The Mack Report - Esco, Lindor, Ruf, Lange, Jaylin

Esco, Lindor, Ruf, Lange, Jaylin

 

                                            PC - NY Times

Silive -Did Mets player lose his starting job by playing in World Baseball Classic? -

Escobar was asked if he still views himself as the starter, per Mike Puma of the New York Post: 

“I don’t know,” Escobar said. “For me I am coming in here with the idea that I am working hard and control what I can and working and seeing what happens. 

In 38 at-bats this spring training, Baty is slashing .342/.468/.447 with a .916 OPS. The 23-year-old made his major league debut at third last year while Escobar was injured, and had seven hits including two homers before his time up with the big club was cut short by a torn thumb ligament. 

Mack - I believe he has. 

Cuts will probably come down before you read this so there is a good chance that both Baty and Vientos are sent to Syracuse and the combo of Esco and Guillorme start the 2023 season here. 

We’ll see.

 

Will Sammon/The Athletic - https://theathletic.com/4330701/2023/03/21/mets-francisco-lindor-ready-to-play/?source=user-shared-article -

Francisco Lindor is back with the Mets and ‘ready to play’ after WBC star turn -

In the conversation of most indispensable players, the Mets have a handful of strong candidates. Lindor looms at the top of the list. The Mets carry a backup shortstop in Luis Guillorme while Ronny Mauricio lingers in the minors, but Lindor’s switch-hitting presence, deft base running and stellar defense at the premium position makes him arguably the toughest player to replace. 

The absence of Lindor and others during the WBC highlighted how New York has improved its 40-man roster with players like infielder Danny Mendick getting more playing time. The depth will surely come in handy. But no one is Lindor. 

This spring, Lindor has looked especially good. Over his first seven games in the Grapefruit League, he went 7 for 18 (.389 batting average) with two home runs. In his second at-bat Monday, he hit a sharp single between the third baseman and shortstop. 

Mack - Earlier this year, I predicted that Lindor would have a banner season in 2023. I still stand by that. 

I also predict he will go injury free this season. 

(Yeah, I just said that…) 

 

Rob Piersall/FanNation - How Much Rope Should the Mets Give Darin Ruf in 2023? -

New York was faced with a similar situation early in 2022 when they had to see what they had in infielder Robinson Canó. 

The team gave him an opportunity to prove himself during the first month of the campaign, but when he hit under the Mendoza line in 12 games, the Mets cut him and ate the $20+ million he was still owed. 

Ruf could see a fate like that of Canó if his struggles bleed into the season. Only this time, absorbing the money he is owed should be an easier pill to swallow as he is making far less than what was owed to Canó. 

The Mets also have other options that could face left-handed pitchers out of the DH slot. 

Eduardo Escobar may get an opportunity to do so as it looks like third baseman Brett Baty is ready to take the reigns full time. 

Mark Vientos could be another option for New York, and while he hasn't exactly set the world ablaze this spring, he does pack a punch and will run into some baseballs at the dish. 

Mack - I believe that the only chance Ruf makes the opening day 26 is if Nimmo starts the season back in camp.

 

Jim Bowden: Mets have trade options to find new closer after Edwin Díaz’s injury -

5. Alex Lange, RHP, Tigers

Age: 27

HT: 6-3 WT: 202

WAR: 0.4 W-L: 7-4 ERA: 3.41 SV: 0

G: 71 GF: 11 IP: 63 1/3 SO: 82 BB: 31 WHIP: 1.232 

President of baseball operations Scott Harris spent the offseason trading his two best relievers — Gregory Soto and Joe Jiménez — to improve the Tigers’ everyday position-player pool. With Detroit in the midst of a complete team overhaul, there is no reason Harris should stop dealing now. Alex Lange is the best reliever left in the Tigers’ bullpen. 

He throws an overpowering 96 to 97 mph fastball, an 85 mph curveball and a hard changeup. Last year his Whiff% ranked in the 100th percentile, his chase rate was in the 95th percentile and his average exit velocity was in the 93rd percentile. Opponents hit .190 against his curveball and .118 against his changeup. Lange won’t be arbitration-eligible until 2025. 

Mack - The 6-3, 27-year old Lange was originally drafted in the 1^st round (30^th pick overall) of the 2017 draft, by the Cubs, out of LSU. 

I followed him in his last college season and he was a big time starter for the Tigers (10-5, 2.97), but he never has had any success as a professional starter. 

On 8-1-19, he was traded to Detroit for Nicholas Castellanos. 

Detroit converted him to a reliever and his best season was last year:  0.4-WAR, 7-4, 3.41 

 

2023 Mets King of Spring Training, update #2 -

Jaylin Davis - .357/.438/.714 in 14 ABs

We’ve got two position player newcomers to the KoST pool this week. One is outfielder Jaylin Davis, who the Mets signed to a minor league deal in late February. The 28-year-old has played in the majors in parts of the last four seasons and has experience at all three outfield positions. With his hot start in Grapefruit League play, he is an intriguing add to the Mets’ outfield depth in the upper minors. 

Mack - My guess, will play for Syracuse this season.