The New York Mets are ready to put Spring Training behind them and kick off the 2012 regular season on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.
Before the team packs up their gear and heads north, it's important to take a look at who stood out in the exhibition season and who spent the time on vacation. It's often easy to push aside Spring Training stats, but the Mets have so many problems and cannot afford a slow start out of the gate.
Here are a few players that stood out (for better or worse) along with their Spring Training stats.
Cheers!
Lucas Duda (.296 AVG, 1.001 OPS, 4 HR, 9 RBI): There is plenty of talk about David Wright and Jason Bay needing bounce back years (and they do), but "The Dude" is just as important to the Mets having any sort of offensive success. He has ripped the cover off the ball in the Spring, including an opposite field jack off Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg.
Josh Thole (.302 AVG, 7 RBI, 6 walks, 5 strikeouts, .388 OBP): No one is expecting Thole to ever tear up the league with his bat, but until (unless) his defense becomes a plus skill, he needs to hold his own. Most promising for the catcher is the patience at the plate, something he will need to continue showing when there aren't a bunch of minor leaguers on the mound.
Bobby Parnell (0.00 ERA, 12 innings, 10 strikeouts, .167 average against): We've been fooled by Parnell before, so it's understandable many Mets fans are cautious about his impressive Spring. However, this is the first time he's throwing a knuckle/curve that is helping him get his fastball by hitters.
Jeers!
Ramon Ramirez (5.25 ERA, 12 innings, 16 hits, 5 walks): Believe it or not, this seems to be par for the course with Ramirez. His numbers were even uglier last year with the San Francisco Giants (7.94 ERA) in Spring Training before turning in a solid regular season (2.62 ERA).
Frank Francisco (5.54 ERA, 13 innings, 18 hits, 4 walks): This is the most work Francisco has received in exhibition games the last three seasons and maybe that's part of what led to his ongoing knee problem. He claims he'll be ready to go on opening day and there's no cause for alarm, but there are few reasons to be confident about the Mets closer.
Jason Bay (.188 AVG, 4 hits, 7 strikeouts): The new dimensions at Citi Field aren't going to matter much for the right fielder if he can't get the ball out of the infield. Bay cannot carry this slow start into the regular season or he might never recover. His job is the first one that could be up for grabs by the end of April.
Only a few days and games remain before the New York Mets can finally kick off the regular season against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday afternoon.
It's been a long and tough Spring Training thus far for the Amazins'. New York is currently 7-19 and the holder of the worst record in the Grapefruit League.
The good news is health. Johan Santana feels good enough to be the Opening Day starter, and after missing a lot of time this Spring, David Wright is ready to man the hot corner.
Even better news? The slate will be wiped clean after a date with the New York Yankees on Wednesday.
Monday, April 2: New York at Atlanta Noon ET
This will be a dress rehearsal of the season opener on Thursday.
Tuesday, April 3: New York Yankees at New York Mets 2:10 p.m. ET
The Subway Series will have a little exhibition flavor to it.
Wednesday, April 4: New York Mets at New York Yankees 12:05 p.m. ET
Both teams will wrap up the Spring and get ready for some baseball that counts.
For more on the Mets, be sure to check out Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all your news and updates.
Just days away from opening their 2012 season, the New York Mets and manager Terry Collins revealed their Opening Day starting pitcher -- Johan Santana. The two-time Cy Young Award winner, who hasn't thrown a pitch since Sept. of '10, will start opposite of Atlanta Braves starter Tommy Hanson on Thursday, April 5 (1:10 p.m. on SNY). Santana will be making his seventh Opening Day start of his career, fifth with the Mets.
"It means everything that we have done since I had my surgery, all the way to today, has been paid off," Santana said. "We worked hard. And I'm very happy. I'm very happy that I have an opportunity to start the season from Day 1 with the team. That's something that I really was looking forward to. I'm excited about it."
The announcement came less than 24 hours after Santana tossed an intensive bullpen session on Saturday. The performance allowed Collins to proclaim Sunday morning: "You've got your pitcher for Thursday."
Collins also solidified the five-man pitching rotation, which will feature: Santana, R.A. Dickey, John Niese, Mike Pelfrey and Dillon Gee, respectively.
For a closer look at the projected Mets Opening Day lineup, SB Nation New York's Ryan Jones as a rudown.
