During Saturday’s broadcast, baseball legend and Met lifer Ralph Kiner commented on the new hustling attitude of the Mets this spring. He mentioned how last year the Mets were known as a team that “didn’t get their uniforms dirty” and this roundly echoed early-spring comments on the Mets Hot Stove Report from Gary Cohen and others.
Terry Collins has apparently begun to instill the type of fire many believed he would bring with him to the manager position. While Collins did have unhappy endings in his two previous MLB managerial stints, we must remember that his teams did finish second during all five of his full seasons; and these were not exactly teams loaded with superstars.
In baseball, men often receive repeated chances as manager—one recalls the mediocre-to-abominable results that Casey Stengel and Joe Torre had as managers before their Yankee days. Granted, these are extreme examples and they had a bit of talent on their Bronx squads, but still, both men eventually were regarded as master handlers of talent and great motivators despite very humble beginnings as leaders. Perhaps in a few years Collins’ early failures will be as forgotten as Casey’s and Torre’s are today.
The infusion of enthusiastic young players such as Davis, Thole, Murphy, Duda and others hopefully has something to do with the new attitude. Regardless, by all accounts it is real, and the lazy days of the Manuel Era seem to be receding into the past.
—————————————————————————————
Luis Castillo has finally been set free by the Mets, and while he may have been somewhat unfairly maligned during his career in Queens, this was an absolutely necessary move.
It should finally put to rest the idea that finances will dictate the roster, and best of all, it will give much younger players with possibly much brighter futures the chance to be evaluated.
While it can be argued that Castillo might, overall, have been a decent conservative choice to be the opening day second baseman, his release was the right move.
Castillo’s game has always been based on speed—and his decreased speed means less range in the field, less infield hits legged out, less stolen bases, less runs scored, and a generally diminished game.
There was zero chance that Castillo would be back in 2012, and at this moment, it is hard to say that the (possibly) slightly better overall production he might have given would be the difference in the 2011 Met season.
If he stayed, that would mean Murph and/or Emaus would be on the bench, in the minors, or gone. This way, one or both of these players should get a fair chance to finally show what they can do as an MLB second baseman, rather than spending more unnecessary time in the minors. In addition, should he remain healthy and barring serious success from Murph/Emaus, Reese Havens might not be too far away.
As our leader TRS recently pointed out, Havens has had similar minor league experience to Ike. When further examining this, their time and offense in A and AA are actually (except for Ike’s edge in 2B) shockingly similar.
The release of Castillo cascades through the second base situation, as it allows Murph or Emaus to have every chance to play MLB ball, and also allows Havens to clearly have the 2B spot in Buffalo.
Finally, and perhaps most significantly, it shows that the new regime is willing to both eat salary and take risks; to boldly look forward, and leave the failed Minaya/Manuel Era even more firmly in the rear-view mirror.
—————————————————————————————
Luis Hernandez has played 25 MLB games at 2B, and 57 in the minors (out of an 828 G minor league career).
He’s a good but not outstanding fielding shortstop, with little offense, little speed, and no power. He has done a bit better recently in AAA than his overall anemic minor league career offensive numbers show, but his brief MLB offensive resume—over four years—shows a line of .245/.286/.298.
Is this someone, as has been reported, that Collins favors as the starting second baseman for the 2011 Mets, over Murphy, Emaus, Turner, and even Tejada? Is it even realistic to imagine this MAY be true?
Emaus has played a lot of second base, and his minor league offensive numbers are infinitely better than Hernandez’s. As are Murphy’s. As are Turner’s. In addition, Emaus and Turner actually were primarily second basemen in the minors.
As print media continues to lose readers, subscribers, and influence, one must wonder if stories like this—as well as recent ones about Johan’s lack of progress in rehab and positing racism as a significant factor in fan disdain for Castillo—are desperate acts by writers desperate for attention.
The story about Santana was mocked by Alderson and the writer called a “liar” by Johan.
