The Mets’ additions of Robinson Cano and Jed Lowrie have eaten up most of the infield at-bats that would’ve otherwise gone to breakout 2018 rookie Jeff McNeil, writes Anthony DiComo in his latest inbox column. As such, McNeil now looks outfield bound in 2019 — a role he’s only played in a total of nine minor league games. While Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto are locked into outfield spots — likely in center and right field — McNeil will join Juan Lagares and Keon Broxton in the mix for additional outfield playing time. (Yoenis Cespedes’ status for the 2019 season is uncertain following surgery on both heels.) It’s curious to see McNeil to a more limited role after the 26-year-old burst onto the scene with a .329/.381/.471 slash in 248 plate appearances, though surely the organization feels its depth on the position player side is formidable. For those wondering, DiComo notes that Todd Frazier isn’t likely to be moved coming off a career-worst year, adding that GM Brodie Van Wagenen indicated Frazier is expected to receive regular at-bats at the infield corners. It’s somewhat curious, then, that the Mets chose to deepen their infield mix with Lowrie rather than add a reliever like Adam Ottavino, who agreed to a $9MM annual salary on a three-year deal with the Yankees yesterday.
Here’s more from the National League East…
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald provides an update on a sleepy Marlins offseason, explaining that the club is still waiting for some bigger things to fall into place before adding to its roster. Beyond the obvious fact that the rebuilding club is waiting to see what players might fall through the cracks in free agency, the Marlins are not particularly interested in making moves before lining up a hopeful trade involving star catcher J.T. Realmuto. That deal could return some MLB pieces, which would dictate the team’s further needs. Jackson also reports that Miami would like to add a lefty bat who can play both the infield and the outfield — a perplexing target considering the fact that the Marlins cut Derek Dietrich, who fits that description to a tee, rather than pay him a projected $4.8MM salary. Jackson again notes that right-hander Dan Straily is available, though Miami isn’t shopping him and would be happy to have him in the rotation in 2019 if a solid offer doesn’t materialize.
- The Braves likely wouldn’t offer Craig Kimbrel more than three years to bring him back to Atlanta, writes Mark Bowman of MLB.com, and even then, the average annual value Kimbrel figures to seek could prove prohibitive. The outfield and the rotation, it seems, are still larger priorities for Atlanta decision-makers. Bowman notes that the Braves have not pursued Adam Jones in free agency despite a clear corner outfield opening, instead citing Nick Markakis as the likeliest free agent for the team to pursue.
Is Cespedas hurt? Or is there some other reason you don’t mention him at all in the Mets OF?
Dual heel surgery, very serious; out eight to ten months.
Had been meaning to ask around here.. Was the heel fractures due to nutritional issues from his early cuban life? Such as iglesias’s shin/legs were that cost him a full year several years back?
Wow never heard that one before – nutritional issues ??? Ces better tell his agent about that one when he’s a FA in 2020
Great question! Would be really curious if that played a factor. It wouldn’t shock me.
I don’t think it’s nutritional issues considering that the political regime in Cuba always make sure that their athletes live well.. They are part of the ‘fat cats’ in Cuba.
If anything, this thing with Cespedes has the odor of PED use rearing it’s ugly head with the fragility that it causes to some of the parts of the body. Cespedes was an All Star OF for most of his career, but come his contract years, his numbers elevated to Superstar numbers that he seem very unlikely to ever reach in his career based on his previous large sample over the span of years.
I’m pretty sure I read something that said it’s a condition that’s fairly common in his familial line. Maybe his uncle and grandfather had similar heel issues? It’s been awhile back, but I vaguely remember reading that.
PED use (which btw hasn’t been even rumored with Cespedes) would not cause the heel condition that required surgery.; calcification isn’t exactly rare. The issue with Cespedes is that due to the discomfort and location of the calcification, it required a more invasive surgery and much longer rehabilitation. Also, due to rehabilitation needs, doing them both at the same time would have been problem. The timing had to be off-set, which is also commonly seen in other conditions that require bilateral lower extremity surgery.
