Look I know that I am far from being the most optimistic Mets fan on this site, but as all of you may know I live and die by my team and it’s players. When Carlos Delgado was mired in that nasty slump through the majority of the ‘07 season I refused to boo him and I argued with many Mets fans in my Mezzanine section of Shea Stadium . Now I am listening to WFAN and I hear the overnight Yankee shill, and Mike Francesa wannabe, Mark ” The Moose” Malousis (sic) stirring the pot with the small yet vocal lunatic fringe segment of Mets fans, saying that it is extremely likely that Jose Reyes used HGH and it probably caused his hyperthyroidism. Next up was the Sid Rosenberg meets Howard Stern clone Craig Carton from the Boomer and Carton Show ( I love Howard, could never stand Sid and I tolerate Craig). Craig, who is from all of my information is not a doctor, never went to medical school when he attended Syracuse University , should not really be trying to state his views that link Jose Reyes and HGH as factual. It is a proven fact that 2+2 = 4 , but in Craig’s mind ( whether he is delusional or just trying to stoke the coals to get ratings ) just because Jose Reyes talked to the Feds about this Dr. Galea about this blood spinning treatment that he utilized, along with the fact that Jose has just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism is not a smoking gun that will lead us to the end result that Jose used HGH ! The man is innocent until proven guilty and even then since there is not a reliable test for HGH the point is effectively moot. And I would like to say to the “Moose” and Mr ” Mets Fan For Yankees” If we are casting stones at people now . what about A-ROD? Did he see one of the same doctors that are affiliated with Dr. Galea? Wasn’t he forced to admit he used steroids last season? Hmm he came back rather quickly from that hip surgery last season, maybe it was the HGH !!! ( SEE TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME !).

And now before I suffer a massive heart attack lets review the positives from yesterday. The Mets in spring training action crushed the Florida Marlins 11-2 , scoring eight runs in the top of the ninth ( including two home runs in the same inning by possible bench candidate Chris Carter. Jenrey Mejia pitched three scoreless innings , keeping his e.r.a at 0.00 ( let him spend an entire season in the minors !). John Maine lasted 1 2/3 innings but from what I have read he looked impressive Ike Davis strokes a r.b.i double ( can’t wait to see him in a Mets uniform next year !!) . Fringe bullpen candidate, R.A. Dickey proved that he was up to the challenge  ( hehehe) giving up one inherited base runner in two innings of work. And Frankie Rodriguez has overcame his bout with pink eye and will be throwing batting practice within days.

                                        ” As of now, the only thing Jose is guilty of is stealing bases !!!”

And on that note… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!

Happy birthday to former Mets coach , and liaison to Pedro Martinez, Guy Conti (1942) . Guy started his career as a catcher in the Houston Astros organization, before becoming a pitching coach.
Journeyman pitcher from the ‘01 season, C. J. Nitkowski , is 37 (1973) .

And don’t forget - there are just 27 Craig Swan days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

According to Ken Rosenthal from FOXsports.com,former Toronto Blue Jays catcher and  free agent  Rob Barajas and the New York Mets have agreed on a major league contract worth $1 million dollars.
He goes on to say that the deal also includes $1 million in easily attainable incentives.

Both the Mets and Rangers offered Barajas minor-league contracts. The Rangers’ initial bid was $1.5 million while the Mets originally offered one million dollars.

The Mets yesterday upgraded their bid to a major-league offer ensuring that Barajas’ money would be guaranteed.

Barajas, 34, will more than likely become the Mets starting catcher, with Henry Blanco as the primary back up. Omir Santos, Chris Coste and Josh Thole will more than likely start the year at AAA Buffalo.

The Mets will have to designate a player for assignment to make room for Barajas on their 40-man roster.

Last season Barajas had 19 home runs and 71 RBIs and has a good reputation for working with pitching staffs. His batting average however is less than desirable - he batted only .226 with a .258 on-base percentage - But he still is a hell of a upgrade over Brian Schneider. In other news  , According to New York Post reporter Joel Sherman,  former Mets first baseman - Carlos Delgado has undergone  surgery on the the balky hip that  limited him to less than thirty games with the Mets last season . He will be out for at least four more months. To read  the entire post click here  http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/hardball/delgado_needed_more_hip_surgery_6SwHzCqEFJSUp91GgJDEeM .

