Clinching a playoff spot means so much to everyone related to the Mets: players, fans, coaches, and even the owners. Each fan has their story to tell, but so does the team. Here are the tales of each of the Mets:
REDEMPTION
Terry Collins: Collins managerial career was supposed to be over when he quit the Angels in 1999. Omar Minaya brought him to the Mets organization in 2010, and Sandy Alderson made him manager in 2011. He kept the team together when everyone was injured, and now, he had a team that can win. His prior teams in pennant races may have collapsed, but not this one. He’s 66 years old and finally making the playoffs as a manager.
Yoenis Cespedes: Cespedes was the guy traded last year so the A’s could win the World Series. This year the Mets traded for him so they could win the World Series. He’s rewarded the Mets faith in him.
Ruben Tejada: Tejada was supposed to be the shortstop of the future when Reyes left. Tejada never lived up to the billing and was slated to be a utility player this year. Instead, he’s had the best year of his career, and with a hot September, he now looks to be the Mets playoff SS.
FINALLY PART OF A WINNER
Daniel Murphy: Murphy first came up in 2008 to provide offense to a collapsing Mets team. The Mets found out he wasn’t an OF and thought he had no position. He worked hard to become an All Star 2B. Now, he’s the 2B of a playoff team.
Jon Niese: Like Murphy, he got his first taste of big league action during the 2008 collapse. Niese would become a solid arm and eventual Opening Day starter. Even in a down year, he’s become a Daddy and a NL East Division Champion. This may be his greatest year of all.
Bobby Parnell: Parnell has 37 saves and a one-hitter under his belt in the Mets losing seasons. He was once a big part of the future, but after Tommy John surgery, he’s part of the past. He really tried, but it just isn’t there yet (he’ll find it). If this is his last go round, he’s going out a champion as he deserves.
PROVING THEY BELONG
Lucas Duda: Duda finally won the first base competition last year over Ike Davis. He would reward the Mets faith with a 30 HR season. This year even with the struggles and the back injury, he’s hit 24 so far. The biggest being the grand slam in the division clinching game.
Travis d’Arnaud: His career started rough, and he needed to go to the minors to figure out his swing. He did, and he’s raked ever since. He’s also remained a good defensive catcher who’s an excellent pitch framer. Each of the Mets playoff appearances featured a terrific catcher. This year is no different.
THE YANKEES
Curtis Granderson: When Granderson leads off in Game One of the NLDS, he will be the first position player to appear in a Mets postseason game after first appearing in a Yankees postseason game. Granderson was a big part of the 2009 Yankees World Series team; a team who had no interest in re-signing him. He went from being a part of the Yankees to a leader and the team’s MVP.
Tyler Clippard: Strangely enough, he came to prominence in a spot start he made against the Mets as a Yankee. He was a villain as a National. Now, he’s a key component of a Mets postseason run.
Bartolo Colon: The Yankees took a chance that he would be an effective pitcher after rehabbing during a year he didn’t play baseball. The Mets gambled he could be a leader to a young pitching staff. Both gambles played off.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP
Michael Cuddyer: Cuddyer was supposed to be the missing piece offensively. Instead, he struggled and was hurt. He rebounded to be a terrific leader and bench player. He came here to win, and he did it in the regular season. Now it’s time to do it in October.
Juan Uribe: At the time the Mets traded for him, the offense was in shambles. He was a stabilizing force in the field and the locker room. He had a history or being a great locker room guy, and he hasn’t disappointed. He won in 2005 & 2010. It’s now five years later. Will the pattern continue?
Kelly Johnson: He came over with Uribe. He’s had a reputation as being able to play all over and hit anywhere in the lineup. He’s done that in the regular season, and now, he’ll get that chance to do it in the playoffs.
NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE
Michael Conforto: It took a historically bad offense, a Cuddyer injury, and a terrific AA season for the Mets to call up Conforto. When he came up, they couldn’t send him back down. He’s proven he belongs, and he’s going to be here for a long time. Now, it’s time for him to deliver in the postseason.
Wilmer Flores: In case you don’t remember, the Mets almost traded him to Milwaukee. He cried at the idea of leaving. Now that the Mets are in the playoffs, his tears are now tears of joy.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis: Kirk was having a nightmare season, was DFA’d, and shipped to the Angels. He wasn’t any better with the Angels, but the Mets picked him upon his release because their offense was that bad. He came back and was the first Met to hit three HRs at home sparking the rise to first place.
Logan Verrett: The Rangers grabbed him From the Mets in the Rule 5 draft. After four ineffective appearances, the Mets took him back and bounced him back and forth between starting and relieving. His terrific spot starts allowed the starters to get the rest needed for the playoffs.
Sean Gilmartin: He was the Mets Rule 5 pick, who was supposed to an additional lefty in the pen. The Mets grabbed two lefties right before Opening Day making his roster spot tenuous. He carved out a spot as a long man in the bullpen, and he’s outlasted all of the lefties.
