-Mets and Neil Walker's people are talking extension. Walker and Sandy expected to sit down directly shortly.
- Sandy says Mets are "all in" regards to the payroll. The Mets can add or adjust over the course of the season regardless of Bruce. (I maintain the early spring stuff was a negotiating ploy while he was still engaged in talks with Blevins and others and it worked)
-Wright made 30 throws today and felt good
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Obviously I love Holdschmidt but his contract is absolutely incredible to the point the price to obtain him would be mindblowing (Think Matz+ Rosario +). Injuries change things but for now bullpen and guys with "expiring" deals would be the most realistic targets I would think. Bench likely too. Catcher would be another possibility obviously
So many factors right now I have a hard time looking at any actual targets at this point. We look great on paper if everyone's healthy. Injuries will dictate how far we go and I'm guessing Sandy will react based on what our needs are at the time of the deadline. If Duda has 17 HR at the deadline and Smith is killing it in Vegas, Goldy wouldn't make much sense. If Duda is injured again and Smith is struggling of course he does then. Just have to wait and see.
I don't know the Mets match up well with them, but I'd rather trade for him now than at the deadline when his price will be higher. He is signed for two years though.
Familia, Robertson, and Reed is what I'm looking for in the back of the bullpen and Robertson provides the type of insurance I'd like while Familia is suspended.
Plus as reported the Nats were pretty far down the trade path with CHW before they reached a stalemate trying to acquire Robertson. Would be preemptive.
Sean Kelley is not a reliable closer IMO.
Side note...I'd check in on Jonathan Papelbon and see his interest in a one year deal. From a peripherals standpoint last year was maybe a blip in his career. I know he's a douche but hard to claim the high road on a team with two wife beaters.
I don't know the Mets match up well with them, but I'd rather trade for him now than at the deadline when his price will be higher. He is signed for two years though.
Familia, Robertson, and Reed is what I'm looking for in the back of the bullpen and Robertson provides the type of insurance I'd like while Familia is suspended.
Plus as reported the Nats were pretty far down the trade path with CHW before they reached a stalemate trying to acquire Robertson. Would be preemptive.
Sean Kelley is not a reliable closer IMO.
Side note...I'd check in on Jonathan Papelbon and see his interest in a one year deal. From a peripherals standpoint last year was maybe a blip in his career. I know he's a douche but hard to claim the high road on a team with two wife beaters.
PJ, IIRC the rumor was that they would need to give up Conforto to get Robertson.
They don't have an OF prospect close enough to consider but a top 10 prospect gets it done for me possibly.
Mets need to seize this current situation with their starting pitching. Let's say Conforto is in AAA this year, I'd deal him for Robertson, if the White Sox sent back a decent prospect.
another year the Mets don't win, makes it another year less likely they ever do with this cast.
Of course the Mets would say no. The Sox just received huge packages for Sale and Eaton so they are going to continue asking for huge returns. They don't need to trade Robertson now but by the deadline they should be able to receive a nice prospect or two for him.
His value may never be higher.
If you go off his latest season, he's a platoon player, with average to below average corner OFer power who might play passable defense.
Conforto is not 19 years old, he'll be 24 in two weeks, he should be projectible at this point, but he's not even expected to be on the major league roster.
bullpen is the way to shore up this team to contend for a title, not Conforto in AAA. He's 25 next year before the season starts.
People grow too attached to prospects. Seen it with Escobar, Payton, Milledge, F-Mart, Humber, Pelfrey, Davis, etc.
Mets fans defended turning down Milledge for Manny. Some people get blinders when it comes to their own home grown prospects.
all those guys more highly regarded/rated than Conforto all pretty much flamed out (though Payton had some good seasons; none like the elite prospect he was expected to be though).
I view bullpen as the Achilles heel of the team right now, maybe some don't care, but that's my opinion. If I could get Robertson + a prospect for Conforto I'd do it in a second.
Maybe he ends up like Ike Davis or Milledge, but 2 years of Robertson isn't worth giving up the potential that he's really the guy we saw in 2015 + April 2016 (who looked like he was going to be our 3 hitter for the next decade).
His value may never be higher.
Im sorry, but that's just ridiculous. He DOES play good defense for a corner and many still believe he has future all-star ability. Conforto and Rosario is who we are building our team around going forward as Granderson, Bruce, Duda, Wright, Cabrera, and eventually, Walker go the way of the DODO. Conforto went through one brutal cold streak last year before destroying Vegas and finishing strong in the majors (HE STILL FINISHED almost league average with the bat and would have been well over a 2 WAR player if he had played a full season. You want to give him up for a 32 reliever coming off his worst season in 7 years when our bullpen was ranked number 2 in baseball last year and arguably got better over the offseason?? Hey everyone's allowed an opinion. Not in my world, though.
