GaryMrMets
11-16-2004, 08:11 PM
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nym/news/nym_news.jsp?ymd=20041112&content_id=913434&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp
11/15/2004 8:00 AM ET
Mets mailbag: Reyes staying put
By Kevin Czerwinski / MLB.com
Having read the Mets would be open to a trade of Jose Reyes, given his susceptibility to injury, makes me think the organization really knows more than they are letting on. Bowing to fan and media pressure, I believe, they were willing to announce right before the end of the season that Kaz Matsui would be at second next year and Reyes back to shortstop, where he should have been all along. But if they aren't willing to try that for '05, then I think Reyes must have a potentially serious problem. What are your thoughts? -- Karen L., West Hempstead, N.Y.
Yes, it's true that Reyes has displayed a penchant for leg injuries in each of the last few seasons. But the severely sprained ankle he suffered in 2003 was the result of a slide, and the stress fracture in his leg was unavoidable and misdiagnosed. He is currently working on a program implemented by fitness guru Mackie Shilstone in an attempt to get in better game shape. I'm not sure Reyes has a serious problem, and I'm also not sure how believable the reports are that he might be traded. Remember, almost every outlet covering the team last spring had him traded at one point or another to Texas before principal owner Fred Wilpon came out and said it wasn't happening.
Take what you read in the spirit with which it is intended. This is the time of year for rumor and speculation, and many is a time a reporter has seen one general manager talking to another general manager, put two and two together and gotten three.
Reyes is the most dynamic player the Mets have produced in nearly 20 years. A top three of him, Matsui and David Wright would be a great deal of fun to watch. Trading Reyes at this point, especially since he's under the Mets control for quite awhile, doesn't seem like the logical course of action at this point.
And, where the injuries are concerned, the best example I can give on patience is Carlton Fisk. He was a carbon copy of Reyes early in his career, played a much tougher position and look how he turned out.
Will Pedro Feliciano have a role in the bullpen in 2005? Although he had some problems with his control, he was able to get some left-handers out. If he can find a second pitch to compliment his slider, he might be a good addition to the bullpen. -- John A., Queens, N.Y.
Feliciano's ERA against lefties was an impressive 0.75. But he also didn't pitch in many, if any, pressure situations. He has some ability, and after working with pitching Rick Peterson, Feliciano certainly improved. At this point, though, mapping out a plan for next season's bullpen is difficult.
Braden Looper will be back, and Mike Stanton is already the lefty setup man. From there, it's anyone's guess what direction Omar Minaya will take in rebuilding the bullpen. It's likely that many of the people who get a chance will be non-roster invitees, like Ricky Bottalico was last year. If Feliciano can fight his way through the bevy of bodies that will be on hand come February, then he has as good a chance as anyone.
Assuming Al Leiter finishes out his career with the Mets, do you think he would consider a position as a relief pitcher? I could see Leiter as a very lethal option coming out of the bullpen a few times a week. If it worked for John Smoltz and others, why not Leiter? -- Eric V., Bridgeport, Conn.
That's certainly an interesting idea, but it probably won't work. As effective as Al Leiter has been during his career, his inability to stay out of trouble -- he constantly works deeps into counts, and this season couldn't keep men off base -- doesn't fit the mold of a good reliever. Leiter has been a starter his whole career, just like Smoltz, but he isn't anywhere near the dominating power pitcher Smoltz is. Smoltz comes in and can erase batters with ease. Leiter cannot.
Plus, there are issues with Leiter's health. He had shoulder problems this year -- the kind of problems that get worse with age, not better. Leiter can't be counted on to come out of the bullpen two or three days a week and be effective.
I heard that Billy Beane and the A's are shopping around one of Oakland's starting pitchers. Since the Mets are going with youth and have Rick Peterson as their pitching coach, what are the chances of landing Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder or Barry Zito? -- Bill V., Rhode Island
Well, the Oakland general manager is looking to move one of the big three, that's for sure. Beane can't afford to keep all three on the roster, and if he moves one, he will have a better chance of signing the remaining two. Whether that move involves the Mets is hard to say. Peterson would surely like to have one of his former pupils in the fold. All are young and talented. They would prove to be a nice anchor for a staff desperately in need of some youth.
Whether the Mets would be willing to part with what Beane would want is another matter. There is a nice crop of free agent pitchers on the market this winter, and if the Mets wanted to upgrade their staff, now would be the time to do so without giving up any talent.
Is Richard Hidalgo the answer in right field? How much money will he command in free agency? He has shown he can carry the team, but he is so streaky and inconsistent. Do the Mets have a legitimate shot at Magglio Ordonez, and given his medical history this year, is he worth the high investment? Or should they go with what they know in Hidalgo? -- Matt S., Albany, N.Y.
Hidalgo may be the answer in right field, but he's not the first one at which Minaya is looking. The Mets are exploring several options for right field at the moment, the least palatable of which is acquiring Sammy Sosa. Ordonez is certainly a potent and capable player, but there are health issues involved. And for the kind of money the Mets would have to spend to get him, it's probably not a good risk. Remember Mo Vaughn.
