Jay Bruce trade raises more questions than it answers

Late last night, the Mets traded Jay Bruce to the Cleveland Indians for a single-A pitcher, whose ERA is close to 5.00. If you’re on the edge of your seat, dying to ask “And…?” or “Who else?” don’t bother. That’s it. That’s all the return they got for their leading home run hitter (29), RBI [...]

The Mets, David Wright and narrow windows

Word came down yesterday that David Wright is beginning “limited baseball activities” in Port St. Lucie. What does that mean, exactly? Is he lacing up his spikes, oiling his glove and taking wind sprints? Or is he swinging against live BP and taking grounders? Or is it something in between? The odds are awfully long [...]

Gut Reaction: Mariners 3 Mets 2 (7/29/17)

Usually, when the Mets are having a bad year, they become baseball's premier Hurler Health Spa: an MLB Lourdes where ailing pitchers go to get well. Such was the case this afternoon for veteran Seattle righty Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo only recently returned from a demotion to bullpen work and entered the game sporting a 4-7 [...]

Stay the course: The Mets should not be fooled by their recent hot streak

Sometimes, it seems like self-awareness is the most important attribute an MLB General Manager can have. When the trading deadline arrives, as it will in four days, you have to cast a cold eye at the team in front of you and make decisions based on business and where you are in the standings. You [...]

Gut Reaction: Mets 5 Padres 3 (7/24/17)

This long West Coast road trip got started on the right foot -- or more accurately, right arm: the right arm of Jacob deGrom. Eight was deGrom's magic number on this night: eight innings pitched, eight strikeouts, eight consecutive winning starts. He kept the San Diego batters baffled all night and the offense gave him [...]

Mets General Managers: an inconsistent history

We’re getting nearer the trade deadline right now and this is one of the two seasons during which MLB General Managers are judged – the other being the annual Winter Meetings. This is a crucial time for just about every franchise every year. Much like an NFL team drafting a quarterback, decisions made now could [...]

Gut Reaction: Cardinals 6 Mets 3 (7/17/17)

If pitching is your thing, then seven-and-a-half out of nine innings were pure delight for you. Adam Wainwright squared off against Zack Wheeler and they matched each other pitch-for-pitch, until they didn't. Wainwright started shakily, walking leadoff man Michael Conforto on five pitches and hitting Asdrubal Cabrera on the shin, but the Mets couldn't cash [...]