First of all: I’m sorry that I disappeared from the blog-o-sphere. My life is a little too busy to devote the time needed to keep up with the Mets and their minor leagues, let alone finding the time to write about it. Someday I may have the time again. In the meantime, I wanted to pop in with some warm and fuzzy thoughts about the 2015 season. David Groveman is checking in, time to put your rose colored glasses on.
10 Reasons to Feel Good About 2015
- Matt Harvey is Returning: He’s coming back from Tommy John surgery and we all know that expectations need to be tempered but we should still be excited. Harvey was singlehandedly a reason to watch the Mets in 2013 and all signs point to him rejoining the rotation.
- Sandy Alderson’s not Sitting Idle: Michael Cuddyer is already on the team, meaning the Mets have only one more glaring need to fill (shortstop) before the start of 2015. Alderson has already added respectability to the Met outfield and lengthened the heart of the lineup significantly.
- More Pitching than Necessary: The Mets are entering 2015 with six major league starting pitchers in the stables. (Assuming one or more isn’t traded) Matt Harvey, Bartolo Colon, Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Jonathon Niese and Dillon Gee are already proven talents. Rafael Montero, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz are in the wings waiting for their shots. That’s a lot of pitching.
- It’s Not Just Starters: Jenrry Mejia proved he could be a closer in 2014. Jeurys Familia proved he could be dominant in setup. The Mets boast Vic Black, Jack Leathersich and other young relievers ready to step up and contribute and we almost forget that Bobby Parnell is coming back.
- Lucas Duda’s the Man Now: Ike Davis is gone and not coming back. Duda can step into 2015 with the confidence he built with his strong finish to 2014 and really prove to everyone that he’s a major league power hitting first baseman.
- Better Days Are Ahead: David Wright and Curtis Granderson were expected to be the best offensive pieces in the Met lineup. Both had (to varying degrees) difficult seasons. Both Wright and Granderson could and should improve on their 2014 numbers, especially with more talent surrounding them and continued development from Juan Lagares and Travis d’Arnaud.
- Prospects So Close You Can Taste Them: We may be saying goodbye to an underappreciated star during this offseason, but the Mets are only considering losing Daniel Murphy because they feel like they have a great potential replacement in Wilmer Flores. Flores isn’t the only player in the wings. Kevin Plawecki will be in AAA ready to offer support behind the plate and off the bench with his bat, Brandon Nimmo is nearly ready to step into the outfield and Michael Conforto (who might be a better overall hitter than most scouting reports you’ll read) should be on the fast track to the majors. You can even add names such as L.J. Mazzilli and Dilson Herrera to those that might have a major impact on the 2015 season.
- The Benefit of Thrifty Living: We’ll believe it when we see it, but should the Mets find themselves in a real race for a pennant, they should be able to increase their payroll as even there early signing of Cuddyer shouldn’t hurt the Wilpons too badly.
- The End of Ruben Tejada on the Mets: This might be more of a personal victory for me. Even if the Mets are not inclined to sign a free agent shortstop like Stephen Drew, Jed Lowrie, Asdrubal Cabrera or Hanley Ramirez and even if they don’t make a trade for someone like Elvis Andrus, Chris Owings or Starlin Castro, they are unlikely to trot Tejada out as a starter ever again. There is still a chance that the Mets hold onto Murphy and give Flores a shot to nab the starting shortstop position, but no Tejada is an addition by subtraction.
- No More Excuses: Again, we can believe it when we see it, but the Mets are no longer waiting for their young talent. 2015 is now the year that Alderson needs to switch his focus from development to winning. He has the tools at his disposal to do it, we the fans should look forward to seeing it done.
Dear Met Fans,
Be excited for 2015. The alternative is lame.
Love David
Agree on everything except ss. It is not a glaring hole that needs to be filled. If we cam upgrade there, trade murph, and move wilmer to 2b, fine. But im perfectly content with wilmer at ss, and believe that creates our best offensive team.
