Congratulations Anthony Recker

     Congratulations to Anthony and Kelly Recker on their new born son, Camden Anthony Recker. I wish him a long and success life. You have been a great addition to the Mets team, and now you have helped your family get a great addition. Good Luck to you and Kelly Mr. Recker.

Super Zobrist

     Second base 79 times, shortstop 31 times, right field 19 times, centerfield seven times, left field 38 times and pinch hitter/designated hitter totaling ten times. Combine that with a .272 average, ten homers, ten stolen bases and 75 walks and you have a guy that might sound like a fan favorite in the early 2000. It's not Joe McEwing, he's still sending people home in Chicago with his buddy Ventura. It's Ben Zobrist. I know, I know Ben Zobrist is an everyday guy while Joe McEwing a fill in guy to give someone a day off, unless he's versing Randy Johnson everyday. Zobrist would be a great guy to have on this club because he can play shortstop while giving the corner outfielders a day off if need be. He can bat second cause he knows how to take pitchers, so hopefully Juan Lagares can steal a few bags. He can bat sixth or seventh as well if you would like Murphy at the two hole. Ben Zobrist sounds like a MUCH better option to play one of the corner outfielder instead of Jon Mayberry Jr. Zobrist's batting average verses left-handed hitters is almost a hundred points higher than that of Mayberry Jr. Zobrist has a better avg vs. left handed hitter but has a little bit more pop vs. right handed.

     I have liked Zobrist for a little bit of time because he can play the whole diamond. His numbers aren't going to put a team over top but he can help fill a few holes. He can be another nice piece and it would show a little bit more from Sandy Alderson than last year. But what would it take to get Ben Zobrist? Would Montero be enough? Maybe Montero and a lower level hitting prospect. If the Mets get Zobrist will that be a chain reaction to trading away the adored Daniel Murphy? I have a feeling that Alderson will be checking in for Zobrist and if the asking price is right, he will be a nice addition to this ball club. 

Missing Piece

     Enough about what could have been and now what is. Their plans are to sit Lucas Duda when they verse a lefty, excuse me, a tough lefty. So what you're telling me is you're going to sit the best pure power hitter the Mets have on their team currently. Why? So a career .243 hitter vs. lefties can strike fear for that tough left handed pitcher on the mound. I understand the numbers show Duda has poor numbers against lefty's but how is he supposed to get better without seeing the lefty's? So Michael Cuddyer is who they have playing first and John Mayberry Jr. in right when Duda sits. That's a lineup that just seems so flat. I would like to see Lucas Duda verse lefty's and maybe his off day just happens to land on a day when the Mets verse a tough lefty. It’s not that I am Lucas Duda fan, because I’m really not, I am a Mets fan and I think Duda playing in an everyday role- not a platoon- is the best thing for the team.

     So when Sandy Alderson got Michael Cuddyer, I initially didn't like it, but then after five minutes it really grew on me, I thought, "They got a professional hitter". As the offseason continues, this move reminds me of last offseason when they got Chris Young, Cuddy will probably bring back more return. I like the idea of great clubhouse guys, but I think winning can create clubhouse guys. I know there aren't many moves they can do other than at shortstop but other options at short aren't great either. I still think they need another lefty and veteran arm in the bullpen to help form the young core they already have. 

When the Mets were good, eight years ago, they had David Wright. But they had a few arguable Hall of Famers to help make him better. The Mets had Jose Reyes leading off, getting in the heads of the pitcher. Then you either had a formable two hitter, with probably Beltran, then Delgado, then probably Wright, then Floyd and so on. But wow look at those names, Delgado was a .300+ 30 hr and 100+ RBIs year and year out. The Mets don’t have that production from anyone in that lineup for the upcoming year. I hope the Mets can get me a Christmas Present in a big time hitter, but also for the right price. 

     I just really hope this pitching staff is good enough to carry the Mets into the playoff's. I think they are still missing that one big bat like I stated earlier to be real contenders but with a pitching staff like that and the ball dropping the right way for 92 games and then 11 (maybe 12), who knows what could happen? Ya gotta Believe. 

