In a possible audition for his next team, Zack Wheeler delivered a solid performance on the mound, holding the Padres to just two runs on four hits over seven innings. He also delivered a double at the plate, bringing his season batting average up to .212, better than a few regular hitters on his team. In a pleasant change of pace, the Mets scored early with three runs in the first inning courtesy of a bases clearing double by Devin Mesoraco.
After Wheeler gave up his two runs in the top of the third (it could have been more had a strange replay ruling not ended a Padres rally), the Mets padded their lead with a two run home run by the hot-since-the-All-Star-break Michael Conforto. Amed Rosario tripled in the fourth and was brought home on an Asdrubal Cabrera base hit to make the lead 6-2, which was the score when Wheeler exited the game after 99 pitches and seven innings. Seth Lugo closed it out with one run allowed in two innings. He’s been less overpowering of late, but still probably the most reliable pitcher out of our beleaguered and now shortened bullpen.
Nice to see solid defense from the Mets tonight. Zero errors, no stolen bases allowed and two outfield assists. That plus six runs scored is the type of support ace Jacob deGrom hasn’t seen once this entire season.
Over the next week we may be seeing the last of Wheeler, Cabrera and perhaps others as the trade deadline approaches. Tomorrow afternoon, weather permitting, the series concludes with Corey Oswalt against lefty Clayton Richard.
Gut reaction: Mickey Callaway is making some really strange decisions lately. Why is Amed Rosario batting leadoff? Why did we finally call up Jeff McNeil only to start journeyman Philip Evans over him at third base? Nice to see McNeil get his first big league hit as a pinch hitter.
In other news…Yoenis Cespedes was placed on the 10-day disabled list to rest his feet/hips/quads/hammies while we wait to see if he needs season ending surgery. No word on when Jay Bruce will return from his back/butt injury. Meanwhile, Todd Frazier remains on the DL, TJ Rivera had a setback, Dom Smith is back in the minors and we’re fielding a lineup and bullpen of AAAA players who can’t support a mostly good rotation that our three-headed front office might decide to dismantle. Man, it’s fun rooting for this team.
Conforto continues to break out big time and Wheeler is becoming a borderline ace with the split change and the mechanical adjustment that has added velo on his fastball. The third inning was a bit of a slog but he got some help from a bizzarre play at the plate and on the bases after the out call at home. Wheeler made mince meat of the Padres hitters throwing 99 and if nothing else Callaway and Eiland have really help turn around Wheeler’s career. If the Mets trade Wheeler this trade deadline they’ll regret it for a long ass time.
Conforto is back to 2015 and 2017 levels lining the ball all over the place and hitting the ball the other way and looks like a franchise player again, which would be huge for the franchise.
All in all a Metsy day for the idiot owners and front office and owners but the play on the field was very sharp.
Nimmo continues to get on base once or twice a game even when slumping so let’s bat him sixth!
I’m about to tick off a few readers here, but that’s not unusual.
– They have no benefit to trading Mesoraco. They will get some “C-” prospect, probably a reliever from some team’s rookie team. Meanwhile, the new team will sign Mesoraco to an extension and the Mets will be looking for another catcher. I can count on one hand the amount of smart players on this team that make few mental errors and would thus be looking for players like Mesoraco, not trading them away. His brain fart the other night when he pulled an outside fastball instead of poking to right field and killing the ninth inning rally was the only time I’ve been disappointed by him. The thoroughness to throw to third for “just in case” is a move that a smart player will make. Evans, also a player wanting to impress, made the tag. One of the many “fat cats” on the Mets, either catcher or infielder, would have rolled the ball onto the mound and made for the dugout. Nice play there when Wheeler needed it.
– I wouldn’t trade any pitcher. There’s a reason everyone is looking for pitching and no reason to create a problem where there isn’t. Prospects aren’t guaranteed, and I would see if Wheeler would like to sign a two year extension with an option before I send him off. He’s a prime candidate to give a home team discount based on his previous struggles and the team willing to give him some security.
