10/15/20

John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 10/15/2020

 

Good Morning. Mets fans want Trevor Bauer, Sources say Sandy will act as new Mets GM, Dodgers pulverize Braves and Astros stay alive. 


Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, and This Day in Mets History.


Mets Links:


amNY: Chance exists that Sandy Alderson acts as Mets GM in 2021. “If Cohen and Alderson can’t find “their guy” to come in as their general manager in 2021, an option would be retaining current GM Brodie Van Wagenen for the year while Alderson makes the calls. The same source noted that Van Wagenen could be “a seat-warmer” until a long-term option is found for the GM position.”


NJ.com: Is J.T. Realmuto worth $200M? Why Yankees, Mets, Phillies should pass on record demand. Reasons given include “Revenues are dropping; Catchers rarely age well; Back-to-back season-ending physical issues; J.T. Realmuto, Good, not great offensive player; Star catchers aren’t imperative to winning big; Other options exist.”



Reflections On Baseball: Mets Fans Want Nothing To Do With Gary Sanchez – Does Anyone?


Metsmerized Online: New York Mets Must Decide on Edwin Diaz’s Future This Offseason. “Over his 26 appearances in 2020, Diaz compiled 25 2/3 innings, saving six contests and producing a 1.75 ERA, 2.46 xERA…In comparison, the right-hander threw 58.0 innings of work and saved 26 games during the 2019 campaign, recording a 5.59 ERA, 3.25 xERA…Despite this impressive progression, Diaz still struggled during high-leverage situations this summer, which resulted in his trio of blown saves.”


Rising Apple: How much will Steve Cohen pay Michael Conforto? Writer Allen Settle “would begin by offering a deal in the realm of five-years with a $115 commitment…at least one player opt-out would likely be negotiated into the deal as well. This move would allow Michael Conforto to have an average of $23 million per season, and re-enter free agency with a chance to earn at least one more substantial contract.


MLB.com: Vote for 2020 Hank Aaron Award nominees.  The Mets candidate is Dominic Smith, Smith's breakout season for the Mets included a .316/.377/.616 slash line, a .993 OPS, 10 home runs and 42 RBIs. The 25-year-old first baseman and left fielder ranked fourth in the NL in slugging and OPS, tied for fifth in RBIs and finished eighth in the batting race.





Rising Apple: NY Mets 2021 starting lineup could use a righty that hits for average. “[Amed] Rosario actually led with a .252 batting average. J.D. Davis was next at .247 followed by Wilson Ramos at .239. Finally, there’s Big Pete with a .231 batting average in 2020.



Empire Sports Media: New York Mets Player Evaluations: Designated Hitter Yoenis Cespedes. “The reason he left was clear as day. Cespedes was getting older and needed a full spring training to have any hope of returning as an everyday player. Once he realized Dominic Smith was taking away his playing time, he wanted no part of being a bench player.”



You Tube Mets Channel: Best of Conforto – 2020.


MLB Links:





MLB.com: Dodgers 'showed what we can do' in rout. Los Angeles makes history with 11-run first inning, five home runs. Dodgers 15 Braves 3 (Box Score).


MLB.com: No playoff team has done what LA did in 1st. “The 11-run first was the largest half-inning of offense in postseason history, breaking the record of 10 runs achieved four times -- most recently by the Cardinals against a similar Braves roster in Game 5 of last year’s NL Division Series.”


CBS Sports: Dodgers' 11-run inning: 11 things to know about record-setting frame in NLCS Game 3 vs. Braves. “It all started with an overturned call. On the first pitch of the game, Mookie Betts hit a grounder right down the third-base line, and, at first glance, Johan Camargo made an outstanding play to get Betts. The call was overturned via replay, though, as Betts beat the throw by an eyelash.”


Yahoo Sports: 1 inning, 11 runs, 28 more relaxed Dodgers: How a historic inning opened up the NLCS. How Chad Chop ignited Dodgers’ historic inning. L.A.’s replay guy was the unlikely inspiration for a deluge of first-inning runs never seen before in MLB postseason history.


AP News: Dodgers hope Kershaw can go in NLCS Game 4.







MLB.com: Dusty's 'confidence' in Greinke forces G5. Astros 4 Rays 3 (Box Score).


AP News: Springer, Altuve homer to keep Astros alive in ALCS.


NY Post: Astros’ Jose Altuve comes up big at plate after fielding woes.


USA Today: 'Nobody’s ready to go home:' Manager Dusty Baker's old-school decisions pay off for Astros in ALCS Game 4. “Baker worked his magic before the game, huddling with struggling second baseman Jose Altuve in the infield, telling him that he was going to be like the late, great Hall of Famer Joe Morgan. He spoke to his team in the clubhouse and told them that he’s not ready to go home, and the next trip he wants to take is to Arlington, Texas, for the World Series.”


