will be doing a full-length interview Wed at 7. The presser today seems like an attempt to be transparent and provide an update given some level of (embarrassment is too strong of a word) but being shut down on some of the names they have chased. Also, it was assumed they hoped to have something done by the end of Wednesday but that may not happen.
still in the running? Everything I read about him with the Rays has me believing he would be a good start to get the dominos to fall.
Worked with Bloom, Friedman, Neander
Scouting director for Astros (Springer/Corea)
sign me up.
Heck is in the running (and maybe the favorite) to be GM. President of baseball OPS seems to be the position with more of a ?? (Doesn't mean Heck is a lock to be GM)
I’m of the point of view that if the candidate they want
Is not available, then let Sandy run it for year. It’s a big offseason, I’d hate to hire and then fire someone after one season.
It's not believed Sandy wants to have such a substantial day to day role. More likely Ricco would be in charge for a year (odds are they hire someone despite the setbacks).
clearly they are not. But its kinda odd to do a media Q&A about the FO hiring process, haha, right?
Not that im against it or anything, i kinda feel like Cohen was like "Fans want more info, hey sandy how bout you do a Q&A with all the reporters", lol.
clearly they are not. But its kinda odd to do a media Q&A about the FO hiring process, haha, right?
Not that im against it or anything, i kinda feel like Cohen was like "Fans want more info, hey sandy how bout you do a Q&A with all the reporters", lol.
Well they specifically told the beats that no hire has been made and this is just to clarify where they are on the process and field questions. Given Cohen shooting down an article about his itchy trigger finger (via twitter), I think this is a planned approach to control the narratives with the media
Rosenthal's article says they haven't asked TB for permission yet
I read this as Sandy is going to be team president and they are going to hire a young GM (Heck). I assume Ricco and others will also take on more so Sandy is focused on big picture.
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
I read this as Sandy is going to be team president and they are going to hire a young GM (Heck). I assume Ricco and others will also take on more so Sandy is focused on big picture.
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
I read this as Sandy is going to be team president and they are going to hire a young GM (Heck). I assume Ricco and others will also take on more so Sandy is focused on big picture.
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
not sure I'd call Heck "young". 55 in Feb
Fair meant more inexperienced/first time vs. established exec.
Omar Narvaez... 2018+2019 -32 DRS, 2020 +1 DRS. Narvaez 2019.... 120th in CDA, 2020... BEST in baseball . 2019 102nd in CSAA, 2020 2nd in the league... WTF? Could be a very intriguing cheap pickup.
have interest in Jose Quintana coming off a down year with the Cubs, could be a cheap #5 alternative to Matz. Feel like he could be had for a 1 year deal to reclaim himself
I read this as Sandy is going to be team president and they are going to hire a young GM (Heck). I assume Ricco and others will also take on more so Sandy is focused on big picture.
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
Speculation is they will announce Sandy will be taking on an expanded role, that they will hire a GM and others like Ricco will have larger roles as well.
have interest in Jose Quintana coming off a down year with the Cubs, could be a cheap #5 alternative to Matz. Feel like he could be had for a 1 year deal to reclaim himself
Yup. He's one of many potential 4-5's that seem worthy of chasing coming off a single bad/lost season. He's not my first choice but he's of interest for sure.
Jon Morosi
@jonmorosi
Free agent RHP Spencer Patton, who pitched for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars over the last 4 seasons, is drawing interest from @MLB
and NPB teams early in the offseason. The #Rangers, for whom he pitched in 2014-2015, are one team monitoring his market. @MLBNetwork
I read this as Sandy is going to be team president and they are going to hire a young GM (Heck). I assume Ricco and others will also take on more so Sandy is focused on big picture.
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
Speculation is they will announce Sandy will be taking on an expanded role, that they will hire a GM and others like Ricco will have larger roles as well.
Yeah the beats are starting to report this. Totally works for me. You think they bring in Heck for GM?
remains the name we keep hearing. I have no additional insight. My guess is they wanted the President of baseball OPS to have significant say in the GM search (thus not even requesting permission to speak to Heck yet) but if it's going to be a "group think/Sandy" led team for a year, then just based on what we've heard one would think it's Heck.
Omar Narvaez... 2018+2019 -32 DRS, 2020 +1 DRS. Narvaez 2019.... 120th in CDA, 2020... BEST in baseball . 2019 102nd in CSAA, 2020 2nd in the league... WTF? Could be a very intriguing cheap pickup.
Yeah, he's a solid player. Had a real bad limited 2020 season offensively, though hard to make too much of that.
Omar Narvaez... 2018+2019 -32 DRS, 2020 +1 DRS. Narvaez 2019.... 120th in CDA, 2020... BEST in baseball . 2019 102nd in CSAA, 2020 2nd in the league... WTF? Could be a very intriguing cheap pickup.
Yeah, he's a solid player. Had a real bad limited 2020 season offensively, though hard to make too much of that.
2017 101 wRC+, 2018 122, 2019 119, he was terrible offensively this season but he's hit in the past and was only 28 this past season so unlikely he's "done". Because of his defense he was still on pace for about 2 fWAR, if somehow the defense is real and the bat bounces back...
Sam McWilliams, RHP, Mets
McWilliams was one of the hottest Minor League free agents this offseason and signed a $750,000 big league contract with the Mets despite logging an 8.18 ERA in Triple-A a year ago. He can reach the upper 90s with his fastball and generates high spin rates on his slider, but he also has averaged just 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings as a starter in the Minors. He has bounced from the Phillies (eighth-round pick out of a Tennessee high school in 2014), to the D-backs (traded for Jeremy Hellickson in 2015), to the Rays (three-team trade in 2018), to the Royals (Rule 5 Draft in 2018), to the Rays (returned by Kansas City in 2019) and now the Mets.
Sam McWilliams, RHP, Mets
McWilliams was one of the hottest Minor League free agents this offseason and signed a $750,000 big league contract with the Mets despite logging an 8.18 ERA in Triple-A a year ago. He can reach the upper 90s with his fastball and generates high spin rates on his slider, but he also has averaged just 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings as a starter in the Minors. He has bounced from the Phillies (eighth-round pick out of a Tennessee high school in 2014), to the D-backs (traded for Jeremy Hellickson in 2015), to the Rays (three-team trade in 2018), to the Royals (Rule 5 Draft in 2018), to the Rays (returned by Kansas City in 2019) and now the Mets.
6'7 high 90s...chance after chance, teams waiting for it to all click
Just reminds me of all the 5'11 kids throwing in the low 90s with good results that don't get the attention, through all the ranks...
“ I thought he was a big leaguer when I saw him in Double-A. He’s never been a high strikeout guy, using his extra tall height and upright delivery to get immense downward plane on his sinker. Doesn’t really command the secondaries. Best used as a multi-inning reliever”
Sam McWilliams, RHP, Mets
McWilliams was one of the hottest Minor League free agents this offseason and signed a $750,000 big league contract with the Mets despite logging an 8.18 ERA in Triple-A a year ago. He can reach the upper 90s with his fastball and generates high spin rates on his slider, but he also has averaged just 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings as a starter in the Minors. He has bounced from the Phillies (eighth-round pick out of a Tennessee high school in 2014), to the D-backs (traded for Jeremy Hellickson in 2015), to the Rays (three-team trade in 2018), to the Royals (Rule 5 Draft in 2018), to the Rays (returned by Kansas City in 2019) and now the Mets.
6'7 high 90s...chance after chance, teams waiting for it to all click
Just reminds me of all the 5'11 kids throwing in the low 90s with good results that don't get the attention, through all the ranks...
may be short but he was a first round pick and was twice a BA top 100 prospect (as high as 55)
More on McWilliams-
Keanan Lamb
@keananlamb
·
3m
I thought he was being groomed for the Rays second “opener” swing man type. He certainly has the physique to go deep into games, I wonder if the stuff can get through the order a second time
on Stroman was clearly sarcastic since he's obviously NOT been ignored through the ranks (and he's not even 5' 11").
Sorry if that wasn't clear I assumed it was pretty blatantly clear. My apologies.
Oh, I honestly missed that. I thought you felt Stroman was underrated. I'm not his biggest fan but I will say most P of his profile aren't successful starters.
on Stroman was clearly sarcastic since he's obviously NOT been ignored through the ranks (and he's not even 5' 11").
Sorry if that wasn't clear I assumed it was pretty blatantly clear. My apologies.
No no...fair point... he's a crazy freakish athlete who got a lot of attention despite his height..
Pedro Martinez.
Anyway, my point isn't to cherry pick sub 6-foot successful pitchers who weren't ignored as they elevated the ranks, but I do believe there is a correlation to taller starting pitchers generally having more success than shorter pitchers.
I doubt teams consciously ignore or don't pay attention to shorter starts results (especially if they're good results), but I think what they might do is pay more attention to "stuff" than "results".
not height dependent per se, but it may manifest itself and seem that way.
Mike Puma
@NYPost_Mets
·
3m
Sandy Alderson says the Mets are shifting interview process and no longer searching for a president of baseball ops. Looking to exclusively hire a GM, leaving Alderson more involved on baseball side than originally thought.
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComo
·
27s
The Mets have interviewed about six general manager candidates already. A second round sounds likely to take place soon, at which point Steve Cohen will become involved in the process.
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComo
·
48s
Former Mets interim GM John Ricco is "not a candidate" for the Mets' GM role, Sandy Alderson said. However, Ricco will serve as Alderson's right-hand man in matters of both baseball ops and business.
Owens 20 years in the league, Bobby Heck 25, Michael Hill also 25. Sandy both mentioned youth and extensive experience so it's hard to say what he's looking for.
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
·
1m
Sandy Alderson doesn't expect to get down in the weeds in baseball operations, but he will be more involved. He also hopes to be able to "mentor" a GM that is capable of handling the decision by decision role that is common for a GM.
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComo
·
8m
Sandy Alderson says the Mets will not consider releasing Robinson Canó, who is due $48 million in 2022-23, "at this point." But that could change "down the road."
"We're just dealing with the initial impact of this on our roster, on our planning," Alderson said.
Some thoughts that stand out from Sandy's comments
Great that he acknowledges they are multiple pieces away (since they are).
Great that they are going to negotiate to extend Conforto. It's up to him but I think he'll be open to it.
Interesting they've interviewed 6 GM candidates and we don't really know much about it. Nice to see the organization run a process without leaks.
Good to see Rojas get another season. For a rookie manager he appeared to have guts.
Also good to see he's not opposed to staff changes (I believe Rojas hadn't been involved in picking most of them in the first place).
I actually think hiring a president of baseball ops would have been an extra complication that possibly wasn't worth it this year since Sandy is in a better position to know what's here than anyone else from the outside. Get a GM with a pedigree and fresh point of view and that's a good start for year 1.
"downside" is Rojas is going to be under pressure to win right away. A slow start and he's a goner. Assuming he's back, Hensley Meulens has to be licking his chops.
"downside" is Rojas is going to be under pressure to win right away. A slow start and he's a goner. Assuming he's back, Hensley Meulens has to be licking his chops.
As it should be for any manager of a team trying to contend (especially one in year 2).
The bigger opportunity now is for whoever the new GM is. No president of ops, Sandy filling a role temporarily that he is likely to be willing to cede, and a very clear path to a clean slate next year if they want to make a managerial change.
If they bring in a really good GM who turns heads it could really change the way they view the power dynamic in the FO next year and beyond (or whenever Sandy's role changes).
just saw that Sandy said they are looking for someone who can grow
Pretty impressive NONE of the writers have been able to report on any of the 6 that have been interviewed. Of course, Michael Hill conceivably could be one of the 6
Kantrovitz has been talked up for a while. With Hoyer now set as the head honcho, the Mets job would seemingly be appealing know potentially being "the man" ala Theo/Hoyer would be possible.
What is the organizations fascination with John Ricco, seems they do alot to keep him within the organization.
Not that I'm against it, just interesting that no matter the regime change Ricco always seems to be kept on.
He’s apparently strong in an administrative role. Beyond that.. not really sure.
Unrelated.. Morton to the Braves 1 for 15. Nice move. They have added 2 good/solid arms. Morton wasn’t as good in 2020 and Smyly was a career best so they have a big range of outcomes but they unquestionably are better today on paper then they were 2 weeks ago
Buster Olney
Braves have been aggressive so far, and the Mets will not be far behind, aiming at the best available players. A source says about the Mets targeting more more than one of the big four of the winter (Springer, Realmuto, Bauer, Lindor): "It's all true."
and it has been pretty effective. Donaldson a couple years ago then last year I think they signed Will Smith pretty quickly. Then added Ozuna/Hamels.
They do well filling holes with veterans on shorter deals and they get veterans with high end upside if they work out.
Their homegrown pitching still leaves something to be desired but obviously Soroka getting injured is a big reason why now that Anderson looks like he has fully arrived.
Alvarez
Mauricio
Gimenez (BA must be using their own standards, as Gimenez not only isn't a prospect, under the new rules he's not even a rookie in 2021)
Allan
PCA
Baty
Vientos
Ginn
Peterson
Wolf
Alvarez
Mauricio
Gimenez (BA must be using their own standards, as Gimenez not only isn't a prospect, under the new rules he's not even a rookie in 2021)
Allan
PCA
Baty
Vientos
Ginn
Peterson
Wolf
Gin and PCA (and Peterson/Gimenez) make that look better than I expected.
Really hope we can extract 1 or 2 top 10 prospects from someone by helping them offload some salary (even if they are low level).
Also hope they don't trade more than 1 guy on that list if any.
Alvarez
Mauricio
Gimenez (BA must be using their own standards, as Gimenez not only isn't a prospect, under the new rules he's not even a rookie in 2021)
Allan
PCA
Baty
Vientos
Ginn
Peterson
Wolf
Is Peterson a prospect elsewhere and is he rookie eligible?
Alvarez
Mauricio
Gimenez (BA must be using their own standards, as Gimenez not only isn't a prospect, under the new rules he's not even a rookie in 2021)
Allan
PCA
Baty
Vientos
Ginn
Peterson
Wolf
Is Peterson a prospect elsewhere and is he rookie eligible?
Peterson is no longer a prospect and is not ROY eligible. 45 days on the active roster is the cutoff and Sept counts.
lame to include players considered 2nd-year players on a prospect list. Not saying they don't belong on a list of young players the Mets have and should be happy to have but if you're not a rookie, then you aren't a prospect (at least in my book).
lame to include players considered 2nd-year players on a prospect list. Not saying they don't belong on a list of young players the Mets have and should be happy to have but if you're not a rookie, then you aren't a prospect (at least in my book).
Yeah, I agree. Also, just for my own opinion, 25 should be a cut off anyway for a prospect.
I mean, sure, Peterson is still developing and i hope he continues to, but he's already 25, having him on a top 10 prospect list is not a good thing IMO.
Gimenez is younger than Szapucki (and others), at just 22 years old for almost the entire 2021 season, but since he's lost his rookie eligibility I wouldn't include him either.
one of the teams in on Kim, interesting because they have a young star SS, to me that suggests they see him as a potential 3b and thus, the Mets hopefully are interested as well.
@mlbtraderumors
ranks Kim the #7 available FA, and easily one of the youngest in this year's market. They project him to sign for 5 years 40 million (potentially a steal if he's as good as some believe)
I do. He's viewed as an MLB ready young talent (will be 25 this season) who would be a top 50-75 prospect if he played in the states. He has pop, is a plus athlete and is above average at SS (not GG caliber but "everyone" thinks he can stick. Jake Tillinghast who runs prospects worldwide
Doesn't hurt to have a Korean star in Flushing Queens either
Craig Mish
@CraigMish
The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the teams that will be vying for free agent All Star Catcher JT Realmuto this Winter. I would expect them to be involved throughout the process. Per sources.
Nothing against Odorizzi, but quite an awful SP crop when the 2nd "most coveted" SP is a 31-year-old coming off a missed 2020 with 2 sub-4 FIP seasons since 2015
and it has been pretty effective. Donaldson a couple years ago then last year I think they signed Will Smith pretty quickly. Then added Ozuna/Hamels.
They do well filling holes with veterans on shorter deals and they get veterans with high end upside if they work out.
Their homegrown pitching still leaves something to be desired but obviously Soroka getting injured is a big reason why now that Anderson looks like he has fully arrived.
You forgot about Fried who has finally been healthy the past two years. He was a huge reason why Atlanta won the division and made it to game 7 of the NLCS.
and it has been pretty effective. Donaldson a couple years ago then last year I think they signed Will Smith pretty quickly. Then added Ozuna/Hamels.
They do well filling holes with veterans on shorter deals and they get veterans with high end upside if they work out.
Their homegrown pitching still leaves something to be desired but obviously Soroka getting injured is a big reason why now that Anderson looks like he has fully arrived.
You forgot about Fried who has finally been healthy the past two years. He was a huge reason why Atlanta won the division and made it to game 7 of the NLCS.
If he and Anderson pitch the way they did last year and Soroka comes back healthy, that is a very good rotation. Still not in love with the BP though - what was the deal with Smith last year? Was it c19?
RE: RE: RE: the Braves have done the short term aggressive thing the last few yrs
If he and Anderson pitch the way they did last year and Soroka comes back healthy, that is a very good rotation. Still not in love with the BP though - what was the deal with Smith last year? Was it c19?
No idea but I hope that his struggles have to do with that. I liked the signing until I saw that it was for 3 years.
Their pen concerns me a bit with Melancon and Greene hitting free agency but I have a feeling that Smyly is destined for the pen. I am excited to see Minter this season. He was finally healthy last season and he was awesome. He is expected to be the new closer but obviously his health is the on concern.
Next up they have to re-sign Ozuna as long as the DH is staying in the NL. They can’t expect to get lucky with another 1 year deal on a hitter especially with the Mets likely to go wild in acquiring top talent like Springer, Lindor, etc.
Ozuna is going to be a weird one - I saw he just fired Boras
Young has interviewed for the GM job. Pass. Has absolutely zero relevant experience (worked in the league office under Torre) don’t get too cutesy this time. Assistant Gm? Fine. Head honcho? No thank you
I see the Rays might be shopping him. Only 28 with 3 years $39m remaining on his contract. Not sure the Mets are looking to drain their farm system again, but would be a pretty amazing 1/2 with DeGrom.
I see the Rays might be shopping him. Only 28 with 3 years $39m remaining on his contract. Not sure the Mets are looking to drain their farm system again, but would be a pretty amazing 1/2 with DeGrom.
That contract is so reasonable I just can't see a scenario where the prospect cost would make him worth it for the Cohen-era Mets versus just paying Bauer.
Young reported directly to MLB’s chief baseball officer, Joe Torre, for the first two years he was in that position. Back in February, Torre moved into an advisory role, serving as a special assistant to commissioner Rob Manfred. Young, in turn, took on a greater role within the league’s hierarchy and was promoted to senior vice president of on-field operations, initiatives and strategy.
While Young would be an unorthodox hire, his candidacy isn’t a total shock, either. SNY’s Andy Martino noted more than a month ago that Young and Alderson maintain a strong relationship after getting to know one another during their time with the Padres’ organization, and Martino has since reported that the veteran pitcher and Princeton grad is a candidate for some type of role in the Mets’ new front office.
Hiring Young as the GM, however, would somewhat fly in the face of Cohen’s previous comments about his club’s search for a baseball ops executive. At his introductory press conference earlier this month, Cohen suggested he preferred an experienced candidate, telling reporters (link via Newsday’s Tim Healey): “I’m not crazy about people learning on my dime.” Young’s work in the league office gives him more relevant experience than most recently retired players, but he’d still be a rookie in a team’s baseball ops department. Even with guidance from an experienced vet like Alderson, he’d be “learning on Cohen’s dime,” though perhaps that’s more palatable for Cohen if Alderson heads up baseball ops himself for the early portion of an incoming GM’s tenure. Link - ( New Window )
For those intrigued by the idea of Blake Snell, @RyanDivish is reporting sources tell him one of Julio Rodriguez, Jarred Kelenic or Kyle Lewis would have to be part of any deal. @Mets simply can't afford to give up that level of talent
some fans don't care about and to be honest if the team were perennial winners I'd look past it, but when the team was as toxic as it was under the Wilpons this stuff gets amplified, nice to see Cohen reverse this stuff and i look forward to more of it.
Bradford William Davis
@_beewilly
·
49m
a subcontracted Citi Field employee told me Steve Cohen's promised relief assistance -- $500 a month until Opening Day -- for out of work Mets ballpark staff came through today. stadium workers were frustrated by the Wilpons' lack of support while they couldn't work their shifts.
anyone think it would have been a good idea to keep Brodie?
honestly, does anyone really believe it was him, or Jeffy calling the shots?
He had an awful track record, but its probably because he indulged Jeff Wilpon rather than pushed back.
I'm also convinced he took the job becasue no one else would take the job because they all saw the writing on the wall--that Wilpon was going to sell, so why go to the Mets?
I see the Rays might be shopping him. Only 28 with 3 years $39m remaining on his contract. Not sure the Mets are looking to drain their farm system again, but would be a pretty amazing 1/2 with DeGrom.
The Rays reportedly want a package similar to the one they received for Archer which was Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and Shane Baz. That is pretty steep but that's what they should expect since Snell is signed for 3 more years at just $39 million.
1. I was told by a writer that spoke to a few teams that "none" of them would be interested in bringing Brodie on as part of their front office. None of the people he spoke to felt Brodie would ever be up for another GM job barring him taking a much smaller job and working his way up. They expect him to end up on the MLB Network
2. No. Because Sandy knows what he's looking for, and Brodie wasn't that. Sandy has very specific things he wants/needs in certain roles. This includes hitting coach (organizational philosophy) and his FO hires. Jeff was a moron but Brodie was not suited to be a major league GM.
I tend to not read the dumpster that is the comment section on Twitter. Are Mets fans actually freaking out already? I can understand theirs some discomfort in not having a GM but I also fully trust that Sandy can successfully navigate this free agency in the interim.
Yes. I'm not saying it's the majority but it's also more than just 1-2 loco people. Some alarmed by the way the GM search has gone but some are actively upset no trades/signings yet. It's so silly.
so quickly went from 10+ years of bottom feeding expectations in the FA market to now anxiously waiting to sign the top FAs. Uncle Steve has spoiled us already without having actually done anything
I could see them hiring CY in some capacity but remember Cohen said he wasn't looking to pay for someone to get on the job training. I suspect whoever they name as GM will be experienced in player personnel.
Also re: Hill I read that Loria and Cohen are friends and that's how he got on the radar, so I suspect that was more of a courtesy interview. I believe that was rumored to be for the President of Ops position and not GM anyway, so not sure it matters either way.
Daniel
1:33
Paul, JD Davis to Colorado for Jon Gray. Davis becomes the Rockies 1b. Who says no?
Paul Sporer
1:34
Probably the Rockies and honestly, rightfully so. Gray hasn't been a stud by any stretch, but they need to keep any developed pitching they can. Ryan McMahon SHOULD be able to replicate J.D. Davis or come damn close, but getting pitching has been this franchise's issue forever.
from Cohen. Love every one of them. Look at the comment about the black jerseys. holy shit, imagine that? an owner talking to the players, caring about the fans, having a long-term vision, willing to take risks, wanting to make the team a destination (read that as "a winner"
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
5m
"I think we have holes to fill and I can't say for certain that we can fill those holes."
"Being all-in means that if you lose, then you're out...We want to fill our needs in a way that makes sense and doesn't hamstring us for the next five years."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
13m
"Once I got back into it, I wasn't going to lose this," Cohen said about the process of buying the Mets over the last year.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
18m
In SNY's preview of what's to come, Steve Cohen says, "You want there to be multiple reasons they come [to NY}, not just the check."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
29m
"We're talking to everybody," Cohen said when asked if the expectation is that they will land a top free agent.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
31m
"Old-Timers day is a no-brainer. Fan Fest and Fan Appreciation Day, that makes sense."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
37m
"I'm a little surprised that we haven't been able to find people for the front office. I thought it would be a lot easier than it has been," Steve Cohen said.
