There’s been a week’s worth of Grapefruit League games, now and the Mets are a .500 ballclub. I say this in jest, but it betrays my innate Met-fan fear that last year was an illusion, that a tremendous run of luck propelled the team into the World Series and that they might not be as talented a bunch as we all think. But then I remember that the games they’ve lost so far – all three of them, to go with two ties – can be laid at the feet of the scrubs, the not-yet-ready or the hangers-on. Yesterday’s game against the Yankees marked the first time the mostly “regular” lineup took the field together in 2016 and Jacob deGrom made his first spring start. The Mets blew a 4-1 lead, and had to settle for a sister-kisser, 4-4 in 10 innings. Yes, it’s early, but maybe something has been revealed. To your intrepid columnist, yesterday’s game pushed a couple of things to the forefront, two key elements for a successful 2016 for the Mets.
David Wright and who replaces him: It is a foregone conclusion that David Wright will not play 162 games in a season, probably ever again. Spinal stenosis doesn’t get better as a person ages. Barring some kind of surgery – or ingestion of a surreptitious, sub-rosa “miracle drug” — David Wright will have to play with some degree of discomfort which can’t help but hinder his performance. Obviously, there is concern about his future and what his 2016 will look like. Toward that end, who replaces him in the lineup thus becomes critical to the team’s success. Can Wilmer Flores handle third base Wright’s absence? Could Asdrubal Cabrera or Neil Walker shift over to there, resulting in more playing time for Ruben Tejada or Dilson Herrera? Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson will need to get creative to fill any Wright-less void. Over here, the thinking is that if Eric Campbell ends up with a lot of MLB at bats, the Mets are in trouble.
The bullpen: Yesterday’s game was chugging along, the Mets enjoying a nice, relatively cushy 4-2 lead going into the ninth. deGrom pitched his three relatively uneventful innings and was ably supported by Jerry Blevins, Addison Reed, Seth Lugo, Akeel Morris and Jim Henderson for an inning apiece. New acquired lefty Antonio Bastardo – looked upon to be a key cog in a good looking ‘pen – was set to face three Yankee non-names, then hit the golf course. He got Ronald Torreyes on a fly to center. Kyle Higashioka touched him for a homer. OK, we’ll take a 4-3 sweat-out win. Austin Romine grounded out. Then someone named Sebastian Valle drove one over the centerfield wall to tie it. Yes, it’s early. Yes, I’m sure Bastardo is still nicking some rust off his elbow and delivery and if something like this had happened, say, two weeks from now, the concern level might be a bit higher. But still… This is a guy who is going to be counted on in high-leverage situations, usually in the seventh or eighth innings. Getting touched up by a Higashioka and a Valle does not exactly instill confidence. It only points up how crucial a good bullpen is for any team’s success. A lot of times, it ain’t no sure thing. Even the Yankees, with their late-inning cavalcade of stars, aren’t immune to bullpen fretting. If the Mets can somehow duplicate the success of last year’s firefighters’, that will be a big step toward repeating as NL Champs.
Besides, what would a Met fan do if not worry?
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Uh,it’s a ST game!
Right. I know it’s hard to resist but unless someone gets injured, what happens in ST games is of minmal importance. Bastardo’s outing though bad would only be concerning if he continues to struggle. Just something to write about!
It just made me think how tenuous the Mets’ — or any team’s, for that matter — bullpen situation is.
its March Charlie. Occasional situations matter here and there but by and large, its the only time when games are played that I care only about process and not outcome.
It look like baseball, but mostly, the vets are getting used to their bodies, scrubs are trying to make a name, and each team is developing their players in the path to opening day.
All that matters is that the 25 going to NY are in shape and ready and locked in, and that injuries are minimal.
If fly balls drop, if extra bases arent had, if throws dont challenge runners its no big deal.
The only real exception is for the handful of guys aiming to actually make the 25 man roster or someone on the 25 looking to show off some mad skills (Flores, Lagares, Tejada etc).
I didn’t see the game, but maybe Bastardo was just trying something new or focusing on executing each pitch correctly? Keep reminding myself these are ST games and only thing that matters is players’ fundamentals.
Still doesn’t make me happy to hear he served up two round-trippers and to the Yankees of all teams.
Over the winter Alderson has improved this team over the 2015 team. He identified Wrights situation and remedied it by acquiring Walker and Cabrera for added depth. He also resigned and acquired more Bullpen arms. The team is positioned to win and if players don’t play up to their expectations then it will be Collins responsibility to adjust the playing time.
The team has suitable depth for David Wright. It will not be a situation like the Cardinals have with Jhonny Peralta. Asdrubal Cabrera, Wilmer Flores, Ruben Tejada and Neil Walker can play third base if needed.
If Wright plays 125 games, that would be a successful season. Keep him rested and fresh for the postseason.
Then play him every stinkin’ game, like TC did, for the best possible results.
JP
Thats true if you dont mind putting someone at 3B who cant play the position or hasnt in many years. This isnt a little league team. None of those people can play third at elite level with hopes for the post season.
Chris F, I know it’s your strong opinion that Wilmer can’t play a competent 3B. And you might be right. But for me, personally, I don’t know one way or the other. Just haven’t seen him over there much. My current take is that it is very possible he’d be okay enough as a fill-in 3B — and certainly an upgrade over Campbell.
Not ready to kill him for his defense at third just yet.