2008 Edition, Volume 4. I'll post an updated list once a week or so as circumstances encourage me to do so.

The following players were sent down to triple-a New Orleans and/or re-assigned to minor league camp:

Michel Abreu, 1B
Tony Armas, RHP
Willie Collazo, LHP
Joselo Diaz, RHP
Nate Field, RHP
Ruddy Lugo, RHP
Fernando Martinez, OF
Carlos Muniz, RHP

Player, Position		Comment
Tony Armas, RHP		Finally arrived in camp last Sunday. Almost certainly too late for him to have any shot at making the big league team out of spring training. Reportedly has said he won't accept an assignment to the minors, but that's probably just a smokescreen. He has actually already been assigned to minor league camp, so we will see what happens.
Robinson Cancel, C		I've joked about him this spring, but given the lingering injury problems of Ramon Castro and Brian Schneider, Cancel might actually have a shot of heading north as a backup if one of those guys isn't ready to roll in a couple of weeks.
Raul Casanova, C		Casanova has been playing a lot, and he could very well make the team for the same reasons as Cancel.
Brady Clark, OF	--	Moises Alou's injury opens up an outfield bench spot, assuming the Mets don't acquire someone more established in the interim. Clark might have been a decent option were Angel Pagan not having such a good spring.
Nelson Figueroa, RHP		He's still hanging around. He has had one really bad outing this spring and has otherwise been untouchable.
Ruben Gotay, IF		Still hurt, but well enough to make a short appearance last night, striking out in his only plate-app.
Anderson Hernandez, IF	--	Dude can't hit; it's that simple. He might hang around for a couple of weeks if Gotay isn't healthy enough to back up, but that's about it. Gotay's appearance in last night's game is bad news for IPOR.
Gustavo Molina, C		Same boat as Cancel and Casanova. I don't think he's related to the other catching Molinas, but I could be wrong. Any healthy catcher has a shot to make the team at this point, so I can't count Molina out of it just yet.
Angel Pagan, OF		Could split time with Endy Chavez in left field until Moises Alou returns. Endy doesn't hit much in general, but Pagan might be an option against lefties during April.
Mike Pelfrey, RHP		Pelfrey's arrow is getting motion sickness. El Duque's simulated game the other day drew mostly yawns, so despite an up-and-down spring Pelfrey might be the fifth starter after all.
Ricardo Rincon, LHP		Seven strikeouts, no walks in 5.1 innings of work, but he just isn't seeing enough action to make me believe the Mets are enamored.
Olmedo Saenz, 1B	--	If Delgado is really healthy then Saenz has no shot of making the team.
Joe Smith, RHP		Probably losing the numbers game at this point.
Brian Stokes, RHP	--	A couple of scoreless innings so far.
Fernando Tatis, IF	--	Resolved his via issues. Hooray for all!
Jose Valentin, IF		He's hurt, he might retire, he won't accept an assignment to the minors, yada yada yada. I like Stache; he was a revelation during the regular season in 2006, but he's not doing anyone any favors by sticking around right now. If he can get healthy and the Mets lose some more guys to injury, maybe he'll be useful.
Jason Vargas, LHP		Needs surgery.
Matt Wise, RHP		Still lookin' good. He has a major league contract, so if he doesn't putz around over the next two weeks he's probably a lock to make the team.

Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.

2008 Edition, Volume 3. I'll post an updated list once a week or so as circumstances encourage me to do so.

The following players were reassigned to minor league camp on Friday:

Ben Johnson, OF
Robert Parnell, RHP
Eddie Kunz, RHP
Juan Padilla, RHP
Andy Cavazos, RHP
Brant Rustich, RHP
Ivan Maldonado, RHP
Jon Niese, LHP
Ryan Cullen, LHP
Salomon Manriquez, C
Mike Nickeas,C
Anderson Machado, INF

Additionally, Adam Bostick, LHP, was optioned to AAA New Orleans.

