IT WOULD BE AN ERROR TO NOT CONSIDER ERRORS
In 2024, the Mets made 93 errors.
That seems good at first blush, but relatively speaking, that was bad.
The Mets, you see, ranked 21st.
The 1-2-3 ranked teams were Arizona (62), Atlanta (68), and the Twins (70).
The game has gotten more and more athletic, and that in part is the cause of reduced errors. Fielding simply is drastically better.
Also, greatly heightened strikeouts in 2024 vs., say, 1969 mean less balls put in play for fielders to make miscues on.
The 93 errors the Mets made in 2024 made would have easily had them ranked first overall in 1969, the Mets' first championship year.
The second best team in 1969 made 115 errors. That total would have had them in 2024 ranked far lower, at 29th overall.
The 1969 Champ Mets?
They made 122 errors in 1969, 29 more (and 30% more) than the 2024 Mets.
If they made 122 errors in 2024? It would have had them dead last.
So...do not ignore a Mets minor league player's high error totals when assessing where they might fit in with the Mets.
That would be a big error on your part.
I can assure you David Stearns is not making that error.
He'd like to finish better than 21st in errors in 2025.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteBetter defensive players or possible better field conditions?
Remember...
ReplyDeleteChampionship teams are built around superior MIDDLE FIELDERS:
Catcher
Pitcher
Shortstop
Second Base
Centerfirld
*centerfield
DeleteD J, field conditions could have been more ofa factor in the old days. One reason for that was doubleheaders. Second game field conditions probably not as good, and more fatigued players. Lots moredoubleheaders in the day. And now, you can hide a Vogelbach at DH..
ReplyDeleteMack, good point. If, of course, pitchers keep the ball in the ballpark enough.
ReplyDeleteMack u still putting Acuna in CF?
ReplyDeleteNo
DeleteHe has proven to me to be the future second baseman
Thankfully we have Stearns instead of Eppler. Eppler would just hand out massive over priced extensions to everyone on the 2024 team and we would see some regressions.
ReplyDeleteI think figuring out what to do with Gilbert/Mauricio/Baty/Jett/Acuna will probably be one of the more challenging things. Will they all be in AAA waiting for an injury to get their chance for whoever is hottest or will one of more of them make the opening day roster or will some be gone in a trade.
I think the Mets make a strong push for Soto and if they land him Pete is gone. I'm not sure I see Stearns handing out any massive contracts to a player that isnt really special (like HOF trajectory). I think Pete only makes it back if he leaves money on the table from other teams to be a Met.
Its amazing Stearns brought us from being uncompetitive to almost making the WS while committing almost zero money to 2025 to do so. Manaea was given 2 years but that will only end up being 1 year.
SNY guy suggested Soto and Adames, and not Pete. Works for me.. But if Pete is back at a reasonable price/years with Soto, I’m good.
ReplyDeleteBack to my article and Dallas’ points, I think Jett Williams has the most work to do to improve DEFENSIVELY. Errorless in center but 30 errors in 124 pro games at SS. Lindor had the most Met errors with 12, and the next worst guy I believe had 7. If Jett were in CF, he’d be OK.
What is better for the Mets at this point in time?.
ReplyDeleteJuan Soto for say 500M (as an example) for the point I am trying to make.
OR
Burnes 7 years 245M
Manaea 3 years 65M
Alonso 6 years 180M
That's 490M but you get 3 players vs just Soto.
What's the better team?
A great question for Stearns and Cohen. Me? I’d go for Soto.
DeleteI take Soto no question. You dont want Burnes at that number. Pitchers are too risky and his numbers are already declining. Frankly I think thats too much for Alonso. Also look what Stearns did by handing ZERO long term deals. I would rather take the elite guys and fill in with our farm and short term deals than sign a bunch of better than average guys who are on the decline parts of their career.
ReplyDelete