"We haven't been getting a lot of permission."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
31m
"I want to talk to the players about it first," Cohen said about the possibility of bringing back the black jerseys.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
12m
"Playing it safe is no fun, it's actually boring," Cohen said. "Being afraid of change is not a recipe for being as great as you can be."
"I've always been a risk-taker...All these decisions are about making intelligent risks."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
Steve Cohen's favorite piece of Mets' memorabilia is the Bill Buckner ball, which he proceeded to run over to the corner of his room to grab.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
5m
Cohen paid $410,000 for the Bill Buckner ball when told it would cost $100,000-$150,000.
He also said the ball will be going in the Mets Museum.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
Steve Cohen's favorite piece of Mets' memorabilia is the Bill Buckner ball, which he proceeded to run over to the corner of his room to grab.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
5m
Cohen paid $410,000 for the Bill Buckner ball when told it would cost $100,000-$150,000.
He also said the ball will be going in the Mets Museum.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
Steve Cohen's favorite piece of Mets' memorabilia is the Bill Buckner ball, which he proceeded to run over to the corner of his room to grab.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
5m
Cohen paid $410,000 for the Bill Buckner ball when told it would cost $100,000-$150,000.
He also said the ball will be going in the Mets Museum.
Thanks Pj. Love the last one. Sounds like he'll make Citi the extension of his own man cave lol
to have a fan as an owner. a billionaire fan sure, but a fan.
I mean, none of us knows how this will turn out, but it's like a dark cloud has been lifted and even if the Mets don't win, you get the feeling it won't be because they weren't given every opportunity to win.
as a fan, I'm not sure what else you can ask for from an owner.
-Sandy acknowledges the farm isn't in great shape so FA will be the main avenue they try to improve the team. Said they don't really have the ability to trade off prospects but they do have money. Quite the change from the Wilpons. Might signal sitting out Lindor/Arenado etc
- Nats in talks with the Cubs regarding Bryant
RE: anyone think it would have been a good idea to keep Brodie?
honestly, does anyone really believe it was him, or Jeffy calling the shots?
He had an awful track record, but its probably because he indulged Jeff Wilpon rather than pushed back.
I'm also convinced he took the job becasue no one else would take the job because they all saw the writing on the wall--that Wilpon was going to sell, so why go to the Mets?
Brodie didn’t take the job because he thought the Wilkins would sell, he took the job because he was a golfing buddy of Jeffy’s. Good riddance. Do you think any other team would give him a job at any level? No, and neither should the Mets.
I'd imagine part of Sandy's statement is for leverage in trades
but I absolutely agree with him that it makes no sense to give up multiple top 5-10 prospects when you can just sign JTR or Springer or Bauer or Hand. Or some combo of the 4.
Jays in talks with Wong, and expected to be aggressive on LeMahieu. Biggio would move to the OF. That could be a fun team.
Lance Lynn one potential trade target apparently has a very high price. Some potential packages from their beat guy (Jamey Newberg) sound higher than I can imagine the Mets going on a rental.
How soon would you guess until the Mets strike, sounds like their anxious to get someone soon. And if they get someone soon, who do you think it is?
I don't anticipate anything of note until 12/7 (when the Winter Meetings begin). That obviously can change if there is suddenly a major rush of teams picking up the 2nd and 3rd tier of SP (Smyly and Minor would been in tier 3 for me)
Whether he's a starter over the full 2 years or a reliever obviously remains to be seen - and that flexibility is likely the reason he got 2 years - as this Royals beat reporter speculates.
Quote:
Why a two-year deal?
Plenty of reasons.
For one, it’s unlikely the Royals were the only suitor for an experienced pitcher whose last serious injury was left labrum surgery in 2016. Offering two years might have given the Royals an advantage.
There’s also Minor’s relief experience. Say his velocity dips and he’s no longer primed for a starter’s role. The Royals know he can pitch in the bullpen because they saw it up close for 77 2/3 innings in 2017, when he posted a 2.55 ERA.
Not to mention, the Royals have a pipeline of starting pitching prospects. Singer, Bubic, Lynch, Hernandez and Kowar are five. Asa Lacy is another. Jonathan Bowlan, Jon Heasley, Zach Haake, Alec Marsh and Angel Zerpa are five more. The list goes on.
If their progressions continue, Minor could move seamlessly to the bullpen and lead the back-end staff, especially if an experienced reliever, such as Greg Holland, is not back there.
had a strong feeling Minor was getting undervalued by some on here. The SP market is really, really thin. Some teams likely looked past his decline in velocity (uptick later in the season) and focused on his FB RPM. There will be bargains, but the SP market appears to be more robust than everyone signing on the cheap. Smyly got more than people expected (as much as twice as much), Morton got 15, we'll see on minor but he surely got more than the 1 for 6 type of deals people were throwing around.
Mejia piece on MLBTR names the Mets as a potential suitor, but it's a long list of potential suitors and not an actual rumor just the writers idea. I don't see it. Very poor fielder and completely lost 2020. I still like Narvaez if he's non-tendered or Milwaukee deals him.
Mejia piece on MLBTR names the Mets as a potential suitor, but it's a long list of potential suitors and not an actual rumor just the writers idea. I don't see it. Very poor fielder and completely lost 2020. I still like Narvaez if he's non-tendered or Milwaukee deals him.
I'm fine with adding him to the system and letting him compete with some defensive first catcher to be Realmuto's backup but he can't be in consideration to be our opening day starter. He's just a lotto ticket at this point, not an MLB starter.
Mejia piece on MLBTR names the Mets as a potential suitor, but it's a long list of potential suitors and not an actual rumor just the writers idea. I don't see it. Very poor fielder and completely lost 2020. I still like Narvaez if he's non-tendered or Milwaukee deals him.
I'm fine with adding him to the system and letting him compete with some defensive first catcher to be Realmuto's backup but he can't be in consideration to be our opening day starter. He's just a lotto ticket at this point, not an MLB starter.
Nido is already on the roster and a high end defender. I wouldn't chase Mejia.
Bob Nightengale
@BNightengale
Veteran reliever Jacob Barnes, who was eligible for salary arbitration, signs a one-year, $750,000 contract with $100,000 in incentives with the #Mets. He was claimed by the Mets on waivers in October. The deadline is 8 p.m. Wednesday for teams to tender contracts to players.
-Heyman reports the Mets are interested in McCann. I'm fine with him but buyer beware.
had a strong feeling Minor was getting undervalued by some on here. The SP market is really, really thin. Some teams likely looked past his decline in velocity (uptick later in the season) and focused on his FB RPM. There will be bargains, but the SP market appears to be more robust than everyone signing on the cheap. Smyly got more than people expected (as much as twice as much), Morton got 15, we'll see on minor but he surely got more than the 1 for 6 type of deals people were throwing around.
The money will be whatever it is but I agree with the Royals beat thinking he the 2nd year was largely because of his previous viability in the pen. I'm curious to see how that deal gets structured as I'd imagine there are partial guarantees and incentives depending on usage.
The velo drop (and his general performance) was concerning as a starter so hopefully they lost out because they are just aiming higher. Hand would qualify as that and the money may end up similar.
Minor was probably more of a Wilpon-era Vargas type value signing. "Last year Mike was an all star so we think he can be a huge boost to our rotation!"
Lynn is very good but if Jamey Newberg is anywhere near accurate on potential packages, he's far too rich for my blood. He makes most sense to a team not looking to spend with a good minor league system.
Wouldn't have a problem with either/both being non-tendered but it bears repeating... if tendered contracts the contracts would only be 1/6th guaranteed before opening day. Not a large sum.
Per @enosarris piece regarding "fantasy" Blake Snell packages, he notes that Simeon Woods Richardson (traded in the Stroman deal) "“that guy is a dude,” and the pitcher looks like he could put together above-average command with four above-average pitches." Thanks, Brodie #Mets
Per @enosarris piece regarding "fantasy" Blake Snell packages, he notes that Simeon Woods Richardson (traded in the Stroman deal) "“that guy is a dude,” and the pitcher looks like he could put together above-average command with four above-average pitches." Thanks, Brodie #Mets
I'm almost equally bummed about losing SWR as Kelenic. The Stroman trade was unfathomably stupid yet gets about 1% the outrage of the Cano/Diaz trade.
Jacob Resnick
@Jacob_Resnick
·
35m
Contracts awarded through arbitration can’t include incentives, so the #Mets agreed to terms with Barnes before the tender deadline.
Seems like they’ll give Barnes, who is out of options, a chance to compete for a spot in spring training.
RE: I'd imagine part of Sandy's statement is for leverage in trades
but I absolutely agree with him that it makes no sense to give up multiple top 5-10 prospects when you can just sign JTR or Springer or Bauer or Hand. Or some combo of the 4.
Keep in mind, giving up a pick, hurts the future farm.
Best case scenario is trading for an overpaid player that can be had for lesser prospects
Speaking of trading for an overpaid player. Mentioned last week that heard conflicting on cano $$. Still a horrendous trade, on so many levels. But Canos money wound up being the only good part to com for it between Covid and now peds.
interested in Mejia but Fascinating how much both McCann and Narvaez improved upon their framing #'s. Makes you wonder what a high-end C instructor can do for @mets in terms of targeting "lesser" framers who have room for improvement
Jacob Resnick
@Jacob_Resnick
·
35m
Contracts awarded through arbitration can’t include incentives, so the #Mets agreed to terms with Barnes before the tender deadline.
Seems like they’ll give Barnes, who is out of options, a chance to compete for a spot in spring training.
12 k/9 and 2 bb/9 last year (albeit in just 18 innings). Maybe something year.
Young, MLB’s senior VP of on field operations, withdrew because of family considerations. He lives in Dallas and has children ages 8, 10 and 12 and felt this was not the right time to uproot despite being intrigued by the position with the Mets.
I wonder if they let him withdraw knowing he didn't make final cut?
not that it's that big of a deal either way optically. No shame in a guy not getting what would be a first time role.
I don't necessarily want to say that's a bullet dodged but I definitely preferred to not hire another person with limited player personnel experience to be GM.
RE: I wonder if they let him withdraw knowing he didn't make final cut?
not that it's that big of a deal either way optically. No shame in a guy not getting what would be a first time role.
I don't necessarily want to say that's a bullet dodged but I definitely preferred to not hire another person with limited player personnel experience to be GM.
Martino is confirming that Young was reluctant to even discuss the job because of his reservations regarding moving.
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Andy Martino
@martinonyc
Talk among some potential Mets candidates Cohen's comment about title in 3-5 years was scary. NYY/LAD/TB, seen as 3 top orgs, have combined for 1 in past decade. Maybe Cohen doesn't want people to would shy away from this, so whatever. But in the industry, it was eye-raising.
Jeffrey Paternostro
@jeffpaternostro
·
1m
Actually expecting a good baseball team being eye-raising to the Ivy MBA GM crop is illuminating but not surprising. Harder to be Brian Cashman than David Stearns.
Andy Martino
@martinonyc
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46s
That is a good point. As is often the case with these things, Steve Cohen's actual comments were not as aggressive as some in the industry later perceived them to be.
that hesitates to take a job because the owner of the franchise casually mentioned hoping to win a World Series in 3 - 5 years, is not a GM I'd want.
And I seriously doubt it is why people are not interested in the job.
Cohen mentioned in the SNY interview he's been getting a lot of rejections on requests to interview people under contract. That does and doesn't surprise me.
that hesitates to take a job because the owner of the franchise casually mentioned hoping to win a World Series in 3 - 5 years, is not a GM I'd want.
And I seriously doubt it is why people are not interested in the job.
Cohen mentioned in the SNY interview he's been getting a lot of rejections on requests to interview people under contract. That does and doesn't surprise me.
Completely agree. In fact, I'd speculate that the rejections have more to do with that comment (and other owners fearing Cohen's $ more generally) than the individual candidates for jobs here being "afraid" of expectations.
late in the process to expect a Cardinals or Twins (2 teams with Gm's I'd love) to let their guys interview "because it's the right thing to do". So you have to target non-GM's and unemployed GM's.
Tim Britton
4m ago
@Daniel W. Joel Sherman of the Post reported this morning that Young pulled out of the running. I'm not sure if this is news, but I've also heard that Bobby Heck, whom many have mentioned on Twitter, is not a serious candidate right now. I haven't heard anything in detail about anyone else at the moment, though I think it's safe to consider other execs with ties to Alderson -- like Billy Owens or J.P. Ricciardi -- potential candidates if they aren't already.
Todd Hundley played 9 seasons in NY, was a home-grown 2-time all-star, hit 41 homers as a catcher in 1996, 9.1 fWAR 1996-1997 and yet the organization forgets his existence. Maybe he doesn't want to return but pretty strange
Todd Hundley played 9 seasons in NY, was a home-grown 2-time all-star, hit 41 homers as a catcher in 1996, 9.1 fWAR 1996-1997 and yet the organization forgets his existence. Maybe he doesn't want to return but pretty strange
Doesn't he have some personal issues? Or didn't he? Could be a reason why he wants to stay away from baseball, assuming it's on him.
Also, isn't he one of the few meaningful Mets named by Radomski? Might be a reason the Mets are distancing themselves. Though maybe Cohen can cleanse all things Wilpon and extend an olive branch and allow the younger Mets fans to appreciate the past.
Todd Hundley played 9 seasons in NY, was a home-grown 2-time all-star, hit 41 homers as a catcher in 1996, 9.1 fWAR 1996-1997 and yet the organization forgets his existence. Maybe he doesn't want to return but pretty strange
Doesn't he have some personal issues? Or didn't he? Could be a reason why he wants to stay away from baseball, assuming it's on him.
Also, isn't he one of the few meaningful Mets named by Radomski? Might be a reason the Mets are distancing themselves. Though maybe Cohen can cleanse all things Wilpon and extend an olive branch and allow the younger Mets fans to appreciate the past.
Hundley reported had a drinking/vicodin issue at one point... 15 years ago. But he was interviewed on SNY when Alonso beat his record. My bigger point is they completely ignore any non-86 or 69 players.
hopefully with Cohen as a lifelong Mets fan now owning the team he can right past wrongs.
He's already talking that way with things like an old timer's game, fan fest, etc. things most (or many) teams already do, but apparently the Mets do not.
it would have been nice to have a statue for Seaver before he died.
Maybe they won't miss out on honoring Wright the proper way.
unlikely they sign Hand. He's looking to close, they could make him the closer but I don't see it.
If he gets a 1 year deal that makes sense re-entering the market next offseason. He'd do so a year older than Will Smith was last year but I suppose that's a somewhat realistic best case scenario.
He may only want a 1 year deal so the timing of the ownership transition may have cost us there. If so it sucks because he's a really good fit here.
(who is usually pretty tied in) didn't have any names to offer in regard to potential GM's. Mentioned Billy Owens and Ricciardi (horrendous outcome if 61 year old Ricciardi is where this ends with all of the young up and coming GM) stuff... he's absolutely despised for the job he did in Toronto. That being said, Britton only mentioned them as making sense due to Sandy ties.
- Doesn't believe they have made any additional hires behind the scenes
-Gives better than 50/50 they sign Conforto before the season begins
Uh? Huh? They claimed they were looking for a young guy who could lead the team into the future and grow into a bigger role. WHat an absurd comment by you.
But nope, it's ageist to suggest a 61 year old who 1. Wasn't successful as a GM 2. Hasn't been a GM in the bigs since 2009 would be completely against their stated goals. Got it.
I think it is a bullshit comment. No offense, I support your fandom. But you shouldn’t judge someone’s leadership or baseball acumen or endurance on age. Just disappointed in you.
I think it is a bullshit comment. No offense, I support your fandom. But you shouldn’t judge someone’s leadership or baseball acumen or endurance on age. Just disappointed in you.
Ridiculous comment. THE METS openly are looking for a young candidate and talked up the new thinking and analytic thinking. HEre is Sandy Alderson
"“I hope that we are able to hire someone who will be able to handle most of the traditional general manager role,” Alderson said. “I would expect that I will be a little more involved in decision-making and mentoring. But I don’t expect to get down in the weeds, either.”
Yeah, I'm sure he meant mentoring a 61-year-old man who was GM of a team for 8 seasons. The hire would be extremely disappointing on every level. Anyone suggesting otherwise is a homer, plain and simple.
He hopes the new GM could grow into a president of baseball operations role" yeah, makes sense that he's talking about a man in his 60's with 9 years of experience as GM. Right.
And beyond that, you’re proving your inherent bias in your inferences.
Oh please. You're being obtuse. They targeted exclusively young executives, he talked about "mentoring" and growing into the role. Ricciardi is a 61 year old who has been in MLB FO's for 33 seasons. He was never hired again after his performance in Toronto (he's oft-mentioned as one of the most hated sports related people by Toronto fans) he was a complete disaster and and would be going back in time. Not "moving forward" like the Mets are claiming. Then again, you were aghast when I said Brodie would be a disaster so...
Could be that they did not want Rojas looking over his shoulder about his job
Some are suggesting it's Covid related, but Sandy said he wanted to "help" Rojas. Guessing they actually bring in someone with managerial experience. Meulens had tons of experience and is extremely highly thought of but no known connection to Sandy so...
being fired in 2009 Ricciardi... served as a special assistant to Sandy where he remained in Boston and "offered insight", then served in the same role with the Giants. Really sounds like he's a great pick to be GM of the Mets. 9 seasons in Toronto... 85+ wins... 3 times.
and it always felt like a younger guy was what they were looking for. Alderson is the older guy already!
Not that 61 is old, but there is something to say about wanting a younger guy who can grow in the role and do it for 10-20 years. Sorry that doesnt usually mean you are looking for a guy in his 60's, thats why father time is undefeated.
give up. They clearly wanted and have targeted young candidates (exclusively) but I'm wrong in suggesting a 61 year old flies in the face of everything they said they were targeting. This isn't some "special case" where Brian Sabean is coming out of retirement. This is a guy who failed as a GM (12 years ago) and never was hired as a GM again. Sounds great.
"Joe Posnanski, in a Sports Illustrated article, questioned, “Here’s my thing about J.P. Ricciardi, the thing that really baffles the heck out of me: How can someone keep giving out contracts THIS BAD and keep his job and reputation? How? I’m serious. How?”"
Richard Griffin
"“Besides, the GM's track record at trading established players for prospects stinks. Really it does...Here's the clinching stat. Over eight years, just three of the 20 players he received in return are still in the organization—Scott Rolen, Jeremy Accardo, and Brian Wolfe.”"
Also, Joe Posnanski, in his aforementioned article, comically summarized Ricciardi’s failures in giving out contracts by using Vernon Wells’ contract as an example:
“This deal, to be honest, is not the sort of thing that leads to a general manager getting fired. It's the sort of thing that leads to entire villages getting pillaged. And that's what I mean about Ricciardi. Link - ( New Window )
It’s clear as day. We shouldn’t kid ourselves. He’s a full blown ageist. There have been countless examples of people in their early 60s growing. Look at Tom Coughlin for example.
take Brian Sabean (64) in a milisecond. He wouldn't come here to work under Sandy Alderson, but he's not a failed MLB GM with zero reason to be under consideration.
It’s clear as day. We shouldn’t kid ourselves. He’s a full blown ageist. There have been countless examples of people in their early 60s growing. Look at Tom Coughlin for example.
moronic. But then again you suggested they should have kept Brodie just this week so....
Coughlin became coach of the Giants after a league wide shift toward the value of analytics where the Giants openly were saying they wanted a long term candidate, interviewed such names, were turned down/blocked by some and then hired him? PS Tom Coughlin flamed out in Jacksonville but he went 45-19 over a 4 year span, JP Ricciardi was a total failure in Toronto. Really odd comparison.
Davis might be out too. That's not confirmed but the Mets have apparently spoken to other coaches known for hitting acumen. They intend on having 2 so it wouldn't guarantee Chili is out but Martino insisted they wanted to bring back Kevin Long until Long went back to Washington.
Can find hidden gems everywhere, and sometimes the 61 year old veteran exec might be better than the 42 ambitious guy (see Brodie). Everyone fails at something in life, it doesn’t mean they can’t pick themselves up and get better or learn from their mistakes. Sandy liked JP enough to keep him around for 9 seasons, so he must bring something to the table. But no, I don’t think your an ageist and I know where you’re coming from.
(not entirely unfair but I think the timing put the Mets in a bind. Teams unwilling to lose their executives this far into the off-season)
MLB executive Chris Young became the latest to offer a “thanks, but no thanks” to the Mets. A rising star in the Commissioners Office who had pitched for Alderson in two locales, Young told the Mets he was fascinated by the position, but did not want to uproot his young family from Dallas.
Thus, the search continues. The Mets will not run out of candidates. This really is viewed as an attractive opportunity. This is not the shot-gun wedding to Luis Rojas that was necessitated when the Mets parted late last offseason with Carlos Beltran amid revelations of Beltran’s involvement in the Astros illegal sign-stealing scandal.
Still, it is not an ideal first step. Alderson had planned to hire a president of baseball operations, then a GM. He promised oversight, but with the intention to empower the president of baseball operations to make the player decisions. Cohen, at his introductory press conference, vowed “to bring the professionals in and let them run baseball.” Link - ( New Window )
Many executives the Mets were interested in are just comfortable where they are. There were those not given permission to make lateral moves. Some other owners don’t want to help the new owner with the most money, with one executive saying, “You want one of my guys under contract, it is like a player, what is [Cohen] trading to us to get him.” A potential candidate said he was not interested because his research left concern that in his hedge fund, Cohen pushes the ethical boundaries too much, and would that permeate the Mets?
Hiring Alderson — viewed within the walls of the game as upright — was designed to lessen such worries about Cohen. But it also was designed to help the Mets navigate the habits and strictures of the game and accumulate a superstar front office. Dodgers East. Instead, Alderson asked John Ricco to return from the business side and might rehire J.P. Ricciardi. That trio made up a good deal of the decision making in Alderson’s first Mets tenure.
The promise, though, was not to put the band back together — it was to assemble a super group. There is still time to add quality and quantity. Clearly, though, this was not the way Cohen and Alderson saw this going.
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
Dick Scott - one of the Mets previous bench coaches - has been mentioned as someone that could return to the organization He makes sense in that Rojas won't be looking over his shoulder but I have to say, it's somewhat disconcerting to read Ricciardi as a GM candidate, Dick Scott, wanting to bring back Long (before he went back), Roessler...
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
Dick Scott - one of the Mets previous bench coaches - has been mentioned as someone that could return to the organization He makes sense in that Rojas won't be looking over his shoulder but I have to say, it's somewhat disconcerting to read Ricciardi as a GM candidate, Dick Scott, wanting to bring back Long (before he went back), Roessler...
Sorry the quoted is my addition, not the news Scott might be a possibility... below is me.
" He makes sense in that Rojas won't be looking over his shoulder but I have to say, it's somewhat disconcerting to read Ricciardi as a GM candidate, Dick Scott, wanting to bring back Long (before he went back), Roessler... "
would be a great get, but Alderson already said we're not going to be active in the trade market. That seems like a Rays get. I suppose a three way trade could be possible, not sure what pieces would go where. Pirates also have no contracts to unload.
