I think it will all depends on WHO wants Zito at the TD. I doubt someone will give up two top tier prospects for a guy they may only have for 3 months. But you never know.
New York Mets Hot Stove Report
- Thread starter soul train
- Start date
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- One Mets star named Carlos bested another Monday in a home-run duel in their native Puerto Rico.
Carlos Beltran defeated Carlos Delgado 8-6 in a one-on-one competition at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium, a site in the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March.
It was a friendly competition for the hitters, who had 10 outs to see who hit the most homers before a crowd of about 7,000 students in a benefit for the scholarship fund of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School.
Beltran said the conditions were favorable for his win.
"The aluminum bat always helps a bit ... and the wind was blowing toward right field," he said.
On hand were several Mets officials, including general manager Omar Minaya and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon.
Delgado, who batted second, got off to a promising start with five consecutive home runs without any outs. Then he only managed one more homer before his 10th out.
Beltran beat Delgado in the team portion, with his squad winning 18-7.
Carlos Beltran defeated Carlos Delgado 8-6 in a one-on-one competition at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium, a site in the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March.
It was a friendly competition for the hitters, who had 10 outs to see who hit the most homers before a crowd of about 7,000 students in a benefit for the scholarship fund of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School.
Beltran said the conditions were favorable for his win.
"The aluminum bat always helps a bit ... and the wind was blowing toward right field," he said.
On hand were several Mets officials, including general manager Omar Minaya and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon.
Delgado, who batted second, got off to a promising start with five consecutive home runs without any outs. Then he only managed one more homer before his 10th out.
Beltran beat Delgado in the team portion, with his squad winning 18-7.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Two-day-old news hadn't reached the eyes and ears of the guy with the celebrated toe Thursday, but when Pedro Martinez finally learned Jose Lima had been invited to the Mets' Spring Training camp and that he was minutes away, Martinez was certain what he had heard was good news.
Martinez knows Lima is an over-the-counter and occasionally over-the-top antidepressant, a smile in the making.
"Get out of here. Really, we signed him?" Martinez said. "Oh no, Mama Mia, things are going to go crazy over here. This is going to be a crazy clubhouse."
The clubhouse wasn't yet crazy Thursday morning; it was at least alive, though, as a number of Mets and wannabes located their February-March digs and began offloading a winter's worth of T-shirts, their gloves, shoes -- none as special as Martinez's -- and aspirations.
Martinez, Billy Wagner, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Aaron Heilman, Paul Lo Duca, Heath Bell, Bartolome Fortunato and assorted young and unfamiliar faces were here on the day pitchers and catchers were to report to camp. And along with the almost three dozen members of the media, the place was as crowded as the first day of full camp in 1988, the first year this complex was used.
Just wait until Feb. 23, when all of them report for weeks of what someone once described as "bleachin' and teachin.'"
Even with Martinez, Wagner and Wright, who figure so prominently in the Mets' plans for 2006, Lima made the most conspicuous first-day impression. He arrived wearing a gray suit, with tails, a tie and a fedora. Not since Bobby Bonilla rolled into camp in 1993 on a pair of green, patent leather Roller Blades, proclaiming "I just want to fit in" has a Met caused such a first-day stir with his apparel.
"Are we going formal this year?" someone wanted to know.
physicals are scheduled for Friday, and the first day of official workouts for pitchers and catchers is Saturday.
Willie Randolph, fresh from two-day visit with a friend in nearby Boca Raton -- "I haven't had a vacation for a long time," he said -- made a cameo appearance at camp.
And breakfast was served, a sure sign the real thing is about to happen. Players worked at their own pace, but Saturday will be for real, making Friday the last day camp will be over easy.
Martinez knows Lima is an over-the-counter and occasionally over-the-top antidepressant, a smile in the making.
"Get out of here. Really, we signed him?" Martinez said. "Oh no, Mama Mia, things are going to go crazy over here. This is going to be a crazy clubhouse."
The clubhouse wasn't yet crazy Thursday morning; it was at least alive, though, as a number of Mets and wannabes located their February-March digs and began offloading a winter's worth of T-shirts, their gloves, shoes -- none as special as Martinez's -- and aspirations.
Martinez, Billy Wagner, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Aaron Heilman, Paul Lo Duca, Heath Bell, Bartolome Fortunato and assorted young and unfamiliar faces were here on the day pitchers and catchers were to report to camp. And along with the almost three dozen members of the media, the place was as crowded as the first day of full camp in 1988, the first year this complex was used.
Just wait until Feb. 23, when all of them report for weeks of what someone once described as "bleachin' and teachin.'"
Even with Martinez, Wagner and Wright, who figure so prominently in the Mets' plans for 2006, Lima made the most conspicuous first-day impression. He arrived wearing a gray suit, with tails, a tie and a fedora. Not since Bobby Bonilla rolled into camp in 1993 on a pair of green, patent leather Roller Blades, proclaiming "I just want to fit in" has a Met caused such a first-day stir with his apparel.
