**POSTED BY SAL**

Final Score: WSH 5 NYM 3

Home Runs! Franco , Carp
RBIS! Franco , Wright , Carp

Stolen Base Wright

E: Castro, R (2, throw).
Outfield assists: Beltran
Pickoffs: Perez



Perez 5 Runs 9 Hits
Collazo 0 Runs 1 Hit
Smith 0 Runs 0 Hits
Urdaneta 0 Runs 0 Hits

*A Matt Hinrichs Spectacular Piece*

For those of you particpating in a fantasy league this year for baseball, make sure to try to pick up newly acquired Marlins closer Jorge Julio.

He supplies Ks and an adequate amount of saves and would be a great acquisition should you be needing a reliever, like so many of us are. If you are playing in a league where K/9 is a stat, Jorge Julio is a must, should you need a reiever or not. He can rack upwards of 20 K/9 innings because of the fact he will only be pitching one inning.

As far as sleepers go, try to get Daniel Cabrera. He is a strikeout machine for an improved Orioles team. This detail may seem miniscule, but it does not seem to be. Cabrera has gotten laser eye surgery, which have seemed to tame his control woes.

Also, look for Morgan Ensberg to return to somehat close to 2005 numbers of 36 HR and 101 RBI this year. Don't go by his injury plagued year last year.

Well... While most people picked Scott Schoenweis (whoa...That's a long name) And Lastings Milladge which is normal, the majority of people Voted for Pedro Feliciano. We got 13 votes in this poll (not the most we got, But we will take it) 4 which is 31% picked Feliciano 3 Picked Schoenweis and Milladge (23%). 15% or 2 Votes picked Joe Smith. Marco Carvajal got 1 Vote(8%). People thought that Dave Williams, Ben Johnson, and Lino Uradanes Didn't need a nickname. Now You Guys Get To email us the nickname you want for the players that deserve one. sals_imets@yahoo.com. The New poll will be posted soon.

iMets

** Posted By SAL**

New York Mets 2007 Preview


2006 FINISH (97-65) - First Place (NL East)

KEY OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: OF - Moises Alou; OF - Ben Johnson; IF - Damion Easley; SP/RP - Chan Ho Park; SP/RP - Aaron Sele; RP - Scott Schoeneweis; RP - Ambiorix Burgos; RP - Jorge Sosa

KEY OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: OF - Cliff Floyd; OF - Michael Tucker; IF/OF - Chris Woodward; SP- Brian Bannister; RP - Chad Bradford; RP - Darren Oliver; RP - Roberto Hernandez;

PROJECTED LINEUP: Jose Reyes (SS); Paul Lo Duca (C); Carlos Beltran (CF); Carlos Delgado (1B); David Wright (3B); Moises Alou (LF); Shawn Green (RF); Jose Valentin (2B)

PROJECTED ROTATION: Pedro Martinez (RHP) - will miss the first three/four months; Tom Glavine (LHP); Orlando Hernandez (RHP); John Maine (RHP); Oliver Perez (LHP); Mike Pelfrey (RHP)

PROJECTED CLOSER: Billy Wagner (LHP)

MANAGER: Willie Randolph

OVERVIEW

The pain of Mike Scioscia's home run off Doc Gooden in the 1988 NLCS was revisited last October 19 when Yadier Molina took Aaron Heilman deep in the ninth inning of Game Seven of the 2006 NLCS. The Mets mounted a threat in the bottom of the inning, but there was no 1986 magic left to be found.

New York did not tinker much with the offense in the offseason, except to replace Cliff Floyd with another oft-injured outfielder, Moises Alou. The offense wasn't the problem, though, as the Mets averaged five runs-per-game during the regular season.

If the Mets do repeat as NL East champs, they must hope the bullpen will be as strong as it was last year to assist a starting staff made up mostly of youngsters and reclamation projects. With Pedro Martinez gone for at least half the season, playoff stalwarts, John Maine and Oliver Perez, along with Mike Pelfrey, must pitch effectively to compliment Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez. If this collection of starters can give the team adequate innings, another trip to the playoffs will be in the cards.