MLB.com: Preview Rays Vs. Astros 5:07 PM. 


MLB.com: Preview Braves Vs. Dodgers 8:08 PM. 


USA Today: Sen. Ben Sasse calls Houston Astros 'miserable cheaters' during Amy Coney Barrett hearing. 


MLB Trade Rumors: Tigers Have Interviewed Marcus Thames For Managerial Job.


MLB Trade Rumors: Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr. Interested In Discussing Extension.


AP News: Angels give White Sox OK to interview La Russa.


AP News: ‘Bad Hombres’ film uses baseball to show the game of borders. “Tecolotes de los Dos Laredo, a binational professional baseball team with home stadiums in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Laredo, Texas...A new Showtime sports documentary follows this AAA Mexican League baseball team that plays on both sides of the border amid the tension around immigration, divisive politics, and environmental concerns.”






Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:


Born on this date:

Died on this date:

Transactions:

New York Mets purchased Amado Samuel from the Milwaukee Braves on October 15, 1963.

New York Mets traded Dick Smith to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Larry Miller on October 15, 1964.

New York Mets released Norm Sherry on October 15, 1964.

Bob Gibson granted free agency on October 15, 1987.

Mickey Weston granted free agency on October 15, 1988.

Lou Thornton granted free agency on October 15, 1990.

Mickey Weston granted free agency on October 15, 1993.

Jeff Kaiser granted free agency on October 15, 1993.

Mauro Gozzo granted free agency on October 15, 1994.

Jeff McKnight granted free agency on October 15, 1994.

Eric Hillman granted free agency on October 15, 1994.

Jonathan Hurst granted free agency on October 15, 1994.

Doug Linton granted free agency on October 15, 1994.

New York Mets released Rob MacDonald on October 15, 1996.

Chicago Cubs claimed Jason Hardtke of the New York Mets on waivers on October 15, 1997.

Donne Wall granted free agency on October 15, 2001.

Brett Hinchliffe granted free agency on October 15, 2001.

McKay Christensen granted free agency on October 15, 2002.

Kane Davis granted free agency on October 15, 2002.

Mike Glavine granted free agency on October 15, 2004.

Orber Moreno granted free agency on October 15, 2005.

Kelly Stinnett granted free agency on October 15, 2006.

Jose Offerman granted free agency on October 15, 2006.


Centerfield Maz: 10/15/1969 Mets: 1969 Mets: World Series Game #4: Tom Terrific- Swoboda's Catch & J.C. Martin's Bunt- Amazing!


National Pastime.com:


1969

In Game 4 of the Fall Classic at Shea Stadium, Tom Seaver and the Mets beat the Orioles in ten innings, 2-1. The game features an outstanding run-saving diving catch of Brooks Robinson's sinking line drive with two on in the ninth inning by right fielder Ron Swoboda and a controversial play in the tenth when J.C. Martin unquestionably gets in the way of Pete Richert's throw, without the umpire not calling interference on the baserunner.

1986

In the longest postseason game ever played (4 hours and 42 minutes), the Mets clinch their third National League crown, beating Houston in sixteen innings at the Astrodome, 7-6. Trailing 3-0, Lenny Dykstra and Ray Knight spark a ninth-inning rally, which sends the game into extra innings.

 

Amazing Avenue: Revisiting the Mets’ 1986 NLCS victory over the Astros.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baseball Reference:


2015 - The Mets eliminate the Dodgers with a 3 - 2 win in Game 5 of the NLDS. Los Angeles takes a 2 - 1 lead against Jacob deGrom in the 1st, but Daniel Murphy, who had doubled in a run in the top of the 1st, steals third base by taking advantage of a defensive shift in the 4th and scores the tying run, then wins it with a solo homer off Zack Greinke in the 6th.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




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6 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Great update from the Sombreros on our top prospects Allen, Mauricio, Baty, Vientos. It showed glimpsed of real hope and progress for each. Great to hear that Mauricio is filling out with strength weight and could end up with plus power. We probably won't recognize him next spring.

It did among other things answer the question of: where's Tom Szapucki.

Great to hear he was really developing a missing change up. However, I was not happy to read his FB was in the low 90s, whereas before TJS it was up towards 97, as I understand it. Little to go by here, but I think that is why he did not show up in Citifield this summer - if his fastball is not humming faster, he'll need all three pitches working optimally.

Dodgers did the Wright thing.

October 15, 2020 at 6:34 AM
Anonymous said...

Part 2: Building Up The Mets 2021 Starting Rotation

In lieu of the fact that it's possible that Noah Syndergaard's 2021 re-emergence here starting is at best questionable in 2021 and then when, the Mets must now reconfigure their rotation as if Noah might not return at all in 2021. Because as we Mets fans all know it can happen.

