Die Hard Sports Fan

Mets.com released the comments made by Fred Wilpon about Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya after a news conference at the commissioner’s office.

I think Willie did a good job. I think that the results the last, say, 14 months were not up to what we thought it had to be. What Omar finally decided was that he had to make that change.

Obviously, we’ve been playing well in the last few games.

He [Omar Minaya] called me at the end of the doubleheader and asked me whether we can meet. He told us what his recommendation was going to be, and that what he wanted to do was replace Willie and replace the two coaches, and that he wanted to do it expeditiously. He wanted to do it in person. And he said, just like he always does, trades and everything else, he said, `I want to just think about it overnight.’

Management and the owners approved of what his plan was, so we were OK with the switch and we were OK with his recommendation, and he implemented that recommendation.

The intent here clearly was to respect Willie, to respect his feelings and to do it in person. It’s never easy to fire anybody. Believe me, it is not easy to do, and Omar took a lot of time. We took a lot of time listening to him and thinking about it.

It’s all a matter of performance, and Willie knew this when he started. Recognize we gave Willie the chance — Omar gave Willie the chance to be in this position. He had never been a manager in the Major Leagues or Minor Leagues.

I think Omar has done a great job. Everybody who makes decisions is not going to make all right decisions. He has made some great decisions. … Our Minor Leagues are in much better shape than is being reported.

It sounds like bunch of Malarkey to me.  I don’t understand how Willie did a ‘good job’ while Minaya did a ‘great job’ when they share the same record.  Both of them were responsible for the ups and the downs.  I believe that Omar has to take more blame than Willie for giving him too many old players that cannot contribute on a daily basis.  I’m also not sold on Wilpon’s comment on the farm system.  If it was stronger than the Mets would be able to start getting rid of the bums in the clubhouse.  We saw how nobody wanted the Mets prospects last offseason.  Are Wilpon’s comments about that to the fans or to the other GMs?  Did Randolph oversee the farm system?  No.  It’s all on Omar now.

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That has to have been one of the busiest days in Mets land in a long time.  Unfortunately, three guys lost their jobs.  It’s a new regime now.  Jerry Manuel is the the interim manager of the Mets.  That sounds bad, but what do you expect as a Mets fan?

Mets.com:

Mets name Manuel interim manager - Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets promoted Jerry Manuel to interim manager.

Minaya explains Randolph’s dismissal

Manuel, Randolph share similarities

Mets fans react to Willie’s dismissal

Hurdle talks Randolph dismissal - Rockies manager Clint Hurdle had this to say about Randolph, “He’s a good baseball man. When a door closes for a man of his abilities, another one will open somewhere down the line.”

Mets face uphill climb in All-Star races - Anthony DiComo noted, “In the latest tally of online voting, released Tuesday by Major League Baseball, no Mets player is close to earning an All-Star start at his position.”

Williams proving he could be Draft steal - Kevin T. Czerwinski pointed out that the Mets’ 40th-round pick, Seth Williams, has been tearing it up in College World Series.

Mets sign, seal, deliver win for Pelfrey - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s Mets-Angels game.

DH offers Mets plenty of options - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Angels.

Newsday:

More than 21,000 miles on Mets since May 1 - David Lennon believes that the players are tired because they have traveled 21,611 miles since the start of May.

New York Daily News:

Pals go to bat for Willie Randolph

Derek Jeter calls Willie Randolph firing ‘unfortunate’

Fans quick to condemn Mets’ handling of Willie Randolph firing

New York Times:

Mets Put Him In. Is He Ready to Play? - Joshua Robinson asks, “Recently the question has arisen: How much does a weary, and slumping, David Wright really help the Mets?”

The Star-Ledger:

Jose Reyes pulled from the game, reacts angrily

Firings and Hirings: A complete look at the Mets eventful day - The Star-Ledger compiled dozens of articles about a very busy day in Mets history.  If you check out the article then you will be able to read all of their articles about today.