Hansel Robles: The Mets were supposed to be set in the bullpen coming into the season. However, injuries, ineffectiveness, and suspensions led to him getting called up until someone better was ready. He and his quick pitching ways were so effective that he was never sent down, and now, he’s a key part of the bullpen.
Kevin Plawecki: He was the catcher of the future. The guy that was supposed to force the Mets to choose between him and d’Arnaud. He was pressed into service early with two d’Arnsud injuries. He held his own, especially defensively. He’s now going to be on the playoff roster.
Erik Goeddel: He’s had a history of arm injuries. He’s fought through them, and he’s pitched well in the bullpen when healthy. He may not have been in the original plans, but he’s pitched well when given the opportunity. Let’s see if he gets the opportunity in October.
LATE TO THE PARTY
Addison Reed: Even with all the moves, there was still a hole in the bullpen. In late August, Sandy Alderson picked up the former closer, who has been excellent. Reed has locked down the seventh inning, and he gives Mets fans comfort that the bullpen won’t be an issue in the late innings.
Eric Young, Jr.: He was a former Collins favorite and stolen base champion with the Mets. With him languishing away in AAA, the Mets traded for him to become their Dave Roberts, and he’s delivered. With an unfortunate Uribe injury, he’s quickly becoming an option for the playoff roster.
ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Dilson Herrera: He’s been labeled the 2B of the future, but he wasn’t this year. With injuries he was pressed into service too soon. He struggled to hit, but he was good defensively. He went back down to AAA, and he raked. He’s been watching the run up to the clincher, but it looks like he’ll be a big part of this in the future.
Eric Campbell: He’s earned the right to celebrate because he’s done everything he could do to stay in the majors. He made himself an emergency catcher. He plays every position except CF. He won a game with a key pinch hit. He may not be on the playoff roster, but it’s not for a lack of trying.
Eric O’Flaherty: He was supposed to be the missing piece of the bullpen. He was going to be the LOOGY. Now, he’s eating up innings so the key relievers can rest up for the playoffs. Even when it seems like someone has failed, there’s still an important role to play.
Tim Stauffer: He was really here only to provide bullpen insurance and mop up innings when Clippard had the bad back. Stauffer has done his job well.
Johnny Monell: He was probably never supposed to play, but with injuries and ineffectiveness, he got his shot. He was part of the first half team that was frustrated trying to score runs. That frustration is now gone.
PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE
Juan Lagares: There’s no denying he was much better last year. However, he’s become a late inning defensive replacement and platoon player against left handed pitching. He’s adapted to this new role without disrupting the clubhouse. He will be back and better next year. In the meantime, he will be out there for the innings that matter most this October.
Carlos Torres: He’s had the reputation as having a rubber arm, but for one day he showed he’s got wheels. He may have had a down year, but he’s always answered the call. He’s continued to be versatile. If healthy, he may be heard from again.
Anthony Recker: Even for a good defensive, poor batting average guy, Recker had a down year. His bat didn’t have the same pop it usually does. However, he’s had a good replies with Colon, and he helped him get back on track after a rough stretch.
Dario Alvarez: He came on late as a LOOGY. When the NL East was still in doubt, he got a huge strikeout of Bryce Harper. Unfortunately, he’s injured, and he won’t be back. He will be back next year.
THE YOUNG GUNS
Matt Harvey: For everything you can and will say about him, it needs to be pointed out that it started with him. He was the first arm that came up. He gave the Mets hope. He’s been terrific post Tommy John surgery. Last year, he promised Terry Collins the Mets would be here. It’s fitting he stayed out there for 6.2 innings and got the win in the clincher.
Jacob deGrom: He was originally supposed to be a reliever. He got his chance to start, and he won the Rookie of the Year Award. He then deGrominated in the All Star Game. Next stop is October.
Noah Syndergaard: He was the other part of the Dickey trade, but This year he looked like he was the key part of the trade. He’s been amazing at home. He’s stayed around 98 MPH. He’s Thortured his opponents. It’s time to do it in October.
Steven Matz: We all love the homegrown guy. We all live the local kid. Matz is both. He’s been terrific in his starts so far this year. I can’t wait to see his grandfather going nuts when Matz has his first October start.
Jeurys Familia: He came into the year as a setup man. He became the closer due to Mejia’s stupidity. He’s been dominant all year. He’s been widely considered to be the Mets MVP. He didn’t make the All Star Game, but he may be the last closer standing.
THE CAPTAIN
David Wright: There is so much to say about him. He’s the one who came up with Jose Reyes and gave Mets fans hope. In 2006, we thought the Mets were going on a long run with at least one World Series. After the 2007 and 2008 collapses, that dream died. Wright then had to face some losing seasons.
