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The Star Ledger, ESPN, and other sources have printed new stories regarding Jose Reyes’ condition.

The summary seems to be that Jose must not only avoid athletic activity and basically anything resembling strenuous exercise, but indeed must not raise his heart rate, until his elevated thyroid level returns to a more normal area. The cause, unknown at this time, has been speculated as possibly being a virus or Jose’s diet.

According to ESPN, after exercising Monday and Tuesday, his levels were elevated to unhealthy numbers again.

Hence, Jose must avoid exercise until his thyroid levels stabilize. Unfortunately, no one really seems to know when this will be. The thyroid will return to normal with rest and dietary changes, but again, it is uncertain how long this will take to stabilize and become hopefully permanent for Jose. His doctor insists that this will not have any adverse effect on Jose’s baseball ability long-term, but for 2010, we simply cannot know right now if it will be a few weeks or a few months until the situation allows Jose to become an everyday player again.

The estimates still range from 2-8 weeks; Jerry and Omar, according to the Star Ledger, seem to think that this might actually be 1-7 weeks as Jose stopped baseball activities last week. However, as exercise early this week seems to have raised his thyroid levels to unhealthy areas again, perhaps this exercise would make the last week irrelevant to his recovery timetable.

All media outlets seem to agree that Jose simply must avoid exertion until the levels come down and remain down, which of course means that we really do not have any idea how long he will be out.

Jose’s agent Peter Greenberg, perhaps the only person thinking long-term and about Jose as a person, said he views this as “good news” as this is a “completely curable, treatable situation.”

Regarding the somewhat differing evaluations of the situation which have come from various Met sources lately, Greenberg also commented on the initial optimism Jose showed, as well as on his attempts to work out Monday and Tuesday: “I think all the results weren’t in yet,” Greenberg said. “So guilty of speaking a little bit too soon, unfortunately.”

So the confusion may in fact not necessarily be people lying, or being guilty of incompetence or the inability to communicate, but perhaps might just be human beings naturally responding to never-ending media pressure demanding comment without having all of the information.

As Jose apparently worked very hard all winter, and has always been in fantastic shape as long as we have known him, he should not need much time to get ready to play once the doctors clear him.

However, the latest news seems to indicate that Jose is most definitely in a holding pattern, which will last at the very least 1-2 weeks, and very possibly 7-8 weeks or longer.

One might wonder whether a return to playing will immediately cause Jose’s levels to rise again; the hope is that once the situation is stabilized, this will not occur.

No one knows right now, so here’s a voice respectfully suggesting that hoping and praying for Jose’s return to good health is job one for the Met fan; his return to baseball will follow that happening rather quickly.

Here’s also hoping that the media circus will find another Met story to milk and that Jose will be left in peace to recover.

Get well soon Jose; you have been a great Met and hopefully you will be able to continue to be that by sometime in April.

A small but loud minority of Met fans seems to have taken to Nelson Figueroa as if he were pitching’s equivalent of Orlando “Gritty Mc” Hudson.

One visits Met-related sites and blogs and finds fans and commenters defending Figgy’s honor and demanding that he receive the respect he “deserves.”

A respected colleague blog of ours had an article the other day which stated these themes, and in defending the piece the writer went so far as to insist that Figgy “badly out-pitched Pelfrey and Perez” last year. Comically ridiculous of course, and the very respectful author politely replied to the legion of folks who shot down this very silly assertion. Ollie was hurt from day one, and Pelf, while disappointing, was most certainly not out-pitched by the paragon of mediocrity that is Nelson Figueroa.

Our friend Brian Costa at the Ledger made the unforgivable mistake of misstating Figueroa’s stats in his 4 inning stint the other day. The first commenter rudely demanded that Brian “Get your story right and give Figgy the respect he deserves.” The always accessible Costa did fix the numbers. Of course, this 4 inning stint was in first week of March. And it was the LAST four innings, after starters were taken out or were about to be removed. Yes, this performance early in the spring against mostly minor leaguers surely is a sign of the next Bob Gibson.

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Nelson Figueroa is, by all accounts, a fine man. Seemingly a family man with lots of close relatives and friends. A hard-worker and a student of the game who has played all over the globe and whose dream apparently has been to be a Met. In 2009 he did indeed have a few good outings.