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I’m in absolute disgust about how the Mets fired Willie so I want to compliment the media for bashing the way that the Mets fired Willie.  I was half asleep and heard it around 3:30 a.m. on WFAN.  I turned my laptop on and wrote about it as I was half asleep.  Now that I’m awake, I’m going to continue to express myself today.  I’m glad to see that the media sees it as I see it because usually that isn’t the case.

Newsday:

Mets’ handling of Willie cowardly - Jim Baumbach wrote…

Did the Mets know they were going to fire Randolph this past weekend? And did they intentionally wait for the team to head West to get away from their own fans and to go to a place where there will be five times fewer reporters? And why the ridiculous timing?

Here’s the sick part: By announcing at 3 a.m., the Mets undoubtedly figured they’d just miss the last deadlines for New York City newspapers, meaning there would be another 24 hours before the next day’s newspaper is published. So this way maybe something else can happen in the world and they won’t have to see their manager’s firing plastered all over the back pages, because it’s day-old news.

And if you’re a Mets fan, that should make you sick.

Wilpons are worst owners in town - Wallace Matthews wrote…

As a result, The Wilpons today assume sole possession of the title, “Worst Sports Owners in Town,” which is quite an accomplishment considering this town also boasts Charles Wang, Woody Johnson, the long-running reality show known as “The Steinbrenners,” and everyone’s favorites, Dolan & Son.

But not even James Dolan, the poster child for bad ownership, would have handled this as badly as the Mets, or more correctly, The Wilpons, did. From a personal standpoint, his worst crime was making Don Chaney drive to Westchester to run a Knicks’ practice session before wielding the axe. That hardly compares with schlepping a manager and two doomed coaches across the country on a red-eye flight following a doubleheader, only to send them all back again, jobless, less than a day later.

Like him or not, Willie’s firing was brutal - Barbara Barker wrote…

Yet, some firings are more vicious than others. And what the Mets did to Willie Randolph sometime before 3:14 this morning breaks the viciousness meter. And, no matter what you felt about Randolph as a manger, it also breaks your heart.

You can debate all you want whether Randolph deserved to be fired, but there’s no doubt he deserved better than this. He deserved better than to be strung out for weeks, flown 3,000 miles to the West Coast, only to get the ax in a strange hotel only hours after his team beat the California Angels.

New York Daily News:

Mets an utter disgrace for handling of Willie Randolph’s firing - Bill Madden wrote…

And in the history of New York baseball, there has not been a more cowardly, indecent, undignified or ill-conceived firing of a manager. Only the Mets - these Mets who have somehow lost their dignity since Fred Wilpon has chosen to drift further and further into the background - could embarrass themselves like this, firing Randolph, Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto (and just what exactly did he do?) in their hotel rooms in Costa Mesa, Calif., and communicated by e-mail to the beat writers at 3 a.m. Eastern time.

Firing them, after having them fly all the way to the West Coast for a game against the LA Angels, a game which they won, when, clearly, they had made this decision days ago. GM Omar Minaya was the one who executed the firing - while refusing comment - but make no mistake, he was just the messenger. Jeff Wilpon and Tony Bernazard were the ones who really wanted Randolph fired. They just couldn’t figure out how, where or when to do it in order to best lessen the media fallout, and Minaya couldn’t help them.

New York Post:

MIDNIGHT MASSACRE AN AMAZIN’ ACT OF COWARDICE - Mike Vaccaro wrote…

Maybe that seems a simple proclamation. Maybe you think everyone knows about the Internet. Well, the men who run the Mets are quite obviously simple men, and sinister men, cowards cloaked in “no comments,” who have seen the way their baseball team has performed this year obviously decided: People don’t just need to be fired.

They need to be humiliated.

What a crowd, these bums are, all of them, from the Wilpons at the top to Omar Minaya down below, all of them who conspired to botch this firing worse than any firing has ever been botched. Ever. You wouldn’t trust these guys to run a 7-11, let alone a National League baseball team. What a joke. What a cowardly, dastardly joke.

A midnight massacre.

A 3 a.m. thrashing.

Disgraceful. Utterly, completely, disgraceful.

