Edwar Ramierz designated for assignment

On Sunday, the New York Yankees officially announced the signing of veteran Chan Ho Park. With the signing, the Yankees decided to designate 28 year old Edwar Ramierz for assignment, to clear up a roster spot for Park. Ramierz only logged 22 innings last season before being sent down to the Minors.

Kelvim Escobar to start season on DL

After a 2009 campaign riddled with injuries, the Mets thought they would enter 2010 on a clean slate. Carlos Beltran had knee surgery in January, and now newcomer Kelvim Escobar who many predicted would be setting K-Rod up will likely start the season on the 15 day DL, due to shoulder wekaness, manager Jerry Manuel has said.
To me the Mets counted on Escobar way to much then they should have, after missing virtually all of the 2009 season and parts of the past few seasons, they penciled him in to setup K-Rod at the back of the bullpen, and now will have to look at other options. Ryota Igarashi is the frontrunner to obtain the services of the Setup man at least until Escobar is able to return.
He has not yet thrown on a mound this spring training.

Reyes interviewed by Federal Agents

Jose Reyes has spoken to federal agents about a doctor that he used that has been linked to drug violations according to the Star Ledger. Dr. Tony Galea who was arrested for drug violations has been linked to Jose Reyes along with other pro athletes such as Tiger Woods. Galea has been known for getting Human Growth Hormones from Canada to the USA.

Mets make offer to RP Joe Beimel

Update 10:58: Joe Beimel has confirmed he is considering signing with the Mets, according to Major League sources. Beimel spoke and said,

"We've been talking to them for a good part of the offseason. I am just being patient, waiting for the right deal"

9:30 My wish of having a dominant duo against lefty batters late in games is close to happening. The Mets have offered a contract to lefty Joe Beimel. The Mets would easily have the best group of lefty releavers in the league.

Dwight Gooden declines invite to participate in Mets Spring Training

The New York Mets front office offered an advisor position to one of the greatest Mets pitchers in history, Dwight "Doc" Gooden. The position was mainly to speak to the young players within the Mets organization and talk to them about the difficulty of playing in New York.
Gooden Declined the offer due to his wife being nine monthes pregnant.

Dwight is expected to be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame on August 1st along with Darryl Strawberry, Davey Johnson, and Frank Cashen.

Nelson Figueroa to start Spring Training Opener

The Manager of the New York Mets, Jerry Manuel announced that Journey man starter Nelson Figueroa who has been with the Mets since 2008 making spot starts and bullpen appearances, will start the Spring Training Opener on March 2nd at 1:10PM at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie against the Atlanta Braves.
Figueroa started the final game of the 2009 Campaign, and threw a complete game 4 hit shutout against the Houston Astros at Citi Field on October 4th.

Figueroas line for 2009:
W-L ERA GP GS SO
3-8 4.09 16 10 59

Mets designate lefty Lopez for assignment

The Mets have designated lefty reliever Arturo Lopez for assignment today to make room on the 40 man roster for newly signed catcher Rod Barajas who reported to Spring Training today.The Mets snatched Lopez off Waivers during the course of last season from the San Diego Padres.

Jeter adresses his future in Tampa today

Yankees captain and shortstop Derek Jeter is about to begin the final season of a 10-year, $189 million dollar contract with the Yankees. Jeter fully understands the clubs decision to not negotiate the contract during the season. He held a press conference today at Geroge M. Stienbrenner field in Tampa Florida. " I don't have a problem with it," Jeter said. "That's the new policy that they have. They have every right to do that. I signed a long deal, I'm still under contract with that deal, and they have the right to do whatever they want. Jeter will not have to worry about his contract until next fall, something Yankee closer Mariano Rivera will be obligated to do also. Speaking for all Yankee fans, players, coaches, and front office, I cant imagine Derek Jeter not in Yankee pinstripes and penciled in as the Yankees shortstop for at least the next five years to come. Jeter has been already asked the question of a contract, and will receive it many more times before the 2010 season is over. But for now he will put it aside and focus on bringing World Series trophy #28 back to the Bronx, and defend out title.

Mets Rotation Situation

Today during SNY's Daily News Live, Mets beat writer and announcer Kevin Burkhardt was a guest on the program. He said the Mets want and are preparing for as if Jonathon Niese will be the 5th starter come opening day, as they love his stuff. He also said they do not want to say it publicly, just indeed he suffers an injury setback in camp. The last thing he said was that if Niese is indeed the # 5 starter they would like to keep eiether Nieve or Figueroa on the 25 man roster, because if they do not make the team out of camp they will be let go because they are essentially out of options.

Santos may leave New York to join Rangers

There have been numerous reports that the Texas Rangers could be interested in Mets catcher Omir Santos, if the Mets decide to either trade or release him. Texas is still looking for a soild backup catcher behind Jarrod Saltalamacchia. With it looking like Rod Barajas will be the Mets starting catcher come April 4th, the Amazin's dont have that much use for Santos. They have a solid backup catcher in Henry Blanco, and the upcoming prospect Josh Thole. Santos is a good fit for Texas, who would replace the struggling backup Taylor Teagarden.

Aaron Boone retires a Yankee legend

Former New York Yankee and playoff hero Aaron Boone has announced his retirement Tuesday. The former All-Star and 2003 ALCS hero played the game with honor and passion over his 12-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals and Astros. He'll forever be remembered for his game-winning 11th inning homer off Tim Wakefield in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox. He is the last of the Boone family in Major League Baseball for now. His grandfather Ray Boone, and father Bob Boone, along with his older brother Bret Boone all played the great game. He concludes his remarkable career with a .263 batting average with 126 homers and 555 RBI. Aaron will appear on "Baseball Tonight" beginning in March. He worked for ESPN Radio during the 2009 NL division series. Congratulations Aaron on a great MLB Career and becoming a piece of New York Yankee history forever.

Mets add veteran infielder Alex Cintron

The Mets recently signed veteran second baseman Alex Cintron to a Minor League contract, Baseball America reported. The signing has not been confirmed by the club. The details of the deal are not known. Cintron played 21 games for the Nationals in 2009. The 31-year-old sports a career .275 batting average with 33 home runs and 222 RBIs in stints with the D-backs, White Sox, Orioles and Nats. Cintron batted .285 in Triple-A last season.

Should the Mets go after Smoltz?

Should the New York Mets take a chance on the declining 42 year old but former Cy Young award winner and 8 time all star John Smoltz. After spending 1988 thorugh 2008 with the Atlanta Braves organization, Smoltz spent the first part of the 2009 campaign with the Boston Red Sox were he went 2-5, but was later designated for assignment. He was picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals on August 19th, were he continued to struggle but not to the extent in Boston. He finished his Cardinals stint going 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA, and making yet another postseason apprerance. The New York Mets are rumored to be one of several teams interested in the verteran, not only for on the field but in the clubhouse as well. Earlier this offseason, the Mets were rumored to be the frontrunners to obtain Smoltz's services, but the proposed contract negotiations fell through. In this situation, with Niese and Nieve getting back on the mound after injuries i doubt the aging veteran would compete with them. He could serve as a long relief man in the pen.
This team could use an expierenced arm and teammate like Smoltz in the clubhouse and his knowledge on the field. If i were Omar Minaya, i would pull the trigger, he cannot be demanding to much and would serve as an excellent tutor to young guns like Pelfrey, Maine, Niese and others. Smoltz along with other free agent veterans have been dangling around the idea that they will look for a deal sometime during the season as a midseason acquisition, like the Pedro Martinez signing in Philadelphia last season. Whatever happens i am sure Omar Minaya and his staff will do whats right for the team.