Even after the Mets refused to re-sign Reyes, he stayed. He took a hometown discount with a team on the cusp of this team getting good again. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. He rehabbed long and hard. He came back to the team, and he produced as if there was nothing wrong. He put the icing on the cake with a ninth inning homerun on the clincher.
He’s been a leader showing Thor the ropes. He’s the team captain and leader. He means a lot to the team:
"The best acquisition we got all year was David Wright” — Murph
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 26, 2015
He also means a lot to the fans. He’s our guy. It looks like he will be the great player who will be a lifelong Met. It’s why he’s the face of the franchise. It’s why we believe him when he says:
David Wright: “I bleed orange and blue. To be able to celebrate with these fans, this city, this team, is a privilege." #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 27, 2015
Wright’s getting another chance at a World Series. He probably deserves it more than anyone. I hope he gets it, not for me, but for him.
THE STORY CONTINUES
This is only the story of the regular season. It’s been a story with ups and downs. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I’m looking forward to the playoffs.
NOTE: If you think this post seems a lot like Faith and Fear in Flushing’s “Here’s to the Non-Winner’s” post, I think you’re right. Because of that, I sought the go-ahead for this post. Being the mensch he is, Greg Prince said yes. I encourage you to read his post. It’s fantastic.
This is a huge start for Steven Matz. As a local kid from Long Island, it’s his opportunity to stand up and proclaim, this is the Mets town. It’s time for a man named Steven to stand up and declare:
In all seriousness, Matz has something more important to stake his claim – a postseason roster spot. Right now the postseason rotation is still in flux. It seems the only one assured of a spot is Jacob deGrom.
Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard both have innings limit issues. Jon Niese has been utterly ineffective. Bartolo Colon has beaten up on the NL East and sub-.500 teams. Logan Verrett is nothing more than a spot starter. There’s an opening for Matz, and frankly a left handed starter, with the Dodgers coming up in the NLDS.
The Dodgers feature a number of big left handed bats with Adrian Gonzalez, Joc Pederson, Andre Ethier, and Chase Utley, who you know is chomping at the bit to beat the Mets again. It would be great if the Mets could throw a lefty starter out there to neutralize those bats. It’s all the more important without a lefty in the bullpen. Niese has shown it shouldn’t be him.
This will be the last Mets opponent over .500 until the last series of the season. The Yankees are in a dog fight in the AL East and Wild Card. They need the series a lot more than the Mets do. Most likely, he will face Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, and Greg Bird. It’s a good primer.
Matz needs to step up. He needs to go out there tonight and pitch like the ace the Mets fans think he is. I want to see his grandfather celebrating all game long. If we see it, it means Matz is pitching well. It means he’s securing a postseason start. It means the Mets will have a better chance of winning the NLDS.
It may lead further towards the Mets taking back New York. It may see mad, but it may become Steven’s Island.
The 1980’s tremendous run was partly fueled by Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. They had their share of drug problems. They were self destructive. They were labeled the “Dead End Kids.”
It seems after years, most likely decades, of problems, they’re finally clean. They have seemingly turned their lives around. They now have important things to say and have important things to do. It’s a remarkable turn-around. I want to hear them talk as much as possible about the dangers of drug use. It’s an important message. Hopefully, they’ll prevent someone from repeating their mistakes. Maybe they’ll help a troubled person through a tough time.
What I don’t want to hear is them lecture other players on how they should be more like they were. Sure enough, Gooden weighed in on the whole Matt Harvey controversy:
can't believe what I'm hearing i couldn't imagine me or ron darling agent would even think about taking the ball from us come crunch time i
— Dwight Gooden (@DocGooden16) September 6, 2015
Would expect Matt being the ace to come out & say he's pitching if they make the playoffs & moving forward he wants the ball every 5th day
— Dwight Gooden (@DocGooden16) September 6, 2015
day here on out as Iong as he's feeling good ….lets remember stressful innings r more important than innings counts not even going to
— Dwight Gooden (@DocGooden16) September 6, 2015
mention my innings as a 18yr 19yr 20yr
— Dwight Gooden (@DocGooden16) September 6, 2015
This hypocrisy demands a look into Doc’s career, a look I would rather not make. However, when he tells everyone to look at what he did when he was playing, we should.
Let’s start with the innings. Doc was abused by Davey Johnson and Mel Stottlemeyer. Doc was amazing. He was doing things not even Tom Seaver did. In his age 19, 20, and 21 seasons, he threw 218.0, 276.2, and 250.0 innings. His last All Star Game was in 1988, when he was 23 years old. On September 8, 1991, when he was 26 years old, he received season ending rotator cuff surgery. For a man who set strikeout records, he would never again reach 150 strikeouts. In the last eight years of his career, his average season was 7-7 with a 4.45 ERA and 94 strikeouts.
Effectively speaking, he was done when he was 26 years old. If anyone should be preaching caution against overuse, it’s Gooden. His Hall of Fame talent and possible career went the wayside due to abuse and overuse, at least partial so.