INFIELD

The same four who received the bulk of the playing time last season return to man their positions once again. Carlos Delgado spurned the Mets two years ago when he signed with Florida, but solidified the lineup last year, protecting Carlos Beltran and David Wright. Delgado's numbers across the board were extremely similar to his one season with the Marlins, except for his batting average which dipped 36 points to .265, his lowest since 1997.

Kaz Matsui began the season at second, but after the obligatory home run in his opening at-bat, he struggled at the plate batting just .200. Jose Valentin, who was brought over from the Dodgers to pinch hit, took over as the starter and never looked back, clubbing 18 homers and batting .271. More importantly, he stabilized the position defensively committing only six errors. It will be interesting to see if the veteran can withstand the rigors of playing everyday for a full season. That's why New York brought Damion Easley aboard. The utility infielder will most likely start against tough left-handed pitchers.

One other nugget concerning Valentin that bears some watching early in the season could be more mental than physical. Can he overcome striking out with the bases loaded with just one out in the sixth inning of a tied NLCS game seven? Most baseball aficionados look at Beltran as the goat, failing to lift the bat off his shoulders in the ninth inning, but the Mets were trailing by two runs at the time. Valentin had the golden opportunity to give his team the lead with just a sac fly and flat-out choked.

There are no physical or mental problems on the left side of the infield. Shortstop Jose Reyes and third baseman David Wright will be the faces of the franchise for the rest of the decade after both signed long-term contracts last season. Reyes batted .300 for the first time, but more importantly, raised his OBP 54 points to .354. His power numbers also improved from seven to 19 and he even knocked in 81 runs from the leadoff spot.

Wright was having an MVP season until the All-Star Break when he got caught up in "home run derby fever" challenging the likes of Ryan Howard and David Ortiz. Wright connected on just six bombs the final 67 games after ripping 20 prior to the break. Willie Randolph has stated that Wright will bat second in the order at times to give the 24-year-old more at-bats. When that's the case, look for Paul Lo Duca to drop down to six or seven, depending on the lineup.

Speaking of Lo Duca, he'll be working his second season behind the plate for the Mets and the Brooklyn-born catcher will hope to duplicate his fantastic 2006 campaign. The veteran was bothered by an injured left thumb the final four months of the season and still batted .338 after the All-Star break.

OUTFIELD

Beltran finally lived up to his immense talent in 2006 and the Mets brass were thrilled to see its prized 2005 free agent acquisition perform up to expectations. The center fielder produced career-highs in home runs, runs, RBI, walks and slugging percentage. However, one major concern remains and that's his overall numbers at Shea Stadium. Beltran batted just .224 and knocked in only 38 of his 116 RBI at home.

The corner positions will feature the three-headed monster of Alou, Shawn Green and Endy Chavez. Alou was signed to replace Floyd and will give the team another right-handed bat in a top-heavy left-handed hitting lineup. At 40 years of age, Alou will be rested on numerous occasions, but the man can still swing the bat as evidenced by his 22 round trippers in just 345 at-bats last year. He also hit .301 and knocked in an amazing 74 runs playing part-time on a team that finished tied for 10th in the National League in runs scored.

Green was acquired last August and is a youngster on the team at the age of 34. The former first-round pick back in 1991 batted only .257 with New York, but hit .333 in the postseason with three doubles and four RBI.

The Mets are lucky to have super-sub Chavez to call on if either Alou or Green struggle. Chavez almost proved to be the playoff hero with a sensational over-the-wall catch in Game Seven of the NLCS, but it was not to be as St. Louis eventually won the game and the World Series. The former Phillies' castoff batted over .300 while playing exceptional defense, and gives the Mets multiple corner outfield options each and every game.

