Report: Mets Considering Gary Sheffield

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Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports  that the Mets management is “intrigued” by the prospect of signing Gary Sheffield but haven’t met to discuss the situation yet. I’ve read reports that Sheffield was set to clear waivers Thursday at 1:00 pm, and that several team were set to be in contact with his agent, Rufus Williams, immediately.

Sheffield reportedly wants to play for two or three more years. He wants to find a spot as an every day player. I’m not sure that’s going to happen, and it certainly won’t happen with the Mets. If the Mets did take on Sheffield it would be to replace Jeremy Reed or Marlon Anderson on the roster. I don’t think the Shef wants to be a fifth outfielder or 25th man on the roster.

Sheffield should check in with the San Francisco Giants if he wants playing time. They’ve got some really good pitchers and a pewtrid offense. Sheffield could definitely get some playing time in that outfield of Fred Lewis, Aaron Rowand, and Randy Winn. I think the Giants believe that they can compete in the National League West this season too. The Giants are a much better fit for Sheffield than the Mets are.

Mets Over Orioles 9-8 To Complete Spring Training

mike-pelfreyThe Mets are finally headed back to New York after what feels like the longest spring training in history. The WBC lengthened spring training, seven weeks long, was arduous at best.

Mike Pelfrey wasn’t very good today, only pitching four innings and giving up eight runs on ten hits. Pelfrey only got 13 pitches in his previous start because of a rain delay, so he may have had a little rust at this early point in the season. I’m not concerned about Pelfrey at all. I like the progress that he’s made over the last year.

The Mets are flying back to New York tonight for a few days before the season starts on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. The exhibition games gets started at Citi Field on Friday night against the Boston Red Sox at 6:10pm and again on Saturday afternoon at 1:10pm. Both games will be televised, Friday on SNY and Saturday on WPIX.

Its exciting to see the Mets play at Citi Field but I don’t get too fired up about exhibition games. I’m not going to Citi Field until the games count. At the prices the Mets are charging, and considering the economy, I want to get the most for my entertainment dollars. For those of you that are going to the Red Sox games, I’m not saying that its a bad idea. I’m just saying that I prefer to see the Mets starters putting in a full game and playing to win.

I’m ready for the season to start!

Inaugural MLBPA Store At Citi Field

Citi Field LogoAt 2:00pm on Friday, before the Mets and Red Sox face off at Citi Field, the first-ever MLBPA store will open at Citi Field. Its called The Players Clubhouse: A Players Choice Store. The store is a joint venture between the MLBPA and Aramark.

I would guess that the MLBPA will have some interesting new merchandise. I always like to check out the Mets gear in the catalogs and stores. But it seems odd that the players union is moving in on turf that’s traditionally been owned by MLB (the owners). I wonder what kind of agreement was reached, if any, between the league and the union for this type of store to begin operations and if it’ll spread to other locations and stadiums.

The Biz Of Baseball reports the MLBPA statement about the new store:

“This new concept in stadium retail sales will feature player-only merchandise licensed by the MLBPA’s Players Choice group licensing program. The store provides the MLBPA and its licensees with a unique opportunity to launch new items, test future products and host player-related events.”

Mets 2009 Roster Set

Johan SantanaThe Mets made their final cuts today. Bobby Kielty and Elmer Dessens were assigned to Triple-A Buffalo and Fernando Nieve was released. Kielty had a great spring getting 54 at-bats and hitting .296/ .365/ .407. We’ll be seeing him with the big league club at some point this season. Dessens only pitched 3 innings this spring so we don’t really know how much he has left. We’ll find out as he spends time at Buffalo. Nieve was picked up after being cut by pitching-poor Houston a few weeks ago. He pitched 10.2 innings to a 6.75 ERA… that’s not going to get it done in a tryout situation.

Here’s the roster to start the season:

Catchers
Brian Schneider
Ramon Castro

Infielders
Carlos Delgado
Luis Castillo
Jose Reyes
David Wright
Marlon Anderson
Alex Cora
Nick Evans

Outfielders
Daniel Murphy
Carlos Beltran
Ryan Church
Jeremy Reed
Fernando Tatis

Starting Pitchers
Johan Santana
Mike Pelfrey
Oliver Perez
John Maine
Livan Hernandez

Relief Pitchers
Francisco Rodriguez
JJ Putz
Bobby Parnell
Brian Stokes
Pedro Feliciano
Sean Green
Darren O’Day

Livan Hernandez isn’t officially on the roster until he’s needed in the fifth game. Actually, the Mets could go for a couple of weeks without him but Jerry Manuel is choosing to go with a straight five man rotation to start the season. Expect Nick Evans to head to Buffalo when Hernandez’ spot in the rotation comes up.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Audio: WFAN’s Mets Beat Report- 3.31.09

WFAN WFAN‘s Ed Coleman checks in with Joe & Evan to talk about the Mets news from today. Here are the topics:

  • Oliver Perez‘ nice start last night after being called out by pitching coach Dan Warthen for being out of shape.
  • The Mets potential for interest in Gary Sheffield. Coleman doesn’t think that the Mets will have any interest there.
  • The relationship between Warthen and the pitchers.

WFAN Audio

Mets Release Valentin, Spivey, And Armas

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Sadly, the Mets have released Jose Valentin as well as Tony Armas, Jr. and Junior Spivey. At 39, Valentin doesn’t have too many options available to him to continue his MLB playing career. He may be able to catch on with a lower-level team looking for a utility man/veteran leader type of player.

I’m sure that Valentin asked to be released so he could look for a big league job elsewhere. He had a great season in 2006 for the Mets but has been slowed by neck problems over the past two seasons.

Tony Armas, Jr. and Junior Spivey have also been released. I don’t think that either player would have been a factor for the big-league club. But both of them could have filled out the roster at Triple-A Buffalo if they were needed.

Armas did get into three games with the Mets last season but certainly isn’t a critical loss at the big league level. Spivey hasn’t played in the majors since 2005 and was brought in just a few weeks ago on a minor-league contract.