Author Archive

According to a New York Times article published today, Jimmy Rollins has put away his “crystal ball” for the 2010 season.  He will concentrate on baseball and conditioning this Spring Training rather than make predictions. 

This is really too bad.  I wanted Rollins to put his team on the spot once again-only to see if the Mets could shut him up.  Maybe Rollins learned from making a total fool out of himself last year with his World Series Predictions on Jay Leno that forced him to reconsider his fortune telling skills.

It’s just unfortunate that it had to be the Yankees instead of the Mets who shut him up and made him eat his words.

I was hoping that maybe this year he would open his mouth only to have it shut by the New York Metropolitans.

Perhaps he knows something that we don’t.

That’s right, I gave Ollie a pass yesterday.  I’m chalking his performance up to the regular bevy of excuses:  working on some pitches, hoping to pitch without pain in a real game, a little nervous, just trying to get some work in, first real game in 4 months, shaking off the cobwebs.  I’ll take them all today for I am behind Oliver Perez and I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.

I’m not kidding.

I’ve been hard on Perez in the past and the one thing I wanted him to do this off season is lose some weight, get in shape and show up to Port St. Lucie in shape and ready to  play and Ollie did them all.  So yesterday was his unveiling and by all means it was not impressive.  As a matter of fact it was downright Oliver Perez like;  three innings, 5 runs on 7 hits, walked one and struck out two.  Actually,  the Nationals had three runs on the board before Perez could register an out-very Perez like indeed.

I’m not making any predictions nor conclusions. 

Barring any injury or tightness(which I know none of as I write this), Perez is scheduled to make his next start.  THAT’S the one where I expect a better performance.  I’m not looking for a three up three down, 4 inning performance.  I just want Ollie to keep his composure and throw strikes and keep the Mets in the game a little longer than yesterday. 

Because, honestly, if he begins to revert to that old Ollie form, Minaya better start working the phones and getting someone, anyone in here that could pitch.  We all know what the Old Perez can do to a bullpen on any given day-not to mention the psyche of a team on a winning streak. We have some pieces (Santos, Matthews or Pagan) that might net the Mets someone decent.  But lets not go there yet. 

So Ollie, welcome back, ice up and get ready for your next start.

Who would you like to see play centerfield until Beltran returns from the DL, Angel Pagan or Gary Matthews Jr.?

The Mets put on their hitting shoes and pounded out 20 hits this afternoon at Viera Florida to beat the Nats 14 to 6.

Some highlights include a 4-4 performance by F-Mart, including 2 home runs.

Ike Davis continues to impress at the plate with 3 hits.  He did, however, have the only error in the game in the first inning.

Mike Jacobs made his case to win the first base job as he also hit a  solo home run.

Mike Pelfrey went 3 innings, and gave up 5 hits, 6 if you include the one he took off his thigh in the second.  He pitched around trouble in the first, gave up a 3 run bomb in the second to the Nats 9th hitter, Nyjer Morgan.  And came out to pitch the 3rd after being hit in the thigh.  All in all the Pelfrey pitched O.K for a spring training game.

The rest of the Bullpen, with the exception of Niesen(who gave up two runs) pitched lights out.  Kunz, Green(who looked very good) Blackley and Dessens(who shows no ill effects from being hit on the knee) held the Nats in check.

The 4-2 Mets will take on the 0-4 Nats tomorrow at 1:10

If you think this is going to be another “Reyes will be O.K” article…you are completely correct.  I’m not going to panic over this issue with Reyes and neither should our TRDMB readers.

Watching Reyes over the past month working out shows me that he is in great shape and as an athlete myself, one or two weeks off, won’t affect anything.  In fact, this may benefit Reyes as it gives him time to recover and rest.  We’ve all seen the inside of hell with the 2009 season, could a thyroid scare us?  I don’t think so.  I look at it this way, just imagine if Reyes pulled his calf or ripped his rehabbed hamstring.  So far, I think this Spring Training has shown a lot of positives and to me, that’s what we should be talking about.

And lets discuss these positives.  Two words that might make every Met fan smile, Ike Davis.  Our own David Wright is showing some power;  Oliver Perez who seems focused and motivated.  If you told me Jon Niese would be pitching this well now, I would have lost a bet….I’m surprised he can walk normal after his injury.  Santana is throwing without any discomfort and is on pace to pitch Opening Day.   Does Mejia impress you as he does me?  Even Pagan ran the bases well yesterday.   And let’s not forget that even Omar Minaya  is getting in on the act as he is still trying to improve this club on an almost daily basis.

It is very easy (just watch any New York Television Station) to fall into the ”here we go again” routine when it comes down to the Mets, but I’ll tell you now, this Reyes thing will be just fine. 

Let’s not sweat the small stuff and let’s not push the panic button.

This Spring Training, there has been a lot of talk and praise regarding Jon Niese.  Todays question is: Does Jon Niese have what it takes to be a Number 5 starter?