Former Pirates' closer Matt Capps was a surprise addition to the free agent pool yesterday. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Well the non-tender deadline has come and gone, and the Mets made a few interesting decisions regarding the future of some of the players that were on the roster last year. This team is going to have a very different look this year, and that is something that definitely needed to be done.

First of all, there were some expected non-tenders that the Mets announced, which includes guys like Lance Broadway and Jeremy Reed. Broadway was acquired for Ramon Castro early last season, and he only appeared with the big club when the season was lost. We certainly give our regards to Broadway before he leaves.

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

Then there was Reed, who was acquired as part of the big JJ Putz deal last off season. That deal obviously didn’t pan out in the Mets’ favor, as they decided to non-tender Reed and let JJ Putz sign with the White Sox. Reed is replaceable, and I am far from heartbroken to see him go.
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Francisco Ridriguez has certainly been a bit off lately. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY ANTHONY LAFAMAN
STACHE WRITER

Just need to get a couple of things off my chest on this off-day. I think the fans needed this off-day just as much as the players. Honestly it’s been brutal watching this team post All-Star break. Record aside they just don’t seem to be having fun out there.

Wright looks like his dog died via Con Ed manhole electrocution. Can’t blame him. I mean this season has been a real drag on him I assume. His numbers don’t bother me as much as it obviously bothers everyone else. No doubt in my mind if two of those injured stars are in the lineup David’s numbers would be more in-line with his career averages.

You have to remember there is no reason to pitch to him, there is no one behind him that strikes fear into the opposing pitcher.

On Bobby V, of course I’d like him to manage the Mets again. Who wouldn’t? But it won’t happen unless Omar is fired. Minaya and Manuel seem tied at the hip.
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Sullivan has been on a tear during his recent ten-game stretch.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

The Mets haven’t been able to avoid the injury bug at all this season. It seems like everyone has been affected with some kind of ailment. People who are currently on the shelf include Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Oliver Perez, Angel Pagan and now Ramon Martinez. With the fans’ request of Fernando Martinez being called up, there still remains one open spot on the bench, at least until Ryan Church and Jose Reyes make their returns at some point during the next week.

While looking at Buffalo’s roster, a few veteran names come to mind. One thing the Mets might have to do is call up a pitcher to pitch in place of John Maine if he doesn’t feel better soon. My first pick would be Nelson Figueroa, although he would be going on three days rest. Jonathon Niese might be a better bet to get the call. He still has plenty of options.

Another option would be to pick up a bat to add to the bench. The Mets picked up insurance options like Wily Mo Pena and Mike Lamb, but neither of them can hit the broad side of a barn right now, so I will skip right past them.

I would love to see Bobby Kielty get the shot, but he is injured right now, and Emil Brown is still getting his seasoning down at the Triple A level. One guy who I think unfairly gets ignored in situations like this is Cory Sullivan, who has done nothing but stay healthy…and more importantly is red hot right now.

In his last 10 games, Sullivan is batting .410 and he has hit safely in nine of the 10 games. He can be another option for Jerry against right handed relievers, and he can also be used for defensive purposes and double switches late in games.

The last option is simple. Do nothing. According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, it all depends on one guy. “I think it depends on Beltran. If he is healthy today, they may play short until Reyes returns Friday.” Thanks for the quick Twitter response Kevin!

We will have to wait and see, but one thing is for sure. We need to win tonight.

BY MIKE BARRETT
STACHE WRITER

In yesterday’s game against Italy, it was a pair of reserve outfield hopefuls that came through for the Mets. Cory Sullivan came through with a 2-run shot to tie it for the Mets and Jeremy Reed drove in the game-winning run with a double, driving in Daniel Murphy who reached on a pinch hit single.

In a wide-open race for the reserve outfielders spot, both Reed and Sullivan made strides with their play today. Right now it may seem that Angel Pagan is the leader of the pack, seeing as he has played well throughout the spring, much like he did last season. It will be interesting to see who emerges as Opening Day is now just a month away.

