The Morning Report 12.31.2015 | The Value of Depth vs Superstardom, Piazza Gains 0.2% In HOF Public Ballots, Alex Torres Signs With Atlanta

Andre Dobley | Metsmerized Online- In my estimation, this current Mets roster – as it is – looks like a 90-win team on paper and in conservative projections. And since there is no Bryce Harper or Max Scherzer or Giancarlo Stanton star player in there who is expected to carry the load pretty much by himself as a 6+ win caliber player, it´s a far less riskier projection than for top-heavy teams that are strongly dependent on good health to a few elite performers and whose seasons can easily be derailed. That is less likely if your strength is in quality depth – even with a lack of star power. It´s easier to replace a solid 3-win player than it is to replace an elite-level 7-win player if you have a 90-win outlook.

(Chris Soto: Andre does make a good point here. If a team has quality depth....it is significantly easier to replace a projected above average 3.0 WAR player like David Wright than it is to replace a projected superstar 7.0+WAR player like Giancarlo Stanton. The Mets 2016 season isn't going to hinge on the health of 1 or 2 guys like last year. Their are multiple swiss army knifes in Terry Collins pocket that can be utilized to fit whatever role is needed and any point in time in the season.)

Ryan Thibs | BBHOF Ballot Tracker(updated 12.31.2015)

Ken Griffey Jr. | 100%
Mike Piazza      | 90.3%
Jeff Bagwell     | 83.9%
Tim Raines       | 79.8%
_______________________________________

Trevor Hoffman | 64.5%
Curt Schilling    | 61.3%
Mike Mussina    | 56.5%
Barry Bonds      | 50.0%
Roger Clemens  | 49.2%
Edgar Martinez  | 49.2%
Alan Trammell   | 48.4%

HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed LHSP Scott Kazmir to a 3 yr deal worth $48M but the contract has an opt-out clause after the 1st season.
• The Mets lost another minor league free agent yesterday as LHRP Alex Torres signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. 

Javier Vazquez, Ken Burns, Scott Kazmir, RA Dickey, Bullpen Phones, HOF Voting

Javier Vazquez  stat line last night in the PRWL playoffs: 6.0-IP, 1-ER, 10-K, 1-BB.



Noted baseball historian Ken Burns summed up how many self-appointed Cooperstown bouncers feel about actual or merely alleged steroids users.

"Those motherfuckers," Burns told The Hollywood Reporter, "should suffer."

                            - how do we do this? by making them watch his PBS specials?

The Cleveland Indians have signed P Scott Kazmir to a minor league contract.

                I had always hoped we would have given Kazmir another chance. He’s come available a number of times over the past few years and I still remember that wonderful year (2003) in Cap Cities where he went 105-K in 76.1-IP. He’s still only 28 years old and has a lifetime MLB stat line of 66-61, 4.17, 1022-IP, 993-K… but it was always the control that cost him… 473-BB, 1.41-WHIP. Still, nobody touched him last year and he had to pitch for Sugar Land in the Atlantic Indy league (3-6, 5.46, 1.65, 59-1-IP, 48-K, 27-BB). One thing though, don’t feel sorry for him. The Angels released him in 2011 but still had to pay him $14.5mil that was owed on the guaranteed contract that was originally negotiated and signed with Tampa Bay in 2008.

The New York Post  said:

R.A. Dickey said Tuesday he is thankful the Mets did not meet his contract demands and he is thrilled to join the Blue Jays, a team he said that is “all in” to win the World Series.

Well, that’s not exactly what Dickey said. In fact, it didn’t even come close. Click on the link and go read the story without the name of the author.  Sadly, this is what we call journalism these days and it’s being taught at the editor’s desks, not in the universities. Twist the words as tight as you can and make someone turn the page or click on the link in order to read ‘the rest of the story’. All RA is doing is saying all the right things to and about his current team and General Manager. Here is every quote by Dickey in the story:

“You can see that he’s all in (GM Alex Anthopoulos), the moves that he made.If we don’t win, it won’t be because of him.”

