Pitchers and Catchers Applesauce - Mets open camp, Wright's expectations, Escobar injured already

by Joe Budd on Feb 18, 2010 11:57 AM EST in Applesauce

Meet the Mets

David Wright did his best Carlos Beltran impersonation yesterday, but even that was pretty non-objectionable. I would hope that they expect to win the World Series. Every player in the majors probably has that same delusion.

Remember when the Kelvim Escobar signing was a neat buy-low opportunity? Well, he can't grip a baseball right now.

The Mets' offer to Barajas is of the minor-league variety. Barajas is still close to accepting it. Dave Singer is less than impressed with the idea.

Patrick Flood breaks down the catching platoon situation with the potential addition of Barajas.

Cuban defector Yuniesky Maya hasn't signed with the Mets, but he is working out in Port St. Lucie right now.

Michael Baron sits down and talks with OhMurph.

JRSportsBrief took a video camera along for his blood donation at Citi Field and got two free tickets in the process.

Around the NL East

Some amazingly over the top stuff from Crashburn Alley to pass along. They are already picturing Roy Halladay's Hall of Fame induction as a Phillie. Oh, and the Mets don't have leadership because Jose claps and Johan high fives.

Good news for the Braves: Jair Jurrjens is alright. And likes Sea World.

Around MLB

Spring Training is upon us and we need something to keep us busy before exhibition baseball entertains us, so here's some Mad Libs.

I think we could have the same poll here about Omar Minaya as Royals Review has about Dayton Moore.

Kiko Calero is still not signed.

Walkoff Walk has a wonderful contest idea that will allow us fat bloggers to enjoy the fat baseball writers even more.

Eric Gagne was less than impressive in his audition for the Rockies.

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Comments

Boy, that Baseball Daily Digest article really brought the stupid.

For example:

Jose Reyes, known more for his celebratory antics than anything he’s accomplished on the field, was being accused by New York media and Mets fans last year for being in a wimp in his recovery from a hamstring injury. Reyes worsened his injury status attempting to come back prematurely to selfishly show everyone that he was a gamer.

If Jose Reyes tries to come back from injury before being 100% healthy, he’s selfish. If Jose Reyes does not try to come back from injury before he is 100% healthy, he’s a wimp. Thus, Jose Reyes can’t win.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Feb 18, 2010 12:06 PM EST reply actions

Don't forget to add

that he’s never accomplished anything on the field. What?

by Lunkwill Fook on Feb 18, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know that I'd say he's more well known for his celebratory antics than what he's done on the field.

I think most people would probably associate Jose with stolen bases.

"We're just as bad as the old Mets, but this time nobody's laughing"
-Dallas Green

by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 18, 2010 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

those guys are douches

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Feb 18, 2010 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah, kick us while we're down, why don't ya?

What Assholes!

The 2010 New York Mets: Maybe it's the Phillies' turn to have 95% of its roster on the DL

The 2009 New England Patriots: At least we got our division title back

The 2009-10 New Jersey Devils: Allergic to second periods

by R_Adragna on Feb 18, 2010 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

that's the worst article I've ever read

like, literally ever.

“Even Jimmy Rollins, who was disciplined by Manuel when he failed to run out a pop-up, has set an example with his leadership by showing up to the ballpark every day ready to play”

You know, except for that one day when he was late to Shea Stadium. Give me a break. And how come nobody pointed out how leaderless the Mets were in 2006, when they ran away with the division?

I am always going to be a Mets fan, but this year I might find myself rooting hard for the Braves & Marlins, b/c I really want someone to put the Phillies back in their place, and I think Omar may have taken us out of the running to do it.

2009 Did Not Happen

by cjmulrain on Feb 18, 2010 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Still rather

Have a healthy Reyes than a healthy Rollins and thats all I care about.

The Phillies are an elite team, their fans shouldnt have to write articles justifying their clubhouse credentials. They play solid baseball, enough said. The Mets clubhouse is constantly being pointed to but that’s only part of the story. If you took the Phillies clubhouse culture and applied it to the Mets I doubt it would work, it works for them so kudos to them. Also talked about how Halladay and Utley are some of the few that showed up early to camp early while Reyes, Wright, Jacobs, Murphy, all the 5th starter candidates and others are already there.

My point is, if youre looking backwards at the NY Mets after last years 72-90 finish to make yourselves feel good about your WS loss, thats pretty sad.

by DWEEEZ on Feb 18, 2010 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

"My point is, if youre looking backwards at the NY Mets after last years 72-90 finish to make yourselves feel good about your WS loss, thats pretty sad."

This.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Feb 18, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

I'm really at a loss

as to how the Johan handshake thing can be construed as anything other than chemistry building.

You don't cheer for the Mets. You drink for the Mets.

by Kevin H on Feb 18, 2010 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

I spent some time writing a post in response

Might post it tomorrow. It was total Philly fan b.s., and from a writer who’s usually on point and rational.

by James Kannengieser on Feb 18, 2010 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

Right on, Cannonglaser.

Looking forward to it.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Feb 18, 2010 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

Cannonglaser?

Cannonlaser? Lasercannon?

by JoshNY on Feb 19, 2010 9:09 AM EST up reply actions

Peoples.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 19, 2010 11:02 AM EST up reply actions

Really?

