Official 2020 Mets Thread, p. 50

[HarthorneWingo]

Welp, this is the Mets life.

I'm sounding like Trump "Why can't we hire the guys that don't get caught. I like those guys."

[HarthorneWingo]

Read on Twitter

[HarthorneWingo]

Hensley Meulens is our new bench coach

https://www.amazinavenue.com/2019/11/25/20981796/mets-news-hensley-meulens-bench-coach-carlos-beltran-coaching-staff-new-york

[blueNorange]

:D

Read on Twitter

except he isn't a plus defender ...

i look forward to trading away nimmo or coforto, both better players than marte.

[HarthorneWingo]

:D

Read on Twitter

except he isn't a plus defender ...

i look forward to trading away nimbi or coforto, both better players than marte.

We need a real CF this season.

Marte has played at least 130 games in each of the last 5 years. Nimmo can't even stay on the field. Besides, we could possibly pull off a trade using JD Davis. These are three potential deals suggested by scouts/execs:

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/scouts-on-3-trade-packages-mets-could-use-to-get-starling-marte/311998102

1) Scout No. 1: Marte for Francisco Alvarez, Kevin Smith, and Franklyn Kilome

"I'm trying to be fair," the scout said. "I know the Mets aren't giving up Allan because he's their best arm, and I know they're high on Alvarez, but he's only 17 years old (just turned 18 last week), he's a long way from the big leagues, and they want to win now.

"Smith is a lefty who showed promise at Double-A and Kilome is wild-card coming off Tommy John. The key is Alvarez: if I'm the Pirates I'm going to have other offers for Marte, so I have to get an elite prospect at a premium position."

2) Scout No. 2: Marte for J.D. Davis and Thomas Szapucki

"Davis has five years of control and I like his bat," the scout said, "so he works for the Pirates even if they're rebuilding. He's a below-average defender but I'll gamble that he hits enough to play at third or in left. And with the market Marte will have, I want a prospect too: Szapucki is a lefty who was getting high marks before he had Tommy John surgery (in 2018).

"I'd have to think the Mets would rather give up Dom Smith than Davis, but with (Josh) Bell the Pirates don't need a first baseman. So I'll gamble that Marte makes my team better for two years with his offense and his center-field defense."

3) AL exec: Marte for Dom Smith, Gimenez, and David Peterson

"From the Pirates side I'd want Allan but I probably can't get him. I'll take Dom Smith and put him at first base because I'm going to get creative and sell high on Josh Bell to bring back pitching that I need. And I feel like I'm getting value because I know Gimenez is going to be a big-league shortstop. Peterson is a soft-tosser without a lot of upside but he's got a chance to be a back-end starter.

"From the Mets side I might feel like I'm giving up a lot, but I don't have any place to play Smith. Gimenez is blocked at shortstop by Rosario and Peterson's value has fallen since he was a first-round pick, so if I'm trying to win now I probably make this trade."

Starling says 2019 was his best year.

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/08/21/Starling-Marte-says-he-s-having-the-best-season-of-his-career/stories/201908210117

Gardner is also a possibility.

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/why-the-mets-need-free-agent-brett-gardner-in-center-field-in-2020/312013758

[blueNorange]

you know nothing so stop talking to me about baseball stuff.

[HarthorneWingo]

you know nothing so stop talking to me about baseball stuff.

What's wrong? Can't handle knowledge and information? Besides, you started it by responding to one of my posts that was not directed towards you.

[HarthorneWingo]

Marte is coming to the Mets, it’s just a matter of for what.

“They have the power to decide," he said, referring to the Pirates. "If I had it in me, I would leave at this point because the caliber of players that we have is not enough to compete in a World Series. The Mets have everything. It would be a great opportunity to play with them."

He added, “The Mets are in position to do that, and it will be an honor to play with them. If it doesn’t happen, I will keep working hard and giving my team all I have.”

[Jeffrey]

Marte is coming to the Mets, it’s just a matter of for what.