Maybe he ends up like Ike Davis or Milledge, but 2 years of Robertson isn't worth giving up the potential that he's really the guy we saw in 2015 + April 2016 (who looked like he was going to be our 3 hitter for the next decade).
I find myself agreeing with you 100% lately. Well done Eric.
Simply looking at the facts.
Robertson on the Mets roster does more for the Mets, the team trying to win the World Series in 2017 than Conforto in Vegas.
I am in win-now mode. Before you know it Harvey could be gone, Matz could be in the pen or who knows with his durability issues, deGrom who knows with his injury history, and we'll be looking back at these guys like Generation K.
Strike while you can. A championship to me is worth more than rolling the dice on Conforto panning out.
I'm certainly not building my team around Conforto. If that were the case the Mets wouldn't have exercised Bruce's option or at least would be willing to give Bruce a $13M utility role and start Conforto as the "everyday" RFer.
I'm building my team around the starting rotation which is the strength today and the next couple years.
PJ, I agree that the Mets window is now as you mentioned even the most optimistic fan has to admit that nobody knows how long Harvey and Matz will hold up or even Degrom for that matter.
There's huge potential there and I think we've got to just let it develop.
ZERO chance Conforto isn't on the postseason roster THIS year and I'd field bets on that if anyone's interested.
There's huge potential there and I think we've got to just let it develop.
I said I'd want a prospect back. I'd be feeling pressure to win a title if I were the Mets.
and I kept hearing about the potential with TDA until finally people are starting to think there's not so much potential as there is "this is what we're likely going to get from TDA".
potential doesn't win World Series. Need more Dave Dombrowski and less people holding on to prospects forever.
Look at all the talent the Red Sox gave up this off-season because they're in win-now mode, look what the Nats gave up because they're in win-now mode, I maintain the Mets should be feeling the same urgency.
And IMO that DOESN'T mean mortgage the future. I wouldn't trade Rosario, I doubt I'd trade Szapucki, Lindsay, Smith even or Dunn unless it's a Stanton coming back and then still would prefer not trade Rosario.
But Conforto doesn't give me the same confidence he gives some of you. He seems destined to be a platoon player, I don't give his defense the same grade some of you do, and I think the latter part of the 2016 season is more what he is than the latter part of 2015 when no one had really faced him.
And I think Vegas is the worst thing for him, but it's likely where he'll be, not developing or working on any flaws.
That's the kind Omar logic that put us in a huge hole for 5+ years.
Conforto I think just needs regular PT at the MLB level and he will become an excellent hitter. I know that's the major issue.. we don't really have a way to get him that right now.
I still would be very hesitant to deal him though.
His worst trades were Heath Bell and Brian Bannister off the top of my head, but he also traded away the prospects some of you hold so dearly for Johan Santana.
Minaya's flaws were FA's like Jason Bay.
My POV is the Mets are in fact in win-now mode because pitching breaks. It's not magically found and I still believe in the old school pitching and defense wins championships.
Conforto helps less with this box score than Robertson IMO.
As we saw last year Thor can't win by himself.
And as a sidenote. Im a much bigger believer in Conforto's bat at this point then I am with Rosarios. Rosario has a LONG way to go before he proves he can handle major league pitching let alone Vegas pitching.
His worst trades were Heath Bell and Brian Bannister off the top of my head, but he also traded away the prospects some of you hold so dearly for Johan Santana.
Minaya's flaws were FA's like Jason Bay.
My POV is the Mets are in fact in win-now mode because pitching breaks. It's not magically found and I still believe in the old school pitching and defense wins championships.
Conforto helps less with this box score than Robertson IMO.
As we saw last year Thor can't win by himself.
Comical. A one game sample proves a 23 year old cant win by himself? Syndergaard has never pitched a complete game before and never will going forward? LOL. And once again... FAMILIA blew the game and he is better than Robertson. There is nothing we can do about excellent players not performing when called upon over one game samples. Not everybody performs on a dime every single time. Which sport fo you think this is? As for Omar, it was all about winning now. Huge contracts to free agents at the tail end of their careers, rushing prospects through the system at historic rates, and yes... trading players like Gomez who actually outperformed what Santana gave us in terms of WAR. Omar absolutely tried to build a team up to win over a short period which is the exact opposite of what Sandy is about.
