Mack’s Morning Report - 6-27-15 – Q and A

Good morning.

Jason asked –

          Mack, you seem to be going from ‘half-full’ to ‘half-empty pretty quickly this month. Any second thoughts?

Mack –

          No, not really.

          I’ve defended this team for a long time and I really looked forward to this season coming together, but I just don’t see that happening in 2015.

The 2015 Mets need a multiple amount of changes to make things gel, the first being the ending of all the injuries that continue to plague this team. You have to shut down Juan Lagares, put the knife to him, and move Darrell Ceciliani into the lineup for the remainder of the season. Just this move alone is going to tell the baseball world that you are willing to sacrifice the remainder of 2015 so, in the long run, you can build a better team. The object here is the 2016 starting outfield to be Lagares, Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo.

The next move is just as simple. Tell the baseball GM-world that either Noah Syndergaard or Steven Matz are available in a trade, but the team must also take on the contract of Curtis Granderson. The Mets have to start clearing contracts and the two years left on Grandy would be a perfect place to start. Arizona and the Cubs, who both have an excess of young, team controlled infield prospects, would be the perfect teams to contact first.

You know I have called for the Mets to hold on to their great young pitching, but you simply are not going to start to build a quality, deep lineup without better core players. Addison Russell could be on this team if you were willing to trade Syndergaard. Are you actually telling me you wouldn’t do this for long range success?

My next move would frankly be a sad one. I would move catcher Kevin Plawecki for the best AAA third baseman I can find in a deal. I love having the luxury of having Plawecki as part of this team but he’s more valuable as a trade chip. Additionally, no matter how much you feel that Travis d’Arnaud’s injuries are just a case of bad luck the fact still remains that no team is going to deal for a guy with this track record.

Getting back to third base, I think you are all seeing the handwriting on the way regarding the future of David Wright on the Mets, and baseball.

Lastly, move Bartolo Colon and Daniel Murphy for mid-range minor league prospects. Sandy Alderson is good at these kind of deals. The least you could get is a decent 4^th outfielder that could fill in before Conforto is promoted.

Gary asked -

Hi Mack, I know it’s been awhile but hopefully I'll try and send you questions more often from now on.

My take on all things Mets is that the management has been gearing up for 2016 not 2015 because there is no other way to explain starting a season with a terrible bench and knowing the severe pitch count limits on just about everyone not named Gee or Niece. Couple that with losing Wheeler AND Edgin to TJS and not having Meija, Black or Parnell for the bullpen is not a situation that screams "we ready to contend".

If you’re S.A. It makes more sense to see how this year plays out with Harvey coming back from almost 2 years off, integrating Syndergaard, Matz, Herrera and possibly Conforto and Nimmo onto the major league roster. All that and it doesn't even take into consideration how a 23 year old will handle SS full time, a ROY will fare in his 2nd year and ditto our first basemen and let’s not forget our off injured starting catcher. So that's my take. What do you think?

Hope everything’s good with you.

Gary –

Long time. Good hearing from you.

I think your take on the Mets is spot on. I think the Mets thought they had enough offense for the quality pitching staff they were going to throw up, both starters and relievers. Then, down goes Wheeler, Edgin, Mejia, Black, and Parnell. Add to this everything that happened to the field players and neither Sandy Alderson or Terry Collins have the intestinal fortitude to stand up and admit that this season is toast.

I think a few things.

I think we probably will see Conforto in Flushing when the roster expand, but not Nimmo.

I think that Herrera will return to Las Vegas as soon as Murphy comes back. He really has been rushed this season both offensively and defensively and I’d like to see him put his mental game together before a fresh start next season… but, I’d also like to see an external deal done for a new middle infielder that could move Flores over to second next season.