and Bradford can be used in future games, the others would need to be recalled which means it's unlikely we see Molina, Rosario or Becerra in future MLB ST games
Mike Trout (kidding but multi skilled star) of Japan, 2 homers and a double last night (Tetsudo Yamada). Huge leg kick but scouts think he could be an MLB star Link - ( New Window )
sign indy baller (former 2012 pick) Leon Byrd Jr. and RHP Jender De Jesus (literally nothing about him anywhere so presumably a low level IFA addition).
Probably a non-story, apparently some unnamed Mets sources aren't happy with Familia pitching in a blowout. I thought they had rules about how often and how much guys can pitch and it seems those rules are being followed.
Quote:
Kristie Ackert Retweeted
NY Daily News SportsVerified account @NYDNSports 4h4 hours ago
.@Mets unhappy with amount Jeurys Familia pitching in WBC: sources http://nydn.us/2nyEByb
for the record I'm not suggesting it's a mets centric money issue. Just that recalling 40 man guys from minor league camp is a $$ concern whereas NRI's are not.
insists he would have taken less to sign with the Mets, he met his girlfriend... JLO... at a Mets game.
I was crushed when Arod signed with Texas.
everything pointed to the Mets making the most sense for him in so many levels. Money, market, need, his desire to play there, etc. Just made too much sense.
was made a permanent addition (to ESPN?) or some network analyst team.
I liked him too. Totally comfortable in front of the camera, didn't talk to hear himself talk, added value with his commentary and generally handled himself well in the booth.
was made a permanent addition (to ESPN?) or some network analyst team.
I liked him too. Totally comfortable in front of the camera, didn't talk to hear himself talk, added value with his commentary and generally handled himself well in the booth.
He was, for this season at least. No idea his future aspirations (previously it was implied he would like to eventually manage, that obviously might not be the case). Just strikes me as a true baseball genius + Mets fan, would be pretty cool.
was made a permanent addition (to ESPN?) or some network analyst team.
I liked him too. Totally comfortable in front of the camera, didn't talk to hear himself talk, added value with his commentary and generally handled himself well in the booth.
If you can, try and catch his in-studio hitting discussion with Pete Rose. A++ stuff.
All spring he has looked fantastic in CF. routine looking play. Makes it looks so easy. Battling some wind and got an absolutely INCREDIBLE jump and read on the ball. He sure is fun to watch.
Nice that bruce has been okay at first but Duda is a better player than bruce so other than being a depth option I don't see a ton of value in Bruce at 1b. Wilmer would get the abs vs lefties
Nice that bruce has been okay at first but Duda is a better player than bruce so other than being a depth option I don't see a ton of value in Bruce at 1b. Wilmer would get the abs vs lefties
Nice that bruce has been okay at first but Duda is a better player than bruce so other than being a depth option I don't see a ton of value in Bruce at 1b. Wilmer would get the abs vs lefties
Maybe insurance against a Duda back flare up?
Yeah and I'd prefer Bruce/Flores over trash like Loney. Just mean I don't see the value beyond insurance. Duda is a better overall player and a solid 1b defensively. It's fine getting reps at 1b. Just think people are too focused on it.
Heading in I think our biggest concerns were the health of our starting rotation, the health of Duda and Walker coming off injuries, TDA, Conforto, depth guys in AAA who might be called on this year, and possibly a few bullpen pieces stepping up.
So far we have pretty much aced everything with flying colors. DeGrom might be the biggest surprise. His 2015 velocity is back and he might challenge Syndergaard for a Cy Young this year. Harvey, Matz, and Wheeler are all back and pitching and flashing mid-90s already so I think we have to be pleased there. Gsellman and Lugo have picked up right where they left off. Duda and Walker are back and raking. TDA has looked fantastic. Conforto has looked fantastic. Our depth guys, for the most part, have all had a good showing (even if some of them took off for the WBC), and guys like Rowen, Sewald, and Smoker are having great springs in the pen.
but the games against the Nationals will be the difference between an automatic trip to NLDS vs wild card game
Eh.. Nats dont scare me. Eaton's overrated and the bottom of their lineup is weak. They dont have a lot of depth or premium talent close like we do. We are only half way through spring training but most of our biggest concerns have been answered or are being answered every day. We still need to see a few more starts from Harvey and see if he keeps getting improving or not... There's still a few things for sure... But Duda just said his back feels the best it has in a long time, Walker says he is 100%, Cespedes is in incredible shape and is locked in, TDA and Conforto were complete question marks and it seems like they are now primed for big years. Gsellman and Lugo look great or even better than last year so far... Ive never seen so much talent in a AAA Mets team before... I had us at 90-ish wins heading into spring training but barring a bunch of crucial injuries this year that number is rising by the day. Probably would have us at 93 if I had a gun to my head today and that could go as high as 95 if Harvey makes it all the way back before the season starts.
Mike Trout (kidding but multi skilled star) of Japan, 2 homers and a double last night (Tetsudo Yamada). Huge leg kick but scouts think he could be an MLB star Link - ( New Window )
Nice that bruce has been okay at first but Duda is a better player than bruce so other than being a depth option I don't see a ton of value in Bruce at 1b. Wilmer would get the abs vs lefties
Maybe insurance against a Duda back flare up?
Yeah and I'd prefer Bruce/Flores over trash like Loney. Just mean I don't see the value beyond insurance. Duda is a better overall player and a solid 1b defensively. It's fine getting reps at 1b. Just think people are too focused on it.
Cmon Dan, you've seen Duda's back situation and saw them give James Loney hundreds of ABs last year. Insurance at 1B is HUGE HUGE HUGE.
like to see a little more from Harvey this time around. I've been pessimistic throughout the process but the velocity needs to creep up soon or I think dreams of "5 aces" likely go out the window (not that they truly had/have 5 aces). They have 2 (which is great) + a very good when healthy Matz, wildcards in Harvey/Wheeler and a possible very good 2 or great 3 in Gselly
Michael Mayer
@themainemets
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Mets listed pitchers for Wednesday
Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Ben Rowen, Sean Gilmartin and Paul Sewald.
Kristie AckertVerified account @Ackert_NYDN 6s7 seconds ago
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Wheeler was listed as scheduled to pitch today. Not on travel roster. Says he has been pushed back. #Mets
Kristie AckertVerified account @Ackert_NYDN 6s7 seconds ago
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Wheeler was listed as scheduled to pitch today. Not on travel roster. Says he has been pushed back. #Mets
I have Wheeler almost in the Wright status of he's very possibly done and any contribution is gravy. With deGrom looking lights out, Thor being Thor, Harvey is the guy the Mets need to regain some form of his old self.
Matz needs to stay healthy and Gsellman needs to outperform the role of #5 BOR starter.
Lugo, Montero, etc. need to be available to fill in starter #6 - #n roles, but the core 5 need to be healthy as most of us felt like was the key to the season.
not going to overreact, who knows why he was pushed back but if it's arm soreness I'm basically giving up on Wheeler being someone we can count on for ANYTHING this year. If he's too sore to go every 5th day 2 years post TJ I find it hard to believe he ever will be. That said lets see what the issue is first.
would not be stunned if Harvey is deemed not ready for opening day. A velocity drop from 1 inning to the next that step may suggest he needs more time than we think.
For Harvey considering what he's went through. Still have a couple weeks though. If Lugo dominates the USA team tonight it might make that decision even easier.
Tebow's arm is like laughably below MLB standards.
Was with a guy yesterday who knows virtually nothing about baseball. Even he was laughing watching Tebow go after a ball hit his way. He looks like what he is, a non baseball player out there playing baseball.
Anthony DiComoVerified account @AnthonyDiComo 30s31 seconds ago
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Matt Harvey is done after 67 pitches and 3.1 IP. He allowed a pair of doubles on 91-mph fastballs in the fourth. Four runs in total. #Mets
Nats apparently were doing him a solid and giving him a chance to look for a starting role. We aren't going to offer him that (maybe nobody will) but he will be looking for one.
Nats apparently were doing him a solid and giving him a chance to look for a starting role. We aren't going to offer him that (maybe nobody will) but he will be looking for one.
let him shop around for that, but if he can be an upgrade over Rivera, I'd totally give him an offer
Nor will I. We all know what TDA's issues have been and they've mostly had to do with staying healthy so its not apples to apples. And I wouldn't like to add "two TDAs" if we are talking in terms of risk which Norris has. Im comfortable with Rene Rivera as the backup, he knows the staff. If we are going to add a better vet I want somebody established. Not somebody who has been awful for two years and may not even be better than Rivera if Rivera somehow were asked to play all year.
would not be stunned if Harvey is deemed not ready for opening day. A velocity drop from 1 inning to the next that step may suggest he needs more time than we think.
I hope he starts the year in extended ST and spends as much time as needs to getting right. He seemed to be excited about some of the progress he made today and he obviously always likes to push it, but there's no reason not to be as conservative as humanly possible.
Nor will I. We all know what TDA's issues have been and they've mostly had to do with staying healthy so its not apples to apples. And I wouldn't like to add "two TDAs" if we are talking in terms of risk which Norris has. Im comfortable with Rene Rivera as the backup, he knows the staff. If we are going to add a better vet I want somebody established. Not somebody who has been awful for two years and may not even be better than Rivera if Rivera somehow were asked to play all year.
? What "risk" does Norris have? We don't even know what he would cost. What's the risk? He sucks? You make it sound like he's getting years and money. He's not going to get either. It's as "no risk" as they come.
TDA's 2015 and 2016 together and not do that with Norris. Norris is coming off a historically bad year. Doesn't seem fair.
Huh? You said Norris had a bad 2015 yet his 2015 puts his production on par with what TDA has given us the last 2 seasons. You aren't giving up on TDA yet right? So why would Norris be "done" by one really bad season? He was an above average starting catcher in 2015 despite your claims otherwise. 2.4 fWAR which again is higher fWAR than ANY season TDA has put up. Really strange to say his 2015 wasn't good enough to have some interest.
and has been horrid recently. Aren't you signing him hoping for a bounceback? There's certainly risk in that ever happening and you could be stuck with the worst everyday hitter in baseball from 2016 on your team. Its not like we can keep Rivera while this experiment is going on.
position (like Wright). Catching is subpar all over baseball.
9 catchers in all of baseball qualified for FG leaderboard (based on PA). Only 16 in the game had over 400 plate appearances as a catcher (~100 - 110 games).
and only 8 even rated as solid role player or better on the fWAR scale and most of the 8 has solid DEF ratings.
In the National League where there's no DH my "other" catcher has to be a good defensive catcher who can throw runners out. I'd put that higher than marginal offensive skill.
TDA's 2015 and 2016 together and not do that with Norris. Norris is coming off a historically bad year. Doesn't seem fair.
Huh? You said Norris had a bad 2015 yet his 2015 puts his production on par with what TDA has given us the last 2 seasons. You aren't giving up on TDA yet right? So why would Norris be "done" by one really bad season? He was an above average starting catcher in 2015 despite your claims otherwise. 2.4 fWAR which again is higher fWAR than ANY season TDA has put up. Really strange to say his 2015 wasn't good enough to have some interest.
I said his 2015 "wasn't so hot". I did not say it was bad. He hit below league average which I get is still fine for catchers but doesn't blow my skirt up thus the "not so hot". His 2016 was historically bad however and his last two seasons he has played a heck of a lot more than TDA so the samples are off.
2016 included Norris 2013-2016 12th in fWAR (32 qualified catchers) 32 qualified
As for not knowing the staff, we signed Rivera on April 5th, went down to the minors with the understanding he would likely be up quickly and was. Can't say it's early in ST for guys like Harvey and then act like Norris couldn't come in on March 15th and "learn the staff". By that rationale even if a stud catcher were available it would make sense to pass. He'd have roughly 3 weeks to work with the pitchers.
No because a stud catcher offers more of a guarantee
Just thinking he looks like a different player this spring. Stronger. Hitting with authority. Even later on he's going to have a hard time cracking Vegas IMO.
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
May; that's how long Warthen told me it might take for Harvey to get back his old fastball. Until then, gotta command and pitch.
1m
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
Marlins got their hits on Harvey against low 90s fastballs. Per Warthen, Harvey lost velo when he was trying to amp it up.
3m
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
No. He's a guy coming off a major surgery who may not be able to throw harder than this.
4m
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
So, Harvey could be facing the challenge that deGrom dealt with last year. Can Harvey pitch when diminishef velo is the new normal?
5m
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
So, Dan Warthen and Matt Harvey think this could be the new normal, low 90s fastball, heavy on secondary stuff. At least for awhile.
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
Thing I was struck by earlier with Harvey is what seemed to be an acceptance of his situation, and the challenge it now presents.
does sound like the idea he was throwing really hard in side sessions was BS. Warthen isn't even making that claim. He's acknowledging it's down but is hopeful it will creep up.
Marc Carig ✔@MarcCarig
May; that's how long Warthen told me it might take for Harvey to get back his old fastball. Until then, gotta command and pitch.
Matt Ehalt @MattEhalt 10m10 minutes ago
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Terry and Warthen both talked about Harvey being bale to pitch despite diminished velocity. This could be a real thing.
does sound like the idea he was throwing really hard in side sessions was BS. Warthen isn't even making that claim. He's acknowledging it's down but is hopeful it will creep up.
Warthen himself said he had thrown harder in side sessions but that was weeks ago and it might only been a few times. Seems like now that Harvey is settling in he might have to pitch a lower velocity for a while.
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
FWIW, scouts who have watched Harvey generally think hes on track. Seen nothing to believe that velo is gone forever, just needs time.
they truly believe velocity will return into May then he should be left behind until then. I don't know the answer either way but I don't see why suggesting Harvey may be better off with 2-4 weeks in extended if the prevailing thought/claim is he won't be fully back until May. What's the purpose of putting diminished Harvey out there IF they really believe there is more velocity there? This ONLY makes sense if he's clearly one of your best 5. If it's determined he's better than Lugo and Gsellman than so be it but otherwise what exactly is "owed" to Harvey and the opening day roster? That may read as cruel but every single game matters. If "this" Harvey is better than Gsellman or Lugo, then you go with Harvey. If you feel Harvey is now "this" Harvey and want to see if he can help you or not, then go with Harvey. BUT if you are suggesting it's going to be longer because he's still working his way back. No way do you go with Harvey. It's silly.
unless we are only talking about a tick or two. If Harvey is sitting 94-ish by the time the season starts and they think he can sit 96ish mid-season that's not huge but if he's throwing 90-92 heading into the season you gotta hold him back IMO.
they truly believe velocity will return into May then he should be left behind until then. I don't know the answer either way but I don't see why suggesting Harvey may be better off with 2-4 weeks in extended if the prevailing thought/claim is he won't be fully back until May. What's the purpose of putting diminished Harvey out there IF they really believe there is more velocity there? This ONLY makes sense if he's clearly one of your best 5. If it's determined he's better than Lugo and Gsellman than so be it but otherwise what exactly is "owed" to Harvey and the opening day roster? That may read as cruel but every single game matters. If "this" Harvey is better than Gsellman or Lugo, then you go with Harvey. If you feel Harvey is now "this" Harvey and want to see if he can help you or not, then go with Harvey. BUT if you are suggesting it's going to be longer because he's still working his way back. No way do you go with Harvey. It's silly.
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Mets @ Astros, 3/14:
Granderson RF
Cabrera SS
Cespedes LF
Walker 2B
Bruce 1B
Duda DH
Flores 3B
Plawecki C
Lagares CF
deGrom RHP
.@PageSix EXCLUSIVE: Jos Reyes is being sued by the mother of his secret love child http://pge.sx/2mUkUnd
Quote:
Connor RyanVerified account @connortryan 13h13 hours ago
.@PageSix EXCLUSIVE: Jos Reyes is being sued by the mother of his secret love child http://pge.sx/2mUkUnd
He doesnt seem like a good guy. Although that story looks complicated.
Link - ( New Window )
Guys on the 40 man can't be "borrowed" they would have to be recalled. It's a $$ issue.
NY Daily News SportsVerified account @NYDNSports 4h4 hours ago
.@Mets unhappy with amount Jeurys Familia pitching in WBC: sources http://nydn.us/2nyEByb
Quote:
Some you can use again anyway and then you can also "borrow" some like they plan on doing with Tebow again. Weird.
Guys on the 40 man can't be "borrowed" they would have to be recalled. It's a $$ issue.
Gotcha.
I was crushed when Arod signed with Texas.
everything pointed to the Mets making the most sense for him in so many levels. Money, market, need, his desire to play there, etc. Just made too much sense.
I liked him too. Totally comfortable in front of the camera, didn't talk to hear himself talk, added value with his commentary and generally handled himself well in the booth.
I liked him too. Totally comfortable in front of the camera, didn't talk to hear himself talk, added value with his commentary and generally handled himself well in the booth.
He was, for this season at least. No idea his future aspirations (previously it was implied he would like to eventually manage, that obviously might not be the case). Just strikes me as a true baseball genius + Mets fan, would be pretty cool.
I liked him too. Totally comfortable in front of the camera, didn't talk to hear himself talk, added value with his commentary and generally handled himself well in the booth.
If you can, try and catch his in-studio hitting discussion with Pete Rose. A++ stuff.
Jacob deGrom through nine innings in camp: 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 13 K.
Jacob deGrom at 42 pitches through three. Six Ks. #mets
I do have two Carlos Beltran bobbleheads I got at Shea - just happened to be Beltran bobblehead day.
Maybe insurance against a Duda back flare up?
Quote:
Nice that bruce has been okay at first but Duda is a better player than bruce so other than being a depth option I don't see a ton of value in Bruce at 1b. Wilmer would get the abs vs lefties
Maybe insurance against a Duda back flare up?
Yeah and I'd prefer Bruce/Flores over trash like Loney. Just mean I don't see the value beyond insurance. Duda is a better overall player and a solid 1b defensively. It's fine getting reps at 1b. Just think people are too focused on it.
So far we have pretty much aced everything with flying colors. DeGrom might be the biggest surprise. His 2015 velocity is back and he might challenge Syndergaard for a Cy Young this year. Harvey, Matz, and Wheeler are all back and pitching and flashing mid-90s already so I think we have to be pleased there. Gsellman and Lugo have picked up right where they left off. Duda and Walker are back and raking. TDA has looked fantastic. Conforto has looked fantastic. Our depth guys, for the most part, have all had a good showing (even if some of them took off for the WBC), and guys like Rowen, Sewald, and Smoker are having great springs in the pen.
Eh.. Nats dont scare me. Eaton's overrated and the bottom of their lineup is weak. They dont have a lot of depth or premium talent close like we do. We are only half way through spring training but most of our biggest concerns have been answered or are being answered every day. We still need to see a few more starts from Harvey and see if he keeps getting improving or not... There's still a few things for sure... But Duda just said his back feels the best it has in a long time, Walker says he is 100%, Cespedes is in incredible shape and is locked in, TDA and Conforto were complete question marks and it seems like they are now primed for big years. Gsellman and Lugo look great or even better than last year so far... Ive never seen so much talent in a AAA Mets team before... I had us at 90-ish wins heading into spring training but barring a bunch of crucial injuries this year that number is rising by the day. Probably would have us at 93 if I had a gun to my head today and that could go as high as 95 if Harvey makes it all the way back before the season starts.
That dude has a lot of pop for a small guy.
Quote:
In comment 13392973 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
Nice that bruce has been okay at first but Duda is a better player than bruce so other than being a depth option I don't see a ton of value in Bruce at 1b. Wilmer would get the abs vs lefties
Maybe insurance against a Duda back flare up?
Yeah and I'd prefer Bruce/Flores over trash like Loney. Just mean I don't see the value beyond insurance. Duda is a better overall player and a solid 1b defensively. It's fine getting reps at 1b. Just think people are too focused on it.
Cmon Dan, you've seen Duda's back situation and saw them give James Loney hundreds of ABs last year. Insurance at 1B is HUGE HUGE HUGE.
Michael Mayer
@themainemets
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Mets listed pitchers for Wednesday
Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Ben Rowen, Sean Gilmartin and Paul Sewald.
Tebow is in RF.
Matt Ehalt @MattEhalt 45m45 minutes ago
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Reynolds 6 Conforto 8 Cespedes 7 Bruce 0 Flores 3 d'Arnaud 2 Tebow 9 Mazzilli 5 Guillorme 4 Harvey 1
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Wheeler was listed as scheduled to pitch today. Not on travel roster. Says he has been pushed back. #Mets
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Wheeler was listed as scheduled to pitch today. Not on travel roster. Says he has been pushed back. #Mets
I have Wheeler almost in the Wright status of he's very possibly done and any contribution is gravy. With deGrom looking lights out, Thor being Thor, Harvey is the guy the Mets need to regain some form of his old self.
Matz needs to stay healthy and Gsellman needs to outperform the role of #5 BOR starter.
Lugo, Montero, etc. need to be available to fill in starter #6 - #n roles, but the core 5 need to be healthy as most of us felt like was the key to the season.
And I wasn't including Wheeler.
Dan Wratten said he pushed back Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz a day just to make sure they make a start instead of piggybacking. #Mets
How do you say Manny being Manny in Japanese?
Bench today (only 9): Plaia, Sanchez, Smith, Evans, Woodmansee, Thompson, Taijeron, Mora, Kaczmarski
Ehalt says sitting 92-93 but hit 95 once. Pretty much the same as other starts although a slight uptick here.
"Hit" a term being used loosely today
I think we need to remember Harvey is about 6 innings in after his TOS surgery. I'm encouraged he's hitting 95 this early to be honest.
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
Unearned run for Harvey. 90-92 in that second inning.
Harvey velocity by inning:
1st: 92-93
2nd: 90-92
3rd: Mostly 93
Was with a guy yesterday who knows virtually nothing about baseball. Even he was laughing watching Tebow go after a ball hit his way. He looks like what he is, a non baseball player out there playing baseball.
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Matt Harvey is done after 67 pitches and 3.1 IP. He allowed a pair of doubles on 91-mph fastballs in the fourth. Four runs in total. #Mets
#TebowUpdate: Hes 2-for-2 today, haters.
Homers....
Looked like he misjudged it, caught it and fell. Didn't have the best view to be honest.
Nats apparently were doing him a solid and giving him a chance to look for a starting role. We aren't going to offer him that (maybe nobody will) but he will be looking for one.
Quote:
Time to bring him in?
Nats apparently were doing him a solid and giving him a chance to look for a starting role. We aren't going to offer him that (maybe nobody will) but he will be looking for one.
let him shop around for that, but if he can be an upgrade over Rivera, I'd totally give him an offer
Not totally fair. 2015 25 catchers had 350 or more PA's
Norris
11th in wRC+
12th in wOBA
10h in overall offense
TDA 2015+2016 (just for comparisons sake)
9th in wRC+
12th in wOBA
9th in overall offense
So essentially it would be like adding a second TDA (at least based on recent #'s)
TDA's best season ever is 2.3 fWAR yet I don't see you asking for Rene Rivera to start. Norris has 3 seasons 2.2 fWAR or greater. TDA has 1.
I hope he starts the year in extended ST and spends as much time as needs to getting right. He seemed to be excited about some of the progress he made today and he obviously always likes to push it, but there's no reason not to be as conservative as humanly possible.
? What "risk" does Norris have? We don't even know what he would cost. What's the risk? He sucks? You make it sound like he's getting years and money. He's not going to get either. It's as "no risk" as they come.
Trade him while his value is highest!
Also, if Tim Tebow could be traded for Mike Trout, I'll believe anything Tebow tells me to believe.
Huh? You said Norris had a bad 2015 yet his 2015 puts his production on par with what TDA has given us the last 2 seasons. You aren't giving up on TDA yet right? So why would Norris be "done" by one really bad season? He was an above average starting catcher in 2015 despite your claims otherwise. 2.4 fWAR which again is higher fWAR than ANY season TDA has put up. Really strange to say his 2015 wasn't good enough to have some interest.
9 catchers in all of baseball qualified for FG leaderboard (based on PA). Only 16 in the game had over 400 plate appearances as a catcher (~100 - 110 games).
and only 8 even rated as solid role player or better on the fWAR scale and most of the 8 has solid DEF ratings.
In the National League where there's no DH my "other" catcher has to be a good defensive catcher who can throw runners out. I'd put that higher than marginal offensive skill.
Quote:
TDA's 2015 and 2016 together and not do that with Norris. Norris is coming off a historically bad year. Doesn't seem fair.
Huh? You said Norris had a bad 2015 yet his 2015 puts his production on par with what TDA has given us the last 2 seasons. You aren't giving up on TDA yet right? So why would Norris be "done" by one really bad season? He was an above average starting catcher in 2015 despite your claims otherwise. 2.4 fWAR which again is higher fWAR than ANY season TDA has put up. Really strange to say his 2015 wasn't good enough to have some interest.
I said his 2015 "wasn't so hot". I did not say it was bad. He hit below league average which I get is still fine for catchers but doesn't blow my skirt up thus the "not so hot". His 2016 was historically bad however and his last two seasons he has played a heck of a lot more than TDA so the samples are off.
As for not knowing the staff, we signed Rivera on April 5th, went down to the minors with the understanding he would likely be up quickly and was. Can't say it's early in ST for guys like Harvey and then act like Norris couldn't come in on March 15th and "learn the staff". By that rationale even if a stud catcher were available it would make sense to pass. He'd have roughly 3 weeks to work with the pitchers.
He put up a .647 OPS in St. Lucie. He's certainly going to be in Bing.
Paul Sewald has allowed only four base runners this spring in eight innings. Really pushing for that final bullpen spot.
May; that's how long Warthen told me it might take for Harvey to get back his old fastball. Until then, gotta command and pitch.
1m
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
Marlins got their hits on Harvey against low 90s fastballs. Per Warthen, Harvey lost velo when he was trying to amp it up.
3m
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
No. He's a guy coming off a major surgery who may not be able to throw harder than this.
4m
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
So, Harvey could be facing the challenge that deGrom dealt with last year. Can Harvey pitch when diminishef velo is the new normal?
5m
Marc Carig ✔ @MarcCarig
So, Dan Warthen and Matt Harvey think this could be the new normal, low 90s fastball, heavy on secondary stuff. At least for awhile.
Thing I was struck by earlier with Harvey is what seemed to be an acceptance of his situation, and the challenge it now presents.
3m
Warthen added: History says with that surgery its 10 months out. Thats when you start to really feel strong."
We still have Lugo as the extra starter
May; that's how long Warthen told me it might take for Harvey to get back his old fastball. Until then, gotta command and pitch.
Matt Ehalt @MattEhalt 10m10 minutes ago
More
Terry and Warthen both talked about Harvey being bale to pitch despite diminished velocity. This could be a real thing.
Warthen himself said he had thrown harder in side sessions but that was weeks ago and it might only been a few times. Seems like now that Harvey is settling in he might have to pitch a lower velocity for a while.
@MarcCarig
Following
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Warthen thinks there's a chance that Harvey has to pitch at this velo this year. At least the first few months.
FWIW, scouts who have watched Harvey generally think hes on track. Seen nothing to believe that velo is gone forever, just needs time.
I wanted Chooch. We flubbed that one considering the price.
They really should just leave Harvey in ST for a while. There's no downside. Why waste innings while he's building up velocity?
Let him pitch through it in Florida until May
This makes a ton of sense.