I'm not even going to recite the long list of pitchers who have strained various parts of their body to render them unusable for the foreseeable future.
Of course, it's not always injuries that keep some pitchers from performing for the Mets. Max Scherzer's return from his alleged sticky substance suspension was delayed by weather as rainouts do not impact the ten GAMES away from his permission to play again, not ten DAYS.
Then there are performance metrics that sometimes send you upstate. David Peterson has not looked too competent lately and the Mets made the decision to have him revisit Syracuse in anticipation of the arrival of multiple Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander to make his Mets debut. This coming week should see him pair with Max Scherzer to help fortify the thus far mostly substitute rotation.
Soon the Mets starting rotation will include Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Kodai Senga with Tylor Megill, Joey Luchessi and Jose Butto fighting for two spots to accompany the others at the top of the starting five. Carlos Carrasco is expected back soon which will push two of the bottom three out of the starting rotation.
The bullpen arms include David Robertson, the return of Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith, Tommy Hunter, John Curtiss, Jimmy Yacabonis, Jeff Brigham and soon Stephen Nogosek pushing someone out of the relief corps.
For now on the offensive side Francisco Alvarez and Tomas Nido make up the catching depth until the long awaited return of Omar Narvaez. It is possible the Mets are scouring the trade possibilities to allow Alvarez more time in the minors to spend developing his defensive game and continuing to work on his hitting as well.
The recent change in Ronny Mauricio to play second base has been referenced as a way of getting to the majors. It is not that difficult a transition for a shortstop to move to one of the corners. See how easily Luis Guillorme has been able to make himself adapt.
Whether or not Mark Vientos can make it back up to the majors has more to do with where he can play than his strikeout numbers. It is very much a concern that he continues hitting for average.
The good news story here is that third baseman Brett Baty appears to be adjusting to major league pitching and defense. His improvements in both will render the uneven output from former starting third baseman Eduardo Escobar either a benchwamer or a DH possibility. It's a nice problem to have.
For now the long range plans for Daniel Vogelbach, Tommy Pham, Mark Canha and whether Jeff McNeil plays infield or outfield are fodder for another day.
I have a perspective of Mark Vientos for Thursday - hopefully he gets called up by then, but if not, it is a helpful perspective.
ReplyDeleteLeft pen arm Josh Walker has pitched great after his first bad outing. Might he get a call up?
Carrasco? I'll believe he is good when I see itt.
The best thing I can say about Peterson this year is I like his beard.
ReplyDeleteSo... the pen got a much needed two day rest and now they are going to muck this up with a bullpen game?
Are you sure TC isn't back in the dugout?
The problem I see with Vientos (other than the K-rate) is that the only positions he plays aew 1B and 3 B,and between Pete and Baty those spots appear to be occupied now and for years to come.
ReplyDeleteIt's in the corner OF spots where there will be openings as the contracts of Canha and Marte expire.
I don't like the idea of a player s young as Mark becoming locked into DH, so I don't undrstand at all why Mark hasn't been given reps in LF/RF. Either he can be adequate there in a kind of Schwarber-like way, or we learn that DH is his only possible role.
I agree.here with the OF drought
DeleteVientos has a lot of negatives,no position,too many Ks. If he can hit 25-30 HRs he can DH or play LF.
ReplyDeleteI read someplace but cannot locate where. Veintos started the season striking out at a rate of around 30 percent. However, he has turned it around and was now stiking out at less than 12 percent. The question posed is has he figured it out or the swing and misses are now resulting in a better start to the season than he has in the past?
ReplyDeleteWith Alonso at first and Baty at third, using Vientos in a role similar to Dom Smith would seem appropriate - play the outfield and sharing time at first and DH. Depending on his play in the outfield, maybe a shift to the team's main DH.
Keep him in Syracuse playing the outfield and keeping the strike-outs down.
Steve, I think your speculations about his K rate are correct. He needs to be called up.
ReplyDeleteWoodrow, Vientos Ks very low the past 2 weeks. Good sign.
ReplyDeleteVogie vs RHP has a career OPS of .825!
ReplyDeleteThis season it's higher--- .873!
Those are not #s that should put him on the "getridda" list. It's the RH part of the platoon that's killing us, just as it did last year.
Yes, that screams for Mark to fill that gaping hole in the lineup vs LHPs. But is promoting him to that very part-time role helpful to either him or the team beyond the end of this season?
Bill, now you get it - you dont getridda a guy like that making $1.5 million. He is so far from the top of my getridda list, it is not funny.
ReplyDeleteMark will get here - ease in - and be plying most of the time soon enough. He s/b getting lots of OF reps so he can replace Pham and then Canha by year's end. More on MV in my 7 AM tomorrow.