The Mack Report - Dylan Bundy, NL East Preview, Top Heavy NL East, Max Scherzer, Bryce Montes de Oca

Dylan Bundy, NL East Preview, Top Heavy NL East, Max Scherzer, Bryce Montes de Oca

 

Clayton News - Mets add RHP Dylan Bundy on minor league deal -

Right-hander Dylan Bundy finally found a home, signing a minor league deal with the New York Mets on Saturday. 

After he had his club option bought out by the Minnesota Twins this past offseason, Bundy went unsigned through spring training but now will be a starter in waiting for a veteran Mets staff. 

Bundy, 30, went 8-8 with a 4.89 ERA in 29 starts for the Twins last season. In eight seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels and Twins, he is 54-65 with a 4.74 ERA in 190 outings (162 starts). 

Bundy now will need time to build up his innings either at extended spring training or on a minor league assignment. 

Mack - I loved this guy out of school. Hell, everyone did! 

A ‘can’t hurt’ add here that could turn into the vacated long man role that Williams had last year. 

Let’s keep an eye on him in Syracuse.

 

Charles Odum - NL East Preview: Braves, Phillies, Mets to duke it out again -

2. New York Mets. Owner Steve Cohen spent nearly $500 million on free agents. Verlander and Scherzer give the Mets a pair of three-time Cy Young Award winners. Age is a concern, as Verlander is 40 and Scherzer is 38. All-Star closer Edwin Díaz injured his knee celebrating a victory with Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic and is expected to miss the entire season. The rebuilt rotation also took a big hit this spring, losing Quintana (stress fracture in his rib) until at least July. Two prospects to watch for at some point are third baseman Brett Baty and catcher Francisco Álvarez. 

Mack - A second place prediction for the Mets. 

Based solely on the Edwin Diaz injury, I too have changed my prediction to finishing behind the Braves, who have seem to be finishing in much better health than the Mets abd Phils. 

 

J. A. Schwartz - Top heavy NL East boasts three World Series contenders -

New York Mets

Owner Steve Cohen has made it clear to the rest of the league that he has no regard whatsoever for luxury tax restrictions, or the penalties that might result from spending beyond the various thresholds. His Mets will carry a 2023 payroll that is projected to be calculated at $370 million, incurring a luxury tax of nearly $100 million more. Their tax obligations alone are higher than the total payrolls of 9 other franchises, and might have been even higher had the Mets completed their efforts to sign Carlos Correa, who failed his physical with New York. Even without Correa, the Mets were busy this winter, adding nine free agents at a total bill of $423 million, with 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander being the most notable. The rotation did lose Jacob deGrom to Texas, but they believe having Verlander and Max Scherzer as their 1-2 punch will provide more reliable innings, and Japanese import Kodai Senga makes their rotation that much deeper. The loss of elite closer Edwin Diaz to a freak injury in the WBC will put their bullpen to a test. The Mets made the playoffs for the first time since 2016, but were ousted by the Padres in the Wild Card round. Their 101 wins were the most by the team since 1986, and the second most in their history. The offense, which led the NL in batting average at .259, returns largely intact, led by Pete Alonso (40 HR, 131 RBIs) and Francisco Lindor (26 HR, 107 RBIs). Cohen will spare no expense to guide his Mets to a championship, and any other outcome for 2023 would be considered a failure.

 Mack - I have re-predicted the Mets to finish 2^nd behind the injury free Braves.

 

 

Andy McCullough, Will Sammon and Sahadev Sharma/The Athletic - The 2023 Aces Project: MLB insiders rank starting pitchers by tiers, from No. 1s to ‘guys’ -

5. Max Scherzer, RHP, New York Mets

Rating: 95.5

Ace votes: 15

Applicant votes: 1

Age: 38

2022 stats: 11-5, 2.29 ERA, 145 1/3 IP, 10.7 K/9, 2.62 FIP

2022 rating: 96 

The Hall of Fame beckons whenever Scherzer calls it a career. Hitters wish that would happen sooner rather than later. If his age has begun to show, it is only related to his health, not his results. Scherzer’s ERA in 2022 was the lowest of his career. And now he can partner up with his old teammate from Detroit. “If Verlander can still do it,” one scout mused, “why can’t Scherzer?” 

Mack - Max would easily be the ace of this staff if it wasn’t for the arrival of his rival Verlander. 

Do these two get along? Do they even talk to each other? Do Mets fans care as long as they can pitch?

 

 Joe DeMayo - Mets' updated Top 20 prospects for 2023 MLB season -

20. RHP Bryce Montes de Oca

Montes de Oca will miss some time to start the season due to a stress reaction in his elbow. But when he is on the mound, he has some of the most unique stuff of any reliever in baseball. He is up to 102 mph, with horizontal break that can exceed 20 inches. One of his pitches this spring was 101 mph with 21 inches of horizontal break, and there was not a single fastball thrown in the majors in 2022 that matched those numbers -- and that is counting 400,000 fastballs. 

He needs to remain healthy and control the strike zone. But if he does -- with his sinker, cutter and slider -- he has a chance to be a legitimate eighth inning type of reliever. Given his big league readiness and potential, that warrants a spot in my top 20. 

MLB ETA: Already debuted 

Mack - Oca is going to have to ,line up behind other relievers that heal first. Could be awhile before you see

this guy again.