Pages

▼

3/8/21

Mets News and Breakfast Links 3/8/2021

 



Good Morning.  Happy Birthday Jake Mangum. Mets and Marlins tie at 4, Trevor Hilldenberger and  Arodys Vizcaino looking good, and MLB Network has the Mets on 30 for 30.

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, and This Day in Mets History.

Mets Links: 

Mets 4 Marlins 4 (Box Score). Brandon Nimmo 0 for 2, 1 walk, 1 K; Kevin Pillar 1 for 3 with a run scored; Jeff McNeil 0 for 1 with run scored; Pete Alonso 1 for 3, 2 Ks; Jonathan Villar 1 for 2, 3 run HR, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, 1 run scored, 1 K; Jose Martinez 0 for 1;  Luis Guillorme 1 for 1 with a walk; Albert Almora jr. 0 for 2; Tomas Nido 0 for 2 with a K. Ronny Mauricio 1 for 2 with a K – hitting .400 this Spring;  Marcus Stroman 3 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs – both earned, 1 walk, 2 Ks; Aaron Loup 1 hit, 1 run – unearned, 1 K;  Jacob Barnes 1 inning, 2 hits, no runs; Jerry Blevins 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 run – earned, 2 Ks;  Trevor Hilldenberger 1 inning, no hits, nno runs, 3 Ks; Daniel Zamora 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 K, no runs; Stephen Nogosek 1 inning, no runs, no hits, 3 walks, 3 Ks.  

Mets take on the Nationals today at 1:05 in West Palm Beach.  Jordan Yamamoto on the mound for the Mets. 

Deesha Thosar NY Daily News: “Jeff McNeil made a trio of errors in his deployment at the hot corner Sunday in what ended up being a tough day for the Mets’ super-utility defender. The typically sure-handed McNeil made five errors in only nine games at third base in 2020, and he didn’t commit any fielding errors in the 40-plus games he played elsewhere in the outfield and second base last year.”

NY Post: Jeff McNeil’s rough day heightens Mets lineup concern. “The more likely Plan B at third base, according to Rojas, is Jonathan Villar, who smashed a three-run homer as the starting second baseman. The veteran Villar arrived this offseason on a one-year contract worth $3.55 million, giving the Mets a true backup shortstop, behind Francisco Lindor, as well as somebody who can play second and third.”

Newsday: “Former Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino has touched 96 mph and mostly thrown 92-94 mph during camp, which included a live batting practice session Sunday against Michael Conforto and others. That velocity is down from his 98-mph norm, but after barely pitching in recent years — 43 1/3 innings since 2018 — due to injuries, Vizcaino being healthy is a plus.” 

Newsday: “Dominic Smith is scheduled to play first base Monday and leftfield later in the week, Rojas said. He hasn’t played defense yet as the Mets ease him in and manage his workload.”

NY Post: Trevor Hildenberger making strong case for Mets’ bullpen.  “…struck out the side in the seventh inning of the Mets’ 4-4 exhibition tie with the Marlins at Clover Park on Sunday. In two innings this spring, the right-hander has struck out six.”

Ken Davidoff NY Post: Mets’ improved depth may be key to keeping camaraderie strong. “Camaraderie can both contribute to and feed off wins, and wins can emanate from roster depth. And only the most pessimistic Mets fan would dispute the notion that this 2021 team possesses superior depth to its immediate predecessor.”

MLB.com: “Thor progressing. In his latest bullpen session on Sunday morning, Noah Syndergaard continued incorporating breaking balls into his repertoire -- a process than began last week. Several high-ranking Mets officials stopped by the 10-pack to watch Syndergaard throw, including Rojas and general manager Zack Scott.”



















Rising Apple: A scout’s look at right-hander Sean Reid-Foley. “The New York Mets added a gem. Strong kid, flat out. His physical progression is at max…a fastball consistency between 94-96 MPH. SRF paints corners and synchronizes with his catcher’s setups. The off-speed is very reliable; especially the change-up low and away that slows on delivery, puzzling hitters. Overall, SRF is a starter but can make a positive impact mid-game relief; possibly in post-season action.”

213 Miles From Shea: Get To Know A 2021 Non-Roster Invitee: Jake Hager. 

Amazing Avenue: Spring training will be a learning experience for Nick Meyer. A role on the Mets seems unlikely, but the backstop will benefit from being in camp.

SportSpyder Mets Links: 

MLB and SportSpyder NL East and MLB Links:

Some of yesterday's Spring Training Highlights:






Here is yesterday's Spring Training Scoreboard.

MLB.com:

MLB Trade Rumors:

Yahoo Sports:

ESPN:

FOX Sports:

CBS Sports:

SportsSpyder:

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com: 

Born on this date:

Transactions:
New York Mets released Gene Woodling on March 8, 1963.

