Tuesday’s Mets News
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.
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.
I have expressed my concerns regarding the Mets already as we head into ’08. On of my biggest concerns is this guy, Duaner Sanchez. I was thrilled to hear that Sanchez was able to pitch today, and he didn’t give up any runs in his first outing since ‘06. Duaner is the one player that I’m going to zone in on more than any other. The biggest reason why the Bullpen was so much better in ‘06 then in ‘07 was primarily because of Sanchez not being there. Bradshaw was also very successful, but Omar let him go so it’s not worth arguing that point. It is very infrequent when pitchers come back from injuries and pitch as well as they used to. So what we will get out of Duaner? Your guess is as good as mine, but I’m looking forward to watching him. If he can hold down the 8th inning like he used to then the Mets are going to have a great season.
