Tony Plate - NY Mets New GM Makes Possible Huge Impact Trade

The New York Mets new General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen made his first possible huge impact trade by acquiring former New York Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz along with twenty million in cash in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, former first round draft picks Justin Dunn, and Jared Kelenic and reliever Gerson Bautista. 

The twenty million coming from Seattle will help pay for Cano’s contract meaning the Mets will be paying Cano twelve million a year for the duration of his contract. Cano, 36, was suspended for eighty games after testing positive last year. Van Wagenen made this trade thinking that the Mets are in win now mode with no rebuild in mind and will contend in 2019. Van Wagenen was Cano’s former agent and he was able to get that huge ten-year $240 million contract for Cano when he signed with Seattle.

I still think this trade is worth it for the Mets. If Cano stays healthy Cano is going to be motivated about returning to New York. He can still hit and is an above average hitter. He proved that he can handle the pressure of playing in New York during those good years with the Yankees. 

Also, they received Edwin Diaz an elite closer and who is only twenty-four. He has four seasons of club control left. He can really throw the heat at 100 and had a 1.96 earned run average with 57 saves last year which is awesome. 

The great Mariano Rivera never had that many saves in a single season. If Diaz is dominant like last year and Cano stays healthy, they can make a huge impact for the Mets in 2019.

Bruce will be Seattle’s starting left fielder in 2019. Dunn was the Mets 2016 first round pick and was their 2018 minor league pitcher of the year. He spent time at High-A St. Lucie and AA Binghamton, combining for a record of 8-8 with a 3.59 earned run average.  

Kelenic was the Mets 2018 first round pick and batted 413 in the Gulf Coast League and then was promoted to Kingsport and batted 321. 

When you trade away prospects you never know how they will perform in the future. It is a trade that the Mets had to make since their mindset is win now. If those prospects become future stars and the Mets win it all in 2019 it is not a problem. In my opinion the Mets did not overpay in this trade. Van Wagenen said that more player transactions will come.

Mack… Position By Position Analysis: RP

PC - Ed Delany

Good morning.

We continue with a projection for the 2019 pipeline. Relief Pitching.

I’m not going to spend any time breaking out the numbers for every pitcher that threw a relief inning last year for one of the Mets affiliates.

What I am going to do is break out the numbers for some of the guys that, IMO, have earned either a second shot at the last level they pitched at last year, or a promotion to the next one up the ladder.

It also will expose the lack of decent depth for this position in the pipeline.

So, let’s start…

          AAA – Syracuse

                   Matt Blackham (25/yrs.)–

                             AA              22-app        3.42/1.33

                             A+               17-app        1.90/1.01

                   Joshua Torres (24/yrs.)–

                             AAA            5-app          12.96/2.88

                             AA              35-app        1.19/1.10

                   Dave Roseboom (26/yrs) –

                             AAA            3-app          17.18/3.00

                             AA              40-app        2.72/1.19

                   Ian Kroll (27/yrs.)–

                             MLB            2-IP             0.00/1.00

AAA            43-app        2.72/1.58

                   Corey Taylor (25/yrs.) –

                             AAA            16-app        4.26/1.42

                             AA              29-app        2.41/1.44

                                                        

          AA – Binghamton

                   Stephen Villines (23/yrs.)–

                             AA              7-app          3.18/0.71

                             A+               16-app        0.41/0.59

                             A                 24-app        4.86/1.14

                                      Combined:  66.2-IP        96-K

                                                                           

          A+ - St. Lucie

                   Billy Oxford (23/yrs.) –

                             A+               2-app          0.00/1.50

                             Low-A          26-app        1.34/1.24   

                   Ezeguiel Zabaleta (23/yrs.) –

                             A+               3-app          1.59/0.71

                             Low-A          13-app        1.47/0.98

                   Connor O’Neill (24/yrs.) –

                             A                 27-app        2.86/1.23

                   Trey Cobb (24/yrs.) –

                             A+               15-app        4.50/1.14

                             A                 27-app        2.22/1.34

                            

                    

A – Columbia

          Ryley Gilliam (22/yrs.) –

                   Low-A          17-app        2.08/1.38

                             17.1-IP        31-K

          Kevin Smith (21/yrs.) –

                   Low-A          12-app        0.76/0.76

                             23.2-IP        28-K            0-BB

          Tommy Wilson (22/yrs.) –

                   Low-A          11-app        1.23/0.91

                             22-IP           27-K

          Yeudy Colon (23/yrs.) –

                   Low-A          25-app        1.95/1.36

         