STARTING ROTATION

The injured shoulder of Martinez will force the 36-year-old to miss the first half of the season. However, Glavine, who took over the "ace" role when Martinez went down, is coming off his finest season in a Mets uniform, winning 15 of 22 decisions. One bit of concern remains and that's how much is left in the southpaw arm of the 20-year veteran. Glavine was just 4-5 after the All- Star Break.

Mid-season acquisition Hernandez proved to be a worthy addition, despite missing the postseason after injuring his calf prior to game one of the NLDS. El Duque, who came to New York in the Jorge Julio trade in late May, pitched effectively with a 9-7 record, and his 4.09 ERA was over two runs better than his 6.11 mark in his two months with Arizona. He did throw 152 1/3 innings, - his highest total since 2000 - so one must wonder how much there is left in the tank.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of 2006 was youngster Maine. The former Oriole hurler was on the back burner when the Kris Benson for Jorge Julio trade was made with Baltimore two winters ago, but he took center stage in Game Six vs. the Cardinals, allowing just two hits and no runs and out-dueling Chris Carpenter to send the series to a seventh game.

For the season, Maine gave up only 69 hits in 90 innings en route to a 6-5 record and a 3.60 ERA. He'll be looked upon to improve those numbers as the team's number-three starter.

Another trade the Mets pulled off last season gives them this year's fourth starter and that's Perez. Acquired with Roberto Hernandez at the trade deadline, Perez showed his stuff against St. Louis, winning Game Four with his team down two games to one. The former Pirate also started Game Seven and showed his poise once again going six strong innings allowing just four hits and one run.

Perez has been extremely impressive in camp and if he can somehow recapture the form that made him a star in 2004, general manager Omar Minaya will be called a genius for sending Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh for the 26-year-old from Mexico.

The final spot in the rotation belongs to Pelfrey, who got his feet wet last year winning two of his three decisions with a 5.48 ERA. New York's first- round pick in the '04 draft has pitched brilliantly in the spring allowing just two earned runs in 14 innings. If the Wichita State product struggles early, the Mets do have the option of inserting Chan Ho Park or Aaron Sele in his slot.

BULLPEN

This was by far and away the team's strength last season. Not only was New York's ERA (3.04) from the 7th inning on one-half run better than every other team in the National League, it was a full run lower than 11 of the 15 other clubs. Nonetheless, spring time has raised more questions than answers concerning the team's supposed backbone.

Duaner Sanchez, whose fabulous '06 season was cut short at the end of July after separating his shoulder in a taxi cab accident, will not be available for the start of the new year. His surgically repaired shoulder needs more time to heal, not to mention he came into camp 15 pounds overweight.

Aaron Heilman will have to manage the 2007 campaign with tendinitis in his pitching elbow, an extremely dicey situation that will bear watching. Despite allowing the home run that virtually eliminated the team from the World Series, Heilman was superb throughout the year teaming with Sanchez as the best set-up combo in the league.

Billy Wagner is another concern. The 36-year-old had his worst season in years, as opponents batted .219 against him, the highest average he's allowed in a full season in his entire career. What's even more troubling was his postseason performance. Wagner's playoff ERA was an unheard of 9.53 and opponents pounded him to the tune of a .370 average.

With Guillermo Mota suspended for 50 games for failing the league's substance abuse policy, the Mets sent Brian Bannister to the Royals for Ambiorix Burgos. The third-year reliever has averaged a strikeout per inning in his two seasons in Kansas City, but opponents batted .288 against him last year. The Mets hoped the flame-throwing right-hander would bridge the gap until Sanchez and Mota get back to their previous roles, but an awful spring has Burgos on the outside looking in as the season approaches.

New York will use Park and Sele in relief as well as rookie Joe Smith. These are troubling signs that the club had not even envisioned back in January. If the Mets have postseason aspirations, the bullpen must perform close to its high 2006 standard and that might be asking a little too much at this stage of the game.

BENCH

New York has had phenomenal bench success the past two seasons from the likes of Marlon Anderson to Chris Woodward to Chavez. This year the candidates run a tad thin as Randolph might elect to go with 12 pitchers and only five offensive reserves.

