Edgy MD

We paid more for our outfield! We win!

ESPN block'd at work.

Gonna be DL'd the first time through the rotation, it looks like.

A trip to the park and a warm reception would be cool. Maybe too cool to hope for.

We've hoid.

First opener without Oscar.

A formidable squad.

Oh, sure, just talking philosophically. I don't mean to pose it as a real option the Mets had.

�The big thing for me is it feels like the Mets are stuck in some kind of purgatory,� an official from another NL team said recently, on the condition of anonymity. �They didn�t blow up their club like Houston did, but they also aren�t a serious threat in the NL East behind Washington, Atlanta, and even Philadelphia. Filed before the Santana injury was known to be a KO, but Baseball Prospectus called the division suchly. Washington: 86-76 / -- Atlanta: 83-79 / 3 GB New York: 82-80 / 4 GB Philadelphia: 81-81 / 5 GB Miami: 69-93 / 17 GB I guess that BP's predictions work from a mean of many outcomes and so they usually include divisions bunched tighter than they will end up after the one outcome that is a real-life season. But it suggests that, while the Mets are in purgatory, they are neither stuck there nor doomed to an uninteresting season. (Unless Duda stinks it up some more. Then all bets are off.)

It's funny that the failure of this deal had virtually nothing to do with the talent the Mets gave up. Deolis Guerra, Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, and Kevin Mulvey had 10.5 WAR among them (mostly Go-Go's). It had everything to do with the subsequent deal he signed, and the injuries sustained. Dumping a lot of minor league talent for a major league star is usually predicated on signing the guy to an extension. The Mets might have done better just trading for Johan, letting him walk after 2008, and collecting the two picks. It worked with Hampton. Heck, maybe with a contract to win, 2008 Johan finds a little more inside of himself and the Mets make the playoffs in 2008 and close Shea in style.

Joel Sherman has his own theory of the moment Johan achieved his own personal pear shape.

Rob Johnson made it to the last day of camp before getting sent down with the Cards.

Dude can't win. He survives a camp where Wright, Turner, and Murphy all get hurt, while he hits .308 / .378 / .415 // .793, and they all heal on the eve of battle.

Hitting 1. Get a hit Wright 2. Score a run Cowgill 3. Steal a base Wright 4. Get caught stealing/picked off Cowgill 5. Hit a double Moiphy 6. Hit a triple Tejada 7. Hit a home run Duda 8. hit into a double play Boid 9. drive in a run Duda 10. draw a walk Moiphy 11. get hit by a pitch Davis 12. sacrifice bunt Marcum 13. pinch hit Lutz 14. Get pinch hit for Niese 15. Reach on an error Tejada Pitching/fielding 16. Record a strikeout Niese 17. Surrender a walk Niese 18. Hit a batter with a pitch Lyon 19. surrender a home run Gee 20. Get credit for a win Niese 21. Get a save Parnell 22. Make a relief appearance Lyon 23. Commit an error Wright 24. Record a putout Davis 25. Turn a DP (name every player involved) Wright-Moiphy-Davis 26. Field the first batted ball in fair territory Wright 27. Record an assist Wright 28. Surrender a run Niese 29. Get a "Blown save" Lyon 30. Get credit for a "hold" Lyon * Bonus/tiebreaker 31. Taste the deliciousness of the first Schaefer of the year Niese

Diamondbacks would have made more sense seven days a week, and as far as I recall, had already agreed to switch leagues but reneged. Of course, switching the Brewers back from whence they came also makes sense, especially since they were really switched as a symbolic move, so Bud Selig could demonstrate that league switching was no big thing.

[youtube:fbufzf9o]gaK2chA79jI[/youtube:fbufzf9o]

Mets rounding into gear by getting pummelled by the Oreos, 7-1. Dillon Gee is not triggering waves of great faith. The greater damage, though, was done against Hefner, also not a faith-triggerer. Rotation help, I cry for you.

I still wonder if potential suspensions for A-Rod and Cano loom.

themetfairy wrote: Short of stature, long of hair - This is your son doing a ceremonial first pitch, right?

