MET NOTES
MIAMI – Cliff Floyd called Pudge Rodriguez a Hall of Fame player yesterday afternoon, but he also called out his former team for signing the 31-year-old catcher.
Floyd, a Marlin from 1997-2002 who was rebuffed repeatedly in his request for a long-term contract, couldn’t believe the supposedly destitute Marlins anted up $10 million to sign Rodriguez to a one-year contract in January.
“That doesn’t fit too good,” Floyd told a group of mostly South Florida reporters before last night’s 4-2 Met victory. “I was more hurt by that than ticked off.”
Floyd didn’t mince words when asked about Florida’s venture into the free-agent pool to sign Rodriguez. He rightfully pointed out that the Marlins traded Floyd last July and then attempted to sell Kevin Millar to a Japanese club in the offseason, purportedly because of finances. Then they decided to sign Rodriguez for eight figures.
“You could’ve had two guys for that money,” said Floyd, who signed for four years and $26 million. “I think Pudge is unbelievable, he’s a proven Hall of Famer. I’m not taking anything away from him.
“But you’ve got one guy in Boston [Millar] and one guy in New York. You could’ve got both of us for that number.”
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Rehabbing Met reliever John Franco threw 25 BP pitches to Joe McEwing, Tony Clark and Vance Wilson. He also threw 27 pitches before facing hitters.
“He looked great,” McEwing said. “His velocity was very good, his movement was very, very good. I believe it’s a huge stepping stone for him.”
Franco wants to be back before May 31. Met manager Art Howe couldn’t give a timetable on Franco’s return, saying, “It’s all in the hands of the trainers right now.”
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Scouts of about nine teams watched Shane Reynolds throw in Houston. Bruce Benedict, special assistant to the GM, scouted for the Mets. GM Steve Phillips said an Internet report Monday night that Reynolds and the Mets had agreements voided by the commissioner’s office was “not completely accurate.”
“I’ll clear it all up if at some point this all gets resolved,” Phillips said.
Reynolds told a Houston paper he was deciding between the Mets, Rangers and Red Sox.
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Pedro Astacio (biceps tendinitis) made his second rehab start for Class A St. Lucie last night, allowing three hits and one earned run in four innings against Vero Beach. Astacio allowed one walk and struck out three over 56 pitches.
He is to pitch again on April 13, 18 and 23. He should return by the end of the month if he remains healthy. Phillips was in attendance.
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Bullpen coach Rick Waits (triple bypass) and hitting coach Denny Walling (angioplasty) rejoined the team.
