The Mets made a play for Garrett Richards before the veteran righty signed with the Red Sox, notes MLB Insider Jon Heyman (via Twitter). The Mets have made their rotation a project this offseason. They are seemingly in a good place even without Richards, however. Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, and Marcus Stroman make for a very strong top three, and hopes remain high that David Peterson will maintain a spot behind them. Noah Syndergaard plans to join that group at some point, and even if Seth Lugo returns to the bullpen, the Mets have no shortage of depth options – foremost of which might be the recently-acquired Joey Lucchesi. Beyond the ex-Padre, Steven Matz, Robert Gsellman, Franklyn Kilome, Corey Oswalt, and Jerad Eickhoff surely have eyes for the rotation. In other news…
- The Red Sox themselves were runners-up in an attempt to sign Jurickson Profar, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. Boston, of course, ended up with Kiké Hernández on a similar, but shorter contract. It’s not clear if the Red Sox preferred Profar to Hernandez, though Hernández signing merely hours after Profar re-upped with San Diego is notable. Still, one does not necessarily follow the other. All we can say for certain is that Profar’s returning to San Diego thinned Boston’s market for versatile utility types. That the Red Sox engaged in parallel negotiations with similar players doesn’t actually speak to their priorities where those players are concerned.
- After all, they may very well have been interested in signing both players, as Boston remains on the hunt for a lefty bench bat. In a perfect world, the Red Sox would find someone who could complement Bobby Dalbec at first, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com (via Twitter). Cotillo floats Marwin Gonzalez, Brad Miller, and Mitch Moreland as some players that might fit the bill. Boston’s bench leans heavily to the right at present, with Jonathan Arauz as one of very few organizational options as a lefty bat off the bench unless Jarren Duran makes the team out of spring training.
10 mil for Richards? Yikes!
And in a pandemic yet.
Richards won’t be an ace, but he can be a solid number three starter. He was a lot better last year than the numbers indicate. He had two really bad back-to-back starts in the middle of the season where he got pulled in the first inning, but aside from those two starts, he was a very solid pitcher. Last year he was coming off of TJS, so you would naturally expect him to be a little better this year. A one year $10 million contract with a team option for another year is more than fair for a pitcher of Richards’ caliber.
Richards has 2.3 WAR over the last FIVE seasons. He’s worth “maybe” $10M over that entire span.
@MediocreCardinals – That’s not entirely fair. In the last five seasons, Richards has dealt with a freak knee injury suffered while going to first base, and he had a torn UCL. His decision to have a PRP injection and delay the tommy john surgery cost him an extra year. Now that he is healthy, he will be a good pitcher.
I hope your right about Richards’ recovery. However Richards doesn’t seem to fare that well in the AL East, according to baseball reference. Of his seven toughest teams that he has pitched against historically, five of them are in the AL East: against the Red Sox; 4.13 career era, 28.1 IP; against the Rays, 4,22 career era, 21.1 IP; against the Blue Jays, 5.20 era, 36.1 IP; against the Orioles, 5.46 era. 29.2 IP; and against the Yankees, 8.42 era, 25.2 IP. Hopefully things workout for the Red Sox and Richards. If not, one year won’t that much of a loss for either party.
We will need to look at a prospect’s age differently after Covid. Players lost a full season last year and this year Single A and Double A will be pushed back more than a month so that the major league and Triple A players have more social distancing space during spring training. Most of these players will eventually be hitting the majors a year or two later than they might have otherwise. Most players will still need the usual minor league development time and therefore may not reach the majors for the first time until age 25 or 26 instead of 23 or 24 in years past. This will have implications down the road as players hit free agency with fewer prime athletic peak years remaining in their career. Career stats which have already been diminishing in the post steroid era will take another hit as players have fewer seasons in their career to accumulate stats which is a major consideration in Hall of Fame voting and comparing players of different eras. World War 2 and the Korean War curtailed the careers of many players who lost seasons of prime playing statistics. As great a career as Ted Williams had, he missed multiple seasons to the wars which might have prevented him from setting the career home run record.
No.
