Rick Ankiel helps define replacement level

There’s probably nothing more depressing than being released by the worst team in baseball. However, Rick Ankiel, who was released by the Astros last Sunday and signed by the Mets on Monday, luckily has another opportunity with a starting job. The Mets, however, have shown that they are truly desperate by signing the pitcher-turned-outfielder to [...]

The early-season struggles of Dillon Gee

The Mets’ starting rotation has been frustrating this season. Starters Jonathon Niese and Matt Harvey have turned out consistent -- and at times superb -- starts this season, however the rest of the rotation has been mediocre at best. Granted, it’s early yet, but no one has been more of a disappointment this season than [...]

The problems of trading for Giancarlo Stanton

This past week, rumors leaked that Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson was considering pursuing Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. The reports were that a package to get Stanton would likely include highly touted Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler and catcher Travis d’Arnaud. From the standpoint of the Mets’ needs, this trade could make sense, however it might [...]

Zack Wheeler, Matt Harvey and longevity

Last Thursday night, Mets right-handed pitcher Matt Harvey did everything right. In his first start of the 2013 season, Harvey overpowered hitters with his fastball, dazzled with his slider, and kept them off balance with his changeup. Using these pitches in the right situations proved effective as Harvey allowed only one hit while striking out [...]

Can Johan Santana pitch smarter and keep off the DL?

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal published an article about the longevity of New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera and lefty Andy Pettitte. The article noted how both pitchers, who are in their 40’s now, have been able to pitch at such a high level so deep into their careers. It highlighted that Pettitte in [...]

Mets need to develop young talent and keep them happy, too

This past week, Mike Trout’s agent, Craig Landis, struck controversy when he stated that his client, an L.A. Angels outfielder, deserved a significant raise. Landis essentially suggested that the current major league free agency system, in which a player has to wait six years to obtain true market value, is unfair considering that younger players [...]

Should the Mets go “Back to the Future” with Jenrry Mejia’s role?

Last week Mets fans saw something scary: Jenrry Mejia made his first spring-training appearance. The outing was less than ideal. In only one inning of work, Mejia gave up five runs total -- four of them coming from a grand slam by Casey Kotchman. Mejia’s performance has come as a bit of a shock. The [...]

Thoughts on trading Justin Turner

This past week, rumors bounced around about the idea of trading utility-man Justin Turner. It was reported that the Mets would not necessarily shop around Turner, but that they would listen to any offers that came along. On the one hand, trading Turner would make sense for a multitude of reasons, however Turner does offer [...]

Are the Mets on track to duplicate the 2012 Rays pitching staff?

Looking at the players the Mets have, and the projection systems used to evaluate the team, has been interesting. Dan Szymborski’s projection system, ZiPS, has projected a meager 68-94 record for the 2013 Mets. However, other, more optimistic, projections systems, such as Nate Silver’s PECOTA, have projected the Mets to finish 80-82. It’s important to [...]