“I immediately knew that we should be very competitive. I’m hoping to play 10 more years, but this could also be my last contract. And when you see that, you want to win.”

“I think this can be a special few years for this city, this country and the players. I remember the glory days with Joe Carter hitting the home run against Mitch Williams.”

“The first time I really felt I could be consistent with it was late 2009. I still have more to learn. I’m still hungry and passionate about my craft.”

Do you see anything Dickey said bad about the Mets, or being happy the Mets didn’t meet his contract demands? This is the kind of horseshit reporting being done out there these days by people being paid full salaries and Cadillac insurance policies. I fully understand why the writer didn’t identify himself to this dribble. 

OMG… ‘T-Mobile’ has become the Official Wireless Sponsor of major league baseball. This was announced on Tuesday at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. What this means is the next time TC calls for someone to warm up in the bullpen, no one will walk over to the wall and pick up the old land line that’s been around since the earth fell into its axis. In fact, I’m not sure if Wathen will even stand up at this point. There might even be a number of one letter tweet signals sent alerting the bullpen coach who to warm up. Where the hell is my game going?

I never expected much from Wednesday’s vote. I don’t respect any baseball voting process that doesn’t include the name ‘Gil Hodges’ on it.

That being said, I really don’t care who did what when. As I have said in the past, every generation has had players doing whatever it took to set themselves apart from the rest of the players (my day was cortisone and bennies) and, if you’re going to charge me $19 to park my car, you better do whatever it takes to earn that ten million dollars you are earning.

My top 10 list is simply based on results regardless of what got them there. I can’t leave these people out when Gaylord Perry is already in, if you know what I mean.

Barry Bonds, Roger Clements, Jeff Bagwell, Curt Schilling, Larry Walker, Edgar Martinez, Mike Piazza, Alan Trammell, Rafael Palmeiro, and Edgar Martinez would have been my top 10 picks. 

Mets: Zack Wheeler, Daniel Murphy, David Wright, Scott Kazmir

2-10-12 - http://seedlingstostars.com/2012/02/10/s2s-2012-team-prospect-lists-new-york-mets/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter   -  Starting Pitcher #2: Zack Wheeler. Wheeler has an ace-level ceiling, with a tremendous sinker/curve combination. Acquired from the Giants at midseason, he suddenly started throwing strikes following with the trade, walking just 1/3 as many batters; the big question is whether that was a small-sample fluke or growth under a new coaching staff. If Wheeler keeps throwing strikes, he has the upside to be better than Harvey, but we shouldn’t get carried away because of 27 innings. Entering his third year of pro ball and first in the upper minors, Wheeler faces a big test in 2012; in a year, he could rank in the top 25 or outside of the top 100. Grade: B+

Daniel Murphy - Who knows where his power has gone. Probably went to go frolic with his forgotten strikeouts. Anybody watching this team regularly knows that the Hammer is flawed -- he has below-average patience and power and may not be long for the second base position. But the position is so terrible that a .300 batting average, double-digit home runs and a handful of stolen bases actually rates as a top-twelve proposition. He's being picked 231st on average (286th), too, so it's not like he'll cost you much. Now the question is: can he protect his knee on the turn? http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/2/14/2795663/fantasy-mets

 David Wright is unsure whether he will duplicate Ripken's feat of remaining with one organization for his entire career. Wright is in the final guaranteed season of a six-year, $55 million extension he signed at age 23. The Mets hold a $16 million team option for 2013. The option would not transfer to a new team without Wright's consent if he is traded during the upcoming season. Wright could be a free agent as soon as next winter. "The first extension was a little different because we were having success, and I think it was a good deal for both sides just in the fact I got the security and they got the years," Wright said. "But this go-around, it's a completely different front office, a completely different situation, where we haven't had that type of success. I have no idea what they're thinking, nor have I talked to them about it." http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7579226/new-york-mets-david-wright-final-guaranteed-year-contract-questions-future-remain

