Coleman: Mets Like What They See At Field 7

By Ed Coleman
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Field 7 in Port St. Lucie is an exact replica of Citi Field in New York and, yes, this year the fences have been lowered and moved in, just like back home.

Manager Terry Collins had planned to wait until Wednesday - the first official pitchers & catchers workout - when several of the regular hitters would take their first batting practice together. It worked out rather nicely.

Daniel Murphy was just crushing baseballs over the fences, and David Wright and Lucas Duda were not far behind.

Collins liked the way it worked out.

Change the mindset, that was the idea. Players denied it left and right, but there's no question that Citi Field got into the hitters' heads, especially those that spend 81 games a year there.

Murphy agreed, feeling that the new dimensions will definitely aid the hitter.

Virtually all the position players have already reported to camp - Jason Bay is in town and will work out on Thursday - but one who is not is the young shortstop who will replace the departed Jose Reyes. Collins was asked if he was surprised that Ruben Tejada was not in camp.

The new double-play combination will be Tejada and Murphy, and it's never too early to start melding together, according to Collins.

Murphy, for his part, downplayed the significance of Tejada being absent.

On this pitchers' first workout day, Mike Pelfrey looked very sharp, as did Jon Niese. Collins wants to see a full season and another step forward for the talented southpaw.

New center fielder Andres Torres arrived in camp on Wednesday. Did the Mets-Giants trade catch him by surprise this off-season?

Coming from a World Championship team two years ago, Torres is well aware of the low expectations for and the low opinion of his new team - but he doesn't buy it.

The Mets will take a look at Scott Kazmir - yes, that Scott Kazmir - when he works out on Friday trying to resurrect his short-circuited career. I wouldn't count on it, but you never know, they or he may flash back to 2004.

Maybe they can locate and sign Victor Zambrano as well.

C U tomorrow
Eddie C

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