Live chat with David Lennon at 3pm

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Get your questions in now

Live at PSL

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Hilary Duffy Dyer has submitted one about Reyes hitting 3rd....and without shame asked Lennon for a birthday wish....

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Hilary Duffy Dyer [/quote:hddsl5sb]

Nice.

Stupid Snoozeday website doesn't allow me to do webchatz either? Boooo!

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I'll post the Q&A here....second question in..\

Hilary Duffy Dyer: ]
Hi David , we have heard talk before about reyes hitting 3rd , I'll believe it when I see it.....will it happen? Wednesday February 24, 2010 3:03 Hilary Duffy Dyer


3:05 Hey Hilary ... Hmmm. Reyes hitting third was more of an experiment last season - and one that got cut short because of the WBC. This year, the Mets have put a lot more thought into it and without Beltran, I believe it will help. I do see Reyes hitting third to start the season

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Jake: ]
On a realistic level, how do you think Perez and Maine will bounce back, could you give us a win total? How many HR's for Wright?

OK, Jake we'll start with some predictions. I actually feel good about Perez and Maine, but Perez more so. I'm thinking Perez has a decent shot at matching his career-best with 15, but I see Maine more like 10. HRs for Wright? I'd say the over under on that is 22, and I'll pick 25

Edited February 24, 2010 by Guest

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Ask him if he knows how many fans can't participate because of the stupid Dolan roadblock thing

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ken: ]
why do you suppose the media and mets fans think so little of Pelfrey, Maine, and Perez. Two of them won 15 games just 2 years ago. They are young and all 3 have great arms. It's not like these are old guys who have Tom Glavine stuff. I also believe the Mets bullpen will be a big strength

I agree with you Ken to some degree. Those three are no aging pitchers with declining physical skills. It's all about the mental aspect, which is why I believe both Perez and Pelfrey can and will improve this season. As for Maine, I have to see him manage his pitch count better to stay in games and he really has one pitch - a decent moving fastball. Have to say I'm not sold on the pen. A lot of questions out there, chief among them the set-up guy for K-Rod. I have my doubts about Escobar. This shoulder seems like it's going to be a chronic problem.


I asked JCL

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Chino: ]
Mid Season Trade Scenario, Red Sox wont give up what the Pads are asking for Gonzo, DO you think the Mets will appear as a dark horse and offer Ike Davis,Niese ,Pagan, Thole including another player,would the Pads bite? At the end of the day its business and the Pads do not have money Wednesday February 24, 2010 3:07 Chino


3:09 I really see the Sox as the main players for Gonzalez - especially with the Hoyer connection. And if Boston wants a player bad enough, they have a very deep farm system to do it. If Gonzalez is traded, I'd be stunned if it wasn't to the Red Sox.

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Cleon: ]
Hi David. Any darkhorses or suprises we might see break camp?


Here's a dark horse: How about Jenrry Mejia in a late-inning relief role? Could happen. Does Jacons count as a dark horse? I could see them opting for his power off the bench, even if he doesn't really have a position. Otherwise, not many surprises out there. Not that I can see at the moment anyway.

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Mike: ]
I'm a little concerned about Jerry saying Matthews could be a leadoff hitter. Pagan is a natural fit there.

I agree Mike. I think Jerry was trying not to discourage Matthews right off the bat. But I think Angel Pagan is going to be this team's starting CF - and leadoff hitter - until Beltran returns.

Q

Bruno: ]
Do the mets have a good rookie with a shot to play this year? How about Thole?

I can see Thole getting some time eventually, maybe because of an injury or September call-up. But I think the Mets are set at their top two catching slots with Barajas and Blanco. Thole will be the starting catcher at Triple-A Buffalo,but Omir Santos could be the first option if Mets need help at the majors. I think Ike Davis might log a few games at the major-league level too at some point. And I already mentioned Mejia having a shot at the bullpen.


Mike Cumrie has a question in

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knightreader: ]
in today's paper jason bay says that he was on his high school curling team just to get some exercise and drink beer after practice. i know he is from canada, but what is the legal drinking age up there? perhaps it's as low as 18 years old, but not all seniors are 18 in high school. was he misquoted, is he promoting underage drinking after practices or do i not understand what is going on here...

Hey Knightreader - I don't think he was promoting underage drinking. He was recalling a story from his high school days and I guess it involved curling and beer. I'm not sure what the drinking age is/was during his high school days in British Columbia or what year he was in, but Bay does not strike me as the big party type. Maybe he was 18 and maybe it was perfectly legal. Or maybe there was no drinking age. I can't answer that question.


Lennon is slower than Traschel

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Chino: ]
Jenry Mejia: if a strong spring arises, would he come out the bullpen as said? I really like Ike Davis, he had a strong minor league season, a strong winter league, if he has a great spring training, what are the odds murphy being sent down and Ike starting?

Neither scenario is impossible. Stranger things have happened - and the Mets really do love Mejia and Davis. But both are longshots.

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Chachi: ]
Will Luis Castillo be here all year?


3:23 I'd have to say yes. Unless the Mets fall out of the race, Castillo is having a great year and the team agrees to pick up a large chunk of his salary to trade him.

3:23 [Comment From ken ken: ]
Have the Mets done anything about there trainers and the conditioning programs to keep the players off the DL, stretching etc

They have eased off a bit on some drills and they did not have the same agility tests as they did for physicals last year. The Mets are making a conscious effort to cut back on the workload and emphasize stretching and flexibility. Let's see if it works.

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Cleon: ]
Why didn't the Mets go after Chan Ho Park?

They already had him in spring training two years ago - before he became good again. Guess they weren't impressed last time

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Lennon is oblivious to my piss taking

[Comment From Mike Cumrie Mike Cumrie: ]
Right now who do you think are the catchers that break camp?


