Tom Brennan - SMART Moves….The Pattern Remains…and Zach Faced Mission Impossible

 

SMART MOVES

The Washington Nationals traded Juan Soto, some years back, for a combination of top prospects

It was a smart move by the DC braintrust.

SO smart.

Two guys that they obtained, James Wood and CJ Abrams, in Washington’s first 49 games, have combined for 22 homers, 25 other XBHs, and 74 RBIs. That puts them on pace for about 70 home runs, 80 doubles/triples, and 240 RBIs combined this year. 

Golly gee, and gee whiz. But wait, there’s more.

They also got McKenzie Gore, who’s been a decent pitcher in his career as a starter, with upside, and Robert Hassell, who is 24 and back in the minors this year after a mediocre 2025 MLB trial run.

The Mets have occasionally made smart trades, but not as smart as that one. They made a very dumb trade giving up Pete Crow-Armstrong. But two smart non-trade moves were unaccepted QOs to Syndergaard (Morabito) and DeGrom (Ewing).

THE PATTERN REMAINS…

… When it comes to home-field advantage.

Through Tuesday, them Yankees are averaging almost 7 runs a game at home, and far lower 4 runs per game on the road. 

A super advantage at home, clearly. 

The Mets?  

4.3 runs per game at home, and 4 per game on the road. Slight home edge.

Seemingly an annual occurrence is the relative disparity in home-field advantage between these two teams.

The Yankees simply have a far bigger home-field advantage than the Mets do, very similar to what the Knicks have in Madison Square Garden when they have good teams. Great, well designed home stadiums can do wonders for a baseball team. 

It could mean the difference between annual playoffs, and early eliminations during the regular season.

Hey Uncle Steve, I have a suggestion for you for a great trade…

Trade stadiums.

Move the Mets to the Bronx and move the Yankees to Queens.

Somehow, I think the Yankees would politely say no to that one.

ZACH GOT SMACKED

“Your Mission… Should you choose to accept it, is to face the highest scoring team in baseball in your major league debut. This message will self-destruct in five seconds.” Zach Thornton accepted Mission Impossible.

The Nationals’ MLB-leading offense was like nothing Zach had ever seen. 

Zach retired the first batter in his MLB debut, then gave up a blooper hit, then just missed the strike zone and walked the next guy on 3-2. 

He then faced the type of hitter that he never saw in AAA, CJ Abrams. 

CJ clocked a three run Homer. CJ, if you are not paying attention, is a budding All-Star caliber player

The Mets, as is too often the case, could never recover. Zach gave up four runs in total in 4.1 innings, and looked good… 

Except for that one pitch. When you’re facing the best, sometimes that one pitch can do you in. However, I liked what I saw from him.

Otherwise, two relievers for the Mets gave up a total of four runs, which turned out to be the march of victory for the nationals in an 8-4 ball game.

On a positive note in a guy who really seems to heat up in the middle of May, Juan Soto, hit two Titanic home runs, and just missed a third.

Frankly… 

They need Lindor back badly. 

And I have the sneaking suspicion that the Mets current catching tandem may have a struggling time hitting .200. 

So they need Alvarez back too.

Why?  A team requires lots of hitters that can hit to consistently win.

Sadly, neither of them will be back soon.

The Nationals can sure hit, though…7 or more runs in each of the 3 games.