Vargas Making Strong Pitch To Be A Starter

Mark Hale of The New York Post writes that Jason Vargas is making a strong pitch to be the no. 5 starter.

Acquired in a trade with the Marlins this offseason, Vargas tossed two scoreless frames against the Dodgers yesterday in the Mets' 5-2 loss.

...true, but if the Mets would want a young arm for the rotatiom they would either pick Mike Pelfrey or Phil Humber.

Reyes To Make Run For MVP

According to Adam Rubin of The Daily News, Jose Reyes is ready to make a run for the MVP, even though he bats leadoff.

And according to Carlos Beltran, Reyes is very valuable. " "I tell him, when he doesn't get on base, we don't win," Carlos Beltran says. "That's how valuable he is. When he gets on base, even if he gets a walk, he has the potential to be on third with less than two out. That's important. The guy behind him can get a ground ball or a fly ball and get him in. He changes the game."

Writes Rubin: According to Cardinals manager Tony La Russa: "Don't count out Jose Reyes stealing the award in the not-too-distant future, despite a power infatuation that sometimes shortchanges leadoff men."

Padilla Throws Batting Practice

According to MLB.com, Juan Padilla threw batting practice on Saturday for the second time this spring. He began optimistically and emerged from his 45-pitch workday quite encouraged. The next step for Padilla, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is to pitch in a game, perhaps on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Pelfrey Good Enough For Majors

Pat Borzi of The New York Times, writes that Paul Lo Duca thinks that Mike Pelfrey has what it takes to be a starter in the majors. "He’s got as good stuff as I’ve ever caught," said Lo Duca, "he can get ground balls, but he can also put you away.”

Billy Wagner said he thinks that Pelfrey looks more at ease now than he did when the Mets first brought him up last July. Pelfrey won his first two starts, but was sent down after a loss and a no-decision.

...pelfrey is just as good as the Yankees's Phil Hughes and Cincy's Homar Bailey. He just doesn't get as much hype.

Dodgers 5, Mets 2

In an exhibition game yesterday the Dodgers beat the Mets, 5-2.

Mike Pelfrey pitched the first two innings without allowing a run, Jason Vargas relieved him and also pitched 2 scoreless frames. Then Billy Wagner came on and allowed one in his lone inning of work. Aaron Heilman threw two scoreless innings. Then, Jon Adkins allowed four runs in the ninth.

Endy Chavez had 2 hits. Jose Reyes hit a home run in the sixth, off of Eric Stults. In the seventh, a David Newhan sacrafice fly gave the Mets their second run.

...pelfrey looked really good. I hope he gets the no. 5 spot in the rotation.

...adkins looked horrible. Every pitched he threw was smacked. But I still think he can be a very solid reliever.

...chavez and Shawn Green each had sparkling diving catches.

...another homer for Reyes, wow!

Park Has Visa Problems

Because his work visa has not arrived, Chan Ho Park cannot pitch anyplace in the United States where an admission is charged. But he may practice and train with the team. The Mets applied for the visa on Park’s behalf after they signed him Feb. 9 and expected to have it by now.

Mets Hope Park Will Become Fan Favorite

According to the New York Times's Pat Borzi, the Mets are hoping that Chan Ho Park can become a pitcher that fans will come to the park to see.

...dumbest thing I have heard. The Mets signed Park thinking that he can be a stop-gap until phenoms Mike Pelfrey and Phillip Humber are ready for the majors, and there thinking hasn't changed.

Pedro Has Resumed Baseball Activities

According to Newsday, Pedro Martinez was allowed to finally pick up a baseball and begin playing catch, and Duaner Sanchez still has a chance of being ready by Opening Day after getting a thumbs-up from Dr. David Altchek.

...stop talking about Sanchez. If he will be ready by Opening Day or not, isn't gonna kill the Mets, but if Pedro can come back 2 starts early, now that is 2 wins for the rotation depleted Mets.

Cardinals To Celebrate vs. Mets

According to MLB.com the Cardinals will raise its World Series banner on opening day against the Mets, and then they will hand out World Series rings prior to the next game, again against the Mets.

...that's flat out mean. I hope that the Mets get revenge and beat the crap out of them (on both days).

Valentin Hopes To Return Over Weekend

While talking with WFAN radio two days ago, Jose Valentin said he will test his sore ankle tomorrow and hopes to return to the lineup over the weekend.

...sorry, i forgot to post Valentin's injury before.

Joe Smith Isn't Just An Average Joe

Kevin Kernan of The New York Post writes that Joe Smith is one special sidewinder.

Here is a key stat that Kernan quotes bullpen coach Guy Conti saying: "Major league hitters hit .190 at the bottom of the strike zone. That's why we want to keep that ball where they have the most trouble with it. We have a better chance of getting them out."