The Star-Ledger:

Graziano: Randolph’s Firing Is a Joke - Just Like the Mets - Dan Graziano wrote…

Willie Randolph is certainly devastated this morning. His first big chance at the job he dreamed of for so long has ended in ignominy. Less than two years after he came within one inning of the World Series, he is fired, and must be wondering if he’ll ever get another chance to manage in the major leagues.

But while Randolph likely can’t take this perspective, he’s well rid of the Mets and the Wilpons, who run their organization so poorly it’s hard to imagine any manager succeeding as long as they’re in charge of it.

When you’re around the Mets all the time, your neck starts to hurt because you shake your head so much. Every day, the evidence of organization-wide incompetence hits you right in the face.

I was never a fan of Willie’s growing up because I’m not a Yankee fan.  I didn’t really care one way or the other when he became the manager of the Mets.  Based on his record, he has the second best winning percentage in the history of the Mets franchise.  He handles himself with class, and the Mets showed him none.  This is not the first time the Mets have done something like this, it always happens like this.  Major League Baseball handles themselves poorly as well.  The combination of the two have built up in me over the years.  When that happens, I tend to back off little by little as a fan.  It’s a shame because it makes it harder for me to love the game and love the Mets.  It is the exact opposite with the NFL and the Giants.  The Mara family has more class than any other owners in the NFL so my love for them grows and grows regardless of the record each season.  The Mets are an embarrasement of an organization.

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So Willie managed to make it through the weekend after the Mets won the series against the Rangers two games to one.  Now the Mets are in Cali to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or something like that.  Not really sure what that means…lol.  That would be like the New York Jets of East Ruthersford.  No matter how you slice it or dice it, it just sounds dumb.  The Angels went from representing the state to representing Anaheim to representing L.A. and Anaheim in my lifetime.  Who knows what they did prior to that.  Anyway, here’s the pitching probables for the series.

• 06/16/2008 - Mike Pelfrey (2-6) - Jered Weaver (6-6)
• 06/17/2008 - Johan Santana (7-4) - John Lackey (3-1)
• 06/18/2008 - Oliver Perez (5-4) - Jon Garland (6-4)

Mets.com:

Mets heave sigh of relief with split - Marty Noble summarized the second Rangers-Mets game yesterday.

Team cycle becoming a factor for Mets - Jon Blau wrote up a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Angels and the Mets.

Late-inning heroics not enough - Jon Blau summarized the first Rangers-Mets game yesterday.

Church itching to be back with Mets - Ryan Church stated, “It’s progressing every day, it’s getting better. I haven’t had any spells or anything like that. It’s just one of those things now, waiting out time on the DL.”

Newsday:

Willie deserves better from Jeff Wilpon - Wallace Matthews wrote that,

No one with the Mets has told Randolph he’s in trouble, not to his face, anyway. He must read it in the papers, leaked through Wilpon’s media lapdogs, hear it on the radio, discern it in the lukewarm votes of confidence from his general manager and the ominous inaccessibility of his bosses.

Randolph gets on plane, going day to day - Mark Herrmann pointed out that,

Minaya was asked by reporters if Randolph and the coaching staff will be working when the team plays the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., tonight, and gave only this vague response: “Willie is our manager. That situation is always under evaluation.”

When he was pressed again about the manager and the coaches, Minaya kept repeating the same basic theme. “You know my feelings on it,” he said. “I think we’re not playing to our potential and I would like to leave myself room to evaluate these things.”

Nine years since last hit, Cancel gets a big one - Katie Strang covered Robinson Cancel’s big pinch hit two-run single off Texas starter Kason Gabbard to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning.  Strang also pointed out, “Before his at-bat, fans were chanting Martinez’s name in hopes he’d get another at-bat during his first home start of the season, but fortunately for embattled Mets manager Willie Randolph, he did not oblige.”  That was a gutsy move by Willie, and he’s lucky it worked out.

