Die Hard Sports Fan

The Mets didn’t have such a good weekend, in terms of wins and losses.  Another loss to the Cards, and that was a spanking, not a loss.  However, they got right back on track today with a 1-0 win over the Orioles.  Even better news, Opening Day is one week away…finally.  I, like all of us, have high expectations for the ’08 Mets and I cannot wait for it to begin, and maybe even end.  There are more concerns now than prior to Preseason, but as a Mets fan, I hope they can win it all.  7 Days!!! 

Mets.com:

Mets cruise as Maine stifles Orioles - Spencer Fordin summarized today’s game between the Mets and the Orioles.  New York beat Baltimore 1-0.  John Maine was the starting pitcher.  The Mets are 17-9-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Classic on mind of Pedro, Mets - Marty Noble discusses the 2009 World Baseball Classic with Pedro Martinez.

El Duque struggles in debut vs. Cards - Marty Noble summarized Easter Sunday’s game between the Cardinals and the Mets.  St. Louis beat New York 14-4.  Orlando Hernandez got the start.  The Mets are 16-9-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Roster spots may be won by default - Marty Noble points out that injuries to Ramon Castro, Duaner Sanchez, and Jose Valentin may open door for others.

Rotation questions remain for Mets - Marty Noble discusses the bad outings that El Duque and Mike Pelfrey had yesterday as well as how this might affect their chance at the 5th spot in the rotation.

Newsday:

Mets can’t pencil in Pelfrey or Hernandez

Duaner Sanchez unlikely to make opener - Jim Baumbach says that it is still unlikely that Sanchez will be healthy in time for Opening Day.  Also, Valentin probably won’t be able to make Opening Day because had to go to New York to get an injection to treat the pain in his neck from a pinched nerve.  Baumbach lets us know that Reed Johnson was released from the Blue Jays yesterday, and he thinks that the Mets might be interested in Johnson.

New York Daily News:

Trying to make case for 5th spot, El Duque and Mike Pelfrey get ripped

Duaner Sanchez stint offers no relief

New York Post:

OPEN AT 5

PEDRO, JOHAN IN MINOR MOVES - Bart Hubbuch found out that Willie Randolph is not going to have Pedro or Johan Santana pitch anymore in the Grapefruit League.  Rather, Willie is going to have them pitch against Minor League clubs to avoid showing off their pitches.

New York Times:

New Motion Isn’t Ready for Mets’ Rotation - Ben Shpigel also discusses the 5th spot in the rotation.

The Star-Ledger:

Game 25: Mets at Orioles - Lisa Kennelly provided the lineup for today’s game between the Mets and the Orioles.

HELP WANTED: One Pitcher for Mets Rotation

Rotation stuck in the mud

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The Mets dropped another Spring Training game to the Cards.  Like I said the last time the Mets lost to the Cardinals, I hate when that happens.

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Mets.com:

Castillo reaps benefits of slow return - Anthony DiComo lets us know that Luis Castillo feels great in his Grapefruit League debut.

Johan, Mets remain vexed by Cards - Anthony DiComo summarized today’s game between the Cardinals and the Mets.  The Cards beat the Mets 10-3.  Johan Santana got the start.  The Mets are 10-7-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Vargas seeks second opinion on hip - Anthony DiComo reported that ”Jason Vargas traveled to Colorado on Saturday for a second opinion on his sore left hip, which may require surgery.”

Camp nearing end, Mets roster ailing - Marty Noble stated that the calendar is counting down and the lineup remains incomplete.

Which teams have the best defense? - Lyle Spencer pointed out that MLB.com produced a list of the five premier defensive units heading into 2008.  This list includes these teams: New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, and Kansas City Royals.  Spencer explained why each of these teams made the list, and here is what he wrote about the Mets:

Johan Santana, whose glove is a matching accessory to his golden arm, will enjoy watching his new teammates pick it. Jose Reyes is the game’s premier defensive infielder in the view of advance scouts participating in MLB.com’s survey, and his partner on the left side, Gold Glover David Wright, also is first-rate. Ryan Church enhances an outfield that features Gold Glover Carlos Beltran and arguably the game’s best all-purpose sub in Endy Chavez. There are no serious chinks in manager Willie Randolph’s defensive armor.

Pitchers row laughs are par for course - Marty Noble revealed that Pedro Martinez was never into golfing like most MLB pitchers are, but now Martinez brought a golf bag to Spring Training, and said this to his colleagues, “You guys are going to teach me. If someone can tell me where to put my feet, I’ll be all right.”

Newsday:

Mets’ Valentin makes a major plea about his role - Anthony Rieber wrote that “Jose Valentin knows the Mets have made him no promises. He knows they signed Luis Castillo to a four-year contract to play second base. He also knows he signed a minor-league deal that allows the team to send him down if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster.”  If Valentin does not make the team, he said, “I mean, I’m not going down there because they say I don’t make it. I don’t have to prove something in Triple-A. Money-wise, it’s not a big deal. I think that if I just shut it down right now and retire, I’ve still got enough money to live the rest of my life.”

New York Daily News:

Willie Randolph closes in on opener - Adam Rubin pointed out that Willie Randolph needs to get the full squad together in order to get ready for the season.

Jimmy Rollins repeats NL East boast - Here’s what Jimmy Rollins was quoted as saying in the April issue of Men’s Journal.  “That wasn’t a one-year thing. It’s still gonna ring true in 2008, and every year I’m with the Phillies. We’re going to win. It’s gonna come down to who wants it more, and we want to win more than the Mets do. Truthfully, I don’t worry about anybody in our division, or anybody in our league for that matter. I’m not worried about getting into the playoffs, because that part is accomplished. We’re a playoff team now. Our next goal is to win the World Series.”

New York Post:

BURNING QUESTION - Bart Hubbuch believes that Aaron Heilman has settled into the bullpen, but he still would prefer to be in the starting rotation.

AMAZIN’ STAFF HAS ANOTHER MAINE MAN

New York Times:

Soothsayer to Mets Won’t Brush Off Signs - Karen Crouse tells a story of a Mets fan in Floriday.

Castillo Feels No Pain in Spring Debut

Mets’ Schoeneweis Puts Painful Year Behind Him - Charlie Nobles discusses the injuries that Scott Schoeneweis suffered last season, and how he aims to put last year behind him.

The Star-Ledger:

Castillo plays, feels healthy

Getting Things Started Wright - Matthew Artus has spent the last few days pondering a debate that arose recently over at Shea Nation regarding where David Wright should bat in the Mets’ lineup.  In his article, he makes his case.

Castro is also a big hit on field - Jeremy Cothran revealed Ramon Castro as the prankster that placed the bubble gum on Castillo.

With 5 at-bats, Schneider feels he’ll be ready

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