Brandon Nimmo is 5th in the SAL in OBP
Who stands up and claps when an opponent is hit in the jaw with a fastball? Who write on Twitter ‘good’ and ‘hit him again’? Jonathan Niese mistakenly (that’s ‘not on purpose’) let a wild one inside to Atlanta Braves outfielder Jayson Heywood and broke his jaw when it hit straight on. So, what do some of the Mets fans do behind the Atlanta braves dugout when this immediately happened? They root happily that one of the nicest person in baseball could be permanently injured. This is not to be confused with any standing ovation he received when he walked off the field. No, this is flat out joy that someone was hurt.
I was also on Twitter at the time and three of the people that we shared following also commented that they were either happy what had happened or they wished he was ‘hurt more’. Hurt more than a baseball in your face? Unbelievable.
I un-friended those three which is about the limit of what I can do, but I have to tell you, it’s hard to punch out 1,000 word morning reports every day when your team isn’t in the hunt and the fan base wants blood. I try hard to avoid these kind of Mets fans, but the older I get, the more seem to be around. Today, I was truly embarrassed to be a Mets writer.
The Binghamton Mets are the Eastern League division champs for the first time since 2000. We’ve watched these kids grow from level to level, winning their divisions and leading their stat sheets and it has now finally translated to the Mets upper levels.
This has truly been a team effort. Batting wise, All-star Cesar Puello (.326, 16-HR, 76-RBI) led the way until his suspension, and 1B Alan Dykstra (.284, 20-HR, 79-RBI) set personal highs. Additionally, OF Cory Vaughn (.288), OF Darrell Cecilliani (.274), and 2B Danny Muno (.257) did their part.
Rotation wise, prospects Rafael Montero (11-starts, 7-3, 2.43) led the way, followed by Noah Syndergaard (10-starts, 6-0, 1.59). Other potential major leaguers are Darin Gorski (4-1, 1.97), Logan Verrett (11-6, 1.15 WHIP), and Eric Goeddel (9-6, 3.79).
Relief wise, all-stars Adam Kolarek (40-G, 3-3, 1.84) and Jeff Walters (50-G, 4-3, 2.21, 36-saves) led a superlative squad that included John Church (3.44), Chase Huchington (1.71) and Jack Leathersich (29.1-IP, 55-K).
There is a tremendous amount of potential talent here that will move on to Las Vegas next season and, hopefully, blossom in Queens come 2015. Logic says that continued beatings of their peers at different levels say this will someday create a similar result in the majors. These are truly exciting times of the Mets and their fans.
Signing Dice-K was so not Moneyball. Look, I watched MLB-TV this morning and they put up on the screen the current ‘race’ for the NL wild cards. The Mets were the last team on the graphic, so, I guess as long as they recognize this team as being still in it, we should to. I consider this move much more of a ticket-selling stunt than anything more. Who would you rather see pitch in CitiField, Chris Schwinden or Daisuke Matsuzaka? How fast do you think the 7-Train is printing those shirts? One last thing… I love the ratings Baseball Cube gives Dice (Control 26… K-Rating 68… Efficiency 53… vsPower 59… Health 0). Is a ‘health 0’ like, dead?
J D Sussman -
Success in the 2014 off-season is essential to the Mets’ progress. With a barren free agent class the following year and their books shedding roughly $60 million, the Mets must use their new financial flexibility to overhaul their 25-man roster. Luckily for General Manager Sandy Alderson, there should be ample improvement opportunities. High Priorities 1.Shortstop 2.Corner Outfielder 3.Corner Outfielder - http://bullpenbanter.com/a-plan-for-the-2014-mets/
Off The Radar –
Keep an eye on Binghmaton OF Travis Taijeron. We don’t talk much about him but he could be breaking out. Last year, he split his time between Savannah and St. Lucie, with a stat line of .255/.362/.477/.839, 19-HR, 65-RBI. This year, he has split time so far between St. Lucie and Binghamton, going: .273/.363/.544/.907, 22-HR, 64-RBI. There still are far too many strikeouts (120 in 384-AB) which is typical of minor league power hitters. He may start next year back in Binghamton but he will end in Vegas and be ready to make a run for a Queens roster spot in 2015.
Part of the fun of following MinLB is making fantasy depth charts (maybe it’s all of the fun) and I’ve been doing that since my retirement in 2006 and discovering MacksMets. I thank you for enabling me to play this game—it’s as addictive as Sudoku.
ReplyDeletePerusing my spreadsheet (1 tab/yr since 2007) I note I had Murph ahead of Carp & Evans early on and Tailjeron ahead of Vaughn for a few years now. Then again I had Valdespin leapfrogging Havens (not realizing Reese was standing on the edge of a cliff) and a 2013 mlb lineup (in 2010) that included Holt in the BP & Ratliff in LF (perhaps I get a Mulligan on Ratliff) and Cuan neck-and-neck with Gorski
It beats mowing the lawn.
It would be nice if between Taijeron and Lawley, we ended up with one ML power bat.
ReplyDeleteMack,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, there is no shortage of dirtbags on this planet, and some of them root for the Mets. They are not representative of the majority. I would classify anyone rooting for any player to get hurt on any team is a dirt bag with real issues. This is entertainment. Some may be disappointed, and some may feel they haven't received value for their financial expenditure, but no one if forced to spend a nickel on any baseball team. Anyone cheering for a guy getting hit in the jaw with a fastbasll should find something else to do.
