Cutnpaste: - Collins on Ike, Phillip Humber, Ruben Tejada, Ruben Tejada, and Ken Johnson

Collins on Ike:

"I don't think he's going to go through that sophomore jinx," Terry Collins said. "I think he's going to make adjustments quicker. I think if he does get in a funk, which everybody does at some time during a season, I think he'll get out of them quicker because he experienced what he did last year. One of the big things he brought up last night. He said, 'Gosh, when I got in a slump, it took me three weeks to get out of it, instead of five days.' And one of things we want to do in the minor leagues is challenge these guys a little bit to where, hey, you're going to get in a slump in Triple-A at some time. Now, learn how to fight your way out of it, so when you get to the big leagues, it doesn't take as long. Unfortunately, he had to experience that at the major league level. You don't want it to happen. But as we look down the road, at least he is now aware of what it's going to take to get out of a slump."



http://espn.go.com/blog/new-yorkmets/post/_/id/13051/video-ike-on-hospital-visit-1b



Phillip Humber:

The Royals designated Philip Humber for assignment to make room for Jeff Francoeur on the 40-man roster, according to the team. Humber, 28 next week, posted a 4.15 ERA in 21 2/3 big league innings this year. In 664 1/3 minor league innings, he has a 4.48 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9.


http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/royals-designate-humber-for-assignment.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter



Ruben Tejada:

I know this is a little early, but don’t see Tejada being a factor as Mets manager Terry Collins and management have been vocal about having Tejada start the season at Triple-A Buffalo. Mets GM Sandy Alderson told WFAN earlier in the week that Castillo and Oliver Perez will have to earn their way on to the team, otherwise they won’t be on the team, which makes me believe ownership has little to no confidence in those two players. That leaves Emaus, Murphy, and Turner battling it out, but I could definitely see a Emaus-Murphy platoon once the Mets break camp.


http://networkedblogs.com/bSDRB



Ruben Tejada:

Gotay is a 28-year-old utility infielder trying to win a job with the Florida Marlins. He last played in the majors in 2008, when he hit .235 in 102 at bats with the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins would prefer to get the Gotay of 2007, who hit .295 with the Mets in 190 at bats. A big plus for Gotay is that he is a switch hitter, which is a huge advantage for managers looking for a pinch hitter.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/543493-countdown-to-spring-training-10-non-roster-invitees-who-could-earn-a-contract#page/5



Ken Johnson:

Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds - Though he was a big guy, Johnson didn’t throw hard, and had knocked around for a while. But the Reds had salvaged the 28-year-old from the scrap heap in mid-1961, and over the balance of the season he'd performed splendidly, demonstrating excellent control of an array of breaking stuff including a knuckleball.


http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-virtual-1960s-new-york-mets-part-1-the-expansion-draft