers, which he would be eligible to come off by April 9th. 

They could leave him in extended spring training, which would allow him to stay on schedule, make a minor league start and then be recalled on time for his first start.  I know making the opening day roster is prestigious but it's only eight days, while it would benefit him and the team. 

If Cappy stayed behind, that would allow one of the relief candidates to stay with the team giving them a little longer to decide which player to cut, since whoever they cut have the potential to be lost.  By April 9th maybe that player doesn't look as appealing to other teams or teams don't have roster room for him and the Mets could slip him into Buffalo.

Harris to make the team...

As expected Willie Harris has made the team, making the only positional question whether the team can find room for Nick Evans. 

Harris is a versatile player who can play all three outfield positions and second base.  He has decent power and should have an improved BA now that Adam Dunn isn't prompting him to swing for the fences ( last year in Washington). 

The Mets are said to love Harris' veteran leadership, so let the intangibles debate begin...

No surprise, but Willie Harris has been told he has made the team. Harris had an out in his contract Sunday. source ESPN NY

From Generation-K To Generation-Now

6 days. 144 hours. 8640 minutes. However you'd like to look at it, the Mets will open their 2011 campaign on Friday, April 1st against the Florida Marlins for what seems to be the 15th year in a row. While much has stayed the same about the game, this offseason has been host to an overhaul of the Mets front office and bad publicity stemming from the Picard/Wilpon lawsuit. Enough of that, though. It's time for baseball.

What's more of the same? Well, the Mets are once again unsure of how to approach their roster come opening day, especially in regards to their bullpen.

Why is this such a problem? First, let's rewind to see where the first curve was dropped in the beginning of spring training.

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

On February 15th, the New York Mets welcomed Jason Isringhausen back to the organization on a minor league deal, adding to the competition a seasoned veteran who, if healthy, should be able to make a significant contribution to the major league club. Which major league club should that be? Well, that remains to be seen.

At 38 years old, Izzy's veteran presence is both beneficial to the young stars on the team and on the mound. While Isringhausen has had a very impressive camp, should he even be considered for a spot in the bullpen? Under normal circumstances, the answer should be a resounding "yes". The Mets are faced with a great problem to have heading into the season, and that's too many options. The problem arises when some of these options may not be available if he does make the roster.

The pitchers on the brink of making the big league club, which include Manny Acosta, Blaine Boyer and Pat Misch, could all be on new teams if they don't clear waivers(or opt out in Boyer's case). Losing one of these pitchers isn't a big deal, but losing all in favor of an elderly, injury prone former closer coming off of Tommy John may be a mistake. The decision seemed like it may have been made easier with Izzy being shut down temporarily last week with problems in his elbow, but he has bounced back and has made his intentions known that he wants to make the club.

What The New York Mets(Sandy Alderson, Terry Collins and Dan Warthen in particular) need to do is avoid the same mistakes they've made in past years. Going with the veteran presence can be a huge boost to a struggling team, but in a bullpen led by Francisco Rodriguez and a pitching staff featuring R.A Dickey and Johan Santana, there's no lack of a veteran presence. While it's not pitching, do the Mets really need another year of picking a Fernando Tatis over Nick Evans? Sentimental value is no longer acceptable, because while it may have worked with John Franco it backfires far more often(Frank Catalanatto, Jeff Francoeur, etc.).

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

Another name has come up while trying to find a spot for Isringhausen on the team: Bobby Parnell. Parnell, who has minor league options remaining, is one pitcher that can't afford to work in Buffalo in 2011. Parnell has had an erratic spring, but confidence is something that needs to be instilled into the young pitcher who was slated to be the 8th inning man before Isringhausen's arrival. Whether he has become intimidated through the competition or just hasn't had the success that he had hoped, Parnell has thrived at the major league level and possesses a much lower risk.

Manny Acosta and Pat Misch are both interesting options for the bullpen, with both possessing attributes that make them attractive. Pat Misch has essentially replaced Nelson Figueroa in the traveling long man/spot starter role over the past year, with better results coming from the pen. Misch might be the easiest to replace of the bunch seeing as how long men who routinely give up one to two runs per outing aren't difficult to come by. His performance this spring hasn't been particularly encouraging, either, and seems to have dropped off from serious talks.

