Reviewing the 2017 Mets injuries and looking ahead

Recently, the indispensable Jeff Zimmerman released his annual DL information for all MLB clubs. For me, the nice part about this year’s information is that Jeff included both his usual bar chart and the actual numbers, eliminating the need to ballpark what the actual number was. In 2017, the Mets lost a total of 1,487 [...]

Continue reading "Reviewing the 2017 Mets injuries and looking ahead"

Why Joey Votto in a Mets uniform is a pipe dream

Joey Votto is a perennial All-Star candidate in the National League. This year he finished second in voting for the MVP in the National League, behind only Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins. Votto could have won the MVP, based on his numbers. Votto batted .320 this season, while blasting 36 home runs and driving [...]

Continue reading "Why Joey Votto in a Mets uniform is a pipe dream"

Do the Mets have the trade chips to swing a deal?

Teams like the Dodgers, Yankees and Braves have an enviable pipeline of desirable, high-level prospects that could be used in trades. At this time, the Mets do not have this luxury. Sure, we have some solid young arms we acquired through the draft and last summer's trades, but they are not of particularly high value [...]

Continue reading "Do the Mets have the trade chips to swing a deal?"

Juan Lagares looks to shake empty .260 hitter label

Juan Lagares is a terrific defensive player. Unfortunately, he’s not much of a threat with the bat in his hands. He doesn’t walk and he doesn’t hit for power, making him totally dependent on the singles falling in to be a productive player. In his best offensive year to date, Lagares needed a .341 BABIP [...]

Continue reading "Juan Lagares looks to shake empty .260 hitter label"

Starting pitcher health the key to Mets’ 2017-18 offseason

While everyone’s attention is on the GM Meetings, mine are focused more on an internal issue. While important groundwork is laid during these meetings, typically very little is consummated right now. Which is why my mind is centered on the walking wounded. One of the problems with the offseason is that we don’t get updates [...]

Continue reading "Starting pitcher health the key to Mets’ 2017-18 offseason"

Comparing Mickey Callaway to two other Mets managers

The Mets have had many managers over their 55 years of existence, but only three earned their keep in the Majors as pitchers, specifically George Bamberger, Dallas Green, and the most recent hire, Mickey Callaway. We’ll explore how these three compare and contrast. Bamberger pitched 18 years in the minors, with brief cups of coffee [...]

Continue reading "Comparing Mickey Callaway to two other Mets managers"

Mets Minors: Corey Oswalt and a rotation’s worth of depth

In 2017 the Mets looked to succeed with Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler leading the charge and depth coming from Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo. They didn’t need to bring in depth starters like Bartolo Colon or Doug Fister from free agency because they were overstocked to begin with. [...]

Continue reading "Mets Minors: Corey Oswalt and a rotation’s worth of depth"

Should the Mets choose Dominic Smith or another 1B option?

Near the end of May in 2017, fans were clamoring for Dominic Smith to come up and replace Lucas Duda for the Mets. This may be one of the least bright things for which fans have ever advocated. At the time, Duda had a .963 OPS for the Mets while Smith had a shiny batting [...]

Continue reading "Should the Mets choose Dominic Smith or another 1B option?"

How Alderson and Callaway might shuffle the deck

Following a brutal season of injuries and disappointments, as well as a yard sale of veterans on expiring contracts, the Mets have a lot of holes to fill this off-season. As has been reported to death however, GM Sandy Alderson won't have more than about $30 million in payroll flexibility with which to work. At [...]

Continue reading "How Alderson and Callaway might shuffle the deck"