Mack Ade – Morning Report – 3-25-13

Mack Ade – Morning Report – 3-25-13

Two more donations came in and we’re up to $340 this month. We’ve got $160 more to go to reach our gals this drive. Again. God bless to all of you that have sent money via Paypal.

We’re currently negotiating a blockbuster deal in which former Mack’s Mets writers Stephen Guilbert and (original writer) Jack Flynn return for the season. Details to follow, but don’t be afraid to leave a comment here to them and ask them back. Hell, we're willing to throw in Johan and eat the contract.

Jesus, we gotta come down with some cuts… let’s at least get the outfield down and send down Hoffman, Brown, and Nieuwenhus. I’m not exactly sure what my “Vegas five” would be… see, I’d keep den Dekker in Queens and play him every day in CF. Then, my 51s outfield would be the Captain,  Lagares, Torres, Hoffman, and probably Mike Wilson.

TTF on the Phillies – link – “With that in mind, the Philadelphia Phillies have the potential to allure fans so long as the team core remains healthy. While they are not a viable threat to win the division, things could get interesting. The Phillies have the pitching to tease everyone into thinking they’re relevant. Attaining one of the two wild cards is viable if the Phillies overachieve. At the end of the day, expect the Philadelphia Phillies to miss the postseason for a second consecutive season while remaining .500 or better for the 11th consecutive year.”

TC on Rafael Montero:

          “You know, this guy is coming with rave reviews. He may not have the fastball Zack Wheeler’s got, but I had some minor league people tell me this winter: Don’t be surprised if he’s in the big leagues before September 1. And, I will not be, because I trust my minor league people very much.”

                   I’m really proud of this one. I was way out in front on Montero and everybody (including some of the writers here) though I was nuts when I said this kid will be ready by opening day next year.

The Dodgers released P Mark Lowe (2012: Texas 0-2, 3.43, 36-G)

Tampa released OF/1B Nick Weglarz (2012 – 25-yrs old, AA: 

.239/.349/.413, 14-HR

LAA reassign LHP Nick Maronde and RHP Chad Cordero

Padres release RHP Freddie Garcia.

Baltimore traded RHP Julio Rodriguez (AA – 7-7, 4.23, 29-G, 22-ST) to Philadelphia for OF Ronnie Welty (AA - .286/.303/.564/.868, 8-HR).

Sunday game notes:

          Two games today, meaning, this will determine the cuts that will probably come down either later today, or tomorrow morning.

          What exactly are the Mets going to do with Aaron Laffey? He went into this game with a 0.00 ERA and he really has no chance of making this team. Can this team actually be developing relief depth? (jinx… 4 runs in 2.2 innings).

          I think we can lock in Jordany Valdespin as the new leadoff hitter for the Mets. Now, we just need to find someone to mug the dude that keeps taking those online pictures of him.

          Good to see both Daniel Murphy and Kirk Nieuwenhuis back in a lineup.

          Matt den Dekker had another highlight film catch in center. Damn, if this kid could just hit .250.

          Could Brandon Lyon pick a worse time to give up 5 runs in 0.1?

           I loved seeing Jack Leathersich in a big boy game. Trust me, he will finish the season in Queens.

           And a nice gesture letting Dylan Owen (the last guy to throw a Mets no-hitter before Johan) finish out what might be the last time in a Mets uniform.

          Matt Harvey is human. Basically a shaky game…

Buster Olney on the Mets and Johan:

          Johan Santana and the New York Mets -  They are headed for a divorce, after a contractual marriage that hasn't played out the way either side envisioned. Santana has been hurt and as he enters the last year of his contract with the team, he's dealing with arm issues again. It's going to be important for the two sides to communicate regularly and respectfully to try to bring this relationship to a graceful conclusion. But as we saw earlier in spring training, there is major potential for ugliness.