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Mini-Camp

Edgy DC Jan 25 2010 10:44 AM

Yes, many mumbling Mets are working out in St. Lucie, particularly rookies and rehabbers. Some Adam Rubin highlights: [list][*]Eddie Kunz is slimmer, but failed to use the magic "best shape of my life" phrase. [/*:m] [*]Returned from bone spur surgery is Mike Nickeas. [/*:m] [*]John Maine canceled "due to weather." [/*:m] [*]Perez, Murphy, Chris Carter, Shawn Boman, Kunz, and Nickeas all arrived and began working out before the Minaya, Manuel, and the rest of the management even took off from New York. [/*:m] [*]Can't see a surgery scar on Johan's elbow. Can you? [/*:m] [*]Ollie Perez, pain-free and in good shape. [/*:m] [*]The new hats look as lousy as you would think. What's wrong with royal blue. Why are all these alternative hats either a deeper blue or a paler one?[/*:m][/list:u] Does the guy behind Johan have amissing arm? Have the Mets signed Pete Gray?

metirish Jan 25 2010 10:47 AM Re: Mini-Camp

I'd really like to see Razor a good twenty feet away from Santana.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2010 11:02 AM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="Edgy DC"] [*]Can't see a surgery scar on Johan's elbow. Can you?

That because the dumbass Mets surgeons operated on his right elbow!

Ceetar Jan 25 2010 11:39 AM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="metirish":1yqcl4v8]I'd really like to see Razor a good twenty feet away from Santana.[/quote:1yqcl4v8] That's roughly how far away he'll be in the dugout while Santana pitches. Niese is on pace to be 100% healthy for Spring Training, threw off a mound. some mini-camp humor: Ceetar: Jeff Francoeur still swung at both. @joe_demayo Oliver Perez has thrown 2 balls over the fence tossing with Santana

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2010 03:33 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Is anyone else not feeling the usual level of anticipation re: pitchers-and-catchers' arrival this year?

TransMonk Jan 25 2010 04:10 PM Re: Mini-Camp

*raises hand* I'm really interested to see what the expectaions are for this season by the pundits and the like. I have a feeling that the bar may be set low enough that they can exceed expectations for the first time in a few years. I'm also dreading that they may not get any better and this year will be a repeat of last year, matching or coming in below expectations.

metirish Jan 25 2010 04:39 PM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":27wr0wag]Is anyone else not feeling the usual level of anticipation re: pitchers-and-catchers' arrival this year?[/quote:27wr0wag] Jets just lost so perhaps you are not feeling tip top as is? It's still a bit early to get excited but this time next month I expect I will be.

Ceetar Jan 25 2010 04:41 PM Re: Mini-Camp

No, I'm practically counting down the hours. I'm even more excited because it almost feels like I haven't seen them play since 2008. To see Santana take the mound with Reyes behind him on Opening Day? That's going to be a good feeling. I also feel this team is good enough to win though. No reason to think they won't be competitive, barring injury of course.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2010 04:45 PM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]Is anyone else not feeling the usual level of anticipation re: pitchers-and-catchers' arrival this year?

Pitchers and catchers means little to me. So does the start of spring training; unless I'm going to Florida, which I rarely do.

It's Opening Day that I look forward to.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 25 2010 05:46 PM Re: Mini-Camp

P&C is a giant cocktease, I've come to hate the whole watched-pot aspect of it, plus the fact that all of us can prolly name 24 of the 25 guys who'll break camp with the club right now. Plus it's become one of those phrases that fake baseball fans use to try to appear as if they're real baseball fans. On the other hand, it's better than College Bowl season.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2010 05:51 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I think reporters look forward to pitchers and catchers because they get to escape the cold and go to Florida. I don't know why fans would look forward to it, unless they're taking their lead from the reporters, which is certainly possible.

