Mack Attack: June 3, 2008

By John Mackin Ade
Posted Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Former Mets outfielder Raul Gonzalez returned to the team Monday, agreeing to a minor league contract. The 34-year-old Gonzalez played for New York in 2002-03. He has played parts of five major league seasons with the Mets, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati and Cleveland, hitting .233 with five home runs and 33 RBIs. Gonzalez hit .278 in 41 games with Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League this year before getting released May 5. He will go to extended spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., then report to Triple-A New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League.

The NL East is perhaps the most competitive division in baseball right now. Four of the five teams are in with a shot, although one of those, the Marlins, are likely to fade away over the next few months. Despite the Mets being in a slump for the past month or so, the market believes they still have a good shot at winning the division crown. This isn't that surprising as the team probably has the most talent in the division. Those of you may recall our season preview data which showed them winning an astonishing 99 games this year (after the addition of Johan Santana). Although in the warm glow of early June that looks a tad optimistic, with hitters like David Wright and Carlos Beltran, backed up with Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez a long, strong winning run is a probability at some point. – HardballTimes

 

“We’d talk about all the baseball situations that might up on the next play, but then I might throw in, ‘Man, why you so ugly today?’” Jose Valentín said. “If I could get him to smile, I knew he’d relax and let his skills just take over.” At 38, Valentín is anxious to get back with the Mets and reward them for their patience. He played in only 51 games last season because of two injuries — a weak right knee that eventually required surgery; and a fractured right tibia from a foul ball. And then came a pinched nerve in his neck this spring. The knee is fine now. But just as he was set to leave St. Lucie for a week or so of games at Class AAA New Orleans, he felt soreness in his right elbow. For now, he remains in St. Lucie. “If I was some other place, I think I’d be at home right now,” Valentín said of the Mets’ willingness to keep him in the minors and keep hoping. “They’ve been holding on to me and waiting for me. I have a passion within me to give them some payback because they have been so great. I want to help out any way I can.” - BBTF

 

 

Mets Top 10 Draft Picks: - 2001:

#1 RHP Aaron Heilman - Finally, a decent draft pick! Part of the 2008 Mets bullpen.

#1s 3B David Wright - 2-for-2. Maybe the best Met ever.

#2 OF Alhaji Turay - 6 yrs. in Mets org. – played Indy ball in 2007

#2s SS Corey Ragsdale - 7 yrs. in Mets org. – playing 2008 for AA-Texas (.208)

#3 LHP Lenny DiNardo - 3 yrs. in Mets org. – pitching for Oakland in 2008 (1-1, 10.57)

#4 LHP Brian Walker - 4 yrs. in Mets org. - poof

#5 2B Danny Garcia - 4 yrs in Mets org. – played Indy ball in 2007

#6 RHP Jason Weintraub - 4 yrs. in Mets org. - poof

#7 C Tyler Beuerlein - 2 yrs. in Mets org. – suspended 3x – outta here

#8 C Brett Kay - 3 yrs. in Mets org. - poof

#9 LHP Jayson Weir - 2 yrs in Mets org. - poof

#10 LHP Ryan Olson – 4 yrs. in Mets org. – played 4 years Indy ball

 

Zephyrs:

 

Brandon Knight has been inserted into the rotation. Willie Collazo will go back to the bullpen.

The Zephyrs offense pounded out a season high 12 runs and 18 hits in a 12-4 rout in Round Rock on Monday night. Chris Agulia continued the hot hitting with a first inning two run home run to put the Zephyrs on the board. The PCL hitter of the week Aguila had three hits in five at bats with four RBI. Michel Abreu added three hits and a home run for the Z’s. Tony Armas earned the win pitching six solid innings allowing two runs off of seven hits. New Orleans scored five ninth inning runs to finish off the Express. The New Orleans offense scored double digit runs for the first time since April 24th. The Z’s have won two consecutive games over the Express.

 

B-Mets:

3B Dan Murphy has begun to play other positions. Friday, he played 1B. And Saturday, it was LF. Hmm…

 

Gnats:

Eric Krupa, president of the South Atlantic League, has announced the rosters for the 49th Annual SAL All-Star Game, scheduled to be played on June 17, 2008, at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, NC.

For the Southern Division, the Asheville Tourists had a league-high seven players selected to the all-star team, including five starters. Pitcher Jhoulys Chacin will be joined by Everth Cabrera (2B), Darin Holcomb (3B), Brian Rike (LF) and Michael Mitchell (CF). Greenville has four players on the roster, including starters Yamaico Navarro (SS) and Michael Jones (1B). Charleston also has four players on the squad, with Jesus Montero starting at catcher. Rome and Savannah have two players apiece, with Rome’s Jason Heyward starting in right field and Savannah’s Jordan Abruzzo named the designated hitter. Augusta and Columbus both have three players on the Southern team. Francesco Pena was also named as backup catcher.

D-Mets:

1st game of the season went well… beat the Cubs, 14-5. Julio Concepcion had the first D-Mets HR and someone named Amauris Valdez had 3 hits.

Ex-Mets:

Mike Jacobs hit 2 homers and drove in 4 for Florida

A.J. Burnett allowed just 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 8 in 8 innings for Toronto.

Brian Bannister gave up one run on just 4 hits in 7 1/3 innings

With the Marlins' Kevin Gregg eligible for arbitration again, the question is whether Matt Lindstrom will be ready to close in 2009. ''He has closer stuff, but whether he has the command and makeup, he hasn't shown that yet,'' one scout said. Said another: ``He has the best fastball I've seen this year. If you gave Lindstrom's stuff to Greg Maddux, he wouldn't give up a hit.'' -- Miami Herald

 

This Day In Mets History:

1978 The Phillies' Davey Johnson becomes the first major leaguer to pinch-hit two grand slams in one season. His ninth inning bases-loaded shot beats the Dodgers, 5-1.

1980 - The Mets select 18-year old Darryl Strawberry as the #1 pick in the June draft. The Blue Jays select shortstop Garry Harris as #2.

1981 - Returning after two years as free agent, Royal catcher Jerry Grote hits his first home run since 1976.

1998 - Orlando Hernandez makes his major league debut defeating the Devil Rays, 7-1. 'El Duque', who escaped from Cuba by boat six months ago, allows a run on 5 hits in 7 innings.

And lastly:

"I would rather be the tail of a lion than the head of a mouse." -ORLANDO HERNANDEZ, commenting if whether he'd prefer to relieve in the majors or start in the minors __________________