Ramon Castro will back up Lo Duca, while Easley will be the utility infielder. Julio Franco returns for another season at age 48 (49 in August) to be the first pinch-hitter off the bench. Franco had 15 pinch-hits last year along with an occasional start at first giving Delgado a day off.

Chavez will be the fourth outfielder, while the final roster spot will go to either Ben Johnson, David Newhan or Lastings Milledge.

OUTLOOK

The odds are very slim the Mets will dominate the division the way they did one year ago. In fact, New York might not even win the East with its rag-tag starting staff. Nonetheless, Randolph's club will find a way to make the postseason as the Wild Card since the talent is still there, especially on offense.

If the Mets can stay within striking distance by the All-Star break, the return of Martinez will be similar to that of obtaining a number-one starter at the trading deadline. With a healthy Martinez down the stretch and a lineup still capable of scoring runs at will, nothing short of an NL pennant is expected in Queens. New York will reach its first World Series since 2000 and maybe even win its first title since that magical season of 1986.





I Agree with most of this preview. We would like to thank David For the link. It was written By Jeff Frank, MLB Contributing Editor (Sports Network)

**Added by Allan**

Yes, most of this preveiw I do agree with. The only thing that may be incorrect is the batting lineup. Most met fans will agree that it will look like this:

Castro(good speed at the top) Jk, Reyes
Wright
Beltran
Delgado
Alou
Green
Lo Duca (or flip to Lo Duca, Green)
Valintine
P

**Posted By SAL**

DUANER UPDATE

Duaner Sanchez is headed for a second surgery on his surgically repaired right shoulder. The Mets have yet to announce the procedure. Sanchez heard a pop while throwing on the mound Thursday for the first time since Aug. 1 surgery to repair a separated shoulder.
Omar Minaya confirmed that Sanchez has a hairline fracture in his shoulder that will require surgery and keep Sanchez out until August.


MORE ON SOSA

The Mets optioned Jorge Sosa to Triple-A New Orleans.

Jorge Julio Traded
In a deal with multiple Mets angles, Jorge Julio was traded to the Diamondbacks for ex-Mets farmhand Yusmeiro Petit. Julio presumably will close for Florida, which means Matt Lindstrom and Henry Owens won't be.

**Posted By SAL**

Giants fans might be interested to know their team checked into A-Rod's availability this offseason. The Giants will have money to spend next winter because of several contracts coming off the books. That's more than enough for a down payment on A-Rod.
-- San Francisco Chronicle

Barry Zito's demeanor has endeared him to his new Giants teammates, who do not see a $126 million pitcher, but a guy who comes to work in faded jeans and changes clothes in nothing flat so he can hit the weight room.
-- San Francisco Chronicle

General manager Ken Williams has been low-key the last week, which means he may have one last deal up his sleeve. Williams has a history of making a trade late in spring training
-- Chicago Sun-Times


Brian Cashman said Saturday that he was not going to look for pitching help outside the organization, as he is content with the Yankees' depth in the farm system. That would seem to rule out Roger Clemens - for now, anyway.
-- New York Daily News

If the Red Sox want to deal Joel Pineiro now that he is no longer in the picture to serve as closer, they are not going to have difficulty finding a trading partner. The Reds, who are leaning toward selecting Dustin Hermanson as closer from a pool of journeyman relievers, may be the best fit.
-- Boston Herald


Tampa Bay's awful spring has executives wondering why the Devil Rays didn't trade Carl Crawford or Rocco Baldelli for pitching over the winter. The Rays' rotation is as thin as ever, B.J. Upton doesn't have a spot to play and Baldelli is experiencing more hamstring problems.
-- Tampa Tribune

The deadline for completing talks on a possible five-year contract extension for Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano looms a week away, with perhaps a $10 million to $12 million gap to close. Zambrano said if a deal isn't made by Opening Day, he'll cut off talks until he becomes a free agent after the season.
-- Chicago Sun-Times

