Ready or Not Spring is Coming Fast
Carlos Beltran told reporters that he may sit out the first few exhibition games next month. He is still recovering from knee surgeries in the offseason. Make no mistake, he is in Florida taking batting practice and according to witnesses he is looking really great. He is just unable to turn bases and run at full strength but has every intention of being ready on Opening Day. And he better be ready after his announcement to Jimmy Rollins and the Phillies.
Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez decided to take it easy on Saturday while returning to the mound to practice. "I'm feeling OK," he said. "It was my first time on the mound and I didn't throw at 100 percent today." Reports say he left the mound after throwing only 35 pitches.
And last but not least, Billy Wagner spoke his mind once again, announcing that he may need less time on the mound this year. "There's no doubt, the older you get, the more you have to take care of yourself..." Wagner said. "...You have to be used in your element, in your role, and not abused."
I don't know guys. I think that Beltran and El Duque can get away with playing less until they fully recover, but Wagner is just bellyaching again. There's something about a healthy relief pitcher under the age of 40 complaining about being over-worked. And maybe he was last year, sure that's arguable, however its a new year lets get a new mindset.
Comments
Wagner is really starting to get on my nerves.
Posted by: Christian (MetsMan) | February 18, 2008 02:53 PM
How he is used is not Billys' concern...it's his job to pitch. He is still one of the best closers in the game though. What I can't stand about these young guys is their emphasis on having "roles". Your role is a baseball player, so do that to the best of your ability and all will be fine. What ever happened to guys grinding it out and going 8 innings? Then we wouldn't have to worry about bullpens being over used.It's Spring Billy...shut up and play baseball.
Great blog Kelly!
Posted by: Adam Baker | February 18, 2008 04:39 PM
Yea, Billy is starting to tick me off. Your a BASEBALL PLAYER on the NEW YORK METS. You get paid very well to do your job, no matter how long you're out there, just shut your mouth and pitch. And thats all I have to say about that.
LETS GO METS!
Posted by: JB | February 19, 2008 03:04 AM
Yeah Adam, i'm with you there. You don't see those 8 inning or even 7 inning performances at all anymore....pitching like that makes you an ace. Before, that just made you a number 3 or 2 Starter. Oh, and they weren't any steroids then =/.
And to Wagner, i've got alot of respect for him, and he noticeably lost a couple MPH on his fastball last year...so maybe age is kicking in?
Posted by: Satish Ram | February 19, 2008 08:39 AM