But a close look shows that one of the best of his few good games was the last day of the season, against a rotten Astro team with one foot on the golf course. Another of his good outings was a Sunday game in Chicago when the Cubs were swinging away and clearly mailing it in. His next start against the Cubs allowed 7 H, 2 BB, and 4 ER in 6 IP. Yes, he had one good game against the Braves, which followed a horrible one against them. And his one start against the Phils allowed 9 H and 5 BB in 5.1 IP. He threw 12.1 innings of relief in 6 games, and allowed 18 hits and 5 walks; this was nicely and evenly spread among all six outings, the last five of which were all quite mediocre.

Nelson Figueroa’s supporters are certainly not reminiscent of Richard Nixon’s Silent Majority. No, they are most definitely more along the lines of the great jazz saxophonist and arranger Frank Foster’s Loud Minority.

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Like Orlando Hudson’s tiny legions, Figgy’s supporters clearly ignore his near-decade of failure, in six organizations, as a starter and a bullpen arm. Figgy has been consistently bad as a starter and a reliever in all of his spots, except for a decent 2003 for the Pirates, in only 35 IP. Hudson’s Met fan backers continue to ignore the fact that for two consecutive offseasons, he had literally almost zero interest. The Dodgers could not even wait for the season to conclude before ending his on-field presence; just as when released by the Mets last year, Figgy had precisely zero takers. Now, Hudson is clearly a large class above Figgy, having had many fine years as a starter, and being an all-star and a Gold Glove winner, but his reputation as a “gritty” “leader” and a “great clubhouse guy” is about as real as the famous photo of the Loch Ness Monster.

Hence, the Figgy Flotilla of folks is even stranger; some of Hudson’s Met Fairy Dust has clearly been sprinkled on Figgy’s weary right arm.

Nelson Figueroa, in this writer’s opinion, would probably make an outstanding pitching coach someday. He has lasted many years, playing in many leagues and nations, despite marginal talent at best. He is a likeable, serious man who obviously knows his craft. Here’s hoping that if Bobby O or Randy Neimann do not eventually succeed Dan Warthen, that Figgy is given a serious look.

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As for his role on the 2010 Mets, let’s pray it is in Buffalo, and not Queens. In the comments section of TRDMB, this writer has challenged others to name one single pitcher with a record like Figgy’s who has become a seriously valuable member of a pitching staff at his age, after all the years of failure. No one has named one. The only one who comes to mind is Darren Oliver. Oliver was a truly horrible starter for the Rangers for years. Granted, they play in a hitters’ park and are among the least successful organizations in sports, but still, a look at Oliver’s stats as a starter paints a grim picture. Oliver did, however, keep at it, and has enjoyed a somewhat remarkable second career as bullpen depth for some very good teams. Could this be a role for Figgy? Perhaps; and surely the only one he can realistically aspire to.

There certainly are teams in Japan, Mexico, and elsewhere which would be very happy to have a pitcher like Nelson Figueroa. He just does not have the talent to be a starter for an MLB team with serious aspirations. Fernando Nieve is much younger, throws harder, and is a product of an organization which has produced fine pitchers for decades. Should Niese not win the spot, it says here that it should and will be Nieve’s.

If Figgy and his agent are patient and savvy enough, perhaps they should wait for the next Bad News Bears reunion. This way, Figgy could stay in the US and play for a big market team, which for decades has had consistent fan support. And he would slot in perfectly as their number two starter, right between Amanda Wurlitzer and Rudy Stein.

According to the AP, MLB.com, ESPN, and various anonymous amateur doctors across the globe, Jose Reyes, as many cooler heads predicted, is just fine and will be able to play tomorrow.

Jose reiterated what many had said earlier today, that the blood test had nothing to do with his leg injury, and was related to his overall physical.

The team and Jose said that the results of the mysterious test came back OK, and Jose is, for now, healthy.

Stay tuned.

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In other news, the Mets have also apparently signed reliever Kiko Calero to a minor league deal.

SNY has reported this, we are told, and despite some injury questions, this is a fantastic gamble. Calero had an excellent year out of the pen for the Marlins last year.