I'd be shocked if Valdespin sees even an inning at SS. They'll stick Dabid there first. Wasn't too long ago that speculation had Tejada not even making the cut. I think Valdy is our backup shortstop and (take a note, Dianne) WILL see some time there.

OK, this should be closer. Relief Pitchers InfieldersRemoved From Projected RosterAdded To Projected RosterProjected To Open Season On Disabled ListRemoved From Projected Roster =#0000FF]73 =#FF8000]Robert Carson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#0000FF]56 =#FF8000]Scott Rice DoB: 9/21/1981 =#0000FF]28 Daniel Murphy DoB: 4/1/1985 =#0000FF]2 Justin Turner DoB: 11/23/1984 =#0000FF]3 =#0000FF]Omar Quintanilla DoB: 10/24/1981InfieldersOutfielders Transferred From OutfieldAdded To Projected Roster =#0000FF]1 =#FF8000]Jordany Valdespin DoB: 12/23/1987 =#0000FF]9 =#FF8000]Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB: 8/7/1987 ************* Your Projected Opening Day 2013 Mets (Orange Indicates Players Have Options) Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers =#0000FF]35 =#FF8000]Dillon Gee DoB: 4/28/1986 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]33 =#FF8000]Matt Harvey DoB: 3/27/1989 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]53 =#FF8000]Jeremy Hefner DoB: 3/11/1981 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]49 Jonathon Niese DoB: 10/27/1986 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]50 =#0000FF]Scott Atchison DoB: 3/29/1976 =#80BF40]Not on 40-ManRelief Pitchers =#0000FF]46 =#0000FF]Greg Burke DoB: 9/21/1982 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]66 =#FF8000]Josh Edgin DoB: 12/17/1986 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]27 =#FF8000]Jeurys Familia DoB: 10/10/1989 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000ff]30 =#0000FF]LaTroy Hawkins DoB: 12/21/1972 =#80BF40]Not on 40-Man =#0000FF]34 =#0000FF]Brandon Lyon DoB: 8/10/1979 =#d2b48c]blankRelief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]39 Bobby Parnell DoB: 9/8/1984 =#0000FF]56 =#FF8000]Scott Rice DoB: 9/21/1981 =#0000FF]44 =#0000FF]John Buck DoB: 7/7/1980 =#0000FF]20 =#0000FF]Anthony Recker DoB: 2/13/1983 =#0000FF]29 =#FF8000]Ike Davis DoB: 3/22/1987Infielders =#0000FF]65 =#FF8000]Zach Lutz DoB: 6/3/1986 =#0000FF]28 Daniel Murphy DoB: 4/1/1985 =#0000FF]11 Ruben Tejada DoB: 10/27/1989 =#0000FF]1 =#FF8000]Jordany Valdespin DoB: 12/23/1987 =#0000FF]5 David Wright DoB: 12/20/1982Outfielders =#0000FF]23 =#FF8000]Mike Baxter DoB: 12/7/1984 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]6 =#0000FF]Marlon Byrd DoB: 8/30/1977 =#80BF40]Not on 40-Man =#0000FF]4 =#FF8000]Collin Cowgil DoB: 5/22/1986 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]21 =#FF8000]Lucas Duda DoB: 2/3/1986 =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]9 =#FF8000]Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB: 8/7/1987 =#d2b48c]blank Also on 40-Man Roster Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]71 =#FF8000]Gonzalez Germen DoB: 9/23/1987 =#808000]Binghamton =#0000FF]60 =#FF8000]Darin Gorski DoB: 10/6/1987 =#808000]Binghamton =#0000FF]36 =#FF8000]Collin McHugh DoB: 6/19/1987 =#BF00FF]Las Vegas =#0000FF]67 =#FF8000]Hansel Robles DoB: 8/13/1990 =#408000]Savannah =#0000FF]65 =#FF8000]Zack Wheeler DoB: 5/30/1990 =#BF00FF]Las VegasRelief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]73 =#FF8000]Robert Carson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#BF00FF]Las Vegas =#0000FF]15 =#FF8000]Travis d'Arnaud DoB: 2/10/1989 =#BF00FF]Las Vegas =#0000FF]71 =#FF8000]Wilmer Flores DoB: 8/6/1991 =#BF00FF]Las Vegas =#0000FF]64 =#FF8000]Reese Havens DoB: 10/20/1986 =#808000]Binghamton =#0000FF]12 =#0000FF]Brandon Hicks DoB: 9/14/1985 =#BF00FF]Las VegasInfieldersOutfielders =#0000FF]70 =#FF8000]Wilfredo Tovar DoB: 8/11/1991 =#808000]Binghamton =#0000FF]63 =#FF8000]Juan Lagares DoB: 3/17/1989 =#808000]Binghamton =#0000FF]67 =#FF8000]Cesar Puello DoB: 4/1/1991 =#FF0000]St. Lucie Also in Camp Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]22 =#0000FF]Landon Powell DoB: 3/19/1982 =#0000FF]3 =#0000FF]Omar Quintanilla DoB: 10/24/1981 Projected to Open Season on Disabled List Starting PitchersRelief PitchersInfielders =#0000FF]32 =#FF8000]Jenrry Mejia DoB: 10/11/1989 =#0000FF]57 Johan Santana DoB: 3/13/1979 =#0000FF]40 =#0000FF]Tim Byrdak DoB: 10/31/1973 =#0000FF]48 Frank Francisco DoB: 9/11/1979 =#0000FF]2 Justin Turner DoB: 11/23/1984Outfielders =#0000FF]68 =#FF8000]Matt den Dekker DoB: 8/10/1987 Coaching Staff ManagerBench CoachBatting CoachPitching CoachThird Base CoachFirst Base Coach =#0000FF]10 Terry Collins DoB: 5/27/1949 =#0000FF]7 Bob Geren DoB: 9/22/1959 =#0000FF]51 Dave Hudgens DoB: 12/5/1956 =#0000FF]59 Dan Warthan DoB: 12/1/1952 =#0000FF]18 Tim Teufel DoB: 7/7/1958 =#0000FF]26 Tom Goodwin DoB: 8/27/1968 Bullpen Coach Bullpen CatcherBatting Practice Pitcher Head Trainer Assistant Trainer Mascot =#0000FF]52 Ricky Bones DoB: 4/7/1969 =#0000FF]79 Dave Racaniello DoB: 10/15/1981 =#0000FF]78 Eric Langill DoB: 4/9/1979 =#0000FF]Ray=#d2b48c]XX =#0000FF]Ramirez =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]Brian=#d2b48c]XX =#0000FF]Chicklo =#d2b48c]blank =#0000FF]Mr. Met=#d2b48c]XX =#d2b48c]blank =#d2b48c]blank