Low-A – Brooklyn

          Andrew Mitchell (24/yrs.)-

                   Low-A          8-app          1.64/1.18

                   K-Port          10-app        0.75/1.17

                             23-IP           32-K

                                                        

Rookie – K-Port

          Miguel Ramirez (21/yrs.) –

                   GCL             17-app        2.60/1.56

                                      

Rookie – GCL

          Daniel Guzman (20/yrs.) –

                   DSL             21-app        1.17/0.95

          Jefferson Escorcha (19/yrs.) –

                   DSL             20-app        1.57/0.78

          Antonio Villaba (19/yrs. old) –

                   DSL             22-app        1/77/1.18

          Jhonfran Escalona (19/yrs.)  -

                   DSL             16-app        1.88/0.79

                   

Summary –

          As you can see, we have a long way to go to fill in these rosters.

I have 65 more relievers on the rosters, from Syracuse through the GCL-Mets, some of which some of you will feel have also earned a roster slot. You’re probably right, but I just list the guys that turned in the best numbers with a serious amount of appearances.

I have Villines and Gilliam as blue prospects. Both could easily elevate their game this year, turn red, and move up the chain.

Villines could make it to Queens this year.

The GCL team looks to have four very talented kids coming across the water this season, three of which are 19-years old.

         

Conclusion:

This is very easy to grade out since so little cream has risen to the top. Blame this one on Sandy.

Rating:       F

MLB Network Set for Extensive Winter Meetings Coverage From Las Vegas

MLB Network Set for Extensive Winter Meetings Coverage From Las Vegas,

Starting This Sunday, December 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET

MLB General Managers Alex Anthopoulos, Rick Hahn, Dayton Moore & Mike Rizzo Join MLB Network’s

Brian Kenny & Dan O’Dowd for Business of Baseball Roundtable

CohnReznick to Serve as Presenting Sponsor for All Winter Meetings Coverage Across MLB Media

December 3, 2018 – MLB Network will produce extensive coverage of the 2018 Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas later this week, with insiders Peter Gammons, Jon Heyman, Ken Rosenthal, Joel Sherman and Tom Verducci reporting live across more than 45 hours of on-site programming.

For the first time, coverage of the Winter Meetings across all of MLB’s media platforms will be presented by the advisory, assurance, and tax firmCohnReznick. As part of the collaboration, MLB Network will produce a new series, Business of Baseball, which will explore the strategic issues franchises tackle on and off the field, such as enhancing the fan experience or leveraging data and analytics. The series will begin with MLB’s first-ever GM roundtable conversation with Alex Anthopoulos (Atlanta Braves), Rick Hahn (Chicago White Sox), Dayton Moore (Kansas City Royals) and Mike Rizzo (Washington Nationals), moderated by MLB Network host Brian Kenny and analyst and former GM Dan O’Dowd. Excerpts from the discussion will be featured across MLB Network programming this week, followed by a one-hour show on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET. “Baseball is more than a game, it’s a business built on a foundation of strategy and leadership. That is why we are proud to support this unique content, taking fans behind the scenes to understand the business side of America’s pastime,” said Frank Longobardi, CEO of CohnReznick.

Interviews with club managers and general managers, insights into club strategy, and player analysis from MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa, Kevin Millar, Dan Plesac and Harold Reynolds will be featured across programming and social content from Las Vegas, beginning with MLB Tonight on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Each of MLB Network’s offseason studio shows will air live on-site from Monday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 13, beginning with Hot Stove at 9:00 a.m. ET, followed by High Heat with Christopher Russo, MLB Now, Intentional Talk and MLB Tonight. In exclusive social-first content produced each day, MLB Network’s on-air personalities will also offer their takes on player trades and signings, and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the Winter Meetings, including the PBEO Job Fair and the Baseball Trade Show.

MLB Network’s coverage will also feature the Today’s Game Era election results announcement from the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, Dec. 9 during MLB Tonight. Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser, Davey Johnson, Charlie Manuel, Lou Piniella, Lee Smith and George Steinbrenner were named last month as the candidates for the Today’s Game Era Committee’s consideration for the Class of 2019.

MLB Network’s complete programming schedule and a link to its authenticated live stream are available at www.MLBNetwork.com.

Happy Hanukkah

Mack's Mets is closed for Day 1 of this holiday.

Tom Brennan - Grandal, Anyone?