Actually, depends on the PED. And last I checked, rumors existing or not don’t dictate fact. The reality, when you look at a guy that stays consistent with one level of performance for a large sample, then all of the sudden elevates to a significantly higher level when we’re talking contract years, PED use will always be something that has to be considered because money is one of the main motivators for players using.
Certain PED will be hard on ligaments, but in general the muscles and bones grow stronger and at such a young age, I highly doubt that’s a factor, bonds had issues because he was in his 40’s had abused for years and years
Nutritional issues most commonly cause developmental issues the earlier the age. So unless Cuba pampers its athletes at birth and the decade or so before they know they are athletes this would have no affect.
And since this is the same poster that always gets angry when you point out he’s wrong , I’ll mention my source is my physical therapist degree and the fact I deal with these conditions on just about a daily basis.
Heels, ankle ligaments (Which can be seen in observing “Greek” toe although its usually not a major issue) knee and hip alignment issues are common with nutritional deficiency because they set things out of place then they grow incongruently. Its the early years that matter for physcial alignment, and where these issues generally begin, only to be excascerbated by heavy excercise.
You said the cuban regime makes sure they’re athletes live well really???? Then why are they coming to the MLB like hot bread??? Athletes in Cuba got no life my friend, they play their sport and they have to do things on the side to get extra money and give food to their families, they were playing with old cleats just a couple of years ago.
No worries about Ces, Peterd; he has worked a deal with Wagon Wheel and will sign an extension as soon as he plays three games back to back.
I’m pretty sure he’s banged up and will miss time
I dropped a note in there on him now, but yes, they basically have no idea when he’ll be ready to play following surgery on both heels. Omar Minaya recently suggested that they’ll be happy if they can get anything at all out of Cespedes in ’19.
I would bet against him appearing in 2019.
I’d only bet on that if his contract was up at the end of the season.
Doesn’t matter he’ll still be breaking necks and cashing checks…
Where you been the last six months? He had surgery’s on both heels and will miss at easthalf the year.
Ugh. Even though I’m not a Mets fan I love watching Cespedes play. He’s such an exciting player and hope he recovers ASAP so he gets back out there. I wonder if he’d be better on an AL team so he could DH from time to time?
I’m betting at most that is his future in MLB. Sad the odds are stacked against him. Heels are no joke even for a regular person let alone an athlete.
keep in mind the longer he sits out, the more insurance covers. wilpons would love that
Hey Deke,
Since singing his big contract the only person that is excited to see him is the branch manager at his bank. He and his agent [double agent Wagon Wheel] took the Mets deep. Mutt and Jeff cheaper out on a thorough exam to find out the root causes for his years of DL stints and so they went on a Flushing charade finding out that:
-All injuries were interconnected.
-There was no root cause.
-His pulls were the result of dehydration since Cespedes doesn’t drink water and won’t drink it because it doesn’t taste as good as tequila.
Then he spent another season (almost ) on the DL and finally found out that he has problems with BOTH of his feet that were causing all of the problems.
Bottom line Deke- Don’t count on a start date this season for Cespedes. Be smarter than Mets fans who boast their crazy expectations. This guy is damaged goods to the same extent as obstinate Mets fans who are in deep denial. BTW-Fred is blaming this all on Mutt. The latter is going to be 0-2 by the ASG when daddy finds out that Jeff’s body wonder, Wagon Wheel is filled with hot air.
It’s been years Deke…he is damaged goods
Braves are pissing me off. Dumpster diving is not a way to defend your NLE title.
I’d hardly call signing Markakis as dumpster diving.
I’m also not too confident he can repeat his first half numbers from last season though.
Im also fairly confident Duvall wont have as bad of numbers as he put up last season for the Braves either 🙂
Agreed Markakis is a ticking time bomb
Agreed. Like last season, you might get a good first half out of him if he plays daily, but that’s about it. I completely understand the not overpaying people, but I fear “searching for value” will become the new kick the can down the road statement since rebuilding won’t cut it anymore.
