1/7/18

Mack’s Apples – David Roseboom, New Year Resolutions, Middle Infield Bias, Baseball Travel, Puerto Rico



Good morning.


RP David Roseboom checked in with me about his hurt toe and its status for the  2018 reason:

“I will be 100% for season!! It was my big toe and I did not require surgery. Just needed some R and R. Hope all is well and Happy New Year!”
 Dave was a steal in 2014 as a 17th round draft pick out of the University of South Carolina-Upstate (sorry about Clemson, David). He was a starter for his entire four years there, but the Mets immediately converted him to the pen, where he excelled until he hit the PCL brick wall in Las Vegas (8.31). Still, his 4-season pro ERA is 2.91 in 130 games, with an 8.94 K/9 ratio.

I’m thrilled to hear he’s at 100%. He’ll need it. The Mets are swimming with relievers with previous AAA experience and he’s going to have to get right back on the horse to keep guys like Drew Smith, Tim Peterson, Chase Bradford, Kevin McGowan, Ben Griset, Paul Sewald, Matt Purke, Ricky Knapp (possible starter), Logan Taylor, Kelly Secrest, Josh Prevost, and Drew Gagnon (possible starter)          

 
New York  Mets: New Year’s Resolution for 2018 –

              
          The thing that is most likely at the top of the Mets’ New Year’s Resolution list is to stay healthy. Yoenis Cespedes, who quickly rose to Mets’ stardom after coming over in 2015, was limited to just 81 games or half of a season. While Cespedes seems to have lingering health issues, a good New Year’s Resolution for him would be to play at least 130 games. If that is the case, you can lock him in for 30+ homeruns. Staying on the topic of health, the Mets should set a goal of having three starting pitchers make 30 or more starts in 2018. The Mets used 12 different starters in 2017 and only one of them, Jacob deGrom, made 30 or more starts. Virtually the Mets’ entire projected starting rotation aside from deGrom was not healthy In 2017. So, if some combination of Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and Steven Matz is healthy in 2018, the season outcome will almost definitely look a lot better for the team.


 Rotograph  -  Exploiting Middle Infield Bias -

Owners still think middle infield is still a scarce position. I believe most experts have been making this mental adjustment for years and can’t stop. This adjustment is not going to end with many top prospects at the middle infield positions (e.g. Gleyber Torres, Brendan Rodgers, Bo Bichette). Owners need to fight and try to eliminate this internal bias when constructing their team. The source of production is irrelevant if owners grab as much possible talent before the curve flattens out.

The debate continues about the importance of middle field defense. You know how I feel about this.


The Great American Pastime,  Baseball , Makes A Great Travel Destination In 2018 –
                            
        Now, the razed stadiums are replaced by monoliths of architectural splendor, raised to encompass a greater number of fans and a greater number of sponsors. Food courts have replaced the small kiosks which offered hotdogs, pretzels, peanuts, beer and soda. Now, the hungry sports fan can enjoy a lobster melt in Fenway Park, a tuna poke bowl in Dodger Stadium, a Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese in Miller Park, or even a Killer Kilbane Dog (hotdog with relish, peanut butter and sriracha sauce) in Cleveland’s Progressive Field.


         AFTER A MUTED CHRISTMAS,  PUERTO RICO LOOKS TO BASEBALL –

        
    Catcher René Rivera, a free agent who last season played for the Mets and Cubs, made good on his promise to spread goodwill and gifts around the island. In the days leading up to Christmas, he played Santa, delivering $25,000 worth of toys collected in the States to 100 communities.


                          Rivera’s slogan was #NoKidLoseHope. Now the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League is pushing so that no fans lose hope, moving up the start date of its already truncated 2018 season by one day, to Jan. 5.

18 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

No surgery? A modern day miracle! Hoping Dave Roseboom makes up for lost time with a fabulous 2018.

A healthy, happy new year for Mets players. Stay healthy, be happy.

Zozo said...

If middle infield is what everyone wants can you please trade us something good for Asdrubal Cabrera? Someone? Anyone? (Sound of crickets)

Mack Ade said...

