On the Mets beat

Maybe the Mets got Eli Marrero confused with someone else on the Rockies. In announcing the Kaz Matsui trade, team officials raved about Marrero's versatiliy, citing the fact that he could play a number of different positions. But once Marrero arrived today, he sounded like a catcher that moonlights in the outfield. As for first base?

"I'm not a Gold Glove," Marrero said. "But I can hold my own over there."

Marrero did seem a little surprised, however, that manager Willie Randolph asked him to spend some time over at third, a positon he's clearly unfamiliar with.

"I guess I’d better go out and take some ground ball," Marrero said. "He told me Julio Franco’s over there at first base, so he’ll use him first. I’ll start taking ground balls somewhere else.

As for his experience at the hot corner, Marrero responded, "Like zero. But how hard can it be? Catch the ball and throw to first before the guy gets there."

Hey, you have to give this guy some early points for having an open mind, at the very least.