MLB.com comes out with 2010 Fantasy Projections

Many Fantasy related websites have already come out with 2010 Fantasy Projections and Rankings, including mlb.com, below is the New York Mets projected defensive alignment followed by their 2010 projected stats and their rank among their positions:

BA HR RBI

C Rod Barajas 239 11 50 #25

1B Daniel Murphy 285 13 68 #43

2B Luis Castillo 282 1 49 #18

SS Jose Reyes 302 15 65 #7

3B David Wright 302 21 98 #3

OF Jeff Francoeur 271 18 77 #87
OF Carlos Beltran 283 23 94 #39

OF Jason Bay 272 30 108 #10

Below is the 2010 Mets projected starting rotation and were they stand in the starting pitcher categories among the majors:

W L ERA K

SP Johan Santana 17 7 3.29 187 #8

SP John Maine 12 8 3.72 153 #45

SP Mike Pelfrey 11 10 4.50 136 #137

SP Oliver Perez 8 9 4.73 141 #145

SP Jon Niese 8 6 4.33 86 #139

Overall I think MLB.com's projections were on target, there were a few stats you could disagree with but it is very accurate. I think the Mets offense is solid this season, but the starting pitching a little shaky after Santana and Maine.

Yankees, Park agree to a one year deal

The New York Yankees agreed to a one year deal with former Philadelphia Phillie Chan Ho Park earlier today. An official Announcement can not be made by general manager Brian Cashman, until Park can arrive in the U.S and pass his physical, to officially join Yankees camp in Tampa. He was 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 45 games, including seven starts, for the Phillies last season, pitching in the World Series against the Yankees. The contract is reported to be for $1.2 million, with incentives that earn Park an extra $300,000. It is going to be interesting to see, whether or not Park competes for the 5th spot in the rotation or joins the bullpen. Besides Joba and Phil Hughes, Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin, and newly signed Dustin Mosely are also competing for the job. Yankees GM Brian Cashmen had to persuade the front office to expand the payroll to sign Park. Now with the signing it is possible either Sergio Mitre or Chad Gaudin could be traded to make room for Park. Park was a secret weapon in the bullpen for Charlie Manuel in the postseason last year, shutting down his opponents. There is no doubt Park will be as essential to Joe Girardi in any role he is given. It is to soon to see how the Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes situation plays out, which will be key in the decision of what Park's role is come April 4. Overall I like the signing and feel it was another good move made by GM Brian Cashman.

MLB.com comes out with 2010 Fantasy Projections

Many Fantasy related websites have already come out with 2010 Fantasy Projections and Rankings, including mlb.com, below is the Yankees projected defensive alignment followed by their 2010 projected stats and their rank among their positions:
BA HR RBI
C Jorge Posada 274 18 76 #9
1B Mark Teixeira 295 37 125 #2
2B Robinson Cano 308 22 94 # 5
SS Derek Jeter 319 14 60 # 4
3B Alex Rodriguez 295 41 121 # 1
OF Curtis Granderson 272 31 84 # 15
OF Brett Gardener 266 3 27 # 90
OF Nick Swisher 252 27 80 # 56
DH Nick Johnson 293 14 72 # 29( In first basemen )

Below is the 2010 Yankees projected starting rotation and were they stand in the starting pitcher categories among the majors:
W L ERA K
SP CC Sabathia 21 8 3.22 216 # 5
SP A.J Burnett 16 7 3.88 209 # 26
SP Andy Pettitte 14 11 4.19 146 # 49
SP Javier Vazquez 15 9 4.02 196 # 30
SP Joba Chamberlain 10 7 4.11 163 # 53
SP Phil Hughes 4 2 2.88 84 # 31( In relievers )
CL Mariano Rivera 4 3 1.80 70 # 1( In relievers )

So from what mlb.com is projecting it looks like Joba will get the starting nod and Hughes will head off to the bullpen. I will be getting the Baseball Prospectus 2010 tomorrow so i will update you when i find those projections and rankings out, to see how much different they are.

