Now Batting for the New York Mets: Yoenis Cespedes!

The Mets landed their big bat! They got Yoenis Cespedes. He will be their left fielder and slot in at the three or five hole, leaving Lucas Duda in the four hole. We’ll see what Terry Collins is thinking tomorrow night. The Mets got a great defender that can throw with the best of them. He has a hose out there in left and will probably lead the Mets in outfield assists. His bat is very good but I don’t know if he will be able to carry this team by himself. I think Duda needs to step with Curtis Granderson continuing his heating. If Wright ever comes back, he will slide into the third or fifth hole, whichever Cespedes doesn’t occupy. It will be like a trade for a bat, and his moral boost will certainly help this team.

The Mets gave up one of their pitching prospect, Michael Fulmer and pitcher Luis Cessa. Fulmer was who the deal was centered around. He could become a really good pitcher but the Mets have so many of them already a the major league level. Some of these pitchers needed to net back something and they didn’t have to touch the parent ball club. They were able to keep the team chemistry on the 25-man roster that they have. 

Cespedes is a rental player that I’m hoping they try to resign before the season comes to a close. He can play a great defensive left field and he provides a nice middle of the order bat. Hopefully the Mets are able to keep him happy so he doesn’t turn into this cancer that everyone made him out to be in Boston. But he seemed to not have that problem in Detroit. 

The Mets FINALLY made a move that shows they are serious about wanting to win. They brought in this bat and are going to be making the push for the playoffs for the first time since 2006. 

What do you think about the Cespedes trade? Do you think the Mets should sign Cespedes? How much do you think it will cost to keep Cespedes? 

I just wanted to say that I really liked the fact that Zach Wheeler called and said he wanted to stay here on the Mets. I like that. He wants to be here, he sees a future with the Mets and sees a really good one. He could have went to another team and probably not have to compete for a starting spot. There still a spot on the team for Wheeler when he returns but there are a few pitchers that could overtake him but he still wants to be here in New York. I like that he took the time to call Sandy and let him know that. That should count for something. 

Also the fact that Wilmer Flores hit a walk-off home run was a storybook ending to the trade deadline. He showed why he shouldn’t be traded. He seems to have a knack for coming through in the pressure situations. 

Hip Hip No Trade!

Carlos Gomez for Zach Wheeler and Wilmer Flores. That was the deal that looked like was going to happen tonight. It seemed like a pretty good trade, Carlos Gomez would be the leadoff batter that they were looking for and Flores would be able to play everyday probably at third base. Zach Wheeler would continue his rehab, just for a different team.

The trade fell through when the Mets red the ex-Met Gomez's medical reports. It's no secret that Gomez has a bad hip well, evidently it was a secret to the Mets.

I feel horrible for Wilmer Flores who was left on the field. The fans gave Flores a standing ovation and it was really great to see. Then Flores started to cry and that hurt to see but it was great to see! It showed how much this team means to him. It's the only team he's known. He was signed with the Mets and then went through the minors as a Met, finally making it to the big leagues as a Met. I like to see that Flores has this connection with the Mets. I think it was Kaity's question that said a team was like a family, and Flores was sad to be leaving his family. I'm happy to see him staying with the Mets though. I still think he should be getting more at bats than he's getting currently.

Would have made this trade even with Gomez having a bad hip? Who do the Mets target now? Can the Mets still get a much needed big bat?

Tyler Clippard Gotten to Pitch the Eighth

Tyler Clippard going to the Mets is an interesting move for the Mets. They have a pretty good pen with Vic Black down in the minors. Clippard was brought in because at the time Mejia wouldn't be able to pitch in the postseason but now he won't pitch at all for a while. This Tyler Clippard move now looks to have even more value. Clippards numbers are good with a 2.79 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 17 saves. He's a formidable back end of the pen pitcher that will probably pitch in the eighth.

Bullpen help is always needed, especially when in the postseason. Clippard has some pretty good numbers and will pair up with Bobby Parnell to help bridge the gap from starter to Familia. There isn't much time left for Sandy to make a trade if he would like to strengthen this lineup.

Do you think Sandy has one more trade in him or is he done?

