Fans tend to be either overly optimistic or pessimistic. That is why it is important to look at unbiased, systematic approaches to projections. One of the best sets available are the ZiPS projections from ESPN Insider and Baseball Think Factory Editor-in-Chief Dan Szymborski. Recently Szymborski, an Orioles fan, agreed to a Q&A about his projections [...]
“Murph may not be able to do things that other people can do, but what he can do is work on the skills that he does have and make them serviceable,” Teufel said. “I couldn’t turn double plays the way certain people could, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t play the position effectively. “I had [...]
Keith Law recently ranked the Mets farm system 26th out of 30 teams in MLB. That seems extreme to me. While the system does not have much top-shelf talent, there is an impressive amount of depth. Also, with catcher, first base, third base and two outfield spots already with their long-term answer on the major [...]
While there are several jobs up in the air, the Opening Day roster is starting to take shape for the Mets. There are 17 positions which seem set and another four which seem likely. And the remaining four are possibly already on the team, it is just a matter of which direction Terry Collins and [...]
After avoiding platoons for most of the past few seasons, the Mets could be moving back to this strategy in 2011, with potential platoon situations at both catcher and second base. With the LaRussification of bullpen usage, platoons have fallen out of favor throughout the majors in recent years, as spots that would go to [...]
The Mets have already had their team Christmas party but they must have decided this year not to exchange gifts. Now, you may be wondering what millionaires give as gifts or what millionaires want to receive as gifts. I cannot answer that question. But I can tell you what players on the Mets really need. [...]
The All-Star break is upon us and it’s natural to look forward. The Mets at 48-40, four games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL and one game behind in the wild card race. Below is a list of Mets players with a grade given to each hitter and pitcher on how they have [...]
While it may not have been as damaging as the injuries that piled up last season for the Mets, Daniel Murphy’s season-ending injury will certainly have ramifications with the roster in to the summer. Murphy was perhaps days away from being recalled before he again was involved in another freak accident. On Wednesday night in [...]
Back on April 16th, the headline that accompanied David Lennon’s piece in Newsday read, “Francoeur to Moneyball Gurus: How ya like me now?” Jeff Francoeur was great the first 10 days of the season but since then he has been horrible. And when I say horrible, I do not mean average, run of the mill [...]
Red, white and blue pins labeled "I Like Ike" have been standard fare amongst New York Mets fans these days, and for good reason. The Mets rookie first baseman has impressed early with the bat and glove. Yes, Ike Davis certainly looks like he may have a long career as the Mets’ first baseman. But [...]
As I write this Opening Day is already underway. However, I have the MLB.tv DVR ready and I have yet to watch any of the action. So, here are my predictions for the 2010 New York Mets: Josh Thole comes up before September to be the everyday catcher. Daniel Murphy comes back to post an [...]
Realistically, the Mets go into the 2010 season unsure of what they will get from either Jeff Francoeur or Daniel Murphy. Francoeur has much more of a track record in the majors than Murphy, but his production has been so inconsistent (WARs ranging from 3.7 to -1.2) that anyone who says they know what to [...]