What if we signed Markakis, trades for JTR and signed Dallas Keukel (sp)?
These options are all still on the table. Our rotation I truly believe will work itself out (aside from trading for Kluber no one else really is better) and the same logic applies to the bull pen. What’s the worry…?
It’s dumpster diving compared to signing an about-to-hit-his prime Harper.
Your definition of dumpster diving and mine differ then, Astromariner
They’re sadly not the only ones. Feels like a LOT of teams are focusing on bargain basement finds, reclamation projects and bounce-back candidates, rather than investing in difference-makers. Only a few teams making real positive improvements, and even the ones that are have shied away from some big, obvious targets.
Lots of VERY good if not great free agents still unsigned, and lots of teams that should be obvious fits for them doing nothing.
I’d hardly call signing Josh Donaldson as “dumpster diving..” the man has the third highest WAR in the last five years. All y’all other Braves fans are acting like they haven’t done anything as if a former MVP is just a side note in the offseason.
Meh. That was a while ago. Donaldson’s 33 and very likely is declining. Braves fans have a right to be mad as everyone around them except the Marlins has gotten much better. They should cash in on some of that pitching depth.
NYM got much better? Sure, stud closer but they replaced one of the best offensive bats of their 2nd half last year in McNeil with 36 y/o Cano and Jed Lowrie. They still have Nimmo/Conforto but no Cespedes. PHI subtracted Santana’s bat for Jean Segura. They really need to sign 2 of Harper/Machado/Pollock to have a potent offense – regardless of their rotation. ATL won the division, so that gives them the ability to be patient and upgrade as opposed to bad contracts that make them worse.
Mcniell is still on the team though.. they added high upside player and still have Mcniell.
The Mets have gotten much better. It’s not a question.
Everything is in question. I believe they got better, but aside from Diaz alot of those players have significant injury/performance issues. Dont worry mr brotha, AA has us taken care of.
The Mets are old and will only lead the NL in two statistics:
-Average age oldest.
-Number of days on the DL.
The only question is he does Mutt react to paying Cano for diminished abilities? To the Mets fans mental midgets Athens question is how does Mutt react to paying Cano a reasonable amount as well as paying other terrible signings from previous years that compensates for taking over the WORST contract in free agency history?
Real NYC baseball fans are laughing out loud anticipating the big crash. Coupled with the return of the DL lAding Mets pitching staff they will only be rivaled by the Marlins for last place.
The Mets could make third place, ahead of the Phillies.
MLB.com last week rated Lowrie the number two 2nd baseman and Cano the number 4.
The handwringing about too many players can only be from people who didn’t watch the Mets lead the league in DL time last year.
McNeil had 284 major league at bats. He has no power and no speed. If he plays his way into the lineup, good for him. I’m a Mets fan not a McNeil fan, unless he marries into my family.
Hey vanilla. It depends on how you define much. Like…
How much will Cano play when his PED dependent body breaks down?
How long will it take for Cano to get busted again?
How long will it take for the NY press to move past the honey moon and rip Cano for loafing in the field?
Will Cespedes make it back and be productive before Labor Day?
Which big starter will be the first to go in the DL?
Who will be the 2nd one?
Signing a player to play a position covered by a really good youngster is still dumpster diving. Braves needed an OF and bullpen help, and opted to give $23-mil for an injury prone, aging third baseman they did not need. They better hope Camargo can play the OF.
Did you know Albies got tired toward the end of the season last year? Did you know Freemen did too? Imagine an Albies who doesn’t get tired or a Freemen who’s power doesn’t go away?
You’re short sighted if you can’t see the value Donaldson adds and it isn’t just his bat and glove. Camargo and give rest to first base, second base, third base, shortstop and you still get a quality bat and glove in their place. Camargo gives the Braves incredible depth and they ARE going to try him out in the corner OF’s to see if he can be used there.
