As important as it is for a team to sign that big free agent, or draft that future star, is keeping your current roster healthy. The Mets unfortunately have had trouble in that department. The Mets are hoping their latest hire will change that culture.
The team has created a position that will go under the title, “Director of Performance and Sports Medicine”. They have chosen Jim Cavallini to take on this role. Mr. Cavallini was previously working for the United State Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
Injuries to key players have seemed to be as much a part of Mets history as much as the team’s success and pitfalls. The Mets have had more than their fair share of players lose significant playing time due to injuries. From position players of Mo Vaughn, Jayson Bay, Michael Cuddyer, Mike Piazza, Yoenis Cespedes, David Wright, Michael Conforto, to pitchers of Johan Santana, Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler to name a few, our fans have wondered what is the deal? Why are our players always the ones getting hurt. And why does it take them so long to mend up.
The Mets have decided to finally be proactive and try to fix what’s been broken for so long. First, they fired longtime head trainer Ray Ramirez who had been employed with the Mets since 2004. Taking his spot will be Brian Chicklo who was previously the assistant trainer. Joseph Golia will take over his role as assistant trainer. And with the creation of this new position and hiring of Jim Cavallini the Mets brass is showing it’s fan base they are just as sick and tired of all the injuries to our stars as we are.
So let’s all take a deep breath and hope this new hire will have just as much of an impact to this team as signing a big time free agent.
