Mets Stuff - Philadelphia Inquirer, Baseball Prospectus, Mets Bullpen, Mets Interleague Play Schedule

Mets Stuff  - Philadelphia Inquirer, Baseball Prospectus, Mets Bullpen, Mets Interleague Play Schedule

The Philadelphia Inquirer gave their spin on the 2012 Mets season:

            New York Mets - LAST SEASON: 77-85.

MANAGER: Terry Collins, second season with the Mets.

UPS: Lefthander Johan Santana, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, looked good in spring training after missing last season because of shoulder surgery.

DOWNS: Where do we start? Can Ruben Tejada adequately replace Jose Reyes at shortstop? Can ham-handed Daniel Murphy make the plays at second base? Will injuries wipe out half the roster for a second straight season?

EXPECTATIONS: The Mets will just be happy to get through the season and be one more year into the rebuilding process.

link  

Deadspin reprinted what Baseball Prospectus said about the Mets:

New York Mets -  2011: 77-85 -  2012 (projected): 77-85 - Remember the cool Jason Bay? The guy every team wanted at the 2008 trade deadline and the guy who hit 36 home runs and drew 94 walks in 2009? That's the player the Mets paid for, but injuries have aged him before our very eyes. His bat has slowed down considerably and he's become a stiff, almost laughably bad defensive player. If you are expecting him to rebound to his old level, we have a bridge in the next borough over to sell you, and the Mets are on the hook for $32 million over the next two years for this guy, who clearly isn't Jason Bay anymore


NY placed RHP Pedro Beato on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to March 26, with right shoulder stiffness


NY placed RHP D.J. Carrasco on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to March 26, with a sprained right ankle

·        Matt den Dekker on his playing with the aren’t team in ST:

"It's encouraging. It gave me an opportunity to see the big league game, what guys have and what not, but I kind of realized that I'm close and I've got to keep working hard with what I'm doing. I don't think there's any pressure,. I know I'm capable of hitting. I've hit in the past. I've got to stay focused and try to be a little more consistent with the bat and have quality at-bats."

·        Frank Viola on Sand Gnats 2012 pitching:

“There are so many arms in this organization; it’s pretty impressive. The next couple of years, if they do it right, this is going to be the franchise that everybody in baseball is going to say, “Where did all of these pitchers come from?” They’re that good.”

Jon Niese deal:  $25.5 million over five years with options of $10 million and $10.5 million, would bring value to $46 million


Flushing’s own Heejun Han from American Idol  is going to sing God Bless America

·        Mike Puma: - Jason Bay knows he's going to get booed tomorrow, but he's ready for it. Bay says his awful spring training numbers don't matter. His bad 2010 and '11 numbers do matter: "There’s no question I’m struggling," he said. "I’ve admitted that – I’m not trying to pretend I haven’t. But it’s a new year.” - post

·        The Mets hit 17 home runs this spring. Ike Davis and Lucas Duda were tied for the lead with 4 apiece


     Blasts from the past on AAA-Pawtucket roster:  Brad Emaus and John Maine

·        The Texas Rangers have signed Aaron Heilman to a minor league contract


.      Hotel room in Augusta normally costs $73.32. Tonight, during Masters week, $401.02!

·        Joey Votto's extention numbers, starting in 2014: 12, 14, 20, 22 with 25 from 2018-2023. $20 m option in 2024, $7 M buyout

·        Atlanta Braves Placed RHP Tim Hudson on the 15-day DL

·        Josh Stinson claimed by Milwaukee Brewers
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·        Righty reliever Rhiner Cruz walked six batters per nine innings last season for the Double-A Binghamton Mets and then walked another 10 batters in 17 Dominican League innings. After a wild spring training from Cruz, Astros manager Brad Mills caustically told correspondent Zachary Levine, “At the major league level, you’ve got to be able to throw the ball where you want to throw it. Look at what happens when you’re not throwing strikes.” Cruz struck out 51 in 59 innings with a 1.40 WHIP in Double-A last year. link

·        Kevin Goldstein on Niese deal:  Perfectly reasonable price for a 3-4 starter… I think good 3 is his ceiling. 

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Frank Francisco, Mets  - Well, this didn't take long, either. The annually injured Fran-Fran was headed for an MRI on his bothersome knee Monday, although he's apparently not worried about a DL stint. So, I suppose his outlook appears far rosier than Bailey's, but this doesn't sit well with me nonetheless. I mean, one doesn't undergo an MRI no reason, right? As with the Red Sox, the Mets' bullpen situation could get hairy if Francisco is out for any substantial period of time. Ramon Ramirez and Jon Rauch would be candidates to take the ninth-inning reins, but Bobby Parnell apparently wouldn't be, as the Mets prefer to keep him available for some kind of swing role. You'll recall that Parnell was given a stab at closing last year and didn't perform especially well, although he's apparently tweaked his repertoire to strong results this spring. The bottom line is, I wouldn't bother moving on this right now unless I were absolutely desperate -- and even then I'd wonder whether I could put that roster spot to better use. Remember, none of those guys is exactly a Kenley Jansen type, and the latest report is that Francisco will be ready for Opening Day - link

May 2012

Fri 18, New York Mets at Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m.

Sat 19, New York Mets at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.

Sun 20, New York Mets at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.

June 2012

Fri 8, New York Mets at New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Sat 9, New York Mets at New York Yankees, 7:15 p.m.

Sun 10, New York Mets at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Tue 12, New York Mets at Tampa Bay Rays, 7:10 p.m.

Wed 13, New York Mets at Tampa Bay Rays, 7:10 p.m.

Thu 14, New York Mets at Tampa Bay Rays, 1:10 p.m.

Mon 18, Baltimore Orioles at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Tue 19, Baltimore Orioles at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Wed 20, Baltimore Orioles at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Fri 22, New York Yankees at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Sat 23, New York Yankees at New York Mets, 7:15 p.m.

Sun 24, New York Yankees at New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.