By Mike Steffanos March 1, 2021
Tim Healey had an article in Newsday yesterday about Sam McWilliams, signed by the Mets this winter to compete for a spot in their bullpen. The Mets elected to ink McWilliams to a Major League contract, although the tall righty had never pitched an inning in the majors and has only 44 innings in one season at Triple-A. He didn't even excel at that level, with an ERA north of 8. The decision to outbid other teams for McWilliams was based not on track record but rather on analysis and projection. If you're thinking to yourself that this is the kind of move the Wilpons never would have signed off on, you're almost undoubtedly correct. Indeed, this signing was one of the first indications this winter that things were changing for the Mets.
Healey explained some of the thinking behind the signing and how the young pitcher and his manager marketed him to MLB clubs:
[McWilliams] was 25 years old and a veteran of six minor-league seasons — zero major-league games — but that hardly was the whole story. In the previous year-plus, he had undergone a data- and technology-driven reinvention, helping him throw harder and use his 6-7, 230-pound body better. And the Rays, his organization from 2018-20, had moved him to the bullpen, which seemed to suit him well.
So he and his representative, Brian Grieper of Paragon Sports, offered the relevant information. They had Trackman reports — spin rate and other modern metrics that teams value — and "a little bit of video from some different angles," McWilliams said.
As I'm reading these words, I'm trying to imagine a GM sitting down with Fred and Jeff Wilpon, explaining why they should spend $750,000 of their money gambling on this player. I picture Fred's eyes glazing over while Jeff searches for something in his pocket suitable for digging out some pesky earwax. Never in this scenario can I actually imagine that GM being given the go-ahead.
Now, it could very well work out that, despite the increased velocity and spin rate, things don't pan out for McWilliams with the Mets. Trying to make smart decisions and intelligent gambles on players isn't always going to come out as a win for the team. But if McWilliams does become a valuable member of the Mets' bullpen, that $750k will be essentially chump change compared to what it costs to sign even a mediocre veteran reliever with a track record. If enough moves like this work out, the Mets can take the money saved and use it to fill other needs, perhaps to keep their shortstop and right fielders in orange and blue past this season.
9 comments:
McWilliams is the most over-hyped player in the Metsblogosphere. It's absurd what people are writing about him -- without ever once having seen him pitch. But we'll see.
Everyone says TB is so smart. They protected 21 pitchers on the 40-man roster and let McWilliams walk. Think about that. This is the guy who was in THEIR CAMP this year. Now suddenly he's the second coming of Goose Gossage.
But also:
>> Ginn fell to the Mets in last year's draft because he needed Tommy John surgery while pitching at Mississippi State last spring. <<
Ginn did not fall into the team's lap. I know you are in a rush to make some big point about The Myth of Sandy and the New Way, but Ginn was a great move by Brodie to draft him and then pay way, way overslot (around $2.75 million, I think) at a time when it was risky and other teams weren't daring enough to take that gamble. Signability was a huge question. This was bold and innovative strategy that landed the Mets a potential frontline starter in the Draft.
Jimmy
Jimmy, when I say you say TB is so smart, I thought you finally recognized my elite acument LOL.
We will see what Sam McWilliams does in games. Get him out there and let's see.
Drafting was a Brodey VW very strong point, especially Ginn and Allan.
I thought Brodie's strength was sucking up to the Wilpons.
Brodie did some good things, and some bad things.
He was hired by the Wilpons under a "win now" with limited funds mandate. That was the job. Reportedly, the Wilpons would not interview, or hire, anyone with a rebuild concept.
Turns out Brodie was right; the Mets were, in fact, close in 2019. It was a terrific season. Unfortunately, Diaz was terrible and Noah was, too. Otherwise, they could have made the playoffs and gone on a run. The Nationals won the WS. Could have been the Mets.
I'm not saying that trading Kelenic was a good move.
Did he "suck up" to the Wilpons? It's a lot more complicated than that.
Jimmy
Brodie Van Wagenen, a golfing buddy of the Wilpons, was hired with zero experience to be the new GM. He tried to buy his way into a pennant. He failed. Yet the Wilpons did not hold him accountable. Nor did they hold themselves accountable for their poor judgment in making the hire.
Reese:
>> He tried to buy his way into a pennant. He failed. <<
Do you mean?
Jimmy
Well, we saw McWilliams today. Looks like a work in progress to me. His pitches were all over the place. His follow through is awkward, which Ron Darling pointed out, may be causing the wildness.
Bob W
Bob W - I thought the same about Sam M, but I am willing to see if he can smooth things out in his next few outings. Nice hook, throws hard. But lacked smoothness. I wasn't left saying WOW!
The guy was signed for $750K, not $7.5MM. It’s a flyer. The worst move is including Bruce and Swarzak in order to get money back for Cano, thus having to give up the kids. Cheapos!! Canó had a no trade clause and wasn’t going anywhere else. The idiots were bidding against themselves in their zeal to get the such sweet swing...ahhhh.
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