Even More Diversity for the Mets

The introduction of Chin-lung Hu, the Mets' newest utility infielder, on Wednesday certainly got more attention than the unveiling of a normal backup middle infielder, but there was also a cultural draw.Hu, acquired from the Dodgers in a trade last month for Minor League pitcher Mike Antonini, will become the Mets' first Taiwanese-born player, assuming he makes the team out of Spring Training. Hu, 26, is only the sixth Taiwanese player to appear in the Majors. His new team also plays in a very culturally diverse community, with large Chinese and Taiwanese populations."It's a great feeling," Hu said of joining the Mets. "I'm so excited. ... I can't wait for the season to start and Spring Training, and to try to win ballgames."

THE SCOOP from Mets.com: While not denying the value of Hu's cultural presence, general manager Sandy Alderson repeatedly affirmed that his addition was a baseball decision.

"I didn't want him to think he had been brought in here for any other reasons than his own ability," Alderson said. "I think it's great that he represents a significant part of the community here. I certainly would not say that that had no impact whatsoever, but ultimately, this was a baseball decision. I think it's important for him to hear that."

Hu's primary role will be as a backup shortstop to Jose Reyes, but he could provide some additional help around the infield, Alderson said Wednesday.

"He provides a nice set of capabilities for us," Alderson said. "One, he can back up at shortstop -- maybe give Jose a day off occasionally. We think he can play second base very well additionally -- maybe late-inning defense, given what we have at second base and who's competing for that starting role. He'll be able to move around."

While bouncing back and forth from the Dodgers to Triple-A Albuquerque over the last several seasons, Hu has tallied 191 plate appearances in the big leagues, with a career .191 average. In the Minors, though, Hu has had greater success. Hu batted .317 for Albuquerque last season, including 16 extra-base hits and eight stolen bases.

"He can run a little bit and offensively give us a little pop," Alderson said. "He's an overall quality utility player, and we'll see where it goes. You hate to pigeonhole someone, but I think he's going to be a nice addition for us."

The former Dodger simply outlined his hitting approach while explaining how hitting is different in the Minors and the Majors.

"When you stand in the [batter's] box, I think you've got to feel comfortable," Hu said. "I know it's not an easy game. Just don't try to think too much and try to have fun and relax."

His familiarity with manager Terry Collins should also help him relax. Collins worked with Hu while he was working in the Dodgers' Minor League system.

"I know him a lot," Hu said. "He was with me two years. He's a great coach. Everybody is scared of him a little bit."

Responding to a follow-up question about why the Dodgers' Minor Leaguers were scared of Collins, Hu said: "He's a disciplinarian, but he's good."

Assuming he makes the team, Hu will be reunited with Collins as the manager embarks on his first season at the helm of the Mets.

With the additions of Hu, pitchers Chris Young and Chris Capuano, Collins' new club is basically complete, Alderson said. While it has been a conservative offseason, Alderson expressed confidence in the players he added this winter.

"Actually, I feel pretty good about it," Alderson said. "We've been able to address all of our needs. Hopefully we've addressed those needs well. We're going to find out in Spring Training and early in the season. But given what latitude we had, I'm actually happy with what we have. I think we've maximized our resources, and [we] are happy with what we have going into Spring Training."

The Oliver Perez Disaster

So when someone says there's no harm in bringing Oliver Perez to camp since we're paying him anyway, I strongly disagree. In fact, I think each day that he remains on the roster, he's costing the Mets money. ... Despite all the good they've done this off season, every time there's a bad pitching report on him or a chance he could be cut that he's not, the negative sentiment is reinforced. ... every mention of Perez only makes it even harder for this front office to climb out from under the negativity that surrounds this organization. ... Yes, eating $12 million is going to hurt, but how much more is he costing them everyday that he stays.

Ed Ryan, Mets Fever

Last Friday, in this video, Ted Berg asked me about Perez and Luis Castillo, and I said: “Ollie will get a shot to compete as a reliever. I don’t think he’ll be in the rotation. I know what the team is saying in public, but in private, when they get there, I think he’ll end up working out with relief pitchers to see if he’s capable of that role. I’m not saying he’s the front-runner to be the last guy in the bullpen or the lefty specialist, but I do think he’ll be given the opportunity. And, frankly, with that salary, I can understand why. I think if he gets beaten out, by say Mike O’Conner or Tim Byrdak or some other guy out performs him, and it comes down to taking the better talent or this guy who is underperforming and making $12 million, I think they’ll cut Perez – I really do.”