Kerry Wood's chances to open the season on the Cubs' active roster likely ended Sunday when the injury-plagued right-handed pitcher suffered another setback. a team source confirmed that Wood was hurt again after he pitched one inning of relief Sunday and that he's scheduled to be examined by the team doctor this morning.
-- Chicago Sun-Times

A clearly unhappy Chan Ho Park started his new career as a reliever yesterday. Considering the lack of quality starters around the majors, the Mets could trade Park tomorrow to someone who would put him in the rotation.
-- New York Post

The Dodgers are trying hard to move reliever Elmer Dessens, an industry source said Sunday, and it isn't because they hope to get much in return. Apparently, club officials want to create a roster spot for veteran Rudy Seanez.
-- Los Angeles Daily News

Shortstop Clint Barmes, optioned to Triple-A on Friday, is continuing to draw interest from the Rangers. But according to a major-league source, the Rockies continue to seek starting-shortstop value for Barmes, and that's putting a crimp in the Rockies' ability to trade him. Also, the Rangers are no longer interested in Byung-Hyun Kim.
-- Denver Post

The Pirates likely will not have Freddy Sanchez for the season's first two series, and they almost surely will be without John Grabow for the same span or longer.
-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

ASTROS 11, METS 3
at Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Sunday, March 25

Astros at the plate: Mike Lamb led the club with three hits and three RBIs. The visitors broke through for three runs in the third inning. Orlando Palmeiro opened with a single, went to second on Mark Loretta's walk and both scored on Lamb's double to right-center field. Lamb went to third on Morgan Ensberg's groundout and scored on a Mike Pelfrey wild pitch. Palmeiro led off the fifth with a double, raced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Lamb's sacrifice fly. The club added a run in the sixth inning and six in the seventh. Substitute catcher Eric Munson drove in two of the runs.

Mets at the plate: Jose Valentin's bases-loaded double opened the scoring for the Mets in the third inning. Paul Lo Duca had led off with a walk and moved to third on Moises Alou's double before Julio Franco walked. Valentin then hit a full-count pitch into left-center with two outs for two runs. Lastings Milledge then tied the game at 3 when his soft liner was muffed by Ensberg. Carlos Beltran was a late scratch because he felt ill.

Astros on the mound: Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez lasted just three innings after a 38-pitch third inning in which the Mets hit through their lineup and scored three runs, one of them unearned. After stranding two runners in the second, Rodriguez got two quick outs in the third. But then he gave up a walk, a double, another walk and another double. Ensberg's error cost him the third run. After a pitch to the ninth batter of the inning, Rodriguez came off the mound gingerly with an apparent leg injury but eventually stayed in the game. He batted in the fourth, but did not come back to pitch.

Mets on the mound: Pelfrey, seeking to lock up the fifth spot in the starting rotation, had a forgettable outing. He lasted five innings, giving up six hits and four runs. Pelfrey threw 84 pitches, then added 15 more in bullpen work to finish his day. He was disappointed that a changeup he threw to Lamb with two on in the third inning stayed high and Lamb stroked it for a two-run double. Pelfrey later allowed a run to score on a wild pitch in the 32-pitch inning, then gave up another run in the fifth. The game was close until the seventh, when troubled reliever Jorge Sosa came on and struggled. The Astros struck for six runs off him to turn the game into a rout.

Grapefruit League records: Mets 9-18-1; Astros 14-9

Up next: The Mets play the Dodgers on Monday night at Tradition Field at 7:10 p.m. ET. Veteran left-hander Tom Glavine will get his final start of the spring in anticipation of the season opener April 1.

**Posted By Sal**

Mike Pelfrey, hoping to secure the fifth spot in the Mets' rotation, allowed four runs in five innings on Sunday against the Astros. The young right-hander felt disappointed, but shortly after the game, his mood brightened markedly when manager Willie Randolph told him that he has made the starting rotation.

Randolph invited Pelfrey into his office, broke the news, then shook his hand.

