Mets: Ryan Fraser, Fernando Martinez, Pedro Martinez, David Wright

1-11-12 -  metsmerizedonline.  45.  Ryan Fraser (RHP) The 6’3″ right-hander has so far shown quite a bit of versatility in his two years since the Mets made him their 16th round pick in the 2010 draft. After hurling 92 innings as a starter for the University of Memphis the Mets decided to limit his innings by making him the Brooklyn Cyclones closer. He responded by pitching very well in the role, notching 12 saves to go with a 3-3 record and a 1.44 ERA. The 2011 season found Fraser in the Savannah Sand Gnats rotation, and he was one of their mainstays, leading the team in innings pitched with a 138.1, while going 7-9 with a 3.58 ERA. In a recent interview here on MMO, Ryan had this to say about his pitches: “I throw a fastball, curveball, and change-up. Some people question my curveball and think its a slider. I would like to call it a “power slurve” if there’s such a pitch. I don’t like to know the speed of them cause it doesn’t matter as long as you get the hitters out.” Despite the glut of starting pitching at the single A level, the Mets would be wise to keep Fraser in the rotation for the time being, as he could develop into a true “innings eater” down the road.

Martinez's career isn't just special to me on a personal level, but it also has clear metaphorical value to me as a Met's fan. His signing harkens back to a time of great optimism for the Mets. Yet, his fall from grace has seemingly echoed the similar path of the Mets. Small aliments became great obstacles, great obstacles became chronic ones and Martinez, like the Mets, has quickly become irrelevant. If only it was so easy for the fan base could cut bait so easily.   No, the Flushing Faithful, even the most jaded and cynical, will stand by and watch the death spiral the organization has embarked on. The final chapters are yet to be written but the end is coming. The pressures of baseball's largest market will soon engulf the Wilpons and organization will be sold. http://bullpenbanter.com/

As long as Pedro Martinez keeps getting asked the same question, he'll keep giving the same answer: He's not going to pitch in the major leagues again. "I wish everybody would stop thinking about that," he said with a chuckle before a charity event on Friday night. "I don't think I'm going to go." The 40-year-old Martinez has not pitched since 2009, a season in which he compiled a 3.63 ERA in nine starts for the Philadelphia Phillies -- plus three starts in the playoffs. He hasn't made more than 20 starts in a major-league season since 2006 http://blogs.providencejournal.com/sports/red-sox/2012/01/pedro-on-potential-comeback-i-wish-everybody-would-stop-thinking-about-that.html#.TxDmyPmLXAx

photo by Mack Ade

David Wright is optimistic about everything that will occur on the field at Citi Field this season. It's the off-the-field action that he's bracing for. "Obviously, I'm not looking forward to it," Wright said of the almost inevitable drama surrounding Mets ownership and the talk surrounding his contract and a potential trade. "I'm going to try to deal with it early, get it out of the way. It'd be one thing if I was a free agent, and it was up to me, but it's not my decision." Wright is entering the final year of his contract and the Mets hold an option for 2013. http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/david-wright-not-looking-forward-to-talk-on-his-status-1.3451354