8/3/11

Josh Stinson, Zack Wheeler, Scott Kazmir, Niese vs. Gee, Trading Jose


Josh Stinson:


7-26-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/26/2287253/mets-mid-term-farm-system-review-2011-binghamton#storyjump  - RHP Josh Stinson - STOCK DOWN - Tough to penalize Stinson who has definitely gotten the jerkaround this season, but it's hard to argue with a 6.55 ERA. He made the disappointing trip back to Double-A this spring due to a numbers game in the Bisons rotation andwhen he did get a quick call up he fizzled, posting a 7+ ERA in 13 Triple-A starts. He was so-so upon return to Bingo and that's when the organization -- finally -- decided he'd be best served in the 'pen. His sinker-slider mix is passable as a starter but long-term he's a major league bullpen asset. And after a bumpy transition, he seems to have gotten back into the relief routine -- where he excelled between '08 and '10 and he actually expressed a preference for -- posting a 1.78 ERA over his last six outings along with his trademark superb GB rates (1.91 GB:FB). Add in the fact that lefties have batted .353 against him and he seems destined for the 'pen at Citi.


Zack Wheeler:


8-1-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - Zack Wheeler has the kind of frame that scouts everywhere love to dream on. He’s a lanky 6-4, 180 (lanky, but athletic – Wheeler can get above the rim and throw down 360 dunks) with plenty of room to fill out, and, if things go according to plan, capable of adding some serious velocity. If Wheeler was throwing in the high-80s, he’d be a very intriguing prospect based on the prospect of physical maturity and increased heat alone. However, the kid is already sitting comfortably in the low-90s (91-92) and has hit 94-95 MPH on the gun out of the bullpen at the summer showcases. Add a couple of ticks to that fastball and you are really on to something. Wheeler’s very good curve, power slider, and burgeoning splitter all complement the fastball well.


Scott Kazmir:


Here's a look at one person's opinion of the most successful prospect acquisitions at the deadline:- Scott Kazmir, lhp Rays Mets 2004 - Another emphatic trade-deadline blunder for the Mets. Kazmir now appears to be washed up, but for four years he was a frontline starter for the Rays, and at a very affordable price. As a parting gift to Tampa Bay, he brought Alex Torres and Sean Rodriguez in a trade from the Angels. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2011/2612178.html  


Niese vs. Gee:


But by most objective measures, Niese has been the better pitcher. And as the season goes on, Niese is hitting his stride while Gee is faltering. In his last 15 games, Niese is 8-4 with a 3.34 ERA. In Gee’s last 6 games, he is 3-3 with a 5.01 ERA. As Mets fans, we hope that Niese’s stretch is indicative of what we can expect the final two months of the season while Gee’s stretch is merely a slump. Niese’s 3.34 ERA over his last 15 games almost perfectly matches his season-long 3.29 FIP. That may not be what jumps to mind when you hear the term “ace” but it’s the best mark among the starters for the 2011 Mets - http://mets360.com/?p=7494&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mets360%2Ffeed+%28Mets360+Feed%29  


Trading Jose:


So Alderson appears to have made the right decision to hang onto Reyes. Even if Reyes leaves, the Mets will get a first-round pick as compensation, which might be a better package itself than anyone was offering. But the PR disaster would make that "victory" a Pyrrhic one. Now that the Mets have "committed" to Reyes, they need to sign him. Then, in five years, when Reyes is still leading an entirely different Mets team, we'll all laugh about how, at one point, smart people were critical of the Mets not trading Jose Reyes for some middling prospect, just so they could say they did something. - http://www.nymag.com/daily/sports/2011/08/jose-reyes-trade-mets.html  

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