Richards did way better than Kluber did last year and he got 10M lol
Kluber was hurt last year. That’s the reason Richards “did way better”. lol
Maybe $10MM for 5 years …
I don’t think that’s horrible for Richards. But I’d rather the Mets spend that money on the bullpen
Someone please tell me how Duran makes the team out of Spring Training? Definitely needs more time considering his .634 OPS at AA in 2019. People gotta pump the breaks with him.
Without researching, I remember a couple reports last year that he was really impressing coaches at the alternate site.
Not saying he’ll ever be a bat-first player, but his centerfield defense would be absolutely enough to make the team if they don’t sign anyone else before the season. Strong candidate to platoon with Renfroe with Verdugo sliding back and forth between center and right.
Still doesn’t seem to be the answer to the need for a lefty infielder though.
Exactly. When someone stops to consider the anemic bat the Sox have lived with in CF the past 6 seasons it’s not a high bar he’d have to clear to match those numbers.
You have an interesting definition of “anemic”. Over that span you mentioned (six seasons), Bradley has put up a 101 OPS+, literally above average. His problem is that his extreme streakiness has jumped him back and forth between anemic and outright good as a hitter, and anemic really is the right word for his down periods. But it’s very very wrong to present that the team was knowingly living with bad hitting from him all the time.
You have an interesting definition of “anemic”.
=============================================
Folks like kingken have no idea what the numbers look like for CFs. They just want to complain.
Actually since Duran was recently put into Centerfield his fielding in not big league ready at the position. He has tremendous speed but takes bad routes and is still in the early stages of becoming a good defensive centerfielder. The belief is with his intelligence and elite speed he can become a good defensive center fielder but he certainly would not be brought up for defensive reasons he has to hit to make the Red Sox at this point.
Duran is a negative player defensively at this point. People tend to equate speed with defense, but that’s not always the case. Duran is much faster than JBJ, but he lacks the natural instincts of an outfielder. He could conceivably get better, but the kid is already 24 yrs old, so idk how much better he’s really going to get. His only real plus attribute is his speed. His bat is average at best and like I said, his defense just plain sucks at this point. JBJ is a few years older than him, but he’s just so much better all around.
Rhyde199024 hours ago
Someone please tell me how Duran makes the team out of Spring Training?
======================================================
The Boston press has been running articles on Duran non-stop. I’ll get hammered for this, but if this was a skinny kid from a ‘poor neighborhood’, he wouldn’t get a word of press.
That said, I see nothing in this kid. There were literally a 100 articles about the alternate site, and how big he had gotten, etc. But no one saw him. He got to the PRWL, and for the first few weeks, more articles about his OBP.
But the fact was, he still didn’t hit. A .658 in the PRWL isn’t much. I always hope I am wrong, but I’d be happy if he morphed into a high quality #4.
Ok, get ready to laugh at me: are Kike Hernandez and Enrique Hernandez the same player?
Yes, Kike is just his nickname.
He should spell it Kique.
Or you know maybe learn how to respect an individual’s heritage and spell it how it’s supposed to be spelled Kikè. Being lazy and spelling it incorrectly is on you lol.
My son’s middle name is Enrique. We spell his nickname Quique.
Not if you aren’t sure how to put accents on an English keyboard.
@Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA — It’s funny that you’d stake your position on learning and respecting an individual’s heritage and then say it’s supposed to be spelled “Kikè”, since that’s not how Kike spells it.
@Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA: I don’t think you put the correct accent mark on his nickname. It’s spelled ‘Kiké’. You used the grave accent, which I don’t believe is really used in Spanish, instead of the acute accent, which is.
Further, according to wikipedia (so, grain of salt and all), but he only put the accent mark on it to differentiate it from the racial slur.
Yes. Kike is his nickname.
Mets being in on richards means they know they aren’t signing bauer. Mets are probably in same boat as dodgers thinking shorter term high aav
Agreed.
The Twins thought that $10 mil was too much for Rosario, who is a consistent producer offensively. That is very surprising to me given the deals that Profar and Hernandez just received.
Last time I checked, 7 is not 10
I would rather have Rosario for $3 mil more given his offense. Obviously Profar and Hernandez are utility guys but offensively, Rosario is more than $3 mil ahead of them.
