Early Observations

By Shari Forst
Posted Saturday, March 10, 2007

Yes it’s early, and my observations are purely based on what I’ve seen and heard so far this pre-season, but I had to comment on what has transpired so far this spring for the 2007 NY Mets.

I happened to catch one of the games that Mike Pelfrey started and I have to say I was really encouraged with his outing. He pitched the typical spring two innings, both scoreless, giving up just one hit. Pelfrey is one of the candidates for the back end of the starting rotation and I tend to think that if he strings together more outings like this he should be a shoo-in.

Tom Glavine has also pitched well so far, which is nice to see, and John Maine has picked up where he left off last year with a scoreless two innings in the game he started. El Duque gave up 5 runs in the second inning of yesterday’s game. It’s apparent that he still has those early inning problems that we saw last season. If he gives up a run or two and settles down I can live with that - but five runs may be a problem if he continues on like that. Oliver Perez didn’t have a good first outing as we know, but I still have a lot of faith in this guy. Perez pitched again on Monday, and bounced back nicely only giving up a run on two hits in three innings.

I was not impressed with what I saw from Jason Vargas, he was behind every hitter he faced, and was lucky that he got away unscathed. I really hate the fact that anyone who is left handed is regarded as a treasure these days - they don’t have to be good, just mediocre. I don’t know when it was decided that a mediocre lefty is better than a solid righty, but I think this is the case with Vargas.

I saw Jon Adkins destroy the one spring training game I did get to watch, after Pelfrey pitched so well, and Phil Humber had a nightmare of an outing.

The position players are still feeling their way through the Grapefruit League, and one thing to note about Jose Reyes is that he has both of the Mets home runs so far this spring. He is also noticeably bigger. The game that Mike Pelfrey started I saw Reyes get thrown out on a double play ball hit by Paul LoDuca. I don’t think I ever saw Reyes doubled up last season and it makes me wonder if he is falling into the Rey Ordonez trap thinking that bulky is better. He says he wants to try to steal 70 or 80 bases this season.

I hope that comes to fruition but getting thrown out on double play balls makes me wonder about that. I much rather he slap base hits and walk than hit home runs. That’s why the pay Beltran, Delgado, Wright, and hopefully Alou the big bucks.

Shawn Green claims that he found a hitch in his swing that caused his slumping bat and lack of power. Granted I have only seen one game, but his spring stats are less than impressive and what I saw was a guy very uncomfortable at the plate and coming out of his shoes while swinging and missing. I don’t think Green will make it to May with the Mets this season. He is a shadow of his former self, and although only 33 years old he appears older on the field than Julio Franco.

Carlos Delgado had his elbow surgically repaired, and although he has no home runs yet, he is hitting .500 this spring and looks comfortable and confident at the plate. He played all last season with that bad elbow and still managed to hit .265 with 38 home runs and over 100 RBIs. Beltran also looks at ease in the batter’s box this season.

The other very pleasant surprise is David Newhan, who has been doing some very timely hitting. I was worried about the bench situation because I felt Chris Woodward was a valuable part of the team the last two seasons. Last year he had a torn labrum and wasn’t as effective at the plate, but Newhan will fit the bill fine if he keeps going like this.

On a whole I liked what I saw and what I have heard so far in Spring Training. I know their record is only 2-4 as I’m writing this but the major players look as though they are on the right track.

You can contact Shari at: shazoo418@yahoo.com