1 for 20: Tatis Continues to Struggle

Fernando Tatis remains ice cold this spring.  Today he went 0-3 in a continuation of a drought that has seen him flounder at the plate.

In addition to going hitless (again), Tatis left a runner in scoring position.

Tatis is now hitting .050 this spring.

Status:Miserable

• Born: 1/1/1975 in San Pedro de Macoris,  Dominican Republic

• Bats/Throws: R/R
• HT: 5'11''
• WT: 185
• Bio

• Debut: 7/26/1997
• College: N/A

• Last 10
• Upcoming
• Quick Splits

DATE	OPP	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG
03/03/2010	@ATL	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	A	2010/03/03/nynmlb-atlmlb-1	S
03/04/2010	STL	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	H	2010/03/04/slnmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/05/2010	@STL	3	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	.125	A	2010/03/05/nynmlb-slnmlb-1	S
03/17/2010	@BOS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.091	A	2010/03/17/nynmlb-bosmlb-1	S
03/18/2010	@FLA	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.077	A	2010/03/18/nynmlb-flomlb-1	S
03/19/2010	MIN	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.067	H	2010/03/19/minmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/20/2010	@STL	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.059	A	2010/03/20/nynmlb-slnmlb-1	S
03/22/2010	@WSH	3	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	.050	A	2010/03/22/nynmlb-wasmlb-1	S
TOTALS		20	3	1	0	1	1	2	0	.050

1 for 13

Not sure what to make of Fernando Tatis right now.  In the off-season I advocated for a youth movement, and those plans didn't include the 35-year old, who was terrific in 2008, and not so good in 2009.

Sure, he had a fine August and September, but when the Mets needed him most, the numbers were not very good.

Hopefully the knee thing is over and he'll get back to form, but right now he's not looking like the player the Mets needed him to be, and his bat is not anywhere near that of Chris Carter, the projected "26th man".

Fernando This Spring

• Born: 1/1/1975 in San Pedro de Macoris,  Dominican Republic

• Bats/Throws: R/R
• HT: 5'11''
• WT: 185

• Last 10
• Upcoming
• Quick Splits

DATE	OPP	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG
03/03/2010	@ATL	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	A	2010/03/03/nynmlb-atlmlb-1	S
03/04/2010	STL	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	H	2010/03/04/slnmlb-nynmlb-1	S
03/05/2010	@STL	3	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	.125	A	2010/03/05/nynmlb-slnmlb-1	S
03/17/2010	@BOS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.091	A	2010/03/17/nynmlb-bosmlb-1	S
03/18/2010	@FLA	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.077	A	2010/03/18/nynmlb-flomlb-1	S
TOTALS		13	2	1	0	1	0	1	0	.077

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tatis Coming Back, Smoltz Wants To Stay With Cards? (hotfootblog.com)
• Poll: Who will Start Most at 1B for the Mets? (metsblog.com)
• Mets Agree to Terms with Fernando Tatis, Continue to Delude Themselves (hotfootblog.com)

Team USA has a Fighting Chance

Despite being decimated by injury, Team USA, which includes Mets stars David Wright and JJ Putz, is 2 games and 2 days away from winning the World Baseball Classic.

Though American fans have yet to turn out in large numbers, my sneaking suspicion is that tonight's semi-final game against Japan will draw a large TV audience. Should Team USA advance to the final against Korea, the numbers will get even better.

Tonight the American's will face a familiar face in Red Sox righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka.

As Newsday reports, Derek Jeter is ready:

"We face him all the time," Jeter said of Dice-K, who joined the Red Sox in 2007.

"Playing Boston 20 games a year, we see him all the time, so I'm familiar with what he throws. I think at this point in the season, pitching is usually a little ahead of the hitters. So it's going to be a challenge for us."

Thus far the Classic has been up and down--for every upset victory of the Dominican Republic, you get a 5 error Venezuelan fiasco. That said, there have been moments of brilliance, including David Wright's walkoff hit that propelled Team USA past Puerto Rico.

"I don't think I've ever had so many phone calls and messages after a game," Wright said.

"That's something, no matter what team you play for or who your favorite team is in the big leagues, you're talking about representing your country and putting this uniform on and going out there and being able to do that. That would be a memory that lasts a lifetime."

So yes my loyal readers, I will be watching tonight. Thought I am opposed to the WBC from an injury standpoint, the prospects of meaningful baseball on a March Sunday night is just too big a draw.

U-S-A! U-S-A!

Reyes and Tatis Due Back

Loyal readers know how much I dislike the WBC.

So while baseball mecca, the Dominican Republic, mourned their shocking upset loss to the Netherlands, I rejoiced.

Two key Mets from that team, Jose Reyes and Fernando Tatis, are set to rejoin the club as early as today.

Both players will play a major role on this year's team and account for about 1,000 of the team's 5,600 or so 2009 at-bats.

So to my Dominican friends, sorry your team got beat...to all Mets fans...yes, we are rejoicing...Jose is back!!!