Maybe patience is a good thing. Neither Brett Baty nor Mark Vientos started off Spring Training looking like they were establishing themselves at their respective and projected positions. Then this week ended with both heating up a bit with the bats and taking swings that even Carlos Mendoza was appreciating.
As recently as earlier this week the media was rife with conversation about the Mets making an eleventh hour pitch to bring in superstar J.D. Martinez to take over at the DH position. While no one would quibble with the rationale for doing so, the underlying message we keep getting from the front office is wanting to see what the in-house players are capable of doing while playing regularly and holding off on expanding the already tax-laden payroll which should get some relief in 2025 when a lot of money comes off the books.
Not quite as vocal but still evident were some people clamoring for another Mets reunion, this time via the San Francisco Giants who just signed star fielder and legit power hitter Matt Chapman to take over at third base for them. That contract meant their incumbent at that position who initially looked like the Mets bailed out too early -- the other J.D. -- this time Davis -- was going to be put to pasture.
Shifting gears to the mound magicians, it would appear that the Mets are surprising everyone by leading all of baseball in ERA with a team mark around 2.75 as of Sunday morning. Sean Manaea who recently gave up his ZZ Top appearance is in top form as is likely Opening Day starter Jose Quintana.
Right now it would appear that Tylor Megill essentially needs to stay healthy to assure himself temporary duties as the domestic version of Kodai Senga. Luis Severino has pitched like former All Star Luis Severino. Old David Stearns' Milwaukee pal Adrian Houser rounds out the makeshift but commanding quintet who should be starting games for the Mets come April.
In the bullpen it has not been quite as clear. One roster change already made that kind of caught people by surprise was the cutting of option-possessing Nate Lavender who has been brilliant this Spring. Yes, it's possible he will be an early call up due to injury or ineffectiveness of others, but at age 24 and doing nothing but strike people out with aplomb certainly suggests that his early removal from the best of the best competition was a bit of a head scratcher.
At it is, everyone is aware that Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino, Brooks Raley, Jake Diekman and Drew Smith are all pretty much carved in stone for the first five bullpen slots. Assuming the Mets go with an eight man crew out there, that leaves quite a large group of contenders to fill out the remaining trio. It's possible a Joey Lucchesi type could be needed as a multi inning reliever or spot starter.
Injuries are beginning to heal and this coming week the folks in the Mets braintrust and the fans should get to see Jeff McNeil, Joey Lucchesi and others starting to play more regularly.
13 comments:
Not hitting much, no McNeil, little Nimmo, Marte 2 for 15. Dodgers’ offense running rings around the Mets.
Good for the pitchers so far. Houser was fine yesterday. Edwin debuts today or toros.
Things only get really serious when Saint Paddy‘s day arrives.
As always, it’s the pitching that makes the difference. Whenever the Mets won, the offense got the love but always look at the pitching staffs and tell me how they looked. Having said that, I would prefer the Mets to put their best arms in the MLB roster and forget this stretching out of starters in the minors. Then, find a way to keep the prospects stretched out between AAA and AA.
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I liked JD Davis and thought the Ruf trade was stupid but I don’t think he fits well coming back here. Maybe in Seattle that needs a third baseman or in a team that will let him play everyday or close to it as he goes into free agency next winter.
I engaged with an ex-Mets coach yesterday and we discussed the open relief and utlity positions that are still yet to be determined.
What he said is quite interesting and I feature it in my 6am Sunday post.
Is it my imagination or are the three Baby Mets left standing starting to figure things out?
Mack, it is weird. Vientos is 6 for 28 (.214), but one more hit and he’d be .250. Stats can deceive in a short sample.
JT Schwartz 4 for 6 so far. Like to see that.
The Mets need a fully healthy starting 9 hitter group. Not deep enough to shrug off any significant injuries
Gus, JDD has 3 career WAR. Not great. Getting older, too
I’m not as worried about Vientos and Baty as I am the starting rotation. Two guys don’t bring down a lineup, if everyone else is performing as known. What these two can do is show over a sample of time if they can handle the majors. That usually involves glimpses or moments that might expand. The starting rotation being able to be above average will be the key to this season. Even the bullpen I have more faith in and not worrying as much.
Trevor Bauer threw 3 one hit innings against Dodger minor leaguers fanning 4 and hitting 99. Interesting. Hard to believe some weak pitching team won't want him.
Bauer's game would play well Down Under...
particularly Lap Land
I liked JD Davis when he was a Met and was disappointed that they gave up on him. But to bring him back means giving up on Baty/Vientos and the reward would be small. Don't do it. Let the experiment play out. Baty is still not hitting his weight in spring training, but he has had some very hard hit balls, so give him more time.
As for the pitching, I thought Bickford looked really nasty when I watched him up close last week in the backfield scrimmages. He should get a spot in the bullpen.
The team is basically ser,except for the bottom of the pen, and IMO options will be a factor in the final decisions. If 6 pitchers are contending for the final 3 spots, and they're close in ST performance, with 3 being optionable and the other 3 having to be released or at leased DFA'd, which 3 do you think will be chosen?
I'd love to see Lavender here, for example, and Fujinama, but I expect them to start the season upstate. I'd prefer that, for axample, yo releasing Reid-Foley or others without options.
The next 2 weeks should intensify the competition.
As for Davis, our bench now consists of Narvaez, Wendle, Thompson and Stewart. Who would you cut to add Davis, even if he still were productive?
Bill, you forgot Taylor.
Yes, I did. I should've put his name there instead of Thompson. But if Stewart struggles, we may habe both of the "T-men" on our bench.
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