Edgy MD

Sure, and Brian F. Bixler too. But he asked about the guys with major league contracts.

Tovar played the second half of the season in AA last year, virtually all at shortstop.

Reese Havens, Wilfredo Tovar, and the starter Ruben Tejada, of course.

Gwreck wrote: There's nothing unfair or inaccurate in Megdal's report, and MLB's steady price increases for post-season and All-Star Game events is very much a newsworthy story. Displeasure with Megdal's writing is well-documented. Perhaps it should be limited to situations that warrant it. It certainly warrants it. He refuses to put aside bitter, grievous, jaundiced, irrelevant editorializing for a basic report.

I would think that backup shortstop spot is Brandon Hicks' to lose.

Turner has inculturation on his side. Terry likes him and he swings a mean cream pie. Even if Turner doesn't make it, their two backup infield spots are still likely to go to two guys who play up the middle. Lutz'll be 27 this year. He's hit everywhere he's played, when he's played. He's a perfectly valid insurance policy for Wright and Davis, but as it stands, that's not getting him out of Buffalo unless and until one of them gets hurt (while he, at the same time is healthy, which is part of the trick). He's lined up to spend a third straight year in AAA, despite having nothing to prove there. He's ripening on the vine. If they are going to get anything out of their investment in him, the time is now. He's still, if you believe Amazin' Avenue, their 31st-best prospect. I imagine he can be a useful threat against lefties. Grab an outfield glove, Zach. Fake it 'til you make it.

The tickets aren't the Mets' fault. The awful Mets are the Mets' fault. Don't hate them for the All Star Game. Hate them for existing. Howard Megdal, ladies and gentlemen.

It seems this guy would have a pretty good chance of making this team if he picked up an outfielder's glove and tried to make himself passable in left. With the modern roster demanding 12 pitchers, the offense is typically comprised of two catchers, six infielders and five outfielders. What was once a pretty standard thing on a roster --- the backup corner infielder --- is now relatively rare. And with the Mets fielding a starting secondbaseman (Murphy) who is not an option as a shortstop, and their primary reserve infielder (Turner) who is a pretty lousy option there also, carrying a BCI doesn't even enter the picture. That spot has to go to a capable shortstop. So, with no-room to carry him as just a 1B/3B, and with the outfield situation so up in the air, I'm demanding that Zach Lutz get to St. Lucie early and start shagging flies. Man can hit a little. Play a third position and we can talk.

Supposedly, nobody's ever played in as many games as Delmon while compiling as many GiDPs as walks. I'd laugh, but I laughed at Juan Pierre. And I frankly wasn't particularly gracious with regards to Laynce Nix. The way I look at it is, young players should have some not-so-young players to fight with for playing time. Else, they may end up fighting themselves.

This is very wrong, but in the sense of viewing it like a scene in a Hal Roach one-reeler, I can't not laugh. The ump's sap-take is priceless.

Howard Megdal, ladies and gents. Joylessly promoting joy.

To be fair, Jos� y Roberto haven't exactly been setting the charts on fire either.

Today in 1996, we were in the same boat, until today, January 22, when the St. Louis Cardinals sent outfielder Bernard Gilkey to the Mets in exchange for pitchers Eric Ludwick, Erik Hiljus and Yudith Orozio.

Well, a farce of a family, if that's what you mean. Things went downhill with Mr. and Mrs. Innis ever since he left her pretty fingers lying in the wedding cake. They filed for a joint separation a few years back, with Jeff stating that his wife only loved him when she held him right in her hand, and he'd taken all he could take. Wife Allison, for her part, could only state that the world was killing her. Sad stuff, but the filing apparently came to naught and they continue on living their loveless charade. Hopefully, things are better for... Jorge Fabregas?

Corporal den Dekker, Sir! Reporting for duty, Sir!

Cruzes are like that --- always letting on that they're somebody else. Here's Heity (sp.?) Cruz trying his damnedest to add a few years to his career by pretending he's Juan Berenguer.

