Fernando Martinez!

Woah, woah, woah.

It’s been four games, everyone.  Let’s calm down a bit.

Yes, Fernando Martinez is hitting .667 / .667 / 1.333, but he’s only had 12 ABs.  Yes, he went 4-4 yesterday.  Yes, he hit two home runs.

There is no doubt in my mind that Martinez will break camp and head to Buffalo to get regular playing time.  Sure, he might have a nice spring training, but the Mets had a pretty set outfield. 

The centerfield job will be between Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews Jr., barring injury.  Left field, obviously, is Jason Bay’s.  Right field goes to Jeff Francoeur.

But, depending on the season, both the Mets and F-Mart’s, he could be up with the team later in the year.  In fact, if the team doesn’t do very well, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Francoeur gets shipped elsewhere and F-Mart takes over in RF.

As long as he stays healthy and puts up numbers, that is.  Not a small feat for the oft-injured prospect.

I’m glad we can get excited about F-Mart (and Jenrry Mejia, Ike Davis and Josh Thole).  It feels good, doesn’t it?

F-Mart, Figgy win Caribbean Series; F-Mart named MVP

Fernando Martinez, Nelson Figueroa and the Dominican Republic team won the Caribbean Series last night with a 7-4 victory over Venezuela.

Martinez was named the MVP of the series, going 8-23 (.348) with a double and two home runs.

Figueroa also tossed a gem in the series, a complete-game three hitter.  He allowed only one earned run on a solo home run.  He walked none and struck out 8.

Figueroa should, and will, get another chance in the Mets rotation sometime this year.  If/When the injuries start to hit the team, Figueroa is likely second on the depth chart to be called up (if he doesn’t make the team out of spring training.)

And I was asked on Twitter if I think F-Mart will contribute this year.  I think he will play a decent chunk of time with the big club, but as to contributing, I’m not so sure.  He’ll be good, but give him time.  Don’t forget, he’s only 21 years old.

Regarding Fernando Martinez [Quote]

“The guy was the equivalent of a college sophomore last year. If a college sophomore got drafted and hit .290/.337/.540 in Triple-A,
people would be drooling over him.”

-John Sickels on Fernando Martinez

Top 10 Mets prospects

Here’s the top 10 list from Baseball America…

1. Jenrry Mejia, RHP
2. Wilmer Flores, SS
3. Fernando Martinez, OF
4. Ike Davis, 1B
5. Brad Holt, RHP
6. Jon Niese, LHP
7. Reese Havens, 2B/SS
8. Josh Thole, C
9. Ruben Tejada, 2B/SS
10. Juan Urbina, LHP

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t care?

Mets DL trips

This list was put together by reader and friend David Cancel.  It lists the date, the player, the injury and where it took place.  It’s long and excruciating.  Take a look.

• 8/5 Jon Niese (Torn hamstring) - 8/5 @ Citi [Added]
• 7/25 Gary Sheffield (Strained right hamstring) - 7/17 @ ATL
• 7/20 Fernando Nieve (Torn right quadriceps - out 6-8 weeks) - 7/19 @ ATL
• 7/9 Fernando Martinez (Right knee inflammation) - 7/1 @ MIL
• 6/22 Carlos Beltran (Bone bruise, right knee) - bruise first mentioned between LA and BOS (5/21), finally out after OF slide 6/21 @ Citi
• 6/12 John Maine (Right shoulder fatigue) - last pitched 6/7 @ WAS
• 6/5 J.J. Putz (Right elbow surgery - out 8-10 weeks) - 6/3 @ PIT
• 6/3 Ramon Martinez (Fractured left pinkie finger) - slide 6/2 @ PIT
• 6/1 Angel Pagan (Strained right groin) - 5/31 @ Citi
• 5/26 Ryan Church (Strained right hamstring) - 5/22 @ BOS
• 5/26 Jose Reyes (Right calf tendinitis) - complained of stiff right calf after 5/13 game @ Citi, rested 6 days, re-aggravated @ LA on 5/20
• 5/18 Alex Cora (Torn right thumb ligament) - slide @ SF on 5/17
• 5/16 Carlos Delgado (Right hip impingement) - slide @ Citi on 4/26, rested for 5 games, played 7 games, then shut down.
• 5/7 Oliver Perez (Right patellar tendinitis) - last start 5/2; was complaining about it since Spring Training
• 4/17 Brian Schneider (Strained back muscle) - @ Citi
• 4/5 Angel Pagan (Right elbow sugery - out 2-3 months) - bone spur, prolly from Winter ball
• 4/5 Tim Redding (Right shoulder fatigue) - spring training

Yikes.

