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5/21/18

Reese Kaplan -- A Sign of Things To Come, Perhaps?



Sometimes when something happens you have a tendency to read too much into it, but I found the move by Mickey Callaway yesterday in the 9th inning curious on a number of levels.  In a 4-1 game with Jeurys Familia warming up for his customary save situation, Callaway instead let Robert Gsellman pitch the 9th inning after having gotten quickly out of the 8th. 

Now the thinking behind the move was probably fairly obvious…Gsellman has had terrific reverse platoon splits, showing greater success against left handed batters than right handed ones.  With 2 of the 3 batters scheduled (including Paul Goldschmidt) you could see why it was prudent to consider keeping Gsellman in the game.  He did keep Familia warming up, so despite him having pitched in Saturday night’s game, the issue was likely not one of rest for his closer.


The other conclusion I drew is that perhaps he wanted to see how Gsellman would respond in a high leverage situation.  He’s primarily been used in multi-inning middle relief, but with the poor performance of AJ Ramos thus far, Jerry Blevins continuing his typecasting as a LOOGY, and the trust factor not yet established with Paul Sewald, it was about time to see this move take place.  I had advocated in my “Fixing the Mess” article on Saturday doing just that – moving Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman into higher leverage relief situations rather than jerking them back and forth between the pen and the rotation.

With both AJ Ramos (good riddance) and Jeurys Familia expected to test free agency next year, the Mets should be looking ahead as to who will handle closing duties.  I know, I know…when do they ever look ahead at anything (or the corollary observation, when do they ever try to use their exclusive negotiating window before allowing someone to hit the free market?)

Now I realize I’m reading far too much into a single game in which Robert Gsellman notched his first career save with a masterful 1-2-3 inning pitched.  It was just one game and fundamentally won’t change things going forward.  However, let’s indulge in a little trading deadline fantasy.

Jeurys Familia is already earning a tick under $8 million.  We saw what the Mets thought about having relievers who earn big money last year when Addison Reed was sent packing in his walk year.  AJ Ramos is getting paid $9.2 million for his 4.86 ERA before hitting free agency as well. 

Now last year’s great fire sale included a number of second tier talents – Curtis Granderson, Neil Walker, and Lucas Duda.  There was a hot hitting Jay Bruce but we saw how undervalued sluggers were in the off-season.  Then there was arguably the biggest chip of all, Addison Reed, who at the time of the trade was pitching to the tune of a 2.57 ERA, 19 Saves and WHIP of just 1.122.  To wit he brought back the biggest haul – three pitchers from Boston whose collective abilities are too soon to measure but none is exactly setting the world on fire.

Jeurys Familia, however, has had a longer track record of success as a closer and likely is in the top ten relievers in baseball.  Consequently should they choose to move him at the deadline, he should net back more than an Eric Hanhold.  Even AJ Ramos at his salary should be moveable to a club interested in having someone with some closing experience, though you might have to pay down the salary to get a taker as they did in the case of Neil Walker last year.  He’s a sunk cost.


Now the bigger question is do you trust Sandy Alderson to pull the trigger on an equitable (let alone favorable) deal?  I certainly do not.  However, shedding salaries is something that causes both he and the Wilpons to salivate like a Jack Russell Terrier on crack when you’re frying bacon. 

So if you assume you could net a top 10 prospect for Jeurys Familia at the deadline, would you do it?  I’d certainly be targeting offense over pitching and realize that in addition to the forgotten Tim Peterson in AAA you do have a batch of relievers working their way up the ladder who should help in 2019 or 2020.  I’d advocate doing so even if the club is in contention as you need to get ready for next season and beyond.  There is no guarantee Familia would be here and hanging onto him for the draft pick compensation is somewhat foolish considering Alderson’s dubious track record.  I’d rather have someone developed and higher up the food chain in AA or AAA with some track record of success rather than again taking Gavin Cecchini over Corey Seager. 



13 comments:

  1. A revival in Queens, and I was glad to see Gsellman impress in a closing slot - they do have to weigh what to do with Familia going forward.

    It was encouraging to see Rosario hit his first two homers - both only cleared the fences by a bit, so I am not overwhelmed by his power - with his build, he looks like he should have more.

    Aren't we glad that Cabrera is not only excelling, but contrary to some gossipy stuff last year, is actually considered a very good teammate?

    I thought I would post again about Jeff McNeil - hit his 12th homer...in 2013-15, he had 4 homers in 1,086 at bats...this year, 12 in 137 at bats. Transformed his body, and game, to add missing power.

    Now he is .328/.403/.715 in 35 games, just 16 Ks in 150 PAs. And .368/.429/.789 in warmer May.