That wasn’t the only abuse that ruined Gooden’s career. Gooden was a drug addict. Gooden became hooked on cocaine during the 1986 season. He missed the championship parade because he was high in the projects. In 1987, he was suspended for one month due to failed drug tests. He was forced into rehab by then Commissioner Peter Ueberroth. Gooden missed the Opening Day after a World Series title. He would return on June 5, 1987. It was 31 games into the season, the equivalent of six starts. The Mets missed the playoffs by three games that year. Gooden would be suspended for the 1995 season for failing a “bunch of [drug] tests.”
So no, I don’t want Gooden to point to his career as an example of what to do. When he talks about Harvey being shut down for health reasons, he neglects how injuries damaged his career. When he talks about how Harvey should demand that he go out there for his teammates, he neglects to mention all the times he wasn’t.
I don’t like bashing Gooden. However, I also don’t like the Harvey bashing. Harvey has a hard decision and a career to contemplate. It’s easy for everyone to tell Harvey what to do. It’s not their career or future. It was easy for Gooden to do the same. He just forgot how injuries ruined his career as well as the times he wasn’t there for his teammates.
Harvey has a big start tomorrow, and he will pitch in the playoffs. I wish the best for him. More importantly, I wish the best for Gooden. They both need our support this year and beyond.
With injuries to Lucas Duda, Daniel Murphy, and Michael Cuddyer, the Mets had to improvise at first base this past weekend against the Marlins. That meant we saw Kelly Johnson and Eric Campbell play first base.
It seems with the most important series in seven years, the Mets can turn back to their two best 1B options. After his two game rehab stint, Duda is rejoining the Mets in Washington. After sitting out two straight games, Murphy made a pinch hitting appearance in the seventh. He grounded into a double play, and he didn’t exactly look like he was busting it down the first base line. Cuddyer has wrist tendinitis requiring a splint and a cortisone shot. He’s still unavailable.
I’m glad Duda and Murphy are seemingly ready to go. However, I’m still nervous about Duda’s back and Murphy’s quad. These are nagging types of injuries. Given their recent history dealing with injuries, please excuse me for not believing either player is fully ready to go. Murphy running out of the box should convince you of that.
Terry Collins has a delicate situation here because the Mets need to put their best foot forward in this series. He started it by sitting David Wright yesterday. They’ll be further aided with Duda at first and Murphy at second. I’m sure that’s where they will be in the lineup. I hope they’re able to contribute.
I hope they stay healthy because a season and postseason rides on it.
In 2008, the Milwaukee Brewers went all-in. They traded their best prospects for CC Sabathia. They rode him hard down the stretch. They were doing everything to make the playoffs. They even fired their manager with 12 games left in the season. It might’ve been reactionary to a late losing streak. It might’ve been a response to their current manager being over his head.
Before continuing, I feel it’s important to note that Terry Collins is a good man. I also need to note, Collins should be commended for holding this team together when the season was seemingly falling apart. However, this is a different roster. There are different stakes.
The first issue is the lineup construction. Here’s last night’s lineup with their OBPs for this year and their career:
- Curtis Granderson .352/.340
- Yoenis Cespedes .328/.318
- Daniel Murphy .332/.333
- David Wright .377/.377
- Kelly Johnson .303/.330
- Travis d’Arnaud .348/.310
- Michael Conforto .360
- Ruben Tejada .331/.328
- Pitcher’s Spot
Note, I gave Johnson’s numbers against RHP because he’s being used as a platoon player. Due to the small sample size, I gave Conforto’s total OBP even though he’s a platoon player.
This lineup doesn’t make sense. You want higher OBP hitters ahead of the big bats. That’s why Cespedes should hit cleanup with Wright batting second. Wouldn’t you rather have Wright on base for one of Cespedes’ “Feats of Strength“? The answer is yes. It makes sense. Look at it this way: if Wright is going to single or double and Cespedes is going to hit a homerun, in which order would you like that to happen?
Now, I’ve heard the argument that the Mets have won seven in a row scoring a lot of runs; why change anything? My first response is that’s not a good reason. Just because the Mets scored a lot of runs doesn’t mean you couldn’t have scored more runs with a better lineup. My next response is you beat the two worst teams in the NL in their bandbox ballparks. They’re one and two in most runs allowed in the NL. OF COURSE YOU’RE GOING TO SCORE RUNS!
My other problem with Collins is the in-game strategy. He’s had some problems this season, but last night was a new low. It’s like he didn’t know you could double switch. When Logan Verrett could’ve given multiple innings with a short bullpen and no Tyler Clippard, Collins didn’t double switch him into the game. As a result, Verrett went one inning and was pinch hit for as we was due up second. This led to some more odd decisions.
With Sean Gilmartin due up third in the tenth, and Collins wanting multiple innings from him, he let Gilmartin bat even though he still had Wilmer Flores [standing ovation], Juan Uribe, and Anthony Recker on the bench. By the way, they never entered a game in which two relievers got an AB.
