Archive for February, 2008
Pitching Competition Begins
Pitchers and catchers have now been playing catch for a week, and in less than six weeks from today, only two catchers and 12 pitchers will be leaving Port St. Lucie as New York Mets. Unless something drastic occurs between now and then, the backstops will be Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro (sorry, Robinson Cancel [...]
Going to Spring Training
For your information, MetsToday will be in Port St. Lucie as of next Wednesday, checking out the Mets from February 27th through March 2nd. I’ll be watching games, taking pictures, hanging around the Mets’ complex, and generally making a nuisance of myself while soaking in the sunshine. If you have any requests, questions, or other [...]
How Brady Clark Can Help
You may already have heard the breaking news — the Mets have signed Brady Clark to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Big woop, right? Clark is a journeyman who will simply compete with Ruben Gotay, Olmedo Saenz, Fernando Tatis, and Jose Valentin for the 25th spot on the roster. Why [...]
10 Questions for Mets’ Spring Training
Hope springs eternal during the first week of spring training — every team has high hopes, big dreams, and is gunning for the World Series. Previously injured players are miraculously healthy — in the best shape of their lives — and those who had off years spent all winter working on a way to bounce [...]
Duaner Sanchez Looking Trim
Tommy Lasorda didn’t look this good after drinking SlimFast (the first, second, nor third time). Weight Watchers wishes Ron Darling would have done as well. Before After WOW. Last year at this time, Duaner Sanchez weighed in at a sloppy 230 pounds. Now he’s down to 205. “Now I’m in the best shape of my [...]
Pitchers and Catchers Report
Hallelujah! Spring training has begun! The Mets open spring training today in Port St. Lucie, FL, with pitchers throwing to catchers and catchers throwing back to pitchers. Then some “PFP” (Pitchers’ Fielding Practice, a.k.a., cover first), then a bunch of running, then a 2 o’clock tee time. And isn’t it amazing … each pitcher will [...]
Anna (and Kris) Benson Back in NL East?
For those who missed the Anna Benson act, there’s a very good chance you’ll get to see her and her hubby Kris many, many times in 2008 — word on the street is that Kris Benson is about to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies. Hat tip to loyal MetsToday reader / commenter “sincekindergarten” for the [...]
Mets Land RH Bat
The Mets finally added the last piece to the puzzle — a veteran righthanded-hitting bat to come off the bench and fill in at 1B behind Carlos Delgado. They’ve signed Olmedo Saenz to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Oops … hope you were sitting down for that; otherwise the excitement [...]
Second-best Acquisition of 2008
Without much fanfare, the Mets made an under-the-radar announcement that didn’t even get picked up by most news and blog sources, yet could have an impact on the Mets’ pitching staff that is similar to the acquisition of Johan Santana. No, Tom Seaver has not come out of retirement (neither has David Cone), and Omar [...]
Top 10 Reasons John Rocker is Expanding the Steroids Issue
Just when we thought all the PED controversy surrounded Roger Clemens, John Rocker comes out of nowhere and tells the world that team doctors recommended steroids to him, Rafael Palmeiro, Ivan Rodriguez, and Alex Rodriguez. Uh-oh. Let’s hope against hope that John is off his Rocker and just looking for some headlines (and/or a book [...]
Mets Sign Tony Armas Jr.
Sit down folks, big news here … the Mets have signed Tony Armas, Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. While the Mets might have more need for Tony’s dad right now (a slugging, RH-hitting, rightfielder), I’m on board with this no-risk move. In fact, I liked the idea of [...]
Ten Mets Prospects At a Crossroads
Previously we presented the Mets’ Top Ten Most Intriguing Prospects. Now, we go over the Top Ten Mets Prospects At a Crossroads. 1. Anderson Hernandez Two years ago at this time, Hernandez was everyone’s choice to be the starting second baseman at the ML level — despite having to compete with veterans Kaz Matsui, Bret [...]
Veteran Bats Moving Fast
Only a few days ago we discussed various possibilities for the Mets’ bench, focusing on righthanded batters who ideally play 1B, OF, and/or catcher. Since then, several veterans have been scooped up, including many mentioned here (by me and you). Hat tip to Walnutz on some of these. Herewith a roundup of recent last-minute signings [...]
Mets Top Prospects
Almost immediately after the Johan Santana trade — which instantly removed many of the Mets’ best youngsters — one of our MetsToday loyalists (Nick A.) suggested I write a post about the Mets “new” list of top ten prospects. By the time I figured out who that top ten would be, a much more reliable [...]
Foulke Off the Market
Interestingly, Keith Foulke signed with the Oakland Athletics. I say interestingly because all previous reports had pinpointed him as a Cleveland Indian — the team he retired from last spring. Purportedly, Foulke’s home was in the Cleveland area and that was the reason he was going to give it another shot with the Indians. As [...]
