7/19/20

Mack - FWIW- Google.Docs, Three 2021 Starters, Sale Date, Jake deGrom, A-Rod


Had a rough week electronically. Lost all my Word content on my computer. Tried reinstalling but that won't work for me either.



I am writing this on Google.Docs so if you are reading it I have been successful. If not… well, then you aren't reading this.


Had to say goodbye to my computer and I am now writing and managing the site via my phone.



I was really excited with the three scoreless innings thrown by David Peterson this week. Yes, he has never pitched above the AA level, but he is 24 and, in my opinion, ready to make the jump to Queens.


Folks, we actually have three new starters on our 60 man that could be ready to join the rotation next year. Peterson, Thomas Szapucki and JordanHumphreys are all pitchers that were supposed to be ready this year. Peterson just hasn't developed into what was expected when the Mets drafted him in the 1st round of the 2017 draft.


Szapucki and Humphreys have always put up quality innings but both also fell victim to the TJS curse. Szapucki's recovery was especially slow, costing him the lion share of two seasons. Now, the virus slows the process down even more.


It is tough for a team to replace three rotation slots, but the talent just might be there in 2021 to pull this off.



Question from Joe in Bayside -


"Hey Mack. Hope things are well. I have a question for you… do you think a Mets sale will take place during the season?"


Hey Joe (great name for a song…). Actually, I do not. These things take time. The bidding is in Stage 2 of a process that might have many more stages. Even if handshakes are exchanged today on the amount, it has to be approved by the Board Of Directors of Sterling Equities, then all existing share owners approve (would Steve Cohen agree to A-Rod?), and then the league comes next.



Another question, this time from Gus in Ithaca:


Question: "What with the Jake deGrom scare, would you pitch him on opening day?"


Mack - Good question.


DeGrom is currently the franchise of this team. This team can not win without success from this guy.


The sore back scare obviously set back a training program that was designed to culminate with an opening day start. So, if that process has been altered in the beginning of this process, you have to alter the process at the end as well.


Move him to game two, like you did in the past when he had a camp scare. 


It is no big deal in the long run. 




My guess is the Mets will be lucky to have a new owner(s) by the off-season GM meetings.


It absolutely made my head shake when I read that Alexander Rodriguez (A-Rod) said he thought it would be a good idea for players to accept a salary cap.


This was an amazing statement from someone that once wouldn't play ball unless he was given the largest contract in the history of baseball. Now, because overnight he wants to use that money to purchase this team, he wants to become the second coming of Jeff Wilpon.


In my opinion, an ownership team headed by this prima donna would wind up to be a total train-wreck. First, nothing would ever be decided in a timely manner from this pack of alpha males.


Secondly, this "salary cap" reference gives the players and their agents a peek at what it would be like playing for this guy.



I hope the Mets work out a deal with Steve Cohen and not let A-Rod turn into our A-Hole.

14 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

I was able to read it. Thank you, Google.

I think the triumvirate of Szapucki, Peterson and Humphrey could be rotation guys, but to expect that of all 3 goes against normal odds. By mid 2021, possibly.

I am largely staying out of the new owner thing. With the Wilpons, they will simply take the most lucrative deal.

I did not see the game last night, but sounded like Cespedes and Cano looked their age. We’ll see what happens when it counts in a few days.

Reese Kaplan said...

The Wilpons are not in favor of winning. They are in favor of profits. As such, Tom is right. The highest bid wins. They also know that a sale to the A-Rod/Jlo conglomerate would obliterate their legacy and perception as owners. They don't want anonymity that much. If they did, they would have sold long ago.

Raw said...

Question

Do you think there will be intrasquad games in Brooklyn during the season. If so will the press be covering them? This way the fans can know how some of the Mets prospects are doing. Including the pitchers you mentioned in this article.

Mack Ade said...

Raw

Yes there will be but there is no details on how they will work yet, nor any word on whether press will be allowed.

Mack Ade said...

Tom

Regarding last night.

1. 4 errors. 4. And that doesn't even include a bad play by Nimmo in center. You can't beat your sister playing this way.

2. One of the errors was by Cano. Totally unacceptable even on day one.

3. Cespedes slowed down running to first but my bet (haven't checked stories yet) is he was told to not push it down the line.

4. Porcello had no movement on his pitches in the first three innings he pitched.

5. Familia and Diaz were sharp.

6. Cordell made the defensive play of the game, running down a ball into the padded wall in center.

7. The fans at the game seemed lifeless. Just not into the game.

8. The Yanks looked much more ready than the Mets.

Rds 900. said...

Cano did not have an error.

Mack Ade said...

That bobbled grounder wasn't ruled an error or did I have the wrong person tagged?

Jon Messinger said...

believe the bobble was by Luis Guillorme

bill metsiac said...

The bobbled grounder was by Guillorme. There was a GB in the 1st that was off Cano's glove that Gary said was from a bad hop.

And 2 or 3 of the errors were by Max Moroff, whose rep is "great glove, no bat". 🥵

Mack Ade said...

No.

I know about Luis's bobble.

If Cano's mistake was ruled a non error in my book that would be error number 5

Tom Brennan said...

Max Moroff made his mark last night.

Fans were circa 1981 last night...about the same.

Yanks may look more ready...but season doesn’t start for several days. I played the nasty schoolteacher in a local production of Tom Sawyer about 5 years ago. Two nights before opening, chaos. Night before, about 60% better. Opening night? Like we’d been doing it for weeks. Mets will be ready, regardless of how it looks now.

John From Albany said...

No comments on Nido's caught stealing? He needs to be the catcher. Pinch hit him if he comes up with men on, then bring in Rivera or Sanchez.

Despite the error last night, Guillorme needs to be the everyday 2B. Cano needs to retire. It will be fun to see Cespedes in LF tonight.

Raw said...

You mentioned about Szapucki, Peterson and Humphrey being ready for 2021. What about Kevin Smith? He had a good year in 2019 and the Mets put him on the roster before Szapucki and Humphrey.

Tom Brennan said...

Raw, Kevin Smith has a shot at 2021, in my view.