Good morning.
1. Peter
Alonso | 1B | AAA —> After flashing his potential in 2017, Alonso
fully broke out this past season. He split the year between double-A and
triple-A while mashing 36 homers. He also walked 76 times in 132 games (along
with 128 Ks). The swing-and-miss tendencies will impact his ability to hit for
average but he’s also still growing as a hitter and has shown the ability to
make adjustments. He’s not overly athletic or quick so he may never be better
than average at first base but the power should give him the ability to be an
impact hitter.
Austin
J. Eich - @Eich_AJ
Most
strikeouts among NL relievers this season:
• 140 - Josh
Hader • 112 - Adam
Ottavino • 103 - Seth Lugo
NYM Fans - @nym_fans -
Mets
upcoming Free Agents: 1. Jerry Blevins 2. Austin Jackson 3. Devin
Mesoraco 4. Jose Reyes 5. A.J. Ramos 6.
Jose Lobaton
Mack – One could
make a case for bringing back Mesoraco, especially if we can’t upgrade this
position in the off-season or if d’Arnaud isn’t healing well.
As for Jackson, I’d
pass here. The return of Lagares fills his slot.
More
cuts per MiLB.com –
C Luis Lebron – The 21/yr. old DR native played 5
seasons in the Mets pipeline, hitting .235 in only a combined 412 at-bats.
Lebron was a backup catcher who reached the end of five years. He did a good
job in the bullpen and didn’t embarrass himself in the batters box.
LHP
Juilan Sierra – One must assume that the 22/yr.
old undrafted New Yorker has had an injury filled professional career. He
pitched in only 11 games in 2017 (11.1-IP) and gave up 12 walks. This year, he
pitched in only 0.2 innings for the same GCL team and produced a 13.50-ERA.
Then, he disappeared and you simply can’t get anyone from this team to tell you
injury updates on their players. We’ll never know if he got a fair shake.
2B
David Lozano – The 20/yr. old product from
Columbia hit .235 for the GCL Mets this year (85-AB) after starting the season
wit the DSL -1 team (39-AB, .256-AB). I actually had him as a blue prospect in 2017 when he hit .313 for the
DSL-2 team. But the addition of Wilmer Reyes, Luis
Santana, LA Woodard, and Dylan Tice have
filled the second base position at the lower levels. Someone had to cut and the
guillotine landed here.
P
Josh Prevost – A former 5th round
draft pick in 2014, Josh made it all the way to Vegas this past season (1-1,
4.91), but seemed to only put up good numbers at lower levels (2018: St. Lucie
– 11-starts, 3.77). The problem is he will pitch 2019 as a 27 year old which
just doesn’t hack it in a team full of young arms.
2B
Giovanny Alfonzo – The 25-year old was a Marlins
2015 draft pick and son of Edgar Alfonzo. Tough
cut. The Mets picked him up after he hit .309 for the Ducks in 2017; however,
he only hit .215 this season for Columbia. I expect him to go back to the Ducks
next season.
1B
Carl Stajduhar – Stajduhar was a late round 2017
draft pick who hit .137 in Brooklyn in 2017 and never had one at bat this past
season for any affiliate. One has to assume this is an injury related move.
P
Ryan Selmer –
The 24-year old Selmer was a 31st round 2017 pick that pitched this
season for the Cyclones (22-appearances, 5.65). He had an excellent season for
K-Port in 2017 as well (2.14).
1B Dionis Paulino – The 24/yr, old played this past season for Columbia, hitting .259 in 174 at-bats. It was his 5th season in the chain. Overall 5-year BA: .268.
P Ryan McAuliffe – The 23-year old was an undrafted
product of St. John’s in 2017 (10-G, 6-ST, 4-0, 1.80. He didn’t pitch much for
Brooklyn this year (6-G, 1-start), but the results were just fine: 2.89/1.18.
My guess is his recent broken fibular
came into play here.
Tim Tebow:
"I don’t blame Kelly Bryant at all" –
College
Football analyst Tim Tebow was a guest on ESPN's
First Take on Friday and discussed Bryant's decision to leave Clemson for a
possible starting job elsewhere.
I can't agree here. Kelly's decision means he will never be able to walk the streets again in Tiger Town. He earned that being a great quarterback. He threw that lifetime reward by this bush move. Still, he was my QB and I wish him well.
