Musings
With the Mets likely making a managerial change this offseason, the Mets will be looking for a new manager for the first time since the 2010 offseason. This was a rare long run for a Mets manager. Can you name the longest run for managers in Mets history? Good luck!
Terry Collins Davey Johnson Bobby Valentine Joe Torre Gil Hodges Yogi Berra Casey Stengel Willie Randolph Dallas Green Jerry Manuel
Well, the good Rafael Montero we had seen become one of the Mets most reliable starters turned back into the Montero of old. In his four innings of work, Montero had allowed seven hits, two walks, and five earned runs.
The Marlins went to work against him right away with a Dee Gordon lead-off double. For a moment, it seemed like Montero would get out of the inning unscathed, but he would allow a two out RBI single to Marcell Ozuna. After a 1-2-3 second and Montero retiring the first two batters of the third, it seemed as if Montero had settled in and was ready to go deep into the game.
That was until a two out walk to Christian Yelich got the rally started. Yelich stole second and scored on Ozuna’s second RBI two out RBI single of the game. For a moment, it seemed as if Jose Reyes could make a play on the ball, but it went right by him. After a Justin Bour two run homer, the Marlins were up 4-0, and it became an easy game for Jose Urena and the Marlins.
The Mets would make things look better than they were. Travis d’Arnaud would hit a pinch hit RBI single in the fifth scoring Kevin Plawecki. Brandon Nimmo would hit a seventh inning homer to pull the Mets to within a manageable 5-2 score. It seemed like the Mets would have a chance with Chris Flexen pitching two scoreless innings in what might have been his best outing in a Mets uniform.
It was all for naught as the Marlins would play Home Run Derby against Erik Goeddel in the eighth. He allowed homers to A.J. Ellis, Miguel Rojas, and Giancarlo Stanton to turn a 5-2 lead into a 9-2 lead. For Stanton, it was his 56th homer of the year. Too bad for Stanton, he no longer has games against the Mets in his chase of Roger Maris.
To that extent, the Mets had maybe one win in what was a putrid sweep at the hands of the Marlins. The Mets will now get a day off, and they will come home for the last home series of the season. For the first time in two years, that does not involve a loss in a postseason series.
Game Notes: Amed Rosario missed his third straight game with a gastroenteritis.
There’s no denying that since his latest call-up, Rafael Montero has been a much better pitcher. Even if Mets fans have long come to distrust Montero, it’s hard to argue with the results. Since July 18th, Montero has made 12 starts and one relief appearance. Over that stretch, he’s 4-5 with a 4.68 ERA, 1.589 WHIP, and an 8.4 K/9. Mixed in there, Montero has had some brilliant starts including an 8.1 inning three hit shut out against the Reds.
This is a far cry from the Montero who entered the season with a 1-5 record, 5.15 ERA, and a 1.636 WHIP. Things were actually worse than that in his earlier call-ups this season. Prior to July 18th, Montero was 1-5 with a 5.77 ERA and a 1.897 WHIP. The main culprit for all of these struggles was the walks. Until his most recent call-up, he was walking 5.4 batters per nine. According to Fangraphs, that’s a significant step past “Awful.”
Now, Montero has been much better because he has been attacking batters and the strike zone. That’s why he is getting better results and has begun to change everyone’s impression of him. However, he is still walking too many batters. Through the aforementioned 13 appearances, Montero is walking 4.7 batters per nine.
Again, according to Fangraphs, this is still a step past awful.
Overall, this is the danger with judging pitchers on the sole basis of them improving. Montero has gone from being a pitcher once demoted to Double-A to a pitcher who has had some successful starts at the Major League level. For the first time, we have seen some glimpses of the pitcher the Mets have held onto for so long. Still, we are not seeing a complete and finished product that can be consistently relied upon throughout the course of a season.
In the end, Montero is improved, and there are hopes he could actually be a contributor. How he contributes becomes dicey.