Almora on a minor league deal would be "fine" but he never became the player some expected. Still, 95 wRC+ career vs. lefties, youth on his size. Might be a solid depth pickup. Almora +3 OAA in CF in 2019. Hit .286 in 2018 with Davis as his hitting coach (albeit an empty .286), .295 vs. lefties
Per
@jaysonst
Since FA began 1 FA SP had a 60 game stretch with a K-rate and BB rate as good as
@BauerOutage
in their walk years... his ex-UCLA teammate Gerrit Cole #Mets #SignBauer
Also per the great
@jaysonst
over the last 100 years, 1 single leadoff hitter has posted an OPS, Slugging % and OBP as good as
@GeorgeSpringer
, that would be... Mookie Betts #Mets #SignSpringer
@Ken_Rosenthal
suggests some teams might attach prospects to move big salaries (even on one year deals), playing in NYC caveat aside, Greinke at 1 year 21.7 million + a prospect? Yes please
That would be a fast way to replenish the farm system....
and it def makes sense. In normal years teams are often looking to unload overpaid guys. Now coming off the financial year these owners just had, im sure lots of teams are looking to unload big money players.
@Ken_Rosenthal
suggests some teams might attach prospects to move big salaries (even on one year deals), playing in NYC caveat aside, Greinke at 1 year 21.7 million + a prospect? Yes please
To me, that’s the ideal scenario, trade for Greinkes
But I THINK Greinke is at $35mm minus D Backs money (10mm??)
As soon as I heard sandy was back I figured gsellman was a goner
@Ken_Rosenthal
suggests some teams might attach prospects to move big salaries (even on one year deals), playing in NYC caveat aside, Greinke at 1 year 21.7 million + a prospect? Yes please
To me, that’s the ideal scenario, trade for Greinkes
But I THINK Greinke is at $35mm minus D Backs money (10mm??)
acquired by Houston in trade from Arizona 7/31/19 with Diamondbacks paying Astros $26M as part of the deal ($2M assignment bonus on 11/1/19, $3,333,334 on 10/15/19 and $10,333,333 each on 7/1/2020 and 7/1/2021
then fill in with FA wherever else they need to. Greinke would be a great addition. Cain too if they aren't holding a grudge. I'd consider Perez but prefer someone better defensively and more of a multi-year option.
Hopefully we start getting some news this week. Would think they want to choose a GM before the WM next week.
Britton said he didn’t expect any major Mets moves before 12/21. That’s just his opinion, not anything he’s heard but that’s what he said.
I haven't found Britton to be all that plugged in and the new regime has obviously been tight lipped so far so I think that's just a guess.
Cohen answered a direct question on twitter that they don't need the GM in place before they start making moves.
I don't know if anyone can predict when the market will start moving and Sandy is notoriously patient so I'm not predicting anything happens quickly - I don't think there's any indication either way really.
looking to argue with Cmicks again but I asked a writer if he had any new names for the GM spot and he recited the same "ties to Sandy names" we have all mentioned and when I asked about Ricciardi he said "that's the one name I've heard this entire process that received a negative response from other baseball people, Chris Young for all of his ?? had supporters. Ricciardi has a golden tongue, but yeesh"
- As I noted above, nothing against Dick Scott but how about less bringing the band back together?
- Make good with Fonzie, firing him was an embarrassment
- Apparently Omar begged Jeff to keep Stearns but Jeff wouldn't create the space in the budget to keep him.
Lindsey Adler
@lindseyadler
·
57s
On the other hand, as @Ken_Rosenthal
points out in his notes column today, the market could stay slow for a number of different reasons, including potential of a delayed season and that the National League doesn't know if it will have a DH in 2021 yet.
spin rates, Peterson was below average. Is there something in the water or are the Royals especially adept at teaching their pitchers to increase their RPM? Their rookie crop all excelled
But my priorities would be to see what it takes to sign Kiki Hernandez and a trade for Senzel, who I’ve always crushed for. I’d be aggressive in Kiki right now, hoping he fears non tenders hurting him. If he’d sign two years at a fair price, he’d be the ultimate utility/bench/platoon/clubhouse guy.
Senzel would solve 3b for a while.
The above do make Rosario/Giminez/Mauricio and even McNeil (gulp) easier to handle if you HAD to make a move.
he is yet to play there in the big leagues and also yet to really hit. 500 PA's isn't nothing. Acquiring him right now would be a lot like the JDD trade from Houston, which was a good trade and the type of trade I'm all for - but it's an asset gamble, not filling a need.
I'd imagine if there is a fit between NYM + CIN it would only be if they have interest in a Rosario/JDD type in the first place and we were willing to make that type of flip to get a younger upside player. Perhaps another piece would come back to the Mets also to even up salary.
Again - would be fine with something like that. But Senzel would have to earn his spot.
Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
Kris Bryant is a target of the Nats, but Nats are determined to keep young pitchers Rutledge and Cavalli. As I just said on @MLBNetwork despite speculation Bryant will indeed be tendered a contract by Cubs on tender/nontender day Wednesday. Other teams that fit KB: Mets, SF, Tor
9:39 AM · Nov 30, 2020
not particularly high on Sugano unless he's WITH a Bauer or Darvish. His HH% has gone up something like 4 years running and his pure stuff wasn't eyepopping to begin with. As a 4? I'm in. As the best P they add? Pass.
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComo
·
43s
Sources: The Mets are deep in talks with free-agent reliever Trevor May. The former Twin ranked seventh in MLB with 14.66 K/9 this season, to compliment a 3.86 ERA. May has a 3.19 mark since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2018.
May would be a solid get but might take them out of the running for Hendriks/Hand. May, Diaz, Betances, Familia, Shreve, Lugo, Castro, Brach + McWilliams, Barnes, Tropeano as options. Questionable how much room they even have. Another non-Hand lefty seems more likely
May would be a solid add - good K rate, also good walk rate
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Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
If May signs, the #Mets would have 5 RH relievers signed for 2020 (also Barnes, Betances, Brach, Familia). Plus will tender Diaz. Does this point Lugo more toward the rotation/Castro or Gsellman more toward a non-tender?
but I worry that he profiles a bit too similar to Diaz (great K rate, not bad control, too much hard contact/dingers allowed).
Getting anything close to Diaz via FA is worthwhile.
Also his control seems better than Diaz (3.28 bb/9 over his career and higher than that as a Met vs. 2.9 for May over his career with a sub-2 year in 2018).
The primary issue with Diaz was the cost to get him, which isn't an issue here. The secondary issues were that he a was handed a role that he was too inexperienced to handle and he was throwing to a catcher who couldn't catch low strikes. All of those issues could be non-factors with this signing.
Craig’s Take
Most of May’s numbers aren’t eye-popping, but his 40% strikeout rate in 2020 really jumps out. His velocity has steadily increased over the years, now sitting in the upper-90s. Even at 31 years old, there’s a sense that his best seasons might still be ahead of him. The home runs are a bit frustrating, but if he can keep hitters missing and stay healthy, he’s the second-best reliever in this free agent class.
Player Notes
At a glance, May’s 1.9 HR/9 ratio looks far more alarming than his strikeout surge looks encouraging. Small samples often have a distortive effect though, and that’s the case here as well. While May’s cartoonishly high 21.7% HR/FB ratio will undoubtedly regress in short order, the substantial increase in whiffs he generated looks legitimate. He reared back and found an extra tick on his fastball last season, and hitters missed the pitch more than 20% of the time. Life gets a whole lot easier when your fastball can carry the profile.
Three consecutive seasons of good-if-not-quite-great relief work should put May in line for a multi-year deal worth around $10 million per, give or take how excited front offices are about his four-seamer. The pandemic will likely eat into that figure though, and so it’ll be interesting to see if May values the stability of a longer contract or would rather roll the dice and hit free agency after 2021. As the valedictorian in Kelso High School’s class of 2008, I trust him to arrive at the right answer. – BG Link - ( New Window )
Has May's HR/9 really spiked recently? Or is he just a moderately high HR RP? Career 1.20/9, Familia .51, Lugo 1.06, Betances.59. 2020 we are talking about a very SSS but "high" HR/9 in 2016 and 2018. Likely, just part of the package. I like the move, solid first move. Just looking at the overall player we are getting.
Jacob Barnes might have been a sneakily decent depth addition. From 2016-2018 he appeared in 149 games, pitching 147 innings of quality baseball. His crazy K-rate over 18 innings this year may be a fluke, but he might actually be a solid MR option in 2021
(Citi Field will not help him here; only one of those 17 homers that he allowed over the last three years would have stayed in the yard in Queens — and a few more fly balls to right would have gotten out.)
.Mike Minor 2 years 18 million guaranteed with a 3rd-year option for 13 more, 1 million buyout. So he will get 19 million over 2, or 30 million over 3.
.Mike Minor 2 years 18 million guaranteed with a 3rd-year option for 13 more, 1 million buyout. So he will get 19 million over 2, or 30 million over 3.
Wow. I'm pretty shocked by that deal. Off the (partial) year he just had I didn't see that coming.
which makes sense because signing this early means they were someone's higher priority target.
The Minor deal is totally confusing to me unless they just love him in KC from when they had him last time and figure worst case he can be very strong out of the pen and help mentor their young guys.
far no shocking deals to me. I didn't expect to see Minor get 2, but that's a KC tax (harder to sign FA's). Smyly got more than I thought but not absurdly so and Atl does "that" on one year deals. Robbie Ray at 8 seems fair, Morton at 15. So far, nothing shocking either way to me.
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
Free-agent catcher Luke Maile in agreement with Brewers on major-league contract, pending physical, sources tell The Athletic.
don't really have room for guaranteed contracts for RP's.
Barnes and McWilliams interesting wildcards. Lugo, Diaz, May, Familia, Shreve, Barnes, McWilliams, Brach, Tropeano. Like some others on minor league deals. 13 pitcher rule means you really can't go deeper than a 9 man pen
Diaz, Familia, Brach, Betances, McWilliams, Barnes, May, Lugo, Shreve all have MLB deals. I suspect they bring in a few minor league deal types but this is probably your pen give or take.
Mets BP vs. lefties in 2020.... May .200, Diaz .178, Lugo struggled as a SP, but career .226 vs. lefties, Shreve .063, Barnes .167, Tropeano .067 (very small SS)
Unfortunately for Steven Matz, despite being lefty, is not a good candidate to be a "second lefty" out of the bullpen. Lefties career vs. Matz have hit .267. So either he's a SP, or a long-man
Mets BP vs. lefties in 2020.... May .200, Diaz .178, Lugo struggled as a SP, but career .226 vs. lefties, Shreve .063, Barnes .167, Tropeano .067 (very small SS)
With the 3 batter rule it's a much sounder strategy to have guys who are tough against both vs. specialists.
That's why someone like Hand (or Minor) would have been appealing because they are lefties but not just lefty specialists.
Like you said, maybe 1 specialist is fine but much better strategy to just have a bunch of good pitchers.
Mark Feinsand
@Feinsand
·
1m
The teams making the biggest push to sign starters, per sources, are the Mets, Blue Jays, Red Sox, White Sox, Padres, Giants & Rays, while the Twins, Marlins & Reds are also expected to be in the SP market. Big game of SP musical chairs; who will be left without a seat?
Mark Feinsand
@Feinsand
·
3m
Mike Minor's deal is just another example that the free-agent market for starters is healthier than expected. Beyond Bauer, it puts Odorizzi, Tanaka and Walker in great position this offseason. Also a potential goldmine for teams with starters to potentially trade (TEX, CIN, TB).
Any names to watch for in Rule 5 Draft? Jose Alberto Rivera of Houston seems the most intriguing with an upper 90’s fastball and interesting secondaries.
haven't completely looked it over yet but this kid Joel Peguero legit popped 100 in Australia so I'd be in on him for that alone (70 FB), Paul Campbell has ELITE rpm on his FB so he's interesting, Riley Pint
is there a team out there that thinks they can make him a reclamation project if that even fits?
Maybe give Matz back in a trade where the Mets get a prospect and a bad contract.
he's not worthy of a rotation spot on a contender and doesn't seem suited to the bullpen.
really wanted him to pan out. with all the injuries he suffered to start his career and the local angle, etc. would have been a nice story.
I think you might be able to swap him for a similar non-tender candidate at a similar price range. Or for another similar contract somewhere else. He definitely doesn't have surplus trade value but he might be just close enough to neutral someone would be willing to swap him.
I don't mind bringing him into camp though - especially if they have some confidence that someone he worked with in the organization previously can help. You can never have enough pitching depth and some guys do just take a while before they figure things out (even if it's just figuring out how to eat innings as a #5 starter).
Predicts Kluber signs with the Sox, Mets or Yankees. Boston considered the favorites as he lives there. Kluber would be a nice get but only as second arm. He can’t be the big get. He’s missed 2 seasons
Predicts Kluber signs with the Sox, Mets or Yankees. Boston considered the favorites as he lives there. Kluber would be a nice get but only as second arm. He can’t be the big get. He’s missed 2 seasons
Wilpons would sign Kluber, move Lugo to the rotation, sign some other "B" level reliever, and give up prospects for Meija and call it an offseason. We'd have to listen to a whole offseason from Wilpon defenders talking about how great Kluber is going to rebound and reading 3 year old draft profiles of Meija.
So happy Wilpons are gone and we can have a real offseason. I'm absolutely a bit concerned that the front office isn't being filled out, but it seems like theres a lot going on there that I'm not privvy to, so I'll just focus on the acquisition for now.
Predicts Kluber signs with the Sox, Mets or Yankees. Boston considered the favorites as he lives there. Kluber would be a nice get but only as second arm. He can’t be the big get. He’s missed 2 seasons
Wilpons would sign Kluber, move Lugo to the rotation, sign some other "B" level reliever, and give up prospects for Meija and call it an offseason. We'd have to listen to a whole offseason from Wilpon defenders talking about how great Kluber is going to rebound and reading 3 year old draft profiles of Meija.
So happy Wilpons are gone and we can have a real offseason. I'm absolutely a bit concerned that the front office isn't being filled out, but it seems like theres a lot going on there that I'm not privvy to, so I'll just focus on the acquisition for now.
wouldn't help the 2021 Mets (most likely) but he'd be like adding an additional first-round pick to the system
Is everyone bound in the bidding to stay within the IFA budgets or is this one of those situations where it's a open auction?
They are bound by the IFA budgets which SHOULD help the Mets because at least in terms of what BA was hearing.. the Mets had not even dabbled on the higher end names of the IFA market (no this wasn't a Cohen thing, these agreements are generally in place up to 24 months in advance) but this COULD work in our favor. It's also possible he finds a team that "promises" him either an MLB roster spot (unlikely) or a quicker path to the bigs (very possible) but all-in on Colas if possible and when Kim is posted I like him as well.
wouldn't help the 2021 Mets (most likely) but he'd be like adding an additional first-round pick to the system
Is everyone bound in the bidding to stay within the IFA budgets or is this one of those situations where it's a open auction?
They are bound by the IFA budgets which SHOULD help the Mets because at least in terms of what BA was hearing.. the Mets had not even dabbled on the higher end names of the IFA market (no this wasn't a Cohen thing, these agreements are generally in place up to 24 months in advance) but this COULD work in our favor. It's also possible he finds a team that "promises" him either an MLB roster spot (unlikely) or a quicker path to the bigs (very possible) but all-in on Colas if possible and when Kim is posted I like him as well.
That's encouraging - these seem like the types of moves Sandy would be very eager to use Cohen's financial muscle for. Hope it happens - would be great to buy some top prospects this offseason.
interested as a 4th OF, and his cousin manages the team..
“Here’s a guy who’s figured some things out in the KBO,” said a scout about Rojas, Jr. “He showed some flashes of his tools in the minors, but he was not able to get all of them together to the major-league level. In Korea, he went from a decent doubles guy to a home run slugger (the exit-velo data year-to-year supports that) due to him adding strength. He also sacrificed some speed for that.”
Rojas looks like a slightly better option in most regards than fellow posted KBO outfielder Na. He struck out a fair amount, but less than Na. He hits the ball hard, and according to 2020 exit velocity, harder than Na, with a 114 mph exit velo and an average around 93 mph. He’s a little more pull-happy, especially from the right side, but as a former center fielder without the injury history, he’s likely to be more of a defensive asset, even if he’s no longer a center fielder. And he’s a switch hitter instead of a lefty-only guy.
Matt Eddy on @BaseballAmerica's Mets top 10 podcast that there was a "near consensus" among other organizations that Alvarez was the #1 prospect in the system with all-star, middle of the order upside. "Big power"
I've never liked Baty and he's the guy I'd have no issue trading. Just seems pretty meh and lacking a real carrying tool. Vientos is a month younger and a lot more projectable with his exit velocities and low-ish K profile for a power hitter. Baty + JDD or Rosario is the offer I'd try to leverage for Arenado.
Ginn who knows but if he can remain a solid SP prospect when he comes back from rehab great. Back end Peterson types have their value.
The drop-off after 6 is “large” (this includes Gimenez who he acknowledges is technically not a prospect but BA will consider him one) and again a huge drop after 11 (has Greene at 11, so he has the Mets with a clear #1 prospect, pretty clear 2 and 3 with Allan and Mauricio in some order) and 9 “legit” prospected (Top 10 minus Peterson and Gimenez who he admits are iffy inclusions) plus Greene.
-laughed at the state of the Mets upper minors. Called it “empty” “nothing there” and said they have some prospects with big upside, no help on the way in 2021 and maybe not even 2022 (was less definitive there)
Players like him probably got hurt the most by the pandemic.
he's at the age where he need to "shit or get off the pot" due to injuries or whatever else.
Basically losing the season hurts double since he's aging out of prospect status.
Presumably so. Wasn’t mentioned once, “big” drop after 11 and “nothing” in the upper minors. Szapucki pretty clearly didn’t garner any buzz at the alternate site either. Not saying it’s the end all be all but I’ve also heard they may see him as a reliever so I’m not sure even the Mets are overly high on him anymore. Guess we will see.
Sounds worth exploring but as a second SP added. Limited upside and high risk given never facing MLB P. With Bauer? Yes please. With Tanaka or Odorizzi, still not bad. If he’s the big add? Not good.
Everything has gone quiet on the GM front. Do they even need to fill that position?
Sandy implied they intended to hire one even just to alleviate his workload. It’s been silent but the expectation is someone will be brought in soonish.
things tend to get quiet at a final negotiation stage
interviews are over so nothing is happening because they can't let people who didn't get it know they didn't get it in case they can't agree to a deal with whoever their first choice is.
Once that deal is agreed to and people start getting notified they didn't get it, word will inevitably break pretty soon after that.
I have 0 inside information except the ability to look at a calendar, so I'd imagine they want to have the GM in place at least a few days prior to the WM even if they are virtual.
@keithlaw
ranks potential @Mets
FA target as his #1 FA. He calls Springer's defense in CF "above average" (for those worried about a move to the corner) and believes he will stay in CF for "several" more years #Mets
@keithlaw
ranks potential @Mets
FA target as his #1 FA. He calls Springer's defense in CF "above average" (for those worried about a move to the corner) and believes he will stay in CF for "several" more years #Mets
imagine they just say F it and sign both him and JTR?
Nimmo
Springer
McNeil
Alonso
Smith
JTR
Conforto
Rosario
Gimenez
Yeesh. Still need SP but that's practically an ASG lineup and the defense is far improved. You could probably get by with the BP as is.
@keithlaw
ranks potential @Mets
FA target as his #1 FA. He calls Springer's defense in CF "above average" (for those worried about a move to the corner) and believes he will stay in CF for "several" more years #Mets
imagine they just say F it and sign both him and JTR?
Nimmo
Springer
McNeil
Alonso
Smith
JTR
Conforto
Rosario
Gimenez
Yeesh. Still need SP but that's practically an ASG lineup and the defense is far improved. You could probably get by with the BP as is.
I have to say, Springer is still my #1 target because I think there are other decent C's out there (NOTHING near Realmuto) but moving Nimmo and Dom and hopefully Alonso improves 3 defensive positions
I have to say, Springer is still my #1 target because I think there are other decent C's out there (NOTHING near Realmuto) but moving Nimmo and Dom and hopefully Alonso improves 3 defensive positions
Also gets Gimenez in there every day (likely at 2b but maybe SS or 3B depending on McNeil and Rosario).
If that were the group I wouldn't mind trying Rosario at 3B so Gimenez and McNeil can play their natural positions.
disagreement here. I don't want to see Davis at 3b ever again (maybe that's extreme) but it doesn't work. I know a lot of you guys like him but I'd be shopping him hard.
disagreement here. I don't want to see Davis at 3b ever again (maybe that's extreme) but it doesn't work. I know a lot of you guys like him but I'd be shopping him hard.
I love the bat but he has no position. I think he can playable in LF and obviously play some at DH. He's a luxury off the bench but in the above scenario you probably try to trade him for a SP with similar years of control.
suggested Davis for Gray but Paul Sporer from fangraphs was pretty adamant the Rockies would pass. He too viewed Davis as a DH/1b and the bat not so outstanding that he'd be worth a potential bounceback of Gray.
suggested Davis for Gray but Paul Sporer from fangraphs was pretty adamant the Rockies would pass. He too viewed Davis as a DH/1b and the bat not so outstanding that he'd be worth a potential bounceback of Gray.
He would rake in CO. I think he's a good piece for an Arenado trade. He could fill a lot of that production offensively at 10% of the cost.
Jon Morosi
@jonmorosi
·
1m
Sources: #SFGiants have interest in free agent Marcell Ozuna, but their comfort level on valuation and term is somewhat contingent on whether NL has the DH in 2021. Ozuna, 30, was the #Braves DH in a majority of games this year. @MLBNetwork
it also just occurs to me if they keep the DH in the NL the market
for players like JDD and DH's in general is going to change. With twice as many openings the market won't be so saturated with options and that might give the players who can really hit more value.
Not the sexiest of names but if Brian Goodwin is non-tendered I'd be interested. 109 wRC+ in 2019, 115 in 2020 before being traded. 5 OAA in 2019. Minor league deal. Do it up
Jon Morosi
@jonmorosi
·
1m
Sources: #SFGiants have interest in free agent Marcell Ozuna, but their comfort level on valuation and term is somewhat contingent on whether NL has the DH in 2021. Ozuna, 30, was the #Braves DH in a majority of games this year. @MLBNetwork
I wouldn't even support him on a minor league deal because it might mean with an injury or other event creating a need he would potentially find his way to Queens.
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
·
1m
Breakdown of Trevor May’s two-year, $15.5M deal with Mets: $7.75M in both 2021 and ‘22. Also: $50K each for 60, 65 and 70 appearances and $50K each for 60 and 70 innings. Terms first reported:
@JeffPassan
and we have a ton of RH Relievers. Really scratching my head on this move unless they think he has untapped upside--which I can see. But I hope they have a bigger analytics department in by the spring that can help him find out how to better use his talent. Not sure I have the same faith in hefner that others do.
not surprising. But they should get going on that. It takes a while to build up an analytics department, and to also build trust in the staff performing the analytics.
not surprising. But they should get going on that. It takes a while to build up an analytics department, and to also build trust in the staff performing the analytics.
Just to be clear, I'm not in any way doubting they will. I'm sure they are already in contact with people and/or have been working with some of the independent contractors
if they are bidding at the top of the free agent market, the value is already there, and there is enough data to support a valuation.
So I'm not sure how necessary it is in the *very* near future (like next 2 months), but once they get into trade talks, and player development, it will become valuable.
They should be able to get a functioning operation in 6 months.
But it will probably take a few years to get a well oiled machine. That's just the way it is with analytics, you also need some really creative thinkers, which you can find virtually anywhere. The salaries Cohen can pay these guys, who are probably ivy league egg heads will be very attractive in the long term.
But for this off-season, we should be ok without a top notch analytics department.