If you disagree with a move I would make, so f-ing what? Just say you disagree and move on. You don't need to make a federal case out of it. I do not think relying on Sewald who was available for nothing for anyone, and Smoker, a 29 year old lottery ticket and not having the closer for an undisclosed period of time and all the other fringy guys/role players like Salas and Blevins is a winning strategy, I think it's settling because they didn't want to pay, not because they thought it was a "very good pen"
and you are on an island with Rosario's bat, the only question out of any of the "experts' I've read is about how much power he develops.
To say you're more confident about Conforto's bat who we've all seen be abysmal at the major league level than Rosarios is questionable.
It pretty much made the contenders and encouraged other important players to come to Queens.
it was critical and highlighting Gomez fWAR is also laughable. Gomez lasted two awful seasons in MIN and was traded for JJ Hardy who lasted one. Gomez did go on to flourish in MIL, but not for 5 years until after the trade.
He was referencing the payroll lol. He said the Mets will be able to add players regardless of Bruce which was meant to quite the everlasting concerns there. And of course we are trying to win a WS this year but that does not mean he is mortgaging the future.
If you disagree with a move I would make, so f-ing what? Just say you disagree and move on. You don't need to make a federal case out of it. I do not think relying on Sewald who was available for nothing for anyone, and Smoker, a 29 year old lottery ticket and not having the closer for an undisclosed period of time and all the other fringy guys/role players like Salas and Blevins is a winning strategy, I think it's settling because they didn't want to pay, not because they thought it was a "very good pen"
and you are on an island with Rosario's bat, the only question out of any of the "experts' I've read is about how much power he develops.
To say you're more confident about Conforto's bat who we've all seen be abysmal at the major league level than Rosarios is questionable.
Im on an island in regards to Rosario's bat?? Rosario is more proven than Conforto TODAY? WTF are you talking about? Rosario has done NOTHING at the major league level where Conforto has a wRC+ of 109 TODAY.
It pretty much made the contenders and encouraged other important players to come to Queens.
it was critical and highlighting Gomez fWAR is also laughable. Gomez lasted two awful seasons in MIN and was traded for JJ Hardy who lasted one. Gomez did go on to flourish in MIL, but not for 5 years until after the trade.
Literally has NOTHING to do with my point. Omar was about creating a small window to win NOW and that was what I just said. Trading Gomez, who outperformed Santana, was part of a bigger explanation that I just outlined for you. I had no problem trading Gomez because Delgado, Wagner, Pedro and the rest of Omar's geriatric signings were about to expire and we had no other choice.
You probably felt the same way about Milledge, and F-Mart, players they did trad like Gomez, and Humber, and Guerra and Mulvey.
And you probably felt that way about Fulmer and Mesiner and the other what seems like 10 pitchers the Mets traded away for relievers or role players the past few years.
Sometimes you can trade a prospect for a roster player and it's not mortgaging your future.
Mike Puma ✔@NYPost_Mets
The feeling from the Mets side is the Neil Walker contract extension discussions are probably dead.
You probably felt the same way about Milledge, and F-Mart, players they did trad like Gomez, and Humber, and Guerra and Mulvey.
And you probably felt that way about Fulmer and Mesiner and the other what seems like 10 pitchers the Mets traded away for relievers or role players the past few years.
Sometimes you can trade a prospect for a roster player and it's not mortgaging your future.
Ummm. You've been here the whole time and Ive never mentioned any of those players in that light except maybe Milledge and I would have traded him for the right player too. Conforto is the most polished position player we have had since Wright IMO. He has future all-star ability and there is nothing we have seen in the majors (except a cold streak) that should persuade anyone from thinking he's still not on the right track.
but his 348 PA 2016 is a cold streak.
Even with his good April in 2016, his May and June were so awful I have no idea why those are the outliers and not 2015.
If he's on the Mets I'll obviously hope for the best, but the bullpen is the Achilles heel and Conforto has the most tradeable value IMO. If there's a better player the Mets could get for him than Robertson, fine with me, but I don't see it.
but his 348 PA 2016 is a cold streak.
Even with his good April in 2016, his May and June were so awful I have no idea why those are the outliers and not 2015.
If he's on the Mets I'll obviously hope for the best, but the bullpen is the Achilles heel and Conforto has the most tradeable value IMO. If there's a better player the Mets could get for him than Robertson, fine with me, but I don't see it.
