Daily Roster Speculation

Reporters (and bloggers) across New York are speculating about the Mets opening day roster. Today the Mets sent Nelson Figueroa, Rene Rivera and Andy Green down to the Minor League camp. This bodes well for bench-warmer wannabees Ramon Castro, Fernando Tatis and even Marlon Anderson to make the Flushing squad.

One big question is not whether or not Fernando Martinez will make the Mets roster, but whether or not he will grace the hallowed grounds of Coca-Cola Field. Some think that he will be sent back to AA Binghamton, where he can build up his AB's despite all of his injuries. That would be unfortunate for Bisons fans, who would enjoy watching one of the nation's top hitting prospects play in Buffalo.

SNY to Air Five Bisons Games

The Buffalo Bisons report that SportsNetNY will air five Buffalo Bisons Games over the course of the season, starting with a 1:10pm home game versus the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (5/28). The complete schedule is...

May 28 -Lehigh Valley (1:05 p.m.)
July 6 -@Rochester (7:05 p.m.)
July 19 -Toledo (1:05 p.m.)
Aug. 13 -Rochester (1:05 p.m.)
Aug. 31 -Rochester (7:05 p.m.)

Bisons Roster Starts to Take Shape

Jonathon Niese and Robinson Cancel were among eight players optioned to AAA Buffalo yesterday by the Mets. The move essentially guarantees that the fifth starter spot in the Mets rotation will go to Livan Hernandez, who has done well in proving himself this spring. Neise expressed his dissapointment, stating, ""I'm disappointed, not at anyone but myself. It's just one of those things."

Catcher Robinson Cancel, who played 27 games with the Mets last year (2.45 BA), also will join the Bisons on opening day. Click here to see the updated Bisons roster.

Bisons Announce Radio and Television Schedule

Bisons.com has announced its radio and television schedule for the upcoming season. Entercom's WWKB 152, the Bisons flagship station, will carry all 144 games. Newsradio 930 WBEN will air 22 Sunday Bisons games, and WGR SportsRadio 550 will air "Game of the Week" broadcasts, with a specific schedule yet to be determined. Time Warner Cable SportsNet Channel 13 will broadcast 37 games throughout the season, including the home opener against the Pawtucket Red Sox on April ninth. All games will continue to be available, free of charge, at bisons.com.

Behind the mic will be the"Voice of the Bisons" Ben Wagner, color analyst Duke McGuire and new addtion Joel Godett, who joins the Bisons from the Salem Avalanche (A).

Buffalo News Slams WBC

Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News wrote an article yesterday pointing out all all of the shortcomings of the World Baseball Classic. Topping his list were:

1. Marquee Stars Refusing to Play (see Ryan Howard)

2. The Negative Effect on Spring Training Programs

3. Potential for Injury

I, for one, am so starved for baseball in March that I'd watch a beer-league softball game if it was televised. I also appreciate the fervor of international fans, who view the Classic as a means of celebrating their respective country's baseball legacy. There are interesting side stories as well, like David Wright and Jimmy Rollins sharing a bench together. There are comeback stories, like Pedro Martinez throwing four scoreless innings against the Netherlands (I know, it was the Netherlands, after all).

Adam Dunn, gave his endorsement last night when he described the Classic as, "a playoff atmosphere" and "better than the All-Star Game." What more could we, as baseball fans, hope for in the middle of March?

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Garcia and Hernandez Start Today's Games

The Mets played two games today, sending one squad to play the Nationals in Viera, Florida while another squad played the annual exhibition game against the University of Michigan at Tradition Field. Three potential leading men for the Bisons, Tim Redding, Livan Hernandez and Freddy Garcia, took the mound.

Hernandez allowed 2 run on 4 hits and 0 walks in 3.0 IP.

Garcia allowed 3 hits and 0 runs in 2.0 IP

Tim Redding allowed 5 runs on 5 hits in 1/3 IP, ouch.

Bisons Roster Predictions: Position Players

As spring training rolls along, players on the bubble for making the Mets opening day roster have started to make their cases:

Angel Pagan, who is vying for a bench spot, is batting .467 in fifteen at-bats thus far. His value carries onto the field as well, where he is well equipped to play all three outfield positions. We won't be seeing him in Buffalo.

