Mack Ade – AM Report – 6-30-13 – Carlos Torres, Matt Harvey, Ike Davis, Gavin Cecchini, Jenrry Mejia

Rehab Saturday

                                Bet you thought I’d lead here about Ruben Tejada?

We will eventually, but guess who started the GCL Mets game on Saturday? It was our old friend Jenrry Mejia, who threatens us at least twice a year of becoming a major league pitcher.

Don’t get excited yet. He did throw 1.2 innings of scoreless ball … err… I take that back. He gave up two runs. But they were both unearned. You know me, I still count them as runs you’ve given up. He struck out one, walked one, and, most importantly, didn’t get hurt again.

There was no announcement about this so I have no idea what his next step is.

Oh yeah, Tejada does continue his journey back, though he did go hitless in three at bats.

Lastly, Tim Byrdak continued his rehab with St'. Lucie: 0.2-IP, 2-R, 2-H

We probably need to revisit Carlos Torres after Saturday’s game.

Remember now, he isn’t supposed to be here. Torres was considered a run of the mill organizational pitcher that probably would have finished his career at the AAA level. Instead, he forced the powers to be in Queens when he executed a clause in his contract that said the Mets had to call him up or cut him loose.

The Mets had signed him to a minor league contract that had a n opt-out clause on June 12^th. Up to then, he started 12 games and was 6-3, 3.89 for Vegas. According toTorres, both the Giants and Rockies had interest in him. Did they? Who the hell knows, but what has happened is a new arm has been added to the Mets pen and so far so good: 6-G, 9.0-IP, 1-ER, 1.00-ERA, 9-K, 2-BB.

TC mentioned he wants to keep Torres as the emergency starters. If this is true, you may want to stop using him one inning at a time. If you’re going to pitch him in the 7^th, then pitch him in the 8^th also.

Kevin Kernan on Matt Harvey –

Harvey’s record remained at 7-1. His ERA dropped to 2.00. His 11 strikeouts came on everything from an 85-mph back-door changeup to 98-mph heat. He was untouchable. His 0.85 WHIP is the best in the majors for a starting pitcher, and he leads the league with 132 strikeouts. LINK

Bruce Bochy (San Francico Giants manager and manager of the NL all-star team) couldn’t possibly not name him to be the opening day pitcher at his home field of CitiField, could he? Isn’t this all about public relations? We did trade them both Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan. Please don’t make this night a boo-fest. Please.

Adam G of MetsOnline ‏- Ike Davis is now 1-for-12 in his last three games and is now hitting .281, league avg for the hitter-friendly Triple-A Pacific Coast League

                Didn’t Josh Satin have three hits on Friday night?

Seriously, you have to bring this guy back to Queens and let him work out his problems there. I’m not sold on him long term anymore, but I would like to have his trade value increased and that isn’t going to happen under any condition playing on the moon.

It’s going to be very interesting to watch what TC does when Lucas Duda is healed and Davis is promoted. Which two guys who are currently performing do you demote? One, Jordany Valdespin, is easy, but he’s an infielder first and you sort of need him around until either Ruben Tejada or Justin Turner come off the DL.

Sending Satin and someone like Andrew Brown down would be close to criminal.

Mike Puma –

The Mets have more organizational depth at the position, highlighted by 2012 first-rounder Gavin Cecchini, one of the team’s top position prospects, although he is several years away from contributing in Queens. The 19-year-old, playing every day for the short-season Brooklyn Cyclones, is described as having an advanced approach at the plate and pat fundamentals in the field. But he’s a line-drive hitter without pop, for now, slugging .318 through his first 68 games in the minors. LINK

This was basically an article that outlined that neither the Mets or the Yankees have anyone below Derek Jeter or Ruben Tejada to fill the role of shortstop in the majors. Puma’s comments about Cecchini are frankly, kind, though he has begun to hit a little more than he has his entire young professional career. Others were mentioned in this story, but the fact remains is that he is correct. The Mets need a real shortstop and I’m not sure Tejada fills that bill anymore. My plan would be to give him the rest of the year to prove me wrong, give him back his starting position, and, if that doesn’t work, find someone in the offseason.  It may be a lot easier fining only two outfielder and adding a SS to our shopping list.