With the trade deadline looming, Mets’ GM Sandy Alderson seems focused on adding a bullpen arm if anything at all. You could easily make the argument that the Mets and their feeble offense are more in need of a bat than an arm, but that’s easier said than done as every position in the field is spoken for by either a clear starter or several serviceable veterans in a platoon. If Alderson is as adamant about not parting with top prospects as he has indicated, then we can forget about setting our sights on the likes of Wade Davis and Andrew Miller.
The bullpen is largely in good shape, though given the injury to Jim Henderson and the struggles of Antonio Bastardo, an additional arm makes sense. But clearly, upgrading over Erik Goedell is not going to be the catalyst that pushes the Mets back into the World Series. To make the playoffs, we have to play the hand we’re dealt, and given that it’s aces full, you have to like our chances.
If our rotation, beyond Matt Harvey, of course, can remain healthy and effective, we’ll be in every game, particularly with an easier schedule remaining. Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom have made a terrific 1-2 punch, but in the dog days of summer they’re going to have to dig deep to give us all they’ve got. Same goes for Bartolo Colon and Steven Matz. Thankfully, Logan Verrett has largely held down the fort in place of Harvey. Fingers crossed that we see Zack Wheeler on the mound again soon.
The onus is on Terry Collins to play the hot hands and maximize the lineup so that we can win more 3-2 games than we lose. There is enough infield and outfield depth so that players shouldn’t be slogging through slumps the way Neil Walker had been prior to the last few games. Lucas Duda should be back in a few weeks and lord knows we could use another power bat. Adding Duda and Wheeler to this roster should provide a bigger boost than any reasonable trade we could pull off. Let’s go Mets!
13 games post Break: 2 runs or less Seven Times!!! 3 or less?…9 times!!!!
Lot’s of HR, but they are near the bottom in both Total Bases and OBP. Low levels of Walks…High numbers of strikeouts.
The mix of their power numbers is an indicator that drives their RISP results, and the likelihood that it will be tough to improve their results in scoring situations— their approaches are individually and collectively a sellout to the most visible “Power Number”–Homeruns.
“Other and Better Things” are not just “going to happen”. Adding Lucroy is not going to dramatically change the results here—but it would be a first step to dramatically re-shaping the pieces of the every day mix.
^ +1
Unfortunately for the Mets this is a seller’s market. I think if Sandy could do a d’Arnaud-for-Lucroy swap he would. But Milwaukee has to be demanding more, and I think Sandy is smart enough to know that we are not one player away from separating from the pack. The smart play is to make minor changes, hope for a return from Duda and/or Wheeler. That may be enough to grab a wild card spot. Better than overpaying in a trade and still ending up in the same spot.
Trading vets now might be their best shot. I’d look at and “praying” that what you get back/what you promote is as good or better than the 2-3 run mix that keeps rolling out.
Walker may have no value in the off season…I don’t see them offering 17 million…and he probably won’t turn it down! Loney or Duda have no value here in a Month.
I would not trade a starting Pitcher. I would not trade Conforto. I would not trade Rosario. Everything/Everybody else is tradeable—- Cespedes, Reyes, Grandy, Cabrera, , etc…. I would certainly trade at least one of them in a deal that makes sense. I would not trade so many of them that it ends 2016!!! If I trade and Promote Herrera, or Cheech (for instance), I still, have a shot….as an example.
We’re having a Vulcan Mind Meld today Eraff.
Eraff, I agree 99%. Just take back end of the bullpen off the table as well.
The infield, especially once Duda comes back, is overstocked with a bunch of replacement to 2 WAR guys who are interchangeable. You can’t trade them all, but there’s also not enough playing time to go around. If any one of them can be traded in a package, why not. If Cabrera and Walker are just place holders for Rosario, Herrera and Chechini and we need to give Flores more playing time, then why not see if they have value. We have Reyes and Johnson as immediate depth.
I think some of you are engaging in a fantasy here, that some of these Mets pieces have meaningful trade value. Maybe you can get 3rd-tier prospects for some of these guys — but from who? And to what end?
If the Mets won these last two games, would you feel differently? Maybe. But you shouldn’t think differently.
I am not opposed, at all, to the idea of making a trade. I just don’t see the Mets as sellers right now.
Both Fangraphs and MLB have projections on making the post season, and the numbers are grim for the Mets. No one is suggesting a “rebuild” sell off, but more of a reload. Its unloading vets or blocked minors that will not be contributing going forward. I want to get reps in by those we need to count on when the odds are hopefully more fully realized next year.
This year however, is basically toast. There is zero evidence this team will play much better than .500 ball. Since May 1st, the team is 38-40. thats gonna put them near 83-85 wins, which wont get it done. There are no new faces coming like last year. And the Nats are much better than last year.
We now have Lagares out for the season and Ces a slide away from being done. There will be innings limits on NS and SM. Makes zero sense to pretend you are all in while already on the outside looking in.
The Mets season does indeed rest on the shoulders of their aces. One of the aces will not pitch again in 2016 and maybe should be dangled as bait to see what can be caught. In a similar situation last year, Flores and an injured Wheeler yielded Carlos Gomez. Maybe the Mets can get a difference making impact player using the same strategy.
Valid points JP…. I’m not Sold on Selling all out—otherwise, I’d float a Ces for Prospects idea.
Loaney, Walker, both mid- IF’ers may have value beyond 3rd tier prospects…. btw, one man’s third tier prospect is another man’s Marco Scutaro. If they deal their IF’er’s, it’s a re-set and move forward. I’m as interested in the move forward as I am interested in this year. Reyes, Chechini, Flores, Herrera, Kelly J may not be “less” than the current mix—may that buys you a RH OF’er and a demo run from some young guys—it cannot be worse than 9 of 13 games w 3 runs or less.
Season is over. The arms are all dead from overuse and the hitting is putrid