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue or return to this StoryStream for Spring Training updates. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
The New York Mets will kick off the 2012 season on April 5 at Citi Field against the Atlanta Braves. With less than a week remaining before GM Sandy Alderson and manager Terry Collins have to decide who will make the trip north, there are still plenty of questions up and down the Mets roster.
Injuries will make things interesting right down to the final hours, but here is a look at how the Opening Day roster should end up and a players that could sneak into the conversation.
Starting Pitching
Johan Santana
Mike Pelfrey
R.A. Dickey
Dillon Gee
Jon Niese
Little wiggle room here. The recently re-signed Chris Young could eventually push someone out or turn this into a six-man rotation in order to give Santana extra rest. Like most of the team, there is little depth in the organization other than top prospects the team doesn't want to rush. If there are any injuries here, things could get ugly quickly.
Bullpen
Frank Francisco
Jon Rauch
Ramon Ramirez
Bobby Parnell
Manny Acosta
Miguel Batista
Tim Byrdak
There might be a revolving door of players closing, but most of the spots here are locked in. Daniel Herrera is knocking on the door because of Byrdak coming back from knee surgery. Byrdak is throwing again and thinks he can make it back for Opening Day. If he cannot go, Herrera will get the call. DJ Carrasco (ankle) is another name to watch the fire week of the season, as is young lefty Josh Edgin though he'll have to likely continue to prove himself in the minors.
Catcher
The Mets would love for Thole to prove he is worthy of being a starter at this level, but have little recourse if he doesn't. Nickeas isn't going to push him and there's no one hot on the trail in the minors. This is Thole's job for better or worse this season.
Infield
David Wright
Ike Davis
Ruben Tejada
Daniel Murphy
Justin Turner
Ronny Cedeno
The starters are locked in until Murphy's inevitable injury while trying to turn a double play. Once that happens Turner will take over, but 24-year old Jordany Valdespin has to be an option (as well as in the outfield) if he hits well at Triple-A.
Outfield
Jason Bay
Lucas Duda
Andres Torres
Mike Baxter
Scott Hairston
Both Torres and Hairson are nursing injuries, leaving plenty of question marks. Even if Hairston doesn't have a setback, is he really who the Mets pitchers want patrolling center field? Torres will be a huge upgrade from the space cadet that was Angel Pagan but he needs to recover from a strained calf. Pitcher-turned-utility player Adam Loewen is ticketed for the minors, however that changes if Torres needs to start the season on the disabled list.
The New York Mets have been a brutal disaster this Spring with the worst record in all of baseball. The Amazins are 5-14 and coming off of a 12-0 drubbing at the hands of the Washington Nationals.
Right now, it's tough to tell whether fans just want the regular season to start or end. The good news is there's 162 games to play and the slate is wiped clean in less than two weeks. The bad news? New York doesn't appear all that ready.
Monday, March 26: New York at St. Louis 1:05 p.m. ET
The Cardinals and Carlos Beltran await the Mets who are looking to kick the week off right.
Tuesday, March 27: New York vs Atlanta 1:10 p.m. ET
An old rivalry is renewed with the Braves making their last trip to Port St. Lucie
Wednesday March 28: New York at Washington 1:10 p.m. ET
New York gets a chance at revenge after last week's blowout defeat.
Thursday March 29: New York vs Houston 6:10 p.m. ET
The Astros are pegged to be an atrocity in their final National League season with no real star to hang their hat on.
Friday March 30: New York at St. Louis 1:05 p.m. ET
The Mets will go to visit the Redbirds for the second time this week.
Saturday March 31: New York at Miami 1:05 p.m. ET
The Marlins are a serious contender according to many this year and with Ozzie Guillen at the helm, it won't be dull.
Sunday April 1: New York vs Detroit 1:10 p.m. ET
Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera will look to do some damage against the Mets.
For more on the Mets, be sure to check out Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news, notes and updates.
Is Mike Pelfrey pitching his way off the New York Mets’ roster? Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Saturday that the Mets “would like” to trade the 28-year-old right-hander, but seems to indicate that a deal would be unlikely.
Pelfrey went just 7-13 with a 4.74 ERA and has been brutal this spring, pitching to a 14.90 ERA and allowing 20 hits in 9.2 innings pitched. Pelfrey’s poor work and his $5.675 million contract make him difficult to trade right now. In addition, as Heyman points out, the Mets really have few options to replace Pelfrey with in the starting rotation at this point.