Matt Cerrone did a wonderful job of eloquently disputing the Castillo/racism idea with a short, common sense laundry list of reasons why reasonable, color-blind fans might prefer a new second baseman. Shouldn’t a writer for a major NY paper know, first of all, that the Mets have an incredibly diverse fan base which reflects the city and the area? That African-American and Latino players from Donn Clendenon and Tommie Agee to Doc and Darryl to Jose Reyes and Johan have been among fan favorites for decades?
This spring seems to have been a time where major media figures have, for whatever reason, done an exceptionally questionable job on many occasions. Perhaps it is nothing more than desperation for attention, which stories like the above certainly do obtain.
Regardless, as the beginning of the season draws blissfully near, it says here that we can soon rely on the wonderful and knowledgeable WFAN team for a fact-based pregame show and a no-holds-barred postgame show before and after every game. For this fan, along with regular visits here and to the Star Ledger, that is all that is needed to make the Met experience ideal.
Well, 90+ wins wouldn’t hurt either!
57 comments
rustyjr
3/20/2011-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
very cool column today my friend
kingman 26
3/20/2011-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
Thanks a lot Rusty; I really appreciate that.
rustyjr
3/20/2011-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
btw I just bought Zappa live from NYC ( Torture Never Stops) DVD from ’81
kingman 26
3/20/2011-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
That’s funny; I have not seen it, but we carry it on our site and have sold a few!
rustyjr
3/20/2011-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
ill be watching it today lol btw how did you like my lukewarm defense on slappy yesterday ?
kingman 26
3/20/2011-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
I liked it–I especially thought the first sentence was outstanding!
But I do think Ollie is going soon too….
oleosmirf
3/20/2011-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
one guy that noone really seems to mention ever is Josh Satin who has put up extremely impressive numbers in the minors. Splitting between St. Lucie and Binghamton the 25 yr old put up a line of .311/.399/.467/.866 with 12 HR 74 RBI and 38 doubles.
While it looks like his future is as a utility player his minor league numbers are certainly better than Emaus, Turner or Hernandez but he will be the primary backup at 1B, 2B and 3B in AAA and im sure see time as the DH. If he keeps these numbers up I’d like to see what he can do in the MLB at least by September…
stickguy
3/20/2011-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
Well, it would make sense for the team in NY to have a nice Jewish boy on the field! although is Ike Jewish too? Can’t remember (and yes, I am just kidding here, don’t jump on me!)
The bigger problem though is while he has hit, he seems to be another man with a bat and no position. He is also 26 already, so getting old for a prospect. Still, since he has played all over, could be an interesting bench/utility option at some point.
I found this scouting report out on the Net. note the comparison to one Daniel Murphy!
” In college he served as a 2nd baseman, but has since been moved to each of the corner infield spots in his minor league career. The one comparison I’ve read that sticks in my mind is a right handed version of Daniel Murphy. He’s able to play multiple positions on the field, but he’s not great at any of them. “
oleosmirf
3/20/2011-3:00pm at 3:00 pm (UTC -4)
well he only committed 17 errors in 206 games at 2B in the minors so its not like he’s Murphy out there
stickguy
3/20/2011-3:32pm at 3:32 pm (UTC -4)
errors aren’t the only thing to look at though. If a guy has no particular range, but is reliable, he could easily have a high fldg% because he is reliable on balls right to him, and never gets close enough to ones in the hole to make an error on them!
I also like to know how many errors are on throws vs. with the glove.
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
12 days to Opening Day. It’s been a long winter.
Since I’m in the SNY listening area I very rarely hear WFAN’s pre game show. I like Ed Coleman though and SNY often has him on during their pregame.
SNY features Carlin and Bobby O for most pre and post game shows. I haven’t heard anything that would suggest that will be different this year.
Carlin is just a parrot, making comments or asking questions that set up Bobby O’s analysis, so one can basically ignore Carlin. However, Bobby O’s analysis is often spot on, both pre and post game. Late last year you could hear the strain with Bobby after the games where he really wanted to let loose on the team, even more so than his professionalism probably allowed.
