If Im predicting , I think once they let Cespedes leave next offseason , they trade Harvey for a young bat. He's the least obtainable out of the young guns. And honestly Id rather have Syndergaard over him in the long run. Harvey will be our way of getting a cost-control offensive piece for the next 5 years or so.
That is not a good bench, Plawecki sucked, Tejada and Flores were probably the only 2 guys that could be counted on to move a runner over at times. Uribe on the other hand is more than a bench player, he can play multiple positions and is more of a clutch hitter than any other guy on that bench. The Mets need to address the bench. JMO
I like the way the bench is set up but if one this is missing its a guy that can come up in the late innings and pop a clutch HR. Maybe a guy like Francoeur could fill a need there. Wouldnt cost much. Just would have to keep him away from Robles lol.
Barring an avalanche of serious injuries, I honestly think this is a 100 win roster right now. We won 90 games last year operating at half strength for much of the season, and tanking after we clinched the division. Now we'll have Cespedes, Conforto, d'Arnaud, Syndergaard and Matz for the full season ... Plus Wheeler for 70% of the season. We'll also have an uncompromised Matt Harvey. Or look at it this way --- we got 28 total starts all year from Syndergaard, Matz and Wheeler. This year that number should be around 80. How many more wins is that worth?? We're going to be scary good.
There you go. Get his RH bat in there at 1st for Dudu at times and spell Wright. Guys like Flores, Tejada, Legares, and Plewecki will all be more effective in a more limited less pressurized role. They proved that last year year when the roster was filled out. With those guys and De Aza it really gives Terry a chance to keep people fresh and play everyone Dilson Herrera, and Brandon Nimmo can fill out the bench also The team defense is much improved this year. Much better from the start. That was big problem at times last year, on top of the limited offense.
37-22 last year with the roster that we will start this year with. (Assuming Walker produces what Murph did) Stretch that out over 162 games and 100 wins doesnt seem like an unrealistic number. The East outside of us and Washington should be pretty lousy again this year too which will add some wins. Im thinking 95 is a good number to shoot for , just because like you said injuries happen as do slumps and guys under-performing. Also you never know about how the division race will go. If we have a huge lead on August 1st , what is the motivation to get 100? As long as we stay out of a wild card game I'll be happy. With our staff I like the chances in any 5 or 7 game series. Having Syndergaard and Matz for a full year plus the what should be an improved bullpen makes for an easier time to bridge the gap to Familia. I havent looked at recent odds but Im guessing we are favorites to win the NL. Probably close with the Cubs. Gotta be top 3 faves to win it all too. Should be a fun year.
Along with Wheeler, there's Meija coming back, who they just signed for good $. Right after the failed test Sandy seemed really down on him. But obviously they like him still. Also Rafael Montero, who they're high on. Consider also, that there's more arms coming up; and some position players are starting to make their way up the system, and a few are close. Including Nimmo and Herrera. Sandy has done well. And it's amazing how this all came together almost all at once.
I totally forgot about Walker, his presence in the line up is definitely going to stabilize this infield and lineup.
Yoenis Cespedes' return to Mets a win for Terry Collins -- and Wilpons http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/me...spedes-return-to-mets-validates-terry-collins
I wouldn't give the Wilsons any credit for doing what essentially they were supposed to do in the first place. It validates Alderson that's for sure. If it wasn't for the Wilpons, Cespedes would have been a sure thing and we wouldn't have had to sweat it out. Maybe we would have paid a little more for him, but it would have gotten done without Washington breathing down our neck. I still don't trust them to take care of all our young pitching when the time comes.
That all is true. But I think if we were to have given him a long term deal , with all that guaranteed money , it would've been a big risk. I love him on this short deal cause it keeps him highly motivated to get that insane contract next offseason. Id really love to know the truth behind if the Nats getting involved meant any difference in the way the team structured their offer. If they added any $$ in the 1st year or something along those lines. Whoever was behind it set it up right though. It let Cespedes save some face with the higher annual salary in exchange for his loyalty to the team/city. As for the pitching , I think Syndergaard, Wheeler and Matz are sure things to be here long term. And by the time their paydays come up, Wright's money will be coming off the books so I trust they take care of them. Harvey will be traded either next offseason or the one after that. I think they eventually let deGrom leave in free agency because of his older age , unless he decides to take less $$ to stay. From last year to this year , the payroll went up from 95 mil to 140. Thats a pretty decent jump so I gotta give the Wilpons just a little credit for that. But they also set a precedent. As long as we contend the payroll needs to at the very least , stay at that number or slightly increase each year.
Agree. I think everybody gets at this point how lame the Coupons are, everybody. I like to see Collins and Alderson get credit where and when it's due tho. And I think it's nice to see that the state of the team is in good shape, and most likely in a good spot for the future. The Coupons are very fortunate that Alderson got it together and Collins held the fort the way he did, and that there were professionals throughout the organization hard at work. They can't go down from here with the payroll. I'm much more confident now that Sandy is going to handle the signings of the Pitching staff. The way he was able to bring back Cespedes without going major long term contract reinforces that. They're indebted to Collins and Alderson as far as I'm concerned. Considering Ownership, Collins and Alderson have done a good job. Those guys were literally hand cuffed by the Wilpons, and kept positive and kept grinding in the face of a lot grief. I think the future is bright and don't care to focus on the Coupons if possible. As matter of fact even looking at them is a turn off
Nice to see the team still trying to improve the pen. Can never have too many arms out there. Read today that Clippard might be too rich for their blood. Fine with me. He was alright but not for that salary. Tommy Hunter would be a solid signing if he can come on a 1 year deal.
Yoenis Cespedes says staying with Mets was always his first choice http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...des-staying-mets-1st-choice-article-1.2519063 Fuck yeah, My man.... Man we're strong up the middle.....shit, we're strong everywhere
Sandy spoke yesterday..couple things to take out of it were De Aza might be traded. Wouldn't be the worst thing if we can upgrade at a different area in return. Also said that they arent giving out anymore major league contracts. So if any arm is added to the pen its either going to come via trade or minor league signing. Also mentioned that Plawecki and d'Arnaud could both be looked at as potential backup first basemen. Would be smart to groom Travis in that area since he always seems to get banged up behind the plate. 20 games or so at 1B could cut down on that and keep his bat in the lineup. I cant see the team giving Flores time at first. Pitchers and catchers less than 2 weeks away. Offseason goes pretty fast when you're actually looking forward to the season lol.
I think I heard Gary Cohen say a few weeks that they were going to give him a first base mitt in spring training. He's pretty tall and he plays the infield already--shouldn't be that difficult to pick it up. Be nice to get his bat in the lineup when Duda struggles or against tough lefties. _
Fwiw, Flores is listed on the depth chart at 1B. I think Terry said something about it also; and that Wilmer will get some reps at 1B and 3B, and of course 2B, and they'd like him to be a 'super utility guy'. The Catchers will get some time to possibly add versatility to the lineup and depth, on top of saving them wear and tear
Using Flores as a jack of all trades. I'm for it. It's amazing the relief there's been after we signed Cespedes. Now we can sit back and await this season without many question marks. And pray for no major injuries
Agreed. Wasn't last year his first time up in the majors for a prolonged period? And couple that with the resilience he showed after being traded via social media. He should be able to hit that many. We should see his defense improve after the experience in the majors at both SS and 2B. Also can play 3rd maybe and now 1B to spell the Dude when he hits .167 during a month's span