According to different Twitter reports the Mets are just proceeding with caution and are not overly concerned about Escobar’s status.
KBurkhardtSNY:Escobar says shoulder has no pain, but had some weakness. Pitched pain free in Venezuela this winter.
lenno212: Asked if he’d be ready for Opening Day, Kelvim Escobar said, “Oh yeah, I think so. It depends on how my arm responds to exercise.”
KBurkhardtSNY: Strenghtening program. He won’t pick up a ball yet, but feels confident he’ll be ready for opening day.
76 comments
stickguy
2/19/2010-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Wait, you mean the panic and omar bashing from the other day might have been premature and overblown?
Darn. I am losing my faith in the digital media age, and Met blogs in particular.
ceetar
2/19/2010-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
He’s not 100% positive that he’ll have enough time to strengthen his arm, but if that means it takes an extra week or two, taht’s not the end of the world either.
trs86
2/19/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Agreed. I still love the “can’t pickup a ball” line. Nope he can’t pickup a ball because they told him not to worry about pitching until they do the strengthening exercises. LOL>
metsfan4decades
2/19/2010-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
Gotta love the media all trying to trump each other with the latest ‘scoop’…
Jerry on SNY live in 10 minutes – 11:30 conference delayed a few minutes.
ceetar
2/19/2010-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
I think I might honestly care about Tiger more. Manuel never tells the truth and doesn’t have anything intelligent to add.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
Tiger’s done, Jerry’s up next!
Mr North Jersey
2/19/2010-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Jerry’s on SNY
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
Jerry: We’ll continue to add to the hitting program, try to individualize that more. Baserunning, with our speed we need to be really good at it, it’s a key fundamental going forward. Defensively, we have to be good. Pitching, we have to throw strikes.
stickguy
2/19/2010-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
I could find T ball players that could come up with the same stuff without any help.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
Jerry: We’ll emphasize driving the ball the opposite way not just hitting it the opposite way. You guys make it seem like that’s all we did every day last year that’s not the case.
stickguy
2/19/2010-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
Ah, so Jerry is reading the press, and getting touchy about it.
Wonder how that is going to play out?
Like I said yesterday, he could go totally into a safe, by the book shell, or instead get all Gangsta, and say screw you all, and go out with a bang.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
Jerry: If Pagan is the CF it gives us an opportunity to bat Reyes 3rd, he has the ability to bat anywhere 1st to 5th except 4th.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
Jerry: Castillo or Pagan would be the lead off guy in the Reyes 3rd scenario.
stickguy
2/19/2010-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
And I guess he reads our posts.
Wonder if he is serious about the Reyes 3rd idea this year?
prismo
2/19/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Probably not.
ceetar
2/19/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
given his track record, I’d say no. I’ve taken to believing if he talks about it, he’s probably not seriously considering it.
prismo
2/19/2010-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
haha, my thinking exactly
trs86
2/19/2010-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
I obviously think he should be. It lessens the pressure on Reyes for speed and allows him to just hit and get into the swing of things. Perhaps by the time Beltran is back you move him back to lead-off. Think about having Bay behind you instead of Castillo.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
Jerry: We have to approach the 3rd spot in the order with consistency so Beltran’s coming back impacts our lineup decisions prior to his return.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Jerry: If Reyes bats 3rd I don’t worry about him trying to hit 30 HR. He’ll hit 2B and 3B and still be a threat on the bases wherever he hits. We ultimately didn’t do it last year because at that point we didnt’ have options to take over the lead off spot, Pagan and Castillo showed us in ’09 they could be viable options there.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: What happens when Beltran comes back depends on how Beltran feels when he comes back and how Reyes is performing at the time. There are many possible ways to stretch the lineup out if Reyes can succeed 3rd.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: I like that Jose is a switch hitter and becoming a 3rd hitter could be a part of his evolution as a ballplayer. He compares Lofton/Vizquel/Alomar to what the healthy full lineup of the Mets could be with Reyes 3rd, but notes the team would have to do a better job of baserunning.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: Reyes 3rd can only happen if he is totally comfortable with it, if he’s not we scrap it.
ceetar
2/19/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
preparing the excuses.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
being realistic, not monarchistic.
metsfan4decades
2/19/2010-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
But Jerry qualifies it saying Jose is so excited to be back and playing if you told him I’m staring you off 8th to get you going, he would be fine with that.
