If you saw any pitcher with a stat line of five innings pitched, five walks, and five strikeouts, you’d assume that they would have given up a fair amount of runs. But on the mound tonight for the Mets was Rafael Montero, who averages nearly five walks per nine innings. Montero only surrendered one run in his start, pitching solidly in the 6-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Montero, despite his high walk rate, has pitched well as of late. He earned his fifth win of the season Saturday night against the Reds.
As a whole, the Mets produced nine hits on the evening. Matt Reynolds and Asdrubal Cabrera each had two hits for the Mets, with Cabrera’s two hits being doubles. Also hitting a double on the night was Phillip Evans, who’s double was his first career major league hit. Kevin Plawecki had the big boom of the night, sending a two run shot over the wall for his second of the season. My Gut Reaction is that Plawecki is finally starting to develop his game offensively, which would be great if he was to retain his role as backup to Travis d’Arnaud. Also notching hits tonight were Nori Aoki, Brandon Nimmo, and Dom Smith.
Tonight, the Mets bullpen was absolutely stellar against the Reds’ lineup. Chasen Bradford, Josh Smoker, Jeruys Familia, and Jamie Callahan each contributed to a four inning of no hit, no runs four innings. Tomorrow the Mets will send Jacob deGrom to the mound to attempt the completion of a four game sweep of the Reds at 1:10.
Montero struggled last night but only gave up one run. That was impressive. He is also healthy and has become reliable in his last six starts. He has put himself into the rotation conversation for 2018. Matz and Wheeler wallow away their careers on the disabled list. Maybe there should be a change in philosophy and they start 2018 in middle/long relief since they can’t be counted on for durability. Less disruptive.
Plawecki with another solid game. Since his call up he has a 897 OPS but more importantly he has a full season 710 OPS when NL catchers average 720 OPS. After a horrendous start and send down, he may have finally arrived.
Cabrera has been plugging away and has a 786 second half OPS and plays an average defensive third base. The average NL third baseman has a 767 OPS. That is a strong argument he renew his option.
It was never the offense that sabotaged the season, it was the starting pitching. Put the free agent money toward a #3+ or better starter, another additional veteran 4th starter and a cheap short term power hitting 1B/OF. Stop relying on injured pitchers.
Given the Mets have few assets to trade, I’d consider flipping Familia. Sandy never makes those kinds of moves, so I’m not holding my breath.
I love Familia, btw, but Mets now have two closers. I think Ramos needs that role in order to thrive. While turning Familia into a set-up guy makes some sense, he’s already a proven closer and might bring back a quality position player in the open market. Just saying: I’d have those conversations. Not untouchable.
Yes on stashing, rehabbing some of these oft-injured arms in the bullpen. It could work.
I see them bringing in one #3 type starter.
However, while we can all agree that it would be nice to have a reliable veteran come in and pitch 200 effective innings, these are moves that don’t come with guarantees. That guy could get injured too, could have a bad year.
Mets have Thor, deGrom at #1-2.
Bring in a #3.
Then, with no guaranteed slots: Lugo, Wheeler, Matz, Montero, Gsellman.
Still feels unstable.
These Reds don’t look like they are trying.
Familia might indeed bring something worthwhile in a trade, but if I was a GM I wouldn’t do that deal — trading for Familia I mean. Trades for proven closers blow up so often for the acquiring team, and they’re never inexpensive.
Unlike the Reds, the Mets look like they are trying. As they are in roughly the same boat as the Reds, that has to say something positive about Collins or somebody in the organization. Most of the team leaders are playing elsewhere, and yet they slog on.
Yeah, they seem to have recovered after an initial swoon in August when people were leaving.
In their last 16 games, they are 8-8 and averaging 4.8 runs per game despite a lineup filled with guys most other teams wouldn’t consider trading for. Sure, they’ve been helped by playing the Phillies and Reds in this stretch. But in four games against the Nationals, they scored 18 runs and three games against the Astros they put up 15 runs.
You get guys on base and you score runs.
It’s September. Numbers mean relatively little,particularly in series between teams as bad as the Mets Reds Phils etc.
The idea of an imported Starter is baffling—if 3 of their existing guys can “arrive” healthy and productive, they can start the ’18 season… short of that, an addition of a Vet innings eater is meaningless. In fact, the entire concept of competing in ’18 is meaningless without their own 3 guys establishing a base.
Cabrera is an appealing re-sign…but he’s setting a record for wincing and limping after virtually every single play…every single play over the past two seasons!!! Reyes is trying to be the 25th guy–maybe not a bad choice.
Bruce and Moose—I’m a fan. Certainly, Bruce is a Fit. Lego and Nimmo will make a fine 4/5 OF depth.
Keep the Bullpen—the modern game needs talented arms 6-9th inning
I still believe in Plawecki—chasing a catcher is madness. I can live with a platoon—yes..i’d prefer one be lefty.
The problem with the starters is exactly what we faced this year. Banking on people returning from injury that have not proven to be who they were before going down. I dont think you can *count* on Harvey, Matz, Wheeler, and even Lugo. At this point Syndergaard is a question mark. He has been out just about the entire season…and all the sudden “poof” and everyone is back as they were. We learned that does not happen. Id add 2 starters in the off season.