A weekly roundup of all the Mets transactions, Minor League news, and latest rumors.
This Weeks Roster Moves
Willie Randolph had a big decision to make Friday afternoon. Only two spots remained on the Opening Day roster and Lastings Milledge, Chan Ho Park, Jon Adkins, and Ambiorix Burgos were all fighting for these spots. The Mets kept Lastings Milledge and Ambiorix Burgos, resulting in the demotion of Chan Ho Park and Jon Adkins.
In addition to those moves, the Mets also sent Ben Johnson, Anderson Hernandez, Sandy Alomar Jr., Mike Carp, Mike DiFelice, Ruben Gotay, and Lino Urdaneta back to the Minors. Jorge Sosa and Jon Adkins, were both outrighted to New Orleans. With Ben Johnson being demoted, David Newhan will be on the Mets 25-man roster.
The Mets purchased Aaron Sele’s contract this week, putting him as the 7th pitcher in the Mets bullpen. (Billy Wagner, Scott Schoeneweis, Aaron Heilman, Ambiorix Burgos, Pedro Feliciano, and Joe Smith completing the bullpen) Sele will serve as the Mets long relief man, much like Darren Oliver did last year.
In other Mets roster moves, the Mets have signed "Mr. 8-RBIs In One Inning" Fernando Tatis to a Minor League Contract. Not to mention, he hit a three-run HR in his first Spring Training game on Thursday.
Ruben Sierra was released from the Mets roster last week, ending his short stint with the Mets.
With the roster finalized, the Opening Day roster will look like this:
Catchers
Paul Lo Duca
Ramon Castro
Infielders
Carlos Delgado
Jose Valentin
Jose Reyes
David Wright
Julio Franco
Damon Easley
David Newhan
Outfielders
Carlos Beltran
Moises Alou
Shawn Green
Lastings Milledge
Endy Chavez
Starting Pitchers **
Tom Glavine
Orlando Hernandez
John Maine
Oliver Perez
Relief Pitchers
Billy Wagner
Aaron Heilman
Pedro Feliciano
Scott Schoeneweis
Joe Smith
Ambiorix Burgos
Aaron Sele
** Mike Pelfrey will not be on the 25-man roster until his spot on the rotation is up. Meaning, the Mets will go without Mike Pelfrey until his first start, (April 13th).
Around The Minors
AAA – Last Sunday, the New Orleans Zephyrs defeated the Albuquerque Isotopes 3-0. Jose Santiago pitched four strong innings, giving up only three hits. Jorge Vasquez, who got the win, pitched along Willie Collazo, Steve Schmoll and Ivan Maldonado for five scoreless innings in relief. Second baseman Chase Lambin was solid at the plate going 2 for 3 with a double and a solo home run.
AA – No news from Binghamton.
A (Adv.) – Port St. Lucie has been the host of the Mets Spring Training, courtesy of Tradition Field. Now, it will go back to being home of the St. Lucie Mets
A – No news from Savannah.
SS – Astroland, the Coney Island amusement park, will be in its final season. This means that the Brooklyn Cyclones will host its last season with the Astroland amusement park.
R – No news from the Rookie leagues.
Latest Mets Rumors
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. It’s too early for Mets rumors right? Well, wrong. There has been a few reports of trade rumors, and the 2007 season hasn’t even started yet. Crazy? You tell me.
The Mets have spoken to the Baltimore Orioles about right-handed reliever Todd Williams. Williams, who played for the Orioles last year, is 36-years old. Something inside me is telling me not to trade for this guy. Why? Here’s why:
Last season Mr. Williams has a 1.2/1 ratio of K/BB. He has some control problems and he has given up over 75 hits in only 57 innings pitched. Todd also has given up 8 long balls to go along with those 75 hits. Wanna hear something crazier? Opponents batting average against Todd Williams is a ridiculous . 323 (.342 vs LH and .314 vs. RH) Not to mention, he had an ERA of 4.74. Did I mention he’s below mediocre? Yeah. Omar, don’t push that trigger just yet.
Carlos Zambrano (not Victor), has been discussing the possibility of joining the Mets for the 2008 season. He used the Mets as leverage and has threatened to cut off any contract negotiations if he is not signed by Opening Day.
Luis Castillo may be joining the Mets in 2008. Before the Marlins signed him three years ago, the Mets were in line to sign the All-Star second baseman before the Marlins improved their offer. Omar Minaya likes Castillo and will most likely pursue him in the off-season.
Jon Adkins, who the Mets received in a trade along with Ben Johnson, may be traded as a result of not making the Opening Day roster. With Adkins having a dismal spring, it seems he may be leaving the Mets.
Well, that’s it for this week. Just a day before Opening Day, I CAN’T WAIT! Oh, and before I go, I need to say something.
LET’S GO METS!
Statistical and historical data courtesy of NY Daily News, SNY.tv, Newsday, and MiLB.com