3:26 I'd be very surprised if it wasn't Barajas and Blanco. Blanco is 38 yrs old, so his injury risk is high. That's the only thing that would stop either one from being on the OD roster.

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Jon: ]
How has Daniel Murphy looked so far? Can Mets fans expect a better year out of him? Wednesday February 24, 2010 3:27 Jon


3:27 Hey Jon - to be honest he hasn't done a heck of a lot. The first official workout is not until tomorrow and the position have done little more than some casual infield/outfield drills and batting practice. The major league guys haven't even faced live pitching yet. Wednesday February 24, 2010 3:27

3:28 [Comment From Jim from East Islip Jim from East Islip: ]
What is the chances of Frank Catalanto making the team? Would be nice for a Long Island guy.

Hey Jim - it would be nice for a little LI flavor, right? Tough call on making the club tho. The bench right now looks like Blanco, Cora, Tatis, Matthews and one more. I'd say Jacobs has a good shot, but the Mets coudl use a utility guy like Catalanotto. Let's see how he does this spring and who stays healthy.

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bill metsiac: ]
Why do you think the Mets are using Mejia as a reliever, and do you think that's better for him than giving him starts at AA or AAA?

The logic is this - if Mejia is good enough to help the major league club win games right now, then he should be on the 25-man roster. If not, then send him down. It's really that simple. The bottom line is winning games at the major league level, especially this season.

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Cleon: ]
Any indications as yet as to what type of outfielder Bay is? Just seems weird that he would be below average.

I haven't seen him shag fly balls in a Met uniform yet. In the limited time I saw him in Boston, he seemed OK to me. I just think a lot of the negative stuff about Bay came out of Boston when they decided not to sign him.


David W.: ]
Any chance they will lower ALL the outfield walls?

Not this season. I believe any changes must be approved by the Commissioner's Office and done before the year begins. I think that small CF portion is all we will see this season. After that, it's anyone's guess, but I doubt the other walls will come down at any point

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Jon: ]
Do you think Jon Niese wins the 5th spot in the rotation?

Hmm. Tough question. My gut tells me no. I really think that Takahashi has a shot with Nieve in the pen and Niese beginning the year at Buffalo.


bill metsiac: ]
No one seems to remember Toby Stoner, who looked impressive late last season. What's your take on him?

It's difficult to gauge anyone based on the mess of last season and I haven't seen enough of him this spring yet. Not a guy that comes up a lot in discussion about the major-league roster, however.


Big Tony: ]
the lines at the Shake Shack were ridiculous last year, any help on the way to fix that?

Lol. It figures a guy named Big Tony would ask about the Shake Shack lines. I'm afraid you're still going to have to wait for a burger. Either that, or try El Verano Taqueria. I'm a big fan of that place, too.

[Vic Sage]

is that OUR old compatriot, Bill metsiac? Whatever happened to Bill?

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A twofer here


Hilary Duffy Dyer: ]
With expectations low going into the season I think the Mets can surprise people, what do you think?


People describe it as a surprise, but the Mets - when healthy - do have good players on this team. I would not be surprised at all to see them contend for a playoff spot. I think they have the talent to do it. Happy birthday, BTW.


Mike Cumrie: ]
If the Mets get of to a slow start are Jerry and or Omar gone, lets say after 50 games the Mets are under .500, then what?

Jerry would be the first to go. Regardless of what happens, however, I think Omar will make it until the end of the season before he is fired. A dismal start could sink Jerry by the end of May and I think that Bob Melvin would take over.

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[Comment From Jon Jon: ]
Could Igarashi be the 8th inning guy?


3:42 If Igarashi performs as he is expected to, he should wind up as the 8th inning guy. He looked impressive today. Very heavy fastball, throws hard, very good splitter, too

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Cleon: ]
Is the lineup a concern with Righties Bay/Wright/Francoeur in a row?


3:43 The Mets see the lineup as Bay, Wright, Murphy, Francoeur to split up the RHs.

Cleon: ]
David, can you really believe the Mets will go into 2010 with the same starting rotation as last year? Isn't that really unfathomable?


Close, but not the same. You're forgetting my Takahashi pick. But I know what you mean - same top four. Many predicted them to win the division last year with the same rotation and everyone got hurt. So the potential is there. If they don't perform this year, then it will be time to shake things up.


And that's it....

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Yeoman's work, birthday feller.

knightreader: ] in today's paper jason bay says that he was on his high school curling team just to get some exercise and drink beer after practice. i know he is from canada, but what is the legal drinking age up there? perhaps it's as low as 18 years old, but not all seniors are 18 in high school. was he misquoted, is he promoting underage drinking after practices or do i not understand what is going on here...

This guy would make a fantastic NY tabloid sports columnist.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Wait, how'd he know it was yer birfday?

[Frayed Knot]

is that OUR old compatriot, Bill metsiac? Whatever happened to Bill?[/quote:5b1gv7hi]

I shudder to think that there's more than one.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Saying you would drink beer in high school isn't "promoting underage drinking" no more than saying that you're divorced is "promoting divorce." Stating a fact about your life isn't necessarily an endorsement of the circumstances behind that fact.

I drank when I was underage. In fact, the last time I was intoxicated was before it was legal. I'm not proud that I got drunk as a teenager, nor am I ashamed of it.

Long story short, "knightreader" is an idiot.

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Wait, how'd he know it was yer birfday?[/quote:2jc8c3pi]


second post in the thread

Hilary Duffy Dyer has submitted one about Reyes hitting 3rd....and without shame asked Lennon for a birthday wish....

[ashie62]

Irish's webcast reminds me of The Odd Couple where Oscar & Felix are recreating a baseball game for radio with props

[Vic Sage]

In fact, the last time I was intoxicated was before it was legal

when... 1929?