I find that hard to believe (that the writer is generally rational). That paragraph about Jose is just clownish in its silliness and inconsistency. It’s as if he were writing a purposely absurd parody of the way people bitch about Jose.

by SuperT on Feb 18, 2010 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

haha this is just comically bad writing

by KeithsMoustache on Feb 18, 2010 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

What I learned from the Blood Drive video

1. If you have an arm, and are healthy, and have blood, you can give blood.

2. Mr. Met knows how to bro-hug.

phliadelphoe ite domum!

by Doc Manhattan on Feb 18, 2010 12:25 PM EST reply actions

I have an arm, am healthy (ish), have blood but can't give blood.

Damn that mad cow disease!

"Wait till Biggus Dickus hears about this!"

by scott from peekskill on Feb 18, 2010 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

That just shows that blood transfusion recievers aren't gritty enough.

If they had more grit, they’d accept any kind of blood. Period.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 18, 2010 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

Updating the Escobar story

Asked the beat writers if they had any info.

Rubin replies…

Johan Santana played catch with him all week and said Escobar having trouble gripping a baseball would be untrue.

by The 'Ropolitans on Feb 18, 2010 12:26 PM EST reply actions

if he couldn't grip a baseball today

how could he hold a pen to sign the contract last month?

by hotspur on Feb 18, 2010 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Duct tape.

by The 'Ropolitans on Feb 18, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd.

you know what I'm sayin' ?

by fxcarden on Feb 18, 2010 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

He's no longer having trouble gripping a baseball

because his arm fell off.

Meet the Mets!

by SeanSchirmer on Feb 23, 2010 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

obviously he held the pen his mouth

or omar moved his arm for him. Just imagine the handshake afterwords.

by Olde Isle Mets Fan on Feb 18, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

by The 'Ropolitans on Feb 18, 2010 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

That's poor, Family Guy. That's poor...

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 18, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Haha, its awesome after the Sarah Palin brooha

"Wait till Biggus Dickus hears about this!"

by scott from peekskill on Feb 18, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

I really wish players would shut up about winning the World Series.

And that the MSM would stop asking them about their expectations.

by Andrew McCarthy on Feb 18, 2010 12:27 PM EST reply actions

I don't think he was trying to call anything or saying that "they're the team to beat" as...others...have done in the past.

Like what was said in the post, shouldn’t all baseball players go into the season believing their team can win the world series? Some people think he sounded cocky by saying that which I don’t understand. It seems pretty harmless to me.

by wrightttxgirlllx3 on Feb 18, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. I didn't see any "We're the team to beat" crap there.

He basically said, in effect, we’re good, and I think we’re good enough to go all the way.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 18, 2010 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

what are you thinking about his close-cut head?

I’m thinking he needs some hair for a really optimal look. It’s fine in-season, if he wants to mix things up a little, but to go around like that as a normal thing, no. One of his girlfriends (sorry!) should really talk him out of that.

by SuperT on Feb 18, 2010 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

According to my science teacher, I am his girlfriend. So HA.

And I, for one, love him despite whatever his hair length may be. And a couple years ago the shaved head seemed to be good luck for the team. Whatever works. (:

by wrightttxgirlllx3 on Feb 18, 2010 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

baseballdailydigest

what a load. The Mets already have Johan, Wright and Reyes in camp, and they clearly are the leadership core.

Meanwhile, Philly has Halladay and Utley. So they’ve got the new guy and the guy that cursed out fans at the allstar game. The rest of the Phillies “leadership,” Mr. outspoken Rollins, fat attack howard and the rest of them are probably still hungover from Rollins wedding… and where’s quitter cole hanging out?

Where’s the mention of Jimmy and Howard criticizing their fans? Romero juicing and attacking fans after games, Ibanez throwing temper tantrums, VIctorino suing fans and of course Myers calling out Cole.

by Olde Isle Mets Fan on Feb 18, 2010 1:52 PM EST reply actions

None of that actually happened

They have leadership!

Also, that article made me vomit in my mouth a little bit.

"You know I am only teasing. I love you gals out there -- always have." - Keith Hernandez

by OSUmets on Feb 18, 2010 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Applesauce

That leadership article was such a load of crap.

“Jose Reyes, known more for his celebratory antics than anything he’s accomplished on the field…” WTF? Really? Shane Victorino is a real piece of crap, then. It’s not like he has the resume that Reyes has…

“Reyes worsened his injury status attempting to come back prematurely to selfishly show everyone that he was a gamer.” Isn’t grit and gaminess a quality of leadership?

“Ace Johan Santana appears to spend far too much time working on unique handshakes for all of his teammates, if this video is any indication.” What does it matter what he does when he’s not on the mound, posting numbers good enough to make him one of the top 5 pitchers in the NL, and one of the top 10 pitchers in the MLB?

Ugh…

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 18, 2010 2:12 PM EST reply actions

And according to Johan himself,

the best pitcher in the NL East.

by wrightttxgirlllx3 on Feb 18, 2010 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

Final piece

So Wright says they can win the division and Johan says he’s the best pitcher in the division. All we need now is for Jerry to come in and tell everybody they’ll dominate…

Oh, the butcher and the baker and the people on the street: wheredotheygo?!?!?

by CharlieH on Feb 18, 2010 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

by Adam F. on Feb 18, 2010 4:52 PM EST reply actions

More like an 80 year head start, actually

"I've been trying transcendental meditation, and that helps me be passive and wait on the curve. I've got to find something else to hit the slider." - George (The Stork) Theodore

by StorkFan on Feb 18, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions