Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes provided an update on his efforts to return from surgeries to both heels. As Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News writes, Cespedes expressed confidence that he will be able to make it back to the MLB field, but says it’s unlikely to occur before the middle of the coming season. Cespedes does say that he’s now pain-free, which seems promising, though it remains to be seen how things will progress once his rehab is able to ramp up toward full speed.
- In other recent Mets news, ace Jacob deGrom discussed his contract situation with reporters including Tim Healey of Newsday. Generally, deGrom reiterated what is already known to be the case: he expects to discuss an extension in the coming weeks but has yet to receive an offer and won’t negotiate past the start of the season. The star righty largely demurred when asked about the oft-floated concept that he might operate under self-imposed workload limitations if he doesn’t have a long-term deal, though he did not rule out such an approach.
- Speaking of possible blockbuster extensions, Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado will not follow deGrom’s lead in placing timing restrictions on his talks with the club, as MLB.com’s Thomas Harding reports. Arenado said he does expect there to be a “silent deadline” once “serious games start,” though generally it sounds as if he’s open to chat just about any time. It certainly seems as if there are plenty of good vibes between player and team, though hammering out an appropriate contract will still come with challenges. Arenado, 27, already agreed to a record-setting $26MM salary for the 2019 campaign, after which he’ll hit the open market.
- While the Marlins were said to have some interest in Carlos Gonzalez, it seems the organization doesn’t intend to make any further additions at the outset of camp. MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reports that the club presently intends to give a chance to Peter O’Brien to stake out a claim to time in right field. That means that Brian Anderson is shifting back to third base, leaving the club with a rather unexpected combination of Neil Walker and Martin Prado slated to share the action at first bse (and other areas in the infield). President of baseball operations Michael Hill says the team will still keep an eye on market opportunities, but is “extremely happy” with the “current group of players.”
- Nationals reliever Aaron Barrett has been through a gauntlet of terrible arm injuries, but he’s still plugging away at a comeback effort. As Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com writes, the 31-year-old righty is showing some signs of real potential while enjoying an opportunity to pitch in MLB camp, though he has a ways to go before he’ll truly be considered for a big league opportunity. Barrett once featured intriguing swing-and-miss stuff, but has made only twenty low-A appearances over the past three seasons.
Anything the Mets get out of Ces will be gravy.
Michael Hill says he’s “extremely happy” with the roster, and that the fans should give the team a chance, but then unveils a roster consisting of 1B (lol) Neil Walker and Martin Prado, Peter O’Brien in RF, and absolutely zero depth. I get they are rebuilding, but they aren’t even trying to be competitive.
When you have the Phillies, Nationals, and Mets making win-now moves, and the Braves with their large pool of young talent, there’s really no reason to even try. I do think they should have been signing the guys like Parra to minor league deals though.
To try to fill that ballpark. I don’t get it, they have had 2 titles in their existence and they don’t even try the other years.
If there is really no reason for them to try, what reason is there for anyone to pay money to watch them play? For that matter, what reason is there for them to even be in the league anymore?
I understand rebuilding, but it doesn’t take that much to field a somewhat competitive team. A AAA team should not be satisfied with Peter O’Brien in RF and a Neil Walker/Martin Prado combo at first base.
There’s very little to be happy about on that major league roster.
Kind of slanted language about Barrette here, no? “Barrett once featured intriguing swing-and-miss stuff, but has made only twenty low-A appearances over the past three seasons.” Yes, this statement is accurate, however, it makes it seem as if he has somehow struggled to make those 20 appearances over a three year period. That he was unable to play for two entire seasons, and then excelled at low-A in his first taste of competitive action in almost 1,000 days seems to tell a different story.
Isn’t that just pointing out that he has been injured so long?
A lot of ex-Yankees on the Marlins. Wonder why…
None of them were there when Jeter was except granderson so I don’t really see anything beyond a coincidence
Your bar has to be set extremely low to say that you are “extremely happy” with the “current group of players” on the Marlins roster. That group will be lucky to surpass 62 wins. None of their starting OF would start on any other team. Only one of their starting pitchers broke 4 ERA and he was at 3.98 with a 4.17 FIP which doesn’t point to a great 2019.
Sounds like a bunch of wins for the fish
A “bunch” of bananas is usually 5 so I think you’re on to something there.
Michael Hill is “extremely happy with their current group of players.” What a crock. That “current group” is a mockery of the league, and worse then most organizations AAA team. Does he really think people are that dumb to believe such nonsense?!
No high ranking official is going to be stupid enough to say that his players aren’t the best and that his team has little to no chance. What else was Hill supposed to do?
Only thing I can think of is try to build a time machine to go back when we could have used our pitching depth to trade for something productive
Maybe do a little better in the Yelich and Ozuna deals too? Obviously no one knew Yelich would be the league MVP, but it was clear to most he was going to be a stud and was under a great contract. It looks like very little of his return is going to be very good.
Obviously he can’t go out and say they are losing on purpose, but his comments seemed so over the top fake that they came off as very disingenuous. I think he could’ve worded it many way differently that didn’t insult everyone’s intelligence. I’m note sure why you think otherwise?
How about saying “I am happy with current roster for its intended purpose”?
Yes that would be better then what he did say and much more accurate
leave it to the one and only Mike Hill to be extremely happy to field a 100+ loss team.
Red Sox will pursue Arenado. Mark it.
You’re the xabial of Red Sox fans…
Wow. We’re pitching a no-hitter with nobody mentioning you know who’s ability at a certain position.
There is trying to get first draft pick and then there is Marlins’ 2019 roster. I would like to see how Marlins play against someone like Redbirds or Bulls.
Regarding Cespedes, I’m no doctor but in the recent photos of him, he’s looks significantly overweight (not in musculature) and I have to believe putting additional weight on surgically repaired heels would be a hinderance to any rehab timeline and increase the probability of potential secondary injuries during the process. The Mets should not count on Cespedes.
How’s he going to keep the weight off if he basically couldn’t walk? That’s not the easiest thing to do at that age.
Maybe exercise bike?
Or how about drink water to quench his thirst for Pina Colada’s?
I don’t know what Michael hill did to become a gm in the first place, let alone have the job for as long as he’s had it
As a fan of baseball, it is tough to see Cespedes out like this. He definitely makes baseball watching more exciting experience. Hope he gets it together soon.
I wonder if O’Brien will get rave reviews out in right field.
No, but a Texas Leaguer just dropped in and the no-hitter’s over.
Aaron Barrett has suffered such terrible injuries. He may be a big long-shot to make it all the way back, but you have to pull for him.
I believe deGrom is being paid $17 million this year to pitch. His uniform says Mets and they are paying him. How in the world can he justify “limiting” his innings? And he is signed for 2020. Once again the fans suffer for this struggle between owners and players. How about the two sides meet and figure this out without all the media conjecture back and forth? It is ruining the game.
My god, Michael Hill might die from Kool-Aid poisoning if he’s not careful. The only way anyone could be “extremely happy” with the Marlins current group of players would be if (1) the goal is to secure the #1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, or (2) they work for another team in the NL East.