Player, Position		Comment
Michel Abreu, 1B		Strained hip flexor. Might've had a shot to fill in when Delgado went down, but things certainly aren't looking good right now.
Tony Armas, RHP		Still having visa problems.
Robinson Cancel, C		Hit a homerun the other day. Also, I found out that his name is pronounced can-SELL, not CAN-sill. Either way, if he pre-purchased tickets to Queens he should probably can-SELL them *chortle*.
Raul Casanova, C		The Mets have scrub catchers like Jay-Z has problems.
Brady Clark, OF	--	Hasn't had a great spring, and Angel Pagan has. Bad news for Clark.
Willie Collazo, LHP		His last two innings were scoreless ones, but he allowed four runs in his first two innings. He certainly hasn't done anything positive enough to distinguish himself from the pack.
Joselo Diaz, RHP		Four strikeouts, one walk, and no runs in five innings of work.
Nate Field, RHP		No earned runs in five innings pitched. He's a long shot, but he hasn't done anything bad yet.
Nelson Figueroa, RHP		Clearly, the Mets want to see what they've got here. He was once traded to the Phillies in the Curt Schilling deal, and he leads Mets pitchers this spring with 9.1 innings on the mound. He has allowed four earned runs in that span, and his 5-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio is nothing special, but we're talking about one full game's worth of innings here.
Ruben Gotay, IF		Good news: a CT scan revealed no broken bones in his ankle. The bad news: my tea leaves reveal that he may not get enough playing time this spring to make the team even if his ankle heals up posthaste.
Anderson Hernandez, IF		38 at-bats so far, still can't hit a lick. He keeps playing, though, and Gotay's injury can only help IPOR.
Ruddy Lugo, RHP		Playing time is getting hard to come by.
Fernando Martinez, OF	--	Just getting his hacks in. He'll be bound for New Orleans before too long. He thinks he'll make it to Shea sometime this year.
Carlos Muniz, RHP		Just three innings pitched so far.
Angel Pagan, OF		A hot spring and injuries to Moises Alou and Ryan Church have vaulted Pagan from Triple-A fodder to likely bench spot come opening day.
Mike Pelfrey, RHP		Stunk up the joint the other day, but it may be because he was tipping his pitches. El Duque is progressing, which is also bad news for the Pelf.
Steven Register, RHP		Ten hits in 6.2 innings isn't going to get it done.
Ricardo Rincon, LHP		Five strikeouts, no walks in three innings of work, but he just isn't seeing enough action to make me believe the Mets are enamored.
Olmedo Saenz, 1B		He's getting plenty of action, and has shown good patience and pop thus far.
Joe Smith, RHP		Probably losing the numbers game at this point.
Brian Stokes, RHP	--	A couple of scoreless innings so far.
Jose Valentin, IF		Came back earlier than expected, and Gotay's injury and Anderson Hernandez's inability to hit his way out of a paper bag are all good things for Pornstache.
Jason Vargas, LHP		Not sure he's even still in camp.
Matt Wise, RHP		Hasn't allowed a run in six innings of work. With less than three weeks left in spring training he's as close to a bullpen lock as we have on this list.

Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.

2008 Edition, Volume 2. I'll post an updated list once a week or so as circumstances encourage me to do so.

Player, Position		Comment
Michel Abreu, 1B		Carlos Delgado's hip impingement can only help Abreu's cause.
Tony Armas, RHP		Still having visa problems.
Adam Bostick, LHP		Good: pitched a scoreless inning. Bad: still allowed three baserunners.
Robinson Cancel, C		One of seemingly nineteen catchers in camp. The numbers are not in his favor.
Raul Casanova, C		Hasn't played yet, might not at all considering all of the backstops the Mets have in Florida.
Brady Clark, OF		Injuries to Endy Chavez and Ryan Church are good news for Clark.
Andy Cavazos, RHP		Hasn't pitched yet aside from last week's intrasquad game.
Willie Collazo, LHP		Four runs allowed in two innings is going to get you noticed, but not in a good way.
Ryan Cullen, LHP		Hasn't pitched yet, might not even be in camp.
Joselo Diaz, RHP		Just one baserunner -- a walk -- in two innings of work.
Nate Field, RHP	--	A couple of scoreless innings, but he may have to do something to distinguish himself from the pack.
Nelson Figueroa, RHP		No baserunners and a couple of strikeouts in three scoreless innings so far.
Ruben Gotay, IF		His right ankle doesn't look good. Goes for a CAT scan on Tuesday.
Anderson Hernandez, IF		His 17 at-bats are second on the team, but he still can't hit a lick, even in spring. Gotay's injury could open a spot for utility infielder.
Ben Johnson, OF		Hasn't played yet; might find this site useful given the circumstances..
Eddie Kunz, RHP		Gave up a run in an inning of work. He's just eye candy at this point.
Ruddy Lugo, RHP	--	Two innings, two runs, three hits, three walks, four strikeouts. Dude likes the crooked numbers.
Anderson Machado, IF	--	A double, a triple, a walk. Not bad so far.
Salomon Manriquez, C		Should probably pack it in.
Fernando Martinez, OF		Gaudy .429 on-base percentage in limited action so far.
Gustavo Molina, C	--	I have no idea what he's doing here.
Carlos Muniz, RHP		Losing the numbers game.
Mike Nickeas, C	--	See: Gustavo Molina.
Jon Niese, LHP		Looked sharp in his start the other day.
Juan Padilla, RHP		Hasn't pitched yet; who knows if he ever will.
Angel Pagan, OF		Injuries to the outfield corps may help Pagan make the team out of spring training, at least while the rest of the outfield heals up.
Robert Parnell, RHP		Nice outing last week; the Mets like his stuff.
Mike Pelfrey, RHP		Looked pretty good yesterday, and El Duque's withering cortex will probably help Pelfrey make the team.
Steven Register, RHP	--	Like a lot of guys in camp, Register has looked good in limited work this spring.
Ricardo Rincon, LHP		Three strikeouts in a couple of innings so far.
Brant Rustich, RHP	--	And back to the minors in three... two... one...
Olmedo Saenz, 1B		Nothing yet. Could help the Mets if Delgado isn't ready to go by opening day.
Joe Smith, RHP		Three runs allowed in a couple of innings; if he keeps pitching like this the Mets will have a hard time justifying his spot on the roster considering all of the other arms in camp.
Brian Stokes, RHP	--	A couple of scoreless innings so far.
Fernando Tatis, IF		Still having visa problems.
Jose Valentin, IF	--	Still hurt.
Jason Vargas, LHP	--	Pitched a scoreless inning on Monday.
Matt Wise, RHP		The last middle relief spot is his to lose.

Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.

Back for its second season, the Make-The-Mets-O-Meter (MTMOM) makes its 2008 debut on the morning of the Mets' first intrasquad game of the spring. After tussling with each other for nine innings the Mets will take on UMich tomorrow before heading to Lakeland on Wednesday to take on the Tigers. Mike Pelfrey is slated to start Wednesday's game, with John Maine and Johan Santana to follow on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Maine and Santana are assured of spots with the big league club when camp breaks at the end of March, but Pelfrey and many other players will spend the next four weeks trying to impress enough to convince Mets management that they should go north with the big boys.

This is where the MTMOM comes in. I blatantly swiped the idea for this last season from my buddy Martin Gandy over at Talking Chop, so I give him full credit for its conception. I have taken the Mets' 40-man roster (minus those obviously slated to make the team) as well as all of the Mets' non-roster invitees and rated each player's current chance of making the team out of spring training. An up-arrow means a player's stock is on the rise, though it doesn't necessarily mean he is particularly likely to make the club. A down-arrow means that a particular player isn't doing so hot. Neutral is just that: neither here nor there.

I'll post an updated list once a week or so as circumstances encourage me to do so.

Player, Position		Comment
Michel Abreu, 1B		Missed all of 2007 with visa issues. Might actually be 33, not 29.
Tony Armas, RHP	--	Rotation depth ticketed for New Orleans. Currently having visa problems.
Adam Bostick, LHP	--	Came to Mets from Marlins in last year's Lindstrom/Owens trade. Has never pitched in the bigs, look for him to continue that trend in 2007.
Robinson Cancel, C	--	One of many catchers in camp who probably hits better than Brian Schneider but has no chance of making the team.
Raul Casanova, C	--	Great name notwithstanding, that he was originally drafted by the Mets in 1990 doesn't help his cause much here. .286/.346/.467 career minor league line is intriguing.
Brady Clark, OF	--	Just signed a couple of weeks ago. Has a good eye at the plate, but has no power to speak of.
Andy Cavazos, RHP	--	10.35 ERA in 20 innings with the Cardinals last year.
Willie Collazo, LHP	--	Good news: has his own baseball card. Bad news: might not get one this year.
Ryan Cullen, LHP	--	Just 16 walks in 67.2 innings with New Orleans last year. Could be interesting if anything happens to Pedro Feliciano.
Joselo Diaz, RHP		Was packaged with Scott Kazmir to net the Mets Victor Zambrano and Bartolome Fortunato. Had a nice Caribbean series with Dominican Republic.
Nate Field, RHP	--	Pitched pretty well with Florida's AAA affiliate last year.
Nelson Figueroa, RHP	--	One of four players traded to the Phillies for Curt Schilling at the 2000 deadline. Uhh... shares a common surname with someone I used to temp with while in college.
Ruben Gotay, IF		Could have the inside track for a backup infielder spot. Hit well with the Mets last year, and flexibility to play shortstop can only help him.
Anderson Hernandez, IF		Probably doesn't hit enough to unseat Gotay as the frontrunner to be Jose Reyes's and Luis Castillo's backup.
Ben Johnson, OF	--	Signed a minor league deal a couple of weeks ago, he's all the Mets have to show for giving Heath Bell away last offseason.
Eddie Kunz, RHP	--	Closer in training, was just drafted last year out of Oregon State. Has no shot of making the team.
Ruddy Lugo, RHP	--	Claimed off waivers from the Athletics at the end Of January, will battle all spring for a bullpen spot.
Anderson Machado, IF	--	Great plate discipline as a minor leaguer. The fact that he has done little else of note will keep him far, far away from Queens.
Brahiam Maldonado, OF	--	Has hit well in the minor leagues. Should begin this season in AA, which will be a good test for him.
Salomon Manriquez, C	--	Homered off Johan Santana in batting practice. Had a nice season in AA with Texas last year..
Fernando Martinez, OF		Top prospect, thinks he'll play for the Mets in 2008. Gotta love the kid's confidence.
Gustavo Molina, C	--	I have no idea what he's doing here.
Carlos Muniz, RHP	--	Has pitched very well in the Mets' minors over the past two seasons, striking out many and walking few.
Mike Nickeas, C	--	See: Gustavo Molina.
Jon Niese, LHP	--	Has good stuff, though is a bit raw and the Mets don't really have room for him right now anyway. He's only 21 and will start the year in Double-A Binghamton.
Juan Padilla, RHP	--	Hasn't pitched in two years, and there are a lot of guys who have who are much better bets to make the team right now.
Angel Pagan, OF	--	If Endy Chavez isn't ready to go when spring training is over, Pagan might head north to provide some outfield depth.
Robert Parnell, RHP	--	Has never pitched in the majors, and is really organizational filler at this point.
Mike Pelfrey, RHP		Plays a lot of Wii, which is awesome. With El Duque taking things slowly, Pelfrey might get the fifth starter spot after all.
Steven Register, RHP	--	Saved 37 games with Texas's Double-A team last year, which led all minor leaguers. Fastball/splitter pitcher, could be a dark horse to make the 'pen.
Ricardo Rincon, LHP	--	Pretty good career numbers, missed most of last year with shoulder surgery.
Brant Rustich, RHP	--	Like Kunz, drafted last year. Unlike Kunz, actually pitched well in limited professional exposure in 2007. Like Kunz, won't make the Mets out of spring training.
Olmedo Saenz, 1B	--	Stunk last year, but was solid off the bench for the Dodgers from 2004-2006. His lack of defensive versatility hurts his chances.
Joe Smith, RHP	--	Surprised many by making the team out of spring training last year. Pitched marvelously for a while and then horribly for a while. Maybe he got tired as the season wore on. Is no lock to make the club, but his experience last year can only help his case.
Brian Stokes, RHP	--	7.07 ERA in 62.1 innings with the Devil Rays last season.
Fernando Tatis, IF	--	Once: hit two grand slams in an inning off of Chan Ho Park. Now: having visa problems and likely destined for New Orleans.
Jose Valentin, IF	--	Is a "baseball guy". Loves the Ground Round. Might be too injured to make the team.
Jason Vargas, LHP	--	Not looking good.
Matt Wise, RHP		Unlike most of the bullpen fodder the Mets are auditioning this spring, Wise actually has a major league contract in his back pocket. If he pitches well enough over the next few weeks the Mets might have a tough time leaving him behind.

Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.

The Mets will play their final spring training game this afternoon against the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field before flying to St. Louis to begin the regular season tomorrow night. After much hemming and hawing, the active roster is finally set.

Starting Pitchers

Tom Glavine, LHP
Orlando Hernandez, RHP
John Maine, RHP
Oliver Perez, LHP

Starting Lineup

Paul Lo Duca, C
Carlos Delgado, 1B
Jose Valentin, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Jose Reyes, SS
Moises Alou, LF
Carlos Beltran, CF
Shawn Green, RF

Bullpen

Billy Wagner, LHP
Aaron Heilman, RHP
Pedro Feliciano, LHP
Joe Smith, RHP
Scott Shoeneweis, LHP
Ambiorix Burgos, RHP
Aaron Sele, RHP

Bench

Endy Chavez, OF
Julio Franco, 1B
Ramon Castro, C
Damion Easley, IF
David Newhan, OF
Lastings Milledge, OF

Burgos and Milledge were somewhat surprise additions to the big club, while Chan Ho Park was one of the last demotions to Triple-A New Orleans.

The final pieces of the Mets' pitching staff are starting to fall into place. With just a week to go before opening day in St. Louis, some of the questions surround the rotation and the bullpen have apparently been answered. Too, the speculation regarding the final destinations of journeymen Aaron Sele and Chan Ho Park have finally come into focus. Here's what we think we know:

1. Mike Pelfrey will begin the season as the fifth starter, even though the Mets probably won't need one until the middle of April.
2. Chan Ho Park, who was pulled from his start on Saturday after firing three perfect innings against the Orioles, will be used out of the bullpen. Willie Randolph will try to get him into half of the six remaining games on the spring training schedule.
3. Aaron Sele, who recently indicated that he would retire if the Mets didn't bring him north when camp breaks, will also work out of the bullpen, possibly in long relief.

There is no telling how long any of these things will actually last. The plan is apparently to use Park in middle relief. He was used primarily out of the bullpen as a rookie in 1996, but has only made nine relief appearances in the ten seasons since.

The Mets clearly have some concerns about their bullpen, as neither Duaner Sanchez nor Juan Padilla may be close to returning to regular action. Joe Smith has impressed everyone in camp, and in all likelihood he will be the right-handed specialist when the regular season begins. He could turn out to be a younger, cheaper replica of Chad Bradford, who was tremendously successful with this club last season.

Ambiorix Burgos and Jorge Sosa, two guys who seemed like safe bets to make the club a month ago, have been mostly terrible since then and are likely ticketed to New Orleans.

Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano and Billy Wagner will once again be anchoring the relief corps, and it appears that the Mets will try to throw a bunch of crap at the wall to fill in the cracks.

