Mets Blogger Roundtable: Who We Are Watching This Spring
After the positive feedback we received after our first Mets Blogger Roundtable, the Mets Bloggers have decided to come back for at least a second week. This week, we tackle the question “Which Mets player are we most excited about watching this Spring Training?”
Michael Baron (MLB.com)
Dominic Smith is the first player that comes to my mind, although there are several interesting stories to watch this spring. Here’s a guy who has spent a number of years now battling weight issues, and therefore reputation issues, and it’s no secret the organization has concerns with him. And, obviously, signing Adrian González clearly indicates that as well. I am looking for him to step up and look like the player and prospect everyone expects him to be, similar to howMichael Conforto performed last spring. If Dom does that, he’ll make for a tough decision a month from now, which is always a good internal conversation for Mets brass to have.
Roger Cormier (Good Fundies & Fangraphs)
Do we all remember when Bret Booneabruptly retired a few days into Mets spring training camp in 2006? He admitted Jose Reyes “just kind of stared” at him “with that smile on his face” and realized the joy of playing baseball in himself was long gone. Well, I’m hoping Adrian Gonzalez looks at Dominic Smith, smiling and loving life with his old and new svelte physique, and realizes his future as a full-time top sub sandwich enterprise ambassador should be his present. Smith did not earn the full-time first baseman gig last season, but he’s already earned it before the first ST game. He wasn’t even in this good of shape last spring, so I’m looking forward to seeing the Dom Smith everybody warned with a smile was about to enter our lives last summer.
Michael Ganci (Daily Stache)
The player I am most excited to watch at Spring Training might surprise a few people. It’s Brandon Nimmo. I am by no means trying to say he’s an all-star, but I think he is often overlook for the value he brings to a team. First of all, his defense in center field (while not as good as Juan Lagares) is good. For me, I am more impressed with his approach at the plate. He’s one of the more disciplined hitters on the team, especially when it comes to his knowledge of the strike zone. Sure, his .260 batting average last year is not too impressive, but his on-base percentage was more than 100 points higher at .379. Despite not looking like he’s going to have a starting spot out of the gate, Nimmo is going to be an important piece on this team coming off of the bench. And knowing how hard he works, if there’s an injury, he’ll be ready to go in a pinch. It’s hard not to root for the kid.
Mark Healey (Gotham Baseball)
Player I am most excited about? Great question. I know if the Mets had been smart enough to sign Joe Smith, he’d have been my answer. I guess I have to let that one go, though. Steven Matz is the other. There are certain guys I love to watch pitch, and Matz is the latest version of that.
The Mets player I’m most interested in seeing this spring is Yoenis Cespedes. The slugger is coming off a season that saw injuries limit him to only 81 games. He’s trained differently this offseason including doing yoga to make sure he is more agile and not simply bulked up like in 2017. It will be interesting to see if his offseason training can help him regain his decencies prowess that helped him win a gold glove in 2015. Also have to see if he can make it through all spring without a muscle injury which seemed to be a weekly occurrence for him last season.
When healthy, Cespedes has been everything the Mets hoped for when they traded for him and signed him to a four-year deal. The Mets are not going to be contenders in 2018 if Cespedes plays only 81 games and spring will be a good time to see if anything has changed for Yo.
Again, Michael Baron has not had any affiliation with mlb.com in years. Please correct this.
He’s an employee.
We have checked, and in actuality MLB has no record of you being in their employ.
Unless you are prepared to prove your employment status with MLB, I am going to revoke your right to post comments.
BARON
My take on Dom Smith was that he grew up in dynamics, family tree where many youth excel in highly structured environments like the military. How to help him playing 162 games, those restaurants on the road the MLB salary and the ATM … I would not know about weight discipline.
Yet, I thought the big question mark on Smith was elevation and specifically HR projections at first base? he put that to rest? I liked his relaxed approach at the plate. I am very optimistic. Yet, AG is a great presence.
Roger Cormier (Good Fundies & Fangraphs)
I do not have an insider view if AG is a plus with his routines, mentoring, hitting stroke example in the clubhouse or as a seasoned but I am not betting against it!
Maybe he is not into baseball but if so the min salary he makes must be needed money?
Michael Ganci (Daily Stache)
The ceiling on Nimmo is an unknown yet the 8th inning PH walk is not always an optimum goal? I am seriously rooting for him too!
Mark Healey (Gotham Baseball)
The possibilities for Matz has many people hoping this is the year.
I say the pen! for starters…
Joe Maracic(Loud Egg)
I never knew I would have compassion for Matt Harvey.
Michael Mayer (MMO & MMN)
I am afraid that no matter how valuable Cespedes can be beating up the mediocre pitchers that may be his ceiling limit. I see his obstacles, if it is zones in the strike zone, getting over eager on a sweeping slider down or just not clutch against well schooled batter hurlers? Is he initimated by NY press?
Metstradamus:
What about Wilmer as a backup catcher or similar starts as Kevin Mitchell had? How was that dynamic so different in 1986?
Greg Prince:
It is a whole new world?
James Schapiro (Shea Bridge Report)
I wish Harvey the best for him having a viable career with big paydays. Rosario, his Ks and vulnerability to the outside of the plate is over?
Mets Daddy:
David Wright is an ambassador yet a page out of John Starks role after retirement may be good reading
I do wonder what Wright’s second act will prove to be
Well David Wright has $100m.
Let us think about a few options of what comes next?
When you have $100 million, your options are anything but few