Spring training has just started and we've already got two items of not good (I hesitate to say bad) news.
I was thinking that Redding might make a decent 5th starter but even so it's nice to have options. And it seems that for the moment Jerry Manuel has one less option. With Pelfrey I'm worried about his mindset. At least he hasn't gotten big money yet so his losses couldn't have been that bad.
I'm liking what I'm seeing!
Not to jinx anything, and i know the games don't count and the players don't always try their hardest, but the mets first 2 outings were very impressive. we beat the orioles 9-2 and then beat the marlins 9-0, letting up onyl 3 hits. what's more, all our ? players came through beautifully. delgado got hits and delighted jerry manuel by hustling his ass off on the basepaths. reyes, being experimented in the 3 hole, has hit a grand slam and a solo home run in just 3 at bats, with 6 rbi's in one game! catillo has gotten multiple hits in each game from the leadoff spot, beltran homered, church has been hitting to all fields and excellent even against lefties (which he's struggled against) and our pitching has been great too. All in all, I think manuel has done an excelent job of managing this team, turning it's heads in the right direction, and getting the team mentally and physically prepared for the season. it is still about as early as it can be, but on first impression this mets squad looks capable of anything.
Castillo, Pagan and Castro.
What do people thionk about how Castillo has started spring training. He started the first few games on fire but seems to have died off quite quickly in the leadoff role.
Angel Pagan again like last season is looking a very good player and im hearing a few reports that the mets are starting Murphy in Left field at the start of the season so they can use him as bait to get Matt Holliday before the deadline, if this is true i think pagan could be an excellent bench player this year.
Ramon Castro does anyone think there is any truth to the rumors that the Mets are shopping Castro so they can get Pudge?
Matt
Pudge is a free-agent
well pudge is a free agent i think, so we wouldn't need to shop castro to get him, we could just sign him. personally i think pudge is too old and castro has enough power to succeed as an everyday starter. If he can keep healthy i like him more than anyone else on our team or the FA market, so i hope the mets give him a shot.
I have always loved Angel Pagan, he is a young and fast and great in the field and is getting hot at the plate too. He is a younger Endy Chavez who can hit. As a bench player he is perfect and i also wouldn't mind giving him the occassional start behind murphy or Church when they need a day off. I trust Pagan more than Tatis, actually.
I hadn't heard anything about a Matt Holliday trade, but i would be ecstatic were that to happen. Holliday is as good a hitter as there is in the MLB in my opinion. He is just now entering his prime, and there is no way the small-market Athletics will be able to cough up the coin for him after this season. As a thrifty organization who is built around raising young players until pay-day and then trading them for more young talent, that is exactly the type of deal they would like to make and we are exactly the type of team who could pay Holliday! That would also explain Minaya/Wilpon's uncharacteristic nonchalance about the availibility of Manny, as Holliday is even better than Manny and younger to boot. Imgaine a top lineup featuring Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Holliday, Delgado, Church, and Castro! That is some thunder! adding holliday would be like adding another David Wright as far as I'm concerned, and it could make this team an absolute dream roster.
Castillo's Start
It's too early to tell what's up with Castillo but generally I'm not too hopeful. I just think he may start off this season with a good attitude then slip back into old habits and injuries.
I had dreams of Angel Pagan turning into something that I don't think he can really become over a full season but I welcome the effort. I would like to give Dan Murphy a chance before even thinking about a trade for anyone.
I'm not opposed to looking at Pudge. But I think that the Mets know something, which probably is that he's not the same player. Catchers break down pretty quick after turning 30 (see Mike Piazza) and I also think that in the past Pudge benefited from pharmaceutical help. He was on the Rangers during that time you know.
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