The Morning Report 7.20.2015 | Plawecki Making Improvements, Mets NEED Justin Upton, Niese not on the Trade Block but Nimmo is?, Conforto is MLB Ready NOW

Nat Latsch | MLB.com- The Mets' lineup has gotten a nice boost recently from a surprising source, Kevin Plawecki, and the rookie catcher earned some praise from his manager on Sunday morning.  "He's done very well," Terry Collins said. "He works hard at game preparation, how to prepare for each and every day and the different pitchers. I thought his defense has improved and he's starting to swing the bat like we know he can. He's going to be good, I'll tell you, and he's gonna hit, too." Since June 3, the rookie catcher has reached base in 17 of 21 games and is hitting .302 (19-63) with five doubles, five RBIs and a .352 on-base percentage. 

(Chris Soto: There is a large amount of hard data that shows that Rookie Catchers have the hardest time translating their offensive game to the MLB level. Plawecki was no exception to this as he hit only a .206 AVG with a .552 OPS and a 26.6% K rate during his 1st 30 career games. Since then, in his last 21 games, Plawecki has been hitting a robust .286 AVG with a .676 OPS and a much more manageable 12.6% K rate. He's still not showing much in terms of his publicized gap to gap doubles power, but, he has been making excellent improvement.) 

Jacob Kornhauser | Rant Sports- For as good as their rotation has been this season, though, their offense has been equally bad. It’s no wonder the Mets are in the market for a bat this trade deadline. One of the players that has piqued their interest is current San Diego Padres outfielder Justin Upton. The power-hitting outfielder is likely to move given that he will be a free agent after the season and the Padres are essentially out of the playoff race. If the Mets hope to make the playoffs through the division or wild card, they need to land Upton. Upton has 15 home runs and 49 RBI this season. The Mets’ team leader in home runs has 14 and their team leader in RBI has just 38. Even when the power has been there, the run production has not been.

(Chris Soto: I am 100% with Mr. Kornhauser here...the Mets need offense and Justin Upton is the highest profile bat available this month that WON'T cost you one of the stud pitching prospects the Mets have, due to the fact that he will most likely be a 2 month rental player before hitting Free Agency this off-season. Will he be cheap? By no means he will not.....but we are talking about a cost of a Michael Fulmer or a Dominic Smith, not Syndergaard or Matz.) 

Mike Puma | New York Post- Jon Niese is probably more valuable to the Mets taking the ball every fifth or sixth day than serving as a trade chip. With Steven Matz on the disabled list at least into mid-August because of a torn lat muscle, the club isn’t eager to deal Niese before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, according to an industry source, and they may hinge hopes on acquiring an additional bat on prospects at Double-A Binghamton who can be dealt. Such prospects include the likes of Brandon Nimmo, Gavin Cecchini and Michael Fulmer, according to the source.

(Chris Soto: We are seeing a transformation here....no longer are trade rumors circling around which MLB contributor is going to be shipped out for prospects. Today the talks continue to circle around, which minor leaguers, which prospects, are the Mets willing to part with the grab that piece that could help them make a run at the playoffs. This is a welcome change in thinking and organizational strategy. From everything I've heard over the past week or so....I am getting a very strong feeling that the Mets are dangling Brandon Nimmo in front of multiple teams in an effort to acquire a big bat. With Lagares signed till 2019 with a 2020 option and Conforto seemingly on the cusp of an MLB debut, this leaves the only future RF spot open for Nimmo. However, Nimmo's offensive profile is not really a value as a RF as his OBP skills, gap to gap power, and plus defense in more valuable in CF.) 

Andy Martino | NY Daily News- A lineup this bad provokes a range of emotional responses. The best reactions typically belong to Keith Hernandez, whose extra inning sighs on Sunday, and singing of “Where have all the hitters gone?” made for most inspired moments of this awful game. It is understandable that fans would wish that a talented kid in Double-A could save the Mets’ offense, but don’t expect it to actually happen. According to people with direct knowledge of the Mets’ thinking, the team remains unlikely to promote Conforto any time soon. That information comes with a caveat, and a new one: We’re told not to totally rule out a Conforto appearance in the near future. While nothing was in the works as of Sunday evening, the Mets might be entering the “try something, anything” phase, and could reverse course with this process.

(Chris Soto: [In my best Buster Olney voice] Guys....I personally attended the Binghamton Mets game this past Saturday and had an exclusive look at Mets top prospect Michael Conforto. Let me tell you something....this was not some ordinary AA player. The sound this guy's bat has when he makes contact with a baseball is major league quality. Even his outs have a different sound than fellow prospects like Brandon Nimmo and Gavin Cecchini. Conforto hit a go ahead 2 R HR in Saturday's on what was a smooth, effortless swing, and he CRUSHED the ball to right CF. Over his last 14 games, he is hitting .333 AVG with a .949 OPS, 3 HR, 11 RBI, and a 14.5% K rate. This kid is ready for THE SHOW and he is displaying it on a nightly basis. The Mets should place Michael Cuddyer on the 15 day DL, move Buddy Carlyle to the 60 day DL to open up a 40 man spot, and call up Conforto. Not only for the team's sake....but for this fanbases sake.....back to you guys in Bristol, CT.