While talking to reporters about the health of center fielder Andres Torres (calf strain), general manager Sandy Alderson described his chances for being ready on Opening Day as “touch and go”. He also indicated his preference for a “natural centerfielder” when the team breaks camp on April 4. According to Terry Collins, there has been no improvement since Torres strained his calf and was pulled from a game six days ago. “He’s not a whole lot [...]

MLB Draft Countdown just released their Top 25 College Prospects. They believe that this year’s crop is much weaker than that of 2011, but that there are still several players with incredibly high upside. 1. Mike Zunino, C, Florida - Great power, phenomenal defense and exceptional leadership skills 2. Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford - Mid 90s fastball and an above-average changeup. Also throws a slider. Finally dominating like his stuff indicates he should. 3. Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU [...]

Tough break for the Cincinnati Reds and their new closer Ryan Madson who will miss the 2012 season because of Tommy John surgery. Following an examination in Cincinnati on Saturday morning, the club announced that Madson’s elbow ligament had torn completely off the bone. Madson never got to pitch in any Spring Training games, and because he was signed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal, he may never get to throw a pitch for the Reds at all. [...]

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Mets would like to trade Mike Pelfrey: Tough market. But rival exec says, “best thing for him might be to get out of New York.” It’s time. Just do it. –  Joe D. Original Post 3/23 Mike Pelfrey continues to tick me off. This time, it is hearing the news has been pitching with a high right ankle sprain during spring training. Pelfrey said he injured his ankle in the [...]

I haven’t done one of these in a while mostly because after the Hot Stove season winds down in January, we don’t get as many questions and email until we start getting closer to Opening Day, which I am happy to say is in 12 days. What prospects do you think we’ll definitely see play for the Mets in 2012? – Adam I’m not sure that we’ll definitely see anyone in particular with regards to our top [...]

Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger had a good read this morning on Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada. In it he points out that Tejada should simply focus his game on getting on base. He compares Tejada to Jose Reyes at the same age. Compared with his predecessor, Tejada is smaller, slower, more placid, a possessor of a more down-tuned personality. But he remains, as hitting coach Dave Hudgens said earlier this spring, “a good solid player.” [...]

Most people under sell what Carlos Beltran accomplished over his career with the New York Mets. When the reality of the situation is you could actually make a case he is the Mets best position player of All-Time. It may not seem like he earned his enormous 7-year 119 million dollar deal, due to long injury stints and the 2006 Game 6 NLCS ending AB some people put too much weight up. But the in [...]

While speaking with reporters following the Mets loss against the Braves this afternoon, Terry Collins said that prospect Matt Den Dekker is a “legitimate consideration” for making the opening day roster. Den Dekker is just 3-for-19 (.158) so far in spring, although two of his hits (double, triple) have gone for extra bases. He does have three walks already, however, he also has six strikeouts which is a major concern of his. The fact that Terry is [...]

Ever since losing the NLCS to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 when they were destined to win, it seems the Mets have been a snake-bitten franchise. The collapses of 2007-08, the injury plagued years from 2009-11 and of course the Madoff ponzi scheme have marred the past few years for this franchise. The combination of injuries and the lack of spending power have meant that the organization simply has had to move forward with [...]

Some opponents you loathe. You watch with venom in your heart for how they destroy your team, for their arrogance and attitude. Other opponents you respect and admire, and salute for their longevity and talent. Such is the case with the Braves’ Chipper Jones. The inevitable became official this morning when Jones announced this would be his final season playing third base for Atlanta, and by extension, tormenting the Mets. Jones will be one of [...]