MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo tweeted that the Mets will call up Chris Flexen to start on Thursday.
Flexen started this year in Hi-A and received a promotion to Double-A, where he has excelled in 48.1 IP.
This marks a major departure from how the Mets have treated their pitchers previously. In the past, they wanted to see at least 150 IP at Double-A or Triple-A, with the overwhelming preference for that many from the top minor league level.
No one knows if Flexen is ready for a shot at the majors. But when the other option was Tyler Pill, my overwhelming preference is to see Flexen, instead. Pill has pitched parts of five seasons in Double-A, where he had a 3.82 ERA and parts of four seasons in Triple-A, where he had a 5.57 ERA. In five games in the majors this year, he had a 5.00 ERA and did not overwhelm.
So, kudos to the Mets for doing something different. Hopefully when Rosario is recovered from finger/stomach issues, he’ll be in the majors, too.
Hope he gets a better number than 77.
Mets must Listen on deGrom—-I’m watching the possible Verlander trade.
The Mets are not in position to add Starting Pitching with a heavily populated collection of question marks with low/no trade value right now. …and if 3 of those guys don’t step up next year, the presence of deGrom will not make a difference. Meanwhile, positional spots and talent levels need to be bolstered.
If they can add Major young talent that is at or a step away, they need to listen.
I agree that Mets have to listen. But a 1-2 punch of Syndergaard & deGrom is an excellent beginning.
I wonder if any of Wheeler, Matz, Harvey will ever be right again.
I like Lugo a lot, to my surprise, but also worry about his arm.
Be nice if 2 of those 4 come out healthy in 2018.
I would not trade away Jake deGrom.
Club has like $70 million coming off books this winter. Plus they are still too low in overall budget. I think like 13th in MLB? So I’d like to see Wilpons add an additional $20 million to that number if there’s the right opportunity out there.
With the right moves, the Mets can be legitimate contenders next season. Keeping Jake would be part of that equation for me, whereas flipping him would be all about 2020. I’m not ready to limp out the rest of the decade the same way we limped into it.
Plus, fans love him, rightfully so.
Tyler Pill was not the answer. Flexen was the next best choice in the minors and even if he fails this time, the experience should benefit him. Merandy Gonzalez should now move to AA. Humphreys also to AA when he is healthy.
deGrom and Syndergaard will make a great 1-2 punch in the 2018 rotation.
Eraff since the beginning of spring training has warned us that the health of the pitching was suspect. He was right. Instead of trading deGrom they should obtain a solid third starter this winter. It is the pitching that sunk this season.
Jimmy P – I’m on board with what you said here. I think we count on the one-two punch of Jake and Thor for the next few years. Beyond that, we see if we can find a reliable back end out of the other five. I’d like to add a reliable veteran innings eater to the mix next year like CC Sabathia or James Shields.
I don’t see CC as particularly reliable at this point in his career. A workhorse for a long time, but he’s closer to “glue” than “stud.”
I’ve never been a big “innings eater” advocate, though it’s harder to make that argument these days.
Maybe Flores can pitch? It’s shorter than any infield throw more or less, and he “crushes lefties” I’m told!
Weird to use this thread to once again trash role player, Wilmer Flores. Obsessed much? It all feels strangely mean-spirited and I don’t understand it.
On Flexen, yes, it really does reflect a different thought process from management. Somehow the AAA team has zero pitching, which is disturbing, but at least in this case they plucked a rising star and decided to check it out. Very unusual for a team that’s been so reluctant to start the clock on any talented player.
Passing thought: Is it an audition? A showcase?
As a fan, I’m curious to see him throw.
I also wonder if this is in part a reaction to all the pitching injuries we’ve seen. If a guy is throwing well, don’t waste those bullets in the minors. Get him up when he can still help the team.
