On Friday, J.D. Martinez made his Mets organizational debut by serving as the designated hitter and batting second for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets. Martinez went hitless in four at-bats, grounding out three times and recording a lineout. He also drew a walk. Going hitless in five at-bats for a Low-A club might draw some overreactions from fans, but Martinez is already a proven major league hitter who will benefit the Mets lineup greatly.

Martinez is expected to join the Mets soon, with the series in Atlanta beginning Monday being a possibility.

J.D. Martinez, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Latest Mets News

The Mets (2-5) defeated the Reds (4-3) 3-2 on Friday for their second win in a row. Jose Quintana allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings, while Jeff McNeil got on the board with a solo home run. Additionally, Edwin Díaz locked down his first save since his return despite recording an error and allowing an unearned run to score.

The Mets officially announced that they signed Julio Teheran to a one-year deal. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Mets designated Michael Tonkin for assignment.

Brandon Nimmo was left out of the Mets’ lineup on Friday night due to a tight right hamstring. He is considered day-to-day as it appears his injury is nothing to worry about.

Mike Mayer of Metsmerized Online reported that Anthony Baptist, a Mets minor leaguer, was suspended for lying about his age.

Former Met Pat Zachry passed away on Friday. Zachry was most known as a return piece from the Reds in the Tom Seaver “Midnight Massacre” trade, but he was an All-Star in his first full season with New York and had a career 3.63 ERA with the Mets in five-and-a-half seasons with the team.

Latest MLB News

Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Spencer Strider‘s elbow was bothering him after his start Friday against the Diamondbacks. He will get an MRI to determine the severity. Strider allowed five runs in four innings to Arizona.

The Yankees placed reliever Jonathan Loáisiga on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain. In a corresponding move, they signed former Met Dennis Santana to a major league contract. In 9 games for the Mets last year, he had a 5.91 ERA.

The Yankees also signed Rougned Odor to a minor league contract, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The contract includes an opt-out after July 1. Odor spent 2023 with the Padres where he had a .654 OPS in 59 games.

Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the Blue Jays selected Paolo Espino to the major league roster. In a corresponding move, the team designated Wes Parsons for assignment.

The White Sox placed outfielder Eloy Jiménez on the injured list. They also purchased the contract of Robbie Grossman and desginated Alex Speas for assignment.

Francisco Mejia signed a minor league deal with the Brewers, per Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. He will report to Triple-A. Mejia had a .658 OPS in 50 games with the Rays in 2023.

Latest on MMO

Jack Markowski discusses Pete Alonso reaching the 500 RBI mark after his solo home run in Thursday’s win against the Tigers.

Mike Mayer recaps the Syracuse Mets’ come-from-behind victory on Thursday, in what was top pitching prospect Christian Scott‘s Triple-A debut.

Michael Famulari praises Jose Buttó and Reed Garrett for their pitching performances on Thursday.

Nick Rucco previews the season for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones.

Jack Ramsey previews the season for the Low-A St. Lucie Mets.

Sean Kenny looks at where the Mets’ top 30 prospects will begin the season.

On This Date in Mets History

Birthdays: Andy Phillips (47), Wayne Graham (88)

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Free agent DH J.D. Martinez is in agreement on a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, as first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided. ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jon Heyman of The New York Post also reported the deal.

Per Passan, the deal is for one year and $10 million.

The Dodgers have been relatively quiet in free agency, despite losing shortstop Trea Turner who signed an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, but they have now added a tried and tested designated hitter to the heart of their lineup in Martinez.

For a team that already has Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, Martinez will provide another big bat given his ability to absolutely destroy baseballs. He can also get on base and put the ball in play, making him a dangerous player in the middle of any lineup, let alone one as talented as the Dodgers’. Plus, at just one year and for $10 million, Martinez is certainly a low-risk, high-reward type of player.