Anthony
DiComo - @AnthonyDiComo
-
Basically, Jeff Wilpon said the Mets have not spent heavily on
free agents over the past decade, or on their analytics department, because Sandy Alderson and his aides recommended that course
of action.
#SignMachado
- @OmarMinayaFan
-
Sandy Alderson is a Harvard lawyer, Marine,
and future Hall of Fame baseball executive who stepped away from the Mets
because he has CANCER AGAIN yet Jeff Wilpon, who
inherited Daddy's money and didn't go to college, is out there blaming Alderson
for the last 8 years.
Mack – This guy
just can’t stop stepping in front of a camera with one foot, stepping in shit
with the other foot, putting said foot into mouth, and then spews out crap like
this. God, this family is unbelievable.
If Blevins is not re-signed, who fills that role?
ReplyDeleteMesoraco could be OK to re-sign, if he is the best option, but we need to avoid Tomas Nido and his bat playing much for the Mets in 2019. Bad teams play guys like that who can't hit. Get creative and get Realmuto somehow?
Wilpons - buck stops with you, fellas. if you did not like Sandy's performance, you should have replaced him long ago.
Peter Alonso will be the 2019 Rookie of the Year - only because Jeff McNeil no longer qualifies. Pete will hit 30 homers for the Mets. 30 doubles, too.
Thank goodness Seth Lugo did not need Tommy John surgery. He has been a fantastic mid-30's round draft pick. Compare to Josh Prevost in the 5th round.
As much as I like Blevins there is always a limit to the money available to spend. We have no clear idea how the David Wright/Yoenis Cespedes salaries factor into that budget.
ReplyDeleteAs to who fills it, Daniel Zamora got a good late season audition and I'm still holding out some hope for David Roseboom to get a chance at the Show.
Of course, every now and then I fantasize about Andrew Miller, but then I wake up.
Tom -
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with bringing Blevens back, I too believe that Zamora should be given a good look in the spring. Lastly, if Lugo is stretched out to become a starter, I would use Vargas out of the pen regardless of his contract.
Tom -
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comments about Alonso being next year's ROY...
On the Marlins.
I had championed the idea of Vargas to the pen a long time ago. Others have done it. Dennis Eckersley and John Smoltz immediately come to mind.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we have to be stuck with an ethically bankrupt mpron like Jeff wilpon? Throwing sandy under the bus while he recovers from cancer is really low and reflects terribly on the Boy Blunder. And does he really think the fans are stupid enough to believe that the Mets didn't spend more $ because sandy recommended not to? We all know the wilpons are the problem and don't want to spend the money to make us a viable championship contender. He insulted sandy and our intelligence. We ain't stupid. Wilpon pisses me off
ReplyDeletePablo, tell us how you really feel :)
ReplyDeleteMack, if we got Realmuto for Alonso and, say, Kay and Nido, I'd be listening
Tom -
ReplyDeletewhat about J.T. for Alonso and Lugo?
Pablo
ReplyDeleteDeep breaths.
This is a family business.
It will not be sold unless:
1. Profits go 20% lower than they are now. The Board of Directors would force a sale.
2. The old man dies.
Hey fellas:
ReplyDeleteIt will be tough for Alonso to hit those numbers if he isn't in the majors,till May?
Your trade to the marlins is growing on me.
They need a 1st baseman after trading Bour.
Im just not sold on trading Gimenez
They should let Blevins go!
I have said it before ,with Manager and PC knowledge of A.L central pitchers.
I believe Miller and Kelvin Herrera will be Mets,as the two big FA signings
If the Mets strikeout and cant get Grandel or Ramos. Mecsoraco is a decent door prize! He had some big hits,and seemed to help the pitching staff. I watched a couple game she caught Wheeler and Zack seemed like a different pitcher throwing to him
Steve
I view Alonso as a Jeff Bagwell type......just enough fielding/defense that is more then made up for with his bat. He just needs a chance to settle in at the major league level and they is likely going to be sometime next year after the Super 2 deadline passes, right?
ReplyDeleteI am not as knowledgeable as others here on minor league players, but I don't see anything on that list to fret over, or am I wrong? Lots of space being cleared at all levels.....who gets moved up will be interesting.
I am with you, Mack, on the Kelly Bryant deal......where's the fight? If I were him, I would be pissed off AND determined to get my job back. His reaction (quitting) is telling, IMO.
