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Good Morning, Mets' fans!
As you are reading this, we are a mere 13 days from the start of Spring Training. That can be both a good thing and a bad thing, in my opinion. The good part of that is we are less then two weeks from the start of the Mets' 2020 season and a whole new set of story lines to discuss.
The bad part is that the end of January into early February is pretty much devoid of any baseball news whatsoever.
The bad part is that the end of January into early February is pretty much devoid of any baseball news whatsoever.
Yes, there are a few free agents that have yet to pick a new home and the random trade rumor that is still being bandied about to keep some modicum of interest from us "baseball fans". But, most of the news is on hold until everyone makes their way to Florida and/or Arizona for some fun in the sun.
With that being said, let's get on with this week's article.
1. I am not sure how old each of you are, but most of us are likely old enough to remember when former Lakers' star Kobe Bryant first entered the NBA. It doesn't seem that long ago, but he had since completed a wonderful career and was a few years into his much deserved retirement at a very young 41 years old.
Sadly, he perished a couple of days ago in a helicopter crash, along with a group of other folks that included his teenage daughter.
A lot of things have been written in the days since the crash so I am not going to try and come up with a new angle, per se. Simply put, it is a horrible tragedy on so many levels and it is also a reminder that life is unpredictable and way too short.
A lot of things have been written in the days since the crash so I am not going to try and come up with a new angle, per se. Simply put, it is a horrible tragedy on so many levels and it is also a reminder that life is unpredictable and way too short.
As corny as it may sound, enjoy each day and make sure that you remind the folks that you care about, just how much you care because you never know what is coming next.
2. This time of year also reminds me of a different sports related tragedy involving a young player who had yet to make it to the "big time" in former Mets' prospect Brian Cole. I have spent time in the past shining a light on his story and how wonderful of a person Brian was (I am sure you can locate the articles in the archives, if you are interested).
Hard to believe that Brian's crash occurred 19 years ago in March of 2001. What is eerie is that Brian would have been roughly 41 years old this year, which is similar to Kobe's age prior to his separate crash.
3. Why is it that the Nolan Arenado and Starling Marte rumors refuse to go away this offseason? Or, why are the Mets continuously linked to both players? Could it be that we are in a slow news cycle for baseball stories as mentioned earlier or is there some traction to these rumors?
Jeff McNeil is the favorite to start at third base and I can see a platoon between Jake Marsinick and Brandon Nimmo in centerfield for the 2020 season.
In other words, there isn't any room on the roster or in the field for either player. Plus, one is REALLY expensive (Arenado) and the other is likely declining and only has one year of control left before he gets expensive. I hope these are just silly rumors and that Brodie is not considering either transaction.
In other words, there isn't any room on the roster or in the field for either player. Plus, one is REALLY expensive (Arenado) and the other is likely declining and only has one year of control left before he gets expensive. I hope these are just silly rumors and that Brodie is not considering either transaction.
4. Lastly, a lot of writers have given their "spin" on the Carlos Beltran situation that has resulted in the team pivoting to a new manager before the season even started. I think it is a sad series of events, but Carlos is responsible for his own action and the Mets justifiably moved on.
We will never know how Carlos would have done with the current roster, but I have this funny feeling that we will actually be in better hands with Luis Rojas at the helm. He has a lot of minor league experience/success as a MANAGER, plus he comes from fantastic baseball bloodlines so you know he will be prepared for this opportunity.
It is also encouraging that a whole host of players who have played for him have nothing but good things to say about his ability AND his attitude.
It is also encouraging that a whole host of players who have played for him have nothing but good things to say about his ability AND his attitude.
Somehow, I don't see him making the same "odd" decisions that Mickey Callaway made over the past few season. Or, losing his composure and "going off" on a reporter after a bad game. Nope, I think Luis will be successful AND he will be an ambassador for Mets' baseball.
With that said, I am pretty excited for the start of the Mets' 2020 season, despite the bumpy ride that we have been on the last few months.
Until next time, stay safe everyone.
9 comments:
Good article. Kobe Bryant's death is a sad reminder that nobody is indestructible.
Marte is now gone to the D-Backs, so that has been put to rest. The Mets could get Kevin Pillar, if they were so inclined for a better defensive OF. But, they have six OFs already. Arenado I'd love, but I just don't see him making Citifield his home because the Mets don't have enough to make this deal work.
