3
2011
The Writing Is On The Wall For Tejada, Evans, Duda and Perez
An article by Hojo's Mojo
Terry Collins was a guest of Mike Francesa this afternoon on WFAN and had some interesting things to say. Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog recapped most of the interview, but here are some of the attention-grabbers.
He’d like to start trimming down the roster sooner than later, especially with four second baseman competing against one another, and nine relievers battling for two spots in the bullpen.
He would like Daniel Murphy to be on the team, because he’s ‘swinging the bat well’, he’s played third base ‘very well,’ and he gives them a ‘huge option’ as a guy who can play multiple positions with a good bat, not to mention he’s a great teammate and he plays the game as hard as anyone he’s ever seen. Murphy has shown him enough to be considered an every-day second basemen.
It sounds like Collins may be ready to ship Ruben Tejada and Justin Turner off to the Minor League side of camp. It’s too early to cut Luis Castillo and he hasn’t really given the Mets a real reason to cut him yet. Collins is obviously big on Murphy, so he isn’t going anywhere either, and given Brad Emaus’ status as a Rule 5 pick, he should be safe until the final day of camp. The five horse race is about to become a three horse race.
Jason Isringhausen has a real chance to make the team, Chris Young‘s arm is feeling great, Pat Misch, Boof Bonser, Chris Capuano and Dillon Gee are also being considered for the starting rotation.
What seemed like the impossible a few weeks ago is slowly becoming a reality for Izzy who could very well be in the bullpen come Opening Day. That would lessen the odds of Oliver Perez making the team if that happens. I’m told that Taylor Buchholz, D.J. Carrasco and Pat Misch are looking like locks for the bullpen. Throw in K-Rod and Bobby Parnell and the math doesn’t seem to work for Perez.
The team plans to bring Carlos Beltran along slowly, including getting him plenty of days off in April to keep him strong. Willie Harris or Scott Hairston will likely start when Beltran gets a day off.
Another cryptic remark by Collins which would suggest the end of the road for the hot-hitting Lucas Duda and Fernando Martinez. Sadly, it also dooms the chances for Nick Evans making the team and probably spells his last days as a Met.
Ike Davis will have ‘a huge year,’ he’s going to win ‘a lot of Gold Gloves’ in his career, and he’s on his way to being ‘one of the best players in the league.’ Every player on the team believes Jose Reyes will have the best year of his career.
If those two things happen, and there’s no reason why it can’t, it’s going to be a great season in 2011.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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Something else to add to this post that might be of interest.
“Collins said he wants to have the second-base competition narrowed once the Mets return from a team off-day March 14.”
“I’ll tell you one thing: he’s (Murphy) moving very good, for me. I watched him today. A lot of times today I just watched his footwork. When the ball’s hit, I kept my eye on him a little bit to see how he reacted. He’s moving good. His leg’s not a question.” – Terry Collins”
http://proxy.espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/15929/postgame-review-mets-3-cards-ss-0
My comment below was intended for your quote from Collins. Sorry for confusion.
Does that mean he plans to have his decision made by the 14th?
Kevin, I don’t think they’d jump the gun and name the opening day starter that early, unless one of those guys homers each at bat till then. I’m guessing by “narrowing” it, he’ll do exactly what HoJo said above. Tejada and Turner will be out of the race, and since two of the remaining three will come north, it’ll really heat up then to see who the odd man out is. Tejada might stay on the major league side of camp to take some reps at short against big league pitching, but it’s been Castillo, Emaus and Murphy from the start, and no one has done anything yet to change that plan.
Thanks, that’s what I had thought but the way Collins worded it was a little confusing.
Woohoo,everything is going to be alright! Davis,Reyes (and I guess he won’t be traded),Izzy,Murph,everything is good.
Don;t worry little happy metsie oldtimer. Reyes will be gone in july. Two lousy midling prospects that the bozos here will delude themselves into thinking are both Cy Young award winners to be…. Why do you think Tejada is going to play SS. Duh….Only the little metsies can’t figure it out. Enjoy metsies. the cellar will be yours for years again…. SAVE THE WILPONS.