I get the impression Jerry was not worried about Jose being opened to trying 3rd, but if he wasn’t comfortable there or falters, they’d move him back.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: I’m more concerned with putting together the most productive offense than I am with what particular player is getting the most at bats over the course of a season. If that means Pagan 1st, Murphy 2nd, Reyes 3rd then so be it.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: Whatever fits best for the team is what we will do. I would LOVE to see him as the 3rd hitter, assuming the rest of it all comes together.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: I have to remember to say “if we remain healthy” about everything.
prismo
2/19/2010-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for the updates Grave. Great job!
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: I think the main thing we needed to address this off season was our injuries. The opportunities the complementary players got last year enhances our depth going forward. If Pelfrey, Maine & Perez do what they’re capable of doing we’ll be good. We have to stop talking about potential and projection and start getting performance from our young players.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: We do need a quick start but we can’t put everything into that jeopardizing the season if that doesn’t happen. If we’re healthy the long run is most important. I can’t worry about the quick start I can only worry about preparing the team to play well for the long run.
metsfan4decades
2/19/2010-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
Listening to Jerry…..
How long do you think it will be before all collectively stop saying ‘if healthy’?
stickguy
2/19/2010-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
2011?
metsfan4decades
2/19/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – I was afraid that would be the answer…..
ceetar
2/19/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Last time is Wright in late October: “If we’re all healthy, I think we’ll all be in attendence for the Parade, yes.”
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:14pm at 12:14 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: I know that my situation is going to be tough be we can’t focus just on a good start. I have to focus on the long haul and avoid the temptation to not get players the proper rest. My greatest focus is keeping people healthy so they can take the field.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: 1B right now Murphy is “the guy.” Anything could happen and I have to make sure everyone gets the opportunity to play. If Murphy has played 5-6 days and a lefty is coming up I might get Tatis in there.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: If Niese pitches as well as he did before the injury it would be tough not to go forward with him in the rotation.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: Regarding Jacobs and in general I have to be careful in ST and not base so much just on ST, I have to have an idea of what I want to do based on more than ST. Somebody is going to have to do some serious damage to make me change the direction I think we need to go in at this point.
metsfan4decades
2/19/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Curious that he admits there ‘I have a tendency to say, that’s my guy right off the bat’……
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: For filling the bench power is important. In the NL having a guy that can come off the bench and pop one for you is important. Playing people out of position just happens sometimes.
ceetar
2/19/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
so is that support for Jacobs? Does he realize Tatis and Cora doesn’t have much power? Gary Matthews? who’s he supporting here?
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
Seems to me it’s a rather thinly veiled reference to Jacobs, especially since it came after a question about Jacobs and Murphy and 1B. I wasn’t typing the questions so I’m not sure if that’s obvious to anyone just reading this but listening and trying to type as much as I could while doing so that seemed obvious to me.
Mr North Jersey
2/19/2010-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
What? what’s that I hear? Can it be? Why it sounds like that dark horse Chris Carter just got out of the gate to proclaim that he too is in this race.
Let the race begin.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: I haven’t read or heard any particular statements made by the players. To me the statement is that there are 70 guys here early for spring training.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: The 8th inning role for the club coming together is perhaps the greatest question we have right now. ST is going to have to illuminate that role for me more than any other. If we resolve it here correctly that helps us down the line. If we resolve it here incorrectly we have to fix it later that’s a problem. Whoever it is has to consistently pound the strike zone.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: From the catcher position, with Beltran out we’re going to need offense from that position. Overall we need defense from that position. We need to find the balance between those two things. Santos did hit a wall last year. Maybe he’s learned from that and grown. Maybe we learned that he’s not the guy for that job.
stickguy
2/19/2010-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
And, we have a winner in the “first man thrown under the bus” contest. Congratulations Omir Santos!
