Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen made waves last offseason with his aggression in the trade market, dealing from the Mets’ minor leagues to bolster the Major League roster with the likes of Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. However, Van Wagenen suggested at the GM meetings that his club will be hesitant to once again dip into the farm system to facilitate trades, reports Tim Healey of Newsday. The Mets’ crop of prospects isn’t an especially deep one—FanGraphs ranks them as having the 22nd-best minor-league system in baseball—and particularly lacks players who are close to the Majors and could contribute in 2020. That said, Healey believes that high-ceiling prospects in the lower minors—a group that includes the likes of Ronny Mauricio, Mark Vientos, and Matthew Allan, among others—will be hard to pry from Van Wagenen’s hands. After an 86-win season last year, it seems that the Mets feel they can make the jump to contention while still hanging onto their young prospects in hopes of maximizing their competitive window.
Here’s more from around the Senior Circuit…
- Following the Reds’ hire of Driveline founder Kyle Boddy to serve as the organization’s pitching coordinator, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer offers a glimpse into the Reds’ motivation for targeting Boddy, who had previously never been a full-time employee of an MLB club. In tasking Boddy with developing minor league pitchers, the Reds hope to foster a greater continuity between the philosophies implemented in the Majors and minors. With pitching coach Derek Johnson and staff communicating their message to Boddy, the goal is for the pitching corps to be aligned across all levels of the organization. The addition of Boddy represents a continuation of the Reds’ effort to become more forward-thinking in their player development processes under manager David Bell. And the early returns have been promising: in 2019, the Reds ranked among the top five National League teams in ERA, FIP, and xFIP—a drastic improvement over the prior year, in which Cincy was bottom-three in all three categories.
- Shortstop Brendan Rodgers, the Rockies’ first-round draft choice in 2015, hasn’t enjoyed quite as much success as the only two players drafted before him—Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman—but after an injury-shortened debut campaign, Rodgers is recovering well from shoulder surgery and is setting his sights high for 2020, writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Rodgers landed on the injured list in June with a shoulder impingement, but he ultimately opted for surgery after nagging discomfort throughout his minor-league career. He’s expected to be fully healthy ahead of spring training, and Rodgers feels he’s past the initial adjustment period, during which he admits shoulder pain and self-imposed pressure affected his performance. A natural shortstop, Rodgers is obviously blocked by teammate Trevor Story at that position, and he’ll have to overtake Ryan McMahon for regular playing time at second base. But given Rodgers’s pedigree and minor-league track record, there’s no doubt that he has the talent to bounce back in 2020.
The Rox would do well trading Rodgers for some much needed pitching…
Matz and Lowrie for rodgers and Shaw
Mets need to keep Matz and have no need for Rodgers, and the Rox don’t need Lowrie or his overpaid contract.
As a Mets fan, why the f would we want Rodgers? We have MANY middle infield players. He’s useless to us.
People please use the word they as opposed to “we” when discussing MLB transactions. Oh and it’s..He’s useless to them, and not “He’s useless to us”. Unless of course you’re part of the team in some way.
People, please do not be condescending and comment on grammar, or when fans feel part of “their” team by saying us or we. By the way, if you are going to comment on grammar, you might want to put the period inside your quotes and do not forget to use commas where they belong. Also, it is not always best to even say you’re, as the separate written word is preferred in writing. Just saying.
PopeMarley I don’t get why people feel the need to point that out and criticize it when people talk like that. Many sports fans use words like ‘we’ and ‘us’ when talking about their favorite teams and it’s not new either. Technically you’re right, but it’s just something to let go.
The point is gonna fall on your head.
Going to, not gonna.
Pope Marley, does this mean you’re really a Pope? Also, is your name really Marley? Maybe “we” should all lighten up about and just enjoy articles & banter with others.
Thanks for saying that nimmo. Totally agree.
Bless you laddie.
So the bulk of this conversation is about grammar?
Mets fan here, and Matz is a serviceable #4 with the potential for a quality #3 at best. He’s nothing special. But if he ever accepts and learns his strengths, he might have another quality 6 years. If not, he’s another Harvey.
Effected, not affected.
Seriously?
That’s wrong though…
One is a noun, one is a verb. Basic English guys.
Both can be nouns, both can be verbs.
Basicer English lol.
Wonder what Mets would give up to get Marte from Pirates? CF big time speed 25 Hrs good glove controllable for 2 more yrs. Plus cannon arm.
marte on the decline already
? Look at his stats last yr. Pretty good .
Wrong. He should be due to age and may very well start showing signs but his 2018 was pretty good and his 2019 was better than his 2018.
Look at his DEFENSIVE metrics. He’s not a CF anymore and the Mets don’t need corner OF’ers.
This
Call Toronto, I bet Grichuk could be had.
Please do.
While Marte is a massive upgrade in CF for almost any team west of Trout, well, he’s an upgrade. He’s no longer a stud but you will get exactly what you think- .280/20/85/20. What are those numbers worth in millions versus possible playoff revenue generated?
