Rants
If you’ve worked anywhere, and a new boss comes in, you know they want to immediately set new things in place. They want to leave their mark. It doesn’t matter if the changes are needed or wanted. When Commissioner Rob Manfred took the helm, he set forth to improve the pace of play and average game times.
We can discuss whether the changes and/or enforcing of rules already in place was a good thing. We can debate if the changes had a noticeable impact. We can even argue if this was even necessary. That is all besides the point. What is clear, however, is that is something that the Commissioner wanted to improve.
To me, this is why the “momentum” towards adding the DH in the NL doesn’t make sense. Let’s start with the subjective. At a minimum, for innings 1-5, a National League pitcher will normally get at least two at bats. When a pitcher comes up to bat, you normally see an out. This out may be the result of the pitcher being a poor hitter. The out may be as a result of the pitcher going up there to sacrifice bunt. Regardless, the pitcher is typically a quick out. When there are quick outs, you move the game along more quickly.
Now, this quick out that helps move the game along and arguably helps improve the pace of play is replaced with a DH. As structured a DH is not an easy out. They’re typical a better hitter than the pitcher who wins the Silver Slugger. This year it was Madison Bumgarner, who hit .247/.275/.468 with five homers and 9 RBI. That’s an outlier, where you are blown over by that pitcher’s hitting stats. If you got that from a position player or a DH, you’d be screaming for them to be benched, like Evan Gattis, who hit .246/.285/.463. Side note, what was A.J. Hinch thinking last year making Gattis the DH for 136 regular season games and all six postseason games?
While it’s noteworthy that the worst DH was a better hitter than the best hitting pitcher, it’s not a complete analysis. Given that I live in the New York market, I predominantly see the Mets and Yankees play. As you may guess, I watch a lot more Mets games. In any event, in New York, the best hitting pitcher is Jacob de Grom, who hit .186/.226/.203. The Yankees normal DH was a guy you might have heard of who goes by the name Alex Rodriguez. Last year, A-Rod hit .250/.356/.486. That’s a massive difference. With A-Rod getting on base much more frequently over the position he’s replacing, the game should be longer.
However, is that necessarily true? We can think it makes the games longer, but that does not make it necessarily true. Well, it turns out AL games are typically longer than NL games. In 2014, AL games were about four minutes longer than NL games. Admittedly, four minutes may not seem like much time. However, MLB put measures in place to reduce game times, and the net result was six less minutes per game. Say what you want with respect to this, but it’s a start.
In all fairness, it does appear that the pace of play initiative had a more profound impact on the AL. The split between the NL and AL is now approximately one minute. With that said, NL games are still shorter. I’m still interested to see if: (1) MLB will continue this initiative; and (2) what the further impact this initiative has on both leagues.
However, the main point is MLB wants to shorten games. If the DH is introduced into the NL, game times will lengthen. These two concepts do not jive. As such, if MLB wants to reduce game times, it should keep the DH out of the National League.
Editor’s Note: this is the first in a series on the possibility of the NL adding the DH.
Yesterday, there was a lot of uproar over Fred Wilpon’s statements regarding the Mets chances to re-sign Yoenis Cespedes:
Fred Wilpon, on whether #Mets will sign Cespedes: "Your guess is as good as mine. I'm sticking with what Sandy said."
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) January 20, 2016
You can read this anyway you want. Personally, I take this to mean that Fred Wilpon is in semi-retirement and/or focusing his attention on the other Wilpon businesses. Right now, it appears that the Mets are now truly Jeff Wilpon’s toy. It’s what the Wilpons always intended.
In 2000, Andrew Rice reported on the strife between the Wilpons and the Doubledays. Part of the story was how Doubleday no longer wanted to be partners with the Mets, and how he wanted out. The Wilpons blocked any attempt for Doubleday to broker a deal that would threaten Jeff’s ability to run the team
Last year [1999], Mr. Doubleday was ready to sell 80 percent of the team to Cablevision for $400 million – a deal that could have shielded his children, who are uninvolved in Mets affairs, from huge estate taxes. But Mr. Wilpon scuttled the deal, out of concern that, as a minority partner once again, there would be no assurance that he would still run the team. Jeff Wilpon, who is closely involved with the day-to-day planning for the new stadium, is said to be eager to take over the team one day.
[emphasis added]
Well, that time has come. Jeff Wilpon now appears to be in charge of the Mets. He’s the one appearing at Hall of Fame press conferences, the one who does not make himself available for reporters’ questions, and the one attending Winter Meetings, and the one showing up in the clubhouse for team celebrations. He’s taken over the team.