It is also worth noting that, per Passan, Martinez will reunite with hitting coach Robert Von Scoyoc, who is largely credited with being influential in Martinez’s ascent. Also, Martinez will team up again with Betts with the two largely successful together in Boston with the Red Sox. Von Scoyoc and Betts may well have been big factors behind Martinez’s decision to sign in LA.

Martinez spent the last five years with the Boston Red Sox where he was an All-Star every year apart from 2020, when there was no Midsummer Classic. He hit 171 doubles, 130 home runs and 423 RBI in 647 games for the Red Sox, helping them to win the World Series in 2018. He’s a career .288/.352/.520/.872 hitter with 282 homers and 899 RBI across a 12-year career in the majors.

The veteran slugger absolutely mashes against lefties with a career slash line of .306/.377/.579/.957 against LHP, to go along with 87 home runs, 95 doubles and 270 RBI. He made the All-Star Game in 2022 after hitting .302/.368/.481/.849 with 30 doubles, nine homers and 38 RBI during the first-half of the season. However, Martinez’s game dipped after the All-Star break as he slashed just .233/.301/.400/.701 with seven home runs and 24 RBI.

While Martinez struggled with power in 2022 with a total of 16 home runs, he still finished as one of the best designated hitters in all of baseball in 2022 having ranked 10th in wRC+ (119) among DH’s with a minimum of 400 PA in 2022. Plus, the 35-year-old hit 28 home runs as recently as 2021 and he sneakily ripped a career-high 43 doubles in 2022, underlining his ability to make things happen by putting the ball in play.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Martinez was a player the Mets were interested in as they continue to try and add another big bat to their lineup. We looked at why the masher would help solve the Mets’ power problem here, but the veteran will now add to what is already a talented core in LA with the Dodgers. According to Bob Nightengale, MLB teams have now spent a staggering total of $1.193 billion this offseason following the signing of Martinez by the Dodgers.

The post J.D. Martinez Signing With Dodgers appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

J.D. Martinez has long been linked with the New York Mets and he is exactly the type of player that could help solve their very real power problem in 2023.

It has been a significant offseason for the Mets who have made a very real statement with their spending. Owner Steve Cohen has flexed his financial might by committing over $300 million on payroll for the 2023 season. That has allowed the front office to re-sign star closer Edwin Diaz and outfielder Brandon Nimmo, as well as add the likes of Justin Verlander, David Robertson, Kodai Senga, José Quintana and Omar Narváez.

However, the Mets don’t appear to be done yet and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently reported that Cohen believes his team need to add more offense to their lineup for the 2023 season. Rosenthal mentioned Martinez and former Met Michael Conforto as two names the Mets are currently interested in.

We profiled Martinez as a free agent target earlier this offseason, which you can read here, and we’ve also covered in-depth why the Mets really do need to add more power to their lineup if they are to be serious contenders for the World Series in 2023. Martinez ticks a lot of boxes and could help address what was a fatal flaw in 2022.

The Mets tied for 15th in home runs last year with just 171 and they also finished with the fifth-worst hard-hit rate in MLB at 28.6%, per Fangraphs. Furthermore, this team got basically zero production from their designated hitters in 2022. As a collective group, the DH hit just .218/.314/.371 with 18 home runs and 183 strikeouts. Perhaps more importantly, though, the bats went cold at key points during both the regular season and in the postseason.

You can’t win without the long ball and Martinez has built a career based on taking the cover off the baseball. The slugger has blasted 282 home runs in a 12-year career and he’s excelled as a DH. The veteran also absolutely mashes against lefties with a career .306/.377/.579/.957 slash line against LHP, to go along with 87 home runs, 95 doubles and 270 RBI. The Mets could either look to use Martinez as part of a platoon at DH with Daniel Vogelbach, who hits well against righties, or look to trade Vogelbach for outfield help and use Martinez as an everyday designated hitter.

Martinez was an All-Star every year he was with the Boston Red Sox, except for 2020 when there was no Midsummer Classic. He made the All-Star Game in 2022 after hitting .302/.368/.481/.849 with 30 doubles, nine homers and 38 RBI during the first-half of the season. Now, granted, the righty did regress slightly in the second-half of the season with a .233/.301/.400/.701 slash line and seven home runs and 24 RBI.

