Regardless of what a player’s final numbers are at the end of the year, he didn’t accumulate them by putting up the same production each month of the season. All players have streaks, stretches where the hits fall in as well as periods where they simply can’t buy a hit. But even knowing that, we [...]
Under Sandy Alderson, the Mets were hesitant to shop at the top of the free agent market for at least two reasons. First, Alderson was on record as saying that most of the mega deals did not work out for the clubs. And secondly, it’s not like the Wilpons wanted to spend a bunch of [...]
To me, by far the biggest need for the Mets in the offseason is to address the bullpen. Unfortunately, relievers may provide less bang for the buck than any position out there. Among Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, Anthony Swarzak and Jerry Blevins, the Mets spent nearly $40 million dollars on bullpen arms last year. Let’s [...]
The Mets finished the year 77-85, 13 wins behind the division-leading Braves. Not all wins are created equally. Some wins are due to “talent” and others are due to “luck.” And it’s not always easy to tell where one of these things ends and the other starts. The Braves were 23-12 in one-run games while [...]
As we near the end of the second decade of the 21st Century, the game is different than it was back in Y2K. Everyone focuses on the increase of strikeouts, especially as it compares to hits. But one thing that doesn’t get nearly enough attention is how the game is trending younger. Baseball-Reference includes age-related [...]
While not always successful, my preference is to look for the good in the pile of negativity. That’s why when seemingly the whole world goes sentimental over a guy whose baseball career died two years ago, my reaction is – rock on. But today’s focus for me is not about that. Instead, let’s look at [...]
Lost in the hoopla of Jacob deGrom’s big night and Michael Conforto hitting another home run on Wednesday was the production of Dominic Smith, who singled in the game’s first run and homered for the final tally. Smith is trying to salvage a lost season with a strong finish. Since returning to the majors in [...]
Jacob deGrom capped his season with a magnificent outing, leading the Mets to a 3-0 win over the Braves Wednesday night in Citi Field. In a dominating effort, deGrom two-hit the Braves over eight shutout innings. He did not allow a walk and finished with 10 Ks. That gave him exactly 1,000 strikeouts in his [...]
In the late 19th Century, a phrase entered into common usage – “I don’t know much about art but I know what I like.” And despite what you may think, it’s a good phrase. You don’t have to be an expert to appreciate things and your appreciation does not have to be tied to other’s [...]
Coming into this season, Corey Oswalt was the starting pitcher most likely to come to the majors and give the Mets something. While most of the prospect hounds preferred the long-term upside of Justin Dunn and David Peterson, the club’s last two first-round picks, neither was considered close to ready for the big time. And [...]
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The Mets dropped the rubber game of the series to the Phillies, 4-0, Wednesday night. It was the 12th time this season that the Mets have been shut out. Noah Syndergaard was victimized by the gopher ball, as he allowed two homers in his four innings of work. Neither one seemed to be particularly well [...]