Questions:

Recently, Joseph Decaro of Mets Merized Online asked me to answer these questions....

1. When all is said and done, which pitcher will have had the better career, Mike Pelfrey or Philip Humber? Why?

Mike Pelfrey will have a better career simply because Phillip Humber is so injury prone. In Humber’s short career he has already needed Tommy John Surgery. I expect Pelfrey in the years to come to be a number 2 starter and believe he will continue to improve.

2. What can we expect from Mike Carp and when the time comes, will Carlos Delgado be re-signed by the Mets, or will Mike Carp take over for him at first base in 2009?

It is hard to say at this time if the Mets will resign Carlos Delgado. You can expect some good hitting from Mike Carp. He has power to all fields which is rarely seen at someone of his age. At this point, Carp is lacking defensively. His throws and glove are not always there. If Mike Carp continues to increase offensively and progresses defensively he might be looking at the future Mets First Base starting position.

3. We hear so much about Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez lately and how they will both be in the outfield of the future for the New York Mets. Considering that Carlos Beltran still has 5 years left on his contract, and that Lastings Milledge is also supposed to be the future of the team, what do you think the outfield look like in 2010 and why?

The Mets 2010 outfield is really up in the air. Carlos Beltran is almost a definite to still be the Mets starting Center Fielder due to the years left on his contract. Lastings Milledge will probably be the starting right fielder if he continues to improve and he will also have more experience than Gomez or Martinez. I hate to say it but it really looks like the Mets will end up trading either Carlos Gomez or Fernando Martinez for a solid young pitcher. My guess is it will be Gomez. Gomez is more likely to be traded because he is closer to the majors and is looked at as a Jose Reyes type player with a better build and perhaps more power. If Fernando Martinez lives up to his potential, he will be the Mets Starting Left fielder.

4. How would you rank the top five prospects in the Mets Minor Leagues?

1. Fernando Martinez
2. Carlos Gomez
3. Mike Pelfrey
4. Joe Smith
5. Ben Johnson
6. Mike Carp




5. It seems like the Mets somehow got the curse of the Bambino at second base (Baerga, Alomar, Matsui). I don't believe that Anderson Hernandez is the answer at second base, do the Mets have any second base prospects on the horizon in their minor league system?

Anderson Hernandez is really it. If he improves his bat I would be fine with him at second base. Remember that amazing catch he had last year. The only other option was Jeff Kepinger who they traded away last year.

6. Does Alay Soler have a future or a role with the New York Mets and if so what will it be?

Alay Soler could get his chance if he pitches well in Spring Training. He has shown excellence pitching having a 2 hit shutout against the Diamondbacks. He has a lot of experience from his pitching days in Cuba which could help him get an opportunity. I look at him as the John Maine of last year, not really being looked at but coming up big.

7. I loved Lastings Milledge from the time he first came up and hit that homerun and high-fived the fans. I also think he got a raw deal from the media. Do you think Lastings Milledge will make an impact this season on the Mets?

I think Lastings Milledge will have a major impact this season and will gain the starting right field role. Green has not shown up to hit, and if this continues look at Milledge to step up. He recently shaved hit head and said, “I’ve got to get my grown man on.” Now that shows maturity.
8. Why did the Mets Triple A team leave Norfolk after all those years and move all the way to New Orleans?

The Mets moved Triple A teams simply because their contract expired and was not resigned. Believe me; I am just as disappointed as everyone else to leave the Tides behind.