The
Mets went into the all-star break riding an 8-2 ten game streak. Since then they
have gone 7-6 in the remainder of July and 9-13 so far in August. That’s a
combined 24-21 in the past 45 games, which prorates out to a seasonal 86-76 record.
The
first half of the 2013 season was the last time I spent any regularity covering
the Savannah Sand Gnats. They had an incredible 1-2-3 punch that had all three
‘bats’ ranked in the top 10 of the league. One was CF Brandon Nimmo, who went down with a wrist
injury but was stroking it as good as one could. The second was C Kevin Plawecki who just ate up Sally League
pitching. But the best of the three was easily 1B Jayce Boyd, who hit .361 for Savannah in
249 at-bats. He also had 46-RBIs in 65 Sand Gnats games. He, and his swing,
reminded me a lot of Keith
Hernandez.
I
had an opportunity to spend some time with his family that came up from Florida
to see Jayce play and his Grandfather told me that he came a long list of
family ‘bats’. Boyd had made quite the name for himself at Florida State (2010:
.326… 2011: .335….376) before signing with Mets in the 6th round of
the 2012 draft.
Boyd
went on to St. Lucie for the second half of the season (.292) but was limited
to DH due to a shoulder injury that prevented him from throwing. He had
off-season surgery and has basically been Binghamton’s first string first
baseman this year.
As
of ‘close of business’ Friday he’s 108-G, 375-AB, .291/.380/.413, 8-HR, 54-RBI.
I
know the last thing the Mets need is a new first baseman in 2016, but this guy
is only going to get stat-better after playing Las Vegas next year. He’s going
to be a wonderful trade chip in a multi-player deal.
Remember
the name.
The
Boston Red Sox signing of Cuban outfielder Rusney
Castillo (6yrs,
$72mil) seems to have put on notice both Jackie
Bradley Jr. and
Mookie Betts as future starters for that
team. The Sox still have Yoenis
Cespedes ($10.5mil/2015),
Allan Craig ($26.5mil/2017), and Shane Victorino ($13mil/2015) to add in there
for the 2015 season.
Is
there a left fielder in here somewhere for the Mets?
Betts
is converted 20-yr old second baseman turn right fielder that has had only 48
at bats with the Red Sox so far (2014: .250/.294/.375/.669, 1-HR, 2-RBI,
3-doubles, 6-K. He’s hit .300+ for the last three minor league assignments
though they were all as an infielder.
The
24-yr old Bradley has been a CFer since the day he was drafted in the 1st
round of the 2011 draft. He’s now played parts of two seasons at the MLB level,
going .210/.287/.300/.587, with 142 strikeouts in 348 at-bats (batted .296 in
four minor league seasons).
Both,
on paper, look to be worse off than what we already have in our system, but
have either been given the proper introduction to every day ball in the majors?
BA Prospect
Hotsheet –
9. Addison Russell, ss, Cubs - Team: Double-A Tennessee
(Southern) - Age: 20 - Why He’s Here: .281/.303/.688 (9-for-32), 9 R, 4 2B, 3
HR, 12 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 SO - The Scoop: Russell has stung the ball like never
before after coming over to the Cubs from the Athletics in the Jeff Samardzija
trade. He’s slugging .556 at Tennessee (with a career-best .261 isolated
slugging percentage), and seven of his nine hits this week went for extra
bases. Many scouts see plus power production for Russell down the line, which
obviously will play at whichever infield post at which he settles in Chicago.
Mack
– Russell seems to be the favorite of the regulars here at Mack’s Mets if the
Mets and Cubs ever work out a trade. He looks like a wonderful future middle
infielder to put next to Dilson
Herrera.
The
Cubs ready don’t need them… hell, sometimes, prospect wise, it doesn’t seem
like they need anyone.
(once
more… don’t fall in love with your prospects… as of today, this team still
sucks worst that we do…)
They
want pitching, they like spending money, and they love multiple player deals.
Everybody
keeps saying that the Los Angeles Angels are the perfect trading partner for
the services of Bartolo
Colon, but doesn’t
anyone remember that this team was ranked last in minor league talent? We’ve
discussed this before and there simply isn’t a Grade A SS or LF chip on this
team that could play next year. Closest would be ex-first round Grant Green who just went on the DL with a
strained back.
No,
I don’t think Sandy
Alderson could
turn this isn’t a good last minute trade.
Donation
Drive (drive end 8-30) –
Received so far – $ 575.00
Goal - $1,400.00 - $ 825.00 to go
We just have
7 days to go here so ask for you to look into your heart during this final
push…
God Bless
you for your consideration.
38 comments:
Jayce Boyd seems to hit a lot like a young Keith Hernandez. Red hot in August.
Let me be the first to say it...DUDA IS A BEAST!
No news yet on if Bartolo went unclaimed? I hope he does, so it widens our options.
I for one if goes unclaimed would trade him and Granderson straight up for Matt kemp.
Let's say for the sake of argument (!), Boyd and/or Dominic Smith became Keith Hernandez, and Lucas becomes Adam Dunn. Who do you take?
