Mets Correspondent Report-4/5

Latest Team Info:

Steve Phillips went trigger-happy this week, making 3 wavier claims and putting together two trades. First on March 27, Phillips picked up outfielder Chris Latham, and infielder Andy Tracy off waivers. Latham, previously with the Blue Jays, joined the Mets in training camp. Tracy, a former Expo, was sent down to AAA Norfolk. Then on April 3rd, McKay Christensen was claimed off waivers from the LA Dodgers. Christensen batted .327 with 1 homer and 7 RBI in 48 at-bats with the Dodgers last season. To make room for Christensen to join the team, Phillips dealt Gary Mathews Jr. to Baltimore for left handed pitching prospect John Bale. Mathews only hit .167 this spring. As for Bale, he split last season in the minors and with the Orioles. In the majors, he pitched 26.2 innings last season, and went 1-0 with a 3.04 ERA. Phillips didn't stop here, on April 6th, he sent pitchers Bruce Chen, Dicky Gonzalez and minor leaguer Luis Figuerora and a player to be named to Montreal in return for reliever Scott Strickland, and prospects Matt Watson and Luis Seibel. Strickland looked impressive last season, in 77 games he posted a 3.21 ERA.

Recent Games

April 5- Mets 9, Braves 3 at Turner Field. After some early inning jitters, Pedro Astacio pitched a pretty descent ball game. In 6 and 2/3 innings he allowed 3 runs, and 7 hits. He struck out 7 as well. Also, the Mets offense finally produced. Getting homers from Burnitz, and Piazza, and 13 hits overall. Including Edgardo Alfonzo's 3 hits in 5 AB. Albie Lopez took the loss for Atlanta.

April 3, Pirates 3, Mets 2 at Shea Stadium. Shawn Estes did not pitch badly in his first game, but he received no run support from the Mets supposedly stacked lineup. The only offense came from solo homers(Burnitz, and McEwing). Jimmy Anderson gets the win for Pittsburgh.

Upcoming Games

2 more big games at Atlanta.

Local Perspective

Many Mets fans have called up local sports talk radio station, WFAN, to express their concerns about the Mets starting rotation. Some of their questions may have been answered:

Is Leiter getting old, can he still perform well?

Leiter was good on opening day, 6 innings, and no earned runs. However, he did make an error. Bottom line: He should be fine this season.

Which Steve Traschel will we see, the one who was 1-6 with a 6 ERA in the first half of last season or the 9-3, 3 ERA in the second half?

In his first start Traschel didn't pitch bad, but he did not get any run support from the juiced Met offense. In order for him to have a successful year, the offense has to produce.

Are Estes and Astacio reliable starters?

Estes, like Traschel, needs to get run support, he didn't do too bad. His line: 7 IP, 3 ER, 7 hits.

After a rough first inning, Astacio pitched some great ball against the Braves. He managed to get in and out of jams. He should be a nice No. 4 starter this season.

Also, Mo Vaughn's defensive abilities have been questioned. Mo showed fans that he could play some D, he made some nice diving stops and snags.

Rumor Mill:

After this week, I wouldn't expect Steve Phillips to do too much, but you never know.

Hot Streak:

Edgardo Alfonzo has torn the cover of the ball this week! He is batting .500 this season, collecting 9 hits in 18 at-bats. A good bounce back from last season! Also, Burnitz has been on a roll lately, hitting a homer in each of his last two games. Overall, he is batting .308.

Injuries:

John Franco was put on the DL earlier this week. He is recovering from elbow surgery.

Quick View

Add: Pedro Astacio - He's not pitching at Coors Field anymore, rather at Shea-a pitchers ballpark.

Bruce Chen - Now that Chen has a chance to prove himself in Montreal as a starter

Drop: No one for now.