– I would leave Smith in the minors and trade him if he does well. I see a kid wide eyed and lost when he wears a Mets uniform. I have never, ever, seen a rookie as scared and intimidated of the majors and a kid that while he has some talent, he doesn’t appear to grasp the mental part of the game with his throwing to uncovered bases, showboating for no reason, and not really having an approach in the box. He has a sweet swing, and he may someday become a good player, but that will be years from now at a position that is the easiest to fill in baseball.
– I wouldn’t trade Bautista. Not that the Mets would get more than cash considerations for him, but even as a bench piece, all these kids will need some guidance. While one Jose dances like a clown and plays like one, the newer Jose brings a “Michael Cuddyer approach” of playing hard, keeping your mouth shut, and having focus. Who is going to teach players like Rosario, McNeil, Nimmo, Conforto, and whatever other young player takes Cabrera’s spot? Bautista carries himself like an MLB player and while he isn’t performing, just his day-to-day professionalism is what this team needs more of, and his presence hinders no one! The Mets don’t have an outfield prospect worthy of attention until you get to Kelenic in rookie ball. Bautista blocks no one, so enough of that. Even Jay Bruce isn’t the player I’d like to see my youngsters emulate, but rather a more professional player that represents the Mets brand well everyday, even when he makes an embarrassing error, he bounces back and doesn’t sulk. He will play anywhere, he will play whenever, and he will always give 100% and you never once see a loss of focus. You think these kids aren’t noticing? You better believe they are.
In summary, the Mets won’t be gaining much from trading Mesoraco or Bautista. Trade Cabrera who should get you a decent return and keep the guys that won’t get you much but are solid and smart players to be mentors and examples of what you want to see from the kids.
I totally agree on all points, David.
Oops, I mean Texas.
Gus, pretty much agree too. Would listen on Zack and Devon but given the deals so far this trade season, an overpay is very unlikely.
No argument from here especially keeping our pitching.
Re Mesoraco, what would you sign him for? He’s certainly not going to see anything like his last contract. Neither is TDA for that matter. Both are the same age, have a similar career BA and are injury prone to say the least. Mesoraco is obviously a superior defensive catcher to boot. If TDA asks for 3 million what would be the max you offered Mesoraco?
Michael, I want the better player. In a billion dollar business, you can’t cry for millions. They will lose more games with a dumb catcher than the millions are worth. Just think when races are so tight what the difference is between a smart catcher that was awed for his preparation and savvy and someone not as much.
Then, those few saved millions will cost you tens of millions in playoff revenue.
I’d like to see Mez back before d’Arnaud… he’s a better Catcher. I’d also wish to have a L/R platoon–at the least, a LH bench Catcher. If Not, I’m ok with 2 of what they have coming back…all three are at least passable MLB players. The balance of the roster needs help at 1b/2b/3b?…Pen. Catcher is not the 1st problem.
I’ll re-strike at a point…I’m ok if they come back with their present 4 starters. That’s actually beginning to look like a a solid selection. They need to put a team around them, and the recent trade says “rebuild now” versus total overhaul.
Eraff, if they have a starting rotation, an outfield and a left side of the infield, you need a first baseman, or put Bruce there, you need a second baseman and a bullpen. That’s not a ton.
But while this may sound hypocritical, if I get a ton for DeGrom, I’d move him. And I mean quality, not quantity. We are talking Torres and more, or several outstanding prospects. It must be a “Von Hayes” trade, where Cleveland got about five starting players for him and most of them were good players; Grady Sizemore, Kenny Lofton, Manny Trillo, and whatever else it was. Those trades take excellent scouting.
If only you said Mike Schmidt or Robin Roberts!
Here’s the return:
Traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jay Baller, Julio Franco, Manny Trillo, George Vukovich and Jerry Willard.
LOLLLL, you sure they didn’t throw in Schmidt? My point is that all those guys were good prospects; no cheapies there. Julio Franco alone was better than Hayes, but the Indians got contributors in many positions.