1/27/12

Mets: Matt Harvey, Payroll Drop, John Franco, Gary Carter, Juan Lagares


1-26-12: - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?partnerId=aw-6182194846943667814-996  - Scouting report: Some were concerned about Matt Harvey’s delivery issues and the resulting command problems he had coming out of North Carolina, leading to the conclusion he might be a reliever in the future. That talk has quieted some with the success he had in his first season. He commands his fastball much better now and has a plus breaking ball as well. His changeup has improved, though there’s still room for growth there. He can still improve his overall command, though there’s more confidence he’ll do so and be a starting pitcher long term. He made good adjustments to a higher level after struggling when he first got to Double-A last year

After general manager Sandy Alderson revealed the organization lost $70 million last year, the Mets appear poised to have the biggest one-year payroll drop in MLB history -- roughly $52 million. That would surpass the former record: $48.4 million by the Texas Rangers from 2003 to 2004, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Marlins from 2005 to 2006 had the biggest reduction by percentage, trimming nearly 75 percent of their payroll, but the total was $45.4 million. http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7495383/new-york-mets-largest-payroll-dropoff-ever

John Franco will become the 26th member of the Mets Hall of Fame, the team announced Thursday. Franco, a native of Brooklyn, spent 14 years with the club, appearing in 695 games and amassing 276 saves. His 424 career saves rank fourth in major league history. “I am truly honored and humbled by this,” Franco said in a conference call. He said the induction meant more to him because he rooted for the Mets when he was a child. Franco, who retired in 2005, has stayed active with the Mets’ organization, mostly in community activities and charity events. Last season, however, he took time to advise Bobby Parnell, who was learning how to be a closer. Franco said Thursday it was unlikely he would take on any coaching duties anytime soon. http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/

1-27-12 – http://www.213milesfromshea.com/2012/01/27/get-to-know-a-mets-minor-league-player-juan-lagares/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Juan Lagares is a member of the Mets’ large group of young, far away prospects. Lagares has been in the Mets system since 2006 when he was only 17 years old (played in the Mets Dominican Team). Since then he has worked up the Mets system, reaching AA last season. In terms of his progression since playing in America (2007), his batting average and power (doubles, homers, SLG) have improved every season (with the exception of 2009, where his power dipped a bit). Statistically speaking, last season was by far his best as he destroyed A+ ball, and then did even better at the AA level:  St. Lucie: 308 AB, 51 R, 104 H, 15 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, .338 BA, .380 OBP, .494 SLG   B-Mets: 162 AB,  21 R, 60 H, 11 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, .371 BA, .391 OBP, .512 SLG  - In his last season, his hitting pace really increased as did his slugging. There has been a lot of buzz that Juan is knocking down the door to be named a top 10 prospect in the Mets system, and it will probably happen if he has another year in AA like he did last season. In 2012 he’ll be 23 and with a positive year, depending on how positive and the health of the Mets, he could be looking at a late season call up, to competing for a spot on the 2013 roster (and entering starting talk in 2014).

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