coming off serious surgery...everything sounds optimistic but what is the reality? will the Mets move him to the BP? will he start the season on the DL?
are much less than Harvey. Just for reference, have many pitchers missed two full seasons and come back successfully?
I would be more shocked if Wheeler was a contributor than if he was hit with a career ending injury in spring training. Not trying to be negative, but just looking at the reality.
The guy I want to see get his act together is Montero. Realize it's beyond a long such as this point, but no one has been able to explain to me what happened.
Such good command in the minors - even up to Binghamton gone to crap in AAA and the majors. Warthen should make it his job to fix Montero.
I don't think he could have been any worse the past two years.
I really believe Vegas (and poor work ethic?) messed him up.
Fangraphs had a good scouting report on him after his 2015 spot start.
We (Mets fans) know better than most you can never have enough SP Â
so yeah, I'm sure Lugo will end up starting at least a handful of games this year. I'm just more worried about who closes when Familia's suspended after Reed has pitched the first 2 games of a series. Even if they're comfortable with Robles in that role, who is pitching the 8th? Who's coming in when there's a man on and Murphy/Harper are coming up? Those are the moments that win or lose games.
at being back-end depth/long man depth than Montero does and he throws harder so he at least is more interesting to me.
I dont know what's going to happen to Wheeler but Pj's point about not many hard throwing starters coming back after a 2 year lay off might be exactly why they are giving up on him as a starter (not saying they are/hypothetical).
Smoltz didn't have the best control when he started out either.
It will be interesting how it all plays out. If he looks healthy in Spring Training without much issue I keep him as a starter. But maybe medically he'll never be a 180-200 inning guy again. Who knows?
Dom Smith is #29 on Keith Law's minors list...here's the write-up
"I’ve written since Smith was an amateur that he has raw power, but in his first two seasons in full-season ball he hit just seven homers, as playing his home games in very pitcher-friendly parks led him to focus on going the other way. In 2016, he started pulling the ball more, and hit 14 homers, more than doubling his career total to date, along with 29 doubles to finish with a .302/.367/.457 line. Smith is an extraordinarily disciplined, calm hitter, striking out in just 13 percent of his plate appearances last year, showing an advanced two-strike approach and willingness to use the whole field. In addition to just generally pulling the ball more in 2016, Smith also got the ball in the air more often, which is critical to boosting his batting average since he’s a well below-average runner.
Smith is an above-average defender at first whose 70 arm is sort of wasted at the position, and has worked this offseason on improving his conditioning, which was a concern last year as he was playing at what I’ll politely call the top end of the acceptable range for his weight. There’s still untapped power here, but given the progress Smith has already made in games this year, I expect 20-plus homers from him this year or next along with the same high averages and doubles totals he posted in 2015 and 2016."
timing with Duda's FA. Lets hope Smith has a good year where there is no question he's ready and not some "okay" year where we have to either go with him or sign some turd for a year.
Ken Rosenthal ✔ @Ken_Rosenthal
Among FA relievers whom #Mets are considering, per sources: Sergio Romo and Joe Smith. And of course, Jerry Blevins. Looking at all of ‘em.
timing with Duda's FA. Lets hope Smith has a good year where there is no question he's ready and not some "okay" year where we have to either go with him or sign some turd for a year.
It's a shame we couldn't expose him to a little RF assuming he can finally keep the weight down. I know it wont happen but a 70 arm? Jesus.
I'd be happy with any of those guys to be honest Â
timing with Duda's FA. Lets hope Smith has a good year where there is no question he's ready and not some "okay" year where we have to either go with him or sign some turd for a year.
It's a shame we couldn't expose him to a little RF assuming he can finally keep the weight down. I know it wont happen but a 70 arm? Jesus.
He was considered a 1b only even dating back to HS so I don't think that would be an option. The last place you want to start a player is 1b unless there is no chance he can play another position so pretty clearly the Mets saw him as 1b only.
started and no relievers had gone anywhere the Mets expected to part ways with Blevins.
What was the reason for that?
I just assumed they wanted to upgrade. He was supposed to be a LOOGY and last year lefties hit better against him than righties and he had a pretty bad second half.
started and no relievers had gone anywhere the Mets expected to part ways with Blevins.
What was the reason for that?
I just assumed they wanted to upgrade. He was supposed to be a LOOGY and last year lefties hit better against him than righties and he had a pretty bad second half.