Reliever Can Bedrosian from the Angels. Look at the minor league numbers. He throws 99. It could later set up a trade of Parnell or Mejia when they prove healthy.
Mack--- I just saw 6 words in your Jayce Boyd write-up that make me cringe---"after playing Las Vegas next year".
Have you given up all hope that our AAA team with be in the IL in '15? I hope there's still a chance.
As for Duda, I'm surprised that I haven't heard/read anywhere that his 26 HRs are not just his ML career highs. He never hit more than 23 in any MINOR league season. And, as was pointed out last week,he's only had about 2/3 of a full season's worth of AB so far this year. Figuring HRs per AB, he's close to the best in MLB.
Knowing how power is so scarce in the majors, Duda has become on of the most valuable players in the league. He'll be a free agent right around the time Dominic will be close to the bigs, so keeping him depends on the Mets' financials.
If the Mets are actually good next year and draw 2.5+ million, then I think they'll try to resign the big man. If they tank again, they'll likely trade him knowing they have depth. Either way, as long as Smith develops into the player the Mets think he will, it's not a problem. It's only a problem if he doesn't and the Mets can't afford the Dude.
You end up in Vegas when nobody else wants you. The Mets' only hope is that their recent success in the minors and their prospering system make them an attractive team to partner with.
You'd figure, Herrera, Nimmo, Matz, Boyd, Bowman, Ynoa, and others would make for another excellent team. Hopefully, they get the hell out of Vegas and closer to home.
Hobie -
On this team, you would have to stay with Duda.
Only he and d'Arnaud are projecting the pop needed to balance out the offensive attack
Zozo -
I don't expect anything to be heard on Colon until mid or end of the week earliest
Metsiac -
I think the Mets will be stuck going back to Vegas in 2016
Charles -
Is this the 'Charles" Charles from old ???
The 48 hr waiver period ends later today so we should know whether or not he gets claimed before tomorrow morning.
The rule on waivers is 3 business days after filing so that would ber close of business on Wednesday. They then have 48 hours to deal with anyone making a claim or 96 hours until the end of the month.
I know this is very optimisitc but coud we work out a larger deal around Colon if the Dodgers claim him? Say Colon and Pawlecki, plus a lower level piece or 2 for Peterson?
Wishful thinking but it would be amazing. Id even swap Syndegaurd for Pawlecki if that's who they wanted
I have to disagree with my friend Mack who is giving the glass half full interpretation of the Mets' performance. However, since the All-Star break they are on the wrong side of .500 and heading for yet another Collins Collapse as each of his teams has done in the past. (Why we retained this loser is beyond me.)
On the Red Sox -
I'll bet the Flyin'Hawaiian, JBJ, and Daniel Nava are the odd men out. Personally, I'd like for us to try for Mookie Betts, if anybody. Not only does he play OF, he can play 2B and SS. While he's a light hitting OF, his offense would play really well at SS.
Reese -
So what do you want the Mets to do for the rest of the year?
Do You want them to finish strong, still finish out of the playoffs, and get an unprotected draft pick...
or play the AAA team, take some late hits, and give you the opportunity to blame this on Collins again?
Reese, I don't like Collins either, but I'm just curious what direction you would want the Mets to go for the remainder of this season.
I just checked.
The deadline for a claim for Colon is 1pm today
He's it. The Angels don't have much else.
Over the last 3 months, he's hit 19 HR and driven in 52 runs, all with a high OBP. Over a full year that's almost 40 HR and over 100 RBI.
To call this a breakout year would be an understatement. Let him play all games next year and let him learn to hit LHP. He's certainly shown the ability to adjust.
If we could only add a RH middle of the order hitter to compliment him, this team will be dangerous.
Wright-RH-Duda-d'Arnaud would be a formidable 3-6.
Michael -
You just wrote what I wrote for my Morning Report tomorrow :)
What would I do? Shut down Wright. Shut down Mejia. Bring up Reynolds to play As in September. Admit this season is a lost cause and look to the future. They should have traded Murphy and Colon at the break.
Reese -
You can't just keep saying what the Mets should have done...
My friend Reese loves to find "Collins Collapses", but the fact is that since the break (vs mostly contending teams---Dodgers, Giants, As, Nats) the Mets are 16-20, all of FOUR games under .500. Go back a little further (8-2 going into the break) and they're 2 games OVER in their last 46 games.
This is a "collapse"?
Yes it is. I'm suddenly able to comment again using my iPhone. Never stopped reading MM.
I'm sorry Mack, I didn't mean to steal your thunder.
Don't worry, I'm sure most readers skipped right over my comment.
But I will add, if the Mets believe this is the real Duda, they should lock him up to a team- friendly extension NOW and add Dom Smith to their extensive list of trade chips.
Charles -
Great to have you back. You always was a very vocal reader that added a lot to this site.
