ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick takes a deep look at the Mets’ medical procedures and protocols in the wake of their injury woes. Crasnick notes on Twitter that he spent two weeks and conducted nearly 20 interviews for the piece, and the thoroughness is apparent in a must-read column that is rife with industry opinions and quotes on the Mets’ hierarchy. As Crasnick writes, he was told on multiple occasions that the Mets have a sub-optimal command structure that causes routine problems to become serious issues. Crasnick was also told that the Mets’ lack of a true point person for the medical operations creates too much of an opportunity for COO Jeff Wilpon to insert himself into the picture. “Jeff gets in the middle of everything that’s going on, and he ends up doing more damage,” someone who has been involved of the Mets’ internal operations told Crasnick. “He meddles. I can’t come up with a more appropriate term.” Strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Barwis’ methods were also questioned by multiple people to whom Crasnick spoke.
GM Sandy Alderson stressed to Crasnick that, ultimately, coordination of medical and rehab protocols is his responsibility. The general manager also acknowledged that there’s been plenty of second-guessing when it comes to the notorious refused MRI from Noah Syndergaard. “Would that have shown the lat was subject to a potential tear? We’ll never know,” says Alderson. “…We try to go back and see if there needs to be some systemic change in what we’re doing. That certainly has happened over the last few weeks.” Notably, Alderson adds that the team has considered hiring a director of performance sciences (or a similar title) — something that organizations such as the Astros and Pirates have recently added.
Crasnick’s lengthy column is fascinating, well-crafted and revealing. I strongly recommend a full read, especially for Mets fans. And when you’re done with that, a few more notes out of Queens…
- Newsday’s Marc Carig spoke with Curtis Granderson about his struggles at the plate this year, and the 36-year-old at least conceded that his age could be a factor in his troubles at the plate. However, Granderson wouldn’t use his age as an excuse and spoke with confidence about being able to turn things around at the plate. Carig spoke with hitting coach Kevin Long and a scout from another club about Granderson’s approach at the plate, with both stating that he’s taken good at-bats that haven’t yet produced results. As Carig points out, though, the window for Granderson to right the ship is closing, as Yoenis Cespedes is nearing a return. At that point, Granderson could face a significant reduction in playing time.
- The Mets’ decision not to promote top prospect Amed Rosario when Asdrubal Cabrera hit the disabled list frustrated some fans, but as Mike Puma of the New York Post points out, that decision likely wasn’t driven by a desire to avoid Super Two status for Rosario. The promotions of Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom, Puma notes, both came in May during their respective rookie seasons. The Mets knew full well that both would likely be Super Two players and promoted them anyhow due to need. Puma spoke to evaluators from other clubs, with one telling him that Rosario could be ready to play for the Mets but another suggesting that his approach at the plate still needs a lot of work. “He’s an above-average shortstop who can really hit, but he’s not really disciplined at the plate,” said the evaluator. “He definitely needs to improve his [pitch] recognition. In an ideal world you would want to have a guy like this come to a contending club and be a piece rather than coming up and being the center of attention right away.”
*” a sub-optimal command structure. That causes routine problems to become serious issues.”
Seems to be a lot of that going around.
True.
As both Granderson and syndergaard have found out, never dis the Yankees, because eventually the “power of the Yankee” overcomes you.
What do the Yankees have anything to do with this?
Referring to a former Yankee Granderson probably but truth be told they never wanted him back..so I don’t know what he’s getting at.
Mets fans love our prospects. There’s no way for anyone as highly touted as Rosario to come up without being the center of attention.
Prospects as in 1 1/2?
usually it’s not really the teams fault for injuries, and I would never blame the team, but I mean come on the mets shouldn’t have the amount of injuries that they do, something needs to be done
It really makes one wonder about the conditioning programs they have in place. Same with the Dodgers and A’s, who’ve had a ridiculous amount of injuries the last couple years.
The Financial aspect of Baseball has driven players to try to “stay at peak performance” for several (if not many…) consecutive years. Guys are working out constantly…..12 months of the year……and they are NOT stretching/focusing on fitness….they are doing “strength conditioning exercises”. Those build bigger/stronger muscles, but sacrifice flexibility. Guys are pushing harder, trying to squeeze every ounce of energy/ability out of their bodies. Trainers are implementing new techniques that are not good for the muscles/tendons/ligaments…….stressing every facet of the process that can be pushed (in the name of performance). Check out Chris O’Leary on twitter……read his stuff…..it’s enlightening!!!