Profar is nothing to get excited about. Not worth this contract
Agreed. I thought he’d be lucky to get a 1-year majors deal tbh. When his pundits start to look foolish talking about his stats, they always have no choice but to retreat to the old “he’s a great Clubhouse guy” routine.
Lets see if Richards passes his physical.. Hey Chaim how about Joc Peterson on a 1yr deal with an option? Lefty bat can handle 1st base and left field..
Joc would make a lot of sense for them and he would love road trips to Yankee Stadium.
I wonder how many years Pederson wants?
I really don’t think the Mets get Bauer. But if we do… the Mets would have the best
1 Degrom
2 Bauer
3 Thor
4 carrasco
5 stroman
6 Peterson
Has a team ever been the best at 6 sp spots?
Best?
yes , the 2021 padres
LOL!
Degrom> Snell
Bauer > Darvish
Thor paddock
Stroman> musgrove
I forgot about Lamet so the Mets wouldn’t have the best 3 but if the Mets get Bauer their rotation will be the best not Padres
I didn’t even include Peterson.
worst post ever
Lamet> Thor
Cookie > paddock
What was wrong… only spot the Padres beat the Mets is the 3 spot….. and I’m not even sure Lamet is really your 3rd best pitcher.. I could see Darvish burnt mediocre next year. And if that the case you don’t really have a spot better than Mets.. could you name one??? I could only see the Lamet> Thor one.
Career:
Lamet 13-14 3.76 ERA
Thor 47-30 3.31 ERA
Where/How is Lamet better? Based on what?
Ranking the Mets and Padres starters is probably a better way to do.
1. deGrom.
2. Darvish
3. Snell
4. Lamet
5. Carrasco
6. Stroman
7. Syndergaard
8. Paddack
9. Musgrove
10. Peterson
Not a Mets or a Padres fan btw; just my opinion.
@metsie – what are the numbers the last 2 or 3 years? I haven’t checked but I dont think it matters what a pitcher did 5 years ago, considering Lamet wasn’t in the league at that point.
@metsie Thor has been consistently trending down. Still good, but if your the Mets you need to be a bit worried.
No. You are projecting. Lamet has pitched what? 2 or 3 years? That is both there career numbers. Lamet has only pitched 2 or 3 years TOTAL. Last year he pitched a 60 game season. (12 starts).
By the way, everyone left out, BOTH pitchers are currently injured. Syndergaard obviously has the TJ surgery. Lamet missed the playoffs last year with an elbow injury and needed platelet rich infusion.
Again, I just asked who wrote that opinion. Based on what? I gave the numbers. That sounds like someone hyping up prospects before they have “arrived”. I think people should wait to see what he does with a couple full seasons in the rotation.
Could mets fans be anymore annoying. Our guys on the up and Thor could be on the way down. Compare the last few years individually and ask yourself which ones progressing and which ones regressing?
No. Syndergaard was injured. Of course, anytime a pitcher is injured your worried. However, an assertion that Lamet is >Syndergaard is not proven by any measure. Especially, since BOTH pitchers are dealing with injuries.
Then again, Syndergaard has thrown 4 seasons at or over 150 innings. Lamet? ZERO. Lamet may turn out to be a fine pitcher but maybe we should wait to see a full season or two don’t you think?
Imagine thinking Stroman is better than Musgrove.
I agree with you. But people on this blog will look at his 2019 year only. So there is not real point in arguing with them.
In my post. Bauer was a met. Obviously pads have a better rotation rn but that would change quickly with Bauer.
Padres fans are the worst. Two years ago you were offering 4 players to get Syndergaard. Now? He’s not as good as a prospect. LOL. I merely pointed out that the comparison is not backed by the facts. Saying it doesn’t make it so.
When syndergaard is outpitching Lamet late in the season. You’ll be right don’t worry. Be patient.
Stroman would be number 11 on your top ten list.