Michael -
An advance on tomorrow's column:
"I don’t think we are going to have to worry about the potential of catcher Travis d’Arnaud’s power. Sunday’s shot over the deep centerfield Los Angeles wall was the 9th home run in the last 180 PSs since his return from the minors. At the same point, David Wright has eight HRs all seasons. That prorates (based on 550 PA a season) to 27.5 HRs per…
Talk about prorated home runs… Lucas Duda has 14 since July 1st, which totals 47 games… prorated over a 162 game schedule, that would be 48 home runs!"
Great stuff!
I agree Mack, the Mets are getting great production from these two. I hope they're part of the long term solution here, but as the #5 and #6 hitters.
This is where the FO needs to exploit the advantage of under-control talent by adding to it and lengthening the lineup.
even if you were to describe it as an "underperformance" instead of a "collapse" I am not sure that you could place the full responsibility on the manager. I am not a huge TC fan, but if your two highest paid players are going to completely flame out, I am not sure even the best of managers could do anything to change it. There are many sets of fingerprints at the scene of this underperformance and while TC may have his role in it, I cant place exclusive blame on him. Losing Harvey and Parnell to start the season, Duda/Ike debacle at the outset and Grandy/Wright flameouts all set this season back. To blame it all on TC is oversimplistic and misguided
Another note about prorating stats. After struggling initially after being promoted to AA Nimmo has been making adjustments. Not only that, but his power seems to be developing. Over a full season he'd be on track to hit about 18 HR. Some think he'll be a high OBP, lower power hitter, but to me it looks like he can easily blossom into a 25 HR hitter and be a true 5-tool player.
@Anonymous As Mack said, you can't fix the past. You can't change the bloated contracts handed out to Wright in fear of losing sales of jerseys and the inexplicable one handed out to Granderson. You can't change the fact that they wouldn't try "unproven" players like Jose Abreu or Rusney Castillo. You can't change injuries. They happen.
What you can change is who plays, what position they play, who gets to rest...things the manager completely controls. What was the long love affair with Eric Young, Jr. all about? Ruben Tejada? Bobby Abreu? Ike Davis? Andres Torres? Chris Young? Many others, too...you know when the team started playing better? When all of these people stopped starting. Now TC is not in charge of the composition of the roster -- that's between the Wilpons' checkbook and Alderson's judgement. However, you don't bring up scorching hot players and then bench them upon arrival or bat them eighth with no protection...it's not as if you're benching Mike Trout or Nelson Cruz to give Eric Campbell some ABs. You're benching .200 hitters to make room for a .300 hitter.
He also burns his bullpen, is platoon happy both with hitters and relief pitchers, and seems to have forgotten many fundamentals such as hit & run, bunting and so forth.
I completely agree he's had very little to work with in terms of the roster, but he's managed to get LESS out of them. Other managers face problems like losing Jose Fernandez yet get more out of their players.
I think you are misinterpreting my comments as a defense of TC, it is not, I just don't believe any one player or manager can be the difference between seven games under or seven games over .500. There is multiple shortcomings to blame and I don't believe that simply changing the manager would turn a "collapse" into a playoff run. TC may have botched plenty of moves this year, but the players as a whole did not perform well enough to be a playoff team. Would they be better off without TC? You won't get an argument from me, but I would agree with sole assignment of blame to him for the results this year.
TC or not...
this season was lost by the loss of Harvey, Granderson, both Youngs, and Wright.
Mack, not to sound like the broken record I often sound like:
Bring the fences in and let Duda hit 48-50 (fans would find that real exciting) and break our horrible 53 year team record of 41, and shorter fences would let d'Arnaud 30 next year. The game I went to a few weeks back cost d'Arnaud a homer - half way up the out-dent. Murph lost one the same game. I'm sure over the course of a full season there are at least 3-5 more for d'Arnaud alone
Reese, Cam Bedrosian is the guy I'd like to get for the Angels too in a deal. Absolutely agree with you and I've mentioned him a few times here since the Angel Minor league system is bare, so not many options.
You can never have enough power arms coming out of the pen that can throw in the upper 90's that average almost 2 k's am inning this year in the minors.
Absolutely has potential closer material, which would make our bullpens one of the youngest, hardest throwing, dominate power arms in the league that we can build around with Mejia, Famila, Black, Edgin, (hopefully a healthy) Parnell, Leathersich, Bedrosian would be a crazy good bullpen that can shut down the 7th, 8th & 9th innings.
Not to mention guys like Montero, Mazzoni, German, Verrett, Walters, Bradford, etc. that could also contribute next year as well, but I'd love to see them slide BedRock into the pen rotation.
Maybe we can also snag Cal Towey, a left handed hitting catcher (.277/.364/.415) 9 Hrs, 56rbis, 21 SB's, plays a little 3B and 1B, so he has some flexibility in case we wanted to carry 3 catchers for whatever reason since he's not relegated to only catcher.
That would be a plus-plus trade in my opinion, along with the money we save with his contract for next year and with a team like Anaheim, we probably don't have to kick in any money either. Finger crossed!!
Thomas -
You are absolutely correct about the fences.
There's 8-10 things this team needs to do next year and I'm going to work on a piece this week involving what they are, but one is definitely to turn the dimensions of Citi down the lines into the same Shea was.
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