Pelfrey went 15-9 with a 3.66 ERA in 2010, and the Mets hoped he would step up in 2011 and help soften the blow of losing Johan Santana for the season. Pelfrey, however, has continued to struggle leading to speculation that he and the Mets could be headed for a divorce.
David Wright took batting practice outside with his teammates Thursday for the first time since being shut down with a strained abdominal, and an MLB scout told ESPN.com the New York Mets third baseman looked good.
"I thought Wright's swing was really good," the scout said. "Quick and compact. Drove ball. Made good sound. I would feel encouraged. That's the best sound I heard anybody make on either team."
Wright, who previously said he expects be ready for opening day, seems encouraged by his progress.
Said Wright: "I've been in the cage for a little bit of time now. Today was the next step in going on the field, because it's a little more energy. You exert a little more. I felt good and am headed in the right direction. I did a full day with the guys. I need to probably do that for a few more days. At least in my eyes, this was kind of like the first day for me of spring training of going through everything from stretch to the conditioning."
"I feel about as good as I'd feel, I guess, picking up a bat for the first time in a few weeks," Wright said. "Hopefully it gets better from here result-wise. But just being out there and being able to go through a full day and a full round of batting practice and not feeling anything, that's pretty good."
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue or return to this StoryStream for Spring Training updates. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana turned in his best performance of the Spring on Wednesday against St. Louis.
The Mets fell, 2-1, to the Cardinals, but Santana put in six solid innings. In the six innings of work, Santana threw 48 strikes out of 69 pitches and struck out six batters while allowing six hits and one run. Santana did not walk any batters.
So far this Spring, Santana is 0-1 in four starts with a 3.38 ERA. He has struckout eight batters in 13.1 innings while only walking four batters.
Santana said about facing a loaded Cardinals squad today
"It was a challenge out there," Santana said. "But I was able to battle through it, throwing all my pitches." (via NJ.com)
The bigger news is that Santana's shoulder, which cost him the entire 2011 season due to surgery, has held up.
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out the SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
The New York Mets (3-11) are in last place in the Grapefruit League and also have the worst record of either the Grapefruit or Cactus leagues in Spring Training (via MLB).
The Mets have not won any games in Spring Training that were not split squad games and have not won a game since March 9. New York is currently on a nine-game winless streak. The Mets have scored 52 runs, which ranks 28th while their pitchers' ERA is 4.58 (65 runs allowed), which ranks 18th. The Mets have been outscored 57-26 during the winless streak.
The Mets have Monday off but will be back in action on Tuesday when they host the Nationals (5-8).
The Mets finish 2012 Spring Training games on April 4 against the New York Yankees.
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out the SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
After straining an abdominal muscle on his left side, David Wright has been out of action for the New York Mets recently. The good news is Wright doesn't believe he'll miss Opening Day because of this latest issue.
According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the Mets third baseman should be on the mend after receiving an ultrasound-guided cortisone shot.
Wright knows that now is a time to heal his wounds, not test them.
"As much as I'd like to be out there and play, I also have to realize that it's the first couple weeks in Spring Training," Wright said. "For once in my career, you've got to be smart about something and maybe miss a few games here to make sure I'm ready for the season."
Wright is looking to bounce back from a 2011 season that saw him miss time with a stress fracture in his back. New York needs Wright to be 100 percent if it has any designs on competing in the brutally tough NL East.
For more on David Wright and the Mets, be sure to check out Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all your needs.
It seems like missing most of the 2011 season with an ankle injury and then suffering a case of what was reported to be Valley fever this spring has not affected the swing of New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis. Through eight 2012 Spring Training game Davis has four hits in 10 at-bats (.400), including a double and three RBI. A comeback season for Davis would be a huge boost to the Mets.
Here are some other notable Spring Training stats for the Mets, whoa re 3-5 thus far:
-- See Amazin' Avenue for complete Mets discussion and analysis
According to D.J. Short of HardBallTalk, New York Mets third baseman, David Wright, will not make his spring training debut for at least another week, as he nurses a rib cage injury.
... Mets manager Terry Collins said this afternoon that Wright won't play until next weekend at the earliest and is scheduled to see a doctor Monday. His doctor visit was previously scheduled, so there's no indication that he has suffered any sort of setback.
The 29 year old Wright is coming off his arguably his worst season as a pro, accumulating a WAR of just 1.9. Wright's average was a career-low .254, which might have something to do with his career-low BABIP. Wright's career BABIP is .340, but was just .300 last season, which indicates a season of bad luck. A return to the norm could result in a bounce back year from the third baseman.