Wasn't at all about upgrading. Blevins was asking for 3 years 21 million when the off-season opened and the Mets weren't willing to go there. Dunn got 19 so Blevins ask didn't seem crazy at all at the time.
fact, Blevins was arguably the #2 best lefty non-closer available after Brett Cecil (who got big money), inferior Rzepczynski got 2 years 11. There really was no Blevins upgrade to be had. He's a very solid pitcher, Collins was forced to overuse him. Giving away Alvarez in hindsight looks like a poor decision.
fact, Blevins was arguably the #2 best lefty non-closer available after Brett Cecil (who got big money), inferior Rzepczynski got 2 years 11. There really was no Blevins upgrade to be had. He's a very solid pitcher, Collins was forced to overuse him. Giving away Alvarez in hindsight looks like a poor decision.
He was great 1st half and great against righties, not so much as a loogy and his second half was mediocre.
so it was just to save $$?
I don't get quibbling over 2-3M per year on short team deals like this.
fact, Blevins was arguably the #2 best lefty non-closer available after Brett Cecil (who got big money), inferior Rzepczynski got 2 years 11. There really was no Blevins upgrade to be had. He's a very solid pitcher, Collins was forced to overuse him. Giving away Alvarez in hindsight looks like a poor decision.
He was great 1st half and great against righties, not so much as a loogy and his second half was mediocre.
so it was just to save $$?
I don't get quibbling over 2-3M per year on short team deals like this.
100% about his contract not performance.
"The Mets really like Jerry Blevins and would prefer to have a bona fide veteran lefty specialist next season in addition to southpaws Josh Edgin and Josh Smoker. Still, team officials are expecting Blevins to get a sizable multiyear offer elsewhere, which may price him out of the Mets' spending appetite for a left-handed reliever. Blevins, 33, is eligible for free agency this offseason after earning $4 million in 2016. He produced a 2.79 ERA in 73 relief appearances. Lefty batters actually hit .255 against Blevins this past season, while righties hit .182.
but he made $4M last year, and the Mets won't give him $6-7 per to lock him up for 3 years, I'd even start at 3 years 16M or something like that.
That should be short money and if they're ok with his performance, it should be a trivial under the radar signing IMO.
I'm with you. Not looking to argue budget/spending stuff this season because it becomes tedious but yeah at the end of the day not bringing in/keeping decent guys now usually results in having to give up talent later.
but he made $4M last year, and the Mets won't give him $6-7 per to lock him up for 3 years, I'd even start at 3 years 16M or something like that.
That should be short money and if they're ok with his performance, it should be a trivial under the radar signing IMO.
It's about the years. Sandy doesn't want to go 3 years on a LOOGY. If Blevins wanted 6-7 million on a one year deal it would be done IMO. My guess is Sandy has one year with maybe an option on the table.... Possibly willing to go 2 MAX. Blevins is still asking for 3.
When spending on a specialist in the pen is argued all day. Yet a guy like Valbuena who would have been an ideal fit for the club signs short term and for rustrating.
When spending on a specialist in the pen is argued all day. Yet a guy like Valbuena who would have been an ideal fit for the club signs short term and for rustrating.
But I have a feeling some of these guys like Joe Smith might have to settle for minor league deals before long. Pitchers and Catchers are less than a few weeks away.
Im guessing you dont extend the QO to Walker then?
Valbuena can play 1b, 2b, 3b. He's a better player than Wilmer and would allow them to use Reyes all over, rest him more. For that price would have been perfect. 114 OPS+ last 3 seasons
Smith has heavy, heavy usage for his career. Back issues, 4.99 FIP this past season and about to turn 33. Minor league deal as an "extra" guy sure but if he's the one BP addition it's not a good one.
Im guessing you dont extend the QO to Walker then?
Valbuena can play 1b, 2b, 3b. He's a better player than Wilmer and would allow them to use Reyes all over, rest him more. For that price would have been perfect. 114 OPS+ last 3 seasons
Can he hit leadoff? I know Reyes isn't 25 year old Reyes, but I almost value his lead-off hitter ability more than his fielding.
Granderson had a better OBP, but reyes still has speed and puts pressure on pitchers.
Im guessing you dont extend the QO to Walker then?
