2/24/10

Ike Davis, Luis Castillo, St-Feb.23, Bay on Gammons... and Carlos Beltran

Ike Davis:

- At 6′5″, Davis is a specimen. Having only played two season in the minor leagues for the Mets, he is already 23 years of age. Unquestionably the future at first base for the Mets, Davis’ production improved dramatically at every level in the minors, finishing with a line of .309, 14 and 43 in 233 Binghampton (AA) at bats last season. Scouts have rated him a very highly at this point, and I am talking about scouts that actually do not work for the Mets here. However, I am sure the Mets will let him at least try his hand against Triple A pitching for at least a few months before they hand him the keys to the first base ignition. - link

Luis Castillo:


Castillo stepped up last year and improved his game a lot from 2008. Castillo came to Spring Training early and in shape ready to prove that 2008 was a fluke. We all remember the dropped fly ball against the Yankees and at the time it was bad but Castillo stood up and took all the abuse from the fans and faced the media for days after that and still had a good season in fact he improved his game after that error. His defense remains a problem because of his decreasing range and to be honest I don’t know how you can improve that aspect of your game when father time is getting on you. The one thing Castillo needs to do is use his veteran experience to help this Mets team win. Keith Hernandez did an interview with SNY a couple of weeks ago about his tutoring Daniel Murphy and one thing he said caught my interest. Keith said that when he was came in the majors his 2nd baseman helped him out, gave him signals when to move closer to the line or go off the bag based on what the pitcher was pitching to the player at the plate. Keith asked Murph is Castillo did something like this with Murphy last season and Murph told him no. Keith told Murphy to go and talk to Castillo about this when he arrives in Spring Training and Keith is right in telling Murphy to do this. Castillo is a veteran and Castillo needs to help a young guy playing a new position if he can. This is a team sport and you help other guys on your team improve so that your team can win games. - link


ST – Feb 23:

Jon Niese and Jenrry Mejia both threw live BP today.. - According to Steve Popper of the Bergan Record via Twitter, Luis Castillo said he's healthy, lost weight and has something to prove, again. - Hisanori Takahashi or Nelson Figueroa either will be starting pitcher for the Grapefruit League opener on March 2 against the Braves at Tradition Field. - Alex Cora plans to slide feet first this season, after having surgeries for torn ligaments in both thumbs. Cora suffered the injuries last season in San Francisco, both while sliding head first. Fernando Martinez will start in center field in Buffalo, not a corner outfield spot.- link

Bay on Gammons:

Bay said nothing really bothered him this off season, but was upset with one thing.
"Peter Gammons' Beirut comment didn't really sit well with me only because I never talked to Peter Gammons. If it had been portrayed as that was his opinion, fine by me. But it was portrayed as he had some inside scoop. I didn't think it was fair."

Bay is setting himself up to succeed in New York with the way he carries himself on and off the field. You can tell he is a humble and confident in his responces to the media's questions. The Mets need more guys like Bay on this team. - link

Carlos Beltran:

Mets position players report to camp on Tuesday. Carlos Beltran was there on Monday. He's still rehabbing from that controversial January knee surgery. Controversial??? Well Yeah... if your team doesn't know you're doing it. Beltran's doctor suggested he have the surgery. The Mets wanted him to go for a second or third opinion. Beltran went and had the surgery without the Mets' knowledge or blessing. There was some bad blood but supposedly all is smoothed over. Beltran said "You know, it took me a while because I'm a human being, of course, and I'm a person who has feelings. ... It took me like a week for me to forget everything and focus on what is important for me." Hopefully that saga is over and Beltran continues to heal and get stronger... He addressed his knee in Port St. Lucie - link

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