However, despite his sudden decrease in power in 2022 with just 16 home runs in total, Martinez still finished as one of the best designated hitters in baseball in 2022 having ranked 10th in wRC+ (119) among DH’s with a minimum of 400 PA in 2022. Plus, he also hit 28 homers as recently as 2021 so that suggests that the power didn’t just disappear overnight. Instead, Martinez could just benefit from a change of scenery and his game may be revitalized by having the chance to compete for a World Series with a legit contender.

When looking at Martinez’s potential fit with the Mets, it is also important to point out that the slugger can contribute in other ways too. Rather than just being a one-trick pony, Martinez boasts a career .352 on-base percentage and can also put the ball in play and get on base at a high-rate. He had an on-base percentage of .341 in 2022, including a .368 OBP during the first-half of the season, and he sneakily ripped a career-high 43 doubles last year. That is a player who can impact the game in a multitude of different ways.

According to Spotrac.com. Martinez is projected to land a two-year deal with an average annual salary of $15.1 million. It may be that the Mets could get the veteran to sign a one-year deal with a slightly lower average annual salary and an option for 2024 in return for the opportunity to compete for a championship next year. But, be it a one or two-year contract, it would be a low-risk, high-reward kind of deal for both parties.

It can’t be stressed enough that the Mets need to address their lack of power this offseason or risk falling short in 2023, which would represent a major failure given their spending spree this winter. While Martinez is just one player, he can hit for power, he’ll add a big bat to the middle of the lineup and there’s no reason why he can’t hit between 25-30 home runs. Plus, he can also get on base at a high-rate, he’ll hit doubles for fun and he can either be the everyday DH or be part of a platoon with Vogelbach. No matter which way you look at it, Martinez would address a very real need for this team while also being able to bring other skillsets to the table.

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Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Updated Post – Dec. 15, 16:30 

Super agent Scott Boras accompanied client Brandon Nimmo at Citi Field on Thursday for the presser to announce that Nimmo will be a Met for life following an eight-year, $162 million deal signed by the outfielder.

During that time at Citi Field, Boras was asked about another client and former Met, Michael Conforto. The 29-year-old missed the entire 2022 season because of injury, but is healthy and is receiving interest from multiple teams that reportedly includes the Mets. “Michael is in Arizona, he’s doing great, he’s throwing normally again, back to full health, hitting great and we’re talking to a number of teams about him right now,” Boras said.

The Cubs, Astros, and Mariners are the other known teams to be competing for the services of the former Mets outfielder. Boras on what Conforto is looking for this offseason, “short-term, probably a couple of years with an opt-out.”

Original Post – Dec. 14, 08:10

What has been a blockbuster offseason looks set to continue for the New York Mets as they look to add more offense with a reported interest in free agents Michael Conforto and J.D. Martinez, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Reports emerged from Rosenthal and our very own Michael Mayer on Tuesday night that the Mets had been in contact with agent Scott Boras over star free agent shortstop Carlos Correa. However, that was one superstar the front office missed out on with Correa going on to sign a 13-year, $350 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. It’s the fourth-largest guarantee in MLB history, and also the largest deal for a shortstop. It surpassed the $341 million contract Francisco Lindor signed with the Mets.

However, owner Steve Cohen seems unperturbed by missing out on Correa and has instead turned his attention to other targets. Rosenthal noted in his story that, from people familiar with his thinking, Cohen believes that the Mets still need more offense and another bat despite an already incredible offseason. The Mets will already have a payroll that blows well past the $300 million mark in 2023, but it appears that the front office may add one more piece. We explored here why adding more power to the lineup is crucial.

And, per Rosenthal, Conforto and Martinez appear to be two players that are very clearly on the front office’s radar. It isn’t the first time this offseason that the Mets have been linked with a reunion with Conforto. The free agent outfielder missed the entire 2022 offseason with a shoulder injury. In his final season with the Mets in 2021, Conforto slashed .232/.344/.388 with 20 doubles and 14 home runs in 125 games.