Then in the same inning it was so important to have Gilmartin in, Collins brought in Carlos Torres. I can’t imagine any situation in which it was alright for Gilmartin to bat and that includes his .400 batting average. The Mets won despite Collins’ terrible managing. Could you imagine if that happened in October against a much better team? The Mets probably won’t be as lucky as they were last night.
Look, Collins has done a nice job here. He was handed a thankless job, and he did a good job. In most seasons, the Mets outperformed their expectations. A few times, they were competitive to the point where we actually considered that they may make a deadline trade. Now, they have a real roster, and they may need a better manager.
The problem is who becomes the next manager. No, it’s not Wally Backman. You don’t turn to someone with no major league managerial experience now. I think the answer is Bob Geren. He has prior managerial experience, and he’s the bench coach. It would be a smoother transition.
Now, I understand if people want to keep Collins. As I’ve said, he has some positive attributes. However, if your reason is you want to keep the status quo because things are working now, I can’t agree with you. You make decisions to try to win the World Series, not seven games against bad baseball teams.
Seriously, when people are now advocating for Collins to be named the Manager of the Year, we should really be talking about if a change is necessary. When Collins can’t double switch and lets his relievers bat with good options in the bench, the time for a switch may have arrived.
The Mets have a terrific team doctor whom they trust. They allowed him to kill the very important Carlos Gomez deal that initially left them with egg all over their face.
It’s because of this that I don’t believe the Mets consult with their team physician when a player has complaints. Matt Harvey was the most important part of the otlrganization in 2013. They let him pitch through forearm tightness, and he would subsequently need Tommy John surgery.
Never ones to learn their lessons, the Mets permitted Zack Wheeler to pitch with ligament damage while Harvey was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He needed Tommy John surgery.
Now, after losing two major pitching prospects to injury two of the past three seasons, they repeated the same mistake with Steven Matz. After telling the team of pains in his side in his first major league start, Dan Warthen declared him fit to pitch after watching a bullpen session. Matz was shut down for three weeks and only recently began his rehab outing.
It’s an epidemic. You need look no further than Friday’s game. Bartolo Colon was not fit to pitch. His wrist was swelling up more and more. The Mets answer? Ray Ramirez sat there rubbing some ice on it and then sent Colon back out there. I guess we should be happy it wasn’t leeches.
You see that’s the problem. Injuries aren’t taken seriously. They’re not properly addressed. Players are not placed on the DL and their conditions get worse.
This became evident again with Lucas Duda‘s back. The Mets saw with David Wright the severity of back injuries and how long they take to heal. Similar to Harvey/Wheeler, the Mets showed an inability to learn their lesson.
Arguably, Duda is the Mets most important offensive player. You need to take care of him. Despite his back pain, they never bothered to send him for an MRI. That’s right they didn’t order a necessary test despite having gone through what they did with Wright. Only now are they conferring with Wright’s back specialist, Dr. Watkins.
For some reason the information isn’t going from the player to the right people. Maybe it is, and I dint know it. Maybe the Mets are ignoring the advice. Maybe they don’t know to to properly gauge when a doctor needs to be consulted. Whatever the case may be, there is something wrong here.
The Mets need to change something and fast. Not everything is a flesh wound. Sometimes an important player gets hurt and is out longer because of the team’s actions. It just happened again with Duda.
I promise you this is not another trading for Jose Reyes post, even if I still think the Mets need a SS. Instead, this post is about John Axford. I wish I could take credit for this idea, but this one comes from Dan O’Dowd. It’s a good idea.
First and foremost, the Mets bullpen needs help, and the Mets aren’t utilizing their internal candidates. This leaves external candidates. As they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I know the Mets would have to make a move with the 40 man roster, but there is enough fat to cut away there.
More importantly, the question is of all the players that clear waivers, why Axford? I would argue he pitches better in a pennant race for good teams.
In 2013, he started the year with the sub .500 Brewers. He wasn’t good. His FIP was 4.77. His K/9 was a good 8.9. On August 30, 2013, Axford was traded to the Cardinals, and he got much better, like everyone who’s traded to the Cardinals. His FIP improved to 2.08. His good 8.9 K/9 improved to 10.4.
In 2014, the Cardinals didn’t bring him back. With the Indians, Axford had an FIP of 4.71, but he did have a 10.5 K/9. On August 14, 2014, Axford was traded to the Pirates. Again, he pitched better. His FIP improved to 2.86 even if his K/9 dipped to 9.8.
It should be mentioned neither the Cardinals or Pirates needed bullpen help. Despite this, they bit traded for Axford. Axford then became a big piece of each of those bullpens. This time the Mets need a bullpen piece. Axford has shown the ability to raise his game, but how is he pitching now?
