Tomas, Brett, Noah, Senga, Woods
4 NY Mets who should already be on the trade block -
4. NY Mets catcher Tomas Nido should already be on the trade block
The New York Mets are heading into the 2023 season with a catching combo of Tomas Nido and Omar Narvaez. There’s just one problem, the team’s top prospect Francisco Alvarez is knocking on the door and soon enough the 21-year-old will be part of the Mets every lineup.
Alvarez has not looked good this spring, and a tune up at Triple-A before making it back to the big leagues later this season is likely the only reason why Nido is still on the Mets roster.
Both Alvarez and Nido are right-handed hitters while Narvaez hits from the left side. That would lead one to believe that if New York would like to include Alvarez into the equation while still platooning their catchers based on the pitching matchup, Nido would be the odd man out.
Mack - I don’t agree with everything I read about this team. This would be one of those times.
No one wants the prospects playing Queens ball more than me, but Francisco Alvarez just isn’t ready. First it’s the glove and now he seems to have forgotten how to hit. My guess is this game is in his head this spring and he’s pressing.
Keep Nido. He’s the best catcher they have right now.
2023 Mets King of Spring Training, update #2 -
Brett Baty - .440/.533/.600 in 25 ABs
In Eduardo Escobar’s absence, Baty has been getting an extended look at third base this spring and he continues to stay red hot and keep himself among the KoST favorites. On Saturday, Baty reached base in all four of his plate appearances (two singles and two walks). He is one of only three Mets with more than five at-bats this spring with an on-base percentage exceeding .500. He’s stolen two bases, walked four times, and shares the team lead in hits with two other KoST candidates. If he keeps this up, like Pete Alonso before him, it will be almost impossible to justify keeping him in the minors to start the season.
Brett Baty Proving Why He Should Be on Mets Opening Day Roster -
Having Escobar is beneficial to the team, and having him as a utility option only make the bench stronger.
Escobar can spell Baty at third when he needs a day off, could work as a DH option from either side of the plate since he’s a switch hitter, and can plug in around the field in a pinch where ever the Mets need him.
Escobar had a strong September and October last year where it looked like he finally found his groove in blue and orange, but Baty is one of the Mets top prospects and is slated to be the third baseman of the future for the team.
It’s not a bad thing to have options and should Baty falter and ultimately need more time to develop in the minors, having Escobar is a good insurance policy.
Mack - I agree here.
I’m not sure if Baty can fight off Ronny Mauricio at third in 2024, but, at least for this year, he should be the starter there.
Esocbar could immediately solve the RHDH problem and the Mets could kick the “where do we play Baty long term” can down the road for a season.
What would the Mets look like with more early contract extensions? -
Noah Syndergaard
Current contract: one year, $13 million with the Dodgers
Theoretical contract: one year, $24 million (with club options for $28 million in 2024 and $32 million in 2025) left on a five-year, $86 million contract
This comes from the same story linked above. The overall deal for Syndergaard was five years and $86 million with the chance to grow to $116 million or $142 million if the club options were exercised. While the Nimmo deal would have worked in the Mets’ favor, this one would not have. Syndergaard’s Tommy John surgery in 2020 wiped out two seasons and has, to this point, left him with diminished stuff.
Syndergaard will still end up making just below $60 million over the five years of the proposed deal. If the Mets still had Syndergaard under contract, they probably don’t make last spring’s deal for Chris Bassitt or this winter’s signing of José Quintana.
The Mets wouldn’t be that far behind in luxury tax salary here: Quintana counts for $13 million, Syndergaard would count for $17.2 million.
Mack - I don’t look back.
Moreover, this dude was starting to get to be a pain in the ass on Twitter.
I loved him early in his Mets career but I’m glad he’s gone.
What can the Mets expect from Kodai Senga? -
We’re going to get to a non-exhaustive list of prominent starting pitchers who, like Senga, have signed in Major League Baseball after starting their careers in Nippon Professional Baseball. I’ve looked up how those pitchers performed in comparison to their NPB peers by crafting a crude form of “ERA+,” or adjusted-ERA. Actual ERA+ takes a pitcher’s ERA, modifies for the home park in which he plays, and then compares it to the league average. My form of “ERA+” skips over the park factors; that would be a level of complexity that I just don’t believe would be worth the squeeze. (For what it’s worth, Senga played his home games at Fukuoka Dome, which NPB Stats rates as extremely close to league average for runs scored.)