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out the SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
New York Mets starter Johan Santana threw two encouraging innings during his spring training debut in a Grapefruit League against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday after missing the entire 2011 season.
Santana allowed just one hit and one walk on 29 pitches over two innings, in his first appearance this year after undergoing left shoulder surgery in 2010 to repair a torn anterior capsule. After walking his first batter on five pitches, Santana settled down, surrendering only a two-out single to Mark Hamilton in the second inning.
According to ESPN's Adam Rubin, Santana had one pitched clocked at 90 MPH but was normally closer to 87 or 88.
"Very good," said one scout in attendance, regarding Santana's performance. "He looked a bit amped up in the first inning, understandably so. He threw some excellent changeups in the second. I'd be very encouraged. Velocity was 87-90 mph."
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out the SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
It's finally arrived. The Mets will get their 2012 schedule started with a contest against a NL East foe, the Washington Nationals at Digital Domain Park.
New York will send Dillon Gee to the mound for openers. Gee is firmly entrenched in the middle of the regular season rotation, so this will be the start of him rounding into shape. He was a pleasant surprise last year, going 13-6 to lead the team in wins. Of course, his season started much better than it finished after getting off to such a hot start.
It's also a fresh start for third baseman David Wright, who had a miserable 2011 campaign filled with injury and disappointment. It's safe to assume moving the fences in at Citi Field won't hurt any, but it will be interesting to watch how he plays this month. That won't start tonight however, as Wright is still recovering from a rib cartilage issue.
Lets not forget about Ike Davis either, looking to prove he's the real deal after such a tough year.
In the other dugout Monday night is a promising young Nationals team. Washington finally has some pitching to boost, with Stephen Strasburg returning for what hopefully will be a full season along with the newly acquired Gio Gonzalez. The Nats have already played two games in Spring Training, dropping both to Houston.
It's a great time of year...baseball is back.
Time: 6:10 p.m. ET
TV: SNY and MLB Network
Here is the complete Mets Spring Training schedule:
Here is the 2012 Spring Training schedule for the Mets:
Mon, Mar 05, 2012 6:10 pm Nationals @ Mets
Tue, Mar 06, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Astros
Tue, Mar 06, 2012 1:10 pm Cardinals @ Mets
Wed, Mar 07, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Marlins
Thu, Mar 08, 2012 1:10 pm Marlins @ Mets
Fri, Mar 09, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Braves
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Nationals
Sun, Mar 11, 2012 1:10 pm Marlins @ Mets
Mon, Mar 12, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Tigers
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 1:10 pm Cardinals @ Mets
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Tigers
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Marlins
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 1:10 pm Tigers @ Mets
Sat, Mar 17, 2012 1:10 pm Braves @ Mets
Sun, Mar 18, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Astros
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 6:10 pm Nationals @ Mets
Wed, Mar 21, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Cardinals
Thu, Mar 22, 2012 1:10 pm Astros @ Mets
Fri, Mar 23, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Braves
Sat, Mar 24, 2012 1:10 pm Cardinals @ Mets
Sun, Mar 25, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Nationals
Mon, Mar 26, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Cardinals
Tue, Mar 27, 2012 1:10 pm Braves @ Mets
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 1:10 pm Nationals @ Mets
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 6:10 pm Astros @ Mets
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Cardinals
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Marlins
Sun, Apr 01, 2012 1:10 pm Tigers @ Mets
Mon, Apr 02, 2012 12:00 pm Mets @ Braves
Tue, Apr 03, 2012 2:10 pm Yankees @ Mets
Wed, Apr 04, 2012 12:05 pm Mets @ Yankees
For more on the Spring Training and the Mets, be sure to check out Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York.
The New York Mets say there has been "no change" in the diagnosis of first baseman Ike Davis, whom they are treating as if he has Valley Fever despite the fact that blood tests were negative.
The team says Davis is cleared to play, and Davis said he is simply trying to avoid extreme fatigue.
"I feel great. I don't have any symptoms of it. I'm not coughing. I'm not throwing up blood. I'm not doing anything. It's not even hard to breathe. And the doctors said I could play. Just don't get really, really fatigued. So that's what we're doing. If I get really tired, I just step to the side and take a break," Davis told reporters.
Meanwhile, third baseman David Wright will miss the team's first two exhibition games due to stiffness in his left ribcage. Scott Hairston is out with a strained oblique muscle.
