This is a short one…
But I have a lot more to say today about Jonah Tong.
Come back at 11am and let’s talk about, what might be,
the best pitcher they have had since that guy that use to have long hair and is
now pitching for Texas…
Jeff McNeil Is Still
the Mets’ Best Option in Center Field
https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/jeff-mcneil-ny-mets-best-option-center-field/
In all, he has played every position on the field besides
pitcher and catcher throughout his career, primarily at second base and both
corner outfield spots. In 2025, McNeil has added a new tool to his belt: the
ability to patrol the middle of the outfield on a regular basis
“I take a lot of pride in playing a lot of positions and
being very versatile,” McNeil said in a postgame interview in April. “So
wherever the team needs me, I’m going to play there and I’m going to be happy
to do it.”
Thanks to injuries and a lack of offense at the position,
the Mets have had to get creative with their center fielders this year.
In an ideal world, there is no reason that the
33-year-old utility player should have to learn a completely new position.
Before the 2024 season, the Mets brought in Tyrone
Taylor in a trade with the Brewers. Then, before the ’25 season, New
York struck a deal with Tampa Bay for Jose Siri.
Even at the trading deadline, president of baseball
operations David Stearns swung a trade with
Baltimore for Cedric Mullins.
That makes three natural options in center, but as
September baseball rolls along and the Mets try to punch their ticket to
October, McNeil has outplayed all three.
Amazin.
Starts. Here.
Mets
Prospect Group @bkfan09 DSL
TOP 10
9. RP/SP Julio Gonzalez
Julio Gonzalez, a pitcher for
the DSL Mets Orange, is an 18-year-old right-handed pitcher born on November
10, 2006, in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. He stands at 6'2" and weighs 205
pounds, with a right-handed batting and throwing profile.
2025 DSL Mets Orange – 12-APP,
4-ST, 3-1. 2.55, 0.93, 35.1-IP, 11-BB, 30-K
Jim
Koenigsberger @Jimfrombaseball
"I couldn’t see well enough when I was a boy to
play, so they gave me a special job—they made me umpire."
President Harry S. Truman
Yankee Stadium, 1961
22 comments:
WILD CARD UPDATE
9 METS GAMES TO GO
The Mets won, which is what they are supposed to do at this point in the season... that Greene dude in Cincy threw a complete game, one hitter. So much for a loss there... but the Dodgers beat the Giants, something I used to scream out when I was a kid...
METS 79-74 ------
AZ 77-76 2
CIN 77-76 2
SF 76-77 3
Weekend series...
Mets at home vs. Nats
Chicago at Cincy
SD at CWS
PHILS at AZ
SF at LAD
Mets have to make hay against the Nats. Have to.
Good thing Greene only pitches once every 5 days. Beast.
Win. The. Series.
McNeil “takes A LOT OF pride in playing a lot of positions and being VERY versatile,”. My Caps. I have to wonder if Mauricio has the same level of defensive Pride. Why is he not in CF? He’s above average in speed anda strong arm. Anyone have thoughts? If I wasMauricio, and I felt I had an opportunity in 2025 to secure playing time in CF with the Mets, I would have learned the trade and strongly asked management to give me games out there.
Jeff, as I learned when I interviewed him in May 2018, HAD played some CF in college and was very confident he could play in the outfield, where the Mets, to that point in the minors, had NEVER PLAYED HIM. Jeff has made a fine career out of being hungry.
Mets must win each of the last 3 series. Tom, Mauricio should be nowhere near CF. You know I respect everything you say but man if there was a person on this earth that should not be in CF.
His only position beside DH is 3B, where the ball is hit right at him. He can use his great arm there. His future on this team, which I believe he will be the odd man out is part of a lefty DH.
I don't think he has a future with this team.
I sort of remember that Mauricio failed in right field earlier in his Mets career.
Help me out here.
Brett Baty has established himself as a starter going forward.
So has Vientos
I agree here. Ronny has to go bye bye
Hunter Greene was throwing 101 MPH in the 9th inning last night. He’s going to be a problem for a long time, and if he stays healthy, maybe a perpetual CY candidate. Thank goodness he’s not in the NL East.
Mauricio has a great arm, but doesn’t look like an instinctual player on defense or the bases, and while his arm is strong, he doesn’t look nearly as fast as he once did, having added muscle and having his knee rebuilt. He hits the ball as hard as almost anyone in the game, and you can really dream on his bat, but I agree with Joe. He’s a DH and maybe a passable 3B. He’ll find a place in the league, but in a team with Baty the likely 3B, Vientos under team control, and a host of vets who aren’t getting any younger who could use DH days, I don’t think it’ll be with the Mets long-term. My guess is that, having saved his final option by keeping him up all year, they start him in AAA next season, hope he mashes, and make him party of a deadline trade next summer.
Wenninger would have gotten a lot more attention - as the best SP in the Eastern League, had Tong not been there with him all year. He, along with Santucci and Scott might be the best top 3 SP on any team in AAA next season. Great game from him in a clinching playoff game. So much to like about our pitching future.
I believe that Wenninger will be the next great Mets starter followed by Will Watson a year later
Now if can only find a way to get rid of Manaea, Senga and maybe Peterson we will be set. Just kidding...or am I?
I think Senga can get back on track next season
Peterson.is a free sgent waiting to happen
Manaea should be traded
I feel like Manaea can get rid of the loose body in his elbow this offseason he can pitch closer to his 2024 season than this season next year. I agree that Senga can get back on track next year as well.
Peterson is 100% a free agent waiting to happen. too many good arms coming up to extend him unless things go sideways with the young guns.
Lets remember piggy backing which will be the next "great" phrase in baseball right?
A 26 man squad could only support one of these
Peterson actually has one more year before free agency. If Manaea is still around next year someone needs to make sure he reports in top shape. He did himself no favors reporting out of shape this year. It led to injuries; he wasted the whole year.
Do we take some of the premium MiLB pitching talent & redirect to help strengthen the bullpen next season? I know it’s not “right” to turn starters into relievers but we will need a total rebuild & have too many AAAA types & retreads in our pen. Some ok but too many not ok. Alternative is to nurture the young starter talent & spend to but established BP arms for the next year & then dip into our emerging talent. Thoughts?
There is going to be a time REAL SOON that the Mets have too many quality starters.
Some will have to be converted to relievers
Mauricio’s minor league career started in 2018. He played 26 games in LF in the minors in 2023…3 errors. My take was they wanted to try to fix him for the infield to play 2nd, SS, or 3B (or all 3) in the majors as needed. His errors were always high (still a too-high 24 errors in 110 games in the minors in 2023). Less chances in the outfield. Less errors. Is he too lazy to master the outfield, or just klutzy and not instinctual, as a reason why no outfield? Maybe he has lost a bit of speed, but still has 10 steals (majors and minors) in 225 at bats in limited play. Always a puzzle. Pete was a lousy first baseman…but sheer hard work made him competent.
Mack, Santucci has been incredible since early May. A definite 2026 Mets starter by mid season. I think, of the two, he has the slight edge over Wenninger in terms of his ceiling. By August 2026, Wenninger, Santucci, and Scott. Wow.
Dennis Eckersley and John Smoltz went from starters to great relievers. So did Andrew Miller. Mets will have to redeploy Holmes and perhaps Manaea and/or Peterson during 2026. These young pitchers will bend the payroll curve DOWN. So will Benge and Jett. Also remember that cheapies Ross and Lambert are coming in 2026.
I just don't think he puts in enough effort either on base or in the field
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