Sandy's performance was a mixed bag, but one thing is for sure.....he has more class and integrity in his pinkie finger then all of the Wilpons put together. Life seems unfair sometimes......
No need for realmuto when there are free agent catchers to be had. Don't trade the kids
ReplyDelete, keep building it up
1. Wait a year for Mazeika, you’ll be glad you did.
ReplyDelete2. So, if Alderon was such a financial block, why didn’t they add money to Familia this passed July for a better prospect since Alderson wasn’t around?
3. Alonso is a potential offensive force, and you won’t find his numbers anywhere else. You don’t trade that, you look for that.
4. There isn’t a single Mets free agent that is sign. Good riddance to most of them, if not all.
Also, as I’ve done my prospect rankings for another exercise, I have to agree with most of the rankings, including the first three. However, I had Petersen lower in the top 10. Looking forward to the lists coming out next month, just out of curiousity...
ReplyDeleteAround the Acorn, the Nut of Oak...
ReplyDeleteI have seen enough of lefty reliever Jerry Blevins for one lifetime. He lacks consistent confidence (or something) and it showed up by May and then hung around way too long. There isn't a single NY Mets free agent this off season that I would ever want to re-sign with the Mets again, thank you. The Mets were not even 500% this year. Why would you ever want the reasons why back?
Upgrading lefty relief...
I really do like lefty reliever Daniel Zamora and that excellent sweeping curve pitch he has. Add in a 92-94 mph fastball and he is all set mid-relief. Add in a killer change up more too, and there you have a five starter. In addition to Zamora, the Mets easily could insert Jason Vargas into the pen as another left-handed reliever, and maybe Dave Roseboom could get it altogether for 2019. Who knows.
Old Topic/Team Building
Yesterday, I mentioned here that careful scouting and development can help save a lot of teams from spending way too much to sign free agent veterans. More specifically, the 2019 NY Mets should have six of their eight field starters already set. Alonso, McNeil, Rosario, Cespedes (maybe but I think so), Nimmo, and Conforto.
Only the catcher and third base positions are needed to be made a lot better than what the Mets had in 2018. And even if the Mets have to trade Todd Frazier for some other team's bad contract player, like maybe a reliever one. Frazier needs to go now (.210 BA, up from .211 the year before?) he appears content being a pop-up guy now and cheerleader, and it does not look like he gets into the gym too much to get better. Resting on Little League laurels I guess.
The catcher position is a myth. Fans like Devin Mesoraco? Why, because the other catchers here were even worse? He isn't worth the money number one, number two he does not hit very many homeruns or bat for a decent average, and his best days may be well behind him. Devin does call a nice game I agree. But that isn't enough to re-sign him.
I concur with the poster above, the NY Mets should go all out to get JT Realmuto. Then bring back Rene Rivera or Anthony Recker to back him up.
On the Safety of Home Plate Umpires...
ReplyDeleteThey need to explore bringing back the AL Umpire Chest protector that umpires wore back in the sixties and seventies. Just make it stronger and much lighter weight. There are a ton of lightweight synthetics out there to do this I think.
MLB could find something.
A couple of observations over the last few weeks of NY Mets 2018 games...
ReplyDeleteMan on second base for the Mets, no outs or one out. Batter hits a long fly ball to deep outfield that has the centerfielder turned with his back to home plate and running hard towards the warning track and wall.
What should that runner be doing on second base?
He should be at second base waiting for a possible catch in deep outfield, so that he can immediately tag-up and run to third if it is caught.
Why?
Because if that fly ball carries over the outfielder's head and hits the base of the outfield wall or the warning track dirt, the base runner (unless Lucas Duda or Wilmer Flores maybe) should be able to easily round third and head for home safely.
I saw this a number of times all season. It's a tag-up at second base play, but the Mets played it too mindlessly each time and it cost them runs too.
Texas Gus and Anthony from above...
ReplyDeleteTo me, an ideal batting line-up has five possible homerun hitters in it. I think we all agree. For 2019, the Mets already have several 20+ homerun hitters slated in. Outfielders Conforto, Cespedes (maybe if can walk), Nimmo, and then infielder Peter Alonso. Right there, four batters, three if Cespedes cannot go due to his feet.