New York Daily News:

Rick Peterson, Tom Nieto facing ax but Willie Randolph safe - for now - Adam Rubin wrote,

Sources have told the Daily News that principal owner Fred Wilpon and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon have authorized Minaya to make the call on whether to fire Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto. Bench coach Jerry Manuel would ascend to manager if Randolph is ousted, while Triple-A New Orleans manager Ken Oberkfell and pitching coach Dan Warthen would join the major league staff.

A team insider speculated that Randolph could survive a first round of firings, saying: “I think the coaches are in trouble. That may be the compromise for now.”

I have no idea how firing the first base coach is going to get this team rolling.  Minaya has to realize that his players are the problem.

Mets bullpen finds a way to save face in second game vs. Rangers

Slow-footed Brian Schneider easily out at the plate - Now that was some poor base running by Brian Schneider.

Brooklyn Cyclones & Staten Island Yankees get farms up & runnin’

The Star-Ledger:

Hola from the OC

Monday Morning Mets Thoughts

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I’m trying to remain positive with my boys from Queens.  The Mets swept the Yankees which was fun, but Willie keeps talking and the media is over-doing the situation.   It seems like each writer for each newspaper had to write their own article on Willie.  That’s too much.  Willie keeps making it worse though.

On the day that Mike Piazza announced his retirement, the Mets got swept by the Braves in a double header.  Fred Wilpon released this statement on Piazza,

On behalf of everyone at the Mets we salute Mike for his Hall of Fame caliber accomplishments in our game and with our team. Mike electrified New York City and energized our franchise after we acquired him in 1998. He was an integral part of our 2000 National League Championship club. Mike played the game with passion, class and heart — symbolic of our city. We wish Mike, his wife, Alicia, and daughter Nicoletta all health and happiness as he begins a new chapter in his life.

The Mets need to come out with some fight and even up this series.  They already had a bad record against the Braves this year, and it just got even worse yesterday.

Mets.com:

Pedro leaves Mets to be with ill father - Pedro Martinez was supposed to throw in a bullpen session on Wednesday, but he “returned to the Dominican Republic on Wednesday morning after receiving word that the condition of Pablo Martinez had worsened. The Mets had no sense of how the latest development would affect the schedule for Martinez’s return to active duty.”

Mets need Mylanta in Atlanta with loss - Marty Noble summarized last night’s game between the Mets and the Braves.

Mets look to muster support for Pelfrey - Marty Noble put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Braves.

Dazed Church heads to hospital for tests - “Mets right fielder Ryan Church was hospitalized on Tuesday night after suffering a mild concussion in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Braves.”  I saw the collission between Church and Escobar, but I wasn’t sure if he suffered a concussion.  That’s very unfortunate because he suffered one in Spring Training also.  Hopefully he recovers relatively quickly.

Mets remember Piazza as fearsome - Former teammates and opponents recall the newly retired Mike Piazza’s forceful swing

Piazza made many proud over career - Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire reflects on Mike Piazza’s Hall of Fame career.

Newsday:

Pedro returns to Dominican to be with ill father

Mets swept by Braves; Church injured again - David Lennon summarized both games of yesterday’s day/night double header between the Mets and the Braves.

Randolph doesn’t need to be old-school fiery

SNY baffled by Willie’s comments

Randolph not adjusting well to his own city

Randolph backtracks from comments about racism

Piazza made Mets matter while Yankees owned N.Y.

Mets’ Randolph not laid back about being passive

New York Daily News:

Pedro Martinez headed to Dominican Republic to be with ailing father

Ryan Church gets bell rung, Mets swept by Braves in doubleheader - Adam Rubin summarized both game of the Mets-Braves day/night double header.

Willie Randolph manages to keep heat on self

Willie Randolph tries to back off race charge

New York Post:

DOUBLE WHAMMY - Bart Hubbuch summarized both of yesterday’s Mets-Braves games too.

NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR RETIRING PIAZZA

WILLIE RACES TO RETREAT

CHURCH SUFFERS CONCUSSION

MIKE HANGS UP SPIKES

New York Times:

Injury on Final Play Caps the Mets’ Misery - Ray Glier wrote up a game recap for each of yesterday’s Mets-Braves games.