Fernando Tatis is just 1 for 5 thus far, but can play both infield and outfield positions well. He's a right-handed bat that batted .297 last year in over 273 at-bats.

Nick Evans started out hot last year when called up to the Mets. His bat quickly cooled and he ended the season with .257 average in 109 at-bats. Although he stumbled around left field last year, his main value would be as a back-up to Carlos Delgado.

Marlon Anderson is 2 for 8 so far in spring training, an improvement over his horrific 2008 season. His left-handed bat is another strike against him.

Jeremy Reed has the benefit of a large contract keeping him out of the minors. He's batting .400 thus far and can play all outfield positions.

Cory Sullivan picked up this offseason, played with the Rockies over the last four years. He's in direct competition with Reed and Anderson for a bench spot, and has two hits in 9 at-bats this spring training.

Buffalo Bisons Job Fair Scheduled

For anyone who love the Bisons so much they'd like to work for them for $7.40/hr, the team has announced a job fair for Saturday, March 7th at Coca-Cola Field. Available positions include servers, concession attendants, gift shop employees, grounds crew members, etc.

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David Wright and Team USA on David Letterman

David Wright and other members of Team USA are scheduled to present David Letterman's 'Top Ten List' on Thursday, according to CBS. Team USA plays Canada in their first game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Saturday at 2:00pm. The game will be televised on ESPN 2.

In other news you've already heard, A-Rod will likely miss the WBC due to a cyst found on his hip. The Yankees announced on Tuesday that Rodriguez will travel to Vail, Colo., where he is to be examined and evaluated by Dr. Marc Phillipon, a hip specialist at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic.

Torey Lovullo Hit By Shattered Bat

Former Buffalo Bisons player and Manager Torey Lovullo was struck above the eye during the fourth inning of the Indians/Rockies games yesterday. Lovullo has a significant black eye and received nine stitches to his forehead. This news according to Anthony Castrovince at mlb.com. (Oh, and yes it was a maple bat)

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Bisons Offer Online Ticket Rebate

The Bisons are offering a $2.00 ticket rebate for online purchases through their website. Also available are flex-packs, a build your own 'pick-a-pack, BPO July 3rd tickets, and family four-packs. I couldn't seem to access individual tickets, though, as the schedule still isn't showing the little green 'T'.

Mets Depart for World Baseball Classic

Fifteen members of Mets Spring Training departed for the World Baseball Classic today. Six will play for Puerto Rico, two for Mexico and two for the United States. This is also the time the GM's and managers go to church every Sunday, walk around with rosary beads and rabbits' feet, call their mothers to tell them they love them, etc.

The players are:

Carlos Beltran (Puerto Rico)
Shawn Bowman (Canada)
Alex Cora (Puerto Rico)
Carlos Delgado (Puerto Rico)
Elmer Dessens (Mexico)
Jesus Feliciano (Puerto Rico)
Pedro Feliciano (Puerto Rico)
Nelson Figueroa (Puerto Rico)
Oliver Perez (Mexico)
J.J. Putz (USA)
Jose Reyes (Dominican Republic)
Francisco Rodriquez (Venezuela)
Ruben Tejada (Panama)
Stefan Welch (Australia)
David Wright (USA)

The Mets and Red Sox top the list of MLB teams for number of players sent (15). Click here to see the complete list of MLB players participating, here to see the brackets, and here to see the current schedule.

Mets Wallop Astros 13-1

Yesterday, the Mets trounced the Houston Astros by a score of 13-1. John Maine was the game's starter, and threw two innings allowing one run on one hit and two walks. Brian Schneider had five RBI's including a grand slam, Carlos Delgado and Ramon Castro split six RBI's.

Freddy Garcia starts the Mets next Grapefruit League game on Tuesday at 1:10pm. The game will air on SNY

Complete Boxscore

Red Wings to Star in PBS Reality Show

Milb.com reports that the Rochester Red Wings will be featured in an upcoming PBS series titled "Minor League." The show will cover the Red Wings 2009 season and will air in thirteen 30 minute episodes in February of 2010. According to the report:

"MINOR LEAGUE will not only take a historical look at the Red Wings but bring you inside the clubhouse to see what it takes to make it to "THE SHOW" from a player's perspective. See the physical and mental challenges players/coaches deal with on a daily basis, promotions to the Major Leagues, life outside the ballpark, and much more. "

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