I have a man crush on Jenrry Mejia !!! - There I said it !! But with that being said I feel under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should Jerry Manuel be allowed to bring him up north when spring training finally breaks . First off the kid has yet to play and excel above AA ball, and as we saw yesterday , although he was dominant for the most part, you could see that he was having some issues with his control giving up one run in the two innings that he pitched. I can see how it could be a tempting option to put him in the bullpen as a setup man for Frankie Rodriguez with his blazing fastball and nasty curve - but I feel that Jenrry’s better suited as a starter. Imagine this starting rotation next year
Johan Santana,
Mike Pelfrey
John Maine (or) Oliver Perez
Jonathan Neise
and Mejia
This could be a dominant rotation, filled with young arms that could dominate most line ups! The future is Mejia - but in my opinion , the future is not now .

                                                                    ” Be patient Mets fans - Be patient !”

And with that said … HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!

New York Mets claimed pitcher Fernando Nieve on waivers from the Houston Astros on March 14, 2009.This was a great under the radar pick up for the Mets. Fernando started his season for the Mets Buffalo farm team where he showed that he had major league stuff. He pitched well for the Mets last season until he became a member of the not so exclusive Mets disabled list with a torn quad. He is currently in the mix for either the Mets fifth spot in the Mets starting rotation or in the bullpen.

And while you are getting your NCAA brackets in order, don’t forget that there are just 22 Ray Knight days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

I apologize for not posting yesterday but after the Jose Reyes thyroid fallout this past Thursday, I just felt I needed a 24 hour break from everything Mets related. Yes during this hiatus I even managed to stay away from the negativity box that is WFAN placating myself by listening to the soothing sounds of the new Slayer CD entitled ” World Painted Blood” ( I recommend it highly !). So as I was regrouping my thoughts ( and cleaning my high powered rifle ), I had a epiphany. This might be the best thing that could ever happen to the 2010 Mets. Okay so now before you reserve the rubber room for me just hear me out. With both Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran out for a period of time ( who knows how long before they take the field again), this could be a rallying call for this team, a incident that could quite possibly band this team together. I feel that if Jerry Manuel Would instill a “fight or die”" us against the world ” mantra, this team could find the fire that it has been sorely lacking since game seven of the ‘06 NLCS. I believe that Ruben Tejada is the best in house option to hold down the fort until Jose gets back, with Alex Cora serving as backup . From the stats I saw Tejada has a better than adequate bat and is possibly the most defensively sound shortstop other than Reyes in the organization He might not be the human highlight reel like Santana is, but if he is more like Rafael Santana than Ramon Martinez I feel that this team can win. I feel the Mets would be making a big mistake if they traded for a temporary replacement ( remember Mike Bordick).
But to get back to my main argument here, it seems that almost every media outlet is predicting nothing but doom for this organization this year. This team has to channel this negativity - get angry and DOMINATE !!!

                                                         ” The Mets have to get ANGRY !!!”

And now …. ON WITH THE INFAMY !!!!!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to back up outfielder from the ‘66 -’67 campaigns , Al Luplow (1939)

Utility-man for the ‘65 team , Gary Kolb is 70 (1940) .
One of the best pitchers the Mets never gave a real chance to , Terry Leach is 56 (1954) .

Former third base coach, Luis Aguayo is 51 (1959) .
Back up catcher for the ‘98 team , Jorge Fabregas is 40 (1970) .

Happy 31st birthday to our Ace - Johan Santana (1979)

New York Mets traded reliever Mardie Cornejo to the Detroit Tigers for reliver - and Pride of Flushing - Ed Glynn on March 13, 1979. It is common knowledge that Glynn was once worked for the Mets as a concessionaire when he was a teenager, and he was a decent reliever in his two year tenure as a Met, garnering eight saves and a e.r.a of 3.53

Detroit Tigers claimed infielder , Shane Halter of the New York Mets on waivers on March 13, 2000.

And don’t forget - there are just 23 Doug Flynn days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field !