Interesting that the Mets decided to send a scout to see the value that they had given away, Scott Kazmir, work out in Houston for teams after he was released by the Angels last season and is looking for a home. (One of many Scott Kazmir rants linked here so I don't have to repeat myself.) At first glance hey, the Mets need warm bodies. Kazmir is just that right now ... a warm body with a star crossed history. So why not send a scout to look at him? Hell, what else does the scout (singular, because the Mets may have fired them all) have to do these days besides watch Baseball IQ repeats? http://www.metstradamusblog.com/2012-articles/february/he-needs-some-fixing.html

Mets: RA Dickey,Matt Harvey, David Wright, Scott Kazmir, Selig on Mets

R.A. Dickey - Yes, Dickey is RAD even in fantasy. Well, maybe a little less so in fantasy, where his lack of production in the strikeouts category will hurt his overall value. Plus, knuckleballers seem to be a difficult class of pitchers to project, given the unconventional nature of the pitch and the history of low BABIPs for pitchers that employ it. Still it'll only cost you the 228th pick for a ride-along. That's a great price, considering he returned $7.08 of value last year, or just a few coins less than Jordan Zimmermann ($8.14, 120th pick). http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/2/14/2795663/fantasy-mets

2-10-12 - http://seedlingstostars.com/2012/02/10/s2s-2012-team-prospect-lists-new-york-mets/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter   -  Starting Pitcher #1: Matt Harvey. The seventh overall pick in 2010, Harvey didn’t disappoint in his pro debut, excelling at both High-A and Double-A. He still needs to work on his changeup and he’ll need to prove he can go deeper into games than his 5.22 innings per start in 2011, but he is a strong bet to be a #2/#3 starter. Grade: B+

New York Mets – David Wright - Starter: Wright had an extremely disappointing year last season, and if you were like the Mets are now, you were quietly trying to trade him. Nobody likes the guy in the league who’s trading his big star because everyone is asking the questions: Do they have a secret deal going? Why is he giving up? Why is that *** trading him to the guy leading the league? All are valid questions, and you should get those. The Mets will catch the same backlash if they trade him, as well, and one rumor that won’t die is the Phillies rumors. Wright only appeared in 102 games last year, and if he can stay healthy, he should bounce back. I do expect a decrease in RBI opportunities as Jose Reyes is no longer hitting in front of him. Wright strikes out a lot, and he would only be a steal if you can get him past round three. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/fantasy-baseball-focus-national-league-third-base/17244/

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that the Mets are expected to send someone to watch Scott Kazmir throw Wednesday in Houston. Kazmir, a former Mets farmhand, is attempting to revive his career after making just one start at the major league level last season. The 28-year-old southpaw is a pretty big long shot to suddenly turn things around, but given the lack of starting pitching depth with the Mets right now, he could be worth the gamble on a minor-league deal. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/348935/baseball-headlines?r=1

It’s impossible to imagine Selig confronting Wilpon the way he confronted McCourt, taking control of the Dodgers’ day-to-day operations, calling McCourt unfit to own the Dodgers, seeking the sale of the team through a court order (the six-month legal battle between the two ended when McCourt agreed to sell the club). The pressure on Wilpon, if Selig ever applied it, would be gentler. And many baseball people believe that Wilpon, if he sensed that the end was near, would do the right thing rather than damage the sport. The end is not yet near, not with so many variables in play. But at some point, the best interests of the game must come first. One more season of this, and no more. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/mlb-commissioner-bud-selig-giving-new-york-mets-time-to-fix-problems-but-may-have-to-step-in-eventually-021412

