Winter Meetings

With a flurry of moves prior to the MLB Winter Meetings, baseball has seen a few guys change their sox and the Winter Meetings. That is a huge trade for both teams. The Red Sox got their ace in Chris Sale. He has looked great since coming into the league. He will be looked upon to help the Red Sox win it all. They might be early season favorites if not, a very close second. The White Sox have made a statement that everything is for sale (and they got a lot for Sale). It is now a fire sale so if you want something on their roster, ask. I don't think anyone is off limits from that team. Guys like 3B Todd Frazier, OF Adam Eaton, CL David Robertson are going to be moved now. The haul from the Red Sox is enough makes anyone happy as they start their team with 20 year old RHP Michael Kopech and 21 year old INF Yoan Moncada including two other prospects. I think Moncada's position will depend on who gets moved before the start of the season. Moncada looks like he has great power and great speed. He will probably play at second base and he just looks like there is a lot of potential there.

Before the Winter Meetings, the Mets did what they HAD to do in re-signing Cespedes. The Mets really didn't have a choice, they needed to sign him. Yes, the Mets have been able to win with him. It's so tough for me to fully like him when he doesn't do the little things like running something out (not counting when he had hamstring strains), two hands to catch a fly ball. He looks like he could be really good all the time if he played the game hard all the time and kept his focus but he looks like like he chooses when he wants to play. It does make sense he wants to be in New York though because it does seem like he likes being on stage. The Mets need bullpen help. It seemed like every day Familia and/or Reed where in the game. I think they should also try to get some depth at maybe the minor league level for starting pitchers. Maybe Travis Wood could help plug both those needs. Boone Logan as a lefty, Joe Blanton seems like he found out he can pitch in the pen. Blevins, Cecil, and Feliz are all very interesting relievers for the Mets to look at as well.

Hit Em Early, Hit Em Hard!

Today is a big day. Two aces meet tonight for a pressure filled, high anxiety, exciting chess match that is the game of baseball. It's the San Fransico Giants at Citi Field against the New York Mets who are returning to the postseason for the second year in a row for only the second time in their franchises history. Left handed starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner or MadBum, is starting for the Giants. He thrives off of these situations and has made a living coming through in the high pressure situations. MadBum has three rings already at age 27 and has an incredible 2.14 era with a 7-3 win/loss record.

Noah Syndergaard or Thor needs to match MadBum. Let MadBum do his thing Thor just needs to match him inning to inning. The Mets offense needs to show up. I think that it matters what the whole lineup does but Cespedes needs to show up. It's a new month, so it's a new start, forget September, start October. I think if Bruce comes up in a big way, New York will forget his below .200 avg since receiving him from the Reds. I think T.J. Rivera comes up big this game by staying in himself and just playing the game that got him here.

The Mets need to just capitalize on the Giants mistakes, for they only make a few.

Lets go Mets!!!

Now's The Chance For Lucroy!

Today is usually the trading deadline, but since it's on a Sunday,  Rob Manfred extended it to August 1.
Indians thought they had their new middle of the order bat and catcher in Jonathan Lucroy. The Indians didn't want to "rip up" Lucroy's 2017 contract so he ripped up the deal that was in play for him. That was his right as he had a no-trade claus awarded to him from the Tribe. Before the Indians looked destained to finally find a productive catcher on both sides of the ball, the Mets had a very enticing off on the table that the Brewers declined to accept, now it might be the next best offer. Mets had offered Travis d'Arnaud for Lucroy straight up, but the Brew Crew would have been crazy to accept that deal. Following that deal the Mets offered up d'Arnaud and triple-A prospect Gavin Cecchini. I don't mind that deal as it gives the Brewers a catcher of the future at an inexpensive price and a shortstop who is almost ripe enough for major league time. I think anything on top of this last deal the Mets should be looking for someone like Will Harris or Jeremy Jeffress to be added into the deal.
Another deal the Mets had in play was Brandon Nimmo and Travis d'Arnaud for Lucroy. It had been rumored that the Brewers wanted d'Arnaud, Nimmo, Cecchini and a minor leaguer but that deal just seems like a pipe dream for the Brew Crew especially with the Mets not competing against anyone except maybe the Rangers jump back in it but they had gotten out right around when talks with the Mets intensified. If the Brewers make a move- and want it to go through, they will take what the Mets have offered.
The Mets will get a catcher that is very good on both sides of the ball and from all reports he is a good game caller. He would immediately be inserted into the middle of an anemic lineup and provide a bat the Mets are in desperate need for.

