NFT: Mets Dodgers Game 2

"Darrell Ceciliani" is a Black guy or Italian guy, turns out to be the latter

really praying they can keep their heads above water on this road trip. Saw a stat that in the last 20 days they've only scored 25 runs or something close to that..

Plawecki catches a real nice game and has done well in RBI situations.Hhe's just not ready to be a consistent bat yet.

last I saw. Depending on whether he will need a rehab stint (seeming likely) he's probably 2-4 weeks away. Plawecki looks like he's starting to improve at the plate.

Slowest healer ever... Won't be back for this road trip.

In comment 12356226 Shecky said:

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Slowest healer ever... Won't be back for this road trip.

since road trip ends on Wednesday your right

Who the hell is Joe Pederson? Dude has 20 HRs.

justin pugh

He bears down in sac fly situations well. It's promising that he has good situational awareness and can execute under pressure. In general though he has struggled badly.

If you're going to hit like shit. At least make the easy plays for the pitcher. Unreal

To punch Flores in the face

Keep your bat on your shoulder for two strikes and then swing and miss at a garbage pitch. Opposing pitchers must laugh their ass off when they have to face the Mets.

But, hey, keep looking for those walks. OBP BABY!

Was nice to see Duda and Flores get a couple of big hits during the rally (Plawecki and Lagares too). Hopefully signs of at least a few guys getting going who can be part of something sustaining, and at worst worth investing time/patience with because they have talent. Disappointing that Cuddyer continues to be a total rally killer though. Between his play and the OF injury concerns they desperately need to add someone with the capability of also playing CF so they can move guys to the bench if necessary full time. Ceciliani has played ok given circumstance, but he can not be your 5 hitter in any way, shape, or form. I'm also now fully convinced I'd rather watch Rollins than Tejada at SS over the rest of the season, but I doubt that's how Sandy decides to take on salary.

Onley wrote another pretty scathing article about the team's inaction (insider) but it's nothing all that new except a few quotes from scouts and GM's around baseball.

RE: Current Struggles (not earth shattering)

Quote:

On June 16, the Mets were 36-30 and led the NL East by 1 1/2 games. The team's offense was already a major concern, but to that point, the players had managed to cover that problem. But over the past 17 days, the Mets have totaled 23 runs. In their past 14 games, they've scored more than two runs just twice, and with four wins and 10 losses in that stretch, they've fallen to .500 (40-40). A couple of evaluators who have seen the Mets say that the lineup has too many players who belong in the minors, in their current stage, and that the lack of depth in the order is crushing Lucas Duda, who looks like Babe Ruth compared to his hitting mates. "Why would you pitch to him?" asked one scout rhetorically.

RE: Trade Market (also not earth shattering)

Quote:

Generally speaking, the trade market is currently dormant, general managers report; teams are not willing to give up hope for 2015. But there are teams looking for pitching, something the Mets have. There are experienced players in other teams' minor league systems, and maybe the Mets could make a deal for players like that, in the way the Blue Jays have gotten surprising and excellent production out of journeyman Chris Colabello. They could dig into the corners of rosters of other teams and find players with bad contracts, to see if help can be found. Maybe the Dodgers would eat enough of Andre Ethier's salary to make something work for the Mets? And the Mets need to find the password to their ATM machine and pull out some money. The more they are willing to spend, the more options Alderson and the people in the baseball operations department will have. (For what it's worth, the notion of the Mets having one of the lowest payrolls in baseball draws chuckles from rival executives, who have a pretty good idea of what the Mets receive from their partnership within MLB.)

Mets' season crumbling as management stands idly by (insider) - ( New Window )

In comment 12356245 SanFranNowNCGiantsFan said:

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Who the hell is Joe Pederson? Dude has 20 HRs.

Some super stud prospect in his first season with the dodgers. Him or Kris Bryant will probably win the Rookie of the Year.

In comment 12356449 sshin05 said:

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In comment 12356245 SanFranNowNCGiantsFan said: Quote: Who the hell is Joe Pederson? Dude has 20 HRs. Some super stud prospect in his first season with the dodgers. Him or Kris Bryant will probably win the Rookie of the Year.

Eh, I don't know if i'd call him a super stud just yet. His numbers are inflated because he has hit a lot of HRs and has a lot of BBs...but that's really all he is at this point. For all of those HRs, he only has 38 RBIs and also leads the league in Ks. Definitely the potential to be an excellent player but he's got some work to do.

But I prefer my big power, OBP guys to strikeout. Most power hitters aren't the fastest and putting the ball in play to record outs runs a high risk of hitting into double plays which is obviously worst.

