Is Adam Bostick an option for the pen?

Though everything is quiet, some believe the Mets may be looking to add a left handed reliever.  Instead of looking around at other teams for players the Mets could pick off of, why not look to the minor leagues?

If they’re searching for a lefty guy out of the bullpen, the team should take a look at Adam Bostick in Buffalo.

Bostick came to the Mets as part of the trade that sent fireballer Matt Lindstrom to the Marlines back in 2006.  Jason Vargas, the other player in that deal, was sent to Seattle in the J.J. Putz trade.

Bostick spent the first two season in the Mets organization pitching at Triple-A New Orleans.  The 2007 and 2008 seasons were pretty awful.  32 starts, 8-9 record, 5.85 ERA and a WHIP of 1.2870.

This season, though, is much better.  Bostick started the season with Double-A Binghamton, going 3-0 in 11 games.  He posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.154 WHIP in 17.1 innings.  He was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo back on June 1, and has been excellent in 22 innings.

Fifteen appearances for Bostick, with one start, has seen him post an ERA of 1.23 and a WHIP of 0.909.  He’s set down 23 batters by way of a strikeout, while walking eight.

Bostick is also good friends with Jon Niese, who credited his moving in with Bostick and Tim McNab with his turn around in Triple-A.

If I was Omar, I would look to Bostick as an option before shipping away players for anyone else.  At least until Billy Wagner comes back.

Seven sent down

According to Adam Rubin, seven young Mets were sent down to minor league camp.

Fernando Martinez, Jose Coronado, Mike Antonini, Michel Abreu, Tobi Stoner, Adam Bostick and Dillon Gee

Martinez isn't even allowed to play in the field, so it was no shock there. I am surprised the team sent Coronado down, especially with all the players at the World Baseball Classic.

A few of these guys are the future of the Mets, so don't be surprised if they're sticking in camp for a bit longer next year and the year after.

Mets sign four players

According a press release, the Mets have signed four players, all to minor league deals with non-roster invites to spring training.

Nelson Figueroa heads up the list, along with Andy Green, Rene Rivera and Adam Bostick.

From the press release, via David Lennon:

Figueroa, 34-years-old, made six starts for the Mets in 2008. He worked 45.1 innings, surrendered 48 hits, 26 runs, 23 earned, with 26 walks and 36 strikeouts. He was also 4-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) for New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League last year. He has a 10-20 record with a 4.64 ERA in 90 major league games, 39 starts.

Bostick, 25, had his season limited to 11 games after undergoing left knee surgery on May 27. Adam went 2-2 with a 6.04 ERA with New Orleans last season. In 44.2 innings, he allowed 48 hits, 30 runs, earned, with 20 walks and 30 strikeouts.

Green, 31, split the year between the Cincinnati Reds’ Louisville team of the International League and the Mets’ New Orleans club. He was released by Louisville on July 1 and played his first game for New Orleans the next day.

Primarily a second baseman, Green hit .233 with 15 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 19 RBI for Louisville and .331 with 10 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 28 RBI in 52 games with the Zephyrs.

He played in the major leagues in 2004, 2005 and 2006 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has a .199 career average in 136 games. In 2007, he played in 18 games with the Hokkaido Nippon Hamfighters of the Pacific Division of the Japanese Professional Baseball League.

Rivera, 25, had been the Seattle Mariners’ organization since 2001. Last year, he performed for two teams: Jacksonville (AA) of the Southern League and Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. He hit .231 in 38 games with Jacksonville and .271 in 38 contests for Las Vegas.

Rene performed in 53 games with the Mariners in parts of 2004, 2005 and 2006 and has a .227 big league average with seven doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI.

Can't go wrong with these kind of signings.

Figueroa quickly became a fan-favorite last season, so hopefully he can rekindle some of that magic if need be. Always nice to have a young catcher around, even if he can't hit much.

Bostick came to the Mets with Jason Vargas in a trade for Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom. The team probably wishes they could have that one back right about now, even though Vargas could break into the Mets rotation at some point this season.

Again, can't complain.

Poor Joe Smith

Ed. note: This entire post seems to be moot now.

After striking out the side on Monday night, the Mets rewarded Joe Smith with a demotion.

The Mets sent Smith back to the minors to make room for a spot starter for Wednesday's game, rather than pitch Johan Santana or Mike Pelfrey on short rest.

As I mentioned before, Adam Bostick was pulled from his start in AAA after three scoreless innings. According to Adam Rubin, Willie Collazo's name has also been tossed around.

Rubin also reports that after Wednesday's game, when the spot starter, whoever he is, is sent back to the minors, the Mets will activate Matt Wise from the disabled list.

Really, poor Joe Smith. He's probably been the best pitcher in the entire bullpen, aside from Billy Wagner. Just because he has options, and they don't owe his $2 million (Jorge Sosa), he gets demoted. Hopefully, the Mets realized their mistake and cut Sosa and eat the $2 mil.

They probably make that much off hot dog sales between the 3rd and 5th inning of a Wednesday night game anyway.

Castillo diagnosed with strained quad

Just as he was getting hot...

Luis Castillo will likely spend some time on the disabled list after pulling up while running into third with a triple in Sunday's game.

And MRI showed a strain in the muscle, which will likely put Castillo on the DL, possibly making some other moves easier for the Mets. If they game is still played tonight, which it looks like it will be, the Mets will need a spot starter for Wednesday's game.

If they put Castillo on the DL, and bring up Adam Bostick, as I mentioned before, and then activate Matt Wise after the game, everything seems to work out, though they will run without a bench player for some time.

This stinks. Just as the Mets got their starting lineup back and looked like they were starting to click as a team, one cog goes down. Here's to a speedy recovery and being able to pick up where you left off.

Sorry about the lack of posts.

Sorry for missing out on the Henry Owens/Matt Lindstrom for Jason Vargas/Adam Bostick trade...

...well, i really never though we'd see Owens go, but i guess he never progressed into the closer/set up man we expected. Vargas started in the Marlins rotation, but ended up coming out of the pen...

let Dr. Rick Peterson get his hands on these two guys, and see what magic he can turn...

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