Just Some Thoughts

Watching lasts nights Mets/Phillies game proved there are more issues on the rise, unless this team can start to get it together. On a night where the Mets saw twenty-two baserunners stranded, they only put up four runs. That was just enough runs to straddle Robles his first loss of the young season. Only a month in but the Mets are showing signs of more of the same as last year: stranding runners in scoring position, not hitting situationally. Getting a lead and thinking, the games over, we got this. Or vis versa, thinking, damn they scored, this game is over. I understand that everyone on this team can jack it over the fence and that’s awesome, it’ll make pitchers pitch to someone, but sometimes just a single or even just hitting a fly ball to the outfield would work. Call me old school, but manufacturing a run seems to have fallen out of sight along with the stolen bases. Remember Roger Cedeno? Sixty-six stolen bases in one season seems like the Mets would be lucky if they accumulated 66 swiped bags as a team nowadays. But manufacturing a run doesn’t need you to be a runner, you don’t need to have Jarrod Dyson speed, but maybe base running smarts is needed? Looking at your outfielders and going first to third on a bloop, taking second base when a catcher drops to his knees, bunting the runner over as a hitter, hitting a fly ball with a runner on third and less then two outs instead of striking out twice and then finally hitting that coveted fly ball. This team will live and die by the long ball. It’s nice when it’s working but when you're leaving twenty-two runners on base and not putting away your opponent to only lose the game in extra frames is not okay. This team has very great ability offensively, more so with Conforto in the three hole, but they will need to do the little things like moving a runner over and getting the runner on third home. Ninety feet can be the difference between a win and a loss. Another thing is how is Terry Collins using the bullpen, it’s confusing. Bring in Robles for the seventh inning, but then bring him in to close out a blowout, followed by bringing him in a tied ball game in extra innings. Then he brings in Addison Reed in the seventh which made a little more sense because it was against the middle of the lineup. Bullpen personnel like to know their roles and changing them could ensue some issues down the road. This pen looks better than it did last year with Henderson and Bastardo back there to help out. 

What do you think? Do you think bullpen roles are important as well?

Lets go Mets!!!

Mets Win 2-1. Familia With a 5 Out Save

"PUT IT IN THE BOOKS!" It took lover between times hearing that than I expected but couldn't be happier that those words rang true as Cespedes secured the ball in his not. With this Mets pitching staff they turned to Logan Varrett and who better? Varrett gave the Mets exactly what they were looking for, a lengthy start to rest the bullpen while leaving with a chance to win the game. I didn't agree agree when he brought in Henderson to pitch the seventh after a 30 plus pitch outing the night before. He looked fatigued after he lost the 16 pitch at bat to Dee Gordon but didn't mind him staying in at that point to see if he could get out of it. Bringing him in the next night is were I have an issue. This is a guy that has looked great but has battled injuries. He is looking like he could be a key piece for the Mets. It's a tough task to follow Syndergaard when your fastball is only 95 mph. When Henderson was brought in it was locked at 1-1 and he proceeded to loaded the bases. Henderson was pulled for Robles who did the amazing job of striking out two and handing the ball of to Blevins to get Dee Gordon. Hendersons last fastball was clocked at, I believe, 89 mph, which has to tell you his arm was tired after  a disappointing result in Tuesday nights game. I know that the Mets bullpen is depleted but there are certain guys you can't go to no matter what on back to back days and in the early going, Henderson looks like one of those guys. If Terry wants this bullpen to remain effective he's going to have to be a little more mindful of who he puts out there back to back days. 

What is Cespedes doing nine games in? I love the hustle but he had zero chance at that ball. Isn't that a dead ball anyway? I think that ball, even if caught, wouldn't have been an out. That was entertaining to watch but I would like to see him hitting bombs like its the home run derby. Stringing together hits is key. Only one time has this team scored over five runs so far. This team needs this day off, it feels weird saying this this early in the season but that's the way it looks.

