Cutnapaste: - Josh Thole, Pedro to Yanks, Johan Santana, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis

Mack Ade

Josh Thole:
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson was noncommittal about using Josh Thole as the team's primary catcher next season.

"Whether he plays the majority of games or not, we’re going to need additional catching help," said Alderson. "So I think in part it’s going to depend on what I hear and what others think of Thole. And the second is going to depend on what’s available out there otherwise. But we’re very happy that we have him. Exactly what his role will be is a little undetermined. Whatever it is, we're going to need some backup." It's still very early, but look for the Mets to pair Thole with a veteran right-handed caddy such as Henry Blanco, who served as the backup catcher in Queens this past season. - rotoworld





Michael G. Baron

 Pedro to Yanks:

The Yankees have reached out to free agent lefty reliever Pedro Feliciano, who pitched quite well for the Mets in recent years. “It’s certainly an area where I would like to have two left-handers in the bullpen,” Cashman said. “I don’t know if we’ll be successful or not, but we’ll pursue that.” - Ben Maller  










Johan Santana:
Johan Santana underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder in September. At the time it was reported that the time table for rehab was 24 weeks and that he could throw at 20 weeks. That would have had him throwing — not pitching — in mid-February. As such, it seemed that it was pretty unrealistic that Santana would be ready to start the season. Sandy Alderson confirmed that yesterday:

“We’ve been told he’ll be able to begin tossing in January. But, realistically, I don’t think anybody expects him to be ready Opening Day. And, really, the question is when exactly he will be ready. Nobody has told us he’ll miss the season or anything of that sort. But I think that certainly we have to assume he’s not going to start the season.” - hardballtalk  

Kirk Nieuwenhuis:

Opening Day Age: 23 - Estimated Peak WAR: 4.5 - Notes: Nieuwenhuis hits from a crouch and has average bat speed, which limits his power potential and could see him end up with a similar profile to Reed Johnson. Like the former Jay and Cub, this Mets prospect will let things fly in the outfield and isn’t afraid to dive for balls. At double-A, the 23-year-old outfielder produced a solid line of .289/.337/.510 in 394 double-A at-bats and received a promotion to triple-A where he produced modest numbers in 120 at-bats. Nieuwenhuis showed good power numbers at double-A and posted an ISO rate of .221 but his homer totals in the Majors should sit between 15 and 20 during a full season. He could stand to improve his contact numbers after posting a strikeout rate of 23.6 K% in double-A and 32.5 K% in triple-A. Nieuwenhuis may end up in a platoon role unless he improves against southpaws.  - fangraphs