Lagares>Tulo

     There is a new rumor going around and that's Syndergaard, Steve Matz, Dillion Gee and Juan Lagares. I have a very simple answer for this one:      
     They finally get a gold glove outfielder and they are now looking to trading him? Why? He only helps what the Mets strength is and thats pitching. Lagares's defense helps out every pitcher on this team and will help out Cuddy and Granderson who will be average at best defensively. Two top pitching prospects is most likely just something that will have to happen but not the guy that takes away centerfield. The way that the team is set up currently, I'd rather take my chances with Lagares, his glove and woe's at the plate than with a hefty contract and surgically repaired hip. Isn't that why we didn't re-sign Jose Reyes? They weren't sure if he'd be on the field because his legs might not hold up? Steep price for someone that might not even be able to get on the field and stay on the field. Lagares>Tulo.

Troy Tulowitzki on the Mets?

     It seems like a huge topic of discussion is who will play shortstop for the Mets in this upcoming year. I think as it stands right now, it will be Wilmer Flores, unless Tejada has an unbelievable spring combined with a horrible one for Flores. As it stands right now, I don't think trading for Troy Tulowitzki before June is the right move, especially before April. I would like to see how his hip actually is. I am afraid his swing and fielding ability is going to be diminished by his hip surgery. I do think they NEED a big bat in the lineup, one that goes out there everyday and can add protection in a lineup that strikes fear to any pitcher, Clayton Kershaw not withstanding, when he steps foot in the batters box. Kind of like what Carlos Delgado did for the Mets lineup when he was on the team. He was a guy that would be able put up some great numbers for the Mets. He provided the much needed protection for David Wright. I think David Wright needs protection to excel. For that reason I think Tulo would be great for this ball club. They could pencil him in the three hole. I wanted Asdrubal Cabera in the worst way just a few months ago but I think I would rather see what Flores could do at shortstop. Flores saves money and could surprise people with how he handles shortstop. As much as would have liked to see Alexei Ramirez in orange and blue, I just can't see the Mets trading the pieces the White Sox are looking for. Alexei doesn't seem like that much of an upgrade over Flores in terms of a bat and not at that asking price. I also don't know why the White Sox would trade him away after making the moves they've made because they seem to be in a position to get into the postseason. So every time I think of what shortstop could bring this team to do more than just maybe get the second wildcard, if EVERYTHING breaks right and that win total drops down to 85, it's Tulo. Oh and is Jose Reyes available? Just writing that brings back some great memory's but leaves me just so angry and frustrated. I think, if the Mets still had Reyes they would be looking at a minimum of 85 wins with maybe making Sandy Alderson's 90 win fruition come true, albeit a year late. Ugh, just thinking of how he was the spark plug of the Mets when he was on the field makes me so frustrated that they didn't resign him, nor did they get anything for him. A batting title champion isn't as good as a winning ball club. I understand he was injured all the time and his legs is what makes him who he is but c'mon man he was just a great table setter. That being said, if he was on the team and on the DL more than he was on the field, I would be able to write about that, but I would be writing with disappoint and not frustration.
     What would it take to get Troy Tulowitzki on the Mets? Well it seems like the Rockies have lowered their asking price from it being centered around Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler or Jason deGrom to it being centered around Syndergaard. To me this sounds like a lot easier to swallow. This trade would most likely have to have catcher Kevin Plawecki as well. Hopefully they will be okay with those two and two other lower level players. This kind of trade I would like to see happen, if and only if Tulo is healthy come June or July.
     I'm not really sure what could happen before spring training but the Padres and Cubs doing all of these moves gives me hope that Alderson could pull something off to help bolster this club. Aside from Dillion Gee being traded (hopefully for Rex Brothers), we might not be able to see something happen until after the season begins. The pitching looks great but if they don't get support from the defense and a few crooked numbers on the scoreboard, their record might not make sense compared to their ERA. Who knows though? Ya Gotta Believe, right?

