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6/25/24

SAVAGE VIEWS – Buying and Selling

A baseball icon is gone with the passing of Willie Mays. 

In my 75 plus years of following baseball, he was the best player I ever saw.  No one else comes close. This was a player that could do it all. 

He hit for both power and average, his defense was second to none and his base running skills were exceptional. Not only was he a great player but he was durable. 

It’s fair to wonder how many Hall of Fame players would have excelled in today’s environment. Willie would have been the best player today outshining the Sotos, Judges and Ohtanis, etc. He was the last surviving player from the 1951 playoff game between the Giants and Dodgers.  I was at that game as a ten-year-old playing hooky from school.  Wonder how many of us are still around.

Here we are two games under 500 with a tough week ahead and no Diaz to save the day. Hard to believe but the Yankees with Judge and Soto have outscored the Mets only by a third of a run per game – Judge with his incredible numbers accounts for the difference. 

On the other hand, the Yankees pitching outclasses the Mets by a run per game.  As we move toward the halfway point of the season and in the hunt for a playoff spot, it’s fair to wonder if we should be buyers or sellers.

With the return of Senga and the expected promotion of Scott, it appears that we have a surplus of starting pitchers.  Tylor Megill has shown an inability to go deep in games and probably is best suited for the bullpen.  Goodness knows the pen can use a power arm.  

It seems likely that at least one of Severino, Quintana and Manaea will be on the move.  The hope is that the return will provide immediate results to improve the bench and pen.

I find it hard to justify giving Tyrone Taylor and DJ Stewart regular playing time at the expense of others. Jeff McNeil is another many want to move on from.  However, it’s unlikely trading Jeff will bring much in return.  I’d be inclined to retain Jeff as a super-sub.  

Pete Alonso has been the speculation of numerous trade rumors.  Pete is not going anywhere this season, although his future with the team is uncertain.

 I would not be unhappy if JD Martinez finds a new home.  His value is high and could bring a nice prospect in return. I was never a fan of signing him although, I admit, his recent production has been solid. I still contend that had we started the year with Baty and Vientos as regulars, our record would have been better. Who knows?

Whatever moves are made should be done with long-term goals in mind.  Getting under the salary cap would be a definite plus.  After this week, the schedule gets noticeably easier.  I can see the team winning around 87-88 games which would qualify us for post-season play.

Ray

June 25, 2024

6 comments:

  1. Mays played here at Grayson Stadium the current home of the Savannah Bananas

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  2. I agree on Magill

    Going forward... Senga, Scott, Butto, Peterson, Severino

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  3. Megill pitching like Mr. Magoo.

    Mets outscoring Yankees on the road.

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  4. This series with the Yankees will show if the Mets can play with the big boys or not. The result in turn, will dictate the probable direction they must take when it comes to trading veterans for prospects.

    Should the Mets be willing to trade Alonso to the Yankees?.

    I say if the Mets are getting the best prospect from the Yankee system, why not. If the Mets figure that they will not be willing to pay Alonso anywhere near 200M to bring him back, who cares where he ends up.

    But if they insist in keeping Alonso, don't be surprised if the Mets end up with Pete McNeil two or three years down the line.

    Megill to BP? yes please. Hey, maybe he can close while Diaz is washing his hands.

    JD Martines will get the Mets a good prospect. Trade him.

    Willie Mays greatest ever? to me, yes.

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  5. Viper, Trevor Megill has been a lights out reliever this year. May his brother emulate him.

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  6. Viper, cohen needs to be aware, if Yanks get Pete, what it does to ticket sales, which is a non issue as compared to any other team.

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