Steven Matz Debut

The future seems like it’s now…for the pitching. Steven Matz took the hill today and a long awaited arrival. He got drafted six years ago and had a long road to the big leagues. I know it’s always a long road to the big leagues after being drafted but Matz had a injuries for about half of those years. In May of 2010, he had Tommy John surgery. Steven Matz, 24, a Long Island native went to Ward Melville High School. He went to the same high school as comedian Kevin James, but Matz’s pitching is no laughing matter, not today, not for the Reds.

In the first inning, with Brandon Phillips up, he threw three straight balls. Matz’s then served one up for Phillips and he hit it out to put the Reds on the board, 1-0. It was almost like a, “Welcome to the big leagues kid” kind of moment. Matz settled in and got out the inning only giving up that run in the first. In the second inning he stepped to the plate with two on and two out, and after showing what he could do with his arm for the two innings, he showed what he could do with his bat. He hit a double and gave the Mets the lead. Matz, who already looks like a little kid, was out there playing like it was little league, just having fun. 

He grew up a Mets fan, like many of you have and when we were younger we’d say, “I’m going to help the Mets win games!” He’s getting to live that dream. He’s getting to help the Mets win games and that he did. He went three for three with four runs batted in. He’s the first Met ever to drive in four runs in their debut, and the first pitcher to complete that feat. 

He has a great fastball, a changeup that allows a different pace and a curveball that looks nasty. I enjoyed watching how excited he was pitching and hitting (take notes Mr. Scherzer). Then looking at his family, they were, of course, thrilled when he put the Mets on the board. He was hands down, the player of the game today. The only question now is, can he play third base?

Other notes- Wilmer Flores batted fourth and played second. Cecilani started in centerfield later moving over to left field for Lagares. Cuddyer stole a base and I like seeing the Mets running, hit and running, bunting, stealing, pushing, trying to get ninety feet closer to scoring a needed run. They scored seven runs, after winning in the thirteenth inning of the suspended game a little earlier in the day. Jon Niese is drawing interest from the Chicago Cubs. 

This has started out to be a very nice home stand. What did you think of the game? How do you think Matz is going to do this year? How do you like the idea of the six man rotation? 

Post Game: June 25th 2015

Good pitching stops bad skids. Sometimes the hitting doesn’t come and that’s how you go on a road trip to lose seven straight games. deGrom took the hill today to put a stop to that. The offense has been quiet to say the least. They finally where able to scratch and claw for two runs. 

deGrom has been great this season whenever he goes out there! Flores has 33 RBIs and I liked the aggressiveness on the base paths. Ceciliani stealing the base but wrongfully being called out and Granderson getting thrown out in what seems like a botched hit and run were two times the Mets tried to set themselves up to score. I like that they tried to score from first, didn’t like that he didn't try to slide to evade the tag but he almost did. I’m just happy the Mets were able to stop their skid of seven in a row. 

They are going to need to be aggressive on the base paths but taking the extra base smartly. It’s always exciting when the Mets win and Familia closes the door. They started a new streak today and it all starts with one. 

News: Murphy's Move to Third

Late June brings out the rumors. With Murphy coming back soon the Mets have said they will move Flores over to second and put Tejada over at shortstop, moving Murphy to third. This falls in line with the Mets, always making more work for themselves. Flores is tied for second with ten homeruns, while Tejada, on his ninth life has found his bat. The Mets should try to shop Murphy around if his bat wakes up for the next few weeks. The Mets seem to lineup great with the Cubs and the Brewers. The Brewers have Segura and ex-Met Carlos Gomez on the trade block while the Brewers are in need of pitching. The Cubs are in need of pitching and have a lot of infield help but the Cubs are probably going to try to reunite with Jeff Samardzija.

Through all this commotion and rumors, it doesn’t sound like Sandy Alderson will be making any move necessary for the Mets to regain a weak NL East. I’m not talking about a move just to make a move but if they make a move for a leadoff hitter- which Segura and Gomez both can provide- it can move Granderson down in the order to lengthen the order. Ben Zobrist is another name, but what would the A’s be asking for? Billy Beane is great at evaluating talent and he is going to want someone that help the team now, while under control for at least a couple of years. Maybe Niese and some lower level prospect with Kazmir on his way out? Beane will do his due diligence to make sure he is able to get the best deal he sees for his team. 