Thanks, David!

Twitter Poll: Would you have made the proposed trade for Halladay?

Though there are conflicting reports about the validity of the proposed trade for Roy Halladay, I took to Twitter and asked my followers if they would have pulled the trigger on a trade that sent Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Ruben Tejada to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.

Here are their responses…

YES

BlueAndOrange said: yes

mikexdavis said: The deal would be done before I could even finish this tweet.

michellegraz said: Yes

Sicilianboy6 said: yess I wuld, we'd still have holt,Flores, davis and meija

julierubes said: YES! Him and Santana together with an eventually healthy roster. YES.

SportsEcycloped said: Yes

gecko32899 said: i wouldn't have had to think about it. We'd be selling orange Halladay shirts by sunrise

Turbo1289 said: We should have got Halladay so the Phillies wont get him, besides Santana and Halladay would be awesome

dmgerbino said: Yes, I would make the trade

elZi said: Yes I would

Matt_Pignataro said: Yes. Just think of a rotation with Santana and Halladay, one and two, especially in the playoffs. Wow!

Sportz_Nut said: yes I would have. Halladay and Santana at the top of a rotation? KRod closing? Mets are built to win NOW!!!

JohnnyRanz said: Absolutely!

Mike_Peters said: in a heartbeat...

twayward said: YES!!!

darknova306 said: I did that trade 37 times in my sleep and would do it again (if we extend him). Rotation behind Johan is a huge concern now.

darknova306 continued: it's really a trade for 2010. We're built to win now/soon. If they don't intend to win now, blow up the team for prospects.

kerelcoop said: Yes & I would have added another minor leaguer if the BlueJays asked.

ArizonaSecrets said: YES

patrickboegel said: yes, very much so yes

sparbz said: Yeah.

ClareLafferty said:  yes..we need the pitching help

bstronge said: them and beltran!!

tfc3rid said: No question about it... I'd do that yesterday...

MarcARodriguez said: if it's true , it should have happened in a heartbeat, front office is gonzo for not pulling the trigger

metsphanatic said: i would have done it in a heart beat

disgruntmetsfan said: Throw in Ray Ramirez and a bag of sunflower seeds and the price is just right.

reggittino said: In a heartbeat

fscker said: what's wrong with the mets? that's a no brainer.

MetsToob said: Yes!

NO

ProctorsArm said: Unless Halladay can bring Reyes, Beltran and Delgado back with him, no.

mattclausen said: nope....I have another but crazier offer in mind

YaGottaBKiddnMe said: no. we need to have some semblance of a farm system that can at least sorta play baseball.

Retire31 said: No. I'm not stupid.

yaysarcasm said: No. But I'm starting to think F-Mart is going to be a bust, and we should get rid of him. Lets not Milledge this up

McKern said: No. For all the reasons others has said. I don't want the #mets having any more reason to tighten up and not score.

Topher33 said: No, Mets would be giving up way too much. Plus, who's to say they'd be able to score any runs for him.

thebrowncoat said: No. One player can't make this team a contender. Mortgaging the future would be stupid. And we got Santana for less than that

Drewthedew086 said: I agree with the non-move as well. We're never going to get out of the situation we're in now if we don't hold on to prospect

nymets945 said: Nope unless they gave us Alex Rios as well

wrongheaven said: I wouldn't.

Jbones72 said: no glad they didn't make trade

metsjetsgirl said: No. Wouldn't help the non-existent offense. You can't win games without run support. Not worth depleting the farm.

drsexington said: No to the Halladay trade. Doc is a great P but he ain't the answer unless he plays every position a la Bugs Bunny.

pAuLiE_bRuZ said: i'm happy we turned down the halladay deal, losing all that talent for yes a great pitcher but then what? no young talent!

