Who might we see at Shea? Minor League Report
February 02, 2003
Number 5 starter
Pat Strange, the Mets AAA starting pitcher that was going to compete in Spring Training for the number 5 slot in the rotation, has undergone surgery on his elbow to remove bone chips. He will be out around six weeks, and thus will have little to no chance to be the Mets fifth starter. He was probably not going to win the job anyways, but now he might not see time in the Major Leagues for an extended time.
Aaron Heilman, the Mets 2001 first round pick who split time last year at AA Binghamton and AAA Norfolk, has a good chance of being the fifth starter out of spring training. Even if he doesn't get the job coming up from Florida, he will be the Mets' fifth starter by June.
Shortstop- Local Spin
Although there has been speculation that Jose Reyes, the Mets' wunderkind prospect who won USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year in 2002, will most likely not be starting the season at Shea. Reyes needs to work on plate discipline and driving the offspeed pitch, and could use some time at AAA Norfolk, a level he hasn't even played at yet. The Mets' signing of Rey Sanchez, who would probably provide the same level of play Reyes would this year, gives the Mets time to continue to develop Reyes.
Local Spin
Mo Vaughn looked more in shape than he did all of last season when he was interviewed on a stop of the Mets' Caravan at Gallagher's steak house in NYC, as he lost 20 pounds. He is promising a big year, and if the second half of last year was any indication, Vaughn should return to at least his Anaheim numbers of around .270, 35, 110.
Add- Aaron Heilman, Mo Vaughn
Drop- Pat Strange from your draft list
Hold- Mike Piazza
Trade- Too early to tell
