2015 World Series
In June if you told Mets fans Ben Zobrist would be traded, and his new team would make the World Series, they would’ve been excited. At one point, it seemed a foregone conclusion Zobrist would be a Met. Thankfully, that deal fell apart, and the Mets made better trades that provided the Mets with better talent and depth.
In any event, Zobrist became a Royal for a hefty price. It’s no surprise the Royals were going for it after losing the World Series last year by 90 feet. Since this trade, Zobrist has played LF and 2B for the Royals. As a Royal, he has hit .284/.364/.453. These are good numbers, but the Mets were better off without Zobrist.
If he played second base, he would have surplanted Daniel Murphy at second base. That would’ve mean no #Murphtober, and quite possibly, the Mets lose the NLDS.
If the Mets moved him to LF, that probably would’ve meant no Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes was an immediate spark plug after the trade. He was so good early on, there was talk of him becoming the NL MVP. The Mets went on 37-22 after the trade, which is a .627 winning percentage or a 102-60 pace.
Zobrist in LF also would’ve meant no Michael Conforto. He made the jump from A ball to the majors. He hit .270/.335/.506. He was much better than advertised defensively. He had good range with a strong, accurate arm. He’s got a bit of the clutch gene homering in his first postseason game off of Zack Greinke.
Also, you don’t know what the A’s were asking for Zobrist. Some of the other deals that took place may not have happened. One of the strengths of the Mets have bee a deep bench giving Terry Collins the ability to platoon.
There was a time if Mets fans had heard Zobrist was traded in season and helped his new team into the World Series, they would’ve been giddy. It was largely assumed he would wind up with the Mets. He didn’t.
Because of that, both the Mets and the Royals made the World Series.
In Game One of the NLCS, a comebacker hit Matt Harvey in the right arm. The ball was said to have “dented” Harvey’s triceps putting his next start into question. When questioned about it, Harvey gave a Narrator type of response:
"I'm not a trainer. I'm not Harvey's arm." That's David Wright's medical assessment of Matt Harvey for Game 5
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) October 19, 2015
“I’m not Harvey’s arm” is what the Narrator would say. It reminded me of Jack’s writings found in the Paper Street House. I could see the Narraor reading something entitled “I am Harvey’s Dented Tricep.” The next line would be something along the lines of “I injure Harvey and I ruin his career.”
For all we know, Harvey is Tyler Durden. If I’m right that makes Bartolo Colon Robert Paulson. It would also make Noah Syndergaard Angel Face. When Colon gets knocked out early in the game getting roughed up, I could see Thor leading the pitching staff in a “His name is Bartolo Colon” chant.
It could also explain some of Harvey’s behavior. When he’s talking about innings limits and his career, he’s being the narrator. When he’s complaining about the six man rotation, he’s Tyler Durden. The Tyler Durden side of his wants to throw acid all over his career screaming, “First you have to bear down, first you have to know, not fear, know that someday your career is going to be over.”
This Harvey, err Durden, wants to pitch three times in the World Series. He wants to unleash his pitching repertoire causing mayhem and confusion on the Royals bench. The Royals won’t be talented or uniquely talented; they’ll all be strikeout victims. I can see the Royals saying they haven’t been struck out that way since grade school.
Pretty clever, huh? Good I’ll keep it up then.
He’s going to stand on the mound in Game 1 of the World Series and say, “I want you to hit me as hard as you can.” When he strikes them out, he’ll lecture them saying, “Listen to me! You have to consider the possibility that God does not like you, never wanted you, and in all probability he HATES you.” He’ll strike them out because they’re too young, too fat, too old.
At the end of the games, all stories will be “I am Harvey’s Game One victory.”
In a postseason where the Mets have been slaying demons, there is one Phillie left. In the NLDS, the Mets dispatched with Jimmy Rollins and the dirty and cowardly Chase Utley. There is one member of that 2007-2008 Phillies team left: Ryan Madson. He may not garner the same reaction as Utley and Rollins, but he was still a large part of those Phillies teams.
Just like 2008, Madson is a key set-up man on the Royals. After not appearing on a major league roster for four years, he resurfaced and had his typically good season. He went 1-2 with a 2.13 ERA, 0.963 WHIP, and a 8.2 K/9. This postseason he’s been hittable in the 5.1 innings he’s pitched. He’s got a 2.25 WHIP and a 8.44 ERA.
