I would make the case the Mets should keep Muno and Puello before Kirk and Campbell - Campbell has options, Puello does not. Puello, just two years ago had an epic season at Double-A and has as Collins called it "Tools that don't quit" - Niewenhuis might clear waivers, but it's clear him and den dekker are almost the exact same player so if Puello doesn't work out, we can still use MDD assuming Kirk is picked up on Waivers. I just think it's too much of a risk to give up on a prospect with his potential. He is at his lowest value right now, so why just give him away. Muno would provide a left handed batter off the bench (that kirk would have) since we have players that can already do what Campbell does defensively (PLAY 3B, 1B, OF - Cuddyer, Mayberry can do this), his job is redundant.
Thoughts?
I think Sandy is actively trying to trade Puello for a reliever. The bullpen is looking shaky right now.
weather looks like it may hold up for a Harvey start today.
With that said, he should have been sent packing a while ago.
I agree
really? despite the "options" and spring performance?
Right. And if you keep Tejada, that number goes up to zero.
Kidding aside, I agree we should keep RT.
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wouldn't release Tejada. That would be pretty silly on a team with 0 proven MLB SS's.
Right. And if you keep Tejada, that number goes up to zero.
Kidding aside, I agree we should keep RT.
Yeah, I'm not defending the guy. I openly despise watching the guy play but he's roughly slightly below average overall with an averageish glove. This isn't a swipe at Muno, Flores or Reynolds but we have NO idea if any of those 3 can be "just slightly below" overall for 2015. What's the upside dumping Tejada exactly? They save basically 1 million with nothing to spend it on. I could see if the debate was Tejada starting but as a backup (at least to begin the year) it's close to a no brainer to keep him
In fairness, TDA's defense was HORRENDOUS last year. How do we know his slow start/awful defense could not have been avoided/helped if they brought in a guy who had been a long term vet?
Shecky,
Rubin has Recker as the backup with no room for interpretation in his recent roster projection and he includes "insider" comments.
"Bench
Anthony Recker, C
Tejada, SS/2B
John Mayberry Jr., 1B/OF
Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF
Eric Campbell, IF/OF
Analysis: The most vulnerable on this list is Campbell, although he still is more likely than not to make the team. Mets officials really like Muno because of his plate discipline and walk rate, so there is a chance -- albeit small -- that he would unseat Campbell, who already is on the 40-man roster. Part of Campbell's attractiveness has been that his versatility includes being able to play the outfield and first base. But with Mayberry and Nieuwenhuis backups in the outfield, and with Mayberry and Cuddyer able to play first base, Campbell's versatility is not vital now. Nieuwenhuis seemingly has beaten out Matt den Dekker anyway, but it helps that Nieuwenhuis also is out of options and would need to clear waivers to be sent to the minors."
Monell won the job, but Mets not likely to repeat last years mistake. Yes, I know irony. Recker is still the same guy he was last year. But no one ever said Mets higher ups are logical lol.
If that's the case they shouldn't have tendered him a contract. At this point it makes no sense to thin out a position where they have NOTHING with proven MLB ability. Literally nothing. Not even some crappy vet who you could go "worst case..."
Monell won the job, but Mets not likely to repeat last years mistake. Yes, I know irony. Recker is still the same guy he was last year. But no one ever said Mets higher ups are logical lol.
I think Recker's experience with the pitching staff/trust from Warthen meant his spot was secure regardless of his (or Monell's spring). Rubin didn't even mention Monell as a possibility and his roster projections are coming from discussions with team insiders which implies he's not even "in the mix", he flat out said Puello isn't in the mix to make the team. In fairness Puello hasn't exactly had an impressive spring either.
Acknowledged he felt pain this week too
Recker is very dispensable obviously. And if everything goes well, Plaw would be the backup C in September for the stretch run anyway.
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when you have to change your motion to avoid shoulder fatigue, the countdown to the DL begins
Acknowledged he felt pain this week too
Much more concerning than him having shoulder pain, is him admitting it publicly.
Recker is very dispensable obviously. And if everything goes well, Plaw would be the backup C in September for the stretch run anyway.
I'm obviously not advocating for Recker just to be clear. He stinks outside of a few homers.
Nothing has happened (yet?). Niese came to camp feeling great for once. Publicly admitted after he threw last time he didn't feel right.
And, in a pinch, you can use him in center.
It seems these days there is one guy in the rotation who pitches to a different catcher to rest the starter.
Not sure if the Mets will do it that way, but sometimes these things sort themselves out.
It seems these days there is one guy in the rotation who pitches to a different catcher to rest the starter.
Not sure if the Mets will do it that way, but sometimes these things sort themselves out.
Doesn't appear they have specifically paired Harvey with specific catchers in games. Maybe in bullpen sessions they have.
Matz might be here sooner than we expected!
In fairness, TDA's defense was HORRENDOUS last year. How do we know his slow start/awful defense could not have been avoided/helped if they brought in a guy who had been a long term vet?
His defense wasn't good, but horrendous is a little strong. He was one of the better pitch framers in MLB last year. Stealing strikes has value.
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In fairness, TDA's defense was HORRENDOUS last year. How do we know his slow start/awful defense could not have been avoided/helped if they brought in a guy who had been a long term vet?
His defense wasn't good, but horrendous is a little strong. He was one of the better pitch framers in MLB last year. Stealing strikes has value.
Worst defensive catcher in baseball in 2014 by most metrics.
18/18 in defensive runs saved -15 runs (2nd worst was Salty at -8)
Led baseball in passed balls (despite only 108 games played)
Throwing 19% CS, league average in 2014 was 28
I'm hopeful for 2015 but he was arguably the worst overall defensive catcher in the entire league for the 2014 season and if he wasn't worst he was close to it
BR has him worth negative 1.1 WAR defensively
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In fairness, TDA's defense was HORRENDOUS last year. How do we know his slow start/awful defense could not have been avoided/helped if they brought in a guy who had been a long term vet?
His defense wasn't good, but horrendous is a little strong. He was one of the better pitch framers in MLB last year. Stealing strikes has value.
Geren actually said he was too focused on framing which hurt his ability in other areas.
As a National League scout said recently, “If he’s not better than he was last year, he’s going to have to hit 30 home runs just to make up for his defense.”
If that sounds overstated, well, statistics back him up. While it’s worth noting that d’Arnaud ranks highly in pitch-framing, a valuable skill that gets calls from umpires on borderline pitches, he still finished last in the majors with minus-15 defensive runs saved.
The ranking was mostly a combination of poor throwing, as he nailed only 19% of base-stealers (14 of 72), and his total of 12 passed balls, the most in the majors — a regression that shocked the Mets.
“When he first came up (in 2013) he was outstanding catching and throwing for us,” Terry Collins said this past week. “Last year he had a little bit of a dip and we’ve got to get him back to where he was because he’s a big piece for us.
“He’s got great confidence in his offense after last year and we need him to have that confidence defensively. That’s what we'll be looking at this spring.”