My ranking of Padres/Mets pitchers:
1 Degrom
2 Snell
3 Lamet
4 Carrasco
5 Darvish
6 Syndergaard
7 Musgrove
8 Stroman
9 Paddack
10 Peterson
Degrom is clearly the best pitcher in that list, but it gets a lot closer after him.
IF he doesn’t opt out again.
Musgrove is not better than Stroman. Paddock has not pitched better than Petersen and Lamet is not better than Carrasco or Thor.
How important has 6 spots historically been?
2011 Philadelphia Phillies:
Roy Halladay
Cliff Lee
Cole Hamels
Roy Oswalt
Vance Worley
Kyle Kendrick
Yeah that was a good one
Athletics in the early 2000’s had a good one too.
Hudson, Mulder, Zito, Harden as the top four. I can’t remember who the 5th was.
Oh man. That was a fun team.
2001 Yankees was solid as well. Clemens, Pettitte, Mussina, El Duque was a legit 4.
What about Braves with Glavine, Smoltz, Maddox and Avery.
Milwood was in that Braves mix too.
Yup. Called them out above.
6? The 1971 Orioles say “4 is plenty.”
Athletics had Cory Lidle as the 5th. Or Ted Lilly.
Halladay vs DeGrom would be a stellar matchup. Lee would be better than the Mets number 2-6 and Cole would be better than Mets 3-6 (maybe even Bauer if last year was an outlier). If Mets get Bauer they definitely have the best one two punch in the league for 2021. Mats would be a very close second of Strasbourg can regain his 2019 playoff form.
2013 Tigers were solid:
Verlander
Scherzer
Fister
Anibal Sanchez
Porcello
Smyly
1998 Atlanta Braves:
* Greg Maddux
* Tom Glavine
* John Smoltz
* Denny Neagle
* Kevin Millwood
* Dennis Martinez
Won 92 games
Uh, Carrasco is not behind Syndergaard. How is it that even I know the Mets aren’t doing that?
Whatever happened to the great member of the “Five Aces”, Matz?
As for your proclamations of the Mets being the best in everything, I think it’s safe to say that everyone on this site is used to you already, and take those proclamations in good humor – especially when the Mets were previously describing the staff of Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, Matz and Wheeler as “The Five Aces”. or that other trio from a generation back, “Generation K” with Jason Isringhausen, Paul Wilson and Bill Pulsipher.
I do have a question to yours. Will the Mets fan base ever learn the lesson of not hyping up their team, staff, lineup, individual players, prospects, etc. since their routine failures at living up to the hype have made them the annual laughing stock of the NL East and many times of MLB for so many years and decades?
Every team’s fans hype their prospects. Bigger markets with multiple teams also have multiple sports stations and even still in some cases, newspapers.
You really don’t think the rotation above is the best???? Lol
@MetsFan22
My gosh, it’s like you run around with a ‘kick me’ sign that you put on yourself.,,or a birdfeeder on your head.
My gosh, if the Mets fail this season, WOW! It’s going to be rough for you.
laughing stock… smh…
As much as everyone takes your anti-Mets posts in good humor.
Keep pretending the Marlins are relevant in these discussions.
@portopotti
So do you find @MetsFan22’s comments more relevant and credible?
I wouldn’t sleep on the Marlins rotation. Sanchez, Alcantara, Lopez, Rogers. All are young and took a big leap forward last year.
He’s as extreme pro-Mets as you are anti-NY. I take you both in the same context.
go kiss Jeter’s rings.
@jimmyduzo523
I think Jeter, ever since he became part of the ownership here, has been kissing the Marlins 2003 ring and trophy…while he jokes about how easy it was to get his 2000 ring.
Try again.
Looking at the division alone: 90s Braves. 2011 Phillies.
Yes I agree
yeah im sure thats what jeter is doing, kissing the marlins ring, come on now.
I guess you don’t get the message behind it, so let me explain it to those of you who obviously don’t watch if you’re team isn’t involved.
Yankees dismantled the Mets in 2000 World Series. Jeter has his 5 rings against the Braves (2), Padres, Mets and Phillies. However, he loss in two World Series as well, to the D-Backs in 2001 and…ahem…the Marlins in 2003.
Comprenede now?