Randolph’s Comments Add Another Distraction

The Star-Ledger:

Game 43: Mets at Braves - Jeremy Cothran provided the lineup for tonight’s Mets-Braves game.  However, I believe it is Game 44.

A couple of news items

Mets live day-night nightmare in Atlanta

Randolph scrambles on quotes

Piazza made the Mets legit - Dan Graziano put together a great Piazza article.

Piazza calls career ‘amazing journey’

Ryan Church taken to hospital

Final: Braves 6, Mets 2

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The Mets lost their Grapefruit League opener to the Tigers by a score of 4-2.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see it.  The Mets will play one more road game against the Cardinals at 1:05 p.m. tomorrow before they get their first home game which will be aired on SNY.  Johan Santana will get the start on Friday, and I can’t wait to see it.

Mets.com:

Pelfrey sharp in Mets’ Grapefruit opener - Jason Beck provided a summary and the box score in this article.

Reyes determined to stay focused - Anthony DiComo stated that Jose Reyes is ready to put that September slump behind him.

Santana allows Mets to look to future - Mike Bauman says that Johan Santana helps chase away memories of the collapse.

Mets open Grapefruit slate vs. Tigers - Yesterday’s game ended in a 4-4 tie.

Notes: Wilpon in no-lose situation - Fred Wilpon’s alma mater nearly tops Mets in exhibition contest.

Newsday:

Pedro may pitch himself into extension with Mets - Omar Minaya said, “I think it’s fair that we at least allow some time for him to pitch, as the year goes on, we’ll evaluate it.” about Pedro Martinez.

Bunt attempt by Michigan player irks Mets’ Wagner - David Lennon wrote this about Billy Wagner,

Forget the Phillies. Billy Wagner nearly started a beanball war with the University of Michigan after one overzealous Wolverine tried to bunt on him in the fourth inning. With a runner on second and one out, centerfielder Kevin Cislo pushed his bunt foul.

Wagner, clearly annoyed, shook his head a number of times, and Cislo wisely swung away, grounding out. Wagner said he couldn’t believe that Cislo, a junior, bunted.

“If he got that bunt down, I would have drilled the next guy,” Wagner said. “Play to win against Villanova.”

Wow…Billy got pissed off at college kids in the 4th Inning.  It sounds like something Roger Clemens would do…

Mets’ Wright homers off Michigan starter

New York Daily News:

Mets hoping phenom Eddie Kunz rules like Joba Chamberlain - For Mets fans, it’s always about ‘hope’.

Pedro Martinez willing to talk - or not talk - about a new contract

Aaron Heilman flunks in college try - Adam Rubin covered Aaron Heilman’s performance against Michigan yesterday.

New York Post:

SWEATIN’ IN THE SUNSHINE STATE - This is an interesting story that I didn’t know about.  According to Joel Sherman, Willie Randolph and Rick Downs both endorsed Brian McNamee to be the batting coach last year after the Mets let go of Downs.  Sherman wrote that “Minaya decided to investigate McNamee’s reputation and opted against making the hire based on a series of dubious responses he received from associates around the majors and his sense McNamee did not fit the support role available.”  Joel pointed out that the Mets would have to be dealing with all of the steroid investigations going on right now if they hired McNamee.

PEDRO’S PITCH HAS TO WAIT

STAY THE REY YOU ARE - Sounds like a Billy Joel song to me.  Speaking of Billy Joel, they added another show at Shea Stadium.

WRIGHT HOMERS, BUT IT’S NO MICH.-MATCH

New York Times:

Run Wasn’t Cheap; Heilman Gets Off for a Song

Martínez Would Be Open to Mets Extension

The Star-Ledger:

Grapefruit League Game #1: Mets vs. Tigers - Jeremy Cothran provided an early status of today’s game between the Mets and the Tigers.

Forbes Writer Not Kind to Santana - Matthew Artus goes into depth why.