Is he any good defensively at CF? If so, he could be a fallback option to Springer
As someone who has always been one of Dahls biggest fans, he’s a ape rage at best defensively. Not comparing their games at all, but compare him to Nimmo. Good player, more offense than D, question is - can he stay healthy.
With that said, it’d be an absolute NO BRAINER to bring him in as a 4th OF type o rotate in. Backup starter to get 400 ABs. Backup plan for if/when Nimmo/Conforto get hurt. Or worse, traded. If he were a righty, there’d be zero reason. It to take a flyer.
Interesting note from @Ken_Rosenthal regarding @Braves non-tendering Duvall. It sounds as if teams are not completely confident the universal DH will be in place for 2021. @MLB needs to figure this out, and soon #Mets
IMO, were the Mets to go after him, I see it as a sign that Lugo is starting. They have Lugo, May, and Diaz for 7,8,9. Plus they have Betances and Familia. While I would never complain about adding another talented bullpen arm, I don't see it as a best use of resources unless the Mets plan to start Lugo. They need SP.
not saying he's a no, just with May already on board and the pen starting to get crowded not sure he adds a ton. I'd have no issues with it but the pen is down the list enough for me that unless I could get Hand some how I'd just wait to grab someone like Wilson on an affordable 1 year.
i really dont want to see Lugo in the rotation....
i mean we know he is an elite reliever, but we have barely seen anything that says he is even a solid starter. Sure he has some good starts here and there, but also some shit ones. There is no reason that the Mets without the financial limitations should move him back to the rotation. Lets just keep the elite elite reliever version.
RE: Bradley's velocity dropped and homers spiked this year
not saying he's a no, just with May already on board and the pen starting to get crowded not sure he adds a ton. I'd have no issues with it but the pen is down the list enough for me that unless I could get Hand some how I'd just wait to grab someone like Wilson on an affordable 1 year.
I'm hoping Wilson takes Shreve's spot since they non-tendered Shreve. With the 3 batter rule, I don't think multiple lefties is a must, but I would like to see at least a Wilson level lefty, as there will be times you will need one.
RE: Bradley's velocity dropped and homers spiked this year
not saying he's a no, just with May already on board and the pen starting to get crowded not sure he adds a ton. I'd have no issues with it but the pen is down the list enough for me that unless I could get Hand some how I'd just wait to grab someone like Wilson on an affordable 1 year.
Eric,
He'd easily be one of the Mets top 4 RP's after Lugo, May and Diaz. He allowed... 1 HR, so I'm kind of confused. How did they "spike"?
i mean we know he is an elite reliever, but we have barely seen anything that says he is even a solid starter. Sure he has some good starts here and there, but also some shit ones. There is no reason that the Mets without the financial limitations should move him back to the rotation. Lets just keep the elite elite reliever version.
I tend to agree. And that's why I don't see Bradley as a fit. Bradley, Lugo, May, and Diaz, plus Familia and Betances? Just way too much.
was one of the worst RP in baseball in 2020 and Betances might be completely shot. Bradley held lefties to a .171 BA and outside of 2019 has always handled them well. He would help immensly
RE: RE: Bradley's velocity dropped and homers spiked this year
not saying he's a no, just with May already on board and the pen starting to get crowded not sure he adds a ton. I'd have no issues with it but the pen is down the list enough for me that unless I could get Hand some how I'd just wait to grab someone like Wilson on an affordable 1 year.
Eric,
He'd easily be one of the Mets top 4 RP's after Lugo, May and Diaz. He allowed... 1 HR, so I'm kind of confused. How did they "spike"?
I read the wrong column on his FG profile when I was looking him up - I went the bottom thinking it was his most recent year and didn't realize it was the 2021 steamer projection (which is almost 3x his 2020 rate).
due respect but I'm not taking projected HR rates on steamer as proof of ANYTHING. 1 HR allowed despite pitching in Arizona and Cinci, 2019 he allowed 5 in 71.2 innings. HR's aren't an issue for Bradley, they are for May however.
context, last 82 appearances Bradley has allowed 6 homers last 158 appearances he's allowed 15. May last 89 appearances (I'm just adding 2019-2020, not fudging the numbers) has allowed 13, last 157 he's allowed 24
for his career his FV is 94.3, 2020 it was 94.2, given the lack of normal ST.. there is nitpicking and there is this lol
FB last 4 years:
17 - 96.3
18 - 95.6
19 - 95.5
20 - 94.2
Again he's not a hard pass - just not sure if there's all that much room left in the pen because I completely agree with you that Lugo should not be a starter. Unless they think Betances and Familia are just completely shot then maybe they do need another late inning option, but on paper they already have 5 under contract.
due respect but I'm not taking projected HR rates on steamer as proof of ANYTHING. 1 HR allowed despite pitching in Arizona and Cinci, 2019 he allowed 5 in 71.2 innings. HR's aren't an issue for Bradley, they are for May however.
I agree steamer means nothing - I just read the wrong column because they placed it at the bottom of his year by year stats (thinking it was the most recent season).
mean they gave Barnes a guaranteed deal (small money so they can cut him easily) but that does suggest they believe they need more pen help. Brach opted in, was awful, again small enough number he can be let go. I'd easily take Bradley over both and I'm on record suggesting Barnes COULD be a sleeper of sorts.
was one of the worst RP in baseball in 2020 and Betances might be completely shot. Bradley held lefties to a .171 BA and outside of 2019 has always handled them well. He would help immensly
I fully understand Bradley is much better than Familia and Betances. That was not at all my point. Familia has an $11 million cost, and Betances a $6 million one. I do not see either of them pitching meaningful innings for the Mets this year before being off the payroll.
My point is between the cost of Betances, Familia, May, Diaz, and Lugo, that is an awful lot of resources to the bullpen. In Lugo, May, and Diaz, you have three players that will pitch in the 7,8, and 9 innings. Plus they need a lefty, like a Wilson.
Should one of them get injured, you have Barnes, McWilliams, Betances, Familia, etc. that can hopefully step up and pitch adequately in the 7th.
Absent a Lugo move to the rotation (which would allow the Mets to go cheap there), I don't see Bradley as a fit.
Mets rotation right now is deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, and Matz? until Thor gets back. IMO, they need a top SP, and a depth SP. They also need a catcher and a CF. I don't see a 4th top bullpen guy as a fit. And I don't know that Bradley would have an interest in the Mets for that reason. He may want to go somewhere else where he can be guaranteed a prominent role in the bullpen.
don't think they penciling Matz or Gsellman into their plans. They have non-guaranteed contracts. I also believe they would have moved on from Familia, Brach and Betances if they had their choice, I think Cohen will do so FAR quicker than the Wilpons. Dumping Brach at 2 million and giving Bradley 1 year 5, makes Bradley a 1 year 7 million dollar commitment. Sure makes sense to me.
was one of the worst RP in baseball in 2020 and Betances might be completely shot. Bradley held lefties to a .171 BA and outside of 2019 has always handled them well. He would help immensly
I fully understand Bradley is much better than Familia and Betances. That was not at all my point. Familia has an $11 million cost, and Betances a $6 million one. I do not see either of them pitching meaningful innings for the Mets this year before being off the payroll.
My point is between the cost of Betances, Familia, May, Diaz, and Lugo, that is an awful lot of resources to the bullpen. In Lugo, May, and Diaz, you have three players that will pitch in the 7,8, and 9 innings. Plus they need a lefty, like a Wilson.
Should one of them get injured, you have Barnes, McWilliams, Betances, Familia, etc. that can hopefully step up and pitch adequately in the 7th.
Absent a Lugo move to the rotation (which would allow the Mets to go cheap there), I don't see Bradley as a fit.
Mets rotation right now is deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, and Matz? until Thor gets back. IMO, they need a top SP, and a depth SP. They also need a catcher and a CF. I don't see a 4th top bullpen guy as a fit. And I don't know that Bradley would have an interest in the Mets for that reason. He may want to go somewhere else where he can be guaranteed a prominent role in the bullpen.
this is basically my thinking as well. And since we saw some good velocity from Familia and Betances at times, I'm curious to see what happens with the new regime. I think there was a lot of organizational pitcher mismanagement. Diaz, Matz, Familia all had major regression the last 2 years under whatever organizational shifts BVW's group attempted, and we know Callaway was a complete turd.
think it's unrealistic to believe that a new owner changes what we've seen from a guy like Familia. Hefner is presumably returning, what would change? He talked up his fitness regimen, came in and was even worst in 2020. He looks shot.
don't think they penciling Matz or Gsellman into their plans. They have non-guaranteed contracts. I also believe they would have moved on from Familia, Brach and Betances if they had their choice, I think Cohen will do so FAR quicker than the Wilpons. Dumping Brach at 2 million and giving Bradley 1 year 5, makes Bradley a 1 year 7 million dollar commitment. Sure makes sense to me.
You think Bradley is signing for a 1 year $5 million contract? That seems awfully low for me. I would think he would make significantly more than that. Obviously, if there are no takers and the Mets can get him for $5 million. I just don't envision that happening. I see Bradley as a closer or 8th inning guy, and getting paid as such.
As for Matz, I put a question mark. I do not want him starting. That is why I want two SPs. deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, and two additions. One addition is a depth guy. Peterson or the depth addition to the bullpen when Thor is back, although injuries have a way of working things out.
don't think they penciling Matz or Gsellman into their plans. They have non-guaranteed contracts. I also believe they would have moved on from Familia, Brach and Betances if they had their choice, I think Cohen will do so FAR quicker than the Wilpons. Dumping Brach at 2 million and giving Bradley 1 year 5, makes Bradley a 1 year 7 million dollar commitment. Sure makes sense to me.
You think Bradley is signing for a 1 year $5 million contract? That seems awfully low for me. I would think he would make significantly more than that. Obviously, if there are no takers and the Mets can get him for $5 million. I just don't envision that happening. I see Bradley as a closer or 8th inning guy, and getting paid as such.
As for Matz, I put a question mark. I do not want him starting. That is why I want two SPs. deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, and two additions. One addition is a depth guy. Peterson or the depth addition to the bullpen when Thor is back, although injuries have a way of working things out.
May was considered the 3rd best RP on the market and yet signed very quickly for 7.5 per. I do think Bradley comes in at roughly 6 million per. A big issue with Matz is despite being lefty, he's not strong vs. lefties so "put him in the pen" isn't a panacea.
think it's unrealistic to believe that a new owner changes what we've seen from a guy like Familia. Hefner is presumably returning, what would change? He talked up his fitness regimen, came in and was even worst in 2020. He looks shot.
We have no idea what kind of philosophy shifts the organization tried to make (throw higher in the zone, lower in the zone, more FB, etc) - not to mention whatever adjustments Callaway/Eiland tried to make before he'd gotten fired in 2019. We also don't know how much of an impact Ramos had the last 2 years. On the whole defense was a big negative and he was the biggest negative for pitchers with hard breaking balls down in the zone.
All we know is they took a guy who had an all time season in 2018 and made him awful in 2019/2020 even though his stuff was still as electric as anyone in the league (k rate) so if they can do that to him...what else were they capable of accidentally (incompetently) destroying?
I'm not being obtuse but I'm confused what Eiland/Callaway have to do with Familia this season? He had a brand new pitching coach (Hefner) known for getting the most out of RP's in Minnesota (See May) and a brand new manager. Why would the old pitching coach/manager be carrying over?
was very "happy" to finally hear a Mets official (Sandy) acknowledge the below
"
Christopher Soto
@SotoC803
·
10m
Yep....not to mention.....what little depth they have on the 40 man roster is all bullpen arms except for Patrick Mazeika
would be in the bullpen as a longman/spot starter. I wouldn't anticipate him being brought in as a lefty in crucial situations. I think they would still need a Wilson type.
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
· 52m
When you look at the Mets 40-man roster and the upper minors, it’s almost amazing at how thorough Brodie Van Wagenen was at stripping away talent and adding none at the same time.
all of this BP discussion is pushing me back to all in on JTR
sometimes maybe we over think things, he is possibly the best defensive catcher in baseball. #2 on the framing leaderboard and #1 in pop time/#3 in throwing velocity (which both speak to his athleticism).
Over the next 3 years, is there anyone we'd expect to be better defensively in all of baseball? And we know his offense is ++ for a catcher too.
The difference between JTR and any other individual catcher available is a lot bigger than the difference between Nimmo and Springer. Or Springer and someone like Lorenzo Cain. And if it is Nimmo in CF, we also know we have a potential all star LF in McNeil too (and maybe open up a spot for Dom if there's no DH or JDD if there is).
There is no bigger advocate of improving the defense on the planet than me and I think an OF of McNeil - Nimmo - Conforto is solid (especially if you have a strong backup CF'er to mix in).
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
· 52m
When you look at the Mets 40-man roster and the upper minors, it’s almost amazing at how thorough Brodie Van Wagenen was at stripping away talent and adding none at the same time.
Is Castro any better than Barnes or McWilliams? Both who they signed for $750k. Yet they gave up Smith for him. Seems like a small deal at the time, but it may be the most inexplicable one. They have a huge need for SP depth in AAA/AA. They trade their minor league pitcher of the year for a replacable bullpen piece.
Wheeler/Stroman pisses me off as well. Should have resigned Wheeler who wanted to be here. Kept Kay and SWR, and gone after Stroman as a FA if they wanted him.
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
· 52m
When you look at the Mets 40-man roster and the upper minors, it’s almost amazing at how thorough Brodie Van Wagenen was at stripping away talent and adding none at the same time.
Perhaps we can call up Justin Dunn and Kevin Smith as reinforcements...oh wait
I'm not being obtuse but I'm confused what Eiland/Callaway have to do with Familia this season? He had a brand new pitching coach (Hefner) known for getting the most out of RP's in Minnesota (See May) and a brand new manager. Why would the old pitching coach/manager be carrying over?
The majority of Familia's sample size since returning was 2019 and bad habits developed then may still need to be corrected. This year's numbers aren't meaningless but they hold a fraction of the value of a "normal season".
Familia went from a 3.5bb/9 walk rate in both 2018 and over his entire career to a 6+bb/9 walk rate the last 2 seasons. He was always wild but an already somewhat wild pitcher doubling his walk rate is red alarm jarring statistic.
Edwin Diaz went from 2.0bb/9 walk rate in 2018 to 3.4 in 2019 and 4.9 in 2020 (despite having a decent mini season). So it wasn't just Familia having a problem.
Both of those pitchers throw explosive late breaking balls. Ramos' poor defense for high velocity pitchers was so notable Thor had a personal catcher.
If I were leading a new regime coming in, especially if I had seen what worked with Familia in particular in the past, my number 1 priority would be finding an organizational pitching philosophy that gets more out of talented pitchers as opposed to less.
Diaz bounced back from 2019 and everyone has given him praise, Familia we just point to sample size? He can't throw strikes when he needs to. Honest question, if he were a FA would you target him? I find that hard to believe.
Jorge Castillo
@jorgecastillo
The Dodgers are close to signing 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jesus Galiz, per sources. Galiz is MLB Pipeline's 7th-ranked international prospect and the top-ranked catcher. The Yankees had been the favorites to sign him, but Galiz recently changed his mind.
Really not sure what happened this signing period. Even under the cheapest of Wilpon years they still generally went after some top 20-30 IFA's
2021 Outlook
There are two things to be concerned with when it comes to Familia repeating his success. His 4.92 FIP was worse than it was in 2019. What saved him was his BABIP being just under 100 points lower in 2020 (.346 to .247). Familia’s walk and strikeout rates heading in opposite directions is also a cause for concern. Both were his worst numbers since his 2013 season when he only pitched in nine games.
Overall, Familia was productive with a 3.71 ERA in 25 games. As he heads into the final year of his deal, they could be cautious with how they used him early in the season. Despite the ERA being lower, other statistics show that he is in the middle of a regression. By no means that is his course for 2021, but his walk rate will be the root of any problems.
if there are trends of players underperforming in a particular area, you need to solve for why that is. Or else you aren't going to get your money's worth on whatever players you add.
My speculation is that overall defense has had a big negative impact on our pitching staff. With catching defense being the biggest individual problem within that. That's not even speculation every metric bears that out. The speculation is how much of an impact it had on the pitchers and I think it was bigger than many think.
I think a secondary factor in some of the pitchers underperforming the past few years was overall terrible organizational management + hiring post Warthen. Started with hiring Callaway/Eiland and who knows what happened behind the scenes under BVW. Hefner may or may not be good but he is 1 guy and he was a first time pitching coach in a shortened season. If there was an organizational philosophy under BVW you can bet he was at least somewhat buying into it even if he didn't fully agree with it.
was completely dominant with Ramos catching him (.140 against), vs. 286 with the superior defensive Nido
are these cumulative numbers over the last 2 years or based on a split of his 25 innings this past year? If it's the latter and we are talking about ~10 innings for either catcher that would seem way too small a sample size to draw any conclusions.
was completely dominant with Ramos catching him (.140 against), vs. 286 with the superior defensive Nido
are these cumulative numbers over the last 2 years or based on a split of his 25 innings this past year? If it's the latter and we are talking about ~10 innings for either catcher that would seem way too small a sample size to draw any conclusions.
2020 numbers ie Diaz bounce-back season included success with Ramos
it's hard for me to understand how a pitcher still in their prime can go from Familia 2015/2016 to Familia 2019/2020.
the guy had MVP votes in 2016.
Is it mental? Is it on coaching? Shouldn't coaches be responsible for fixing mechanics?
Seems like velocity is pretty consistent.
It could be any or all of the above. Here's what we know changed for him in 2019:
He went from a defined role as a closer, mostly entering games with nobody on base, to a more uncertain role where he did sometimes enter with runners on base.
The manager of the team was incompetent and the pitching coach got fired midseason - and the team improved with the new pitching coach but replaced him with a first time pitching coach for 2020.
The team defense was terrible - that's not so different because the Met defense wasn't great for most of his prior stint, but it was worse - particularly at catcher.
Those are the knowns. The unknown is whether or not the organization had shifted philosophy under BVW and was asking their pitchers to do anything fundamentally different. Throw more of X pitch, focus more down in the zone, etc. I have no idea about this but I'd imagine if there's a turnaround some version of "under the previous regime they'd been asking their pitchers to focus on XYZ, and now there's a more individualized approach that lets players pitch to their strengths" in every beat writers retrospective puff pieces.
really can't accept Familia's issues are Ramos when Diaz was fine with him. Familia had trouble throwing strikes, in his prime his super sinker was close to unhittable and his command was better. Neither are the case any longer.
Looking at his advanced metrics for the season, there are some things that Jeurys Familia does well that bring some promise for the future. His exit velocity against (85.9 mph), barrel percentage (4.0) and hard hit percentage (30.7) all rank in the 86th percentile or higher among other pitchers in the MLB.
Since he still throws hard and is generating great movement on his sinker and slider, Familia is hard to square up. The problem for the veteran is that he has lost his ability to put batters away and is still walking them at a high clip.
For the first time in his career, Familia’s strikeout percentage dipped below 20% (19.2 K%), while his walk rate was over 15% for the second year in a row. Unless the 31-year-old can start to put hitter’s away instead of putting them on base, he will struggle to live up to the $11.67 million the Mets are going to pay him next season.
was completely dominant with Ramos catching him (.140 against), vs. 286 with the superior defensive Nido
are these cumulative numbers over the last 2 years or based on a split of his 25 innings this past year? If it's the latter and we are talking about ~10 innings for either catcher that would seem way too small a sample size to draw any conclusions.
2020 numbers ie Diaz bounce-back season included success with Ramos
Right but you would agree it doesn't mean much if it's only a handful of innings? Nido played 7 games last year, Diaz could have had more innings thrown to Chirinos (12g) or Ali Sanchez (5g).
really can't accept Familia's issues are Ramos when Diaz was fine with him. Familia had trouble throwing strikes, in his prime his super sinker was close to unhittable and his command was better. Neither are the case any longer.
Nobody is saying that's the only reason. Just that it's a factor.
Coaching is probably the biggest factor but we don't know whether or not they asked him to do anything different or made adjustments that didn't work.
I do think we can safely guess they probably did but it's impossible to guess the extent to which that directly impacted his performance.
just have a very hard time placing the blame for Familia on Ramos. Even a non-scout can see he has trouble throwing strikes when he needs to. He wasn't screwed by framing and his breaking ball didn't fool hitters. Lots of fouled off pitches tells you that hitters are "on" to his stuff.
say this, I'm not sold on Hefner. I know people like him and he's intelligent but he was the assistant pitching coach in Minnesota, the Mets didn't really see success stories and the Twins pen was the best in baseball by fWAR without him and that included impressive seasons from newcomers like Clippard and Wisler (another option for the Mets).
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The fact that there is no MLB-MLBPA agreement on the universal DH for 2021 completely undercuts the large group of corner OF/DH/corner slugger types among the free agents. An already bad situation for those players made worse.
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The fact that there is no MLB-MLBPA agreement on the universal DH for 2021 completely undercuts the large group of corner OF/DH/corner slugger types among the free agents. An already bad situation for those players made worse.
Another reason to possibly go big on Realmuto.
Springer makes our COF situation that much harder to figure out (if Nimmo and Dom are both still here).
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The fact that there is no MLB-MLBPA agreement on the universal DH for 2021 completely undercuts the large group of corner OF/DH/corner slugger types among the free agents. An already bad situation for those players made worse.
Another reason to possibly go big on Realmuto.
Springer makes our COF situation that much harder to figure out (if Nimmo and Dom are both still here).
Don’t have a lot to add but enjoyed reading this discussion between you and Dan.
Agreed on Realmuto. The cost and term will be big but there’s no help on the way for the next two plus years. Lets sign the best catcher in baseball and try and win a ring for Degrom. It’s not like Realmuto is old. He’s been remarkably consistent and good for 4 years running now. He fills a desperate need and only costs money.
John Brebbia must not be 100% because otherwise I do not understand why the Cardinals would non-tender a guy projected to make sub-1 million. I'd be ALL over him, even if he's still on the mend Link - ( New Window )
I have more confidence Springer will be close to what he is now in the later years of his deal even if he shifts to a corner, but Realmuto will make a much bigger impact as long as he remains the player he is now. Which should be at least 2 seasons.
Signing both seems greedy/unlikely but it's not impossible to do so and stay under the tax threshold if you then trade from excess to add some youngish pitching. If you sign Springer you almost have to trade at least 1 of Nimmo / JDD / Dom if there's no DH, and maybe 2.
James McCann and are considering him instead of Realmuto.
Hopefully just saying that to maintain a little leverage.
Personally, I've thought best case (realistic) scenario all along was Bauer, Springer, and McCann. Don't get me wrong. I'd take Realmuto. But I would rather the top SP and the top CF over Realmuto.
Indeed is 4 years this is a very questionable move unless the money is much lower than the projected low-teens people are projecting. They better land at least one of Springer or Bauer or the off-season (barring some unknown trade that would of course hurt the farm) occurs. They talked big, gotta land at least one of the big names.. or else
“There's very little evidence he's anything more than a league average starting catcher and not a particularly large amount of evidence he's even that. Do you really want to lock in his age 31-34 seasons because he just had a nice 30 games as a backup? in the last two offseasons he has been released and then relegated to a backup, this isn't some weird "BP's metrics don't like him" shit, other major-league teams keep treating him like a marginal starter“
@ByRobertMurray
Mets in active talks with free-agent catcher James McCann, according to league sources. A deal is not yet close, but it is looking increasingly likely he will land a four-year deal. Link - ( New Window )
Mets in active talks with free-agent catcher James McCann, according to league sources. A deal is not yet close, but it is looking increasingly likely he will land a four-year deal.
performance. Had McCann at 1.5 war and Realmuto at 1.7.
He’s 31 in June with very little MLB success and a history of terrible defense (better recently) unnecessary gamble at 4 years. He’s going to be 32 year 2 of this deal.
