Martin Gandy put up a "Making the Team Meter" over at Talking Chop, and I liked it so much I decided to steal it. Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery, no? I'm no Carlos Mencia, but I have taken the Mets' 40-man roster as well as all of their non-roster invitees and rated their current chances of making the Mets out of spring training. An up-arrow means their stock is on the rise, though it doesn't necessarily mean they are particularly likely to make the club. A down-arrow means they aren't doing so hot, and neutral is just that.
Technically open spots: three rotation spots, two bullpen spots, two bench spots.
I'll post an updated list once a week or so as circumstances encourage me to do so.
Player, Position | Comment | |
---|---|---|
Jon Adkins, RHP |
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Acquired from Padres in Ring/Bell deal, probably doesn't figure into Mets' bullpen plans. |
Adam Bostick, LHP |
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Came to Mets from Marlins in Lindstrom/Owens trade. Has never pitched in the bigs, look for him to continue that trend in 2007. |
Ambiorix Burgos, RHP |
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From Royals in Bannister deal, his right arm is a cannon without sight. Could fill out the back end of the 'pen. |
Marcos Carvajal, RHP |
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Snagged off waivers from TB, probably won't be Queens bound in April. |
Philip Humber, RHP |
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Feels great following 2005 TJ surgery, but has plenty of competition for the fifth starter spot. |
Chan Ho Park, RHP |
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Willie likes his curveball; frontrunner for #5 starter. |
John Maine, RHP |
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Impressed last year and in the playoffs, it will probably take a catastrophe for him not to make the team. |
Mike Pelfrey, RHP |
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Like Humber, has his work cut out for him if he's going to make the club from the get-go. Everyone loves him, though. |
Oliver Perez, LHP |
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Not as sure a thing as Maine, but he has the inside track at #4 in the rotation. |
Alay Soler RHP |
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Didn't impress last year, probably won't impress this year. |
Jorge Sosa, RHP |
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Long man? Maybe. Lousy pitcher? Assuredly. |
Jason Vargas, LHP |
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Also competing for the fifth rotation spot, but is several ticks down on he depth chart. |
Damion Easley, IF |
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Favorite for the do-everything utility spot, and can't be much worse than Chris Woodward was last year. |
Anderson Hernandez, IF |
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Can hit in the minors, can hit in winter ball, can't hit big league pitching. IPOR is on the fast track to New Orleans. |
Ben Johnson, OF |
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Nice player, should compete for the last spot on the bench. |
Lastings Milledge, OF |
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Will be very good one day soon, but unless he is all kinds of nasty in spring training he will begin the season in AAA. |
David Newhan, OF |
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Hard to get a reading here, but he's a useful utility guy. |
Eddie Camacho, LHP |
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Career minor leaguer, will be one of the first cuts (if he's even in camp). |
Willie Collazo, LHP |
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SEE: Eddie Camacho |
Derek Lee, LHP |
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He's no Derrek Lee. |
Kevin Mulvey, RHP |
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Drafted out of Villanova in 2006, no chance of making the team. |
Clint Nageotte, RHP |
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SEE: Dried up husk. |
Aaron Sele, RHP |
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Good insurance policy if Chan Ho doesn't work out. |
Joe Smith, RHP |
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Great arm, sidewinder, could get a call up this year. |
Lino Urdaneta, RHP |
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Forget it. |
Jorge Vasquez, RHP |
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Hang 'em up. |
Sandy Alomar, Jr., C |
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Needs an injury to Duke or Castro, but is still a better option than Heitpas, DiFelice, etc. |
Drew Butera, C |
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Needs a rash of injuries to the catching corps. |
Mike DiFelice, C |
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Just keeps hanging around this team. |
Joe Hietpas, C |
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Behind DiFelice on the depth chart. Enough said. |
Mike Nickeas, C |
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Keep walking. |
Francisco Pena, C |
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Not this year, but someone to keep an eye on. |
Jose A. Reyes, C |
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Only room for one Jose Reyes on this club. |
Michel Abreu, 1B |
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Raked last year in the minors, but there probably isn't a spot for him right now. |
Mike Carp, 1B |
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Nice prospect, good bat, no room. |
Ruben Gotay, IF |
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Cleared waivers recently, will go back to AAA. |
Chip Ambres, OF |
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Who? |
Fernando Martinez, OF |
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The kid can mash, but is still a good two years from making his big league debut. |
Victor Mendez, OF |
|
... |
Ruben Sierra, OF |
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Probably won't make the cut. |
Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.