Sorry, “East”.
looks like Bregman has distanced himself from the other two, but perhaps Swanson/Bregman may still be a fun comparison to watch going forward.
sorry Swanson/Rodgers
Bregman had the advantage of knowing what pitch was coming.
Rodgers is only 23 while Bregman and Swanson are 25.
OMG, I remember, I think it was Smoltz saying he talked to Bregman about his approach at the plate. Bregman said he doesn’t try and guess what pitch is coming he just focuses on location. Well, that’s because he already knows what pitch is coming. Smoltz even said that was a unique approach at the plate, usually hitters are trying to guess how the pitcher was going to pitch them and Bregman just looks at location.
People are really overthinking this cheating thing. one would assume that the astros did the majority or all of their “cheating” at home where they had this elaborate camera setup. He was far better on the road this year, so I doubt what you’re implying, that he knew where all the pitches were coming and that was his key to success
No they aren’t overthinking. They have a confirmed conspiracy and they’re rolling with it. Despite what any numbers might suggest. Don’t try to use actual data to make your point. It gets in the way of a juicy story.
Bregman was way way better on the road. Which goes against traditional splits in the first place. It’s unfortunate for the Astros who have “normal” home road splits that the argument can stick.
It’s possible to still be a good hitter and also be a cheater who should be punished.
They do not know which pitch is coming – they maybe know fastball vs offspeed. There are multiple types of fastballs that move differently. Offspeed pitches also do not move the same direction.
Knowing the pitch is a part of the battle. Knowing the pitch location is more important.
Many pitchers only throw one kind of off speed pitch and always try to throw it for the outside corner so it looks like a strike down the middle of the plate and just disappears. Fastball can change locations but for many pitchers not their off speed pitches
I love when people condone cheating when its a team they like. If Houston cheated, and their seems to be a lot of evidence to support that, whether or not Bregmans splits were better on the road changes nothing. The team are cheaters and it will effect how fans look at the teams legacy. Think Barry Bonds
At what point do pitchers and catchers get smarter? Even if you know what’s coming, you have to hit something moving 95 miles per hour with a branch. Here’s an idea: change speeds and eye level!
Sounds simple, but every pitcher in the Hall of Fame knows success was gained from much more (or less) than just velocity.
If you know a team is trying to tip off the hitters, why not use that against them?
I wonder what they are going to bang on to let the batter know that every pitch is coming straight at his head?
Was Boddy hired prior to the 2019 season?
No, he was hired after the 19 season
Boddy and Bauer are buds.
Yes, another enticement for Bauer to stay for at least one more year after his contract expires in 2019.
That and the influence Derek Johnson had coming over from the Brewers for 2019 can well turn the Reds into one of the better pitching teams in MLB. As a small market club, the ability to develop young, cheap pitching can keep a team in contention. Just look north to the Indians.
I’m keeping an eye on Michael Lorenzen. He had a terrific 2019 as a set-up guy (can also hit, play the field, and did some pinch-running). He asked Bauer for some advice on what to work on this off-season. Wouldn’t doubt he’s already hooking up with Mr. Boddy. This stuff doesn’t turn on a dime, but Lorenzen may well become a monster in the next year or two.
Shame Lorenzen doesn’t stay in better shape …
Lol
We got Jared Lorenzen and Michael Lorenzen mixed up
Dude is freaking ripped. His nickname is “Mikey Biceps.” He’s probably in the best shape of pretty much anyone in the game
Derek Dietrich would like a word.
and Jared died
The rox should trade Story and let Rodgers shine.
So they should trade the one who’s been productive and stick with the one who’s shown nothing? You’re not that smart.
I took a shower with Story the other night and he apparently expects to be traded
Yea because they can GET VALUE for Story.
I mean, the return they’d probably get for Story would be huge. The Reds would definitely have interest if he were made available.
a little irresponsible to ignore that rodgers was a high school pick and bregman/swanson were high level college guys out of the draft but w/e
I thought the same thing, plus he’s breaking in to the majors at the same age as those guys did.
BVW is dreaming…..
The mets should try to trade dom smith to the angels for brandon marsh. We need a cf the Angel’s have trout, Upton and jo adell almost ready. The Angel’s could use smith as I dont see pujols playing 1st base everyday
Alright, let’s get something straight. Boddy has absolutely nothing to do with the success of this past season’s pitching success with the Reds. First, he was brought in after the season. Second, I don’t believe any of the pitchers this past season were rookies. Oh, a minor leaguer may have made it up for the perverbial “drink of water”. But, no one stayed. Third, for Boddy’s involvement to pay any dividends, it’s probably going to take 2-3 years at minimum, till we start getting some minor league pitchers up to the big club.
Honestly, it’s doubtful any Mets minor leaguer will ever make an all star team, so why bother labeling any one of them as relevant?