Now, there is the caveat that he pitches for the Rockies. However, that is why I picked FIP because that takes Axford pitching in Colorado into account. With that said, his FIP is 4.09 with a 9.3 K/9. There is concern about his steady K/9 drop. However, his fastball velocity has remained steady around 95.5 MPH. Therefore, part of the decreased K/9 could be attributable to the Coors Field effect on breaking pitches. Basically, like the prior two years, Axford appears fixable again.
Axford is a strong arm who has shown he’s dependable in a pennant race. Better yet, he’s good in the postseason as well. He’s 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA and a 12.8 K/9. If the goal is to make the postseason and succeed, Axford is your man.
As I’ve noted before, this is not a political blog. I have strong political opinions, but they won’t be presented here. However, this blog does touch upon baseball and fatherhood, so I decided it was important for me to address the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Cuba.
From a baseball perspective, there has already been much written about a potential pipeline of talent to the U.S. For various reasons, I’m not as intrigued by that possibility. Honestly, if Cuba ever allowed their baseball players to come to the U.S., I imagine it would follow the Japanese NPB system.
Here’s what I’m more interested in:
- Will Americans be eligible to play in the Cuban National League; and
- Will Cuban MLB players be eligible to play in the WBC?
American Eligibility to Play in Cuba
I’m interested in the first one because we have seen MLB players go to the NPB and be successful. The most notable was Cecil Fielder, who improved in the NPB, and became the first player to hit 50 homeruns in 13 years (back when that meant something).
Since that time, there have been other players like Ryan Vogelsong, who have salvaged their games, there haven’t been any with the impact of Fielder. Now, the NPB seems to be used for a different purpose for American players. Kevin Youkilis went there to play one last season before retiring, rather than risking being cut for non-performance by an MLB team. Tuffy Rhodes decided to make a career out of being an NPB star than return to the U.S.
Now, I don’t know if the Cuban Leagues are better than the NPB. In fact, I doubt they are. However, it would be good to have another option for MLB players to resurrect their careers.
WBC
I know American baseball fans are as interested in the WBC as I am. Admittedly, there are many flaws in the series (innings limits, when it’s played), but I enjoy it anyway.
Overall, the two teams that have really underachieved have been the U.S. and Cuba. With each defection, the Cuban team continues to worsen. Here are some of the Cuban MLB players not eligible to play for Cuba anymore:
- Jose Abreu
- Yoenis Cespedes
- Aroldis Chapman
- Yasmani Grandal
- Adeiny Hechavarria
- Jose Iglesias
- Leonys Martin
- Yasiel Puig
- Alexi Ramirez
These are some good to very good MLB players. These players would really strengthen the Cuban national team. I want the U.S.A. to win the WBC, but I want them to beat the best to show they are the best. I want this to be more akin to Olmpic hockey and basketball, not a collection of guys willing to play.
I think the addition of the Cuban MLB players would spark their team and the WBC. There is a Cuba-U.S.A. baseball rivalry at the amateur level. Maybe the addition of the Cuban MLB players will cause the best American players to show up . . . not just some of them.
Summation
Overall, I have no idea of the political and baseball impact on the U.S. Embassy reopening in Cuba. While I know there are people who support it and those who vehemently oppose it, I think we all agree we want what’s best for the Cuban families. To a lesser extent, I think we would all enjoy better baseball.
On Thursday, I had a three-part series about how the Mets taking back New York. For your convenience, I have consolidated all three parts in one mega-post here.
PART I: Can the Mets Take Back New York?
After two consecutive sweeps, the Mets are rolling. With the Nationals loss last night, the Mets increased their lead in the NL East. Not only do the players seem confident, the Mets fans also feel confident. So confident they have resumed the taking over New York talk.
When I grew up, the Mets owned New York . . . it was the first and only time. The reason the Mets owned New York was not only because they were the winning team, but also the sheer caliber of their star power with Strawberry, Gooden, Carter, and Hernandez. It was a fun team and it was a fun time to be a Mets fan.
It all came crashing down with the Worst Team Money Can Buy. The Mets were no longer likeable and they no longer winning. The Yankees then had a dynasty featuring the Core Four and the disturbingly forgotten Bernie Williams. Seriously, Yankee fans who refer to the Core Four do not deserve those championships.
Seemingly, the Mets are primed yet again to take back New York. They have star power with Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard. When David Wight comes back, we can include him. It also helps that Matt Harvey and Steven Matz are local kids.
The last time we had this conversation was 2006. The Mets were the best team in the regular season that year. They had star power with Wright & Reyes, the two Carloses, and Pedro. That was an immensely likeable team. Their attempt to take over New York ended with that Adam Wainwright curveball.
After the 2007 & 2008 collapses and the Yankees’ 2009 World Series title, the possibility of taking over New York was dead. You see it’s not enough the Mets be really good; it’s also important they’re clearly better than the Yankees. Right now, the Yankees are also in first place.
