Marlins 7 – Mets 6
PORT ST. LUCIE — With four lefty relievers in camp and only three spots, the Mets are receiving inquiries from three teams on Rich Rodriguez and Jesse Orosco.
The teams showing the most interest are St. Louis, Seattle
and Los Angeles. The Mets can’t expect to get much for whichever lefty they give up because of their ages and salaries. The 37-year-old Rodriguez’ contract is for $1.5 million over two years, while Orosco, 42, is at $1.1 million this season with an option for $1.3 million next.
The Mets will not trade John Franco, who has veto power as a 10-5 guy. And they are leaning toward not dealing Dennis Cook.
Meanwhile, two teams have asked about lefty Glendon Rusch, who is competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. The Mets were going to deal only one of their three lefties vying for the No. 5 spot — 26-year-old Bill Pulsipher and 27-year-old Jersey Bobby Jones are the others — if two of them had good springs. Thus far, only Rusch, who throws today, has had a good training camp.
The Padres’ Sterling Hitchcock is a candidate from outside the organization, but don’t expect the Mets to do anything with San Diego for the lefty. Besides the fact the Mets look at him as a back-of-the-rotation type of guy, he is set to make $10.1 million over the next two years.
Bobby Valentine said closer Armando Benitez, who pitched the ninth inning of the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the Marlins yesterday, didn’t throw with his usual velocity, but should be fine.
Fresno Bobby Jones, who threw better than his numbers would indicate yesterday, is adding a sidearm slider to his repertoire. Jones has thrown it in the past, but never in a game. Encouragingly, Jones is ahead of schedule with his curveball.
“I feel I have a better feel for it at this time in the spring,” he said.
Benny Agbayani (hamstring) hit against the Italian National team. He had three hits in eight at-bats as the game was not played with regular rules. The Mets won the game 9-7 … Valentine expects Melvin Mora (shoulder) tomorrow … Jay Payton (2-for-2, SB) continues to impress.
No. 5 competition continues today with Rusch facing the Dodgers and Dennis Springer going up against the Indians.
