In case you forgot why the Mets are in the position they’re in right now, Terry Collins and the bullpen were more than happy to oblige in another classic Sunday afternoon debacle.
Keep in mind, the Mets are so bad on Sundays that not even the Day Man, Jacob deGrom, can get a win on a Sunday day game.
After a rough first when he allowed two runs, it looked like deGrom may not get that win. After walking Tucker Barnhart to start the second, deGrom had issued three walks in one plus innings. There was legitimate issue how much longer he would last in the game.
As it turned out, it was his last walk of the game, and he would be much better from that point forward. In fact, he’d only allows just one more hit, and he’d strike out eight batters.
His final line was six innings, three hits, two runs, two earned, three walks, and 10 strikeouts. He was in line for a career best 15th win of the season.
He was in line thanks to some help from his offense. That includes Dominic Smith. Smith was 2-5 with a run, homer, and two RBI. His third inning RBI single tied the score at 2-2. His lead-off homer in the sixth gave the Mets a 3-2 lead.
After the Smith homer, the Mets would go ahead 5-2 off a Jose Reyes two RBI double. Reyes would give those runs away in the field.
Paul Sewald was first in line to protect the lead. After allowing that first two to get on, he seemed to reblund striking out Patrick Kivlehan and getting Jose Peraza to ground into what could’ve been an inning ending double play.
Amed Rosario, who was in his first game back in about a week after suffering a finger injury, made the flip to Reyes to get the out at second. However, Reyes made an errant throw allowing Peraza to reach safely. After that, Zack Cozart tied it.
https://twitter.com/reds/status/906994459044278272
Jeurys Familia couldn’t keep the game tied. This was in part due to Travis d’Arnaud not getting a tag down. It was a rare transgression for him, but nevertheless,there was one here.
https://twitter.com/mlbreplays/status/906980545942433793
Still, even if that tag does get down, the Reds still take the lead on the play. It was a lead they were not giving up.
Throw in a Burnhart three run homer off Hansel Robles in the ninth, and you have a 10-5 final score, and a Jacob deGrom no decision.
Of course with competent defense and manager, this could all turn around. That’s not happening this year.
Game Recap: Reyes continues to pack the back of his baseball.
When I got older, my parents would regale me with stories about the efforts they undertook to get my brother and I what we wanted for Christmas. There was my Dad had to go into one of the “better neighborhoods” to go purchase Prince Adam. There was also the year my Dad helped someone unload a truck in the promise of him holding back a couple of Game Boys for my brother and I.
While they didn’t mention it, there must have been more than one occasion where they had to go to my Aunt for toys. Each Christmas, she turned into Dwight Schrute:
I still recall the year she had almost all of the Cabbage Patch Kids. Oddly enough, even though she lived with us, I was not one of the children that got one that year.
Last year, I had my own experience. Because someone out there is evil, they promoted The Great Railway Show all over the place. And yet, there was an extremely clumsy release of all the toys. I remember my son wanting very specific trains, and they were not in stores . . . at least in stores in the United States. That led me to have to go to eBay and UK toy store sites to track them down.
Well, like most parents I want to avoid the stress of the last minute mad dash for whatever the hot toy will be this year. For similarly minded parents, USA Today published Walmart’s list of the 25 hottest toys for Christmas (unless a Walmart exclusive links are for Amazon):
- Hatchimals Surprise (Not available until 10/6)
- Fingerlings
- littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
- Num Noms Nail Polish Maker
- FurReal Friends Roarin’ Tyler The Playful Tiger
- Barbie DreamHorse and Doll
- Fisher-Price Zoom ’n Crawl Monster
- L.O.L. Surprise Fizz Factory
- Soggy Doggy Board Game
- Mayka Toy Block Tape
- Frozen Sleigh (*Walmart exclusive)
- Adventure Force Light Command Light-Up Motorized Blaster (*Walmart exclusive)
- Monster Jam Grave Digger (*Walmart exclusive)
- Huffy Electric Green Machine Trike
- Nerf Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K
- RECOIL Starter Set
- New Bright Radio Control Tumblebee
- VTech Pop-a-Balls Drop and Pop Ball Pit (*Walmart exclusive)
- Radio Control DashCam (*Walmart exclusive)
- Dusty the Super Duper Garbage Truck
- Imaginext DC Super Friends Batman Batbot Xtreme
- Paw Patrol My Size Lookout Tower
- Disney/Pixar Cars 3 Ultimate Florida Speedway
- Mickey and the Roadster Racers Transforming Hot Rod Mickey
- Disney Junior Doc McStuffins Baby All in One Nursery
Personally, I’m not sure how accurate these lists are, but they do hit the common themes from the past few years: (1) Frozen; (2) Paw Patrol; (3) Mickey Mouse; (4) Nerf; (5) Hatchimals.