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
Well he did say “maybe.”
metsfan4decades
2/19/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
Strange question from M. Noble: ‘Who is your back up SS?’ Jerry quickly said Cora.
Was there some controversy on who that would be? Maybe I missed something.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
When they threw it back to the studio Jonas Schwartz said the two headlines to come out of it will be:
Jose Reyes may bat 3rd
Jon Niese is a legit contender for the 5th spot
trs86
2/19/2010-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Well that and this one to me: Santos did hit a wall last year. Maybe he’s learned from that and grown. Maybe we learned that he’s not the guy for that job.
We better hope Barajas signs then.
stickguy
2/19/2010-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
Those were actually headlines (or at least concepts) from last year ST too.
Neise was a dark horse candidate for the #5 spot, and Reyes moving down was bandied about (and maybe even tired a couple times?)
trs86
2/19/2010-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting comments.
I am thinking now that Nieve takes the last bullpen slot and Niese in the rotation? Perhaps Nieve goes to the pen while Escobar waits another month and then they reassess then?
stickguy
2/19/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
really depends on how ST goes. If Neise looks strong and fully ready to go, he could win the spot. And Neive to the pen does help out too, so it makes some sense.
I still think Neise takes it slow and someone else starts in the 5 hole. ALthough who knows when that guy pitches for the first time, so Neive could win the job, and also spend a couple weeks in the pen?
metsfan4decades
2/19/2010-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
Was thinking the same thing. Does anyone know right now if Niese is 100% healthy and ready to go from that hamstring surgery? Or are they waiting to see/make that evaluation here in ST?
stickguy
2/19/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
well, he has pitched 5 or so BP sessions already, and said he feels good, so I will give that a tentative, “hope so”
trs86
2/19/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
I heard he was on schedule and would be ready for ST?
Mr North Jersey
2/19/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
The best thing Jerry said was they need to keep players on the field and he needs to stay out of their way.
Too bad I don’t expect to see him stay out of their way.
trs86
2/19/2010-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
I think Jerry is serious this time about Reyes batting 3rd. It gives us more rbi guys in rbi positions and less stress on Reyes legs to start the season. I am very open to the change. It may develop Reyes as a true hitter.
trs86
2/19/2010-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
Uh oh, David Lennon agrees with me. Perhaps I should change my mind?
lenno212 Manuel’s right on Reyes – No. 3 slot best fit for lineup, especially without Beltran. Got to happen.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t worry, someone over at Mets Merized strongly disagrees with you and Lennon.
http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/02/reyes-batting-third-and-other-astonishing-tales.html
njstuckintx
2/19/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
We thinking he bats 3rd until Beltran comes back and then slots back to 1st, maybe 2nd position? No way he would stay in 3rd position. And maybe this keeps the Castillo, Reyes, 1-2 punch as an option down the line.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
Assuming for the sake of discussion that we can believe anything he says, the way I took what Jerry was saying of course had a lot of “ifs” and “maybes” but if Jose agrees to bat 3rd in the first place and if he is doing well in the spot at the time Beltran comes back he would stay there.
njstuckintx
2/19/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
Obviously basing on his word meaning something, I don’t think you would lose too much with Wright batting infront of Reyes, speed wise. Castillo, Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Bay, Murphy, Francouer, Catcher of the day, Pitcher. It could work.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Pretty much regardless of how it shakes out 2-8, I like the idea of Castillo’s OBP in the 1 slot for a couple reasons.
