Mets (ss) 10
Marlins 6
PORT ST. LUCIE – It has been nearly a month into spring training, with less than a month until Opening Day. So even though the Mets still have three weeks to settle their lineup quandaries, there already has been ample time for some early conclusions.
The Mets came into spring training with several issues and questions, and now is an appropriate time for a progress report. Once again, in the spirit of the Grapefruit League – and in no particular order – here’s a look at the Sweet and Sour so far:
* Sweet – The Second Base Kids. Going into camp, Anderson Hernandez and Jeff Keppinger were part of a four-man crew that, along with Kaz Matsui and Bret Boone, were expected to compete for the starting second base job.
Keppinger is batting .312 and Hernandez .292. Willie Randolph labeled Keppinger “a longshot” yesterday, though, so of the two youngsters, Hernandez probably has the better chance of winning the job.
* Sour – The Second Base Incumbent. Matsui is hitting .160 and has three errors, including a throwing miscue yesterday in a split-squad 10-6 victory over the Marlins. But Randolph still said yesterday that Matsui will likely play the most games at second in the spring; with Jose Reyes at the WBC, Hernandez is seeing a lot of action at short.
As for potential alternatives, an AL team official said last week the Mets would rather have Boston’s Alex Cora than Tony Graffanino, but did not believe the Red Sox would part with Cora.
* Sweet . . . and Sour – The Non-Established Starters. Not surprisingly, the performances from the unproven starters have ranged from outstanding to wretched. Fifth-starter favorite Aaron Heilman has been excellent (5 IP, 1 ER, 5 K, 0 BB) and minor leaguer Brian Bannister has been the camp’s most effective pitcher (five shutout innings, two hits). A few walks aside, Yusaku Iriki has been solid.
But Jose Lima, Alay Soler and John Maine have not exactly delivered. Last week, an AL team official said Soler has “been brutal,” and yesterday, Soler gave up four more earned runs in a split-squad 11-7 loss to the Braves, and overall has given up eight earned runs in 31/3innings.
Maine was blasted for six earned runs yesterday in two innings against Atlanta, and after tossing three scoreless frames against Florida yesterday, Lima was hit for four runs in the fourth – his second time through the heart of the Marlins’ lineup.
* Sour – Too Much Pain. So far in camp, the list of Mets who have had some kind of malady includes Pedro Martinez, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, Victor Zambrano, Juan Padilla, Cliff Floyd and Xavier Nady – probably seven of the 17 or 18 most important Mets on the team.
Martinez’s is the most serious, but Floyd’s kidney situation also bears watching, and Padilla might need Tommy John surgery (he’s slated to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum today). Delgado, meanwhile, has only five at-bats all spring, though he does have five hits.
* Sweet – Surprises. One question heading into spring was whether a new Roberto Hernandez (i.e., a key player who was an afterthought in spring training) would emerge. So far, candidates include power righty reliever Henry Owens (even though he has not pitched above A-ball) and new outfielder Xavier Nady, who is having a superb spring.
Randolph said there is no favorite in right field (though Victor Diaz is hitting .300), but Nady had two more hits yesterday and is hitting .476. Randolph said yesterday he believes Nady is capable of “at least 20 home runs.”
mark.hale@nypost.com