Pedro’s deal: You call me

Jerseyan has shining moment for Michigan - Eric Katzman worked himself out of a jam in the 2nd Inning by getting Reyes to pop up with the bases loaded.  Katzman was quoted as saying, “No matter what happened, I’ll always be able to say I got Jose Reyes to pop out with the bases loaded.”

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Yesterday, bowling was on ESPN so I’m really getting ancy for some baseball games.  The Mets will play their first Grapefriut League game tomorrow against the Tigers at 1:05 p.m. at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, FL.  Mike Pelfrey is scheduled to start for the Mets opposite Jeremy Bonderman.  I’d prefer to skip Spring Training and fast forward to March 31, 2008.

Mets.com:

Martinez will not broach contract talks - Marty Noble reported that “Pedro Martinez will not approach the team about a contract beyond 2008 — though he would be willing to discuss the matter if the club broached the topic.”  Pedro needs to show he can go out there and pitch before the Mets should even have to talk to him.  How many millions of dollars has Pedro collected while on rehab?

Mets salvage tie against Michigan - A tie between a college squad and a pro team?  How are the Mets supposed to beat the Marlins on opening day?  Marty Noble provided a summary of the game, and he pointed out that David Wright and Michael Abreu each hit a 2-run homers.

Citi, Mets unveil Citi Field logo - Anthony DiComo has an picture of the new Citi Field logo.  Willie was able to lie through his teeth by saying, “It’s a beautiful logo, it’s a great marriage with Citi Bank and the New York Mets. It’s a great day, and I can’t wait to see it all over Shea Stadium. It’s going to be fun.”

Notes: Sanchez takes first step - Marty Noble takes us through the return of Sanchez.

Mailbag: Who else will be a leader? - Marty Noble fields questions from the fans.

Newsday:

Sanchez is relieved to be back

Citi Field mock-upgives feeling of new home - Yesterday’s intrasquad game was played on a Citi Field mock-up so they can see how Citi Field will play, according to David Lennon.

SPRING TRAINING: E-MAIL FROM PORT St.LUCIE - I cannot figure out why David Lennon wrote this email.

New York Daily News:

Mets want ’small ball’ from Jose Reyes - John Harper stated that the Mets want Jose Reyes to go back to beating out ground balls.

Sanchez, Padilla off to solid start - Adam Rubin lets you know how Duaner Sanchez and Juan Padilla performed in yesterday’s outing.

Tony Bernazard high on minors

New York Post:

WHATTA ‘RELIEF’ - The Amazins’ are ecstatic about Duaner’s first outing, according to Bart Hubbuch.

SMITH LIKELY ODD MAN OUT - Joe Smith hit a batter and gave up a two-run triple while Sanchez threw a scoreless inning so Bart Hubbuch believes that Smith is less likely to make the roster.  Hubbuch also wrote a few other things:

• “The Mets open their exhibition schedule here at noon today against the University of Michigan, which was invited in part because it’s the alma mater of Amazin’s owner Fred Wilpon.”
• “Pedro Martinez, who has yet to throw to hitters this spring while the Mets move at his pace, was excused from camp yesterday to tend to personal business.”
• “David Wright returned after his grandmother’s funeral and went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the scrimmage.”

WILLIE HOPES TO BE ‘POPS’ TO METS’ YOUNGSTERS - Willie must be thinking he’s aged quite a bit.

The Star-Ledger:

Theme of the morning — bullpens

How Hard Is It To Say Goodbye to El Duque? - Matthew Artus got his hands on an article written by Jon Heyman of SI.com.  In this article, Heyman wrote,

The Mets quietly sought trade offers for Orlando Hernandez late this winter, with the idea that if anyone bit, they would sign Lohse. But apparently there were no takers.

Artus examined how ‘08 would be with and without El Duque.

Catching up in a hurry - Jeremy Cothran pointed out that Schneider is establishing a rapport with Mets pitching staff.

Big step for rehabbing reliever - Jeremy Cothran also lets us know how Sanchez performed in yesterday’s outing.

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I may have made you more pessimistic yesterday so I’m going to go through the things that I’m looking forward to this season.

