Mets: Greg Peavey, Fernando Martinez, Willie Harris, Rusty Staub, John Thole

1-23-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/23/2693134/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospect  s#42) RHP Greg Peavey - The 2010 sixth rounder out of Oregon St. lived up to his reputation as a cerebral pitcher with good command of a solid four-pitch mix during his pro debut in 2011. In his initial assignment with Savannah, the 23-yr old righty proved -- with a 2.62 FIP and just 11 walks in 78 IP -- that he was too advanced for Sally leaguers. However, his less than dominant strikeout total was rather conspicuous. And that trend continued in his move to the FSL where good command of average stuff wasn't as effective, as his walks were up and worse he saw his K/9 drop down below 6. Peavey may be the rare case of a pitcher who throws too many strikes -- at least hittable ones. For someone with a definite lack of swing-and-miss stuff, it would behoove Peavey to work around the fringes of the zone more and perhaps accept an additional walk here and there. Either way, he seemed to show improvement down the stretch with St. Lucie and if he can continue to make adjustments, he has enough secondary stuff and pitching smarts to continue to profile as a strictly back of the rotation starter.

Effectively cutting Fernando Martinez was an extremely difficult decision for the Mets, who do not like giving up on premier prospects any more than fans do. Had the Mets believed at all that Martinez might still blossom into a productive Major Leaguer, they would have kept him. Certainly, they do not want to see him finally fulfill his potential with the Astros.  That said, the Mets have been scouting Martinez more closely than anyone for nearly a decade. They have watched him struggle through an endless string of injuries and determined that, like a startling number of "can't miss" prospects, Martinez has missed. At some point, the Mets became unwilling to sacrifice other players for the benefit of lost potential. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120123&content_id=26440472&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym&partnerId=rss_nym

The Cincinnati Reds signed utility infielder Willie Harris today. It is hardly an earth shattering move. His job is to provide the Reds with some depth in their infield to allow them to develop Paul Janish and Zack Cozart. Harris was a utility player for the Mets last year and has the kind of career that fascinates me. He was a 24th round pick by the Orioles in 1999. Very few of the players drafted after him that year played a single game in the majors. Most of those who did had brief cameos (the Sean Henns and Darren Clarkes of the world.) Jason Frasor and Mike Jacobs were drafted after Harris, but no other big leaguer of note. http://sullybaseball.blogspot.com/2012/01/sully-baseball-salutes-willie-harris.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Rusty Staub wants you to open a bottle of wine and toast to a good cause. The Major League veteran, who played with the Mets in the early 1970s and once owned restaurants in New York, is once again lending his name and a few good bottles in support of the annual Naples Winter Wine Festival.  The festival and auction supports the Naples Children & Education Foundation which provides funds to some 23 organizations that serve underprivileged children in Collier County, Fla. The festival, now in its 12th year and to be held Jan. 27-29 in Naples, Fla., is one of the country's main charity wine auctions, widely attended by winemakers and connoisseurs alike. Last year the event raised $12 million http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203718504577179152163676524.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Josh Thole isn’t exactly better than the Marlins battery mates, but he’s a viable option if you are in need. He can be found at the bottom of the barrel on draft day; but in some drafts, he might be drafted mid-late rounds. In 114 games last year, he hit 17 doubles and collected 40 RBIs. He did hit .268 on the year and almost has a 1-to-1 walk/strikeout ratio. His strikeouts are low, in a full season will strike out less than 75 times. He doesn’t have any power at all, averaging two home runs a year in his three-year career, but he doesn’t hurt you either. He’s a great backup on a fantasy team. Backup/prospect/whatever is left: Let’s face it, they don’t really have much left. It’s Thole and that’s it. Nickeas is a career minor-leaguer and produces like Thole. He won’t be a factor on your fantasy team. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/fantasy-baseball-preview-national-league-catchers/16247/