Lets give a hat tip to both hazmet for brining this story to our attention and to the Mets scouts for not wanting anything to do with Carlos when he was auditioning in the Puerto Rico Winter League. I liked Delgado alot , but it was plain to see the writing on the wall and his tenure with the Mets was over.

                                                                      “  Welcome aboar Rob - Hasta Manana Carlos”

According to MLBTR.COM, The Mariners have designated right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit for assignment in order to open up a roster spot for the newly re-signed pitcher, Erik Bedard.

Petit, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Diamondbacks back in November, and his career E.R.A. is 5.57 . He was originally traded by the Mets along with catcher/ First baseman Mark Jacobs for Carlos Delgado.

In other ex Met news, Bobby Kielty who failed to make the Mets out of Spring training last season is trying to convert from being a outfielder to a pitcher ( I thought it was usually the other way around) .
The Colorado Rockies have signed ex Met hitting phenom Alex ” The original F-Mart” Escobar to a minor league contract. He hasn’t played in any professional baseball since ‘06.
And Finally the Washington Nationals have signed former Mets pitcher Shawn Estes to a minor League contract. I wonder if his accuracy has improved to the point that he can bean Shane Victorino if he ever faces him.

                                                       ” Will the Mets take a big chance on Petit?”

I have seen lately a lot of discussion around how much of the problems with the Mets falls on Omar Minaya
and how much falls on the current ownership. How much how little or who is to blame exactly? Tough questions indeed.

There are signs that suggest Minaya is more of a puppet who unlike Pinocchio who had no strings to call his own Minaya’s strings are being pulled by Jeff Wilpon. For example John Ricco holding a conference call to discuss events that only Omar Minaya was privy to that only resulted in making things worse with Ricco at times pleading the 5th when asked certain questions. Some speculate if the lack of moves this off season is more to Minaya having his hands tied by ownership. A notion that let’s face it is almost impossible to prove.

Since Fred Wilpon became the sole owner of the Mets back on August 23, 2002 the Mets are 581 - 586 that is
a .497 win percentage. Here are some highlights.

-

Starting in 2003 Wilpon’s team improved every year going from 5th/2003, 4th/2004, 3rd/2005, and finally 1st in 2006.
Is that rise due to ownership? Maybe it has more to do with the rise of Jose Reyes and David Wright. Reyes and Wright came on the scene and renewed hope in a franchise that the future was bright. Even though Omar Minaya would not become GM till 2005 he may have helped plant the seeds that was Wright & Reyes.
Omar Minaya was assistant GM and in charge of International Scouting under then GM Steve Phillips when Jose Reyes signed with the Mets in 1999. Omar Minaya was also Senior assistant GM and in charge of International Scouting under then GM Steve Phillips when David Wright was drafted back in 2001. How much of an influence if any at all Minaya had in the signing of Wright & Reyes I don’t know I tried to find more info and was unsuccessful.

When Omar Minaya became GM in 2005 he signed Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez. The “New” New York Mets era began. Minaya’s Mets finished 3rd in 2005 and in 2006 with Minaya having traded for slugger 1st baseman Carlos Delgado the Mets finished in 1st place for the 1st time in the division since 1988.

Since 2006 the Mets have had 2 (or 1 depending on your view) epic collapses in 2007, 2008. A poorly handled west coast managerial firing. A total meltdown accusing a member of the media with publishing stories painting longtime friend Tony Bernazard in a negative light to further his career with the Mets and probably the most injuries ever in a single season to affect a team’s star players in 2009 and if that wasn’t enough it was compounded by reports of multiple medical misdiagnosis of star players or the perception at least that the Front Office just was not on the same page with their medical staff. Add to the mix what was Citi Fields inaugural season, complaints from fans that there was not enough done celebrating Mets history and too much done to celebrate the late Great Jackie Robinson.

Who is to blame for 2009? Take your pick
A. Ownership
B. Minaya
C. Manuel
D. World Baseball Classic
E. Medical Staff
F. None of the above
G. All of the above
H. other

I am sure that I only scratched the surface but the thing is when you look at all this I find it hard to say it’s just one person’s fault. Is ownership not allowing Minaya to sign players? Does Minaya simply see little value out there in the free agent market and is holding back on trades to give the farm system a chance to grow? These are all plausible scenarios.