Jeff’s time at the top had been eventful and unchecked so far. Anything is possible from here on out. With Jeff firing pregnant women, taking out massive loans, and getting rid of disabled people without so much as a peep from Major League Baseball, nothing will surprise me. So far, no one has spoken out or corrected Jeff Wilpon for his actions. Jeff is running this team unfettered.
So no, I’m not surprised Fred Wilpon doesn’t know what’s going on with Cespedes because Jeff is in charge now.
There are real and legitimate reasons for the Mets not re-signing Yoenis Cespedes. Advanced stats like UZR and DRS suggest he’s a poor defensive centerfielder. Despite his hot streak with the Mets, he still only has a career .319 OBP. Also, you can knock the Mets finances all you want, but is a 30 year old outfielder worth a long term deal? Those deals typically end badly.
Well with Cespedes still unsigned, and the fans still clamoring for him, the Mets decided to offer some more reasons. As John Harper reported in his New York Daily News article, the Mets had other issues with Cespedes, which included:
- He marches to his own drumbeat;
- He refuses to take batting practice;
- He doesn’t hustle;
- He smokes during games; and
- He will be a headache if he receives a long-term deal.
I’m not going to say any of these reasons are incorrect. I’ve never seen Cespedes take batting practice. We saw him miss player introductions at Citi Field during the World Series. I’ve yet to see him go to first base when he struck out on a ball in the dirt. He was lacksadasical running down a routine flyball leading to the infamous inside-the-park homerun to open the World Series. Better yet, he didn’t even run after the ball once it got by him. So yes, I believe the Mets on all of these fronts.
However, why are you telling this to us now? I never heard of the batting practice issue in August. Apparently, there was no issue with smoking in September. Why are the Mets smearing Cespedes now?
If it’s to change the public opinions of Mets fans on him, it’s misguided. If it’s to distract about how the Mets aren’t spending, it’s not working. If it’s to drive down his market to put him within their range, it’s not happening. So again, what did leaking all this information to the New York Daily News accomplish?
To me, all it accomplished was making the Mets seem small and petty. This guy was a good player for your team for three months. He was a fan favorite. He was a thrill a minute. For all of that, the Mets just spat in his face and kicked him out the back door. They did it even when everyone knew the Mets had zero intention of re-signing him. At the end of the day, there was no need for it.
Cespedes deserved to be treated better.
Editor’s Note: a version of this article also ran on metsmezmerizedonline.com
Last year, the Mets won a weak NL East with a 90-72 record. It was an NL East the Washington Nationals were supposed to win. The Miami Marlins were supposed to be the surprise team. What happened?
Well, despite the Mets rash of injuries, they got a little lucky last year. They were buoyed by a hot April where they had an 11 game winning streak. They then seized the division and built a large lead in August by taking advantage of a weak schedule. They didn’t look back, and they rode the hot streak all the way to a National League pennant.
Much of the Mets success was built upon the NL East and/or bad teams in general. Here is the 2015 Mets record by division:
- NL East 47-29
- NL Central 13-20
- NL West 21-12
- Interleague 9-11
Essentially, the Mets were a .500 team against non-NL East opponents and 18 games over .500 in their own division. They needed the weak division too because the Mets were 28-38 against teams over .500. It’s an uglier picture when you consider their record against teams that made the postseason last year:
- Toronto Blue Jays 2-2
- New York Yankees 2-4
- St. Louis Cardinals 3-4
- Pittsburgh Pirates 0-6
- Chicago Cubs 0-7
- Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3
That’s a combined 11-26 record. That’s ugly. Compare that to their record against NL East opponents:
- Washington Nationals 11-8
- Miami Marlins 11-8
- Atlanta Braves 11-8
- Philadelphia Phillies 14-5
The bulk of the Mets record was built against a terrible Phillies team. Luckily, they’re projected to be even worse next year. The Braves are also projected to be worse. However, the Marlins, who were supposed to be the suprise team of 2015, are supposed to be a lot better . . . 13 games better.
It’s not unreasonable. We quickly forget Giancarlo Stanton had a season ending injury in June. Jose Fernandez only had 11 starts. Disregard any other free agent moves or trades made. Having Stanton and Fernandez over a full season makes the Marlins a much better team. They’re a much better version than the 2015 version that gave the Mets some difficulty.
The Mets also had the benefit of the Washington Nationals imploding last year. The Nationals entered August with a two game lead in the division. They went 12-17 in August and lost the division. Despite Bryce Harper winning the MVP Award and Max Scherzer finishing fifth in the Cy Young voting a lot went wrong for this team.
