6/13/15

Mack’s Morning Report – 6-13-15 – Q and A

Mike and Jill asked -

Hey Mack, long time and no talk.......I need less work and more baseball in my life!  I hope all is well with you.

A few days ago, I had an idea and I wanted to run it by you for your thoughts and perhaps give you a topic for a post.

In the likely event that the Mets extend Lucas Duda's contract, first base will be locked up for the foreseeable future (five years or more).  Couple that with the likely loss of David Wright for an extended period (maybe for good) and that creates a new opportunity for Dominic Smith!

Smith is still very young, he is known for his great defense at first base (not that much different from a fielding perspective and reaction time when you compare that to third base) and could be taught to make the throw across the diamond.  He is also a couple of years away, so he has time to transition.

His offense (high average, gap power, maybe more) would play better at third and our system is devoid of talent at third base in the middle and upper levels.
What do you think?

Mack – Mike/Jill, I tell you, it’s hard to formulate a plan with this team when players keep dropping like flies. In one day today (I wrote this awhile back), we’ve learned David Wright is a lot further away that even Sandy Alderson knew (he was visibly shaken with the news), then Vic Black goes to pitch rehab in Vegas and stinks up the place, followed by Daniel Murphy going out of the game with a quad strain that will shut him down 2-4 week.

It’s been a tough day in Mets-land.

Regarding Duda and Dom… here’s my first spin. Let’s hope the Mets didn’t screw this up by not finalizing the extension before the 2015 season starts.

Quick story… I’m managing sports at WIP-AM in Philadelphia and Villanova basketball coach Rollie Massamino wants to finalize a renewal for his weekly post game show that airs on our radio show. We had paid him in the past $50 per show and he was holding out for $75. On my side was the fact that the NCAA Final Four was starting that week and he needed to get on the road to play in a 16 seed entry, the lowest in the tourney. I laughed at Rollie and said to go out there and do his best and if comes home with the title we’ll work out a deal to his liking. If not, we’ll renew for two years at $60 a show. He agreed and hit the road… in 1985… the year they wound winning the whole thing.

Massamino never did return any of telephone calls after that and I eventually was transferred to WNEW-AM in New York City.

You sometimes get only one chance to get something done and, if you don’t capitalize on it, no one will ever give you credit for the hard work you had done. I could have had the coach of the NCAA winner under contract for $60/week if I did my job correctly.

As for Smith, let him enjoy the success he’s having at the A+ level. I don’t see a Duda-Smith issue until 2018.

ESPN 
Frank asked –

Mack, have you heard anything about the progress of Zack Wheeler and what was his ETA to return?

Mack – Hey Frank. No, I haven’t and that’s normal for the Mets. They just don’t talk about things like this. I assume he is not working out in the St. Lucie camp because, if he was, someone like Adam Rubin would be writing about it.
Regarding Wheeler’s ETA, I believe it was July 2016.

MiLB 
Michael asks -

Thanks for the replies Mack, I hope you're feeling alright. If Becerra can keep progressing that Dickey trade will go down as one of the most lopsided in history and could be Alderson's masterpiece.

We can't really shift Gavin to the OF and his bat is really coming around.  I was hoping a move to 3B might be easier on him.  I like Flores but Cecchini seems like the more well-rounded player.

1B Duda, 2B Herrera, SS Rosario, 3B Cecchini

Mack – Beccera is starting to really look like a future major league outfield. He also won’t turn 21 until after this season.

He’s already showing the kind of power in the ‘Sally’ League which is rare to find… tied for 7th in home runs and 2nd in slugging percentage.

I can’t see him finishing this season in Savannah. The Mets have so few potential star prospect outfielders in their system (especially with Brandon Nimmo always falling on the disabled list). My guess is he will end the season in St. Lucie, hit around 15 total home runs for the season, and probably start off 2016 in Binghamton at 21-years old.

MiLB 
Michael also asked –

Do you remember in 2004 when Wright started out on fire in AA and was in the majors to stay by the end of the year?  I'm getting that feeling about Conforto this year.

Mack – I do remember that. I think Wright batted either 6th or 7th that first game.
I’ve said this before… I think a lot of Conforto’s chances of becoming a Met this season are based on whether the team continues to compete for a playoff spot and if one of their current starters go on the disabled list.

