There has still been “no change” in the status of Mets third baseman David Wright, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. While both team and player had indicated some optimism recently, Wright has still not been cleared to resume baseball activities. As Puma notes, with at least a three week delay between the point of clearance and a return to the big leagues, Wright’s window for a return this year is rather narrow.
Here are a few more quick notes from the NL East:
- Soon-to-be Phillies president Andy MacPhail ought to make it his first order of business to find a modern baseball mind to join him in Philadelphia, argues David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News. As the piece puts it, the Phils have ended up in their current state not because they’ve been unable to identify talented players, but rather due to a “blind spot [in] the macro-valuation of that talent, within the context of both sheer market appraisal and the impact of opportunity cost on the organization.” For MacPhail to succeed, says Murphy, he’ll need to find a top subordinate who can get a handle on these concepts — particularly given that Philadelphia’s advantages in total spending capacity appear likely to be reduced in importance over time.
- While the Braves seemingly continue to take many positive steps, the stunted development of backstop Christian Bethancourt has been a significant disappointment, Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. Schultz indicates that there was more at play in the decision to send Bethancourt down than his anemic .508 OPS, citing “weaknesses in defense and handling a pitching staff” and hinting that the 23-year-old may have maturity and/or commitment issues. Bethancourt has hit well since taking up residence at Triple-A, but we’ve heard recently that Atlanta is looking outside the organization for young talent behind the dish.
The Phillies should go hire Jerry Dipoto and let him run the team. Do not interfere, just back off and give him 3 years to rebuild that mess.
Ditto that!
Agree 100%…Basically Tyler Skaggs, Hector Santiago, and Andrew Heaney for Mark Trumbo and Howie Kendrick…really nice trades for the Angels there. Phils really need to capitalize on the Hamels and Paps deals…if they even happen.
A stat guy should get along well with MacPhail. As well as Scioscia did.
That’s the “Do not interfere, just back off” part. The Phillies are too far behind the times, it’s time to bring in someone that can move the franchise in the right direction.
Too bad for Bethancourt, but he’s never really projected as the future to me.
How many defensive-first catchers really have much life beyond a backup? Even then, he needs to be able to frame pitches and call games well, and there’s questions about his ability to do that. He’s got a great arm…but he’s a catcher. If Benito Santiago – who regularly threw out guys from his knees – could only do that, how long would his career have been?
Like Russel Martin when he was young?
Ditto Tony Pena
Do you think Bethancourt could be Russell Martin?
Russell Martin performed from the beginning.. He ran into a wall around 2009 because of injuries..
Umm…Yadier Molina
So what is the plan? Do we just continue to sit and wait, and leave Murphy at 3rd, Tejeda at SS and Flores at 2b?
My prediction is that they’ll get a SS by the deadline. It might not be the best SS but it’ll be an upgrade from Tejada. Murphy will leave in the offseason and they’ll reassess the 3rd base situation at that time.
Alderson would trade Murphy since he knows he can get something in return for him. I don’t see them letting him go. I don’t see him in a Mets uniform next year.
Proposed trade: Niese and Murphy to Boston for Brock Holt?
No way the Sox would do that.. Holt would solve a lot of the Mets problems and I have proposed a few trades regarding him, myself.. He is basically a younger version of Zobrist with a bit better bat.. Murphy is in the final year of his contract and Niese has too much injury history to hold much value.. It would take someone like Syndergaard or Matz to get Holt.. Although, I could see the Sox accepting Wheeler as well.. Imho that one actually makes a ton of sense.. Wheeler for Holt straight up.. I doubt the Sox would ever trade him though.. He can play every position but catcher and pitcher decently.. That is a very valuable piece of the puzzle..
Murphy an American League Player !
So, you don’t see the Mets letting him go or see him in a Mets uniform next year? I think you have to pick one or the other.
Can’t wait ,need Big Bat that Tulo offers , Give up one young Gun and Niese !
They’ll trade Murphy for a league average SS. Saving $$$ >>> Putting the best team on the field.
Small steps, baby steps!
Baby steps don’t get Mets to the Big Dance, Tulo does !
They are going to need more than just Tulo.. Since he would be the only elite bat in the lineup, teams will just pitch around him.. Like the Giants in 2005 with Bonds.. Rather than getting Tulo, they should try to pick up both Zobrist and Reddick.. Or similar pieces.. I have not been keeping up with his injury but I would like to see the Mets try to trade for Cozart in the offseason if he is expected to return at 100%.. That knee injury he suffered looked really nasty though..
The Mets must have insurance on Wright’s contract, that would give them some money to spend. Wright and d’Aruand have really hurt them this year. They are the missing pieces, but the Nats have had more key injuries.
They do. I think I read somewhere that it’s around 75% covered.
But also, they’ve had just as many ‘key injuries’ as the Nats. The only every day positions that haven’t had injuries are first base and RF.
I heard it was 80%. The fact of the matter is that 75-80% of the contract that he is out is covered.
I think you’re right. I almost wrote 75-80% but wasn’t really sure.
So that means they have about 15 million to spend on upgrades, right!
Mets Fans pressure Mets GM to Get Tulo and stop talking !