Obviously, your own child’s interest in any of these toys will depend on whether they are a boy or a girl. Personally, my son has loved all of the Cars toys since the third movie came out earlier this year. Also, as a parent, I love the idea of a toy designed to encourage a child to pick up their toys.
Whatever your child wants, I hope you are able to get them the toy without a hassle even if it makes for a good story years down the road.
If you had the duo of Rafael Montero and Kevin Plawecki powering the Mets to victory, one of three things are probably true:
- You’ve been in a coma since 2014;
- You’re a much better gambler than Craig Carton; or
- You just started watching baseball this September.
Seriously, Montero and Plawecki have been much improved players at a time where it seemed even the Mets were beginning to give up on both of them. Finally, the Mets faith in both seems to be rewarded. Tonight was the latest example.
Plawecki has been much improved at the plate. It’s not just batting average or OBP, it’s his hitting for power.
?⚾️ #RaiseTheApple?
2-1 #Mets | End-2 pic.twitter.com/13T23pL8AV
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 9, 2017
His two run shot in the second inning was a no doubter. It was the second of the season and sixth of his career. It gave the Mets a 2-1 lead, and the team didn’t look back.
For the first five innings that was because of Montero. Except for a 1-2-3 first, he was in trouble all night long. Part of that was the re-emergence of his walks problem with Montero allowing five walks in five innings.
Still, while the walks re-emerged, the meltdowns didn’t. He made the pitches he needed to get out of jams and innings.
He then handed the call to Chasen Bradford, who has rebounded well from his one poor outing against these Reds at the end of August. In that outing, he gave up four runs without recording an out tonight. He got redemption pitching 1.2 scoreless striking out four.
He not only kept the lead, but he allowed the Mets to blow it open for their fourth win in a row.
The Mets got a little breathing room with a Dominic Smith two out sixth inning RBI single scoring Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera had led off the inning with a double.
Cabrera’s next double plated Nori Aoki in the seventh. This followed Aoki singling home Matt Reynolds and Jacob deGrom. Reynolds was hit by a pitch, deGrom pinch hit for Josh Smoker, and both advanced on a Jose Reyes sac bunt.
With the Mets having a 6-1 lead, it was an easy game for rookie Jamie Callahan to put to rest. It might’ve been the reps or the five run lead, but he looked more relaxed and composed. All the Mets look that way with the team playing much better of late.
Game Notes: Amed Rosario is feeling better, and he may play tomorrow v
There are many important issues that stem from Craig Carton’s arrest. There’s the fate of his family. There’s also the fate of the employees at WFAN whose income is based upon the revenue generated from shows like Boomer & Carton. With Carton presumably gone and Francesca with one foot out the door, WFAN is losing its two biggest revenue generating shows in a matter of months.
Of a much lesser concern, there is the matter of what shows WFAN will air.
The station’s two biggest shows will be off the air. Until a replacement is made for Carton, no one can be sure WFAN will be able to air a morning show with the same drawing power as Boomer & Carton. It’s safe to say that short of a last ditch effort to bring back Francesca, the station will be hard pressed to find a replacement who will be able to provide the ratings Francesca was able to provide them.
And with that, there is legitimate question what WFAN will be next year or going forward. That goes double when you consider Joe Benigno is seemingly inching towards retirement. For one, I can’t imagine Steve Somers not being on the air, but the man is 70.