Camargo might be the best utility player in baseball, right now.
The Donaldson signing reminds me of when we signed Andrés Galarraga. I hope it has the same effect too.
You’re right, let’s sign Harper, Kimbrel, Machado, Pollock, Keuchel & trade for Andrew Miller.
Andrew Miller cant be traded yet, as he was just signed as a FA. What we could do though, is stick to your plan and simply swap Andrew Miller for someone like Josh Hader….
ROTFL, ok.
Settle down Nancy, wasteful signing doesn’t help you defend either. Being smart and having ability to add a NEED at the deadline does.
Glad we haven’t pursued Adam Jones because he’s Ad-Done Jones, as far as I’m concerned. Also don’t want Markakis back.
no, just stop. I get that puns are your thing, because of your user name, but this is rock bottom. please stop.
How about Jose Reyes and AG, Genius Cop? Remember to own your history. Since 1986 the Wilson’s have been depositing your hard earned money while using smoke and mirrors to sucker you in and milk the fans.
A-Done Jones works a lot better then Ad-Done Jones.
i expect to see Brandon Lowe become that Marlin LHB/IF/OF after he is acquired in a Realmuto trade. V.. Brujan, R Hernandez, L Fox and Lowe from TB.
That’s a pretty intriguing and well thought out proposal; Brujan and Hernandez are high-ceiling impact talents. But I keep thinking Marlins would want more immediacy than 3 guys who are 3 years away, and Lowe, who can hit but can’t field anywhere; his ceiling is actually Dietrich. But there’s some good thought there….you might be close.
I wouldn’t. Lowrie is a very valuable utility player. He give the Mets depth and versatility. You can use him to rest most spots on your line up and you still get an impact bat.
The Marlins want to get young so they won’t use JTR’s value to get Lowrie. When the Mets we’re talking to Miami, the interest we’re centered around your phenom shortstop along with the prospects Jiminiz and Alonso. The Mets wisely walked away from it and haven’t heard a word since.
The Mets already aquired a really good catcher and a fraction of market cost anyway. It MIGHT be the most favorable FA signing of the year.
What does Lowrie have to do with a trade between the Rays and Marlins?
Long shot, but this came up the day of the Lowrie signing… What if Cano tanked another PED test, and the team knows he’ll be out for the season? That would explain the need for depth in the IF.
Seems like the teams know months in advance of the announcement… And if he appeals it could be quite a few months before the public hears the news
good call, hadn’t thought of that. Do they get tested along with physicals when they change teams?
I believe that players are tested several times a year after a positive test, but who would jump right back in to PEDs less than a year after 80 games off?
Maybe ask Jenry Mejia?
Not a completely crazy theory.
Just curious – is Seattle sending cash to the Mets or paying a portion of Canos salary. It may seem like the same thing but if he is suspended for a year without pay do the Mets still get to keep the $$ sent by Seattle? If Seattle is paying a portion directly to Cano then they would also see some savings.
They sent the Mets $20 m but it’s not directly to Cano.
According to COTS, the $20MM sent to the Mets by Seattle covers $5MM/$3.75MM/$3.75MM/$3.75MM/$3.75MM over the next 5 seasons. It does count as part of the Competitive Balance Tax, so it is considered as paying a portion of Cano’s salary. So, if Cano is suspended again for PEDs, this coming season, that $5MM would not have to be paid by Seattle to the Mets, because he’d receive no salary for the season.
You ordered it. It’s on the way. Robby with a big smile will charm you as he joins Cespedes on the golf links of Long Island.
overpaying for the same quality is?
The Marlins have now overtaken the Cleveland Browns as the most dysfunctional franchise in sports.
There are not enough baseball fans in Florida to support Baseball Teams.
Regardless of the amount of baseball fans in Florida, Jeter’s bunch have been making awful decisions the past 12 months, The previous regime was just as bad.
