link - At just 20 years old, Ruben Tejada has supplanted Luis Castillo as the everyday second baseman for the Mets. But since his latest recall from Triple-A Buffalo, Tejada hasn't recorded a hit in his last 23 at-bats entering Saturday. For the season, he is hitting .183 with a .489 OPS. Tejada and outfielder Fernando Martinez were recalled for the end of the season with the intent of getting them valuable game experience in hopes of speeding up their development for the future. But with Tejada, who is considered a substantial defensive upgrade over Castillo, clearly overmatched at the plate, it begs the question: Would he be better served hitting against a slightly lower level of pitching until he matures enough to handle the Majors?
link - The attack unfolded after the Mets’ relief pitching ace — already fuming at having been bypassed in his team’s game against the Colorado Rockies — summoned his girlfriend out of the players’ family lounge after the game, sources said. The troubled couple, parents to boy-girl twins less than a year old, started arguing, with K-Rod viciously cursing at the woman, dropping F-bombs right and left, sources said. Carlos Peña came out into the hallway tunnel and stood up to the bad-tempered ballplayer. Rodriguez, 28, attacked the older man as if he had just charged the mound, officials said. Security guards allegedly had to pull Rodriguez off the dad. Officials said Carlos Peña suffered a frontal-lobe hematoma, contusions and abrasions in the attack. The petulant pitcher then fled the ballpark as a clubhouse staffer called police. Rodriguez returned 15 minutes later, after a Mets employee reached him on his cellphone. He was then arrested
link - The Mets didn’t get the no-no — and let’s face it, they really may never get that no-no — but when Dickey did finish off his one-hit, 1-0 gem, the Mets did something that in some ways is even more surprising: They picked up their 18th shutout of the season. And for a franchise that has been defined by pitching throughout its history, that already is a tie for fifth on the team’s all-time list.
link - Luis Castillo finally admitted what Mets fans have been screaming almost since the day he arrived in Queens. “I can't be here anymore," the second baseman told The Post before last night's series opener against the Phillies at Citi Field. "I know I'm not going to be here next year." Although general manager Omar Minaya wouldn't comment on Castillo's desire to be moved, a team source said Castillo had not requested a trade, but that the Mets are aware of his desire to play every day. The veteran, who is vilified by Mets fans, has over a year left on his four-year, $25 million contract. Because of his diminished skills, he likely won't have a lot of other teams interested, making him tough to trade, but he said he still believes he can be a starter.
link - Cole broke the fourth-round bonus record of $1.5 million set by Athletics catcher Max Stassi a year ago. Cole and Solis received the first two seven-figure bonuses given to 2010 draftees after the supplemental first round. MLB's recommendations for their draft slots were $694,800 for Solis (No. 51 overall) and $258,300 for Cole (No. 116). A righthander from Ovieda (Fla.) High, Cole entered 2010 as a near-lock first-rounder before inconsistency and signability concerns dropped him to the fourth round. At his best, the projectable 6-foot-5, 190-pounder works at 92-93 mph and touches 96 with his fastball. He also flashes a plus curveball and a changeup with late fade. He had committed to Miami.
1 comment:
Tejada is just refreshing. It speaks to the club actually having a plan (maybe). I'll take it. But my eyes are really on Havens and Malo.
My problem with the KRod situation lies mostly with Jeff Wilpon. I felt he should have been more front and center, available in person to speak with the media and fans alike. We were home so there's no excuse. If Castillo wants out so bad then let him come up with a buy out number.
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