He’s out of options meaning he cannot be stashed away in the minors as an emergency starter. With him walking as many batters as he does, you can’t rely upon him as a reliever to preserve a lead. That really leaves two options for the Mets with Montero: 1) move on from him and run the risk of him figuring it out elsewhere; or 2) make him a long reliever.
The long reliever role is one the Mets have been sorely lacking for the last two seasons. It has led to the decimation of the bullpen time and again. With the Mets having stayed with Montero this long, you might as well give him the chance as he’s finally earned it.
It was one thing to let Matt Harvey start the season in the Opening Day rotation. It is another thing all together to let Harvey take the mound right now. It really only serves to embarrass him. That’s certainly how he felt after he struggled last night:
Harvey upset again. pic.twitter.com/Jihb1sfLX8
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) September 19, 2017
Once again, you have to question why he is even pitching in these games.
In his first season back from TOS surgery, Harvey had an atrophied muscle in his right shoulder. His rush to pitch under these circumstances led to a stress reaction. Even if he’s healthy, he’s still not ready to pitch.
He didn’t look good in his rehab starts. He didn’t even last five innings in any of those starts. Since coming back, he’s only lasted five innings once. Other than that, it’s been four innings or less with five earned or more.
What does this accomplish? Make him more humble? Reduce the numbers he could get in arbitration? Find a way to justify non-tendering him? Seriously, what’s the end game here?
You have to ask because the Mets are not going to accomplish anything by putting Harvey in there game after game. Actually, that’s not true. With each and every start he makes, he becomes more and more dejected in front of his locker. Ultimately, that’s what’s accomplished. The Mets are just stripping out the last thing that makes Harvey great – his confidence. Once that’s gone, you can then really question whether the Dark Knight will ever truly return.
With the rumors the Mets will be looking for a manger to replace Terry Collins this offseason, the teams is likely going to focus on the obvious candidates. This includes Tim Teufel, Bob Geren, and Dick Scott. Each candidate have their own merits, but none of them are really a bold move the Mets may need to make this offseason to help turn their team around. In order to do that, the Mets may have to think outside the box.
To that end, maybe the Mets should consider hiring Alex Rodriguez to be their new manager this offseason. Many will be quick to dismiss the notion, but there are many reasons why A-Rod could be a worthwhile choice to succeed Collins:
#1 A-Rod Understands What Sandy Wants in His Manager
During an August 17, 2017 WFAN radio interview with Mike Francesca, A-Rod described the modern manager’s role as one of “a CEO of a public company.” The basis of this comparison is A-Rod believes the manager’s job is now to take the information provided by the front office and to find the best way to communicate that information to the players.
By reputation, Sandy Alderson does not want the old school manager who flies by the seat of his pants and controls everything in the dugout. He wants someone who goes out there and follows his instructions. Based upon the comments A-Rod has made, it would seem he has a fundamental understanding on what Alderson wants.
#2 A-Rod Has a Relationship with Kevin Long
While the Mets might be looking for a new manager, it seems the team may well want to keep both Dan Warthen and Kevin Long in place. If that is the Mets intention, they are going to need to find a manager who will work well with the retained coaches. That could be Geren based upon his tenure as the Mets bench coach. That could also be A-Rod, who worked well with Kevin Long during their mutual time together with the Yankees. More importantly, there is a mutual respect between the two, which would serve as a solid foundation for a new working relationship.
#3 A-Rod Works Well with Young Players
During his tenure with the Yankees, A-Rod has been given credit for serving as a mentor for young players like Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera. Apparently, that was not just a special relationship he had with those players, but rather a willingness to serve as a mentor to young players. That is something that continued with the current crop of young Yankees. As Gary Sanchez said of A-Rod, “He’s always given us good advice. On and off the field, he’s always been there for us, he always has time for us. One thing he has told me is about creating a routine, a routine that I can use to prepare myself for every game.” (Newsday)
With A-Rod, you have an individual who has a willingness and an ability to effectively communicate with young players. Better yet, he’s able to show them how to best succeed at the Major League level. With so much of next year and the next decade hinging on young players like Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith, you need someone who is best able to get through to them and help them. That could be A-Rod.
