Robinson Cano crushed three homers to back six shutout innings by Jason Vargas to lead the Mets to a 5-2 win in the opening game of a three-game series against the Padres in Citi Field Tuesday night.
Cano hit a solo shot in the fourth inning and added two-run blasts in the sixth and seventh to account for all of the Mets’ scoring.
Vargas allowed just one hit in six innings and struck out eight batters to even his record on the year at 5-5. Since failing to get out of the first inning in his third game of the season, Vargas has a 3.17 ERA in his last 15 starts.
While Vargas has shown himself to be a good trade candidate, he has also made it feasible to have his $8MM option picked up next year from whomever gets him, thus raising his value. Frazier has done the opposite, totally tanking to under .200 the last month. If he doesn’t get moved, JD Davis should be starting every game from August 1st on.
Wheeler supposedly feels great and one more player that a team in the race may like is Gsellman – who bailed out Bashlor tonight who departed with two on base and Gsellman stranded them. A good arm that can be switched back to starter, there aren’t many lockdown types available, so this would be a good target. Gsellman should be could be worth a top ten player, if not, I’d like to see the Mets put him into the rotation when Vargas and Wheeler get traded.
That’s the sweet swingin Robinson Cano we
signed up for! One of the announcers Flores
The idea that his first half struggles could be chalked up to getting plunked in the hands a few times early in the season. Cano relies a great deal on his quick hands. His 100 RBI days may be behind him, but a ..340 OBP, 35 doubles Cano lengthens the lineup.
Nice night for Cano. With so many years left on a non-movable contract we need his bat if only for the first 2-3 years. Seems picking up Vargas’ option for a third year might be a play since not many playoff teams are looking for an over performing 4-5 starter to throw them over the top. That’s a Wheeler type pickup where some prospects could be had for a chance at a ring. Not ready to give up on any under contract players by the deadline as no contending team is going to hurt their playoff chances so any return of MLB ready players won’t happen. We need ready to play starters plus prospects if we were to move Thor in the off season. Conversely I do like the idea of dumping Ramos whose bat could be a difference maker in the AL and whose $9-10 million left for next year is really a bargain. If we could reach .500 it would be considered significant improvement but we remain in the second tier of teams and that continues to disappoint. That all being said, let’s take game 2 today.
I would bet Cano’s numbers will end up looking like .270 15 HR’s 50 RBI and appear like a decent year, but man, he let the team down in April, May and June. Maybe that line is good enough to trade him along with a piece to be able to move him. Jeff McNeil would be an All Star at 2B playing there every day.
Hope the trade deadline goes something like this:
Wheeler = CF and SP / Frazier = BP arm / Vargas = SP / Ramos = BP arm or rookie C.
How about this for a crazy 2020 lineup:
2B McNeil, CF Rosario, 1B Alonso, LF Cespedes, RF Conforto, 3B JD Davis, C Nido, SS Gimenez. The first 6 should hit and the last two playing every day will improve the defense significantly. Bench: OF Nimmo, OF/1B D.Smith, INF Hech, INF Lowrie, C TBD vet, Cano – most expensive pinch hitter in history, thanks BVW.
Nice game for Cano.
I am open minded regarding this deadline. Brodie needs to consider anything and everything, but what I would like to see most is a cohesive plan. If the Mets intend to deal Syndergaard but compete in 2020 (tall order), as mentioned by others retaining Vargas May make some sense, as dealing him won’t be much more than a salary dump. Frazier and Wheeler need to be dealt to the highest bidder, regardless. I’d also spun Ramos and bring up Rivera for the rest of 2019. Mets can sign a free agent catcher like Travis D this winter, lol.
Gut reaction to veterans led the Mets last night. One of them the Mets contractually cannot trade the other one they can. Vargas is having a good season and I appreciate that and everything that he has done but he is not the future and if they can flip him for a reasonable Prospect then they should. As for the other veteran, he had a nice game and I hope he can turn the corner and contribute for the rest of the season.