2015 is not his floor in my mind. His overall sample is. Overall, Conforto is a wRC+ 109 player and overall Bruce is a wRC+ 107 player and Conforto's defense is MUCH better (not that I care about CO defense that much but it's still relevant to the discussion). Sandy is doing the right thing. There is nothing wrong with keeping depth in play and holding an all-star (from last year) a little longer until somebody bites.
Age is almost irrelevant in the bullpen. 32 for a bullpen pitcher is not old.
It's why as a fallback I'd check into Papelbon, he's 36 and until 2016 had consistently good stats.
It has nothing to do with the Yankees as ZG kept saying it had to do with looking at the shift in playoff teams starting with the Royals whose starters seemed to average 6 innings or less to the Indians and Cubs who both had closers and decent pens, but went and gave up hard core prospects to acquire closers at the deadline to shorten games.
I fear it could be this teams fatal flaw relying on players like Sewald who was available to anyone in Rule V or Smoker who hopefully a late bloomer or recent re-adds like Salas, who cleared waivers, and/or Blevins.
Age is almost irrelevant in the bullpen. 32 for a bullpen pitcher is not old.
It's why as a fallback I'd check into Papelbon, he's 36 and until 2016 had consistently good stats.
Where are you getting 6 weeks from? I still believe it will be 30 days. You're talking about 7-8 save chances max. Salas is a former closer and we are playing mostly scrub teams in April. It's not like we are going up against the Cubs and Dodgers every day. We do have two series with the Nationals but you're talking 6 games.
I figured 30 games would be about 6 weeks with the staggered off-days in April (6 games per week = 5 normal weeks, plus allow an extra week for season starting staggered off-days).
Sorry, I'm just quoting your own words...
ZGiants98 : 12:56 pm : link : reply
But we dont even know where Wheeler is headed yet. Lugo might be used in the pen... On a postseason roster (which seems to be the concern) these guys will be there regardless and possibly even another starter. We have upside options in Smoker and Sewald. .......
It has nothing to do with the Yankees as ZG kept saying it had to do with looking at the shift in playoff teams starting with the Royals whose starters seemed to average 6 innings or less to the Indians and Cubs who both had closers and decent pens, but went and gave up hard core prospects to acquire closers at the deadline to shorten games.
I fear it could be this teams fatal flaw relying on players like Sewald who was available to anyone in Rule V or Smoker who hopefully a late bloomer or recent re-adds like Salas, who cleared waivers, and/or Blevins.
I agree with this and I would have been in on Chapman too (and Robertson/Miller/Greggerson 2 years ago) - but there are a lot of guys we can deal at the deadline for BP reinforcements without having to deal Conforto. He and Rosario are unique in our system in that they have the chance to be all star everyday guys for 5-10 years and they are obviously cost controlled assets. You don't give up players like that for middle of the road closers. We got Clippard for far less 2 years ago, and at the time he had 17 saves and a 2 era. Dealing for a reliever is not Conforto or bust.
And after the past two post-seasons I'd also like to have another reliable option to Reed and Familia.
we're going around and around now.
I am concerned about the pen, you feel like things will just shake out and work themseleves out. I'd give up significant assets, like the Indians and Cubs did to shore up the bullpen, you would not.
You might be right. I might be right.
I hope you're right.
Let's leave it at that.
Yeah I tried to clarify for PJ explaining 30 games would bring us to May 5th. I just worded it poorly.
I don't think I contradicted anything. I believe:
a) the bullpen without Familia during his likely suspension is a liability and the majority of those games if not all are against NL East teams. Hate to lose those games b/c of the pen.
b) in the post-season I would love to follow the model of the Royals, Cubs, and Indians, and some teams before them and be able to shorten games with shut-down bullpen arms innings 7 - 9.
so because of a and b I'd acquire a proven late inning bullpen arm.
There are any number of options who can wind up in the pen in the post-season, but it would make me a little nervous putting a guy out there in a pressure situation when he hasn't been used in that situation and is used to the pressure. History has examples of players succeeding in this capacity, but probably as many failures.
And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little concerned with Familia in the post-season after the two post-seasons.
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Game not days, just to clarify. Otherwise SP would miss 1-2 games with a 10 "day" suspension.
Yeah I tried to clarify for PJ explaining 30 games would bring us to May 5th. I just worded it poorly.