Cutnpaste: - Scott Kazmir, Jose Reyes, Nelson Cruz, Omar Minaya, David Wright

I am fully aware that I’m standing alone with this proposition.  We have all had that guy/girl situation in high school or college that we would love to do over again.  Admittedly, this is my baseball version of that “situation”.  The New York Mets’ trade of Scott Kazmir was probably my first taste of prospect heartbreak.  I had always been well aware of rookies and young players in the Major Leagues, but Kazmir was one of the very first prospects that I followed throughout the minors as he climbed his way up the ladder.  Luckily my prospect hugging was still in its infancy stages  – nor did I even know what a blog was, let alone know how to post on one – so the emotion that would have been uncontrollable rage today was simply significant disappointment back in the summer of 2004.  Again, I’m very aware that nostalgia could be clouding my judgment here, but let’s discuss a New York Mets – Scott Kazmir reunion anyway. http://www.rantsports.com/new-york-mets/2011/10/21/should-the-new-york-mets-look-into-scott-kazmir

Major League Baseball's players have named Mets shortstop Jose Reyes a finalist for the National League Comeback Player of the Year award in the 2011 Players Choice Awards.  Reyes, an impending free agent, hit .337 with 39 stolen bases and 101 runs scored this season, after missing time last season with a thyroid imbalance and oblique issues. He increased his on-base percentage by 63 points this season and his slugging percentage by 65 points. Until straining his left hamstring in July, Reyes ranked among the National League's MVP candidates, threatening to finish with more triples than any player since the dead-ball era. But to win the Players Choice Comeback Player of the Year award, Reyes will need to best Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman, who already won MLB's in-house award as voted on by MLB.com writers. The other finalist for the Players Choice version of the award is pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, who posted a 2.71 ERA for the Giants following four seasons away from the league.  http://wap.mlb.com/nym/news/article/2011102125744520

This is a trick question.  With Nelson Cruz going off during this year’s postseason, lots of teams (more specifically, the people that cover and follow those teams) either look at the chance they passed up to acquire Nelson Cruz.  In the New York Mets’ case, they traded him.  This was 11 years ago though when he was still in the Dominican Summer League – in baseball time, that’s light years away from the Major Leagues.  I don’t mind playing the “what if” game here and there, but to do so now is just a waste of time.  To be fair, I haven’t heard any fans or read any articles spending too much time speculating on what could have been.  I’m hoping it stays that way. http://www.rantsports.com/new-york-mets/2011/10/22/what-if-the-new-york-mets-kept-nelson-cruz

According to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times, the Angels will interview former Expos and Mets GM Omar Minaya for their opening at general manager. Minaya, 52, served as the Expos' general manager from 2002-2004 and the Mets' general manager from 2005-2010. He's a widely respected "baseball man," but his track record as a front-office executive isn't exactly spotless. The Angels have a host of other candidates who would seem to better fit the role, including White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, former Dodgers GM Dan Evans and Rays vice president Andrew Friedman.  http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/344453/baseball-headlines?r=1

Wright, 28, hit a career-low .254 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs in 102 games this past season. His stats have dropped precipitously since 2008, when he hit .302 with 33 homers and 124 RBIs. Two factors in the decline: injuries and spacious Citi Field. "Here is the problem," an AL personnel man told the New York Post. "The industry values David Wright as a good to very good player who might already be trending the wrong way and is about to get very expensive. A lot of teams like the Rockies and Angels need a third baseman. But still the return package will be good, not great, and can the Mets sell a good, not great return to a fan base that still thinks Wright is a superstar?" - http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-10-22/mets-could-dangle-david-wright-as-trade-bait-this-offseason#ixzz1bYmtarxT

Josh Stinson, Zack Wheeler, Scott Kazmir, Niese vs. Gee, Trading Jose

Josh Stinson:


7-26-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/26/2287253/mets-mid-term-farm-system-review-2011-binghamton#storyjump  - RHP Josh Stinson - STOCK DOWN - Tough to penalize Stinson who has definitely gotten the jerkaround this season, but it's hard to argue with a 6.55 ERA. He made the disappointing trip back to Double-A this spring due to a numbers game in the Bisons rotation andwhen he did get a quick call up he fizzled, posting a 7+ ERA in 13 Triple-A starts. He was so-so upon return to Bingo and that's when the organization -- finally -- decided he'd be best served in the 'pen. His sinker-slider mix is passable as a starter but long-term he's a major league bullpen asset. And after a bumpy transition, he seems to have gotten back into the relief routine -- where he excelled between '08 and '10 and he actually expressed a preference for -- posting a 1.78 ERA over his last six outings along with his trademark superb GB rates (1.91 GB:FB). Add in the fact that lefties have batted .353 against him and he seems destined for the 'pen at Citi.