Long story short, WFAN will soon become unrecognizable from what it is now, and what it has been. For people who have listened to WFAN for most of their lives, myself included, the question is if the station can replace the talent to continue to make it a destination for sports talk in New York. They will certainly have the benefit of history and the questionable program choices ESPN Radio continues to make. However, that will only carry you so far.
For myself, WFAN is no longer the place it once was. That happened in large part when the station opted to air Yankee games over Mets games. For others, it might have been when Imus was fired, or when Mike & the Mad Dog split. In any event, this will be a radically different station in 2018.
Hopefully, it will be for the better.
This must’ve been Terry Collins‘ favorite game in quite a while. Not only was he able to bat Jose Reyes lead-off, but he was also able to let him play shortstop due to the Amed Rosario finger issues.
With Reyes hitting two home runs, his 100th and 101st with the Mets, accounting for three of the Mets five runs. With the way Collins manages, Reyes will continue to be the lead-off hitter for the rest of the year. If Reyes and Collins come back next year, you know Reyes will remain as the lead-off hitter.
That’s why this September has been such a waste. We’re not finding out what we need to know about these players.
Players like Travis Taijeron, who was added to the 40 man only due to the myriad of injuries to the Mets outfielders. He was a player who flashed power in the minors who hit his first career homer against Amir Garrett in the second.
There’s Gavin Cecchini, who was hitless but made a great play in the field.
Seth Lugo got through six scoreless today by finally making it through the lineup without getting scored upon.
To a lesser extent, the Mets need to find out about Travis d’Arnaud who’s finally hitting again with Kevin Plawecki breathing down his neck. He got a six inning rally started with another opposite field extra base hit.
In the end, there are players the Mets need to learn about and develop. Instead, we’re getting Jose Reyes: Lead-off Hitter and Shortstop. The 5-1 win was nice. Focusing on player development would be better because that’s what the Mets need.
Game Notes: Phillip Evans was called-up to the majors, and he made his MLB debut lining into a double play with the bases loaded in the sixth. To make room for him in the roster, Steven Matz has been put on the 60 day DL.
With the Mets being sellers at the trade deadline, Sandy Alderson went out there and obtained a new crop of power throwing relief prospects. With the minor league regular season ending for the Mets affiliates ending today, here is a review of how the pitchers performed in the Mets farm system:
RHP Drew Smith
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 190 lb. Mets Level: Binghamton
Age: 9/24/93 (23) Age Dif: -1.2
Acquired: Obtained from the Tampa Bay Rays for Lucas Duda (7/27/17)
MMN Rank: 18
Binghamton Stats: 3-2, 1.80 ERA, 11 G, 15.0 IP, 0.867 WHIP, 10.2 K/9
2017 Stats: 4-4, 1.65 ERA, 42 G, 7 SV, 60.0 IP, 0.900 WHIP, 8.6 K/9
Analysis: Despite having plus stuff that should lead to many strike outs, the strike out numbers just weren’t there at the time of the trade. While it could just be the effects of a small sample size, Smith has seen an uptick in his strikeout rate since coming to the Mets organization. While the strikeouts are promising, Smith needs to cut down on his walk rate.
RHP Gerson Bautista
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 170 lb Mets Level: St. Lucie
B/T: R/R Age: 5/31/95 (22) Age Dif: -1.1
Acquired: One of three minor league relievers received in exchange for Addison Reed (7/31/17)
MMN Rank: 28
St. Lucie Stats: 0-1, 1.26 ERA, 10 G, 5 SV, 14.1 IP, 0.907 WHIP, 12.6 K/9
2017 Stats: 3-3, 4.22 ERA, 37 G, 9 SV, 59.2 IP, 1.592 WHIP, 11.0 K/9
Analysis: At the time of the Reed trade, many thought of Bautista as the real prize. Bautista showed us all why throwing near or over 100 MPH on a consistent basis. Even better, in the short time he was with the Mets, he has better learned how to harness his stuff. If the Mets have truly unlocked his ability, the team has a future great late inning reliever.