The one clear downside to these stories is that the Nattering Nabobs of Negativity will definitely have to dig a bit deeper to find things to complain about once again.

Reyes is healthy, and it is March and Omar is STILL working hard to improve the team.

The serious fan must be very happy with this news, if it turns out to be true.

The intrasquad matchup today at 11 AM at Tradition Field appears to be a bruising battle between two all-Met squads. We thank the always reliable Brian Costa at the Star Ledger for the lineups.

For those of you who do not check out Brian, you should. In addition to being infinitely more reliable, responsible, and down-to-earth than many of his colleagues, he even responds to commenters on a regular basis. After TRDMB, he should be your next stop for Met news!

Met Team A starting lineup
1. Angel Pagan, cf
2. Alex Cora, 2b
3. Jason Pridie, lf
4. Jeff Francoeur, rf
5. Mike Jacobs, 1b
6. Fernando Tatis, 3b
7. Josh Thole, c
8. Ruben Tejada, ss
9. Chris Carter, dh
Tobi Stoner, sp

Met Team B starting lineup
1. Gary Matthews Jr., cf
2. Luis Castillo, 2b
3. Jose Reyes, ss
4. David Wright, 3b
5. Daniel Murphy, 1b
6. Fernando Martinez, lf
7. Henry Blanco, c
8. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, rf
9. Frank Catalanotto, dh
Jon Niese, sp

Personally, we have to go with Team B, looking at the 2-6 lineup strength here. Jose Reyes batting third clearly clinches the deal.

The Real Dirty Mets Blog is approaching more milestones in number of comments, hits and visitors.

The site keeps growing, and it is no mystery why.

When we view a great many of the competing blogs, we do note that TRDMB has a number of articles, commenters, and comments which, for a site which is now about 9 months old, is definitely impressively competitive.

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As this wonderful home for the reasonable and thinking Met fan grows, it is inevitable that we will attract more and more of the “Wilpons are cheap!” and “Wright is unclutch!” people who tend to find their way to the larger and more-trafficked sites, such as Matt Cerrone’s and the Star-Ledger’s. This is an unfortunate but unavoidable downside of growth.

On the site many of us used to frequent before being banned en masse, there were a few commenters who, desperate for attention, would find ways to loudly espouse unpopular ideas; ideas which were often very easily shot down completely by any sort of fact-based analysis. This would not deter the commenters, and often they became dominant on threads and even on entire days.

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This author is definitely guilty of sometimes letting the childish fighting impulses he possesses get the better of him. Thanks again go out to folks like TRS, Grave, and Mr. North for helping to put things in perspective and make us all realize that no matter what happens, and even if we ultimately become the second most visited blog after Mr. Cerrone’s, that we do not want to follow his lead when it comes to banning visitors and stifling criticism and true debate, even when the attacks are pointed straight at us.

As this space has pointed out often in the past, TRDMB was a blog that has a most unique tale of creation—founded by TRS, Dirty Sanchez, and MRose, it was at first a haven for a few dozen of the most active, opinionated, and educated commenters from the old site which we all used to frequent.

The ultra-hard work given by TRS, the writing of such luminaries as Grave and Case, the graphics of the magician Mr. North, the daily Met history served up by Rusty, and the truly unequaled level of debate in the comments area brought by Wanny, MF4D, Stick, Fong, and so many others combines to make this a truly unique site.

If one of our authors or commenters makes a post calling the Wilpons cheap, criticizing David Wright based on the career-defining one at bat against the Cubs two years ago, or making an equally silly argument, the commenters can be counted on to set the record straight rather quickly, and with excellent fact-based arguments.

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As the spring games approach, in addition to the truly ecstatic feeling this gives many of us, we can be thankful that we have a home here at TRDMB. Those of us who were present at the creation can share a truly proud feeling at the site we have built and nurtured. This author visits many other sites, and while just about every one has its reasonable and knowledgeable commenters, there are few if any which have the group of fans we have here. It could be argued that in many cases, when it is just the MF4Ds, Wannys, Graves, Cases, TRSs, Sticks, etc. discussing a point, that the level of debate here might even put ESPN’s Baseball Tonight to shame.

