Monday's new arrival at camp was an old face to the franchise.
DH/1B Luke Voit was signed to a minor league contract, which will just limit the time even more for JT Schwartz. That's two minor league first basemen brought in to screw up the Syracuse soup.. SMFHO.
Oh... the power hitter Voit hit 0-HR last year for the Brewers in 68 at-bats.
Mark Vientos:
"I'm not competing against any of my teammates. I'm just trying to be the best player I can be."
The entire team is in camp. That includes Steve Cohen. Cohen wasted little time, heading for the cages where he could hang and talk to players like Voit, Luisangel Acuña, and Jett Williams. He then spent a considerable amount of time talking with Pete Alonso. Wouldn't you like to have a hot mike on them then?
I read something that is really depressing. There are currently only four active ballplayers with a career +.300 batting average... Luiz Arràez, Freddie Freeman, Mike Trout, and Jose Altuve. Jeff McNeil is .298.
The Mets signed the following minor leaguers this week... RHP Paul Gomez (DSL), LHP Jose Gomez (DSL), LHP Yancarlo Rivas (DSL), and C Tomas Nido (AAA).
Ex-Mets signed minor league news.... SS Denny Mendick to CWS... RHP Michael Fulmer to Boston... OF Kevin Pillar to CWS... RHP Jeff Brigham to Minny... RHP Ryley Gilliam to Yanks... C Nick Meyer to TB... LHP Blake Taylor to Texas.
A couple of Mets batters were taken back after facing Christian Scott for BP. It reminded me of that same dear in headline WTF stares members of the Savannah Sand Gnats had when they first stepped in against a new arrival named Jacob deGrom.
Pete Alonso almost took the head off of Edwin Diaz with a screamer up the middle. Everybody's heart stopped with that one.
Harrison Bader -
"I'm pouring every ounce of energy I have into having a successful season. I want to win more than anything in New York."
Luke Voit -
"I think I see a role to possibly be a DH. Obviously giving Pete some days off at first base. I know my ability and I think it was good last year while being at Syracuse."
Food for thought..
Carlos Mendoza said his starting outfield is set with Bader in center, Nimmo in left, and Marte in right.
Sounds right to me
You?
Not sure what the plan is and if it keeps changing. Bringing in two washed up first basemen, for? Y’all remember the Adrian Gonzalez signing, for no reason other than he was Adrian Gonzalez?
ReplyDeleteTo me, they think additional bats need to be considered.for DH... and/or they don't think Schwartz is ready to step up at AAA.
DeleteI still don't like either move and believe it is time to see if Vientos can bat against all pitching
Jake DeGrom 2 I'll sign up for that. Signing more old players no thanks. I'm also going to buy a simpathy card for Anthony Rendon because baseball isn't his top priority in life..WTF!! he didn't mention giving any of his money back after sucking since he signed that 245 million dollar contract just amazing. I just love team players.
ReplyDeleteI saw that headline too, and really got upset because when he first came up, I loved that swing and wanted this guy on the Mets, but the whole quote is: His priorities are his faith first, his family second and his business third. He said that baseball is his job, not his love. I was less than flattered also. Certainly looks like a jerk.
DeleteSchwartz did not overwhelm in 2023 and other than a few hot games in Az, he hit poorly. The likelihood of Schwartz helping the Mets in 2024 is very slim. Voit could if, for instance, Pete got hurt or dealt. He was cooking in AAA, with a HR every 10 times up, and then left to seek out a better chance at getting back to the MLB, which did not come. I think he is 33 this year. Adrian might have been a far better career player, but I think when the Mets got him, he was an old 36.
ReplyDeleteIt does appear that they are greasing the skids for Alonso’s departure…
DeleteJT had 23 doubles and just 6 HRs in 383 plate appearances last year. Pete sometimes hits that many HRs in a week or two. If JT hit in the majors like he did in 2023 in the minors and AZ, we'd be dissatisfied.
ReplyDeleteI hope JT bulked up this off season. Listed at 6'4" 215, he needs 6'4" 245. Time is short. He already turned 24 in Dec.
To me, his goals should be 35-40 doubles and 20 HRs in 500 PAs, or his career is in jeopardy. Clifford is coming up fast behind him.
In 3 seasons in the minors, JT has had 851 PAs, when he needed to have 1500. He missed a ton of games, while Pete is a throw-back Iron Man.
Gus, the Mets have to be prepared. Vientos can play 1B. Hopefully, his bat explodes this year.
ReplyDeleteI assume you refer to Schwartz. Faith and max effort in your career need not be mutually exclusive.
JT is overlooked. He might end up better then site favorite Vientos.
ReplyDeleteOnce again what about trading Pete now if your not signing him and then sign Bellinger short term high AAV and getting PCA and pitching propects for Alonso? Also because I don't look forward to this being the topic of conversation till it's resolved.
ReplyDeleteFaith and Faith Come first? Sounds good to me.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets (unless plans suddenly change) will go with 13 pitchers and 9 starting position players.
ReplyDeleteThat leaves a 4-man bench-- a catcher, MIF, and 2 OFers. Voit and Choi can DH or play 1B, neither of which are open barring serious injuries to Pete or Mark.
Whichever of the 2 performs better than the other will go to 'Cuse to DH. The other will be history. And Schwartz will still be able to play 1B unless he shows he can't keep the job.
Fear not.
Schwartz,glad to see he’s getting some attention.
ReplyDelete