Cool. Wasn't trying to prove anyone wrong. Just was noting its games which is part of the season "36 or less" is signfifksnt. Excuse if he gets 37 or more without some sort of waiver from MLB he would lose a year of service and be a FA one year later which would obviously be great for the Mets but sort of unfair for the player
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Game not days, just to clarify. Otherwise SP would miss 1-2 games with a 10 "day" suspension.
Yeah I tried to clarify for PJ explaining 30 games would bring us to May 5th. I just worded it poorly.
I said 6 weeks, because I knew it was games not days. and the "at least" used with most of the speculation.
At least we are getting warmer on what the real issue was with the pen in the postseason the last two years. It wasn't the roster configuration IMO.
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In comment 13365834 DanMetroMan said:
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Game not days, just to clarify. Otherwise SP would miss 1-2 games with a 10 "day" suspension.
Yeah I tried to clarify for PJ explaining 30 games would bring us to May 5th. I just worded it poorly.
I said 6 weeks, because I knew it was games not days. and the "at least" used with most of the speculation.
Right, but if we are going on 30 games it's nowhere near 6 weeks. The season starts on April 3rd and the suspension would be over on May 5th.
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In comment 13365837 ZGiants98 said:
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In comment 13365834 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
Game not days, just to clarify. Otherwise SP would miss 1-2 games with a 10 "day" suspension.
Yeah I tried to clarify for PJ explaining 30 games would bring us to May 5th. I just worded it poorly.
I said 6 weeks, because I knew it was games not days. and the "at least" used with most of the speculation.
Right, but if we are going on 30 games it's nowhere near 6 weeks. The season starts on April 3rd and the suspension would be over on May 5th.
You know that's about 5 weeks right (4 in April and 1 in May)? No need to be so pedantic. 5 weeks min ("at least 30 games") without considering any snowouts, rainouts, etc. is pretty damn close to 6 weeks and that's "at least" you assume not at least but "at most".
we've reached brick wall territory here.
Jeurys Familia is back in camp, and Mike Puma of the New York Post tweeted that regarding the MLB investigation Familia said, Well see what happens we have to wait. Nobody is being particularly cooperative in the investigation and MLB has been stymied to this point. Familia is coming off a huge season for the Mets, becoming the first Mets reliever to lead the majors in saves with 51. He became the 13th pitcher in MLB history to reach the 50-save plateau and his 51 saves are tied for the ninth-most in major league history.
If he is suspended to start the season, however, Matt Ehalt of The Record tweeted that if the season were to start today, Fernando Salas would be the 8th inning man in front of Addison Reed. Depending on how the spring goes that could change, with other options such as Jerry Blevins or Hansel Robles.
Lastly, MMOs own Michael Mayer tweeted that outfield prospect Wuilmer Becerra said his arm feels great after July shoulder surgery. Beccera came to New York in the R.A. Dickey trade that also netted Travis dArnaud and Noah Syndergaard, a trade that will surely be remembered as one of the best in Mets history.
At least we are getting warmer on what the real issue was with the pen in the postseason the last two years. It wasn't the roster configuration IMO.
I'd just like to have options and shorten the game. It was one key aspect to the Royals, along with patience, timely hitting, and defense, but the bullpen played a major part.
Same with Cubs and Indians.
My problem with Familia is I don't want Terry to be compelled to overuse him or have to use him on traditional spots. I'd love reliable bullpen flexibility. I feel like with Familia less is more. Keeps hitters off-balance and uncomfortable.
"NYMets945 @nymets945 2m2 minutes ago
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Mets are favorites to sign switch-hitting shortstop Ronny Mauricio and speedy Dominican center fielder Adrian Hernandez for north of $1m" not sure who he is citing and "favorites" doesn't mean a ton in IFA stuff without "verbal agreement" attached but I'll take it. Mauricio sounds intriguing.
Braves are among teams considering Kelly Johnson. Off nice year, he's still seeking an MLB deal.
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Sources: Nats are closing in on a deal for free agent catcher Matt Wieters
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As @JonHeyman 1st reported I am told Wieters close with #Nationals. I hear 2-yr deal with an option
Braves are among teams considering Kelly Johnson. Off nice year, he's still seeking an MLB deal.
they're probably picking the Mets prospect they'll get at the deadline as we speak.
The difference in his body compared to last year is obvious.
"It's funny -- when I look at myself in the mirror, I can't really tell the difference," he said. "But when I look at pictures, I just can't even believe that I was that big."
