Mack’s Morning Report – 12-10 – Joel Carreno, Seattle, Jenrry Mejia, Wilmer Flores

 

Ben Berkon ‏@BenBerkon -  Per @fangraphs, Mets pitchers were worth 11.4 fWAR in '13. With Harvey out, current pitchers projected at 7.7 fWAR (Steamer).

 

Nick Melotte http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/12/8/5176802/rule-5-targets-new-york-mets projected the Mets that are eligible for the Rule 5 draft. His thoughts included:

The Mets made a risky play by signing Joel Carreno so early in the offseason. He was not added to the 40-man roster after signing a minor league deal this winter so he is eligible for the Rule 5 draft. In his first season strictly in the bullpen, the 6'2 220 pound righty dominated AA and AAA for the Blue Jays. The 26 year old (turns 27 in March) posted a combined 2.43 ERA with 90 strike outs (12.2 K/9), 24 walks (3.2 BB/9) and 39 hits (5.3 H/9) in 66.2 innings. He could easily fill a middle relief role for a team and I fully expect him to be pulled from under the Mets' nose

Mack – I would hate to see the Mets lose Carreno before he throws a single inning for the team. And I hate when I see writers features our players. I too think he will be picked, but I hope Sandy comes up with a couple of gems of his own.

 

Geoff Baker -

(Ex-Manager) Erik Wedge left at season’s end, fleeing what he describes as “total dysfunction and a lack of leadership.” The sentiment is echoed by current and past Mariners baseball operations employees beyond Wedge, who has remained silent since leaving and only reluctantly agreed to talk. More than two dozen people who spoke to The Times say any manager — and the players under him — will fall short of success without a halt to ongoing interference from Lincoln and whomever succeeds Armstrong, who will retire Jan. 31. The sources also raised serious doubts about the GM tasked with reversing years of futility in one offseason, saying Jack Zduriencik has kept his job only because (CEO) Howard Lincoln and (President) Chuck Armstrong won’t admit another critical hiring mistake. The sources question Zduriencik’s credentials to properly build a roster, saying he sold Lincoln and Armstrong on hiring him five years ago with a job application package prepared not by him, but by recently dismissed Mariners special assistant Tony Blengino http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2022420240_mariners08xml.html

Mack – It sure looks like Miami isn’t the only town with a screwed up owner (notice I’m laying off the Wilpons since the Grandy signing). Someone probably should have done their due diligence here before Robinson Cano signed with these mad men. Read the article… it’s very interesting.

 

So, the Mets have lost their second round draft pick. Here are some names you might want to jot down. Most of these guys will probably still be around when the Mets get to pick in the third round and they’ve got some real talent:

RHP Grant Hockin – Damien (CA) HS – 6-4, fastball: 89-92 (95) with late life, 2-seamer 87-89 with a little run, drops in on RHH and away from LHH, 80-81 curve, 78-79 change… highly projectable with loose arm and present arm speed. Locates his pitches very well. Grandson of Harmon Killebrew. Basically has very good three pitch arsenal for a high school pitcher.

RHP Sam Coonrod – Carrolton (IL) HS – 6-2/190, fastball: 92-96 (98) with late tailing action, curve: 75-81, slider: 84-87, change: 81-84. Definitely a ton of raw talent and a work in progress. Right now, the curveball is just average. Projects as a reliever in the pros unless he can learn improve his command.

RHP Jake Godfrey – Providence Catholic (IL) HS – fastball 91-93 with good movement with downhill plane, nasty curve 75-77, change 80-81, hard breaking slider 77-80 with tight, two-lane break. Has a solid three-pitch mix at his age.

LHP David Peterson – 6-7, 210, Regis Jesuit (CO ) HS – fastball touches 91, with plenty room for projection. East deliver and hides the ball well. Mid-toss curve and 78-79 change still need work to be done, Curve (sluve – 76-77) continued to develop throughout the summer. Compared to Tyler Scaggs,  Frame is highly projectable with good chance of three-pithch nix.

C Evan Skoug – (Liberty (IL) HS - 5-11, 200-lbs LHH – Burst on the scene after two good showings at the RG Jupiter Showcase, and the WWBA Wood Bat Companionship, both in November 2013 Has a short swing that produced a hugh blast to right (Jupiter). Coninued impress all weekend with bat in hand. Was most valuable player in WWBA Championship, hitting .636/..800/1.000. Also had eight walks against on strikeouts. A physical beast.

 

Mark Mokris asked -

Mack,   Been working on a brief that's due tomorrow in the Virginia Court of Appeals so I apologize for the brevity of this email.  I was just wondering what your  thoughts are concerning Wilmer Flores and Jennry Mejia.  Is it just me or does Sandy Alderson never even mention them as candidates to be on the opening day roster of the Mets next year?  One would think that Mejia has earned the number four starter slot but again his name was not even mentioned by Alderson tonight.  Flores exhibited his prowess of having a knack to drive in runs prior to his ankle injury and my understanding was that he was supposed to be working on his lateral quickness this offseason.  Both have little to prove in the minors so is it wrong to think that they are going to be part of any larger trade that the Mets might pull off?  Even Keith Law, who never has anything nice to say about the Mets said Mejia pitched like a number 2 at end of last year.  I guess I am confused because even if I were going to trade both of them I would be talking them up so I just don't get Alderson at all.  It's about as smart as saying Montero only grades out as a number 3 or 4 starter.  Ok, going to sleep so I can wake up early and finish brief before full day in court.  Have a good night and if I don't email you beforehand I hope that you and your family have a happy holiday season. 

            Mack – Thanks for the email Mark. Back at you re: the holiday greetings.

Sandy Alderson seems to pick and choose which players he talks about. You are right… he doesn’t seem to ever say anything about Mejia and Flores, for probably different reasons. Mejia continues to almost get there and I’m not sure there is anyone left in the organization that has the confidence to pencil him in as a rotation pitcher for the next three or four years. He just has gone down too many times. Trust me, if Matt Harvey was healthy and Rafael Montero and Noah Syndergaad were ready, Mejia would be in the pen on opening day.

Remember... Mejia has never thrown more than 108 innings per season.

In the case of Flores, I don’t think at this point that Alderson has determined ‘which second baseman’ he is going to move during these winter meetings. Everyone keeps talking about Ruben Tejada, but it’s the right side of their infield that they have to figure out. Do you trade Murphy, or do you move him to first, move Tejada to second, trade Flores, and find a new shortstop? Or do you stay with either Duda or Davis? My guess is Alderson doesn’t want to talk about players he’s not sure he has plans on keeping.