Mack’s Morning Report – 7-25-15 – Q and A

Good morning.

Gary asked –

Hi Mack, I was wondering why SA didn't consider Aoki this past off season instead of Cuddyer and at 1/4 the price. We need a leadoff hitter more than another bat behind Wright (remember this is last off season when we didn't know about Wright's injury) because Grandy could've filled the 5 spot. We always think SA is thinking $$ first but I didn't get this trade then or now. What was the rush to sign him early and for 2 YEARS! He wouldn't have taken 1 year and an option? As for Upton that's a no for me but a question on both he and Murphy if we did deal for him. Both will get multi year deals so wouldn't it behoove us to offer them both arbitration and get draft picks? A question about  Cecchini. Is he a real option for SS or another guy who has to be moved to another position to utilize his bat and will we ever see Travis Taijeron with the big club as I see they let Castellanos go w/o giving him a shot. Thanks

            Mack – Hey Gary.

            I have no idea on the inner workings of why the Mets and Cuddyer agreed to a deal and the Mets and Aoki didn’t. Remember, everybody has to first want to play with each other. As for Cuddyer, I’m sure the David Wright factor was involved here and everybody thought they would be bouncing around together in the outfield prior to each game.

There’s a lot of opinions out there on the lack of defensive ability at shortstop by Gavin Cecchini. Given the fact that Amed Rosario is only one year behind him, I don’t see a rosey future for Cecchini in Queens.

And Travis Taijerson… tough call. Strikes out far too much and the Mets are full of guys like this.

We should all know the fate of Michael Cuddyer and Michael Conforto by the time you read this on Saturday morning. Even SA can’t keep stringing out this drama.

Metsiac asked –

Hi, Mack, I'm still wondering about Cesar Puello. The injury that disqualified him from being DFA'd in March was supposed to be "not serious". If the Mets, as some theorized, want to dump him, he could be activated if healthy and DFA'd. If they want to give him a chance, and he clears waivers, he could go to Vegas. Where is he?

Should we call the FBI to trace his whereabouts?

Mack – My ‘people’ have told me that he is in Florida at the minor league extending camp complex which is located on the opposite end of the complex. This is where the GCL Mets hang their uniforms for their home games played on the back fields, and all houses all the walking wounded doing rehab would.

Puello is pulling the full minimum major league salary (around $500,000) for being ’persona non grata’ on this team. He (or his agent) somehow found some loop hole that could get him assigned to the Mets DL, thus earning him a major league wage without playing a single inning. This absolutely sealed his fate with SA after losing this kid the year before to a drug suspension.

Bill, for all I know, he may be that guy with the grey beard being held in an Iranian prison.

More from Gary –

Good morning Mack, After the Kershaw  show on Thursday I looked back at the 62' lineup to see just how bad ours was last night and the 62' bunch would have been an improvement which is scary. I totally agree with you that injuries have really hurt us this year and if we had even half the injuries we've sustained we'd be in 1st place. My question is about innings limits. Steve answered me on one of the posts but the question still remains. Exactly how many innings do the big 3 have left and if were limiting them to make it to the end of the season it certainly reduces our chances dramatically which is why I still believe the FO is looking at 2016 and not 2015. This week will tell the story about whether they're serious or not but it’s a shame to waste an opportunity like this because we may be stronger next year but so probably will the Nats and Braves among others. Also what’s with leaving McGowan in to take that beating last week? Character building? Thanks, Gary Seagren

Mack – Leaving McGowan in that long could mean that the team’s bullpen was overworked that week and someone just had to take the hit. Past that, this sometimes happens to someone that goes on the ‘DL’ sometime in the next 48 hours and is eventually cut in the off season.

Regarding the amount of innings left:

Per Reese Kaplan - 

Harvey

IP - 118.1

Limit - 190

Remaining - 71.2

de Grom

IP - 119.2

Limit - 210

Remaining - 90.1

Syndergaard

IP - 78.2 majors+29.2 minors -- total 128.1 

Limit - 165

Remaining - 36.2

Matz

IP - 13.2 majors+90.1 minors -- total 104

Limit - 160

Remaining - 56

Yes... this is a problem, especially Syndergaard.


Per Chris Soto:

Here are the rough estimates for remaining innings and approximate starts left for our SPs.

Harvey – 82 IP – 12 starts

deGrom – 90 IP – 13 starts

Syndergaard – 62 IP – 9 starts

Matz – 67 IP – 10 starts

Right now Syndergaard is really the only one in danger of reaching his innings limit.