-- See Amazin' Avenue for complete discussion and analysis of the Mets
According to Marty Noble of MLB.com, New York Mets first baseman, Ike Davis, has contracted an illness called 'Valley Fever', which is also called 'Desert Fever'.
Davis is not the picture of health. He has, in fact, contracted Valley or Desert Fever, a malady that can interfere with a season and even end a career.
His illness has set off no alarms in the Mets' camp. Truth be told, the diagnosis is not a topic of public discussion or much private dialouge. But there is an awareness, and, behind that, a concern.
There's been no official diagnosis, because blood tests that Davis took a week and a half ago have yet to return. Regardless, no one is quite sure on what 'Valley' or 'Desert' Fever is.
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog, Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's spring training, check out SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
The New York Mets will play their second intrasquad scrimmage of spring training Saturday afternoon, and it'll be the first chance in 2012 to see Daniel Murphy and Ruben Tejada pair up as a middle-infield duo.
According to ESPN New York's Adam Rubin, manager Terry Collins will pair Murphy and Tejada on the same side of tomorrow's split-squad scrimmage. They'll be joined by the Mets' other starting infielders, while the starting outfielders and catcher Josh Thole will play on the other side.
Tejada recalled that Murphy and he actually played together in the middle infield for about 20 games with Triple-A Buffalo in 2010. That came just before Murphy's season ended with a medial collateral ligament strain in his right knee, courtesy of a slide from Washington Nationals farmhand Leonard Davis.
Friday afternoon, the Mets held their first instrasquad scrimmage, primarily showcasing several prospects. Center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis smacked a two-run homer, while third baseman Zach Lutz set up the winning team with a double.
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog, Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's spring training, check out SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
Soon-to-be 33-year-old, Johan Santana, pitched to live batters for the first time in five months on Thursday and the results were good, said Santana.
"I was told I was going to be challenged by those guys and I had to step up," Santana said, smiling. "Overall, it was good."
Santana is scheduled to be the New York Mets' opening day starter and will start his first spring training game on Tuesday, against the St. Louis Cardinals. Santana is expected to throw 35 pitches.
2010 was the last time Santana pitched in the bigs, when he threw 199 innings for the Mets, winning 11 games and recording 144 strikeouts. During that season Santana's average fastball was clocked at 89.4 miles per hour – down two miles per hour from his 91.4 career average. He also caused batters to swing and miss at a much lower clip than he had in previous seasons.
-- For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out the SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
Still mired in the rehabilitation from his May shoulder surgery, Chris Young faces several questions regarding his future with the New York Mets.
The 32-year-old righty had the surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his right shoulder, and he has made just eight starts over the past two seasons. According to Newsday's Kevin Davidoff, the Mets are interested in bringing back Davis, who made $1.1 million in 2011. However, a major stumbling block is still present.
#Mets remain in touch with free agent RHP Chris Young, but he wants a major-league contract.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) February 29, 2012
Also, for a look at the Mets' 2011 first-round pick Brandon Nimmo, head over to ESPN New York. They have a short but insightful interview with the 18-year-old center fielder, as well as a longer feature on the 13th-overall pick in the draft. Nimmo's looking to spend 2012 with a full-season team, and low-A Savannah seems to be a likely destination.
"Wherever they put me is fine with me, but I'm really, really excited -- looking forward to a full season," said Nimmo, who is part of the Mets' elite-prospects camp, which began last weekend, before other minor leaguers report. "I think last year things were just going at 100 mph right after I signed. I was at one place for two weeks, another for three days, and then another for three weeks, and just never really could get settled in, you know?"
David Wright doesn't like to be called underdog, and he especially doesn't like when his team's COO acknowledges that the New York Mets are expected to be second-rate.
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon thought he was giving the Mets a motivational gift when he printed out shirts featuring the logo from the old cartoon "Underdog." But Wright took offense to the message behind the gift. (via WFAN)
New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon, whose recent financial troubles are public knowledge, told the New York Daily News he nonetheless expects to own the organization for "a very long time."
"[Fans] shouldn't be concerned about us owning the franchise, because we intend to own the franchise for a very long time. Whether they're happy about that right now, I don't know. Don't forget, we cut a lot of payroll that wasn't producing."
The Mets are looking to sell 10 shares of the club to raise $200 million in capital, a quest that Wilpon said is 70 percent complete after he received seven commitments. Most of that money will go toward paying back loans, including $25 million the Mets owe Major League Baseball.
