Morning.
I’ve had a few days to let all this rosin/sweat stuff sink in and I walk away with some observations.
It’s no big secret that Max can be a pain in the ass on the days he isn’t pitching. Most of his nasty shout outs are directed at umpires calling balls and strikes or tag offs.
I can’t help but feel his picture is now on the dart board in the ump recreation wherever the hell that is.
The ejection could easily be the start of a very, well, sticky season for the ace of this staff (I don’t think Verlander qualifies as the ace because he just doesn’t pitch).
If I was Buck, I would gently sit Max down and explain that a little more silence out of him could go a long way for the team this season. Max will have 10 days to sit back and think about how he is gong to approach the rest of the season.
If I was him I would just shut up and deliver the goods.
Friday's dominant outing by Joey Lucchesi and Jose Butto's one outing earler a few weeks back, makes one wonder if the Mets need to rethink their rotation going forward.
In the short team, Verlander is still healing and Max is still steaming. That leaves a struggling Senga, an out of control Peterson, and Tylor Megill, the only starter who is holding his own.
Obvioulsy, at least to me, the rotation for the five games will be Megill, Peterson, Senga, Butto, and Lucchesi, but then what? What happens when Verlander and Max come back? Do they go to a 6-man rotation? Or do either Lucchesi or Butto replace Peterson or Senga?
IMO, there is too much money invested in Senga so he stays and the pitching coaches will try and get him to find the zone more often. Past that, it's your time to chime in...
I wrote about the 2024 SP free agents and which under 30 years old pitchers might be able to help us come the all-star break. I have no idea what this would cost the Mets in return, but, if the remainder of the first half of the season continues as it has started, they are going to need some additions in the pen to help them get to the playoffs.
The list of under 30-year old free agents is small. I did not put 28/yr. old Joe Jimenez on this list because the Braves just ain’t gonna help the Mets do nuthin’ this season.
Others like Luke Weaver , Jordan Hicks, and Alexander Reyes just didn’t have the numbers to make my list.
My list of four candidates:
LHCL Josh Hader - San Diego - 29/yrs old 6-3, 185, 2023: 8-G, 5-SV, 8-IP, 14-K 0.4-WAR, 0-0, 1.13-ERA, 0.875-WHIP. Many consider Hader now is the best closer in baseball what with Edwin Diaz being lost for the season. He won’t come cheap, even as a loaner, especially since the Mets could easily play the Padres during the playoffs. And, if you sign him long term, who closes for the Mets next season? What a lovely dilemma.
RHRP Jose Leclerc - Texas - 29/yrs old 6-0, 195
2023: 0-4-WAR, 0-0, 0.00-ERA -
2022: 39-app, 0-3, 2.83, 47.2-IP, 54-K
No way… Texas has a team option. Still, worth mentioning of Texas wants to deal him to a NL team if their vision fizzles.
RHRP Reynaldo Lopez - CWS - 29/yrs old 6-1, 225
2023: -0.1-WAR, 0-1, 6.23
2022: 61-apps, 6-4, 2.76, 65.1-IP, 63-K, onlt 11-BB
Not off to a good start on an AL team that seems to be already going nowhere this season. Solid 2021 and 2022 seasons show he’s talented. Strictly a one inning guy. Still, could be a perfect trade to a NL team like the Mets.
RHRP Keynan Middleton - CWS - 29/yrs old 6-3, 215
2023: 0.2-WAR, 0-0, 2.08
2022: 18-apps, 1-2, 5.29
Off to a good start after three so-so seasons. Not a high K dude. I like the Lopez option better from this team. Still, worth considering.
Peterson has been disappointing. He’s no Edwin Uceta.
ReplyDeleteNido surged to .122 with his single in 3 at bats. Hopefully, Alvarez gets a couple of knocks today. Let’s finish this trip with a Megill W.
Did not enjoy the Baty error yesterday but it was the right call. Third basemen have to make that catch.
ReplyDeleteI hear Senga will remain on a 6-man rotation basis. Good.
Vasil had a rough outing last night. So much for my theory about sending him to Syracuse this month.
Nido has been dreadful. Not sure what it is with Met catchers but how much worse could Alvy be with the bat dam give him a real chance Buck. Interesting trade choices Mack but of course to get them we know who we have to give up so I'm not on board yet. Mauricio finally to 2nd base is exciting and hopefully to the big club soon with Vientos so we can see them play and decide by the trade deadline on any trades but they need to be integrated soon into the lineup.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of the Mets keeping the Big 4 prospects and making plans for them to become the permanent starters at C, 2B , 3B, and DH
DeleteI also believe the pen can be improved by free agents in the off season and keeping the shuttle from Syracuse sold out until they strike lightning once or twice
Gary, I’d have to imagine Alvarez starts today. He will start to hit…very soon. Nido broke out yesterday…he had a hit.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets 4 studs for a full season would cost the Mets $3 million. Compelling financially.
Wonder what we can get for Vogelbach, Canha and Escobar. Need to make room for the studs.
ReplyDeleteThey wouldn't get a huge return
DeleteMaybe refresh the pen
Canha will have a good year. I am not disappointed with Vogelfat’s OBP (.396), nor his RBIs (8 in 38 at bats), but I wonder if he has a chef to help him lose weight. But Dom Smith lost weight and look at him.
ReplyDeleteEscobar hopes to hit .200 in May. I’d hope he does that in AAA. Make like Eddie Murphy, Trading Places with Mark Vientos.
I like Cahna also but more as a corner backup to Jeff and Marte
DeleteMack, on Vasil? 20 Ks in 11 innings. In AA. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI think a little failure leads to growth.
He has the talent to excel
DeleteVientos not in the line up today for Syracuse. Huh. Maybe just a scheduled rest day
ReplyDelete3 weeks into the season is MUCH too soon to panic. And much to soon to be picking targets for July.
ReplyDeleteRemember the clamor last season to Trade prospects for Josh Bell? Well, after hitting sub-Mendoza for the Pads last year, he wasn't re-signed, and he was picked up by the Guardians last Winter. And guess what? He's sub-Mendoza AGAIN. Did we miss the boat? Thankfully, YES!.
I don't see a bog problem with our pen, either. In my eyes, the pen guys are doing fine, even with the extra work caused by the starters being unable to get past the 6th in every game until yesterday.
With the line-up under-producing, we're 14-8, and only ONE team in MLB (the Rays) has more Ws. After today, the next 20 games are against weak opponents (the Nats, Tigers, Rockies and Reds) surrounding 4 games vs the Braves next weekend.
Sounds a lot like last September's schedule, but hopefully with better results.
Let our record by mid-July determine our trade needs. For now, our 2 guiding words should be---Too Soon.