#4 A-Rod Is Bilingual
If you pay attention to the post-game, you will see Melissa Rodriguez translating for Spanish speaking players like Yoenis Cespedes. That is all well and good for an interview, but that’s not good for the player-manager relationship. The two need to be able to communicate. A-Rod’s ability to speak English and Spanish permits him to effectively communicate with all of the players in his clubhouse.
#5 A-Rod Has Played for Great Managers
During A-Rod’s playing days, he has had the opportunity to play for Lou Piniella, Johnny Oates, Jerry Narron, Buck Showalter, Joe Torre, and Joe Girardi. That group of managers have won 10 Manager of the Year Awards, 28 division titles, 8 pennants, and 6 World Series.
Each of these mangagers were good to great in their own right, and each one of them had different managing styles. Certainly, each one of them left an impression on A-Rod as to what is the best way to manage a team and how to best communicate with your players. Like all first time managers, A-Rod will have to find his voice. He will be aided in doing so by his having played for some of the best managers of his generation.
#6 A-Rod Understands Decline
Throughout the 2016 season, A-Rod struggled to the point where the Yankees finally had to inform him that if he didn’t retire, the team was going to release him. At that point, A-Rod had to face reality and admit he was no longer the player he once was. That’s an avenue this current Mets team is going to have to navigate.
Both David Wright and Matt Harvey have dealt with a number of physical problems. With each day that passes, each of them is further and further away from being the players they once were. Having someone like A-Rod as the manager would provide both players with a sounding board to help them navigate the season both physically and mentally.
#7 A-Rod Understands the Media
A manager of a New York team is also a media personality. They have to be able to face the media multiple times a day and answer the tough questions. With his postseason struggles and his PED suspension, A-Rod has had to face the tough questions time and again. He’s weathered the storm, and he has come out the other side.
And now that he’s retired, A-Rod is a member of the media. He does studio shows for Fox earning rave reviews, and he has done a few games as a color commentator. With that, he’s become even more polished than he already was leaving him better able to face the media.
#8 A-Rod Creates Buzz
Look, after the 2017 season the Mets need to change the narrative. They’re an injury prone team who doesn’t go out there and spend money. This has led the fans to become either angry or apathetic. That’s not a good situation for a Major League organization, especially one that is raising ticket prices for next season.
At a minimum, hiring A-Rod would create a buzz. Love it or hate it, it would be a bold move for the organization, and bold moves typically generate excitement. That type of excitement can at times become infectious and energize an entire organization.
There’s also the fact the Mets will need to pursue a number of free agents. Possibly, A-Rod, a player who is still respected by many players across the majors, could be used as a recruiting tool. If true, that will create an even bigger buzz because better players mean more wins which will help turn those angry and apathetic fans into excited ones.
#9 A-Rod Loved the Mets
Back in the 2000 offseason, it was assumed A-Rod was going to be a Met because A-Rod grew up a Mets fan. Like the rest of us, A-Rod loved that 1986 Mets team, and he wanted to bring the Mets their next championship. He never did get that chance after Steve Phillips described A-Rod as a 24 and one player.
A-Rod has been able to accomplish much in his career, but the one thing he was never able to do was to wear a Mets uniform and deliver a World Series to his favorite team. It could be an opportunity that he couldn’t overlook, and it may be one that drives him.
#10 A-Rod Is Fireable
For all the calls from Mets fans to make Wright the Mets next manager, is the fact that one day the Mets will have to fire him. Managers are hired to one day be fired. No Mets fan wants to see their beloved Wright be fired by the team. No, you want a manager who could readily be fired. That’s A-Rod.