Ceetar Jan 25 2010 06:28 PM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":37ucb7wy]I think reporters look forward to pitchers and catchers because they get to escape the cold and go to Florida. I don't know why fans would look forward to it, unless they're taking their lead from the reporters, which is certainly possible.[/quote:37ucb7wy] If you have time (and this is the first year in a couple I won't be either unemployed or visiting Florida) it can be a lot of fun to enjoy Spring Training. I enjoy watching or visiting, and while figuring out the 25th guy on the roster is 'eh', it's fun to watch the prospects. I enjoyed watching Ruben Tejada last year, someone I hadn't heard of prior to going to Port St. Lucie. You get a feel for the little guys, and how they're viewed by the team. Tejada, (who i got to sign a baseball) coincidentally must've been viewed well, as he got a lot of playing time, and even played in the Red Sox Citi Field exhibition. I also discovered that the Spring Training uniforms are not all..uniform. During the away game in Tiger Town, Tejada played and wore #87 (no name, he's not that special..) the next day at Tradition field he wore #86 and it took me a couple of minutes to confirm that it was in fact the same guy running around out there. (I guess either the home uniforms don't have a 87, or the away ones don't have an 86. ) I enjoy listening to the WFAN broadcasts just as a memory of baseball. Gary Keith and Ron are priceless if you actually listen to the whole broadcast in Spring. (I was flipping around the radio the other day and stumbled on Gary Cohen doing whichever meaningless college team he does. that was a jolt of 'is baseball here yet?' that stuck.)

Edgy DC Jan 25 2010 07:00 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I like baseball and lub the Mets, and P&C means more information about the two.

Fman99 Jan 25 2010 07:12 PM Re: Mini-Camp

It isn't even about baseball, to me. It means spring is nigh.

Chad Ochoseis Jan 25 2010 07:18 PM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="Fman99":1nob0fj7]It isn't even about baseball, to me. It means spring is nigh. [/quote:1nob0fj7] In other words, just four short months away for you guys in Syracuse. But, yeah. It means nothing to me in and of itself, but everything in terms of spring, longer days, the real baseball season, &c., &c., &c., soon approaching.

attgig Jan 26 2010 07:57 AM Re: Mini-Camp

getting kinda anxious for santana's mound session.... just 20 stinkin pitches, but man.... wish they would webcast this stuff...

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2010 10:23 AM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="New York Post"]Mets' Santana has successful return to mound 11:11 AM, January 26, 2010 ? By KEVIN KERNAN PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- A Mets franchise desperately in need of some good news got some today when Johan Santana threw a successful bullpen session at the team’s mini-camp in Port St. Lucie. Santana arrived at the Mets’ minor-league facility at 9:55 this morning, started with some running and light tossing. But the real test came when the Mets ace threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing August surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow. Santana threw 24 pitches over six minutes and was seen laughing with manager Jerry Manuel and GM Omar Minaya after the session. Santana did not expect any problems, but with the way things have gone for the Mets recently this had to come as a great relief to the team. The session went perfectly with Santana mixing in some changeups. His goal is to reach 90 pitches by the end of spring training. "I’m feeling good,’’ Santana said yesterday. "What happened last spring had nothing to do with the surgery I had. At this point I feel way ahead of what I was last year at this point. I can’t wait to be in spring training and see where we are at.’’ Santana threw alongside a group of four pitchers, including Oliver Perez. He was watched closely by Chris Correnti, the Mets’ rehab specialist, who came over from Boston when they signed Pedro Martinez. Correnti spoke with Santana in between pitches. The Mets strength and conditioning coordinator, Rick Slate, was also on hand and had more good news. Santana had already ordered lunch for everyone at the mini-camp sandwiches from Subway. If choosing between ham and turkey was one of Santana’s concerns, well that could be a bad thing.