With a 124 wRC+ and 132 homers over a seven-year career, coupled with the fact that he’s still only 29-years-old, Conforto could be an intriguing option for the Mets. He would provide some much-needed outfield depth and, if he can rediscover some of his power from earlier on in his career and remain healthy, he would inject some pop into a lineup that needs another big bat.

Another intriguing option for the Mets and the other player mentioned by Rosenthal is Martinez. The free-agent slugger was linked with a trade to Queens at last year’s trade deadline and he ticks a lot of boxes. The veteran has built a career on taking the cover off the baseball and, with a career on-base percentage of .352, Martinez would not only mash at Citi Field but he could put the ball in play and get on base at a high-rate.

Martinez is coming off a tough year in 2022 having hit just .233/.301/.400 after the All-Star break. He also hit just 16 home runs last year, but his solid .341 on-base percentage proves that he was still able to make things happen offensively. Plus, the 35-year-old still finished as one of the best designated hitters in baseball in 2022 having ranked 10th in wRC+ (119) among DH’s with a minimum of 400 PA in 2022. He also hit 28 homers as recently as 2021 so the lethal power is still very much there.

The five-time All-Star could benefit from a change of scenery in 2023 and he would greatly improve the Mets’ options at the designated hitter position. After all, they got little to no production from the DH spot in 2023, with the position collectively hitting just .218/.314/.371 with 18 home runs and 183 strikeouts. Furthermore, the Mets tied for 15th in home runs with just 171 last year and finished with the fifth-worst hard-hit rate in MLB at 28.6%, per Fangraphs.

As a result, the need for another big bat in the lineup is clear and both Conforto and Martinez would help address what is still a glaring need. Per Spotrac.com, Conforto is projected to sign a one-year, $20.7 million deal while Martinez could get a two-year contract with an average annual salary of $15.1 million on the open market.

There are internal options for the Mets, of course. Highly-rated prospects Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos could all be in line for bigger roles in 2023, while Daniel Vogelbach remains on the roster. However, for a team that should be competing for the World Series next year, adding a legitimate and proven power bat would be the correct way to address a fatal flaw that really hurt this team in big spots both down the stretch and during the postseason in 2022.

And, for a team that has already added Justin Verlander, José Quintana, Kodai Senga and David Robertson this winter, and re-signed Edwin Díaz and Brandon Nimmo, going out and signing a player like Conforto or Martinez and adding yet another big-time weapon to this lineup would be another clear sign that Cohen will do whatever is within his power to help the Mets win in 2023 and beyond.

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This offseason, we’re looking at the Mets’ history with free agency. We’ve highlighted four pitchers so far, one of which is heading for Cooperstown and another who’s already there. Next is another pitcher who also has a Hall plaque who was one of the greatest pitchers of his era before arriving in New York.

It’s not about what he did, it’s about what came after him.

Pedro Martínez was, in many ways, a precursor, to Max Scherzer: a three-time Cy Young winner and Hall of Fame-bound pitcher on the back end of his career who portends future significant acquisitions.

Martínez was 33 and coming off a curse-breaking World Series title with the Boston Red Sox. The best days, at times historically great, were clearly in his past. But Mets fans were definitely granted glimpses of vintage Pedro, especially in 2005 — which turned out to be his only great season in New York.

The most significant effect of the signing was that it rejuvenated a fan base that had seen three dreadful seasons in a row and created an influx of talent that followed him, most notably Carlos Beltrán later that offseason. It’s a guarantee that without Pedro, there would be no Beltrán.

The first major deal for general manager Omar Minaya, at four years and $53 million, brought instant credibility for an organization devoid of such credit. And Martínez’s presence on the mound created a buzz around his starts, especially at Shea Stadium.

Even though he had yet to reach his mid-30s, Martínez — with a slight frame that belied his overpowering stuff — had logged 200 or more regular season innings in six of the past eight years (not counting his multiple playoff appearances). Yet he was able to throw 217 more in 2005, the name number he tallied in ’04.