However, in order to be fired, you need to first be hired. There are certain impediments there from his lack of experience to whether he’d ever be interested in managing in the big leagues. If he is somehow interested, the Mets should definitely inquire because he just might be exactly what the Mets need in their next manager.
Editor’s Note: This was first published on MetsMerizedOnline
In case you missed it, and I hope you did, Stephen A. Smith went off about how no one really cares about baseball:
“… Who gives a damn about baseball? And suddenly these guys have you thinking about baseball.”
—@stephenasmith on the Cleveland Indians pic.twitter.com/F9OisoPIC1
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 15, 2017
I would have missed it too had I not caught it on Twitter.
This once again shows how little regard ESPN and the personalities it chooses to employ has for baseball.
This is exactly why the narrative why football is king, basketball is emerging, and baseball is dying exists. ESPN is more invested in football and basketball, and they will drive the narrative as such. This is why ESPN is more focused on the NFL season and NBA free agency as baseball is the middle of a pennant drive.
In the American League, there are six teams within five games of a Wild Card spot. In the National League there are four.
The Dodgers are amid what could be an epic collapse, and the Indians have won 22 straight. If not for the latter, Stephen A. and the rest of ESPN would not care about baseball. That’s no longer perception. We have an admission from them.
There are many reasons why ESPN has been struggling of late. You can pick your own reason. Personally, I like to believe ESPN’s blatant disregard for things they care about ranks chief among them. Of course, here, I’m talking about baseball.
You know it’s a good day when it’s an unexpectedly nice day and someone offers you free baseball tickets. It’s even better when they are great seats a few rows away from the field. With that, my son and I headed out to Citi Field for a fun day. Well, it turned out to be a fun but odd day.
From the Home Run Apple to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda to rooting against the Yankees to seeing Lucas Duda‘s name in the lineup, there were many things that were familiar. However, it was Duda that became a symbol for what made this an odd day. After seeing Duda play eight years in a Mets uniform, it was bizarre seeing him wearing a Rays uniform. It was even stranger to see a DH in a National League park.
This was the end result of Hurricane Irma forcing the Yankees and Rays to move their series from Tropicana Field to Citi Field. That meant the Rays would be the fifth team in history to play a home game in New York. It also meant American League baseball would be played in a National League park.
There was also the fact just the lower tier of the ballpark was open. Really, it was a bare bones operation. The children’s section was closed down. While Shake Shack was open, Boxed Frites was closed. Other than that, most of the other places on the Field Level were open leading to a number of Yankee fans making a number of trips to take in the full Citi Field experience.
For a Mets fan, that wasn’t the case. The children’s section with the tee ball and the dunk tank was closed. There was no suite access. No, Howie Rose play-by-play playing in the bathrooms. The televisions at he concessions and near the obstructed views were on YES an not SNY. Mostly, there were no Mets. With the DH, no Mets, and the like, it was more Brooklyn Cyclones than a Mets game. Except it wasn’t the Cyclones, it was a MLB game with a vast majority of the fans in the park were Root-Root-Rooting for the away team.
Personally, I’m happy I went to the game. It was great seeing Duda playing one last home game at Citi Field. It was great seeing a well played baseball game between two teams fighting for a postseason spot. It was fun even if there was no Aaron Judge or for that matter, the New York Mets. It was a different and strange experience, and those don’t come around very often.
Hopefully, we will never see a repeat in the circumstances leading the Rays playing at Citi Field. However, if it were to happen again, I would recommend people go to that game. If for no other reason, it’s an opportunity to see a baseball game. No real baseball fan should ever pass up on that opportunity.
With the Binghamton Rumble Ponies season over, the New York Mets have called up top catching prospect Tomas Nido to serve as the team’s third catcher for the final few weeks of the season. Once he arrived in the clubhouse, he was issued the number 77.