• Johan Santana winning 20+ games and helping the Mets win a World Series.
• With another year of experience under their belts, I would like to see Maine and Oli each win 18 games.
• Duaner Sanchez returning to 2006 status.
• Billy Wagner returning to early 2007 status.
• Jose Reyes finishing the season/postseason as great as he starts it.
• David Wright having a MVP season in ‘07.

Those are the things that I would like to see.  There are many other things that I hope will happen barring injury such as Beltran having an MVP season and Pedro pitching like he did on the Red Sox.  I feel less confident about things like that, but they can prove me wrong.

Mets.com:

No questioning Schneider’s main role - Marty Noble noted that the Metropolitans expect Schneider to make the pitching staff better.

Notes: Alou feeling rejuvenated

Nowhere to go but up - Marty Noble explains how Fred Wilpon’s got the Mets a little giddy.

Newsday:

Phillies’ Rollins amused by Beltran’s boast - Eventually, you knew Rollins would have something to say.

Mets meet with free agent pitcher Garcia - That would be Freddie Garcia according to David Lennon.  Lennon wrote this:

A team official confirmed that the Mets did meet Wednesday morning with free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia, as first reported Wednesday by SI.com. Garcia, who is still rehabbing from shoulder surgery, is not expected to return until late June or early July. He shares the same agents as Johan Santana - Peter and Ed Greenberg - and it was unclear how close Garcia is to signing with a team.

Marlins-Mets series in Puerto Rico unlikely

Reyes vows to tone down act this season - Jose Reyes told Newsday that he will focus more on baseball and less on celebrations in 2008.

New York Daily News:

Owner Fred Wilpon says ‘it’s a championship season’ for Mets

On the surface, Fred Wilpon shows deep thoughts about Mets

Gary Carter thinks he was missing piece for Mets in 2007 collapse - Not as a player, as part of the coaching staff.

Top prospect Fernando Martinez plans to be marvelous for Mets

New York Post:

SHEA FOR SURE - Bart Hubbuch is referring to the guarantee made by Fernando Martinez yesterday.

WIL TO WIN - Mike Vaccaro is referring to Fred Wilpon’s proclamation yesterday.

PEDRO THROWS OFF MOUND, SHOWS BLING FAITH IN PETERSON - Bart Hubbuch is referring to Pedro pitching with his eyes closed yesterday.

The Star-Ledger:

Moises Alou and the fountain of youth - Alou believes that New York is the fountain of youth.

Maine gives Mets’ rotation star quality - Lisa Kennelly pointed out how John Maine became a star in the offseason.  This article is very funny.

Wilpon expects the best - Jeremy Cothran discusses Fred Wilpon’s optimism for ‘08.

Prospect likes his chances this year - Jeremy Cothran and Lisa Kennelly are also referring to Fernando’s guarantee to play this season.

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Right before Super Bowl Sunday, the Mets signed Johan Santana which got me really excited about ‘08.  The Giants won the Super Bowl and I was on cloud 9 ever since.  Well, I’m no longer riding that high.  Since I came back down to Earth, concerns about the Mets began popping up in my head.  The collapse still bothers me.  The majority of the team is still in tact.  The challenge is on those players to bounce back.  The optimist in me thinks that have to feel horrible inside which will make them come out with a chip on their shoulders this year.  The pessimest in me thinks that if they couldn’t do it last season, how are they going to do it this season?

These are the players in the lineup that I’m concerned about: Reyes, Castillo, Beltran, Delgado, Church, and Shneider.  All offseason, I was hoping that the Mets would release a statement on what happened to Reyes.  I didn’t know if he was injured, if he was being a baby, or if he was in a slump.  If he wasn’t injured, I felt like he should’ve been included in the Santana deal.  Once Reyes reported to Spring Training, he stated that he was in a slump.  The timing of his slump was horrible, and he didn’t play well in the Playoffs in ‘06 either.  Reyes needs to play well down the strecth and in the Playoffs.  Castillo couldn’t even walk to the batters box last year so I’m very worried about his performance this year and for 3 years beyond that.   I never felt like Castillo was that good anyway, except when he was really young.  Beltran is still hurt.  He was very inconsistent last year due to injuries.  Carlos needs to work on that.  Delgado was bored in a season when he had a career low average…go figure.  He reinvented his swing so we will need to keep an eye on how that works out for him.  I don’t know anything about Church.  Supposedly he struggles against lefties, and his average isn’t that good anyway.  Schneider also doesn’t have a good average.  Defense should be the strength of this unit.