In another All-Star season, Martínez had a league-leading 0.95 WHIP — the sixth time he led his league in that category and the fifth time he led the majors. Martínez won 15 games with a 2.82 ERA and 208 strikeouts. He tossed four complete games, the most for him since 2000, and topped all Mets in WAR. At 7.0, that number ranks tenth all-time in franchise history for pitchers.

His outing on September 16 at Shea Stadium may have been his best of the year, one in which Pedro fanned struck out 10 Atlanta Braves to highlight a complete-game shutout.

As the Mets improved their roster for 2006, acquiring Carlos Delgado in a trade with the Marlins, Martínez wasn’t able to maintain the zip on his fastball as the year progressed. The disparity between his heater and his curveball lessened and making him less effective than in his heyday.

He was again an All-Star but he soon was not the same Pedro from even a year ago. Injuries, to his right calf and his shoulder, were the main culprit. By the end of May, he had 88 strikeouts and a 2.50 ERA. After that, his ERA was 7.10. As the Mets cruised to the NL East crown, his presence in the rotation as October would have still been invaluable, especially if he was healthy. Unfortunately, he wasn’t. Martínez’s shoulder kept him out the postseason. It would be almost a year until he returned to the mound.

He made five starts at the tail end of the 2007 season and pitched to a 2.57 ERA, giving hope he could sustain this level the following year. But a strained hamstring in April put him out for over two months. He would finish out his Mets career with a 5.61 ERA over 20 starts before joining the Phillies for 2009.

Pedro Martínez initiated a new era for the Mets. Even if it wasn’t the pitcher who dominated with the Expos or Red Sox, his charisma brought about a certain excitement, not to mention other players who wanted to be part of the fun. Some signings wind up being more about the player’s appeal than the player’s performance. And that was certainly the case here. 

The post Mets Best Free-Agent Signing No. 4: Pedro Martínez appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

J.D. Martinez

Position: Designated Hitter
Bats/Throws: R/R
Age: 35 (21/08/1987)

2022 Traditional Stats: 139 G, 596 PA, .274/.341/.448/.790, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 146 H
2022 Advanced Stats: 117 OPS+, 1.1 fWAR, 8.7% BB%, 24.3% K%, 41.8% HardH%, .345 BABIP, .174 ISO

Rundown

J.D. Martinez has built a career on taking the cover off the baseball. The 12-year veteran would be a perfect fit for any team in need of some pop in the middle of the lineup. The Mets were reportedly interested in trading for Martinez at the 2022 trade deadline given his prowess at the designated-hitter spot, coupled with his ability to put the ball in play and get on base.

Throughout his career Martinez has been able to hit moonshots while also establishing a reputation as an excellent contact hitter. That has been the case ever since he broke into the bigs with the Houston Astros in 2011, slashing .274/.319/.423 with 13 doubles, six homers, and 35 RBI in 53 games in 2011. After underlining his ability as a situational hitter in his first couple of years in the majors, Martinez really began to harness the power that he’s now famous for by hitting 23 home runs in 2014 with the Detroit Tigers, while also setting career-highs in doubles (30) and RBI (76).

Martinez’s career really began to take off at this point and he soon became a one-man wrecking ball in the Tigers lineup. The slugger really broke out in 2015, earning his first trip to the All-Star Game and also finishing 15th in American League MVP voting. He hit .282./344/.535 with 168 hits, 33 doubles, two triples, 38 homers and 102 RBI.

The righty was then traded to Arizona where he crushed 29 homers and 65 RBI in 62 games, before signing for the Boston Red Sox on a five-year, $110 million year deal. Already boasting a reputation as one of the best power hitters in the game, Martinez really propelled his career to a whole new level in Boston and cemented his legacy as a batter that could cause a lot of damage at the plate.