MFS62 Jan 26 2010 10:29 AM Re: Mini-Camp

If choosing between ham and turkey was one of Santana’s concerns, well that could be a bad thing. He yelled out "turkey" and Omar entered the room. Coincidence? Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 26 2010 10:59 AM Re: Mini-Camp

Is Subway paying him in kind? 'Cause if that's the case... man, should've held out for Quizno's.

metirish Jan 26 2010 11:02 AM Re: Mini-Camp

Good news with Ollie New York Mets pitcher Oliver Perez says knee not a problem PORT ST. LUCIE - Oliver Perez has gotten rid of his modest Mohawk and grown a beard. But of much greater interest to the Mets than the lefthander's follicle follies, Perez declared himself "strong," with no lingering knee problems after an injury-wrecked 2009 season. After spending the winter training in Phoenix at a well-regarded facility with other major leaguers at the Mets' behest, Perez undoubtedly is in better shape than a year ago. Last March, Perez drew criticism from pitching coach Dan Warthen for returning from the World Baseball Classic unprepared for a major-league season. Perez relocated this offseason from his native Culiacan, Mexico, to Arizona to train at Fischer Sports, the facility credited with preparing Randy Johnson during his career. Other than two weeks spent in Mexico around Christmas, Perez said he's spent the entire winter in Phoenix working out at that training center with major leaguers including Kerry Wood, Chris and Shelley Duncan, Sergio Mitre and Mike Hampton. "A lot of good players there," Perez said. Perez said he's religiously at the facility by 7 a.m. and stretching 90 minutes later. The southpaw went 3-4 with a 6.82 ERA in 14 starts in 2009, in the first season of a three-year, $36 million deal. He spent May 7-July 8 on the disabled list with right patellar tendinitis, and ultimately underwent Sept. 1 surgery to remove scar tissue from the knee. "Right now I don't feel anything," he said Monday. "I think that's why I'm really happy. I feel really strong." Of course, Perez's trademark wildness comically remained Monday. As he long-tossed with Johan Santana on a windy morning at the Mets' complex, Perez twice overshot Santana with throws on a back field and cleared a fence. "It's going to take a couple of weeks," Santana turned and offered with a smile.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 26 2010 11:19 AM Re: Mini-Camp

Ollie's gonna kick ass this year, just watch.

metirish Jan 26 2010 11:36 AM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1wvrcx2u]Ollie's gonna kick ass this year, just watch.[/quote:1wvrcx2u] Yep , I really think he will too.

TransMonk Jan 26 2010 11:55 AM Re: Mini-Camp

Agreed, I think Ollie and Maine will both be improved this season. I also think this is Pelfrey's put up or shut up year.

holychicken Jan 26 2010 12:34 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I hope Ollie follows Greinke's lead, sorts out his mental issues and unlocks his true potential.

Edgy DC Jan 26 2010 01:09 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I don't think there's any evidence Oliver Perez ever had any mental issues.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2010 01:22 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I think it would be hard to find "evidence" of any pitcher having mental issues.

Frayed Knot Jan 26 2010 01:24 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Well, with Greinke there is which is where the comparison was being made.

metsguyinmichigan Jan 26 2010 01:55 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I would not be surprised if Perez throws the first Mets no-hitter. I also would not be surprised if he followed that game up with six-run, seven-walk, three-inning disaster. I think he gets it all together this year and makes us proud.

TransMonk Jan 26 2010 01:57 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I don't think there's any evidence Oliver Perez never had any mental issues.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2010 01:58 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I used to think that Sid Fernandez (who in many ways was like Oliver Perez) would throw the first Mets no-hitter, and that he'd be the losing pitcher because of walks.

themetfairy Jan 26 2010 02:02 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Agreed BG (and michigan). I have constantly said that, like Big Sid, each time out, Ollie Perez is the Met most likely to throw a no-hitter. He's also likely to walk 10. And he's likely to do both in the same game.

