Tag: El Duque

New York Mets Amateur Draft Strategy

The baseball amateur draft starts this Thursday and the Mets have plenty of needs in their farm system. Obtaining Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins this off season drained several of the Mets top prospects. That trade included the Mets numbers 2, 3, 4, and 7 prospects. I still like the trade and the contract for Santana. I think he’s got the right stuff and fluid motion to avoid long term injuries enough to be successful over the next seven years.

That said, the Mets need to re-stock young players. Bob Klapisch wrote a good column today on the Mets strategy for this draft. Continue reading “New York Mets Amateur Draft Strategy”

Orlando Hernandez Rehab Shut Down

Multiple media sources are reporting that El Duque has a strained tendon in his foot and will be wearing a walking boot for the next two weeks.

New York Mets Practice
Image details: New York Mets Practice served by picapp.comhttp://pis.picapp.com/IamProd/javascript/imageV2.js?p=1326&i=13796&w=357&h=235&adH=90&adS=3&fv=picviewerv2_1.swf&pv=http://pis.picapp.com/IamProd/FlashSite/en/&u=http://pis.picapp.com/IamProd/ImageServing.aspx&sp=true&n=2

I don’t think we’re going to see much of El Duque or Pedro Martinez in the first half of this season. It would be great if the Mets could get a lead or hang in there until the All-Star break. Having those two pitchers come into the rotation at that point would be a nice shot in the arm for the team and avoid having to part ways with valuable prospects to obtain more pitching.

Pedro Martinez on the Disabled List

The Mets expect Martinez to be out for 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain. Nelson Figueroa was brought up from Triple-A New Orleans to replace him on the roster.

Mike Pelfrey should pitch in Martinez’ spot in the rotation beginning on April 8th. Then I would have El Duque take the fifth spot in the rotation beginning April 12th. El Duque could replace Figueroa on the roster at that point.

Whoever it is that takes Pedro’s spot is walking into a difficult situation. Martinez was scheduled to pitch the last ever opening day at Shea Stadium. There’s a sense of organizational pride that goes along with that responsibility. It’s a big deal as much as the players will give us the one-liners about how “it’s just another game”.

Post Game: Mets 3 Orioles 4

Source: WikipediaEl Duque got the start today and went five innings giving up 4 hits and one earned run. Mike Pelfrey finished the game going 3.2 innings giving up 6 hits and 3 earned runs. I guess Omar Minaya was right… if El Duque is healthy then he should get the fifth spot in the rotation. See the full game recap and box score here.

Countdown To The Final Roster

We’re nearing the deadline for the Mets to decide who will make the last few bubble spots on the team. It looks like Angel Pagan will be in the outfield and Brady Clark will be left off the major league roster.

Ben Shipgel of The New York Times gives his take on what the roster will look like. I think he’s pretty accurate. As I said in an earlier post, keeping Fernando Tatis really doesn’t make sense to me at all.  If Ramon Castro’s hamstring isn’t ready than Raul Casanova will get the backup catcher spot until Castro is ready.

I think Shipgel is right that Brady Clark won’t make the team either. Angel Pagan has just been too hot offensively to leave him off the roster.

Tomorrow’s game in Ft. Lauderdale may very well decide if Mike Pelfrey or Orlando Hernandez gets the fifth starter spot. It’s too bad that it has to come down to one game but neither pitcher has clearly established himself.

Mets Brass Gathers Today, Big Decisions Ahead

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman is reporting that the Mets management gathered in Port St. Lucie today to make decisions about the fifth starter and left field. The “unnamed” source close to the situation says that it’s likely that Mike Pelfrey will become the fifth starter despite his shaky spring. He’ll have a short leash with El Duque and Jorge Sosa ready to jump into the rotation if things go wrong.

According to the source, Angel Pagan has the inside track to get the bulk of playing time in left field until Moises Alou gets back approximately three weeks into the season. Pagan has been on fire offensively this spring but it may be an anomaly. Only time will tell.