RHP Jamie Callahan
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 230 lb Mets Level: Las Vegas & MLB
B/T: R/R Age: 8/24/94 (22) Age Dif: -6.6 (MLB)
Acquired: One of three right handed reliever prospects received from Boston Red Sox in exchange for Addison Reed (7/31/17)
MMN Rank: 23
Las Vegas Stats: 1-1, 1.80 ERA, 9 G, SV, 10.0 IP, 1.600 WHIP, 9.0 K/9
2017 MiLB Stats: 5-2, 3.21 ERA, 32 G, 6 SV, 42.0 IP, 1.167 WHIP, 12.0 K/9
2017 MLB Stats: 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 2 G, 1.2 IP, 2.400 ERA, 5.4 K/9
Analysis: Of all the players who were picked up by the Mets at the trade deadline, Callahan was seen as the most MLB ready. To that end, it was of little surprise he was the first one called up to the majors. Callahan is a bit wild, but he does have big time strikeout ability. With his talent, we could see him compete for a bullpen spot on the Opening Day roster next year.
RHP Stephen Nogosek
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 205 lb Mets Level: St. Lucie
B/T: R/R Age: 1/11/95 (22) Age Dif: 0.1
Acquired: One of three minor league relievers obtained from the Red Sox for Addison Reed (7/31/17)
MMN Rank: 16
St. Lucie Stats: 1-1, 5.06 ERA, 9 G, 16.0 IP, 1.500 WHIP, 8.4 K/9
2017 Stats: 5-5, 3.52 ERA, 45 G, 19 SV, 69.0 IP, 1.217 WHIP, 10.2 K/9
Analysis: While all the other relievers improved when they joined the Mets organization, Nogosek has been the one pitcher who has struggled. Part of that is Nogosek continues to walk batters at a high rate. Still, his struggles only hide the fact he’s a talented pitcher with a fastball in the mid 90s.
RHP Ryder Ryan
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 205 lb Mets Level: Columbia
B/T: R/R Age: 5/11/95 (22) Age Dif: 0.1
Acquired: PTBNL acquired for Jay Bruce (8/9/17)
MMN Rank: N/A
Columbia Stats: 0-0, 2.08 ERA, 8 G, 13.0 IP, 0.846 WHIP, 9.0 K/9
2017 Stats: 3-4, 4.14 ERA, 41 G, 6 SV, 54.1 IP, 1.325 WHIP, 10.3 K/9
Analysis: Ryan is an intriguing prospect because he did not convert to a full time pitcher until after he was drafted by the Indians in last year’s draft. With that comes an arm that doesn’t have a lot of miles on it. It’s also a raw arm that needs to work on locating his pitches better. While he is still yielding too many walks, he is beginning to move his ball out of the heart of the plate leading to fewer hard hits against him.
RHP Jacob Rhame
Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 215 lb Mets Level: Las Vegas & MLB
B/T: R/R Age: 3/16/93 (24) Age Dif: -4.6 (MLB)
Acquired: Obtained for Curtis Granderson (8/19/17)
MMN Rank: N/A
Las Vegas Stats: 0-1, 1.50 ERA, 4 G, 6.0 IP, 0.333 WHIP, 16.5 K/9
2017 MiLB Stats: 0-3, 4.00 ERA, 45 G, 2 SV, 54.0 IP, 1.185 WHIP, 11.0 K/9
2017 MLB Stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2.1 IP, 1.714 WHIP, 7.7 K/9
Analysis: One thing we have seen so far in his brief career, Rhame has guts on the mound. He got himself into trouble with runners on second and third with one out. He got out of the inning without surrendering a run. While you can learn about a pitcher from his stuff, which Rhame has, you learn more how he responds to moments like this. Moments like this gives him a real chance to be part of the Opening Day bullpen next year.
Editor’s Note: This was first published on Mets Minors.
So far this season, there have been 50 players that have played for the Mets. That doesn’t include David Wright who will not play one game this year. Believe it or not, so far this season nearly half of the players who have played for the Mets have not landed on the DL. Can you name these 24 lucky players? Good luck!