Valbuena can play 1b, 2b, 3b. He's a better player than Wilmer and would allow them to use Reyes all over, rest him more. For that price would have been perfect. 114 OPS+ last 3 seasons
I guess but Wilmer is free and much better against lefties. Reyes is more the super sub currently with Flores the 1B power bat that can platoon with Duda. At least in my eyes. If Wright went down then TJ Rivera would leapfrog Flores as next in line for the jack of all trades type. I think if we traded Flores we would immediately be looking for a lefty masher with pop for the bench. I like Flores in his current role.
Im guessing you dont extend the QO to Walker then?
Valbuena can play 1b, 2b, 3b. He's a better player than Wilmer and would allow them to use Reyes all over, rest him more. For that price would have been perfect. 114 OPS+ last 3 seasons
Can he hit leadoff? I know Reyes isn't 25 year old Reyes, but I almost value his lead-off hitter ability more than his fielding.
Granderson had a better OBP, but reyes still has speed and puts pressure on pitchers.
Reyes isn't even going to be in the lineup when Wright is so they are going to have to find an alternate leadoff hitter for a good portion of the season. We aren't going to see 110 games started by Jose Reyes unless David Wright is kaput.
The Blue Jays are also keeping in touch with Blevins, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca. Toronto’s search for a southpaw reliever has also led it to consider Craig Breslow, per the report. The team was among those to check out his new mechanics recently.
(wright on the field for 50+ games). If you had to guess how many games do you expect Wright, Duda, and Walker to be together in the infield? Three significant back/neck issues of the 4 prospective infield starters.
Reyes is planning to get time in the OF this Spring too, which might make sense for a number of reasons, keeps his leadoff bat and probably improves OF D even if at 33 or whatever he is, he hasn't ever played OF. He'd be probably better than Bruce.
See what happens with Bruce, he's kind of the keystone to the planning not to rehash yesterdays thread.
Breslow is 36 years old and basically sucks for his career. ST invite? Sure who cares but lowering his arm slot means very little. I'm sure these older guys tinker with trying these things all the time. Jason Marquis is attempting a comeback as well...
if we offered him a major league contract. I'd rather see what Edgin could do another year post surgery. A major league contract means Edgin gets exposed to waivers most likely. Wouldn't make sense.
But with our current construction I could totally see teams wanting to go to a tough lefty late in the game with Duda, Granderson, Bruce/Conforto. Having Flores and his ridiculous wRC+ of 192 sitting on the bench ready to pinch hit might make teams think twice.
I'd look into dealing them some AAA prospects to get Joe Kelly.
especially since their farm took a hit with the Sale and Thornburg trades.
Kelly has been relegated to the BP and is like starter #7 or 8 and I might even see what the Mets scouts thought of Henry Ownes and pursue him. I think Owens gets bumped to Pawtucket.
long liked Kelly. I'm surprised he hasn't been better than he's been. Owens control is a major issue. I doubt the Sox would give him away at a price that made sense to the Mets. He's cheap and team controlled so there is no incentive to move him.
RE: Bring back the best young pitcher in baseball! Â
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who remembers that. I made a comment to Joe about it last year when he started posting again and he didn't even remember it.
long liked Kelly. I'm surprised he hasn't been better than he's been. Owens control is a major issue. I doubt the Sox would give him away at a price that made sense to the Mets. He's cheap and team controlled so there is no incentive to move him.
Agree on both. Neither would be cheap, but Kelly's $3M, plus impending arbitration and logjam might be enough to move him.
Owens would be a project, I just think the Sox would move him for a prospect seeing how the odds are Owens ceiling is now probably a middle reliever/LOOGY (if he can figrue out how to get lefties out)/AAAA pitcher. And the Mets would only be interested IMO if Warthen thinks he can correct his control.
Plus the Sox now have Price (opt out not withstanding) Sale and Porcello locked up long-ish term and youngster Eduardo Rodriguez under team control as well as veteran knuckleballer Steven Wright.
I would be more shocked if Wheeler was a contributor than if he was hit with a career ending injury in spring training. Not trying to be negative, but just looking at the reality.
The guy I want to see get his act together is Montero. Realize it's beyond a long such as this point, but no one has been able to explain to me what happened.
Such good command in the minors - even up to Binghamton gone to crap in AAA and the majors. Warthen should make it his job to fix Montero.
I don't think he could have been any worse the past two years.
I really believe Vegas (and poor work ethic?) messed him up.
Fangraphs had a good scouting report on him after his 2015 spot start.