We Mets’ fans quickly forget most people now were raised Yankee fans, who worshipped the temple who was Derek Jeter. I’ve heard people like Mike Lupica say New York is a National League town. He’s obviously referring to the ghosts of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants.
My grandfather was a New York Giants fan. He passed away almost thirty years ago. Initially, my father was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. The Dodgers moved to LA when he was eight years old. When the Mets came into existence, the Yankees were the only team in town for five years. Effectively, it was for another seven as the Mets were mostly awful and always sub .500 prior to 1969. The New York is a National League town was either a myth or an outdated fairy tale. Long story, short, most people now have no concept of New York as a National League town.
With that said and looking at everything, the Mets can potentially START taking over New York. Much of that will depend on the young pitching this year and in the ensuing seasons. Even if the Mets were to win the World Series this year, I’m not convinced the Mets take over New York. It will, however, accelerate the process. It’s not important to me that the Mets take over New York. However, I would still like to see it.
I want to see it because it means we’ll see a stretch of baseball like we did from 1984 – 1992. It also means the Yankees fell on hard times, which is always good for the soul. Most importantly, it’s easier to raise my son a Mets’ fan when the team is actually good. I’d love for him to see Mets’ teams like the ones I had growing up.
PART II: So Who’s Coming Along for the Ride?
On Sunday, the Mets were rolling and on their way to a sweep of the Nationals to tie them for first place in the division. Mets fans were ecstatic . . . and irritated.
Yes, irritated. All over Twitter Mets fans were complaining about other Mets fans. What was really going on was hardcore fans were complaining about bandwagon fans who just showed up as the Mets got good again. Oh the bandwagon fans, they’re the bane of the hardcore fans existence.
We all know them, even if they won’t admit it. They say inane things like I want to see both New York teams do well. They’ll ask how the Mets or Yankees are doing in August when we all know too well how they’re doing. They come to the occasional game with no gear on or with the tags hanging off of it. Hardcore fans HATE bandwagon fans.
I have some bad news for Mets fans that want to take back New York. You have to welcome the bandwagon fans. The hardcore Yankee fans that can wax on and on about players like Luis Sojo, Graeme Lloyd, and Chad Curtis are not becoming Mets fans. You’re getting the Yankee fans whose favorite players are Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.
Like I said in Part One of this series, taking over New York is not that important to me. The reason is I’m more concerned about sharing this ride with Mets fans who know players like Darryl Boston, Armando Reynoso, Rico Brogna, Mike Baxter, and Josh Satin. If you know these players, you know what it’s like to be a Mets fan. In 2006, the Mets hadn’t taken over New York, and yet, Shea Stadium was still rocking. Mets fans don’t need to take back New York to fill the ballpark. There are plenty of hardcore fans out there.
These are fans that when the Mets finally win the Workd Series, they’ll want to share it with someone special to them. It’s the reason why my Dad turned down a ticket to the 2000 World Series. He’d rather watch the game with my brother and I. It’s the reason I so desperately want to take him to a Mets World Series Game. He deserves it.
You hardcore Mets fans also deserve it. The bandwagon fans will enjoy ANY championship, but it won’t be special to them. Let them have their fun. We can take back New York and know what it really means. I say let them along for the ride. Just make sure that when they board the bandwagon, we will already have the good seats because we’ve been here the entire time.
PART III: Why Does it Matter?
Since those ’80’s Mets teams and the Yankees recent dynasty, the subject of the Mets taking back New York arises whenever the Mets begin winning again. Why?
I understand that winning will help take back New York. I understand it comes along with a more interesting and talented team. However, Mets fans snipe at the bandwagon fans that come with taking back New York.
This obsession isn’t present in the other Nrw York sports. I’ve never heard a Jets fan talk about taking over New York. All Islander fans care about is beating the Rangers. They don’t care about taking over New York. Honestly, I think the Nets fans just want to be relevant. I think they’ll settle for that before taking over New York.
Here’s the difference between the Mets and those other teams:
- The Mets once owned New York; and
- Yankees fans are intolerable
Since Interleague play started, we’ve had to deal with Yankee fans on a more consistent basis. They’re smug. They lord it over Mets fans when they win. When they lose, they point to 2000 and their other 26 World Series titles. They need to be taken down a peg or 26.
We’ll always have Yankees fans to deal with. We were hoping with Jeter gone, they would begin to fade. Of course, this year they’re winning. I’ve heard Yankee fans spouting off they have a better record and a bigger lead in their division. You see that’s the rub. They’ll never admit it, but the Mets bother the Yankees fans.
Giant and Jet fans live in relative harmony. Two Super Bowl wins over the hated cheating Patriots will do that. Islander and Ranger fans hate each other’s teams, but they’ll admit it. In a small way Rangers fans welcome the return of the Islanders because it makes the rivalry so much better when they’re both good.
