Feb 15
A pair of recent transactions slipped under my radar, so for those who don’t already know: Â The Mets have signed P Neal Musser and C Luke Montz to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.
Neal Musser
Our Sports Central recently noted the Musser signing, and New York Baseball Digest reported the Montz signing.
Luke Montz
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20 comments
trs86
2/15/2010-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
Musser is interesting. He has averaged 9.7 and 10.7 K/9 the last 2 years in the minors. However, he has also had VERY high hit and walk rates.
trs86
2/15/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
Looks like Mulder retired. Can’t wait for the next Met headlines.
“With the Mets desperately needing pitching it appears pitchers would rather retire than to pitch for the Mets who also obviously did not have enough money to keep him from retiring.”
GravediggerHebner
2/15/2010-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
Sherman and Klapisch are knocking each other down running to get the “I’d rather stay at home earning no money than come to pitch in your pitcher’s park because you’re such a dysfunctional organization which is broke and couldn’t afford me anyway” quote.
stickguy
2/15/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
they don’t need an attributable quote. They will just make up the rumor, or credit it to “a source on another team”
stickguy
2/15/2010-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
Hey, another catcher. Can’t have too many of them. Better put in some more practice mounds in PSL, or they will have to send the overflow to a local HS.
Let them fight it out, and maybe you get lucky. Not like Omir is some kind of entrenched AS, and who knows if Blanco will even be physicially ready for pening day (not sure he will survive ST in one piece).
Oh, and I want to see that guy they picked up off waivers from TB get a shot too. Looked like a good prospect once, and if he is revovered from the last couple of injury years, just might give the others a run for the job.
Never heard of this Montz guy. He bring anything to the table? Not likely, if Washington couldn’t find a place for him!
trs86
2/15/2010-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
I think because of Twitter, blogs, etc. we are noticing things that happen every year and never get any press. Teams always have a TON of catchers in ST to catch all the side sessions etc. It’s not unusual for a team to have 6 catchers at ST.
GravediggerHebner
2/15/2010-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
But is 7 unusual?
Santos
Blanco
Coste
Thole
Riggans
Pena
Montz
fongy2
2/15/2010-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
Maybe BUT this one’s fairly easy…
Santos gets the big league job,Blanco if
healthy gets the back-up gig,Coste if Blanco’s not healthy…And still may make the team as a 3rd Catcher/back-up 1B.
Thole will get atleast half a season @Buffalo with our man Montz helping him out
unless Riggans shows enough to not get cut
half way through spring. Pena gets a full
season @ Bingo…Finally. AND if Riggans looks pretty good and gets the back-up job
at Buffalo, Montz will be the 2nd Catcher
in Bingo. Montz b/t/w is a GREAT guy,very solid Defensive Catcher who can”t hit a lick…Not even on the MiLB level.
He was however, one of John Stearns favorite players the past few yrs…For whatever thats worth. But again, a very good guy, loved by us Senator fans!
Kingman 26
2/15/2010-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
Hey buddy, where you been??
fongy2
2/15/2010-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
Tryin’ to hustle up work
in this economy!
Not easy!
Been on the road ALOT.
trs86
2/15/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
I honestly don’t think it may be.
The Phillies also have 7 catchers in camp, mostly just ST invites.
GravediggerHebner
2/15/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah sorry I was just being a douche in pointing out that the Mets had 7 catchers, not 6.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more show up given the number of pitchers in camp and split squad games and all the usual spring stuff.
trs86
2/15/2010-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, grave you are never a douche!
GravediggerHebner
2/15/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Much like Santos, Montz’ minor league offense is fairly non-existent but if you haven’t already done so click on the NYBD link in the post they seem to think he is young enough and has exhibited enough in the minors to at least not be any worse than the group he’ll be competing with here. How’s that for an endorsement?
stickguy
2/15/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
if nothing else, maybe they can end up with some younger with upside guys in the minors, instead of the usual ancient retreads?
GravediggerHebner
2/15/2010-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
I like that thought process a lot.
trs86
2/15/2010-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, check MC’s interview with John Maine. I swear I think MC interviewed himself.
(summarizing)
Maine: I am not a veteran I don’t want to be. I am too immature.
MC:Is it about service time?
Maine: No it’s attitude
MC: Is Reyes a veteran?
Maine: Yes, so I guess it is about service time too. Delgado was a veteran. Someone will have to fill that void. “If you don’t have him, then there are other guys that can fill in.”
MC: Do leaders have to be position players?
Maine: Yes
MC: Was Pedro a leader?
Maine: Yes?
stickguy
2/15/2010-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
I like Maine. One of my favorites. I thought he had a bright future (certainly capable of becoming a “real” #2, certainly of the Lackey level) until his shoulder became an issue.
I really hope he is fully recovered and has his strength back, and can pitch a full year pain free, to see what he can do.
MC? I don’t think there is any hope for improvement there.
GravediggerHebner
2/15/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
When two Rhodes Scholars collide.
trs86
2/15/2010-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
It really is a funny interview. It was like they were trying to lead each other and had no uh… leader.