Zack Wheeler:


8-1-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - Zack Wheeler has the kind of frame that scouts everywhere love to dream on. He’s a lanky 6-4, 180 (lanky, but athletic – Wheeler can get above the rim and throw down 360 dunks) with plenty of room to fill out, and, if things go according to plan, capable of adding some serious velocity. If Wheeler was throwing in the high-80s, he’d be a very intriguing prospect based on the prospect of physical maturity and increased heat alone. However, the kid is already sitting comfortably in the low-90s (91-92) and has hit 94-95 MPH on the gun out of the bullpen at the summer showcases. Add a couple of ticks to that fastball and you are really on to something. Wheeler’s very good curve, power slider, and burgeoning splitter all complement the fastball well.


Scott Kazmir:


Here's a look at one person's opinion of the most successful prospect acquisitions at the deadline:- Scott Kazmir, lhp Rays Mets 2004 - Another emphatic trade-deadline blunder for the Mets. Kazmir now appears to be washed up, but for four years he was a frontline starter for the Rays, and at a very affordable price. As a parting gift to Tampa Bay, he brought Alex Torres and Sean Rodriguez in a trade from the Angels. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2011/2612178.html  


Niese vs. Gee:


But by most objective measures, Niese has been the better pitcher. And as the season goes on, Niese is hitting his stride while Gee is faltering. In his last 15 games, Niese is 8-4 with a 3.34 ERA. In Gee’s last 6 games, he is 3-3 with a 5.01 ERA. As Mets fans, we hope that Niese’s stretch is indicative of what we can expect the final two months of the season while Gee’s stretch is merely a slump. Niese’s 3.34 ERA over his last 15 games almost perfectly matches his season-long 3.29 FIP. That may not be what jumps to mind when you hear the term “ace” but it’s the best mark among the starters for the 2011 Mets - http://mets360.com/?p=7494&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mets360%2Ffeed+%28Mets360+Feed%29  


Trading Jose:


So Alderson appears to have made the right decision to hang onto Reyes. Even if Reyes leaves, the Mets will get a first-round pick as compensation, which might be a better package itself than anyone was offering. But the PR disaster would make that "victory" a Pyrrhic one. Now that the Mets have "committed" to Reyes, they need to sign him. Then, in five years, when Reyes is still leading an entirely different Mets team, we'll all laugh about how, at one point, smart people were critical of the Mets not trading Jose Reyes for some middling prospect, just so they could say they did something. - http://www.nymag.com/daily/sports/2011/08/jose-reyes-trade-mets.html  

Jason Bay, Craig Paquette, Matt den Dekker, Scott Kazmir, Chad Zurcher

Photo by Michael G. Barion

Jason Bay:


7-13-11: - amazinavenue.  - C+ - Equaling last year's home run total in almost half the PAs gets him a passing grade. Everything else keeps him from advancing. Well, he did cut his swinging strike rate and marginally improve his strikeout rate, so let's give him a plus. But the big question is his power, and there's little positive in the numbers. His career-low ISO is 'supported' by a career-low in fly balls. He's also at a career low in line drives. You could contend that 100% of all home runs are one or the other. We need some loft, Bay-be.