For starters, Matt Williams was terrible. He completely lost the clubhouse. Denard Span only played in 61 games. Anthony Rendon only played in 80 games. Jonathan Papelbon came to the team and choked Harper. They underperformed their Pythagorean Win-Loss record by six games. Part of that was an awful bullpen. While the Mets still might’ve won the NL East if none of this happened, it’s fair to say the NL East would’ve been a lot closer. Perhaps the Mets miss the postseason all together, and the exciting run to the World Series never happens.
While the Nationals did lose Jordan Zimmermann and Span in free agency, they have addressed some needs. They surged up the bullpen. They replaced Span with Ben Revere. They replaced Matt Williams with Dusty Baker. Fangraphs suggests all of that is worth an additional win next year.
Now, logic would dictate the Mets would want to improve their roster. They didn’t. The 2015 team that lost the World Series is better than the 2016 Opening Day roster as constituted. Apparently, the Mets plan in 2016 is to beat up on the worst teams in baseball while hoping the Marlins and Nationals implode again. Essentially, the Mets are expecting a repeat of 2015.
Apparently, good luck is the Mets strategy.
Apparently, the Cubs part-owner, Todd Ricketts, called Mets fans “really, really obnoxious.” We had to hear how when the Mets lost the World Series, his wife exclaimed, “Screw you Matt Harvey! Screw you Mets fans!” When I read this, I immediately thought of George Carlin. I’m also “getting tired of guys named Todd” too. [Warning: NSFW]
In all sincerity, I’ve never seen Mets fans cross the line. I’ve seen them rambunctious. I’ve seen them passionate. They’re louder than most fan bases. Obnoxious? Hardly. You want an obnoxious fan base? Rickettes needs to look no further than his own.
Look at how Steve Bartman has been treated by fellow Cubs fans. He was pelted with garbage. He received death threats and hate mail. They sold t-shirts with his head in a noose. The governor suggested he enter the Witness Protection Program. Famed Cubs fan and reporter, Michael Wilbon, blamed everything on him.
Put Bartman aside. This is a historically awful fan base. Their own players almost went into the stands to confront their fans. It led to a infamous Lee Elia rant about how awful Cubs fans are, and how they should go out and get jobs. They heckled Kris Bryant in his first game.
So next time any Cubs fan considers the Mets fans to be obnoxious, consider who he is defending.
One common refrain I hear from people is that they’re tired of hearing athletes praise God when they win. I honestly don’t know why. How many times have you prayed for your team to win? More often than you admit, right?
When you pray, you find the outcome doesn’t always turn out the way you thought it would. There are reasons for that, but this isn’t one of them:
Spoiler alert: whatever God you worship doesn't care about sports.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) January 10, 2016
Put aside the condensation and snark in this Tweet for a second. It’s just plain wrong. First off, to suggest knowing God’s thought process is blasphemy. More importantly, it ignores all teachings and dogma.
To put my perspective in context, I was born and raised Catholic. I was an alterboy. I went to Catholic school from 4-12. I’m not a perfect Catholic, but I try.
With respect to God and sports, there are two things I know to be true: (1) God loves all of his creatures; and (2) God has bestowed upon man free will. Both are reasons why the notion God doesn’t care about sports is wrong. First, as sports are composed of His creation, He cares. I’m not going to suggest He prefers one sport over another or one person over another. Rather, I’m only suggestion that as God loves each of His creatures, He cares about sports.
Second, as an extension of free will, God is not interceding into the games. He is not interceding if there are more Mets fans praying than Royals fans. He’s not interceding if the batter is a nice guy and the pitcher is a jerk. God is not going to force the batter to lay off that 1-2 pitch in the dirt. He’s not doing that no matter what you saw in Angels in the Outfield. To do so would to counteract one’s freewill. Therefore, when the Mets lose to the Royals, it’s not because God prefers the Royals. When something amazing happens on the field, it’s because a player made an incredible play.
When things don’t go your way, it’s not because God doesn’t care. He cares. He cares so much He will allow the players on the field to determine the outcome of the game without His intervention.
The last image we have of Matt Harvey was him walking off the mound in the ninth inning of a do or die game. He was everything anyone reasonably could’ve asked him to be. Perhaps more. I thought that after that night, he would get the benefit of the doubt. I was wrong.