I’ll admit that offensively I think Flores is a plus shortstop but I think he fails to make some of the average plays in the field.
Actually, it’s the average plays that he made quite well last season. The question is about his range, but a lot can be course corrected through better positioning.
The only thing I don’t like about the Cuddyer deal was that the 2 years meant it was delaying Nimmo and Conforto. They may end up needing the additional reps in the minors, but I’m a big youth movement kind of guy. I would have rather seen them get a shot sooner rather than later, but if Cuddyer can help the Mets earn a playoff spot, then my bluster will die immediately.
Given the likelihood of Cuddyer being injured, we shall see plenty of the last gasp of KN or MdD — there will be no slowing down Nimmor or Conforto.
nimmo and conforto are both two years away at best. I think they both should start the year in Binghamton.
I read somewhere that Nimmo is billeted for LV.
Isn’t it likely that Conforto is headed to StL?
Conforto will be in AA by year’s end and in AAA for 2016.
Chris, I think Nimmo is headed to Vegas, but I am with you on Conforto beginning the year at AA.
Either or both could be in the majors by August.
There is absolutely zero chance in my opinion that either sees the big leagues this year. There is no reason for it. Kirk will be on the 25 man roster, and if MDD isn’t, he’ll be the first one up from AAA. Plus you have Campbell who can play the corners. I see Conforto moving quickly due to his pedigree and advanced college bat, but no way he’s up before summer 2016. Nimmo has a lot left to prove first at AA, then Vegas to be considered, and I don’t see Sandy starting his service time clock before absolutely necessary.
Sandy has already come out and said that Nimmo will start the yr in Vegas meaning come aug he’s an injury away from contributing on the major league roster and if that doesn’t happen he’ll certainly be called up in sept w/the expanded rosters.
Nimmo is starting the yr at aaa idk how that translates into two yrs? He’s going to spend two yrs in aaa? I doubt it
many players do. He is only 21. And he may start in AA before a mid-season promotion.
The gm has just come out and said “I expect a Nimmo to start the yr in LV”
This is only opinion:
Nimmo will start the year in AA with a promotion to AAA only one hot-streak away.
Conforto will start in A+ with a promotion to AA being possible mid-year.
Both could be contenders to make the team out of 2016 spring training.
This is a strong response: Nimmo but especially Conforto, may surprise us and be ready.
I think either could displace Granderson. Even with the fence moved in and a few more dingers , it is still not Yankee stadium and he will not hit above .220.
The tough part is the ego of Alderson versus what is best for the team. I fear that Conforto could be ready, let’s say, in July, and if Granderson is hitting .189, Alderson will not allow it to happen. Look how long he hung in on Young! It reached a point where Young could have broken an infamous record, as per “Two Guys Talking Mets Baseball” blog, where they were counting lowest average with a certain amount of at bats. For me, that was the ego of Alderson in action, and not the stupidity of the manager. I could be wrong. It could be that Alderson lets his manager manage without interference. I just don’t think so, however.
As to our other optimistic points, Pitching, Bullpen and Prospects all make sense. Welcome back from hibernation!
David,
I always enjoyed your perspective. Good luck and don’t be a stranger.
P.S.- How’s the sandwich?
Delicious.
Thanks for reading!
I am very optimistict that 2015 will have a winning season based on your first seven points. I don’t believe that the Mets have an extra $10m that they are squirreling away. I believe that they are financially restricted. I think Tejada will remain a Met in 2015 unless a SS upgrade is obtained and Murphy is traded and Herrera beats out Flores at second base. There will still be excuses because even with the tools at his disposal I don’t have the faith in Alderson’s ability to make the key difference making trade.
Idk how you can be so down on Sandy’s ability to make a trade for a ss when a.) he’s had 3 decades of experience in the game and b.) he’s already fleeced three teams in trades since being gm if the mets.
The Mets should have new owners if they can’t afford to go above $100 Mil in payroll.
This is Sandy’s Make-or-Break year.