January 16: Minaya conference call

January

Just got off the phone with Omar Minaya, and here’s what’s going on:

Scott Schoeneweis is signed. Minaya said he’s a ground ball pitcher and would fill the same role as Chad Bradford from last year. Schoeneweis gives the Mets two lefty options in the eighth (bringing in Billy Wagner early is the other).
The Mets signed Jorge Sosa to a one-year deal. “We brought him in for his versatility,’’ Minaya said. Sosa has a power arm and could compete for the fifth starter role, although that’s not why he was signed.
Said Mike Pelfrey and Phil Humber are fine physically. Minaya said the Mets wanted to be conservative with them during the Arizona Fall League, which is why they were shut down early. “We could have pushed them, but why bother?’’ Minaya said.
Said this is the team the Mets will likely enter spring training with, that there’s not much else out there. A trade with Oakland appears highly unlikely.
Said the following would compete for the last three slots in the rotation: John Maine, Oliver Perez, Dave Williams, Alay Soler, Jason Vargas, Mike Pelfrey and Phil Humber.
Said nothing has changed with Pedro Martinez. He’s feeling fine and not expected back until the second half.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 16th, 2007 at 1:40 pm by John Delcos.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Print This Post |

13 Responses to “January 16: Minaya conference call”

Steve C. January 16th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Feeling fine. yeah No Vaughn felt that way too. Collecting a paycheck and not performing. I would feel fine with that too. Hmm maybe I can get a similar spot on the Mets. :-D
Sometimes its just cheaper to send them on their way with the money. so we can free up the spot to fill. IMHO, nit being a manager or anything … just seems like thats what should be done.
Bdid January 16th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Pedro earned every penny of his contract the day that Beltran signed. He brought the respectability back to the Mets, and that is worth more than anything Zito could do.

By the way, Omar is the man. Nothing brewing on the trade front, so I’m really excited to see who comes out on top for the last two spots in the rotation (I’m giving one to Maine). Perez is likely as well. Last spot should come down to Pelfrey/Humber/Sosa. I’m hoping Humber earns it. He’s a bit older than Pelfrey, and Pelf could use some more MiLB.
Steve C. January 16th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Omar has turned into a magician. Hey rocky watch me as i pull a rabbit our of my a… hat. :-)
Joseph January 16th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
My prediction, and this is based on an if. IF Alay Soler spent the offseason working hard and getting into shape and gets healthy, I think he’ll make a serious run at the #4 or #5 spot. I know what you all say, and I saw him implode out there too, I just think he’s got something to him, some good potential, but he just needs to focus himself and be determiend to do it, at times I felt like he wasn’t doing that last year, and that might have had to do with being away from competitive baseball for 2 years, and then getting thrown to the wolves in the major leagues after 2 months of minor league ball (where he dominated by the way). He also wasn’t healthy and not in shape, also attributable to such a long layoff. If he works hard and really wants to be a major leaguer, I think he’s a good enough pitcher to do it. He showed me that much in some of his starts, and I think he could be a #4 type pitcher in the majors.
JR January 16th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Wouldn’t Feliciano be conisidered the other lefty option in the 8th?
John Delcos January 16th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
To JR (RE: Feliciano): I don’t see Feliciano in that spot. Duaner Sanchez, Heilman (who is good against lefty hitters) would be ahead of him.
John Delcos January 16th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
To Bdid (RE: Back end of the rotation)

Omar said he didn’t sign Sosa to be the fifth starter, but we’re just inside a month from spring training. I think Humber will stay in the minor leagues, but Pelfrey could steal No. 5 with a strong spring.

Yeah, I’m giving a spot to Maine. I’m not buying what Willie said about the 3-5 spots being open. I also see Perez getting the No. 4 slot with a good spring.
John Delcos January 16th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
To Joseph (RE: Soler)

Interesting you mentioned Soler. Nobody is talking about him. I remember his game at Arizona. Showed a lot that night. If he’s in shape he could be a factor. He could sneak in if they think Pelfrey and Humber need time in the minors.
Bdid January 16th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
John, you just contradicted what you reported about Sosa…

“The Mets signed Jorge Sosa to a one-year deal. ``We brought him in for his versatility,Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Minaya said. Sosa has a power arm and could compete for the fifth starter role, although thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not why he was signed.

Sentence 3 says he could compete for it. Not why he was signed, but could still happen.
Ed Alejandro January 17th, 2007 at 12:48 am
Jorge Sosa was sign for his bat (hit 3 Home Runs for the Braves two years ago)rather than his arm! Minaya is right Sosa may be wild high but can hit the long ball so he will be quite usefull to the mets at some point during the season
Steve C. January 17th, 2007 at 8:27 am
I think spring training will show us a lot.
John Delcos January 17th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
To Ed (RE: Sosa)

He’s a project, much like Oliver Perez. A hard thrower is always worth taking a shot at.

It is a condition of your use of the comment features associated with the blogs that you do not: Use the site to post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane or indecent information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any local, state, national or international law. You alone are responsible for the material you post or send. Refer to the Terms of Service.