2/22/11: Mets Links

Spring Training is oficially upon us and I couldn't be any happier as a Mets fan right now. Here is the latest Mets information on the web!

First off, you can follow my writings and discuss all things Mets with me and other NYM fans on Twitter or Facebook!

Matt Cerrone is down in Port St Lucie taking pictures, videos, and getting a feel for Terry Collins way of running camp. Matt goes into great detail on Metsblog everyday and is doing a great job keeping up with all the happenings of Spring Traing 2011. Click Here to see the latest!

Omar Minaya and the recently traded NBA Forward Danillo Gallinari are friends and Danillo apparently reached out to Minaya when he was traded just yesterday.

The NYM Top Prospects are arriving to spring training, including SP Matt Harvey and SS Wilmer Flores.

R.A. Dickey is working on a slower version of his knuckleball and the new pitch is reported to be as slow as 50 MPH! Last year he the knuckler was around 70-80 MPH, if he can make that 50-80, he will make the hitters job that much harder and he will most likely improve upon his stats of last year.

Mike Pelfrey is trying to re-discover his sinker that produced many ground balls from 2007-2009. He completely abandoned the pitch last year in spring training in favor of a split finger fastball, which caught hitters off early last season.

Willie Harris and Scott Hariston are both Met killers on the defensive side of the ball. Fortunately, they are now part of the Mets and hopefully they still have some magic left in their gloves.

Finally, here is a video from SNY featuring Matt Cerrone as he documents his stalking of Mets manager, Terry Collins. Enjoy!

1/31/11: Mets Links

• Ed Ryan at Mets Fever noticed that there has been concerns in the past about Ronny Paulino's endurance. 
• According to Mets.com, The New York Mets will host the 2013 All-Star game, its an early prediction but I predict the Mets will be well represented on the 2013 All-Star Team. I say David Wright, Jose Reyes, Ike Davis and Reese Havens make the team, with Wright and Reyes starting.
• Martin Luther King III is interested in buying a piece of The Mets, according to this article. I have no problem with this, from what I understand, Fred and Jeff Wilpon are trying to recoup some of their losses from the Maddoff scam, while also keeping control of the NYM day to day activities. This situation has yet to play out, but it will be interesting to say the least.
• The Brooklyn Cyclones, an A-ball affiliate of the NYM, has hired former Mets pitcher, Frank Viola, to be their pitching coach for the 2011 season. Its always good to know that former ball players are coaching and developing the minor league youngsters because they know what it takes to compete and perform on the MLB level. Adam Rubin has more details.
• The Rangers have signed RHP Matt Bush to a minor league deal. Bush had also recieved offers from the New York Mets and the Cleveleand Indians. Similarly, Rodrigo Lopez is mulling over signing with the Mets, Braves, and Rockies.
• Amazin Avenue has a great interview with Mets pitching prospect Kyle Allen. Allen admits that he loves to listen to Rick Ross and Gucci Mane, Nice!

If I missed any must-reads or any top notch NYM articles, please feel free to let me know on Facebook, Twitter, or my E-Mail.

- TF

1/27/11 Mets Links and Thoughts

• Keith Law ranked the top 10 Mets minor league prospects this morning, SS/3B Wilmer Flores sits at the top of his list with RHP Jeurys Familla  rounding out the Top-10. Click Here to see the full list.

• The Mets GM Sandy Alderson welcomed recently acquired INF Chin Lung Hu in from of the media yesterday.

• Mets Fever  does a great job reviewing the Mets 2010-2011 off-season. Rob also blogs about what Jon Niese will have to do this season to improve.

• Adam Rubin wrote a great post on an interview that he had with NYM INF: Daniel Murphy. Needless to say, I think Murphy is one of my favorite players, he plays with heart and always gives it everything hes got. My guess is that he will win the 2B job out of spring training.

• Former Met, Bobby Valentine apparently was directing traffic and helping out the community during the northeast's most recent snow storm.

Tylers Thoughts..

It impresses me to know that Daniel Murphy is working hard and at many different positions to get ready for spring training. He is another player who has alot to lose or alot to gain in 2011. Throughout his time in the minor leagues, he was constantly doubted and even while he was in the MLB he was doubted. Look at his career stats for example, he is productive, especially for a 2B.

I fully expect him to win the 2B job right out of spring training, but in the event that he doesnt, I am completely confident that he can be an extremely productive super-utility type of guy coming off the bench. Murphy is a gamer and is especially hard working. Everyone doubts him and he thrives on that. Keep up the good work Murph, can't wait for a healthy season from you.

By the way, Who is Jeff Flagg? I saw in Adam Rubins recent post that he was working out with Daniel Murphy. Expect a post on who Jeff Flagg is in the coming days.