For every extra DP, how many more times will that player advance a runner by hitting it to the OF or behind the runner in the infield? Or put pressure on the defense to turn the DP? Or change the pitchers strategy because the batter is a tough K?

Bases loaded no out and I know I have a high strikeout hitter up. As a pitcher, I know if I k him then the next hitter hits a ground ball, I am out of this inning unscathed.

You'd rather have your power bats strikeout than put the bat on the ball? That's some strange ass logic right there. I understand the double play thing, but K's follow you ever at bat, whether there is a guy on first, second, third, or no one on base. For as many times as they may come up in a DP opportunity, which probably isn't many in the grand scheme, I'd prefer they see the ball and hit the ball.

This offense is designed for the big three run home runs, obviously. That's aAlderson offense the way the triangle is Phil Jacksons.

Problem is, we don't have high on base guys. Nor power hitters. Therefor our O will go through ridiculous stretches like this. Sometimes it's nice to know you have one or two guys in the lineup at least capable of scoring a run even when the team doesn't get a base hit that inning (ex walk, steal, advance to 3rd on a grounder to 2B, score on a typical FB to the OF)

could sign David Wright's over the hill bromance.

Michael Cuddyers face no matter how much he stinks

disgust for Cuddyer. He has absolutely killed this team

and bench Cuddyer please.

Quote:

“Somebody asked me the other day if I’ve seen anybody that’s impressed me,” a scout said, on the condition of anonymity. “He was the name that popped up into my head. He’s probably more advanced than any hitter I’ve seen in the minor leagues this year. He makes a lot of solid contact. He drives the ball.”

Link - ( New Window )

Looks completely exposed

I root for the team he is traded to

but Matx looks better than Harvey, deGrom and Thor.

There isn't a snowballs chance in hell I'd trade him.

we have not seen close to what he will be

In comment 12356736 Headhunter said:

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we have not seen close to what he will be

Maybe, he's 24 years old already with one TJ under his belt and was probably one set back away from calling it a career, so I won't speculate on ceiling, but lefties like him I think the first time through the league, when no one's seen them at this level have a little advantage.

that being said, it's not just not having seen him, his stuff is filthy. He's like TC described Thor, but a lefty, throws 97 with a hook from hell.

he has better command. This nonsense of pitching once a week is not doing him a favor.

In comment 12356746 Headhunter said:

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he has better command. This nonsense of pitching once a week is not doing him a favor.

agree, I think this has to be temporary until either Niese or Colon are dealt or they shut down Harvey who apparently has a cocaine issue (j/k)

The rotation has a week off. Thor in Fr Harvey Sat Matz next Sunday. How do you stay sharp?

.

In comment 12356552 ZGiants98 said:

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But I prefer my big power, OBP guys to strikeout. Most power hitters aren't the fastest and putting the ball in play to record outs runs a high risk of hitting into double plays which is obviously worst.

Yeah, that's some strange logic. There is no scenario where I'd "want" my players to strike out more. You can't be afraid about players hitting into DPs (unless it's Cuddyer). You always want them to put the bat on the ball.

It is weird to be among the league leaders in BBs and Ks at the same time. So, he has a good eye but he doesn't? lol. How does that happen?

I agree with Darling, it's been a struggle for him.

Harvey was always going to have some ups and downs coming back from surgery/year off. It's likely only temporary anyway, and the fact is they need to do whatever they can to reduce some of these guy's innings.

.

come around. I hate Cuddyer

In comment 12356825 Headhunter said:

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come around. I hate Cuddyer

Flores may wind up the most consistent hitter on the team (which right now is like being the tallest midget, but I mean down the road). He has such a sweet swing. More exposure, more experience, more improvement

but it seems like Flores is really coming around. I also think Plawecki is starting to look more and more comfortable both offensively and defensively. Great to hear (and see the stats) for Matz. This pitching is obscene.

was thinking of Havana

is impressive. If he is representative of the other arms in the organization, the Mets are in great shape

is en fuego

Holy shit

.

are still on the team when they activate Mejia on Tuesday

"tried" to get rid of who was cut by Texas?

He looks pretty good (in the small sample).

is

.

won a batting title which is totally mind blowing.

In comment 12356804 PhiPsi125 said:

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In comment 12356552 ZGiants98 said: Quote: But I prefer my big power, OBP guys to strikeout. Most power hitters aren't the fastest and putting the ball in play to record outs runs a high risk of hitting into double plays which is obviously worst. Yeah, that's some strange logic. There is no scenario where I'd "want" my players to strike out more. You can't be afraid about players hitting into DPs (unless it's Cuddyer). You always want them to put the bat on the ball. It is weird to be among the league leaders in BBs and Ks at the same time. So, he has a good eye but he doesn't? lol. How does that happen?

