Delgado left PSL for NY today after experiencing hip pain. He’s had hip problems in the past, but we have to hope it isn’t serious. Even though he had a terrible season last year, the Mets don’t have any good options for a long term solution at first base.
Pedro talked this week about being open to a contract extension beyond this season. The Mets appear to want to see what he can do for at least the first half of the season. He’s an injury risk after missing most of last season. Johan Santana is the clear #1 starter now, so Pedro’s stock has gone down as has his spot in the rotation. I would wait until the end of the season before talking to Pedro about another contract. If Pedro returns to his successful form, I would try to keep him on a two-year deal or maybe a third option year. They should be able to get him in the $8-10M/year range if he’s back to his old self.
The most bizarre story this off-season had to be the guy that was pretending to be John Maine. Apparently, he was going to clubs in NY and trying to borrow women’s clothes to wear to a drag show. Read about Maine’s reaction to the story from Bart Hubbach of the Post.
The Phillies and Mets can’t stop talking about each other this spring. Neither team has even played an exhibition game yet. The season series is going to be intense this year, more than past seasons. Of course, Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Beltran got things started. Billy Wagner and an unnamed Philly player upped the ante to start talking about brawling. Kevin Kernan of the Post explains.
Make sure that you get the Feb. 25th issue with Johan Santana on the cover. Click the photo to enlarge.
Jon Heyman of SI ranks the GM’s. I like the list but I think Brian Cashman might be a little too high on the list at #5 considering the resources that he has at his disposal. Omar Minaya checks in at #8 which I think is fair. I’ve always had a mixed opinion of him. Exchanging Milledge and LoDuca for the Nationals Schneider and Church could come back to bite him this year. On paper, that doesn’t look very good. The Nationals got the best of that one.
Jon Heyman of SI gives the Mets the highest grade for off season activity this year. I agree that the Mets did very well with the Santana trade/contract extension. But I think the Tigers had the best off season. Their lineup is a modern day murderers row! It looks like Ivan Rodriguez is going to be hitting ninth. Now that’s a lineup. They added Edgar Renteria and Miguel Cabrera, and don’t forget they got Dontrell Willis too.
Johan Santana is a fantastic acquisition for the Mets, but the Tigers were better this off season.
The Mets Report 