Mailbag Monday: Q&A

Dear Bryan,

     Are there any better options as a backup catcher than Anthony Recker? If Travis fails, is he the next in line to take his spot? Would a replacement be internally or externally?

From,

Mike from Mineola

To Mike from Mineola

     I don’t think Recker is that bad as a backup catcher, he also seemed like he had a flair for the dramatics. Backup catchers are always available but the good ones are hard to come by. The ones that can step in late in games with the great defense and have the pop off the bench making them more valuable but he is always the last guy off the bench in that, just in case scenario. Even though it might seem like there aren’t any options in the free agent market (Jose Molina was released by Tampa Bay) there are always trade options for a backup catcher.

     Any Molina would be nice to have on a Mets team because of their defense first mind set. Jose might have seen his major league days come to an end. His bat just isn’t what it used to be and he’s a triple-A starter at best. He’s almost forty years old and will probably get more chances for a coaching job rather than a catching job.

The Mets have another catcher in their minor leagues by the name of Kevin Plawecki. He is an up and coming prospect. He looks really good. He profiles as a contact hitter that is a good defensive catcher. He could be a very good good back up catcher and compete for a starting job especially if d’Arnaud slips. It’s only a matter of time until Plawecki comes up to backup or start, he should be up at some point this season. Recker as a backup is the least of this teams worry’s especially with Plawecki proving he can in the minor leagues.

     Thank You for your question Mike, I hope to hear back from you. If anyone else would like to ask me a question please feel free to ask me a question by e-mailing me at: fighttilwon27@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing all your questions and will answer them in a timely fashion.

     As always thank you all for your support because as much as I enjoy writing about the Mets I really enjoy the support from the fans that watch the same games as I do.

 - Bryan

Bryan's Mailbag: Q&A

Dear Bryan -

What is the purpose of the Mets holding back Harvey for the home opener? Why not have him start the first game instead of having him start the home opener to appease the home crowd? Wins are better than attendance numbers.

From,
Mike from Mineola

Hey Mike from Mineola! 

The purpose of the Mets holding back Matt Harvey for the home opener is to give him some extra rest before coming back from Tommy John surgery. You have the pitchers for it, so why not? It's not like the Mets are lacking in pitching. I determine the thinking behind this is save him for opening day at home and get to have him for another start in September. For that hopeful playoff push. The Mets have Harvey on a soft innings cap.
 
I would like to assume that Citi Field would be sold out opening day either way, especially if you're starting young phenom deGrom or even Wheeler. I do know they have three games against the Nationals followed by three verses the Braves. Those are two NL East teams that you would love to get off to a at the very worst 3-3 start, hopefully a 4-2 start. The Phillies though should not be overlooked, you'd love to be able to win your home opener to get the fans excited. I think Harvey gives them the best chance to win now and if healthy, in September.

I think it has more to do with season long winning than with the attendance numbers but you bring up some great points because with this front office you always think that their motivation will be dollar signs instead of winning at all costs.

Thank You for your question Mike, I hope to hear back from you. If anyone else would like to ask me a question please feel free to ask me a question by e-mailing me at: fighttilwon27@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing all your questions and will answer them in a timely fashion.

As always thank you all for your support because as much as I enjoy writing about the Mets I really enjoy the support from the fans that watch the same games as I do.

- Bryan

Player Profile: Matt den Dekker

     Matt den Dekker is another left-handed bat that is trying to make this roster. He can play all three outfield spots but is probably best suited for centerfield. I can't see him getting much time in center but if Lagares needs a day off he could be best suited for that role because of his defense. With Grandy and Cuddy manning left and right field respectively the Mets will probably want a defensive guy in centerfield.

     If he shows this in spring training and his bat isn't horrible, he will probably have the upper hand for that bench spot. It's surprising he is 27 years old, he seems so much younger but he's only been in the league for one year. His bat is far behind his glove. He's not going to be able to hit you that game winning home run but he could get on-base and might be able to swipe a bag here and there. He's more of a guy that would be nice to lead off an inning when you need a run. Matt and Kirk have pro's and con's as to why they should make the team. They have both had injury problems in the past but as long as they both stay healthy this will be a very fun spring training battle. I am excited to who makes the team out of these two as they both fight for a spot.

     Maybe both of them make the team, who knows? It depends very much on how the Mets management want to construct this roster.

