Mets Sign 50 Year Old, Julio Franco

He's back! The Mets have signed the ageless Julio Franco once again. However, this time, Franco won't be battling it out to become the 25th man on the roster. Instead, he will be calling the shots for the rookie-league Gulf Coast Mets. We want to wish good luck to Julio, as he was one of the true good guys of the game during his 23 year career, which started in 1982 and ended in 2007.

Casey on the Mound

The most talked about battle this spring in the Mets camp has been for the #5 spot in the pitching rotation. The three most likely candidates are former All-Stars Freddy Garcia and Livan Hernandez as well as Tim Redding. Unfortunately for the three pitchers none of them are doing anything to cement their place on the big league club. Redding has the best shot at cracking the Mets roster only because he signed a guaranteed contract this off season. His spring has been plagued by injuries holding him to only 2 innings pitched thus far and he looks headed for the long man role out of the bullpen. Garcia and Hernandez who both signed minor league deals are showing why . Garcia has only thrown 5 innings and posted a 14.40 ERA with 7 hits, 5 walks and 4 strikeouts. Hernandez has been a bit better posting a 3.72 ERA in 9.2 innings with 9 hits, 5 walks and 4 strikeouts. Not exactly encouraging numbers from either pitcher especially walking more batters than their striking out.

So who takes the last spot in the rotation? I say the Mets should give lefty Casey Fossum the first crack at it. This spring Fossum has looked good, throwing 7.2 innings with a 3.52 ERA. His other numbers have been good, allowing only 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6. The downside to Fossum is that he hasn’t started a game since 2007 and enters camp with a career 5.47 ERA. My question is can Fossum really do any worse than Garcia, Hernandez, or Redding. I really don’t think so. Outside of resigning Pedro Martinez or bring up youngster Jon Niese I think Fossum is the best option at the moment for the #5 spot in the Mets rotation.

-Robb Lennahan

NY Ink

I came across this article by Kat O'Brien in Buster Olney's blog on ESPN.com. It talks about the numerous tattoos gracing the bodies of some of the Yankee pitchers.

I thought this was interesting. Obviously tattoos are becoming more mainstream with the growing popularity of TV shows such as Miami Ink and LA Ink. I also challenge you to turn on a NBA game and find a player without a tattoo. Sports team logos are becoming more and more common as well. ( I too have joined this category) Below are just a few pieces i've come across on the web that go beyond the simple logo and push the boundaries of baseball inspired tattoo art. Enjoy!

Santana So-So in Spring Debut

Johan Santana made his much anticipted spring debut Thursday against the Florida Marlins. He was touched up for 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings work, including a home run given up to Met nemesis Dan Uggla. The important thing for Mets fans was that his sore elbow held up just fine. Santana is now on track to make the opening day start against Cincinnati on April 6.

Now the Mets can focus once again on the battle for the final spot in the rotation. Right now it seems as if Livan Hernandez is the front runner for the job. Not because he has pitched particularly well this spring, but becasue Freddy Garcia and Tim Redding have been getting lit up all spring. If I am the Mets, why not give that Pedro guy another go? I know he has burned them in the past, but at this point if you sign him to an incentive-laden deal, what is the harm?

-Favad Ali

Mets Release Duaner Sanchez

Omar Minaya announced today, that the Mets have released 29 year old reliever, Duaner Sanchez, citing diminished velocity and an inability to command his once devastating breaking ball. Sanchez returned last year after a lengthy layoff which included two shoulder surgeries. He was below league average last year out of the pen posting an ERA+ of 97. That, combined with his poor performance this spring led to the Mets decision to let him go.

Santana's Elbow, Cause for Concern

Mets fans, it is time to start worrying. Johan Santana, the most irreplaceable player on the Mets roster is likely to miss his opening day start. In fact, his elbow issues may keep him from making first start until the second series of the season. The Mets’ ace has been battling a tender elbow this spring training and has yet to make a spring training start.

My only question in all of this, if there is such a concern about Santana’s elbow, why has he continued to throw bullpen sessions? He was scheduled to fly back to New York for an MRI, which was cancelled because in part, because the Mets didn’t want Santana to fly back in the midst of a snow storm, and Santana claimed he felt “OK”.