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The fact that there is no MLB-MLBPA agreement on the universal DH for 2021 completely undercuts the large group of corner OF/DH/corner slugger types among the free agents. An already bad situation for those players made worse.
It is borderline malpractice for MLB not to have this resolved prior to the FA period starting. It really screws NL teams.
Hopefully this was something leaked by McCann's agent
maybe that's just wishful thinking but I don't understand any desire to go 4 years for McCann. And certainly no need to prioritize him. Would rather sign Yadi. Or just patiently wait while filling other positions and seeing if someone else shakes loose via trade.
Ranked him their 33rd best FA and projected 2 years 12 million (6 per)
Quality catchers aren’t easy to come by these days, and for teams that can’t afford to offer a nine-figure deal to Realmuto and are loath to invest in a 38-year-old Molina (or simply aren’t the Cardinals), McCann offers a reasonable alternative. Admittedly, his track record for above-average play isn’t a long one; he was 0.7 wins below replacement as recently as 2018, and netted -0.1 WAR from 2014-18, that while hitting for just a 75 wRC+. Even so, his 3.8 WAR over the past two seasons is tied for fifth among catchers, while his 116 wRC+ is eighth.
Underlying his recent performance are substantial improvements on both sides of the ball. From 2015-18, McCann posted an average exit velocity of 87.9 mph and a .304 xwOBA, but he’s up to an average of 90.2 mph over the past two seasons, with a .328 xwOBA. Meanwhile, he posted his first above-average framing numbers this year (2.3 runs, up from -9.0 by our data, and from -8.0 to 1.5 via Baseball Prospectus). He’d be an upgrade for several teams. – JJ
performance. Had McCann at 1.5 war and Realmuto at 1.7.
He’s 31 in June with very little MLB success and a history of terrible defense (better recently) unnecessary gamble at 4 years. He’s going to be 32 year 2 of this deal.
The thing with Realmuto is that he is a good enough athlete to move if you needed to at the back end of his contract. No such option with McCann.
If this is true, I would hope it's a positive sign for signing other marquee FA's like Bauer, Springer, etc. If the FA period is McCann and Trevor May, that would be a huge disappointment.
and does show offensive improvements from McCann. His hard hit% the past 2 years was up significantly from his prior career. The past 2 years were 44% and 47% respectively, and prior to that he was in the mid-30's (career 38% including the last 2 years).
So there is reason to believe the power he has showed the last 2 years is legitimate. It may be fair to say his power is even comparable to JTR.
There's no reason to think he's better at literally anything else though and he's a year older.
is why Mets would go after McCann first. To me a McCann rather than Realmuto indicates they are going after bigger fish at other positions. I don't understand why they wouldn't get those other bigger fish first and then McCann. If they fail on getting Bauer and/or Springer, then go Realmuto.
Hopefully just talk at this point, or they already have something in place with one (or more) of the other big fish.
“ Really have to wonder if despite all of the talk, @Mets sit out Realmuto. If Cohen is heavy into analytics, then a 30 year old C on a 5-6-7 year deal is a tough bet. #Mets”
Also sounds like Hill no longer a candidate to join the FO, no interviews expected this week
Loved the White Sox last year -- watched them a lot. Big fan of McCann's performance. Offense for him would be gravy. He'd be there to manage a staff, frame well, work with pitchers. I have a lot more faith in his skills holding up through 34-35 than Realmuto's ability to anchor an offense while playing catcher for 6 years.
Ideally hope the 4th year would be a team option, but I'm so down with this.
Loved the White Sox last year -- watched them a lot. Big fan of McCann's performance. Offense for him would be gravy. He'd be there to manage a staff, frame well, work with pitchers. I have a lot more faith in his skills holding up through 34-35 than Realmuto's ability to anchor an offense while playing catcher for 6 years.
Ideally hope the 4th year would be a team option, but I'm so down with this.
I've said all along those $$$ are better used in my world on defense and pitching.
my only issue with McCann is I'm not sure about his D (and I include framing in D). I have been consistent I'd sacrifice offense from the catcher spot for defense.
if it meant the Mets could add a Bauer and Springer or even trade for an Arenado or Lindor (with an extension).
That said I'm not going to lose my shit if the Mets don't sign either Springer or Bauer.
but save their money for another day. I know fans are eager to get better, but sometimes patience is the best course of action for building a sustainable winner.
And that's what I want more than the instant gratification of a competitive 2021. Both long and short term success would be good, but I'm thinking big picture.
Really seems like no DH in the NL, which is fine with me!
David O'Brien
@DOBrienATL
But it's us, not teams, acting as thought there might be a DH. NL teams are planning as if there will not be one, because that's how things stand and there's still no plan for the sides to meet to change that.
I've said all along those $$$ are better used in my world on defense and pitching.
my only issue with McCann is I'm not sure about his D (and I include framing in D). I have been consistent I'd sacrifice offense from the catcher spot for defense.
if it meant the Mets could add a Bauer and Springer or even trade for an Arenado or Lindor (with an extension).
That said I'm not going to lose my shit if the Mets don't sign either Springer or Bauer.
but save their money for another day. I know fans are eager to get better, but sometimes patience is the best course of action for building a sustainable winner.
And that's what I want more than the instant gratification of a competitive 2021. Both long and short term success would be good, but I'm thinking big picture.
Very well-said PJ. I agree with all of this (though I do cop to having some serious sugar-plum fairies dancing in my brain).
The DREAM = cash no object offseason would involve, Bauer, Springer, Signing Kim and trading for Lindor.
Let Kim play 3rd (or second if he's unable to handle 3rd)
Alonso/Dom
McNeil at 2B
Lindor SS
Kim 3B
That's my ultimate pie in the sky.
Springer/Bauer/McCann/backup starter is best real case
But yes, the idea is to make this team a habitual winner.
Martino got torched on Twitter for saying that the process is the point but I totally agree with that. Baseball post-season bears the least relation to how good a team is in the regular season due to the small spread between teams 1-10 and the relatively low winning percentage of the very best teams. 108-54 is galacatically good -- but it's equivalent to an 11-5 team.
So yes, the way to rings is to get to the dance nearly every year. From there, you need luck and the right people getting hot together.
Jarrett Seidler
@jaseidler
·
1m
here's a giant counterargument to my own argument: McCann has been an identical or slightly better hitter than Realmuto recently and wasn't much worse of a defender in 2020, basically the same when accounting for playing time. Can I talk myself into this before the deal haapens?
I know people are hot for Almora but Goodwin might be a better addition. He's a push CF but career 102 wRC+. Wouldn't want either starting but might be a solid guy on a minor league deal
same here. I'd love to build a juggernaut and win a WS in 2021.
I'm just trying to be reasonable, lol.
there are like 4 impact free agents available.
I don't want ownership to feel like they have to force one or more of them to feel like the offseason was successful.
if they do nothing and that is the plan, I'm actually cool with that.
All along the main thing I have wanted out of the front office/ownership is a plan.
First and foremost a plan to compete (and win) at the major league level
second, a plan to build the farm into an asset for both when the team needs to add but also as an asset to acquire talent
third, build out analytics, and other areas that are fundamental to #1 and #2, so these are not necessarily in order but #1 and #2 are happening with or without analytics.
and lastly, just do things to make me as a fan proud to support the Mets. I'm not too emotional about sports anymore and this isn't 100% on former ownership, but I was losing interest. One press conference with Cohen and I was as high as I have ever been on the Mets.
so, in summary, I'd love it for the Mets to add Springer, Bauer, and more this off-season, but more importantly I want them to not be reactionary - build a plan for the things I mentioned above and execute. They need to be able to adjust the plan as outside influences change, but I never got the feeling the Mets had a legitimate plan since probably '88
small episodes of success followed by lenghty periods of paying for that success. That's not a model I want for my team.
"The big thing for me is getting my body out of the way, and that's what the open stance has done," McCann told reporters. "It's allowed me to see the ball and allowed me to keep my body out of my swing and allowed my hands to work."
Loved the White Sox last year -- watched them a lot. Big fan of McCann's performance. Offense for him would be gravy. He'd be there to manage a staff, frame well, work with pitchers.
Statistically I can buy that his improvement at the plate the last 2 years is real - there are underlying metrics to support it. But defense is my priority at C so very curious to hear anything about McCann and how he works with pitchers. I don't fully trust the public versions of those metrics yet and they aren't clear cut on him either way.
Sort of answered my own question here (McCann's defense)
even though this is a puff piece, definitely better to read stuff like this than not.
Quote:
But it goes beyond the numbers. McCann has been an integral part of this team as it’s ascended out of rebuilding mode and into contention mode. He’s helped Lucas Giolito, the staff ace, transform into one of the finest arms in baseball, and he was behind the plate for Giolito’s no-hitter.
“Mac, we call him ‘The Captain.’ One of the leaders of our team, vocally and by example,” Giolito said of McCann last month. “I think that for him, whenever he gets in the game, he’s locked in. He knows what he has to do to be able to manage the pitcher he has on the mound, be able to manage his at-bats, give us quality ABs no matter where he’s hitting or no matter how often he’s playing. He has a very good attitude about that.
At the end of the day it will just come down to how much he costs relative to JTR. If you squint there are similarities, and even a few metrics where McCann has been better (he is one of the best catchers in baseball the last 2 years at the SIS statistic that claims to account for handling a pitching staff).
McCann's calling card is his defense. He manages pitching staffs well, is an excellent on-field "captain" of sorts, meaning that he's very good at directing the defense and being a true leader. There's something to be said for having outstanding makeup as a player, and McCann has it. His arm grades out as an above-average tool, occasionally flashing plus on his throws. He is very athletic behind the plate, which is especially impressive considering that he's a pretty big guy at 6'2" and around 215-220lbs. He moves well, frames pitches well, and is good at blocking balls in the dirt. He's just one of those guys you watch and say "that guy is a ballplayer", plain and simple.
Also his last MLB Pipeline scouting report from 2014 right before he debuted:
Quote:
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
The Tigers went three straight Drafts from 2010-12 where they gave up their first-round pick as free-agent compensation. McCann was their top choice in 2011, when he went 76th overall. He reached Double-A in his first full pro season and struggled there offensively, but hit much better when he returned to that level in 2013.
McCann's calling card remains his defense, however. He has solid catch-and-throw skills, soft hands and the leadership to run a pitching staff. He has thrown out 39 percent of basestealers during his first three years as a pro.
McCann's bat will determine whether he's a big league regular. He has some pop but his swing gets long and he will chase pitches out of the strike zone. At worst, he should be a defensive-minded backup.
No hire has been made.
Worked with Bloom, Friedman, Neander
Scouting director for Astros (Springer/Corea)
sign me up.
Worked with Bloom, Friedman, Neander
Scouting director for Astros (Springer/Corea)
sign me up.
Heck is in the running (and maybe the favorite) to be GM. President of baseball OPS seems to be the position with more of a ?? (Doesn't mean Heck is a lock to be GM)
It's not believed Sandy wants to have such a substantial day to day role. More likely Ricco would be in charge for a year (odds are they hire someone despite the setbacks).
Not that im against it or anything, i kinda feel like Cohen was like "Fans want more info, hey sandy how bout you do a Q&A with all the reporters", lol.
Not that im against it or anything, i kinda feel like Cohen was like "Fans want more info, hey sandy how bout you do a Q&A with all the reporters", lol.
Well they specifically told the beats that no hire has been made and this is just to clarify where they are on the process and field questions. Given Cohen shooting down an article about his itchy trigger finger (via twitter), I think this is a planned approach to control the narratives with the media
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year.
Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
not sure I'd call Heck "young". 55 in Feb
Quote:
I read this as Sandy is going to be team president and they are going to hire a young GM (Heck). I assume Ricco and others will also take on more so Sandy is focused on big picture.
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
not sure I'd call Heck "young". 55 in Feb
Fair meant more inexperienced/first time vs. established exec.
this is where the history of NY media backlash works against the fans and the NY team franchises. Some people just don't want to deal with the drama.
Sometimes these WFAN callers are their own enemy.
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
Speculation is they will announce Sandy will be taking on an expanded role, that they will hire a GM and others like Ricco will have larger roles as well.
Yup. He's one of many potential 4-5's that seem worthy of chasing coming off a single bad/lost season. He's not my first choice but he's of interest for sure.
Link - ( New Window )
Jon Morosi
@jonmorosi
Free agent RHP Spencer Patton, who pitched for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars over the last 4 seasons, is drawing interest from @MLB
and NPB teams early in the offseason. The #Rangers, for whom he pitched in 2014-2015, are one team monitoring his market. @MLBNetwork
Quote:
I read this as Sandy is going to be team president and they are going to hire a young GM (Heck). I assume Ricco and others will also take on more so Sandy is focused on big picture.
Not altogether a terrible situation to get through this weird offseason. If nothing else, if things tank it gives them the chance to go big on a new President of Ops next year (theo?) as opposed to needing to be patient after making such a big structural investment this year. Mets Considering Changes To Executive Search - ( New Window )
Speculation is they will announce Sandy will be taking on an expanded role, that they will hire a GM and others like Ricco will have larger roles as well.
Yeah the beats are starting to report this. Totally works for me. You think they bring in Heck for GM?
@DeeshaThosar
Mets may not hire a president of baseball ops after all, source says. Sandy Alderson will focus on landing a GM.
Yeah, he's a solid player. Had a real bad limited 2020 season offensively, though hard to make too much of that.
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Omar Narvaez... 2018+2019 -32 DRS, 2020 +1 DRS. Narvaez 2019.... 120th in CDA, 2020... BEST in baseball . 2019 102nd in CSAA, 2020 2nd in the league... WTF? Could be a very intriguing cheap pickup.
Yeah, he's a solid player. Had a real bad limited 2020 season offensively, though hard to make too much of that.
2017 101 wRC+, 2018 122, 2019 119, he was terrible offensively this season but he's hit in the past and was only 28 this past season so unlikely he's "done". Because of his defense he was still on pace for about 2 fWAR, if somehow the defense is real and the bat bounces back...
@MyKBO
According to SpoTV, on November 25th, Kiwoom will request that the KBO League office asks the MLB to post Kim Ha-seong.
@hgomez27
Updated:
23 players (13 of @TigresdelLicey
and 10 of @Gigantes_Cibao
) test positive for COVID-19 in the Dominican Winter League.
McWilliams was one of the hottest Minor League free agents this offseason and signed a $750,000 big league contract with the Mets despite logging an 8.18 ERA in Triple-A a year ago. He can reach the upper 90s with his fastball and generates high spin rates on his slider, but he also has averaged just 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings as a starter in the Minors. He has bounced from the Phillies (eighth-round pick out of a Tennessee high school in 2014), to the D-backs (traded for Jeremy Hellickson in 2015), to the Rays (three-team trade in 2018), to the Royals (Rule 5 Draft in 2018), to the Rays (returned by Kansas City in 2019) and now the Mets.
McWilliams was one of the hottest Minor League free agents this offseason and signed a $750,000 big league contract with the Mets despite logging an 8.18 ERA in Triple-A a year ago. He can reach the upper 90s with his fastball and generates high spin rates on his slider, but he also has averaged just 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings as a starter in the Minors. He has bounced from the Phillies (eighth-round pick out of a Tennessee high school in 2014), to the D-backs (traded for Jeremy Hellickson in 2015), to the Rays (three-team trade in 2018), to the Royals (Rule 5 Draft in 2018), to the Rays (returned by Kansas City in 2019) and now the Mets.
6'7 high 90s...chance after chance, teams waiting for it to all click
Just reminds me of all the 5'11 kids throwing in the low 90s with good results that don't get the attention, through all the ranks...
Just a commentary, not a criticism
Quote:
Sam McWilliams, RHP, Mets
McWilliams was one of the hottest Minor League free agents this offseason and signed a $750,000 big league contract with the Mets despite logging an 8.18 ERA in Triple-A a year ago. He can reach the upper 90s with his fastball and generates high spin rates on his slider, but he also has averaged just 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings as a starter in the Minors. He has bounced from the Phillies (eighth-round pick out of a Tennessee high school in 2014), to the D-backs (traded for Jeremy Hellickson in 2015), to the Rays (three-team trade in 2018), to the Royals (Rule 5 Draft in 2018), to the Rays (returned by Kansas City in 2019) and now the Mets.
6'7 high 90s...chance after chance, teams waiting for it to all click
Just reminds me of all the 5'11 kids throwing in the low 90s with good results that don't get the attention, through all the ranks...
Just a commentary, not a criticism
You mean like Stroman?
More on McWilliams-
Keanan Lamb
@keananlamb
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3m
I thought he was being groomed for the Rays second “opener” swing man type. He certainly has the physique to go deep into games, I wonder if the stuff can get through the order a second time
Sorry if that wasn't clear I assumed it was pretty blatantly clear. My apologies.
Sorry if that wasn't clear I assumed it was pretty blatantly clear. My apologies.
Oh, I honestly missed that. I thought you felt Stroman was underrated. I'm not his biggest fan but I will say most P of his profile aren't successful starters.
Sorry if that wasn't clear I assumed it was pretty blatantly clear. My apologies.
No no...fair point... he's a crazy freakish athlete who got a lot of attention despite his height..
Quote:
on Stroman was clearly sarcastic since he's obviously NOT been ignored through the ranks (and he's not even 5' 11").
Sorry if that wasn't clear I assumed it was pretty blatantly clear. My apologies.
No no...fair point... he's a crazy freakish athlete who got a lot of attention despite his height..
Pedro Martinez.
Anyway, my point isn't to cherry pick sub 6-foot successful pitchers who weren't ignored as they elevated the ranks, but I do believe there is a correlation to taller starting pitchers generally having more success than shorter pitchers.
I doubt teams consciously ignore or don't pay attention to shorter starts results (especially if they're good results), but I think what they might do is pay more attention to "stuff" than "results".
not height dependent per se, but it may manifest itself and seem that way.
@NYPost_Mets
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3m
Sandy Alderson says the Mets are shifting interview process and no longer searching for a president of baseball ops. Looking to exclusively hire a GM, leaving Alderson more involved on baseball side than originally thought.
@AnthonyDiComo
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27s
The Mets have interviewed about six general manager candidates already. A second round sounds likely to take place soon, at which point Steve Cohen will become involved in the process.
@Metsmerized
·
5m
Alderson announces that Luis Rojas will return for the 2021 season as the team’s manager
@AnthonyDiComo
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48s
Former Mets interim GM John Ricco is "not a candidate" for the Mets' GM role, Sandy Alderson said. However, Ricco will serve as Alderson's right-hand man in matters of both baseball ops and business.
@PSLToFlushing
·
1m
Sandy Alderson doesn't expect to get down in the weeds in baseball operations, but he will be more involved. He also hopes to be able to "mentor" a GM that is capable of handling the decision by decision role that is common for a GM.
@AnthonyDiComo
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8m
Sandy Alderson says the Mets will not consider releasing Robinson Canó, who is due $48 million in 2022-23, "at this point." But that could change "down the road."
"We're just dealing with the initial impact of this on our roster, on our planning," Alderson said.
Great that he acknowledges they are multiple pieces away (since they are).
Great that they are going to negotiate to extend Conforto. It's up to him but I think he'll be open to it.
Interesting they've interviewed 6 GM candidates and we don't really know much about it. Nice to see the organization run a process without leaks.
Good to see Rojas get another season. For a rookie manager he appeared to have guts.
Also good to see he's not opposed to staff changes (I believe Rojas hadn't been involved in picking most of them in the first place).
I actually think hiring a president of baseball ops would have been an extra complication that possibly wasn't worth it this year since Sandy is in a better position to know what's here than anyone else from the outside. Get a GM with a pedigree and fresh point of view and that's a good start for year 1.
As it should be for any manager of a team trying to contend (especially one in year 2).
The bigger opportunity now is for whoever the new GM is. No president of ops, Sandy filling a role temporarily that he is likely to be willing to cede, and a very clear path to a clean slate next year if they want to make a managerial change.
If they bring in a really good GM who turns heads it could really change the way they view the power dynamic in the FO next year and beyond (or whenever Sandy's role changes).
Their lineup is as legit as it gets. Freeman and Ocuna are all world. We are fortunate they have no money and their pitching is meh.
Quote:
aggressively in on Morton, also talking to TB about Snell. They are a very good team as is.
Their lineup is as legit as it gets. Freeman and Ocuna are all world. We are fortunate they have no money and their pitching is meh.
Crazy that you say that bc 2 years ago the Braves pitching was unreal.
Quote:
In comment 15055247 DanMetroMan said:
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aggressively in on Morton, also talking to TB about Snell. They are a very good team as is.
Their lineup is as legit as it gets. Freeman and Ocuna are all world. We are fortunate they have no money and their pitching is meh.
Crazy that you say that bc 2 years ago the Braves pitching was unreal.
2018 when Anibal Sanchez was their #2 starter or 2019 when they were scrambling to assemble a bullpen midseason?
Both years they were bottom half of mlb by most team pitching metrics, as they were this past season too.
Just guessing, no intel... Billy Owens, Chris Young (please not another Brodie-esque situation), Sawdaye
Not that I'm against it, just interesting that no matter the regime change Ricco always seems to be kept on.
Not that I'm against it, just interesting that no matter the regime change Ricco always seems to be kept on.
He’s apparently strong in an administrative role. Beyond that.. not really sure.
Unrelated.. Morton to the Braves 1 for 15. Nice move. They have added 2 good/solid arms. Morton wasn’t as good in 2020 and Smyly was a career best so they have a big range of outcomes but they unquestionably are better today on paper then they were 2 weeks ago
Buster Olney
Braves have been aggressive so far, and the Mets will not be far behind, aiming at the best available players. A source says about the Mets targeting more more than one of the big four of the winter (Springer, Realmuto, Bauer, Lindor): "It's all true."
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
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38m
Braves’ potential rotation:
Max Fried
Mike Soroka
Charlie Morton
Ian Anderson
Drew Smyly
ZIPS projections for the Braves lineup are ridiculous lol
Bauer
Stroman
Vasquez
Peterson
Thor in May - goes to 6 man to limit his innings and eventually replace Peterson
Matz moved to bp
I can't believe Correa just turned 26. Seems like he's been here forever. Guess that happens when you come up so young.
He's usually good for a DL stint or two during the season. Don't think that I would give up Gimenez for one year of him, but would Rosario.
Bauer
Stroman
Vasquez
Peterson
Thor in May - goes to 6 man to limit his innings and eventually replace Peterson
Matz moved to bp
Who is Vasquez?
They do well filling holes with veterans on shorter deals and they get veterans with high end upside if they work out.
Their homegrown pitching still leaves something to be desired but obviously Soroka getting injured is a big reason why now that Anderson looks like he has fully arrived.
Mauricio
Gimenez (BA must be using their own standards, as Gimenez not only isn't a prospect, under the new rules he's not even a rookie in 2021)
Allan
PCA
Baty
Vientos
Ginn
Peterson
Wolf
Mauricio
Gimenez (BA must be using their own standards, as Gimenez not only isn't a prospect, under the new rules he's not even a rookie in 2021)
Allan
PCA
Baty
Vientos
Ginn
Peterson
Wolf
Gin and PCA (and Peterson/Gimenez) make that look better than I expected.
Really hope we can extract 1 or 2 top 10 prospects from someone by helping them offload some salary (even if they are low level).
Also hope they don't trade more than 1 guy on that list if any.
Mauricio
Gimenez (BA must be using their own standards, as Gimenez not only isn't a prospect, under the new rules he's not even a rookie in 2021)
Allan
PCA
Baty
Vientos
Ginn
Peterson
Wolf
Is Peterson a prospect elsewhere and is he rookie eligible?