Jerry Manuel
Tuesday, March 2nd - The Mets skipper joins Mike live in Port St. Lucie to discuss the status of his club

Jose Reyes
Tuesday, March 2nd - A healthy Jose Reyes talks with Mike about the upcoming season live in Port St. Lucie

David Wright
Tuesday, March 2nd - The Mets 3rd Baseman talks with Mike live in Port St. Lucie about the upcoming season

Jeff Francoeur
Tuesday, March 2nd - Mets RF Jeff Francoeur talks with Mike about the Mets and playing in New York for a full year

Audio courtesy of 660 WFAN NY

So at his daily press briefing Mets skipper Jerry Manuel broke the bad - yet not surprisingly bad news that possible set up man, Kelvim Escobar will more than likely start the season on the disabled list. Okay now before you blame the Mets medical staff, Omar Minaya or the new team trainers motto of prevention & recovery we have to put things into perspective here. First off this was a low risk / high reward signing. Escobar has not pitched more than five innings in the last three years, the Mets took a gamble here - not monetarily but they avoided some good relievers this off season because from what they scouts saw in winter ball this past season, he looked strong. Secondly he can still possibly be healthy and useful by mid-season which could give the bull pen a rest if they have been overused. Third he only signed for slightly more than a million dollars so that salary is not a drain on the budget.
But the one question that remains is if not Kelvim then who? Ryota Irigashi? Bobby Parnell? Jenry Mejia? Oreither Joe Beimel orRon Mahay ? Personally I have stated that I would love to see Parnell earn the job because he has such a dominating fastball . But if he is not ready, I think it is about time that the Mets give Kiko Calero’s agent a phone call and try to sign him to be Francisco Rodriguez’s setup man.

Here are Calero’s stats , first from last season and then his career splits.

I think his stats speak for themselves. He doesn’t give up the long ball all that often, he strikes out hitters more than he walks them, and his E.R.A. was  a highly respectable 1.95  for a Marlins team that overachieved. I think Omar would do himself an injustice if he didn’t at least inquire about him. And OH YEAH HE’S A TYPE B FREE AGENT THAT WAS NOT OFFERED ARBITRATION !!!

                                                             ” Will Kiko be out eighth inning man?”

And with that said … HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Happy Birthday wishes go out to Mets coach from the ‘91 team Tom Spencer. He is 59 today. (1951)
Pitcher from the’06 team,  Brian Bannister is 29.(1981)  I remember Brian as being a long shot to make the rotation in ‘06 but he pitched so well in spring training that the Mets had to include him on the roster. He was at times wild but when he was on he was close to unhittable.  He went down in the middle of the season with a hamstring injury and wasn’t able to rehab in time for the post season. He was traded to the Kansas City Royals for the waste of life Abiorix Burgos , where he has proven to be a decent number five starter.

Sadly on this date last year , pitcher Tom Sturdivant of the ‘64 team passed away.
New York Mets purchased Dave Kingman from the San Francisco Giants on February 28, 1975. Remarkably enough  on the same date in 1981 the Mets reacquired Kingman in a trade with the Chicago Cubs for one time rising star outfielder, Steve Henderson . Unfortunately Kingman’s limited range at first base had become even more limited and his batting average ( which had never been great)  declined, making him a feast or famine home run hitter.

New York Mets signed free agent reliever Pedro Feliciano on February 28, 2006. Pedro set a Mets single season appearance record last season .

And while you watch the Men’s U.S.A Hockey team play  Team Canada , just remember 36 days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

I know what you are thinking and so here lies the honest answer -No my headline today is not meant to be a snarky, sarcastic commentary of how spring training in Port St Lucie has been going so far. From the accounts that I have been reading , this team thus far is showing signs of chemistry, along with a myriad of feel good stories. First off  Carlos Beltran reported to camp yesterday , went into a closed door meeting with Omar Minaya and when he emerged he was quoted as saying that he ” cares about his legacy as a Met “. This quote - and the fact that he is in spring training right now when he isn’t required to speaks volumes in my opinion. From what I have been reading, Japanese import Ryota Igarshi has been wowing the coaching staff with his  curveball and he might be on the fast track for the eighth inning set up man’s spot. David Wright is looking more like Tony Atlas than Gomer Pyle  with his new weight lifting routine, Rod Barajas has passed his physical and is expected to arrive at camp today and even Gary Matthews Jr. seems happy to be here - maybe I am wrong about him and he can be the cagey old veteran that helped tutor the rookies last year just like Gary Sheffield did before he threw his temper tantrum because the Mets wouldn’t give him a contract extension.  Hell even Mike Francesa couldn’t make my optimism waver !!!I can’t believe I am drinking the Kool Aid  - OMAR !?!? ARE YOU JIM JONES IN DISGUISE !!!!!