Edgy MD wrote: Really? You have a source? That's two backup infielders down. Who do reports have replacing them? Hicks 'n'... who? I get half of that: Nieuwie makes the team and Valdy becomes and infielder again, but Crane Pool Central already had Lutz skating onto the roster. Who'm I missing on offense? Oh, right, I guess we're expecting Murph to make it after all. Brace for an update.

I got this strange notion that the next manager isn't Teufel or Backman, but their Metly contemporary Ron Gardenhire. He seems to be a lifetimer in Minnesota, but things are weird there right now.

The subject of my dreamy avatar, recovering from Tommy John surgery and eyeing a May return, was released from minor league camp today along with Brad Holt, Craig Hansen, Mike Wilson, Corey Patterson, Pedro Zapata and Brandon Brown. Feel free to offer memories of them, but Daniel Ray was the only one who played for the big club, having come over in the K-Rod trade. He goes out in some haughty company, joining three first-round (including supplemental) picks: Holt (#33, 2008, Mets), Craig Hansen (#26, 2005, Red Sox, out of Glen Cove HS and St. John's U.), and Patterson (#3, 1998, Cubs). Wilson had been a 2001 second-rounder. Dreamy Daniel Ray, listed at 5'6 and 165, was a 45th rounder who made it further than most of them. (All of them if you only count the Mets, and you really only should.) I'm going to need a new avatar.

Really? You have a source? That's two backup infielders down. Who do reports have replacing them? Hicks 'n'... who?