A song tribute to Ruben Gotay

Someone going by the name "The Gato" posted this in the comments for Gotay claimed by Braves, sung to the tune of Don McLean's hit "American Pie."

A long, long time ago…
I can still remember How Ho-Jo used to make me smile.
And I knew if he had his chance
Jose Reyes could make those people dance
And, maybe, they'd be happy for a while.
But march made me shiver With every trade Omar deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;Gotay couldn't take one more step.
I can't remember if I cried
When I heard about the waiver wire,
But something touched me deep inside
The day the Ruben Gotay died.

Hilarious. Becoming a Brave is equal to passing on for Mets fans. The phrase "You're dead to me," comes to mind.

I have never heard of such a public outcry over losing a backup infielder. He was obviously a fan favorite and it stings that much more that he went to a hated rival in the Mets division.

Gotay claimed by Braves

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news Doug...

The Atlanta Braves have claimed Ruben Gotay off of waivers.

Mets fans, prepare yourself for all the time Gotay gets a hit off of us in the coming year(s).

In other news, Steven Register was returned to the Colorado Rockies and Anderson Hernandez was optioned to AAA.

So long Cash, we barely knew ye. AHern, stay healthy, you're our backup infielder waiting in the wings, again.

Gotay's fate TBD

Ruben Gotay will be in limbo for a few more hours.

It is believed that Gotay was placed on waivers on Wednesday, after facing Pedro Martinez in a minor league game. The game ended around noon, and Gotay is on waivers for three days. That means sometime in the next few hours, it will be determined if Gotay will stay with the team.

Rumor has it that Gotay will refuse any assignment to AAA. Gotay could refuse assignment and become a free agent.

This stinks. Even though he might not have the best glove, he makes some fine plays in the field. If he gives up on switch hitting, he could be a really good hitter.

I'd love for him to stick with the Mets, because I don't see one of Damion Easley, Marlon Anderson, or (ugh) Fernando Tatis not going down with an injury at sometime during the season. The first guy the Mets will turn to would probably be the light-hitting Anderson Hernandez, again.

Gotay, take the assignment if you make it through waivers. Please. You're going to get your shot with the team, you just have to wait until some people come to their senses.

Gotay now ON waivers

Yes, it is official.

Ruben Gotay is now on waivers.

According to David Lennon, Gotay was ready to go to the game against Atlanta in Orlando today, but was told he was on waivers which does not allow a player to participate in any team practices or games.

Gotay was most likely placed on waivers yesterday after appearing in the minor league game against Pedro Martinez. That means that he must wait until tomorrow to see if he is claimed by another team.

From Lennon:

Gotay was supposed to be on today's trip to Orlando, but with his duffel bag in front of him, he sat on his stool with tears in his eyes as he talked on his cell phone.

"I thought I did a good job last year," Gotay said. "I didn't think I deserved this."

That's rough. I really like Gotay, and I can't believe the Mets would rather have a guy like Fernando Tatis instead of taking Gotay and his much higher ceiling.

Tatis has played alright, but he cannot play the outfield like the Mets hope. I commented on Mets Lounge that "Tatis is like a fat, lazy, uncoordinated Lastings Milledge. He takes the worst beads to ball in the OF. It's scary. "

Gotay has a better bat, and though his defense might not be up to par, the rest of the team which would play around him is stellar, and the team could take a slight hit at one position to spell a guy like Luis Castillo, David Wright or Jose Reyes for a day or even a few days.

I know one of the sites most prolific commenter (Doug) will not be pleased. Hopefully Gotay can make it back to the team and start to polish up his glove so he can show the Mets what he can really do.

Gotay still not on waivers

If a player is placed on waivers, like Steven Register, that player is not allowed to participate in any team practices or games.

Ruben Gotay hit against Pedro Martinez in today's minor league game, which would mean as of then, he had still not been placed on waivers.

Since the game, Gotay could have been placed on waivers, as reported on SNY, but no one is sure.

Gotay is in limbo.