I took those players’ “ERA+” from their last three seasons in NPB and compared it to their first three seasons in MLB. None of them were as good, relative to the league, as they were in NPB. On average, their MLB ERA+ was about two-thirds to three-quarters as good as their NPB “ERA+.”
If Senga matches the average performance from this cohort, you could expect an ERA+ right around 115. The Mets would take that: Last season, Chris Bassitt posted a 113 ERA+ and Taijuan Walker a 111 ERA+. Senga’s closest analogue in the above chart, Kenta Maeda, delivered a 115 ERA+ in his first major-league season with the Dodgers before tailing off slightly the next two.
Mets spring training takeaways -
The most important development in Mets camp so far
is Kodai Senga pitching as advertised. While no one expects a completely linear path toward success, people around the Mets anticipate Senga performing as an impact pitcher. When it comes to Senga, rival scouts anticipated him to struggle with command and rack up high pitch counts at times while also showcasing undeniable stuff. Senga displayed all of that against the Cardinals on Sunday in his only spring training start so far. His season will likely feature some hiccups because of all the variables he must get used to, but as long as Senga continues to improve and make adjustments, he should be able to fulfill some expectations because his velocity, movement and array of pitches look strong.
Mack - Frankly, I’m starting to worry about this decision, though I will say that past Japanese pitchers that came to the states had a hard time with blisters due to the fact that the stitches on the baseballs are quite different stateside than the ones they were raised to throw with.
https://theathletic.com/4245052/2023/02/24/mets-bullpen-candidates/?source=user-shared-article -
William Woods (24)
Acquired: Claimed off waivers from Atlanta, November 2022
Status: Not on the 40-man roster but with options. The Mets would still need to remove someone from the 40-man roster to carry Woods in the majors, but they would be able to shuttle him to the minors throughout the season without losing him.
Repertoire: Fastball, slider
2022: 0.00 ERA with two strikeouts in two major-league innings
The youngest player on this list, Woods had an eventful 2022, in which he converted from the rotation to the bullpen, made his major-league debut and struggled after missing time in the middle of the summer. After the Mets claimed him off waivers, they were able to pass him through waivers, meaning he’s off the 40-man roster. That gives New York a little more time to work with Woods on his transition to the pen than some other names here. Another fastball/slider right-hander, Woods is excited to break out an improved changeup this spring, which should broaden his arsenal to hitters from both sides.
Mack - The 6-3, RHP Woods was originally a 23rd round pick by the Braves, in the 2018 draft, out of Dyersburg State CC (TN).
14 comments:
Alvarez since early last year showed he can hit like spit for a stretch, then hit like thunder suddenly. I do think that a few months of AAA couldn’t hurt, since Tomas has shown signs of being a decent hitter, and hopefully Narvaez against just righties hits OK.
Wood will see time in Queens in 2023, but not on the opening day roster.
If Senga doesn’t work out Hayden Senger might be interested in his roster spot.
Thor? Moving on…
I am known to love being enthusiastic. Factually, though, in the last 2 games, Vientos was 0 for 6, 6 K, and Baty 0 for 5, 3 K. Such poor hitting is at least worth a brief pause and reflect.
As I've said before, the only ST stats I give credence to are in the final 10 days. Until then (and especially in this WBC season), players on both teams are facing minor-leaguers and veterans just getting into shape.
Once the vets are playing every day, and the rotation pitchers are throwing 75 or so pitches, the test begins.
Peterson and Megill will come way before Senger
Both the good and the bad are too small samples.
Overall, Baty is still above .400 and Ronny leads the team in homers
You are 1000% right here.
Mack, I love these segments in which you respond to reports from other sources, and I agree much more often with your opinions than theirs. That said, I'd like to see you identify the reporters/scouts whose comments you are responding to.
I hope you'll consider doing this.
Thanks and I will with what comes in new
Got some saved that I can't go back
No need to go back. Thanks.
Bill
By the way
The title (in blue) is a LINK to the original article
All you have to do is click on that and all the info you desire can be found
Here’s a idea,Mauricio,Vientos and Oca for Kelenic…
I realize that, but I'm too lazy to keep going back and forth. 😆
Why?
Tomas hit his 3rd. Beast.
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