Sandy Trades for Two Solid Bats

I have been busy this whole weekend and haven't been able to write something about either of these trades that occurred.

First of all, the pieces the Mets had to give up in order to get the three guys, have no more impact in the Mets future other than middle relief. They were able to pick up two guys, in Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson that are solid everyday hitters, that can play multiple positions. Uribe is probably best suited at third base and immediately upgrades you defensively at that position. While Kelly Johnson is probably best suited at second (or left field on this team). They both provide solid defense.

The thing I like most about this trade is that these two guys can very easily go into the bench and bolster a stagnant bench. The John Mayberry Jr. experiment failed but did anyone really see that flourishing? The fact that both of these newly acquired players can be great bench players, will hopefully make the Mets go out and get the bat they are looking for. These are veteran players that will help out in the clubhouse as well. They can show some of these younger players how to play the game the right way.

I'd like to see Flores still in the field though. He's a much better bat than Tejada and Flores has settled down from making errors.

Hopefully this move isn't the last of their moves. They are still missing that one big bat, that one guy with his lumber that could help provide All-Star numbers.

Is Jose Reyes available? I like him sitting atop the Mets lineup, providing that spark and energy that he used to. What would it take to get him? They will probably want someone of Miguel Castro's caliber in return. It's tough trading for someone that they should still have or should have gotten more in return for.

Kershawed Through Nine

Two words as to how the Mets lost today: Clayton Kershaw. He has everything working today. It helped that Kershaw was facing the Mets lineup though. This offense couldn't get anything working against the reigning Cy Young and MVP award winner.

Chances are even if the Mets had fielded a MLB lineup instead of a AA lineup, they still would have lost. I don't understand how Mayberry is batting fourth. Lefty or not, he shouldn't be batting fourth. He's a bench player that could bat six or lower. If the Mets can put Mayberry fourth why not put deGrom fourth or fifth in this lineup? And no, that's not a joke! Put deGrom higher in the lineup. If you can bat deGrom eighth and Mayberry fourth, why not deGrom fourth and Mayberry eighth? Maybe that would wake up the bats.

Clayton Kershaw, just doing what he does best, striking out batters and winning games...Hopefully one of the Mets pitchers end up half as good as him.

Mets Blow Late Lead, Back Three of First Now

The Mets set out this afternoon looking to take the series against the Nationals. They were up against Jordan Zimmerman, who hasn't lost in more than a month. Despite pitching well, Syndergaard hasn't been able to find a road win in his early career. 

Noah pitched five inning, leaving with a 3-1 lead. His control was spotty surrendering five walks. Despite Noah not having his best stuff today, he looked like he was going to come away with his first road win of his early career. 

Bobby Parnell entered the eighth inning with the lead but closed the frame giving up the lead. It became a 4-3 deficit, with Parnell surrendering three runs. 

The Mets needed this game. Would they have won, they could have found themselves a mere game out of first place. Instead they sit three games out of first place with a difficult upcoming schedule in place. They have a ten game home stretch where they play, the Dodgers, Padres, and Nationals again. 

This is usually right around the time when the wheels come off. Let's hope they get a bat that can help this abysmal bench and that the Met pitching can help them stay on track down the stretch. 

With Wil Venable and Gerado Parra in the Mets sights as possible trade candidates for the Mets, who do you think it would take to get either of them? Do you think they would fit in nicely with this team? I like Parra more because of his defensive ability. What do you think?

Postgame Thoughts on July 21

Eric Campbell made Terry Collins look good by get a two run single. On Campbell’s first pinch hit of the year, it was bigger than just giving the Mets the lead. deGrom only had 82 pitches through six innings and could have very well gone for another one or two innings. deGrom was lifted for a pinch hitter and that pinch hitter put him in line for a win. The thing is I almost want deGrom in to hit for himself there because he’s a good hitter. The fact that Campbell came through was big because fans might have been saying should have let deGrom hit for himself there, but since Campbell got the hit, there is no discussion.

deGrom went six innings, surrendering only three hits striking out eight while giving up no free passes on 82 pitches. In the fifth he gave up a two run homer to Nationals catcher, Wilson Ramos. The Mets then had their bullpen set with Mejia coming in to pitch the seventh, Parnell the eighth and Familia the ninth. The Mets got some insurance runs in the ninth but with Familia already ready and this a must win game, Familia went out there to pitch the ninth.