Obviously the OBP is the main reason. His lack of XBH power I think fits better 1st than 2nd or 8th, and I like him on base in front of people actually capable of XBH behind him.
Perhaps the “best” reason to me is it keeps Jerry from calling for a sac bunt with one on and none out in the first inning. No way he sac bunts with Wright or Beltran, even he’s not that stupid/stubborn.
njstuckintx
2/19/2010-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
Amen to that.
Well, if you think of it, if you bury castillo in the 8 spot, you really can’t have him bunting with the Pitcher coming up next and since he gets on a good deal and has a little speed, he would be a good candidate to be sac’ed over by the pitcher.
But I do like him sitting in the 1st spot.
stickguy
2/19/2010-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
I agree. Last year it was more of a looking to the future idea. This year, there is actually needs to fill, and Reyes coming off the injury.
Last year it disrupted a bunch of other guys too.
Now, with Reyes off surgery, Luis off a full year with a decent OBP (and nothing else) and Beltran out, it does make a ton of sense. Although I still see him as the perfect #2 hitter also.
Castillo/pagan/reyes/bay/wright/murphy/frenchy/catcher/pitcher ??
and when Beltran comes back, go castillo/reyes/beltran?
Not sure I like DW being buried in the 5th hole, so you could flip him and Bay.
Lots of options, but even without Beltran, a very good lineup. Strong 1-5, and a much better bottom 6-8 than last year. And when Beltran comes back, it is very, very strong.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
I was typing and don’t have a DVR but I thought I heard one permutation of the lineup with Wright 2nd, I certainly could’ve misheard. I wasn’t sure so I didn’t type it in the “recap.”
stickguy
2/19/2010-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
I saw that someplace. Maybe over at FWICG.com
interesting idea. Don’t expect it though.
I think if you go castillo/pagan/reyes, the obvious thing is to (assuming it is working) slide castillo and Reyes up one, and plug Beltran in behind them.
GravediggerHebner
2/19/2010-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
When Beltran comes back I have no strong feelings either way (except my strong interest right now in at least seeing how Reyes 3rd might actually work in real life) but I think that Beltran could easily slide into the 2nd spot too, he’s done it before.
metsfan4decades
2/19/2010-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t have a DVR either and was listening. I believe you’re right. He said it kind of quick when he was going through potential lineups, depending on the pitcher.
Mr North Jersey
2/19/2010-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
The Reyes to 3rd idea especially with Beltran out of the lineup is a reasonable idea.
One can envision Reyes excelling there but before the Mets start talking about moving Reyes out of a spot where he has had great success can they 1st see if he can hit the ball 1st like he did in the past?
gategem
2/19/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
The only potential problem I see with Reyes batting third is if he changes his approach to hitting in an effort to provide more hr power. With Reyes you never know.
Mr North Jersey
2/19/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
Lineups… lineups… lineups… what’s the best lineup?
One of the things I was trying to figure is with Wright, Bay and Frenchy all being right handed batters does Jerry and should Jerry try make sure they don’t end up lumped one behind the other?
I see Bay as a straight up #4 hitter for us. If Wright is the #3 hitter that puts 2 righties together and I don’t see Frenchy batting behind Bay at #5 making it 3 righties all in a row.
If Wright is #3 then I would guess
Reyes a switch hitter is #1
Castillo a lefty at #2
Wright a righty #3
Bay a righty #4
Pagan a switch hitter #5 (to break up the righties)
Frenchy a righty at #6
Murphy a lefty #7
Catcher a righty #8 (unless Thole makes team he is the only lefty)
***************************************************
Now if you wanted to make Reyes a #3 hitter then here is another possibility.
S. Pagan #1
R. Wright #2
S. Reyes #3
R. Bay #4
L. Murphy #5 (or my dark horse the lefty hitting Carter)
R. Francouer #6
L. Castillo #7
R. Catcher #8 (again unless Thole the only lefty makes the team)
Just throwing my 1 cent out there