The Wilpon family is still being sued for damages in a clawback lawsuit by the Trustee for victims of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, but the amount the Wilpons potentially might owe has decreased significantly. Once looking for $1 billion from the Wilpons, the trustee now can receive no more than $386 million from the trial, which is set for next month. It's also possible the suit will be resolved out of court and will never reach trial.
The Mets lost $70 million last season, but Wilpon says the team's decision to cut approximately $50 million in payroll this year was not entirely a financial decision.
"I was tired of throwing money at something and not getting success," he said. "We cut a lot of payroll that wasn't producing. If you look at the payroll now, it's fluid. Many of the people that were not producing are not here."
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out the SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
New York Mets ace Johan Santana threw 73 pitches in a bullpen session on Sunday and has yet to experience any setbacks in his quest to pitch in a Grapefruit League game on March 6.
For now, the team is holding off on releasing a timetable for Santana until he pitches in a live situation. (via New York Daily News)
"As I told Dan (Warthen), when he pitches next week in a game situation, now we'll find how much time he's going to need to do it again," Collins said.
"And when he does it again, we'll see how he reacts from the first time. That's where we're going to start to tell what we've got."
Doing Things The Wright Way?
David Wright is entering what could be the last year of his contract (the Mets hold a $16 million option to keep Wright through 2013), but says he and his agent have not begun discussions with the Mets to negotiate a new deal.
After hinting that the Mets would need to make the first move in opening up contract talks, Wright said it's possible that the team's unstable financial situation is keeping the two sides from speaking. (via ESPN New York)
"Probably, yeah," Wright said about the team's uncertain finances prompting the club to wait to engage him. "I don't know what's going on with the financial situation or the court cases or anything like that. I'm not sure how much that has to do with the players on the field. But I'm sure they'd like to get that cleared up. But, with that being said, we haven't even made a phone call. They haven't made a phone call. I'm not unhappy about that. I'm really happy with the situation I'm in and am just kind of looking forward to the year.
For more news and updates on the Mets, make sure to check out Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York.
The 2012 Mets season has barely begun, and things already are taking a (potential) turn for the worst.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Johan Santana hasn't suffered any setbacks, but he still feels that an Opening Day return is very up in the air.
"Going through everything I went through last year, one day you feel good, one day you don’t feel so good," Santana said. "It’s like a roller coaster. Right now, so far, I’m feeling really good and hopefully toward the end, mid-spring training, we’ll have a better idea where we’re at and see if we’ll be ready for Opening Day."
Santana obviously isn't ruling out anything, but is taking a very cautious approach. Who can blame him after he had to miss all of 2011? New York desperately needs him to return to his old form if it has any chance of making noise in the loaded NL East.
Manager Terry Collins talked as well on Tuesday and feels a bit more optimistic.
"In my mind right now, in my heart, he’ll be ready — I don’t think there’s any question,"
The New York Mets 2012 Spring Training official began Monday, as pitchers and catchers were expected to report to Port St. Lucie, FL, but manager Terry Collins addressed the media for the first time early Tuesday morning and, of course, the biggest topic was the recovery of Johan Santana, who's expected to throw later in the day.
"In my mind, he'll be ready (for Opening Day)," said Collins.
In Collins' estimation, hoping for 25-28 starts from Santana, which means a few skips and extra rest obviously. Not out of woods yet. #mets
— David Lennon (@DPLennon) February 21, 2012
Collins also talked Mets' Opening Day lineup, saying he expects new center fielder Andres Torres to be the leadoff hitter, while second baseman Daniel Murphy is expected to hit second.
However, the primary battles in Spring Training will be at catcher, between Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas, and for bench play. Thole is expected to be the Opening Day starter, unless Nickeas can begin to hit on a consistent basis.
The bullpen will feature: Frank Francisco as the closer, Jon Rauch, Ramon Ramirez, lefty Tim Byrdak and Manny Acosta with two slots available.
"The crux of the message is obvious -- that we're better than people think we are," the manager said. "... It's human nature to say, 'Wow, we've got a challenge on our hands."
"If David [Wright] thought I got red in the meeting last year, wait until he sees this one."
The Mets will play their first Spring Training game on Monday, March 5 against the Washington Nationals. For a complete schedule, click here.
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue. If you'd like more on baseball's Spring Training, check out the SB Nation's Baseball Nation.