I liked that Granderson swiped his eighth bag of the year. I like that he seems to be moving on the base paths, that’s really great to see. Is Lagares’ elbow hurting him when he’s swinging? He isn’t the same player and I think he need to take the time to get back to full strength. I wanted to say this before Cuddyer’s chronic knee pain that could land him on the DL. 

Who will the Mets get for outfield help? Do you think Nimmo’s value is at it’s peak right now? Maybe the could package him and Niese for an outfielder and/or a shortstop. I’m really on the fence about trading Niese, I think it’s a good time to trade Niese with him being hot and all but will he really bring back someone that is that good, even if he’s packaged with someone else? Is Colon going to stay throughout the year? On such a young staff, he’s been the workhorse of the staff, eating up innings and passing on knowledge to the rest of the staff. He passes on knowledge while the staff passes on what seems to be youth to Colon. 

I like the fact that it seems the Mets are playing more small ball, just trying to move the runner over. I still think they are in need of a bat even more so if Cuddyer finds his way onto the DL. It is too much to ask of Michael Conforto to come up here and carry this staggering Met offense. 

Another name that is now out there on the trade block is Yoenis Cespedes. Would like to see him in a Met uniform? What do you think it would take to get him? 

Doubleheader In One Game!

Eighteen innings! Eighteen innings of a 1-1 ballgame that should have been over in half that. 318 pitches seen by the Mets, with 25 runners left on base (1-26). That’s abysmal! The red birds  left four runners on base and saw only 239 pitches.

Somehow the Mets pulled out a win in a game that seemed to never end. Keith Hernandez started to get aggravated. In the 13th inning, when the Mets first scored they left Plawecki on third base, with nobody out. I am happy they squeaked out this win but my golly, this game was troublesome to watch! But at the end of the day, the Mets remain only two in back of the Nationals. I’m happy they found a way to win. 

I was really happy to see Granderson running. He stole two bases today and I would like to see more of that. Terry seems more inclined to put on the hit and run now that this team hasn’t been able to score. I like the hit and run for this team too, gets the offense going. I also liked that he put the squeeze on to take on another run. What was even more surprising than that was that Campbell actually laid it down!

Lost in all this was another great pitching effort by Jon Niese. He went 7.2 IP, fanning three, walking one and hitting one batter. He allowed only five hits. This is his eighth straight quality start. During that time he has only surrendered 14 runs in 55.1 IP. With this a sellers market, his value might not be going up but he certainly isn’t hurting his value. I think there are two pitchers that need to go before Jon Niese goes, and those two are Johnny Cueto and Cole Hamels. Once those two find new homes, then maybe Niese might be looking at a new home.

One fit might be the Cubs, maybe for Dexter Fowler? He will be a free agent after this season and he could be a leadoff batter as well. Or maybe if the Brew Crew are looking to take Jon Niese for, say Jean Segura.

What did you think about that game? What do you think about trading Jon Niese? Do you think they still should? Who would you like to see them get?

Series Matchup Against the Snakes

This weekend the Mets host the Arizona Diamondback. The snakes from out west. The Snakes ride in sweeping a two game series against the Rangers. They are five and one in their last six games. Their hitting probably a big reason for their recent surge that found them getting to .500 (42-42) coming into Citi Field.

First time All-Star A.J. Pollock has been swinging a hot bat having a seven game hit streak and having multi-hit games in five of those seven. He is having a breakout year with the bat and has always played a good center field. The Mets will want to look to keep this table setter at bay.

Yasmany Tomas has shown why he was so sought after. He was a player that I was hoping the Mets would get when he decided he wanted to play in the big leagues instead of Cuba, but the Mets didn’t want to spend the $68.5 million over six years, that the D-Backs inked him for. The 24 year old started the year in the minor leagues. He wasn’t sent there so much for his bat but for his defense. The D-Backs didn’t know where to put him, either third or a corner outfield spot. He started a few games at third when Jake Lamb went down but his defense their is well below average. They then put him in right field and his defense got better but he’s still at best an average outfielder, probably more a below average outfielder. His bat makes up for his poor outfield play though. His carrying a .313 average, five homers and even a few swiped bags. The Mets should look to hit it to him and not let him hit the ball.