"I don't think. I know I'll be ready."

That was Duaner Sanchez on whether he'll be able to pitch come opening day.

Sanchez is planning on pitching in tonights game, which would be a huge accomplishment as he last pitched on Monday.

If Sanchez can come back and pitch a good inning on only a days rest, his chances of making the opening day squad would increase exponentially.

---

Ruben Gotay, who is trying to come back from a sprained right ankle, is suiting up for tonight's game. He wants to play, most likely as a late inning substitute.

If Gotay comes back healthy, I think he makes the team over a guy like Brady Clark or Angel Pagan. Of Clark and Pagan, I feel that one of them will make the team come March 31st. I have a sneaking suspicion it will be Clark, as he has gotten hot as of late, and would be a nice candidate to platoon with Church if need be.

Clark as volunteered to also see some time at first, but has yet to play a game at that position.

Gotay update: No break

Ruben Gotay can let out a little sigh of relief.

The early readings of the CT scan do not reveal a break. The images will be sent to New York for further inspection, but right now, it looks like it's just a sprain.

Gotay might be broken; Church coming along

Just when Ruben Gotay was getting his chance to shine, with all the other second base options for the Mets out with injuries, Gotay's injury from sliding into home might cost him a spot on the opening day roster.

Adam Rubin is reporting that Gotay received a CT scan sometime this morning, and will wait for results to see if it is a spring, or if it is broken.

From Rubin:

Team doctor Struan Coleman suspects the infielder may have suffered a fracture sliding into the plate on Sunday against the Dodgers. That diagnosis would force Gotay to the disabled list to start the season.

If Gotay goes down, this opens up a hole for a guy like Anderson Hernandez (ugh) or Jose Valentin to catch on, again.

-----

Ryan Church, who is recovering from a Grade 2 concussion after colliding with Marlon Anderson, is a few days away from returning.

According John Delcos, he's working out in the pool along with many other injured Mets today. Delcos said that Church hopes to return to the field tomorrow.

Gotay and Church hobble into camp

The Mets are dropping like flies, and two of the injured made it back into camp today, one on crutches and the other sporting a shiner.

Ruben Gotay is on crutches, trying to stay off his sprained right ankle. Gotay wants to be back by the weekend, but that seems a tad bit optimistic. Gotay is set for X-rays, but he believes nothing is broken.

Ryan Church is also in camp, wearing sunglasses to hide a black eye. Church suffered a Grade 2 concussion after his collision with Marlon Anderson on Saturday. Church has no memory of the event, as David Lennon quotes him as saying, "I had the ball - that's what I heard." His concussion has caused some nausea, but luckily, no vomiting. He is out for an unknown amount of time, unable to play until his symptoms subside.

Jeremy Cothran claims the team is so beat up, "If you have a glove, I'd book a flight down here and ask for an open tryout. You never know."

Gotay latest to go down

Ruben Gotay, who will either make the team, get traded, or be released due to his lack of options, twisted his right ankle while sliding into home plate in the 9th inning of today's game against the Dodgers.

Gotay cannot put pressure on the ankle, and is expected to miss at least a few games.

He will be examined tomorrow in Port St. Lucie (What? No trip to New York for an MRI for Gotay?) and hopefully return to play soon.

(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Game:: Stupid Rain

it hurts to think about what would happen if that rain didnt come.
Traxx was going on all cylinders, picking off his early baserunner. mets got 2rbi hits from reyes and wright in those 2 innings pre rain.
and then...the rain. 2 hours and 23 minutes where i was reminded of Tsuyoshi Shinjo.
i forgot he wore #5...

anyway. props to SNY for the OBP stat now in each players batting graphic. i think that stat is just as important as the AVG.

yeah. i guess im sort of speechless on this game. we just collapsed after the 2nd inning.

~Pedro aiming to return in 10 days.
~Traded Keppinger for Gotay...straight minor league deal. 1-1.

Arroyo vs. Glav 12:30 today. toughhh game.