Mack’s Morning Report – 2-21-16 – Alejando De Aza, Yoenes Cespedes, Addison Reed, Mets Rotation, Jim Henderson

Good morning.

Mark Carig writes about Alejando De Aza –

Last season, De Aza posted a .278/.351/.448 slash line against right-handers. But the Mets don’t have a glaring need in that department, since Cespedes, Conforto and Granderson have all generally enjoyed better success against righties.

Nevertheless, barring an injury or an aggressive trade offer from another club between now and Opening Day, the Mets appear content to keep De Aza, who hit .262 with seven homers and 35 RBIs last season with the Giants, Red Sox and Orioles.

Mack – Many Mets fans have short memories and don’t remember that they have had up to 10 members of their primary 25-man squad on the disabled list at the same time.

          Shit happens and it always seems to happen to this team.

De Aza could be the insurance against one run into one wall by one of the other outfielders.

2B Dilson Herrera and P Nabil Crisbatt will be leaving camp to join Team Columbia in the World Baseball Classic. SS Luis Guillorme will do the same for Team Spain

Adam Rubin –  

          Yoenis Cespedes is due to arrive at Mets camp on Sunday -- three days ahead of the official position-player report date. That leaves only Alejandro De Aza  and Asdrubal  Cabrera yet to arrive.

Mack – Having Cespedes arrive two days early is a great sign, but not having Cabrera in camp isn’t. Lastly, I’m not sure what the motivation would be to get De Aza in early.

Mike Puma ‏@NYPost_- The Mets have Addison Reed penciled in as the eighth-inning guy to begin the season, according to pitching coach Dan Warthen

        Mack – This is the logical move, though I also would consider Bastardo. Either way, look for those two and Familia to dominate the seventh through ninth inning, at least until after the all-star break when the suspension of… err… oh, yeah… nevermind.

Pale Hose: Is it possible the Mets have the hardest throwing starting rotation ever? This would be despite Bartolo Colon.

Jeff Sullivan: I think I’d be a little surprised if they didn’t

        Mack – It is amazing what this season is going to be like, rotation wise, especially once Zack Wheeler returns. I wrote about this happening for years and it’s really going to happen.

 Terry Collins on P Jim Henderson –

        "His history is very intriguing," Collins said. "I know he is a couple of years out of surgery now, which we're hoping makes a big difference. I saw him in Milwaukee and he was very, very good. I'm just hoping maybe we can catch lightning in a bottle after a couple of years and he reestablishes some strength in his shoulder and he's the guy he once was. Now, is he ever going to be that 96 mph guy? I don't know. But I know one thing: He's pitched in the big leagues and he's had success in the big leagues. You can't find guys with that kind of experience."

Mack – The article says that Jeurys Familia, Addison Reed, Jerry Blevins, and Antonio Bastardo are a lock for the pen. It also says that Hansel Robles looks safe.

                  I agree.

        That leaves Dario Alvarez, Sean Gilmartin, Erik Goeddel, Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo, Rafael Montero, Akeel Morris, Josh Smoker, Logan Verrett, Jeff Walters, and Gabriel Ynoa as members of the 40-man squad eligible to fill the remaining two slots in the pen.

        Henderson is currently not on the 40-man.

        My guess is always go with veterans when it comes to a TC team: Goeddel and Verrett.