Regarding the starting rotation, I feel confident.  The only thing that concerns me about Santana is the transition to New York.  I feel like Pedro should be near the back of the rotation.  I don’t think he will be healthy all year so Maine and Oli should pitch ahead of Pedro in order to keep consistency in the rotation.  El Duque or Pelfrey will fill that final spot.  I’m not too fond of either one of them.  El Duque barely has anything left, but once in a blue he throws a gem.  Pelfrey is as young as El Duque is as old.  With that said, Pelfrey only throws a gem once in a blue as well.

The Bullpen has plenty to prove.  Omar added a ton of people to the pen in the offseason.  The entire Bullpen needs to step it up from long relief to middle relief to the closer.

Mets.com:

Notes: Martinez’s bold prediction - Anthony DiComo provided some quick hits:

• Fernando Martinez was quoted as saying “This year, you’ll see me.”  Martinez believes that he will get some playing time with the Mets this year.
• Peterson had Pedro throw with his eyes closed again today.
• Later this week, Wagner is set to have a cyst removed from the front of the base of his neck.
• The salary-arbitration case with Oli is still pending.
• “The Mets have already sold more than two million advance tickets for the final season at Shea Stadium.”

Newsday:

Wilpon expects Mets to go ‘deep into the playoffs’ - Those are the words of Fred Wilpon according to Ken Davidoff.  My expectations are just as high.

Pedro, Fernando create buzz at Mets camp

Delgado has got Beltran’s back

Contract year could spark Delgado, Mets

Notebook: Bad ankle is Endy’s latest issue - This guy went from ‘The Catch’ to injury prone.  I wish he could get healthy and contribute.

Hagin brings experience to Mets radio

Former Mets traded for Santana see new opportunity - The AP lets us know how all of the players traded to the Twins for Santana are doing.  Those players were Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, Deolis Guerra, and Carlos Gomez.

E-mail from Port St. Lucie - David Lennon lets us what the preferred choice of wheels is for Mets players in Port St. Lucie.

New York Daily News:

Carlos Delgado vows to bounce back

Who was ‘bored’? Not 2007 Mets - After one of the longest offseason in Mets’ history, Carlos Delgado suggested that he never said that they were ‘bored’ in 2007.  To be honest you, it is the only quote I remember from the collapse.  I remember everybody except these 3 players being ‘bored’ in September: Alou, Wright, and Green.  Green is gone, and most of those ‘bored’ players are back for another year…go figure.

New York Post:

HOPING FOR RELIEF - Mike Vaccaro believes that it’s time for Duaner Sanchez to give the bullpen a boost.

ENDY SEES WINNER IN SANTANA - Endy said “a guarantee for us to make the playoffs”.  Further down in the article, Bart Hubbuch switched topics.  Delgado took some shots at Jose Canseco.

DELGADO ‘FOCUSED’ ON TURNING THINGS AROUND

New York Times:

Long Shot for Reliever Better Than Having No Shot - Ben Shpigel tells the story of Steven Register.

Owner Confident This Year Could Be Mets’ Year at Last

Delgado Uses Off-Season to Rebuild His Swing

The Star-Ledger:

A week for proclamations - Lisa Kennelly pointed out the quote from Fred Wilpon which was “It’s a championship season, we expect to be in the playoffs, and deep into the playoffs. That’s our expectation.”

Delgado Fights Off Brushback Season - Matthew Artus breaks down Delgado’s swing.

Aging Delgado armed with brand-new swing

Chavez over ankle, hamstring injuries

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