Pitchers and Catchers report tomorrow. Brodie interviewed tonight. Divulging info.
On McNeil:
Matt Ehalt
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@MattEhalt
Brodie on McNeil/outfield: “His focus in spring training is going to be a transition to the outfield because we think we can be a lethal lineup with a McNeil, Conforto, Nimmo outfield against right-handed pitching. "
wRC+ normalizes for things such as ballpark factor. The complicated formula
"(((wRAA per PA + league runs per PA) + (league runs per PA - ballpark factor x league runs per PA) / league wRC per plate appearance, not including pitchers)) x 100."
Syracuse wasn't a Mets affiliate but using them as an example the Chiefs had 3 qualified hitters post a wRC+ of 100 or greater including ex-Met Matt Reynolds
On a scale of complicated procedures he's somewhere between TJ Rivera's supposedly standard TJS and David Wright's "can't even sit in the dugout" neck surgeries. That doesn't mean Cespedes can't come back sooner, but recent history tells us it'd be a fool's errand to try to predict his recovery even if he was only doing 1 simpler procedure, and not 2.
Puason or Dominguez? Either way, nice move for Yanks
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Of course the Yankees are signing the #1 rated IFA prospect, shocker @fangraphs lol
Puason or Dominguez? Either way, nice move for Yanks
Dominguez is expected to sign with the Yankees for about 5 million, Puason to Oakland. The Mets have been tied to Alexander Ramirez who is not considered one of the "top" names but may get 7 figures.
Matt Ehalt
@MattEhalt
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Mets have yet to make offer to deGrom per a source. Degrom's side was told two months ago offer would come. Now, there's a deadline. There is some frustration building.
@jeffpaternostro
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I suppose in hindsight it was foolish of anyone to think that this would be the one player they wouldn’t jerk around in this stuff.
Jeffrey Paternostro
@jeffpaternostro
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I still expect this to get done but the fact that it will take brinksmanship through the papers is extremely Mets.
There is no human on earth who knows what is going through JDG's head more than BVW, so there's zero chance he's genuinely misreading the situation. He's also not talking tough or anything, so I think it's just a stall tactic as he knows JDG is probably getting antsy, but the deal will happen before ST ends.
There is no human on earth who knows what is going through JDG's head more than BVW, so there's zero chance he's genuinely misreading the situation. He's also not talking tough or anything, so I think it's just a stall tactic as he knows JDG is probably getting antsy, but the deal will happen before ST ends.
All due respect Eric but it sounds like DeGrom's camp is upset with the lack of movement. Why wouldn't Brodie be able to tell him exactly what you are saying if that's the case?
Jeffrey Paternostro
@jeffpaternostro
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I still expect this to get done but the fact that it will take brinksmanship through the papers is extremely Mets.
They don't operate with the financial flexibility they try to convey so things get messy. Like trying to qualify for a mortgage that's at the max someone can afford. Truth be told they may not even have enough money to even operate at the level they're at right now. Which is among the thousands of reasons the league should have forced them to divest or take on partners when the Madoff stuff happened.
-DeGrom’s CAA agent, Jeff Berry, recently released a memo that outlined recourse for players who seek reform in free agency, following two historically slow markets. Among the ideas suggested by Berry was that pitchers could look to cap their workloads in a season to ensure their value remains at a higher level heading to free agency. And a source indicated deGrom could put such restrictions on himself if a new deal isn’t reached with the Mets.
-Now, under new representation, deGrom is attempting to put heat on the Mets by issuing the March 28 deadline to have a new contract in place or risk leaving a storm cloud lingering over the star pitcher as he embarks on a new season.-Puma
Does not at all sound like it's just a matter of seeing if they add a Gio type. Again, this would be easily communicated to DeGrom
Same thing for the 'pen - if every one stays healthy, they should be OK.
Offense should be OK.
Mets should expect 30+ missed starts. They definitely need a sixth starter unles they have faith Gagnon, Oswald etc
I like Lowrie as a player but more of a luxury signing with McNeil being pushed into a utility role. Sixth starter is a need imo not a luxury signing
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to figure out contract structure because of the way the Wilpons do the budget. If he ends up spending more on someone like Gio this year, or even going multi-year, they adjust the JDG year 1 & 2 salaries and punt money to the future - just like the Cano deal.
There is no human on earth who knows what is going through JDG's head more than BVW, so there's zero chance he's genuinely misreading the situation. He's also not talking tough or anything, so I think it's just a stall tactic as he knows JDG is probably getting antsy, but the deal will happen before ST ends.
All due respect Eric but it sounds like DeGrom's camp is upset with the lack of movement. Why wouldn't Brodie be able to tell him exactly what you are saying if that's the case?
a) we aren't even sure how much BVW is directly able to communicate with JDG because of the "recusal".
b) because the Wilpons are extremely tight lipped with all of their budgetary parameters and if the negotiations hit a snag at any point with JDG's camp or they wanted to play hard ball, it's something that could very easily find it's way into the press.
I'm all ears to other theories but I can't think of 1 where the Mets haven't even made an offer yet. The Wilpons tax refund coming out smaller than expected so they ran out of money? I mean, I just don't see how what was likely 1 of BVW's top goals from the outset could just completely go off track.
#2 Why would that even matter? Jeff or Omar or whomever wouldn't be able to exchange basic outlines? or communicate "we got you, just figuring out 2019 payroll ramifications"? It's been 2 months (if you believe his camp) and nada. Brodie being able to talk to DeGrom directly (whether Sherman is right or not) is besides the point.
So 1. He's allowed to if you believe the PA (and they would be the ones to say otherwise) 2. Jeff and Ricco could have communicated (and still could) "hey man, I know it's been slow but there is a scenario where year 1 is X and it goes up or year one is Y" not radio silence.
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Matz will surely take his annual trip (or two) to the DL. And though Wheeler had a great year, I'm still not sure he has put his annual DL trip(s) behind him. If one/both of those guys miss extended time, I'm not confident in any of the replacement candidates.
Same thing for the 'pen - if every one stays healthy, they should be OK.
Offense should be OK.
Mets should expect 30+ missed starts. They definitely need a sixth starter unles they have faith Gagnon, Oswald etc
I like Lowrie as a player but more of a luxury signing with McNeil being pushed into a utility role. Sixth starter is a need imo not a luxury signing
I didn't even mention Thor and his annual trips to the DL, but yeah I can see the three of them missing 20+ starts (combined) pretty easily. Gio is no great shakes, but like him much more than Gagnon, etc.
It is completely understandable that his camp is antsy having not even received a contract offer.
The question is WHY haven't they even offered him a contract. That is the X in this equation. Unless BVW is completely FOS it's not for lack of desire. I don't think he's dumb enough to have made that a priority without having the financial means to do so. So what is the hold up on even extending an offer?
Kershaw just received 3 years 93 million + incentives bumping the total over 100 million. Keuchel is nowhere near the pitcher DeGrom is and if you believe DeGrom nothing has been even discussed in 2 months. Communication skills continue to be terrible with this organization.
"LAS VEGAS — Amid their scramble to find new players, the Mets found time Tuesday to begin discussions on securing their foundation.
According to an industry source, team officials convened with Jacob deGrom’s representatives at the winter meetings in the first step toward potentially locking up the ace right-hander to a long-term contract."
What is DeGrom supposed to do other than assume the worst?
Only the Mets could screw up this situation. This guy is a model teammate coming off a hostoric season and they hired his agent as GM. Yet they still jerk this guy around?
And how do fans make excuses for the Wilpons? Who are they saving this money for if they won’t pay him?
Only the Mets could screw up this situation. This guy is a model teammate coming off a hostoric season and they hired his agent as GM. Yet they still jerk this guy around?
I think this is dead on - which again gets me to how or why this is happening. I don't doubt Shecky but the evolving market place seems like an odd excuse to me. Corbin signed 6/140m, and he's the better comp to JDG than Keuchel anyway. Carrasco may be an even better comp and he gave them an amazingly team friendly early extension comp.
I don't see why a slower market for Keuchel would stop progress entirely to the point of not making an offer. If they thought the market conditions were favorable, just make an offer more aggressively towards Carrasco vs. Corbin. Something in between those 2 ranges makes sense for both sides. Starting lower and disagreeing I get. Not even making an offer when it was 1 of your top priorities of the offseason is strange even by Met standards.
Link - ( New Window )
And this takes a toll on these players. They are human beings and not robots. Of all people, you think Brodie would have understood the importance of getting this done. It's one thing to negotiate on a fair deal. It's another thing to lie to your star player and not even make an offer.
@MattEhalt
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Brodie: “this concept of an opening day deadline for contract discussions is a mutual understanding. There is no reason for a distraction to carry into the regular season and we will continue to have dialogue over the course of this spring and see where those discussions lead."
"Mike Puma
Mike Puma
@NYPost_Mets
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Van Wagenen: "From my standpoint, Jacob, we care about him and he knows we care about him. He knows how important he is to the organization and it will be my job to make sure there is no strained relationship no matter what takes place.""
@MattEhalt
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Should be noted Mets gave deGrom largest raise in arbitration history. That was a goodwill gesture. But, they told deGrom's side there would be an offer, and camp has started and there's nothing.
He also confirmed Joel Sherman's blurb, does not have to recuse himself from contract talks. Would be directly involved
Here is his agent in July-
"That being said.... July
“We have discussed Jacob’s future with the Mets at length. Jacob has expressed interest in exploring a long-term partnership that would keep him in a Mets uniform for years to come...
If the Mets don’t share same interest, we believe their best course of action is to seriously consider trade opportunities now. The inertia of current situation could complicate Jacob’s relationship with the club and creates an atmosphere of indecision.”
Brodie is that egg scrambled or once over easy?... whoops his agent in July... Brodie
Clay Buchholz: Mets
Limited to just two starts in 2017 due to a partially torn flexor pronator mass, the 34-year-old Buchholz is still without a 30-start campaign to his name despite spending the better part of 12 seasons in the majors. Last year, after opting out of a minor league deal with the Royals, Buchholz resurfaced with the D-backs and assembled a half-season performance not unlike his tantalizing 2013 and ’15 ones: 16 starts, 98.1 innings, 15.0% K-BB%, with a 2.01 ERA and a 3.47 FIP. Alas, he suffered another flexor strain on September 13, and he was shut down for the year after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection.
Obviously, Buchholz isn’t going to provide anyone with 200 innings, but he’s capable of being an average-or-better starter if healthy, and thus rates as being worth a flier. He was in contact with the Rangers earlier this winter, but no deal panned out. To these eyes, he’d make more sense for a contender like the Mets — and with 85 projected wins, it’s fair to call them that. On the strength of a front four of Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler, their rotation is projected to be the majors’ seventh-best, but while that group was healthy enough to combine for 116 starts last year, it’s worth remembering that in 2017, they were available for just 68. What’s more, their fifth starter right now remains Jason Vargas, who was torched for a 5.77 ERA and a 5.02 FIP in 20 starts last year. Even if he can’t match last season’s performance, Buchholz should be able to outdo whatever Vargas and nominal sixth starter Hector Santiago can provide, without breaking the bank.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-find-homes-for-a-few-more-unsigned-free-agents/ - ( New Window )
Personally, and I've been thinking about this a decent amount, I might be more open to adding another reliever and moving Lugo into the rotation.
Lugo, in my opinion, has #3 starter upside and really lengthens out the rotation. Why not add someone like Warren or Madsen, move Lugo to rotation.
I wonder if there might be a trade target for a set-up man, I know it might be pricey, but would love to grab Leclerc from Texas. I know Brodie had talks back at the winter meetings with the Rangers. I wonder if we could package something for him.
Personally, and I've been thinking about this a decent amount, I might be more open to adding another reliever and moving Lugo into the rotation.
Lugo, in my opinion, has #3 starter upside and really lengthens out the rotation. Why not add someone like Warren or Madsen, move Lugo to rotation.
I wonder if there might be a trade target for a set-up man, I know it might be pricey, but would love to grab Leclerc from Texas. I know Brodie had talks back at the winter meetings with the Rangers. I wonder if we could package something for him.
I'd be all about Lugo in the rotatiom but if not yeah i'd give Buchholtz first shot. His cutter was dominant last year.
That said this is all posturing and the deGrom deal gets done this spring. 99% chance.
That is why the notion that cespedes will be out all year is only accurate if cespedes wants it to be accurate. The other thing to consider is that insurance isn’t going to pay if someone is medically cleared but trying to game the system. So there are factors at play for multiple parties.
He's not going to be back in April or May. I'm so positive of this fact, I will not post on a single Mets thread all season of Yoenis Cespedes is playing for the Mets before June 1st. It's not happening.