The National League starting first baseman is Paul Goldschmidt. What can you say about him other than he’s been nothing other than an All-Star. This is the guy that you can’t let beat you. Challenge him with nobody on but his bat is MVP caliber.

The Mets need Lucas Duda to find his swing again. He has the kind of bat that could help the Met win a couple of close games. This is a middle of the order bat that needs to find his stroke again. 

The Mets offense as a whole needs to swing a better bat especially with runners in scoring position, they have been stunningly able to win games without getting hits when there are ducks on the pond.

The Arizona Diamondbacks clearly take the edge on offense but like against most teams, the pitching matchup for the series favor the Mets.

On Friday Noah Syndergaard (3-4 3.38 ERA) goes against Chase Anderson (4-2 3.71 ERA). On Saturday Matt Harvey (7-6 3.11 ERA) opposes Patrick Corbin (1-0 3.60 ERA) in his second start of the season. And to round out the series Steven Matz takes the ball against Rubby De La Rosa (6-4 4.89).

After winning two series, one against the Dodgers and then the Giants, the Mets are in good position to win another series, at least from a pitching standpoint. I think the Mets could score a few runs while limiting the damage against these quick scoring Snakes.

What do you think of the matchup? Let me know what you think. 

Send the fans into the All-Star break on a winning note! Let's go Mets! 

Post Game: July 8, 2015

deGrom took the ball today wanting to prove that his last start was just a fluke. He was on a mission. As soon as he climbed up on the hill and toed the rubber up until the ball left his hand, he was zoned in. And this time, the offense picked him up.

The Mets offense scored on an error by Crawford to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Then in the seventh Lagares helped add an insurance run. In the eighth inning, Campball hit a two run blast to add the icing on the cake. The Mets were up 4-0 going into the bottom of the ninth. Bobby Parnell came in to try to shut the door for deGrom. But he was only able last an out while surrendering a run. All-Star hopeful, Familia, came in to shut the door and put it in the books.

deGrom looked stellar in this game going eight strong shutout innings. He strikeout 10 batters while only allowing one free pass and two hits. 

Murphy had another error over at third base today but deGrom was about to overcome that. The Mets continue their struggles to hit with runners in scoring position but I guess when you can’t really hit as a team, that shouldn’t really come as a surprise. 

deGrom shook off last start and showed why he is an All-Star and it’s not just for his great hair. Plawecki extended his light hit streak to three games. Murphy and Duda got one hit combined for the series against the Giants. I don’t know how they won when the 2/3 of the middle of the order has been unable to produce.

Sandy should try to kick the tires on a number of guys. Alex Anthopoulos, of the Blue Jays, has said that he wants to make a splash. They are in need of some pitching. Maybe the Mets can lineup with the Blue Jays to make a deal for a bat seeing as how Toronto has a number of bats.

Do you think the Mets can get either Jose from Toronto (Reyes or Bautista)? But Anthopoulos might look to get back Noah along with more to even have a discussion for those guys. 

Post Game: July 7, 2015

Bartolo Colon put forth another quality start but no Met touched home plate this game again. The first run scored due to an error by Murphy. Colon also had an error. A 27 out game turned into a 29 out game. This is a team that can’t give any team extra outs especially one as good as the Giants, they don’t have the best lineup in the majors but they play as a team.

Giants pitcher, Matt Cain, looked very good in his second start back from the disabled list. Plawecki and Granderson were the only two Met players that were able to muster a hit off of Cain. They both went for extra bases, a double and triple, respectively. He had seven strikeouts to go along with two walks. As good as Cain was, I think it had to do with a troubled Met offense too. They came away with only four hits over nine innings. Duda had another hitless night dropping down to the five hole.

