We’ve heard some talk from Mets manager Jerry Manuel this spring about batting Luis Castillo in the leadoff spot instead of Jose Reyes. Now we’re starting to see that actually happen in spring games. Not that spring games mean too much, so we have to take it with a grain of salt. I’m curious to hear what your thoughts are on the topic. I find it hard to believe that Castillo could supplant Reyes as the Mets regular leadoff hitter.
Tag: Jose Reyes
Manuel Works Mets, Media With Mind Games
Jerry Manuel has been busy working the local beat writers to his own ends this spring. And as such, he’s been working us in the blogsphere that write and talk with friends and fellow fans about the Mets.
Is he really going to hit Luis Castillo leadoff? Is he really going to platoon Ryan Church and Fernando Tatis in right field? Does he really think Daniel Murphy is a better hitter than Ryan Church? Is he really going to play Brian Schneider more frequently than last season? Why is he discussing these issues with the media before telling the players that are impacted?
Manuel is proving himself to be a master manipulator, using the media and us for his own purposes. He’s verbalized the fact that he’s going to challenge his players this year. We just didn’t know he was going to do it through the media.
Although Manuel took over the Mets last June, we were used to three plus years of Willie Randolph’s stoic personality. Randolph didn’t give us much except a quiet, occasionally bewildered, discussion of the day’s events.
Manuel is using all of us to push, pull, and prod the players. He’s poking at them with his comments, giving confidence to some while putting others on notice. He clearly knows what he wants from the players and is busy preparing them mentally as well as physically for the season.
I like what he’s doing this spring. Each player needs to be treated differently, in the way that will draw the most out of them during the season. Castillo and Murphy are getting confidence building comments. Church, Jose Reyes, and Ramon Castro are being challenged to improve.
While I applaud Manuel’s ability to read his players, I take his comments with a grain of salt. I anticipate that Reyes will get the vast majority of games batting leadoff, and Fernando Tatis will get most of his playing time in left field. I’d like to see Manuel take advantage of Ramon Castro’s big bat at least twice a week. But Manuel is sure showing that he’s a manipulator… He’s gone gangsta on the media.
Phillies’ Rollins Ends Mets Talk
Philadelphia Philles shortstop Jimmy Rollins spoke to reporters yesterday at spring training in Clearwater, Florida. Among other topics he discussed, he said that his World Series hardware will put an end to his talk about the Mets.
The Mets and Phillies have engaged in a three year war of words. And the Phillies have come out on top in the standings for the last two seasons. Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes have continued the verbal sparring this spring, mentioning their disdane for Cole Hamels calling the Mets “choke artists” during a radio interview in December.
From SI.com:
It has been pretty funny just to hear it going on and on and on,” Rollins said. “I sit there and I laugh and say, ‘This is still going on. They’re still rolling with that?
It’s going to be a fun game any time we play them,” Rollins said. “But I guess when Cole is pitching, they are going to step it up and, of course, we are going to stand up for Cole, so that is going to force us to step it up. But that just brings out the best in both teams. We’re going to win, but it definitely will bring out the best in both teams.
I have to say that I’m surprised we haven’t seen the war of words spill out onto the field over the last few years. There haven’t been any bean ball wars that escalated the situation. Hopefully, it’ll stay that way. Now that the Phillies are the world champs they can rest on that without engaging with the Mets this season.
Video: Jose Reyes At Mets 2009 Spring Training
Video: Should The Mets Trade Wright Or Reyes?
Santana Brilliant As Mets Defeat Cubs 6-2
Johan Santana went eight innings throwing more pitches than he ever has in his career. The 125 pitch effort, giving up only two runs, is exactly what the Mets needed to get the monkey off their backs of a three game losing streak.
The big offense came from a three run triple by Jose Reyes in the sixth inning that solidified the Mets lead over the Cubs.
The Phillies lost tonight so the Mets move to 1.5 games back in the NL East.
Mets Win With Late Offense Over Braves 9-5
It wasn’t Oliver Perez’ best start but he worked hard to get through six innings giving up four runs (three earned). Again, the shaky bullpen took over in the seventh and it took four pitchers to get through the inning while giving up the one run lead to the hapless Braves. I feel like I could write this same description of every game.
The difference in this game was that the Mets came up with some late offense scoring four runs in the eighth inning. The key was a two-run double by Daniel Murphy to left center scoring Carlos Delgado and Argenis Reyes. That opened the flood gates.
Jose Reyes was the player of the game having a monster offensive night. He led off the game with a home run for the second time in three games. He went 3 for 4 with 3 runs, 2 RBI’s, and his 52nd stolen base of the season.
The Mets Report 