Mack – Q&A’s – Star Shortstop, Mets Ownership, Rob Whalen, Spring Training, The 2020 Pen

 Horace asked:

Mack… who do you see as being the future Mets star at shortstop? And what about the rest of them?

                        Mack:  Good questions.

There are a lot of choice here. In my opinion, the most talented is Ronny Mauricio, but it is my hope that the Mets re-position him to the outfield. He is a 5-tooler that be around for a long time.

A move like this would allow Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez to fight it out for short.

As for a future trade… if Brett Baty is the third baseman we think he is and Jeff McNeil settles in at second, I would trade Gimenez for a need at a different position.

Russ asked:

Mack, what’s your guess on the future Mets ownership? Will the Wilpons own the team after this year?

Mack:    No way. Both Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz are past the age of operating their breathing apparatus, no less a baseball team. The issue here wasn’t Steve Cohen. It was Fred’s insistence of his son Jeff staying relevant after Cohen took over. It’s hilarious to think a man like him would tolerate Jeff to operate his billion dollar investment.

No, the MLB officials won’t allow this to happen again and don’t be surprised if you see Steve Cohen enter the picture again, this time with an offer that will include the SNY network.

Al from Johnstown asked:

          I saw that pitcher Rob Whalen went 1-2-3 in his first spring outing. Do you think he could make the majors this season?

                      Mack:    I was thrilled to see how well he debuted.

          Whalen is a starter. And there really is no room for him in the Queens rotation this spring.

I hope they keep him a starter and let him join the Syracuse rotation instead of becoming a Mets pen member. That is where he belongs this year.

Robin asked:

          Mack, do you have any early thoughts on the Mets’ spring training?

                      Mack:  Robin, I do…

1.    I love seeing the kids play in these games but the whole process makes more sense to me when the regulars play.

2.    There have been no negative surprises yet.

3.    The pitching, like in the past, is way ahead of the hitting.

4.    Tebow starting? Don’t get me started.

Frank C, from Long Island asked –

            Mack, your thoughts and predictions for the pen come April.

                        Mack:            Hmm…

                        Edwin Diaz, Dellin Belances, and Jeurys Famila are a lock.

                        Seth Lugo too if his toe
 totally heals.

                        Justin Wilson has done nothing wrong to be removed here.

                        Brad Brach and one of Matz/Wacha/Porcello will be two more.

                      That’s 7… I’m done.

Lastly… please send your questions to: macksmets@gmail.com and I will add them to the next Q and A post.