Month: March 2009

Mets Angel Pagan Hurt Again

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Javascripts/PisV3.jshttp://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/javascripts/DataV3.ashx?ImageId=712536&PublisherId=1326MLB: FEB 28 Spring Training - Mets at Tigers

A really sad story for a guy that I liked to have an impact on the Mets this season. Angel Pagan has been a really fast starter the last two seasons only to be injured along the way. We found out today that Pagan came back to New York for tests on his inflamed right elbow. The diagnosis is a bone spur that may require surgery.

Pagan was hitting .467 in 15 at-bats this spring and, in my mind, was a lock to make the team as corner outfielder that can switch hit. The Mets really need someone that can sub in defensively in left field for Daniel Murphy or Fernando Tatis. They also need a right-handed bat off the bench.

Last season Pagan got off the a hot start and got a ton of playing time because of Moises Alou’s injuries. He injured his shoulder in May in Los Angeles going for a fly ball over the wall.

Hopefully, Pagan won’t require surgery and will have a chance to do some damage for the Mets this season. I was really looking forward to seeing him play a key role off the bench. It looks like Bobby Kielty will fill the role of reserve outfielder and he’s also a switch hitter.

Freddy Garcia Needs To Perform For Mets

Freddy GarciaI have to admit that I thought Freddy Garcia would be able to come in and lock up the fifth spot in the rotation quickly this spring. Just the opposite has happened. Here’s Garcia’s line from this spring so far:

 W  L  S  ERA   G GS CG SHO    IP   H   R  ER
0  2  0 20.22  2  1  0   0   2.2   5   8   6

Source: ESPN 2009 Spring Training Stats

I don’t think that Garcia is in danger of being cut immediately. But he is eating up useful innings this spring that could be used by a pitcher that has a shot at the major league roster. Since Garcia is with the Mets on a minor league contract he could be sent to Triple-A Buffalo. But he has indicated that he would want to be released rather than play in the minors.

If he keeps pitching to an ERA over 20, he may be in danger of being cut in the near future. He’ll face the University of Michigan team today which could be his last appearance in a Mets uniform if he doesn’t show that he still has some skills.

Mike Pelfrey Another Injured New York Met

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Javascripts/PisV3.jshttp://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/javascripts/DataV3.ashx?ImageId=703560&PublisherId=1326MLB: MAR 04 Spring Training - Mets at Nationals

Mike Pelfrey is reported to be experiencing some pain in his lower left leg. He had an MRI on the leg and is expected to miss at least a few days of work outs. Pelfrey is the latest Met to be experiencing some minor pain this spring.

The list of Mets that have minor injuries is somewhat alarming. But we have to remember that every team is overly cautious in the spring to avoid problems that spill over into the regular season.

The reason to be concerned about Pelfrey is sherely because Johan Santana has experienced some elbow problems. So if Santana can’t go on opening day in Cincinnati, it would have been Pelfrey that likely would have led the rotation. But let’s not get crazy in the first week of March until we have more conclusive information.

Mets Spring Attendance Down

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Javascripts/PisV3.jshttp://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/javascripts/DataV3.ashx?ImageId=702058&PublisherId=1326USA World Baseball Classic team practice

To nobody’s surprise, attendance at the New York Mets spring training games is down 15% so far this year. The NY Post reports that the team cites the economy and the loss of so many players to the World Baseball Classic as the main factors.

It’s a bad situation for the Mets and the town of Port St. Lucie, FL. Although the overall economy is beyond anybody’s control, the World Baseball Classic is controllable. Losing 16 Mets to the WBC is too much. And not just for spring training game attendance figures.

The Mets, and every team, need some time to gel together in March. Losing so many players could have a detrimental effect on the team. That’s yet to be seen but my guess is that the Mets feel the impact in April when the regular season gets rolling.

I’ve written before that the WBC shouldn’t be played in March, it should be in November when the MLB post-season ends. And each team should be able to designate at least one player that’s too valuable to participate such as Johan Santana in the Mets case.

Mets Move Up Santana’s Rehab Schedule

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Javascripts/PisV3.jshttp://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/javascripts/DataV3.ashx?ImageId=701844&PublisherId=1326Boston Red Sox v New York Mets

I hate to get caught up in this daily routine of updating Johan Santana’s progress recoving from some elbow pain. But it is encouraging that the Mets have moved up his rehab schedule.

Originally, Santana was going to pitch three bullpen sessions before throwing to hitters. He pitched one bullpen session on Thursday and felt well enough to pitch batting practice today before the game against the Washington Nationals.

Maybe Santana will be able to go on opening day in Cincinnati on April 6. From the comments that I’ve read from Santana, it seems like its very important to him to make that start. I have to say that Santana really shows a lot of pride in his game for a guy that’s guaranteed to make $137.5 million whether he’s on the field or not. The Mets made a great decision picking him as the guy to give a monster contract to. I remember hearing that an NFL scout said that the hardest part about selecting the first pick in the draft isn’t about talent. A lot of college football players have talent. The problem is choosing the guys that will still have a desire to win when their bank account gets into eight digits. Santana is demonstrating to us that he’s that type of guy.

Audio: Mets Daniel Murphy And Jonathan Niese

Daniel MurphyThe Mets youngsters are in today’s audio clips. Daniel Murphy appears on Michael Kay’s ESPN Radio show. Skip ahead to the 6:30 mark to hear Murphy.

ESPN Radio- Daniel Murphy

Jonathan Niese joins WFAN’s Steve Somers to talk about what he’s been working on this spring to try to make the major league roster

WFAN- Jonathan Niese