Coaching

     Here I sit trying to think of what to write and since the big story is Joe Maddon opting out of his contract, I'll begin there. I can't help but think how the Mets have been so wishy washy when trying to decide if they want Terry Collins as their manager. This current Mets team reminds me of the Rays a little bit. Joe Maddon took a team with some mild "rays" of hope and brought them to the postseason a few times! The Rays didn't have much more than pitching and defense. The Mets have pitching, their defense can be spotty, but I think if they can find the right shortstop their defense can go up significantly. I like what they've done through their minor league system but they still aren't ready to make a playoff push, especially with everyone in that division getting better with possibly the exception of the Phillies. I wouldn't mind seeing Joe Maddon in a Mets uniform as I see his fire and ability to bring young players together and to that next level. There really aren't many managers I would trade for Terry Collins, mainly because I think most managers are more of the same and a manager can only do so much. They can't actually hit you that walk-off homerun in the ninth inning but it's more what they bring to the game in knowledge and chemistry. I am on the fence about Terry Collins, he's been given the same kind of team as the Rays and hasn't been able to do much with him. While Joe Maddon took his teams the playoffs in a division that is more competitive than the N.L. East. It just stinks that by the time the Mets decide Terry Collins isn't the right manager, Joe Maddon will be in his second or third year with a new team. Do you think Joe Maddon is a Hall of Fame manager? Do you think Terry Collins is the right manager for this team and can take this team (with an addition or two) to the playoffs?

     Kevin Long. How much of a deal is the hitting coach? I think he will help a little bit but with all the different hitting stances, it's a difficult job. Kevin Long will hopefully bring Curtis Granderson to batting around .270. Hopefully he is able to bring a new approach to the team: aggressive and line drives to hit the gaps. The ballpark is a great ballpark for gap hitters and other than Duda they should all be looking for the gaps. The Kansas City Royals were able to make it to the World Series with only 95 homeruns, only proving that you don't need homeruns to win games, just timely hitting and base stealing. Do you think Kevin Long will strive in a Mets uniform? Do you think Long is the voice for hitting the Mets have been looking for?

     Final thought: It doesn't matter the coaches, the product on the field needs to improve. The Mets are only a couple of players away from being that real 90 win team looking to be in the playoff hunt come September! Hopefully the Mets are able to make the moves that are needed to improve this team!

Mets Thoughts on Paper

     Only ninety minutes before the non-waiver trade deadline. Here's a surprise, the Cardinals made another solid move to help them forward. I just wish the Mets were run like the Cardinals! Their pitching prospects come out of the bullpen first and then are able to start shortly after that. Now let's think about that for a little bit. They are brought into a pressure situation so they know how to deal with that when they're starting. And for most of them there are no questions what they are going to be, like there was with Joba. Unfortunately the Mets will never be the Cardinals, they lose their best player in Pujols and they don't miss a bat. Mets lose their best player in Piazza and they haven't been back to the World Series since he left. Beltran and Delgado (2006) was our best chance since 2000. It's now 2014 and it's probably time for a change!!!
     Okay Sandy Alderson, you're better than this! I know you are. You have a good idea but stick to it and don't stop half way through. You want to be like the San Francisco Giants, so why not be like them? They were built on pitching great defense and timely hitting! And won two World Series in three years with that formula. The Mets have two in 54 years.
     The Mets have some great starting pitching with deGrom and Wheeler showing baseball what they can do! Familia and Mejia I am really liking at the back of the bullpen but what do we do when Parnell gets back? Well that depends on how Parnell will look when he comes back, if he's lighting up the gun maybe we show him off to get another key piece for our team? Teams are always looking for bullpen help. Okay so the Mets need a shortstop and a left fielder, coupled with that if they had a middle of the bullpen this team would be set!
     If Tulo is set on going to the Yankees, what about Asdrubal Cabrera who is a free agent after this season and plays a good short. As for who mans left field, any one not named Chris Young unless Citi Field is hosting Country Night. What about Kirk? I mean even if it's as a stop gap, or to show case him. I like Kirk but Lagares had made center field his to lose, and they need a guy with power in left.
     Now, here is the BIG elephant in the room, sorry Colon but you've pitched well enough to be on a contender! I wouldn't have minded trading him to the Cardinals but they have Masterson. Yankees are the Yankees and Mets and Yankees really don't make trade let alone midseason trades. What about the Orioles? Think they still would be willing to give up Zach Britton? I think you can make Colon an Oriole with the right mid level prospects.
     I think Sandy has the right idea with pitching but he needs to finish the job, make your pitching as a whole a strong suit, pitching only gets better with the other eight guys defense so that should be a very close second on this team. And finally hitting, hitting comes and goes. The Giants had Panda and Posey as their hitters and a couple others with a bunch of rule players.
     Check back for more of my thoughts about this team. Should be up by next week.