If you want to “do something about it”……find a way to stop the salaries from growing every month. Make it so it doesn’t pay to “be better than the other guys”…..(good luck with that….lol)
The financial aspect of any industry drives those working within it to strive to operate at peak performance. Baseball is no different than any other industry in the world.
Please show me evidence that players don’t stretch or stretch less. I see guys stretching constantly when I go to the yard and I’m pretty sure stretching is emphasized harder than pushing to lift more weight because flexibility is critical to building strength. It seemed to be fairly common knowledge to players at the high school level when I played and it was emphasized more beyond that level. Can workout routines be altered/improved? Most definitely. Knowledge and information are constantly evolving, so players need to adapt in order to maximize potential.
Suggesting that money/salary is the driving force behind this wave of injuries is lazy. There are far more medical and mechanical reasons that have a better chance of being a contributor to injury than does salary competition. Rather than stifling a player’s earning potential to resolve the issue, we (society) could try and emphasize more health education and proper mechanical repetition within our youth baseball system. Get over the salaries, it’s a free market.
I read the entire article and it is compelling.
My take: Sandy Alderson is the fabled “Good Soldier”. He readily and publicly states that he accepts the responsibility for the organization’s problems, even when his superiors, staff, players, hirelings, and colleagues are the ones who mess up. He did so again when asked about the team’s medical and training staff and the team’s baffling injury situation. “It’s my responsibility.” But that’s where it ends.
Anderson sounds good but doesn’t change anything. He loves to talk around issues instead of dealing with them. “We are exploring possibilities.” … “We are trying to look into how to improve things….” … We’re evaluating what direction we might go in.” — That kind of deflective but plausible posturing is his hallmark. He sounds like a politician, a hired publicist, or an out-of-it general. Or, a guy with a foot out the door.
The Wilpons and the organization’s dysfunctional structure are evidently part of the mess, but they have good old Sandy to keep the pressure off so “things look okay.” For example, notice how we don’t hear much about the status of David Wright, arguably the team’s inspirational leader? Sandy’s good at sweeping things under the rug.
There may be more plausible “explanations” and “strategies” forthcoming, However, I’d bet nothing really changes, and this situation will continue to smell fishy.
Glad I’m not a Mets fan, but as a baseball fan, this is a sad deal.
I agree with you Lester that this franchise is in a terrible condition. What is most sad that many of the Mets fans still support this ruse. When another teams’ fan writes straight talk they get bent out of shape, instead of using their wallet more sensibly and NOT supporting the fare.
That “TC” is becoming the all time leading Mets manager is further evidence. It’s pathetic.
Baseballs’ Golden Age included at least two NYC teams that were good franchises. The Mets have been pretenders for over 50 years.
You have no idea what you’re talking about.
I’m a long time Mets fan @lesterdnightfly and I agree with everything you wrote.
There is also a long history of Sandy being dishonest in regards to when players would be returning from the DL. He did it with Santana and Harvey, just to mention two. You’re also on the money about Wright.
Next year we’ll have a new manager but Sandy will remain. He’s the one who has to defend and deflect all the stupid stuff Jeffie Wilpon does, so he’s not going anywhere.
roywhite:
Thanks for the reply and the thoughts. I think you have it nailed.
I guess no one else cared to read the full article. Too bad. Should be compulsory for every Mets fan and most baseball fans.
Mets get an L on this one. Rosario is hitting .366/.407/.547 with an 85% contact rate. Sure his 6.2% BB% isn’t great, but he’s ready.
Come June, they may add well call the kid up and let him learn as he plays. Doubt they’ll have a chance at a playoff spot with the injuries they’ve had. Trade those expiring contacts at the deadline (Bruce, Walker, Cabrera, etc), get what you can, and rest the arms. Gear up for 2018.
I’m kind of with you except the Mets need to keep Cabrera. His option is only $8.5 million and he would be a good option at 2nd