4/5/13

Q and A - LH/RH Rotation Alignments



Michael Scannell asked - 





I know, I know, I know....it's early. But the first two starts by Niese and Harvey are just what the doctor ordered. This is who I expect them to be as Niese broke through last year and Harvey had a great start. It's difficult to not get ahead of myself, but I'm picturing a Big 3 in the rotation of Harvey, Niese, and Wheeler starting sometime in May. After that, it should become at least a Big 4 with another one of the in-house talents taking another spot. I'm assuming that Summer 2014 is going to feature a Big 4 of Harvey, Niese, Wheeler, and Syndergaard. When it comes to that last rotation spot, everyone has their own opinion. Some think it goes to Montero, others to Gee, and others to Fulmer. Personally, I think it goes to someone outside the organization because Niese is the only decent LH starting pitcher IN THE ORGANIZATION.

From what you know about the brass's thinking, does RH-LH balance matter to them. If we can assume at least 4 of the rotation spots will be homegrown, do you think they'll pursue another LH for balance, or just use the best prospect who breaks through?

Mack - - 

Well, RH-LH might hve gone out the door with Santana and Marcum.

As I said in a comment, The Battle Gettysburg begins next year. We're just repositioning troops right now.

I didn't appreciate Bobby Ojeda's comments tonight at Zack Wheeler is "on the doorstep". I don't believe that and, if he was, it would be a mistake. The quality of SP level begins to fall off drastically after tonight and it will take bats to win ballgames for the three games.

The "perfect" army here is a rotation of Harvey-Wheeler-Niese-Montero-Syndergaard, which will not happen until 2015.

The relief staff will be boltered by Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Famila, Jack Leathersich, Domingo Tapia, and Marcos Camerena.

This is big-time talent come 2015.

Until the, lock up Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada, Bobby Parnell,  and, frankly, Lucas Duda and Josh Edgin.

It's too early to lock up Harvey, or d'Arnaud. It's not necessary.

That's 16 players.

Buying an outside SP until 2015 has already been costly. All that's out there is damaged goods. The healthy young talent on other teams are going to sign with the teams that drafted them. This is a new era in baseball.

No, I would fill in with Mejia, Cory Mazzoni, Typler Pill, Logan Verrett, and some of the other secondary prospect's beginning to bang on the door.

There's plenty of talent in the organization (Flores, Aderlin Rodriquez, pitchers named above, Kevin Plawecki, Phillip Evans, etc) that can get you one decent outfielder in a trade.

As I've said before, trust me...  Duda is  25/85 man this year.

That leaves one outfielder either through  FA or the organization (den Dekker, Nieuwenhuis, Vaught, Ceceiliani). Then there is Nimmo followed hopefully by two college juniors this draft and Eudy Pena, Vincente Lupo, and Wuilmer Beccera.

We can solve this with a little patience and have some fun getting there.








7 comments:

Michael S. said...

Well, I agree with you that the L/R is out the window for this year, but this year is already out the window.

I think there’s a real possibility that the “perfect” army could be ready sometime in 2014. Montero will move up to AAA when Wheeler goes to NYC. If Syndergaard gets up to Bingo early enough this year, he could find himself starting at AAA next year and up in the majors by June.

I asked about the L/R dynamic because of all of the good LH hitters on the Mets’ rivals within the division. I realize that this is a different era now where most players don’t reach free agency, but there still could be opportunities to pick up a LH starter. First, Jon Lester might make it to free agency. Secondly, the Rays are likely going to trade David Price….the only question is when. Lastly, there are many other LH starters (up and coming, in their prime, and veteran) who could still be available via trade. I also think the Mets will likely wind up trading one or two of Syndergaard, Montero, and Fulmer to get a top flight all-star OF.

I trust you on Duda, after his spring, I think this will be a breakthrough year for him at the plate. However, I still think he’ll be traded to a team to DH or play 1B. As Sandy pursued Bourn and Upton this offseason, I think they’ll pursue two outfielders from outside the organization for 2014. I don’t think Duda’ll be a LF in NYC for his career. By the time the year is over, given his production and age, he could be worth two ‘very good’ prospects.

Extend Davis, Parnell, and Edgin and Tejada. Parnell and Edgin should be at the back of the bullpen for years to come.

Mack Ade said...

Look, on paper, the Mets still need three outfielders.

In my opinion, Matt den Dekker has the potential to be the defensive CF who bats 8th and hits .240. He'll win you at least three more games with his glove and the Mets need to put a premium on defense someday.

There was a play in the Mets loss where Justin Turner didn't run down a foul ball and jammed him finger. That play should have been made by a pro baseball player. Take that play away and the John Buck home run ties up the game in the 9th.

I follow this shit. The Mets lose 10 games a year with their gloves.

But, they still need two bats in the outfield and they lost a big opportunity in the spring to sign either Bourn and Upton... or both of them

By th end of the year the 3-4-5-6 for the Mets will be Wright, Davis, Buck/d'Arnaud, Duda. Against American league teams it will be 3-4-5-6-7.

Tejada and Murphy need to concentrate their game on OBP... be them hits, walks, errors, whatever.

But, one more quality bat would have given them a chance to finish strong this year.

Two would have been... why am I going here?

Michael S. said...

If the Mets 1-7 is well-above average then the lineup can survive MDD at 8.

You don't think Buck will get traded at some point?

Mack Ade said...

I think Sandy has to steer the ship straight into 2014.

If the all-star break comes and the Mets are 4-6 games down in the loss column, you know what? They still don't have enough to get there.

Your trading options are falling out the window. Forget Santana and probably forget Marcum.

Yes, you trade Buck and Francisco.

Michael S. said...

If the Mets aren't leading the division (which they won't be) I'd trade everything not nailed down.

Charles said...

Last year, Sandy held onto Hairston to help win an extra game or two. I have a feeling, that unless he's able to trade for high end talent, Buck or anyone else won't be going anywhere.

I could see Dillion Gee getting traded if Montero breezes through AA. Not that he'll be in queens at the deadline, but if they know he'll be ready by next spring, I can see Sandy trading Gee for a good young outfielder or two. Gee is a very good pitcher and if he has another 10 or 12 starts like yesterday, he might be their best trade chip at the deadline.

This team has three or four guys that could get them something good in a trade. Murphy, Gee, Buck, and Parnell.

Murphy is expendable as soon as Flores is ready and I think by July he will be. Gee is expendable if Montero reaches AAA by July 31. Buck is once Travis gets promoted. I don't think there's any circumstance Parnell gets traded unless he fails miserably as the closer

Michael S. said...

I agree Charles, we could see Gee, Murphy, and Buck moved and the Mets could get surprisingly good talent in return...especially for Gee if he can stay consistent.