Now, it’s possible Nido selected the number himself as “his” number 7 was unavailable because it’s already being worn by Jose Reyes. However, the assignment of the number follows an odd pattern where the Mets typically have used number assignments to distinguish between top prospects and others.
The most recent example was Phillip Evans being assigned 72. His number in the minors was 13, which is currently occupied by Asdrubal Cabrera. There’s a large chasm between those two numbers.
That’s not the case for Amed Rosario (#1) or Dominic Smith (#22). They had the benefit of their Las Vegas numbers being available, and as such, they were given their numbers.
This is unlike former Mets first round pick Brandon Nimmo. Like Nido, he wore 7 in the minors. When Nimmo was called up last year, Travis d’Arnaud wore the number. Unlike, Nido or Evans, he didn’t get a number in the 70s. Instead, he was assigned 9.
Later that season, Seth Lugo couldn’t wear 27 because of Jeurys Familia. He was given 67. The fact Lugo was removed from the Las Vegas rotation earlier that year was certainly of consequence.
Robert Gsellman wore 24, a number mostly out of circulation to honor Willie Mays. The pitcher rushed to the majors was given 65. Chris Flexen had a similar rise this year. His 33 in St. Lucie wasn’t available due to Matt Harvey and his Binghamton 46 was worn by Chasen Bradford. Flexen was given 65.
By the way Flexen was given that number because his 29 was already worn by Tommy Milone.
Bradford’s Las Vegas teammate Paul Sewald is wearing 51 because the Mets have taken Keith Hernandez‘s 17 out of circulation.
Now, this isn’t to say Sewald should wear 17, or that he didn’t select 51. Same goes for players like Bradford whose preferred number is being worn by a Major Leaguer.
However, again, there is a real difference between saying no to 13 and assigning the number 72. It isn’t something the team did to Nimmo, but then again, he’s a well regarded prospect.
The really own exception to this is Travis Taijeron and his switch from 18 to 28.
And Taijeron really is an anomaly unless you believe T.J. Rivera (#3) and Ty Kelly (#11) really wanted to wear 54 and 56 because Curtis Granderson and third base coach Tim Teufel already had their uniform numbers. Really, it’s not likely.
No, the truth of the matter is the Mets are really only inclined to allow a prospect to pick their own number upon a call up to the majors unless they’ve already been deemed a top prospect.
Look, we know Rosario is a better prospect than Rivera ever was. Likely, Rosario will be a much better player. Still, that does not mean Rosario gets to pick a number, but Rivera shouldn’t. They’re both New York Mets. They should be treated as such.
Overall, this is far from the biggest issue with this team, but it is an issue nevertheless. It shows why certain players get chance after chance after chance while those that produce have to continue to reprove themselves. The reason is because the Mets seek confirmation bias rather than results.
Want to know which players are which? Just look at the uniform numbers.
Last year, Robert Gsellman started the year in Binghamton, and he would find himself starting important games in September as the Mets pushed towards a Wild Card. In eight games (seven starts), Gsellman was 4-2 with a 2.42 ERA, 1.276 WHIP, and an 8.5 K/9. During that run, Gsellman had seemingly emerged as the Mets newest potential ace in what was already a star studded rotation. Due to his emergence and injuries to the Mets pitchers, Gsellman joined the Opening Day rotation to give him a chance to take the next step.
Gsellman didn’t take that step forward he was expected to take. In fact, he took a giant step backwards.
In his 21 games (18 starts), Gsellman has been 6-6 with a 5.44 ERA, 1.567 WHIP, and a 6.2 K/9. But it’s more than just the numbers. Gsellman has regressed in every aspect of his game.
According to Brooks Baseball, Gsellman was predominantly a sinker/slider pitcher throwing about a 95 MPH fastball and an 89 MPH slider. He’s still the same sinker/slider pitcher, but now his fastball velocity has dipped to just under 94 MPH. It may not seem like much, but there has been a tangible effect with batters hitting him harder and more frequently.