Mets officially sign C Rod Barajas

After reports broke yesterday that the Mets agreed to a 1 year deal with free agent catcher Rod Barajas, the Mets announced they have offically signed the 34 year old, pending a physical. The deal is worth 1 million dollars, but he can also earn 1 million in incentives.

Barajas hit .226 last season with 19 homeruns, 71 runs batted in 125 games last season, and had 429 at bats last season for the Blue Jays.

Jonathon Niese is ahead of schedule

On August 5th 2009, the Mets faced the Cardinals, and Jon Niese was on the mound. At the time the Ohio native was 1-1 in 5 starts and was one of the few Mets who avoided the DL. In the 2nd inning of that game, Niese suffered a strained right hamstring that required surgery.Jon did not return in the 09 campaign, but was and still is poised to make a return and make the 25 man roster out of camp.
As of today he is competing with Fernando Nieve, Nelson Figueroa, Hisanori Takahashi, and others. Niese has recently emerged as the favorite to win the 5th spot, and as of now is 100%
Many following the squad said there would be no way Jon could be ready for Opening Day none the less April, but it looks like Jon Niese is ahead of schedule, and Jerry and his coaches are confident he will make an impact in 2010.
According to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post, Kernan spoke with the skipper and Manuel said, "that he's good to go"

How bout Joe Beimel?

There are two players that i have been waiting for the Mets to grab simply because they would fit perfectly. Orlando Hudson and Joe Beimel.Hudson has signed but the lefty Beimel is still without a club here in the early goings of camp and would make a very nice addition. The 32 year old has posted an ERA under 4.00 every year dating back to 2005:
2005 TB 0-0 3.27
2006 LAD 2-1 2.96
2007 LAD 4-2 3.88
2008 LAD 5-1 2.02
2009 WAS/COL 1-6 3.58

Beimel would make too much sense in this situation, you already have Pedro Feliciano, who over the past 4 seasons has pitched in 316 games coming out of the pen. Beimel is alot like Feliciano,can come on for an entire inning or for example come on against the Phillies in a tight situation and face one or two batters like Howard or Utley. With a combination of two lefties in your pen like Pedro and Joe, lefties won't have much of a chance in the late goings of a game and i can't think of any other teams that have a Lefty duo like that in there bullpen.

More on Barajas signing; and thoughts from others

The Rod Barajas signing Saturday was a move to add depth and to establish better defense behind the dish. The catching competition for Spring Training now consists of:

• Omir Santos
• Rod Barajas
• Chris Coste
• Henry Blanco
• Shawn Riggians
• Josh Thole

At this point i believe it could be anybody's job, with the front runners clearly being Santos, and Barajas.I personally love the signing, it adds more defense and gives the pitchers a pitcher friendly catcher, and he also adds another bat in the lineup capable of hitting 15 or more home runs.

Newsdays, David Lennon, tweeted that he spoke with Omir Santos and asked him his thoughts about the Barajas signing, Santos responded by saying " A little bit, but its out of my hands they wanted a more experienced guy"

CC is armed and ready for another long season

C.C. Sabathia, a 19 game winner in 2009 was the key piece of the Yankees 27th world championship. Sabathia started in 34 games for the bombers, lasting 6 innings or more in 29 of those starts. He logged 230 innings, striking out 197 batters along the way. Sabathia then overcame his previous postseason starts, dominating the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Philadelphia Phillies, earning his spot in Yankee pinstripes. Without Sabathia's contribution, the Yankees 2009 season may have ended a different way, something the Yankees will acknowledge this spring. But while Sabathia will except any breathers that come his way, he will always rise to the occasion, exemplifying his ability to be ready to take the mound in any circumstances. It's too soon to even think that way," Sabathia said. "I feel like I want to take the ball every time, whether it's on three days' rest or whatever. I feel like I'm good to go. I'm not worried about saving my arm. Any time I get a chance to go out there and take the ball, I want it." Sabathia threw his first official bullpen session of Spring Training on Saturday, firing about 35 fastballs and changeups into Jorge Posada's glove. Sabathia looked good, but manager Joe Giradi is still concerned about the heavy workload that is put on Sabathia each year. Hopefully, a some of that workload can be taken off his shoulders in 2010, with help from fireballer A.J. Burnett, veteran lefty Andy Pettite, and newly acquired Javier Vazquez who had a tremendous year with the Braves, striking out 238 batters, with an ERA of 2.87 finishing 4th in the NL Cy young voting. You know what to expect from C.C every time he takes the mound, and with help from the rest of the rotation and the Yankees blistering offense, he should have another great year for New York.