Jim1975 said: definately not. It looks like the future is all we have. we should have stepped in and got Pedro.

BlackMagic718 said: As of today, no.

letsgoduke said: of course not. That is a ridiculous trade. If we were the red sox, maybe.

NYMetsGrrl94 said: No. The loss of prospects isn't worth it when the Mets aren't in any race.

tyronem said: nope.

s2kmikey said: no. we don't score any runs for santana. what makes people think we'll score any for halladay?

FMauceri said: I wouldn't make that trade. Mets would be giving up too much potential. And they can't afford the salary.

gabefarkas said: No. I like Bobby Parnell too much, and out bullpen would have been decimated by that trade.

andy79 said: no. too high a cost to ultimately miss the playoffs this year. keep the young guys.

Colarusso42 said: . call me a sentimental Mets' fan but I wouldn't have made that trade. Not cost-effective.

dances_w_vowels said: No.

Split pretty evenly.  I’m intrigued.

Easily the most participated in Twitter Poll.  If this level of response keeps up, I won’t be able to use everyone’s, so start making them count!!

Where do you stand on the true/not true proposed Halladay trade?

Mets rejected proposed trade for Halladay [Updated]

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com (again), the Mets turned down a proposed trade between them and the Toronto Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.

Halladay, the most prized pitcher on the market and easily one of the best in the games, is being sought after by many teams. Heyman relays that the Jays asked for Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Ruben Tejada in return for Halladay.

“The Mets responded with a resounding no,” writes Heyman.

Update – 10:02 a.m.: Keith Law tweeted that this proposal is “bogus,” citing multiple sources. (Still, the rest of the post stands.)

If you read my blog, you know I put very little stock in prospects. They’re too much of a hit or miss affair to have too much value placed upon them. But, these three prospects are probably three of the top five prospects in the Mets system right now.

But, Halladay is one of the top five pitchers in the league.

And here I am, on the fence about all of this. I’m glad the Mets didn’t pull this trade off in the situation they’re in. 2009 seems to be slipping away and shipping out more farm pieces for a cog in an otherwise broken down machine doesn’t do much good.

For 2010, though, this could have been amazing. Can you imagine a 1-2 punch of Halladay and Johan Santana? It would easily be the best combo of pitchers in the game.

Honestly, if the Mets made the trade, I would be ecstatic for the team. Bringing in a pitcher of that caliber must be celebrated, even if a lot of young talent was heading to Canada.

The Mets didn’t pull the trigger and I’m OK with that, too. It shows they’re not in desperation mode to try and save this season. Maybe they think they have a shot with what they have or maybe they’ve given up, but either way a knee-jerk reaction was not made, and that means something.

(Side note: Don’t you think J.P. Riccardi could have asked for some better players? Or did he not think they were going to take it anyway? Using the Mets to prompt the Phillies, I assume. But still… Where’s Holt? Mejia? Thole?)

F-Mart tore meniscus, had surgery; Other updates

Fernando Martinez tore his meniscus and had the subsequent surgery on Tuesday.  He is out six to eight weeks.

I’ve had this surgery before and it’s no fun, but for the knee, a meniscus is a good thing.  The Mets are very lucky that is wasn’t the ACL, MCL or any other CL.  You may remember Ramon Castro had the same surgery a few years ago.

For the rest of the Mets walking wounded, Omar Minaya updated reporters earlier today.

• John Maine should be pitching again within a week or so. 
• Jose Reyes is swinging, but not running yet. 
• Carlos Delgado’s is swinging and taking grounders. 
• Carlos Beltran had another MRI and he still has a bone bruise. 

Wonderful.

Lineup for Game 84; F-Mart to DL, A. Reyes recalled

Fernando Martinez has hit the disabled list with inflammation in his right knee.

Argenis Reyes was recalled from the minor leagues after heading down only on Tuesday when the Mets needed to make room for Oliver Perez.

Here’s the lineup for the finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, noticeably without Daniel Murphy after two doubles and a gem of a play yesterday.