My vote goes to Reed. He was once considered one of the Seattle Mariners best prospects and if he ever became what he was supposed to be, he would be a huge asset to the team. He plays outstanding defense, which he also showed off today and has the power to drive in 75 runs and hit about 15-20 home runs. Thought J.J. Putz was the centerpiece for the Mets in their 3-team trade with Seattle and Cleveland, it could be Reed that makes a big impact this year for the Mets.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

When Marlon Anderson came to the Mets in 2005, no one really knew what to expect out of him. Here we had this 31-year old guy that had never hit more than 11 homers in a season. What was intriguing was his 2001 season, in which in addition to the 11 homers, he drove in 61 RBI and batted .293. That was in 522 at bats. There was no way he was going to figure into our plans that much. We needed him to be a solid part time player.

Anderson was solid in 2005, although he wasn’t too good in the clutch. In fact, with runners on, he only batted .241, but if he led off the inning or no one was on base at the time of appearance, he hit a much better .277 clip. The most impressive stat is the one with the bases loaded, in which he hit .286.

In 2006, Anderson landed a spot with the Washington Nationals. A lot of Mets fans were furious that management would not give him a two-year contract, but Washington was willing to make the commitment. Marlon had a nice season for the nationals, batting .274. Once again, his batting average thrived with the bases empty, but he struggled in pressure situations, batting only .243 with runners in scoring position.

In 2007, Marlon ended up with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a rough go of it for Marlon in his first 26 at bats, as he hit just .231, and the Dodgers gave up on him. But there loss was the Mets’ gain, and Marlon resurrected his season by hitting .319 after the Mets picked him up for his second tour of duty with the club. His performance in 2007 was amazing. He not only hit .394 with runners in scoring position, but he also hit .438 with runners in scoring position with two outs. That earned him a two year contract from the Mets in the off season, which is something he definitely deserved.

But what happened in 2008? This was by far the worst we have ever seen Marlon look. He hit a rather pedestrian .265 with the bases empty, but his .127 average with runners on base clearly tells the story. In 2008, he was an automatic out, and he was not someone that opposing pitchers were intimidated by.

Now, going into the 2009 season, the following players are a lock for the Mets’ 25-man roster. Wright, Beltran, Reyes, Delgado, Schneider, Castro, Cora, Castillo, Church, Tatis, Murphy, Santana, Maine, Pelfrey, Rodriguez, Putz, Green, Stokes, Feliciano, Sanchez. Now, if you count whoever is going to be the 5th starter, probably Tim Redding, and the one more pitcher the Mets need to add, that leaves three spots. The guys competing for those spots are Marlon Anderson, Rob Mackowiak, Cory Sullivan, Bobby Kielty, Angel Pagan, Nick Evans and Jeremy Reed.

Right now, I would say Anderson, Reed and Evans are likely additions. Do you think Marlon should stay?

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

The Mets have added some depth to their outfield, and predictably, it comes in the form of two more left-handed bats. On Friday, the Mets came to terms with two backup outfielders. Cory Sullivan, formerly of the Rockies, was signed to a one-year $600,000 contract. He can also earn an extra $300,000 in performance bonuses. Rob Mackowiak was signed to a minor league deal that could give him $600,000 if he is added to the major league roster at some point. Both of these men would be looking to battle Jeremy Reed for the last spot on the Mets’ bench.

The Mets bench currently includes Ramon Castro, Fernando Tatis, Marlon Anderson, and Alex Cora and then there’s one spot remaining.

Sullivan hit .217 with four RBI in 18 games and only 23 at-bats for the Rockies last season. He also hit .320 in Triple A. Mackowiak was released by the Nationals after batting .132 (7-for-53) Reed, on the other hand, hit .269 in 286 at-bats for the Mariners last season.

The most likely scenario appears that it will be either Reed or Sullivan. You gotta love some competition. That brings out the best in a player.