On the bright side, Colon didn’t walk a batter tonight. Mejia is back in the bullpen and to make room for him they optioned Logan Verrett to Las Vegas. I think Verrett will be back though. He might have been demoted because of all the pitches he threw the other night for his first save of his career. I think he’ll be back up before the season is over. Carlos Torres has been very valuable for this team because he does anything the team has asked him to do. Over his tenure with the Mets he’s started, pitched in any inning when he’s been called upon, including closing out games. I think Carlos is a good pitcher and could be better if he wasn’t tossed around from inning one to nine. Alex Torres is a left handed arm and he didn’t seem likely to be designated for assignment. I had a feeling it would be a pitcher with options and both Torres’ don’t have any left.

The Giants have been looking for a rental player for third base, I don’t like trading away one of the Mets good hitters, but what about Murphy? I’m just not sure who would come back in return. Brandon Crawford MIGHT have been someone they could have gotten before the season started but he’s having a career year and I think it might take a little bit more than just Murphy. Crawford is a slick fielding shortstop that has swung the bat pretty well this year.

Tomorrow night first time All-Star Jacob deGrom will pitch against three time All-Star Jake Peavy (his last All-Star appearance coming in 2012). Hopefully deGrom can be deGrominate and start the Mets up in a streak in the other directions. 

If you haven’t already, remember to vote for Familia. I know it’ll be tough for him to make it with Kershaw on that list. I really don’t know how Kershaw didn’t make the All-Star team to begin with but vote for your Met and you can click here to help get him to his first All-Star game.

Two Shutouts and an All-Star Selection

Let me first congratulate Jacob deGrom on his All-Star selection. He is very much worthy of it. The hair as well as what he does on the hill is definitely what got him to the All-Star game at Great American Ballpark. Bochy should look into letting him bat as well. Familia should be there and hopefully the fans will help propel him into his first All-Star game as well.

Now onto the game. Jon Niese has looked great since being able to five days rest in between starts as opposed to the usual four days of rest. Niese has quietly strung together some quality starts but the offense hasn't been able to put up the necessary run or two to provide Niese with the win. Tonight was different.

Tonight was a pitchers duel between Niese and Chris Heston. Heston in his last start against the Mets pitched a no-hitter so it was nice when Tejada singled in the first. The Mets really didn't have many scoring opportunities tonight. The stage seemed set for Monell, ex-Giant, to be the hero in the seventh inning with two one and one out but he couldn’t come through in that half frame. It was more of a foreshadow and he would get another opportunity. Monell got another opportunity in the ninth inning. Cuddyer led off the ninth inning with a single then, Nieuwenhuis, back with the club, hit a double. The stage was set for Monell to help the Mets win against his old ball club. He proceeded to double in two runs giving the Mets a 2-0 lead. Being the hero is always fun, but being the hero against your old ball club is just icing on the cake! Lagares then chased him home with a single.

Jeurys Familia then came in to slam the door in the bottom of the ninth earning his 23rd save. Familia deserves the final vote. If you could just take a minute and click here to vote for Familia that would be awesome. He is very much deserving of being an All-Star. Watching him close out games has been a real treat this year and he hasn’t been used in the conventional way. He was been asked to get more than three outs to close out the game. It’s so much fun to watch him play and he really enjoys the game. 

Key Notes: Niese won his first game since May 9th. Niese worked quickly and that seemed to help his defense. Tejada made a few nice plays in the field. This is the second shutout in as many games.

Do you think Niese should still be traded? Who do you think the Mets should get for Niese? Should Familia be an All-Star? What do you think of the All-Star selections? 

Let's go Matz!

The Mets have one of the toughest July’s scheduled and it’s shown. Even if they were hitting, this stretch would be difficult. They first got to see why there’s so much excitement coming from the north side of Chicago. Then they went to Los Angeles only to verse arguably the best one-two pitching staff in the majors, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Grienke. The Mets squeaked out a win in the game against Kershaw, but couldn’t find that same luck against, who looks like the best pitcher in the majors, Grienke. Today they versed Mike Bollsinger, and he’s like a breathe of fresh air compared to Grienke and Kershaw. 

Granderson led off the game with an infield hit to the left side. It didn’t go far but the Dodgers stacked the right side of the diamond and he simply “hit it where they ain’t”. Granderson came in to score on a Flores single and put the Mets on the board first, giving Matz a lead. Something not many Met starting pitchers have been able to say lately.