"He's matured," Randolph said. "He's learned a lot from last spring. He's got good stuff, but he's worked hard. He's still a work in progress, like a lot of our young players, but I feel like he can help us."

Randolph also said that Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, Oliver Perez and John Maine would be the team's other starters to open the season. No order has been established.

Pelfrey said he had no real pangs on Sunday that he might have blown this opportunity, despite the forgettable performance against the Astros.

"It didn't go as well as I'd like," he said after giving up six hits and a walk on 84 pitches. "I still feel like I'm getting better. I still feel like I made some progress."

Pelfrey was particularly upset about a changeup he threw to former Yankee Mike Lamb in the third inning with two runners on. The pitch stayed high, and Lamb drove it to right-center for two runs.

"That is something to learn from," Pelfrey said. "I didn't execute. I know there will be days like this where you want to take back two or three pitches."

The competition for the fifth spot had been thinning out before Sunday, with Phil Humber demoted, Chan Ho Park charted for bullpen work and Aaron Sele likely facing a similar fate.

**Posted by Allan**

According to Yahoo! Sports, Shanks ace starting pitcher will miss the first month or so of the season with a hammy injury. Im sure hes a good guy but I cant help but laugh as the Shanks whole season is riding on this guy. Yahoo! is also reporting that the always durable Carl Pavano might be the Opening-day Starter!

**POSTED BY SAL**

First baseman Carlos Delgado is now a father. His wife, Betzaida Garcia, gave birth to a boy, Carlos Antonio, on Friday night in Puerto Rico. It is not known when Delgado will return, but the Mets are naturally relieved that the birth, expected on April 1's Opening Day, doesn't figure now to impact his regular-season availability. Randolph said that whenever Delgado decides to return, "he will be welcome."


After 13 years as a starter, Chan Ho Park found himself on Saturday being asked to become a reliever. He pitched three perfect innings against Baltimore, needing just 27 pitches, then was told to be ready to pitch on Monday. Randolph hopes to use him three times next week to see whether he can be used there. Park is not crazy about pitching in relief, especially if the Mets have no plans to let him return to starting.

Lefty Pedro Feliciano had his scoreless streak stopped at 10 innings when Jon Knott, a Baltimore Minor Leaguer, homered off him on Saturday.

CONGRATS CARLOS AND BETZAIDA

**POSTED BY SAL**

The Mets' 2007 bullpen, likely to be a state of flux into the summer, on Saturday appears to have a semblance of definition for the first time. With the first game of the season slightly more than a week away, the club has decided to use Chan Ho Park, a starter by trade, in short relief and to carry rookie Joe Smith and veteran Aaron Sele on the season-opening roster.

At the same time, the plans for Park and Sele almost certify Mike Pelfrey as the No. 5 starting pitcher -- behind Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine and Oliver Perez.

The Mets' bullpen seemingly would have Billy Wagner closing, Aaron Heilman and possibly Park as the respective eighth- and seventh-inning setup relievers, Scott Schoeneweis and Pedro Feliciano as left-handed specialists, Smith as a right-handed specialist and Sele as the long reliever.

Nothing has been "etched in stone," manager Willie Randolph said on Saturday, and no official announcement regarding the pitching staff has been made. General manager Omar Minaya would not even acknowledge that Maine or Perez is in the rotation.

What Randolph did say is, "Right now, [Park] is going to be in the bullpen," and that Park, Smith and Sele can pitch in long or short relief.

But players became aware Saturday morning of specific plans made in a meeting of manager, general manager, coaches and instructors on Friday night. And those plans, the players said, include using Park and Smith in short relief and Sele in long relief, and they exclude relievers Ambiorix Burgos and Jorge Sosa.

And a person with first-hand knowledge of club's intent regarding the bullpen said late Saturday "nothing is defined," but characterized the specific plans for Park, Smith and Sele as "in the ballpark."

The first phase of the plan was implemented during the Mets' home exhibition against the Orioles when Park, to his surprise and anger, was removed after pitching three flawless innings in a start and told his subsequent assignment would be as a reliever on Monday.

