PSL Notes — Port ST. Lucie – Not The Bad PSL
Spring training is a glorious time of the year, especially for fans of teams who haven’t realized yet that there is a Winter Storm Saturn’s chance in hell that their squads can make the playoffs. Fortunately, we Met fans are a savvy bunch, who understand that this season’s success will be based more on growth than wins.
By savvy, I may or may not have meant desperate, degraded, and disillusioned. Either way, here is what is going on down south.
Minor Injuries
Daniel Murphy, Ruben Tejada, Jenrry Mejia, and Pedro Feliciano have all faced minor hiccups during their preparations. Murphy and Tejada haven’t drawn too much concern, and they’ll be ready for the season. Mejia is still in New York looking at a potential thyroid issue, but as a long shot to make the roster, he has plenty of time to get straightened away. Feliciano can’t get his fastball over 83 mph, and doesn’t know why. It couldn’t possibly be a heart condition and 266 appearances in a three-year span, could it?
OMG OMG…whew
Terry Collins unleashed a tirade to the baseball gods, according to Mets officials, when future ace Zach Wheeler was pulled from a start due to a pulled oblique from swinging a bat in batting practice. These injuries can be tricky, but he’s already throwing from flat ground again, which means TC can save his breath.
The Duda-bides
Lucas Duda has been working with Mets Hitting Coach Dave Hudgens to tweak his swing for the 2013 season. There was little success to start the spring, but after sitting for two games, Duda has been ripping the ball, going 3-6 with a double and a HR. Hopefully the change to approach with Duda and first baseman Ike Davis yields greater successes this coming season.
Santana’s Option
File this in the “ain’t gonna happen” category. If Johan Santana pitches 215 innings and is on the roster with 30 days left in the season, his $25 million option for 2014 switches from a team option to a player option. Most likely, if Santana is pitching well enough to warrant going 215 innings, he will be traded at the deadline.
You Hear the One about the Byrd and the Cow(gill)?
Smart money has Marlon Byrd and Colin Cowgill joining Lucas Duda in the outfield this season. Worst. Punchline. Ever. I have no faith in Marlon Byrd, but Cowgill will at least have a few hustle hits, and he can play a solid centerfield. Probably the 31st worst outfield in baseball though.
WBC (Woah, Be Careful)
The World Baseball Classic was denied our Santana, and with Mark Teixeira falling to a forearm injury, the American team was looking to Ike Davis as the next lamb to slaughter replacement. The USA looked to Eric Hosmer of the Royals instead, and I finally exhaled.
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Matthew Wolfe has always loved the word disillusioned, but not anymore since his epiphany that it has applied to his fandom for years now. Tweet him @MattWolfe53
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