Agree! They have overplayed their hand this year, just as they gave away valuable assets last year. It’s unfortunate, as this organization needs a smart FO to overcome several comparative disadvantages. Instead, they’ve got a Showhorse in over his head instead of a workhorse in charge and it’s killing them.
Uh, last I checked, the Marlins are tied for the lead of most championships by an expansion team, and are one of only a few teams that have 2 championships over the last 25 years. And if this is the assessment of the Marlins, then what to say about the rest of the NL East when they have more championships than each of the others have done for three decades or more with the Braves only having 1 in Atlanta (3 total); the Phillies only have 2 in 135 years; the Mets have 2 in 57 years with the last one being 32 years ago, 7 years before the Marlins started; and the Expos have 0 in 50 seasons?
Bash away, but Cleveland Browns are a bad comparison.
I guess you missed the part where I never said anything about their history of baseball. I’m talking about right now and recent memory. Attendance is bad. Payroll is low. Product is bad. Business decisions are bad. At least Cleveland looks to be on the right track with Dorsey as the guy making personnel decisions and Mayfield at QB. I find it amusing you are defending the Marlins. That’s like telling me Kathleen Turner is smoking hot right now because she was in 1988.
There is one problem in what you are saying now. Your comment about the Cleveland Browns is based on the historical references that they have built as an organization for generations.
Also, it fails in that the Marlins are not the worst franchise in MLB right now….Ahem…they tried hard to tank for the top draft pick, but will be drafting 4th because there are 3 teams worse than they are.
So, you may need to look at certain things before you stand behind what you originally stated. A simple admitting that you misspoke would suffice as a response.
And I am sure you and the 7 other Marlin fans appreciate that success, but that is not the issue at hand. In fact, driving all that talent into the ground is.
You mean like how the Mets manage to have the most prospect busts in MLB history?
While when the marlins have good players they either get ran into the ground after 3 years or get traded to the Red Sox
Hey Daved. If the Marlins try their best to imitate your Mets the truth is that hey have never had the fan base or market size to support success. On the other hand your hometown team is the absolute epitome of dysfuntional franchises ever since the Wilpon family began stealing from fans over 35 years ago.
Stop blaming it on Jeter. He took over a franchise that was raped like the Mets fans by its owner Jeffry Loria. He’s a two art dealer that is easily compared to Mutt and Jeff as minor league. Think of the opportunities for a franchise playing in one of the two largest markets.simce 1986 they have been tearing out the hearts of NL baseball fans.
And marlins fan base, the only documented that the Wilpon family can claim is that Jeff wears a wig. Otherwise, it’s a pathetic run.
Well said and hilarious.
I’m still chuckling at the notion that a Mets fan is trying to talk about another franchise being inept…especially after a season in which the Mets for a long time looked like they would pry a higher draft pick from us by taking last place…in a season they tried to win and we did everything to tank.
Should a Mets fan ever talk about another franchise being inept? In particular, a franchise that has already matched and surpassed the Mets in a lot of the good historical categories, in far far far far less years? It’s kind of like if Amy Schumer said that she looks better in the Wonder Woman costume than Gal Gadot does.
(Inept) Game recognizes (Inept) Game?
The Mets and Marlins both have dumpster fire ownership. At least the Marlins got rid of Loria, but I’m not sure the new group is any better than Loria.
Best part about reading these responses is I’m not a Mets fan. Not even sure how you came up with me being a Mets fan? I will continue to read these 3 fans of the Marlins defend a dumpster fire of a franchise. It’s comical. And lastly, my comment referring the Browns to the Mets was based on bad decisions each front office has made in the last decade and how bad their teams are/were. Now go ahead and defend your precious Marlins some more. Like I said, it’s freaking comical. All of baseball knows they are a joke.
Was really hoping McNeil was part of the Canó trade for Seattle. Maybe Encarnacion for McNeil will suffice? I can dream.
No you can’t colon.
McNeil sitting so Frazier can play vRHP seems kinda goofy.
