Mets Scalp Tribe

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

This afternoon: Mets 6, seriously, I just used a racist word when I really meant "Guardians" 3

Boxscore shows Cliff went BamPow, Glavine 3 IP, 1 ER, Keppinger 2 hits and a run, Diaz 2 hits and a RBI.

Anderson Hernandez failed to get a hit in 4 PAs and presumably fell behind Keppinger in the 2B battle, if Newsday has its way.

Lima Time = 2 2/3, 4 hits, 2 runs, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

Fortunato, Venafro & Owens -- 3.1 IP scoreless to close it out.

[metirish]

]Lima Time = 2 2/3, 4 hits, 2 runs, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

bad Lima time, Glavine seems on track, good for Kep,it's easy to forget him with talk about Kaz and Hernandez and others.

[Guest Hillbilly]

Owens gets save. Pitches ninth 1 H 1 K 0 BB.

[Guest Rotblatt]

It looks like Hernandez got hit by a pitch thrown by E. Mujica, whoever the hell that is, so at least he got on base . . .

I see that 27 year old Chris Basak, who was a part of Norfolk's middle infielder logjam last year (along with Herandez, Lambin, Keppinger, Gil & I think I'm forgetting someone) got to play an inning at third base. He went hitless, but I think this is his first AB in 2006. He put up a .272 AVG/.344 OBP/.448 SLG with 17 SB & 3 CS last year, playing SS & 2B.

I kind of like the fact that we have to play our AAA/AAAA scrubs during spring training now that the WBC is going on. I hope one of them just goes on fire and impresses Willie (or maybe Petey) enough that we let someone run with the 2B job.

Milledge with another hit--1-1 today. Tike Redman with a walk & a sac fly.

How well would Milledge have to hit to earn his way into the RF job or is it flat out impossible?

[Guest heep]

I have a dumb question:

Hypothetically, if Matsui were to get cut form the team and not make the roster, do we still have to pay him? My inclination says yes, and I am just looking for ways to get him out.

Kepp's track record demonstrates he can handle the bat. Both he and Hernandez would make a nice platoon. We will have to wait until 2007.

Also, anyone else impressed by Pelfrey on Sunday? Pretty tough to make your 1st pro appearance against team Puerto Rico. Shows the confidence they have in him. If he dominates, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him in September, alla Chad Cordero.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

heep wrote: I have a dumb question: Hypothetically, if Matsui were to get cut form the team and not make the roster, do we still have to pay him? My inclination says yes, and I am just looking for ways to get him out.

Yes. If you could get out of paying a guy by cutting him, we'd see it happening all the time.

[Guest Rotblatt]

If we cut Matsui, we'd still have to pay him. Actually, I think he would go through waivers, and if anyone wanted him, someone could take him and pay his salary. Not very likely. Once he cleared waivers, anyone could sign him for the major league minimum, I think, but we'd still have to pay him his full salary.

I liked Pelfry's fastball, which he located pretty well (tough calls on his walk), but his changeup (or whatever he was throwing at 69 mph) had no movement on it and I think he only threw his curve once or twice. I get why scouts like him--his fastball had some hop to it--but it looks like he could use some time in the minors . . .

Still, you're totally right--he had great composure and I really enjoyed his K of Pudge. Exciting stuff.