1. Luis Castillo – 2B
2. Nick Evans – LF
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Gary Sheffield – RF
5. Fernando Tatis – 1B
6. Ryan Church – CF
7. Omir Santos – C
8. Alex Cora – SS
9. Livan Hernandez - RHP

Pagan begins rehab assignment

Angel Pagan, rehabbing from a strained left groin, played in his first game last night for the St. Lucie Mets.  He went 1-3 with a run scored.

Pagan could return to the Mets as early as next week.  It would be a nice upgrade over the clearly-overmatched Fernando Martinez.

After busting out to a .333 / .429 start with the Mets, the injury prone outfielder went down with another malady.

I’d like to see him back with the Mets and soon.  He’s not exactly a game-changer, but he can’t hurt.

Oliver Perez to start Wednesday; F-Mart out with knee pain

The Mets have announced that Oliver Perez will start on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

No word on what the fate is of Tim Redding, the pitcher he replaced in the rotation.

My guess: Elmer Dessens is sent down and Redding slides into the bullpen.

** *** **

Also, Fernando Martinez is “out” according to Steve Popper.  Popper writes that he will be examined by team doctors in New York on Monday.

A similar injury cost him six weeks a few years ago, says Popper.

Pagan inching closer to return

The TCPalm is reporting that Angel Pagan “feels 100 percent” while rehabbing in Port St. Lucie.

“I feel like a million bucks,” Pagan told the TCPalm Thursday. “I’ve been working out great, and I feel better than the first time when I got hurt (and came back). I’m very positive I will stay healthy this time.”

With Fernando Martinez nursing a balky knee, it would be nice to get Pagan back on the Mets to see what he can do.  I’ve always liked what Pagan brought to the team, if he just could stay healthy.

F-Mart’s second tour of duty in the majors has been no better than his first.  It’s obvious the young kid has talent, he just needs more seasoning in the minor leagues before he’s ready to contribute.

The TCPalm also updates us on Jose Reyes, who currently has no timetable to return.  They do describe him as “in high spirits,” which I guess is a good thing.

Wondering about the lineup today

Update: Naturally, after writing this, David Wright is in the lineup today.

Before yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel said he would rest both David Wright and Gary Sheffield today. 

Strange, considering the Mets will be facing Yovani Gallardo, the Brewer’s ace and they’re already struggling for offense.  Benching the two of the best hitters might not be the greatest idea.  Yes, they need days off, but both on the same day doesn’t seem too smart.

But what does intrigue me about this is the young guys getting a shot.  They haven’t been all too good lately, but today might be the day Nick Evans, Daniel Murphy and Fernando Martinez all start on the same major league team.

It’s apparent that F-Mart needs some more time in the minors, and the same could be said for both Evans and Murphy.  If Manuel chooses, today, we could see a few of the (hopeful) cornerstones of the future Mets team all playing together in 2009.

The lineups aren’t out yet, but if Wright and Sheffield are taking a seat, this might be the best thing to hope for.

Update: Here is what I assume the lineup will look like.  Or I hope.  I’m not sure.

1. Cora – SS
2. Murphy – 1B
3. Evans – LF
4. Church – RF
5. Tatis – 3B
6. Martinez - CF
7. Schneider – C
8. Castillo – 2B
9. Pelfrey - RHP

Again, this is not the official lineup.  But it could look something like it.

Game Recap: Brewers 6 – Mets 3

This recap brought to you by my good friend Ben…

Along with being the focus of this image, Fernando Martinez connected for his first “F-Bomb” of his major league career.  Congrats.  Here’s to many, many more.

Poll Results: F-Mart deemed not ready by Mets fans

In my last poll, I asked Mets fans for their thoughts on Fernando Martinez.  Here are the results…

1. Still needs seasoning – 72%
2. Play him every day – 19%
3. Major league ready – 5%
4. Let him ride the pine – 3%

An overwhelming majority thinks Martinez still needs some time in the minor leagues to work on his game.  His .183 batting average and .256 OBP seems to highlight that thought.

Next poll: Will the Mets make the postseason?

Fernando Martinez’s double-dip

With Carlos Beltran heading to the disabled list yesterday, the Mets recalled Fernando Martinez from Triple-A Buffalo.