Tom -

Yeah, I am very happy Dave will be ready come April.

I just wish we didn't have to send these guys to Vegas.

Mack Ade said...

Zozo -

As I have said before, I am happy with Flores at 2B for the first half of 2018. If he plays it well, rather than playing at it, it is his for the rest of the year.

If not, I am sure Guillorme will hit .300 in Vegas and I will gladly turn the Flushing second base slot over to his glove come the All Star break.

Reese Kaplan said...

I agree with Mack 100%. 2B is arguably the easiest of the three infield positions (other than 1B), so let's see what happens when the manager doesn't jerk Wilmer in and out of the lineup on a daily basis, benching him in favor of the Matt Reynolds of this world.

Reese Kaplan said...

Here's one to make my blood boil. The xenophobic Mets cast a net as far as their rotary phone cord will reach, while teams that seek to win find bargain talent worldwide:

"Heyman also reports that, on the flip side, Japanese reliever Kazuhisa Makita has signed a deal in the U.S. with the San Diego Padres. The deal is for two years and is worth $4 million."

The man is 32 years old, has a 2.83 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP for his entire career. For those keeping track at home, that's better than anyone in the Mets' entire bullpen.

bill metsiac said...

What makes 2B "easiest"? Turning the DP can make or break an inning, and the 2Bman is imvolved in 90%+ of DPs.

bill metsiac said...

You still equate Japan stats with ML ones? Japan ball is at AAA level, at best. Forget the PCL-inflated #s, but there are lots of ERAs like that in the IL, with some succeeding in the majors and others not.

Hobie said...

Bill,

I think you're missing the point. Anybody signed anywhere for any amount is Met negligence--including those signed by the Mets (a.k.a. Dumpster Diving).

36 days until P & C's report. LGM.

Reese Kaplan said...

The point is that other teams seek to improve. The Mets dumped several starting players yet in two years they have added just one major league player. Tick tock...

bill metsiac said...

You're right, Hobie. I missed that. If we sign a guy cheap, it's obviously dumpster diving, and if we sign one for more, we've obviously overpaid and wasted money. When will I learn? 😣

Mack Ade said...

Bill -

I would take me many many paragraphs to try and explain why playing 2B is easier than SS (the hardest) and 3B,

I played infield.

You have to trust me here.

The worst fielder was always on second because it's the easiest position to play... and... it even has become easier with all the shifts.

Hobie said...

I believe that, Mack. Knew a guy ho could hit a little & played for James Monroe HS. They stuck himat 2B next to Ed Kranepool to hide him. :-)

bill metsiac said...

I trust you, Mack, but I still don't understand it. I've seen old 2Bmen moved to 3B when they get older and slower (Junior Gilliam and Jackie Robinson I recall from the days of my yoot), but I can't think of any old 3Bmen moving the other way.

Unknown said...

Xenophobic Reese ? I think your mistaking their frugality with racism . As much as I desert ownership I would never call them overtly or covertly racist or xenophobic

Mack Ade said...

Bill -

Sorry for my lack of seeing your last comment here. I've been off line most of the day with the family.

Here's a quick way to determine it:

1. get a very long tape messure

2. now, make a mark in the spot a third baseman normally stands, a shortstop deep in hole, and second baseman deep in the hole.

3. Measure the distance from home to your marks and than add to each of these another calculated distance by running your tape would go from the point you would catch the ball and throw it to first base.

Put these numbers against the speed of the same runner trying to beat out a grounder and... well, you can get the picture.

bill metsiac said...

I see your points, while I see the 2Bman racing to his right to field a GB behind the bag, whirling in the air and firing to first as one of the most difficult IF plays.

And starting a DP by cleanly fielding the ball and making the throw to the right spot for the SS, or being the middle man with the runner charging from the rear.

The 3Bman doesn't need the range, though he needs to make longer throws.

But am I off in my thinking that old 2Bmen move to 3B, while I have no memory of the reverse happening?

Mack Ade said...

Good point.

I primarly played for my instincts.

Still.second baseman have always been thought of as inferior in the field.

Maybe they don't wear out as quickly as us nutjobs that played the hot corner