Attention F-Mart Shoppers!
Ok, now that I got your attention with that headline, although it probably would have been a better fit for a headline when the Mets were shopping for Santana, and well, when the Twins were trying to pry away Fernando Martinez from the Mets. But, as I was beginning to write the story of how the Mets sent Martinez to minor league camp on Wednesday night, I thought, that would be a cool headline, so there you go!
The New York Mets assigned prized rookie Fernando Martinez to minor league camp on Wednesday night, thus ending what was a very productive Spring Training camp for the youngster.
Martinez, 19, logged significant playing time this spring thanks to numerous injuries to key Mets outfielders. He batted .373 in 18 spring games and has already predicted he will be in NY sometime this season.
"He's confident, obviously, and that would be awesome," Willie Randolph said. "He's very talented, so I can see him setting that goal, and hopefully he's going to reach that."
Met fans have not seen the last of F-Mart this season. Martinez needs some more work in the minors, but he will be in Shea before the season ends. He is the future, and theres no need to rush the future right now.
Also sent down to minor league camp were pitchers Nate Field, Joselo Diaz, and Tony Armas.
Comments
I am very disappointed that our best spring hitter got sent down!!!! That totally sucks! I wanted F-Mart to start the season with the Mets and win a rookie of the year award. Tell me why Easley, Church, Anderson or anyone else deserves the nod over Martinez? Martinez has looked better than any of them! This pure BS on the part of Omar or Willie or whoever makes the damn decisions! Why hold the guy back? They tried to do the same thing with Wright when he first came up and they pulled the same crap on Milledge and it messed with his head. Why tell a guy to work his ass off and then when he does you reward him by demoting his ass??
Posted by: Maz | March 20, 2008 01:13 PM
Um...the kid hasn't played a full season, nor has he shown the ability to be healthy that long. Wright and Reyes did not have that problem. Rushing him to the show now is pointless and counterproductive. Let him get his reps in AA, and if he is tearing it up, send him to N'awlins, and make him earn the call up.
Posted by: Ravi | March 20, 2008 01:35 PM
yeah..send him down..he's too young. he has just made himself even more untouchable...and thats a good thing. with him in left next year, and hopefully a new 1st baseman...we got a young team....just like that...championchip threats indefinatly.
Posted by: meb | March 20, 2008 04:35 PM
Ravi, agreed.
No need to rush the 19-year outfielder. Let him stay in AA, like you said, and only if he is tearing it up, like .350+ near mid-season do you bring him to New Orleans. I wouldn't even begin to think that he'll be in Shea until late September the earliest.
Posted by: Ryan | March 20, 2008 05:27 PM
I agree, F-Mart has only increased his value.If he is to be at Shea this season, september would be fine if he's earned it...which I believe he will.At 19, he has plenty of chance to win ROY honors in 2009.Better still, our outfield gets 20 years younger next season!LOL
Posted by: Adam Baker | March 20, 2008 10:11 PM
I would have been pissed if they had him on the opening day roster. He has loads of potential, but let him refine his skill in AA and AAA. The Mets have always been known for rushing rookies before they were ready, ie Greg Jefferies.
Posted by: Vegas Chris | March 20, 2008 10:52 PM
i.e. gomez
Posted by: meb | March 21, 2008 11:13 AM
This kid is gonna be a stud in the majors...prob sooner than later
Posted by: NYsportsGUY | March 21, 2008 04:59 PM