New York Mets signed free agent Brian Daubach on March 8, 2005

National Pastime.com:

1966

Before an intrasquad contest in St. Petersburg in a pregame ceremony, the Mets announce the election of their former manager Casey Stengel to the Hall of Fame. The 75 year-old 'Old Perfessor' benefitted from a new rule by the Baseball Writers Committee on Veterans that makes any manager, umpire, or executive past the age of 65 eligible to be elected to the Hall of Fame six months after retiring, bypassing the traditional five-year wait rule for players.

 Baseball Reference.com:

1966 - The Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee waives one of its election rules and selects manager Casey Stengel as the newest member of the Hall. Stengel managed the New York Mets for much of the 1965 season before falling and breaking his hip. The injury ended the elderly Stengel's career. Given his age, the Veterans Committee decides to make him immediately eligible for Cooperstown.

Mack’s Blast From The Past comes from 3-8-12 – Mac said “I May Be Wrong, But… Jenrry Mejia, Jose Reyes, Zack Wheeler, C.J. Nitkowski. Mack noted “Reyes was never a dummy and all his slow rehabbing was to make sure he would be 100% in his contract year. It worked out exactly how he wanted it to be and anyone that thinks this is still a sport, and not a business, are years behind the times.”   

Centerfield Maz:


Click here for the full list of Mack's MLB Draft Scouting Reports.     

Want more?  Check out https://sportspyder.com/mlb/new-york-mets/news. 

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

Also at Mack's Mets:

on

9 comments:

  1. Tom BrennanMarch 8, 2021 at 6:36 AM

    I haven’t worn a tie in over a year. I am not a big fan of ties.

    Happy to see how Villarreal, Pillar, and Almoravid doing so far.

    We all know the Crow won’t be MLB ready until at least May.

    Stroman in top form will give Mets a great chance to be in top form.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMarch 8, 2021 at 7:48 AM

    McNeil is not a third baseman. Please put him at second and leave well enough alone.

    Bob W

    ReplyDelete
  3. John From AlbanyMarch 8, 2021 at 7:53 AM

    Imagine if we gave the Indians McNeil instead of Gimenez? We may have been able to hold on to Greene and/or Wolf.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 8, 2021 at 8:19 AM

    I like Jeff's bat a lot. A really lot.

    I'm curious to see how he plays on a day-to-day basis at 2B, especially for an injury prone player.

    Consensus seems to assume that he'll be an upgrade at 2B over Cano -- Gary Cohen thinks so -- but I'm not at all ready to make that assumption. Cano was very sure-handed and a stud on DPs. Jeff should have better range, in theory, but does he have the arm to make the backhand play behind 2B? Will he be steady on routine plays? Will he complete those split-second DPs? We'll see.

    I think he needs as much time there as he can get. But again, Sandy signed Villar, strictly a middle infielder, for some unearthly reason. I don't think it's to play SS. Maybe Jeff ends up in LF at some point?

    I'm hoping the 2B experiment works out. I love watching him play, the tone he sets, the teammate he seems to be. And as I've said before, I do think he could win a batting title.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Remember1969March 8, 2021 at 9:11 AM

    John, that was the trade I was hoping they would do - include McNeil instead of Gimenez, shift Gimenez to second base and have an all world defensive alignment in the middle of the infield.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mack AdeMarch 8, 2021 at 9:59 AM

    It doesn't bother me trading 2 shortstops for Lindor

    It doesn't bother me if we only have Lindor for one year.

    And it doesn't bother me if we don't throw money at one of the 2022 FA shortstops.

    Enter Ronny Mauricio.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tom BrennanMarch 8, 2021 at 10:50 AM

    Mack, I personally think (and could be wrong) that Mauricio needs at least another 750 PAs, and probably 1,000, before he hits the ground running for a championship contender. He is 4 for 10 so far, but at least 3 have been bloopers.

    I love seeing Crow so far, still blows my mind that a kid with no pro games under his belt is getting in these early games so much, but I wish Drew Ferguson was getting more ABs. So far, Drew is living up to his high OBP reputation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mack AdeMarch 8, 2021 at 11:04 AM

      Tom

      Mauricio will open up in Binghamton. I expect a late call to Syracuse but nothing more.

      2022 will be his Syracuse year.

      2023 Queens

      Delete
  8. Tom BrennanMarch 8, 2021 at 11:38 AM

    Mack, good time table for Mauricio, I'd say.

    Every time I see an image of Lucas Giolito, I think that we drafted Gavin Cecchini instead. My brother blew a gasket when they passed on Giolito. He turned out to be 100% right.

    ReplyDelete