As I stated in Part 1, I would not bring back Marcus Stroman because to me he is not truly a top-end start anyway. I have mentioned in the recent past that I would entertain taking a long look at kid starters like in-house Thomas Szapucki, Adonis Uceta, and Harol Gonzales and bring in maybe two to three young AAA starters (from other MLB teams) via trades to also look at. This "should" give the Mets enough starter options to fill both the four and five starter aptly.

With a vibrant young lefty starter in David Peterson now in gear, I think that the three slot in next seasons rotation has been filled. However, the "two slot" is still a question this team really needs to consider and carefully so. It is the "BIGGEST PIECE" of the missing puzzle here, and not really either the catcher or centerfield positions. Some miss this point here I think.

Yes, you can make a huge offer to an over 30 year old free agent starter who has been pretty good, like Trevor Bauer. Tie up huge dollars for 3-4 seasons with a guy like Trevor, and then hold your breath. But how really well has this same exact approach worked out well here? Be honest.

To me, the Mets can ill afford too many more long term bad contracts to guys 30+ years old. Especially starters who have warehoused maybe too many innings on their arms already.

Instead here, I might go after a free agent that no one seems to be talking about (anywhere) because of his recent injuries the past two seasons, now made whole. I would go after 27 year old righthander TAIJUAN WALKER instead.

The reason (once everyone stops laughing) is because he is young, he has had some success and instead of spending $17-$20 million a season over four seasons, Taijuan made only $2.0 million in 2020. This could be the right time to get him in here, pending a physical and testing on his arm to make sure it is 100% healthy. It's a gamble I really like, if everything checks out fine. Younger players tend to heel quicker when there isn't a ton of innings already on their pitching arms. And with Taijuan Walker there is not.

For the four and five spots, the Mets would have 5-6 really good kid pitchers to choose from. It a new approach.

October 16, 2020 at 10:37 AM
Anonymous said...

More Good Humor

Regarding part owner Gerry Signfield, let me say this.

We have all seen his last show (about nothing) and each episode about fifteen times each over the past twenty or so years. We need badly to prompt Gerry back onto television with some new nothing stuff. I have the perfect vehicle I think for this.

He borrows Cosmo Kramer's make believe Merv Griffin's talk show set and curtain, and then hosts a new late night talk show (filmed right after lunchtime due to age) called "Constipation." His sidekick could be anyone remaining from his last show about nothing not working at present (or even like Keith) and each show could be a special "theme show."

Like on "prostate issues" of the rich and famous. Sore back and leg complaints of the older high heel ladies. Buying the "cheaper brand" of hair dyes. Getting in and out cars. Not being able to hear anyone talking to you with these Covid19 masks on. Losing things in town and forgetting where you had been there. Trying hard to get into a parked car that isn't even yours, but you think it is anyway. Tooth decay and bad bridgework.

There has to be a million ideas out there all about more nothing too. It's a win/win I tell ya'!

October 16, 2020 at 10:56 AM
Anonymous said...

Taijuan Walker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6D64izxHTk

See for yourself. I like this idea a lot.

October 16, 2020 at 11:22 AM
Anonymous said...

On Thomas Szapucki and his three MLB pitches

Personally, I would just like him brought up with the NY Mets to see how MLB game announcers stumble and mispronounce his name.

No, actually I think we tend to forget that not every pitcher can throw a 100 mph fastball, and if they can it might not be for all that long a time. i.e. here Matt Harvey and his hanging right arm.

Thomas Szapucki (to me) is a lefty almost finesse starter with three above average pitches that are all thrown from the same exact 3/4 arm slot. This means that as a batter, you may not get as long of a half second to decipher which of Szapucki's pitches are going to be coming into the plate. This is a very good thing for Tom moving forward.

Scouts say his curveball is "absolutely lockup" the batters devastating. His change is solid. And his fastball can range anywhere from low 90's mph to a ramped up speed of 97 mph.

He has had two injuries once signed here. One was with TJ and UCL injuries. He has not really been past AA pitching, but is 24 years old now and worth a serious ST look. Maybe bring him in early to workout and get ready.

October 16, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Anonymous said...

Overall Rotation

I am not stressing with thoughts of the 2021 NY Mets rotation. Noah coming back at any point in the season should be considered strictly bonus. The key is building a really good rotation in the off season without a definite penciling in of Noah Syndergaard, since his return is way too unknow at this early on point.

The Mets have options for the four and five slots, three slotted David Peterson, and of course their CY Young phenom Jacob deGrom.

A rotation like this (strictly in "dream mode" right now) would make me smile I think: 1. Jacob deGrom 2. Taijuan Walker 3. David Peterson 4. Jay Groome 5. Thomas Szapucki. And then if and when Noah can "Thor" back in, then all the merrier too.

October 16, 2020 at 11:49 AM

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