Frazier can’t touch lefties anymore. His mechanics are horrible. He hit .162 last year and barely over .200 the two years prior versus lefties. McNeil will start when Cano and Frazier sit against southpaws. At least he should.
In my opinion, Kimbrel has become a white knuckle closer. He isn’t in the position to receive that kind of salary.
cool, so the owners get the profits they made from his work, great take. really good.
Oh my god, nancy, you’re out of control w/ this crap. lol. Damn all these young kids
He needs to go sit in his safe room with all his performance trophies.
What position is he in? is he willing to take the Greg Holland route and reject very good offers, miss part of the season and run the risk of not catching on with anyone or missing out in spring training altogether? I love the guy and this is something the MLBPA and MLB need to find common ground on for the good of the game and the athletes and possibly explore an offseason deadline.
Why is it controversial to have depth? “You are only as good as the last man on your bench” was a statement made decades ago and has never been untrue ever since in that almost every title-winning team has had “everyday” guys on the bench.
McNeil also had a .359 BABIP so he’s due massive regression. Mets have made nothing but smart moves this offseason, I keep waiting for them to Mets but they aren’t. Maybe Brodie is good at this?
They clearly don’t think he will be nearly as good as he was last season.
It was smart for the Mets to take on Cano’s contract and send two of their best prospects away in the process? I get your getting Diaz but he’s in for a regression year as well.
The Mets outfield will be fine. Tim Tebow has been invited to spring training.
Tebow 2019 NL ROY-MVP
cy young just for giggles
lol best comment so far
Tebow…another one in the long line of overrated Mets prospects that will be a bust.
Lmao. I guess If he was 21 instead of 31, he actually wouldn’t be that bad of a prospect. .273 avg and an OPS of .734? Not bad for AA. Scouts would be saying he is one year away from being “ready”. Unfortunately for Tim 32 is when most players start the decline, but who knows.
Remember, it’s the Mets. They are the franchise that was referring to Aaron Heilman as a prospect through his age 29 season.
Mets tend to have the oldest and most overrated prospects in MLB.
Here’s a chuckler of a question. If Tebow is a prospect at age 32, what are Harper and Machado?
I want to downvote, but it is too Mets to hate on. It’s sad, but I absolutely expect the Mets to capitalize on Tebow being in Spring Training bc their PR & marketing are some of the worst in MLB.
So we had the funds to give out a short high AAV contract to Donaldson to fill a position that wasn’t of need but we can’t give out a short high AAV contract to Kimbrel for a position we actually need?
Yeah awesome logic.
If Kimbrel is willing to take a 3 year deal it’s inexcusable if ATL isn’t seriously in on him. Which is obviously going to be the case. I don’t think AA is being as open as he claims. Kimbrel was written off as too expensive back in November and even though things have changed and his market has dropped my guess is AA doesn’t even care because he never thought this would happen in the first place so he’s going to be stubborn since signing a top tier closer was never on his agenda even if it is falling in his lap
Having McNeil as a sort of super-utility guy is pretty smart. If he’s penciled in as a starter in the OF, I’m not sure you need both Lagares and Broxton.
Lagares will get hurt parking in spring training.
Why is everyone so worried about McNeil’s playing time? Frazier hasn’t hit lefties since 2016 and was inept last year hitting just over .160!! Frazier will be phased out as soon as he gets cold, which shouldn’t take long since he hit under .200 in May, June, July and September. In April and August he hit .254. Other than that he was horrific and should have been benched. Lowrie will be the every day 3b and McNeil will get over 400 at bats unless he gets hurt. Frazier will start Sundays and come in for defense unless he is in a 2 week streak against mediocre right handed pitching or Cano gets suspended. If we can sign a versatile Marwyn Gonzalez type, we are set with the gloves. Alonso makes the team out of ST and Frazier will start at 3b until he goes cold. Four series against Washington by the middle of May should about do it.