Curtis Granderson Rene Rivera Amed Rosario Dominic Smith Matt Reynolds Kevin Plawecki Nori Aoki Gavin Cecchini Travis Taijeron Ty Kelly Jacob deGrom Rafael Montero Chris Flexen Paul Sewald Fernando Salas Neil Ramirez Hansel Robles Chasen Bradford Addison Reed Jacob Rhame AJ Ramos Kevin McGowan Jerry Blevins Erik Goeddel Jamie Callahan
Whenever you see Brandon Nimmo, you see him grinning ear to ear. Well, tonight he gave Mets fans reason to smile.
That smile never gets old @You_Found_Nimmo. ?
7-2 #Mets | End-6 pic.twitter.com/80aF3liq50
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 8, 2017
In a surprise decision, Terry Collins made Nimmo the clean-up hitter tonight. Despite, Nimmo not hitting for much power in the minors, he looked every bit the clean-up hitter tonight.
It was a career night for Nimmo who went 3-4 with three runs, a double, two homers, and three RBI. Oh, and of course, he drew a walk.
One of those homers was the start of back-to-back homers with Juan Lagares:
Two solo shots, same celebration. #LGM
5-2 #Mets | End-5 pic.twitter.com/Knodm4GG8F
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 8, 2017
The Nimmo performance and Lagares homer was part of what was a terrific night for the Mets. Now, it wasn’t just terrific because the Mets won 7-2; it was terrific because of who contributed to the win.
That started with Matt Harvey.
Harvey, starting on normal rest, took a step in the right direction. He pitched five innings allowing two runs on five hits. It was far from a perfect performance, but it was an improved one.
We saw his slider get a little sharper as the game progressed. After allowing runs in consecutive innings to start the game, he allowed just one hit from the third inning through the fifth. Had he not been on a pitch limit, it’s likely he would have pitched the sixth.
Once Harvey left, the Mets bullpen was very good. Josh Smoker struck out the side in the sixth. Jeurys Familia had his best outing of the year pitching two scoreless. While not a save situation, AJ Ramos closed out the game with a scoreless ninth.
At this point of the season, it’s really not about wins and losses inasmuch as its about how the Mets are playing. Tonight, the Mets won getting key contributions from important people. That made this a night that gave you reason to smile.
Game Notes: Jose Reyes gave the Mets the lead for good singling home Dominic Smith and Kevin Plawecki in the fourth.
There was speculation in the Boston Globe yesterday, the Baltimore Orioles might be looking to move SS/3B Manny Machado this offseason, and one of the teams involved in bidding for Machado could be the New York Mets. If there is something to this speculation, the Mets should do all they can do to go out there and get Machado.
The problem with swinging a deal is the Mets do not have the prospects to swing such a deal. As a result, if a deal is going to take place, the Mets are going to have to trade some of their major league players for Machado.
As an aside, I typically hate fan generated trade proposals. As a result, I attempt to address existing rumors rather than attempt to create some on your own. With the possibility of Machado being available, I’m breaking my own personal rule.
For starters, we should presume that the Mets would make Noah Syndergaard untouchable. He’s still under cost-control, and he’s a bona fide ace. With all the other Mets starters being injured to injury prone and the Orioles extremely strict medical review process, it’s highly doubtful the Orioles take back Steven Matz or Matt Harvey in a deal – at least as the major part of the trade.
If there is going to be a pitcher traded, and you’re likely going to have to trade one, it is Jacob deGrom. Now, you’d hate to lose deGrom. He’s been the one healthy pitcher this year, and he has been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball since he was the Rookie of the Year in 2014. The Mets also have control over deGrom until 2020.
On the flip side, deGrom will be 30 next season. While he has had a healthy season a year after his nerve transposition surgery last year, he has taken a step back. He’s had an uneven season this year going 14-9 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.212 WHIP, and a 10.4 K/9.