Martinez, who was sent down on Friday in favor of Nick Evans, actually played in a game with the Bisons yesterday.  He went 1-4, striking out twice, as the Bisons late innings rally fell just short against the Charlotte Knights.

Martinez then got travelling and was at Citi Field for last night’s Mets game.

He appeared in the Mets game in the 8th inning with a runner on first base, pinch hitting for Brian Stokes.  Martinez reached base on an error by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Dennys Reyes, setting up the RBI single that followed off the bat of Alex Cora.

I know it’s not unheard of for a player to play a minor league game and a major league game in the same day, but it is still pretty interesting to see.

Carlos Beltran to DL; Flurry of roster moves

Carlos Beltran is officially heading to the disabled list.

Beltran was found to have a bone bruise, as he suspected, and could be out through the All Star Break.

Taking Beltran’s place on the roster is Fernando Martinez.  Martinez, sent down just days ago, is allowed to come back to the Mets without waiting the required 10 days due to a player going on the DL.

Ken Takahashi has been sent down and Wilson Valdez was designated for assignment with two relievers coming up to take their place.  Pat Misch, a lefty, and Elmer Dessens, a righty, will join the Mets bullpen tonight.

Misch, picked off of waivers from the Giants back on June 5, was sporting a 6.43 ERA and 1.571 WHIP in 7 1-3 innings pitched for Triple-A Buffalo.

Dessens was 3-2 in 27 relief appearances with Buffalo.  He had a 2.31 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 35 against the International League.

This means the Mets will be playing slightly short on the bench, opting for more arms in the bullpen.

OUT	IN
Carlos Beltran - OF	Fernando Martinez - OF
Wilson Valdez - IF	Pat Misch - RP
Ken Takahashi - RP	Elmer Dessens - RP

Rubin: Beltran to DL, Misch, F-Mart up; Takahashi optioned

Update – 4:14 p.m.: Carlos Beltran must be heading to the disabled list, according to Adam Rubin.

That’s because Fernando Martinez is heading back to the Mets, he reports.

Also coming up is Pat Misch to replace Takahashi.

Original Post: According to various tweets, the Mets have optioned Ken Takahashi back to Triple-A Buffalo.

Does this mean that Lance Broadway is coming?  Maybe.

Nick Evans promoted, F-Mart demoted [Updated]

Adam Rubin is reporting that Nick Evans has been promoted to the New York Mets from Double-A Binghamton. He reports it isn’t clear who has been demoted, but Fernando Martinez is a likely option.

Update – 3:45 p.m.: Martinez is the odd-man out. David Lennon just tweeted he was the player demoted.

Evans, who was set on the Mets roster before the signing of Gary Sheffield, hit just .093 with Triple-A Buffalo before being sent to extended spring training. Of his five hits with Buffalo, three were home runs. After his stint in Florida, he was sent to Binghamton where he was hitting .279 AVG / .350 OBP / .467 SLG with three home runs and nine RBI.

Martinez is hitting just .194 AVG / .286 OBP / .274 SLG with five RBI with the Mets.

If Evans is coming around, this might be a good move for the Mets. It looks like they’re heading into “fixing” mode after realizing this team just isn’t built to win right now.

Game Recap: Mets 7 – Nationals 0

Livan Hernandez and a big first inning were all the Mets needed on Sunday afternoon.

The New York Mets (30-25) beat the Washington Nationals (15-40) by a score of 7-0.

Hernandez is a master of the Washington Nationals.  In two starts against them, he’s thrown 16 innings, allowing only one run.  Today he pitched seven shutout, allowing four hits, walking four and striking out four.  Hernandez needed 116 pitches.

Pedro Feliciano and Bobby Parnell combined to work the 8th inning without allowing a run. Francisco Rodriguez got an inning of work, walking one and striking out one.  His ERA on the season is now 0.68.

The Mets put up five runs in the first inning. Fernando Martinez, Daniel Murphy and Brian Schneider each picked up one RBI on a double, single and sac-fly respectively.  Martinez and Ryan Church also scored on two separate wild pitches.

David Wright drove in a run in the seventh with a single to left.  The Mets tacked one on in the 9th inning, when Carlos Beltran doubled in Martinez for the seventh and final run.