I dont know what's going to happen to Wheeler but Pj's point about not many hard throwing starters coming back after a 2 year lay off might be exactly why they are giving up on him as a starter (not saying they are/hypothetical).
Smoltz didn't have the best control when he started out either.
It will be interesting how it all plays out. If he looks healthy in Spring Training without much issue I keep him as a starter. But maybe medically he'll never be a 180-200 inning guy again. Who knows?
"I’ve written since Smith was an amateur that he has raw power, but in his first two seasons in full-season ball he hit just seven homers, as playing his home games in very pitcher-friendly parks led him to focus on going the other way. In 2016, he started pulling the ball more, and hit 14 homers, more than doubling his career total to date, along with 29 doubles to finish with a .302/.367/.457 line. Smith is an extraordinarily disciplined, calm hitter, striking out in just 13 percent of his plate appearances last year, showing an advanced two-strike approach and willingness to use the whole field. In addition to just generally pulling the ball more in 2016, Smith also got the ball in the air more often, which is critical to boosting his batting average since he’s a well below-average runner.
Smith is an above-average defender at first whose 70 arm is sort of wasted at the position, and has worked this offseason on improving his conditioning, which was a concern last year as he was playing at what I’ll politely call the top end of the acceptable range for his weight. There’s still untapped power here, but given the progress Smith has already made in games this year, I expect 20-plus homers from him this year or next along with the same high averages and doubles totals he posted in 2015 and 2016."
Among FA relievers whom #Mets are considering, per sources: Sergio Romo and Joe Smith. And of course, Jerry Blevins. Looking at all of ‘em.
It's a shame we couldn't expose him to a little RF assuming he can finally keep the weight down. I know it wont happen but a 70 arm? Jesus.
Quote:
timing with Duda's FA. Lets hope Smith has a good year where there is no question he's ready and not some "okay" year where we have to either go with him or sign some turd for a year.
It's a shame we couldn't expose him to a little RF assuming he can finally keep the weight down. I know it wont happen but a 70 arm? Jesus.
He was considered a 1b only even dating back to HS so I don't think that would be an option. The last place you want to start a player is 1b unless there is no chance he can play another position so pretty clearly the Mets saw him as 1b only.
What was the reason for that?
I just assumed they wanted to upgrade. He was supposed to be a LOOGY and last year lefties hit better against him than righties and he had a pretty bad second half.
What was the reason for that?
I just assumed they wanted to upgrade. He was supposed to be a LOOGY and last year lefties hit better against him than righties and he had a pretty bad second half.
Wasn't at all about upgrading. Blevins was asking for 3 years 21 million when the off-season opened and the Mets weren't willing to go there. Dunn got 19 so Blevins ask didn't seem crazy at all at the time.
He was great 1st half and great against righties, not so much as a loogy and his second half was mediocre.
so it was just to save $$?
I don't get quibbling over 2-3M per year on short team deals like this.
Quote:
fact, Blevins was arguably the #2 best lefty non-closer available after Brett Cecil (who got big money), inferior Rzepczynski got 2 years 11. There really was no Blevins upgrade to be had. He's a very solid pitcher, Collins was forced to overuse him. Giving away Alvarez in hindsight looks like a poor decision.
He was great 1st half and great against righties, not so much as a loogy and his second half was mediocre.
so it was just to save $$?
I don't get quibbling over 2-3M per year on short team deals like this.
100% about his contract not performance.
"The Mets really like Jerry Blevins and would prefer to have a bona fide veteran lefty specialist next season in addition to southpaws Josh Edgin and Josh Smoker. Still, team officials are expecting Blevins to get a sizable multiyear offer elsewhere, which may price him out of the Mets' spending appetite for a left-handed reliever. Blevins, 33, is eligible for free agency this offseason after earning $4 million in 2016. He produced a 2.79 ERA in 73 relief appearances. Lefty batters actually hit .255 against Blevins this past season, while righties hit .182.
Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff Writer
but he made $4M last year, and the Mets won't give him $6-7 per to lock him up for 3 years, I'd even start at 3 years 16M or something like that.
That should be short money and if they're ok with his performance, it should be a trivial under the radar signing IMO.
but he made $4M last year, and the Mets won't give him $6-7 per to lock him up for 3 years, I'd even start at 3 years 16M or something like that.
That should be short money and if they're ok with his performance, it should be a trivial under the radar signing IMO.