If the Mets can add in here, like what I have been saying this week Michael Chavis from the Red Sox, he could be another one, as would be JT Realmuto, catcher from the Marlins.
The Mets would then have five or six true homerun batters, and the table setters top of the order, to get on base for them.
This is precisely how I would build the 2019 NY Mets team. You study this and then see the rotation, it will then all depend on younger relievers (the right ones this time) do get'rdone!
2019 Relievers...
Vargas, Zamora, and maybe Roseboom from the left side.
Then...
Bashlor, Mejia, Hanhold, and maybe Bautista from the right side.
(Lugo and Gsellman might have to be moved in trades for Chavis and JT Realmuto, so I left them out. Takes good to get good back.)
Man, Oakland sure made a big boo-boo going with their bullpen starters. I had never heard of them and did not know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteBut the Yankees showed up indeed.
Kudos to Boone and the Boys.
It's kind of too early to predict Peter Alonso out at the MLB level. Let him get here and get his land legs under him first.
ReplyDeleteIf the Mets start him on first base in 2019,I think easily by mid-season he'll be fine. You have to factor that in, his learning curve time. This is why you keep Jay Bruce off the bench. Backups first base, left, and right field.
Can I be a scout Mack?
ReplyDeleteCan you make it so for me? I love to travel too!
Reese Pieces...
ReplyDeleteI like your blog posting today. The idea to trade bad contracts for other teams bad contracts does make some sense providing that what the Mets were to get back was something they needed.
The only thing though with reliever Mark Melancon is that his contract is a milder Bobby Bonilla one in that it extends out to eleven years. I don't think that I would go there.
In all honesty, I'd probably keep Jay Bruce a NY Met. The reason is simply that Peter Alonso will be a rookie in 2019, and having either Jay Bruce or Dominic Smith off the bench could make sense.
The guy I might consider in a bad contract for a bad contract might rather be Todd Frazier. Possibly to get back someone to backup at the catcher position. I'll go scout what is out there this way.
Observation of the Acorns, nut of oaks...
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone like the "sound effects" during the ESPN game broadcasts?
I don't.
This isn't supposed to be football people. I prefer hearing the natural pop of the ball into the catchers mitt, the sound of the bat contacting the ball and then too, fan reaction. That's what makes this game fun to me. Natural.
It's not supposed to be "Star Wars." People watch baseball for a host of good reasons, but one key reason may be that it isn't football and there are no helmet to helmet or shoulder pad to shoulder pad crashes.
Maybe lose the microphones behind the plate (or whatever that is) and get back to "old school" most of us like so much.
Kudos out to Fred Wilpon too, poo-pooing "anal-ytics" reliance from his GM possibilities, instead preferring good baseball men making good baseball decisions. I am with you Mr. Fred totally!
If this all were to go over-the-top robotized, it will delete the very game itself, thus turning this game we all love into something it was never intended to be and not an improvement.
Homework by scouts and management is one thing and very good, but anal-ytics, well that is like having these infield/outfield shifts placed on 'roids or something.
Maybe some ideas need to be left at the think tank.
Acorns I Tell You, Nuts of Oak
ReplyDeleteOn Reese's thought to consider Juan Lagares as the NY Mets 2019 starting center fielder, maybe careful what you wish for Mr. Reese.
Fact is simply Juan isn't spectacular at the plate by any means, hits very few homeruns, has a very average batting average, cannot steal bases for some reason beyond my thought process, and averages under 100 games played per season. He's marginal at best offensively, despite being terrific on defense. In comparison, he is kind of like Boston's center fielder Jackie Bradley, but the Mets do not have Mookie Betts and JD Martinez on their team to compensate for Lagares lack of hitting prowess. At least not yet, they're working on it.
I don't think that either Conforto or Nimmo will kill us if they play center field. Personally, I'd go with Brandon Nimmo in center, he is faster a foot than Michael and can cover a lot of ground. But either one is fine.
Maybe back up the outfield with Jay Bruce on the corners and then too backing up Alonso on first, who really needs to start in 2019. In this way Jay would get into 3-4 games a week, which is enough. And choose between either Tim Tebow or Zach Borenstein off the bench for key pinch hitting duty, because they can hit hard to score needed runs later inning.
Messing With Perfection
ReplyDeleteStarting pitching here is almost always perceived as spectacular and perfecto mundo. I understand that, but lets take a closer look now, shall we.
