We finally arrive at a player with some real measure of potential at the position, and the first left-handed hitting catcher to boot. His minor league production improved year to year, which eventually led to his cup of coffee with the Mets last year. It is apparent, however, that the Mets feel that they would like to see him perform in AAA for at least a portion of 2010 before anointing him their starter. He will come to spring training, but knowing how the Mets operate, it will just be an opportunity to hang with the big boys before the inevitable minor league designation. Let us keep in mind that he is only 23 years old after spending five seasons in the minors. - link
RHP, Oregon State, #42 Overall: Kunz was a wildly successful college reliever at Oregon State, and he was one of the top relievers in the 2007 draft class. He was expected to be able to close and move quickly in the pros as an early first day pick. Following players selected: Jackson Williams, Neil Ramirez, Justin Jackson. Signing bonus: $720,000. - link
Talk pitching, defense and athleticism and do nothing to address those areas. Overpaid to retain nice-guy, but tool-challenged Alex Cora and then invested big time in Jason Bay. But after the Bay signing, the wallets snapped shut when they already had acknowledged they had plenty of other deficiencies to address. The Mets promised to clean up their medical mess and yet found themselves in a dispute with Carlos Beltran over his surgery. - link
Is Daniel Murphy an everyday first baseman? Keith Hernandez has been on the scene to teach Murphy around the bag, but the Mets' bigger concern is whether Murphy will hit enough. The team could live with the 12 home runs he hit last season if Murphy can boost his anemic .313 on-base percentage. Murphy will get a shot to prove he can handle lefties, but if he stumbles, Fernando Tatis could assume the majority of those at-bats. And if Murphy is a total bust, Mike Jacobs or Ike Davis could see significant playing time at the position. Regardless, the Mets will enter the season resigned to the fact they won't be getting 30 homers and 100 RBIs from their first baseman -- numbers they counted upon during Delgado's tenure. - link
How hot are the manager's and GM's seats? Manuel is in the final year of his deal, and that 3 a.m. call could come as early as May, if the Mets start slowly. There are no shortage of replacements if Manuel is dismissed. Former Diamondbacks and Mariners manager Bob Melvin has been hired as a professional scout. Former Astros and Angels manager Terry Collins is the minor-league field coordinator. Triple-A manager Ken Oberkfell just led the Dominican Republic's Escogido team to the Caribbean Series championship. And '86 Mets Tim Teufel and Wally Backman are minor-league skippers. As for Omar Minaya, the GM is just starting that three-year extension, which pays him roughly $1.1 million per season. But his days may be numbered, too. Deputies John Ricco and Wayne Krivsky (a former Reds GM) could succeed him and form a tandem like Andrew Friedman and Gerry Hunsicker have with Tampa Bay.- link
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