So major league clubs are now afraid of paying guys big contracts when they have reached their 30’s. Yet, the Mets have invited a 31 year old Tebow, with no major league experience, to Spring Training? We all know he’s a side show to draw fans, so just admit it, as they pizz off other more deserving minor leaguers who should get a shot. Tebow has struck out 229 times in 784 PA, all while hitting a whopping 14 HRs with a .686 OPS. Yes, he’s for real.
The chosen one.
Hey, deGrom wasn’t a prospect when he came up to the big leagues. He was actually brought up as a reliever. You never know!!
But Degrom was actually a college player, was drafted, and pitched in the minors. And going from reliever to starter is nothing big.
AA is an outstanding negotiator in my opinion. He gets great value for his money and doesn’t throw “stupid money” at players like Philly does. And anybody thinks that he is finished trading and signing players this off-season is just wrong. Have some patience and faith
McNeil should have the chance to be an everyday guy. Hopefully someone trades for him.
Padres to play 3b.
Mariners to play 2b and move Dee Gordon to SS.
Cardinals to play 2b.
There are many more options.
Cardinals to play 2B? But they have Wong, who I was told is the greatest, defensive 2b man in the league.
The Mets should be too afraid to trade him in case he continues to rake. The other side is that they likely wouldn’t get peak value for him since the acquiring team would argue he is due for a regression. Their best move is to hold onto him and give him plenty of time at 3B and then have him cover elsewhere in the infield so he can get at least 400ABs this season.
Absolutely hilarious that Steve Adams finds it curious that the Mets would go after and get Lowrie over Ottavino. I get the position player depth angle, but there is a reason they call them free agents because they are basically free to sign with who ever they want that offers them a contract. Just crazy BVW didn’t get Ottavino, he absolutely must have wanted to be a Met. Had nothing to do with preferring the contending Yanks. Come on now!!!
@ coldbeer;
B I N G O
I thought the same……..
They 2nd guess and play head games here. In their round-ups of the season, Mets outlook, and articles in October/November, they ignored McNeil and kept saying the Mets needed a 2B. I kept responding that McNeil had done a great job (they didn’t like McNeil because he was a 26 year-old rookie, so he wouldn’t be any good…..like they feel about Whit Merrifield who came up at 27 in 2016……and last year lead the AL in hits and stolen bases….then again, hits and stolen bases don’t matter). Then when the Mets got Cano, they changed their tune to question why they were dissing McNeil.
I could go on, but it’s like this…….
Mickey will be using lots of different line-up’s this year – injuries happen and players have bad years. The Mets will be making a number of in-season moves as all teams do. IMO, by mid-July at the latest, at least one of Frazier and Alonso will not be on the team. Start there.
I think Todd Frazier is going to have good bounce back year for the Mets. He takes a lot of pride in his play. Hated when the Reds moved him, but we did OK.
Memo to AA, from a life long Brave fan..circa 1958.
Wait and pick up some discards during spring training off the waiver wires.
Give Duvall 500 at bats, he will hit 25 homers drive in 75 runs an d field well. So he hits .245 and wiffs 125 times… so does Dansby and he is beloved.
Lets the kids pitch, if they implode blame it on youth or fire the pitching coach.
Forget JTR… so expensive.
Keep the profit, Donaldson and McCann shows you spent something…. nice gambles.
Finish second or third in East and tell the fans still ahead of schedule and last season was a anomaly.
Keep the rotten bullpen… after 5 years of ignoring it what’s the difference.
Upvoted for making me laugh
Accurate
Nimmo is no way penciled in CF with Broxton and Lagares on the roster!?!..
Nimmo was 4th in OBP in the majors last year, at a premium position. The Mets jerked him around for much of the first few months, and he still raked. His defense is far from GG, but he demonstrated a decent ability to play CF. If anything, he did much better in the back half of the season when he started playing deeper and coming in to play balls, instead of having to run back and track the ball. Dude should have been an all-star last year (look at his slash line), but he was snubbed.
