Here we are, at the last weekend of the Mets season. As we play the Marlins at home in three seemingly meaningless games, there’s a lot to cheer for. Saturday, David Wright will be playing his final game as a Met (yours truly will be there cheering him on). This will also likely be the last we see of Jose Reyes in a Mets uniform. And it could also mean good-bye to Jerry Blevins. For stat geeks there are some round numbers to keep an eye on. Will Michael Conforto reach 30 home runs? Will Brandon Nimmo finish with a .400 OBP? Whatever your reason for watching, soak it up. Winter is coming.
Overall it wasn’t a bad year. Considering the team lost key players for extended periods of time this season. Let’s hope for a healthy 2019 and some breaks. The division doesn’t scare me. The pitching can match anyone in the NL. The bullpen? Fix it. Sign a closer and some lively arms.
It is actually amazing that the Mets did not lose 90 games. In the middle of their horrific streak it appeared that they were on their way to losing 100.
The off season will be interesting. Will they add good pieces to fill needs or will they search the bargain bin?
My pipe dream is Machado, Grandal and some good relievers.
Frazier down to a wRC+ of 90 and 1.3 war, I thought his contract was a bargain when it was signed, but he got hurt twice and hasn’t hit, and will be difficult to move. If not for Gsellman, Smith and Blevins the Mets would have swept and Blevins can’t be back and Smith and Gsellmanbetter not be high leverage relievers next year.
^+1 I think Frasier will bounce back to average next year. What I really would hope for is that Gimenez will be promoted by summer and play shortstop moving Rosario to second and McNeil to 3rd making Frasier a substitute.Yes, they need a good closer and a good set up man.
Matt, I’m going to the finale on Sunday. I hope Wright gets to pinch-hit.
Frazier bounce back to what? This year his BA is .211; last year .213; in .216 he hit a whopping .225. Todd has a good glove at 3B and that’s it.
If MacNeill has the arm for 3B, I’m all for your suggestion.
^+1 to the ^+1
From MLBTR:
“Injured Mets outfielder Juan Lagares participated in sprinting exercises Thursday for the first time since tearing a plantar plate in his left foot back in May, writes Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. He’s aiming to play in the Dominican Winter League to help prep for the 2019 season. Lagares, considered one of the game’s premier defensive outfielders, has hit just .258/.299/.366 through a mere 961 plate appearances since signing a contract extension that guaranteed him $23MM back in April 2015. Of course, he’s totaled 29 Defensive Runs Saved in barely over 2,000 innings in that time, which speaks to his excellence with the glove. Lagares has been an oft-mentioned trade candidate in recent years, though with $9.5MM still guaranteed on that deal ($9MM 2019 salary plus a $500K buyout on a $9.5MM option for 2020), it’s tough to imagine much demand in him this offseason, barring some salary relief.”
It would be awesome to put Lagares in the middle of the field, hopefully for at least 100 games. Pitchers will improve immediately.
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They report in a different entry that Jeff Passan has an article concerning MLB’s investigation of how MLB does business in the Latin American market and the signings coming out of it. If it’s not squashed by “politics” (payoffs), this investigation should come up with lots of juicy stuff.
From Tom Brennan at Mack’s Mets:
Vargas first 49 innings: 8.75 ERA
Vargas last 45 innings: 2.80 ERA
My question is, are you buying it and keeping or marketing it and selling? My opinion is selling, but how many will go for it, then you have to replace him. But, if the proper buyer isn’t out there, I wouldn’t be averse to keeping Vargas but I’m much less optimistic than I was last winter.
We’re all over the place here, but let’s go:
1) Vargas with a bouce back year. Love his change up looking like a semi screw ball. His stuff contrasts nicely against the hard throwers.
2) Oh Juan. we’ve never seen him for a whole season. Would love to see him hit to make his glove a center piece of the team.
3) Maybe I’m cold hearted but David’s farewell doesn’t move me. Yes his history and accomplishments are grand yet I’m not moved. Compare that to Willie Mays returning to NYC during the 1972 season was historical to me and David?
4) The team failed but can you imagine if we lived in Washington or Philie…we would all be on suicide watch?
Juan Lagares cannot hit and he cannot stay healthy,forget him.