Mets Team Report

INSIDE PITCH

Aiming to increase the presence of Mets history throughout Citi Field, team officials announced a series of changes to the ballpark for 2010.

Among the alterations for the second year of the new stadium: the construction of a Mets Hall of Fame near the Jackie Robinson Rotunda (the entranceway for the majority of fans) and the renaming of sections of the ballpark after influential contributors to the organization.

The team received negative feedback from fans about the lack of a Mets presence in the ballpark during the inaugural season there. The perception was that principal owner Fred Wilpon, who grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and who attended high school with Sandy Koufax, had built a stadium that paid more tribute to the franchise for which he had a childhood affinity than to the Mets.

“These additions amplify our commitment to better recognize our team’s heritage and honor the players and memories our fans cherish,” Dave Howard, the Mets’ executive vice president for business, said in a statement. “Ownership is acting upon our fans’ desire to see more Mets around the ballpark. We hear our fans loud and clear and these additions continue the process that started last season.”

The Mets had a team Hall of Fame at their former home, Shea Stadium, but it was tucked away in the Diamond Club and had been dormant in recent years. No one had been inducted since 2002, when outfielder Tommie Agee was selected as the 21st member. The new selection committee will include broadcasters Gary Cohen and Howie Rose, former pitcher Al Jackson, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and Howard.

Other members of the team’s Hall of Fame with Agee are: Joan Payson (inducted 1981), Casey Stengel (1981), Gil Hodges (1982), George M. Weiss (1982), William A. Shea (1983), Johnny Murphy (1983), Ralph Kiner (1984), Bob Murphy (1984), Lindsey Nelson (1984), Bud Harrelson (1986), Rusty Staub (1986), Tom Seaver (1988), Jerry Koosman (1989), Ed Kranepool (1990), Cleon Jones (1991), Jerry Grote (1992), Tug McGraw (1993), Mookie Wilson (1996), Keith Hernandez (1997) and Gary Carter (2001).

“The reformation of the Mets Hall of Fame committee is central to our concerted efforts to better connect our present and future to our past,” Wilpon said in a statement. “It reinforces the organization’s and our fans’ shared desire to recognize our greatest players. With our 2010 opening of the Mets Hall of Fame & Museum at Citi Field, now was the time to bring this group together.”

Days later, the Mets also announced their uniforms were going retro. The new pinstriped home uniforms for 2010 will be an off-white shade rather than bright white, similar to the uniforms from the 1960s.

NOTES, QUOTES

—of F  ernando Martinez, who underwent season-ending surgery July 15 on his right knee to repair torn meniscus cartilage, has started playing winter ball in his native Dominican Republic. Martinez made his season debut with Escogido on Nov. 20.

• Ike Davis, who is projected to open the 2011 season as the team’s major league first baseman, finished the Arizona Fall League season with a .341 average, four homers and 16 RBIs in 85 at-bats. Davis, playing in his native Phoenix, is the son of former major league pitcher Ron Davis.

• 1B Carlos Delgado(notes) indicated that he plans to begin playing winter ball in Puerto Rico in mid-December. He did not return to the majors after undergoing May 19 surgery to repair a torn labrum and remove a bone spur in his right hip.

• Major League Baseball is negotiating with a promoter to move a Mets-Marlins series, likely in late June, to Puerto Rico. The Mets, who would serve as the visiting team, played the Montreal Expos at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan in 2003-04.

• Former Astros and Angels manager Terry Collins was hired as minor league field coordinator. Collins was a candidate for the Mets’ managerial position that went to Willie Randolph five years ago.

• Ken Oberkfell will return as manager of the Class AAA Buffalo Bisons. The staff also includes Ricky Bones remaining as the pitching coach and Jack Voigt as the hitting coach.

By The Numbers:   12.56—Top prospect Jenrry Mejia’s final ERA in the Arizona Fall League, where the right-hander tossed 14 1/3 innings.

Quote To Note:   “Chip learned from Tom Kelly in Minnesota, where everything is about fundamentals, fundamentals and fundamentals. The third base coach is such a critical position, and we think it’s a great plus that he comes to us with a ready-made knowledge of the National League.”—Manager Jerry Manuel, on the hiring of Chip Hale as third base coach. Hale previously held that position with the Diamondbacks.

ROSTER REPORT

The Mets, despite the National League’s highest payroll, tied Arizona for the league’s third-worst record. While injuries contributed to the woeful season, Mets officials have significant work to do to retool the team for 2010.

Biggest Needs:   The Mets’ Nos. 2-4 pitchers in the rotation, RHP Mike Pelfrey(notes), LHP Oliver Perez(notes) and RHP John Maine(notes), combined for a 20-22 record, so upgrading the rotation would be welcome. The Mets also need to replace free agent C Brian Schneider(notes), add a power-hitting left fielder, an eighth-inning reliever and a left-hander for the bullpen.

Free Agents:   C Brian Schneider, 1B Carlos Delgado, 1B/OF Fernando Tatis(notes), INF Alex Cora(notes), RHP J.J. Putz(notes), OF Gary Sheffield(notes), INF Ramon Martinez(notes), RHP Elmer Dessens(notes), LHP Ken Takahashi(notes) (released).

Schneider acknowledged the Mets have no plans to re-sign him. Delgado is unlikely to return, with the organization seemingly prepared to use Daniel Murphy(notes) at first base. Cora and Tatis may be re-signed. Sheffield and Dessens may be at the end of their careers, although both indicated they want to play in 2010.

Arbitration-eligible:   LHP Pedro Feliciano(notes), RF Jeff Francoeur(notes), RHP Sean Green(notes), RHP John Maine, OF Angel Pagan(notes), RHP Tim Redding(notes), OF Jeremy Reed(notes), OF Cory Sullivan(notes).

Francoeur would have been non-tendered by the Braves had he not been traded, but he is expected to return to the Mets, perhaps with a multiyear deal. Reed is the most likely to be cut loose. Redding finished well in the rotation and could be brought back in a long-relief/spot-starter role if he agrees to a contract comparable to this year’s $2.25 million base salary.

In Limbo:   GM Omar Minaya remains on shaky ground with the team’s fan base due to the team’s disappointing results and his handling of internal matters.

Medical Watch:  

SS Jose Reyes (torn right hamstring, right leg surgery in October 2009) should be healthy in time for spring training.

RF Jeff Francoeur (left thumb surgery in November 2009) is expected to be fully healthy in time for spring training.

LHP Johan Santana(notes) (left elbow surgery in September 2009) finished the season on the disabled list after having bone chips removed. The surgery should not impact his preparations for 2010.

LHP Oliver Perez (right knee surgery in September 2009) missed the season’s final six weeks.

LHP Jon Niese (right hamstring surgery in August 2009) is recovering from the operation.

OF Fernando Martinez(notes) (right knee surgery in July 2009) was playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic with Escogido.