If MetsFan22 was at the front of the human centipede, the other two would die of starvation because all MetsFan22’s crap comes out of his mouth. Boom roasted
The post I made wasn’t even bad. That’s a historically good rotation.
comprende… lolol… si´
Still not kissing it brother lol
I actually laughed out loud at this. MetsFan22 is the most deluded moron out there. And in a world of deluded morons, that takes some effort!
It’s been a long time since Thor pitched, counting on him is foolish.
I mean he probably will come back the same. But I agree you can’t count on him if you’re the Mets. But fans could. Not the front office.
2016 Mets had
Degrom
Thor
Steven Matz
Matt Harvey
Zack Wheeler
Still finished 4th in the NL East.
The Mets always have a top staff on paper.
Ummm..no they didn’t. They went to the Wild card and lost on the HR by Familia to Connor Gillespie.
San Diego has a lot to be excited about but don’t put Syndegaard down as overrated or we can say the same about Paddock who got knocked around after crying after the first month he didn’t win rookie of the month.
Darvish could be your next Cleavinger.
They had DeGrom and Syndergaard and still couldn’t win aside from 2015.
My guess is that the Red Sox were trying for Profar as he is a switch hitter. The only left handed hitters currently are Verdugo, Benintendi, and Devers. When Profar signed they pivoted to Kiki.
I would not be the slightest bit surprised if Moreland is signed in short order as the left handed bat off the bench and to spell Dalbec at 1B.
I really hope Moreland is coming back to provide the lefty bat and some experience in the clubhouse.
I’m deeply gratified that with a 4th place roster, the Sox are really concerned about a LH bat off the bench.
Can’t have too much depth these days.
LOL. I nominate this as the ‘post of the day!’
Bob,
I just checked 2013 predictions. Not one I saw predicted Boston to win the division. Highest I saw was a second with most others third or fourth. Also one predicted them to finish last. In other words, you never know.
Oh. I’m a lot less dispirited than it seems. If X, Devers, JD and Vazquez all wind up at the All Star game this year, I won’t be surprised. Verdugo might get there too. That’s a pretty strong middle of the order.
Starters? Could be. E-Rod has the chops, Nate’s a decent # 3 or #2, Richards et all aren’t TERRIBLE in the back.
Bullpen? Unless you have one of the elites, it’s pretty much a krapshoot for everybody.
Defense? Borders on yuk. But nobody cares anymore.
Competition? Yanks are solid, Jays are PRESUMING all their ducks wind up in a row, and Tampa might be running out of mirrors.
Can they get to the (expanded?) playoffs? No doubt.
Sox are making some moves, at least…honestly, if they pick up 2 more low-risk, medium-high reward starters (similar to what they just did with Richards), their rotation would be greatly improved from that mess it was last year. Their offense is strong enough to contend; I’d argue that it still even has more firepower than the Jays’ offense. Sox will finish better than the Rays this year.
Really, the Jay’s potentially can get 20 homeruns from every position player on the team…and they are still improving at the plate
yikes–3 former Phillies on that list of 2021 Mets rotation options.
As I said below I give the Mets only like 20% shot at Bauer… so I’m not expecting him. But if we get him… I’m going to the article and posting…
“Where is my ring?”
Yeah, because that “Where is my ring” comment worked so well for Bryce Harper.
The bottom feeders one will work for the marlins next year!
Yeah, that worked so well for the Philly broadcast staff that said it this past year.
Like I said above, my gosh if the Mets fail this year, it’s going to be rough for you..
To be fair, the Phillies broadcasters were talking about how the Marlins consistently beat the Phillies when they made that comment. So they were giving them credit while insulting them lol. Seriously though,the Marlins were the only team in the division the Phils had a losing record against, and the Fish just owned them.
Yeah, I remember. That broadcast team made our year because that became chalkboard material and the joke of our broadcast team all season.
Now is @MetFan22 was well known, we can post his comments in the locker rooms of all the NL East teams.
So did the AL.
You may, and I’m sure the Dodgers, Padres, Yankees, or whomever wins it will jump on and remind you.