In a garbage take-down on The Big Lead, Stephen Douglas chastises Matt Harvey for attending a Kings game and the Golden Globes. No, I’m not kidding, and apparently, neither was he. It’s completely unfair and ridiculous to criticize Harvey’s willingness to get ready for the season, and for his attending celebrity events. For starters, does anyone have any evidence that Harvey attending an event negatively impacted his ability to prepare for and/or pitch in a game? No.
Secondly, Harvey did everything he could to get ready for the 2015 season. He did what we could to be available, healthy, and effective in the postseason. He pushed himself further than anyone else has post-Tommy John surgery. You would think he’s forever earned the benefit of the doubt. Apparently not. Apparently attending a Kings game with Pat Sajak means Harvey has punted on the 2016 season. The Golden Globes appearance means he’s only interested in fame and not the back breaking work it took him to get to that point. Nevermind the fact that he was in peak physical form in 2015 despite recovering from major surgery and having been out of baseball rehabbing for a full year.
Also, this article never bothers to criticize Noah Syndergaard for similar behavior. After the World Series, Thor was everywhere soaking up his newfound fame. He took a picture at center ice, center court, and end zones. He was everywhere. No one questioned his dedication. No one questioned his work ethic. No one should have. Harvey deserves the same fair treatment.
Until such time as Harvey allows his personal life to affect his play on the field, we shouldn’t care. I’ll even go a step further. I actually endorse the way Harvey leads his off the field life. After seeing the 80’s Mets and the Doc and Darryl drug problems, I’m alright with a Mets player who wants to attend a hockey game in his spare time. He’s not hurting anyone. He’s not hurting himself. He’s not throwing a potential Hall of Fame career out the window.
It’s time to lay off Matt Harvey and give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s earned it. After last year, he showed he will do what’s necessary to help the Mets win a World Series. He will push himself further than anyone had pushed themselves. Afterwards, he will attend a hockey game.
Big deal.
Editor’s Note: this first appeared on metsmerizedonline.com
If you had an opportunity to watch the Hall of Fame press conference, you would’ve noticed the Mets sent a contingent there to show their support and appreciation for Mike Piazza. The contingent included Jeff Wilpon and Sandy Alderson.
As Adam Rubin noted on ESPN.com, Sandy Alderson stuck around to answer from questions from reporters. During the impromptu press conference of sorts, Sandy addressed a myriad of issues from his health to replacing Paul DePodesta to the Mets offseason to the Mets fans favorite topic: the payroll. First and foremost, it is great that Sandy is able to work during his cancer treatments. I wish him well. With that said, where was Jeff Wilpon through all of this? I cannot believe there was not one reporter in that room who wanted to ask him a question.
No, Jeff Wilpon made himself scarce and/or unavailable. He was not there to answer questions about his feelings about Piazza’s induction or the possibility of retiring Piazza’s number. He was also not there when/if any hard questions arose:
- Can you comment on the Mets settling a case where it was alleged you discriminated against an unmarried pregnant woman?
- What is the payroll limitations for the 2016 season?
- Has your recent debt restructuring put any limits on the team’s ability to spend like your prior debt agreements had?
- If payroll isn’t increasing, why did the Mets raise ticket prices?
- What would you say to fans who feel like the owner’s aren’t keeping their promise and investing in the team?
These are all fair and reasonable questions. Other New York owners have stuck around to answer the tough questions. John Mara did it recently. Jeff Wilpon didn’t. Instead, he sent out a 68 year old man battling cancer to field all the questions while he scurried away.
Editor’s Note: This article first ran on metsmerized.com
It might be easy to forget now, but at the beginning of the 2014 season, things were going terribly with the Mets. Part of it was the hangover from Matt Harvey missing the year due to Tommy John surgery. Most of it was from the team staring off the reason really poorly. The fans were in revolt.
That’s when the Mets had this “genius idea.” Get the fans to sign a loyalty oath. No, this isn’t a joke. The Mets actually thought the best way to quell the fans anger was a loyalty oath. I’m not sure I know anyone that signed it. I suspect Murphy did.
No matter how you slice or dice it, Murphy wanted to be a Met. He wanted to sign an extension last year, and he was willing to negotiate in season. Sure, he rejected the qualifying offer, but nevertheless, he wanted to stay. He didn’t negotiate with anyone until it was clear there was no chance of returning to the Mets. Murphy signed that loyalty oath the Mets asked all of us to sign back in 2014. He was that loyal player fans and management always talk about wanting. Murphy is now a National.
It’s a sad reminder that at the end of the day this is a business. Murphy signed a three year deal when the Mets need their arms twisted out of socket just to offer a two year deal. Many will point to Murphy signing with the rival Nationals as a reason to boo him or to ask where his loyalty was. Murphy was loyal all along. He wanted to be here. After the Mets made a business decision, he had to make one as well.