Taking all that into account, the Orioles would likely be interested in deGrom, but they would need more. Considering the amount of teams interested, the Mets are going to have to give up a piece that hurts. Likely, that piece would have to be Amed Rosario.
In a short time span, there is a lot to like with Rosario. He’s been dynamic in the field with the glove and with his speed. We have seen why he was considered to be one of if not one of the top prospects in all of baseball. He’s a player you’d consider to be absolutely untouchable.
But this is Manny Machado we’re talking about here.
Machado is one of the top players in baseball, and he’s just 24 years old. He’s a great hitter and a great fielder. Even in a down year fueled by a .274 BABIP, he’s still a 4.4 WAR player. That would make him the best player on the Mets this season.
It would be a daring move, but it is one that could transform this franchise much in the way the Mets obtaining Mike Piazza did in 2017. This isn’t hyperbole either. Machado is a Hall of Fame talent and a real difference maker.
Like with Piazza in 1998, it’s a gamble because you’re not guaranteed anything past next year. It’s a bigger gamble when you consider what deGrom is and what Rosario could be.
Part of the gamble could be alleviated by signing either Yu Darvish or Jake Arrieta this offseason to replace deGrom. If you can do that, there is no doubt that a team with Darvish and Machado is better than a team with deGrom and Rosario. If you can get Machado to sign an extension, this trade becomes all the more enticing.
If the Mets really want to compete for a World Series next year, this is the deal you make.
The chances of such a deal taking place is not likely. First, the Orioles are a notoriously difficult trading partner. Second, you’re convincing Machado to give up on testing the free agent waters. Lastly, and perhaps the biggest obstacle, you’re asking the Mets to spend at a time when they are looking to cut payroll.
So overall, while this MIGHT be the framework for a reasonable deal between the two sides, it is really unlikely we will ever see Machado in a Mets uniform.
Personally, I would do the deal, especially if you can get Machado to sign an extension. However, in what isn’t the first time, it seems many Mets fans disagree with me:
Would you trade centered around Jacob deGrom & Amed Rosario for Manny Machado?
— Mets Daddy (@MetsDaddy2013) September 6, 2017
It’s not surprising many have lost interest with the way the Mets are playing. It’s also not surprising people don’t want to make their way out to Citi Field when it rains. With that said, WOW
What many people missed was the Mets, Phillies, and really MLB rush to get a game in last night. They barely did it too.
It happened because surprise starter Robert Gsellman pitched like the Gsellman of last year and not the Gsellman who said he didn’t care what Sandy thought of his pitching.
Gsellman cruised through the first five innings allowing just three hits while walking no one. One of the three players that got a hit was erased via a double play. This was important as it kept the game moving. The Mets needed that too as the offense exploded against Nick Pivetta.
The Mets jumped all over him with a three run first highlighted by a Travis d’Arnaud opposite field two run home run. Of course, d’Arnaud seems to be hitting much better of late with Kevin Plawecki suddenly and unexpectedly breathing down his neck.
The Mets plated another run in the second when Gsellman singled home Dominic Smith, who led off the inning with a double. After a pair of Brandon Nimmo sacrifice flies, the Mets had a 6-0 led.
Normally, you would bemoan the Mets only plating one run with the bases loaded and no outs in the fifth, but really, the team had to get this game in, and with the Mets having a 6-0 lead, you were more concerned about getting out of Dodge.
When the sixth rolled around, an it was an official game, the Phillies finally went to work with the help of an Asdrubal Cabrera two base throwing error allowing Ty Kelly to reach. From there, the Phillies got Cesar Hernandez double and a Nick Williams two run homer to pull the Phillies within 6-3.
It wouldn’t matter much. After the sixth inning was over, the umpires declared a rain delay, which eventually turned into a rain shortened game. With that the Mets won the game and took a series from the Phillies. It was the first series they have taken from an opponent since the Mets took three of four from the Phillies in the series ending August 13th. The last non-Phillies series the Mets took was July 21-23 against the Athletics.
Game Notes: Michael Conforto had shoulder surgery yesterday. The Mets announced he is expected to undergo six months of rehab.