3/22/23

The Mack Report - Diaz Update, Bullpen Update, Bednar, Raley, Vientos



Diaz Update, Bullpen Update, Bednar, Raley, Vientos

 


Will Sammon - The Athletic -Regarding any potential long-term issues or problems lingering beyond 2023 with Díaz’s knee, Eppler said that at this point he didn’t have any concerns. Alaia hasn’t seen any of Díaz’s medical results and isn’t treating him, but specializes in knee surgery. According to Alaia, any future problems with the knee would depend on the quality of the tendon, where the rupture was and the person’s medical history. Speaking generally, Alaia said, “If the cartilage or the lining surface of the bones and the joints is totally pristine, then one would hope that someone is not going to have substantial long-term effects from this.” Eppler said that Díaz wasn’t experiencing any knee issues prior to the injury. 

One way a torn patellar tendon can happen, per Alaia: “If you’re coming down from a jump, and perhaps your knee is not ready for it, then perhaps you can get a tensile overload of that tendon and it will just rupture.” 

Alaia described the injury as relatively common in people less than 40 years old, but it’s not something that typically happens to professional baseball players.

         Mack - Come on, guys.

        Shut the dude down until next year.

 


Mike Carter/FantraxHQ - https://www.fantraxhq.com/two-weeks-to-the-season-bullpen-updates/ -

Closer Edwin Diaz appears to be lost for the season after tearing his patellar tendon in his right knee.  Speculation has centered on veteran righthander David Robertson becoming the closer.  Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley could also be options. Do not be surprised if the Mets look for help at some point this season; pure speculation here, but maybe David Bednar becomes an option?  Free agents that remain: Corey Knebel, Zack Britton, and Ken Giles. What a mess for New York, but please don’t blame the World Baseball Classic for this freak injury.

         Mack - I don't happen to think that the Mets will go outside the                 organization for any more relievers thus pre-season.

        I believe the money saved by the WBC insurance policy will be                 used to pay off players like Ruf.

 


SportsNaut - Jason Burgos - 4 players New York Mets could target with insurance money from Edwin Diaz injury -

David Bednar

Like the Rockies, the Pittsburgh Pirates seem to be in a forever rebuild, and various players always could be up for grabs. With that in mind, the New York Mets could give the team a couple about 2022 All-Star David Bednar. 

The 28-year-old who is set to become a free agent after this season had a breakthrough year last season as he posted 19 saves, a 2.61 ERA, and 69 strikeouts during 51.2 innings. Furthermore, Bednar has the potential to give New York another closer option if the well-aged Robertson fails as the replacement for Diaz in 2023. 

        Mack - Good option, but I would stick with what the Mets have.                 Anyone like this would cost the Mets one of their top prospects.

 


Edwin Diaz injury: 3 immediate backup plans for Mets at closer -

1. Brooks Raley 

When newcomer Brooks Raley left Tampa Bay to sign a two-year, $10 million deal with the Mets over the winter, he probably assumed he wouldn’t get a sniff of the closing opportunities, with Díaz firmly entrenched in the role. 

But he might find himself in a closer-by-committee situation before he knows it. Coming from the Rays’ closer carousel, the experience won’t be new for him. The 34-year-old picked up six saves and 22 holds in 53.2 innings last year. He showed good command, with a sparkling 0.97 WHIP, 27.9 percent strikeout rate, and a 6.8 percent walk rate. 

Raley has parts of five seasons in the majors, five in the KBO in which he was a starter, and nine saves to his name. Although he doesn’t have the same closing experience as the other backend pitchers in the Mets’ bullpen, he has plenty of red sliders on his impressive Statcast page. 

While his fastball and slider velocity both sit lower than the league average, he is stellar at minimizing hard contact. Last season he ranked in the 99th percentile in Barrel% and 98th in HardHit%. He was also in the 94th percentile in xSLG and 83rd in xBA. 

Even though Raley hasn’t had a high volume of saves, there’s a good chance he gets an opportunity to close out games for the Mets while Díaz recovers. 

            Mack - Raley is my third option behind Robertson and Otto,

 


2023 Mets King of Spring Training, update #2 -

Mark Vientos - .306/.324/.556 in 36 ABs

Mark Vientos is the third player sitting on eleven hits this spring and has had the most spring at-bats of any Met. Vientos’ nine RBIs also lead the team, but so do his 14 strikeouts, demonstrating the yin and yang of his prospect profile. It’s unlikely he makes the big league roster, but he continues to put himself in the center of the conversation. 

            Mack - I happen to think Vientos has done enough this spring to                 win a slot on the 26.

            Give him reps at RHDH, backup OF, and backup 1B. 

            There's 300 at-bats here with 20 HRs.


 

 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

20 Hrs? How many Mets not named Lindor or Alonso hit 20 HRs last year? If Vientos could do that he’s a ML player even with too many Ks. Vientos for Bard?

Mack Ade said...

It frankly is rude communicating here anonymously.

Mack Ade said...

Going forward, I will not longer communicate with anyone that can't take a few minutes to register, even if it under a fictional handle.

Other writers here might.

I willnpt.

Mack Ade said...

*will not

Tom Brennan said...

I did a piece recently on Vientos. In 2 hot stretches in AA and AAA the past 2 years, he had 500 combines at bats, 44 HR, .315. Why couldn’t he hit 20 in 300 at bats?

Tom Brennan said...

Even callers to the fans are introduced by name: Anthony from Hoboken, not Anonymous from Anywhere, USA. Names help make better conversational connections.

Mack Ade said...

Like Tom here

His real name is Beatrice from Anchorage

bill metsiac said...

GOOD MOVE!

bill metsiac said...

Because he won't GET 300 if he's not upstate.

bill metsiac said...

I have a confession to make--- Metsiac isn't my actual name. Don't tell anyone and blow my cover, though. 😉

Mack Ade said...

Don't worry Mr. Wilpon