There are a lot of moving parts when Murphy comes back. Murphy will move to third base, Flores to second and Tejada to short. This makes me think that Wright might not be back until after the trade deadline if at all this year. It’s either that reason or they will be trading Murphy before Wright comes back. I do hope Wright comes back and that he’s healthy and ready to go. I think he could help this team more than with just his bat. Every year I look at the options and keep looking, hoping the Mets made a move that helps the club but I’m always let down on July 31st. Maybe this year it will be different?

Left Side Help Needed

Okay so the Mets have Dilson Herrera back in the lineup at second base and Murphy could be back sometime next week. David Wright is very hopeful to be coming back around the All Star break but that, in my opinion, is wishful thinking if he can stay on the field. The Mets have said they don’t want to bring on extra salary which doesn’t make any sense seeing as how they need a bat for that playoff push that the Met fanbase has longed for since 2006. I love what the kids have been able to do in the midst of all these injuries. The Mets pitching will keep the Mets in ball games but the hitting needs to help and show up. Here are some names that could be floating around for a trade to help what seems like an offensively challenged team. 

Ariamis Ramirez is in his final year of his career. He is owed $14 million this year and then is looking to hang up his cleats. He can still play an adequate third base and even though his numbers don’t show it this year, he could be a good offensive player. I don’t think that he is the answer but he might be able to come inexpensively and coupled with someone like say, Jean Segura could be had for the right price.

Jean Segura is just entering arbitration after this year and is a talented shortstop. This might make his price tag a little high if the Brewers see him as their future shortstop. He might also be the piece the Mets are looking for at the leadoff position. The Mets would probably need to take Ramirez in a deal like this, making Ramirez a bench player. This trade would also move Wilmer Flores over to third while trying to find a trade partner for Daniel Murphy.

Martin Prado can play all over the diamond and he can hit. He’s not the big thumper the Mets are in need of but he plays the game hard, with fire and gets on base. He could bat two, six or seven in this lineup while playing third base (as well as second and the corner outfield positions). But he’s a Marlin and division trades usually cost a little more unless the Marlins are doing one of their famous fire sales. He is owed $22 million through 2016.

Gordon Beckham has not turned out what the White Sox had hoped when they took him in the first round but a change of scenery could help the 28 year old third baseman. He is only owed two million and then is a free agent next year. 

Alexei Ramirez plays a decent shortstop and swings a pretty decent bat. He can even swipe a few bags along the way. If he walked a little bit more he could be a very good leadoff hitter but this is just a name at this point in his career. Flores is better than him currently but it allows Flores to move to third base. He is also owed $20 million through 2016. He might be too expensive for his output.

Since I’m already talking about White Sox a name that has always been fun to say is Emilio Bonifacio. He doesn’t have much pop, if any at all but can swipe a bag or two and has the ability to play so many positions. He’s more of a bench player and spot starter than an every day player. He’s only owed three million dollars this year with four million next year with a one million dollar buyout.

Starlin Castro is a name that has been tossed around for the Mets a lot in the last year. The Cubs have so many middle infielders that he and/or Javier Baez have become expendable. Castro has some pop, plays at best an average shortstop but he’s still a pretty decent choice and would add a little something to this Mets lineup. He’s signed for $43 million through the 2019 season with roughly $4.5 in signing bonuses and a club option for 2020 worth $16 million with a one million dollar buyout. 

Cliff Pennington is a shortstop that is only on this list because of his price tag. He is only owed $3.3 million through this year and then becomes a free agent.

Brad Miller is another name that has been thrown around connected with the Mets. He’s shown glimpses of what he is capable of. He still has one more year of team control before even entering arbitration so his price tag might be little steep but he’s a decent fielder that can also play a little second base and outfield.

Ben Zobrist is also a name connected with the Mets but he’s also connected with every other team in the league because of his versatility. He can play second, short, third as well as all three outfield positions. He can add offense and defense to any team. Sometimes you make a trade to help your team as well as blocking another from getting him. This trade would be just that. The Nationals has been rumored to be looking at acquiring him. The Mets might be outbid here and that’s why he’s so far down on this list. He’s only owed $7.5 million this season and then becomes a free agent.