Player Profile: Kirk Nieuwenhuis

     Kirk Nieuwenhuis quickly became a fan favorite in 2012. He showed a flare for a few late game heroics. The fans wanted him to play but as the years have shown, his numbers don't transfer to a starting outfielder. He is best used as a fourth outfielder. His glove is pretty good to have off the bench as well as his pop, from the left side, off the bench. Kirk can play all three outfield positions. He seems to be another one of those guys that either strikes out or hits a dramatic game-tying or game-winning homer when put up there in a pinch hitting opportunity. I will admit that was on the band wagon for Kirk to get a chance to play on a daily back in 2012 but that was more because there wasn't much competition. Plus he was exciting in 2012 when not much else was exciting.

     He was someone that you could watch and he would make a diving catch but then would strikeout three times in a game. He might be able to make the team as a fourth/fifth outfielder. It will probably come down to him and Matt den Dekker as that fourth or fifth outfielder. John Mayberry Jr. is also going to make this team and will probably get more at-bats but I think the two aforementioned outfielders are better defensively.

     I hope it's a nice competition during spring training for these two and maybe it will allow for both Kirk and Dekker to make the team. Kirk has more power while Dekker probably has the better glove. These two guys are in for probably a lot of plane tickets to and from AAA to the MLB. The only question which one makes the team out of spring training? Or do they both? There are a few ways they can compile the roster that might allow for both of them to make the team.

Player Profile: Ruben Tejada

     Ruben Tejada was at one point the guy that was going to be taking over for Jose Reyes and he was going to be a good starting shortstop. Tejada was the reason they told the fans that they where okay with watching Reyes walk without offering him a real contract offer. Ruben was supposed to be able to at least get on base every once and a while. His glove was supposed to be able to be able to keep him at shortstop and his bat was supposed to allow him to play daily.

     The only thing that has actually happened is that he's played shortstop. More because there hasn't been anyone else to and the rules are the Mets need to put nine guys out on the field. He has become more of a default than an asset. I enjoyed rooting for Tejada in 2012 when he finally got his chance at becoming a full-time shortstop. He batted .289 with 26 two baggers. His glove was not what it should have been either with 12 errors and a .974 fielding percentage.

     With those numbers he is going to be relegated to bench duty, he should really be back in the minors, working on well working on everything. He will be a backup to Wilmer Flores as well as probably Murphy and maybe even David Wright. If he can play those three positions I think he becomes a decent bench piece. His power numbers went up this year as he set a career high in round trippers with five. So you never know he might be called upon to hit late in a game with his recently found power last year.

     At one-million dollars he's worth a chance but he's going to need to play well if he wants a spot on this roster. Finding a back-up middle infielder might not be the easiest thing to do but there are better ones. They might be a little bit more money but they will be amicable back-ups. The reason why he will make this team will probably be because he's the right price. He will gain a spot on this team due to cheap owners.

Player Profile: Anthony Recker

     Anthony Recker, probably the most important player on the Mets bench. He will be the one to help d'Arnaud form into the player he is going to become. He should be helping d'Arnaud get better defensively.

     The Mets have a great problem to have. They have two catching prospects that look pretty good. Anthony Recker seems to be the one to help teach Travis and Kevin. While Recker could probably be  a pretty good platoon option on another team the Mets seem to be headed in the correct direction at catcher. Anthony will be able to have the opportunity to teach these great prospects.

     He also has some pop. In 2013, he had 135 at bats with six home runs and in 2014, he had 174 at bats with seven home runs. Although I still think Todd Pratt was a great fan favorite, Recker fly's under the radar and can be a very beneficial player to the Mets. I think Recker can put up similar numbers to the past two years.

    Recker also just had a child that I wrote about in an earlier post.

Player Profile: John Mayberry Jr.

     John Mayberry Jr. will probably be the first guy off the bench and get the most ab's off the bench. He is a corner outfielder and first baseman and will probably wind up playing right field against "tough left handers". This is due to the fact that they think Mayberry Jr. will be a better option that Duda (the guy with the most raw power on the team) against a lefty here and there.

     John Mayberry Jr. has been a starter for the Phillies when Ryan Howard went down with an injury. He is a pretty good option to have on the bench. A guy that can play left and right field as well as first base is the kind of player you want to have on your bench (unless you have Brandon Inge or Joe McEwing). 

     I want him to do well but I think he gets caught in my crosshairs this year because I want Duda to be able to have his chance against lefties. That and his an ex-Phillie that has had some clutch hits against Mets. Hopefully the Mets can be on the other side of John Mayberry Jr.'s walk-off homer (or single).