He’s gone from major strength to liability. It may just be a short sample size. It may be his four year layoff out of the major leagues. Hopefully, it’s the latter because he’s been good against the Mets. In 61 games (1 start), he has a 2.87 ERA with a 1.149 WHIP and a 7.6 K/9.
I’m not sure all of that matters. The only Mets remaining from that time are David Wright and Daniel Murphy, who is playing on a different level. With that said, it probably matters to the fans more. And yes, I care. I want that World Series. I don’t like the idea of another 2007-2008 Phillie standing in the way.
It’s time for those Phillies to go away for good.
Before the playoffs began, my Dad, brother, and I went in together and got three World Series tickets. It was more than we wanted to spend, but it is theWorld Series. This opportunity does not come often for Mets fans.
I was so excited after the NLCS, I though about getting more tickets. They are quite expensive. If you want to go with a friend, it’ll cost you $650.00 to get a seat (plus fees). Seeing that it made me consider going to Kauffman Stadium for the World Series.
If you want to go to Kansas City, it’ll cost you only $360.00 per seat (plus fees) for Game 1. It’s much cheaper, but here’s the problem. You have to get there. The cheapest flight will cost you $1,027, so you’re going to have to drive. The trip will take about 20 hours (with stops). Realistically, you’re going to have to stay overnight.
If you leave Monday and stay the night after Game 2, the hotel will cost $39 per night or $117 total (plus fees). Dividing between two people, that’s $58.50 per person. While you’re there, you might want to go to another game. On Stubhub, an additional ticket will cost $359.00 per seat. All said and done, it will cost you $777.50 to attend two games in Kansas City.
Therefore, it would only cost you an additional $127.50 to go to two games in Kansas City. While you’re there, you can also have some great BBQ and go to the Negro League Baseball Museum ($10.00 admission). I know $777.50 is s lot of money, but if you’re shelling out this much money, what’s the extra $127.50.
If I could get the time off and didn’t have a son I couldn’t stay a night away from, I’d be making the reservations now myself. The only downside I see is you won’t be amongst Mets fans.
Sandy Alderson became the Mets GM prior to the 2011 season. He knew a change at second base was needed. He jettisoned Mets fans Public Enemy No. 1, Luis Castillo, and used a Rule 5 pick on Brad Emaus, who would be named the Opening Day starting second baseman.
Emaus was not good. He only hit .162/.262/.162 in 14 games. To Alderson’s credit, he cut bait when Emaus showed he couldn’t hack it. The other players that got playing time at secon that year was Justin Turner and Chin-lung Hu. That year Daniel Murphy was not part of the second base rotation. He did play 109 games that year, mostly at first, due to a season ending ankle injury to Ike Davis.
The next season, despite a decent year from Turner, the Mets went with Murphy as the starting second baseman. They have ever since. Despite a multitude of trade rumors (can be fully searched here), the Mets never traded Murphy. Despite not being an “Alderson player,” the Mets have kept him. Seemingly, they’ve grown to appreciate what he can provide to a team.
The Mets struck out on their top second base choice, and they have stuck by Murphy. He’s rewarded them with this offseason. In the end, it’s funny to think none of this would’ve been possible if Brad Emaus played better.
Sometimes it’s better to go with your second option.
You’ve been an awful husband/boyfriend/son since the playoffs started. You’ve been half paying attention to everything because your sole focus has been the Mets. Most women will probably say you’re always half listening.
In any event, you didn’t go out two weeks ago because of the NLDS. You didn’t go out last weekend because of the NLCS. You’re not going to go out next weekend because of the World Series. Even worse that’s Halloween weekend. You’re now monopolizing a huge weekend with the Mets. Guess what? There’s nothing going on tonight.
Your significant other deserves a huge night out. She deserves flowers and a nice dinner. She deserves to be wined and dined. She’s been a good sport, and she needs to be rewarded. Treat her like a lady. Remind her why you love her and why she’s special to you. She deserves that much.
If you’ve been taking your significant other out during the playoffs, this doesn’t apply to you. In fact, I’m not sure you’re a real Mets fan. Moreover, I’m not sure I want to know you.
Overall, be a gentleman tonight. It’ll go a long way tomorrow when you park yourself in front of the TV tomorrow and try to watch a full day of football.
The company line on why Eric Young, Jr. was not on the postseason roster was because it was impractical to carry a pinch runner in the National League. Well, it’s now the World Series, and the Royals have homefield, so it is time to readdress the issue.
