Beltran’s absence proves his importance to organization
One player standing in the middle of the outfield. Just one player. Big deal, right?
You betcha.
Mets’ outfielder Carlos Beltran underwent surgery in January and will miss the beginning of the upcoming season, forcing his team to scramble for answers until his return. However, what makes this entire situation so interesting is how many categories are being affected due to his absence. It’s not just a matter of finding a rental-type outfielder to fill the gap for a few weeks or months until he returns, but it totally affects the way the team is being structured.
The batting order, which can be one of the most difficult sciences of the game, will likely see a dramatic shift in the first few batting slots. Although Jose Reyes has been the leadoff man since the disappointing Kaz Matsui era, he may need to drop to third in the lineup in order to counteract the glaring hole left by Beltran. Last week, manager Jerry Manuel hinted at the idea of inserting Angel Pagan in the leadoff spot and said he plans to drop Reyes to the third spot in the order.
But why mess with Reyes? He is coming off an excruciating year of injury and probably shouldn’t be getting thrown around the lineup like a punching bag. He’s going to see different pitches and end up in different situations. If he doesn’t produce in the three hole, it will look much worse than if he struggles as leadoff hitter.
At the same time, it is something the Mets could try in Spring Training. Spring Training experiments don’t always translate into the most accurate results when there are double-A players patrolling the outfield, but at least it gives room for error.
Beltran’s outfield anticipation will also hurt the Mets in the beginning of the season. Beltran is known for his ability to read fly balls and track them down in a hurry, so the seemingly routine fly balls in CitiField may force more fans to hold their breath as substitute players try to step up.
On the bright side, Beltran was smart enough to follow through with the surgery early enough for him to make a mid-season comeback. Beltran has proved in the past that the second half of the season is all you need for a monster contract, as shown when he carried the Houston Astros through the playoffs after spending only a few months with the team. What came next? A 7-year, $119 million dollar contract.
Troops are marching into Port St. Lucie
Before pitchers and catchers were even required to report to camp, position players made their way to the Mets Spring Training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida. By Tuesday morning, blogs and newspapers had reported sightings of key players around Tradition Field such as Jose Reyes, David Wright, Daniel Murphy, and John Maine. David Wright reportedly arrived before the Super Bowl earlier this month.
Most of the topics being discussed include the progress of Jose Reyes, who required surgery after failing to make it to the all-star break in 2009. Other hot topics at hand include the questions surrounding the starting job behind the plate as well as the fifth starter job. Barring a disastrous Spring for the following players, the Mets front four of the rotation should include Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, and Oliver Perez. Santana was hampered by injury last season, Pelfrey had his mental issues that required a Sport Psychologist, Maine’s durability has been questioned, and Perez’s ability to put together consecutive strong outings was a big concern. Keep in mind that the Mets will do whatever it takes to keep Perez afloat, considering his 3-year monster contract.
The attitude seems very upbeat in St. Lucie, as expected. Most of the players are very pleased with the fact that they can sweep the remnants of 2009 under the rug and look forward to their new team that includes newcomer Jason Bay. It really is amazing how laid back EVERYONE is at Spring Training. Yes, this includes the manager and coaches, who thought it would be sufficient to sit in a lawn chair when I was bat boy for the team in 2007 and 2009.
Although it seems like a relaxing Spring for most players and coaches, it will be a nail biter for manager Jerry Manuel. Manuel is under a great deal of pressure to perform in 2010, and that includes games prior to the all-star break. If the Mets are slipping out of contention by June or July, you can bet the Mets will be give Manuel the boot. They aren’t afraid of mid-season firings, as they fired former manager Willie Randolph in the middle of the night following a win on the west coast in June of 2008.
Mets begin their journey to Port St. Lucie, settle with Pagan on 1-year deal
The calm before the storm is nearly over.
The Mets’ equipment trucks departed for sunny Port St. Lucie today, and Marty Noble from MLB.com was all over the action.
With an assist from Mr. Met, the mascot of moving, workers loaded all sorts of Spring Training paraphernalia onto a 10-wheeler… Baseball gear was included, of course, and also medical supplies, media relations supplies, the bikes of sons and daughters, playpens and some necessities of Florida living — golf clubs.
That sure sounded like the details of a reposing vacation, but a group of others decided to get down to business early. SNY analyst and former Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez was kind enough to offer on-field advice to youngsters Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans. Hernandez worked with the players on a practice field in St. Lucie, where he mic’ed himself up and demonstrated the proper way to play the first base position.
It was great to see Hernandez travel from his home in Florida, which he said was about 40 minutes away. Following the session, Murphy told reporters that he was very thankful for the opportunity to work with an established and experienced player such as Hernandez, and I don’t blame him. Hernandez is regarded as one of the best to play his position, and any Mets fan will tell you that his number belongs on the CitiField wall alongside Gil Hodges, Casey Stengel, Jackie Robinson, and Tom Seaver.
I hope the Mets will be willing to incorporate more of these sessions with the young players, as it seems to be something you don’t see every day in professional baseball. On the same token, it could be difficult to round up the former players and set up such an event once the season is underway.
In other news, it was fantastic to see that the Mets settled on a one-year contract with Angel Pagan in order to avoid arbitration. Pagan will be a major part of the outfield plans for the first few months of the year as Carlos Beltran recovers from surgery. Along with the newly-acquired Jason Bay, Pagan will be working with Jeff Francoeur and veteran Gary Matthews, Jr.
Moving to the infield, it appears that the Mets have been flipping through their old media guides in hopes of trying to find former players that are still active. The Mets are supposedly close to signing former first base prospect Mike Jacobs to a minor league deal. Jacobs spent a few solid seasons with the Florida Marlins, where he was notorious for striking out but popular for his home-run hitting abilities. Last season, Jacobs struggled as a member of the Kansas City Royals and only hit 19 home runs.
If anyone remembers, Jacobs hit a 3-run pinch-hit home run in his first major league at bat during his first stint with the Mets. Five seasons later, he is only one home run away from his 100th career home run.