Craig Paquette:


1993-2003 (Cardinals/Athletics/Royals/Tigers/Mets) - I got so many Craig Paquette baseball cards as a kid that I always assumed he was an average ballplayer. Paquette wasn't. He spent 10 years as a disposable corner outfielder and infielder, incapable of hitting, unable to defend at any of his positions, and unable to muster enough power to overcome either of those shortcomings. On the back of a baseball card, 99 career home runs look just fine. Too bad there are other stats on the backs of cards, too - http://deadspin.com/5820622/the-100-worst-baseball-players-of-all-time-a-celebration-part-2  


Matt den Dekker:


7-14-11: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/7/11/2270752/mets-minors-road-report-binghamton-7-9-brooklyn-7-10  - The scouting report is pretty accurate. Den Dekker’s swing is hard and long and he’s going to strike out a lot. The biggest thing I noticed is once he commits, he can’t really adjust to offspeed stuff. However, when he does make contact, it is loud. He is walking more at AA, though 6 of those walks have come in two games, and he only has 4 in the other nineteen. He plays a confident center, and while he didn’t really get tested too much, he is very fluid and quick to get to flyballs. He looks like he will be boom or bust with the bat, and has a very low ceiling compared to a lot of other Mets prospects, but he is probably more likely to have a quiet 5-10 year major league career then, say, Cesar Puello. It will be as a 2nd division starter/4th outfielder, mind you, and you will probably have to hide him against lefties, but CFs with plus gloves and decent pop find the field.


Scott Kazmir:


In 2004, the New York Mets thought they were one starting pitcher away from making the playoffs and decided to trade a minor-league prospect, Scott Kazmir and Joselo Diaz to the Tampa Bay Rays for Victor Zambrano and Bartolome Fortunato. Well, Zambrano was injured when the trade was made and only ended up making three starts for the Mets before being placed on the DL. He also went on to miss the entire 2006 season. - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/764844-mlb-trade-rankings-the-20-worst-deadline-deals-of-the-last-25-years#/articles/764844-mlb-trade-rankings-the-20-worst-deadline-deals-of-the-last-25-years/page/8  


Chad Zurcher:


7-15-11: - http://www.gotigersgo.com/blog/2011/07/doing-work-with-zurc-blog-2.html#more  - As for Kingsport, it has been awesome, outside of the results. As a team, we have been struggling to put wins together. We lead the league in batting average, but we just can't seem to pitch and hit at the same time. Individually, I have performed decently, but not as good as I need to. I moved into the everyday lineup a few weeks ago and played 10-straight days before getting a day off. It is different in college in the fact we actually play every day. We have played 23 games and we have had one day off! I've recently had some extra days off because I was hit in the head with a pitch Tuesday night. I've missed the last few days as precaution and I am ready to get back in the lineup.

Scott Kazmir, Heath Bell, Matt den Dekker, DSL Leaders

Scott Kazmir:


You know if Omar was still here, he’d sign Scott. I don’t know how much he has left but it has to be better than Brian Sweeney. The Mets might be the only team that Kazmir would accept a AAA assignment from. Folks, he’s still only 27-years old. He’s got $7mil in his pocket from the Angels and didn’t they play last night without a left hander in the bullpen? And aren’t the Angels coming to town this weekend. You got attendance problems? Come on, you can do this.



Heath Bell:


The Mets were willing to give up Bell because he looked to be a Quad-A player, a reliever with decent minor league numbers who didn't have the stuff to make it at the major league level. In three years with the Mets, he'd put up a 4.92 ERA in 108 innings. Not pretty. The Padres looked past that, though, and saw a reliever who had put up great peripherals at both the minor and major league levels, but had experienced a rash of awful luck in 2005 and 2006. Although Bell had the strikeout, walk, and home run rates of an above-average pitcher, hitters had a .384 BABIP against him in the two years before his trade, the highest rate in baseball for a pitcher with 75 innings pitched or more.- http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6466015/cashing-new-moneyball



Matt den Dekker:


6-15-11: - http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110615&content_id=20523328&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb  - The speedy 23-year-old lefty is now trying to get on the fast track to the Majors, and he seems headed in just that direction. As good as Den Dekker is defensively, his work at the plate with St. Lucie can't be overshadowed. Den Dekker won consecutive Florida State League Player of the Week honors in late April, going 26-for-55 over the 14-day span and hitting in 13 straight games. He hasn't been able to match that .376 average for the first month, but he still has some impressive offensive stats. Through 62 games, Den Dekker is hitting .304 with 32 extra-base hits, including six homers and a league-best eight triples. He also has 49 runs scored, 34 RBIs and 11 steals.