Hidalgo showed this season how good he can be when he's hot. He also showed how bad he can be when he cools off. Now, a lot of his late-season slump had to do with a sore groin. But he is a notoriously streaky player whom the Mets essentially rented for half a year. They certainly got a great deal back on their investment. As of right now, it doesn't appear to be a relationship which they wish to continue.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/11/12/tJgACbEE.jpg
Jose Reyes has displayed an unfortunate knack for leg injuries. (Ed Betz/AP)
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/08/10/iUTxeSOq.jpg
Jose Reyes is the most dynamic player the Mets have produced in nearly 20 years. (Frank Franklin II/AP)
11/15/2004 8:00 AM ET
Mets mailbag: Reyes staying put
By Kevin Czerwinski / MLB.com
Having read the Mets would be open to a trade of Jose Reyes, given his susceptibility to injury, makes me think the organization really knows more than they are letting on. Bowing to fan and media pressure, I believe, they were willing to announce right before the end of the season that Kaz Matsui would be at second next year and Reyes back to shortstop, where he should have been all along. But if they aren't willing to try that for '05, then I think Reyes must have a potentially serious problem. What are your thoughts? -- Karen L., West Hempstead, N.Y.
Yes, it's true that Reyes has displayed a penchant for leg injuries in each of the last few seasons. But the severely sprained ankle he suffered in 2003 was the result of a slide, and the stress fracture in his leg was unavoidable and misdiagnosed. He is currently working on a program implemented by fitness guru Mackie Shilstone in an attempt to get in better game shape. I'm not sure Reyes has a serious problem, and I'm also not sure how believable the reports are that he might be traded. Remember, almost every outlet covering the team last spring had him traded at one point or another to Texas before principal owner Fred Wilpon came out and said it wasn't happening.
Take what you read in the spirit with which it is intended. This is the time of year for rumor and speculation, and many is a time a reporter has seen one general manager talking to another general manager, put two and two together and gotten three.
Reyes is the most dynamic player the Mets have produced in nearly 20 years. A top three of him, Matsui and David Wright would be a great deal of fun to watch. Trading Reyes at this point, especially since he's under the Mets control for quite awhile, doesn't seem like the logical course of action at this point.
And, where the injuries are concerned, the best example I can give on patience is Carlton Fisk. He was a carbon copy of Reyes early in his career, played a much tougher position and look how he turned out.
Will Pedro Feliciano have a role in the bullpen in 2005? Although he had some problems with his control, he was able to get some left-handers out. If he can find a second pitch to compliment his slider, he might be a good addition to the bullpen. -- John A., Queens, N.Y.
Feliciano's ERA against lefties was an impressive 0.75. But he also didn't pitch in many, if any, pressure situations. He has some ability, and after working with pitching Rick Peterson, Feliciano certainly improved. At this point, though, mapping out a plan for next season's bullpen is difficult.
Braden Looper will be back, and Mike Stanton is already the lefty setup man. From there, it's anyone's guess what direction Omar Minaya will take in rebuilding the bullpen. It's likely that many of the people who get a chance will be non-roster invitees, like Ricky Bottalico was last year. If Feliciano can fight his way through the bevy of bodies that will be on hand come February, then he has as good a chance as anyone.
Assuming Al Leiter finishes out his career with the Mets, do you think he would consider a position as a relief pitcher? I could see Leiter as a very lethal option coming out of the bullpen a few times a week. If it worked for John Smoltz and others, why not Leiter? -- Eric V., Bridgeport, Conn.
That's certainly an interesting idea, but it probably won't work. As effective as Al Leiter has been during his career, his inability to stay out of trouble -- he constantly works deeps into counts, and this season couldn't keep men off base -- doesn't fit the mold of a good reliever. Leiter has been a starter his whole career, just like Smoltz, but he isn't anywhere near the dominating power pitcher Smoltz is. Smoltz comes in and can erase batters with ease. Leiter cannot.
Plus, there are issues with Leiter's health. He had shoulder problems this year -- the kind of problems that get worse with age, not better. Leiter can't be counted on to come out of the bullpen two or three days a week and be effective.
I heard that Billy Beane and the A's are shopping around one of Oakland's starting pitchers. Since the Mets are going with youth and have Rick Peterson as their pitching coach, what are the chances of landing Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder or Barry Zito? -- Bill V., Rhode Island
Well, the Oakland general manager is looking to move one of the big three, that's for sure. Beane can't afford to keep all three on the roster, and if he moves one, he will have a better chance of signing the remaining two. Whether that move involves the Mets is hard to say. Peterson would surely like to have one of his former pupils in the fold. All are young and talented. They would prove to be a nice anchor for a staff desperately in need of some youth.
Whether the Mets would be willing to part with what Beane would want is another matter. There is a nice crop of free agent pitchers on the market this winter, and if the Mets wanted to upgrade their staff, now would be the time to do so without giving up any talent.
Is Richard Hidalgo the answer in right field? How much money will he command in free agency? He has shown he can carry the team, but he is so streaky and inconsistent. Do the Mets have a legitimate shot at Magglio Ordonez, and given his medical history this year, is he worth the high investment? Or should they go with what they know in Hidalgo? -- Matt S., Albany, N.Y.
Hidalgo may be the answer in right field, but he's not the first one at which Minaya is looking. The Mets are exploring several options for right field at the moment, the least palatable of which is acquiring Sammy Sosa. Ordonez is certainly a potent and capable player, but there are health issues involved. And for the kind of money the Mets would have to spend to get him, it's probably not a good risk. Remember Mo Vaughn.
Hidalgo showed this season how good he can be when he's hot. He also showed how bad he can be when he cools off. Now, a lot of his late-season slump had to do with a sore groin. But he is a notoriously streaky player whom the Mets essentially rented for half a year. They certainly got a great deal back on their investment. As of right now, it doesn't appear to be a relationship which they wish to continue.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/11/12/tJgACbEE.jpg
Jose Reyes has displayed an unfortunate knack for leg injuries. (Ed Betz/AP)
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/08/10/iUTxeSOq.jpg
Jose Reyes is the most dynamic player the Mets have produced in nearly 20 years. (Frank Franklin II/AP)