Duran likely doesn’t make the team out of training camp and its possible Arauz doesn’t either
I’d be shocked if Arauz makes the team
out of camp too. Between Xander, Arroyo, Kiké, Chavis, Dalbec, Devers and possibly even Yairo Munoz, the Sox seem to have a full IF and they could very well bring back Moreland if they feel like they need a LH platoon bat to go with Dalbec. Arauz appears to be a glove-first guy and the Sox seem to be tilting towards an offensive-minded team, especially in the power department. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Hudson Potts’ opens some eyes in ST. If he comes into camp smashing the ball and playing decent defense, he could actually end up taking a job away from Arroyo on the major league roster. Potts is already on the 40 man, he plays 2B, 3B &1B and has plus power which seems to be tailor-made for Fenway Park.It’s a long shot since he hasn’t played above AA yet but he had a good summer camp with SD and carried that over to Boston’s camp albeit for a very short time. The Sox roster is starting to shape up nicely with exciting young prospects like Duran, Downs, Houck, Mata, Casas, Seabold, Arauz and Potts waiting for their call up and their chance to add some inexpensive talent to the major league club. With positive development of these kids and a couple of shrewd moves by Bloom, this team has a chance to compete for a championship by 2023. Better times are coming to Boston sooner than we all think!
Good post. One thought: How the minor league season is managed will probably dictate who makes the big club. If their season is canceled again, it might make sense to get these young guys playing rather than practicing. Just a thought.
I dont see how the Mets sign Bauer to a deal of more than one year. They have $85 million in 2022 salary committed to Degrom, Carrasco, McCann, Cano and Trevor May. Figure that gets up to about $150 million if they extend Lindor and Conforto. That’s before re-signing or replacing Syndergaard and Stroman, and before pretty much everyone else on the team gets a substantial boost in arbitration- Alonso, Smith, McNeil, Davis, Nimmo, Diaz, Lugo. (I’m not even including money owed to Bonilla or Saberhagen) What is the 2022 payroll going to be that they can possibly squeeze in Bauer?
I agree. They can’t really afford Bauer with FA they have.
Glad to see Boston interested in Moreland. I would prefer to see Cron in Detroit.
If the Mets rotation is healthy come playoffs look out
Yes, look out for Atlanta, San Diego & the Dodgers. All 3 teams are still ahead of the Mets but the NYM are certainly catching up to them and if they are firing on all cylinders, they could make some noise come October.
Padres and Braves are even or less not ahead… Padres have a nudge pitching staff rn but the Mets hit better.
Dodgers are ahead of all 3 rn.
Padres don’t have a single starting position player better than the Mets except at 3B.
Braves are better than the Mets but gap is closing .
Likelihood is both are 2nd place teams.
@Sportfeen69
The problems are
(a) they’re very unlikely to be, and
(b) they’re not good enough.
Stroman and Carrasco, respectively, have major reliability or health issues. Neither can be expected to pitch close to a full season. None of Lucchesi, Matz, or Peterson are what you want from your fourth (and probably third, when one of the top 3 is out) starter in the postseaon.
That leaves them praying that Syndergaard not just comes back, but comes back strong, pitches more innings than he should, and is still pitching well in October. Good teams, WS winners, just aren’t built this way.
And if their interest in Hand was genuine, given how unreliable Lugo and Diaz have been, how ridiculous is it they let a superb LH reliever go over what was probably $1m ??
Of course Bloom was the runner up! He picks up throwaways or subs but in really decent players he comes up a day late and a dollar short
Ahhh yes we needed your comment at least once today.
When Bloom picks up a top free agent then I will give credit where it is due. Please pick up a free agent or a player who is noteworthy!!! Thank God for Freedom of Speech right and the Constitution!
The Mets would be foolish to go into 2021 with their current rotation.
Their #2 and #3 have major issues; Carrasco with health, and Stroman given that in 3 of the last 5 seasons he hasn’t had an ERA+ over 97.
All Joey Lucchesi does is help solidify the weak group that’s going to give them at least half their starts, very projectably with ERAs worse than the league average..
This is not what a contender does, but it’s frequently what teams led by Alderson do.