Just for fun, Troy Tulowitzki is a name that always comes up with the Mets. He’s healthy and has shown he can still hit but is he worth the price tag? He’s owed $128 million through the 2021 season. At this point he’s probably more a fantasy for the Mets than a reality because the Mets aren’t going to pay what the Rockies are asking, and I actually think they are right in doing so. As great as Tulowitzki could be on the Mets, I just can’t figure out how to pay a guy that much that will spend a nice chunk of time on the DL. He and Wright would be great on the field together but they will probably spend more time together on the DL than on the field.

What could have been…Jose Reyes. I just have to add him to this list. I really wish I didn’t have to because I wish he was still on this team but he’s not and the way he was let go has always left me bitter. He’s owed $88 million through the 2018 season. He could be a great spark plug for this team but the Blue Jays are not going to trade especially now that they’ve found their winning ways. For me it was never that they didn’t resign Reyes but they didn’t make a decision to either get something for him or make him a real offer. He was always fun to watch, on the base paths and in the field. He caused havoc on the base paths and was a big reason why the Mets scored first while he was here. I miss him, his presence and what he brought to this team.

I heard an interesting name the other day and the Mets have looked at him before, Jose Bautista. If not one Jose, why not the other? This guy can hit the ball. The Mets got a first hand look at him last night with his two homers and will get another look at him tonight. I don’t think the Jays give him up because of how hot they are currently but there’s a lot of time between now and the trade deadline. He would be a big bat for the Mets and get the fans excited when he steps into the box. Just another name to think about Sandy.

The Mets probably don’t make a move to put them over the hump to make a playoff push leaving the fans confused and wanting the Wilson’s gone even more. I think that the roster you see now is the roster they will move forward with unless it’s an internal or minor move. They have the chance to make it back to the playoffs with this pitching staff, but this offensive leaves us wondering why not add a few more onto the payroll? I understand that the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics can do but in one of the biggest markets why not give the fans a name that they can say, “We have a chance!” 

What do you think? Do you think they get any of these players? Are there any other players you think that should be on this list?

Syndergaard Can't Strike All The Time

Who is this guy batting second in the New York Mets lineup? He wears number eleven and has been playing third base for the past few days. It says “Tejada” on the back of his jersey and it looks like Ruben Tejada but he hasn’t been swinging like it. He’s found the fountain of hitting! He has found another new life and has been hot since being asked to start at third base. It’s great to see from Tejada. Remember when Tejada was supposed to be the shortstop of the future? I mean it was more so because of his defense but his bat wasn’t supposed to be a slouch. Maybe he’s found his swing. 

Batting second today, Tejada flared the ball over the second base bag to get things rolling for the Mets in the first inning. Murphy then walked and Cuddyer hit a two out single to score Tejada and let the Mets jump out to an early one nothing lead.

Noah Syndergaard came out firing again in the first inning striking out Wil Venable. Then Norris hit the ball to third base and despite Tejada’s efforts beat it out for a single. Then he showed Justin Upton why they call him Thor and struck him out with his nasty hammer. With Norris running and Murphy going to cover the bag, Murphy was in the right spot to get Kemp with ease.

In the second inning with the bases loaded and nobody out Amarista hit the ball off the end of his bat hitting it back to Syndergaard. Noah got his glove on it but unfortunately it redirected the ball to go to right field, allowing two Padres to score. With one out and runners on the corner, Venable hit a triple to clear the bases making the score 4-1. He then struck out Norris with a high fastball and proceeded to strike out Justin Upton for the final out of the inning.

In the following inning with Middlebrooks on and Spangenburg up, Spangenburg hit a triple drive in another run. Spangenburg’s speed and Middlebrooks lack of hustle almost cost them a run but Spangenburg got in before the tag allowing Middlebrooks to score. Making the score 5-1. Norris hit a homer in the fourth inning to cap off Noah Syndergaard’s forgettable night. I hope Syndergaard sees this start as a learning experience. This Padres team is a very good hitting ball club. He had ten strikeouts surrendering seven runs on ten hits in four innings of work. Syndergaard will be okay. He is a young, smart guy and will hopefully do better the next time he takes the ball on Tuesday, June 9 against the Giants. 

In the sixth inning, Cuddyer hit a double and Flores chased him in with a single. That was all they could muscle up against Ian Kennedy.

The Mets dropped last nights game with a score of 7-2 bringing their record to 29-24. They are only a half a game out of first place with the Nationals splitting a double header yesterday.

So I now ask you, is Tejada good enough to man third base until Wright comes back? Should they be looking for a year long option? Who do you think should be that year long option if that’s a yes?