The Mack Report - Changes, Francisco Alvarez, Power Rankings, Jake DeGrom, Mark Cahna

Changes, Francisco Alvarez, Power Rankings, Jake DeGrom, Mark Cahna 

Ken Rosenthal - If Mets’ don’t end spiral, would anyone be surprised to see Steve Cohen make changes? - 

Unless the Mets turn things around quickly, it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine Buck Showalter, the National League Manager of the Year in 2022, lasting the entire season. General manager Billy Eppler, at some point, might be in jeopardy, too. 

Mack - I see this differently. 

1. You can’t fire the Manager Of The Year 

2. You also can’t fire the guy that brought Shonei Ohtani to the states. 

This is the season the Mets have done to themselves. Neither Buck or Billy throws a ball or holds a bat. 

Own it. 

Eric Samulski -Mets’ rookie Francisco Alvarez impressing veterans with his instincts - 

After scuffling in his first 12 games in the big leagues, hitting .194 and striking out 13 times, Alvarez seemed to find his footing in May. The young catcher hit .292 in 21 games in May, clobbering seven home runs, driving in 17 runs, and scoring 11 of his own. He also cut down on his strikeouts, fanning just 15 times in those 21 games. 

The success has not only gotten Mets fans excited, but some of New York’s veteran players are starting to recognize what the 21-year-old brings to the table as well. 

“He just has instincts,” said Mets ace Max Scherzer. “You can never teach instincts. You either have it or you don’t, and he’s kind of got that ‘it factor.'” 

Mack - what it the stat? One home run for every 10 at-bats since he hit his first? 

Ruthian 

Zach Buchanan, Nick Groke and Stephen Nesbitt - MLB Power Rankings - 

18. New York Mets

Record: 30-30

Last Power Ranking: 17 

If the Mets are eventually going to pull from their early-season slumber and return to the playoffs, we might look back at this week as a turning point. Swept at home by the Blue Jays, they now head to Atlanta. Or maybe it won’t be an inflection point, and it’ll just be another week in a season the Mets and their fans would rather forget. The Mets are just not an intimidating team right now, despite employing sluggin’ Pete Alonso and two Hall of Fame starters. — SN 

Time to get going

Cohen’s cash isn’t waning

But his patience is 

Mack - zzzz

 

Scott Rogust - https://fansided.com/2023/06/05/rangers-concede-defeat-jacob-degrom-injury-status/ - 

“I believe he’s the best pitcher in the world when he’s healthy. When he’s on the mound, it’s just captivating. But we want to proceed cautiously and do what’s right by him. That’s the biggest factor in this move. We want to make sure the inflammation is gone. The [symptoms] have come and gone. He’s had good days and bad. It’s not been linear.” 

Mack - wish the Mets signed him. He would make a fine addition to the trainer’s room. 

Anthony Franco - Upcoming Club Option Decisions: NL East -

Mark Canha: $11.5M team option ($2M buyout) 

Canha had a productive first season in Queens after signing a two-year free-agent deal. He hit .266/.367/.403 over 542 plate appearances last year. He’s been off to a slower start in 2023, posting a .242/.324/.386 line with four homers — a league average performance by measure of wRC+. Canha picked things up in May after a tough April and still holds an everyday corner outfield role, but he’s increasingly hitting at the bottom of the lineup. 

The $9.5M gap between the option value, and the buyout isn’t a huge price to pay for a solid everyday outfielder. That’s especially true for the Mets. This one remains to be determined based on Canha’s summer performance. 

Mack - I wish this team would begin operating with 2024 in mind. 

If Jeff has no problem with moving to left when Mauricio is ready, I would exercise this option for him to be relief for Marte in right.