Although his body paid the price for a 130-game season, Smith batted .302/.367/.457 with a career-high 14 homers and 91 RBIs, the third-highest total in the Eastern League. The increase in power was something the Mets eventually expected to see from Smith, who admitted that showcasing his slugging prowess took on a higher priority in 2016.
"It really took me until this past year to get my swing in tune with my body and learn how to be a solid run-producer," Smith told MiLB.com. "It's like a game of chess: you pick your spots to do damage with the long ball. I wanted to develop and drive balls all over the field but also play the cat-and-mouse game of picking spots to do maximum damage; in the past, I didn't do that. I'm looking to drive the ball with authority in certain situations as opposed to just getting a hit."
Per @milb.com the Mets are at worst top 20 in position prospects (Only 21-30 have been revealed) #Mets
"Another switch-hitting shortstop, Ronny Mauricio, has been tied to the Mets, who are also the favorites to land speedy Dominican center fielder Adrian Hernandez for north of $1 million."
So they aren't "favorites" for Mauricio, just one of the teams tied to him.
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Nationals have deal with Matt Wieters. $10 million this year with an option that would pay him $11 million next. $5 mil deferred through '21
Players to watch for July 2, 2017
Diowill Burgos, OF, Dominican Republic
Stir Candelario, OF, Dominican Republic
Johnny David, OF, Dominican Republic
Larry Ernesto, OF, Dominican Republic
Luis Feliz, SS, Dominican Republic
Daniel Flores, C, Venezuela
Wander Franco, SS, Dominican Republic
Luis Garcia, SS, Dominican Republic
Leonardo Jimenez, SS, Panama
Jelfry Marte, SS, Dominican Republic
Ronny Mauricio, SS, Dominican Republic
Juan Querecuto, INF, Venezuela
Juan Pie, OF, Dominican Republic
Alberto Rodriguez, OF, Dominican Republic
Julio Rodriguez, OF, Dominican Republic
Yorlis Rodriguez, INF, Cuba
Have you SEEN David Wright? Everyone has commented on it.
chemmes @chemmes 1h1 hour ago
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@EvanRobertsWFAN Is it me or did David Wright drop a lot of weight?
James Skywalker @MidnightBashem 60m60 minutes ago
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David Wright looks like he weighs 150 lbs
Matt Swensson @matttswensson 1h1 hour ago
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@Mets @ynscspds David Wright looks like he hasn't eaten in 17 weeks.
because we need to send the Braves a fringy prospect for him. You know how this works.
Kelly Johnson would cost $$, Ty Kelly doesn't.
" After neck surgery, Wright had to remain idle to allow the bone fusion to heal. In the meantime, he lost weight and strength. So when Wright was cleared by doctors to resume baseball activities in December, he started essentially from scratch."
Although he's scheduled to start throwing later this week, he knows the one thing that has always come naturally to him could be more difficult than it's ever been.
"There were things I was doing exercise-wise with my neck surgery that I could do with my eyes closed, that I was struggling to do once I got back into the swing of things," he said. "There was a difference from me going from nothing, to mentally wanting to ramp it up as quickly as possible."
Are you sure Sandy really said that? Because if that's the case he was either lying/misinformed.
"Late last August, on an ordinary day at Citi Field, the Philadelphia Phillies were in town. A couple days before the Phillies had traded their catcher, Carlos Ruiz, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In return theyd received a one-month rental, that being catcher A.J. Ellis. Collins was in the outfield during early batting practice early that afternoon. He spotted Ellis, in his Phillies uniform for the first time, lugging his gear toward the bullpen, where hed catch a couple new teammates between starts. Collins and Ellis knew each other from years before, when Ellis was passing through the Dodgers system and Collins was its farm director. The trade had wounded Ellis. He was a Dodger lifer whod risen to become a clubhouse leader, much more than simply Clayton Kershaws preferred catcher, and in a single phone call had lost the identity of being a Dodger, the promise of the postseason, and the notion that loyalty would always be repaid with loyalty.
Collins waved. Ellis waved back. And soon Collins was trotting toward Ellis. The conversation was brief.
Do you know why you were traded? Collins asked.
Well, um, I guess , Ellis began.
Let me tell you, Collins answered. You were traded because one day when you are sitting where I sit, managing your own team, and you have to give a kid the worst news of his career, what he thinks will be the worst news of his life, youll know what it feels like. Youll know what its like to get that news.
Life, man. Empathy. In a moment when a wobbled soul needed something to make it right, to give it value, Collins went out of his way to deliver context. Perspective.
Ellis nodded. Maybe, he thought.