Ceetar Jan 26 2010 02:09 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Santana's gonna be the guy most likely to do it, and if he stays healthy I think he just might. (in which he gets an extension, wins three rings and gets his number on the wall, etc) I could see Perez doing it too. Wasn't it A.J. Burnett that did it with 9 walks? Or am I thinking of a different ex-Marlin? I expect good things out of all our pitchers actually. I think they're all going to take a step forward in their careers. I think the Mets expect (but hopefully aren't relying on) good things as well. I think they may have overpaid for Lackey if they thought those three were going to open up at least two roster spots next year.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 26 2010 02:13 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I don't think there's any evidence that Ollie Perez has any mental issues. I do think that there's ample evidence that he's wildly inconsistent, usually settling somewhere in terms of seasonal performance in the range between "pretty good" and "most terrible regular starter in the majors." (He may also achieve this level of performance variance within the confines of a single game, or inning.) Also, there is some evidence that-- like a lot of us-- he has problems keeping himself in shape. I sympathize. But I'm also not paid $12 million dollars annually to perform at an elite level athletically, and, by extension, to keep myself in good enough shape to do so.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 27 2010 12:48 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Adam Rubin has lobby for conversation during mini-camp with Jerry Manuel... and succeeded. Although I have no idea what he means by "pull an Aaron Heilman" (Wait politely to be given a second chance at starting that never really comes? Have people yell untoward things about his parents after a few early season flame jobs?), interesting tidbits abound: • I asked, since Daniel Murphy has played multiple positions during his career -- albeit struggling at times defensively -- if Murphy one day could be a Joe McEwing of sorts, with a better bat. Manuel suggested Mark DeRosa may be a better comparison. • Bobby Parnell is solely being looked at for a late-inning relief role. By the way, Parnell in no way pulled an Aaron Heilman, but he does envision himself one day as a starting pitcher. • Pat Misch, despite Omar Minaya mentioning him as a lefty bullpen candidate, is almost exclusively being looked at as a starting pitcher. Manuel believes that because Misch has a Tom Glavine-like style, it's not conducive to relief work. • Manuel confirmed Fernando Nieve is the fifth-starter frontrunner right now.

metirish Jan 27 2010 12:52 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Pat Misch, despite Omar Minaya mentioning him as a lefty bullpen candidate, is almost exclusively being looked at as a starting pitcher. Manuel believes that because Misch has a Tom Glavine-like style, it's not conducive to relief work. It's a small thing but lets have the manager and GM on the same page , the whole crew are down there.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 27 2010 12:53 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I just gotta say, I like Nieve. I'm glad he's going to get a shot. If he's good, or even serviceable, that's a nice benefit of having not chased down the middling free-agents who'd have cost him his job, maybe.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 27 2010 12:55 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Aaron Heilman stated openly, and often, that he preferred to be a starter and that he wasn't happy in the bullpen. I'm sure that that's what Rubin is referring to regarding Parnell.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 27 2010 01:00 PM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":3tlu4bm2]Aaron Heilman stated openly, and often, that he preferred to be a starter and that he wasn't happy in the bullpen. I'm sure that that's what Rubin is referring to regarding Parnell.[/quote:3tlu4bm2] Only when asked, though, right? Or is my memory just being REALLY kind to that sad-looking bastich?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 27 2010 01:02 PM Re: Mini-Camp

I don't know whether or not Heilman required prompting, and if so, how much, but he definitely could have been more circumspect about his beef with his role.