Acosta, though, is an arm that can be very useful. Pitching well for the Mets last year, Acosta had a superb strikeout ratio(9.5K/9) and has a plus fastball. While his walks are high(4.5BB/9), he managed to finish the 2010 campaign with an impressive 2.95 ERA in just under 40 IP.

Earning your spot on a major league club seems to be more about commitments and sentiments over performance in recent years. While performance is important, it's imperative to examine the history, attitude and future of each player that will wear the blue and orange. Jason Isringhausen is certainly a competitive force that deserves to be on a major league club if healthy. On a team that has been plagued with injury and disappointment since 2007, though, the risk may not be worth the potential reward. What should one even expect out of Isringhausen if he remains healthy through the season? I'd say a successful season would entail between 60-70 appearances, 75+ IP and an ERA somewhere in the 3.00-3.75 range. As an unhealthy optimist, it may be unrealistic to expect anything under a 4 ERA...let alone his health remaining intact. A season of that caliber can be achieved by many others in the organization already, and while seeing Jason Isringhausen has been a nice dose of nostalgia, it's time for the Mets to stop looking to the past and continue building toward the future.

This Mets Fever guest post was brought to you by Josh Chapdelaine of Around Citi. You can also follow him on twitter @MetsLegacy

A positive view of moving Jose Reyes...

Photo by Michael Baron

Don't get me wrong I would love to see the Mets resign Jose Reyes to a 3-4 year extension, however; with Reyes' lapses in focus and history of injuries, I can't see signing him to a long term seven year mega deal, as he may demand if he has a contract year.

I believe the biggest indication that the Mets are preparing for life after Jose Reyes is that they’re having Ruben Tejada work as the primary short stop in Buffalo. Tejada is a natural SS, a position he doesn’t need the reps at, if Tejada and Reyes were going to co-exist then Tejada should be spending the season at 2B.

Tejada playing SS shows that the organization wants to see what they have behind Reyes and ensure that Tejada stays fresh in case he’s needed at any point this season.

Why would I say this season?

Not because of injury, but because the Mets would get the most value out of Reyes by moving him in-season and acquiring multiple players instead of a single draft pick.

The Mets are in a bad situation, they know Jose better than anyone (the good and bad); if he has a contract season he’ll demand a contract I don’t believe the Mets will be willing to pay and if he has an injury plagued down year, any team would be reluctant to give him more than a one year deal and the Mets might be willing to move on to a more reliable younger player.

Barring Jose giving a home town discount, I don't think we’re going to see that reasonable 3-4 year deal and if Jose has a year in which he’s looking for one year deals, I think the Mets would be ready to move on.

As subjective as I am in regards to Reyes (I really want to keep him), if I look at this objectively I have to look at the Detroit Tigers. Just a year ago the GM made one of the most unpopular baseball moves in recent history, trading the equivalent of David Wright in Curtis Granderson.

Granderson is in the prime of his career, the center piece of the Detroit organization and not only a popular figure with the fan base but also the entire community.

After the initial backlash from the trade, just recently in an article in the Detroit Free press the Tigers chances of being a playoff team were credited to the players they received in that trade…

The Tigers are a season removed from that complex, three-team trade, and their fans have begun to embrace the four players Detroit acquired. Austin Jackson, Max Scherzer, Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth are all expected to play important roles this season.


In fact, if the Tigers do live up to expectations and contend for the AL Central crown, they might look back on that swap as the catalyst for their resurgence. source Detroit Free Press

Could Murphy get squeezed out to make room for Evans...

Photo by Michael Baron

By most accounts Nick Evans isn't going to make the club and since he's out of options will more then likely end up with another club. 

His one saving grace could be that the new front office is reportedly much better at roster management and attempts to keep all their options open.  Manny times under Omar decisions were made that help the immediate situation but effected the long term depth of the organization.

Really the only player who could be bumped to make room for Evans would be Dan Murphy, so whats the head-to-head look like between the two.  Both play 1B/3B, Murphy can play 2B while Evans can play the corner outfield positions. 

The bench consists of one lefty ( Willie Harris) and three righties ( Hairston, Hu and Nickeas or Paulino), so not only is Murphy considered a better hitter but Evans would make the bench righty dominant. 

Evans is hitting .338 with a .431 Slg. and OBP .386; Murphy is hitting .306 with a .419 Slg. and OBP .328.

I fully expect Murphy to make the team and Evans to be gone, but the NY Post also speculated as to what I was saying, tuck Murphy away at 2B in Buffalo and keep Evans on the roster...

Evans does not have minor-league options remaining and is expected to be squeezed from the 25-man roster. His only hope might be if the Mets decide to have Murphy begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo as an everyday second baseman.source NY Post

Paulino also shut down for a few days...



Photo by Michael Baron

 The Mets announced that Ronny Paulino has been shut down awaiting the results of blood work, after his initial blood work showed some irregularities.  Alderson stated that the irregularities had nothing to do with PED. 

This will probably give Mike Nickeas a little more time to prove he's a major league caliber catcher, Nickeas was acquired in 2006 for Victor Diaz aka "Minny Manny". 

The 28 y/o catcher has a strong arm and solid defense, it will be whether he can hit major league pitching that will determine what level he peaks.  I think He's going to end up one of those AAAA catcher's that bounces around the league getting called up for time to time.  He played in five games last year and hit .200, this spring he's hitting .083...

''Ronny Paulino will be shut down for a couple of days,'' general manager Sandy Alderson said. ''His blood work came back, the doctors wanted some follow-up tests, and until that's done they don't want him on the field. It will probably be Monday or Tuesday before he's back. It's based on the lab work that came back.'' source Fox Sports

Bay out a couple days...

Photo by Michael Baron

Things have been so quiet for Jason Bay that this is the first post about him this entire spring.  The starting RF has played in 16 games, in which he's hit .333 with a .404 OBP and has completely dissolved any concerns about post concussion syndrome. 

Bay experienced some back stiffness in the batting cage on Friday and as a precaution will sit out for a couple days.  It doesn't appear to be serious, probably something similar to Angel Pagan earlier in camp...


Bay had stiffness in his back while taking batting practice on Friday and alerted manager Terry Collins, who told the left fielder not to push it. Bay will also likely miss Sunday’s game, but the Mets expect him back for Monday’s action.source NY Post

Parnell to the minors has been discussed...

Photo by Michael Baron

As I've said before the one way to keep all the bullpen candidates would be to send Bobby Parnell down ( he has options), while keeping Jason Isringhausen, Blaine Boyer and Pedro Beato.

Izzy could be the set-up man while Bobby refined things since he seems to be a slow starter.  I didn't expect this to be the route the team took, since they seem committed to to making Parnell the set-up man but wanted to point out that it was an option.

Rich Coutinho reporting for Metsblog says that the Mets had discussed the idea of sending down Parnell but quickly dismissed it...

The pen is a bit crowded. However, my sources indicate that, while the team entertained sending Bobby Parnell to the minors, it was quickly dismissed. source Metsblog

Maybe Jose Reyes Stays Put

Last night, I stumbled upon a conversation that The Bergen Record's Steve Popper was having with another blogger and Jose Reyes' name came up. So I took the opportunity to further question Popper about the potential end of Reye's tenure with the Mets. What you see below was the result:


Call me crazy, but the thought of the team NOT resigning Reyes is something I still can't wrap my head around. I mean, I realize that Sandy Alderson does not have the emotional connection that most Mets' fans do, but at the same time he would have to be blind not to see it. As I have written before, I feel that even if the Mets were to win 100 games this season (which they won't), if they can't find a way to retain Jose Reyes any success this season will be bittersweet.

Photo Courtesy Of Michael Baron

My brief discussion with Popper made me feel a bit better about the chances Reyes stays. I feared that with all the negative press, the financial woes and poor results on the field in the past few seasons, that Reyes may be content to explore his free agent options next winter. Due to the direct contact that Popper no doubt has with Jose, if he has the impression that Reyes would honestly prefer to stay with the organization, I believe him.