Park, Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson met in Randolph's office after the Mets' 2-1 loss to the Orioles that included another impressive performance by Smith. Minaya, after a subsequent meeting with Randolph, Peterson and owner Fred Wilpon, said Park had told the club he would do what's best for the team. The general manager acknowledged Park wasn't comfortable with the plan and said that was "understandable."

Before meeting with his manager and pitching coach, Park said, "Obviously, if they ask me to be a reliever, I'm unhappy," and "If they ask me to be a reliever the whole year, I'll have to think about it."

And a person who was in the clubhouse directly after Park's surprise removal from the game said the 33-year-old Korean pitcher was "really ticked off" about not being told of the plan before his start. Whether his anger had subsided after his meeting was unclear. Park declined to speak with reporters a second time and left the complex.



Randolph said he intends to use Park in as many as three of the Mets' final six exhibition games to allow him to adjust to the role. The manager didn't say Park would definitely be in the bullpen, but another person familiar with the manager's thinking said, "This isn't an experiment, because we know what we want to do."

Park made four relief appearances -- and 30 starts -- with the Padres in 2005 and '06. All but one of his other 45 relief appearances came in 1994, '95 and '96, with the Dodgers. He also pitched in relief against the Cardinals in the National League Division Series last season.

Minaya noted Park had pitched effectively in relief for Korea in the World Baseball Classic last year. Quite effectively, actually -- one five-inning start and three relief appearances in which he totaled five innings. He allowed no runs and seven hits and struck out eight in the 10 innings.

"To be honest, I feel more comfortable as a starter. That's who I am," Park said. "Yes, I have experience as a reliever and I had success. But I signed here looking for a job as a starter. That's for sure."

Park acknowledged he had one poor performance -- he had made three starts, pitched 9 1/3 innings and produced an 8.86 ERA before Saturday -- and said, "I feel much better now ... I'm sure I'm going to have a great season as a starter."

A need to use Park in a role mostly unfamiliar to him -- and to carry a rookie in Smith -- has developed because neither Duaner Sanchez nor Juan Padilla has recovered fully from his surgery and because Burgos and Sosa, birds of a feather because of their potential, velocity and lack of precision, have not pitched effectively in exhibition games. At one point early in Spring Training, a member of the staff said Sanchez, the incumbent reliever, was expected to begin the season on the active roster and that Burgos, a trade acquisition, would "have to pitch himself off the team." He has done that, evidently.

Moreover, Smith's performance has dispelled much of the concern about his lack of experience and pushed him past Sosa and Burgos in the Mets' eyes. Smith, who turned 23 on Thursday, had pitched merely 32 2/3 innings -- all last summer, after his selection in the third round of the First-Year Player Draft -- as a professional before Spring Training. But he has impressed the staff at almost every turn.

Smith pitched the fourth inning against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing a leadoff hit and striking out two. A left-handed hitter, Adam Stern, was responsible for the hit. And left-handed hitters often are nemeses for right-handed, sub-sidearm pitchers like Smith. But after retiring right-handed-hitting Chris Gomez, Smith struck out two left-handed hitters -- Nick Markakis swinging and Aubrey Huff looking with fastballs.

"I had real good movement today," Smith said.

And his catcher, Paul Lo Duca, didn't argue.

YAY! PELFREY #5 STARTER SMITH IN BULLPEN

**Posted by Allan**

In today's ST action, the Mets out slugged the Cardinals 2-1! El Duque was very sharp, only allowing 1 run on 3 hit through 6 innings. I guess he was inspired by my knocking him all spring!

Endy chavez is ok as he pinch-ran late in the game

ST star David Newhan drove in his 10th run of the ST

Former Met Matt Ginter pitched for the Cardinals.I hated him with a passion.