Personally I lost faith in Minaya in 2009 not because I blame him for the injuries but because I felt his wait for the cavalry approach in waiting for the players to get back  rather than going out and trying to find Wright help especially when Beltran went down was the wrong approach plus add allowing your manager to publicly express this idea that there wasn’t much you can do without your horses. I’ve had many say they don’t agree with my views and while I respect their opinion I still stand by mine. Maybe Minaya is but a puppet and the blame should lie with ownership. I admit lately I am beginning to wonder if that is just the case. If it is ownership what then? It’s been reported the Wilpons do not intend on selling the team anytime soon so what can we do to show our dissatisfaction? I leave that for you to decide. Time will tell I guess who is to blame but for now I’ll continue to stand by my opinions. What is good about that is it’s just an opinion.

Now Opening Day fast approaches and there is a feeling that the winds of change are blowing and both Minaya and Manuel’s future depends on how well the team performs in 2010.

Here’s to hoping 2010 the Mets fortunes turn in their favor.

Good news out of  the Mets Mini-Camp yesterday- Johan Santana threw some pitches and felt good.  He reported no pain in his elbow and that’s good news for all Met fans.  Let’s get even more excited because good old Ollie Perez is down there throwing as well.  Maybe Johan is giving him tips.  Boy things are looking up!

Until you look over at who’s playing First Base.

Santana, could we ask for anything more?  He gets hurt and pitches through it.  He gets elbow surgery and not only promises to be ready by Spring Training but also adds that it will not affect him in the 2010 season.  He is everything and more.  Trading for Santana was a great move and yet parried with that is this horrible situation at First Base. Here’s a good question:

Why can’t the Mets stop fooling around with the notion that Delgado can play first? He can’t and you know what, the Mets might think he can and in the long run, if he is playing First, it will cost the Mets and Johan W’s.

And that’s not good management.

The Mets must leave Delgado where he is. And while there at it, Murphy and Tatis as well. At this point, I’ll take a defense over offense. Johan pitches every fifth day and he deserves to have an infield behind him, he needs someone who can pick it at First.

Why do we have to be cheap here? I’m not saying to trade the farm system for Gonzalez but at least pick up a real first basemen. Like Garko, Jacobs, Aurila or even Millar.  Yea, I know these guys have issues hitting but they could play the position- and that’s what the Mets need at this point. 

Not wishful thinking like Delgado’s amazing recovery from Hip Surgery.

Look, watching all these pitchers get signed in the last few days basically tells me that the Mets have no intentions of spending any real money on a free agent starter. Fine. I could deal with that. But you have to consider the liability of a bad first basemen.

I like Murphy, I really do-but as a backup, not a starter and if I see Tatis playing first, well then I guess I’ll begin getting in shape because I too, might have a shot at playing.

The Mets are high on Ike Davis, maybe they have plans to bring in him up at the All-Star break, but until then, the Mets need to spend just a little more money and pick up a glove.

C’on Omar, you can’t miss this one.

Two broadcasters will be there, one adulterer will not

Here are some Mets related stories we didn’t make a post about today:

• Jorge Arangure tweets that the Mets and Carlos Delgado have a mutual interest.  As soon as the Mets divorce Daniel Murphy and Delgado divorces his hip injury, look for the two to resume their tempestuous love affair.

• Yesterday Frankie Piliere of AOL Fanhouse unveiled his Top 100 MLB prospects list.  Today he released his Farm System Rankings, and the Mets landed at 24th out of 30.  Of the Mets Piliere said:  “The Mets have some very bright spots, like Jenrry Mejia, who could be one of their best pitching prospects in years, but the depth is lacking. Brad Holt is another hurler to keep an eye on, and Ike Davis is looking more and more like their first baseman of the future. It will take some time, however, to build up the depth.” What I found most striking about his system rankings was that the Arizona Diamondbacks who had just 2 of his Top 100 prospects finished 22nd in the system rankings, 2 spots ahead of the Mets who he deemed to have 3 of the Top 100 prospects.  I guess I’ll just have to wait until he unveils his ranking of the 101-500 best prospects to understand.

• ESPN unveiled it’s first-half (Opening Night through July 18) Sunday Night Baseball TV schedule, and the Mets appear 4 times, including 3 Sunday’s in a row.  Given that by rule any one team can only appear on Sunday Night Baseball 5 teams, it seems that ESPN wanted to get the Mets out of the way early.  Order your pizzas now for 4/18 @ St. Louis, 4/25 vs. Atlanta, 5/2 @ Philadelphia and 5/23 vs. the Yankees.  At least these will all be on ESPN proper and not that stinky old ESPN2.