If you watched last night‘s game, you could see the importance of a pinch runner in an American League park. Dalton Pompey pinch ran for Russell Martin last night and got himself to third with no outs. He represented the tying run. It’s still incredible the Blue Jays couldn’t knock him in.
On the flip side is Terrance Gore. He should be 5/5 in stolen base attempts in the postseason. On face value, the Royals use him judiciously. They pick their spots. However, at the end of the day, he’s only appeared in eight games and scored two runs. This shows pinch runners can be valuable, but their value is limited to the hitters behind him knocking him in.
Based upon his history with the Mets, EY could be a valuable pinch runner. If these games get tight late, his speed would be of enormous value, especially against a very good Royals bullpen. Still, I think I would have to pass.
First, the Mets need Kirk Nieuwenhuis now more than ever with Yoenis Cespedes‘ shoulder injury. Nieuwenhuis is the only OF on the team who can play all three OF spots well. Plus, Nieuwenhuis is a better baseball player. He’s a better defender and a better hitter. While he doesn’t have Young’s speed, he certainly has enough to be an effective base runner.
That would mean if the Mets want to add Young, they need to go down to 10 pitchers. It’s something the team has previously considered (off of memory, can’t find a supporting link). It’s an intriguing idea with the length the starters are giving and how effective Bartolo Colon has been. Other than the big three in the back of the pen and Colon, here’s how many appearances and innings the other relievers have:
- Jon Niese – 2 appearances, 0.2 IP
- Hansel Robles – 1 appearance, 1.0 IP
- Erik Goeddel* – 1 appearance, 0 IP
- Sean Gilmartin* – 0 appearances
Note: Gilmartin replaced Goeddel on the NLCS roster.
Overall, the Mets have not needed to go deep into the bullpen. However, I would still be loathe to reduce the number of available pitchers. First, Steven Matz is not going deep into games. If this continues and one other starter falters, the Mets bullpen is a disaster for the rest of the World Series. Second, it’s not necessary.
Salvador Perez used to be elite in throwing out runners. Just last year he threw out 42% of would be base stealers. That was tops in the AL. That percentage has dipped to 31%. In this postseason, baserunners have been successful six of seven tries against Perez, including three in the ninth inning last night.
The long story, short is you can run on Perez. You just need to pick your spots. Accordingly, you don’t need to deplete a bigger team need. With the way the Mets ran in the NLCS, they don’t need a super pinch runner. They just need to continue what they’re doing.
That means unfortunately they don’t have a need for EY in the World Series roster.
With the Mets winning the pennant on October 21st, they will have six off days prior to the start of the World Series. If you read the newspapers, the Mets are in trouble. Here are reasons why I disagree:
The Mets Had a Similar Layoff before the NLDS
With the regular season ending on a Sunday and the NLDS beginning on a Friday, the Mets had four days of rest. When Game 1 came around, they took quality at bats against Clayton Kershaw. If you want to point out the Mets didn’t score a lot of runs, I’d remind you it was Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
Also, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard benefitted from the extra rest. In Game One, deGrom struck out 13. In Game Two, Thor struck out nine. For a team built on pitching, anything that gets them more time to be at their best is a net positive.
The Royals Have a Layoff
Yes, the Mets swept, and the Royals won in six games. However because the ALCS started first, the Mets only have two extra days rest. If a layoff is that much of a negative, it is going to affect both teams. At least the Mets had extra time off for treatments, workouts, and to figure out logistics.
Yoenis Cespedes
As we all remember, Yoenis Cespedes left Game 4 of the NLCS with a left shoulder injury. I don’t care if he was golfing, doing push-ups, or helping Keith Hernandez move, he has a shoulder injury requiring a cortisone shot. Any extra rest you can get him right now is good.
Note, I did not include David Wright here because rest may actually be a detriment even if baseball activities exacerbate spinal stenosis. He was there for the optional workout session, and he seems to be keeping loose.
The Numbers Work Both Ways
Many are pointing out that teams with long layovers don’t fare well in the World Series. They point to five of the last six teams with long layoffs losing the World Series. One of those teams was last year’s Royals. Let me pose a rhetorical question here: did the Royals lose due to the layoff or due to the greatness of Madison Bumgarner?
Fact is, the numbers aren’t as conclusive as many say they are. In fact, teams with s layoff as long as the Mets have had are 8-7 in the World Series. That indicates to me the wins and losses are more indicative of talent than anything else. If that’s truly the case, I like the Mets chances.