...i knew going into spring training that Smith was going to open up eyes. But the performance he has put on so far is just flat outta the world. I mean how many rightie relievers throw sidearm, with a low 90's fastball and a nasty slider? Answer: 0.

...strenghts: Smith is unique because he throws much harder than typical sidearmers, and his 89-91 mph fastball has sinking, fading action. It tops out at 94. He stays on top of an 81-83 mph, two-plane slider that destroys righthanders.

...weaknesses: The key to Smith reaching his ceiling is his changeup. He never needed it in college, but he does in pro ball to keep advanced lefthanders honest.

B Game: Mets 6, Cardinals 5

Yesterday in a B exhibition game, the Mets beat the Cardinals, 6-5.

Aaron Sele started the game for the Mets and allowed 1 run in 2 innings. Last years No.1 draft pick Kevin Mulvey releived him and allowed 4 runs in his 2 innings, but struck out Albert Pujols. Willie Collazo, Adam Bostick, Joe Smith, Scott Schoeneweis and Lino Urdaneta all pitched scoreless innings.

David Newhan had two hits and drove in three runs to lead thee Mets, while Endy Chavez and Carlos Gomez each had an RBI.

Mets Come To Terms With 14 Players

According to MLB.com, the Mets agreed to terms with Jon Adkins, Ambiorix Burgos, Marcos Carvajal, John Maine, Juan Padilla, Alay Soler, Adam Bostick, Pedro Feliciano, Jason Vargas, Anderson Hernandez, CarlPublishos Gomez, Ben Johnson and Lastings Milledge.

Also, the Mets have renewed the contract of Aaron Heilman.

...unless the Mets promise to give Heilman a spot in the rotation, the second he becomes a free agent he will go to a team that promises to give him a turn in the rotation (The A's). But Heilman can only becomes a free agent after the 2010 season, so thats a long time to go.

Milledge X-Rays Negative

According to Mark Hale of The New York Post, one day after getting hit on the right hand with a pitch against the Tigers, Lastings Milledge had X-rays taken yesterday. They were negative.

...duh. Milledge said yesterday that it was nothing.

Harper: Mets Built For Long Run

According to John Harper of the Daily News, the Mets are built for the long run.

Harper says that the Mets are built around young players such as Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and those young pitchers (Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber, Oliver Perez and John Maine) do that they can make a long run (like the Braves).

Also in the article Mets owner Fred Wilpon says, "We've got payroll flexibility, that's something we're always going to try to have. That and numbers (of tradeable young players). We're building something here. The goal is to make it a long run, not a short run."

...if we have payroll flexibility and players, then why don't we trade for Brad Penny or Jon Leiber.

..harper is one hell of a writer. He gets everything smack on the head.

Lefties Rule Met Bullpen

Adam Rubin of the Daily News writes that the left handed side of the bullpen is set for 2007 and beyond, with lefties Scott Schoeneweis and Pedro Feliciano. Rubin writes: " The Mets, who have gone through lefthanded situational relievers including Dae-Sung Koo, Felix Heredia and Royce Ring, now have a quality southpaw tandem leading up to their closer for the first time in Randolph's tenure."

...i really hope so. With Philly having lefty bats such as Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, the Mets need stability. I hope they have found a Mike Myers type pitcher in Schoeneweis and Feliciano, because in the next couple of years they will be facing Utley and Howard in numerous late game situations and they will need a southpaw to limit the damage.

Park Looking To Return To All-Star Form

At MLB.com, Charlie Nobles writes that Chan Ho Park is looking to regain All-Star form by returning to pitch in the NL.

Here are some interesting statistics: 3.97 ERA in the NL 5.79 ERA in the AL.

...those numbers are still not All-Star caliber. I don't think there are too many pitchers with an ERA around 4.00 who are pitching in the All-Star game. But if Park can put up solid numbers he could be a very important piece to the puzzle.

Wright To Bat Second

Kevin Kernan writes in his blog, that Willie Randolph should think about batting David Wright second in place of Paul Lo Duca.

Kernan writes: "If Reyes gets on, with his speed he can steal second so you don’t need the two-hitter to give himself up that much." "Lo Duca could slide into the six hole behind Moises Alou. Alou, if healthy, is a solid No. 5 hitter. By batting Wright second you also have, what I call, the turnover effect. When the lineup turns over later in the game and if there are men on base, Reyes and Wright give you RBI power right at the top."

...wright strikes out to much, and a 6-7-8 of Lo Duca, Shawn Green, and Jose Valentin has little to no pop.

Mets Defeat Cardinals, 4-3

In an exhibition game yesterday, the Mets defeated the Cardinals, 4-3.

