Game 1 - Nimmo already out when he got hit on the hand on a check swing, was in a great deal of pain. Game tied 3-3 top 4. Oswalt on the mound for Mets vs Ranger Suarez for Phils. Oswalt has given up solo bombs to Hoskins, Franco, and Nick Williams. Rosario hit a lead off jack in the first to straight away center.
Lineups - Mets
SS Rosario
CF A Jackson
1B Flores
LF Conforto
3B Frazier
RF Nimmo Bautista
2B Reyes
C Plawecki
P Oswalt
Phillies
2B Hernandez
1B Bour
SS AsCab
LF Hoskins
RF N. Williams
3B Franco
CF Herrera
C Alfaro
P Suarez
Awesome.
Conforto now with a double...Mets have now scored 27 runs in 2 games...SO FAR. DeGrom is begging them to save some of this for Saturday vs Arrieta!
4 errors!
"Todd, how bad does it smell in that ballpark?"
LOL
He's done more for the Braves as a member of the Mets than he did as a Brave.
If Mets want to truly convince fans (and themselves) that they want to compete for playoffs next year, they need 3 things, and it really has to start with these things or else they are kidding themselves:
1. great closer
2. great reliever/set up man
3. middle of the order all star caliber bat (someone like Machado)
Otherwise, there's no point in keeping all the pitchers.
Holy hell is that a record?
If Mets want to truly convince fans (and themselves) that they want to compete for playoffs next year, they need 3 things, and it really has to start with these things or else they are kidding themselves:
1. great closer
2. great reliever/set up man
3. middle of the order all star caliber bat (someone like Machado)
Otherwise, there's no point in keeping all the pitchers.
Francesa is a blowhard. Mets need good health. They haven't really missed Familia and they could bring him back though I doubt it. Some of these guys they got in the trades last year, you just need a couple of them to pan out. They have Swarzak who takes some grief but he's a good set up guy. Drew Smith and Wahl are guys to watch. I think they don't need to hit the relief pitcher market very hard and personally I think they can and probably should just make Gsellman the closer next year.
The middle of the order bat is going to take care of itself because Alonso will be this team's first baseman next year and say what you want about him being young and a prospect but I think he's going to be a star. That said, yes, they should spend some money and get a guy, but that won't happen because they'll still have Bruce and Cespedes' salaries on the books not to mention David Wright's. And you know what, I think they can win next year as long as they enjoy better health and as long as Cespedes can make an early August return. I think they have enough bats right now if the pitching holds up.
Love to see it.
2-0 Mets after about 5 pitches.
Quote:
Francesa said yesterday and I agree...
If Mets want to truly convince fans (and themselves) that they want to compete for playoffs next year, they need 3 things, and it really has to start with these things or else they are kidding themselves:
1. great closer
2. great reliever/set up man
3. middle of the order all star caliber bat (someone like Machado)
Otherwise, there's no point in keeping all the pitchers.
Francesa is a blowhard. Mets need good health. They haven't really missed Familia and they could bring him back though I doubt it. Some of these guys they got in the trades last year, you just need a couple of them to pan out. They have Swarzak who takes some grief but he's a good set up guy. Drew Smith and Wahl are guys to watch. I think they don't need to hit the relief pitcher market very hard and personally I think they can and probably should just make Gsellman the closer next year.
The middle of the order bat is going to take care of itself because Alonso will be this team's first baseman next year and say what you want about him being young and a prospect but I think he's going to be a star. That said, yes, they should spend some money and get a guy, but that won't happen because they'll still have Bruce and Cespedes' salaries on the books not to mention David Wright's. And you know what, I think they can win next year as long as they enjoy better health and as long as Cespedes can make an early August return. I think they have enough bats right now if the pitching holds up.
Lol.Ok
If Mets want to truly convince fans (and themselves) that they want to compete for playoffs next year, they need 3 things, and it really has to start with these things or else they are kidding themselves:
1. great closer
2. great reliever/set up man
3. middle of the order all star caliber bat (someone like Machado)
Otherwise, there's no point in keeping all the pitchers.
Didn't hear it but he's 100% right. As much as he's a blow hard Francesa is usually decent analyzing the mets.
If Mets want to truly convince fans (and themselves) that they want to compete for playoffs next year, they need 3 things, and it really has to start with these things or else they are kidding themselves:
1. great closer
2. great reliever/set up man
3. middle of the order all star caliber bat (someone like Machado)
Otherwise, there's no point in keeping all the pitchers.