Just saw this. I feel that players who often generate a lot of power have a propensity to strikeout more. Makes sense to me anyway. Strikeouts have never bothered me like they do some people. Like I said I actually prefer strikeouts to weak grounders, ect. If your hitting 40 home runs, walking a lot, you can strikeout all day long in my book. All good though. I know not everyone agrees with that.

Somebody to join Murphy and Granderson. Flores has come out of it. We have three hitters again. If only Duda and Cuddyer would come back from the Abyss.

If Duda regresses to pre last year level Duda, that's another hole in the lineup for a team that already has too many holes. We have to be able to count on him to be a solid 1st basemen and middle of the order hitter.

Cuddyer on the other hand is just holding down a position for Conforto. Plus its not like he's been good this season so expectations are low.

In comment 12357014 chris r said:

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If Duda regresses to pre last year level Duda, that's another hole in the lineup for a team that already has too many holes. We have to be able to count on him to be a solid 1st basemen and middle of the order hitter. Cuddyer on the other hand is just holding down a position for Conforto. Plus its not like he's been good this season so expectations are low.

I agree. I said before the season Duda was essentially the key to 2015 and the one player we couldn't lose or afford to have regress. If he's hitting at all over the last month or so we have a whole lot more wins right now. He's been absolutely terrible.

will be his first since the end of May

you could argue that Harvey has been the least impressive of the Mets four young pitchers this year. Matt Harvey. And its not like he's been bad mostly.

what the Dodgers must be thinking not seeing the Mets all that often. They got completely dominated by Thor, Robles, and Familia Friday night. Faced the weaker Harvey on Saturday, and Matz today. They left knowing they didn't even face our ace. lol. Crazy.

In comment 12356481 PhiPsi125 said:

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In comment 12356449 sshin05 said: Quote: In comment 12356245 SanFranNowNCGiantsFan said: Quote: Who the hell is Joe Pederson? Dude has 20 HRs. Some super stud prospect in his first season with the dodgers. Him or Kris Bryant will probably win the Rookie of the Year. Eh, I don't know if i'd call him a super stud just yet. His numbers are inflated because he has hit a lot of HRs and has a lot of BBs...but that's really all he is at this point. For all of those HRs, he only has 38 RBIs and also leads the league in Ks. Definitely the potential to be an excellent player but he's got some work to do.

His numbers in the minors are really good so he was a super stud prospect, now he's just young player with brimming potential. He's been batting lead off hence the low number of rbi's for a power bat.

In comment 12357007 ZGiants98 said:

Quote:

In comment 12356804 PhiPsi125 said: Quote: In comment 12356552 ZGiants98 said: Quote: But I prefer my big power, OBP guys to strikeout. Most power hitters aren't the fastest and putting the ball in play to record outs runs a high risk of hitting into double plays which is obviously worst. Yeah, that's some strange logic. There is no scenario where I'd "want" my players to strike out more. You can't be afraid about players hitting into DPs (unless it's Cuddyer). You always want them to put the bat on the ball. It is weird to be among the league leaders in BBs and Ks at the same time. So, he has a good eye but he doesn't? lol. How does that happen? Just saw this. I feel that players who often generate a lot of power have a propensity to strikeout more. Makes sense to me anyway. Strikeouts have never bothered me like they do some people. Like I said I actually prefer strikeouts to weak grounders, ect. If your hitting 40 home runs, walking a lot, you can strikeout all day long in my book. All good though. I know not everyone agrees with that.

I don't totally disagree with you on power hitters/strikeouts. But you are comparing strikeouts (automatic outs) to balls put in play (not automatic outs). They won't all be weak grounders. And even if they were, some will surely find some holes and/or be flubbed by the defense. Some will be sacrifices. Some will actually be hits. And that's my point. A strikeout is the worst kind of out. They won't all be DPs. But I get what you are saying.

To me outs are outs though. To me the best outs are the ones that only register one out. If your putting a ball in play and it finds a hole that's no longer an out. Thats a hit. And a hit will show up in your batting average, OBP, and OPS. According to James, OPS is the truest measure of a players offense. How often they get on base and many bases they are accumulating with their hits is the real measure of a players offensive impact. Strikeouts don't really effect that number one way or the other. Pederson is OPSing .885, he has a wRC+ of 148, and has an OBP of .375. 20 homeruns in half a season and WAR of 3.5 at the half way mark. This kid is having a special season at least so far IMO.

Like I said, I don't necessarily disagree, just the way I look at it.

this offense has to be getting somewhat better right? Flores seems out of the black hole. Maybe even one of Duda or Cuddyer could join him? Maybe TDA can get back in two weeks or so?

This rotation is just so nasty right now.