Video: Mets 2012 Spring Training Thoughts

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Manager Ter...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

I’m glad to get the 2012 spring training season going with the first video of the year with Kerel Cooper of On The Black. In this video we start by touching on our feeling about the Mets moves during the offseason. There weren’t that many acquisitions and one big loss of Jose Reyes to talk about.

We also talk about the changes to the dimensions at Citi Field. The fences came in a bit this year and we discuss the impact that will have on home games.

Check out the video below for the full details and add your comments below.

Mets Ike Davis and Valley Fever

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Ike Davis #...
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There have been a lot of reports from Port St. Lucie since yesterday about Ike Davis having Valley Fever. It’s the same condition that held Conor Jackson to playing in only 30 games with the D-Backs in 2009. Although it’s not known if Davis definitely has Valley Fever, he has some of the symptoms and had an abnormal lung x-ray about 10 days ago that led the Mets to send Davis to see a specialist.

The Mets seem to be backtracking on their previous announcement that Davis was ready for spring training without restrictions. They issued another statement yesterday to the media:

Ike Davis underwent a routine physical exam after his arrival in PSL. The exam included an abnormal chest X-ray. Following additional tests here and in NYC, pulmonary and infectious disease specialists have concluded that Ike likely has Valley Fever, which is expected to resolve itself over time. Ike is not contagious, is not taking any medication for his condition and does not currently exhibit any of the outward symptoms associated with Valley Fever. However, Ike has been instructed to avoid extreme fatigue. No additional tests or examinations are pending, but Ike will have a follow up exam when the team returns to NYC in early April. Continue reading “Mets Ike Davis and Valley Fever”

Video: Johan Santana On Facing Live Hitters

Johan Santana
Johan Santana (Photo credit: Keith Allison)

Yesterday Mets ace Johan Santana faced live hitters in batting practice for the first time this spring. He pitched two simulated innings and looked pretty good. Several of the hitters remarked that his stuff looked excellent. The plan from here is for Santana to start on Tuesday against Carlos Beltran’s Cardinals and continue to monitor how he’s doing to see how he feels.

If he continues to progress and feel good on the day after he pitches, it would be great to see him start building strength and stamina in his arm with an eye towards pitching early in the regular season.

I continue to believe that the Mets season is highly dependent on how quickly Santana can return from shoulder surgery. I don’t think they’re a playoff team even with Santana. But the season could become a complete disaster without him including the possibility of 100 losses which we haven’t seen here since ’93.

Free Mets Tickets Sponsored by Seatcrew.com

This season The Mets Report will be teaming with Seatcrew.com to bring fans, and readers of The Mets Report free tickets to four games throughout the year. You must “Like” The Mets Report Facebook page and the Seatcrew Facebook page to be eligible to win free tickets. Details of each giveaway will be given several weeks prior to each game. Read on for the specific dates of each giveaway. Continue reading “Free Mets Tickets Sponsored by Seatcrew.com”

2012 Mets Spring Training Fred Wilpon Press Conference

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Owner Fred W...
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Mets owner Fred Wilpon gave his annual state of the team press conference on the first day of full squad workouts today. It was more of the same spin that we’ve heard in recent years from Fred about the team’s woeful financial situation. Although he did attempt to deflect the reason for the team’s $52 million payroll reduction to Sandy Alderson’s philosophy. That was so laughable that he later admitted that Alderson had a set payroll that he had to work within.

The highlights of the press conference were:

  • The Wilpons don’t intend to give up control of the team, if possible
  • The team has sold 7 shares of ownership although all but one were bought by entities with connections to the team already
  • He admitted that the Madoff lawsuit was having an effect on team finances contrary to his prior statements on the topic
  • He’s excited about the group of young players on the team

There isn’t much new there that we didn’t already know. Wilpon has been in near seclusion as the team has sunk deeper into the financial abyss. He typically leaves Alderson or his son, Jeff, to deal with the tough questions from the media. So today was a rare opportunity to hear the state of affairs directly from the horses mouth.

Mets Players get Underdog Shirts

The Mets arrived at Port St. Lucie today to some silly Underdog t-shirts that Jeff Wilpon had made. Apparently, it’s a misguided attempt to motivate the players with an “us against the world” mentality. It’s extremely childish for a guy that considers himself an “executive”.

Here’s a pic of the t-shirts. What do you think? Would that make you motivated?

Video: Johan Santana in the Bullpen Again

English: Johan Santana
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The Mets had Johan Santana back in the bullpen again today for 73 pitches. He looked good as you can see by the video below and, presumably, he felt good too. The best news is that he’s throwing regularly. This is his third session since getting to PSL. And he just threw in the bullpen on Thursday.

The plan is for Santana to start a game a week from Tuesday. But pitching coach Dan Warthen thought that Santana needed to make some adjustments after today’s session. He told the media that Santana needs to straighten up to pitch on more of a downward plane.

Check out the video from Newsday. Santana looks like he’s throwing close to 100%.