4/6/15

The Morning Report 4.6.2015 | Bring on the Nationals, Kimbrel Traded, Duda Extension Talks Stop, Colon on the Mound, CBS Sports Predictions


  • First thing's first, The Mets open up the season against the Washington Nationals today in D.C. While the team has lost Wheeler for the season, the club basically comes out of Spring Training both healthy AND on a bit of a winning streak. On the other side though the Nationals are suffering from injuries to major pieces of their team. OFers Jayson Werth and Denard Span, 3B Anthony Rendon, and RP Casey Janssen all open the season on the Disabled List along with nagging injuries to CL Drew Storen. If the Mets are going to make a move this season they need to take advantage of these early season injuries and win at least 2 of these games. If the Mets can improve their record against the Nats from the 4-15 record last year to at least 9-10, that's half of the games they need to get to the 88 wins needed to win a wild card spot... LETS GO METS


Charlie Wilmouth | MLB Trade Rumors The Padres are beginning the 2015 season with yet another blockbuster trade, receiving closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. from the Braves for outfielders Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin, pitching prospect Matt Wisler, outfield prospect Jordan Paroubeck and the 41st overall pick in the June draft. Kimbrel is obviously the centerpiece of the deal, an elite closer who has posted dominant numbers since arriving in the league in 2010.

(Chris Soto: Man....talk about a huge trade that has major implications. Kimbrel was one of the last remaining competitive pieces the Braves had left. Now only Freddie Freeman remains in what seems to be a hollow line-up. Before I thought the NL East would shake out with the Braves finishing in 4th and the Phillies in 5th. After this though, I've gotta believe that the Braves are now in for a 95-100 loss, last place season.)


Adam Rubin | ESPN New York
The New York Mets and Lucas Duda's representatives have shelved talks about a multiyear contract, allowing the first baseman to concentrate on the upcoming season without the negotiations as a distraction. The sides previously had agreed they would end discussions if no deal was reached by Opening Day. "No agreement was reached, so talks have concluded and Lucas will focus on the upcoming season," agent Dan Horwits told ESPN.com. Duda already had agreed to a $4.2 million contract for 2015, avoiding arbitration.

(Chris Soto: While it would have been nice to lock up Duda to an extension, I'm ok with one not being reached. The fact of the matter is that Duda is already under control through the 2017 season which, by then, 1B prospect Dominic Smith should be knocking on the MLB door along with the next way of prospects in Amed Rosario and Marcos Molina. )


David Hong | MetsMerized Online- T
he Mets will send 41 year Bartolo Colon to the mound on Opening Day in D.C. “I feel really proud and really thankful to the Mets and the staff to put the honor on me to start,” Colon said through an interpreter. “At my age, I’m really looking forward to doing it...At age 41, he will be the oldest Opening Day starter since Randy Johnson and Jamie Moyer. And he will officially be the Mets oldest Opening Day starter passing Tom Glavine who did it in 2007.

(Chris Soto: I've said it in the past and I will say it again...Colon is the perfect fit for this year's Opening Day start. Since the Mets are opening the season with 6 games on the road, the "#1 SP" has to pitch twice. No one wants to see Colon during the Opening Series at Citi Field, we want to see Harvey, deGrom, and Wheeler. Unfortunately Wheeler got hurt but we still get to see the new faces of our franchise on back to back days.)



Matt Synder | CBS SportsWe're less than a handful of days until the 2015 Major League Baseball season begins. It looks to be a very exciting season, chock full of parity -- particularly on the American League side -- and with tons of upcoming young talent. And now, it's time for us to reveal our predictions. Here they are, our 2015 CBSSports.com staff predictions, courtesy of Jon Heyman, Mike Axisa, David Brown, Dayn Perry and Matt Snyder.


  1. Washington Nationals - 5 votes
  2. Miami Marlins- 3 votes, New York Mets- 2 votes
  3. New York Mets- 3 votes, Miami Marlins- 2 votes
  4. Atlanta Braves- 5 votes
  5. Philadelphia Phillies- 5 votes


9 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Hi Chris

Kimbrel out of Atlanta - amazing. Players get churned so fast these days.

Let's hope Mets smoke the Nationals early: 7 games by May 3. Let's do 5-2, and take the division. Their injuries may indeed make them vulnerable. Scherzer was 39-8 the past 2 years, amazing. Time to regress?

I'd think the Mets would like to get more of a read on Dominic Smith as he matures this year before tying up more years with Duda.

Colon is fine to start today, I agree. Line up guys for our first homestand.

Let's go Mets.


Zozo said...

Chris I have been trying to get a hold of you to see if you wanted to take over the fantasy league from last year? Please email me when u get a chance

Christopher Soto said...

@Zozo

Sorry bud, our work email systems have been choppy the past few days with an IBM server going down on Thursday.

I'm gonna pass, can't seem to churn up enough interest.

Stephen Guilbert said...

I was in for fantasy if you want to go with a smaller league. I think there are five teams in there already.

Colon as the opening day starter is fine. I think Harvey would get the buzz but it allows him to get the home opener and that's really cool.

Why does Bartolo still need to use an interpreter? He's been in the states playing baseball for two decades now. I know it's harder to pick up a language once you're an adult and maybe he uses it in order to ensure he gets stuff right but man I will never understand this. Two decades is a long time not to learn the language.

Neither here nor there, though. Let's GO METS!

Stephen Guilbert said...

Also while the Kimbrel trade certainly weakens the Braves and the NL East, it does make the Padres much better and they are a team we'll be chasing. So it might not be as great for the Mets as we think. Probably a wash overall.

Zozo said...

I think I have 6 signed up for the league so far. if any of them aren't duplicates of what you have already, it might be enough?

Mack Ade said...

Chris -

I am going to write about Duda on Friday.

Christopher Soto said...

@Zozo

Interesting....I have 4 in mine...we could certainly combine the two.

Zozo said...

Can you check your email some how that you have listed on this blog