3/10/20

John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 3/10/2020


Seth Lugo makes spring debut, Michael Conforto headed back to New York to get checked by team physician, Korea and Japan delay start of the baseball season due to the coronavirus outbreak and MLB, NHL, NBA and MLS to close locker rooms to media due to coronavirus fears.  Let’s hit the links.

Mets 1 Marlins 1 (Box) (Video Highlights).

Walker Lockett threw three scoreless innings on 3 hits with 2 Ks in the start.

As MLB Trade Rumors noted Lockett is out of options along with Jacob Rhame and Tomas Nido.  If any of these players don’t make the team this spring, they will need to clear waivers before going to AAA Syracuse.  Here is the full list of MLB Players out of options from MLB Trade Rumors.

Seth Lugo was next up for the Mets and worked a 1-2-3 fourth with 1 K.

SNY.TV: Video of Seth Lugo saying that the broken toe hurts when he runs 5 miles but doesn’t impact his pitching. Also Luis Rojas talking about Pete Alonso’s spring routine and Walker Lockett saying he wants to start.

Corey Oswalt threw the longest outing of this spring for the Mets, 4 innings, 1 run, 3 hits, 5 Ks. 1.13 ERA this spring.  

Tyler Bashlor threw a scoreless ninth giving up a hit and a walk.

Just five hits on the day for the Mets highlighted by a pair of triples, one by Amed Rosario, and one by Jake Marisnick, who later scored on an Eduardo Núñez groundout for the Mets only run.

Matt Adams DHed and went 0 for 3 with a walk.


Mets travel to West Palm Beach to take on the Astros at 1 this afternoon. Rick Porcello will be on the mound for the Mets.

More Mets links:

NY Post: Michael Conforto is headed back to New York on Monday night to get checked by team physician David Altcheck after undergoing an MRI exam.

SNY.TV: The injury may have occurred in the fourth inning as he [Conforto] was battling the sun attempting to make a catch on a ball hit by Andrew Stephenson.

Baseball Cards Like They Ought To Be celebrated the retirement of Jerry Koosman’s number with some great cards.  Worth the look.

Dave Groveman of Mets 360.com had: Mets Minors: Patrick Mazeika and other NRIs you might not know.  About Mazeika this spring Dave noted: “Thus far he has managed 4 Hits in 9 Games and has hit 3 Doubles and 1 Home Run.”


Faith and Fear and Flushing “Sprung Back”: Greg Prince talks about turning the clocks ahead, John Franco’s first Mets save and more.

John Harper SNY.TV: “Dominic Smith explains his approach to Mets' 2020 season: 'I just got back to what got me here'”

NY Post: Healthy Brandon Nimmo provides Mets with dynamic option.

SNY.TV: WATCH: Mets' Marcus Stroman throws simulated game, talks about improved changeup.

NY Post: Marcus Stroman fired up by improved changeup: ‘So many weapons’

SNY.TV: Yoenis Cespedes, who has been taking at-bats in simulated games recently but has not yet played in a Grapefruit League game, has progressed to running to first base at full speed.

Newsday: Pete Alonso getting lots of at-bats as he tries to get his timing down for Mets (limited views without subscription).

Danny Abriano SNY.TV: Analyzing the Mets' rotation battle between Steven Matz and Michael Wacha, including who should win.

NY Post: Alex Rodriguez talks about buying Mets with Jimmy Fallon. “’I will say this, if the opportunity [to buy the Mets] came up I would certainly look at it,’ A-Rod said.”

Metsmerized: Mets Getting A Closer Look At Eduardo Nunez.

Metsmerized: Mets Should Not Rush Dellin Betances For Opening Day.

Amazing Avenue: Luis Guillorme saw more playing time last season, and that trend should continue this year. Guillorme’s defense has been as good as its ever been, and his offense has been improving.

Other MLB News:

SNY.TV: MLB, NHL, NBA and MLS to close locker rooms to media due to coronavirus fears. Leagues issued a joint statement saying that locker room access would be closed to non-essential personnel

Yahoo Sports: Should MLB plan to play without fans amid coronavirus threat?