“They have the power to decide," he said, referring to the Pirates. "If I had it in me, I would leave at this point because the caliber of players that we have is not enough to compete in a World Series. The Mets have everything. It would be a great opportunity to play with them."

He added, “The Mets are in position to do that, and it will be an honor to play with them. If it doesn’t happen, I will keep working hard and giving my team all I have.”

BVV is just going to keep gutting that farm system is he?

[HarthorneWingo]

Marte is coming to the Mets, it’s just a matter of for what.

“They have the power to decide," he said, referring to the Pirates. "If I had it in me, I would leave at this point because the caliber of players that we have is not enough to compete in a World Series. The Mets have everything. It would be a great opportunity to play with them."

He added, “The Mets are in position to do that, and it will be an honor to play with them. If it doesn’t happen, I will keep working hard and giving my team all I have.”

BVV is just going to keep gutting that farm system is he?

I just hope he's smart about it. I'm really more concerned about the young draftees we have like Baty and Allen. They should be untouchable. After all, they were drafted with bNo's blessings.

Maybe we can bring back some minor league talent for JD Davis? I see him more of a DH. We need to field a solid defensive team for our pitching staff. I do think we need a professional CF who can stay on the field. Assuming this happens, then the next order of business is fixing the bullpen.

What do you think?

[Garbagelo]

Marte is coming to the Mets, it’s just a matter of for what.

“They have the power to decide," he said, referring to the Pirates. "If I had it in me, I would leave at this point because the caliber of players that we have is not enough to compete in a World Series. The Mets have everything. It would be a great opportunity to play with them."

He added, “The Mets are in position to do that, and it will be an honor to play with them. If it doesn’t happen, I will keep working hard and giving my team all I have.”

BVV is just going to keep gutting that farm system is he?

the win now ball has already started rolling

there is no turning back

[HarthorneWingo]

Marte is coming to the Mets, it’s just a matter of for what.

BVV is just going to keep gutting that farm system is he?

the win now ball has already started rolling

there is no turning back

Hold on to your Mets' caps. BVV is on the war path. Possible trade scenarios for Brewers reliever Josh Hader.

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/potential-josh-hader-trade-packages-mets-can-try-to-entice-brewers-with/312042456

Mets get: Josh Hader, Ryan Braun
Brewers get: J.D. Davis OR Dominic Smith, Edwin Diaz, Mark Vientos

The 36-year-old Braun will count for $21 million against the luxury tax payroll in 2020, during what is his final year before hitting free agency. If the Mets take back Braun and a sizable chunk of what he's owed, they will be providing the Brewers with a ton of salary relief for 2020 and also adding someone who can play left field for them for one season.

In the above scenario, the Mets add Hader and Braun, play Braun in left field, and use Jeff McNeil at third base. For the Brewers, they could use Davis in the outfield or try him at first base.

The issue here for the Mets would be selling incredibly low on Diaz just one year after trading Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn in the deal for him. It can be argued that if Diaz (who is the same age as Hader and under control for one fewer season) returns to dominance in 2020, he'll be nearly as valuable as Hader. The Mets should be looking to add potential dominance to their bullpen, not subtract it or break even.

Mets get: Josh Hader, Ryan Braun
Brewers get: Dominic Smith OR J.D. Davis, Andres Gimenez, Mark Vientos

In the above scenario, the Mets subtract Diaz and add an additional prospect to the mix.

This is the kind of trade that makes more sense for the Mets, with them potentially not having a starting spot open for Davis and it seeming like they definitely don't have any spot at all for Dominic Smith.

If the Mets can get this done by dealing Davis or Smith plus Gimenez and Vientos, they would have to think very hard about pulling the trigger. The Brewers have a need at first base and maybe they can use Smith to fill it. Or maybe they think Davis can become a first baseman and fill that hole.

But the Brewers also need pitching (the Mets shouldn't be parting with any of their highly-touted arms right now), and have a good situation in their middle infield (where Gimenez would be).

