The Mack Report - Nathan Lavender, James McCann, Daren Ruf, Bartolo Colon, Vinny Nittoli

Nathan Lavender, James McCann, Daren Ruf, Bartolo Colon, Vinny Nittoli

 

Eric Samulski - https://www.amny.com/sports/could-mets-prospect-nathan-lavender-help-now/ - 

So far this season, 23-year-old Nathan Lavender has posted a 2.66 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 20.1 innings, striking out 34 batters. He also went viral on Twitter for striking out Cincinnati Reds phenom prospect Elly De La Cruz three times in the same game in late May. 

A former starting pitcher back at the University of Illinois, Lavender posted a 4.11 ERA in 57 innings during his final season in college, allowing 55 hits, walking 15, and striking out 79. The Mets made the quick decision to move him to the bullpen after selecting him in the 14th round of the 2021 draft. 

Mack - Lavender has pitched well, except for one recent outing. 

His past starter history could make for him to be a good long man candidate. 

Sure, why not?  

Wendell Cruz - The most overpaid & underpaid players at every MLB position - 

Overpaid catcher: James McCann, Baltimore Orioles 

Baltimore added McCann via trade from the Mets in the offseason, with New York agreeing to paid a significant portion of the two years and $24 million-plus remaining on his contract. With McCann continuing to struggle at the plate this season, he might not last until the end of the deal. After producing a .538 OPS last season, McCann was hitting .182 with a .509 OPS in his first 68 plate appearances this year. He's set to make over $12 million. 

Mack - Frankly, I thought this was a great sign when it happened. What the hell do I know? 

 

Matt Musico - Mets team store at Citi Field selling Darin Ruf jersey for outrageous price - 

New York hoped Darin Ruf could bounce back in spring training, but it didn’t happen. While manager Buck Showalter told us he had a good spring (on the backfields), the Mets cut him loose in favor of Tim Locastro. 

Thankfully, we don’t have to watch Buck pencil him into the lineup any longer. But, his legend lives on in the team store. It’ll probably continue until they put that jersey away, too. I can’t imagine any Mets fan would spend money on his jersey. 

And definitely not $250. 

Mack - Unbelievable.  

Matt Musico - Mets reportedly hosting a Bartolo Colon retirement ceremony in August - 

There are certain players who will always hold a special place in the hearts of Mets fans. Former starting pitcher Bartolo Colon is 100% one of those guys. 

The right-handed hurler just turned 50 years old in May. Despite that — and not pitching in an MLB game since 2018 — he’s held onto the hope of getting one more chance in the big leagues. Ideally, Colon wanted it to be with the Mets, who he spent three years with from 2014-16. 

That opportunity hasn’t come, although he’s gotten some other cool ones. He pitched in the Mets’ Old Timers’ Day game last August and was back at Citi Field on May 7th to celebrate the anniversary of his first career home run at Petco Park. 

You have to applaud Colon for staying in shape while hoping for an opportunity. But, I’m constantly reminded of what they say in the movie, Moneyball. We’re all told at some point that we can no longer play a kid’s game. Sometimes we’re 18, and sometimes we’re 40. For Colon, he’s accepted this reality at 50. 

According to MLB insider Hector Gomez, Colon will be back at Citi Field on August 26th for an official retirement ceremony. 

Mack - I think one of the greatest days of my baseball life was when I'd seen this guy hit that monstrous home run to the uppers that day. 

He deserves a Met day and a return every year for Old Timers Day.

 

Nick Deeds - Mets Acquire Vinny Nittoli - 

The Mets have acquired right-handed reliever Vinny Nittoli in a trade with the Cubs, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. The return headed back to the Cubs is currently unknown, though it’s presumably relatively minor. The deal comes on the heels of Nittoli exercising an opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Cubs yesterday. 

DiComo notes that Nittoli will be placed on New York’s 40-man roster, though the club could opt to option him to the minors once added. The Mets have two open spots on their 40-man roster, so no corresponding move will be necessary to add Nittoli. 

Nittoli, 32, has just three innings of experience in the big leagues. In his MLB debut for the Mariners in 2021, Nittoli allowed two runs on two walks and a home run in one inning while striking out one. He would return to the majors in 2022, posting two scoreless innings for the Phillies across two appearances. 

Mack - Nittoli is good AAA filler. 

Another attempt to strike lightning.