What do you think the Mets should do to kickstart this offense? Should the Mets place deGrom on the DL? 

Congratulations to Jacob deGrom on his newborn! 

Let's go Rangers! Let's go Mets! 

First Win of the Season "Put It In The Book"

Noah "Thor" Syndergaard brought the hammer yesterday and it was a thing of beauty. The new pitch he has been working on this spring was working for him as well as his fastball. He gave up a triple to lead off the game, then proceeded to strike out the next three guys with his fastball reaching triple digits. Thor struck out nine guys over six innings. Neil Walker provided the offense with his two run homer and the Mets evened thei record at 1-1 heading to Citi Field for their home opener against the Phillies. DeGrom is expecting his new born any day now with his scheduled starts being pushed back. 

I think the Phillies are on the rise with guys like Franco, Howard and rule 5 draft pick Odubel Herrera. As wel as Nola and Hellickson leading the pitching staff. They're not as well off while looking into the future as say, the Braves, but not many teams are. The Phillies will be fighting for the worst record in baseball this year but even the worst of teams have won 40 games. 

The Mets need to beat the teams that they are supposed to. The Phillies are one of those teams. Also last year what helped was what they did in April, going 15-8 will allow you to stay in contention. Then June and July they treated water. August and semptember they sprung forward added the necessary pieces to just come up short of a Cinderella story. But the clock struck midnight in November and they were left with wanting some more jewelry. 

I love watching Thor pitch. I think he's one of the best to watch out on the mound. DeGrom is fun too because it's almost like he's a different guy in between the lines. Let's see if Noah can keep using his slider effectively. 

What do you think? Do you think it's too early to lock up Syndergaard or should they wait until his final year where he'll probably cost slightly more. 

Let's go Mets!!! The season is finally upon us and the climb to the top is never easy but always achievable.  

Just Some Thoughts As Opening Day Quickly Approaches

Just some thoughts. How many at bats does Juan Lagares get? Does Conforto play a full season in the majors? How does Flores respond to his new role with the team? Can the Mets get anything worth while for De Aza? Can Plawecki or d'Arnaud play first and/or third base?

First, I feel like Lagares gets anywhere from 300-400 at bats. He will be moved around the whole outfield, predominately being a late inning defensive replacement, hopefully his range returns from two years ago. Conforto's contribution to the team directly relates to Lagares's role, if Conforto is on the team, Lagares gets less time in the outfield. If Conforto spends any bit of substantial time in the minors, Lagares might be able to get 500 at bats.

I think Flores wants to be on the team, at any cost. I don't think he cares much where he plays, so long as he plays. I love a guy that cares more about the name on his chest more than the one on his back. You can see how much Flores wants be on the team and how he will do anything necessary to stay in that home clubhouse at Citi Field. I think maybe you even see Flores at first base this year while a bulk of his time will be at the other corner, the hot corner.

De Aza has swung a pretty good bat this spring while showing he still has life left in those legs, Maybe he can be a good fifth outfielder. Maybe even tested at first base some days? The Indians are in the market for more outfield depth but as the spring starts winding down, more teams start to figure out what they need and some might be more inclined to take on the five plus million dollars that is owed to De Aza. From the sound of it, the Mets aren't looking for much in terms of a player, just a team that can take on De Aza's salary.

It is interesting to note that the Mets brass was thinking about sending Plawecki down to the minors but it looks like they have elected to keep him on the big league staff. It is interesting because he's young and his and d'Arnaud's bat should see consistent at bats. They will need to be creative in finding playing time for both of the catchers. Maybe one catches and one plays third or first base, while Flores either gets a day off is playing the other position. It will be fun to see as the season opens how they use the two catchers. Is Plawecki going to be nothing more than a backup catcher for this 2016 team?

What do you think about this? What do you think they do with Plawecki and d'Arnaud? Who, if anyone, takes on De Aza's contract? What position will Flores get the most time at? Who will log the most innings by the end of the year playing each outfield position?

