Tag Archives: Spring Training

Oct 02

What will happen with Takahashi?

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TAKAHASHI: Very valuable

Personally, I’d like him back in the same role next season, but I have to wonder.

Takahashi is a free agent this winter and wants to be a starter, and those starts against the Yankees and Phillies only reinforce that thought in his mind. His numbers are superior coming out of the bullpen than as a starter. However, they are representative numbers that could improve if he worked at that role. He gave the Mets just under six innings when he started, which undoubtedly would improve if he’s stretched out.

The soon-to-be-departed regime likes him out of the bullpen, and whether he stays or goes could be dependent on what the incoming regime believes. If the new GM and manager are adamant with Takahashi out of the bullpen, I can see him bolting for the bucks, and with the year he’s had, he’ll get them.

However, if the new team is willing to try him as a starter and promises him a shot in spring training, the Mets might be able to retain him.

Personally, I agree with Minaya and Manuel and like him out of the pen. He’s excelled in every role the Mets have tried him at and he’s uniquely valuable. He gives the Mets a versatile presence they haven’t had since Darren Oliver, who was one of the most important members of the 2006 staff.

When he started he usually was strong the first time or two through the order, but the opposition figured him out. That’s Manuel’s concern and it is a valid one.

Sep 30

New Chat Room; Dillon Gee.

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Game #159 vs. Brewers

To access the New Chat Room, click onto the Mets Chat icon to your left.

Nobody knows how the Mets’ rotation will shape up in 2011, but after his strong showings so far, Dillon Gee will get an opportunity in spring training to crack the rotation. He’s given the Mets a chance to win when he starts and with the expectations of the Mets as low as they are, that’s all you can ask for.

As of now, I see Mike Pelfrey, RA Dickey and Jon Niese in the rotation, with my head shaking with wonder about the latter. He’s hit a wall in his development and has a long way to go.

The Mets will be without Carlos Beltran for tonight and the rest of the season, shut down with pain in his right knee. The Mets say there is no more structural damage, but he will be re-examined by the Colorado doctors who operated on him this spring.

Sep 22

New Chat Room; Niese tries to regain form.

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Game #152 at Marlins

To access the New Chat Room, click onto the Mets Chat icon to your left.

At one time we were considering Jon Niese one of the bright spots to this season. That’s when  he was 6-2. He’s now 9-9 after losing four of this last five decisions.

Lack of run support has only been a part of it. Niese has shown a propensity lately to give up the big hit to let an inning get away from him. He’s still young and learning, but minimizing the damage is something he must improve on.

As of now, Niese will enter spring training with Mike Pelfrey and RA Dickey in the rotation, with the other two spots to be filled.

Sep 19

New Chat Room; where did it go?

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Game #150 vs. Braves

To access the New Chat Room, click onto the Mets Chat icon to your left.

The season is gone. We’re winding down to another Metsless October. I know the activity on the blog and chat room is down, but a lot of that has to do with the play of the team.

I am optimistic about the new chat room in the future and thank those of you for your continued support.

The season? Damn, it just seems like yesterday that Daniel Murphy was hurt in spring training, Jose Reyes was down with a thyroid problem and the Mets were about to make the mistake of taking Jenrry Mejia north.

It has been an eventful season, and we all understand this isn’t a good team. It has a better record than last year, but there’s a lot of work to do. And, I hope you’ll stay with me as we talk about it.

Sep 16

New Chat Room; Pelfrey goes tonight.

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Game #147 vs. PIrates

To access the New Chat Room, click on to the icon to your left.

The Mets have more than a few pitching questions heading into next year, and Mike Pelfrey is one of them. After a brilliant start, Pelfrey hit the skids in July, seemed to right himself, then was hit hard again. He’s coming off a good start and the Mets want him to finish on a roll to give him the confidence heading into the offseason.

With Johan Santana injured, unless the Mets make a stunning move in the offseason, Pelfrey will go to spring training as the No. 1 starter.

The Mets will be seeking their first four-game sweep of a team tonight at home against Pittsburgh.

Sep 16

Mejia shelved for season.

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Jenrry Mejia has a right shoulder strain and will be shut down for the remainder of the season. It’s his second shoulder injury of the year and you have to wonder if how he was handled this year was a contributing factor.

The Mets have to be cautious with him in spring training, perhaps to the point of being overprotective. This is a valuable commodity, one groomed as a starter, then had his role changed.

It’s only speculative, of course, but how he was handled this season has to be a factor in the bad news we have this morning.

Sep 13

Next year’s staff ….

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The Mets began the season with questions concerning all five starters in their rotation. Despite a productive season with Johan Santana’s shoulder injury they will end it the same way. There are reasons to be optimistic, such as the emergence of Jon Niese, R. A. Dickey and progress made by Mike Pelfrey.

SANTANA: Can't depend on his return.

Those are also the same reasons to be cautious.

1) JOHAN SANTANA: There are all kinds of projections on Santana’s recovery, all of the them pointless until he has the surgery. However, three surgeries in three years since signing with the Mets is a red flag. His velocity was already in decline before the injury, and by all accounts this is not an easy injury to come back from. The Mets must assume Santana’s best days are behind him and have to shop for a front end starter. It would be nice to expect a full recovery, but the Mets have long since lived on Fantasy Island when it comes to injuries.

2) MIKE PELFREY: There was significant glimpses for reason to be optimistic, but also enough to be concerned. Pelfrey is barely a .500 career pitcher, and there were times this summer when he was horrible. His last start was something to build on, but haven’t we said that a lot about Pelfrey. Pelfrey has been good roughly half the time this season. He needs to up that to 75 to 80 percent. Right now he’s a No. 2 to an ace, maybe a No. 3, but I’d be wary entering the season with him as the No. 1.

3) R.A. DICKEY: His performance warrants going into spring training with a spot in the rotation. However, look how long it took for him to have a breakthrough season. How can we adequately predict for the man with the unpredictable pitch? The Mets can’t look at this year and say he will repeat. And, if he does duplicate this year, that’s only 10 wins so far, good for a No. 4 or No. 5. He’s been good, but he’s not an anchor.

4) JON NIESE: He developed this year, but it is only one season. Who is to say he won’t have a setback or growing pains like Pelfrey? I’m glad the Mets held on to him and there’s a bright promise ahead, but there were enough glitches to indicate he’s got much more to learn.

5) DILLON GEE: He was stellar in his debut, but there wasn’t Triple-A domination to project he’ll immediately step in to produce. He’ll get another look-see tonight, but we really don’t know enough about him.

6) HISANORI TAKAHASHI: We don’t even know if he’ll be around next year. The Mets like him in the bullpen but he wants to start. He’s also a free agent. The Mets are probably right about his role in that he was vulnerable the second time through the batting order.

7) PAT MISCH: Has had some good moments, but also a few times when he’s been roughed up. Right now, he’s no better than to compete for a No. 5 spot. Don’t forget, there’s a reason why he’s spent so much time in the organization.

8) OLIVER PEREZ: He’s on the team; he’s got to be mentioned. The Mets want him gone but won’t eat his contract. Until there’s a resolution to the stalemate, there’s the possibility of playing with a man short again next year. With Santana gone and the Mets monitoring the innings count for Niese, he should get a start or two, if for no other reason than informational purposes. He’ll pitch in Mexico during the winter, but will he find it there? Doubtful.

9) JOHN MAINE: Almost forgot about him. The Mets may not even tender him, but if they do what can they reasonably expect? He’s still damaged goods and it is anybody’s guess what he’ll be, or even if he’ll pitch again.