MLB – NY Mets:
If the Mets are going to continue to ignore Manny Ramirez's availability and take a lineup that has significant question marks into the 2009 season, then they need to think boldly about filling the final spot in their starting rotation. In other words, if they're going to try and win a championship with a pitching-dominant formula, then they need to think hard about signing Ben Sheets. The idea is to win a championship, right? And not just field a competitive team now that they have their shiny new ballpark that ensures big crowds on a nightly basis. I'm not saying they should do anything stupid. Sheets' history of injuries, which includes six stints on the disabled list, makes the idea of a long-term contract too risky, which is why he's still unsigned this deep into the offseason. Indeed, baseball people say there has been so little interest shown in Sheets that they believe he could be signed to a two-year deal that would include incentives based on his staying healthy. It's not as if there wouldn't be any risk in re-signing the inconsistent Oliver Perez, who seems to be the Mets' top choice after Derek Lowe signed with the Braves last week. As for other possibilities, the Mets also have interest in Randy Wolf, and perhaps Jon Garland, but there are indications that since losing out on Lowe they have begun to take a more serious look at Sheets.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2009/01/17/2009-01-17_mets_should_fill_gap_in_starting_rotatio.html
The oft-injured Sheets is a calculated risk, and in this market, so late in the offseason, he could wind up being a relative bargain. As for Pettitte, a person familiar with the club's thinking said the Mets are not involved with the former Yankee. Perez remains the top priority, Sheets appears to be a wild card, and Randy Wolf and Jon Garland are next in line. The Mets also are among four teams in the hunt for Freddy Garcia, who could pick one this week, according to a person familiar with the situation. The other three are the Yankees, Rangers and White Sox. Garcia, 32, visited the Mets last year in spring training during his rehab from shoulder surgery and later signed a minor-league deal with Detroit, where he went 1-1 in three starts but allowed seven earned runs in 15 innings before being shut down again because of shoulder tightness
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spmets186003292jan18,0,3164273.story
Johan Santana , who spoke to reporters yesterday made a pitch for Perez's return. This came a day after Lowe agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal with the Braves. "Oliver is a guy who learned a lot last year," Santana said. "Hopefully Omar will find a way to keep him, because he's more mature and he learned a few things from last year. He sometimes let emotions take over, but I'm pretty sure he's going to be more mature this year." Noting that Philadelphia is the reigning world champion and Atlanta has made offseason strides with Lowe's addition, Wagner - who likely won't pitch in 2009 as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery - says the Mets may have to think in terms of two additional arms for the rotation. Along those lines, Wagner's gut tells him Minaya and COO Jeff Wilpon will bring Pedro Martinez back into the fold.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01152009/sports/mets/omars_pressed_to_re_sign_ollie_150194.htm
Peter Botte of the New York Daily News has a handful of Mets rumors to pass along: One Mets official says the team is "probably not" interested in Andruw Jones, even if he comes cheaply. Botte did hear from one person familiar with the team's thinking who believes the Mets could check in with Jones if he's still available when Spring Training begins. One baseball official said the Mets "are not even in on" Manny Ramirez. The Mets don't expect to come to any sort of agreement with Oliver Perez in the next few days. They've been in regular contact with the representatives for Randy Wolf and Jon Garland, who are considered fallback options if they don't sign Perez. The Mets have talked with Freddy Garcia.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com
The upper levels of the farm system gave us Argenis Reyes, who may move on to another team or be back with the Mets ' organization in the spring, but is clearly nobody's choice as the future starter. Reese Havens made his pro debut with Brooklyn as a shortstop, the position he played in college, but he may be moved to second base. He could be a couple of years away, or may not be a factor at all. It's too early to tell. One-time top prospect Hector Pellot has shown little progress and at this point doesn't figure in any plans. We may very well know the Mets' future at the position soon, if Castillo is dealt away and a younger second baseman is signed, but right now it's all speculation. So, in 47 years the Mets have gone from one former all-star they hoped might regain his skills (Charlie Neal) to another (Castillo). There have been some good ones along the way, most notably Millan, Backman, and Alfonzo, but mostly it's been a series of bad decisions. Just maybe the Mets can solidify second base as they have at third base and shortstop with Wright and Reyes. Maybe Omar Minaya has a signing or trade up his sleeve. We'll see.
