BaLLooN NoT True Believer!
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(4/3/04 12:46 pm)
Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
April 2, 2004
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Veteran Scott Erickson and rookie Tyler Yates were picked to fill out the New York Mets starting rotation Friday with Jae Seo being sent to the minors after a shaky spring.
Seo was one of the few bright spots during a last-place season for New York in 2003, going 9-12 with a 3.82 ERA in his rookie year.
Seo left the ballpark after finding out that he had been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, skipping the Mets night game against the Florida Marlins.
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Both manager Art Howe and general manager Jim Duquette said they expect Seo to rebound from the setback.
``He's a very hard worker and a fine young man and we still have hopes for him in the future,'' Howe said.
After saying earlier this spring that Seo would be New York's No. 4 starter based on last year's performance, Howe said Seo had pitched himself out of the rotation due in the spring.
Yates was overjoyed by the news.
``I was fighting for the No. 5 job and I'm the No. 4 starter now and it's unbelievable,'' Yates said. ``It's something that I've worked all my life for and it's like a dream come true.''
Erickson's appointment as the No. 5 starter meant Grant Roberts was returned to the bullpen to begin the season.
Howe and pitching coach Rick Peterson met with all four pitchers early in the day.
Yates didn't find out until January's mini-camp that the Mets decided to give him a chance as a starter. He'd been projected as a closer.
``He has a tremendous upside although he doesn't have as much experience as a starter,'' Duquette said. ``We feel like he's on the rise right now with his stuff and the improvement we've seen from last year to this spring.''
The Mets were worried about Roberts stamina and durability after working exclusively in relief last year.
``I think they were kind of curious how I was going to handle the load after not having it for a long time,'' Roberts said. ``I had a couple of bad innings but overall I think I did pretty well.''
Both Howe and Duquette said that they would still consider moving Roberts out of the bullpen and into a starting job in the future.
After sitting out last season, Erickson signed a minor-league contract with the Mets in the offseason.
``They had a lot of guys to look at,'' Erickson said. ``It was a different situation for myself because they already knew I could pitch. I had to prove that I was healthy and that's a different scenario.''
The organization has added starting depth with James Baldwin, Aaron Heilman and Seo in Norfolk to begin the season.
Updated on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 10 pm EST
O & A ALWAYS WIN IN THE END
dunsel252 There is nothing to fear, but life itself
SP is FINALLY GONE!
USA
Posts: 1116
(4/3/04 12:50 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
Seo will be back, but in the meantime, glad Yates got the shot.
".....shall dwell in the house of the lord for 6 months, with an option to buy......"
BaLLooN NoT True Believer!
Proud Member of the Phillips Fan Club!
USA
Posts: 20171
(4/3/04 12:54 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
Personally i'm very happy with this. I'd have loved to see Grant in the rotation, but this looks to be very promising! I can't wait to se how Yates pitches in the #4 spot of the rotation!
Good Luck Yates & Erickson!
O & A ALWAYS WIN IN THE END
dunsel252 There is nothing to fear, but life itself
SP is FINALLY GONE!
USA
Posts: 1118
(4/3/04 12:59 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
Anyone worried about our wonderful new pitching coach? I mean far from seeing our pitchers improve, some seem to have actually gotten WORSE.
".....shall dwell in the house of the lord for 6 months, with an option to buy......"
BaLLooN NoT True Believer!
Proud Member of the Phillips Fan Club!
USA
Posts: 20173
(4/3/04 1:05 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
I'm not worried about him. I just think that they arn't used to his way of calculating things and i think people are trying to hard to do what he wants. Once he settles in, things will be good. Look at the top 3 in Oakland.
O & A ALWAYS WIN IN THE END
dunsel252 There is nothing to fear, but life itself
SP is FINALLY GONE!
USA
Posts: 1120
(4/3/04 1:08 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
Al just took a line drive to the cheekbone. They took him off on a cart. That's all I know at the moment.
".....shall dwell in the house of the lord for 6 months, with an option to buy......"
BaLLooN NoT True Believer!
Proud Member of the Phillips Fan Club!
USA
Posts: 20176
(4/3/04 1:26 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
O & A ALWAYS WIN IN THE END
dunsel252 There is nothing to fear, but life itself
SP is FINALLY GONE!
USA
Posts: 1122
(4/3/04 1:39 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
Well Dave said it was a glancing blow, so maybe it didn't do any serious harm.
".....shall dwell in the house of the lord for 6 months, with an option to buy......"
TrueTemper Here in the Rubber Eden
USA
Posts: 49
(4/3/04 1:59 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
I dunno man, I'm getting a creepy feeling about this season already. Everything I've seen on TV (when they have been on) is a lot of the same ole same ole. OK starting pitching, unpredictable relief, sparse hitting and questionable defense, guys playing out of position, guys out or playing hurt......now "'ve heard that, "It ain't over till it's over", but could we be looking @ it a new variation ? "It ain't over till before it begins ?"
Still looking forward to going out to Shea w/ kid on the 17th however. Couldn't keep us away.
dunsel252 There is nothing to fear, but life itself
SP is FINALLY GONE!
USA
Posts: 1123
(4/3/04 2:27 pm)
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
But we've had decent springs before, and horrendous seasons. Maybe this is a good omen, who knows?
".....shall dwell in the house of the lord for 6 months, with an option to buy......"
Re: Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation
How can you not be worried with Erickson as our # 5? There is no point getting worried about this season beacuse for once the Mets have basically admitted theat they don't have a shot this year. We shoul all start worrying about next season. I'll start... We better get some pitching this (next) year.
Any one else tired of saying: "There's always next year."?
Yates and Erickson in, Seo out of Mets rotation 
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O & A ALWAYS WIN IN THE END
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