Do you think Jae Seo is for real, or was he just hot in August? And what about Victor Zambrano? Is it Seo against Zambrano for the fifth spot in the rotation?
-- Seth B., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Who can say for sure about Seo's 2005 performance? He was remarkably effective in five starts in August -- a 4-0 record and 1.78 ERA -- and moderately successful in six subsequent starts, posting a 2-1 record and 3.65 ERA. If you're comparing him to Zambrano, there's no comparison. Even when Zambrano pitched effectively in late spring and early summer, he often found a way to lose -- one bad pitch, a balk, a throwing error. And by the end of the season, he had lost his place in the rotation.
There is no reason for the Mets to identify their No. 5 starter in December, and no benefit, either. But based on what happened late last season, Seo seemingly would have an edge. As always, Zambrano has a higher ceiling. His stuff makes him the clubhouse favorite to pitch the Mets' first no-hitter. But the footnote to that is one teammate's suggestion that Zambrano could pitch a no-hitter and lose. Seo is more consistent and reliable.
I see the Cardinals have signed Braden Looper. Where were the Mets? We still don't have the setup man because we let Roberto Hernandez go.
-- Sandy D., Washington, D.C.
At the time the Mets declined to exercise their 2006 option for Looper's contract, they said they wouldn't rule out re-signing him as a free agent for less than the $5.8 million he would have been due had the option be exercised. But shortly thereafter, people in the organization said interest existed on neither side for Looper's return. GM Omar Minaya gave no subsequent indication he wanted Looper -- even when asked.
How long will the Mets go before settling on a second baseman? Weren't they supposed to sign Mark Grudzielanek? What happened? Who are the possibilities now?
-- Judy K., Bronx, N.Y.
The Mets' signing Grudzielanek as a free agent was a television report early in the Winter Meetings that has proven inaccurate. He signed with the Royals on Friday. Even before that report, and just after Paul Lo Duca was acquired, Minaya listed second base as the club's third priority, after reinforcing the bullpen and rotation. And members of the Mets' hierarchy privately maintained second base would be addressed if and when Kaz Matsui was moved. Minaya said publicly on Dec. 5 it was "very doubtful" the club would obtain a second baseman, and his pronouncement preceded by four days the reported date of the Grudzielanek signing.
All that said, there is no urgency in identifying the 2006 second baseman. The Mets continue to say Matsui is the man, but Minaya twice has qualified that statement with "for now." And though manager Willie Randolph believes Matsui might be ready to have a good offensive year, no one is anticipating improvement in the field. That's a problem.
Randolph wants defense at second base, and the acquisition of Carlos Delgado reduces the need for offense at second base. Still, the Mets owe Matsui $8 million, and that's a lot to pay an extra player. The club is willing to pay at least half of his salary if it moves him, but can find no takers.
Anderson Hernandez is one alternative. Randolph believes he can be an outstanding defender and is sure Hernandez's 1-for-18 showing at the end of last season isn't indicative of his offensive prowess. Jeff Keppinger, acquired with Kris Benson from the Pirates in 2004, also plays second base, but with less range than Hernandez. However, Keppinger is a more accomplished hitter who could bat second and be a Jay Bell-type contributor.
If a prediction were demanded at this point, I'd guess that Matsui would be given the chance to play in Spring Training, but the job will eventually fall to Hernandez.
What are the plans for Ramon Castro now that Lo Duca is a Met?
-- William B., Rochelle Park, N.J.
Castro will be, as he was for most of last season, an understudy -- albeit a valuable one. He played well enough in 2005 for the Mets to consider using him as the primary successor to Mike Piazza and adding a second catcher, preferably a left-handed-hitting one. But the Marlins' salary purge changed the landscape.
The Mets never were particularly interested in signing either free agent catcher, Ramon Herandez or Bengie Molina, for the amount they believed would be necessary. The club believes the Orioles have overpaid for Hernandez -- four years at $27.5 million. The offers the Mets did make to the two catchers were designed to see what Hernandez and Molina wouldn't accept.
Shouldn't the Mets have a left-handed-hitting catcher to play behind Lo Duca? And now that they didn't re-sign Marlon Anderson and Jose Offerman, don't they need another left-handed bench player or pinch-hitter?
-- Ed P., Bridgeport, Conn.
Ideally, yes. Their left-handed-hitting reserve at this point is Tike Redman.
Which Mets uniform numbers have been retired? Do you think others should be retired?
-- Jackson F., Farmington, Maine
The list is short -- 41 for Tom Seaver, 14 for Gil Hodges, 37 for Casey Stengel and, as is the case for all Major League clubs, 42 for Jackie Robinson.
If the club were to retire another number, it seemingly would have to be 17, for Keith Hernandez, the player most critical to the team's run of success in the 1980s. Hernandez's arrival in 1983 initiated the transformation of the Mets' clubhouse culture. The emergence of Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden and the acquisition of Gary Carter transformed the team into a power.
But Hernandez was the key factor. Hernandez didn't win his MVP Award with the Mets -- the one he shared with Willie Stargell came in 1979 when he still was with the Cardinals -- but he was the leader in MVP points in the National League from 1984-88 and, not coincidentally, played in more victories than any Major League player during that five-year sequence.
With Gaby Hernandez and Yusmeiro Petit traded, which Mets Minor League pitcher is closest to being Major League-ready?
-- Art P., Yonkers, N.Y.
Even before the trades, Brian Bannister was the closest to Major League-ready. That hasn't changed. He is the 24-year-old right-handed son of former White Sox and Astros pitcher Floyd Bannister.
Bannister had a 9-4 record and 2.56 ERA in 18 Double-A starts and a 4-1 record and 3.18 ERA in eight starts in Triple-A in 2005.