Yankee fans like to pretend there’s no rivalry. However, they’ll never admit to their panic in 2000 that they could’ve lost the World Series to the Mets. They were touting Severino last night. I think a large part of that was Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, Matz, and Wheeler. At least the Mets fan will admit they hate the Yankees and they want to retake New York.
I think another reason Mets want to take over New York is their children. I started this blog to share my experiences of raising a Mets fan. If the Mets are good, it’ll be a lot easier to raise a Mets fan. Also, you want your kids to enjoy baseball. It was a lot easier for me as a kid to enjoy baseball in 1988 than it was 1993. Admittedly, this is the part of taking over New York that interests me the most.
Hopefully, the Mets are on the rise and on their way to retaking New York. Personally, I’m not consumed with it, but I will enjoy the ride. I can’t wait for those smug Yankee fans to be put in their place. More importantly, I can’t wait to raise a son in an era of good Mets baseball.
You know what? I’ve talked myself into it. Let’s take back New York!
As of today, the Mets 40 man roster is full with Erik Goeddel and David Wright on the 60 day DL. Since players on the 60 day DL do not count towards the 40 man roster, two players will have to be removed from the 40 man before Goeddel and Wright can be added.
The first decision could potentially come on August 11th, when Goeddel is first eligible to come off the DL. The Mets can send down Hansel Robles, who has options, but that only solves the 25 man roster issue. As of today, here are the people who are on the 40 man roster, who are also not on the 25 man roster:
- Dario Alvarez
- Vic Black
- Jack Leathersich
- Steven Matz
- Akeel Morris
- Logan Verrett
- Gabriel Ynoa
- Johnny Monell
- Anthony Recker
- Dilson Herrera
- Danny Muno
- Wilfredo Tovar
- Darrell Ceciliani
- Michael Cuddyer
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis
In deciding who to remove, there are a couple of important factors to take into account:
- This player will be exposed on waivers allowing any team to claim that player, and
- A player must be on the 40 man roster as of August 31st to be eligible for the postseason roster (there are loopholes however).
Immediately, you can rule out the pitchers. They’re young, under control, and will be snatched up by another team . . . even Vic Black. That leaves eight players for two spots.
Next, we can eliminate Michael Cuddyer and Kirk Nieuwenhuis from consideration. Cuddyer is set to come off the DL soon. Nieuwenhuis is a possibility, albeit remote right now for the postseason roster. We’re done to six players.
I would next eliminate Dilson Herrera, who is seen as the second baseman of the future. This is especially important with Daniel Murphy, Kelly Johnson, and Juan Uribe set to be free agents. We’re down to five players: Monell, Recker, Muno, Tovar, and Ceciliani. Here’s where things get tricky. You can make cases for all of these players to stay or go.
I’ll start with the catchers, who have been awful this year . . . absolutely terrible. I’m expecting the Mets to move on from both of these players in the offseason. However, we need to remember Travis d’Arnaud has been injury prone. You don’t want to him to go down and have no playoff replacement. At a a minimum, one catcher must stay on the roster. Possibly both.
Up next are the young middle infielders. Admittedly, they have both been pretty bad in very limited major league experience. Accordingly, you can’t use that experience as the sole reason to outright that player. It should be noted neither player is a top prospect in the Mets organization. I think both are candidates, specifically Tovar, who is behind Matt Reynolds, Gavin Cecchini, and Amed Rosario on the organization’s SS depth chart.
Finally, we have Ceciliani, who played decently with the Mets this year (even if he was a little exposed). It should be noted he was passed over in the last two Rule Five Drafts. I don’t imagine his limited playing time changed the minds of the other 29 teams. Furthermore, with Nieuwenhuis being on the bubble for the postseason roster, there’s no chance he would even see the field. In my opinion, this makes him the most vulnerable.
Now, I have no connections whatsoever, but I would believe Ceciliani and Monell are the two players who will be moved to make room for Goeddel and Wright. You could easily interchange that for Recker and Ceciliani or one of the middle infielders. However, I think Ceciliani and Monell are the two least regarded players on this list.
Further complicating matters is Rafael Montero, who is also on the 60 day DL. Terry Collins recently went to talk to Montero to encourage him to ramp up his rehab so he can help the team. If Montero is coming back, the Mets are going to have to make yet another roster move. I believe at this time, the middle infielders would definitively be in danger of being removed from the 40 man roster. My guess would be Tovar, but then again, I could be wrong.
The only way to avoid removing anyone, and risking losing a player, is to make a trade with another team. The problem there is if these players had value to other teams, they would have been moved already. Specifically to Ceciliani, we’ve seen teams pass on him a number of times. There is also the possibility that the player to be named later in the Eric O’Flaherty deal is one of the aforementioned 15 players making part of this post moot. However, I think that is unlikely.
Overall, the Mets have a lot of important decisions to make with an eye towards who they want on the postseason roster. It’s fun to be a Mets fan again.