If you are the Mets why are you taking any chances with this guy? He is your franchise player. He’s the player that you shelled out $137 million for. To risk anything with Santana is flat out ridiculous. If he goes on the shelf for any extended period of time because of this how silly will that make the Mets look? They would look flat out amateur.

If I’m Omar Minaya, I am shutting down Santana until he has passed his MRI and is showing no further signs of pain, tightness, irritation, inflammation, or any other ailment that he may have in that elbow of his. How can you not shut him down? Considering, that if Santana does end up going down for any extended time period, so will the Mets chances in 2009.

-Favad Ali

Pudge to Land in Queens?

The Associated Press reported Sunday night that catcher Ivan Rodriguez may sign with the Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, or New York Mets. Pudge is a 14 time All-Star, 13 time Gold Glove winner, and won the AL MVP in 1999. He played for Detroit in 2008 before being traded to the Yankees the final two months of the season.

My instant reaction when seeing Pudge list the Mets as a possible employer for the ‘09 season was, why not? The Mets have been floating Ramon Castro’s name around in trade talks, so Pudge Rodriguez would seem to be a perfect fit as a backup catcher. The biggest hurdle aside from parting with Castro would be getting Rodriguez to agree to a limited role of maybe 50-60 games behind the plate. 

There’s no question Pudge is right about at the end of his career but he is still a major presence behind the plate. He is still a strong defensive catcher who threw out 31% of base runners last season, the 6th highest percentage in baseball. Offensively he is very similar to Castro, though has much less power but should hit for a better average. 

Pudge also has the intangibles GM’s love, the veteran experience along with 153 postseason at bats. Castro has yet to reach the postseason. Aside from Pudge’s monetary demands I don’t see a reason why the Mets shouldn’t pursue him. He seems like the perfect fit for this veteran team that needs to win now. If I’m Omar Minaya I unload Castro and bring Pudge into camp ASAP.

Robb Lennahan

Mets add Another Candidate for Fifth Spot

Reported on Saturday, the Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran pitcher Livan Hernandez. If added to the 40 man roster Hernandez will earn a salary of 1 million dollars, with the opportunity to make an additional 1 million in performance bonuses.

Can someone please explain this to me? While Hernandez was once a very capable starter, a three time 15 game winner and always someone you could count on for 200+ innings a season, his last 3 season have been progressively worse. Since 2003 his ERA has increased every year going from 3.20 to 6.05 last season. Also his strikeout rate has declined steadily since the 2004 season going from 186 strikeouts to just 67 last year. This signing makes absolutely no sense. I don’t want to hear that bringing in Hernandez gives the Mets extra depth or the veteran presence. I don’t want to hear he’s been throwing good in the offseason and he could revert to his old self. 

I’ll buy those justifications for the Mets recent signing of Freddy Garcia but not Livan Hernandez. Garcia’s been fighting to overcome various injuries, Hernandez has been on the field. He’s just been fighting to overcome all the hits he’s given up. This is a pitcher who’s given up more hits than innings pitched in 4 straight seasons with a declining strikeout rate. Simply put this should have been a huge sign to Omar Minaya to stay away. It’s really not even a money issue either. I wouldn’t touch Hernandez for the league minimum if I were the Mets. This is not a rebuilding team looking to put in a stopgap while they groom their youth. This is the big budget New York Mets, who need to win now especially after ‘07 and ‘08. The Mets have a ton of possibilities for the #5 spot /long man out of the pen. They include former Expo Tony Armas Jr. Brandon Knight, Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell, and Brian Stokes. 

Everyone of them will cost the Mets less money and most likely less runs allowed. This isn’t even counting Tim Redding who they signed for 2.25 million dollars or Freddy Garcia who should push all of these players back to the minors or to mop up work in the pen.

I understand Hernandez signing the deal because I don’t imagine he got any other offers. As for the Mets explanation to this, Minaya stated “Livan can give you innings, he can pitch in different roles.” Maybe I just don’t get it?