This wasnt about Flores, but rather an indictment on the severely over gambled “pitching depth” Alderson put on the card table and that we all fell for his bluff. With the perfection of hindsight, we can see what a high stakes game he had going:
No pitcher had ever pitched 200 innings
Harvey: no way to know if he would come back
Matz: perennial injury guy
Wheeler: lost in space and over rated
Gsellman: waaaay over rated, nearly as much as Wheeler is. No reason for expectations beyond 5th starter
Lugo: No reason for expectations beyond 5th starter
And then there is Syndergaard who is less worried about pitching and more about throwing.
Trading deGrom for 2-3 stud prospects versus keeping him and going FA—- if I could start with Glyber Torres and Clint Frazier… at least one guy at that level…..Moncada…that level
FA— lot’s of 30 ish guys looking for 4-6 years—Cain, Moustakas… I’m not thrilled. The Machado types???….. 10 years?…pass…sorry.
Trading deGrom for 2-3 young studs has bigger appeal…then go in with targeted FA’s….pieces, not centerpieces.
deGrom…Syndergaard: those 2 are about as “Given” as it gets. It’s all wildcards after that.
Harvey, Wheeler continue to be suspects based on Health, with Matz seemingly on the verge of physical collapse.
Lugo, Gzellman, Montero: what are they?
You can’t abandon or trade any of them….and I’m not sure you can add to them, given the sheer numbers— most decent vets want a commitment to a slot, and there is not a definite slot available.
As is, with some health and production, maybe 8 or so starters is the needed number for this group….. but you need 3 Healthy and happy alkong the way.
I agree it’s a challenging situation.
That’s why I’ve advocated for Wheeler/Gsellman in pen.
There’s enough talent available out there — via trade or free agency — to clarify a few spots in the roster. Sandy has work to do, decisions to make, but there are options and resources available. A lot of different ways to skin this cat.
Cain in CF? Conforto? Or Lagares/Nimmo . . . or add another quality 4th OF to the mix? Keep Bruce in RF?
At 2B, come back with Walker? Go with Rivera? Flores? Reyes? Seek out a decent 2B option who has speed, athleticism? Save at this position and spend at CF and 3B?
Are they okay with Smith/Flores at 1B? Bring back Duda? Shift Bruce to 1B?
Not a fan of the Greek at 3B.
Every move affects every other move, making it so difficult to discuss in under 5,000 words.
And let’s not forget the pen. Will need to add something there and, at the risk of repeating myself, get a sense of how Wheeler/Gsellman adapt to the role in mid-August/September. Familia back? Blevins too?
Also: I’m curious how TDA finishes the season.
I’ve always hoped they could flip a pitcher for positional talent. Never been a big “5 aces” guy. But things have not worked out that way. Either selling far too low on the injured guys . . . or giving away what we can’t afford to lose with Thor and Jake.
I’m not ready to shift into rebuilding mode right now.
I believe they need to use the final 60 or so games to see some young guys—Smith and Rosario, especially. For Me,
I believe I understand what Flores and TJ are…i’m willing to allow for them to improve, but they are not proving anything over 60 games. They are legitimate MLB players…with severe flaws. They have a place, but I don’t believe they are legitimate starters for 3b or 2b.
I can see Bruce staying…as much as I don;t want Conforto as a full time CF’er, I believe that Nimmo/Lagares give you some sub potential—- and I believe a good team has room and ab’s for an extra bat or two.
I’m stunned that I now believe that Jose may be the ready and able IF/SS backup option…. need a new 2b and 3b…can Chechinni Play?
Goodbye: Duda, Walker
Rosario SS, Conforto CF, Cespedes LF, Bruce RF, Walker 3b, Rivera/Flores 2b, Smith 1b, TDA C is the core unit I would like to see play until the end of the season.
It would be great to see Syndergaard, Harvey, Gsellman, Wheeler and Familia get back on the mound to evaluate their health and effectiveness. If they can’t then the Mets have to proceed as if they are not in the 2018 plans and get replacements accordingly this winter. In 2017 they should have learned the lesson that rehabbing and unhealthy players are of little value if you are playing for a play off spot.