Seems like he's been in the Mets system forever, but really hasn't.
But it seems like a big year for players like him and Szapucki.
Quote:
Alvarez
Mauricio
Gimenez (BA must be using their own standards, as Gimenez not only isn't a prospect, under the new rules he's not even a rookie in 2021)
Allan
PCA
Baty
Vientos
Ginn
Peterson
Wolf
Is Peterson a prospect elsewhere and is he rookie eligible?
Peterson is no longer a prospect and is not ROY eligible. 45 days on the active roster is the cutoff and Sept counts.
Yeah, I agree. Also, just for my own opinion, 25 should be a cut off anyway for a prospect.
I mean, sure, Peterson is still developing and i hope he continues to, but he's already 25, having him on a top 10 prospect list is not a good thing IMO.
Gimenez is younger than Szapucki (and others), at just 22 years old for almost the entire 2021 season, but since he's lost his rookie eligibility I wouldn't include him either.
ranks Kim the #7 available FA, and easily one of the youngest in this year's market. They project him to sign for 5 years 40 million (potentially a steal if he's as good as some believe)
I do. He's viewed as an MLB ready young talent (will be 25 this season) who would be a top 50-75 prospect if he played in the states. He has pop, is a plus athlete and is above average at SS (not GG caliber but "everyone" thinks he can stick. Jake Tillinghast who runs prospects worldwide
Doesn't hurt to have a Korean star in Flushing Queens either
@CraigMish
The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the teams that will be vying for free agent All Star Catcher JT Realmuto this Winter. I would expect them to be involved throughout the process. Per sources.
They do well filling holes with veterans on shorter deals and they get veterans with high end upside if they work out.
Their homegrown pitching still leaves something to be desired but obviously Soroka getting injured is a big reason why now that Anderson looks like he has fully arrived.
You forgot about Fried who has finally been healthy the past two years. He was a huge reason why Atlanta won the division and made it to game 7 of the NLCS.
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
·
38m
Braves’ potential rotation:
Max Fried
Mike Soroka
Charlie Morton
Ian Anderson
Drew Smyly
I think that Kyle Wright will win the 5th spot and Smyly move to the pen in the long man role.
Quote:
and it has been pretty effective. Donaldson a couple years ago then last year I think they signed Will Smith pretty quickly. Then added Ozuna/Hamels.
They do well filling holes with veterans on shorter deals and they get veterans with high end upside if they work out.
Their homegrown pitching still leaves something to be desired but obviously Soroka getting injured is a big reason why now that Anderson looks like he has fully arrived.
You forgot about Fried who has finally been healthy the past two years. He was a huge reason why Atlanta won the division and made it to game 7 of the NLCS.
If he and Anderson pitch the way they did last year and Soroka comes back healthy, that is a very good rotation. Still not in love with the BP though - what was the deal with Smith last year? Was it c19?
If he and Anderson pitch the way they did last year and Soroka comes back healthy, that is a very good rotation. Still not in love with the BP though - what was the deal with Smith last year? Was it c19?
No idea but I hope that his struggles have to do with that. I liked the signing until I saw that it was for 3 years.
Their pen concerns me a bit with Melancon and Greene hitting free agency but I have a feeling that Smyly is destined for the pen. I am excited to see Minter this season. He was finally healthy last season and he was awesome. He is expected to be the new closer but obviously his health is the on concern.
Next up they have to re-sign Ozuna as long as the DH is staying in the NL. They can’t expect to get lucky with another 1 year deal on a hitter especially with the Mets likely to go wild in acquiring top talent like Springer, Lindor, etc.
Lol, third agent in what a year?
If he's not a candidate then I don't see why Young would have a shot either.
Guess they really want someone with a lot of experience.
That contract is so reasonable I just can't see a scenario where the prospect cost would make him worth it for the Cohen-era Mets versus just paying Bauer.
Dodgers in on Hand
While Young would be an unorthodox hire, his candidacy isn’t a total shock, either. SNY’s Andy Martino noted more than a month ago that Young and Alderson maintain a strong relationship after getting to know one another during their time with the Padres’ organization, and Martino has since reported that the veteran pitcher and Princeton grad is a candidate for some type of role in the Mets’ new front office.
Hiring Young as the GM, however, would somewhat fly in the face of Cohen’s previous comments about his club’s search for a baseball ops executive. At his introductory press conference earlier this month, Cohen suggested he preferred an experienced candidate, telling reporters (link via Newsday’s Tim Healey): “I’m not crazy about people learning on my dime.” Young’s work in the league office gives him more relevant experience than most recently retired players, but he’d still be a rookie in a team’s baseball ops department. Even with guidance from an experienced vet like Alderson, he’d be “learning on Cohen’s dime,” though perhaps that’s more palatable for Cohen if Alderson heads up baseball ops himself for the early portion of an incoming GM’s tenure.
Link - ( New Window )
Bradford William Davis
@_beewilly
·
49m
a subcontracted Citi Field employee told me Steve Cohen's promised relief assistance -- $500 a month until Opening Day -- for out of work Mets ballpark staff came through today. stadium workers were frustrated by the Wilpons' lack of support while they couldn't work their shifts.
He had an awful track record, but its probably because he indulged Jeff Wilpon rather than pushed back.
I'm also convinced he took the job becasue no one else would take the job because they all saw the writing on the wall--that Wilpon was going to sell, so why go to the Mets?
The Rays reportedly want a package similar to the one they received for Archer which was Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and Shane Baz. That is pretty steep but that's what they should expect since Snell is signed for 3 more years at just $39 million.
2. No. Because Sandy knows what he's looking for, and Brodie wasn't that. Sandy has very specific things he wants/needs in certain roles. This includes hitting coach (organizational philosophy) and his FO hires. Jeff was a moron but Brodie was not suited to be a major league GM.
You had to bring up the K word and rub more salt into that deep wound :(
I could see them hiring CY in some capacity but remember Cohen said he wasn't looking to pay for someone to get on the job training. I suspect whoever they name as GM will be experienced in player personnel.
Also re: Hill I read that Loria and Cohen are friends and that's how he got on the radar, so I suspect that was more of a courtesy interview. I believe that was rumored to be for the President of Ops position and not GM anyway, so not sure it matters either way.
@ByRobertMurray
Source: Rockies and Reds have a trade in place.
The #Reds have traded Robert Stephenson and Jameson Hannah to the #Rockies in exchange for Jeff Hoffman and Case Williams. 1st reported by @JonHeyman
Daniel
1:33
Paul, JD Davis to Colorado for Jon Gray. Davis becomes the Rockies 1b. Who says no?
Paul Sporer
1:34
Probably the Rockies and honestly, rightfully so. Gray hasn't been a stud by any stretch, but they need to keep any developed pitching they can. Ryan McMahon SHOULD be able to replicate J.D. Davis or come damn close, but getting pitching has been this franchise's issue forever.
and he's a sneaky good wide receiver.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
5m
"I think we have holes to fill and I can't say for certain that we can fill those holes."
"Being all-in means that if you lose, then you're out...We want to fill our needs in a way that makes sense and doesn't hamstring us for the next five years."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
13m
"Once I got back into it, I wasn't going to lose this," Cohen said about the process of buying the Mets over the last year.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
18m
In SNY's preview of what's to come, Steve Cohen says, "You want there to be multiple reasons they come [to NY}, not just the check."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
29m
"We're talking to everybody," Cohen said when asked if the expectation is that they will land a top free agent.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
31m
"Old-Timers day is a no-brainer. Fan Fest and Fan Appreciation Day, that makes sense."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
37m
"I'm a little surprised that we haven't been able to find people for the front office. I thought it would be a lot easier than it has been," Steve Cohen said.
"We haven't been getting a lot of permission."
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
31m
"I want to talk to the players about it first," Cohen said about the possibility of bringing back the black jerseys.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
12m
"Playing it safe is no fun, it's actually boring," Cohen said. "Being afraid of change is not a recipe for being as great as you can be."
"I've always been a risk-taker...All these decisions are about making intelligent risks."
@Metsmerized
Steve Cohen's favorite piece of Mets' memorabilia is the Bill Buckner ball, which he proceeded to run over to the corner of his room to grab.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
5m
Cohen paid $410,000 for the Bill Buckner ball when told it would cost $100,000-$150,000.
He also said the ball will be going in the Mets Museum.
@Metsmerized
Steve Cohen's favorite piece of Mets' memorabilia is the Bill Buckner ball, which he proceeded to run over to the corner of his room to grab.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
5m
Cohen paid $410,000 for the Bill Buckner ball when told it would cost $100,000-$150,000.
He also said the ball will be going in the Mets Museum.
A little over-payment for that Buckner ball??
NAAAAHHHHHHH
@Metsmerized
Steve Cohen's favorite piece of Mets' memorabilia is the Bill Buckner ball, which he proceeded to run over to the corner of his room to grab.
Metsmerized
@Metsmerized
·
5m
Cohen paid $410,000 for the Bill Buckner ball when told it would cost $100,000-$150,000.
He also said the ball will be going in the Mets Museum.
Thanks Pj. Love the last one. Sounds like he'll make Citi the extension of his own man cave lol
I mean, none of us knows how this will turn out, but it's like a dark cloud has been lifted and even if the Mets don't win, you get the feeling it won't be because they weren't given every opportunity to win.
as a fan, I'm not sure what else you can ask for from an owner.
and I'm going to guess the players will love that too.
-Sandy acknowledges the farm isn't in great shape so FA will be the main avenue they try to improve the team. Said they don't really have the ability to trade off prospects but they do have money. Quite the change from the Wilpons. Might signal sitting out Lindor/Arenado etc
- Nats in talks with the Cubs regarding Bryant
He had an awful track record, but its probably because he indulged Jeff Wilpon rather than pushed back.
I'm also convinced he took the job becasue no one else would take the job because they all saw the writing on the wall--that Wilpon was going to sell, so why go to the Mets?
Brodie didn’t take the job because he thought the Wilkins would sell, he took the job because he was a golfing buddy of Jeffy’s. Good riddance. Do you think any other team would give him a job at any level? No, and neither should the Mets.
To start for KC
Lance Lynn one potential trade target apparently has a very high price. Some potential packages from their beat guy (Jamey Newberg) sound higher than I can imagine the Mets going on a rental.
I don't anticipate anything of note until 12/7 (when the Winter Meetings begin). That obviously can change if there is suddenly a major rush of teams picking up the 2nd and 3rd tier of SP (Smyly and Minor would been in tier 3 for me)
To start for KC
Whether he's a starter over the full 2 years or a reliever obviously remains to be seen - and that flexibility is likely the reason he got 2 years - as this Royals beat reporter speculates.
Plenty of reasons.
For one, it’s unlikely the Royals were the only suitor for an experienced pitcher whose last serious injury was left labrum surgery in 2016. Offering two years might have given the Royals an advantage.
There’s also Minor’s relief experience. Say his velocity dips and he’s no longer primed for a starter’s role. The Royals know he can pitch in the bullpen because they saw it up close for 77 2/3 innings in 2017, when he posted a 2.55 ERA.
Not to mention, the Royals have a pipeline of starting pitching prospects. Singer, Bubic, Lynch, Hernandez and Kowar are five. Asa Lacy is another. Jonathan Bowlan, Jon Heasley, Zach Haake, Alec Marsh and Angel Zerpa are five more. The list goes on.
If their progressions continue, Minor could move seamlessly to the bullpen and lead the back-end staff, especially if an experienced reliever, such as Greg Holland, is not back there.
Royals agree to terms with Mike Minor: Answering 5 questions about the move - ( New Window )
I'm fine with adding him to the system and letting him compete with some defensive first catcher to be Realmuto's backup but he can't be in consideration to be our opening day starter. He's just a lotto ticket at this point, not an MLB starter.
Quote:
Mejia piece on MLBTR names the Mets as a potential suitor, but it's a long list of potential suitors and not an actual rumor just the writers idea. I don't see it. Very poor fielder and completely lost 2020. I still like Narvaez if he's non-tendered or Milwaukee deals him.
I'm fine with adding him to the system and letting him compete with some defensive first catcher to be Realmuto's backup but he can't be in consideration to be our opening day starter. He's just a lotto ticket at this point, not an MLB starter.
Nido is already on the roster and a high end defender. I wouldn't chase Mejia.
@BNightengale
Veteran reliever Jacob Barnes, who was eligible for salary arbitration, signs a one-year, $750,000 contract with $100,000 in incentives with the #Mets. He was claimed by the Mets on waivers in October. The deadline is 8 p.m. Wednesday for teams to tender contracts to players.
-Heyman reports the Mets are interested in McCann. I'm fine with him but buyer beware.
The money will be whatever it is but I agree with the Royals beat thinking he the 2nd year was largely because of his previous viability in the pen. I'm curious to see how that deal gets structured as I'd imagine there are partial guarantees and incentives depending on usage.
The velo drop (and his general performance) was concerning as a starter so hopefully they lost out because they are just aiming higher. Hand would qualify as that and the money may end up similar.
Minor was probably more of a Wilpon-era Vargas type value signing. "Last year Mike was an all star so we think he can be a huge boost to our rotation!"
he's another candidate for the old mets type of signing.
"we had a very high grade on him as a prospect and just think he needs a fresh start!"
That said Mejia will probably go to Tampa and turn into a super star.
I'm almost equally bummed about losing SWR as Kelenic. The Stroman trade was unfathomably stupid yet gets about 1% the outrage of the Cano/Diaz trade.
@Jacob_Resnick
·
35m
Contracts awarded through arbitration can’t include incentives, so the #Mets agreed to terms with Barnes before the tender deadline.
Seems like they’ll give Barnes, who is out of options, a chance to compete for a spot in spring training.
Keep in mind, giving up a pick, hurts the future farm.
Best case scenario is trading for an overpaid player that can be had for lesser prospects
Speaking of trading for an overpaid player. Mentioned last week that heard conflicting on cano $$. Still a horrendous trade, on so many levels. But Canos money wound up being the only good part to com for it between Covid and now peds.
@Jacob_Resnick
·
35m
Contracts awarded through arbitration can’t include incentives, so the #Mets agreed to terms with Barnes before the tender deadline.
Seems like they’ll give Barnes, who is out of options, a chance to compete for a spot in spring training.
12 k/9 and 2 bb/9 last year (albeit in just 18 innings). Maybe something year.
I don't necessarily want to say that's a bullet dodged but I definitely preferred to not hire another person with limited player personnel experience to be GM.
I don't necessarily want to say that's a bullet dodged but I definitely preferred to not hire another person with limited player personnel experience to be GM.
Martino is confirming that Young was reluctant to even discuss the job because of his reservations regarding moving.
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Andy Martino
@martinonyc
Talk among some potential Mets candidates Cohen's comment about title in 3-5 years was scary. NYY/LAD/TB, seen as 3 top orgs, have combined for 1 in past decade. Maybe Cohen doesn't want people to would shy away from this, so whatever. But in the industry, it was eye-raising.
Maybe in the context of MLB, it's not common to work for an owner who has public expectations but that comment seemed pretty harmless to me.
Also, the Mets aren't starting from bare bones. I don't believe a 3-5 year window is crazy.
@jeffpaternostro
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1m
Actually expecting a good baseball team being eye-raising to the Ivy MBA GM crop is illuminating but not surprising. Harder to be Brian Cashman than David Stearns.
@martinonyc
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46s
That is a good point. As is often the case with these things, Steve Cohen's actual comments were not as aggressive as some in the industry later perceived them to be.
And I seriously doubt it is why people are not interested in the job.
Cohen mentioned in the SNY interview he's been getting a lot of rejections on requests to interview people under contract. That does and doesn't surprise me.
And I seriously doubt it is why people are not interested in the job.
Cohen mentioned in the SNY interview he's been getting a lot of rejections on requests to interview people under contract. That does and doesn't surprise me.
Completely agree. In fact, I'd speculate that the rejections have more to do with that comment (and other owners fearing Cohen's $ more generally) than the individual candidates for jobs here being "afraid" of expectations.
Is it correct that for a promotion MLB teams can interview anyone under contract with another team?
Tim Britton
4m ago
@Daniel W. Joel Sherman of the Post reported this morning that Young pulled out of the running. I'm not sure if this is news, but I've also heard that Bobby Heck, whom many have mentioned on Twitter, is not a serious candidate right now. I haven't heard anything in detail about anyone else at the moment, though I think it's safe to consider other execs with ties to Alderson -- like Billy Owens or J.P. Ricciardi -- potential candidates if they aren't already.
Is it correct that for a promotion MLB teams can interview anyone under contract with another team?
Teams are "legally" allowed to block any employee however there is a gentleman's agreement of sorts that you let execs interview for promotions.
Steven Cohen
@StevenACohen2
Replying to
@martinonyc
Who wants them if we aren’t setting high goals
Doesn't he have some personal issues? Or didn't he? Could be a reason why he wants to stay away from baseball, assuming it's on him.
Also, isn't he one of the few meaningful Mets named by Radomski? Might be a reason the Mets are distancing themselves. Though maybe Cohen can cleanse all things Wilpon and extend an olive branch and allow the younger Mets fans to appreciate the past.
At the moment a clear caveat but interesting to see @martinonyc reporting "At the moment, the Mets are after McCann more than J.T. Realmuto."#Mets
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Todd Hundley played 9 seasons in NY, was a home-grown 2-time all-star, hit 41 homers as a catcher in 1996, 9.1 fWAR 1996-1997 and yet the organization forgets his existence. Maybe he doesn't want to return but pretty strange
Doesn't he have some personal issues? Or didn't he? Could be a reason why he wants to stay away from baseball, assuming it's on him.
Also, isn't he one of the few meaningful Mets named by Radomski? Might be a reason the Mets are distancing themselves. Though maybe Cohen can cleanse all things Wilpon and extend an olive branch and allow the younger Mets fans to appreciate the past.
Hundley reported had a drinking/vicodin issue at one point... 15 years ago. But he was interviewed on SNY when Alonso beat his record. My bigger point is they completely ignore any non-86 or 69 players.
He's already talking that way with things like an old timer's game, fan fest, etc. things most (or many) teams already do, but apparently the Mets do not.
it would have been nice to have a statue for Seaver before he died.
Maybe they won't miss out on honoring Wright the proper way.
If he gets a 1 year deal that makes sense re-entering the market next offseason. He'd do so a year older than Will Smith was last year but I suppose that's a somewhat realistic best case scenario.
He may only want a 1 year deal so the timing of the ownership transition may have cost us there. If so it sucks because he's a really good fit here.
seems a little high but perhaps that includes some non-guaranteed incentive $?
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no word on Minor's deal, not sure how accurate he is but Rob Bradford of WEEI claims a source told him 2 years 16-18 (8-9 per)
seems a little high but perhaps that includes some non-guaranteed incentive $?
Not really sure why it's a state secret and the way he "reported it" was sort of off the cuff so that's all we "know" for now.
- Doesn't believe they have made any additional hires behind the scenes
-Gives better than 50/50 they sign Conforto before the season begins
@jonmorosi
·
16s
NEWS: #Marlins acquire Adam Cimber in a trade with #Indians. @MLBNetwork
@MLB
Uh? Huh? They claimed they were looking for a young guy who could lead the team into the future and grow into a bigger role. WHat an absurd comment by you.
Neander 37
Chernoff 39
Chris Young 41
David Forst 44
Is this a joke? The Mets were the ones on record looking for a young guy who would eventually be "the man".
But nope, it's ageist to suggest a 61 year old who 1. Wasn't successful as a GM 2. Hasn't been a GM in the bigs since 2009 would be completely against their stated goals. Got it.
Ridiculous comment. THE METS openly are looking for a young candidate and talked up the new thinking and analytic thinking. HEre is Sandy Alderson
"“I hope that we are able to hire someone who will be able to handle most of the traditional general manager role,” Alderson said. “I would expect that I will be a little more involved in decision-making and mentoring. But I don’t expect to get down in the weeds, either.”
Yeah, I'm sure he meant mentoring a 61-year-old man who was GM of a team for 8 seasons. The hire would be extremely disappointing on every level. Anyone suggesting otherwise is a homer, plain and simple.
Could be that they did not want Rojas looking over his shoulder about his job
Oh please. You're being obtuse. They targeted exclusively young executives, he talked about "mentoring" and growing into the role. Ricciardi is a 61 year old who has been in MLB FO's for 33 seasons. He was never hired again after his performance in Toronto (he's oft-mentioned as one of the most hated sports related people by Toronto fans) he was a complete disaster and and would be going back in time. Not "moving forward" like the Mets are claiming. Then again, you were aghast when I said Brodie would be a disaster so...
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Meulens Out. Surprising.
Could be that they did not want Rojas looking over his shoulder about his job
Some are suggesting it's Covid related, but Sandy said he wanted to "help" Rojas. Guessing they actually bring in someone with managerial experience. Meulens had tons of experience and is extremely highly thought of but no known connection to Sandy so...
Not that 61 is old, but there is something to say about wanting a younger guy who can grow in the role and do it for 10-20 years. Sorry that doesnt usually mean you are looking for a guy in his 60's, thats why father time is undefeated.
"Joe Posnanski, in a Sports Illustrated article, questioned, “Here’s my thing about J.P. Ricciardi, the thing that really baffles the heck out of me: How can someone keep giving out contracts THIS BAD and keep his job and reputation? How? I’m serious. How?”"
Richard Griffin
"“Besides, the GM's track record at trading established players for prospects stinks. Really it does...Here's the clinching stat. Over eight years, just three of the 20 players he received in return are still in the organization—Scott Rolen, Jeremy Accardo, and Brian Wolfe.”"
Also, Joe Posnanski, in his aforementioned article, comically summarized Ricciardi’s failures in giving out contracts by using Vernon Wells’ contract as an example:
“This deal, to be honest, is not the sort of thing that leads to a general manager getting fired. It's the sort of thing that leads to entire villages getting pillaged. And that's what I mean about Ricciardi.
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moronic. But then again you suggested they should have kept Brodie just this week so....
MLB executive Chris Young became the latest to offer a “thanks, but no thanks” to the Mets. A rising star in the Commissioners Office who had pitched for Alderson in two locales, Young told the Mets he was fascinated by the position, but did not want to uproot his young family from Dallas.
Thus, the search continues. The Mets will not run out of candidates. This really is viewed as an attractive opportunity. This is not the shot-gun wedding to Luis Rojas that was necessitated when the Mets parted late last offseason with Carlos Beltran amid revelations of Beltran’s involvement in the Astros illegal sign-stealing scandal.
Still, it is not an ideal first step. Alderson had planned to hire a president of baseball operations, then a GM. He promised oversight, but with the intention to empower the president of baseball operations to make the player decisions. Cohen, at his introductory press conference, vowed “to bring the professionals in and let them run baseball.”
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Many executives the Mets were interested in are just comfortable where they are. There were those not given permission to make lateral moves. Some other owners don’t want to help the new owner with the most money, with one executive saying, “You want one of my guys under contract, it is like a player, what is [Cohen] trading to us to get him.” A potential candidate said he was not interested because his research left concern that in his hedge fund, Cohen pushes the ethical boundaries too much, and would that permeate the Mets?
Hiring Alderson — viewed within the walls of the game as upright — was designed to lessen such worries about Cohen. But it also was designed to help the Mets navigate the habits and strictures of the game and accumulate a superstar front office. Dodgers East. Instead, Alderson asked John Ricco to return from the business side and might rehire J.P. Ricciardi. That trio made up a good deal of the decision making in Alderson’s first Mets tenure.
The promise, though, was not to put the band back together — it was to assemble a super group. There is still time to add quality and quantity. Clearly, though, this was not the way Cohen and Alderson saw this going.