Johnny Damon agrees to deal with Tigers

A return of Johnny Damon to the Bronx is now completely out of the question, as Damon and agent Scott Boras have agreed to a 1 year deal worth roughly 8 million dollars with the Detroit Tigers, the deal also includes a no-trade clause. Damon had been wishing he could land a 2 year deal somewhere, but never got the call.

Delgado Has another Hip Surgery

According to Ken Rosenthal, Delgados agent David Sloane informed him that Delgado went under the knife for the 2nd time within a year, due to a shoddy hip that sidelined him for a majority of the season in 2009.
So i believe thats offically the end of the Delgado era in New York, well in Flushing that is.

Mets up offer to C Rod Barajas.

UPDATE: The Rangers are offering more than 1.5 million dollar to Barajas. But a recent tweet has reveled that Barajas has agreed to a Major League deal with the Mets-Ken Rosenthal, FOX SPORTS

According to SI's Jon Heyman, the New York Mets upped their 1 million dollar minor league contract to a 1million dollar major league contract to free agent catcher Rod Barajas. Barajas who hit .226 with 19 HR last season for the Blue Jays is debating weather to sign with the Mets for 1 million or to sign with the Rangers for 1.5 million.

Jay Marshall is Injured!

Claimed by the New York Mets on January 8th off waivers from the Oakland Athletics, lefty Jay Marshall has not reported to camp yet. Rumors have it that Marshall has a pre-existing shoulder injury that could possibly sideline him. Due to the injury, the Mets would like the commissioners office to find out quickly weather the Mets can void his contract.

Manuel likes Reyes in the 3rd slot

Roughly 11:30 this morning Jerry Manuel took the podium for the first time this season in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He was set to take questions concerning his pitching rotation, catching situation, and other competitions that will take place this Spring Training. One notable question was how his line up could look come April 5th Opening Day against Josh Johnson and the fish. For the 2nd consecutive Spring Manuel replied with saying he would like to see Jose Reyes bat 3rd in the lineup. He mentioned Angel Pagan and Luis Castillo as two that could possibly take Reyes spot at the top of the lineup. Manuel seemed to like the idea of having Castillo bat lead off mainly due to his .387 on base percentage last season.
I like the idea of having Reyes bat third and i do agree with Manuel to were he said Reyes has evolved over the past few seasons were he can hit anywhere from 1st to 6th in the lineup. To me it spreads the lineup out more and when Beltran comes back it looks like one of the most potent lineups in the NL on paper. Would you be sold on a lineup of (When Beltran returns)
Luis Castillo
Daniel Murphy
Jose Reyes
Carlos Beltran
David Wright
Jason Bay
Jeff Francoeur
Omir Santos

Position Battles are underway at Yankee Camp

The battle to see who will be starting the 5th game of the season and who will be setting up arguably the best closer in baseball has begun in Tampa, Florida.
"I don't think any jobs are going to be awarded on our team," Hughes said after his bullpen session. "You're not going to win the job today,"Chamberlain agreed.
I think Joe Girardi is coming to camp thinking Joba Chamberlain is the favorite, but i do believe Phil Hughes has established himself to where he can pound the strike zone and be a quality starter in the Majors.