    What I like too is that he is NOT running - 1 for 1 in steals. Smart enough to know that like the injury-prone Cespedes, he has speed and CAN steal bases, but Jeff is probably astute after his last 2 injury-filled years, and must be thinking why risk running when you're hitting a ton? So he does not run. He just hits.

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  2. Tyler Bashlor got a true test over the weekend - faced Vlad Jr with 2 on and a lead - a 3 run homer later, Bashlor also learned that it is HARD to pitch against a future great, who currently is already great.

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  3. The compensation you refer to Reese, comes with a $19MM offer for a QO. Can you make that offer to Familia and expect him to reject it?

    I will always believe, until Alderson says no, that Ramos was duly acquired for this year and to be taken off the market because Boston was playing both sides. I enjoyed screwing Danbrowski back for the screwing he did for Cespedes.

    Lastly, if you’re in a pennant chase, do you trade off your bullpen assets and put untested players out there?

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  4. TexasGus, with the putrid Marlins coming up, and Frazier, Cespedes, and Plawecki all due back pretty soon, a good showing against the Marlins could have us back in the race.

    This guy makes Thor look like Jason Vargas:

    http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2018/05/21/cardinals-pitcher-hits-105-mph-twice-on-radar-gun.html

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  5. Guys -

    Familia would NOT be part of my rebuilding program.

    I would trade him at the All-Star break so I could get the top prospect available offered at the time, regardless of position.

    I would then install Gsellman as my closer until (or if) someone else developed. If that happened, I would return Gsellman to the set-up role.

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    1. Agreed 100%

      I’d even do it regardless of whether they’re ‘in it’ or not. If Gsellman can handle the duties the team would still have enough time to regroup. Familia isn’t going to be here next year and if he can fetch good young talent it’s healthier for the long term. It’s better than losing him for nothing when his replacement might already be here and ready and I’d sure as hell rather do this than entertain the idea of dealing our two ace pitchers with no replacements and guarantee of replacing them in trade.

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  6. @TexasGusCC -- all the more reason to move Familia now with the guaranteed contract being as high as it is. You lost that stupid gamble once with Neil Walker. Learn from your mistakes.

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  7. The Wilpons won’t sell at the deadline if there is even a chance that they can convince ticket buyers that they still have a shot at the playoffs. I too am happy to see Gsellman possibly being moved to a late inning role (Ramos is definitely not that guy). If we are in fact out of contention, then Cabrera (assuming he’s healthy and still hitting) and Familia should bring back more than last year’s ho-hum haul. McNeil should take Cabrera’s spot. Guillorme should have Reyes’ spot right now. Bruce’s contract will be un-moveable at the deadline (as will Cespedes’). Flores, at this point, needs to be the everyday 1B. Lugo needs to be starting in place of whichever of Matz or Wheeler doesn’t get it together over their next 2-3 starts. Too bad we can’t clone him since we might well need to replace both.

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  8. If we get to the trading familia stage, which i am not excited for, bc it would mean we are in 4th in the NL east come mid july and not even close to making the playoffs. Then, it a chapman light trade. The problem is outside of the braves, dodgers (maybe) and the Astros, most of the teams in actual contention right now have used a lot of their prospects or have injured/suspended prospects or like the yankees dont need a bullpen piece.

    Familia is going to get (if he stays healthy) 5 years 75 million give or take (15 a year), bc thats what closers get paid now.

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  9. Agree with all of you.......hard to make a deal if we are contending, but if we are bouncing around in fourth place later in the year then why not get something for a player you will not likely keep after the season?

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  10. The organization is not in a sustainable winning position.

    The Mets have been chasing the "contention" goal unrealistically at the expense of sustainability.

    It is time to get a new GM, and rebuild instead of treading water.
    Time to make the most of the Mets assets in order to create a brighter and more sustainable future.

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  11. The "Ninja Turtle" gave five innings of pure unabated perfection starting against the "Merlins" last night. Was awesome to watch. Kudos to the Ninja Turtle!

    Team is playing well, yes Yoenis and Todd are out hurt. But at least they aren't Pedroia type injuries. I like the way the younger players are playing as a team and winning games that way.

    Several younger Mets are stepping up big time. Leave them alone may be sound advice here. They will only get better.

    On Jeurys Familia. The guy came up a starter if you recall, but the inn as full and he went to the pen begrudgingly perhaps. Now Jeurys is a premiere closer, he did that to his own credit. Show some respect for the man. Otherwise we could be closing with Robles and Montero all these years.

    Someone like a Josh Hader in the set-up closing mix might be nice too. Could you imagine a bullpen with Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, and Josh Hader? Hard to imagine it's so good! Wouldn't even matter who the other three are really. You, me, and Mack would do.

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  12. Wilmer, Amed, Seth, Robert, Michael, and Brandon are all contributing to the Mets big time now. It's great to see too!

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