Hicks, Reliever Injuries, Peterson, O’Neill, Bednar, Almonte
J. T. Buchheit - The St. Louis Cardinals should ship Jordan Hicks to the Mets -
Hicks hasn't impressed in Spring Training so far; he currently has a 5.79 ERA in 4.2 innings. There are several right-handed pitchers who have performed better than Hicks who are clawing for the opportunity to make the major league roster, including Drew VerHagen, Jake Woodford, and Rule 5 pick Wilking Rodriguez. Guillermo Zuniga has impressed in the World Baseball Classic and could make the team at some point this season. These performances could leave Hicks with an uncertain role in the bullpen.
Hicks isn't without value, though. He throws harder than anybody in the game, and while he doesn't accrue the high number of strikeouts one would expect, he is adept at forcing ground balls. His history as a closer and acclimation to pitching in high-pressure situations might be enough for the Mets to pull the trigger.
The player the Cardinals would receive in return is a question. The team clearly doesn't need help in the position player department, and Hicks wouldn't net an exciting starter. A left-handed relief pitcher would be the best option, as the Cardinals aren't the most sturdy team from the left side in the bullpen.
Mack - This was written by a St; Lous friendly writer.
Ya think?
Tim Britton/The Athletic - This Week in Mets: Where do last week’s injuries leave New York’s roster? -
Let’s look at the Mets’ top five relievers heading into the past five seasons and add up how much time they spent on the IL. I’m going off my memory of the top five guys entering each season, so feel free to yell at me in the comments.
2018: Jeurys Familia (10 days on the IL), AJ Ramos (126), Anthony Swarzak (99), Jerry Blevins, Robert Gsellman
Total days on IL: 235
2019: Edwin Díaz, Jeurys Familia (27), Justin Wilson (65), Seth Lugo (11), Robert Gsellman (44)
Total days on IL: 147
2020: Edwin Díaz, Seth Lugo, Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson, Dellin Betances (24)
Total days on IL: 24
2021: Edwin Díaz, Seth Lugo (64), Trevor May, Jeurys Familia (12), Aaron Loup
Total days on IL: 76
2022: Edwin Díaz, Adam Ottavino, Seth Lugo, Trevor May (104), Drew Smith (57)
Total days on IL: 161
Over those five years, the Mets have had one of their top five relievers on the IL on 643 days, or an average of 129 days per season.
Mack - This is a pretty amazing stat.
It makes you wonder if the Mets will ever get this right.
I wish we had the same statistic for all the other team to see if ours stands out.
Matt Musico/ESNY - Has David Peterson pulled ahead in Mets’ rotation competition? -
Peterson has now logged 12 innings this spring across four appearances, and he’s yet to allow a run. This is accompanied by a 0.75 WHIP. The left-hander has also struck out 10 hitters with seven walks (so, more than half of his walks allowed came on Sunday).
Things have been a little more up-and-down for Megill. His spring ERA is a respectable 3.00 to go along with a 1.67 WHIP in 12 innings. It’s been accompanied by eight walks and eight strikeouts.
When it comes to manager Buck Showalter making a decision between Peterson and Megill for that final rotation spot, there’s not really a wrong answer. They’ve both proven in different ways they can be productive starting pitchers in the big leagues. Peterson has shown it over a longer period of time, but they both have the ability.
Mack - Based on what I have seen, Peterson is a lock for this year’s opening day rotation.
Yes, he’s been a little wild but he still seems to be the most effective starter in camp.
SportsNaut - Jason Burgos - 4 players New York Mets could target with insurance money from Edwin Diaz injury -
Tyler O’Neill
A smaller move that’s possible would be for the Mets to target St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’Neil. The five-year veteran is definitely not an untradable piece for the defending National League Central champions, and New York would make the move hoping he can recapture his 34 home run and 80 runs-batted-in forms of 2021.
The trade would also not require the Mets to part with an elite prospect like Francisco Alvarez who could be saved for a big-ticket deal later in the season.
Mack - You can’t have two catchers playing at the same time.
In addition, the Mets have established veteran catchers signed for both 2023 and 2024.
Then, prospect Kevin Parada will be ready.
So, is Alvarez tradable now?
Jim Bowden: Mets have trade options to find new closer after Edwin Díaz’s injury -
4. David Bednar, RHP, Pirates
Age: 28
HT: 6-1 WT: 250
WAR: 1.3 W-L: 3-4 ERA: 2.61 SV: 19
G: 45 GF: 34 IP: 51 2/3 SO: 69 BB: 16 WHIP: 1.123
David Bednar has a 96 to 97 mph fastball to go with his two best secondary pitches, a curveball and split-finger. Last year opposing batters hit .245 against his fastball, .190 against his curveball and .182 against his split-finger. His Whiff% ranked in the 92nd percentile, his fastball velocity was in the 89th percentile and his K% was in the 94th percentile.
Several teams inquired about Bednar’s availability over the past year, but the Pirates’ asking price has been high. (Bednar is under team control for four more seasons.) However, with Pittsburgh working through a rebuild and still a ways from contending, it’s hard to imagine the Mets couldn’t find a way to land him.
Mack -
We talked about this guy before.
Bednar would be a good find, but he would cost more than one prospects.
Sort of done with all these “what if’s”…
2023 Mets King of Spring Training, update #2 -
Abraham Almonte - .500/.650/.643 in 14 ABs
Almonte has had just one more at-bat since our first update, but his seven hits are still among the team leaders, despite having many fewer at-bats than the rest of the players atop the leaderboard.
Mack - As we all know, Almonte was sent back to the back fields and assigned to AAA-Syracuse for their opening day roster.
Very impressive spring sort of locked up a 26 on that roster.
7 comments:
I had Abe as the fourth outfielder actually. He earned it this ST. And then I went daring for the fifth outfielder and chose DJ Stewart. Anyone who cn basically predict a HR for the cycle like DJ did recently is someone I want on my team.
The Mets seem to have some overrated veteran players on this ball club right now. Some have long since seen their prime, others looking down a slope really. It's time for bigger changes if this team really does want to go to the 2023 WS Dance of the Venerable Munchkins.
Right now should be this team's wake-up call before Deadwood Valley.
If the Cards are looking for a LHRP, I guess they weren't impressed with Britton.
I'd like to see Locastro get an opportunity as #4 or 5 OF. If he can hit above the Mendoza line, his speed and D can make him valuable.
Bednar could be interesting for mid-season, but I'd like to see if we really need him before overpaying. Keep an eye on Drew Smith.
And there's ZERO chance of Alvarez being traded for a #4 OFer.
I too like Loco to make this team
Nice research on reliever injury time. Shocking statistics. Mets need relief from these problems!!!
Bednar might be a nice addition to the pen. The other guys, meh...
After protecting our prospects so well over the last 1.5 years, I would not change course and deal Alvarez. He had a rough spring. So what? The guy not only is a prolific power hitter, but he has a very short compact swing so he will become a contact guy with power (like Pete) as soon as he learns the next level of pitching. At every level he has had a short adjustment time to the pitching and then he goes on a tear. Watch for baseballs orbiting the earth near Syracuse NY by the end of April.
At some point this team is going to have to decide who their catcher will be, Alvarez or Parada
Well yes,but that’s down the road,2-3 years. If they both mash,the better receiver catches 100 games,the other 60. DH or LF is open to one not catching. Cepeda/McCovey, can always trade one.
I did read Parada has made great defensive strides and may be closer to the majors than most think. An Alvarez / Parada tandem in 2024?
Post a Comment