I SAVAGE VIEWS
As we enter the home stretch, the Mets control their destiny.
It’s rather simple, win four out of the next six and they are guaranteed a wild-card spot. On the other hand, the magic number for the Braves is five out of six. They need to win at least one of the next three games to have a chance.
However, we all remember what happened two
years ago when the Braves swept the final series. It’s conceivable that both
the Braves and the Mets move on if Arizona has a bad week. In any event, it’s
great to be playing meaningful games at the end of September.
We are fortunate to be in contention thanks to the heroics of Iglesias, Acuna, Alvarez and Vientos. No one could have predicted that Acuna would be able to produce as much as he has. I suggest that anyone who thinks we should have been brought him up sooner be beaten with a wet noodle. His minor league stats were mediocre at best.
Now he looks to be an integral part of the future. The question I raise
is how to fit both Iglesias and Acuna on a 2025 roster that may include Baty
and Mauricio.
The resurgent Nimmo has been a welcome sight and Taylor has delivered in the clutch. No doubt Alonso will find some team willing to pay him an outrageous sum of money for six years. Hopefully, that team is not the Mets. If Alonso does leave, I’m sure Vientos can fill the void adequately with Clifford a year away.
The Mets are an old team that needs to get younger by making room for its
top prospects. Expect Jett Williams and Drew Gilbert to make their debuts
sometime next year with Clifford and Morabito a year later.
A dynasty in
the making, perhaps. The key to this year’s success has been the extraordinary
pitching over the last half of the season. Signing Manaea is a must as well as
bringing on board one of the top free agents – Corbin Barnes, maybe. The bullpen
remains a weakness that must be addressed during the offseason.
What’s
really been amazing is that our lowly Mets have been the best team in baseball over
the past 100 games. Once we make the playoffs, we could be the team that nobody
wants to face.
As I have
said before, if we can beat Wheeler, bring on Sale and Fried and the rest of
the Braves. I’ll feel a lot better if we win game one.
Ray
September 24,
2024
Ray,
ReplyDeleteOff the above subject, but mlb.com has their list of 2025 top 50 International prospects up this morning. The Mets are expected to sign one of the top 2 best prospects. An excellent read for anyone interested in international prospects.
D J
DeleteThe Mets will get much younger in 2025
Very important statement you made: "The Mets are an old team that needs to get younger". Good Mets teams in the past have been good only for a short time, and their depleted development system never helped them maintain the winning. This seems different. There is plenty of fresh talent coming through the minors as you mentioned. Some of them will make it, others not, but at least we have enough up and coming youth to believe that we are building a sustainable winner.
ReplyDeleteAt some point 2025 will bring full time Acuña, Mauricio, Gilbert, Williams...
DeleteExciting baseball
ReplyDeleteI can't financially support firewalls
ReplyDeleteEverybody needs to immediately become a big Padres fan
ReplyDeleteI'm not 100% sure, but I believe that if the Braves win one of the 3 games starting tonight, they can't catch the Mets.
ReplyDeleteThat would mean that the Mets leave town with a 3-game lead and the tiebreaker.
Of course there's a slim chance that they could catch the Dbacks, but I don't know who has the tiebreaker between those 2.
In any case, if the Mets win 2 of 3 they're in.
Bill, the D Backs are totally in play for the Mets. I did not realize the Deebs are baseball’s highest scoring team.
DeleteBill is correct. If the Mets win two against the Braves, the best the Braves could do is 89 wins and that is what the Mets will have already won. The tie breaker between these teams will belong to the Mets
DeleteTom, I don't understand what you mean by "in play". They could catch us or be buried, but are you seeing another possibility?
DeleteMan, I hope Gilbert and Williams can do AFL. Both need the additional games. If Gilbert sizzled there, they might figure him for 5th OF on opening day. Otherwise, they will figure he needs at least a few months.
ReplyDeleteWhen are the AFL assignments announced?
DeleteI would not want to see Gilbert start the season as the 5th outfielder. He needs to play. If he can't be 3 or 4, start him in AAA until he is ready to play full time in MLB.
DeleteRay was right that JD Martinez is not a future Met. I think he will retire gracefully.
ReplyDeleteHe'll be a FA at the end of this season, so he can sign elsewhere if he chooses instead of retiring.
DeleteCharlie, what if the Mets win just one against the Braves, but they finish tied?
ReplyDeleteYou guys are thinking small. I’m thinking the Dodgers and DBack kick the Padres butts and Mets win at least five games. Why not take the top wildcard and host next week?
ReplyDeleteThis is kinda crazy but the Angels are willing to eat alot of contract and Trout is willing to DH so what do u guys think?
ReplyDeleteCan you get (and keep) him healthy. That is a lot of green to be sitting on the bench. See: Kodai Senga
DeleteAs Ray mentions in his article, the Mets need to get younger. Trout has been among the best in the past, but he does not embody young.
DeleteBill,I looked this AM. No announcement yet, gotta be really soon.
ReplyDeleteTrout rhymes wit OUT. He sure is out a lot.
ReplyDelete