Still, my guess is he’ at least a year away.

20 comments:

eraff said...

Juan Lagares... 650 OPS... he is exactly the same hitter as he was Day 1..... when does this change?

650 is a spare part, not a Cog.

Ernest Dove said...

Juan Lagares......Gold Glove ;)

I also agree that every top prospect should play the position they are most comfortable with and just see wait and see how things play out in mlb.

No rush on conforto. ....unless he remains over .350 in AA and then hits even better with homers in AAA......I still can't believe cuddyer and grandy have multi year contracts :(

Tom Brennan said...

I hope Juan's low OPS is due to his getting hurt and playing thru it, and will now show his is more like 750. I am pretty sure Smith throws lefty, not re-looking right now.

Flores hits #10. He has to be part of their long term IF plans. How will the youngster hit in 2 years? Might be a star..

Tom Brennan said...

I hope Juan's low OPS is due to his getting hurt and playing thru it, and will now show his is more like 750. I am pretty sure Smith throws lefty, not re-looking right now.

Flores hits #10. He has to be part of their long term IF plans. How will the youngster hit in 2 years? Might be a star..

Tom Brennan said...

Ernest, Cuddyer has a Colon contract. Hopefully, like Colon, Cuddyer's best is yet to come.

Hobie said...

Grooming D.Smith as a LH 3B is a novel idea. I'll pass though.

Mack Ade said...

eraff -

I share a limited amount of disappointment with you this year on Lagares but he REALLY did have a hard time working his strength back from that injury this season.

The only other alternative would have been him going on the DL which wouldn't have worked for the team.

Let's see how the season goes here.

Mack Ade said...

Tom -

I'll be the first to say that I might have been prematurely wrong here on Flores.

He's even beginning to look like a decent infielder.

Zozo said...

Yeah that's the first thing I thought of as well about Smith being a lefty. Maybe groom him for right field if he has a gun?

Mack Ade said...

I have a question for all of you...

other than Lagares going from SS to CF, when was the last time the Mets 'groomed' a person in their organization?

Ernest Dove said...

Answer:
That'd be Wilmer going from SS to 3B to 2B to SS ;)

Mack Ade said...

Ernest -

I honestly can't think of any.

BTW... the good news about what kind of year Dominic Smith is having is that it might bring Duda and his agent back to the bargaining table in the off-season.

It's my understanding that this didn't end well.

Ernest Dove said...

If the mets cant give duda what he wants, yet they were willing to shell out 4yrs 60mil to an injured Grandy, I don't know what to say about this franchise.
Pay Duda his most likely his extra 4th year asking price and not worry about a 20yr old kid unless they plan to jump him to AA this year and get him to vegas post all star break next year.

Mack Ade said...

Ernest -

Nothing have changed about Smith's ETA.

2018

Tom Brennan said...

Mack, I always figured Flores would hit the way he tore up AAA at age 21, younger than everyone else. Majors are a huge adjustment, he's largely made it, and I think we are about to start seeing the real Wilmer. Everyone will be happy with the real Wilmer is my guess, even the naysayers.

Mack Ade said...

Tom -

As you know, I got to know this kid in Savannah and I can see the change all over his

He no longer has that 'deer in headlights' stare when he hits the field... now, he's full of confidence and the support of his fellow teammates.

Yeah, like Lagares 2 years ago, we might be seeing the emergence of a star here and no future need to search for a shortstop. Wouldn't THAT be a blessing.

Mack Ade said...

Tom -

Flores first line comment should have ended with 'all over his face'.

eraff said...

Lagares is running "instant Pitchers counts"---a marvelous Telent, but his first 1000 ab's show absolutely no advancement.

I am a big Lego Fan.... but a sub 680 OPS is NOT an Everyday player.

Mack Ade said...

eraff -

let me repeat what I said in case you didn't read it...

he was hurt...

he couldn't swing 100%...

what was your alternative through this period, especially defensively?

he's now 100%

write down today's date... 6/13... then, keep tract of his OPS from today through the season.

oh yeah... one more thing... the team is in first place

ZachBoyer said...

Wouldn't deGrom going from SS to P be an example of grooming?