"Happy birthday, Cooby-Coo!"

dinosaur jesus wrote: The guy on the left looks too short and not redneck enough to be Lamarr Hoyt. And I don't think Hoyt had a beard yet. That's why I'm going for second from the left with Hoyt. I had half a notion that the guy on the right was LaRussa, but TLR was wearing his hair shaggy back then.

#11 � RHP Michael Fulmer What I Thought: I liked Fulmer�s size, build and raw stuff (an average or better fastball, and the ability to spin a breaking ball) in a brief viewing in the Gulf Coast League in 2011. Reality: The Mets challenged Fulmer with an opening day assignment to Savannah and he responded very well, improving over the course of the year against older competition. Pitching Coach Frank Viola raved about Fulmer�s aptitude, work ethic and maturity from day one. His fastball at 93-95 mph, ate up SAL hitters. He and Viola prioritized working on his slider over the curveball. As the year went on, scouts� grades on the pitch inched upward. He started throwing his changeup more, although it tended towards too firm. He made some mechanical adjustments, tucking his front hip, to give him better tempo and timing in his delivery. Stock: UP. Plus, from Amazin' Avenue: 4. RHP Michael Fulmer � Drafted by the Mets in the first round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft. The 19-year old from Oklahoma was nothing short of spectacular in his first full pro season, posting the fourth-lowest ERA as well as the third-lowest opponent average among qualified starters in the SAL. Oh, and did I mention he was among the five youngest players in the circuit for most of the season? Utilizing a special fastball that works in the low-to-mid 90s � and even touched 97-98 MPH at times � Fulmer overpowered hitters who were on average two years his senior. What's more, the further development of a sharp, mid-80s slider gave him a second potential plus-pitch and an excellent put-away option. The dynamic mix of stuff, youth, and success makes the 6'3", 200 lbs righty one of the biggest stories in the system in 2012 and one of it's best prospects going forward. Sometimes, bad-ass Texan righthanders come from Oklahoma.

fabsolutely!

Bill Almon is eligible as a 1981er. I think cheesy mustache second from the left is LaMarr Hoyt.

Bill Almon, far right?

It's like, for the first time in a while, the Mets will have a first lady. Even more than that, I feel a royal wedding vibey thing. Don't you? I have to pick out a hat!

G-Fafif wrote: What about that Ralph Kiner fella? Not bad. Why not?

