The bullpen remains unsettled, and the starting rotation is no more established than it was when last season ended. No matter, one unofficial position must be filled to protect the other pitchers the Mets intend to bring to Citi Field for Opening Day on April 5 -- staff-saver. And the pitcher most likely to serve in that role is Nelson Figueroa, all developments occurring Friday afternoon notwithstanding. Two people among the club's decision-makers indicated as much before the Mets engaged the Marlins here Friday, before Figueroa, deployed as a starter, provided the kind of performance that makes staff-savers necessary. Whether he jeopardized his candidacy by allowing seven runs in 2 2/3 innings is undetermined. The state of the Mets' 'pen is such that no functional candidate can be eliminated even now, with less than a week remaining before the team breaks camp, on the strength or weakness of one appearance - mlb.
Warthen later said that no other pitcher left in camp is better suited to handle the “staff-saver” role. Staff saver? Apparently the term “staff-saver” is just another way of saying ”mop-up man.” Jerry Manuel went one step further referring to Figueroa as a “strike-thrower,” which is a big deal on a staff that ranked 29th in most walks allowed last season. Regarding the “staff saver” role, Manuel said, “Not everyone can handle the role. You need a guy with a resilient arm and a willingness to do what the team needs. He’s the right man for the job” Figueroa was quick to add, ”I feel that I can handle two roles with one arm. I’m planning on making the team. My suit is pressed, and I’m ready to go… I’m ready to fill any role with this team.” - metsmerized
Reyes was asked what it would be like to be in the Opening Day lineup, to hear his name announced at Citi Field and to have the fans give him an ovation after all the setbacks: "It's going to mean a lot, they still love me and they miss me last year so I'm going to do my thing," he said. "I'm going to play the game hard, the way I'm supposed to play, the way I've been playing before. What I'm going to do is put my team in good position to win every single night. It's all about the team, not about one person." -
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He’s not the only one working to secure an uncertain future. Today, Hisanori Takahashi makes his first start of spring. A starter almost his entire career in Japan, Takahashi has worked perfectly out of the pen this spring. He has little chance of landing a starting role with the rotation all but officially announced. But he can put a stranglehold on a roster spot with another good outing today - link
A toolsy outfielder with a power stroke, F-Mart has been a top prospect for a few years, though his slow development and frequent injuries have cooled some of the early expectations. He still projects as an everyday centerfielder, though, and since he's only 20, he has room to grow. A premature outing with the MLB club in 2009 didn't go so well, but the youngster did manage to steal a few bases, hit his first home run, and generally show that he could play in a major league stadium when called upon to do so. While he still struggles with lefthanded pitching somewhat, he's also still got the great bat speed that got him noticed in the first place, not to mention a developing eye that should allow him to hit near .300 in the long-term. If he can keep on the field and off the DL, he'll still be a very high-ceiling option in New York come 2011 or so.- scoutingbook.
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