New York Mets

Jerry Manuel all but punched Fernando Martinez’s ticket to the minors when he met with reporters in Florida yesterday, a decision that will surely cause a stir among the Mets' frustrated and disenchanted fan base.

However, despite the many blunders this organization has experienced over the course of Minaya’s tenure at the helm, this is one move that makes a lot of sense for a number of reasons.

He’s Not Quite Ready

The case for Martinez being on the Opening Day roster is a very legitimate one.

The New York Mets' farm system has been lacking ever since they acquired Johan Santana from the Twins.  Their farm system began to get ranked near the bottom of the best farm systems. 

It was hard for the Mets to rebuild their farm system but it seems like they have been doing a pretty good job.  Fernando Martinez, Ike Davis, and Jenrry Mejia are looking like the Mets' top prospects.

The Yankees have kept fans largely in the dark this winter about when single game tickets will be available available to the general public, but apparently Staten Island Yankee fans are in the loop because for the second year-in-a-row they’re the first to know.

Anyways, NYY Stadium Insider has the lowdown on the ticket situation:

This is the time during Spring Training that all Major League teams starts to cut down on their rosters, sending some players down to their Minor League affiliates while others are sent on their way right out of the organization.

The funny thing about this process is that there are very few surprises as to who stays and who goes.

It's tough to write about the New York Mets these days.

There hasn't been a whole lot of good news to write about when it comes to the Mets this spring. Actually, there hasn't been much good news to write about the Mets during this entire offseason, as anything positive that happens to the Amazin's, like signing Jason Bay, is followed by multiple negatives, like not being able to add any pitching, or the Mets continued injury problems.

It's hard to feel good right now as a Mets fan.

Outfielder Carlos Beltran had the knee surgery that he should have had last fall in January and is out for the first two months of the season.

New signing pitcher Kelvim Escobar, recovering from two years of shoulder issues and surgery, has had yet another setback in his rehab and will almost certainly start the season on the DL. 

The New York Mets have a history of over-evaluating prospects, of hyping up their rookies and top draft choices.

The franchise, especially back in the 80s, loved the "can't miss" studs coming up out of high schools and colleges, and just when they looked to be ready for the next big step, they exploded under the lights of New York City.

There are so many players in Mets history that were destined for greatness. Destined to lead the club for years to come.

Here it is, one day before "The Ides of March" and the so-called pundits, as well as the vast majority of the Mets' faithful, are in full panic mode and have come to bury Caesar long before the body is cold.

Come on everybody, 2009 was officially over on Oct 3. Or if you believe in the Julius Caesar calendar, how about 11:59PM and 59 seconds on December 31.

Before the regular season even starts, should the New York Mets be alarmed?  The questions surrounding their pitching staff as well as the lack of depth behind their lineup are sure to hinder any chance they have at winning the N.L. East.

The Mets already know that they will be without Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes for Opening Day 2010, and that means that once again, David Wright will be last man standing as far as core position players.

Yes, Jason Bay hitting behind him should give him some protection, but is that enough reason for pitchers to not go after hitting Wright or at least backing him off the plate?

Last August, when Wright was already flu-ridden and battling leg injuries, Wright was nailed by a 94 MPH fastball by Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants.