grades as excellent, FB WELL below average. People keep citing Eiland.. but... Eiland was with him for the 6.66 second half era so kind of a dumb argument.
Hes worked with Eilland. He was coming off Tommy John so maybe he did tire down the stretch. I would have preferred we went with our in house options first but I guess depth and stuff...
I would have a completely different approach if I was in charge
as most of us probably would. But looking at the way the Mets operate, they probably didnt have a bad offseason. A lot of this is probably due to the fact that the MLB market came to them, but regardless, they look like a team that's improved on paper.
Whether or not they can contend will depend on the health of the pitching staff and Cespedes.
in the league down the stretch last year. Surprised they gave up a 2 year deal.
On the bright side, he started the year lights out and his stuff was actually good, so it wasn't just good luck. Seems like a guy who might be better suited as a swing man whose work load should be kept down.
Hes worked with Eilland. He was coming off Tommy John so maybe he did tire down the stretch. I would have preferred we went with our in house options first but I guess depth and stuff...
Again the Eiland stuff seems like a strange argument (not taking a shot at you) just.. he was AWFUL for 15 starts second half, Eiland was there. If anything the argument could be made "Eiland couldn't fix him so that's a concern". A better argument/hope would be fatigue.
He hit a rough patch from July 5th to Sept 5th, where he had a 8+ ERA over those two months.
Although he was able to bounce back from that and won 4 straight games in Sept where he pitched 22.1 innings, gave up only 16 hits and only allowed 5 ERs.
So he did have a mini self correction from an awful second half to close out the year.
13 is stretching it bigtime and also unlikely. That being said, the Mets need to keep the innings down on these arms and the trend in modern baseball and the math says to use the pen earlier and earlier.
If you think that the starters are Lagares, Cespedes, Bruce, AGonz, Cabrera, Rosario, Frazier, TDA. Then your bench is Nimmo, Reyes, Plawecki, Flores, Smith. That's 13 guys right there and you can only have 12 pitchers then. Flores would have to look like a real OF this spring to even consider something like that.
would know more than me but someone indicated to me the Mets actually prefered Nunez to Frazier but Nunez had some health red flags and the Mets weren't going there again.
would know more than me but someone indicated to me the Mets actually prefered Nunez to Frazier but Nunez had some health red flags and the Mets weren't going there again.
I like Nunez the hitter much better than Frazier - but I think it's important to bring some defense here and Frazier does that well.
Frazier is a little too far in the mold of the hitter that I wish the Mets would get away from and Nunez is the kind I wish they'd gravitate more towards - but there hasn't been enough emphasis placed on defense recently and that's important.
So, I'm okay with Frazier - especially at the price/term. Not a big commit at all and he should be a good clubhouse guy.
but this would be a move that seems more fitting of what the Mets should be doing.
2 years for Vargas? I'd rather roll the dice with Montero, Lugo, Gsellman, and Wheeler for the 5th rotation spot/long man especially with Vargas' lefty splits.
Quote:
Jeff Passan
Verified account @JeffPassan
17h17 hours ago
There were 17 teams at Tim Lincecums workout today, and most had him at 91-93 mph with more strikes than expected. A number of teams are hoping Lincecum is willing to consider a multi-inning or potentially late-game relief role where his fastball-changeup combination can thrive.
FWIW Wheeler is pissed about the Vargas signing. Maybe it motivates him to reach the potential of the top 10 prospect he was. If it does, it's worth the 8M IMO.
In a perfect world, we are getting less than 25 starts out of this guy. I am not going to make too much about it. He is a vet and just another arm to slot into the 3-5 spots if he is on his game. If not, he is a backup up and a 6th starter.
Now if they can cap the offseason off with another Loogy, I think this team is ready to compete. Health is going to be the determining factor as always, but I feel as though they are equipped at most spots to handle a decent amount of injury luck.
VERY relaxed spring. No rushing. No hustling. Nice steady pace. Tons of breaks. A TON of teaching going on. Smaller groups roatating. Players stay together.
Thor looks completely different body wise, which we were told he would. A lot more athletic in PFPs. Matz looks fuller, more mature. Wheeler looks entitled, like he just expects to be great. When the three of them are together you can just look at Thor and know hes a beast. Matz is intense. Zack is just... different.
TDA a lot of time at 2b. Not a position change like I joked last night. Just keeping him fresh. Theme for everyone early in Camp.
Conforto doing a lot of work, looking good.
Bruce is like the proud dad leading the group. Really taking a completely different approach to his leadership role, dramatic difference.
Nimmo always looked a little intimidated. Ive always said he is too soft to be great. Too content. Now seems relaxed - expect a high floor from him at this point. Legates has looked awesome a few times in past springs, so Im hesitant to tout him.