http://www.mikesmets.com/2009/01/a_history_of_the_mets_at_secon_8.html
A+ - Lucy:
From Baseball America: —Brant Rustich, a second-round pick by the Mets in 2007 out of UCLA, ultimately went 3-4, 3.62, posted a .231 opponent average in 20 games (eight starts) and struck out 48 in 50 innings for low Class A Savannah, while gutting through pain last season. He also eventually was diagnosed with a small tear of the labrum and partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Doctors recommended that Rustich rehab rather than undergo shoulder or elbow surgery. The logic: The medical staff believes Rustich's pain was attributable to the fracture. The elbow tear isn't significant enough to operate on unless pain persists next season. Rustich has been throwing this winter without the elbow causing discomfort. Rustich, 24, still displayed the best slider in the Mets farm system last year. He finished the season by limiting South Atlantic League opponents to just two runs and 10 hits while striking out 18 and walking two in four August appearances spanning 16 innings. Team officials have suggested it's yet to be established whether Rustich eventually reaches the Mets as a starter or reliever. At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, Rustich has a fastball that ranges from 91-96 mph.
With an uncertain economy and chilly temperatures in the forecast, Paul Taglieri, New York Mets director of Florida operations, was unsure what to expect when spring training tickets went on sale Saturday morning. But Taglieri was all smiles when he pulled into work to see about 175 fans lined up in front of the ticket office at Tradition Field. “This is solid,” Taglieri said. “I expressed the other day that with the state of the economy I really didn’t know what to expect, but this is still an affordable form of entertainment. I’m very pleased to see this line. This is promising.” By the end of the day, single-ticket sales were down a little less than 10 percent, according to Traer Van Allen, Mets assistant director of Florida operations.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jan/17/mets-fans-line-early-snag-spring-training-tickets/?partner=RSS
A – Gnats:
P Kyle Allen, who’s well built at 6’3” and 195 lbs, sports a fringy fastball with an unusually well developed offspeed repertoire. Allen’s heater hit 91, but was more regularly 89. Both his changeup and curveball approach average MLB movement, although his command of both, particularly his change, is below average. In terms of pitching sequence to hitters, especially rookie ball hitters, Allen fell too in love with his offspeed stuff. He actually had more success working off his fastball, which is the pitch he commands best. 2008: Six of Allen’s first seven appearances came out of the bullpen, while his final four appearance of the year came as a starter. All told, he had a very strong K/BB ratio (4.5) and struck out more than a batter an inning with a groundball to flyball ratio approaching two. In short, it was a fine statistical year. Projected 2009 Start: Savannah rotation.
http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/2009/01/16/33-rhp-kyle-allen
The Australian 3B/1B Stephan Welch has shown gap power from a line drive stroke and an tall thin frame as a teenager. Listed at 6’4” and 192 lbs, he has more than enough room to fill out. Welch has also made lots of contact, striking out in only 14% of his plate appearances. The eight triples hint at Welch’s athletic ability. 2008: He spent two thirds of his time at third base, and one third at first. Projected 2009 Start: Savannah
http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/2009/01/16/32-3b1b-stefan-welch
International:
It was reported last month that 29 y/o right handed starting pitcher Yadel Marti defected from Cuba. Newsday reported this week that Marti along with fellow defector OF Gomez have made there way to New York and are looking to sign with Jaime Torres ( Jose Contreras agent). Torres believes that both players could be major league ready for opening day. The last time the Mets dipped into the Cuban market Aloy Soler was a complete bust but of course El Duque had his moments. I question whether the paperwork can be organized that quickly...
http://metsfever.blogspot.com/2009/01/marti-working-out-in-ny.html
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