This is virtually exactly what Ive been saying for weeks... if not months. To a T.
Quote:
Francesa said yesterday and I agree...
If Mets want to truly convince fans (and themselves) that they want to compete for playoffs next year, they need 3 things, and it really has to start with these things or else they are kidding themselves:
1. great closer
2. great reliever/set up man
3. middle of the order all star caliber bat (someone like Machado)
Otherwise, there's no point in keeping all the pitchers.
This is virtually exactly what Ive been saying for weeks... if not months. To a T.
I can confirm this.
The optimist will say, we are only 2-3 big pieces away to get right back in it.
I feel like we have the young upside hitters that likely have "role player" or "complimentary pieces" on their ledger as far as a "floor". But we dont have the middle bat that can carry you. We dont have the guy we can depend on when guys are in and out of slumps...when the youth are still going through growing pains and ups and downs. We need the guy Cespedes was supposed to be before injuries ruined him.
Not many teams can say they are "set" with their rotation heading into 2019 and feel like that unit alone could compete for a WS. TOR pitchers are the greatest commodity in the game IMO. Hitters get you to the playoffs, but aces take home the gold.
We spent a long damn time rebuilding under Sandy. The last two years have been a wreck but this is still a young team (minus the stopgaps playing right now). Finish the rebuild and add some TRUE talent to supplement this roster. 3 pieces gets you there but they have to premium. A real closer... (their are a bunch of good ones) A real setup man the Ramos money and what he was supposed to be. It really shouldn't be impossible. With this team it probably will be. :(
It would be like "Piazza" all over again in terms of excitement. We would be the talk of baseball again. We may not even be good enough to go very far but in terms of legitimizing this team and creating a buzz like we haven't seen in some time, one addition could change everything.
(obviously not saying it will happen)
If we added some real top end bullpen arms, I’d feel more comfortable rolling the dice with the in-house starters and maybe just adding a #5 type this offseason to compete in camp. I think Lugo is our 4th best starter, so hopefully we can move him out of the pen.
Disagree big time. We have the third best rotation in the league this year with Thor missing a huge chunk again (non chronic ticky tack stuff), Matz hitting a wall and pitching awful of late.. Vargas a disaster or hurt pretty much all year (seems to finally be turning a corner).. The truth is back end rotation pieces dont pitch as many innings as your top three guys and many backend pieces are interchangeable throughout the year with guys in AAA. You cant tell me that some combination of Lugo, Matz, Owalt, Vargas cant fill out a backend when you have arguably the best top 3 in the business. This team has some major issues and using limited resources to make the third best thing in the league better doesnt make a whole of sense to me. This team needs offense offense offense offense offense... and obviously the pen needs work as well. Finally somebody like Dunn is in AA. Its not completely unreasonable he could be depth at some point next year either.
Hopefully Conforto is next. Had a good day today too.
I dont think Cespedes is ever playing the OF again. They were on record saying Cespedes would transition to 1B BEFORE he decided to have "questionable surgery" on both feet. If he ever plays again he will be a part time player and fill in at 1B with Alonso a little. At this point we need to forget about Cespedes though. He is no longer a guy that should ever even be mentioned as somebody that is part of anything moving forward. He was a horrid signing and its time to move on. Swap Bruce for McGee in Colorado and your OF is Conforto-Nimmo-Harper. It could definitely work.
Hopefully Conforto is next. Had a good day today too.
Nimmo used to put up these video game hot streaks in the minors at times and usually a nagging injury would set him back... Feel like this is the major league version of that... He was RED HOT.
Quote:
signed Harper, then I'd trade Conforto for something significant. It doesn't make sense to have Bruce, Nimmo, Conforto, Harper and eventually Cespedes in the same outfield. We really need a power righty bat, hopefully Alonso can provide that too.
I dont think Cespedes is ever playing the OF again. They were on record saying Cespedes would transition to 1B BEFORE he decided to have "questionable surgery" on both feet. If he ever plays again he will be a part time player and fill in at 1B with Alonso a little. At this point we need to forget about Cespedes though. He is no longer a guy that should ever even be mentioned as somebody that is part of anything moving forward. He was a horrid signing and its time to move on. Swap Bruce for McGee in Colorado and your OF is Conforto-Nimmo-Harper. It could definitely work.
Of all the pointless things to talk about Harper to the Mets I think is the most pointless.
Harper is combustible in Washington D.C., in NY he'd be a absolute circus. He would fit into that locker room like a hand grenade, with worse aftermath. And for money that the Wilpons would never spend. And if they did, say goodbye to Wheeler, deGrom, and Thor, because they AND Harper aren't going to get paid.
This team needs Alonso. It needs Nimmo, Conforto, and Rosario to play like they are now. It needs McNeil to be the guy at 2B. I love watching this aggressive baserunning, putting the ball in play, and keep the line moving offense. It works. You can have your 200 K, 40 HR, all or nothing guys. That hasn't worked.
Quote:
signed Harper, then I'd trade Conforto for something significant. It doesn't make sense to have Bruce, Nimmo, Conforto, Harper and eventually Cespedes in the same outfield. We really need a power righty bat, hopefully Alonso can provide that too.
I dont think Cespedes is ever playing the OF again. They were on record saying Cespedes would transition to 1B BEFORE he decided to have "questionable surgery" on both feet. If he ever plays again he will be a part time player and fill in at 1B with Alonso a little. At this point we need to forget about Cespedes though. He is no longer a guy that should ever even be mentioned as somebody that is part of anything moving forward. He was a horrid signing and its time to move on. Swap Bruce for McGee in Colorado and your OF is Conforto-Nimmo-Harper. It could definitely work.
Cespedes should get traded to an AL team to DH if all he is now is a first baseman. Alonso is the future at 1B. I'd like to see how Cespedes' recovery goes and how he runs when his feet are healed. I heard he had a lot of shit in those feet they took out. Maybe his career is over, maybe he can play first or DH, or maybe he makes a full recovery and can be our LFer when he heals up. I'd like to withhold judgement.
Quote:
In comment 14041221 CMicks3110 said:
Quote:
signed Harper, then I'd trade Conforto for something significant. It doesn't make sense to have Bruce, Nimmo, Conforto, Harper and eventually Cespedes in the same outfield. We really need a power righty bat, hopefully Alonso can provide that too.
I dont think Cespedes is ever playing the OF again. They were on record saying Cespedes would transition to 1B BEFORE he decided to have "questionable surgery" on both feet. If he ever plays again he will be a part time player and fill in at 1B with Alonso a little. At this point we need to forget about Cespedes though. He is no longer a guy that should ever even be mentioned as somebody that is part of anything moving forward. He was a horrid signing and its time to move on. Swap Bruce for McGee in Colorado and your OF is Conforto-Nimmo-Harper. It could definitely work.
Of all the pointless things to talk about Harper to the Mets I think is the most pointless.
Harper is combustible in Washington D.C., in NY he'd be a absolute circus. He would fit into that locker room like a hand grenade, with worse aftermath. And for money that the Wilpons would never spend. And if they did, say goodbye to Wheeler, deGrom, and Thor, because they AND Harper aren't going to get paid.
This team needs Alonso. It needs Nimmo, Conforto, and Rosario to play like they are now. It needs McNeil to be the guy at 2B. I love watching this aggressive baserunning, putting the ball in play, and keep the line moving offense. It works. You can have your 200 K, 40 HR, all or nothing guys. That hasn't worked.
I dont believe any of this is true. First of all, lets say Harper gets 30 million a year for 10 years. A true 300 million+ dollar deal.... Cespedes and Wright are both getting paid 45 million dollars AV together PER YEAR. Both are off the books completely in two years (Thank God) Thor and deGrom wont be cashing in to well passed that. They absolutely can sign Harper and backload him a little bit. They have about 20-50 million to spend anyway with just whats coming off the books this year (and maybe a creative trade or two.... Frazier ahem...) Second of all.. the Harper stuff is so overblown. 100 out of 100 Nats fans would take him back in a heartbeat. Harper also always gushes about the Mets pitching. I dont think he's half as bad as the "persona" he tries to portray.
Anyways... my overall point is we need a bonafide all star hitter in the middle of the lineup.. Harper... Machado... trade for Carpenter... Whoever. We need something to get back on track and major hitter is it.
Quote:
In comment 14041221 CMicks3110 said:
Quote:
signed Harper, then I'd trade Conforto for something significant. It doesn't make sense to have Bruce, Nimmo, Conforto, Harper and eventually Cespedes in the same outfield. We really need a power righty bat, hopefully Alonso can provide that too.
I dont think Cespedes is ever playing the OF again. They were on record saying Cespedes would transition to 1B BEFORE he decided to have "questionable surgery" on both feet. If he ever plays again he will be a part time player and fill in at 1B with Alonso a little. At this point we need to forget about Cespedes though. He is no longer a guy that should ever even be mentioned as somebody that is part of anything moving forward. He was a horrid signing and its time to move on. Swap Bruce for McGee in Colorado and your OF is Conforto-Nimmo-Harper. It could definitely work.
Cespedes should get traded to an AL team to DH if all he is now is a first baseman. Alonso is the future at 1B. I'd like to see how Cespedes' recovery goes and how he runs when his feet are healed. I heard he had a lot of shit in those feet they took out. Maybe his career is over, maybe he can play first or DH, or maybe he makes a full recovery and can be our LFer when he heals up. I'd like to withhold judgement.
Who's trading for him? He may miss the majority of next season and then he has one year left. He is completely immoveable and we wouldnt even have a shot to trade him until 2020. Just forget about him. He sucks and he's finished.
Not before Vargas!
I really hope the new GM doesn't go into camp next year thinking these two (Oswalt and Matz, and Vargas for that matter) can be counted on for anything. Can't we do better? Why not try and do better?
At some point, given how baseball goes, one or more of the big 3 will have to miss some time in 2019. We'd be looking at complete disaster if this happens. The organization needs to add pitching for 2019 since the minor league system has failed to produce viable arms in-house.
For better or worse, Rosario is coming back next year. That still leaves holes at 3B, 2B, 1B and C. Frazier, McNeil and Bruce/Flores are OK backup options at those spots, but none really profile as above average MLB players (with the possible exception of McNeil).
I really think we need an IF upgrade and a catcher too. I think 1B is the position I'm most likely to leave alone. Bruce stinks but him and flores can platoon and at least hold the spot for Alonso.
We have 3 starting pitchers we can hopefully count on (assuming Wheeler doesn't regress in 2019). I'm OK trying to fill 5th starter in-house (Lugo?), but leaving 2/5 of the spots to this is just too risky IMO. Also need a complete infusion of talent in the bullpen and that's not going to be cheap.
Amazing how thin this roster is and the new GM will really have his work cut out for him after the job this front office has done.
Sign a legitimate everyday catcher like Grandal (he's better against righties so he'd be a good combo with Plawecki too)
Trade for or sign an upgrade in the OF. Ideally, it's a CF upgrade like Pollock. But you could probably get by with Nimmo in CF if it's at least a very good defensive COF.
Sign the 2 best players you can in the BP. Buying slightly low on Familia and Miller would be my preferences.
At best you're probably looking at an 85ish win wild card team next year, and the chance to hopefully continue adding to become a 90+ winner in 2020. Turning things around in 1 year is unrealistic unless they really go on a massive spending binge.
Quote:
In comment 14041221 CMicks3110 said:
Quote:
signed Harper, then I'd trade Conforto for something significant. It doesn't make sense to have Bruce, Nimmo, Conforto, Harper and eventually Cespedes in the same outfield. We really need a power righty bat, hopefully Alonso can provide that too.
I dont think Cespedes is ever playing the OF again. They were on record saying Cespedes would transition to 1B BEFORE he decided to have "questionable surgery" on both feet. If he ever plays again he will be a part time player and fill in at 1B with Alonso a little. At this point we need to forget about Cespedes though. He is no longer a guy that should ever even be mentioned as somebody that is part of anything moving forward. He was a horrid signing and its time to move on. Swap Bruce for McGee in Colorado and your OF is Conforto-Nimmo-Harper. It could definitely work.
Of all the pointless things to talk about Harper to the Mets I think is the most pointless.
Harper is combustible in Washington D.C., in NY he'd be a absolute circus. He would fit into that locker room like a hand grenade, with worse aftermath. And for money that the Wilpons would never spend. And if they did, say goodbye to Wheeler, deGrom, and Thor, because they AND Harper aren't going to get paid.
This team needs Alonso. It needs Nimmo, Conforto, and Rosario to play like they are now. It needs McNeil to be the guy at 2B. I love watching this aggressive baserunning, putting the ball in play, and keep the line moving offense. It works. You can have your 200 K, 40 HR, all or nothing guys. That hasn't worked.
Totally agree on Harper ain't happening nohow, no way! Why do people keep bringing it up, for that matter neither is Machado! Why would they anyway?
And we got stuck with the wilpons.
And we got stuck with the wilpons.
The Wilpon’s were still 50/50 owners at the time and signed off... Regardless of who the initiator was. They also just gave out the highest AAV to any player in baseball two years ago.