AP News: MLB: No plans to alter schedule because of virus outbreak.

Lohud: MLB coronavirus-fueled locker room ban of media rings hollow on player safety.

Red Sox 2 Braves 1 (Box). Kevin Plawecki caught and went 1 for 3, .471 BA this spring.

Blue Jays 3 Pirates 1 (Box). Anthony Kay three scoreless innings on 3 hits, 2 walks, 4 Ks; Joe Panik 2 for 3, .375 this spring.












Born on this date:
Transactions:
New York Mets released Duaner Sanchez on March 10, 2009.


National Pastime.com:

1941
The Dodgers announce their players will begin to wear helmets when batting. The use of the safety headgear will not become mandatory in the National League until 1954, and the AL will follow suit four years later.


Want something else tracked here each day?  Please leave a comment below.

7 comments:

Mack Ade said...

Boy, I was a big fan of Michael Fulmer.

I thought he would be around for a long time.

His last year, at 32 years old, was 2018 with Detroit:

24-starts 3-12 4.69

Anonymous said...

I think Fulmer had arm troubles Mack, if I recall correctly, the kind that does not heal quickly. He threw hard. Rather have kept him than Harvey, to be blunt. Fulmer had a nice early on career with the Tigers though. Thirty-two is getting "up there" in professional sports these days, due to the no 'roid era.

On your question regarding the Mets Opening Day outfield.

It looks possible that Conforto and Yo' may both not be ready to go for Opening Day, as of right now anyway. This could maybe change perhaps. But in any event, I'd probably keep everyone in their "normal starting positions" with LF JD CF BNimmo and RF Cordell all starting. It'll work.

The thing I never get Mack, is why do the Mets have ten good reliever possibilities for five relief bullpen spots? It makes no sense to me. Why not trade one or two (at least) and get back a future good lefty starter for instance here maybe Daniel McGrath or Jay Groome from Beantown. Bringing in a guy like McGrath or Groome sets the Mets up for perhaps possibly second half 2020 adding depth, and definitely another lefty for 2021 ST to take a long look at. Just a wise move to me.

The Boston Red Sox do desperately need two more starters, whether anyone there can see this or not. Weber had a nice outing yesterday, but do also look at his stats sheet too.

With Gsellman, Zamora, Lugo, and maybe even Matz too, you have four solid reliever/starter types right there really, and then seven more relievers to choose from for the Mets BP.

It is a nice position to be dealing from. Trading from depth is king.

Now, if you asked me on the backup catcher, I'd break rank and say someone no one else probably would in David Rodriguez. I like him better than anyone else, that simple. Plus, he could backup General Ramos, watch how he does things, and give Wilson the necessary rest to be primal beast come the all importante Playoffs.

This here now, should be all about staying healthy and rested for the Playoffs, because baby that is where this 2020 NY Mets team is headed. It's literally that good a 26 now. And I love the Luis Rojas signing and his coaching staff!



Anonymous said...

Head Fake.

NYK

Will someone please, please tell owner James Dolan that the Knick fans would love to see a starting five of: C Robinson PF Randle SF Wooten PG Nitikilina and SG Barrett on the floor at once?

John From Albany said...

Anon. I sm just hoping Mr. Dolan doesn't buy the Mets.

John From Albany said...

Anon - David Rodriguez. He has looked good this spring but I am not ready to lose Nido to waivers over him yet. I'd start him in Binghamton or Syracuse to see what we have. I'll be at lots of Binghamton and Syracuse games as usual, so I will let you know how he looks.

John From Albany said...

Anon - maybe the Red Sox would want Walker Lockett. They had some nice players on the team the Cyclones beat for the NY Penn league championship but not sure what else the Mets would want in return. If Lockett doesn't make the Mets, he will probably be picked up by someone on waivers.

Mack Ade said...

Michael Fulmer was secretly flown to NYC for arm problems.

I broke the news first via Twitter.

His plane landed. turned on the phone and found up it blown up by insiders re: what I said.

The Mets confirmed it 2 days later and Adam Rubin posted I had it first.

What he never found out was what teammate told me.