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2/16/10

Brad Holt, Mets' Bats, Johan, The 8th Inning Guy...Minor League Team Realignment?

Brad Holt:


RHP, UNC Wilmington, #33 Overall: Holt had big stuff and a big pro body, and many teams considered his pure arm a first-round talent. However, he never showed an ability to command a secondary pitch, and some teams saw him as a future closer rather than a starter. He was expected to go in the second to fourth round. Following players selected: Zach Collier, Evan Frederickson, Mike Montgomery. Signing bonus: $1,040,000. - link

Mets’ Bats:

Looking at the Mets lineup, or the potential Mets lineup, there is definitely some reason for excitement. In this analysis I looked back at the 2007-2009 seasons, viewed the player performances at Citi Field, looked at the stats and trends vs lefty's and righty's, and made a few assumptions based on the most likely starters and the published timetable for the return for Beltran. - link

Johan Santana:

He was lights out early on last season, he played hurt, he always wants the ball but there is one thing that has bothered me about Johan over the last 2 seasons. What has bothered me about Johan Santana is his tendency at times to throw a teammate under the bus in a passive aggressive way. It’s no secret Santana should have won many more games than he did in 2008 but didn’t because of the bullpen. It’s quite reasonable that he would be upset; I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having said that I would rather he spoke to his teammates privately instead of slyly insulting them to the media. Another instance comes to my mind from last year in a game against the Brewers. Fernando Martinez was playing center field and as he tried to get to the ball he took a face plant, Johan was visibly upset in the dugout, shaking his head and at the same time showing up the young prospect. I’m no F-Mart supporter but he was not ready to be in the big leagues and he was playing out of position. The last thing F-Mart needed was one of the best players on the team showing his disgust on live TV for the media and fans to see. Santana should have talked to him privately. Now Johan doesn’t do this often so for 2010 I hope Johan steps up by being a slightly better teammate. -  link


The 8th Inning Guy:

The Mets general manager has arrived in Port St. Lucie, certain there will be open competition for several jobs once the first official spring workouts begin on Saturday. Among the significant battles will be for the eighth-inning setup role, leading into closer Francisco Rodriguez.  Unlike last season, when J.J. Putz was handed the job in spring training -- he ultimately aggravated a bone spur in his right elbow and had to be shut down in June -- the Mets appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach on the eighth inning this season. Kelvim Escobar, Ryota Igarashi and Bobby Parnell are the main candidates, with Sean Green also in the mix. The team would like to avoid an eighth inning by committee and have one reliever emerge. "You like to be able to have that," Minaya said yesterday. "We had it in 2006 when we had a successful year. In '07 we were fine early on and then at the end of the year it didn't happen. Not too many teams have that eighth-inning guy locked up." - link

Minor League teams Realignment?:

According to Minor League Source both the Mets (Buffalo) and Yankees (Scranton) AAA contracts expire at the end of the season. In addition, Savannah and Binghamton are up as well. Could we see a major reshuffle with the Mets at the end of the year? Right now we have heard only issues with Buffalo and the organization. As for the Yankees, I have been told the relationship is strong and not to expect anything to change. The Scranton Yankees are a first class operation, which I got to see firsthand covering a game there in 2008. I speculated where the Mets could go if they are jettisoned by the Bisons. Other local options include Rochester, Syracuse and, of course, Norfolk where they were for 38 years. Knowing the power of having the Orioles farm team in Virginia I don’t see that happening. In 2008 there was speculation about the Mets going to Syracuse so I see that as a possibility. - http://w3hze.th8.us/

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