Down on the Farm

What a day for the entire organization!

AAA Buffalo WON 11-7
Jason Pridie - 4 for 5, 3 R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, SB (can he replace GMJ?)
Josh Thole - 1 for 3, 2 R, 2 BB
Fernando Martinez - 2 for 4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
Chris Carter - 0 for 5 (average down to .214)
Ruben Tejada - 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 2B, K
Pat Misch - 5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Kiko Calero - 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Manny Acosta - 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

AA Binghamton WON 15-3
Kirk N+10 - 5 for 6, 4 R, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI
Nick Evans - 1 for 5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Zach Lutz - 0 for 5, R, BB, 3 K
Lucas Duda - 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K
Jose Coronado - 1 for 5, R, HR, 4 RBI, K
Brahiam Maldonado - 2 for 4, R, 2B, BB
Scott Shaw - 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K

A+ St. Lucie WON 7-5
J. Valdespin - 2 for 4, R, BB, K, CS, E
Sean Ratliff - 1 for 4, R, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
Stefan Welch - 1 for 4, R, 2B, K
J. Familia - 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (his K numbers have been strong, the runs have been ugly)

A Savannah WON 11-3
Juan Lagares - 3 for 6, 2B, 3B, K
Wilmer Flores - 3 for 5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, BB, K
Kai Gronauer - 4 for 6, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, SB (now batting .394)
Cesar Puello - 2 for 4, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K, SB
Alonzo Harris - 1 for 5, R, 3 K
Mark Cohoon - 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Erik "Pierre" Turgeon - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Mejia's Spring Numbers - Truly Amazin', or a Mirage?

New post from NY Sports Dog contributor Andy the Lawyer:

Jenrry Mejia may very well turn into the second coming of Mariano Rivera, but its hard to see how the Mets brass has settled on that prognosis for him based on just Spring Training.  Its true that Mejia has been very effective thus far (10 IP, 1.69 ERA, .184 average against), but if that sample size is enough to conclude that someone will be a great relief pitcher, the Mets are already in great shape.  Look at all the relief "studs" that the Mets already have (based on Spring training numbers):

• Pat Misch:  10 IP, 0.90 ERA, .182 average against
• Elmer Dessens: 5.1 IP, 1.69 ERA, .238 average against
• Nelson Figueroa: 8.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, .143 average against
• Hisanori Takahashi:8.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, .138 average against

Considering that Feliciano and K-Rod are locks to make the team, and given that its pretty likely that one or more of Parnell, Green, Nieve, or Igarashi will be allowed to stick around through April, why is it so important to convert Mejia into a reliever?  Seems pretty clear tht there are 4 other Mets pitchers who are pitching just as effectively as Mejia, and none of them have the potential to be ace starting pitchers, or are only 20 years old.  Are the Mets planning on using an 8 or 9 man bullpen to start the season?

The point is that Spring training numbers do not matter - but even if they did, the Mets should be just as happy to have any of these 4 guys pitching for the big club as Mejia, and simply let Mejia keep working on his command and secondary stuff in the minors.

Moreover, having Mejia work on being a starting pitcher in the minors is much more likely to pay dividends for the Mets - even this year - as not one of Pelfrey, Perez, or Maine has had a particularly impressive spring.  The Mets may need a reliable starting pitcher to add to the rotation in July much more than they need a 6th inning reliever in April.

Happy St Patrick's Day Mets Fans

Lots of great reading this morning.

Ya know, many of us were aghast at the Jeff Francoeur signing, but he is a really hard guy not to like.

The wonderful and talented Marty Noble has a great piece on Frenchy's arm over at Mets.com. It's an in-depth write-up, and I really enjoyed it.

We keep hearing different opinions on what will actually happen to Fernando Martinez this year, but I for one would like to see him start with the big club and split time with Angel Pagan until Beltran gets back. Just tell F-Mart that's the deal--you're here for about a month, enjoy yourself, play some ball, and then go to Buffalo until we need you. My pals at Amazin Avenue have him pegged for the minors on their Make the Mets-O-Meter, and they're probably right.

Kevin Kernan has a story over at the NY Post about how David Wright has to prove he's over the 2009 beaning. It's a pretty tired topic, but it's well-written and he makes some solid points. E for effort Kevin.

Dave Doyle at the Mets Report is saying what a lot of Mets fans feel--Jenrry Mejia should make the team. Although I am salivating at the kid's stuff, I actually disagree with Dave on this one.

My buds at Hot Foot question the Alex Cora signing...again, something of a tired topic, but you can't argue with what they write. Was it truly a mistake? Survey says....I'm not sure.

Ed Ryan at Mets Fever asks about Pat Misch, specifically why the club is so quiet on him despite some success, his age, and his cheapness....it's a good question.

Oh, and about that artist rendering in the picture...if anyone sees that guy let me know immediately....I could use the gold.

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• Note: Fernando Martinez and Center Field (metsblog.com)