Monthly Archives: January 2009

Jan 14

Santana: WBC is Mets’ call.

Posted on by
SANTANA: WBC up in the air.

SANTANA: WBC up in the air.

Johan Santana plans to represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, but said that won’t be his call.

“It will be a medical decision,’’ Santana said this morning in a conference call. “The team will need to approve it. … There are a lot of things here that the Mets want to protect, and if they don’t want me to play I will not play.’’

Santana had arthroscopic surgery in October to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and has not begun his off-season throwing.

He will be examined next week in Port St. Lucie, and then could begin a long-toss throwing program.

“I want to play, but at this point I don’t really know what’s going to happen,’’ Santana said. “If everything is not right they will not let me go.’’

Jan 14

A gift from Evan ….

Posted on by
New stadium looking good.

New stadium looking good.

Hey guys…

I went over to Shea/Citi Field today to take some pics and to my amazement I was invited into the Rotunda, which is pretty rare unless you’re media or a construction worker. I also took a bunch of pics of Shea, which basically looks like a war zone. The LF Upper Deck is no more….

Anyway, if you’re interested I upload a bunch at……enjoy

http://s374.photobucket.com/albums/oo185/saltzy23/

Evan

Jan 14

Mets close to signing Cora

Posted on by

WEEI Radio in Boston reported Red Sox utility infielder Alex Cora is close to signing a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mets.

In 75 games, Cora, 33, hit .270 with a .371 OBP, while playing second base and shortstop. The .245 career hitter has also played left field, third base and first.

Jan 13

Braves get Lowe. What’s next?

Posted on by

Sixty million over four years got it done for Derek Lowe with the Braves. The Mets were a year and $24 million short. Oliver Perez, who should feel unwanted right about now, wants four years and the Mets are at three.

Ben Sheets is still out there, injured arm and all. So are Pedro Martinez and Randy Wolf. Whatever the signing, it has been a disappointing winter for the Mets regarding their starting pitching.

The Mets entered the offseason wanting to address their bullpen, but that includes getting starters capable of eating innings. It is not unfair to attach questions to four of the five starters after Johan Santana.

Mike Pelfrey: Will he continue to progress or hit a wall, which often happens in a pitcher’s development.

John Maine: Coming off surgery.

Tim Redding: A .500 pitcher last year with a lifetime losing record. OK, for a fifth starter, but the expectations could rise.

Fifth starter: To be determined. Jon Niese will compete. Bringing back Martinez might have to be the plan.

Jan 13

Ouch!

Posted on by

If GM Omar Minaya isn’t confident, then there’s no reason for you to be.

Minaya placed the odds at “50-50” the Mets will add a bigger-named pitcher than Tim Redding, saying, “you’re never too confident.”

Here’s why.

With reports of the Braves having a $60 million package on the table for Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez wanting four years while the Mets prefer three, they could be forced to fall back on Randy Wolf and Pedro Martinez.

I like Redding as a fifth starter, but if all this pans out, he could end up fourth which leaves the Mets vulnerable in the back end of the rotation.

All that work fixing the bullpen could be wasted if twice a week the Mets aren’t going deep into the game with their starter.

Jan 13

The Patch ….

Posted on by
THE PATCH

THE PATCH

The Mets are getting roasted these days for the patch design they’ll wear on their uniform sleeves this season to commemorate their first year at Citi Field.

The criticisms range from a lack of flash to the failure to mention Citi Field by name. I think the fundamental flaw is it’s not something that would prompt anybody to buy it on a T-shirt or cap.

It’s quite simple, and prompts the basic question: What do you think?

Jan 12

Mets Spring Training Schedule ….

Posted on by

It’s almost around the corner. Spring training. I look forward to it every year. Especially at the end of the week when the temps could be in single digits.

It ends a little later this spring because of the World Baseball Classic. And, for the Mets it ends with two games against the Red Sox in a Citi Field tune-up. Here’s the complete schedule.

Feb 25 Baltimore at Ft. Lauderdale
Feb 26 Florida at PSL
Feb 27 St. Louis at PSL
Feb 28 Detroit at Lakeland

Mar 1 Houston at PSL
Mar 2 OFF DAY
Mar 3 St. Louis at PSL
Mar 4 Washington at Viera
Mar 5 Italy (WBC) at PSL
Mar 6 St. Louis at Jupiter
Mar 7 Washington at PSL
Mar 8 University of Michigan at PSL
Washington at Viera
Mar 9 Baltimore at PSL
Mar 10 Washington at Viera
Mar 11 OFF DAY
Mar 12 Florida at PSL
Mar 13 Detroit at Lakeland
Mar 14 Washington at PSL
Mar 15 Florida at Jupiter
Mar 16 OFF DAY
Mar 17 Atlanta at Disney
Mar 18 Atlanta at PSL
Mar 19 Houston at PSL
Mar 20 Baltimore at Ft. Lauderdale
Mar 21 Atlanta at Disney
Mar 22 Atlanta at PSL
Mar 23 OFF DAY
Mar 24 Houston at Kissimmee
Mar 25 Detroit at PSL
Mar 26 St. Louis at Jupiter
Mar 27 Washington at PSL
Mar 28 Florida at PSL
Mar 29 Baltimore at Ft. Lauderdale
Mar 30 Baltimore at PSL
Mar 31 Florida at Jupiter
Apr 1 St. Louis at Jupiter
Apr 2 Baltimore at PSL
Apr 3 Boston at Citi Field
Apr 4 Boston at Citi Field