***

In any iteration of the deals above, the Mets are taking on substantially more money than the Brewers and giving up many more years of team control of the players they're parting with.

When you're trying to trade for arguably the best reliever in baseball who is just 25 years old and is relatively inexpensive, it's going to hurt. But it just doesn't seem like this is the kind of trade the Mets should be making right now, nor does it seem like the Mets and Brewers match up particularly well.

The Mets should be making 3B Brett Baty, RHP Matthew Allan, C Francisco Alvarez, and INF Ronny Mauricio off limits in nearly every deal they discuss. It should go without saying that Jeff McNeil should also be off limits. They should also be trying hard to hang onto LHP David Peterson, who can be a solid starting rotation option as soon as this season, and RHP Josh Wolf.

Two of the Mets' other more intriguing pitching prospects -- Thomas Szapucki and Franklyn Kilome -- probably don't have the clout necessary to be a key piece in a deal for Hader.

New York should also not be selling low on Diaz, who is a prime rebound candidate for 2020 and who is just one season removed from being basically as valuable as Hader.

So unless the stars align when it comes to a Hader trade, it would be wise for the Mets to sit this one out and instead turn to the free agent market to improve the bullpen.

[Jeffrey]

Marte is coming to the Mets, it’s just a matter of for what.

BVV is just going to keep gutting that farm system is he?

the win now ball has already started rolling

there is no turning back

Which I totally agree. Didn't we gut our farm system for a 36 year old and we're going to do it again?

As for Marte, I'm okay with him but lets realize that he has never played more than 140 games a season except for a few.

[HarthorneWingo]

BVV is just going to keep gutting that farm system is he?

the win now ball has already started rolling

there is no turning back

Which I totally agree. Didn't we gut our farm system for a 36 year old and we're going to do it again?

As for Marte, I'm okay with him but lets realize that he has never played more than 140 games a season except for a few.

That's okay since Nimmo appear to be good for only about 30-40 games a year anyhow.

[HarthorneWingo]

Non-tenders Mets should consider according to Matt Cerrone on Metsblog. I'd like Treinen.

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/5-non-tendered-players-mets-should-consider-including-kevin-pillar/312062808

Kevin Pillar, OF

The Mets are reportedly looking to add a center fielder. Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo can both play center field and their bats are needed in the lineup, so a defense-first option could make for a strong fit on the roster.

Pillar, 30, is a slightly better fielding center fielder than Nimmo, but more important he has logged significantly more innings at the position. His experience has value.

His .259 average and .287 OBP are not very exciting, but he still has ability to hit 20 home runs and keep the ball in play. He may not provide the best overall upgrade, but with Jeff McNeil at third base and J.D. Davis able to play left field, having Pillar's glove regularly in center field would be a nice benefit.

There are not many options like Pillar on the open market and any similar player will cost too much in trade. Therefore, if center field is truly in need of a better glove than Nimmo, given how the move also helps the starting rotation, giving a one-year deal to Pillar could be worh it.

Domingo Santana, OF

The other way to play it is to sign a corner outfielder instead of a center fielder and split the middle position between Nimmo and Conforto. In doing so, the Mets could also trade J.D. Davis for a zero-to-three starting pitcher making the league minimum and instead spend money needed for a fifth starter on one or two relievers.

In that scenario, Santana, 27, is an option. He had a career year in 2017, crushing 30 home runs with 85 RBI. He dipped in 2018 and hit .253/.329/.441 with 21 homers in 121 games in 2019.

However, he is expected to earn roughly $4-5 million in 2020. He's also just 27 years old so it's reasonable to think he could again find that missing power in his swing.

He's not the ideal solution. I'd rather Davis in left field, frankly. But, by trading Davis for an arm, it would mean getting Santana, 20 or so home runs in left field, and a young, inexpensive starting pitcher for no more than $5 million. Plus, both acquired players can be retained beyond the 2020 season.