@mikemayerMMO
Dick Scott - one of the Mets previous bench coaches - has been mentioned as someone that could return to the organization He makes sense in that Rojas won't be looking over his shoulder but I have to say, it's somewhat disconcerting to read Ricciardi as a GM candidate, Dick Scott, wanting to bring back Long (before he went back), Roessler...
@mikemayerMMO
Dick Scott - one of the Mets previous bench coaches - has been mentioned as someone that could return to the organization He makes sense in that Rojas won't be looking over his shoulder but I have to say, it's somewhat disconcerting to read Ricciardi as a GM candidate, Dick Scott, wanting to bring back Long (before he went back), Roessler...
Sorry the quoted is my addition, not the news Scott might be a possibility... below is me.
" He makes sense in that Rojas won't be looking over his shoulder but I have to say, it's somewhat disconcerting to read Ricciardi as a GM candidate, Dick Scott, wanting to bring back Long (before he went back), Roessler... "
Presumably against MIL?
@jaysonst
Since FA began 1 FA SP had a 60 game stretch with a K-rate and BB rate as good as
@BauerOutage
in their walk years... his ex-UCLA teammate Gerrit Cole #Mets #SignBauer
Also per the great
@jaysonst
over the last 100 years, 1 single leadoff hitter has posted an OPS, Slugging % and OBP as good as
@GeorgeSpringer
, that would be... Mookie Betts #Mets #SignSpringer
suggests some teams might attach prospects to move big salaries (even on one year deals), playing in NYC caveat aside, Greinke at 1 year 21.7 million + a prospect? Yes please
DeGrom, Bauer, Greinke, Stroman, Peterson... with Thor on the mend.
suggests some teams might attach prospects to move big salaries (even on one year deals), playing in NYC caveat aside, Greinke at 1 year 21.7 million + a prospect? Yes please
To me, that’s the ideal scenario, trade for Greinkes
But I THINK Greinke is at $35mm minus D Backs money (10mm??)
Quote:
@Ken_Rosenthal
suggests some teams might attach prospects to move big salaries (even on one year deals), playing in NYC caveat aside, Greinke at 1 year 21.7 million + a prospect? Yes please
To me, that’s the ideal scenario, trade for Greinkes
But I THINK Greinke is at $35mm minus D Backs money (10mm??)
Greinke is owed 32, 10 from Arizona
"16:$31M, 17:$31M, 18:$31M, 19:$31.5M, 20:$32M, 21:$32M"
acquired by Houston in trade from Arizona 7/31/19 with Diamondbacks paying Astros $26M as part of the deal ($2M assignment bonus on 11/1/19, $3,333,334 on 10/15/19 and $10,333,333 each on 7/1/2020 and 7/1/2021
2.14 era career at citifield over 4 starts
I admit when I’m wrong, which is all too often
Hopefully we start getting some news this week. Would think they want to choose a GM before the WM next week.
I admit when I’m wrong, which is all too often
Definitely didn’t mean to sound snarky. I just knew 21.7 million would be a very random number for me to throw out there lol
I haven't found Britton to be all that plugged in and the new regime has obviously been tight lipped so far so I think that's just a guess.
Cohen answered a direct question on twitter that they don't need the GM in place before they start making moves.
I don't know if anyone can predict when the market will start moving and Sandy is notoriously patient so I'm not predicting anything happens quickly - I don't think there's any indication either way really.
I do think we will get a GM named this week.
- As I noted above, nothing against Dick Scott but how about less bringing the band back together?
- Make good with Fonzie, firing him was an embarrassment
- Apparently Omar begged Jeff to keep Stearns but Jeff wouldn't create the space in the budget to keep him.
@lindseyadler
·
57s
On the other hand, as @Ken_Rosenthal
points out in his notes column today, the market could stay slow for a number of different reasons, including potential of a delayed season and that the National League doesn't know if it will have a DH in 2021 yet.
Link - ( New Window )
Senzel would solve 3b for a while.
The above do make Rosario/Giminez/Mauricio and even McNeil (gulp) easier to handle if you HAD to make a move.
I'd imagine if there is a fit between NYM + CIN it would only be if they have interest in a Rosario/JDD type in the first place and we were willing to make that type of flip to get a younger upside player. Perhaps another piece would come back to the Mets also to even up salary.
Again - would be fine with something like that. But Senzel would have to earn his spot.
@JonHeyman
Kris Bryant is a target of the Nats, but Nats are determined to keep young pitchers Rutledge and Cavalli. As I just said on @MLBNetwork despite speculation Bryant will indeed be tendered a contract by Cubs on tender/nontender day Wednesday. Other teams that fit KB: Mets, SF, Tor
9:39 AM · Nov 30, 2020
@AnthonyDiComo
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43s
Sources: The Mets are deep in talks with free-agent reliever Trevor May. The former Twin ranked seventh in MLB with 14.66 K/9 this season, to compliment a 3.86 ERA. May has a 3.19 mark since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2018.
This is not a done deal, but there is smoke.
Looks like his ERA YoY almost directly tracks with whether or not he has a good year with homers or a bad year within his range of outcomes.
His career high near 2hr/9 last year was no bueno, but I guess if that is a worst case scenario he was still a contributor.
Can never have enough guys with high velocity.
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Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
If May signs, the #Mets would have 5 RH relievers signed for 2020 (also Barnes, Betances, Brach, Familia). Plus will tender Diaz. Does this point Lugo more toward the rotation/Castro or Gsellman more toward a non-tender?
Getting anything close to Diaz via FA is worthwhile.
Also his control seems better than Diaz (3.28 bb/9 over his career and higher than that as a Met vs. 2.9 for May over his career with a sub-2 year in 2018).
The primary issue with Diaz was the cost to get him, which isn't an issue here. The secondary issues were that he a was handed a role that he was too inexperienced to handle and he was throwing to a catcher who couldn't catch low strikes. All of those issues could be non-factors with this signing.
Most of May’s numbers aren’t eye-popping, but his 40% strikeout rate in 2020 really jumps out. His velocity has steadily increased over the years, now sitting in the upper-90s. Even at 31 years old, there’s a sense that his best seasons might still be ahead of him. The home runs are a bit frustrating, but if he can keep hitters missing and stay healthy, he’s the second-best reliever in this free agent class.
Player Notes
At a glance, May’s 1.9 HR/9 ratio looks far more alarming than his strikeout surge looks encouraging. Small samples often have a distortive effect though, and that’s the case here as well. While May’s cartoonishly high 21.7% HR/FB ratio will undoubtedly regress in short order, the substantial increase in whiffs he generated looks legitimate. He reared back and found an extra tick on his fastball last season, and hitters missed the pitch more than 20% of the time. Life gets a whole lot easier when your fastball can carry the profile.
Three consecutive seasons of good-if-not-quite-great relief work should put May in line for a multi-year deal worth around $10 million per, give or take how excited front offices are about his four-seamer. The pandemic will likely eat into that figure though, and so it’ll be interesting to see if May values the stability of a longer contract or would rather roll the dice and hit free agency after 2021. As the valedictorian in Kelso High School’s class of 2008, I trust him to arrive at the right answer. – BG
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His stuff has always been better than his pure results but still a solid addition to the BP
I thought you caught that hint a couple weeks ago??
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about this, Fred's son Bruce Wilpon is opening a brewery at CitiField called "Ebbs" to honor... the Dodgers.
I thought you caught that hint a couple weeks ago??
The "ebbs" part completely went over my head lol. Thanks Shecky
Still none, Mike Minor signed on 11/29 and STILL no money on him so it's been slow. Gotta figure it's between 6-8 per season for May.
Wow. I'm pretty shocked by that deal. Off the (partial) year he just had I didn't see that coming.
Quote:
.
Still none, Mike Minor signed on 11/29 and STILL no money on him so it's been slow. Gotta figure it's between 6-8 per season for May.
I was pretty close lol
(They are now saying "about" 15 FWIW)
The Minor deal is totally confusing to me unless they just love him in KC from when they had him last time and figure worst case he can be very strong out of the pen and help mentor their young guys.
Quote:
.
Still none, Mike Minor signed on 11/29 and STILL no money on him so it's been slow. Gotta figure it's between 6-8 per season for May.
Lol you nailed it. Nice job
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
Free-agent catcher Luke Maile in agreement with Brewers on major-league contract, pending physical, sources tell The Athletic.
Will they non-tender Narvaez? Do it
vs. L - 153 IP, 61 ER, 19 HR, .241/.309/.394
vs. R - 163 IP, 95 ER, 23 HR, .261/.318/.438
I'd be curious to see how those numbers stack up vs. lefties compared to all the other available options. Like everyone I'd love to have a lefty in the BP but with the 3 batter rule someone like May could be more valuable.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/trevor-may/6398/splits?position=P&season=0 - ( New Window )
Barnes and McWilliams interesting wildcards. Lugo, Diaz, May, Familia, Shreve, Barnes, McWilliams, Brach, Tropeano. Like some others on minor league deals. 13 pitcher rule means you really can't go deeper than a 9 man pen
Diaz, Familia, Brach, Betances, McWilliams, Barnes, May, Lugo, Shreve all have MLB deals. I suspect they bring in a few minor league deal types but this is probably your pen give or take.
Mets BP vs. lefties in 2020.... May .200, Diaz .178, Lugo struggled as a SP, but career .226 vs. lefties, Shreve .063, Barnes .167, Tropeano .067 (very small SS)
Mets BP vs. lefties in 2020.... May .200, Diaz .178, Lugo struggled as a SP, but career .226 vs. lefties, Shreve .063, Barnes .167, Tropeano .067 (very small SS)
With the 3 batter rule it's a much sounder strategy to have guys who are tough against both vs. specialists.
That's why someone like Hand (or Minor) would have been appealing because they are lefties but not just lefty specialists.
Like you said, maybe 1 specialist is fine but much better strategy to just have a bunch of good pitchers.
Mark Feinsand
@Feinsand
·
1m
The teams making the biggest push to sign starters, per sources, are the Mets, Blue Jays, Red Sox, White Sox, Padres, Giants & Rays, while the Twins, Marlins & Reds are also expected to be in the SP market. Big game of SP musical chairs; who will be left without a seat?
Mark Feinsand
@Feinsand
·
3m
Mike Minor's deal is just another example that the free-agent market for starters is healthier than expected. Beyond Bauer, it puts Odorizzi, Tanaka and Walker in great position this offseason. Also a potential goldmine for teams with starters to potentially trade (TEX, CIN, TB).
is there a team out there that thinks they can make him a reclamation project if that even fits?
Maybe give Matz back in a trade where the Mets get a prospect and a bad contract.
he's not worthy of a rotation spot on a contender and doesn't seem suited to the bullpen.
really wanted him to pan out. with all the injuries he suffered to start his career and the local angle, etc. would have been a nice story.
is there a team out there that thinks they can make him a reclamation project if that even fits?
Maybe give Matz back in a trade where the Mets get a prospect and a bad contract.
he's not worthy of a rotation spot on a contender and doesn't seem suited to the bullpen.
really wanted him to pan out. with all the injuries he suffered to start his career and the local angle, etc. would have been a nice story.
I think you might be able to swap him for a similar non-tender candidate at a similar price range. Or for another similar contract somewhere else. He definitely doesn't have surplus trade value but he might be just close enough to neutral someone would be willing to swap him.
I don't mind bringing him into camp though - especially if they have some confidence that someone he worked with in the organization previously can help. You can never have enough pitching depth and some guys do just take a while before they figure things out (even if it's just figuring out how to eat innings as a #5 starter).
Wilpons would sign Kluber, move Lugo to the rotation, sign some other "B" level reliever, and give up prospects for Meija and call it an offseason. We'd have to listen to a whole offseason from Wilpon defenders talking about how great Kluber is going to rebound and reading 3 year old draft profiles of Meija.
So happy Wilpons are gone and we can have a real offseason. I'm absolutely a bit concerned that the front office isn't being filled out, but it seems like theres a lot going on there that I'm not privvy to, so I'll just focus on the acquisition for now.
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Predicts Kluber signs with the Sox, Mets or Yankees. Boston considered the favorites as he lives there. Kluber would be a nice get but only as second arm. He can’t be the big get. He’s missed 2 seasons
Wilpons would sign Kluber, move Lugo to the rotation, sign some other "B" level reliever, and give up prospects for Meija and call it an offseason. We'd have to listen to a whole offseason from Wilpon defenders talking about how great Kluber is going to rebound and reading 3 year old draft profiles of Meija.
So happy Wilpons are gone and we can have a real offseason. I'm absolutely a bit concerned that the front office isn't being filled out, but it seems like theres a lot going on there that I'm not privvy to, so I'll just focus on the acquisition for now.
100% on point
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Is everyone bound in the bidding to stay within the IFA budgets or is this one of those situations where it's a open auction?
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wouldn't help the 2021 Mets (most likely) but he'd be like adding an additional first-round pick to the system
Is everyone bound in the bidding to stay within the IFA budgets or is this one of those situations where it's a open auction?
They are bound by the IFA budgets which SHOULD help the Mets because at least in terms of what BA was hearing.. the Mets had not even dabbled on the higher end names of the IFA market (no this wasn't a Cohen thing, these agreements are generally in place up to 24 months in advance) but this COULD work in our favor. It's also possible he finds a team that "promises" him either an MLB roster spot (unlikely) or a quicker path to the bigs (very possible) but all-in on Colas if possible and when Kim is posted I like him as well.
Quote:
In comment 15064087 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
wouldn't help the 2021 Mets (most likely) but he'd be like adding an additional first-round pick to the system
Is everyone bound in the bidding to stay within the IFA budgets or is this one of those situations where it's a open auction?
They are bound by the IFA budgets which SHOULD help the Mets because at least in terms of what BA was hearing.. the Mets had not even dabbled on the higher end names of the IFA market (no this wasn't a Cohen thing, these agreements are generally in place up to 24 months in advance) but this COULD work in our favor. It's also possible he finds a team that "promises" him either an MLB roster spot (unlikely) or a quicker path to the bigs (very possible) but all-in on Colas if possible and when Kim is posted I like him as well.
That's encouraging - these seem like the types of moves Sandy would be very eager to use Cohen's financial muscle for. Hope it happens - would be great to buy some top prospects this offseason.
Especially considering that it's 'just' money, there's no reason not to be involved.
It's such a weird time in baseball where teams would rather save money than acquire talent.
“Here’s a guy who’s figured some things out in the KBO,” said a scout about Rojas, Jr. “He showed some flashes of his tools in the minors, but he was not able to get all of them together to the major-league level. In Korea, he went from a decent doubles guy to a home run slugger (the exit-velo data year-to-year supports that) due to him adding strength. He also sacrificed some speed for that.”
Rojas looks like a slightly better option in most regards than fellow posted KBO outfielder Na. He struck out a fair amount, but less than Na. He hits the ball hard, and according to 2020 exit velocity, harder than Na, with a 114 mph exit velo and an average around 93 mph. He’s a little more pull-happy, especially from the right side, but as a former center fielder without the injury history, he’s likely to be more of a defensive asset, even if he’s no longer a center fielder. And he’s a switch hitter instead of a lefty-only guy.
Mauricio wasn't overly impressive this year at the alternate site. Still has big upside. Matt Allan with "huge strides" on his CU
Ginn a potential 3-4 SP
-Peterson needs to throw more strikes to be a legit MLB 4
Ginn who knows but if he can remain a solid SP prospect when he comes back from rehab great. Back end Peterson types have their value.
-laughed at the state of the Mets upper minors. Called it “empty” “nothing there” and said they have some prospects with big upside, no help on the way in 2021 and maybe not even 2022 (was less definitive there)
Players like him probably got hurt the most by the pandemic.
he's at the age where he need to "shit or get off the pot" due to injuries or whatever else.
Basically losing the season hurts double since he's aging out of prospect status.
Players like him probably got hurt the most by the pandemic.
he's at the age where he need to "shit or get off the pot" due to injuries or whatever else.
Basically losing the season hurts double since he's aging out of prospect status.
Presumably so. Wasn’t mentioned once, “big” drop after 11 and “nothing” in the upper minors. Szapucki pretty clearly didn’t garner any buzz at the alternate site either. Not saying it’s the end all be all but I’ve also heard they may see him as a reliever so I’m not sure even the Mets are overly high on him anymore. Guess we will see.
Sandy implied they intended to hire one even just to alleviate his workload. It’s been silent but the expectation is someone will be brought in soonish.
Once that deal is agreed to and people start getting notified they didn't get it, word will inevitably break pretty soon after that.
I have 0 inside information except the ability to look at a calendar, so I'd imagine they want to have the GM in place at least a few days prior to the WM even if they are virtual.
ranks potential @Mets
FA target as his #1 FA. He calls Springer's defense in CF "above average" (for those worried about a move to the corner) and believes he will stay in CF for "several" more years #Mets
ranks potential @Mets
FA target as his #1 FA. He calls Springer's defense in CF "above average" (for those worried about a move to the corner) and believes he will stay in CF for "several" more years #Mets
imagine they just say F it and sign both him and JTR?
Nimmo
Springer
McNeil
Alonso
Smith
JTR
Conforto
Rosario
Gimenez
Yeesh. Still need SP but that's practically an ASG lineup and the defense is far improved. You could probably get by with the BP as is.
Quote:
@keithlaw
ranks potential @Mets
FA target as his #1 FA. He calls Springer's defense in CF "above average" (for those worried about a move to the corner) and believes he will stay in CF for "several" more years #Mets
imagine they just say F it and sign both him and JTR?
Nimmo
Springer
McNeil
Alonso
Smith
JTR
Conforto
Rosario
Gimenez
Yeesh. Still need SP but that's practically an ASG lineup and the defense is far improved. You could probably get by with the BP as is.
I have to say, Springer is still my #1 target because I think there are other decent C's out there (NOTHING near Realmuto) but moving Nimmo and Dom and hopefully Alonso improves 3 defensive positions
I have to say, Springer is still my #1 target because I think there are other decent C's out there (NOTHING near Realmuto) but moving Nimmo and Dom and hopefully Alonso improves 3 defensive positions
Also gets Gimenez in there every day (likely at 2b but maybe SS or 3B depending on McNeil and Rosario).
If that were the group I wouldn't mind trying Rosario at 3B so Gimenez and McNeil can play their natural positions.
I love the bat but he has no position. I think he can playable in LF and obviously play some at DH. He's a luxury off the bench but in the above scenario you probably try to trade him for a SP with similar years of control.
He's got good power, but he's a bad fit on the Mets. Even with a DH I still don't think he's a great fit.
He should be traded.
He would rake in CO. I think he's a good piece for an Arenado trade. He could fill a lot of that production offensively at 10% of the cost.
Jon Morosi
@jonmorosi
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1m
Sources: #SFGiants have interest in free agent Marcell Ozuna, but their comfort level on valuation and term is somewhat contingent on whether NL has the DH in 2021. Ozuna, 30, was the #Braves DH in a majority of games this year. @MLBNetwork
Jon Morosi
@jonmorosi
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1m
Sources: #SFGiants have interest in free agent Marcell Ozuna, but their comfort level on valuation and term is somewhat contingent on whether NL has the DH in 2021. Ozuna, 30, was the #Braves DH in a majority of games this year. @MLBNetwork
Lol
ITS HIS AGENTS FAULT!!!!
I wouldn't even support him on a minor league deal because it might mean with an injury or other event creating a need he would potentially find his way to Queens.
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
·
1m
Breakdown of Trevor May’s two-year, $15.5M deal with Mets: $7.75M in both 2021 and ‘22. Also: $50K each for 60, 65 and 70 appearances and $50K each for 60 and 70 innings. Terms first reported:
@JeffPassan
We're going with the all bullpen pitching staff!
Yup $5.2 million per Heyman.
Just to be clear, I'm not in any way doubting they will. I'm sure they are already in contact with people and/or have been working with some of the independent contractors
So I'm not sure how necessary it is in the *very* near future (like next 2 months), but once they get into trade talks, and player development, it will become valuable.
They should be able to get a functioning operation in 6 months.
But it will probably take a few years to get a well oiled machine. That's just the way it is with analytics, you also need some really creative thinkers, which you can find virtually anywhere. The salaries Cohen can pay these guys, who are probably ivy league egg heads will be very attractive in the long term.
But for this off-season, we should be ok without a top notch analytics department.
Baseball
@MetsmerizedJoeD
·
1m
Latest Post: Mets Non-Tender Shreve, Tropeano, Sewald, and Jurado https://metsmerizedonline.com/?p=328339 #Mets #LGM #IBWAA
As someone who has always been one of Dahls biggest fans, he’s a ape rage at best defensively. Not comparing their games at all, but compare him to Nimmo. Good player, more offense than D, question is - can he stay healthy.
With that said, it’d be an absolute NO BRAINER to bring him in as a 4th OF type o rotate in. Backup starter to get 400 ABs. Backup plan for if/when Nimmo/Conforto get hurt. Or worse, traded. If he were a righty, there’d be zero reason. It to take a flyer.
Interesting note from @Ken_Rosenthal regarding @Braves non-tendering Duvall. It sounds as if teams are not completely confident the universal DH will be in place for 2021. @MLB needs to figure this out, and soon #Mets
think he was going for average. From now on I think we should use ape rage though, that's some unintentional excellence.
Adam Duvall potentially has 2 years of control, which makes him appealing to a bunch of teams
Almora can't hit, but he and Goodwin would be solid depth grabs
Casali wouldn't be an awful alternative to Realmuto/McCann if the money is spent in other areas
Overall despite the hype... pretty meh overall group of non-tenders
I'm hoping Wilson takes Shreve's spot since they non-tendered Shreve. With the 3 batter rule, I don't think multiple lefties is a must, but I would like to see at least a Wilson level lefty, as there will be times you will need one.
Eric,
He'd easily be one of the Mets top 4 RP's after Lugo, May and Diaz. He allowed... 1 HR, so I'm kind of confused. How did they "spike"?
I tend to agree. And that's why I don't see Bradley as a fit. Bradley, Lugo, May, and Diaz, plus Familia and Betances? Just way too much.
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not saying he's a no, just with May already on board and the pen starting to get crowded not sure he adds a ton. I'd have no issues with it but the pen is down the list enough for me that unless I could get Hand some how I'd just wait to grab someone like Wilson on an affordable 1 year.
Eric,
He'd easily be one of the Mets top 4 RP's after Lugo, May and Diaz. He allowed... 1 HR, so I'm kind of confused. How did they "spike"?
I read the wrong column on his FG profile when I was looking him up - I went the bottom thinking it was his most recent year and didn't realize it was the 2021 steamer projection (which is almost 3x his 2020 rate).
FB last 4 years:
17 - 96.3
18 - 95.6
19 - 95.5
20 - 94.2
Again he's not a hard pass - just not sure if there's all that much room left in the pen because I completely agree with you that Lugo should not be a starter. Unless they think Betances and Familia are just completely shot then maybe they do need another late inning option, but on paper they already have 5 under contract.
I agree steamer means nothing - I just read the wrong column because they placed it at the bottom of his year by year stats (thinking it was the most recent season).
I fully understand Bradley is much better than Familia and Betances. That was not at all my point. Familia has an $11 million cost, and Betances a $6 million one. I do not see either of them pitching meaningful innings for the Mets this year before being off the payroll.
My point is between the cost of Betances, Familia, May, Diaz, and Lugo, that is an awful lot of resources to the bullpen. In Lugo, May, and Diaz, you have three players that will pitch in the 7,8, and 9 innings. Plus they need a lefty, like a Wilson.
Should one of them get injured, you have Barnes, McWilliams, Betances, Familia, etc. that can hopefully step up and pitch adequately in the 7th.
Absent a Lugo move to the rotation (which would allow the Mets to go cheap there), I don't see Bradley as a fit.
