Mack Ade’s Morning Report – 11-16-13 – Klaw Chat, Sandy Alderson, Daniel Murphy, Juan Lagares, Observation

 

Klaw Chat –

Jeff (Astoria) - With the promotions of Wheeler, D'Arnaud and Flores, the Mets farm system seems barren. I've been in an argument with my father-in-law about how the Astros and Cubs are going to lap the Mets in their rebuilding effort due to a stunning lack of impact position players. Am I correct in thinking this? That absent some sudden reversal in finances, the Mets will need to be extremely lucky to compete over the next half-decade? I am far from sold on their last 3 first round choices and dismayed at the refusal to be aggressive in the international market.

Klaw - Dom Smith's going to be very, very good - but I agree with your overall point that their system needs more impact bats. The Astros and Cubs are already ahead of the Mets, although I don't know that that specifically impacts them as they're not in the same division. 

Sandy Alderson –

“I know the perception. It’s sad that a level of loyalty to a fan base is measured in dollar signs. We’re gonna spend more money this year than we’ve spent in recent years. Last year we only spent about $5 million on free agents. So, this is going to be a new day. We have it to spend, but we have to spend it wisely. We just got back from GM meetings, we made some progress there with some conversations.”

Mack – Was it necessary for him to even go on ESPN and say this? Are we supposed to be excited that they are going to spend more than they did last year on Marcum and Lyon? I know how hard it is to wait this process out, but it would be a lot easier if Alderson would just stay away from the microphone and just let me watch the news coverage on the Toronto mayor. Now THAT’S good television. 

Daniel Murphy –

Players like Byrd and Daniel Murphy are good hitters, but operate in a mode that is far from Aldersonian.  Byrd is an aggressive swinger, unwilling or unable to draw many walks (his walk rate last year was a lowly 5.4 percent), and more than willing to encourage teammates to follow his own ideas while they worked pregame in the batting cage. That is one of the reasons the Mets did not pursue a reunion with the outfielder, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal with Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The Mets are open trading Murphy for similar reasons.  Murphy has earned the respect of the front office by working to turn himself into a passable second baseman, but he is another aggressive hitter, whose style does not fit what the general manager, hitting coach, and organizational instructors teach.  This is one of the reasons that the team might be ready to move him.

Mack – I’m not sure this is fair. Do the Mets really expect players like Nelson Cruz or Shin-Soo Choo should change their entire approach to the game just because a team that hasn’t won 80 game or more in the past five years (three under Alderson). Murphy was asked to work his ass off and learn how to defensively play second base while, at the same time, keep his batting average up. He’s done that. Trade him if you can get a bigger return for the team, but don’t trade him because he doesn’t approach the game the same as the Mets batting coach. That’s just nuts. 

Juan Lagares

Lagares, 24, his just .242 for the Mets in 2013, but he was a revelation in center, posting 26 Defensive Runs Saved. DRS is an advanced metric that is the primary defensive component in the all-encompassing Wins Above Replacement stat. Lagares is batting .400 (26-for-65) with three extra-base hits (all doubles) and four stolen bases. He’s struck out nine times but hasn’t drawn a walk while playing for Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League.

Mack – This is nothing but good news. Trust me… if he hits .400, I really don’t care if he ever walks. These are lofty numbers and all us would be thrilled if he could hit, oh, let’s say .275-.280 while playing centerfield for the Mets. We know the kind of defense we are going to get and we also now know that most third base coaches are not going to send their runners home against him. Those are saved runs that never hit the stat sheets. I can’t believe how much I missed on this guy. 

Observation –

                                It always amazes me how long it takes to rebuild the fan base in a web site when you change web addresses. You can build in as many paths that can be clicked on, but some don’t follow, most immediately stop leaving comments, and, in my case, even some of my writers haven’t resigned back up. I’m sure they’ll get around to it, but I hang on things like this. Mack’s Mets has never been one of those sites that the mass follows; however, we were really enjoying an outburst in the past month when it came to comments. I especially was enjoying participating in it. Hopefully, we’ll have a good ‘War Room’ tomorrow, though I still have no idea what to ask as a question.

                Suggestions to War Room question – macksmets@gmail.com

                Desire to become a Mack’s Mets writer – macksmets@gmail.com