Morning Papers

Grand Debuts March 3 New York Post (registration required): "Delgado, the All-Star first baseman picked up from the Marlins, went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Nady, though, was Herculean." Renewed pact OK with Wright March 3 Newark Star-Ledger (registration required): "While the team announced it had reached contract agreements with 19 of its younger players, the Mets renewed Wright's contract for the 2006 season after the two sides couldn't agree on a deal." Graffanino likely to be traded March 3 Boston Herald: "Tony Graffanino started at second base for the Red Sox in their Grapefruit League opener against the Minnesota Twins last night, but chances are the veteran infielder will be getting a new start this spring. " Matsui Is Held at Second as Teammates Take Off March 3 New York Times (registration required): "There is always the possibility, however, that General Manager Omar Minaya will pursue Tony Graffanino, who has been made expendable by Boston, or Washington's Jose Vidro, if the Nationals want to appease Alfonso Soriano, who has resisted a switch to the outfield. Last week, Matsui acknowledged paying attention to the Mets' persistent efforts to trade him over the off-season, and he said he had tried not to let it bother him." Pedro Looking Better March 3 New York Post (registration required): "For the second time in camp, Pedro Martinez threw off a mound yesterday. This time, he threw harder and with more velocity than last time." Sitting out WBC painful for Pedro March 3 Newark Star-Ledger (registration required): "His right big toe continues to progress ever so slowly and, believe it or not, that's a good thing. But there was no hiding Pedro Martinez's disappointment yesterday morning." Pass on 2nd helping of Kaz March 3 New York Daily News columnist Bill Madden: "It may well be a brave front and Matsui's salary has already dictated that he start the season at second. But somehow you get the feeling that even those in the Mets' hierarchy determined to get a return on their investment in the erstwhile Japanese All-Star are of the opinion that the second baseman most likely to finish this season will be Hernandez. " No Flaw In Order March 3 New York Post columnist Joel Sherman (registration required): "The Mets opened exhibition play yesterday against the Cardinals with Jose Reyes hitting first, followed by Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and David Wright. Willie Randolph again insisted not to read much into how he stacks his order in spring." Piazza, Cameron cool in Cali March 3 New York Daily News columnist Lisa Olson: "The meridian points are aligned, beginning with the top, with Mike Cameron in center field, and flowing south, to the spot where Mike Piazza crouches behind the plate." Mets' network nearing launch March 3 Journal News columnist Jane McManus: "On March 16, the cable home of the Mets is slated to go live. Already there are rumblings in print and behind closed doors that some kind of framework has been reached in principle so that SNY can be carried locally on Cablevision, with DirecTV not far behind."