For those that take shots at the Marlins for Realmuto, I think the thing people don’t realize that there are Marlins fans that want to move on already too. In fact, some like myself feel that many in the organization would like it to happen already. The problem may be that we have an amazing self-preserver in Mike Hill. He somehow managed to survive the ownership change, despite everyone believing he was a sure thing to be gone with the old regime, since he was the guy orchestrating may of the horrible decisions. However, he survived the cleanup. When you see that, that’s a guy who is good at self-preservation. This delay with making a Realmuto deal may be his final card with this new ownership, so he’s not jumping to screw up another transaction because he already knows that Marlins fans wanted him out since before the ownership change, and he knows with a new ownership group, there is so much juggling a man can do before the new guys have had enough when they look at the body of work before and how it has continued through the new ownership.
In short, I think Hill has caused this delay as another self-preservation effort.
Why didn’t the Reds just grab Straily from the Marlins? He’s half the salary and better than Sonny Gray if stats mean anything.
As a Marlins fan, I’d take Gray any day of the week over Straily. There’s more hope in Gray, while Straily is pitching depth.
While I was hoping that McNeil was given a chance to be an everyday player, I can’t complain with the moves BVW has made to improve this team. They dumped utter disappointments in Bruce and Swarzak And the $38 or so million due to them. They got a 24yr old elite closer (4yrs of team control)..Cano..while in his mid 30’s..still puts up .290-.300 20hr 90rbi
.350obp%…almost .500slg% good 2b defense. $20 million to help offset Cano’s contract..which has essentially become a 5yr/$65mil agreement…which is waaaaay more tolerable. Getting Lowrie was a really smart move. #2 hitter, versatile and above average defensively. Familia goes from a good closer to a great set up man.Ramos is a STEAL as opposed to Grandal…got Ramos for 2 yrs for what the Brew Crew got Grandal for 1. And the BS of ” I turned down $60mil because i wanted to make sure the AAV for elite catches remains high. What a moron…his contract has no bearing on what other elite catchers can,
And will get. He just looks dumb for losing out on $40+ million. JD Davis was buried on Houston’s depth chart. With an opportunity for ab’s…i see a Moustakas type player…not bad given he was acquired for low level minor leaguers. Broxton is great defensively…and steals bases..both weak points on the Mets roster. I’ll take the .220 avg if I get great defense…20 or so stolen bases and honeruns…yeah..that comes with 100+k’s..again..will live with it..Avilan and Santiago were good low risk high reward typess. Depth for the rotation and bullpen. I would love to see a 5th starter added to demote Vargas… (Gio Gonzalez,Wade Miley or Clay Bucholtz would do the trick) Anyone saying the Mets haven’t improved are nuts. The entire NL East besides Miami will be in contention. It’s going to be a fun season. I can’t wait
Just think, the Donaldson signing in effect gave the braves both a right-handed power hitting slugger to hit in the middle of the lineup and a regular third baseman. Make Camargo the regular right-fielder.
The Braves have plenty starting pitching at least until mid-season on board now. The biggest need is to improve the bullpen. Braves could sign Kimbrel to a 6years $60Million contract, $10M AAV, front loaded (13,12,10,9,8,8)with opt out after two years. Good deal for both Braves and Craig. Duvall and Tucker on the Bench with Culberson and McCann. If a decent deal can be struck for JTR, pull the trigger to complete the team. If not try to get an MLB catcher during the season or next winter. If the Braves are in it near the break, go get the best available pitcher in July.
Lineup: Acuna, Albies, Freeman, Donaldson, Camargo, Flowers, Swanson, Pitcher, Inciarte
Bench: McCann, Tucker, Duvall, Culberson
Starters: Teheran, Foltynewicz, Newcomb, Gausman, Gohara
Closers: Kimbrel, Minter, Vizcaino
Relief: Toussaint, Fried, O’Day, Biddle, Winkler, Venters, Wilson, Carle, Sobotka, Freeman, Jackson, Wright, Allard, Weigel, Parsons, Dayton (Keep them fresh)