One Fact & One Thought
Fact: So far, the Mets trade deadline acquisitions have been godly. As a Met:
Vogelbach: .324/.477/.559
Naquin: .318/.318/.727
Ruf: .333/.333/.444
Combined: .323/.413/.600 4 HR, 9 XBH, 12 RBI
This was not accomplished by the work of one suit. No, the entire Mets brass deserves a top of the Mack Hat on this one.
Thought: I think, after last night, the Mets players will wake today feeling their moment has arrived. There will be no more doubt about this team, be it from other players, brass, or fans. The 2022 Mets are for real, baby.
2023
Spending a lot of time thinking about 2023 and where catcher Francisco Alvarez and 3B Brett Baty fit in.
I am coming to a few conclusions:
1. The Mets normally doing promote players that have played either all or most of their games in their AA affiliate. That being said, both these guys are currently showing that their talent is star like.
2. We all applaud Steve Cohen and Co. for not dealing off any of the Mets top prospects, but we also know he will not be afraid to add established talent to fill out the few holes left on this team.
3. The offensive game of James McCann is, well, offensive, and his stellar defensive game seems to be sometimes left in the clubhouse. I like Tomas Nido, but I have never prayed that he would start before. Alvarez might get off to a slow start when he arrives, but he did that this year when he was promoted to Syracuse. At this point, I say let him finish this year in AAA, consider adding him as a PH option for the playoffs, and bring him to Flushing for the start of 2023.
4. As for Baty, he is behind Mark Vientos is the pecking order, and Vientos does hit more home runs than Brett, but I’m starting to think it’s Vientos that has to be hunting for a position. He could be a 2023 DH, but what do you do with Vogelruf?
5. And then there is Ronny Mauricio, He too has become a home run monster, though it is at the AA level. For 2023, I would play him at second base for Syracuse and push the “who plays second” decision off to 2024.
6. Will the Mets eventually let all four of these play as starters? My thought is no here, judging how Steve has constructed the team since he has become owner. The current Mets love established major league players and my guess is they will stay committed to this new platoon system they have going on.
Grading each Mets deadline get here -
Trade #4:
Mets acquire LF/DH Darin Ruf in exchange for DH JD Davis and prospects Thomas Szapucki, Nick Zwack, and Carson Seymour.
When Andy Martino broke this trade and announced JD Davis as the piece going back to the Giants, I thought it was possible it was JD by himself. But, then it was revealed that the Mets also sent 3 top 30 prospects, including Zwack and Seymour, who many have top 15, and even some top 10, and it felt like there had to be more coming back the Mets way. But, there wasn’t. It looked like the Mets were targeting controllable players who can also make a big impact down the stretch and in the playoffs. Darin Ruf is under contract through 2023 with a team option for $3.5 million for 2024. Vogelbach, their other DH get, has a team option for $1.5 million for 2023, and is covered by arbitration in 2024. Maybe the Mets plan on platooning these two for next year as well. Ruf has a 151 wRC+ against lefties in 2022, and complements Vogelbach in the DH spot. Nick Zwack is a 24 year old in High-A, who has a 1.84 ERA in 63.2 innings for Brooklyn, and Carson Seymour has a 3.68 ERA in 51.1 innings, also in High-A. Both are 2021 Mets draftees. This felt like a pretty hefty price to pay for a 36 year old platoon bat, but it filled a big need, and was the last piece to the Mets DH puzzle.
The grade: C+
2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 100 COLLEGE PROSPECTS here -
#20 OF Andrew Wiggins Heritage Christian (IN)
Wiggins is a physical force in all aspects of the game, though without a doubt it's most noticable in the batter's box. Very strong with advanced barrel feel, a true all fields power threat. Average runner, most likely fits in an outfield corner long term where the bat still plays.
2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 100 HIGH SCHOOL PROSPECTS HERE -
11 OF
Jack Hurley
Virginia Tech
Hurley is a bit of a five-tool player who can impact the game in every aspect. He's got the hit tool and the raw power, and he's got the speed to steal double-digit bases as a pro. If there's one critique here, it may be that the throwing arm is below average, maybe a touch better than that. Hurley comes packed in an athletic frame with well-proportioned strength and organic loft built into his swing. He doesn't have to sellout for power or force things to his pull-side. He does a good job staying up the middle of the field and letting his bat speed handle the rest. Hurley has gone through occasional periods of swing-and-miss, coming almost exclusively by way of the changeup, but that's a development piece that should come as he ages. This is a big league regular bat.
