SI’s Jon Heyman backs up the report, and puts a figure on the bonus: $895,000.
Update – 8:41 a.m.: The Mets are yet to confirm the deal, even though many outlets have reported that the deal was completed before the deadline.
The Mets selected Matz with their first pick of the 2009 draft, in the second round, 72nd overall.
Matz was 6-1 with an ERA of 0.47 in his first seven starts for Ward Melville during his senior year of high school. He struck out 81 batters in 44 innings last year as well.
Alex Cora will miss the remainder of the year as he will have surgery to repair torn ligaments in both his thumbs.
Yeah, Cora had been playing with torn ligaments in not just one, but both his thumbs.
Crazy.
First up for surgery, his right thumb. Followed five weeks later by his left thumb.
Wilson Valdez was pulled from the Triple-A Bisons game in anticipation of a call-up.
Cora was a good bench signing who was forced into a major role due to the Mets injuries this season. I wouldn’t mind seeing him back with the Mets, purely as a guy off the bench.
I’ll be at the game tonight, and of course I’ll be updating with insights and musings from Citi Field. Tune in to converse with me at the stadium.
Steven Matz, the 18-year-old out of East Setauket, NY, was the Mets 72nd pick in this year’s amateur draft. The deadline to sign draft picks is rapidly approaching, midnight tonight, and the Mets and Matz have not come to terms on a deal.
At least not yet.
On Wednesday, Adam Rubin reported that the Mets and Matz were closing in on a deal. But yesterday, Jim Callis of Baseball America reported that the “deal isn’t close to done and isn’t going as smoothly as you might think.”
So we’ve got conflicting reports on where the Mets are with Matz. He could be close to a deal, or it could be a bumpy ride.
Either or, the clock is ticking on the Mets highest pick.
Matz is a 6-3 lefthander who struck out 74 in 54 innings with Ward Melville in his senior year. He is committed to Costal Carolina University.
They’re located right in front of the “Gil Hodges Bridge” and offer your a spectacular view of the game. Friday night, I finagled my way into a pair of those seats, thanks to my friend’s ticket purchase.
I arrived at the game about 20 minutes before my friend Jamie did, and I asked to buy the cheapest possible ticket. I got a $48 seat in Sec. 301. When Jamie arrived, he got a $54 seat in Sec. 143.
Using Jamie’s one ticket, we got to sit in seats 1 and 2 in Sec. 143, which are primarily held for those fans that use wheelchairs.
These were easily some of the best seats I’ve sat in, as we had a completely unobstructed view of the field, not to mention padded chairs.
If you ever get the opportunity to sit in these seats, jump at the chance. They were great.
In light of the events of this season, the Mets have debuted a new uniform that they will wear the rest of the season, for every game.
Here is a photo of Johan Santana modeling the new uniform…
-Jerry Manuel on David Wright’s injury