The Flushing Boomerang always comes back. Relief PitchersBulpen CoachSigned To Minor League Contract And Invited To Spring Training Newly Guessed Number =#FF8000]25 =#0000FF]Pedro Feliciano DoB: 8/25/1976 =#FF8000]52 =#0000FF]Ricky Bones DoB: 4/7/1969 Your Projected Opening Day 2013 Mets (Orange Indicates Players Have Options) Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]35 =#FF8000]Dillon Gee DoB: 4/28/1986 =#0000FF]33 =#FF8000]Matt Harvey DoB: 3/27/1989 =#0000FF]36 =#FF8000]Collin McHugh DoB: 6/19/1987 =#0000FF]49 Jonathon Niese DoB: 10/27/1986 =#0000FF]57 Johan Santana DoB: 3/13/1979Relief Pitchers =#FF8000]40 =#0000FF]Greg Burke DoB: 9/21/1982 =#0000FF]73 =#FF8000]Robert Carson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#0000FF]66 =#FF8000]Josh Edgin DoB: 12/17/1986 =#0000FF]48 Frank Francisco DoB: 9/11/1979 =#0000FF]32 =#FF8000]Jenrry Mejia DoB: 10/11/1989Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]39 Bobby Parnell DoB: 9/8/1984 =#0000FF]62 Elvin Ramirez DoB: 10/10/1987 =#FF8000]34 =#0000FF]John Buck DoB: 7/7/1980 =#FF8000]20 =#0000FF]Anthony Recker DoB: 2/13/1983 =#0000FF]29 =#FF8000]Ike Davis DoB: 3/22/1987Infielders =#FF8000]18 =#0000FF]Brandon Hicks DoB: 9/14/1985 =#0000FF]28 Daniel Murphy DoB: 4/1/1985 =#0000FF]11 Ruben Tejada DoB: 10/27/1989 =#0000FF]2 Justin Turner DoB: 11/23/1984 =#0000FF]5 David Wright DoB: 12/20/1982Outfielders =#0000FF]23 =#FF8000]Mike Baxter DoB: 12/7/1984 =#FF8000]12 =#FF8000]Collin Cowgil DoB: 5/22/1986 =#0000FF]21 =#FF8000]Lucas Duda DoB: 2/3/1986 =#0000FF]9 =#FF8000]Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB: 8/7/1987 =#0000FF]1 =#FF8000]Jordany Valdespin DoB: 12/23/1987 Also on 40-Man Roster Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]27 =#FF8000]Jeurys Familia DoB: 10/10/1989 =#FF8000]76 =#FF8000]Gonzalez Germen DoB: 9/23/1987 =#FF8000]20 =#FF8000]Darin Gorski DoB: 10/6/1987 =#0000FF]53 =#FF8000]Jeremy Hefner DoB: 3/11/1981 =#FF8000]72 =#FF8000]Hansel Robles DoB: 8/13/1990Starting Pitchers Catcher Infielders =#FF8000]45 =#FF8000]Zack Wheeler DoB: 5/30/1990 =#FF8000]16 =#FF8000]Travis d'Arnaud DoB: 2/10/1989 =#0000FF]71 =#FF8000]Wilmer Flores DoB: 8/6/1991 =#0000FF]74 =#FF8000]Reese Havens DoB: 10/20/1986 =#0000FF]65 =#FF8000]Zach Lutz DoB: 6/3/1986InfieldersOutfielders =#FF8000]79 =#FF8000]Wilfredo Tovar DoB: 8/11/1991 =#0000FF]76 =#FF8000]Juan Lagares DoB: 3/17/1989 =#0000FF]67 =#FF8000]Cesar Puello DoB: 4/1/1991 Also in Camp Starting PitchersRelief Pitchers =#FF8000]32 =#0000FF]Aaron Laffey DoB: 4/15/1985 =#FF8000]44 =#FF8000]Cory Mazzoni DoB: 10/19/1989 =#FF8000]61 =#FF8000]Rafael Montero DoB: 10/17/1990 =#0000FF]40 Tim Byrdak DoB: 10/37/1978 =#FF8000]25 =#0000FF]Pedro Feliciano DoB: 8/25/1976Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#FF8000]67 =#FF8000]Scott Rice DoB: 9/21/1981 =#FF8000]59 =#0000FF]Carlos Torres DoB: 10/22/1982 =#FF8000]63 =#FF8000]Juan Centeno DoB: 11/16/1989 =#FF8000]38 =#0000FF]Landon Powell DoB: 3/19/1982 =#FF8000]10 =#0000FF]Brian Bixler DoB: 10/22/1982Infielders Outfielders =#FF8000]6 =#0000FF]Omar Quintanilla DoB: 10/24/1981 =#FF8000]3 =#FF8000]Josh Rodriguez DoB: 12/18/1984 =#FF8000]3 =#FF8000]Josh Satin DoB: 12/23/1984 =#FF8000]13 =#FF8000]Andrew Brown DoB: 9/10/1984 =#FF8000]22 =#FF8000]Matt den Dekker DoB: 8/10/1987Outfielders =#FF8000]55 =#FF8000]Jamie Hoffman DoB:8/20/1984 Free Agents Starting PitchersRelief PitchersCatchers =#0000FF]55 Chris Young DoB: 5/25/1979 =#0000FF]45 =#FF8000]Justin Hampson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#0000FF]52 Ram�n Ram�rez DoB:8/31/1981 =#0000FF]60 John Rauch DoB:9/27/1978 =#0000FF]6 Kelly Shoppach DoB: 4/29/1984InfieldersOutfielders =#0000FF]13 Ronny Cede�o DoB: 2/2/1983 =#0000FF]12 Scott Hairston DoB: 5/25/1980 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 =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Ray Ramirez =#BF8080]. =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Brian Chicklo =#BF8080]. =#BF8080].=#0000FF] Mr. Met =#BF8080].