Just some quick thoughts on Mr. Grandal...he is a switch hitter who has lots of pop (73 homers in 1,268 at bats the past 3 years), is just turning 30, and as such would be a major addition to the line up for the Mets.

The catcher happens to hits righties better than lefties.

Now, Travis d'Arnaud could be his back up, or the cheaper Kevin Plawecki.  Either taking most of their starts against lefties.

But Tomas Nido, certainly a weak hitter to date, hits lefties better than righties, and a Grandal / Nido tandem behind the dish just might work.  Nido would help in the budget department.  

Of the 3, I'd prefer d'Arnaud, then Plawecki, then Nido, ignoring $$ for a minute.

Thoughts here?

From The Desk… Mickey Callaway, Yusei Kikuchi, Manny Machado, MGM Resorts, Mets Job Posting

Good morning.

Here you go baseball fans, your 2018 turkeys -

8. MICKEY CALLAWAY - It was indeed a rough first go-around for the Mets manager, who was billed as a “great communicator,” out-of-the-box choice by upper management given his lack of managerial experience. There were all sorts of embarrassments for Callaway, starting with the batting-out-of-order lineup screw-up on May 9 against Cincinnati, and his stunning admission in July that he knew nothing about Yoenis Cespedes needing surgery on both his heels. As the promising 11-1 start to the Mets’ season quickly dissipated, Callaway began to come under heavy criticism, especially with his handling of the bullpen and not having a grip on things. Likewise, his relationship with the New York media could best be described as frosty — never a good thing for a first-time manager. A “low” point to the season was when Callaway blamed his team’s struggles on the players putting too much pressure on themselves because it was New York. “This isn’t Cleveland,” he said in reference to his previous gig as pitching coach of the Indians. He wasn’t wrong about that. With a new GM in town asserting he expects the Mets to be in the postseason, Callaway is going to need to get off to another fast start in ’19 or else he’ll go from this list to “first manager fired.” 

Mack – I don’t think any one person should be blamed for the 2018 Mets season, but Callaway’s deer in the headlights approach to how he handled this team immediately after the wonderful start of the season exposed him to the world. He didn’t have the answers.

The Next Starting Pitcher To Come From Japan -

For what felt like quite a while, the chatter last offseason was dominated by the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. Yusei Kikuchi isn’t Shohei Ohtani. For one thing, Kikuchi is a few years older. For a second thing, Kikuchi doesn’t routinely throw his fastball in the upper 90s. And for a third thing, no one has ever referred to Kikuchi as the Japanese Babe Ruth. I don’t know much about Kikuchi as a hitter, but I can assume that he is a bad hitter, because he is a pitcher who hasn’t made waves with his hitting. Kikuchi appears to have three career hits, now that I check. One of them was a double.

Mack – I have nothing against Asian pitchers but, if I’m going to sign one, I want him to be as special as the bonus kids are in Latin America. And all of those that pitch throw heat.

Neither Machado  Nor Harper Or Cano The Right Answer For Mets –

Naturally, when a team adds a player the caliber of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado it changes its culture and dynamics for years. New York sports-radio is all for the Mets signing Machado, but that would be one of the worst things the organization could do. Then again, New York sports-talk radio is for a lot of things that don't make sense.

Mack – I didn’t realize that John Delcos writes for Forbes. Good for him.

MLB   and MGM Resorts International strike gaming partnership –

                        The partnership designates MGM as the first official gaming and entertainment partner of MLB. MGM sportsbooks will begin to utilize baseball's official statistics feed and have access to enhanced stats on an exclusive basis. In addition, MLB intellectual property, like league and team logos, will appear in MGM advertising and at the company's sportsbooks. MGM also will have a presence at the All-Star Game and World Series.

Mack – My guess is more money for the bosses that will not be translated into players acquisitions.

Job Posting:   Mets Baseball Ops and R&D Associates -

                                    The New York Mets are seeking individuals with a background in data analysis to work with the club’s Research and Development team. This is an entry-level, yearly position in which associates will analyze baseball data and use their findings to provide insight within the different areas of Baseball Operations. These may include player development, amateur and international scouting, and major league advance scouting. Applicants should be available to start in January.

Tom Brennan - WILMER DEPARTURE - A BAD THING?

PC - NY Mets

Tom Brennan - WILMER DEPARTURE - A BAD THING?

Is Wilmer Flores being non-tendered a bad thing?

Lots of fans love him.