Carlos Beltran had an RBI triple and Carlos Delgado’s hit a sacrifice fly to give the Mets a solid 2-0 lead in the first. Jose Reyes hit a 2--run homer off Mike Parisi in the sixth.

Tom Glavine pitched 2 innings of hitless baseball. Jorge Sosa followed him and pitched 2 innings while alllowing 2 runs. Steve Schmoll, Clint Nageotte, Pedro Feliciano and Ambiorix Burgos all pitched scoreless innings in relief, while Eddie Camacho allowed a run in his inning.

...Jose Reyes hit another homer. David Lennon was on the money in his article a couple of days ago.

Baeball America's 2007 Top 100 Prospects

Baseball America has come out with their 2007 Top 100 Prospects list. There are 4 Mets on the list, Mike Pelfrey (20), Fernando Martinez (22), Carlos Gomez (60) and Phil Humber (73).

Here are BA's comments:

Pelfrey: Made the majors three months into his pro career, and should be even better now with his new slider. Major League Expectancy: 2007

Martinez: Followed up an impressive debut as a 17-year-old by holding his own in the Arizona Fall League. Major League Expectancy: 2009

Gomez: Career-high .773 OPS last year shows he's only scratching the surface of his potential. Major League Expectancy: 2008

Humber: Blew out his elbow 15 starts into his pro career in 2005, but bounced all the way back last year. Major League Expectancy: 2008

...why is Humber only #73. He is a pitcher, and pitchers are much more valuable.

...and Gomez should be higher than Jose Tabata, Jacoby Ellsbury, Adam Jones and Adam Lind.

Franco Wants To Manage

According to Stan McNeil of Sporting News, 47 year old wonder Julio Franco is happy for now, but wants to manage once his playing career is over.

McNeil writes: "Though Franco remains at least a year or two away from the next stage of his career, he's already preparing for it. He manages from the sofa when watching games on TV. He is so adroit at reaching young players that Mets general manager Omar Minaya brought Franco to New York to mentor Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes.

...even though I'm happy with Willie now, I wouldn't mind seeing Franco manage the Mets in the future. He would probably be a lot like Willie: a players manager.

Sanchez About 75 Percent Healthy

According to John Delcos of The Journal News, it looks good for Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez, who took a significant step in his recovery from shoulder surgery when he threw from flat ground yesterday, but hedged about being ready for Opening Day.

"I am about 75 percent." Sanchez said. "I think I'll be ready, but I have to be patient about it. I can't rush it."

Harper: Mets Have Aces Within Organzation

John Harper of the Daily News writes, that even though the Mets didn't acquire a big name pitcher such as Barry Zito or Daisuke Matsuzaka, they still have some very good potential aces within the organization: Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Oliver Perez and Phil Humber.

Harper says that he thinks that Maine could be better than all the others as he quoted a Mets official saying, "He could be better than Pelfrey and Humber. He's got that live fastball, and his changeup has come a long way. He's coming fast."

...maine is nothing close to Pelfrey or Humber. Pelfrey and Humber are guys who can be aces. By aces I mean top of the rotation (No. 1 and No. 2) pitchers.

...while I have high hopes for Maine, I think he is something more like a Ted Lilly type pitcher. A guy who can eat up a lot of innings, win 10-15 games during the regular season, plus win big games in the playoffs.

P.S. finally there is a sportswriter who finds something positive to do with the rotation. Kudos to Harper.

Mets Rally In 8th But Fall To Tigers 5-4

In the Mets first exhibition game yesterday, they fell to the Detroit Tigers 5-4.

The Mets had no hits until Damion Easley singled in the third inning. Carlos Delgado, hit a double in the fourth. The Mets rallied in the 8th on a 2-run single by Julio Franco and an RBI out by David Newhan.

Starter Oliver Perez allowed four runs in two innings. Alay Soler proceeded him and pitched two scoreless innings. Billy Wagner allowed a run the fifth.

All of the pitchers said that they were happy with there performances.

...sure we lost, but it's only spring training.

Wagner Progressing With New Pitch

John Delcos writes in his blog that Billy Wagner is happy with the way he is proggressing with his new pitch, the split-finger change-up.

Wagner threw it for the first time in a real game today against Marcus Thames and said it went well: "It's a start." he said.

Earlier this spring he said that he needed a pitch that would "require less energy to throw and that may get me some easier outs."

You can also read about Wagner's new pitch at MLB.com or at the New York Post.

Pedro Will Know Soon When He Can Throw

According to the Associated Press, Pedro Marinez will know next week when he can start throwing again. According to Pedro: "I think this team could win it, and I hope I get back in time to push them to the end."

...self confidence. Some sportswriters think that when Pedro returns (or if he returns), he won't really be able to help the Mets. I think that if Pedro comes back and is concentrated on getting the Mets to the World Series, he will return to being the dominant Pedro of 4 years ago.