What are you talking about? I have no idea what I just read.
He’s likely a Phillies fan that got heckled off of Phillies blogs for barely speaking English so he comes here to be a troll to get a little attention. It’s a sad sort of funny.
Are you kidding? Compared to the Phillies fans I deal with, he’s a Fulbright Scholar.
Knowing Murphy and how he even works in the back field at the base when he is taken out of the game today he will get the job as 2nd baseman. He will still be available for the 1st and 3rd base with the bench filling in if needed. He will get his bat in most games.
Nick Evans off the bench. That’s all I need to say. He has proven he can lace the ball off the bench, and he can fill in in the outfield, or infield… Just another Super Joe if given the chance.
Who?
I have been a Evans fan since he first came up. I would be happy to see him make the bench, but I fear that he is going to get lopped, and 100% he will get claimed by some other team.
Not really excited by harris and hairston, but they have had worse.
Quite possible that the 2B race decides his fate.
of the others mentioned, I am fine with Martinez and Duda going to AAA to play every day, since odds are there will be a need in NY for at least one of them this year.
Perez and castillo just need to go someplace else.
I’m rooting for Evans to have a good camp and hopefully make the team.
Evans deserves a shot, he was hosed last year when GMJ made it when Beltran or someone got hurt. He is going to be a good player for another team, shame that we have to settle for two over the hill vets cause Beltran is not ready yet, shame.
A few notes…
-Evans>Hairston
Sure Hairston can play the outfield, but that’s that. Offensively, he’s a waste of time. Give that last bench spot to Evans. The man had a big year in AA/AAA last season and I wanna see him actually get more chances in the big leagues because he never really got a fair shake when Manuel was managing. I don’t mind just Harris backing up Pagan & Beltran.
-I’d love to see Izzy make the team as another option being setup man besides just Parnell. I still see Young & Gee making up the last couple of spots in the rotation. Also, where’s this talk about Misch being a lock? Mike O’Connor has just as good of a shot as Misch to be a lock. I won’t be surprised if the pen looks like this:
O’Connor-Byrdak-Capuano-Beato-Buccholz-Parnell-Izzy-KRod
-As good as Murphy has looked thus far, I really wish they would give Emaus more ABs before they award 2nd base to Murph.
Murphy has seen 2 routine ground balls for the first time. What do you mean as good as he looked?
I’m not even talking about 2nd base. Just in general. He wasn’t bad at all playing 3rd base, which is his “natural position”. Right now, I still believe he’s best served as a backup but if he wins the 2nd base job and not only because of his bat, I’ll be impressed.
Agree with you on the Evans over Hairston. I’d rather have Evans bat on the bench on the big team than Hairstons versatility. Do the Mets need that many outfielders on the bench? The major disadvantage for Evans is Ike owning first base, and Evans being a question mark in the outfield late in games if you wanted to do a double switch on a day Beltran gets a rest. My guess is we will see a platoon of Emaus and Murphy at second.
Has Willie Harris taken any reps at second base? I know he has played there before. Just thinking another option for someone to come in late in a game.
We want to put the best players on the field but we also need to look ahead. Hairston and Harris are 30 or over. Evans is about 25 and starting to bloom.
I want Evans on my team and not risk losing him since he’s out of options. Harris has a minor league contract and Hairston has a one year $1.1 mil contract. Evans is making about $400k.
My wish/prediction: Evans will make the team, play well, and save the Wilpons a few bucks.
Nick Evans reminds me a lot of Dave Magadan with a little more power. He has the same kind of attitude and personality as Magadan and loves to play hard. It will be a big mistake if he gets cut.
If Evans is given the opportunity and he hits for average as well as Magadan did, it will be a big plus. I think Evans will put up better power numbers than Dave did.
I liked Magadan a lot. The same goes for Evans.