Sullivan, Mackowiak Signed
The Mets signed some less heralded players last week to help fill out the roster. The two I haven’t reported on were Cory Sullivan and Rob Mackowiak. Neither of these players are going to be daily contributors but both could help off the bench. Sullivan will be a backup outfielder on the major league squad. Mackowiak was signed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.
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Mets Sign Garcia
The Mets signed pitcher Freddy Garcia to a minor league deal yesterday and invited him to spring training. Garcia’s name has come up several times over the last few years with regard to the Mets but an acquisition was never made for various reasons. This is a typical Omar Minaya signing. Minaya likes to stock up on any arm he can going into spring training. This year in particular the starting rotation is a mess so this signing makes sense.
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New Pics of Shea Demolition
New pics of the Shea Stadium demolition have been posted on WCBS880.com Thanks again to traffic reporter Tom Kaminski in Chopper 880.
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McGwire’s Brother Writes About Steroids
I heard a report on the news while driving this morning that I’ve been waiting to hear for years. According to a report Jay McGwire, the bodybuilding brother of former major leaguer Mark McGwire, says he introduced Mark to performance enhancing drugs in 1994. This is noteworthy because it’s a more credible source than Jose Canseco and it also disputes Canseco’s claims that he and Mark had juiced as early as 1988.
I always liked Mark McGwire during his playing days despite the widely held belief that he was juicing. As many baseball fans I lost a tremendous amount of respect for him when he evaded questions by congress. “I’m not here to talk about the past.” What was he thinking he was there to talk about?
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Kent Retires
Former Mets second baseman Jeff Kent will announce his retirement from baseball today. Kent was acquired fromt the Toronto Blue Jays with Ryan Thompson in exchange for David Cone in 1992. He went on to become the career leader in home runs by a second baseman.
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2009 Spring Training Non Roster Invitees
The following is the current list of non-roster invitees to Mets camp for spring training. This is the time of year for these invites so the list is likely to change. I’ll post an update in a few weeks when camp opens if the list changes.
| Pitchers | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
| — Michael Antonini | R/L | 6-0 | 190 | 08/06/85 | |||
| — Adam Bostick | L/L | 6-1 | 235 | 03/17/83 | |||
| — Nelson Figueroa | R/R | 6-1 | 205 | 05/18/74 | |||
| — Casey Fossum | L/L | 6-1 | 160 | 01/06/78 | |||
| — Dillon Gee | R/R | 6-1 | 195 | 04/28/86 | |||
| — Tom Martin | L/L | 6-1 | 205 | 05/21/70 | |||
| — Tobi Stoner | S/R | 6-2 | 192 | 12/03/84 | |||
| Catchers | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
| — Rene Rivera | R/R | 5-10 | 230 | 07/31/83 | |||
| — Omir Santos | R/R | 6-0 | 200 | 04/29/81 | |||
| — Josh Thole | L/R | 6-1 | 190 | 10/28/86 | |||
| Infielders | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
| — Michel Abreu | R/R | 6-3 | 255 | 01/02/79 | |||
| — Jose Coronado | S/R | 6-1 | 175 | 04/13/86 | |||
| — Andy Green | R/R | 5-10 | 180 | 07/07/77 | |||
| Outfielders | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
| — Fernando Martinez | L/R | 6-1 | 190 | 10/10/88 | |||
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Church Gets $2.8 Million, Avoids Arbitration
According to Jon Heyman the Mets and Ryan Church have agreed to a $2.8 million deal that will avoid an arbitration hearing.
There are four Mets still set to go to arbitration. They are starting pitcher John Maine, reliever Pedro Feliciano and outfielders Jeremy Reed & Angel Pagan.
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A Nation Watches As Power Changes Hands
Today is a great day in the United States. History is being made. A man is ascending to a position of great power. I’m talking, of course, about Rex Ryan, who was named head coach of the New York Jets last night. Ryan is the son of former longtime NFL defensive coordinator and head coach Buddy Ryan. The elder Ryan was the defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl III champion Jets as well as the architect of the Chicago Bears 46 Defense in the mid 80s. Rex Ryan has spent the last 10 years on the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff, the last 4 of which he was defensive coordinator. This past season he added the title of assistant head coach. He’ll be officially introduced as Jets head coach tomorrow.
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Mets Bring Back Argenis Reyes
The Mets signed infielder Argenis Reyes to a minor league contract yesterday. Reyes had played for the Mets last season but was non-tendered last month and became a free agent. Reyes will serve as backup in case recently signed Alex Cora gets injured. He didn’t hit very well on the major league level last year but showed a flashy glove.
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Sanchez Gets 128% Raise, Avoids Arbiration
According to reports the Mets have reached an agreement with Duaner Sanchez on a one year contract for $1,687,500 and avoids arbitration. The deal gives Sanchez a $950,000 raise. Sanchez faded down the stretch last year when it mattered most but in the crazy business of major league baseball he still merited a 128% increase. I got into the wrong business.
There are still five Mets set to go to arbitration. They are starting pitcher John Maine, reliever Pedro Feliciano and outfielders Ryan Church, Jeremy Reed & Angel Pagan. Arbitration figures are to be exchanged tomorrow.
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