This video is the AOL Fanhouse NL East preview for 2009. It’s not that deep but worth a watch because it’s brief.
Month: March 2009
Verducci: 2009 Mets Have Several Key Questions
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SI’s Tom Verducci addressed the Mets in his “Spring Training Post Cards” series today. I really like Verducci and he nailed the Mets first couple of weeks of spring training perfectly. Here’s a quick summary of the issues he addressed:
- Jerry Manuel has brought a looser feel to the team this season than Willie Randolph had in the past.
- Jose Reyes batting third is an interesting experiment and meant to push Luis Castillo, not Reyes. He suggests that Castillo may be best served batting ninth in the order.
- The Mets outfielders don’t have a lot of high-ceiling guys. And they don’t know what to expect out of Ryan Church after he couldn’t get it together after his second concussion.
- Livan Hernandez could really help the Mets if he can get about 15 starts in this season.
- The daily roller coaster of Johan Santana’s health is hanging over the team like a cloud right now.
I’m surprised that he didn’t mention Carlos Beltran in his discussion of the Mets outfielders. Beltran gives the Mets a lot of flexibility to play guys that don’t have outfield experience. He covers a ton of ground in the outfield and leads the other players positioning.
I’m also surprised that he didn’t mention what a bust that Freddy Garcia is turning out to be. Livan Hernandez is fine, but the Mets need to find someone that solidify the number five spot in the rotation.
Citi Field Tickets Sales- 2009 Single Games
March 15th is the day that single game tickets go on sale for the April and May regular season games. It’s odd that they’re not putting the entire season up for sale. I have to assume that season tickets didn’t sell as briskly in this economy as they had envisioned years ago when they started the Citi Field project. This is their effort at creative marketing. If it works, good for the Mets.
This Friday tickets go on sale for the April 3 and 4 exhibition games against the Red Sox. Tickets will be between $6 and $50 for those games.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Audio: Heyman, Strawberry On Mets
SI’s Jon Heyman joins Richard Neer on WFAN, subbing for Mike Francesa, to talk about MLB in general and the Johan Santana injury situation.
Darryl Strawberry joins WFAN’s Boomer & Carton to talk about joining the Mets this week for spring training. He also talks about his book “Straw: Finding My Way”.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Mets To Open Season Without Johan Santana
Several media reports state that the Mets announed that Johan Santana will not be their opening day starter in Cincinnati on April 6th. His first regular season game appearance will be on Saturday April 11th in Florida, if all goes well.
The tightness in his left elbow will preclude him in appearing in a spring training game until at least March 18th. Although the Mets appear to be doing the right thing here, I have to question why he hasn’t been examinied in Florida or had an MRI. Santana doesn’t need to fly back to New York for an MRI, as had been previously reported.
I like that the Mets are being cautious with Santana, I just question if they’re being cautious enough. He very well may be the best pitcher on the planet. And the Mets are locked into six more years with him. The Mets need to start looking at the big picture and six more years is the big picture. Santana’s left arm is the most important asset that the Mets have as an organization right now. They need to be very careful with that asset.
Freddy Garcia Ripped Again In Second Mets Start
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I’ve been watching the Mets-Cardinals game on SNY today. Typically, I don’t spend much time watching spring training games unless I’m in Florida at the games. But Iwanted to see what Freddy Garcia looked like in his second start for the Mets.
Again, he was terrible. He gave up two home runs in two innings. One of the homers was an absolute bomb by Chris Duncan.
Garcia faced ten hitters in two innings and really looked like he was struggling. His fastball didn’t get above 90 mph and his breaking pitches didn’t look sharp.
At this point you’d have to wonder if Garcia will have a future with this team. It’s funny because I thought the fifth spot in the rotation would be Garcia’s to lose. With Tim Redding, Livan Hernandez, and Jon Niese vying for the same spot on the roster Garcia’s chances are getting slimmer by the day of making the major league roster.
Poll: Johan Santana Injury
I’m curious to find out what you think about the Mets handling of the Johan Santana injury situation. The Mets were villified for their handling of Ryan Church’s concussion problems last season. It’s very questionable if they’ve learned their lesson from that experience.
Give me your feedback in the poll in the sidebar.
The Mets Report 