Mets Daily Notes

[love_that_reefer]

The Mets confirmed that Brian Bannister will open the season in the rotation and Aaron Heilman will pitch out of the bullpen.
Bannister's stuff is below average, so he's going to have to keep hitters off balance, something he'll have an easier time doing his first time around the league. As a result, April and May could be his best months of the season. It's likely that he'll have some value in NL-only leagues initially. Heilman, who should often work a couple of innings at a time in front of Billy Wagner, is worth $4-$5 as a reliever. With both Heilman and Duaner Sanchez available to protect leads, Jorge Julio is going to enter a lot of games with the Mets down. As he should.

Does this shock anyone else? I bet it shocks whoever wrote the post above.

[General]

The Tampa Tribune reports that the Devil Rays may try to trade for Aaron Heilman, likely offering the Mets Julio Lugo in return.
Heilman would likely start immediately in Tampa Bay and New York could use Lugo at second base. The two teams are also reportedly talking about a smaller deal involving Heath Bell.

[love_that_reefer]

DRays need to make this trade.

[General]

According to WFAN, Brian Bannister will likely start the second game of the season for the Mets, replacing the injured Victor Zambrano.
No quotes from the Mets yet, but the current guess is that Zambrano will miss a start or two. Bannister, who wasn't going to start until the sixth game, will now slot in between Tom Glavine and Pedro Martinez.

[General]

Billy Wagner (finger) said he was ready for the start of the season after pitching a scoreless inning against the Cardinals on Saturday.
He gave up two singles and struck out two in his first appearance in a couple of weeks. "It was very productive," Wagner said. "I got some work in and I was able to do a lot of things." He'll be the Mets' closer on Monday.

[General]

Mets purchased the contract of LHP Darren Oliver.
Oliver becomes a late addition after allowing four runs -- two earned -- in 11 2/3 innings this spring. He'll pitch in middle relief until the Mets find someone bette

[General]

Billy Wagner (finger) was happy with how his finger felt after Saturday's appearance.
His finger will likely be an issue all season, but at least he can start the season without pain. "It's going to be sore off and on all year long," Wagner added. "It's a worry in the back of your head because it's happened and it's not a very treatable thing."

[General]

Never thought I'd say this, but Bannister will take the mound for the Mutts as their number 2 starter.

[riverdunesrat]

That was a great play at the plate with LoDuca and Sorryano yesterday, whether he was really safe OR out, no matter. That play got my blood pumping with the excitement of opening day baseball. Those are the kind of moments I live for. Let's hope the Mets can keep up this momentum, huh. Nady looked pretty good too, still can't believe the Pads let him go.....

[DirtyKash]

Sweet. One year plus a day prison sentence for Doc Gooden.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060405/...oden_sentenced

[riverdunesrat]

Alls I got to say.....what took so freaking long??????????

[General]

Mike Pelfrey pitched two-hit ball over five scoreless innings for Single-A St. Lucie Thursday in his pro debut.
He struck out six and walked one. Pelfrey could spend most of his first pro season at Double-A, and an August or September arrival in the bigs can't be ruled out.

[General]

Cliff Floyd was going to get Saturday off against Dontrelle Willis, but after the game was rained out, manager Willie Randolph said he'd probably play tomorrow.
Victor Diaz was going to fill in for Floyd, and Chris Woodward and Ramon Castro were due to receive starts at second base and catcher, respectively. It remains to be seen whether any of those reserves will get to play tomorrow instead. Woodward is probably the best bet.

[General]

David Wright hit a two-run triple in the seventh and an RBI sacrifice fly in the ninth to drive in all three Mets runs in a 3-2 win over the Marlins on Sunday.
The triple was a liner that Marlins left fielder Jeremy Hermida misplayed into a two-run base hit. The sacrifice fly in the ninth off reliever Carlos Martinez was the game-winner.

[General]

Tom Glavine held the Marlins to two runs over six innings of work yesterday but was not involved in the decision.
Glavine left with a 2-0 deficit, but the Mets scored two in the seventh and one in the ninth to take a 3-2 victory. He has a 2.25 ERA after two starts against the Nationals and Marlins, but Glavine will have a tougher task when he faces the Brewers next week.