Don smith might have secretly won a $500mm lotto jackpot this offseason. I have never seen someone smile and laugh so much during practices. Ever. And that includes Jose in his youth. Jose and Wrights smiles are more genuine, but man the kid is happy this spring.
Speaking of smiles. Man is it relaxed here. Lots of vets. Everyone going about there biz. Something to prove. Quiet confidence. Everywhere.
Plawecki - leading candidate for gold glove, silver slugger and MVP at this point. Possible Cy Young candidate too. In all seriousness, Mets felt comfy enough this offseason to never seriously consider Lucroy, an unthinkable thing any other offseason.
CEs is a beast. Slimmed down beast. And clearly prefers to be in the background - which he seems to have found a bit better this year.
Speaking of background. Look in the corner of the players lot. Who brought a little boat with them to spring training
JP still wanders around aimlessly like hes actually important. Omar keeps popping up in corners talking to people. And sandy is very clearly in charge. While Fred just sits in his golf cart with his body guard and enjoys the best time of the baseball year. Unfortunately the shithead son arrives eventually...
Not sure which lefty it was, I know Nimmo was in the group hitting with Dom. But someone was hitting absolute BOMBS to RF on the main field late in yesterdays practice.
VERY relaxed spring. No rushing. No hustling. Nice steady pace. Tons of breaks. A TON of teaching going on. Smaller groups roatating. Players stay together.
Thor looks completely different body wise, which we were told he would. A lot more athletic in PFPs. Matz looks fuller, more mature. Wheeler looks entitled, like he just expects to be great. When the three of them are together you can just look at Thor and know hes a beast. Matz is intense. Zack is just... different.
TDA a lot of time at 2b. Not a position change like I joked last night. Just keeping him fresh. Theme for everyone early in Camp.
Conforto doing a lot of work, looking good.
Bruce is like the proud dad leading the group. Really taking a completely different approach to his leadership role, dramatic difference.
Nimmo always looked a little intimidated. Ive always said he is too soft to be great. Too content. Now seems relaxed - expect a high floor from him at this point. Legates has looked awesome a few times in past springs, so Im hesitant to tout him.
Don smith might have secretly won a $500mm lotto jackpot this offseason. I have never seen someone smile and laugh so much during practices. Ever. And that includes Jose in his youth. Jose and Wrights smiles are more genuine, but man the kid is happy this spring.
Speaking of smiles. Man is it relaxed here. Lots of vets. Everyone going about there biz. Something to prove. Quiet confidence. Everywhere.
Plawecki - leading candidate for gold glove, silver slugger and MVP at this point. Possible Cy Young candidate too. In all seriousness, Mets felt comfy enough this offseason to never seriously consider Lucroy, an unthinkable thing any other offseason.
CEs is a beast. Slimmed down beast. And clearly prefers to be in the background - which he seems to have found a bit better this year.
Speaking of background. Look in the corner of the players lot. Who brought a little boat with them to spring training
JP still wanders around aimlessly like hes actually important. Omar keeps popping up in corners talking to people. And sandy is very clearly in charge. While Fred just sits in his golf cart with his body guard and enjoys the best time of the baseball year. Unfortunately the shithead son arrives eventually...
Not sure which lefty it was, I know Nimmo was in the group hitting with Dom. But someone was hitting absolute BOMBS to RF on the main field late in yesterdays practice.
Thanks for these tidbits, Sheck.
Nice to get a bit of a temp check early on. Interesting stuff.
Glad to see the Conforto looks alright. Hopefully it'll go well when he starts swinging. I actually like our OF depth. Am a fan of both Lagares and Nimmo.
I am absolutely shocked that with the money and years equal they wouldn't have rathered bring back the guy who was one of the top setup man in baseball for them the past 2 years...
Re: Vargas, he is what is. He'll give them innings. I haven't looked at the calendar but I'm sure there will be a way to get everyone a turn in the rotation if they are pitching well enough to deserve it. I like that the pitching coach has familiarity with him. Like that he's a lefty. If he can do what Colon did and just give them a couple solid starts for every clunker that will help.
Also great post Shecky.
RE: the confusing thing to me about Vargas is they preferred him to Reed
I am absolutely shocked that with the money and years equal they wouldn't have rathered bring back the guy who was one of the top setup man in baseball for them the past 2 years...
Re: Vargas, he is what is. He'll give them innings. I haven't looked at the calendar but I'm sure there will be a way to get everyone a turn in the rotation if they are pitching well enough to deserve it. I like that the pitching coach has familiarity with him. Like that he's a lefty. If he can do what Colon did and just give them a couple solid starts for every clunker that will help.
Also great post Shecky.
Reed wasn't going to stay here with Familia and Ramos on the roster. He wants to close and has a better chance in Minnesota setting up for Rodney whos unstable
to Wheeler, Lugo, Gsellman, Montero - all in the pen?
Gsellman to Vegas, where he belongs. His arrogance bothers me. He acts like hes somehow owed a spot. Didnt pitch well until they humbled him last season
He was outstanding the first three months.
Through June, he had a 2.22 ERA in just over 100 IP.
6.66 ERA from then on. Woof.
Whether or not they can contend will depend on the health of the pitching staff and Cespedes.
On the bright side, he started the year lights out and his stuff was actually good, so it wasn't just good luck. Seems like a guy who might be better suited as a swing man whose work load should be kept down.
Again the Eiland stuff seems like a strange argument (not taking a shot at you) just.. he was AWFUL for 15 starts second half, Eiland was there. If anything the argument could be made "Eiland couldn't fix him so that's a concern". A better argument/hope would be fatigue.
Hopefully between Jake, Thor, Harvey, Matz, Wheeler, Lugo, Gsellman, and Vargas we can come up with a pretty good 5 man rotation.
A couple of those guys will get hurt. A couple will underperform. So, we'll probably need all of 'em.
Had TJ going on 3 years ago, I highly doubt there is any change stuff wise at 35.
It should be considered but the issue is that Callaway has hinted at 8 in the pen. 14 pitchers = no way.
Now waiting for someone to bitch about the Mets bringing back another former Met lol
Although he was able to bounce back from that and won 4 straight games in Sept where he pitched 22.1 innings, gave up only 16 hits and only allowed 5 ERs.
So he did have a mini self correction from an awful second half to close out the year.
If you think that the starters are Lagares, Cespedes, Bruce, AGonz, Cabrera, Rosario, Frazier, TDA. Then your bench is Nimmo, Reyes, Plawecki, Flores, Smith. That's 13 guys right there and you can only have 12 pitchers then. Flores would have to look like a real OF this spring to even consider something like that.
I like Nunez the hitter much better than Frazier - but I think it's important to bring some defense here and Frazier does that well.
Frazier is a little too far in the mold of the hitter that I wish the Mets would get away from and Nunez is the kind I wish they'd gravitate more towards - but there hasn't been enough emphasis placed on defense recently and that's important.
So, I'm okay with Frazier - especially at the price/term. Not a big commit at all and he should be a good clubhouse guy.
The good thing is, the Eiland connection. So he knows whatever was going on in the second half
At least Frazier, A-Gone, and Swarzak didn't ever play for the Mets or I'd seriously think Sandy is trolling everyone.
80%
Vargas is an ok #5. We'll see who's healthy come April.
2 years for Vargas? I'd rather roll the dice with Montero, Lugo, Gsellman, and Wheeler for the 5th rotation spot/long man especially with Vargas' lefty splits.
Jeff Passan
Verified account @JeffPassan
17h17 hours ago
There were 17 teams at Tim Lincecums workout today, and most had him at 91-93 mph with more strikes than expected. A number of teams are hoping Lincecum is willing to consider a multi-inning or potentially late-game relief role where his fastball-changeup combination can thrive.
Annnnndddddd
We have a winner ;)
Quote:
ex-Met.
Annnnndddddd
We have a winner ;)
well technically I didn't bitch about it. hard not to observe it though.
I'd bitch more about Vargas being awful than being an ex-Met, though again, hard not to acknowledge the number of ex-mets signed this year is uncanny.
80%
He just proves over and over that hes a GM that has no plan.
Who won 18 for the Mets last year?
Nothing sexy and yeah, a risk. But I'm not getting discounted tickets if the Mets were to sign him for 1 year. So ...
LET'S GO!!!
Hope springs eternal, bitches!
Well knock it off. LOL.
Do you hear any Mets interest in Lincecum?
FWIW Wheeler is pissed about the Vargas signing. Maybe it motivates him to reach the potential of the top 10 prospect he was. If it does, it's worth the 8M IMO.
Now if they can cap the offseason off with another Loogy, I think this team is ready to compete. Health is going to be the determining factor as always, but I feel as though they are equipped at most spots to handle a decent amount of injury luck.
Thor looks completely different body wise, which we were told he would. A lot more athletic in PFPs. Matz looks fuller, more mature. Wheeler looks entitled, like he just expects to be great. When the three of them are together you can just look at Thor and know hes a beast. Matz is intense. Zack is just... different.
TDA a lot of time at 2b. Not a position change like I joked last night. Just keeping him fresh. Theme for everyone early in Camp.
Conforto doing a lot of work, looking good.
Bruce is like the proud dad leading the group. Really taking a completely different approach to his leadership role, dramatic difference.
Nimmo always looked a little intimidated. Ive always said he is too soft to be great. Too content. Now seems relaxed - expect a high floor from him at this point. Legates has looked awesome a few times in past springs, so Im hesitant to tout him.
Don smith might have secretly won a $500mm lotto jackpot this offseason. I have never seen someone smile and laugh so much during practices. Ever. And that includes Jose in his youth. Jose and Wrights smiles are more genuine, but man the kid is happy this spring.
Speaking of smiles. Man is it relaxed here. Lots of vets. Everyone going about there biz. Something to prove. Quiet confidence. Everywhere.
Plawecki - leading candidate for gold glove, silver slugger and MVP at this point. Possible Cy Young candidate too. In all seriousness, Mets felt comfy enough this offseason to never seriously consider Lucroy, an unthinkable thing any other offseason.
CEs is a beast. Slimmed down beast. And clearly prefers to be in the background - which he seems to have found a bit better this year.
Speaking of background. Look in the corner of the players lot. Who brought a little boat with them to spring training
JP still wanders around aimlessly like hes actually important. Omar keeps popping up in corners talking to people. And sandy is very clearly in charge. While Fred just sits in his golf cart with his body guard and enjoys the best time of the baseball year. Unfortunately the shithead son arrives eventually...
Not sure which lefty it was, I know Nimmo was in the group hitting with Dom. But someone was hitting absolute BOMBS to RF on the main field late in yesterdays practice.
Thor looks completely different body wise, which we were told he would. A lot more athletic in PFPs. Matz looks fuller, more mature. Wheeler looks entitled, like he just expects to be great. When the three of them are together you can just look at Thor and know hes a beast. Matz is intense. Zack is just... different.
TDA a lot of time at 2b. Not a position change like I joked last night. Just keeping him fresh. Theme for everyone early in Camp.
Conforto doing a lot of work, looking good.
Bruce is like the proud dad leading the group. Really taking a completely different approach to his leadership role, dramatic difference.
Nimmo always looked a little intimidated. Ive always said he is too soft to be great. Too content. Now seems relaxed - expect a high floor from him at this point. Legates has looked awesome a few times in past springs, so Im hesitant to tout him.
Don smith might have secretly won a $500mm lotto jackpot this offseason. I have never seen someone smile and laugh so much during practices. Ever. And that includes Jose in his youth. Jose and Wrights smiles are more genuine, but man the kid is happy this spring.
Speaking of smiles. Man is it relaxed here. Lots of vets. Everyone going about there biz. Something to prove. Quiet confidence. Everywhere.
Plawecki - leading candidate for gold glove, silver slugger and MVP at this point. Possible Cy Young candidate too. In all seriousness, Mets felt comfy enough this offseason to never seriously consider Lucroy, an unthinkable thing any other offseason.
CEs is a beast. Slimmed down beast. And clearly prefers to be in the background - which he seems to have found a bit better this year.
Speaking of background. Look in the corner of the players lot. Who brought a little boat with them to spring training
JP still wanders around aimlessly like hes actually important. Omar keeps popping up in corners talking to people. And sandy is very clearly in charge. While Fred just sits in his golf cart with his body guard and enjoys the best time of the baseball year. Unfortunately the shithead son arrives eventually...
Not sure which lefty it was, I know Nimmo was in the group hitting with Dom. But someone was hitting absolute BOMBS to RF on the main field late in yesterdays practice.
Thanks for these tidbits, Sheck.
Nice to get a bit of a temp check early on. Interesting stuff.
Glad to see the Conforto looks alright. Hopefully it'll go well when he starts swinging. I actually like our OF depth. Am a fan of both Lagares and Nimmo.
Re: Vargas, he is what is. He'll give them innings. I haven't looked at the calendar but I'm sure there will be a way to get everyone a turn in the rotation if they are pitching well enough to deserve it. I like that the pitching coach has familiarity with him. Like that he's a lefty. If he can do what Colon did and just give them a couple solid starts for every clunker that will help.
Also great post Shecky.
Re: Vargas, he is what is. He'll give them innings. I haven't looked at the calendar but I'm sure there will be a way to get everyone a turn in the rotation if they are pitching well enough to deserve it. I like that the pitching coach has familiarity with him. Like that he's a lefty. If he can do what Colon did and just give them a couple solid starts for every clunker that will help.
Also great post Shecky.
Reed wasn't going to stay here with Familia and Ramos on the roster. He wants to close and has a better chance in Minnesota setting up for Rodney whos unstable
Yes. Not montero
Gsellman to Vegas, where he belongs. His arrogance bothers me. He acts like hes somehow owed a spot. Didnt pitch well until they humbled him last season
He 's always guaranteed to pitch 5 innings AT BEST.