Kevin Gausman, RHP

Gausman, 28, is capable of pitching out of the rotation or bullpen. And, given the team's need in both areas, he could provide a backup option for both spots at what will likely be a $4-5 million salary. It was a tale of two seasons for Gausman in 2019, though, and his career has been similarly sporadic.

As a starter this past season, he had a 4.20 FIP with the Braves, who non-tendered him early in the season. He later latched on as a reliever with the Reds and turned his season around with a 3.10 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He also had a significant uptick in strikeouts, giving further support to the idea that relievers are unpredictable and always worth taking a chance on if the price is right.

My hunch is Van Wagenen will find better ways to use the money needed to sign Gausman, but he has to at least be intrigued knowing the pitcher can serve in multiple roles.

Blake Treinen, RHP

Treinen is a year removed from arguably being the best closer in baseball. In fact, the idea of him being non-tendered would have been laughable after 2018, when he had a 0.78 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and averaged 11 strikeouts per nine innings. However, a disastrous 2019 (4.91 ERA, 5.14 FIP) and an expected salary of roughly $8 million in 2020 before being a free agent and -- here he is -- on the open market a year earlier than expected.

There are plenty of teams in need of relief pitching, all of which have the money and are able to take on risk, so Treinen will have suitors -- specifically the Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies and possibly the Yankees. The Mets already have one reclamation project in Edwin Diaz, who like Treinen lost command of his slider in 2019. So adding another one of these guys might be more than the Mets should be taking on at this point. But, in a world where Van Wagenen signs Treinen for one season and he and Diaz can return to their former glory, the Mets will have without question the best bullpen in the National League.

Josh Phegley, C

Phegley, 31, is hardly a household name. He's also not necessarily a starting catcher. However, the Mets have that area covered with Wilson Ramos. On the other hand, Phegley is an ideal backup, which is something the Mets clearly have interest in adding given reports of Van Wagenen being in contact with free agent C Robinson Chirinos.

Phegley is likely to earn around $2 million in 2020. He isn't going to hit for average, though he did hit 12 home runs with 62 RBI in 106 games for the A's in 2019.

Most important, though, he threw out 32 percent of base stealers during his 90 starts, which is an area are in major need of help, especially when Noah Syndergaard is on the mound.

Frankly, if it makes Syndergaard a better pitcher, Phegley could be worth the $2 million even if he only starts in those 30 games. Syndergaard with fewer runners in scoring position is enticing, no doubt...

[newyorker4ever]

Tiki Barber says Mets are gonna get sold. Go to hour 3 at the very end at like 37:50

https://cbssportsradio.radio.com/media/audio-channel/tiki-and-tierney-12-3-19-hour-1

[HarthorneWingo]

Tiki Barber says Mets are gonna get sold. Go to hour 3 at the very end at like 37:50

https://cbssportsradio.radio.com/media/audio-channel/tiki-and-tierney-12-3-19-hour-1

College football

[newyorker4ever]

Tiki Barber says Mets are gonna get sold. Go to hour 3 at the very end at like 37:50

https://cbssportsradio.radio.com/media/audio-channel/tiki-and-tierney-12-3-19-hour-1

College football

Did you go to the hour 3 part and to the very end?

Now i'm watching the Boomer and Gio show and someone called in and said the guy Tiki is talking about is David Thompson who Forbes lists as the 27th richest man in the world and is worth $38 billion.

[Stannis]

Tiki Barber says Mets are gonna get sold. Go to hour 3 at the very end at like 37:50

https://cbssportsradio.radio.com/media/audio-channel/tiki-and-tierney-12-3-19-hour-1

College football

Did you go to the hour 3 part and to the very end?

Now i'm watching the Boomer and Gio show and someone called in and said the guy Tiki is talking about is David Thompson who Forbes lists as the 27th richest man in the world and is worth $38 billion.

Good catch. Looks like Steve Cohen is gonna be the owner

[NYKnickerbocker]

5 years