-Robb Lennahan

Alomar being sued by Ex-Girlfriend, alleges AIDS

From the story in today's New York Post Kati Cornell wrote:

Former Met star Roberto Alomar had unprotected sex with his ex-girlfriend while he had full blown AIDS, a sensational lawsuit charges. In the $15 million action filed in Brooklyn Federal court, Ilya Dall, of Queens, said the ballplayer tested positive for HIV in 2006 and a doctor later told him he had AIDS.

Dall said she tested negative for the disease - but is claiming punitive damages for emotional distress. She also claims her children were exposed to the virus.

Alomar, 41, a 12-time All Star, who retired from baseball in 2005, began dating Dall in 2002, and began having unprotected sex with her a short time later, according to the suit.

Her suit does not claim that he knew he had AIDS when they were having unprotected sex - but he had reason to think he might because his doctors kept advising him to be tested. He procrastinated and told her he was disease free, the suit says. In 2004, she said, she noticed he had cold sores. The following year he was diagnosed with a blood disorder that's linked to AIDS, the suit says.

Also in 2005, Alomar told Dall that when he once was raped by two Mexican men after playing a Ballgame in New Mexico, according to the suit.

Other symptoms began to develop, she says, including erectile dysfunction , a chronic cough, and fatigue.

A doctor insisted that the longtime second baseman take an HIV test, but Alomar continually refused, the suit charges.

In January 2006, the suit alleges, he finally got tested and it was positive. Nine days later, doctors discovered a mass in his chest, and a spinal tap revealed that he had full blown AIDS.

Alomar's two seasons with the Mets were considered disappointing , but he is considered a possible Hall of Fame candidate and may be elected when he becomes eligible next year.

But he will forever be remembered for an ugly incident in 1996 when, as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, he spat in the face of umpire John Hirschback during an argument over a called third strike.

He was suspended for five games. At the time there were allegation that the ump used a slur against Alomar, but that was never proven. Alomar's father, Sandy, is the Mets bench coach. His brother, Sandy Jr., is a Met instructor.

[My take: And we thought A-Rod had it bad. This is just plain bizarre. ]

Will 2009 be Amazin' for the Mets?

Mets fans should be thrilled that the team has addressed their ineffective and at times just plain awful bullpen from a year ago. But aside from the aquisitions of K-Rod and J.J. Putz, the Mets haven’t done enough to solidify their place in the NL East. After all, they do have to contend with the defending champion Phillies and the Braves, who have made major upgrades this offseason.

Omar and the Mets organization seem to have figured that their only problem last year was their dreadful bullpen and that two stellar relief pitchers will get the Mets over the hump. There have been other moves, but I don’t see how the signings of Alex Cora, Freddy Garcia, Casey Fossum, and Tim Redding has anyone in the National League having nightmares about facing the Mets this year.

The offense is essentially the same team as a year ago. Although, they scored the second most runs in the NL, you can't bet on Carlos Delgado to match last year's production. Furthermore, the bottom half of the lineup will be a concern considering Luis Castillo only had 15 more RBI’s then the pitching staff of the Mets last season. This year you can put the house on the pitching staff to drive in more runs than Castillo.

As for the starting rotation, the top four starters are the same in Santana, Pelfrey, Maine, and Perez. Tim Redding, Jonathon Niese, and Freddy Garcia will battle it out for the fifth and final spot. Not a bad group at all, however, Mets fans should have have their fingers crossed every time someone other than #57 takes the mound.

The Mets do have some young talent looking to make a splash this year. We may be seeing a lot more of Jonathon Neise who should find a role in the bullpen and as a spot starter. Fan favorite, Daniel Murphy should find himself in the starting lineup at one position or another. He had a solid debut in 2008 and will be looking to build on that. Also, fans should get their first peek at Fernando Martinez around September.

Burning Questions:

Will this be the year David Wright contends for the MVP award?

Will Carlos Delgado and Fernando Tatis find the fountain of youth once again?

Will K-Rod and J.J. restore the bullpen?

Can Mike Pelfrey solidify himself has a number 2 starter?

Will we see another choke job in September?

-Eabad Ali