Mack Ade – Morning Report – 5-5-13

 

We’ve got our Monday feature writer!

Long time Mets fan and active social worker, Ernest Dove, author of “From Correctional Officer to Youth Counselor. My struggle to help others, and myself” (link) has joined Mack’s Mets. Dove also has his own website, link and has led an interesting life. He should bring another intelligent, adult side to this online newletter (remember… we aren’t a blog).

We’re still looking for a Saturday and Sunday 12noon writer… email me with your interest: macksmets@gmail.com


Another Spin moment:

      Michael Baron - But, then there are these things, and this has to be one of the myriad of reasons why Valdespin doesn’t get regular playing time. Now, Valdespin has participated in early batting practice many times since joining the Mets last year, and he has done so on the road as well. And yes, Valdespin has all the talent in the world and has shown he at least deserves a shot at playing everyday simply by his performance in the field and at the plate. But I understand the team’s frustration with Valdespin’s quirks and behavior as well – in the end, this is a workplace for the players, not a summer camp, and he has created a perception of immaturity for himself which he has to work hard to shed. If Valdespin’s superiors request he attend a batting practice session to get some extra work in, he should take the hint and just go. In the end, this isn’t a huge deal so much as it’s another reminder of who Valdespin is. Perhaps if he conformed to the culture and practices of the team consistently, he would reap the rewards of his performances and talents and be respected a little more as well http://metsblog.com/metsblog/mets-upset-valdespin-didnt-participate-in-early-bp-on-friday/

                   I'm so tired of this. This is fact....  TC hates this guy and doesn't want him on his team. Can't they just trade this guy to the Marlins and get this over with?

You know, the more I watch John Buck on SNY and see how he carries himself, talks about the pitches, tells the SNY crew why things are happening, etc., the more this guy sounds like a real leader of the team. Well, let’s say leader v2.0 behind David Wright. Hell, there were two pitches that signed with this team only because Buck was there. Just how is this team going to turn their back on him and either sell him off during this season, or not give him a two-year extension through 2015? Yeah, I know that Travis d’Arnaud is healing and will be ready soon, but can he be better than the best power catching bat in the National League? The pitchers simply love him… well, all of them do other than Matt Harvey, but that’s a good thing. Buck is helping make Harvey the dominant pitcher he has already become by controlling what is being called out of his glove. All we do is talk about getting rid of this guy. I even have a daily feature about it, but what about an alternative plan. Let’s say 2-years at 6.5mil and 7mil and s trade d’Arnaud for an outfielder. Don’t overreact (no one leaves any comments here anymore so I know you won’t) but just think about it.

Even better… Travis d’Arnaud, Jordany Valdespin, and Hansel Robles for Giancarlo…

JD Sussman –

A strike thrower with at least four useable pitches, Logan Taylor is the most polished arm on the Savannah staff. He’ll spend the majority of the season in the South Atlantic League, but he or Matz will be the first to fill a rotation spot in St. Lucie should a vacancy arise. The Mets will give him every chance to start, but his ultimate role could be in the bullpen due to his high effort delivery and organizational depth. The rich get richer. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mets-logan-taylor-scouting-report/

Here are my first 10 picks in the upcoming draft:

#1 – Houston Astros – 3B/OF Kris Bryant – San Diego.

                #2 - Chicago Cubs – RHSP Mark Appel – Stanford

#3. Colorado Rockies – RHSP Jonathan Gray – Oklahoma

#4. Minnesota Twins – OF Clint Frazier – Loganville H.S. (GA)

#5. Cleveland Indians – LHSP Sean Manaea – Indiana State

#6. Miami Marlins – SS Oscar Mercado -  Gaither H.S. (FL)

#7. Boston Red Sox – C Jonathan Denney – Yukon H.S.

#8. Kansas City Royals – OF Austin Meadows – Grayson H.S. (GA)

#9. Pittsburgh Pirates – RHSP Ryne Stanek – Arkansas

#10. Toronto Blue Jays – 3B Collin Moran – North Carolina

11. New York Mets – Draft Pool: 11 picks - $6,990,000 – 2013 Team Salary: $ 93,684,590 - There are a lot of good players left on the board:

                RHP – Bobby Wahl, Clinton Hollon, Kohl Stewart, Chris Anderson

                LHP – Trey Ball, Robert Kaminsky, Ian Clarkin, Matt Krook

                C – Reese McGuire, Nick Ciuffo

                1B – Dominic Smith (OF)

                SS – J.P. Crawford

                OF – Austin Wilson, Aaron Judge, Ryan Boldt, Phillip Ervin

This is an impressive list and the Mets have to decide if they want to go “position needed (Smith or Wilson) or ‘best player available (McGuire). My guess is the tie-breaker will be neither. The Mets need to giddy-up and another high school player at either #11 or #48 will just be too slow. They drafted high school the past two first picks (Nimmo and Cecchini) and see what kind of projection that got them. No, you want someone you can send immediately either to Savannah or St. Lucie, with a 2015 possible ETA.

This leaves you:

 RHP        -              Bobby Wahl, Chris Anderson

 OF          -              Austin Wilson, Aaron Judge,  Phillip Ervin

I go bat – OF Austin Wilson - UCLA