Immediately after arriving at Fenway Park, the masher put together a career year as he hit .330/.402/.629 with 43 home runs, 37 doubles, 69 walks and 130 RBI in 2018. That earned Martinez another trip to the All-Star Game as well as a Silver Slugger Award. He also finished fourth in AL MVP voting. Martinez was even better in the playoffs, hitting three homers with 14 RBI as the Red Sox beat the Dodgers to win the World Series.

Another monster season followed in 2019 as he blasted 36 homers, 33 doubles and 105 RBI to go along with a slash line of .304/.383/.557. Glossing over the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020, Martinez went to the All-Star Game in each of his final two seasons in Boston, recording 42 doubles in 2021 and 43 doubles in 2022 to further highlight his prowess as an all-around hitters who can hit for average as well as being able to hit for power.

Granted, the 35-year-old did endure a down year offensively in 2022, hitting just .233/.301/.400 after the All-Star break. He also hit just 16 home runs last year, down 12 from the year before, but he was still able to make things happen with a solid .341 on-base percentage. A fresh start in new surroundings may be what Martinez needs to enjoy a bounce back year in 2023 and get back to the huge bat that strikes fear into the heart of any opposing pitcher.

And, despite his second half struggles last year, Martinez ranked 10th in wRC+ (119) among designated hitters with a minimum of 400 PA in 2022. So, even with a regression in some of his stats, the five-time All-Star still ranked as one of the best designated hitters in baseball last year and there appears to be plenty left in the tank.

Contract

Boston opted not to take up the $19.6-million qualifying offer on Martinez, and he will now hit the open market this winter after a dominant five years with the Red Sox. There are a plethora of teams that need an accomplished designated hitter that can provide some pop from the middle of the lineup, and Martinez’s ability to hit for average, and get on base makes him a valuable commodity.

According to Spotrac.com, the veteran has a market value of $15,1 million and he’s projected to land a two-year, $30 million deal in free agency. There will be some doubts over Martinez given his sluggish end to the 2022 season, not to mention his advancing years, but the talent is still very much there and $30 million over two years for a player that can hit monster homers and drive in runs at a high rate is good business.

Recommendation 

It is no secret that the Mets struggled to get much production from their designated hitters in 2022. Collectively, the position hit .218/.314/.371 with 183 strikeouts, 18 home runs, and 83 RBI. Daniel Vogelbach brought some improvement after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the trade deadline, but a lot more will be expected from the designated-hitter spot in 2023.

With the front office having exercised their option on Vogelbach for the 2023, general manager Billy Eppler should now go out and really bolster the position by signing Martinez and adding a big, big bat to the middle of the lineup. Yes, the veteran showed some regression in 2022 but the talent is clearly still there and a short-term deal would be worth the risk.

You need power and home runs to be able to win in the postseason and Martinez can provide both of them at a high rate. But he can also hit doubles for fun, he can get on base, he can put the ball in play via hard contact, and he’s hardly a one-dimensional bat. Plus, Martinez can mash against both lefties and nighties and he would make a good tandem with Vogelbach at the designated-hitter position. With Vogelbach sharing some of the load, it would allow Martinez more rest which would ensure he was fresh for down the stretch and during the most important time of the year. This lineup needs more pop and Martinez would provide exactly that in abundance.

The post MMO Free Agent Profile: J.D. Martinez, DH appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Martinez was not having a spectacular season, and in fact he has missed a lot of time due to injures, but in 218 at-bats for the B-Mets this season, he was batting .294 with four homeruns, 12 doubles, 32 runs and 21 RBI’s.

At only 19 years old, F-Mart is the prized jewel in the Mets system. he has been often compared to former Texas Ranger, Juan Gonzalez. He was signed as an undrafted free agent at the age of 16 by Mets GM Omar Minaya who said of the signing, "What we saw in Martinez was a 16-year-old kid with power, great ability and great character, above everything else.”

Yesterday, F-Mart was asked which current player he likened himself to. His answer…

"I want to hit like Alex Rodriguez… Like Manny Ramirez… .300, 30 home runs, 100 RBI."