Going back into the 03 or 04 season, the mets were only 1 game behind the Phillies for a wild card spot in the middle of July. They were on a long winning streak and on the they were playing the Phillies in the last game a 3 three game series if im remembering correctly. The started that was supposed to start that game was injured, so they chose their spot started Matt Ginter who had been awful that year to start. Anyway, to make a long story short, he blew up and the mets lost and that was the turning point of the 03 or 04 season which didnt turn out to great. Im too lazy to cheak which season it was but 03 and 04 were both awful so I cant really go wrong

**Posted by Allan**

According to metsblog.com, the Mets have signed 32 year old third baseman Fernando Tatis to a minor league contract. This after being cut by the Dodgers just last week.

Fernando only hit .158 in ST but hit a respectable .250 last season with Baltimore.

-I Guess Chan Ho is happy to hear that he wont have to face him for the time being...

Exit boring old poll, Enter Exiting New Poll (thanx wags for inspiring me)

**Posted by Allan**

In todays ST action, the Mets beat the O's 6-1.

This was one of the better games of the ST, as crisp ball was played throughout the team.

Mike Pelfrey pitched well, getting in and out of jams ala brian bannister. He went 5 inning w/ only 72 pitches, giving up only one run on 7 hits. Only 72 pitches in 5 innings is very good b/c in a real game he couldve gone all the way or at least the 8th.

Beltran hit a 2 run HR and Paulie hit two doubles.

Adkins pitched very well for the first time this spring, pitching a 1-2-3 6th, putting him self seemingly back in contention for a spot.

Feliciano(we gotta come up w/ a nickname for this guy,it so hard to right), and schoenweis eached pitched scoreless innings, as well did Joe Smith.

Gary Cohen had a funny line when he said Joe Smith wanted to prove he wasnt just another Joe Smith.

Both Joses(not including Lima) hit triples today.

And to top it all off, AHern hit the ball! for a 2 run single! But not to be out done was catching another glimpse of SUPER POWER HITTING CATCHER MIKE DiFeice who came in as a defensive replacment.

All in all, solid game!

Our new poll is up. Sorry its not as funny of creative as past polls have been but we really need to know what you think about this subject matter...


-iMets

Our last poll was very successful. Most people thought thats a name will be printed on Andy Tracy's jersey after he is a unanimous vote into the HOF, but before his number is retired throughout baseball. Our next poll will be up shortly...

**Posted By Allan**

Since the Mets have been playing so incredibly hard over the first few weeks of ST, they have a much needed day off today. Not every Met is off though, John Maine train and Wags will pitch simulated games. As a commentator on Metsblog stated, "hopefully, they wont lose to that darn simulator!". -good stuff

-Hopefully they can turn on the faucet when they have to because they've been very sloppy so far.

**Posted By Allan**

MLB NOTES: Papelbon gets start for Red Sox

-The Salt Lake Tribune Sun, 18 Mar 2007 1:45 AM PDT

Jonathan Papelbon took the next step in his transition from closer to starter for the Boston Red Sox. He started. Papelbon pitched his first first inning in a major league exhibition game this year, and was happy with his performance even though he struggled with leadoff hitter Chris Denorfia, who homered on a 3-2 pitch in Cincinnati's 2-1 win Saturday in Fort Myers, Fla.



-Its always weird to see a closer start a game, and there are a lot of them doing it this year, including Adam Wainwright and Looper

**Posted by Allan**

Im sure Im not the only one who is nervous about our 2nd starter. In today's 5-4 loss to the Cardnals, he let up 2 erned runs on 3 hits in 4 inning, not horrible, but in the 5th, he left the games because he got hurt running out his sac bunt.

Although this was only a cramp and a precautionary measure, it still bothers me. I actually feel pretty confident about glavine Maine and pelfrey, and ok about ollie.

I dont know who would fill El Duques spot if he gets hurt b/c all the 5th spot contenders pitched baddly. I guess it would have to be Chan Ho but thats doesnt sound too exiting, but neither did Lima and We got through that.

Hopefully, he could stay healthy untill Dave Williams is availible b/c I like him.