The New York Mets are beginning to get their 2012 Spring Training underway in Florida. While pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 20, position players aren't scheduled to report until Feb. 26. The Mets will be playing in the Grapefruit League.
Here is the 2012 Spring Training schedule for the Mets:
Mon, Mar 05, 2012 6:10 pm Nationals @ Mets
Tue, Mar 06, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Astros
Tue, Mar 06, 2012 1:10 pm Cardinals @ Mets
Wed, Mar 07, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Marlins
Thu, Mar 08, 2012 1:10 pm Marlins @ Mets
Fri, Mar 09, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Braves
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Nationals
Sun, Mar 11, 2012 1:10 pm Marlins @ Mets
Mon, Mar 12, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Tigers
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 1:10 pm Cardinals @ Mets
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Tigers
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Marlins
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 1:10 pm Tigers @ Mets
Sat, Mar 17, 2012 1:10 pm Braves @ Mets
Sun, Mar 18, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Astros
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 6:10 pm Nationals @ Mets
Wed, Mar 21, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Cardinals
Thu, Mar 22, 2012 1:10 pm Astros @ Mets
Fri, Mar 23, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Braves
Sat, Mar 24, 2012 1:10 pm Cardinals @ Mets
Sun, Mar 25, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Nationals
Mon, Mar 26, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Cardinals
Tue, Mar 27, 2012 1:10 pm Braves @ Mets
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 1:10 pm Nationals @ Mets
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 6:10 pm Astros @ Mets
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Cardinals
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 1:05 pm Mets @ Marlins
Sun, Apr 01, 2012 1:10 pm Tigers @ Mets
Mon, Apr 02, 2012 12:00 pm Mets @ Braves
Tue, Apr 03, 2012 2:10 pm Yankees @ Mets
Wed, Apr 04, 2012 12:05 pm Mets @ Yankees
For more coverage of the Mets, visit our blog Amazin' Avenue.
Spring Training does not officially open for the New York Mets for a few days. The Mets, though, got some good news on Friday when ace left-handed pitcher Johan Santana was able to throw off a mound.
Santana missed all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, and his return to health is critical if the Mets are to field a team that is anything other than a laughingstock in 2012.
“I feel really good,” he said. “This is something we always do. The approach that we had from the beginning was to do everything like I always do to get ready for the season and that’s, for me, about the time to get on the mound and start throwing. “I was able to throw my pitches and it felt good after that.”
Santana threw 25 pitches during the workout.
“Tomorrow definitely is an important day,” Santana said. “We’ll see how I recover from it.”
Imagine — the Mets and good news. Who knew that was possible?
The New York Mets will begin their 2012 Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The first pitchers and catchers workout in Port St. Lucie, Fla. will be Wednesday, Feb. 22. Mets position players report Feb. 26, with the first full-squad workout set for Feb. 27.
The Mets finished the 2011 season 77-85, 25 games out of first place in the National League East. The offseason does not appear to give much optimism. The team lost star shortstop Jose Reyes to free agency, and onwership's financial distress made it virtually impossible for the Mets to aggressivly try to replenish the roster.
Still, general manager Sandy Alderson is hopeful that the team will improve in 2012.
"I think we'll have a far more interesting team to watch than many people have felt.
"I look at it from this point of view. I don't think anybody on our team, with the exception maybe of Jose Reyes, who's no longer with us, had a career year," Alderson said. "I don't think there's even one guy on our team, even the big-money guys that doesn't have something to prove. . . . I think these guys will play hard, and we can call it ‘overachieve,' but I think the team is better than people are giving it credit for."
Mets fans can only hope Alderson is right.
New York Mets, Jon Niese Agree To 5-Year Deal
The New York Mets and left-handed pitched Jon Niese agreed to a five-year deal worth $25.5 million Niese could earn as much as $46 million based on two team-controlled options in the contract.
Niese, 25, has 64 starts and 370 innings of major league work since getting his first taste of the bigs in 2008. He has a 22-23 career record and 4.39 ERA in that time. He was 11-11 in 27 appearances last year, 26 starts, with a 4.40 ERA, 138 strike outs and 44 walks in 157 innings of work.
The contract, according to the ESPN report, mirrors the one the Texas Rangers gave left Derrick Holland, who got a five-year, $28.8 million deal. Both players have similar career tracks in their four seasons of major league work.
For more on the Mets, be sure to check out Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all your news and updates.
Apr 04 9:15p by Ryan Van Bibber