Realignment, Pat Misch, Rookies, SP5... and Niese vs. Nieve

Realignment:


My basic plan: three 10-team leagues, separated into two divisions each, initially stocked based on regular-season records from the previous season. Both the American League and the National League would still exist and would consist of 10 "traditional" clubs, split into two five-team divisions with geographical considerations. (I am somewhat arbitrarily defining "traditional" as any team created before 1977 or any team that hasn't re-located since 1969.) The 10 highest finishers from the previous season get to start the subsequent season in the same league. The third league (I like calling it the Federal League in honor of the short-lived circuit from approximately 100 years ago), would initially be populated by the worst 10 records in the league from the previous season. They, too, what be split into two five-team geographical divisions, without regard to their previous league affiliations.

Federal League East: Indians, Orioles, Mets, Pirates, Nationals

http://productiveouts.blogspot.com/2010/03/realignment-part-1.html



Pat Misch:

Well in the limited chances Misch has been given he has pitched well, in three games ( 1 start), seven innings, he has an ERA of 0.00 in which he has allowed 4 hits and 3 walks, while striking out three. Despite those numbers and the fact that he's out of option he is rarely mentioned and appears buried on the depth chart.

Remember at the beginning of camp Jerry Manuel said Misch's delivery was Glavine-esque and was only seen as a starter. But since camp started he has been something of an after thought, Niese/Nieve are battling for the fifth spot and Takahashi/Figueroa are fighting for the longman role. Sure Misch's name gets mentioned but does he really appear to have a legitimate chance of making the team.

http://metsfever.blogspot.com/2010/03/out-of-options-000-era-why-is-misch.html



Rookies:

Prospect Star Of Camp: There have been a lot of players to choose from. First baseman Ike Davis has shown his power with two home runs in his first 10 games; even more impressive has been his 11-for-22 start. Shortstop Ruben Tejeda is a serious candidate to be the Mets' Opening Day shortstop because of Jose Reyes' thyroid condition. But the most impressive Mets prospect has probably been righthander Jenrry Mejia. Mejia struck out eight, walked no one and allowed five hits in his first 7.1 innings of work, compiling a 1.13 ERA. He's shown the same 94-95 mph fastball that broke bats through the Florida State League in 2009, and the cutting action that has baffled hitters in the minors is causing similar problems for big league hitters. Manager Jerry Manuel is open to Mejia breaking camp in the Mets bullpen, and even if he does go back to Double-A, BA correspondent Adam Rubin reports that the Mets may keep him in the pen in preparation for his likely impending call-up.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=7823



SP5:

Takahashi is perhaps the biggest revelation, if only because he pitched in Japan his entire career. His ability to switch speeds and pinpoint his pitches has impressed Manuel, who said “he probably is our sharpest pitcher.” Figueroa continues to make his case, having thrown nine scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. “I think I’ve put up the numbers to deserve it,” Figueroa said. “I don’t think I pitch like a 35-year-old on the way out.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/sports/baseball/16shea.html


Niese vs. Nieve:

A Rough Spring: The gruesome torn hamstring injury that ended Jon Niese's 2009 season is now behind him, but the lefthander has struggled to regain his pre-injury form during the first two weeks of spring training. Niese was 0-0, 7.04 after 7.1 innings. Niese still has a good shot at being the fifth starter because his competition, Fernando Nieve, hasn't been any more impressive. The Mets have also hinted that Fernando Martinez will likely start the season in the minors despite a lack of impact bats among the healthy big league outfielders.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=7823