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1/31/16

Mack’s Morning News – 1-31-16 – Carlos Torres, Leg Issues, Wilmer Flores, Mets Rotation vs. Cubs, Lucas Duda



Good morning.


I see that RP Carlos Torres was finally released after going through the DFA process. Many Mets officials expected to get a trading chip here but it just didn't happy. I'll miss ole rubber arm. He was a big help, especially in the 2013-2014 season when he posted 3.44, and 3.06 ERAs for the Mets.

Good luck Carlos.


Adam Rubin ‏@AdamRubinESPN  - I'm told both Tejada and Flores' leg issues are fine for spring training. Flores was injured in winter ball.

Mack – This is truly good news. No one in the front office has decided who’s going to start where when it comes to the middle infielders though it does look like these two have been kicked to utility bench to make room for the new acquisitions.

But let’s remember something here.

Everything being discussed from first base to third is about conditions where no injuries occur, a situation that has never happened on this team, like ever.
So, if you’re worried if Tejada or Flores will get a fair amoun of bats… trust me, so will Rosario and probably Reynolds.
Shit happens to this team in the infield.



Adam Rubin ‏@AdamRubinESPN  - Wilmer Flores is going to get a ton of ABs next season between the four infield positions. And that's without an injury to a starter.
                        Mack – I agree with Rubin.

            There will be plenty of bats to go around, especially with the ‘no day is the same lineup’ mentality of Terry Collins.

            I wouldn’t be surprised to see some major time at first base when Lucas Duda slumps. He should also start many games at third base when David Wright needs a day off. Remember… Flores has started 121 games at third.



Noah: Why do you prefer Cubs rotation over Mets? Once you realize that Lester is a terrible fielder who will do worse than FIP (and Lackey bound for regression), decision seems easy. ZiPS doesn’t take into account pitcher fielding (or a pitcher not being able to throw to first).

Dan Szymborski: Mets will probably get a sizable dose of Colon, I don’t think they push Matz too hard, and Wheeler still has uncertainty giving the surgery he’s coming off of

Mack – I think ‘Ski’ is being ultra-conservative about the Mets rotation but I accept what he says. I don’t happen to worry about Matz this upcoming season, but I have to balance that off with my prediction that the signing of Colon will quickly prove to be the wrong thing to have done. I expect the Mets to be scrambling to fill the SP5 slot before Wheeler (please don’t rush him!) comes back.



Jared Diamond ‏@jareddiamond  - National League players who have hit more home runs than Lucas Duda since 2014: Giancarlo Stanton, Todd Frazier, Anthony Rizzo, Nolan Arenado


           Mack – We do tend to slam this guy more than he probably deserves. 

           I will say this... most of the at-bats that Duda has had as a Met have come with him being the only hitter in the lineup that put the fear into an opponent's  pitcher. 

This of course changed when Cespedes joined the team and Duda should continue to get better pitches in 2016 than he had had for most of his Mets career.

16 comments:

  1. Duda will awaken this year, due to Cespedes. I agree.

    I see Cecchini before Rosario, buut ya never know.

    Matz for rookie of the year.

    Flores will get 400-500 ABs.

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  2. Duda will awaken this year, due to Cespedes. I agree.

    I see Cecchini before Rosario, buut ya never know.

    Matz for rookie of the year.

    Flores will get 400-500 ABs.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What was Dan Szymborski smoking when he said that, and is he willing to share?

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  4. Tom -

    Here's a $1 bet it is Rosario. :)

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  5. Ernest -

    If guy like Ski didn't write about the Mets in the off-season, I would have no one to play off of.

    Still, I don't see a slow down for Matz. I have him for around 13 wins this season.

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  6. Mack, in regards to needing a #5 starter when Colon fails and before Wheeler comes back I have two words for you:

    Jefe. Montero.

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  7. Stephen -

    I hope you're right.

    You and I have been pretty consistent throwing praise in that direction,

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  8. Mack, all you need is a dollar and a dream. You're on!

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  9. Mack, all you need is a dollar and a dream. You're on!

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  10. Rosario may very well outperform GC, but getting here faster is another matter. He's at least two years behind.

    Terry is becoming a classic "damned if does...", isn't he? While Reese is ripping him for not being willing to try changes, others rip him even harder for making too many changes. Why is it so hard to judge him simply on the results? IMO, that's akin to looking at a pretty woman but focusing on the pimple on her face or the dress she's wearing.

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  11. From what I see, Collins deserves plenty of credit for creating a family culture that so many of his players seem to appreciate and enjoy being a part of.

    Tactical decisions however do not seem to the area in which he thrives.

    Given a team that can limit the number of tactical decisions he makes, due to players that perform at a higher level, could result in wonderful results.

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    Replies
    1. Agree, Bob, he fosters a family atmosphere. Big wins help too

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  12. My problem is I do judge Terry Collins on results. Look at his track record since he's been here. It's a LOSING one.

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  13. Reese -

    I'm not trying to be a wise ass but I simply don't remember what your thoughts were on Collins and the team getting to the World Series.

    Was winning the National League enough results for you in 2015?

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  14. It goes deeper than the WS, Mack--- if Terry didn't have the AAAA roster above.500 in July, the team would not have been buyers and certainly wouldn't have added payroll $$$ for Cespedes and the others we added.

    Pre-season,the Vegas over/under # on the Mets was 84, and that was without the expectation of losing Wright and Travis plus others for significant time. We beat that by 6, and it would've been a few more if we didn't rest guys once we clinched the Division.

    Yes, winning with the post-July roster was easier, but it's the PRE-July record that was significant but under-rated.

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