Jose Reyes may not be the best "lead off" man in baseball. He doesn't draw enough walks and he gets injured too often, but he remains one of the most exciting players in baseball. Anytime he puts the ball into the gap he has a legitimate chance for a triple. Hell, he scores from second on a bunt nearly every season. When you combined his on-field talent with the fact that he is a genuinely good and marketable guy, he is simply invaluable.

I do understand the hesitation to extend Reyes' contract prior to this season, but if Jose can stay on the field this summer, you have to find the money necessary to bring him back. When questioned by John Delcos of New York Mets Report, during a recent conference call, Alderson had the following to say about this issue:

...given all the money we have coming off the books, even the kind of money one would anticipate Jose Reyes trying to get, we should have room to accommodate that, even there were a somewhat reduced payroll, which I’m not saying there will be, but even if there were there would be room to sign Jose Reyes. Might not be room to sign anybody else, but I don’t think it would preclude us signing Jose.
As a result, I have faith (maybe blind misguided faith) that Sandy Alderson and the New York Mets' organization will figure out a way to get this done at season's end. I don't have the major fear that he will be traded away at the deadline any longer. Is it still possible? Yes, but for now I will rest my head on the fact that there are those who believe Reyes would prefer to stay in New York and the fact that the man with the power to make that happen believes that money will not get in the way of that.

Follow me on Twitter --> @RobPatterson83

Izzy should be the odd man out

Photo by Michael Baron

As great a story as it could be; the comeback of the Generation K kid, my heart says keep Izzy but my brain says that if someone needs to go its Isringhausen.

I would hope that with all the history the front office has with him they could talk him into staying in Port St. Lucie. It would give him a chance to build his arm strength and give the organization a chance to see what they have with the rest of the arms.

Izzy has looked tremendous when he’s been able to pitch, the problem is that in the short amount of time he’s been here, he’s already heard a pop in his elbow and had to be shut down due to inflammation.

Now taking into consideration that if you go with Izzy and he gets hurt, the guy you would want to replace him with will be gone.

Blaine Boyer will almost certainly take his under two ERA that produces ground balls to another club and the drop off beyond Izzy and Boyer is significant.

Izzy faced minor leaguers in his return to action and it sounds like they hit him a little…

Jason Isringhausen appeared in the same minor-league game and allowed four hits over 1 2/3 innings. Isringhausen is recovering from swelling in his right elbow and must convince the Mets he’s healthy enough to warrant a roster spot. source NY Post

Byrdak on the team...

As expected Tim Byrdak has made the team, it's a little surprising that he'll be the only lefty but that's how the competition played out.  Byrdak had to be on the roster by today or he could have opted out, the Mets will have Taylor Tankersley and Mike O'Connor in Buffalo as back-up plans. 

2011 Starting Rotation - Stock Review

Only a week away from opening day, the New York Mets continue to fill in the holes that will complete their starting lineup. What we know for sure is that barring injury, the starting rotation is set for the foreseeable future. It is that starting rotation that will undoubtedly go a long way in determining the level of success the Mets will have this season. So, without further delay we take one last look at the members of the starting rotation, where they've come from and most importantly, where they're going.

Mike Pelfrey (Stock: HOLDING)
Coming off the most successful year of his career, Pelfrey was named the opening day starter early on this spring.  As such, he will likely act as the team's "ace" until the hopeful return of Johan Santana.  In the midst of another horrid spring training, fans are rightfully concerned with ability to duplicate last year's success.  Late last season, he showed a level of mental toughness never displayed by a young pitcher victimized by ticks, licks and twitches in previous season.  Pelfrey likely has the talent and abilities to be a top end of the rotation pitcher, but the mental side of the game has always gotten in the way.  The introduction of a sports psychologist seemed to work wonders for him last year.  Ultimately, it will be a balance of the confidence he will have hopefully carried over to this season, and the pressure he will undoubtedly place on himself to pitch at a high level this year, that will determine if another 15+ win season is in the cards for the towering righty in 2011.