Either way, this is a very exciting time of the year where questions get answered and some arise. As the fast approaching Opening Day arrives, I am patiently waiting for this exciting day, like a non-Italian little kid on Christmas Eve. 

Matt Harvey Named Opening Day Starter

It's been announced, Matt Harvey will start opening day. Really any of the first three could start this year as the Opening Day starter which is really fascinating to see. This seems like a decent move (there really was no wrong move here), maybe deGrom should have gotten it, but Harvey is like a bull dog out there on the mound. It doesn't matter what he does outside the foul lines, when he's 60 feet 6 inches from the batters box, he's a competitor. Someone that you want on your side because he wants the ball as seen in game five of the World Series. He will get his chance at Kauffman Field against the 2015 World Series Champions, Kansas City Royals. It's a good way to set the tone for this team, show them the team that won last year. Show you want it on opening day and go out there and win. You want to win every game, but these have a little bit more to it.

I look forward to seeing Harvey on the mound April 3rd.

Let's go Mets!!!

Thank You Ruben Tejada!

Ruben Tejada. You never really filled Jose Reyes’ shoes but you sure provided a nice glove and when you found out what kind of hitter you were, a nice addiction to the lineup. You will be able to get a much better opportunity out there and I certainly hope you the best. You could have been a nice bat off the bench for the Mets but unfortunately you’re the same as Flores, can play 2b/ss/3b (and hopefully soon to 1b).

Tejada you were a nice slap hitter. A backup infielder. A nice bat off the bench. I hope you the best in free agency this year. I think the Cardinals would be a nice fit for you, just a standup organization. 

Spring Training Thoughts!

So with spring training under way, the media has taken a huge interest in Yoenis Cespedes and all the horse power he has off the field, including two horses. I thought the tricycle he received was a very nice touch and shows just how much the team has accepted him in the clubhouse.

Building a team is tough. The team that always comes to mind is the 2003 Mets when they compiled what looked like a really good team on paper with names like Roberto Alomar, Mo Vaughn, Jeromy Burnitz and Mike Piazza. They looked like their offense would be able to help carry them to victory. They even had Tom Glavine to lead the pitching staff. But at 66-95 the only thing they found themselves was in fifth place wondering how they could flip the roster. They had the stats on paper but not the chemistry in the clubhouse. Granted chemistry is helped by winning but even before you step on the field it's important to build a foundation that can overcome a losing streak. With a pitching staff like the Mets have this year, it's going to be tough to go on long losing streaks.

I like that Cespedes has taken it upon himself to be the guy that the media is drawn to. He has taken all of the pressure so everyone else can focus on the tasks at hand, even if it was only for a few days. He has tried to become accepted into the Mets clubhouse even more than he was after the historic second half of the regular season.

After all of that media attention, I liked what Terry Collins did. He put down the hammer on Cespedes and said it's time to start focusing on baseball and not how he gets to work. Time to start focusing on the 25 guys that will make up the opening day roster and how they will become the New York Mets.

I'm excited for this upcoming year. I still they have a few question marks, like how will Conforto take to a full season? Can Granderson come close to repeating last year? What happens with Lagares, who has come to camp looking in great shape, to keep him sharp? How will the middle infielders produce, defensively and offensively? How many games can David Wright play this year, because even his presence in the clubhouse is uplifting. Can Lucas Duda help provide the pop with Cespedes? Starters stopped going nine innings and it's looking like seven is the new nine for starters. With that being said, there's been more emphasis on the back end of the pen. Can the Mets bullpen slam the door shut when they need a big out in the seventh and eighth inning and the starter is out of the game?

I'm excited to see the season begin but these questions have been floating around. I'm excited to be seeing baseball again.

Lets go Mets!!!

Market On Cespedes Heating Up

Yoenis Cespedes's market seems like it has finally heated up. The White Sox, Mets and Nationals seem to be front runners in this race. There could always be a dark horse that enters the race and the Angels are always a threat but their payroll doesn't seem like it would allow for that. The Cardinals could also be a fit with Heyward signing with the rival Cubs but that seems like a long shot. The Astros could flirt with the idea of Cespedes strolling around the outfield at Minute Maid Park but that would be a crowded outfield with Coby Rasmus signing the qualifying offer,  George Springer and Carlos Gomez set in the outfield. The Padres seem like they could get in the mix if the price goes down.

