3-7-13 – Venezuela, Jon Niese, Francisco Rodriguez,

The best thing you can say about yesterday’s game vs. Team Venezuela is that the results seem to have determined the first set of cuts, all coming out of the bullpen. There is no positive way to spin that Carlos Torres, Elvin Ramirez, and Hansel Robles combined to allow ten runs in five innings of relief. Torres should be released. I really don’t know what to do with Ramirez. He pitches well in the minors, but has consistently sucked at the major league level. I know this is just spring training but these are all major leaguers you are throwing against and you’re supposed to get them out once in awhile.

Regarding Robles, I would rather release the gum drop that decided to send him to the parent camp this spring. Robles isn’t even ready for Savannah, no less this.

Stupid, stupid decisions. 

Are you sure Jerry still isn’t around?

John Delcos‏ - @jdelcos

Jon Niese said Venezuela made him work. Said his change-up needs work and is the last pitch he masters each spring. http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com

                   Just more bad news.

You might remember reading the ass-kicking Venezuela gave Philadelphia. Well, they did the same thing to the Mets on Wedneday.

The fact is that Team Venezuela is an all-star team of prime ballplayers, while the team that the Phillies and Mets are putting up in spring training simply isn’t. It does seem to expose your team, but one must remember your best stars are participating in the WBC series and teams like the Mets aren’t trying to wins games. At this point, they simply are getting all their players into shape and trying to evaluate who to keep around April 1^st.

Still, drubbings like this just make the camp even more glum.

Francisco Rodriguez

"I would love to return to the Mets said Rodriguez. They've got a great coaching staff over there. To come back and redeem myself would be great, because I've got to be realistic and honest. You would have to be real blind to not see that I fell when I was there. That's not even a question. To be able to get one more shot and get it done would be great."

                  I’ve never been a fan of going back. IMO, K-Rod represents a Mets era I don’t want to revisit.