R.A. Dickey (Stock: UP)
An after thought entering the 2010 season, R.A. Dickey successfully captured the hearts and minds of Mets fans with his slow knuckler and even slower demeanor.  Dickey is a tough read.  Even at the ripe old age of 36, he seems to still be growing into his craft.  Having never experienced this level of success before, its impossible to know if he can continue to perform at this level.  However, with that success came the first guaranteed contract of his career and the freedom to really work on his pitches.  Will he continue to excel and possibly lead the team's rotation through the season, as a growing contingent of Mets' fans have implied?  For his trouble, he will likely get the privilege of starting the home opener in just two weeks time in front of a fan base struggling to find a reason to watch this year.  He may not be an ace, but he is certainly one of the bright spots entering the 2011 campaign.

Jon Niese (Stock: UP)
The 2011 season is a big one for Jon.  A pitcher that I am personally very high on, Niese showed flashes of greatness throughout last season, however fell apart late in the year as the weight of his first full season in the big leagues got the better of him.  He entered camp this spring without the added pressure of competing for a spot on the team.  Bottom line, Niese is a legitimate major league pitcher and should he be able to take another step forward this season, as I expect he will, it will ensure that the Mets have a minimum of three quality starters on the staff.  Improved consistency should also be a high priority for the young lefty, having been a very streaky pitcher last season.  Niese, like Pelfrey, has the talent necessary to be a front end of the rotation starter.  However, unlike Pelfrey, Jon's hurdles may be physical in nature, rather than a season long mind game.  If he is able to maintain his effectiveness during the second half of the season, the Mets may find themselves with a better rotation than anyone originally bargained for.

Chris Young (Stock: Cautiously UP)
The pick of the litter, when it comes to Sandy Alderson's off season trips to the bargain bin, Chris Young is here to prove himself.  In what seemed like an excruciatingly long courtship this winter, Young arrives in Flushing with the need to stay healthy.  Those health concerns, along with a questionable drop in velocity upon his return late last season, render the jury out for the time being.  What we can say for sure is that when healthy in the past he has been a premiere pitcher. However, having pitched over 100 innings just once since 2007, Young's ability to stay on the field is questionable at best.  What we can also say is that his spring training has been promising.  Will that carry over into the regular season?  More importantly, can the Mets pencil him in for 150 innings pitched?  These are all questions that are soon to be answered.  So far, Young's time a Mets' uniform should leave fans hopeful that Sandy Alderson has been able to catch lightning in a bottle and solidify the back end of the 2011 rotation.

Chris Capuano (Stock ???)
It is difficult to judge the final member of the 2011 starting staff.  Like Chris Young, Capuano enters the season coming off of a significant arm injury.  He however, does not have the impressive track record when healthy that Young sports.  It is important to keep in consideration that Capuano, at his absolute best, is expected the be the team's fifth starter.  As such, Mets' fans should be more than happy if he is able to win ten games this season.  For what its worth, Capuano remains a bit of an unknown to Mets' fans because much of his pitching in spring training has come against minor league and collegiate competition.  What he should definitely provide is a level of experience that the younger members of the rotation, can benefit from.  If such guidance elicits better results from the group as a whole, then fans must remember to look past the box score when reviewing what Capuano brings to the table this year.

And there you have your 2011 New York Mets starting rotation...at least for now.  There are plenty of questions still to be answered.  Its foolish to think that one or two of these young men won't make a trip to the DL at some point this season.  What we must hope for is that these trips are brief and only result in a spot start here and there from the likes of Dillon Gee and Jenrry Mejia.  This rotation is without hesitation the biggest question mark on this team, but I honestly believe they are better than they're being given credit for going into the season.  I'm sure there are those of you who disagree, but only time will tell...

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Opening day looking more realistic for Beltran...



Photo by Michael Baron


Most of us didn't believe the idea that Carlos Beltran would be ready for opening day. Who could blame us, after needing time for a running program to start camp and then being such down after playing just one game, it appeared Carlos was destine for the DL.

And while there's still a long way to go, in a short amount of time, reports out of camp indicate that Carlos just may do the impossible and break camp with the team. 

I think it would be a huge boost to the team to have Carlos, now a savvy and determined veteran leader, to be on the roster.  If this club is going to have any chance of competing for the wild card spot they are going to need a healthy Beltran leading the way with his bat and in the clubhouse.