You cannot mess with greatness and the "Big Three" of Syndergaard, Wheeler, and deGrom is just that to me. Leave it alone in other words, and count your blessings is very good advice here.
However, beyond these "Big Three" guns, it can get a little bit dicey. The Mets basically went with Steven Matz and Jason Vargas in 2018, along with Corey Oswalt the kid right hander. How did that work out for you? I think only Oswalt has legs here now starting. Thus, my point to all this.
Steven Matz has pretty much struggled here every season (except maybe one) since arriving to these NY Mets. While Jason Vargas was "bad then good" in this same time. Is that what you Mets fans really want for 2019 in the four and five slots? Again? If you disagree, you might want to go look up their statistics and see for yourself.
Not unlike Geico, the Mets need more. (More) What a fabulous concept.
I might consider Steven Matz for lefty set-up now or possibly even a trade scenario. Don't laugh or gnash your teeth please. He is obviously not a solution for the rotation in 2019 based on history.
Steven will be 28 next season and not unlike Juan Lagares (who will be 30) neither guy has really actually made it here or lit the place on fire, it might be an overestimation on all our parts to think they ever will.
So what to do, what to do?
I first went to AAA/AA Mets to see what was there, not much starting pitching wise. Guys with too many question marks. But what I do like is lefty pitcher Dave Roseboom now serving as reliever at AAA Vegas. Check out his stats and see. Not bad, shows promise.
Dave Roseboom's stats are respectable in all categories. He has three pitches in his arsenal and is someone kind of on the Mets radar system. The other lefty starter idea I like is possibly making Daniel Zamora into a starter. Both of these two pitchers could possibly be turned into decent starters maybe in Fall and/or Winter Ball. It could be worth a shot. Then
Daniel Zamora has a terrific (and not just good but amazing) slider, a 92 mph fastball that just needs to dip down more, and I am certain that he could learn a MLB level change-up pitch as well, if he has not already. In his time up here later this season, I have seen him strikeout some of MLB's best hitters and with ease. Batters that walk back to their dugout actually scratching their heads.
There is not a lot at AAA or AA starting pitcher wise worthy for consideration here starting. Justin Dunn (the righty) is probably the closest, but there are whispers I have heard that think he would make a better reliever than starter. And Nabil Crismatt (right hander) may need another full season in Vegas, my guess.
The other idea, that I mentioned recently, was a trade sending Seth Lugo and Andres Gimenez to Boston for 3B Michael Chavis (who may not ever start in Boston playing behind Rafael Devers already there and Rafael being just 21 years old, and AA lefty starter Darwinzon Hernandez who has solid strikeout capability.
The Logic
Boston needs another good righty starter (Lugo) and they need a young second baseman like Gimenez. While the Mets need a good young third baseman with homerun power (Chavis) and a younger good lefty starter who can get strikeouts Hernandez.
Interestingly here, both Chavis and Gimenez are their team's top prospect.
(More)
Grab A Seat Kids, The World Has Gone Totally Insane
ReplyDeleteYou see and hear about it every single day. Random shootings. Mass hooting sprees on a large group of innocents. Children Abducted never to be heard from again. Old people mistreated or even worse in Assisted Living. People being run over by drunk drivers and drug addicted drivers on sidewalks and trying to cross the street.
The U.S. now is the number two most gun violent country in the entire world only behind Brazil.
This is precisely why I love baseball.
For three hours (maybe a little bit more) the dim reality of a stupid planet gone astray just completely goes away, and I become oblivious to all the baloney and bull-crap. Ain't it something? God bless baseball, and God bless America too! Viva Los Metsos beisbol, I tell ya'! Long live the King!
Anyway...
Boston wins game one with the Yankees, but the Yankees did not give up once down 5-0. This could be a great series.
In The News Lately
Topics In The News This Past Week
Eyedetex...
Works better than polygraph, by far. Polygraph is easily fooled, a child can trick it.
Anonymous -
ReplyDeletePlease email me at: macksmets@gmail.com so we can talk
Dear Mack:
ReplyDeleteThat's okay.
I'll stop posting and move on to another blogsite.
Take care.
Building a great team is not always by design. Look at the NYK right now. They got the right coach for once and they drafted a lot of good players recently too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Mets can do the same? Fall into it?