Mets rotation right now is deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, and Matz? until Thor gets back. IMO, they need a top SP, and a depth SP. They also need a catcher and a CF. I don't see a 4th top bullpen guy as a fit. And I don't know that Bradley would have an interest in the Mets for that reason. He may want to go somewhere else where he can be guaranteed a prominent role in the bullpen.
And here's the All-Non-Tender pitching staff:
Rotation:
Jose Urena
Tyler Anderson
Carlos Rodon
Chi Chi Gonzalez
Ryne Stanek (opener)
Bullpen:
Archie Bradley
Hansel Robles
Jonathan Holder
Alex Claudio
Matt Andriese
Chasen Shreve
MVP candidate Ryan Tepera
IL - John Brebbia
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was one of the worst RP in baseball in 2020 and Betances might be completely shot. Bradley held lefties to a .171 BA and outside of 2019 has always handled them well. He would help immensly
I fully understand Bradley is much better than Familia and Betances. That was not at all my point. Familia has an $11 million cost, and Betances a $6 million one. I do not see either of them pitching meaningful innings for the Mets this year before being off the payroll.
My point is between the cost of Betances, Familia, May, Diaz, and Lugo, that is an awful lot of resources to the bullpen. In Lugo, May, and Diaz, you have three players that will pitch in the 7,8, and 9 innings. Plus they need a lefty, like a Wilson.
Should one of them get injured, you have Barnes, McWilliams, Betances, Familia, etc. that can hopefully step up and pitch adequately in the 7th.
Absent a Lugo move to the rotation (which would allow the Mets to go cheap there), I don't see Bradley as a fit.
Mets rotation right now is deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, and Matz? until Thor gets back. IMO, they need a top SP, and a depth SP. They also need a catcher and a CF. I don't see a 4th top bullpen guy as a fit. And I don't know that Bradley would have an interest in the Mets for that reason. He may want to go somewhere else where he can be guaranteed a prominent role in the bullpen.
this is basically my thinking as well. And since we saw some good velocity from Familia and Betances at times, I'm curious to see what happens with the new regime. I think there was a lot of organizational pitcher mismanagement. Diaz, Matz, Familia all had major regression the last 2 years under whatever organizational shifts BVW's group attempted, and we know Callaway was a complete turd.
You think Bradley is signing for a 1 year $5 million contract? That seems awfully low for me. I would think he would make significantly more than that. Obviously, if there are no takers and the Mets can get him for $5 million. I just don't envision that happening. I see Bradley as a closer or 8th inning guy, and getting paid as such.
As for Matz, I put a question mark. I do not want him starting. That is why I want two SPs. deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, and two additions. One addition is a depth guy. Peterson or the depth addition to the bullpen when Thor is back, although injuries have a way of working things out.
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don't think they penciling Matz or Gsellman into their plans. They have non-guaranteed contracts. I also believe they would have moved on from Familia, Brach and Betances if they had their choice, I think Cohen will do so FAR quicker than the Wilpons. Dumping Brach at 2 million and giving Bradley 1 year 5, makes Bradley a 1 year 7 million dollar commitment. Sure makes sense to me.
You think Bradley is signing for a 1 year $5 million contract? That seems awfully low for me. I would think he would make significantly more than that. Obviously, if there are no takers and the Mets can get him for $5 million. I just don't envision that happening. I see Bradley as a closer or 8th inning guy, and getting paid as such.
As for Matz, I put a question mark. I do not want him starting. That is why I want two SPs. deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, and two additions. One addition is a depth guy. Peterson or the depth addition to the bullpen when Thor is back, although injuries have a way of working things out.
May was considered the 3rd best RP on the market and yet signed very quickly for 7.5 per. I do think Bradley comes in at roughly 6 million per. A big issue with Matz is despite being lefty, he's not strong vs. lefties so "put him in the pen" isn't a panacea.
We have no idea what kind of philosophy shifts the organization tried to make (throw higher in the zone, lower in the zone, more FB, etc) - not to mention whatever adjustments Callaway/Eiland tried to make before he'd gotten fired in 2019. We also don't know how much of an impact Ramos had the last 2 years. On the whole defense was a big negative and he was the biggest negative for pitchers with hard breaking balls down in the zone.
All we know is they took a guy who had an all time season in 2018 and made him awful in 2019/2020 even though his stuff was still as electric as anyone in the league (k rate) so if they can do that to him...what else were they capable of accidentally (incompetently) destroying?
"
Christopher Soto
@SotoC803
·
10m
Yep....not to mention.....what little depth they have on the 40 man roster is all bullpen arms except for Patrick Mazeika
There's only 1 prospect on it (Szapucki).
No prospects
No veterans
No depth
.....absolutely nothing....."
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
· 52m
When you look at the Mets 40-man roster and the upper minors, it’s almost amazing at how thorough Brodie Van Wagenen was at stripping away talent and adding none at the same time.
Over the next 3 years, is there anyone we'd expect to be better defensively in all of baseball? And we know his offense is ++ for a catcher too.
The difference between JTR and any other individual catcher available is a lot bigger than the difference between Nimmo and Springer. Or Springer and someone like Lorenzo Cain. And if it is Nimmo in CF, we also know we have a potential all star LF in McNeil too (and maybe open up a spot for Dom if there's no DH or JDD if there is).
There is no bigger advocate of improving the defense on the planet than me and I think an OF of McNeil - Nimmo - Conforto is solid (especially if you have a strong backup CF'er to mix in).
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
· 52m
When you look at the Mets 40-man roster and the upper minors, it’s almost amazing at how thorough Brodie Van Wagenen was at stripping away talent and adding none at the same time.
Is Castro any better than Barnes or McWilliams? Both who they signed for $750k. Yet they gave up Smith for him. Seems like a small deal at the time, but it may be the most inexplicable one. They have a huge need for SP depth in AAA/AA. They trade their minor league pitcher of the year for a replacable bullpen piece.
Wheeler/Stroman pisses me off as well. Should have resigned Wheeler who wanted to be here. Kept Kay and SWR, and gone after Stroman as a FA if they wanted him.
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
· 52m
When you look at the Mets 40-man roster and the upper minors, it’s almost amazing at how thorough Brodie Van Wagenen was at stripping away talent and adding none at the same time.
Perhaps we can call up Justin Dunn and Kevin Smith as reinforcements...oh wait
The majority of Familia's sample size since returning was 2019 and bad habits developed then may still need to be corrected. This year's numbers aren't meaningless but they hold a fraction of the value of a "normal season".
Familia went from a 3.5bb/9 walk rate in both 2018 and over his entire career to a 6+bb/9 walk rate the last 2 seasons. He was always wild but an already somewhat wild pitcher doubling his walk rate is red alarm jarring statistic.
Edwin Diaz went from 2.0bb/9 walk rate in 2018 to 3.4 in 2019 and 4.9 in 2020 (despite having a decent mini season). So it wasn't just Familia having a problem.
Both of those pitchers throw explosive late breaking balls. Ramos' poor defense for high velocity pitchers was so notable Thor had a personal catcher.
If I were leading a new regime coming in, especially if I had seen what worked with Familia in particular in the past, my number 1 priority would be finding an organizational pitching philosophy that gets more out of talented pitchers as opposed to less.
Jorge Castillo
@jorgecastillo
The Dodgers are close to signing 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jesus Galiz, per sources. Galiz is MLB Pipeline's 7th-ranked international prospect and the top-ranked catcher. The Yankees had been the favorites to sign him, but Galiz recently changed his mind.
Really not sure what happened this signing period. Even under the cheapest of Wilpon years they still generally went after some top 20-30 IFA's
the guy had MVP votes in 2016.
Is it mental? Is it on coaching? Shouldn't coaches be responsible for fixing mechanics?
Seems like velocity is pretty consistent.
There are two things to be concerned with when it comes to Familia repeating his success. His 4.92 FIP was worse than it was in 2019. What saved him was his BABIP being just under 100 points lower in 2020 (.346 to .247). Familia’s walk and strikeout rates heading in opposite directions is also a cause for concern. Both were his worst numbers since his 2013 season when he only pitched in nine games.
Overall, Familia was productive with a 3.71 ERA in 25 games. As he heads into the final year of his deal, they could be cautious with how they used him early in the season. Despite the ERA being lower, other statistics show that he is in the middle of a regression. By no means that is his course for 2021, but his walk rate will be the root of any problems.
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My speculation is that overall defense has had a big negative impact on our pitching staff. With catching defense being the biggest individual problem within that. That's not even speculation every metric bears that out. The speculation is how much of an impact it had on the pitchers and I think it was bigger than many think.
I think a secondary factor in some of the pitchers underperforming the past few years was overall terrible organizational management + hiring post Warthen. Started with hiring Callaway/Eiland and who knows what happened behind the scenes under BVW. Hefner may or may not be good but he is 1 guy and he was a first time pitching coach in a shortened season. If there was an organizational philosophy under BVW you can bet he was at least somewhat buying into it even if he didn't fully agree with it.
are these cumulative numbers over the last 2 years or based on a split of his 25 innings this past year? If it's the latter and we are talking about ~10 innings for either catcher that would seem way too small a sample size to draw any conclusions.
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was completely dominant with Ramos catching him (.140 against), vs. 286 with the superior defensive Nido
are these cumulative numbers over the last 2 years or based on a split of his 25 innings this past year? If it's the latter and we are talking about ~10 innings for either catcher that would seem way too small a sample size to draw any conclusions.
2020 numbers ie Diaz bounce-back season included success with Ramos
the guy had MVP votes in 2016.
Is it mental? Is it on coaching? Shouldn't coaches be responsible for fixing mechanics?
Seems like velocity is pretty consistent.
It could be any or all of the above. Here's what we know changed for him in 2019:
He went from a defined role as a closer, mostly entering games with nobody on base, to a more uncertain role where he did sometimes enter with runners on base.
The manager of the team was incompetent and the pitching coach got fired midseason - and the team improved with the new pitching coach but replaced him with a first time pitching coach for 2020.
The team defense was terrible - that's not so different because the Met defense wasn't great for most of his prior stint, but it was worse - particularly at catcher.
Those are the knowns. The unknown is whether or not the organization had shifted philosophy under BVW and was asking their pitchers to do anything fundamentally different. Throw more of X pitch, focus more down in the zone, etc. I have no idea about this but I'd imagine if there's a turnaround some version of "under the previous regime they'd been asking their pitchers to focus on XYZ, and now there's a more individualized approach that lets players pitch to their strengths" in every beat writers retrospective puff pieces.
Looking at his advanced metrics for the season, there are some things that Jeurys Familia does well that bring some promise for the future. His exit velocity against (85.9 mph), barrel percentage (4.0) and hard hit percentage (30.7) all rank in the 86th percentile or higher among other pitchers in the MLB.
Since he still throws hard and is generating great movement on his sinker and slider, Familia is hard to square up. The problem for the veteran is that he has lost his ability to put batters away and is still walking them at a high clip.
For the first time in his career, Familia’s strikeout percentage dipped below 20% (19.2 K%), while his walk rate was over 15% for the second year in a row. Unless the 31-year-old can start to put hitter’s away instead of putting them on base, he will struggle to live up to the $11.67 million the Mets are going to pay him next season.
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In comment 15064981 DanMetroMan said:
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was completely dominant with Ramos catching him (.140 against), vs. 286 with the superior defensive Nido
are these cumulative numbers over the last 2 years or based on a split of his 25 innings this past year? If it's the latter and we are talking about ~10 innings for either catcher that would seem way too small a sample size to draw any conclusions.
2020 numbers ie Diaz bounce-back season included success with Ramos
Right but you would agree it doesn't mean much if it's only a handful of innings? Nido played 7 games last year, Diaz could have had more innings thrown to Chirinos (12g) or Ali Sanchez (5g).
Nobody is saying that's the only reason. Just that it's a factor.
Coaching is probably the biggest factor but we don't know whether or not they asked him to do anything different or made adjustments that didn't work.
I do think we can safely guess they probably did but it's impossible to guess the extent to which that directly impacted his performance.
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The fact that there is no MLB-MLBPA agreement on the universal DH for 2021 completely undercuts the large group of corner OF/DH/corner slugger types among the free agents. An already bad situation for those players made worse.
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The fact that there is no MLB-MLBPA agreement on the universal DH for 2021 completely undercuts the large group of corner OF/DH/corner slugger types among the free agents. An already bad situation for those players made worse.
Another reason to possibly go big on Realmuto.
Springer makes our COF situation that much harder to figure out (if Nimmo and Dom are both still here).
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Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The fact that there is no MLB-MLBPA agreement on the universal DH for 2021 completely undercuts the large group of corner OF/DH/corner slugger types among the free agents. An already bad situation for those players made worse.
Another reason to possibly go big on Realmuto.
Springer makes our COF situation that much harder to figure out (if Nimmo and Dom are both still here).
Don’t have a lot to add but enjoyed reading this discussion between you and Dan.
Agreed on Realmuto. The cost and term will be big but there’s no help on the way for the next two plus years. Lets sign the best catcher in baseball and try and win a ring for Degrom. It’s not like Realmuto is old. He’s been remarkably consistent and good for 4 years running now. He fills a desperate need and only costs money.
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Signing both seems greedy/unlikely but it's not impossible to do so and stay under the tax threshold if you then trade from excess to add some youngish pitching. If you sign Springer you almost have to trade at least 1 of Nimmo / JDD / Dom if there's no DH, and maybe 2.
Hopefully just saying that to maintain a little leverage.
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James McCann and are considering him instead of Realmuto.
Hopefully just saying that to maintain a little leverage.
Personally, I've thought best case (realistic) scenario all along was Bauer, Springer, and McCann. Don't get me wrong. I'd take Realmuto. But I would rather the top SP and the top CF over Realmuto.
Did something happen?
“There's very little evidence he's anything more than a league average starting catcher and not a particularly large amount of evidence he's even that. Do you really want to lock in his age 31-34 seasons because he just had a nice 30 games as a backup? in the last two offseasons he has been released and then relegated to a backup, this isn't some weird "BP's metrics don't like him" shit, other major-league teams keep treating him like a marginal starter“
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Yeesh. Don’t love it.
Did something happen?
Robert Murray is reporting its looking like he will get 4 years
@ByRobertMurray
Mets in active talks with free-agent catcher James McCann, according to league sources. A deal is not yet close, but it is looking increasingly likely he will land a four-year deal.
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He's only had 1 good year in terms of pitch framing, 2020, and prior had been mostly bad.
Even with positive defensive grades on FG, in 2018 when his BABIP was .282 he was a negative fwar player.
4 years for him is highly unappealing to me. Highly.
maybe 4 years would give him a one-year mentorship for Alvarez.
Is McCann a leader? The Mets desperately need a player leader IMO. and it has to be a position player IMO. It's often catchers who fill this role.
He’s 31 in June with very little MLB success and a history of terrible defense (better recently) unnecessary gamble at 4 years. He’s going to be 32 year 2 of this deal.
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The fact that there is no MLB-MLBPA agreement on the universal DH for 2021 completely undercuts the large group of corner OF/DH/corner slugger types among the free agents. An already bad situation for those players made worse.
It is borderline malpractice for MLB not to have this resolved prior to the FA period starting. It really screws NL teams.
The Trevor May deal was done for a week before it was announced by the media.
Quality catchers aren’t easy to come by these days, and for teams that can’t afford to offer a nine-figure deal to Realmuto and are loath to invest in a 38-year-old Molina (or simply aren’t the Cardinals), McCann offers a reasonable alternative. Admittedly, his track record for above-average play isn’t a long one; he was 0.7 wins below replacement as recently as 2018, and netted -0.1 WAR from 2014-18, that while hitting for just a 75 wRC+. Even so, his 3.8 WAR over the past two seasons is tied for fifth among catchers, while his 116 wRC+ is eighth.
Underlying his recent performance are substantial improvements on both sides of the ball. From 2015-18, McCann posted an average exit velocity of 87.9 mph and a .304 xwOBA, but he’s up to an average of 90.2 mph over the past two seasons, with a .328 xwOBA. Meanwhile, he posted his first above-average framing numbers this year (2.3 runs, up from -9.0 by our data, and from -8.0 to 1.5 via Baseball Prospectus). He’d be an upgrade for several teams. – JJ
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performance. Had McCann at 1.5 war and Realmuto at 1.7.
He’s 31 in June with very little MLB success and a history of terrible defense (better recently) unnecessary gamble at 4 years. He’s going to be 32 year 2 of this deal.
The thing with Realmuto is that he is a good enough athlete to move if you needed to at the back end of his contract. No such option with McCann.
If this is true, I would hope it's a positive sign for signing other marquee FA's like Bauer, Springer, etc. If the FA period is McCann and Trevor May, that would be a huge disappointment.
He’s a solid player. My issue is 4 years. Unless the money is lower than people think annually it’s silly to give him 4
So there is reason to believe the power he has showed the last 2 years is legitimate. It may be fair to say his power is even comparable to JTR.
There's no reason to think he's better at literally anything else though and he's a year older.
Hopefully just talk at this point, or they already have something in place with one (or more) of the other big fish.
I tweeted this back in September
“ Really have to wonder if despite all of the talk, @Mets sit out Realmuto. If Cohen is heavy into analytics, then a 30 year old C on a 5-6-7 year deal is a tough bet. #Mets”
Also sounds like Hill no longer a candidate to join the FO, no interviews expected this week
Springer
Bauer
MCann
BP help
Secondary SP
Loved the White Sox last year -- watched them a lot. Big fan of McCann's performance. Offense for him would be gravy. He'd be there to manage a staff, frame well, work with pitchers. I have a lot more faith in his skills holding up through 34-35 than Realmuto's ability to anchor an offense while playing catcher for 6 years.
Ideally hope the 4th year would be a team option, but I'm so down with this.
Springer
Bauer
MCann
BP help
Secondary SP
Loved the White Sox last year -- watched them a lot. Big fan of McCann's performance. Offense for him would be gravy. He'd be there to manage a staff, frame well, work with pitchers. I have a lot more faith in his skills holding up through 34-35 than Realmuto's ability to anchor an offense while playing catcher for 6 years.
Ideally hope the 4th year would be a team option, but I'm so down with this.
That is exactly my hope for the offseason.
I've said all along those $$$ are better used in my world on defense and pitching.
my only issue with McCann is I'm not sure about his D (and I include framing in D). I have been consistent I'd sacrifice offense from the catcher spot for defense.
if it meant the Mets could add a Bauer and Springer or even trade for an Arenado or Lindor (with an extension).
That said I'm not going to lose my shit if the Mets don't sign either Springer or Bauer.
but save their money for another day. I know fans are eager to get better, but sometimes patience is the best course of action for building a sustainable winner.
And that's what I want more than the instant gratification of a competitive 2021. Both long and short term success would be good, but I'm thinking big picture.
Really seems like no DH in the NL, which is fine with me!
David O'Brien
@DOBrienATL
But it's us, not teams, acting as thought there might be a DH. NL teams are planning as if there will not be one, because that's how things stand and there's still no plan for the sides to meet to change that.
That would be outstanding, for sure!
I've said all along those $$$ are better used in my world on defense and pitching.
my only issue with McCann is I'm not sure about his D (and I include framing in D). I have been consistent I'd sacrifice offense from the catcher spot for defense.
if it meant the Mets could add a Bauer and Springer or even trade for an Arenado or Lindor (with an extension).
That said I'm not going to lose my shit if the Mets don't sign either Springer or Bauer.
but save their money for another day. I know fans are eager to get better, but sometimes patience is the best course of action for building a sustainable winner.
And that's what I want more than the instant gratification of a competitive 2021. Both long and short term success would be good, but I'm thinking big picture.
Very well-said PJ. I agree with all of this (though I do cop to having some serious sugar-plum fairies dancing in my brain).
The DREAM = cash no object offseason would involve, Bauer, Springer, Signing Kim and trading for Lindor.
Let Kim play 3rd (or second if he's unable to handle 3rd)
Alonso/Dom
McNeil at 2B
Lindor SS
Kim 3B
That's my ultimate pie in the sky.
Springer/Bauer/McCann/backup starter is best real case
But yes, the idea is to make this team a habitual winner.
Martino got torched on Twitter for saying that the process is the point but I totally agree with that. Baseball post-season bears the least relation to how good a team is in the regular season due to the small spread between teams 1-10 and the relatively low winning percentage of the very best teams. 108-54 is galacatically good -- but it's equivalent to an 11-5 team.
So yes, the way to rings is to get to the dance nearly every year. From there, you need luck and the right people getting hot together.
@jaseidler
·
1m
here's a giant counterargument to my own argument: McCann has been an identical or slightly better hitter than Realmuto recently and wasn't much worse of a defender in 2020, basically the same when accounting for playing time. Can I talk myself into this before the deal haapens?
I'm just trying to be reasonable, lol.
there are like 4 impact free agents available.
I don't want ownership to feel like they have to force one or more of them to feel like the offseason was successful.
if they do nothing and that is the plan, I'm actually cool with that.
All along the main thing I have wanted out of the front office/ownership is a plan.
First and foremost a plan to compete (and win) at the major league level
second, a plan to build the farm into an asset for both when the team needs to add but also as an asset to acquire talent
third, build out analytics, and other areas that are fundamental to #1 and #2, so these are not necessarily in order but #1 and #2 are happening with or without analytics.
and lastly, just do things to make me as a fan proud to support the Mets. I'm not too emotional about sports anymore and this isn't 100% on former ownership, but I was losing interest. One press conference with Cohen and I was as high as I have ever been on the Mets.
so, in summary, I'd love it for the Mets to add Springer, Bauer, and more this off-season, but more importantly I want them to not be reactionary - build a plan for the things I mentioned above and execute. They need to be able to adjust the plan as outside influences change, but I never got the feeling the Mets had a legitimate plan since probably '88
small episodes of success followed by lenghty periods of paying for that success. That's not a model I want for my team.
Statistically I can buy that his improvement at the plate the last 2 years is real - there are underlying metrics to support it. But defense is my priority at C so very curious to hear anything about McCann and how he works with pitchers. I don't fully trust the public versions of those metrics yet and they aren't clear cut on him either way.
“Mac, we call him ‘The Captain.’ One of the leaders of our team, vocally and by example,” Giolito said of McCann last month. “I think that for him, whenever he gets in the game, he’s locked in. He knows what he has to do to be able to manage the pitcher he has on the mound, be able to manage his at-bats, give us quality ABs no matter where he’s hitting or no matter how often he’s playing. He has a very good attitude about that.
At the end of the day it will just come down to how much he costs relative to JTR. If you squint there are similarities, and even a few metrics where McCann has been better (he is one of the best catchers in baseball the last 2 years at the SIS statistic that claims to account for handling a pitching staff).
If he's a good bit cheaper, I get the gamble. If it's 4 years and the price difference is smaller than many projected, why not just spend for Realmuto?
Why the Sox need to re-sign McCann — and why it will be hard - ( New Window )
Also his last MLB Pipeline scouting report from 2014 right before he debuted:
The Tigers went three straight Drafts from 2010-12 where they gave up their first-round pick as free-agent compensation. McCann was their top choice in 2011, when he went 76th overall. He reached Double-A in his first full pro season and struggled there offensively, but hit much better when he returned to that level in 2013.
McCann's calling card remains his defense, however. He has solid catch-and-throw skills, soft hands and the leadership to run a pitching staff. He has thrown out 39 percent of basestealers during his first three years as a pro.
McCann's bat will determine whether he's a big league regular. He has some pop but his swing gets long and he will chase pitches out of the strike zone. At worst, he should be a defensive-minded backup.
The Staff of the Detroit Tigers Prospect Report has ranked their Top 50 Tigers Prospects - ( New Window )