Technically speaking, it is incorrect to refer to a September call-up as “cup of coffee.” This old baseball term was historically used in reference to a short stretch spent in the majors to fill in for an injured player, not for a player filling out a roster spot for the last month of the season, particularly since many of these players are of the high level prospect variety who will hopefully later go on to enjoy long Major League careers. That being said, the term has come to be used a bit more loosely in recent years. Okay, history lesson over.
On September 1, Major League Baseball rosters expand from the active 25 to the full 40-man roster. Most teams do not automatically call up 15 players from triple A and instead opt for five to 10 players to add to the big league club.
Teams having lousy years use September as a chance to extend the season for their high level prospects (triple A baseball wraps up a month before MLB) and have them audition ahead of the hot stove and spring training so management and the front office can get a sense of the hand they’re dealt heading into the off-season. Met fans know this approach all too well as we haven’t so much as sniffed the playoffs in seven years. This year will be different. Fist pump.
One player in particular has the potential to give us a Gregg Jefferies-esque spark for the home stretch. That is Steven Matz, who dazzled us with two stellar outings in early summer before landing on the DL with the affliction formerly known as “bruised ribs” but now referred to as an “intercostal strain,” which sounds more like what players might be feeling after a trying west coast road trip. Both in triple A and in his two big league starts, Matz dominated with a live fastball, a Kershaw-esque curveball, remarkable control and even a hot bat.
With Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard all approaching innings limits and Bartolo Colon struggling at times, Matz could get five or six starts. These starts will allow the Mets to not only expand to a six man rotation and/or skip some starts to keep the big three fresh for the playoff push, but it also gives him a chance to audition for a role on the post-season roster. Imagine what a weapon Matz could be coming out of the bullpen in October. Think of Adam Wainwright in 2006 – as painful as that may be.
Unfortunately, fellow starting pitching prospect Rafael Montero is likely done pitching for the season, as are the relievers Jerry Blevins, Buddy Carlyle and Jack Leathersich. Of course Josh Edgin and Zach Wheeler have been on the DL all season following Tommy John surgery and the knucklehead Jennry Mejia is serving a one-year suspension for his second PED violation.
Amazingly there is still a pool of potential bullpen contributors in the Mets system. Possibly coming back from injury are Bobby Parnell, Vic Black and Eric Goeddel. Other possibilities include righties Akeel Morris and Gabriel Ynoa and lefty Dario Alvarez. Logan Verret will likely stick around after his spot start. The funny hat-wearing lefty Alex Torres is also an option to rejoin the team. At least a few of those pitchers will help take the pressure off of Jeurys Familia, Tyler Clippard, Carlos Torres, Sean Gilmartin, Hansel Robles and Eric O’Flaherty – who have had a devil of a time lately.
As far as bench help goes, the Mets will have the luxury of carrying three catchers, recalling Kevin Plawecki, while keeping Anthony Recker active behind starter Travis d’Arnaud. Johnny Monell is also an option, but given the way he performed earlier in the year it’s a wonder he wasn’t DFA’d. Lefties Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Darrell Ceciliani can offer some defensive support in the outfield as well as some pinch hitting and running. However, neither is likely to see significant time unless the Mets find themselves 10 games up with five to play. Otherwise, we’ll continue to see an outfifeld rotation of Curtis Granderson, Yoenis Cespedes, Juan Lagares, Michael Cuddyer and Michael Conforto. In terms of infielders, versatile but light-hitting Eric Campbell could be back, as could future second baseman Dilson Herrera and maybe one of the middle infielders, Wilfredo Tovar or Danny Muno.
Whoever gets the call, one thing’s for certain. September is going to matter this year like it hasn’t since 2008 and reinforcements are on the way. LGM!
I hope I’m wrong, but losing Montero could be huge. In the short term, the team really could have used him in the bullpen. Looking longer term, if healthy and effective, he would have been a nice trade chip in the offseason. Now he doesn’t help in either way.
Getting Matz back could be equally huge. And are we sure he won’t be part of the “big three” if/when the Mets set a playoff rotation? If Syndergaard is in the (fingers crossed) playoff rotation, TC needs to set it up so he only starts games at Citi Field.
Wow, the first “hot stove” citing of the season…wasnt it just Spring Training a few weeks ago?
I completely agree that Matz is our weapon for the post season pen. Hes got shut down stuff if needed. Can do three innings if needed, and could start if needed. This is the Cardinal way. Sure, I wish he didnt pull a lat and was maybe our 4th starter, but Ill take him in the pen for ’15 before transitioning to the full time rotation next year.
On the flip side. What do we do with Syndergaard? Its pointless to envision that his home/road splits cant be ignored. He stinks on the road. We cannot possibly give him the rock on the road. THat would be stupid. Do we adjust the rotation so he only gets the ball in NY? Does he make the starting rotation? Is he a pen guy?
Syndergaard’s splits are driven by two horrendous road starts, 4 innings 5 runs in Tampa, and 4 innings 7 runs against Padres back on 6/2. He’s had two so-so road starts besides that, 5 innings 3 runs in Baltimore on Tuesday, and 4 innings 3 runs in Atlanta 6/20. Apart from that he’s pitched to a 2.45 ERA over 6 road starts, including against the Dodgers and Cardinals. Also, he’s in his first year. I’d keep him on a shorter leash in the playoffs, but he’s my third starter no matter where we are playing.
Chris if the Met’s win the division (the only way they can get in) will they have home field advantage? I don’t think so. Syndergaard would then start game 3 at Citifield.
Mets are only two games behind the Dodgers
Colon and Niese are typically strong for 5 innings before they crumble. If one of them is the 4th starter, Noah or Matz could finish it out. Harvey and deGrom are the defininites. Hopefully they can get Noah home starts. I’m not sure who, if either of Niese or Colon stays in the rotation, but let’s see how everybody does in the weeks leading up to the playoffs. Having 7 starting pitchers is a nice problem to have. It also may depend on the matchups and who we’re playing.
Amazing season, although they have blown about a dozen games playing in a very weak division. It looks like colon will not be back with the Mets. i am not sure what will happen to Zack Wheeler and Josh Edgin. I am sure next year will feature Degrom, Noah Syndagard, Harvey, John Niese? With the first 3 pitchers reaching an innings quota, something Seaver, Ryan, Koufax, etc never had. lol Will the starting pitchers run out of steam?
Donald – starting pitching depth is a great thing to have. My guess is next season will begin with Harvey-deGrom-Syndergaard-Matz-Niese. Colon’s contract is up and he’ll either retire or sign elsewhere. Hopefully Montero is healthy in the spring as we’ll need a sixth man. Wheeler is not expected back until midseason. Even so, with Matz replacing Colon and the innings limits removed from Harvey and deGrom, this is going to be an awesome rotation in 2016.