The starting rotation has shaped up thusly:

1. Tom Glavine
2. Orlando Hernandez
3. John Maine
4. Oliver Perez
5. Mike Pelfrey

Hernandez is still a question mark, but his terrific six-inning performance on Friday has undoubtedly calmed a lot of nerves on the ballclub and in the front office. Maine had been remarkable in the spring before dropping something of a stinker in split squad action on Saturday. Perez has been lights out since his first couple of starts, and Pelfrey, despite underwhelming strikeout numbers thus far, has been a groundball machine.

Quite frankly I'm not sure what to expect out of this rotation. I think they could surprise a lot of people and be pretty darned effective. There's a lot of youth but a lot of potential. There's also a high degree of volatility -- with Glavine's age, El Duque's injuries, Perez's wildness, Maine's second turn through the league and Pelfrey's inexperience. If things break right, these guys could be very successful. If things break wrong, the patchwork bullpen is going to get a lot of use -- and abuse -- and there's no guarantee that this group will come through the way last year's version did.

Technically open spots: three rotation spots, two bullpen spots, two bench spots.

I will try to update this list (and prune it, hopefully) a couple of times a week as more games are played and these guys start emerging as studs or duds.

Player, Position		Comment
Jon Adkins, RHP		Pitched on Saturday and actually didn't allow a run. Gave up two baserunners in an inning of work.
Ambiorix Burgos, RHP		Allowed four hits and two runs in two innings on Sunday. He's a longshot at this point.
Marcos Carvajal, RHP		Sent to minors on Thursday.
Philip Humber, RHP		Didn't have a great spring and was mercifully demoted on Thursday.
Chan Ho Park, RHP		Stunk up the joint on Saturady, but could still make the team in long-relief or even as the fifth starter/.
John Maine, RHP		Has looked great so far.
Mike Pelfrey, RHP		Ditto. Might still start the year in AAA since the Mets won't need a #5 for a couple of weeks at least.
Oliver Perez, LHP		Urge to kill fading. Fading. Gone.
Alay Soler RHP		Took two years to get to America, and was released in a matter of seconds this week.
Jorge Sosa, RHP		Six runs in two innings on Saturday wasn't so hot.
Jason Vargas, LHP		Sent to the minors on Thursday; good insurance policy for our aging front-end.
Damion Easley, IF		Probably a lock as a MIBGY (Middle Infielder Bench Guy)
Anderson Hernandez, IF		At .132, isn't even batting his sister's weight.
Ben Johnson, OF		Hittin' good, would add some pop off the bench if he sticks.
Lastings Milledge, OF		Two hits on Saturday and a pinch-walk on Sunday. I love him.
David Newhan, OF		Hitless on Saturday.
Aaron Sele, RHP		After allowing six runs -- five earned -- in five innings on Saturday his spring ERA stands at a bloated 7.82.
Joe Smith, RHP		Gave up his first two runs on Saturday.
Lino Urdaneta, RHP	--	Omar Minaya says he has a chance. We'll see.
Sandy Alomar, Jr., C		Demotion coming any day now; let's see if he accepts it..
Mike DiFelice, C		Split squad filler at this point.
Jose A. Reyes, C		Is he still around?
Mike Carp, 1B		Still around, but probably no room for him.
Ruben Gotay, IF		Was hitting .353/.421/.529. Now hitting .241/.313/.414.
Ruben Sierra, OF		Reassigned on Thursday. Wonders "what if".

Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.

Technically open spots: three rotation spots, two bullpen spots, two bench spots.

I will try to update this list (and prune it, hopefully) a couple of times a week as more games are played and these guys start emerging as studs or duds.

