Mets Updates for the week
Things have gotten started in Mets land with the first couple signings of the David Stearns era. In addition to that the Mets hired a head of business operations. Let’s discuss
New head of Business Operations: Scott Havens.
Scott Havens is now the former CEO of Bloomberg Media. He left his job to come be the Mets head of business operations. This is an incredible move by Steve Cohen. Scott brings experience and knowledge of how to grow a business. Steve is treating the Mets like a business and I am all for it.
His role: Scott’s role will entail everything that is not baseball-related. Including but not limited to legal operations and non-baseball finances. I am sure we will learn more about his role soon.
Now for the fun part.
Stearns signed Luis Severino to a 1 year 13 million dollar contract this week. I know the reaction on twitter been mostly negative, however, I believe this signing has low risk and high reward. There is no such thing as a bad one-year deal. People are judging this move as if it is the only one that will be made. We have to wait until he rest of the rotation is filled out in order to properly assess this acquisition. If Sevy somehow ends up the opening day 3rd starter that is a serious issue. But, until that happens lets let Stearns do his thing.
Stearns also signed Joey Wendle this week. This is essentially the Luis Guillorme replacement. Wendle can play everywhere on the infield and the corner outfield spots in a pinch. He has a bit more power than Guillorme, albeit with a lower-quality glove despite his versatility. I see no issues with this deal.
Finally, the Mets took a flyer on Austin Adams this week signing him to a one year deal. Adams had a 5.71 era last year with the Dbacks and owns a career 4.17 era. He has good underlying metrics with high spin rate and a FIP below 4. This is a good back end of the bullpen, low-risk signing.
Hopefully, we get some more news next week but the Mets have been keeping their discussions very much under wraps which I appreciate. So it is unlikely we hear many rumors before a deal is struck.
All seem to be solid enough moves. Sevy needs to stay healthy. Can ANY pitchers stay healthy anymore?
ReplyDeleteI've read comments from several pitchers (I think Max was one) saying that the pitch clock has contributed to injuries. It could be just a factor of adjusting. If so, they've had a year to do so, and hopefully year two will have better results.
DeleteJD, do we have the same concept of "back end"? I consider that term to apply to the 7th-8th-9th innings. If yours is the same, I don't understand how a guy with Adams' stats fits there.
ReplyDeleteIf we add Moto and 1 or 2 (or more?) quality SPs, I can picture Severino moving there, but it's too soon to predict.
Do you or anyone else here have info re: the pitching "lab"? All I can find is that is was created months ago, and exists. But what happens there, when does it operate, and which pitchers have attended or are scheduled to do so?
IMO
ReplyDeleteHavens a big hit. Takes away need for GM
Severino also a hit IF he winds up either SP4 or SP5
The other two moves make no sense to me. This is something Sandy and Co. was famous for.
I'm sick of this team trying to find lightning in a bottle.
Instead they always come up with a bucket of spit.
The Wendell signing lets us know that the Baby Mets are getting first shot. Wendell is a backup plan with good upside.
ReplyDeleteMax is a hot air balloon. I never heard that from any other pitcher, nor has that been the case in the minors. If the pitch clock was such a hindrance, why are they spending it up with men on base from 20 seconds to 18 seconds and thee MLBPA isn’t saying anything about it?
Not in love with these little signings so far for the bullpen, but, one never knows the order that things will happen. They just all need to happen.
Lastly, Adam Ottavino yesterday said that Severino was tipping pitches and his pitches need a better bend and Hefner is good at that.
@bill- Good point! When I say backend I was referring to him being the 12th man in the bullpen. However, I understand the confusion. I tend to flip back and forth about defining "backend". Will definitely provide clarity next time!
ReplyDeleteRe pitching lab: I know the lab is in Port St. Lucie (Mets Spring training facility) down in Florida. Last I read they only have one mound operational with all the tools available. I did read some minor league pitchers have had the chance to use it and enjoyed the experience. I believe David Peterson has gone down there as well to do some work. These updates are months old so I hope there has been more progress since then.
Thanks.
DeleteI am ok with the Severino signing - 1 year and FA pitching minimum now is about $10M, so $13M isn't way high for a potential high reward guy.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the Adams signing. Maybe he'll turn into Loup 2.
Wendle is a bit of a head scratcher. I tend to agree with Gus - decent upside and solid utility guy and it does seem to show that they are going with at least one of the young guys for third base.
Personally, I was kind of hoping they might take a flyer on Nick Senzel for the utility spot, although he does not play shortstop. As a non-tender former first round pick, there could be some positive upside there with a fresh start.
Assuming Baty/Mauricio/Vientos are all on the opening day roster, along with Wendle, that leaves two open spots for position players on the 26. Stewart may or may not take one of those slots. If he does, that would leave one spot open. I have a feeling that they’d like to add an OF who can play CF and maybe a vet 3B/2B/DH like Turner on a 2-yr deal. Barring a major trade, and given the need to evaluate the kids (and leave some room for some combo of Williams/Gilbert/Acuña as soon as next year, I wouldn’t expect them to add any more position players, certainly none on longer term deals.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your Havens assessment. Great move!
ReplyDeleteThe Severino signing adds starting pitching to a team that needs lots of starting pitching. If he has to be the number 3 or 4 guy we are in for trouble, but if he is 5 or 6 and there's backup for injuries it is a good move. Just a little pricey for what you get, like that $16 McDonalds burger you read about.
The wheels are certainly starting to roll - lots of pitchers and catchers signed. Too many catchers in my opinion since we already have capable minor league catchers in the minor league and a guy named Parada that is coming through the learning process.