I'm with you. Not looking to argue budget/spending stuff this season because it becomes tedious but yeah at the end of the day not bringing in/keeping decent guys now usually results in having to give up talent later.
but he made $4M last year, and the Mets won't give him $6-7 per to lock him up for 3 years, I'd even start at 3 years 16M or something like that.
That should be short money and if they're ok with his performance, it should be a trivial under the radar signing IMO.
It's about the years. Sandy doesn't want to go 3 years on a LOOGY. If Blevins wanted 6-7 million on a one year deal it would be done IMO. My guess is Sandy has one year with maybe an option on the table.... Possibly willing to go 2 MAX. Blevins is still asking for 3.
Link - ( New Window )
15 million over 2... steal
Valbuena can play 1b, 2b, 3b. He's a better player than Wilmer and would allow them to use Reyes all over, rest him more. For that price would have been perfect. 114 OPS+ last 3 seasons
Likely their starting 2b in 2018 if things break correctly
Quote:
Im guessing you dont extend the QO to Walker then?
Valbuena can play 1b, 2b, 3b. He's a better player than Wilmer and would allow them to use Reyes all over, rest him more. For that price would have been perfect. 114 OPS+ last 3 seasons
Can he hit leadoff? I know Reyes isn't 25 year old Reyes, but I almost value his lead-off hitter ability more than his fielding.
Granderson had a better OBP, but reyes still has speed and puts pressure on pitchers.
Quote:
Im guessing you dont extend the QO to Walker then?
Valbuena can play 1b, 2b, 3b. He's a better player than Wilmer and would allow them to use Reyes all over, rest him more. For that price would have been perfect. 114 OPS+ last 3 seasons
I guess but Wilmer is free and much better against lefties. Reyes is more the super sub currently with Flores the 1B power bat that can platoon with Duda. At least in my eyes. If Wright went down then TJ Rivera would leapfrog Flores as next in line for the jack of all trades type. I think if we traded Flores we would immediately be looking for a lefty masher with pop for the bench. I like Flores in his current role.
Quote:
In comment 13340330 ZGiants98 said:
Quote:
Im guessing you dont extend the QO to Walker then?
Valbuena can play 1b, 2b, 3b. He's a better player than Wilmer and would allow them to use Reyes all over, rest him more. For that price would have been perfect. 114 OPS+ last 3 seasons
Can he hit leadoff? I know Reyes isn't 25 year old Reyes, but I almost value his lead-off hitter ability more than his fielding.
Granderson had a better OBP, but reyes still has speed and puts pressure on pitchers.
Reyes isn't even going to be in the lineup when Wright is so they are going to have to find an alternate leadoff hitter for a good portion of the season. We aren't going to see 110 games started by Jose Reyes unless David Wright is kaput.
Reyes is planning to get time in the OF this Spring too, which might make sense for a number of reasons, keeps his leadoff bat and probably improves OF D even if at 33 or whatever he is, he hasn't ever played OF. He'd be probably better than Bruce.
See what happens with Bruce, he's kind of the keystone to the planning not to rehash yesterdays thread.
Breslow is 36 years old and basically sucks for his career. ST invite? Sure who cares but lowering his arm slot means very little. I'm sure these older guys tinker with trying these things all the time. Jason Marquis is attempting a comeback as well...
He's probably at least decent-ish against lefties. His control was a major issue in limited play last year though.
He played very well in his limited role. It's these little signings, the ML contracts, the guys who get cut - I love the small moves.
I'd look into dealing them some AAA prospects to get Joe Kelly.
especially since their farm took a hit with the Sale and Thornburg trades.
Kelly has been relegated to the BP and is like starter #7 or 8 and I might even see what the Mets scouts thought of Henry Ownes and pursue him. I think Owens gets bumped to Pawtucket.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who remembers that. I made a comment to Joe about it last year when he started posting again and he didn't even remember it.
Agree on both. Neither would be cheap, but Kelly's $3M, plus impending arbitration and logjam might be enough to move him.
Owens would be a project, I just think the Sox would move him for a prospect seeing how the odds are Owens ceiling is now probably a middle reliever/LOOGY (if he can figrue out how to get lefties out)/AAAA pitcher. And the Mets would only be interested IMO if Warthen thinks he can correct his control.
Plus the Sox now have Price (opt out not withstanding) Sale and Porcello locked up long-ish term and youngster Eduardo Rodriguez under team control as well as veteran knuckleballer Steven Wright.
Plus they just signed Pomeranz to a 1-year deal.