On that note, I’m reading this morning that the Mets and Strawberry have parted ways. Staw will no longer be a ‘Mets ambassador’. Seems like they couldn’t agree on terms.
kingman 26
3/20/2011-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
Sorry to hear about Straw; that’s a shame.
Agreed totally on Ojeda, and frankly, I think he may have been the single person most responsible for stoking my fury at the team the second half of last year! Every game I would watch them lose, he was right there afterward, hammering away with phrases like “no discipline,” “no patience,” “no pride” and on and on.
And I agreed.
oleosmirf
3/20/2011-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
honestly im not really sure what Straw has to offer. The man was blessed with natural talent but not sure what value he has as a coach especially when a bunch of the guys clearly didnt want him there in the first place…
kingman 26
3/20/2011-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
If Francoeur and Bay didn’t want him there, that’s a great endorsement.
oleosmirf
3/20/2011-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
i personally just dont see what he brings of value. I mean its probably good to have him come to the minor league camp and tell them not to do drugs but Strawberry never came across as a student of the game.
how is he going to help Jason Bay hit HR? Straw was blessed with talent but that doesnt really help as a coach…
kingman 26
3/20/2011-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, you are probably right; I was partly kidding, and I do remember than Darryl was not exactly always the world’s greatest student of the game OR a player who hustled all of the time OR a guy who would have easily taken advice from others.
My comment is also based on sentimentality for those 1980s Mets and true hatred of what I saw on the field last year.
So, you are probably right!
stickguy
3/20/2011-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
actually, looking back, based on your criteria you would hate Straw as a player now. known to dog it on occasion, caused issues in the clubhouse, and occasionally took a day off being too hung over (or on something?) to play that day!
kingman 26
3/20/2011-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
Right you are sir.
That was a long time ago….
stickguy
3/20/2011-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
and funny how winning cures everything (poor clubhouse chemistry, dog players, you name it!)
kingman 26
3/20/2011-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Well, the more years that go by since 1986 (and 1969) the more one realizes how rare WS titles can be.
Two in 49 years?
So yeah, whatever went on in the 1980s, they did give us that title.
What would Met fan life be like if we had just 1969?
stickguy
3/20/2011-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
pretty much the same whining martyrdom for most of them!
you are right that WS titles for most teams are a rare thing to be cherished. Which is why IMO you should enjoy all the seasons, and even if you just get competitive, maybe playoffs, you should still savor them and enjoy the ride. Still better than the off season, when you have no BB and just freeze your nuts off.
Pretty typical met luck though. They had 2 playoff appearances from 85-90, but IIRC, if the wild card had existed, they would have been in every one of those years.
kingman 26
3/20/2011-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
Had the Wild Card as currently used existed, they would have made the playoffs in:
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1990
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I don’t know about him as any kind of coach. I thought he occasionally worked more with the minor leaguers than the big club.
He also did guest appearances on SNY pre and post game, along with Johnny Franco. I have to assume they have these guest or part time type commentators to give the regulars some days off. I guess that means he won’t be doing those appearances either.
Mr North Jersey
3/20/2011-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
Good post Kingman.
I agree with most of what you wrote. I don’t know if the stories written by Andy Martino, Steve Popper and Bob Klapisch that you reference are a desperate need for attention but one has to wonder the thinking and the validity of the sources behind them.
kingman 26
3/20/2011-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you sir for reading, and for the kind comments.
And please have a wonderful day!
stickguy
3/20/2011-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Young looking pretty good again. Interesting, that so far, it is probably the 2 new guys (the much maligned damaged goods signings) that have looked the best int eh spring! If that keeps up, the rotation could actually be a relative strength (or at least not a minus), instead of the bloack hole some people were predicting.
I will settle for solid and reliable, keeping the mets in most every game, putting the onus back on the offense to carry their weight! Especially because the pen, at the moment, gives hints of at least being solid, if not pretty darned good.
and Emaus with a double. The guy is starting to hit lately. A good sign.