So it comes down to three teams. If the White Sox sign him they help out their lineup in an AL Central that is shaping up to be very tight. If the Nationals sign him in a crowded outfield then they will have to find a way to juggle Ben Revere, Jayson Werth, Michael Taylor and Cespedes. A part of me thinks the Nationals want to sign him to take away one of the Mets weapons down the stretch even if they don't have room for him. That would be Daniel Murphy AND Yoenis Cespedes that could be seen in the Nationals lineup. Those two guys played a huge part in the Mets making it into the World Series.

Now for the Mets. The Mets would be able to keep him away from the Nationals which in itself is huge. He was a huge piece that saw the Mets blow past the Nationals and propel into the playoffs. Now I don't think he keeps that second half pace up-see postseason- but I do think he would be a bat that helps this club win a few extra games. His hustle has you yearning for more. The Mets could find him time in centerfield, which would then stick defensive wizard Lagares rotting on the bench for yet another year. They could also use him as a safety net for Conforto if he doesn't perform and he shows signs of needing more seasoning in the minors. Another long shot idea is putting Granderson in center and putting Cespedes in right field. With Cespedes's arm, I don't think right field would be a problem, even with not having any major league experience at that position. It's going to be interesting what unfolds in the next week because I think he makes a decision in the next week or two. Whether Cespedes is saying he has a desire to stay in New York because he truly means it or because he wants to up the other offers, it would be a shame to see another 2015 Met hero in a Nationals uniform. I am on the fence if I would like to see Cespedes in the Mets outfield but I would hate to see him the Nationals lineup. If the NL had a DH, which seems like it will be happening sooner rather than later, I would say the Mets should sign him and one of the four outfielders could fill the DH slot. The money shouldn't be the issue here as it is New York. The years, that could be a sticking point but with all of these teams putting in opt out clauses in high-profile deals, maybe the Mets could benefit from that. Can their be a team opt-out clause with a backloaded contract or even a mutual one? Only seems right that teams are able to do if players are. Also if he signs in New York, that more than likely leaves fan favorite Curtis Granderson having to find another team after next year.

Where do you think Cespedes signs? Would you like to see Cespedes sign as a Met? What would offer Cespedes? If he signs with the Mets, where does he play?

Quality Back End Reliever Signed

The signing you all have been waiting for happened last night! Okay so he's a signing that they Mets need, maybe you haven't been waiting for that signing but he is a valuable piece for the Mets. In a bullpen that scrambled all year for a guy that could get out lefty's late in the game, this signing looks good. He can get the big guys out like, Freddie Freeman and Bryce Harper. He can also stay in there for a full inning if needed. Hopefully his second half of the 2015 season is the kind of pitcher the Mets get but either way he is a good pitcher from the left side out of that pen. Maybe the price might be a little steep with $12 million over two years but that seems to be the market for a quality lefty that can perform under pressure. I still think they need one more reliever to help sure up that pen.

What do you think of this signing? What other reliever do you think the Mets should set their sights on?

Mike Piazza Memories

I remember on May 22, 1998, being 10 years old and my dad coming into the house saying, "The Mets got Mike Piazza." Not knowing much about baseball at the time, I just saw someone taking over my Todd Hundley's position and I didn't like it. Todd Hundley was my favorite player up until he was traded on that cold December morning.

My dad came into the house after work and exclaimed that Mike Piazza was a Met, he had the newspaper in hand and the back page was of Mike Piazza. I only recognized the name "Wilson," being the son of Mookie, I was sad that he was traded. Then little by little I warmed up to him. His bat had me cheering and hoping for a trophy. In 2000 he made the final out in the last game of the baseball season. In 2001 he hit my all time favorite home run. It was a homer that meant so much more than two runs. It allowed for New York to cheer again, it gave us a reason to smile and be happy.

Mike Piazza deservingly so made it into the Hall of Fame this past Wednesday. I'm very to hear about this. Tom Seaver finally has some company in Cooperstown.

What do you think about Piazza's induction?