Player, Position		Comment
Jon Adkins, RHP		Thirteen hits and eleven runs in seven innings? Smell you later, Jon.
Adam Bostick, LHP		Sent to minors.
Ambiorix Burgos, RHP	--	Four runs in 5.1 innings: bad. 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio: good. His fastball contains potassium benzoate: bad.
Marcos Carvajal, RHP	--	Hasn't pitched in a game yet; likely destined for the minors.
Philip Humber, RHP		Eight runs allowed in three innings; two strikeouts to four walks.
Chan Ho Park, RHP		Unspectacular in two starts, but still probably has the inside track for the fifth starter spot.
John Maine, RHP		Hasn't allowed a run in five innings.
Mike Pelfrey, RHP		Groundball machine.
Oliver Perez, LHP		After a rocky start has been better of late.
Alay Soler RHP		He'll get some more innings, but doesn't really have a chance to make the team.
Jorge Sosa, RHP		Nothing like terrible. 6-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio is mighty fine.
Jason Vargas, LHP		Has looked good so far. If Chan Ho falters or someone gets hurt, could be there to pick up the pieces.
Damion Easley, IF		Three-run homer the other day was sweet. No walks in 28 at-bats is not so sweet.
Anderson Hernandez, IF		Four hits and four walks (!) in 29 at-bats. New Orleans is a'callin'.
Ben Johnson, OF		Dude is mashing the baseball and has the inside track for one of the final two bench spots. Hitting .407/.484/.667.
Lastings Milledge, OF		Kicking ass and taking names, Milledge is hitting like he doesn't want to take another minor league bus ride again. .345/.441/.552.
David Newhan, OF		Not surpisingly, the best hitters this spring have been those competing for utility roles. Newhan is no exception, hitting .308/.333/.615 in camp.
Eddie Camacho, LHP		Already demoted.
Willie Collazo, LHP		SEE: Eddie Camacho
Kevin Mulvey, RHP		Sent to the minors.
Clint Nageotte, RHP		Gone.
Aaron Sele, RHP		Hasn't been very good. Claims to be a "feel" pitcher who needs time to get the feel of his breaking pitches. He'll have plenty of time to do so in New Orleans.
Joe Smith, RHP		No runs in 5.1 innings.
Lino Urdaneta, RHP		Apparently still in camp? Just one baserunner allowed in three innings.
Jorge Vasquez, RHP		Cut.
Sandy Alomar, Jr., C		No hits and two walks in nine at-bats.
Drew Butera, C		Cut.
Mike DiFelice, C		All glove, no hit catcher.
Joe Hietpas, C		Now a pitcher, always a minor leaguer.
Mike Nickeas, C		Cut.
Francisco Pena, C		Cut.
Jose A. Reyes, C		Days are numbered.
Michel Abreu, 1B		Cut.
Mike Carp, 1B		Mashy McMashalot, hitting .333/.429/.458.
Ruben Gotay, IF		I was about to write something snarky before I realized he was hitting .353/.421/.529.
Chip Ambres, OF		Cut.
Fernando Martinez, OF		Cut. Sadly.
Victor Mendez, OF		Cut.
Ruben Sierra, OF		Hitting an impossibly bad .174/.231/.217.

Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.

Here are today's starting lineups.

Mets:

David Newhan, LF
Endy Chavez, CF
Damion Easley, 3B
Julio Franco, 1B
Ruben Sierra, DH
Sandy Alomar, C
Ruben Gotay, 2B
Ben Johnson, RF
Anderson Hernandez, SS
Aaron Sele, P

Cardinals:

So Taguchi, CF
Chris Duncan, LF
Albert Pujols, 1B
Scott Spiezio, 3B
Preston Wilson, DH
John Rodriguez, RF
Yadier Molina, C
Aaron Miles, SS
Edgar Gonzalez, 3B
Braden Looper, P

Nothing exciting about the Mets' squadron; they didn't bother to bring a single regular. Most interesting is going to be our first look at Braden Looper -- former Met, former reliever -- trying to cut it as a starting pitcher. He was originally drafted by the Cardinals back in 1996 and appeared in four games with them in 1998 before being packaged in a deal that brought Edgar Renteria to St. Louis that offseason.

According to Ken Davidoff at his blog for Newsday, Chan Ho Park will not start as scheduled in today's Mets game against the Cardinals in Jupiter because of visa issues.

Apparently he can't pitch in a game with paid admission until it is resolved, which should be early next week.

I guess we'll have to wait a little longer for his much-anticipated debut with the Mets. Davidoff also mentions that Lastings Milledge will not make the trip to Jupiter today after x-rays on his hand came up negative yesterday.