I still can live with a semi-platoon at 2B. Murphy and Emaus. Not likely to win a team gold glove, but should be relatively productive, and hopefully doesn’t kill them on the field. Use Hu as a defensive closer!
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
I’m betting they go with a Murphy/Emaus type platoon as well.
Murphy is going to be on the 25 man roster. Emaus they’d lose if he wasn’t. So they’ll start there. If Emaus doesn’t work out (can’t hit above the mendoza line and defense is so-so), they’ve got Turner in the minors they can call up or if enough time has gone by and he’s looking good, maybe even Havens.
stickguy
3/20/2011-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that this is likely the plan. And it makes sense.
Actually, it makes me very happen to not only think that FO has a plan for a change, but it IS one that makes sense, and seems to be well thought out (with the future in mind, and pan B, C and D!)
hazmet
3/20/2011-2:08pm at 2:08 pm (UTC -4)
Nice piece, some thought provoking touchstones. I usually stay as far away as possible from commenting on race topics since one slip of a word in the wrong place while blogging something fast and zap you can be viewed as a racist. The Mets and race have an interesting history some of which that wasn’t included herein but crossed my mind while reading this included Strawberry in his book, that was released after he left for the Dodger’s, labeling the Mets as a racist organization. This counter-pointed by their hiring Willie as the first African American Manager in NY and the honoring of Jackie Robinson with the Rotunda and involvement in perpetuating his memory as examples that run contrary to the acts of an organization with race issues. In working to advance Latino interests in baseball they hired Omar, like it or not, and Bernazard at 2 very high level positions and began the baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. Granted the academy may be for their own benefits in the long run. Again none of this seem to be the acts of an organization with race issues.
If Martino really wanted to question race relative to the Mets and their Latino players perspective of being treated fairly or not he should have at least had touched on the perception that a few years ago Latino players undermined Willie by going around him through Bernazard to Omar. Whether that was true or not it would have been fair to at least include it in the context of a race discussion and Latino players on the Mets which is what he was trying to do. As opposed to a baseball talent assessment that, sorry Luis, you’re legs have betrayed you at 35 and your done. Time to give younger guys a shot since we’re in transition this year anyway. But, nothing seems to be easy with the Mets and race. I’ll be watching to see if Mr. Martino is circling K-Rod’s number of appearances like a vulture waiting to pounce if K-Rod misses his incentive clause by a game or two so that he can then try to bring race discrimination into the Mets landscape again. In closing to Andy, don’t the Mets have enough to worry about with Bernie, Picard, and the basics of fielding a team? Did they really need you trying to draw attention to yourself on their backs by insinuating racism exists as part of a decision to release a 35 year old second baseman?
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-2:35pm at 2:35 pm (UTC -4)
IMO, you’re giving Martino too much credit.
That wasn’t any well thought out or moderately researched article he printed the other day. It was a couple of well chosen sentences designed to garner hits. Period.
If he even took the time to do half as much homework as you have, maybe he would be taken seriously. As it stands now, it’s just hacking and nothing else.
kingman 26
3/20/2011-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
+ Infinity
hazmet
3/20/2011-5:03pm at 5:03 pm (UTC -4)
Yes and no. On Friday Joe Beningo was so annoyed on WFAN that he had the WFAN producer go get Martino on the air so they could discuss it with him. And his approach was far more than a couple of carefully selected quotes. He spoke of how it’s good to take any opportunity when possible to discuss race because of it’s importance. So while that as a basis is a valid point it also clearly indicated he had more of an agenda than just plucking a couple of quotes to discuss the Mets release of Castillo. Which is why I’m curious to see where he’s going to take this next during the season in trying to make more of a name for himself.
stickguy
3/20/2011-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting parallel to Philly right now for the Mets (I just finished reading the sports section of the sunday paper, which made me think of this).
They actually have the exact same open position/question marks to fill. RF, 2B and middle of the pen. And even though RF and 2B are reversed, one is a star veteran they have to cover for for an indefinite period (same injury too!), and the other is from the incumbent leaving, and having no viable option step up to claim the job!
other than those jobs, for both teams, every other spot is set. Even the rotation (and yes Knog, I know that the phils have higher end guys!)