metirish Jan 27 2010 01:03 PM Re: Mini-Camp

A quick google search reveals his agent spoke openly about it. Nov.19th 2008 Aaron Heilman doesn't necessarily want out of New York. He just wants out of the bullpen. But if the Mets insist he remain a reliever, Heilman wants to be traded. "The object the entire time has never been to get out of New York," Heilman's agent Mark Rodgers told the Daily News. "The object is to get out of the bullpen. The most success he's ever had as a pitcher has been as a starting pitcher. He was drafted by the Mets as a starting pitcher." A source with knowledge of the Mets' internal discussions suggested there's an organizational split about Heilman - with chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon wanting him to remain and other key front-office personnel favoring a trade. There isn't a shortage of teams that want Heilman as a starter, with the Rockies believed to be among at least six teams intrigued. The Mets have remained adamant that Heilman, who turned 30 last week, will not be considered for a rotation spot. A Met official Wednesday reiterated that the organization is giving no consideration to using Heilman as a starter in '09. That's the case even with Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine the only established starters under the team's control. Heilman made 25 starts for the Mets between 2003 and '05. He went 5-13 with a 5.93 ERA. Those statistics include the very beginning of his major-league career, when he struggled before lowering his arm angle. The Mets, fairly or unfairly, have viewed Heilman as primarily a fastball-changeup pitcher, which makes him better suited for relief work. The last time the Mets even allowed for the possibility of Heilman moving back to the rotation came during spring training in 2006. Before that, he had spent the offseason participating in winter ball in the Dominican Republic in an attempt to regain a starting role. He dominated in the Grapefruit League that year, with a 1.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts and no walks in 14 innings. The Mets instead awarded Brian Bannister that fifth starter's role, albeit after the rookie posted a 0.95 ERA in the spring. Heilman came to believe that the battle was heavily weighted against him, and that the Mets had let him go to winter ball to prepare for a starting role only to appease him. The righthander did go on to excel in a relief role in '06, combining with Duaner Sanchez and then Guillermo Mota to serve as a bridge to Billy Wagner. That was until, of course, Heilman served up that homer to Yadier Molina in Game 7 of the NLCS. Heilman's starting resume includes an April 15, 2005 one-hit shutout against the Marlins, in which Luis Castillo's fourth-inning infield single was the lone hit. Heilman has four years, 123 days of major-league service time. He is arbitration eligible, and can't be a free agent until after the 2010 season - his six-year service time threshold. Although Heilman often gets flak on talk radio because of his desire to return to starting, he is never disruptive in the clubhouse and addresses the subject only when asked. "The objective is not to be traded," Rodgers said. "The objective is to get out of the bullpen." Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseb ... z0dqRlrQ8u

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 27 2010 01:10 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Flerg. It's like I was quoting this: Although Heilman often gets flak on talk radio because of his desire to return to starting, he is never disruptive in the clubhouse and addresses the subject only when asked. I do like the idea of Murph as SuperDan. And I like Nieve... but if Niese's better in ST, does he get the slot? Figs?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 27 2010 01:11 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Has he started any games since he left the Mets? I'm guessing he probably hasn't.

holychicken Jan 27 2010 01:13 PM Re: Mini-Camp

What else would explain ollie's issues if it isn't mental? Does his arm change length after every pitch and seemingly get stuck at the "bad" length when he starts to walk people or something doesn't go his way? It may be hard to prove one way or another, but how else would you explain it? He certainly looks like he gets frazzled easily and often when he gets that look, there is a good chance they are in for a long inning.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 27 2010 01:14 PM Re: Mini-Camp Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 27 2010 01:31 PM

RE: Aaron f'ing Heilman 70 games. In all of them, he was taking some other guy's ball.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 27 2010 01:20 PM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="holychicken":1rl63v81]What else would explain ollie's issues if it isn't mental? Does his arm change length after every pitch and seemingly get stuck at the "bad" length when he starts to walk people or something doesn't go his way? It may be hard to prove one way or another, but how else would you explain it? He certainly looks like he gets frazzled easily and often when he gets that look, there is a good chance they are in for a long inning.[/quote:1rl63v81] Well last season he was dealing with tendonitis, a kind of niggling injury that isn't completely devastating, just enough to mess up max effort. I think that's part of it. It was bad enough to eventually require surgery. I think he might be an idiot for allowing himself to get into the kind of shape where tendonitis could develop, but seems like nobody considers the fact that physical woes have anything to do with it.

metsmarathon Jan 27 2010 01:29 PM Re: Mini-Camp

[quote="Edgy DC":3lq9ho6m]I don't think there's any evidence Oliver Perez ever had any mental issues.[/quote:3lq9ho6m] if by mental issues, we mean a lack of focus, or maybe confidence, or perhaps even a stubborness against instruction, then, sure, he's probably got mental issues in the same sense that all of us probably have mental issues. if by mental issues, you mean something that can and should be diagnsed and treated by a trained professional, and perhaps even be treated pharmacologically, then no, i don't think there's any evidence that he has them, and get rather annoyed when "mental problems" get tossed around as an easy insult (not to, uh, be that guy).

metirish Jan 27 2010 01:31 PM Re: Mini-Camp

Ollie was a pretty good student with Peterson.