Tag Archives: Santos

Feb 11

Feb. 11.10: Mets’ catching is what it is.

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Of all the positions the Mets needed help at – save pitching – they probably could have used a first rate catcher more than anything else.

They didn’t get Bengie Molina, but were wise not to cave on the three years. But when the smoke cleared, surely they could have matched the offer Molina signed for. Rod Barajas is still out there, but is he really an upgrade over Henry Blanco and Omir Santos? Probably not.

Perhaps more than any other position, catching was the thinnest in the free agent market this winter.

It looks like it will be a Blanco-Santos platoon, which is hardly inspiring. Then again, there was always bringing back Brian Schneider, he wrote sarcastically.

Dec 31

Dec. 31.09: Forecasting the Mets roster.

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As I sit here and watch the snow fall, I can’t help but think about how nice spring training sounds. The Mets need some work to do before finalizing their roster. Here’s what I have for the Mets right now regarding their 25-man roster.

CATCHER
1. Omir Santos
2. Henry Blanco
Comment: If they land Bengie Molina, they’d send out Santos.

INFIELD
3. 1B: Daniel Murphy
4. 2B: Luis Castillo
5. SS: Jose Reyes
6. 3B: David Wright
7. INF: Alex Cora
8. INF: TBA (first base platoon)
9. INF: TBA
Comment: They need a RH bat to platoon with Murphy at first base. Ryan Garko would be perfect. They also need another utility infielder. A guy who could play both infield and outfield would be ideal.

OUTFIELD
10. LF: Jason Bay
11. CF: Carlos Beltran
12. RF: Jeff Francoeur
13. OF: Angel Pagan
Comment: They’d like somebody who could come off the bench with some power.

STARTERS
14. SP1: Johan Santana
15. SP2: Mike Pelfrey
16. SP3: John Maine
17. SP4: Oliver Perez
18. SP5: TBA
Comment: Yes, they might go short with the off-days in April, but they’ll need five eventually. In the interim, look at what they have now. I’m not thrilled.

BULLPEN
19. Francisco Rodriguez
20. Kelvim Escobar
21. Bobby Parnell
22. Pedro Feliciano
23. Sean Green
24. Brian Stokes
25. Ryota Igarashi
Comment: If they could find a utility player to play both infield and outfield, they could add another reliever.

Dec 04

Behind the plate ….

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This is one of those times when I must ask you to contain yourselves. The Mets signed backup catchers Henry Blanco and Chris Coste to one-year deals yesterday. Kind of makes you feel warm all over, doesn’t it?

MOLINA: The one they want.

MOLINA: The one they want.


Neither are expected to platoon with Omir Santos next year, as the Mets are still eyeing free-agent Bengie Molina, or are willing to make a trade for a No. 1. Josh Thole and Santos are expected to platoon in Triple-A. Lifetime Phillies fan Chris Coste could also see Buffalo.

The 35-year-old Molina, who hit 20 homers last year for San Francisco, is seeking a multi-year deal, while the Mets are more inclined to offer one year. With the demand for catching not strong, and the teams seeking them aren’t big spenders (Kansas City, Milwaukee and San Diego), Molina might fall back to the Mets.

If not, I’d pass on Molina as there’s no reason to get stuck on a multi-year deal for a catcher of his age.

May 30

METS CHAT ROOM: Game #48; scrub edition.

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CHAT ROOM

CHAT ROOM

Well, the Mets don’t have Ramon Castro to kick around anymore. From the moment Jerry Manuel pinch-hit Omir Santos for him you knew Castro’s Mets’ days were numbered.

Fittingly, the deal was pulled last night, announced moments after Santos’ game-winning single. Very cosmic.

The timing of the deal was such as to make room on the 25-man roster for Brian Schneider, who was activated from the disabled list for this afternoon’s game against the Marlins.

The line-up, where David Wright and Luis Castillo are both rested, is something that would look like the “B” squad in Lakeland.

Here’s the line-up:

Angel Pagan, LF
Fernando Martinez, RF
Carlos Beltran, CF
Fernando Tatis, 3B
Daniel Murphy, 1B
Ramon Martinez, 2B
Brian Schneider, C
Wilson Valdez, SS
Tim Redding, P

Five of the starters, including Redding, weren’t on the Opening Day roster. Redding gets another start with Oliver Perez ailing on the DL. Perez left his minor league rehab assignment to return to Port St. Lucie, Fl., with discomfort in his knee following his last start for Triple-A Buffalo.

An MRI has diagnosed tendinitis of the patella tendon.

One other thing.

I scanned the comments this morning and disappointed to read some of the dialogue. This really is a heady blog with a lot of intelligent comments and theories. We digressed a little last night. I don’t care if you disagree with each other. Hey, passionate fans do that, but please, no cursing at each other.

We’re better than that guys. Disagree all you want, be spirited, but this isn’t the Wild, Wild West. You can disagree without the attacks.

Thanks.