"Are we going formal this year?" someone wanted to know.
physicals are scheduled for Friday, and the first day of official workouts for pitchers and catchers is Saturday.
Willie Randolph, fresh from two-day visit with a friend in nearby Boca Raton -- "I haven't had a vacation for a long time," he said -- made a cameo appearance at camp.
And breakfast was served, a sure sign the real thing is about to happen. Players worked at their own pace, but Saturday will be for real, making Friday the last day camp will be over easy.
Soul and I are probably the only people who read this thread, but anyways...FYI Soul
Mets' Boone retires before 2B competition begins
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Bret Boone retired Wednesday at New York Mets camp, the culmination of a swift decline for a player who was one of baseball's best second basemen only a few years ago.
Boone's production had plummeted dramatically since the 2003 season. The three-time All-Star was cut by the Seattle Mariners last July 3, dealt to Minnesota eight days later, then released by the Twins on Aug 1. He batted .221 with seven homers and 37 RBI in 326 plate appearances last season.
The 36-year-old Boone agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mets in January and came to spring training with an opportunity to win the starting second base job. The four-time Gold Glove winner was at least expected to push incumbent Kaz Matsui, a two-year bust since arriving from Japan.
But Boone cut the competition short and called it quits before the Mets even played their first exhibition game.
"At the end of the day, this really gives me some closure," Boone said, his eyes moist at a morning news conference. "I went out this winter and worked as hard as I could, and it would have been easy to walk away after last year."
Boone said he discussed his decision with family, friends and former teammates. He missed New York's first intrasquad game Tuesday because of personal reasons, and said he woke up Wednesday morning with a decision that was "crystal clear."
"Physically, I think I can still do it. It wasn't as easy as even three or four years ago, but I had lost the edge. I couldn't look in the mirror and think that I would get that edge back," Boone said.
Boone batted .266 with 252 homers and 1,021 RBI in 14 major league seasons. He also played for Cincinnati, Atlanta and San Diego.
His best years came in Seattle, where he was a big reason the Mariners won an AL-record 116 games in 2001. He finished third in MVP voting that year after hitting .331 with 37 homers and a league-leading 141 RBI.
Boone made the All-Star team again in 2003, when he batted .294 with 35 homers and 117 RBI. He followed that up with 24 homers and 83 RBI the next season, but dropped to .251.
By last year, he was struggling mightily at the plate.
As for Matsui, he will now try to hold off youngsters Anderson Hernandez and Jeff Keppinger at second base.
Mets' Boone retires before 2B competition begins
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Bret Boone retired Wednesday at New York Mets camp, the culmination of a swift decline for a player who was one of baseball's best second basemen only a few years ago.
Boone's production had plummeted dramatically since the 2003 season. The three-time All-Star was cut by the Seattle Mariners last July 3, dealt to Minnesota eight days later, then released by the Twins on Aug 1. He batted .221 with seven homers and 37 RBI in 326 plate appearances last season.
The 36-year-old Boone agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mets in January and came to spring training with an opportunity to win the starting second base job. The four-time Gold Glove winner was at least expected to push incumbent Kaz Matsui, a two-year bust since arriving from Japan.
But Boone cut the competition short and called it quits before the Mets even played their first exhibition game.
"At the end of the day, this really gives me some closure," Boone said, his eyes moist at a morning news conference. "I went out this winter and worked as hard as I could, and it would have been easy to walk away after last year."
Boone said he discussed his decision with family, friends and former teammates. He missed New York's first intrasquad game Tuesday because of personal reasons, and said he woke up Wednesday morning with a decision that was "crystal clear."
"Physically, I think I can still do it. It wasn't as easy as even three or four years ago, but I had lost the edge. I couldn't look in the mirror and think that I would get that edge back," Boone said.
Boone batted .266 with 252 homers and 1,021 RBI in 14 major league seasons. He also played for Cincinnati, Atlanta and San Diego.
His best years came in Seattle, where he was a big reason the Mariners won an AL-record 116 games in 2001. He finished third in MVP voting that year after hitting .331 with 37 homers and a league-leading 141 RBI.
Boone made the All-Star team again in 2003, when he batted .294 with 35 homers and 117 RBI. He followed that up with 24 homers and 83 RBI the next season, but dropped to .251.
By last year, he was struggling mightily at the plate.
As for Matsui, he will now try to hold off youngsters Anderson Hernandez and Jeff Keppinger at second base.
s_dooley24 said:
He`s nothing anymore without the steroids..oh well..this kid Hernandez got alot of promise and Keppinger can be solid also..both are better then Matsui...Matsui will be lucky if he breaks camp with the team
soul train said:
pretty quick to pounce Soul...wish it was bigger news then Boone taking his bat and glove and going home