No axes to grind, no Borases to shill for, no national TV ratings to sensationalize for, no Klapisches to damn the present, no Olneys and Rosenthals to fabricate stories about Wilpon insolvency—just a group of fans ranging from their teens to their 60s, virtually all of whom know the game, know the Mets, and truly love wide-ranging debate with other Met fans.

As this site continues its inevitable growth, and as the cream continues to rise in the blogosphere due to the efforts of the wonderful contributors to this site, this author again salutes the people who have made it possible. Sometimes this writer forgets how unique this place is and lets emotions get the best of him when arguing a really silly point.

Here’s a promise to fellow authors and fellow commenters that emotions will be kept in check as we do our very best to try and contribute to a site which, while still in its relative infancy, is already a wonderful haven for the true Met fan and the true lover of debate.

Regardless of how 2010 develops, all of TRDMB’s denizens will have their Met experience enhanced by the creation of TRS, Dirty, and MRose, and as we await Ollie’s resurgence, as we await Jose’s return to prominence, as we await DRod’s return to the game’s elite, and as we await Johan’s march back to Cy territory, may we again thank the trio of Wise Men who gave us this wonderful place.

Castillo
Pagan/Beltran
Reyes
Wright
Bay
Francoeur
Murphy
Barajas
Pitcher

Castillo—Remaining skills are batting average, on base percentage, seeing many pitches, and speed. Bascially, the prototypical leadoff hitter. No power, but not as meaningful if he leads off. Seeing a lot of pitches in the leadoff spot is very helpful to begin a game, for the team to see what a pitcher throws, and also to make the starter work right off the bat.

Pagan/Beltran—Pagan’s speed and BA skills can be useful here while Beltran recovers. With either guy, that is a lot of speed 1-2-3, and will lessen the amount of potential DPs Wright might hit into, as well as having loads of guys on base in general, and specifically lots of SF opportunities for DRod. Over his career, Beltran has hit for the MOST power hitting 2nd, and has very similar BA and OBP stats hitting 2nd to what he has hitting 4th. His stats hitting 2nd are across the board better than hitting 3rd or 5th. Look it up. Beltran’s natural spot is as a 2 hitter.

Reyes—The power might increase if he is not forced to continue to take too many pitches. He might hit 40 2B/20 3B/20 HR swinging away. He is our 2nd best hitter after Wright, has power and speed across the board, and very well might be more of a natural number 3 hitter than anyone has realized. All of the 2B and 3B in the first inning will now drive in a load of runs in addition to putting Jose in scoring position. As Peter Clemenza once said to Michael Corleone, “I’m not asking for help….just take off the handcuffs.” Let Jose be Jose. In addition, this move dramatically changes the entire dynamic of the batting order, without changing the personnel. And Jose will still have plenty of opportunities to utilize his speed.

Wright—Those who suggest that Wright hit 5th to protect Bay have a good point, but Wright is too good of a hitter to hit below 4th. He will have the chance to drive in 150 with the top three guys proposed here, and Bay will protect HIM.

Bay—A really good, solid, all-around offensive player. If he is pitched around, he will walk a lot, and give Frenchy more RBI chances, as well as giving Frenchy better pitches to hit when Bay gets on base.

Francoeur—A very streaky, all-or-nothing hitter. Must have protection, and in this lineup has it in front and behind. Bay will get on base before him, and Murph, assuming he at least can produce as he did in 2009, will ensure that Frenchy sees strikes, lessening his propensity to swing at bad pitches. If Murph improves in the 2B and HR departments, Frenchy will have a chance to have a great year; in addition, Murph then very possibly becomes a long-term number 2 hitter for the future. With the 1-5 hitters ahead of him all having at least good OBPs, Frenchy will have a chance to set a career high in RBI.

Murphy—Will protect Frenchy even if he just duplicates 2009, but a slight improvement in the 2B and HR production will ensure that pitchers throw Frenchy strikes in an attempt to K him. Sure, Frenchy will still K some, but the more pitches in the zone he sees, the more HR and RBI he will produce.

Barajas—Must hit 8th in this lineup. If he can come close to duplicating 2009’s 2B and HR, he will drive in plenty of runs. Not a high average or OBP guy, but still, his power in the 8 hole will produce runs.