DSL Leaders:


The DSL1 team (5-11, last place) is being led by 2B Yeixon Ruiz (.333/.412/.417/.828) and LF Joan Decena (.328/.381/.466/.846). Pitching wise, starters Rafael Montero (1-1, 1.00, 0.39) and Luis Cessa (0-1, 2.12, 1.00) have excelled, while relief pitcher Audry German (0-0, 1.50, 0.83) is off to a strong start. The DSL2 team (7-10, 7th place) has two outfielders pacing the team, Michael Bernal (.356/.433/.508/.941 and Maikis De La Cruz (.343/.413/.433/.846.

Callis on Mets Draft, BTBS on Beato, Bullpen Banter on Logan Verrett, Scott Kazmir, BA On Duda

Jim Callis: I like the way the Mets came out and went after upside. They loved Brandon Nimmo and grabbed him at 13, or else someone would have taken him at the bottom of the first round. Michael Fulmer got overshadowed by Dylan Bundy and Archie Bradley in Oklahoma this spring, but he has a quality arm. If they sign Phillip Evans (15th round) and Mason Robbins (20th), that would be a nice coup. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/chat/2011/2611932.html  



Pedro Beato: The four-seam fastball has just average movement, but has very good velocity, averaging almost 94MPH. The two-seam fastball has solid velocity while possessing a terrific amount of sink. The curveball possesses decent movement, while also having really good velocity, ensuring it will be a pretty good ground ball pitch as well as potentially a good pitch for whiffs. The slider, which seems almost like a cutter, has solid movement to go along with terrific velocity. Really the only pitch that's nothing special is the change-up, which still has the same sink as the two-seamer without the great velocity. So it would seem that Beato seems like he has the potential to be the next breakout pitcher from the Rule 5 draft, more so than the other three pitchers above. However, he's FAR from a sure thing, considering: 1. If he was converted back to a starter from a reliever, he's likely to lose 1-2 MPH on his pitches, reducing their value by a good bit. 2. He never seemed able to succeed in the minors as a starter in multiple years in the Orioles organization. Certainly he could turn out to just be a mediocre reliever, even despite his potential. However, he clearly has the potential to be more - at least a top notch reliever. http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/6/10/2216536/analyzing-the-pitches-of-the-remaining-four-2010-rule-5-drafted#storyjump 



2-21-11: - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=387:college-baseball-weekend1&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11  - Player: Logan Verrett College: Baylor University Position: Starting Pitcher Bats/Throws: R/R Simple delivery with high leg kick High 3/4 arm-slot Fastball had more life (arm-side run) when kept low in the zone, but tended to straighten out when elevated Change-up had good action: arm-side run and downward movement Disguised slider very well with late vertical break Also showed 12-6 curve ball; less advanced than other two secondaries Pitched off of his fastball Generally around the strike zone, but didn't have much command in this outing

 There seems to be a pretty good chance that Scott Kazmir will be released by LAA. He’s pitching horribly in his rehab assignment and there’s a good chance the Angels will just eat his $14.5mil contract. Should the Mets consider signing him for Buffalo? Look, I love what the team did with Jason Isringhausen this year, and it would be nice to see Kazmir back in a Mets uniform. He can’t ve worse than Brain Sweeney, can he?



Lucas Duda won't have the International League to kick around anymore. The Mets intend to recall the 1B/LF today to replace Nick Evans, the replacement for the inured Ike Davis. The 25-year-old Duda belted three homers and three doubles this week for Triple-A Buffalo as part of a 10-for-25 (.400) week that included a solid 4-to-5 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He's been one of the IL's hottest hitters since May 1, hitting .390, compiling a 1.415 OPS (74 PA) and bashing nine homers in 19 games . . . With a pair of home runs this week - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/2611933.html