Weekly Spring Training Roundup

Hey all, Glass Man back at you after another busy week. Have we slowed down in recent weeks? Yes. Will it become a trend? No. Unique circumstances at work and in my search for future employment have eaten up a lot of my free time, but both should slow down again in the coming weeks.

The Mets are back in the headlines with the boys of summer having reported for spring. News out of camp so far has been mostly positive. Here are my takes on some of the ongoing stories (including a spoiler-full response to the Top Chef finale):

1. Luis leading off, Mr. Glass batting third

Hate it but respect it. Let's start with respect. This team needs to position its players in whatever way will enable them to best realize their potential. And I'm willing to believe that Luis Castillo's potential could best be tapped with him in the leadoff spot.

I'm also willing to believe that Reyes can be a productive three hitter, but here's where it starts to get messy. On a team with three potential three hitters (Wright, Beltran, Delgado), why would you add in a fourth?

Meanwhile, I have no doubt that Reyes can be a great job in the three-hole, but it's also possible it would be a rough transition. Would he revert to the all-hack, no-eye vintage Reyes we remember from 2005 (and still see flashes of in more recent seasons)?

On a more personal note, while I want Reyes to take the next step in his career, there's a part of me that will always idealize the young and fiery Mr. Glass who finally announced his arrival with a thrilling 2006. In a sense, his youth was my youth.

Reyes at the top of the order was part of what made that 2006 team special, and I guess I'd been holding out hope that he would play the same role on another special Mets team. It could still happen. From the sounds of it this move to the top of the order is just an idea, and unlikely to become the norm.

But still, someday it likely will be the norm. And when that day comes, well, we'll none of us be as young as we used to be.

2. Ryan Church, forgotten man

Lost amid all the talk of Manny Ramirez and Dan Murphy/Fernando Tatis out in left was the returning right fielder for the Mets, Ryan Church. Ryan completely shat the bed after returning from his second concussion of last season, but if he can return to form, he can be a major unexpected asset for this team.

He'll never be Manny Ramirez at the plate, but he showed flashes at the beginning of last season of being a truly productive corner outfielder, and his arm is nothing to eff with. Besides, he now seems to have a post-homer celebration with Jose Reyes (yep, they do 'em in spring training too). All in all, consider me pulling for Church.

3. Johan Santana, post-op

The panic amid the Mets faithful is Johan's elbow trouble, which caused him to scratch his first spring training start. Calm down people. It's February. If he misses a start now, well, that's the luxury of games that don't count.

Now if he misses his next start... hold on to your fucking hat.

4. Top Chef... what?!

Hosea... seriously? Come on, this was Stefan's competition, he basically ran the table from the start. Meanwhile, Hosea, he who cannot cook dessert, hardly did anything exceptional all season, besides whispering sweet nothings in Leah's ear.

Sweetest Carla, for all her infectious personality, simply didn't bring it in the finale, so that's that.

It really bugs me that that herb Hosea won. Maybe it's because the Mets never win that I take things like this very personally. Perhaps I should calm down.

- A.F.O.M.G.