Mets 2010 Spring Training Reporting Dates

Tradition Field - Spring Training Home of the ...

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Pitchers and catchers have to be at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, FL on February 18. The rest of the position players are required to be there by February 23. And the first workouts are scheduled for February 25.

If you’re planning a trip to Port St. Lucie, the spring training schedule of games begins on Tuesday March 2 against Atlanta.

In my mind, the biggest question mark coming into spring training is “What kind of shape will Oliver Perez be in when he arrives?”. I’m sure there will be some new faces that haven’t signed with the Mets yet too, like Bengie Molina and possible another first baseman, maybe even Mike Lowell.

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Mets Introduce Jason Bay At Citi Field

WBC Photo Day: Canada

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Today was the dog and pony show that the Mets held for Jason Bay at Citi Field. The 31 year-old will be entering his eighth big league season. His career 162 game average slash line is .280/ .376/ .519. The Mets will be the fourth team that he’s played for after San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Boston.

This post is filled with multi media from today’s festivities including audio and video. You’ll get more than your fill of Bay from this post to last you until spring training.

The Mets did the right thing by making offense a priority this offseason. I know that some of you think the rotation is the biggest weakness. But the Mets already have resources committed to the rotation, they just need to get them producing on the field and add a middle/back of the rotation piece.

There’s still going to be some fanfare for the Mets, but nothing on the level that Bay brings. I expect Bengie Molina to sign eventually when he realizes that nobody is going to offer him a three-year deal. And I also expect a starting pitcher to sign with the Mets before the end of this month.

We’ll get to those signings when they happen. Today is Bay’s day with the Mets. The audio and video is after the break.

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Report: Kevin Mitchell Tax Problems

Kevin Mitchell #31

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In a report for the Detroit News it’s reported that former Met Kevin Mitchell owes $4.2 million in back taxes to the state of California. Mitchell joins former teammate Ron Darling in running afoul of tax authorities. Mitchell played for the Mets in ‘84 and ‘86 before he was traded to the Padres for Kevin McReynolds.

It was always rumored that Mitchell was traded away for being a bad influence on the team, and most notably Dwight Gooden. In Gooden’s 1999 autobiography Heat, he described a frighteningly horrible situation involving Mitchell decapitating his girlfriend’s cat.

If the story is true, the Mets made the right call in trading Mitchell away despite the fact that he later went on to become the 1989 National League Most Valuable Player for the Giants. He was also an All-Star for the Giants in ‘89 and ‘90.

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Jason Bay Physical, Darryl Strawberry Apprentice, And More

New York Yankees vs New York Mets at Citi Field in New York

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Things are finally starting to heat up this offseason for the Mets. Jason Bay is in the house and due to be introduced tomorrow at a press conference. But that’s not the only action going on after a slow start for the Mets.

  • NY Post– Bay passed his physical in spite of past knee and shoulder problems
  • Mets.com– Former Met and current SNY broadcaster Darryl Strawberry will be in this year’s cast of “Celebrity Apprentice”
  • Amazin’ Avenue– A tweet from Jerry Crasnick of ESPN has the Mets and Red Sox talking about a Luis Castillo for Mike Lowell trade
  • Remembering Shea– A great picture of sunny, warm Tradition Field to get you fired up for spring training

Talk back in the comments below about the Castillo for Lowell trade. I like it. Although I think that I’d like any trade that moves Castillo at this point. Lowell could be a nice platoon at first base and we know he’s a solid citizen in the clubhouse who has overcome a lot in his life.

Links: Mafia And The Mets, Jason Bay And More

Citi Field at Night

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I haven’t been posting links to good Mets reading lately and I’d like to get back to that in 2010. So here we go in no particular order:

  • James Fanelli of NY Post– This is a good article on the sketchy construction firms that the Mets used to help build Citi Field.
  • John Delcos’ New York Mets Report- Predicting the 2010 Opening Day starting lineup and batting order
  • Amazin’ Avenue– They’re doing a good series on the Mets All-Decade team including this link on third base
  • Ken Belson of NY Times– He writes a good piece about fellow Mets fans and their displeasure with the team leading to slow season tickets sales in December
  • Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated– This is a good column on why the Mets had to get Jason Bay this offseason
  • Beyond The Box Score– This is another good slant on Bay signing with the Mets and how the last couple of years of his contract will likely have Bay getting paid much more than his performance value
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Poll: Mets And Free Agent Starting Pitchers

NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: (FILE) Erik Bedard #45 ...

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Many were clamoring for John Lackey when the free agent signings started. He ended up in Boston and the drop off to the next level of free agent is huge. I never thought that the Mets would end up with Lackey, nor do I think they need another starter with #1 type of stuff.

I’d like to know of the remaining free agents, which players do you think that the Mets should be after? Be wary of the injured former stars like Ben Sheets and Erik Bedard. That kind of signing could really blow up in the Mets face if they rely on a player with a terrible injury history. It probably wouldn’t blow up as badly as the Oliver Perez contract did though.

The poll is after the break.

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