4/6/18

Mack – Some Early Observations




Good morning.


The sample is quite small, but I can’t help but jot down my thoughts after the first delightful six games of the regular season and opening day of our affiliates.


1.     I can not imagine anyone being unhappy with the approach of our new manager. A minor leaguer friend of mine that was one of the guys invited to Big Boy Camp this spring training, told me that this year is like working for a manager that doesn’t have a ‘grandfather’ approach to this game. Good way of putting it.

2.     How could anybody find something wrong with the 5-1 record so far? The hitting, the fielding, and what about the tremendous pitching? Nothing seems to be being done wrong.

3.     The relief pitching has been remarkable. Even Hansel Robles (2-IP, 0-R,  6-K) has turned out to be all early Cy Young candidate. Six pitches have thrown 17.2 innings of run-less ball.

Frankly, I think the Mets have struck gold on both Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo coming out of the bullpen. These two guys pitching two to three inning stretches at a time could do wonders to our SP3-5 pitchers no longer having the pressure to get past the first five innings. Arms stay healthy… followed by Gsellman or Lugo… and ended up with two of the big three of Swarzak, Ramos, Blevins, or Familia. Everybody wins.

4.     The decision to place Michael Conforto back in the one-spot on his first game back, against one of the best pitches in baseball, was a touch of genius and showed the entire clubhouse just how much of a team friend guy our skipper his. He reminds me of Dabo Sweeney from Clemson. The players at Clemson would kill for Dabo and these Mets players are early on killing for Callaway.

5.     If I have any criticism, it would be the choice to play Jose Reyes over Amed Rosario at shortstop. Rosario is one of the players that is the future of this team. Reyes isn’t. He’s a great player from the past that had a shit spring and an even worse start (0-7, .00) this season. At the same time, Rosario has gone 5-15 (.333). I fully understand older players needing a day off once in a while. I don’t understand younger players needing TWO days off in the first six games. This screams of a return to Terry Collins thinking and we all know what that got us in the past.

6.     My other question so far is a positive one. What if Gonzales keeps hitting above .300 and plays adequate first base? You know you aren’t going to sit Conforto, Cespedes, or Bruce for many games. What do you do about both Brandon Nimmo and Juan Lagares, who did everything right in spring training to prove they are capable to step up to a starting role? It would seem that one should be shipped. It also seems that this would be the humane thing to do. Everybody, especially those that show the ability, deserve to be given the opportunity to be great, regardless of what team they would play for. It’s been rumored for over a month that Sandy has been approached by other teams for the services of Lagares (west coast bound?) and my hope that it happens, but only if we get back two quality MLB top 100 ranked prospects in return. We need to strengthen the pipeline and depth at one position can create depth at two more.

7.     Speaking of prospects, I’m also thrilled with opening night in the pipeline. Especially St. Lucie starting pitcher Justin Dunn, who got back on the bump and turned in a stellar 5-IP, 7-K, 0-BB, 0-R effort. It’s so important that he gets off to a great start, does well in his second stint with Lucy, and heads on to the AA level where he is supposed to be at this point in his professional career (RP Ryder Ryan followed Dunn with a 4-K, 2-inning stint). Speaking of shutouts, Drew Gagnon opened up with a 5-K, 6-inning shutout for Binghamton, while Tony Dibrelli added for four more blank innings (with 6-Ks).

9 comments:

Unknown said...

With the exception of a couple of defensive mindfarts there has been very little to complain about for sure ! And the problems we do have are the ones we want

Mack Ade said...

It will be interesting to see what we do when Vargas is ready to come back.

That Adam Smith said...

Good morning, Mack. The trouble with trading Lagares - other than the fact that I have injury-related PTSD with this team and i’m certain that the minute we trade him, 2 of our OF will go down for the season - is that his contract, which once seemed team-friendly, is no longer seen that way. Particularly after what we saw in this year’a FA market. I’m just not sure that we can get any real value back for him at this point, and that’a A helluva glove (and possibly developing stick) to send away for next to nothing.

Tom Brennan said...

Juan Lagares has 5 hits in 10 at bats - but no RBIs - and just one in spring training - and just 15 last year. Until he eliminates his "RBI Allergy", he has to be consider the clear 5th outfielder, with the very surprisingly good Nimmo 4th. And even the 4th guy won't play a lot on this team - the top 3 may be the Mets' best ever starting outfield.

For Gsellman and Lugo, another benefit is they may be up for a lot of wins as starters get yanked early - so being in the pen easier to take if you're 5-2 on July 1, let's say.

Who goes when Vargas (soon) is ready to return, and in a few weeks when Swarzak is ready? Darned if I know. Which makes it unlikely we'll see Zach Wheeler any time soon.

Managers look much more like a genius when the team wins a lot - may Mickey Callaway be our Albert Einstein.

And I know Mack reads these responses, so I have to say again, Tebow rakes a 3 run BLAST on his very first AA pitch. Never misunderestimate Timmy T.

Reese Kaplan said...

Mack, you left out the Wilmer Flores quotient in your Nimmo/Lagares/Gonzalez question.

Mack Ade said...

Adam -

Lagares has true value to some other teams that need to fill a defensive hole in center... and do not be surprised if a deal is put together soon.

Mack Ade said...

Tom -

Who?

Unknown said...

My guess is that Robles gets sent down & Matz to the pen when Vargas returns .. drpending how Lugo pans out in his start

Robb said...

Youre gonna see legares as a late inning def guy a lot after about another 10 days or so. Nimmo is the right handed pinch hitter (so he'll get in ever other game at minimum). Flores and legares do crush left handed pitching so i would expect both get in on those days.

I think they'll use the 10 day dl a lot more. Pitchers are always sore. I wouldnt worry about having too much pitching, eventually attrition will take place.

so far i think only cabrera/frazier/cespedes/bruce have started every game. Those 4 will need plenty of days off as they are the oldest every day players. just not yet.