                                                                                    Mr. Met sez:

                                                                 ” Be optimistic - or no t-shirt for you !!!”

And with that said … HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to the following.

The Mets first Rookie Of The Year Candidate , and their all time hit by pitch leader, Ron Hunt is 69 (1941) .

Pitcher  from the ‘67 - ‘68 teams, Don Shaw is 66 (1944) .

One of the Mets all time great second basemen - Ken Boswell is  64 (1946) . Unfortunately due to a dispute with the current Mets organization, Don didn’t attend last years 40th celebration of the ‘69 Mets World Series team.

One of the most hated Mets players ever ( and rightfully so !) -Bobby Bonillia is 47  (1963) . Bobby made it very hard to root for. Yes he put up great power numbers in his first stint with the Mets, but his lack of hustle and his run ins with the media soured his relationship among the Mets fans. This year starts the defered payment plan that the Mets set up  when they bought him out of his contact in ‘99. He will be by the Mets paid for the next 35 years.

Utility outfielder from the ‘08 team - Chris Aguillia is 30 today. (1979)

“There’s no question that the Phillies are a great team.  They have, I think, arguably one of the best offenses in baseball, they’ve upgraded their starting pitching, and they play like winners.  They play like they expect to win.  So no one ever said it’s going to be easy, but we have to find a way to de-throne those guys… and it’s not just the Phillies.  I think the Braves have made some good additions.  I think the Nationals have had a tremendous offseason with some of the signings they’ve had.  And then you’ve got the Marlins, who go out there and play that loose, dangerous style of baseball.  I think we’re in one of the best divisions in baseball, but I don’t think, by any means, should anybody be counting us out before spring training starts.” -David Wright

And people wonder why this kid is the face of the franchise. David has been putting out the best PR for the Mets this off season and I think he is poised for a big season. Ialso think with a year under their belt playing at Citi, the Mets can now treat this place as a “home field advantage”. I also think pundits and overly pessimistic Met fans truly underestimate the impact a guy like Jason Bay and a returning star like Jose Reyes do to a team. I can understand being jaded from the 09 season but ladies and gents…we have a hellova team for 2010.

As David already said, the improvements made by the other NL east teams have to be taken into consideration as they all have gotten better. That being said, the Mets also have improved and gotten better…even if some of that improvement comes from returning health. In my opinion the biggest improvement of all is the fact that the Mets are no longer the favorites to win anything. I know David and Johan play it down significantly but what has made teams like the Marlins so dangerous is the “underdog” perception.

While your waiting on you turn here at the barbershop, lets get so to some real Mets talk

1. Reyes will have a better season than Jimmy Rollins.

Its all in the hips

2. Johan will throw a no hitter. Hes just got that look man…its on

Reporter: "Who is the best pitcher in the division" Johan: "Santana"

3. Oliver Perez will emerge as our #2 pitcher.

Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink...Ollie agrees

4. Krod will continue to give us gray hairs…but will get the job done. He will finish with over 40 saves and get into a on field brawl…

Iron K for Knockout!

5. David Wright will hit 40 home runs. When you look like this at spring training….

Your Welcome Ladies

Your either getting a gig at Chip & Dales or your going to hit 40 home runs…maybe in David’s case he might do both.

6. Jeff Francoeur will make the difference in getting this team to the offseason. Check this article out to see why.

Why So Serious.....

7.  Murphy will grow out a stache in honor of his mentor and will make another highlight play at 1b

Hey Murph...Nice game pretty boy

8. The Mets will retire Mike Piazza’s number

Time to put the Monster back in its cage...For all time

9. Jerry Manuel will make 1 really shrewd play to win a game

Im praying this one goes better than the Omir from the bullpen move

And last but not least..

10. Citi field will erect a statue in honor of GKR

Because i mean...who wouldn't...They are awesome

So there ya have it, a couple of statements for this upcoming year. Even if half this stuff doesnt comes to pass, it should be a very exciting year…LGM!

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