Yesterday’s Tweets -
Danny Abriano @DannyAbriano
A few things…
- Trevor Williams saved the Mets’ asses tonight, both in this game and when it comes to tomorrow
- Win or lose, Mets have shown that they’ll never go away
- By fighting, Mets are making the Braves burn their important relievers
Anthony DiComo @AnthonyDiComo
Tylor Megill (right shoulder strain) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session next Saturday. He's looking at late August, early Sept. for his return from the IL. That will be as a RP, though Mets officials have told Megill he'll stretch back out as a starter this winter
Deesha @DeeshaThosar
Travis d'Arnaud says the 2022 Mets are a complete team:
"This year, they have no holes. They pitch. Their bullpen is strong. Good defense. They hit for average, they hit for power. Smart at-bats with runners in scoring position. Very well-coached over there. They're a good team."
Laura Albanese @AlbaneseLaura
Prior today, the hardest pitch David Peterson had thrown this season was a 96.3 mph fastball. He threw a 98.9 mph sinker to Matt Olson in the first inning, according to Statcast. (???)
When deadline "gets" are discussed, people forget about 3 major ones for whom we gave up NOTHING.
ReplyDeleteIf we made none of the trades that we have, which have all been solid ones, simply adding Jake, May and McCann is a solid plus. And when Megill returns in a few weeks, our bullpen will be even stronger than it was at the deadline.
True, we didn't make "major" moves at the deadline, but neither did we need to. And we kept all of our top prospects in the process.
Nope, Alvarez at catch,Baty at third,after the All Star game Maauricio In LF. The three weakest positions filled.
ReplyDeleteThe platoon and bench has been amazing. Love it. I also continue to believe that Alvarez and Baty are the future. Vientos and Mauricio probably get traded. That's my opinion.
ReplyDeleteBill
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see where all these pieces wind up when Vientos Baty and Mauricio are ready.
Woody
ReplyDeleteAnd when will Mauricio begin.playing there?7
Ernest
ReplyDeleteThere is no way all 4 of them fit in the new Cohen established major league player system
Baty is a definite now - two tremendous months and a fine start to August. He is a future star.
ReplyDeleteAlvarez could be a future superstar.
I am convinced Mauricio remains at SS in case Lindor were to get hurt next year. Ronny has big time power, and if they need a SS long term next year, he might be needed there. I would very much like him to stay in the organization as an OF. He could be a 35 HR guy.
Vientos may need to be traded - but he hits HRs like Alonso, and I'd hate to trade away a 40 HR bat. Very hard to see the veteran-favoring Mets working all 4 in next year.
If Mauricio or Vientos are traded this winter, they better get real value. REAL value. I have no problem leaving a few in the minors for 2023 and lets them REALLY learn to hit. But...I could see Baty, and of course Alvarez, on the opening day 2023 roster. Baty could get held back a bit - but he may be ready right now. He's hitting the last 9 weeks like David Wright did in the minors.
Shout out to Max Scherzer - he has a shot at Cy Young, although my Cy Young choice is Edwin the Freak of Nature. Let's not take Max for granted. Now 38, he is a pitching genius.
You are right to give credit to the front office for getting players that fit and thrive in the current environment. It's way too easy to just criticize moves that don't pan out.
ReplyDeleteAs for the young talent, I am always a proponent of letting them learn from their mistakes at lower levels where they are not under the microscope. However, this year there is such a healthy clubhouse attitude that I want them to experience some of that. Even if they just play some spot roles, a call-up in September could be a great learning experience that could be more valuable than every-day playing time in AAA.
C+?? I can’t. The Vogelbach trade was good; the Ruf trade wasn’t. And as far as control is concerned, Cano had more of it as a 36 year old but everyone said “he’s old, he won’t stand for long”. So, why is Ruf’s 36 years old better, because he isn’t making $24MM per year? Double standard = Bad trade. It should have been Vientos.
ReplyDeleteBy all accounts Mauricio isn’t a SS and he’s still growing. Good news most SSs are the best athletes on the the field and can move down the defensive spectrum. He will be power hitting OFer.
ReplyDelete