Terry Collins
For all the negatives Terry Collins brings, he has managed the clubhouse perfectly. He may not push the right buttons in game, but he does put his players in a position to succeed. I really believe if anyone can find a way to make this long layoff work, it’s him.
Conclusion
If the Mets use the time properly, this layoff could be an enormous benefit, rather than being a detriment. They’re going to Kansas City early, and they’re preparing for this World Series. The Mets have earned this time off, and if they perform how I think they can, they’ll earn their layoff until pitchers and catchers.
Try as he might, Juan Uribe will not be on the World Series roster. Despite Uribe participating in today’s voluntary workout, it does not appear like he will be available to play in the World Series.
I give him credit. He’s trying to make it difficult for the Mets to leave him off the roster a third time. He’s fighting to get there after exacerbating his already present chest injury in an unnecessary pinch hitting appearance. He had good swings in the cage, which should at least give the Mets some pause to debate using him as a PH/DH.
That role right now is being taken up by Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer gives the Mets a little more versatility because he can play corner OF and 1B. In reality, Uribe only is a third baseman in his career, and the Mets are not sitting David Wright. Uribe played some second this year, but he’s not displacing Daniel Murphy or Lucas Duda (assuming you shifted Murphy to first).
Additionally, with Yoenis Cespedes balky shoulder the Mets really need the insurance of Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Nieuwehuis can effectively play all three OF positions, run well, and has some pop in his bat. His versatility and into use when Cespedes had to leave Game 4 of the NLCS. Overall, Nieuwenhuis is the better option from a versatility standpoint even if Uribd is healthy.
Also it’s not like Uribe is a terrific postseason performer. He has hit .204/.251/.338. So, he’s not going to play, but he can still contribute. He’s a great locker room guy. He’s been a leader since day one with the Mets. He’s been here before twice.
He also did all he could to get on the field even though he had two World Series rings. He’s showing the young guys what it takes. This is the best way he can contribute to a World Series victory. He’s doing a great job of it.
With the Mets in the World Series, his job isn’t done yet.
In many ways, 1980 is a very important marker for the New York Mets. I’m not using this year because this is the year Nelson Doubleday (RIP) purchased the Mets. Rather I’m using this date to create a demarcation in Mets fandom.
Those fans born between January 1, 1980 – October 27, 1986 are a distinct group. Most likely you are part of a group who went to their first Mets game with their father at Shea Stadium. Your childhood home with its ramps and neon figures are gone. As a result, this same group probably brought their son/daughter to their first game at Citi Field.
As your first Mets game was at Shea Stadium in the 80’s, this was what you knew the song “Meet the Mets” to be:
It blared on the loudspeakers outside Shea. It was part of the intro to the WFAN games. Speaking of which, up until this past year, you only knew of the Mets on WFAN. Now, they’re on WOR, and you’re version of “Meet the Mets” has disappeared.
You also grew up with Tim McCarver when he was good. You mostly grew up with Fran Healey, who was never quite as bad as advertised. You knew and loved Bob Murphy, but Howie Rose and Gary Cohen are your guys. You love Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling as players, but if you’re being honest, you really know them more as broadcasters.
You were raised with four divisions, no Wild Card, and no Interleague play. It was baseball when it was more pure, but in some ways, it seems less fun in retrospect. The rivals of your youth all moved to the NL Cental. In their place was the never lose the division Braves.
Mostly, it’s been cruel to be born in this timeframe. The Mets won a World Series in your lifetime, but it was a World Series of which you have little to no recollection. It’s a cruel twist of fate for something so prominent in your team’s and baseball’s history occurred when you were alive, and you really can’t remember it. At least not all of it.
Your only true World Series experience was the Subway Series, and the Mets lost it to the hated Yankees. To make matters worse, Mike Piazza made the last out on what seemed at first glance to be the game tying homerun, and Derek Jeter was the World Series MVP.
Thsnkfully, things are looking up now. We saw Generation K falter, but now we have the stud muffins succeeding. We seem to have the team that can have long sustained success like those 80’s teams. However, we’re now old enough to enjoy it.
We now have a Mets team in the World Series that’s the only show in town. No sharing the spotlight. This is our moment. This is the World Series we get to enjoy and remember. So if you’re from Long Island, New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens, and Connecticut, Lets Go Mets!
That’s the cheer for the New York Mets!