I see no real harm in this, so long as Terry Collins can properly manage the situation, the media and Perez’s teammates. At this point, contrary to what Ed speculates on in the above link, I don’t think Sandy Alderson, the Wilpons or even the ticket department care about any lingering negativity among fans in regards to Perez. It is what it is. I’m sure they’re used to it. The thing is, while they’re paying him either way, it’s not like they’ve got the makings of the greatest bullpen in history. Remember, if all the fringe guys perform equally, O’Conner or Byrdak can be sent to Triple-A Buffalo. So, Perez could stick through April, then if he fails, the Mets can bring up Byrdak and see what happens, and if he fails they can bring up O’Conner. But, to cut Perez to satisfy fan emotions, and limit roster flexibility early in the year, would be foolish.

The key is this: If Perez sucks, and O’Conner or Byrdak are terrific, If – IF – in that situation Sandy keeps Perez, oh boy… look out. I’ll lose it, and so will other fans. Sandy and his staff strike me as people who only intend to take the best, most talented 25 players. Period. End of story. If they don’t, and they do what Omar Minaya did, that is when the real, deep-seeded negativity will kick in… I guarantee it.

Terry Collins Insights on Carlos Beltran & Jason Bay

Question: Can having a healthy Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay help to improve Wright’s production?

Terry Collins: They can’t pitch around him (laughing). I don’t care what you say, when David Wright walks to home plate there are certain pitchers who don’t want to pitch to him. So, if you want to, these other two guys are gonna be dangerous too. I told David, there are gonna be times when pitchers can’t get Beltran out, they’re gonna have to get David out, they’ll have to come after him and he’ll get much better pitches to hit and I think that’s gonna help him.

Terry Collins Q&A on David Wright

Terry Collins talked to Matthew Cerone.

Question: Is 150 strike outs too much for Wright?

Terry Collins: Not if you’re gonna be a run producer. I mean, we ask him to produce runs. So, he had to be aggressive at the plate. I’ve told him, I just want him to be David Wright. I want him to be a good hitter. I know one thing, with our new hitting coach, who I think is gonna do a great job, I think he’ll be a little more selective at the plate, because of our philosophy, and so he’ll get more pitches to hit and I think he’ll do damage with those pitches.

Question: Do you think David stressed a bit, having had to carry the team a lot over the last couple of years?

Terry Collins: Well, I think that is what he was asked to do. And he’s the kind of player who just accepts it. He says, ‘Tell me what you want, and I’ll go do the best I can to do it.’ I assume if you told David Wright that we need more home runs out of you, he’s gonna swing for the fences.

Citi Field Gets 2013 All-Star Game!

Ted Berg reports on Twitter that the New York Mets deal for the 2013 All-Star Game is a “done deal”. So I suggest you start saving you pennies, nickles, dimes, and quarters now. This will be very expensive, but very worth it. Citi Field has been around long enough. The Mets have not had the Mid-Summer Classic since 1964.

I had fun at the Fanfest they held at the Javits Center and at the All-Star Parade when the Yankees had the All-Star game in 2008.

This will be fun. I look forward to meeting Mets fans from all over the country and possibly the world. Definitely make sure to attend this event.

Can't Beat him? Sign him. Mets grab Willie Harris

Longtime Mets nemesis Willie Harris is likely bringing his glove to New York.

Harris, 32, intends to sign a one-year, minor league contract with an invitation to Mets spring training, a baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com. If he makes the team, he would serve as a fourth outfielder.

Harris' career batting average against the Mets is only .159, but he has been every bit the tormentor as other notable Mets-killers of recent years, such as Pat Burrell and Chipper Jones.

Among his memorable ninth-inning grabs against the Mets in Queens:

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April 10, 2010: With the bases loaded, two out and the Mets trailing by a run, Rod Barajas sends a line drive to left field. Harris makes a sprawling, game-ending catch to preserve the Washington Nationals' 4-3 win at Citi Field.

May 15, 2008: Harris makes a diving catch at the left-field line on Ryan Church to preserve a 1-0 win for the Nationals at Shea Stadium, after Carlos Beltran had led off the ninth with a single.

Aug. 9, 2007: Harris takes away a homer from Carlos Delgado with a leap to preserve a 7-6 win for the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium.

Harris was even at it last Grapefruit League season against the Mets, taking a spring-training homer away from Henry Blanco.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told ESPNNewYork.com Monday that three areas of need remained for the team this offseason: a starting pitcher, left-handed reliever and backup outfielder. Since then, left-handed reliever Taylor Tankersley has been signed to a minor league contract, and now Harris is on board to provide outfield depth.

Jason Bay, Beltran and Angel Pagan, if healthy, are expected to serve as the Mets' starting outfield, but the organization had little depth behind them.

With the team committed to placing rookie Lucas Duda at Triple-A Buffalo to ensure playing time if he is not going to be a starter at the major league level, and with prospect Fernando Martinez's inability to stay healthy, ex-Twin Jason Pridie might have been the top option as a fourth outfielder before Harris came on board. And the organization was not enthused by that prospect.

