2/23/10

Minor Transactions, Alex Cintron, Gary Matthews, Jr. and Fernando Tatis, Daniel Murphy... and Sandy Koufax

Minor Transactions:

Boston Red Sox signed 1B Brett Harper and outrighted to Triple-A, removed from 40-man: RHP Robert Manuel… (Manuel lost his spot on the roster when the Red Sox claimed another Mariners castoff in Gaby Hernandez, a 23-year-old righthander who has two seasons in Triple-A under his belt.)… the Florida Marlins signed 3B Mike Lamb… the New York Mets signed 2B Alex Cintronlink

Alex Cintron:

Full Name: Alexander Cintron

Born: Dec 17,1978 in Humacao, Puerto Rico

Height: 6-1 Weight: 170 Bats: Both Throws: Right

High School: Caguas (Caguas,PR)

College: None

Contract: Signed 1-year, $650,000 contract with the Washington Nationals on Feb 4,2009. Minor League Contract

Drafted: Selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in 36th Round (1103rd overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft (June-Reg)

Top Prospect 2001 MLB (#62),2000 ARI (#6),2001 ARI (#1)

Scouting Report: - Power: 24 - Batting: 62 - Speed: 66 - Contact: 88 - Patience: 15


Gary Matthews, Jr. and Fernando Tatis:

As we know they are shoe-ins to make the team because they were signed to major-league contracts. These guys are shoo-ins? Yuck! Let me also place the catcher competition to the side, as I have previously discussed this battle earlier (sans Rod Barajas). We know that there will be two on the opening day roster, although as of now I would be shocked if it is not Omir Santos and Henry Blanco. With fourteen spots available for position players (and 11 spots given to the pitching staff minimally) to complete the twenty-five man roster, that leaves us with only two spots remaining after the starting eight and the aforementioned inclusions. This also involves excluding Carlos Beltran, who will open (and perhaps close) the 2010 season on his personalized DL. Let us give a review of who will be competing for those two spots. - link

 Daniel Murphy:

Last year was a hard year for Murph, there is no doubt about that. He had to learn 2 positions last year. Furthermore he had to learn a new position during the season and he did a good job. Murphy is a workhorse and is always ready to play and I like that about him. Murph now has some experience playing 1st base, he has been getting schooled by Keith Hernandez who is one of the best defensive 1st baseman to have played the game so it’s time to step up and improve your defense. Now I understand he might not have anything close to the instincts a natural 1st baseman that has played that position for many years has, that comes with time and experience but he needs to play solid defense with good fundamentals. He showed flashes of that last season but there were also mental mistakes that he cannot make this season. He also needs to improve on his offense. When Murphy came up in 2008 and Mets fans fell in love with him he was a very patient hitter, he worked counts, didn’t swing at bad balls but in 2009 he strayed from that approach, hopefully this year he will go back to the way he approached hitting in 2008 and help this team win.  -  link

Sandy Koufax:

It's clear that Sandy Koufax, who attended camp for the second time this spring to monitor the Mets' pitchers, is a big Johan Santana fan. Koufax yesterday praised Santana's ability to use the corners of the plate and remains enthralled with the lefty's changeup. "[Koufax] told me one time that if he had my changeup back when he pitched, nobody would ever be able to hit him," Santana said. "I told him that I wish I could have his curveball." - link

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