He was a good and loyal Met. He had a good Mets career and a postseason no one will forget. I wanted Murphy back. I was hoping the Mets would reward him for his good play and loyalty. Ultimately, we all learned the Mets demand everyone’s loyalty, but they are unwilling to show any loyalty to anyone else.
With thay said, we should all appreciate and cheer Murphy as he was the one who was willing to show the fans any loyalty, and he asked for nothing from us in return.
It’s been a while since baseball was the top sport in America. There are a million reasons for that. With that said, baseball has always been held to a higher standard. Baseball has earned that right.
Whether it was dragged to the point by outside forces, baseball has always been at the forefront. Despite its racist past, including the absurdly named “Gentleman’s Agreement,” baseball was the first major sport to integrate whwn Jackie Robinson began his Hall of Fame career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Baseball ensured we would never forget this moment by forever retiring 42 and by every player on every team wearing it on every April 15th.
It’s part of the reason why when steroids became an issue, it was baseball, not football, that was dragged before Congress for very publicized hearings. Sure, the NFL were subject to the same hearings, but there was much less fanfare.
The reason is that baseball has been held to a higher standard. It’s why people are still angry with Barry Bonds has every homerun record with the help of PEDs. It’s why people roll their eyes at the Steelers dynasty being fueled by steroids. There’s a higher moral standard applied to baseball than any other sport.
Personally, I look at baseball being held to a higher standard as being good for the sport. It means baseball is still relevant in the public consciousness. It also puts itself on direct contrast to the NFL, who has seemingly had a rough year from a PR standpoint. The last thing baseball would want to do is to take something that makes it unique and completely abandon it. The Aroldis Chapman trade threatens that.
The NFL got beaten up over the Ray Rice scandal, and the Cowboys signing Greg Hardy. The NFL was linked to domestic violence. At the same time, MLB was being lauded for its new domestic violence policy. Again, MLB was attempting to establish itself as the league with a higher moral standard. As you can see, they seem to accept this responsibility. That’s why the Chapman trade is so baffling. You would think teams wouldn’t want to touch him with a 10 foot pole. Keep in mind here’s what has been alleged:
Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman allegedly fired eight shots in the garage of his Miami-area home following an October argument with his girlfriend in which she told police he “choked” her and pushed her against the wall, according to reports obtained by Yahoo Sports.
In all seriousness, considering MLB’s domestic guidelines contain no maximum penalty, MLB should really consider a season long penalty. As with Jose Reyes, MLB cannot come out weak in this. To put it in perspective, people went nuts over Ray Rice being suspended 12.5% of the season, which would equate to 20 games. They weren’t happy with Greg Hardy being suspended 25% of the season, which would be 41 games.
Now, we don’t know if the Dodgers backed out of their trade deal with the Reds due to moral grounds or due to the uncertainty of the length of the suspension. What we do know is that the domestic violence allegations didn’t deter the Yankees. No, the marquee franchise in baseball, perhaps in a of pro sports, traded for him. Not a joke of a franchise like the Marlins. No. He was obtained by The New York Yankees. In making the deal, the Yankees “did their due diligence”:
Cashman said Yankees did "due diligence" in researching Chapman's alleged domestic violence issue. Wouldn't speculate on possible suspension
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 28, 2015
What constitutes due diligence in this circumstance? Can Chapman help the bullpen? Does Chapman still throw 100 MPH? Do we have to give up a lot to get him? Do we care that he beats women?
That’s it in a nutshell. The Yankees don’t care about what he did. They don’t care as long as he helps them. If the Marlins do this, we roll our eyes at the despicable Jeffrey Loria. However, these are the Yankees. Look, even as a Mets fan, I can appreciate what the Yankees are. They’re the model franchise. They’re the gold standard.
They’re now tarnished. Sure, this doesn’t take away the 27 championships. However, what it does signal to the world is that baseball’s most important franchise doesn’t care about domestic violence. That’s not good for baseball. Really, it’s not good for anybody.
Of all the major pro sports, baseball is held to a higher standard. When the Yankees traded for Chapman, baseball failed to live up to that standard. I was a bad day for the Yankees. It was a bad day for baseball.
The only way to rectify this is for Rob Manfred to hit Chapman with a massive suspension. How does one month for each gunshot sound?
Note: photo was from prior arrest for Chapman speeding with a suspended license. It was not from the domestic violence allegations.