The Mets scored three runs in one inning (twice- fourth and seventh inning). They have had recent trouble scoring three runs in a game but Matz seems to have helped the team to score when he plays, kind of like the same as Harvey did when he first came up. He’s bringing a winning feel to the mound with him. It could be that coupled with the fact that David Wright was in the clubhouse this weekend and I know that even though he’s not on the field yet, he still has a presence in that clubhouse. He is a leader in that young clubhouse. David Wright might not ever be the same player he once was but he is still a presence for such a young team.

As good as the Mets offense was today, Matz was better, going six strong innings with eight strikeouts and only five baserunners. He surrendered two hits, while allowing two free passes and hitting Adrian Gonzalez on the right hand.

The Mets scored their sixth and seventh run on a blunder by Puig. He simply lost the ball in right field. As good as Puig could be, his defense doesn’t match his bat. He is still someone that the Mets could look into getting. His bat is potent and his arm is strong. I don’t like that he affects the clubhouse in a negative way but maybe with the right manager and a change of scenery he could be a positive influence. Although it won’t show up in the scorecard as an error, it should have been caught by Puig. Lagares got a triple and two runs from Puig’s misplay.

The Mets finally won a road series, their first road series win since May. Matz simply compels you to watch the game not only because of what he could do when he takes the hill but also what he could do when he steps into the batters box.

The Mets slated fifteen hits while putting up crooked numbers in two innings, winning the game 8-0. Hopefully this isn’t a feast or famine offense because more often than not, this offense will be famine. This July schedule will show if the Mets are for real or not. If they can have a .500 July, I will be happy.

Key Notes: Matz has five RBI in his first two games. Don Mattingly walked Daniel Murphy in the fourth inning to load the bases and get to struggling Lucas Duda. Walking the number two batter to get to the three batter? That has to tell you something about the Mets offense Granderson continued his recent hot streak with another two hits. Flores added four hits on his impressive day at the plate. Logan Verrett earned his first career save with the remaining three inning of shutout ball.

What do you think about Matz so far? Did you know that Matz is one of only four Met pitchers to win their first two starts? Do you think this is the start of the team being able to score runs or just for today?

Pressure's On!

The other day I went to the game against the Cubs. The fans want the Wilpon’s to sell the team. If they can’t get get the players needed then why not sell?

It was Jacob deGrom against Jake Arrieta and you knew that deGrom was going to need to be perfect if the Mets were going to have a chance with the offensive inefficiency. As a matter of fact, as the person I went to the game with said, “If it wasn’t for deGrom, the Mets wouldn’t have scored.” It seems that that’s a running theme. The Mets pitching has taken all the responsibility, on both sides of the ball. deGrom had a double, and Granderson later chased him in with a double for the Mets lone run. 

It seems like deGrom was feeling some pressure to be absolutely perfect and you can’t expect that from a pitcher. deGrom is a very good  pitcher, one that has exceeded expectations and has surprised me in how he’s been in his sophomore year in the big leagues. I thought there was a sophomore slump in his future but he has proved me and most likely a few other fans wrong, and we are enjoying it!

The Mets need to trade for a bat, and don’t just make a trade to make a trade, no don’t do that Sandy. Find a batter, a young one, one that will provide good offensive numbers and go out and get that bat to rejuvenate the Mets swing.

deGrom shouldn’t be feeling the pressure, he should know that the offense is going to have his back. This pitching staff as a whole is hitting better than this every day offense. Matz at first base and deGrom at shortstop is starting to sound more potent of an offense than the one I’m seeing daily. 

Sandy said it's unfair to fire Terry Collins because it's not his fault and Sandy is right it's not, it's the Wilpon's along with Sandy Alderson's fault becuase he hasn't provided Collins with the necessary bat to compete. Don't make a trade just to make a trade Sandy, New York Mets fans are loyal, not stupid. Make a trade like Billy Beane or Theo Epstein and bring in something for now with the future in mind. C'mon Sandy, if you're going to have Terry's back off the field, have it on the field too, have it completely!

Who do you think the Mets should get? Would you give up one of the big pitching prospects to get him? Which one? Do you think Terry Collins should finish out the year as the Mets manager?