Ike Now, The Animal, More on "Cs", Scott Kazmir... and Reyes Update

Ike Now:


People who keep screaming for Ike to be sent down, forget that he spent 4 seasons at one of the top college baseball programs in the country. Don't give me a Wright comparison, he wasn't a college player, he came out of high school. He needed the seasoning in the minors. He will be replacing a guy that has never, ever spent an entire year playing first base. Plus, Murphy's batting stance has been changed. So, he has to get adjusted with a new stance in the majors (by the way he looks lost .083). That is not any different than Davis learning his trade in the majors. Of course pitchers will adjust to Davis, just like they made adjustments to Mays, Mantle, and and the rest of the greats when they all came up. What could he possibly gain at triple AAA at this point? When Murphy struggles early and the Mets lack power from the left side, fans will be screaming for Davis. And he will be up in May because it may mean jobs on the line. So, why not have him from the get go. He is 23 not 19 or 20. I agree with sending the 20 year old Mejia down. He is still very young. -  link

The Animal:

Carter has heard C.C., and even C-Squared, but they're merely variations on a theme. They don't even suggest Carter may be the most intense player the Mets have had in a camp since the last time John "The Bad Dude" Stearns was squeezing sawdust from his bat 26 years ago. C's seems quite tightly would and ready to snap. "DRB" might be fitting -- for dry rubber band. "Sometimes you need that on a team," Jerry Manuel said as he discussed Cater's demeanor. The manager has stuck Carter with a new nickname, though, one based on observation -- how he carries himself and how early he arrives at camp each morning. Carter is "Animal." Hardly new, but quite appropriate. - link

More on “Cs”

It is believed that Mike Jacobs is the favorite to win the final bench spot for the Mets because he is a left-handed power hitter. Call me stupid, but isn't that exactly what Chris Carter is? Carter is hitting exactly .500 points higher than Jacobs, which I know is a ridiculous argument in spring training, but it should be worth some consideration. Also, Carter is driving in more runs, and hitting more homers than Jacobs is. Beyond that, Carter, although not a great fielder, is more versatile in the field than Jacobs. Chris Carter is capable of playing the outfield as well as first base. Jacobs on the other hand, is a first baseman only, who has limited value as an emergency catcher, and is no better at 1B than Carter. - link

Scott Kazmir:

Scott Kazmir (hamstring) threw 31 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday. "He threw the ball well, looked good," said Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher. "He did a little PFP (pitchers’ fielding practice) after and broke off the mound well. No laboring at all. The ball jumped out of his hand." Kazmir has been limited with a sore hamstring, but should be on pace to make his Cactus League debut early next week. - link


Reyes Update:

The Reyes situation has just gotten a little more clearer and less muddled after GM Omar Minaya talked with reporters in response to comments that Jose Reyes made that he was fine. “I had a conversation with our doctors, a conversation with his representative and we’re all in agreement that he has elevated thyroid levels.” One of Jose Reyes’ agents, Chris Leible, confirmed the call with Minaya and said there is no communication issue. “We’re on the same page with the Mets and we’re waiting for the test results.” Also, according to a report by the Daily News, a source told him that Reyes may not even need any treatment and that just a simple dietary change could be the only course of action. -  link