NFT: MLB Hot Stove Talk: Javy Báez to Detroit Tigers

Then they had the opportunity to make a much more impactful signing in Scherzer.

I guess I really liked the idea of Báez, Lindor, and Marte all being really good on the bases and swiping a lot of bags.

Still happy, I want McNeil to get back to that batting average title threat and play every day. I think this means he'll have more of a chance at that.

But the biggest disappointment is that the up-the-middle defense had a chance to be something really special for a long time with Báez and Lindor. Oh well.

could impact games a number of different ways. Power, on the basepaths, and defense.

In hindsight, it obviously wasn't good giving up PCA for a rental when they weren't a playoff team. But I think they had every intention to re-sign him, and would have, if they didn't have Scherzer. So, I'm not too upset about it.

I think Cohen planned to resign him but then Eppler convinced him you can get close to the same offensive production from some combination of Escobar, McNeil, Cano, Guillorme.

And, yes, Javy handled 2B well in his brief time with the Mets, but do you really want to pay a guy 150 million to play out of position?

re: PCA losing him sucks but when you have an owner willing to spend it's a lot easier to swallow trading prospects, especially when they are injured.

Marte is going to be the CF for the next 2-4 years and just by the law of averages it's probably less likely than more likely PCA (or any good but not elite prospect) ends up as good as Marte.

If it's not Marte it will prob be Nimmo who they are supposedly trying to extend.

And they just signed the best minor league FA who instantly became their top 10 prospects and happens to play CF. Pipeline has him 1 grade behind PCA (50 v. 45) and same with FG (45 v. 40).

So yes it sucks to give up PCA even with how things worked out I'd do it again because Baez gave JDG a chance to pitch in the postseason. And while we have him (and now Scherzer) they need to operate with that as the primary goal. Get those guys to the postseason and let them do what they do.

I just hated his batting.

In comment 15474599 Eric on Li said:

Quote:

re: PCA losing him sucks but when you have an owner willing to spend it's a lot easier to swallow trading prospects, especially when they are injured. Marte is going to be the CF for the next 2-4 years and just by the law of averages it's probably less likely than more likely PCA (or any good but not elite prospect) ends up as good as Marte. If it's not Marte it will prob be Nimmo who they are supposedly trying to extend. And they just signed the best minor league FA who instantly became their top 10 prospects and happens to play CF. Pipeline has him 1 grade behind PCA (50 v. 45) and same with FG (45 v. 40). So yes it sucks to give up PCA even with how things worked out I'd do it again because Baez gave JDG a chance to pitch in the postseason. And while we have him (and now Scherzer) they need to operate with that as the primary goal. Get those guys to the postseason and let them do what they do.

PCA was intriguing as a leadoff or second place hitter due to his advanaced feel for hitting, but as far as roster space a lot of our top hitting prospects (Mauricio, Baty, Vientos) look like OF in the long haul especially with Lindor at SS. I guess Baty could eventually be your 3B since Escobar is not exactly signed to lengthy deal, but I can see how someone like PCA is worth less to the Mets than he is to Cubs.

These are the Mets, folks. Every Met fan should know damn well Scherzer is going to suck in 2022 or get injured. I think it's ridiculous to believe the guy is going to be a dominant pitcher at the age of 39 after 15 years in the majors.

Even DeGrom, with all his dominance, has a terrible W-L record because this franchise can't score runs.

The chances of him staying healthy and effective over the course of these 3 years are not great. For $40+M a year, that's way too high a risk.

I'd rather have Baez. At least he is likely to be out there playing every day.

Mauricio is levels above PCA, not injured, and higher upside.

I really liked the PCA pick and I like him as a prospect. It seems almost certain he's going to be a +CF. But they could (and did) buy that in FA.

His bat does not seem to be on the level of a Kelenic/Alvarez or even Baty who can make you really regret dealing them. Even Vientos, if it clicks for him he could be Alonso-like. Thats much less comfortable prospect to give up on than a glove first player.

Baez strikes out too much. No decent pitcher will give him anything he can hit. The Mets still need one more starter and a lefty in the pen

Nimmo
Marte
Mcniel
Alonso
Smith/Davis
Escobar
Canha
Lindor
McCan

That is a better line up than last year

are now talking?

Cano had the 4th highest OPS+ rating of his career last season.

In comment 15474691 Hilary said:

Quote:

Baez strikes out too much. No decent pitcher will give him anything he can hit. The Mets still need one more starter and a lefty in the pen Nimmo Marte Mcniel Alonso Smith/Davis Escobar Canha Lindor McCan That is a better line up than last year

Lindor batting 8th? McNeil in the 3 hole even though he is at his worst over his career when he is put into main RBI roles (3-6 in the order)?