Mike Pelfrey walks off the field in a 2011 game (photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
I think yesterday may have been the most depressing day of the off-season since the Miami Marlins held their press conference to introduce Jose Reyes. Consider:
- Mike Pelfrey got a $1.79 million raise for finishing 2011 with a 7-13 record and a 4.74 ERA, as the New York Mets avoided arbitration with their four eligible players. (If you haven’t guessed, Pelfrey is my least favorite current Met not named Jason Bay.)
- The trial in the case between Irving Picard and the New York Mets owners is expected to start on March 19th, smack in the middle of spring training – the one time of year that even the worst teams should be able to find some reason for optimism.
- Anthony Rieber wrote about Ike Davis‘ rehab from last season’s ankle injury for Newsday, which has to include a look at the way the team handles injuries. And no Mets fan needs to be reminded of how poorly injuries have been handled over the past few years.
- Stephen Keane wonders how the Mets will handle Jose Reyes‘ return to Flushing on April 24th and seems to think some sort of team-produced tribute is in order. While I think the Mets should make some sort of pre-game presentation to Reyes to recognize him for winning the batting title, I don’t want a big production. It should be up to the fans to react to Reyes in whatever way they believe is appropriate – I don’t want Alex Anthony or Howie Rose telling me how to feel.
We’re 33 days away from spring training… and I can’t say I’m really looking forward to it this morning.
Boy is that a hard pill to swallow, giving Pelf a raise. If ever someone was due to have a good year it should be him, he owes us!
During the Winter Coat Drive of December 2011 and the Blood Drive of January 5th, the Mets gave away vouchers to all donors, good for any April 2012 home game at CitiField. Any home games, that is, with the exception of the April 24-26 homestand versus Miami. Those tickets, apparently, we’ll have to purchase.
I can’t blame them too much – that’s the only series that’s likely to be a big draw, outside of the Mets/Yankees games and maybe the Phillies ones (if the Philly fans decide to make the trip up.)