Mack’s Morning Report – 7-11-15 – Q and A

Good morning.

Gary asked -

Hi Mack, I was wondering what your thoughts are currently regarding the following players: Conforto, Nimmo, Smith, Cecchini and Fulmer. I fear with the big club S.A. will screw around long enough that any good player he wants will be gone and as we float around the .500 mark he will try and talk everyone into thinking were a playoff team and lose any chance of us selling off for prospects that will help us in 16'. With Duda looking more and more like the 1st baseman he replaced not long ago what would you do regarding him going forward? Thanks.

Mack – Remember, you asked what I think, which isn’t always consistent over the years. Right now, I do not expect Sandy Alderson to make any major moves this year. He intends to go to his baseball grave with his Fab Four pitchers by his side.

I also don’t expect him to rush any of the few true Mets prospects the team has right now. I think he will continue to juggle the team he has now, awaiting the return of both David Wright and Travis d’Arnaud.

Alderson knows deep down in his heart two things. His team was not dealt the cards this year because injuries to too many key players and the lack of financial support by his boss to replace those players with more or equally talented players. With all due respect, you’re not going to beat Zack Greinke by batting Darrell Ceccilini 6^th in the lineup.

Most of the five names you listed still have issues. Nimmo and Fulmer are often injured, Smith doesn’t hit home runs, and Cecchini has trouble in the field. Only Michael Conforto looks to be ready to take over left field next season, a move I do see happening whether the Mets eat Michael Cuddyer’s salary or trade him for a bag o’ balls.

Alderson is sold on Duda at first through all his streaks and will valiantly try and get him to return to the negotiating table at the end of the season to work out an extended contract. The numbers may change actually in the favor of the Mets.

No Gary, Alderson know that 2015 isn’t the ‘Year of the Mets’. He just can’t stand up and admit it.

Beelzebot asked -

Hey Mack, are you going to comment on the lat injury of Matz?  So far, I am not seeing much other than it is a torn lat, they gave him a platelet rich injection, rest 3 weeks.  What I am not seeing concerns me, usually all the talking heads and geeks jump all over Mets injuries, but also included on that is commentary on how serious that injury actually is or comparing it to other people who have had a similar problem.  I will just assume he will be out the rest of the year and that possibly his career is over.

Mack – Hey Beeze.

It’s funny… I was just about to write recently that thank God none of the Stud Four have gone down.

The official word originally was there was nothing to worry about. Now it’s three weeks before he will be allowed to test his arm throwing. My guess is, with his injury history, that he is done for the season.

I believe the entire Mets world, be them fans, beat writers, team officials or Mack’s Mets contributors, and all in shock over this one. There’s nothing more that can be done to this team to shock me.

Strong consideration has to be given to shutting down Matz and Juan Lagares, another one of their few talented ‘walking wounded’. These guys are needed in the future and, as we know, the 2015 version of this team has learned to live without just about everyone.