Harris also has started 167 career games at second base, and could be used on a limited basis there as well. The Mets may be relying on an unproven player at the position -- Daniel Murphy, Rule 5 pick Brad Emaus or Justin Turner -- if Luis Castillo is released during spring training, which is a distinct possibility.

Harris hit only .183 last season with the Nationals, but he did produce 10 homers in 224 at-bats. He also walked 33 times, making his on-base percentage .291.

Harris hit only .199 on balls put in play in 2010, which signals bad luck. The major league average was .297 on balls put in play.

Harris cheerfully has played the role of villain against the Mets.

The day after Harris' game-saving catch against Barajas last April, Francisco Rodriguez hit him with a cut fastball on the left forearm in the ninth inning, leading both teams to storm the field. Rodriguez later indicated he thought Harris was cursing at him, but Harris insisted any expletive merely was a reaction to the discomfort of getting hit.

"It's really nothing with us -- nothing with me or with those guys," Harris explained earlier that series about the heartache he has caused the Mets with his glove. "When you have 5,000, 10,000 people out there calling you all kinds of names and saying all types of things which aren't nice, you've got to find some way to make them hush. In my mind, I'm saying: 'You better not hit that ball to me.' That's what I'm thinking. That's what gets me going. That's my own little thing that gets me going when I'm on defense."

Angel Pagan Talking Big

"If we have health, we can give them a fight. Everyone is counting on Philadelphia, but they have to do it. I got my money on my team, bro. I love challenges and that's why I'm looking forward to it. I believe in surprises."

- Angel Pagan, in a phone interview with the Daily News.

I can’t wait for Spring Training. It’s my favorite time of year. I get totally wrapped up in this type of talk. And, while I know some fans freak out and hate the hype and ‘kool aide,’ I find the combination of hustle and hope and the unknown to be somewhat invigorating and a whole lot of fun – especially following a quiet, cold winter.Preach it, Angel… you only live once, have fun and enjoy the show.

Pitching Acquisitions in Review

Continuing to execute their strategy of low-risk acquisitions on a static budget, the Mets on Monday announced that they have signed veteran pitchers Chris Capuano and Taylor Buchholz, both of whom have undergone Tommy John surgery in recent years.To clear the necessary space on their 40-man roster, the Mets designated right-handed reliever Ryota Igarashi for assignment.Capuano, 32, a former NL All-Star and the more established of the two new pitchers, signed a one-year deal worth a reported $1.5 million. A left-hander who once won 18 games for the Brewers and twice threw more than 219 innings in a season, Capuano returned to the big leagues last season after injuries kept him sidelined for all of 2008 and 2009. He finished 4-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 66 innings.

In his best season in 2005, Capuano went 18-12 with a 3.99 ERA for the Brewers -- three years after undergoing the first of his two Tommy John surgeries. The second of those operations came three years ago, in May 2008.

Buchholz, 29, underwent Tommy John surgery a year later, in 2009. A right-hander who has spent most of his career as a reliever after beginning it as a starter, Buchholz returned to the Majors last season and posted a 3.75 ERA in nine appearances split between the Blue Jays and Rockies. His one-year contract is reportedly worth a non-guaranteed $600,000.

Once a top prospect in the Phillies and Astros organizations, Buchholz did not flourish in the big leagues until the Rockies converted him to a full-time reliever in 2007. The following season, Buchholz posted a 2.17 ERA, held opposing batters to a .188 average and struck out more than three times as many batters as he walked over a career-high 63 appearances.

The moves are the latest in new general manager Sandy Alderson's strategy of dipping into a pool of low-risk players -- specifically once-successful pitchers who have been derailed by injuries. Alderson has also inquired about free agents Jeff Francis and Chris Young, both of whom fit that description. Because Capuano and Buchholz came at relatively low prices, they should not prevent the Mets from continuing to pursue Francis, Young and others.

Earlier this offseason, the Mets fleshed out their pitching staff by acquiring relievers D.J. Carrasco and Boof Bonser.And despite Monday's transactions, Igarashi may still fit into that bullpen mix. Though the Mets designated Igarashi for assignment, exposing him to other teams, his $1.75 million salary and underwhelming track record should discourage teams from making a claim. Assuming he clears waivers, Igarashi will report to camp and compete for a roster spot as originally planned.In a rookie season marred by injury, Igarashi posted a 7.12 ERA in 34 appearances for the Mets last year.

Mets Make Odd Deal

Left-hander Taylor Tankersley and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract.The 27-year-old had a 7.50 ERA and no decisions in 27 games with the Florida Marlins last season, holding hitters to a .200 average in 30 at-bats. He was 4-2 with one save and a 3.42 ERA in 27 games as Triple-A New Orleans.He is 8-3 with four saves and a 4.58 ERA in four major league seasons, missing 2009 with a stress fracture in his left elbow.

Tankersley is not a very good player, as we can see.