On the Carlos Beltran pivot, the Wilpon-run Mets do not want controversial people on the team. A list of some who got themselves run out of the organization for bad citizenship:
1. Vince Coleman for throwing an M-80 into a crowd of fans at Dodger Stadium.
2. Carl Everett for allegedly abusing his son.
3. Paul LoDuca for being involved with gambling.
4. K-Rod for punching out his father-in-law in the Mets clubhouse.
5. David Cone for sexually assaulting a Phillies clubhouse attendant at the end of the 1991 season. (Cone was traded during the 1992 season.)
And probably some more that I don't remember.
Oh yeah. Ricky Henderson and Bobby Bonilla. Anyone for a game of cards?
Ricky Henderson was on the decline with an average in the low .200's after he left the Mets, but he still got on base a lot and still stole bases (about .365 OBP and 67 of 87 steals over his last 1,166 career PAs. He was quirky but incredible.
I mean, 2205 runs, 297 HRs, 1406 steals, and a .401 career OBP? Insane. Akin, talent-wise, to Kobe Bryant, I'd say.
I CANNOT BELIEVE PITCHERS AND CATCHERS ARE IN JUST 13 DAYS!
Honestly you kept hearing about Marte, Arenado, Betts and Lindor because bloggers and beat writers needed something to write about and page views. Metsblog(SNY) was exceptionally unbearable with multiple articles a week pining/rumor starting for these players that are great but simply do not fit the Mets current situation. I'm glad Marte is finally off the table so I don't have to read about him anymore. You trade prospects for him where does he play? Nimmo, Ces, Conforto, Marisnick, Smith, Davis, McNeil already will all have time there and trading those guys plus prospects for him was never going to happen.
Most teams make solid moves in the off-season to improve. The Mets lost Wheeler, Frazier and Lagares. They picked up injured Dellin Betances, injured Michael Wacha, declining Rick Porcello and capable but cheaper Jake Marisnick. That does not sound like a team looking to build.
The Beltran/Rojas thing I think has a faint bright light to it...more so than if they brought in another over-the-hill guy with no concept of how the game is now played or if they brought in another rookie without an inning of managerial experience.
Reese, you say "Most teams make solid moves in the off-season to improve. The Mets lost Wheeler, Frazier and Lagares. They picked up injured Dellin Betances, injured Michael Wacha, declining Rick Porcello and capable but cheaper Jake Marisnick. That does not sound like a team looking to build."
My take is Wheeler is a loss, the pitchers who replaced him may not be as good...Frazier was in decline and just OK....and Lagares was in decline. Betances says he feels great, and Cespedes and Lowrie have real pedigree if healthy. Seems like an overall improvement to me. Edwin Diaz feels he has rectified his mechanics issues...if he bounces back, he is worth 5 more wins all by himself. I am feeling prety good, despite the competition in the Division.
I have to agree with Tom. Wheeler was the only loss. Frazier while competent was easily replaced internally and Lagares had a -0.7 WAR so his subtraction might be a net plus. He was really fun to watch those first 2 years with the off the chart defense, too bad injuries got in the way of what may have been a more productive career to date. The Mets have a young exciting team with a fair amount of depth that really shined and put it together in the 2nd half. I'm an optimist and that final AB with Smith walking off the Braves is still seared in my brain and has me excited for this year. The fact that the Mets didn't off load more top prospects or their young core this offseason (fingers crossed it stays that way) is a win in my mind. Next year they lose Ces, Lowrie, Stro, Porcello, Wacha but might have Cohen coming in to get us Betts/Realmuto (one can dream). Also they are rumoring having the DH as early as next year, which I think is an abomination but plays very well to the Mets strength with more options to get at bats for Davis/Cano without sacrificing defense not to mention getting Smith more ABs as well.
Can you imagine what other teams fans are going to do to the Astro batters this year, no less the seemingly countless pitches behind their heads?
I did a wonderful interview with David Wright about Brian Cole, though David was too young to have played with him.
Most Mets fans did not follow the minors then like they do now.
He would have, at least, have been the second coming of Tommy Agee or Cleon Jones.
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