Now, you could blame some of this on the Mets defense, which has been terrible this year. However, it should be pointed out Gsellman had gone from a .336 BABIP against last year to a .319 BABIP this year. So while the Mets defense has been terrible, it’s not the whole reason for Gsellman’s struggles.
There’s also the matter of his frustrations. Things have not gone well for him since the beginning of the year. His first start was a five inning outing where he allowed three runs on six hits. He followed that with a 4.2 inning effort where he allowed eight runs (four earned) off eight hits. Things got worse from there before they got better, if things every truly got better.
Gsellman would strain his hamstring covering first base during his June 28th start. He left the Mets unimpressed during his rehab appearances causing General Manager Sandy Alderson to say Gsellman would stay in Double-A until he pitched better. When the information was relayed to Gsellman, he infamously responded, “I don’t really care.”
It’s hard to believe Gsellman didn’t care. Likely, this was more a result of his frustrations from a disappointing and difficult season boiling over. Certainly, he has pitched better of late. Better, but not where he was last season.
Where he goes from here is anyone’s guess. We’ve seen him be great, and we’ve seen him pitch terribly. Maybe he’s not the pitcher he was last year. Maybe he’s not the pitcher he is this year. He could be better. He could be even worse.
Fact is, this is a 23 year old pitcher who has a long career ahead of him. What his career will be is anyone’s guess. That could be top of the rotation starter to bullpen arm. No one can confidently say what that will be. In the end, it will all matter how he responds to this difficult season.
With the attacks of the 9/11, all Major League Baseball games were cancelled. They would be cancelled until September 17th. Back then, we all knew and agreed no one should be playing then. It was too soon. If the country wasn’t ready, we knew New York wasn’t ready.
There was work to be done with a city left to mourn. Players went about and did all they could do. They visited different fire stations. Shea Stadium was used as a staging ground for supplies for the rescue efforts that were occurring around the clock. Even when baseball wasn’t being played, baseball was present and part of the healing process.
It was again part of the healing process when baseball games resumed. There were questions whether it was time to return on September 17th. For most, it was time to get back to something that seemed normal. It was time for the healing to begin. Healing did not mean we forget. That was the refrain, “Never Forget.”
Perhaps, there was no more beautiful reminder of that when the Mets took the field in Pittsburgh wearing First Responder caps. It was a beautiful and poignant moment when Brooklyn native, John Franco, who just like the rest of us lost loved one on 9/11, earned a win the Mets first game back while wearing a FDNY cap. With that the healing began.
The healing would continue with the Mets being the first New York team to play a game back in New York. There was a strange aura around that game, one that could never be repeated at a baseball game. There was a mixture of nervousness, pain, hope, and, yes, some curiosity. It all came out as euphoric release as Mike Piazza hit a home run that still resonates to this day:
That moment was important for not just Mets fans, but all of New York. It was safe to go to a baseball game. It was alright to take joy in something as seemingly unimportant as baseball.
Between the relief efforts and that home run, the Mets played a small but important part in the grieving and healing process after 9/11.
Gone might be the 9/11 inscriptions on the sleeves of the jersey. The First Responder caps are certainly gone. Shea Stadium is an ever distant memory. Still, the images of 9/11 and everything that happened in the aftermath life forever.
Sixteen years ago, we knew the Mets shouldn’t be playing on 9/11. However, it feels different now. It seems like the Mets should be playing. At least from a baseball perspective, the Mets were important. Using Shea Stadium as a staging ground was necessary. The players helping at Shea and visiting fire houses mattered. The First Responder caps meant something to people and still do today. That Piazza home run still resonates.
The pain of 9/11 still resonates for many. There are many more important concerns in the world. To that end, it’s not the worst thing in the world the Mets have the day off. It’s far from a travesty. Still, for all of baseball and all of New York, the Mets should be on the field today wearing those First Responder caps.