So six months later it was impossible to watch Collins satisfy his own restless spirit by pacing and chatting and peeling away from the batting cage to watch this drill or take part in that conversation without also thinking about this team and his place in it. Its New York, man. Its the Mets. There will be moments that will feel calamitous, but wont be, and there will be others that look insignificant and wont be. And thats when youll remember why he makes sense at this time for this team in this city, and that time he put his hand on David Wrights shoulder to say, perhaps, well get there. Trust it. Well get there. And itll have been worth it."
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Multiple teams could be interested in gagne despite age, long layoff. throwing 91-92, orel hershiser says could pitch in majors right now
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TJ Rivera still has prospect status, isn't he like 28?
Multiple teams could be interested in gagne despite age, long layoff. throwing 91-92, orel hershiser says could pitch in majors right now
LOL.. wow.
Unless he's completely reinvented himself I can't see this working out for anyone. 6.13 FIP his final year in MIL and hasn't pitched in the majors in nearly 10 years. Guy is over 40 years old now.
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think this list SUCKS but Mets top 30 Link - ( New Window )
TJ Rivera still has prospect status, isn't he like 28?
Age doesn't impact prospect status (at least not for lists, opinion is another story) it's all about games played/innings etc
Reyes is the 3B (or Cabrera or Walker)
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Today will be the 1st time off the mound since Dec. 6, 2015. The wait & work have been worth it. Video to come later #roadback #funkyfresh
Collins also mentioned that Wheeler could pitch in a Spring Training game on March 8th, after a day off. The rest of the Fab Five could start appearing in games on March 5th.
"NYMets945 @nymets945 2m2 minutes ago
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Mets are favorites to sign switch-hitting shortstop Ronny Mauricio and speedy Dominican center fielder Adrian Hernandez for north of $1m" not sure who he is citing and "favorites" doesn't mean a ton in IFA stuff without "verbal agreement" attached but I'll take it. Mauricio sounds intriguing.
Carried off the field with an injury today, I kid you not.
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not seeing this anywhere else but a guy from NYFS tweeted
"NYMets945 @nymets945 2m2 minutes ago
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Mets are favorites to sign switch-hitting shortstop Ronny Mauricio and speedy Dominican center fielder Adrian Hernandez for north of $1m" not sure who he is citing and "favorites" doesn't mean a ton in IFA stuff without "verbal agreement" attached but I'll take it. Mauricio sounds intriguing.
Carried off the field with an injury today, I kid you not.
He's injured just like other Mets players, so he'll fit right in.
The Mets announced they have signed RHP Wilfredo Boscan to a minor league deal. Made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2016.
The Mets announced they have signed RHP Wilfredo Boscan to a minor league deal. Made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2016.
Awful career numbers. AAA filler.
Sickels-Boscan is listed at 6-2, 175 pounds (but looks thicker than that to me), born October 26, 1989. He was actually called up to the majors three times last year but didn't get into a game; that has changed this time around, Boscan ticketed for the bullpen and seeing action in tonight's game. He works with three average pitches: fastball around 88-90, curveball, change-up. Nothing is truly plus but he throws strikes and has learned to keep hitters off-stride in the upper minors.
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Lugo
Boscan
Gilmartin
Montero
May not be awful...
What's to be fair about? He throws high 80's, doesn't miss bats, was released by the Braves 1 month after signing him in August. I wasn't even looking at his MLB numbers. AAA last year (keep in mind he's 27 years old) 84 innings 97 hits 14 walks 51 k's 5.39 FIP. I'm not allowed to say he sucks? lol
Wheeler can't pitch out of the pen. He admitted at times he would still be sore on game day and Warthen said all of the other SP throw 2 days after a start, Wheeler needs 3 sometimes even 4. Warthen 100% shut down Wheeler in the pen.
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he and Lugo are heading to the minors eventually to start. I guess there is a chance Wheeler is used out of the pen in April with Familia out to conserve innings but if he looks even half way decent in spring starting Im not sure why you would mess with that.
Wheeler can't pitch out of the pen. He admitted at times he would still be sore on game day and Warthen said all of the other SP throw 2 days after a start, Wheeler needs 3 sometimes even 4. Warthen 100% shut down Wheeler in the pen.
I missed that. That's good news IMO.
"As for Wheeler, it is still unclear what his role might be. The Mets have discussed using him as a starter, the only role he has ever known, or as a reliever, to help limit his innings. But Warthen said that Wheeler had traditionally been slow to recover between starts, which might make relieving difficult for him."
But the actual quote said he wasn't built for relieving.
"The idea of using Wheeler out of the bullpen has been broached, but he does not recover quickly between starts, according to Warthen. Wheeler has a lot of soreness after each start, although not in critical areas, and cant rely on between-starts bullpen sessions as much as other pitchers."
No problem. And to be clear "Warthen obviously thinks its a terrible idea" is actually in the article, I didn't editorialize. Warthen made pretty clear if it's up to him he wants Wheeler in extended and getting in innings until he's able to go 5-6 innings. His innings cap is between 100 and 150.
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Appreciate it.
No problem. And to be clear "Warthen obviously thinks its a terrible idea" is actually in the article, I didn't editorialize. Warthen made pretty clear if it's up to him he wants Wheeler in extended and getting in innings until he's able to go 5-6 innings. His innings cap is between 100 and 150.
Well I agree with him 100% unless Wheeler has another setback.
He's actually been throwing sidearm since 2015 and it hasn't translated into success. Another BS spring story.
"By Jason Beck / MLB.com | @beckjason | September 20th, 2015 + 1 COMMENT
DETROIT -- Tom Gorzelanny knew he was in for a challenge when he agreed to try becoming a sidearm reliever in the middle of the season. He also knew that the way his career was going, he had little alternative if he wanted to keep pitching.
It has been a long, arduous process, but the left-hander might finally be showing progress, and it helped the Tigers put up a fourth straight win Saturday night."
2015 post ASB 5.28 era
2016 24.2 innings 24 hits 16 walks 24 k's 1.62 whip
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Amed Rosario, MLB.com's No. 5 overall prospect, and Dominic Smith (No. 63) -- both at big league camp -- made the 2016 Double-A Binghamton season something special following the arrival of the latter from Class A Advanced St. Lucie in late June. Rosario, a shortstop who turned 21 in November, batted .324/.374/.459 with 19 stolen bases and 13 triples across the two levels, while Smith, a 21-year-old first baseman, was good for a .302/.367/.457 line with 14 homers, 29 doubles and 91 RBIs in 130 Eastern League games. They may spend significant time in the Majors this year and certainly have the potential to affect the NL East for several seasons to come. Gavin Cecchini, a "greater than the sum of his parts" middle infielder, already made an impact there, enjoying the stretch run with New York last year. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo raked against PCL pitching last year and batted .274 in 32 big league games. He's ready when there's an opening for him, even if it's as a fourth or fifth outfielder. Don't sleep on 2015 second-rounder Desmond Lindsay as a speedy center fielder who posted a .418 OBP in 32 games for Class A Short Season Brooklyn last summer.
Leaning towards keeping him in my fantasy league.
He actually had a very similar year to Lindor. He just scored less runs because of where he typically hit in the order. The cost of keeping him will basically be one of my picks at the very end of the draft. Love the positional versatility, too.
Leaning towards keeping him in my fantasy league.
He actually had a very similar year to Lindor. He just scored less runs because of where he typically hit in the order. The cost of keeping him will basically be one of my picks at the very end of the draft. Love the positional versatility, too.
Scouts seem to believe Ramirez is legit. He's a tiny guy so I think it's part of the reason he's been overlooked. I'm not sure he's going to ever be much better than he was in 2016 but it doesn't look like a fluke.
If he can hit close to .300 again, hit 10 HR, ~60 XBH and swipe 25 bases I'd be thrilled. Especially if he scored closer to 100 runs.
Montero may not be dead yet - ( New Window )
But a pending FA and = no Conforto. So it's really Cespedes AND Conforto or JD Martinez. Good year Martinez gets at least Cespedes money, bad year and you traded Conforto for a bad player.
"Morosi was on MLBNetwork last night and repeated his previous story in which the Mets inquired into JD Martinez and the Tigers ask was Conforto, Mets passed on that and signed Cespedes. I always wonder in situations like this, did the Tigers ability to pry away their "ask" in the Cespedes deal influence their confidence in not backing down now? Now Martinez is still a tiger so they may yet just be holding out for a big return (despite his pending FA). For all of the "Tigers will tear it down" talk, it seems less likely they do a full tear down than people thought. Yeah there is time left but you don't even hear them involved in talks and other teams have filled holes."
No reason to believe he'd be open to an extension. He's going to want to hit FA. If Cespedes 4 years 110 at 31, gotta believe Martinez would need something like 6 for 140+ to even consider bypassing FA. Not something I could ever imagine the Mets doing in-season.