It was a busy day at Port St. Lucie as more players arrived to camp including Johan Santana and Jose Reyes who both spoke to reporters and also appeared on WFAN. You can hear both clips over at the Real Dirty Mets Blog.
Sandy Alderson told reporters that he hopes Johan Santana can rejoin the team by June or July, and Reyes reasserted his desire to re-sign with the Mets.
Rule 5 selection Brad Emaus has been getting most of the attention this offseason, but RHP Pedro Beato who was also selected, may have a good shot of making the team according to the New York Post. The article says that if Beato can show any effectiveness, his minimal salary could give him all the edge he needs.
Team owner Fred Wilpon told reporters that he did nothing wrong and in the end he will be vindicated. “I love the New York Mets” he said, I’ve been around here for almost 32 years. This is part of my DNA.”
It’s the end of the road for Howard Johnson and the Mets as HoJo (Cool Nickname!) has decided to leave the organization. The Mets had promised him another job after he was yanked as hitting coach, but after being left in limbo all this time, he figured he wasn’t wanted.
Remember the Maine? Well John Maine, who the Mets non-tendered after the season, has signed a minor league deal with the Rockies. The contract will pay him $3 million dollars if he makes the major-league team this Spring and includes an out-clause if he doesn’t.
Jon Heyman believes that LHP Oliver Perez will be given more of a chance to make the team then second baseman Luis Castillo. Considering the difference in their salaries, that would make a lot of sense… I mean cents… I believe that if Daniel Murphy wins the 2B job, Castillo is out. However, if Castillo wins the 2B job, Murphy will stick as a utility infielder.
Unlike last spring training, first baseman Ike Davis has no competition for a job this year, but he is hoping to correct some flaws that caused him to have a few prolonged slumps last season. He also told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York that one of his goals is to hit more than 20 home runs this season. That shouldn’t be a problem and in fact I think 25 homeruns would be a good bet for Ike.
According to Terry Collins, newly signed catcher Ronny Paulino is not yet in camp due to some visa issues, but he is expected to be in camp and ready to go by Saturday.
Speaking of catchers, according to the Associated Press, an arbitrator ruled that the Mets did not back out of an official deal with C Yorvit Torrealba after coming close to a three-year, $14.4 million deal in November 2007. “The terms signed by the team and Torrealba’s representative said the deal was subject to a physical that was satisfactory to the Mets. The team concluded it had concerns about his throwing shoulder.”
A pretty eventful day for our boys.
