Mets – Tillman Pugh, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Randy Niemann, Gary Carter

metsmerized  - 39. Tillman Pugh (CF) As the 22-year-old Pugh prepares for his third season as a minor leaguer in the Mets farm system. He is working hard with the realization of just how important this season will be for him. This year he will get the opportunity to open the season in a long season league. Although the competition for spots in the Savannah outfield will be fierce, he should be the starting centerfielder for the Sand Gnats. He will have the opportunity to test himself and challenge himself over the course of a season that lasts well over five months. It will be nice to see what kind of numbers he can put up if he gets 450 to 500 AB’s in one year. He should do quite well. At a solid 6’0″ 190 lbs., Pugh is very fast, and athletic enough to play centerfield. His game is speed and he represents something the Mets don’t have a lot of. A three-way threat, offense, defense, and on the base-paths.

1-8-11: - http://nybaseballdigest.com/2012/01/07/most-intriguing-mets-prospects-in-2012   3) Kirk Nieuwenhuis  (OF) Another guy that, if not for injury, would likely be penciled in to start in center field for the Mets to open 2012. Had shoulder surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. Average tools across the board. Could be a 15HR/15SB type talent. If healthy, should be in Queens around mid-season.

Due to his former prospect status — and his age — it’s highly likely that a team will claim Fernando Martinez. For the price of a waiver claim, it’s tough to argue with the move. At the same time, it’s tough to really expect anything of value from Martinez next season. He hasn’t been particularly impressive when he has played, and he hasn’t been healthy enough to improve his play. He’s a low-risk buy, but it’s really tough to argue that Martinez is capable of providing a high reward anymore. It’s always possible that Martinez is just a late-bloomer — which is why a team would take a shot on him — but age and performance are no longer on his side.  http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/is-fernando-martinez-worth-a-waiver-claim/

Anthony DiComo reports that longtime Mets coach Randy Niemann has accepted a job with the Red Sox, according to a person familiar with the situation, in what is believed to be an assistant pitching coach position. The new role ends Niemann’s nearly quarter-century run with the Mets. Niemann, who spent last season as New York’s rehabilitation pitching coordinator and helped oversee portions of Johan Santana’s rehab from left shoulder surgery, will reunite with former Mets manager Bobby Valentine on Boston’s staff. The two were also together from 1997-99 in New York http://metsmerizedonline.com/2012/01/randy-niemann-quits-mets-takes-red-sox-job.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29

A weakened Gary Carter will go for another MRI exam on Friday as he continues to battle brain cancer, his daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote yesterday on a family website. “Dad will be getting two MRIs — one for his shoulder that still bothers him from his fall and the other for his brain to check on the tumors,’’ Bloemers wrote. “We are praying for two good reports! ‘‘Now that baseball has begun, his spirits have lifted a bit and I believe he is excited to see his team,’’ Kimmy wrote. “His weak body limits his physical involvement, but the fact he wants to go and still teach his players is beyond amazing. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/carter_continues_battle_vs_cancer_EU5Q9TE6Qv552Dsdh2LB6O?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter