When BVW grabbed Billy Hamilton, I thought, "decent move to get a guy who can pinch run and be a late inning defensive replacement."
But he started yesterday. What the wha? He's 0-12 at the plate.
Nimmo looks like he forgot how to play the outfield.
Alonso, Rosario, Nimmo, and to a lesser extent, Dom, all look like they've forgotten how to hit.
This was supposed to be the year...the supposed 'best' Mets lineup I've ever seen. And they're shitting the bed again. It just seems like there's a dark cloud constantly over this team.
And I think they should all start practicing the push bunt down the line to beat the shift. McNeil in particular, he's getting robbed of hits on a nightly basis.
And I haven't even gotten to the rotation or bullpen. I'm sorry guys, it's just draining. I was going to start this by saying 'Fire Luis Rojas', but really, what's the point? It doesn't seem to matter who they hire to manage.
But here's an example of what tells the story of the season:
They rank #6 overall in team batting average (.252)
They rank #29 overall in team batting average w/ RISP (.203)
If they "get hot" and start getting the big hit they can go on a run, and if they get over .500 they will be in the postseason.
I actually think Rojas has been solid and some of his moves have directly impacted the BP turnaround - specifically his handling of Diaz. He's also played Gimenez a ton even before the injuries, and he has been a revelation.
Without Stroman I'm not sure much will matter in the postseason unless a solid #2 emerges behind JDG. But who knows, maybe Peterson keeps doing what he's doing or Porcello is finally rounding into form. Or maybe they shift Lugo.
The final bids and trading deadline are either close or on the same day.
I do feel the Mets have a good core group that they can build around but the culture is just crap.
It'd be great if it turns out that the Wilpon-Mets have been an elaborate Ponzi scheme.
I have to admit this new article scared me. If financials haven't been seen by Harris/A-Rod (at minimum) and the Wilpons are concerned about their pick receiving league approval (Harris being the safest) then what happens if a Harris pulls out? I have concerns we won't get what we need as fans.
https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-sale-aug-31-wilpons-1.48030310 - ( New Window )
I'm still a believer in Ames Rosario, so I'd really like them to make him a CF. I think he could do it if they give him enough time to adjust. Then make Gimenez the everyday SS.
We were "told" this was part of the 2nd deadline. What was the point of the second deadline? Why would anyone raise their bid or change their stance? Really bizarre.
To be clear, the post story was exactly the same. That the bidders up to this point had not seen the detailed financials.
Yet, the three main remaining bidders have not seen the detailed Mets financials and are expected to start reviewing the numbers in depth later this week, sources close to different bidding parties said.
If I'm a pitcher, I would never throw Rosario, in particular, a strike-he gets himself out without the need to throw strikes.
Ramos looks especially indifferent about being out there. Last night, first inning, bases juiced, 3-2, Scherzer throws a fastball strike that Ramos seemed to be perfectly happy just watching-perhaps he had a cheeseburger waiting for him on the bench?
Terrible year in general and baseball is weird, hard to watch without fans and the Mets are doing nothing to inspire.
Mauricio, Baty, Allan, Wolf all lose a year of experience.
Just frustrating.
Story comes out Wilpons prefer a “safe” choice aka they don’t want to risk dealfalling apartat the finish line...
And another story comes out that Mets haven’t released any financial info yet, as a counter story to the safe pick
Hmmm, anything seem off to anyone?
Minor owners don't need league approval, Cohen would need to receive 75% "yes's" (as would any owner). The most recent team sold (KC) just went through this process. John Sherman was a minority owner with the Indians but still faced a full league approval to become a majority owner.
Story comes out Wilpons prefer a “safe” choice aka they don’t want to risk dealfalling apartat the finish line...
And another story comes out that Mets haven’t released any financial info yet, as a counter story to the safe pick
Hmmm, anything seem off to anyone?
Seems like pretty standard leaking from the Wilpons trying to squeeze Cohen as they are presumably getting closer to a finish line, and counter leaking (or rather reality) from Cohen.
Once in a lifetime opportunity for us Mets fans to basically guarantee that we'll be run like one of the big boys going forward.
I'm still a believer in Ames Rosario, so I'd really like them to make him a CF. I think he could do it if they give him enough time to adjust. Then make Gimenez the everyday SS.
Great article below on Gimenez by Britton on the athletic ($).
I too like Rosario and struggle with where to play him, he sort of reminds me of Didi Gregorious and I could see him eventually break out with some big years (20+ homers, respectable defense).
But Gimenez looks like the first guy we've had come up since Lagares with legit GG potential at a premium position. And he can hit too. Looks like he will be a perfect leadoff guy in the next few years.
Sorting them out isn't a problem that needs to be solved right now but at this point I'd probably pick Gimenez as the keeper for his extra years of control, better defense, and seemingly better overall instincts (plus rumored work ethic).
‘This isn’t by accident’: On the aptitude and development of Andrés Giménez - ( New Window )
It is not necessary to see large payrolls if we are building smartly. That means drafting with an eye towards maximizing talent in our farm system and not trading away for broken down players with bloated contracts or players without much team control. I like that BVW has convinced Wilpon to spend his draft allocation, although I question whether J.T. Ginn was that much better than someone like Clayton Beeter (the Texas Tech P) to justify tanking Rounds 3 through 5. I thought Matt Allan was far enough better than the remaining options at slot or close to it that it justified the gamble. That being said, the rest of his tenure has sucked.
Had they not had to pay Stroman and Porcello, they could have even kept Wheeler.
A lot of that is good fortune of cheap young talent inherited from the previous regime but it doesn't change the reality that this team has a talent base to compete right away with smart management.
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the debt, it's hard to see large payrolls in the Mets near future if it's not Cohen.
It is not necessary to see large payrolls if we are building smartly. That means drafting with an eye towards maximizing talent in our farm system and not trading away for broken down players with bloated contracts or players without much team control. I like that BVW has convinced Wilpon to spend his draft allocation, although I question whether J.T. Ginn was that much better than someone like Clayton Beeter (the Texas Tech P) to justify tanking Rounds 3 through 5. I thought Matt Allan was far enough better than the remaining options at slot or close to it that it justified the gamble. That being said, the rest of his tenure has sucked.
Hard to look "longer term" when by FAR your best player is 32 years old and there is very, very little SP in the system. Ignoring whatever you want to call this "season" the Mets really don't have much in terms of "top" prospects you see in 2021. The top names... Alvarez, Allen, Mauricio, Baty, PCA, Ginn etc. So that leaves you in no mans land. They have to spend in the near future or they will have significant holes. They don't have a 2021 catcher, they don't have a 2021 rotation.
Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, Thomas Szapucki... that's it. Expanding to the top 30 here are guys who have played above A+
Szapucki, Kevin Smith, Carlos Cortes, Walker Lockett (lol), Ali Sanchez, Ryley Gilliam... that's it. So in order for the Mets to field a good team in 2021 and likely 22 (before significant help may be on the way) they are going to need to spend money on positions that traditionally either cost a lot (SP) or have few options (C).
In his ML career he's always been a solid .340-.350 OBP guy. He has generally walked more and k'd less than Rosario who has hit leadoff a bunch the last 2 years. He will never be Nimmo when it comes to drawing walks but he may be a better hitter and is already the best base stealer on the team.
But all of this is projection for the future, right now he's obviously still adjusting to MLB and there's no need to overload him with expectation unless his performance warrants it.
Syndergaard? Even if they only get a half season after 14-15 months of rehab that's still one of the best top 2's in baseball.
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now the rotation for 2021... JDM, Matz, Peterson... that's a pretty horrendous rotation given the minor league options behind them (Matz sucks either way). So while it's fun to have an Allen, or a Ginn in the system, those are at best 2022 arms.
Syndergaard? Even if they only get a half season after 14-15 months of rehab that's still one of the best top 2's in baseball.
Syndergaard likely doesn't throw a single pitch until well into the season. Think, second half. The rotation on paper is horrendous. Not sure how that can be overstated. Gimme the 5 starters for next season opening day.
The move came just eight days after MiLB President and CEO Pat O’Conner disbanded the league’s negotiating committee and replaced it with a group, titled the Transition Committee, to continue talks with Major League Baseball.
The new group would be the third negotiating team to represent MiLB in less than 10 days."
Reportedly up to 50% of the independently owned teams are in danger of going out of business without a deal. Who knows what the plan would be there.
@Jacob_Resnick
Jed Lowrie will undergo a series of injections to alleviate the discomfort in his knee, the #Mets said. No timeline yet.
That's likely a managers call but quite a few players have defended this in the past saying it's not comfortable (even if it looks "easy".
Rojas seems to be unafraid to make changes and seems to also be aware of their weaknesses. His confidence in Gimenez has paid off big time. His go ahead 2 out rbi completed the momentum turn. He has turned himself into a must start.
Too bad. This team with Syndergaard and Stroman healthy would have been a beast.
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In comment 14948559 DanMetroMan said:
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now the rotation for 2021... JDM, Matz, Peterson... that's a pretty horrendous rotation given the minor league options behind them (Matz sucks either way). So while it's fun to have an Allen, or a Ginn in the system, those are at best 2022 arms.
Syndergaard? Even if they only get a half season after 14-15 months of rehab that's still one of the best top 2's in baseball.
Syndergaard likely doesn't throw a single pitch until well into the season. Think, second half. The rotation on paper is horrendous. Not sure how that can be overstated. Gimme the 5 starters for next season opening day.
After deGrom you have Matz, who I agree sucks but he still has tools so they will hang on to him, then depending on how Gsellman's audition as a starter goes this year, it could be him in there. Then I think David Peterson is going to stick. Then Szapucki or Kilome to hold down the fort until Syndergaard gets back? Finally move Lugo to a starter spot?
In reality they are going to go into free agency and get a guy, probably two. Robbie Ray seems like the kind of reclamation project they go for. He's absolutely getting shelled this year. Perhaps Corey Kluber, who's in the midst of his 2nd injury-plagued season in a row? You just know they are going dumpster-diving.
But, if they decide to buck up, Trevor Bauer is the guy I'd look hard at. They do have $40 million coming off just in Cespedes, Lowrie, Porcello, and Stroman.
I think it CAN work out. If you did get Bauer, at some point next year perhaps you have deGrom, Bauer, Syndergaard, Peterson, and Matz or whoever...and that's a respectable top 4.
Do you trade Dom Smith? I really would love to keep him just as DH. Loved seeing him and Alonso go back to back tonight. Personally, I think Dom is more valuable to the lineup than Rosario and Nimmo. I've said before if you could make Rosario a center fielder, great. Because Gimenez belongs at SS. He can win a GG.
Rojas seems to be unafraid to make changes and seems to also be aware of their weaknesses. His confidence in Gimenez has paid off big time. His go ahead 2 out rbi completed the momentum turn. He has turned himself into a must start.
The bullpen game really worked tonight. They have enough horses to do that in the playoffs. Even though they got touched up, they were pretty effective. I mean, Soto is a destroyer of worlds, that kid is so, so talented. Do we have a Soto in our system? My goodness he is something else.
Alonso with a breakout game tonight and I think a lot of the focus will be on him and the continued brilliance of Gimenez, but Conforto has been somewhat quietly great. I hope he can keep this up all season.
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I know we've all been mostly negative about the team bc of Thor/BVW/Stroman/Diaz/Wilponzis but I'm pretty sure this team is going to make the expanded playoff. Lineup is too good and the pitching is good enough. Not sure if JDG is enough to get far, but who knows? The Royals had Chris Young starting in the WS. If you have an elite BP that can compensate - and if Betances, Familia, Lugo and Diaz are right this can be an elite BP.
Rojas seems to be unafraid to make changes and seems to also be aware of their weaknesses. His confidence in Gimenez has paid off big time. His go ahead 2 out rbi completed the momentum turn. He has turned himself into a must start.
The bullpen game really worked tonight. They have enough horses to do that in the playoffs. Even though they got touched up, they were pretty effective. I mean, Soto is a destroyer of worlds, that kid is so, so talented. Do we have a Soto in our system? My goodness he is something else.
Alonso with a breakout game tonight and I think a lot of the focus will be on him and the continued brilliance of Gimenez, but Conforto has been somewhat quietly great. I hope he can keep this up all season.
Hardly anyone has a Soto in their system. I won't go so far as to call him a generational player, but a team is lucky to have a player like that per generation. Hard to think of any players in the game I would take over him. I'd take him over Acuna. Tatis is the only one I would think hard about.
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In comment 14948559 DanMetroMan said:
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now the rotation for 2021... JDM, Matz, Peterson... that's a pretty horrendous rotation given the minor league options behind them (Matz sucks either way). So while it's fun to have an Allen, or a Ginn in the system, those are at best 2022 arms.
Syndergaard? Even if they only get a half season after 14-15 months of rehab that's still one of the best top 2's in baseball.
Syndergaard likely doesn't throw a single pitch until well into the season. Think, second half. The rotation on paper is horrendous. Not sure how that can be overstated. Gimme the 5 starters for next season opening day.
I literally said they probably only get a half season of Syndergaard in my post, fortunately it's the half that matters more.
I'd also peg the odds of any FA returning to their current team at over 50% Stroman included. I expect the FA market to be quieter than any other year in history in terms of spending and most FA will take 1 year deals to re-establish their values.
Not sure what the point is of trying to project the team's future when we know there's such a huge variable in play with an ownership change. All of us have complained about the depth of the starting rotation for 2-3 years and it's not because there weren't always affordable ways to fix it (like Gio last year) but rather because the Wilponzis were always too cheap to do so.
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In comment 14948772 Eric on Li said:
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I know we've all been mostly negative about the team bc of Thor/BVW/Stroman/Diaz/Wilponzis but I'm pretty sure this team is going to make the expanded playoff. Lineup is too good and the pitching is good enough. Not sure if JDG is enough to get far, but who knows? The Royals had Chris Young starting in the WS. If you have an elite BP that can compensate - and if Betances, Familia, Lugo and Diaz are right this can be an elite BP.
Rojas seems to be unafraid to make changes and seems to also be aware of their weaknesses. His confidence in Gimenez has paid off big time. His go ahead 2 out rbi completed the momentum turn. He has turned himself into a must start.
The bullpen game really worked tonight. They have enough horses to do that in the playoffs. Even though they got touched up, they were pretty effective. I mean, Soto is a destroyer of worlds, that kid is so, so talented. Do we have a Soto in our system? My goodness he is something else.
Alonso with a breakout game tonight and I think a lot of the focus will be on him and the continued brilliance of Gimenez, but Conforto has been somewhat quietly great. I hope he can keep this up all season.
Hardly anyone has a Soto in their system. I won't go so far as to call him a generational player, but a team is lucky to have a player like that per generation. Hard to think of any players in the game I would take over him. I'd take him over Acuna. Tatis is the only one I would think hard about.
We also got JDG and Alonso out of our system, and guys like that don't grow on trees either.
Would be great if they can win tonight. No shame in splitting 4 with the Nats when they throw Scherzer and Corbin and we have no DeGrom.
I have been a fan since around 1967/68 and even though they have stunk for many of those years I always still got a lot of enjoyment from being a Mets fan. Sure a lot of disappointment too, but still always loved following the Mets, through good or bad. Some of my best memories as a fan was going to Shea in the early to mid 80's, and those were some bad teams.
This season for the first time since I was a young boy I haven't watched an inning. While I love the Mets, the game of baseball hasn't been as enjoyable for me these past years as it used to be, and the DH is the last straw, I hate it. I check the box scores occasionally. and read the occasional article to see how they are doing, but at this point I have kind of checked out. If they make the playoffs I'll probably watch a little but otherwise this may be the first season in about 55 years that I won't watch the Mets play.