Actually, a small positive is that the Phils are the team now that have more guys trying to come back from injuries in 2010 (utley and beltran canceling each other out).
stickguy
3/20/2011-2:43pm at 2:43 pm (UTC -4)
Man, Young and Capuano look like godsends at this point. If these 2 can hold up physically (and hell, I will accept 25 GS each as a full year!), it should really help stabilize the rotation.
Not having to suffer through a couple of train wrecks every time through the rotation this year will be nice and calming. No ollie, no maine (who I really liked, but not with 1/2 an arm).
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
I know we shouldn’t be taking numbers too seriously in ST but it has to be a big plus that so far, both look healthy and the farther we get in these ST games, they better they look.
Now if Pelf would only catch up…..
Although I know he looked awful in ST last year and started the year off great, so I’m not too worried.
No one seems to be hitting much today on either side. We had an opportunity earlier but Duda hit into that double play.
kingman 26
3/20/2011-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
I sure hope the numbers for Wright and Reyes, the power numbers for Bay, and the lack of numbers for Beltran aren’t to be taken seriously.
We could have a worse offense than 2010.
Actually, it’s funny, as of now, 2011 is looking a LOT like 2010—decent starting pitching, an OK bullpen, and abominable offense.
stickguy
3/20/2011-3:29pm at 3:29 pm (UTC -4)
can’t get too sucked into ST results. I like to focus on how younger guys look, and health. So other than Beltran, that part at least seems to be working!
Reyes too, seeing him playing without issues and seeming in top shape is the key. I also have no idea if he usually has good or bad springs.
Bay worries me though, but that stems from last year more so than it does from his spring (which of course, is worrisome too).
But damn, it is hard to even imagine the offense being as bad as last year. Especially if stone hands Murphy is getting PT at 2B!
kingman 26
3/20/2011-3:34pm at 3:34 pm (UTC -4)
I seriously cannot wait for opening day.
Sure I want them to win 100, but I honestly just want to see progress without having to overly rely on hugely overpaid established stars coming here for the huge payday.
I also just want to see hustle. A team with Wright, Reyes, Pagan, Ike, Thole, Murphy, and Duda is going to make me happy, even if we have another losing year.
I am 100% sure that in 2012 we will be back to competing for real–between the development of the kids, the subtraction of more older guys, certain additions Sandy will make, and the overall improvement the new leadership will be responsible for.
stickguy
3/20/2011-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
right now, I don’t see Duda going north with the big club. he will be starting in Buffalo, getting more PT in the OF.
your other 6 guys I really like. And if beltran can crawl back onto the field and give anything, and Bay is not really a corpse now, no way this offense won’t be better than 2010.
Prismo
3/20/2011-3:35pm at 3:35 pm (UTC -4)
Lay off Reyes, Wright, and Bay. Players who are already starters shouldn’t be focused on during ST (except for health).
Case in point: Pujols is hitting .250 (.318 OBP) with a .375 SLG. Does that mean he’s going to suck this season?
kingman 26
3/20/2011-5:50pm at 5:50 pm (UTC -4)
Wright of course you are correct on; he fits the Pujols analogy.
The other two? The Pujols analogy? Uh, not a good one.
After Reyes’ last two years we should not look at his results?
After Bay’s last year, we should not notice the ONE extra base hit this spring?
Sure hope you are right; but I doubt it on Bay and I am 50–50 on Reyes; seems like Reyes should be spraying line drives all over the place and getting extra base hits and Bay should be working on hitting the long ball off of crappy spring training minor leaguers.
They’re not thus far.
As I have said repeatedly, and as stats clearly show every year, in SOME cases spring training results definitely foreshadow what is to come.