Taijeron is an interesting player but that K rate is very disturbing. It needs to come down to below 25% of his PAs, really closer to 20% in minor league ball, and that is no easy task. This is what is threatening big league careers for guys like Kirk and Den Dekker as well. I know power is a big deal, especially for an OF, but I don't understand why guys like Kirk and DD, that have other skills to off - decent speed, solid to plus defense - don't take an approach to reduce those Ks. But, I never played baseball outside of the pre-high school levels, so I imagine it is just harder than it sounds and not simply being stubborn.
Priorities?
ReplyDeleteSS - Go all-in on Tulowitzki. If CarGo is too expensive for the Rox, Tulo is REALLY too expensive.
Corner OF - Sign Ellsbury, shift Lagares to RF or LF. The OF defense would be outstanding and Ellsbury would be a great leadoff hitter.
Corner OF - Sign Beltran for a short deal to play LF or RF.
1. CF Ellsbury
2.
3. 3B Wright
4. SS Tulowitzki
5. LF Beltran
6. Ca d'Arnaud
7. 1B Davis (ugh)
8. RF Lagares
With the pitching staff (assuming Tulo could be acquired for some combo of Gee, Montero,upryan, Duda, Puello, maybe Flores and others) featuring Harvey, Wheeler, Niese, and Syndergaard by June the Mets would be serious WS contenders and still have a payroll under $100M.
I would be very, very surprised if Carlos Beltran was interested in coming back to the Mets. He certainly never seemed comfortable in the media capital of the world the first time through.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/carlos-beltran-if-it-s-in-the-cards-i-d-play-for-mets-or-yankees-next-season-1.4784828
ReplyDeleteMaybe, maybe not.
I would think that Taijeron might be a good candidate for the AFL.
ReplyDeleteI simply do not want the Mets to trade numerous prospects for one player. The reason the Mets are in great shape is because they traded for younger, less expensive players.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets will never be a big payroll team in the next five years. They are going to move forward building a team around the strength of their young pitching. I see Sandy moving a ML starter like Gee and perhaps a young arm for the power bat he's looking for. I couldn't imagine him putting together a package of multiple prospects for a star player like Tulo.
Remember, Alderson doesn't like big contracts that become unproductive and unmovable. I think he'll look to acquire another teams top outfield prospect by trading a starter. Much like last year with Dickey. It makes you cheaper and younger for longer. If Gee continues to dominate, I'd expect him to be dangled this off season.
The production you'd get from Flores, Montero, and Puello over the next 6 years probably would be so much more than the production you'd get out of Tulo. At a fraction of the cost, too. Am I hoping they all reach their ceiling? Sure, but they all have performed at a high level at the upper levels of the minors. They're all at or will be ML ready within a year. Also, the cost in prospects would probably be even higher. So how is that worth it?
Sandy needs to find a playoff caliber team, in need if a solid ML starter that doesn't cost a fortune, who'll win them plenty of games. That team would pay a big price for a Dillon Gee, who I expect will continue to show he's a ML number 3 starter. He was on his way there before the injury, and after working through the kinks, has regained his old form.
Charley -
ReplyDeleteI don't know everything, but I do know this...
The Mets are NOT going to trade away on of their MAJOR LEAGUE ROTATION STARTERS until they have 6 of them healthy.
Right now, they have four.
I’m with you on that, Mack. If they’re blown away by an offer for Montero, OK. But Gee, Neise, Wheeler and, of course, Harvey are going nowhere this winter & Thor is priceless.
ReplyDeleteI think The Tulo price would be too high in terms of purchase & carrying costs, but SS has to be a target. How about Asdrubal Cabrera? Cleve has Lindor in the wings and AC’s $10M next year is far from the $18+20+20+20+20+20 due Tulo. Straight up for Ike? Another thought I had is that if the LAD’s sign Alex Guererro, would Dee Gordon be less pricey?
Cabrera is a good choice, but don't be surprised if Tejada doesn't get another shot, especially if TC doesn't come back as the manager.
ReplyDeleteCollins doesn't like Tejada, who made some attitude problems early. Alderson is committed to Gavin Cecchini, who should bypass Philip Evans next season and start in St. Lucie.
What you want here is a Bud Harrleson type .275 hitter with excellent defense. Nobody in the organization plays this better than Wilfredo Tovar who will open up in Vegas next season.
The Mets money may target elsewhere and you could see a 3 year plan of Tejada-Tovar, Ceech...
I think making a splash trade of prospects for one star player is not only doable but also in Sandy's radar. Who that player would be is the question. But, if Sandy covets Stanton or CarGo they're going to cost a lot in prospects as well as in contract. The same can apply to Tulo.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's anyway we can say with confidence that Flores, Puello, and Montero as a group are going to outperform an estaished superstar player. Flores has been here two weeks, Montero is in AAA and Puello hasn't played a game over AA.
The Mets can add established players and play a lot of cheap homegrown talent. They don't have to field a team of ALL young guys, in fact it's risking too much. This front office is as much about mitigating risk as anything, and adding known qualities does that.
Tulo gives the Mets two things they don't have - a power bat for cleanup and a SS.
Mack, I thought it was pretty much guaranteed TC is returning?
ReplyDeleteThen give him a contract...
ReplyDelete