With the recent news that Moises Alou will miss the remainder of the season, many are hoping that F-Mart will make his long anticipated debut for the Mets. In fact, on SNY’s Loud Mouths, Chris Carlin was one of those trumpeting the call for his promotion during a segment on Friday’s broadcast.

Omar Minaya has shot down the idea, but he did say that if F-Mart had not missed any time with the hamstring injury, we may have seen him in September. He left no door open for the possibility of seeing him in the majors before 2009.

I actually agree with Omar on this one. F-Mart may have shown some raw skills and may be loaded with potential, but let him dazzle us in the minors and put in his work before giving him a crash course in the major leagues.

The post Fernando Martinez: The Future Is Now For F-Mart appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

In 2008, Fernando started off slow with an average around .200. However, over the past 10 days, Fernando has a 9-game hitting streak increasing his average to a decent .268. Over the past 10 days, Martinez is batting .304 with 4 doubles and 3 RBIs.

Martinez is only 20 years old, and needs another year to really develop. He does strike out quite a lot, as he has 23 Ks in 22 games played. He’s playing full-time in AA so he needs to cut down his swing and make more contact. His hot April can help him increase his confidence and hopefully provide his ticket to the Mets in September.

If Martinez and Carp can continue to hit well in April and May, I expect both of them to make a trip to New Orleans by July. We all know AAA pitching is totally different than AA pitching, but if Martinez can mature and shorten his swing, he can handle it. The future is bright for Martinez, and if he turns out to be the player the Mets think he’ll be, then the Mets have got a star in the future.

The post Minor League Player of the Week – Fernando Martinez (CF) appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

I always enjoy looking this particular list over because it gives me a better sense of not only who the Mets prospects are, but also what their biggest strengths are. For example, I’ve always heard about what a great hitter Fernando Martinez was, but I never knew that the scouts viewed him as the Mets’ best power hitting prospect. For some strange reason I always thought Mike Carp would have been the best hitter for power…

I am a little surprised that Eddie Kunz, who we’ve heard so much about, is not featured in any category. I guess that all this list represents is just another way to look at our prospects. I could see a great all-around athlete getting left off the list simply because he may not be the best in any of these attributes. That’s why it’s better to look at this along with Baseball America’s Top 20 Prospects list, to get a more complete picture.

Offense:
Best Hitter for Average: Fernando Martinez
Best Power Hitter: Fernando Martinez
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Ruben Tejeda
Fastest Baserunner: Carlos Gomez

Defense:
Defensive Catcher: Mike Nickeas
Best Defensive Infielder: Jose Coronado
Best Infield Arm: Wilmer Flores
Best Defensive Outfielder: Carlos Gomez
Best Outfield Arm: Carlos Gomez

Pitching:
Best Fastball: Brant Rustich
Best Curveball: Philip Humber
Best Slider: Kevin Mulvey
Best Changeup: Deolis Guerra
Best Control: Dylan Owen

Best Athlete: Carlos Gomez

I’m starting to wonder why almost all the Mets trade rumors I hear about, seem to include Carlos Gomez. If he is the best athlete we have, is it wise to dangle him in almost every trade rumor?

The post Fernando Martinez or Carlos Gomez – Who’s The Best? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

He is slated to start on Monday unless he feels sluggish tomorrow after todays bullpen session.

Pedro said "If my arm doesn’t fall off, I will pitch on Monday." he also said "I miss my teammates, I can’t stand to be one more day without my team."

He had a very impressive bullpen session that featured an assortment of curve-balls, change-ups, and a fastball that was clocked in the low 90’s on the radar gun.

Wilie Randolph, Rick Peterson and Omar Minaya were all very pleased with the results, and after a short meeting, the decision was made to start Pedro on Monday.

There was one more thing that Pedro said during his interview. He said that if his change-up was as good as it was today, he can get anybody in the game out!

I don’t know about you guys, but this Mets fan is absolutely stoked!!

The post Pedro Martinez Will Start Monday Against The Reds! appeared first on Metsmerized Online.