On Facebook, a lot of fans are moaning.  Wilmer tears are flowing.

But Wilmer, if he were so good, could have been tendered, signed, and traded.

He wasn't, though.

Wilmer was a career minors .293 hitter and a career majors .262 hitter.  Slow.  Sub-par defense.

Do the Mets have a cheaper, better alternative?

Uh huh.  In house, too.

TJ Rivera is cheaper - and a minors .323 hitter, and majors .304 hitter - with comparable power, and also somewhat faster.  Glove?   At least as good.

So:

Thanks to Wilmer for some good memories.   

But TJ is better.

Mets save $$ here - keep more dough to help spend big.

Before I go, can we name a Mets reliever EVER who is as good as Edwin Diaz?  I can't.

Reese Kaplan -- Bryce Harper, Too? Ask Trader Bro

So with the proposed Mets/Mariners trade a fait accompli, it’s time to take a look at the prospective new roster (along with the non-tendering of Wilmer Flores) to see who is here, how much money is committed, and what’s left to spend to address other needs.

Let’s first look at the current starting pitching staff.  You have:

• Jacob deGrom (estimated $12.9 million in arbitration)
• Noah Syndergaard (estimated $5.9 million)
• Zack Wheeler (estimated $5.3 million)
• Steven Matz (estimated $3 million)
• Jason Vargas (contract $8 million)

That’s a total of $35.1 million here.

Now let’s look at the current bullpen (subject to improvement, hopefully):

• Edwin Diaz (estimated $1 million)
• Seth Lugo ($600K)
• Robert Gsellman ($600K)
• Drew Smith ($600K)
• Daniel Zamora ($600K)
• Relief Pitcher
• Relief Pitcher

The total for the incomplete bullpen is $3.4 million.

The infield right now would include:

• Todd Frazier ($9 million)
• Robinson Cano ($12 million)
• Amed Rosario ($600)
• Jeff McNeil ($600)
• Travis d’Arnaud (estimated $3.9 million)

Total here would be $26.1 million.

The outfield would include:

• Michael Conforto (estimated $4.4 million)
• Juan Lagares ($9 million)
• Brandon Nimmo ($600)

 This total would be $14 million.

The bench would include:

• Kevin Plawecki (estimated $1.3 million)
• TJ Rivera or Dilson Herrera ($600K)
• Dom Smith ($600K)
• Outfielder
• Outfielder

The incomplete bench would cost $2.5 million.

Then there is the dead money on the DL:

• Yoenis Cespedes ($29.5)
• David Wright ($15)

So, without making any other moves, the Mets are committed to $125.6 million.  They still need to add two relievers and two outfielders at minimum to get to the 25 man total.  Most would advocate needing at least one more solid setup arm to pair with Diaz, an upgrade at catcher and an upgrade/platoon partner in CF.   I'm assuming no reinvestment of the insurance money expected for Wright and Cespedes.

So far Trader Bro’s actions have freed up about $30 million to spend on these deals, but it’s time to see what happens when the next shoe drops.  Methinks if they are serious about shopping Thor then they will attach either Todd Frazier, Jason Vargas or Juan Lagares to the deal to free up about another $14 million to spend.  If the rumored “major league ready prospects” requirement for Thor’s services holds true, then you’re looking at minimum wage assets.  That would seem to make the $44 million available to address needs like David Robertson or Andrew Miller, and maybe even a run at Bryce Harper.

Crazy? 

Well, assuming Miller or Robertson would be somewhere in the $10 million range AAV.  Harper is probably going to command $30 million AAV.  That’s only $40 million.  Remember, too, that Yoenis Cespedes comes off the books after next year and you have expiring contracts on the triumvirate suggested to leave in the Thor deal.  That still leaves $4 million to pick up a couple of $2 million experienced assets for the bullpen or outfield.  (Of course, I’m assuming a catcher is coming over in the Thor deal). 

If done this way, the payroll would actually be the exact same as it was to start 2018, but could look like this:

1B Peter Alonso

2B Robinson Cano

SS Amed Rosario

3B Jeff McNeil

C  TBD

LF  Brandon Nimmo

CF  Bryce Harper

RF  Michael Conforto

This lineup would potentially be vulnerable to high quality southpaws with 5 of the regulars batting from the left side of the plate.   Furthermore, you would have a dropoff in pitching quality if, for example, Seth Lugo replaced Thor in the rotation.  However, that lineup would sure be set up to score a lot of runs.

What do you think?