With the first pitch of 2013 set to be thrown in less than nine hours, it’s about time we reflect on the spring. This past weekend, I visited Viera and Port St. Lucie to catch two Mets spring training games: Thursday vs. the Nationals, Friday vs. the Cardinals. There wasn’t much to be excited about in Thursday’s game. Shaun Marcum was supposed to start, and, as we all know, he was scratched. His status is [...]

With four days until Opening Day, most teams have their rosters, rotation and batting order set. The Mets are not most teams. Their three remaining exhibition games will do little to answer questions for manager Terry Collins, who undoubtedly won’t be satisfied with what he sees Monday and will be mixing and matching for weeks. The Mets think David Wright and Daniel Murphy will be ready, this after serious doubts just days ago. How things [...]

Reliever Elvin Ramirez has been traded to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations to free up a spot on their 40 Man Roster. That they got anything for him is a mind-blower to me. His 5.48 ERA in 20 MLB appearances will hardly be missed. This one was the easiest cut/trade/release of all. The Mets’ 40-man roster now stands at 38. In other Mets news, the team announced their rotation today. Jon Niese will start Opening Day against the Padres, followed [...]

Updated 3/22 I wanted to share Adam Rubin’s projected Opening Day roster which is not too dissimilar to what I projected. Rotation: Jon Niese, Shaun Marcum, Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee and Jeremy Hefner. Bullpen: Bobby Parnell, Brandon Lyon, LaTroy Hawkins, Scott Atchison, Josh Edgin, Pedro Feliciano and Greg Burke. Infield: Ike Davis, Justin Turner, David Wright, Ruben Tejada and John Buck. Outfield: Lucas Duda, Collin Cowgill and Jordany Valdespin. Bench: Marlon Byrd, Mike Baxter, Anthony Recker, Omar Quintanilla [...]

According to the Star-Ledger, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie spent some time on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Radio channel yesterday discussing the Mets. Christie has been a long-time Mets fan, and will be in the stands on April 1 when the Mets take on the San Diego Padres on opening day. Christie went through a list of players he likes, which he considers the nucleus, and includes David Wright, Ike Davis and Daniel Murphy. He’s also excited [...]

When talking about Jon Niese… well that’s the thing. Niese isn’t often spoken about, particularly as a respected pitcher in the NL East, an esteem he deserves after his 2012 campaign. Granted yesterday’s outing in which the young southpaw gave up  four runs over 2 1/3 innings in Venezuela’s 14-10 routing of the Mets is not the Jonathon Niese that should be respected. That Niese is the Niese who hurled a one-hitter against the Padres in [...]

During an interview on WFAN with Mike Francesa, Terry Collins said that Jon Niese would get the Opening Day start if Johan Santana is not ready. The manager still believes Santana has a chance to make the start, “It’s not doubtful,” Collins said. “If he’s not ready for Game 1, I think he’ll be ready for Game 4.” Niese, 26, took a big step forward. He became reliable, proved to be durable, and most of [...]

The Mets signed Jonathon Niese at the perfect time early last April, inking the left-hander to a five-year extension worth just over $25 million. The contract the two sides agreed to kept Niese a Met for his final pre-arbitration years (2012), all three of his arbitration years, and at least one year of free agency. The best part of the deal may be the two team options, which total $21 million and would keep Niese [...]

Pundits often say a college football coach deserves at least two years to turn a team over before anyone can honestly pass judgement.  That time provides the new coach with enough time to recruit his own players and implement his own scheme.  General managers in Major League Baseball get no such grace period.  Thus the dilemma Sandy Alderson currently finds himself in. Since taking the helm on October 29, 2010, Sandy Alderson has deconstructed the [...]

As the Mets look for ways to improve their roster heading into next year, its become apparent that their shoestring budget will force them into the trade market.  There are a million ways that could play out, but some people have their ideas.  For instance, I think the pertinent play would be for the Mets to shop RA Dickey in an effort to fill their outfield and/or catching needs.  That, however, isn’t the only line [...]