The Hook: New York Mets Preview

Posts: 4543 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 2:01 am

The Hook: New York Mets Preview

Projected Lineup bluelineswinger Normal bluelineswinger 4 178 2007-02-12T05:47:00Z 2007-02-15T02:57:00Z 1 1417 8083 N/A 67 18 9482 10.6825 Normal Clean...

Posts: 6660 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 8:25 am

LET'S GO METS!

LET'S GO METS!

LET"S GO METS!

Posts: 8483 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 11:07 am

I have to disagree with you on one front.

I don't think the Mets are ready to hand the 5th starter's spot to Pelfrey, that they'd rather get one more year in AAA out of him. I think that Chan Ho Park is the frontrunner, and Aaron Sele and Jason Vargas have legitimate shots to get it too. Humber will also compete for the spot. The only pitcher who I don't think has a shot is Jorge Sosa, who should pitch in long relief. I think that Williams probably would have been able to hold down the spot, but he hurt his back.

Also, though Perez struggled a lot last season, he pitched really well in the postseason, especially in Game 7. I think Peterson should help him, and that you're right, a flier on him late should work.

Posts: 6747 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 12:33 pm

Looks good Jim!

I agree with you in most areas.

Posts: 2449 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 12:40 pm

I think Humber is gonna have a hella good career, just give him a year or two.

Posts: 6747 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 1:36 pm

Boston Redsox wrote:

I think Humber is gonna have a hella good career, just give him a year or two.

I agree. As of now, Humber is much more complete than Pelfrey. And he reported to Spring Training saying this is the best he has felt throwing a baseball ever.

I could see Humber winning the #5 slot. Pelfrey needs more work and I think Park is destined for the bullpen to fill in for the injured Dave Williams.

Posts: 8483 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 1:39 pm

Newsday had an article handicapping the field:

Maine 2-1
Perez 5-1
Park 7-1
Humber 12-1
Pelfrey 12-1
Jorge Sosa 15-1
Aaron Sele 20-1
Jason Vargas 30-1
Alay Soler 50-1
Aaron Heilman 100-1

I think Maine is locked in to the #3, and Perez has a firm hold on #4. I also think Park is the definite frontrunner for #5.

Posts: 6747 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 1:46 pm

NYsportsMAN wrote:

Newsday had an article handicapping the field:

Maine 2-1
Perez 5-1
Park 7-1
Humber 12-1
Pelfrey 12-1
Jorge Sosa 15-1
Aaron Sele 20-1
Jason Vargas 30-1
Alay Soler 50-1
Aaron Heilman 100-1

I think Maine is locked in to the #3, and Perez has a firm hold on #4. I also think Park is the definite frontrunner for #5.

How I see it:

Glavine
Hernandez
Maine
Perez
Humber

Park
Sanchez
Heilman
Burgos
Feliciano
Schoeneweis
Wagner

Posts: 8483 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 1:47 pm

I see it:

Glavine
Duque
Maine
Perez
Park

Sosa
Sanchez
Heilman
Schoenweis
Burgos
Feliciano/Mota
Wagner

I hope they carry only 12 pitchers.

Posts: 6747 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 1:49 pm

Mota is suspended for a while.

I could see Sosa beating out Feliciano, but I think Feliciano has the upper hand right now.

Posts: 8483 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 1:57 pm

I think Feliciano will start the year, but when Mota returns from suspension he'll either take Feliciano's spot or whoever is doing the worst.

I like Sosa as the LR guy because he fits the mold of a guy who could also be a spot starter a little more than Park, who hasn't pitched significantly out of the 'pen in 11 years. Sosa has more velocity and better stuff, which is better if you're just going for one inning, but he can go more than 1. Aside from Heilman, he's really the only 2+ inning guy in that pen, and Heilman's the 7/8th inning guy. Sosa needs to be in that pen. And if not him, that Jason Vargas, but they don't need another lefty.

Posts: 2449 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 2:02 pm

Sosa still has alot of talent, im just not convinced he knows how to use it.

Posts: 6747 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 2:03 pm

When Dave Williams returns, likely in June, he'll be the LR guy. He earned it last season.

BTW Devon, PM!

Posts: 8483 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 2:18 pm

Got it, thanks.

I think you're right on the Dave Williams front. I was hoping he'd win the 5th starter's job. He's slated to come back in June, right? I think if multiple pitchers have struggled in the 5 slot he might slide right in there, too.

Posts: 2984 · Posted: Feb 19, 2007 10:31 pm

Mets' Beltran wants to steal more bases
February 19, 2007

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Carlos Beltran wants to be on the run a lot more this season for the New York Mets.

Two years removed from stealing 42 bases, the All-Star outfielder intends to be more of a base-stealing threat after swiping just 18 a year ago.

"I know that if I'm healthy and I have no pain in my knees and all of that, I'll be able to do that," Beltran said Monday after he reported to Tradition Field to take some light batting practice.

Mets manager Willie Randolph said Beltran could have more stolen bases than even shortstop Jose Reyes by the end of the season. Reyes had 64 last year and has led the National League in each of the last two seasons.

"He could steal 40-to-50 bases easy, and I say easy if he's feeling healthy," Randolph said of Beltran.

Injuries limited Beltran's baserunning last season, although the slugger hit a career-high 41 home runs after a disappointing 16 in his debut with Mets in 2005.

"I hope to keep doing it," Beltran said. "It's a great feeling when you hit home runs, but I'm not going to the plate thinking this year that I should hit over 40 home runs. That's something that is not in my mind. I prefer to hit over .300 than hit 40 home runs."