As they did with almost every Met pitcher in the spring of 2010 who threw more than a handful of spring innings.
oleosmirf
3/20/2011-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
its hard to do well when you are getting 3 AB every other day. Lets see how Reyes, Wright and Bay do the last week when they are playing back to back games and playing all 9 innings.
kingman 26
3/20/2011-5:56pm at 5:56 pm (UTC -4)
Touche and excellent points.
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
Well, not a good outing for O’Conner.
Parnell only faced 3 batters but he wasn’t sharp. He’s starting to concern me a little. There’s no consistency with him yet. I don’t think he’s ready for the 8th inning set up spot so I’ve got no problem with penciling in Izzy there to start.
stickguy
3/20/2011-3:26pm at 3:26 pm (UTC -4)
the way this spring is going, you may be seeing Parnell going down to get some more development, since I believe he has options left, and maybe Acosta making the team instead. Especially if Izzy and Buccholz are going to be handling the set up duties.
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-3:35pm at 3:35 pm (UTC -4)
That’s an idea, I suppose.
We’ve got 2 guys who can throw over 95mph (Parnell and Iggy) and neither one of them seem to be able to get it done with any kind of consistency. Sure would come in handy if they could.
stickguy
3/20/2011-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Acosta can throw that hard too.
so, if there is no obvious difference between the guys with and without options, start with Acosta, Izzy and Beato in the pen, with Iggy and Parnell anchoring the back of the AAA pen (co-closers?), waiting for the call in case someone falters.
stickguy
3/20/2011-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
man, the season needs to start soon. Other than Beltran, the team seems about done with ST. SPs probably need 1 more round to be up to speed, but they seem to all be going 5-6 now, so let the real games begin!
12 days left seems like a long time to wait.
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
LOL…not if you’re the 2nd base prospects or Collins/Sandy trying to decide who plays there.
Other than that, yeah, I hear you. The way these teams are now, we play the same handful over and over to the point where they’re starting to pull back the starters like Dickey yesterday.
stickguy
3/20/2011-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
my guess is that cutting Castillo signaled that it is going to be emaus and Murphy, with the PT split decided by how each one is hitting and fielding. Consider it a rough platoon to start.
So call Emause the starter, assume Beltran is on the DL to start, with Harris/Hairston platooning in RFand the bench becomes:
Paulino, Murphy, Hu, Harris/hairston and Evans.
oleosmirf
3/20/2011-5:56pm at 5:56 pm (UTC -4)
both Harris and Hairston will be on the team, Terry’s essentially confirmed that in his interviews…
stickguy
3/20/2011-7:30pm at 7:30 pm (UTC -4)
right. 1 starting in RF, and the other on the bench, while Beltran is out.
metsfan4decades
3/20/2011-4:46pm at 4:46 pm (UTC -4)
2 interesting tweets from Rubin:
‘Double-checked. No way #Mets owe lump sum once Perez out. Payments biweekly like he’s active, less $417k MLB minimum if he signs elsewhere.’
********************
So there goes the speculation of the Mets can’t release Ollie b/c they can’t afford to fork over 12 MIL all at once.
********************
This second one below is a little on the vague side. What does Rubin know that we don’t?
AdamRubinESPN: I think you’ll find out soon enough why the #Mets do not want any competing headlines today, such as Ollie’s ouster.
stickguy
3/20/2011-4:58pm at 4:58 pm (UTC -4)
1st one I saw, so that is good news, since frankly with as tight as money is for them lately, it may actually have required keeping him!
the 2nd? Who the hell knows. But it only makes sense if they have something positive about to be released, that they don’t want to get overshadowed. Can’t think of what that would be, or frankly why it would matter getting 2 pieces of good news in 1 day! Probably something related to madoff suit or the sale, right?
oleosmirf
3/20/2011-5:57pm at 5:57 pm (UTC -4)
well Luis Castillo is allegedly about to sign somewhere, could that be it?
oleosmirf
3/20/2011-6:02pm at 6:02 pm (UTC -4)
for the season opener the bench will be Nickeas, Hu, Harris, Hairston and Emaus.
stickguy
3/20/2011-7:31pm at 7:31 pm (UTC -4)
only if Beltran is active.