Sandy Alderson became the Mets GM prior to the 2011 season. He knew a change at second base was needed. He jettisoned Mets fans Public Enemy No. 1, Luis Castillo, and used a Rule 5 pick on Brad Emaus, who would be named the Opening Day starting second baseman.
Emaus was not good. He only hit .162/.262/.162 in 14 games. To Alderson’s credit, he cut bait when Emaus showed he couldn’t hack it. The other players that got playing time at secon that year was Justin Turner and Chin-lung Hu. That year Daniel Murphy was not part of the second base rotation. He did play 109 games that year, mostly at first, due to a season ending ankle injury to Ike Davis.
The next season, despite a decent year from Turner, the Mets went with Murphy as the starting second baseman. They have ever since. Despite a multitude of trade rumors (can be fully searched here), the Mets never traded Murphy. Despite not being an “Alderson player,” the Mets have kept him. Seemingly, they’ve grown to appreciate what he can provide to a team.
The Mets struck out on their top second base choice, and they have stuck by Murphy. He’s rewarded them with this offseason. In the end, it’s funny to think none of this would’ve been possible if Brad Emaus played better.
Sometimes it’s better to go with your second option.
With the Mets playing in Kansas City to begin the World Series, they will have to choose a player to DH. There are a number of options.
Best Defensive Lineup
Late in games this postseason, the Mets have inserted Juan Lagares into the game for defensive purposes. This has moved Yoenis Cespedes to left and Michael Conforto to the bench.
With a spacious Kaufman Stadium outfield, the Mets could start the game with this defensive alignment and move Conforto to DH. This becomes more of an option because Lagares is having a good postseason. It’s a way to maximize the defense while getting Conforto’s bat into the game.
Left-handed Bats
The Royals have all right handed starters. If past history is any indication, Terry Collins will try to get as many lefties in the lineup as possible.
That would eliminate the Lagares option but keep Conforto in the lineup. The lefties on the bench now are Kelly Johnson and Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Given the choice for a first choice off the bench, Collins has consistently gone for Johnson over Nieuwenhuis. Neither has much experience against presumptive Game One starter Johnny Cueto (Johnson 1-6; Nieuwenhuis 1-3).
In this circumstance, Collins would go with Johnson, who is his only backup infielder with major league experience. If something happens, Matt Reynolds will be playing his first career game in the World Series.
Michael Cuddyer
Unlike most of the Mets roster, Michael Cuddyer has played extensively in the AL. However, despite playing 10 years in the AL, he’s only played 37 games at DH.
As a DH, he has hit .265/.344/.402. This is similar to his career numbers of .277/.344/.461. At Kaufman Stadium, he’s hitting .281/.371/.531. One note of caution there is that was against some terrible Royals teams. The Mets are not facing a terrible Royals team in the World Series.
Overall, he’s waited the longest of all the Mets position players to play in his first World Series. I’m sure he wants to contribute and may have a big hit in him. Sometimes that makes a dangerous player.
My Pick
At the end of the day, I want the best team out there. In my opinion, that is Lagares in CF and Conforto at DH. The Royals put a lot of balls in play, so the Mets will need an OF that covers a lot ground.
You’ve been an awful husband/boyfriend/son since the playoffs started. You’ve been half paying attention to everything because your sole focus has been the Mets. Most women will probably say you’re always half listening.
In any event, you didn’t go out two weeks ago because of the NLDS. You didn’t go out last weekend because of the NLCS. You’re not going to go out next weekend because of the World Series. Even worse that’s Halloween weekend. You’re now monopolizing a huge weekend with the Mets. Guess what? There’s nothing going on tonight.
Your significant other deserves a huge night out. She deserves flowers and a nice dinner. She deserves to be wined and dined. She’s been a good sport, and she needs to be rewarded. Treat her like a lady. Remind her why you love her and why she’s special to you. She deserves that much.
If you’ve been taking your significant other out during the playoffs, this doesn’t apply to you. In fact, I’m not sure you’re a real Mets fan. Moreover, I’m not sure I want to know you.
Overall, be a gentleman tonight. It’ll go a long way tomorrow when you park yourself in front of the TV tomorrow and try to watch a full day of football.
The company line on why Eric Young, Jr. was not on the postseason roster was because it was impractical to carry a pinch runner in the National League. Well, it’s now the World Series, and the Royals have homefield, so it is time to readdress the issue.
If you watched last night‘s game, you could see the importance of a pinch runner in an American League park. Dalton Pompey pinch ran for Russell Martin last night and got himself to third with no outs. He represented the tying run. It’s still incredible the Blue Jays couldn’t knock him in.
On the flip side is Terrance Gore. He should be 5/5 in stolen base attempts in the postseason. On face value, the Royals use him judiciously. They pick their spots. However, at the end of the day, he’s only appeared in eight games and scored two runs. This shows pinch runners can be valuable, but their value is limited to the hitters behind him knocking him in.
Based upon his history with the Mets, EY could be a valuable pinch runner. If these games get tight late, his speed would be of enormous value, especially against a very good Royals bullpen. Still, I think I would have to pass.
First, the Mets need Kirk Nieuwenhuis now more than ever with Yoenis Cespedes‘ shoulder injury. Nieuwenhuis is the only OF on the team who can play all three OF spots well. Plus, Nieuwenhuis is a better baseball player. He’s a better defender and a better hitter. While he doesn’t have Young’s speed, he certainly has enough to be an effective base runner.
That would mean if the Mets want to add Young, they need to go down to 10 pitchers. It’s something the team has previously considered (off of memory, can’t find a supporting link). It’s an intriguing idea with the length the starters are giving and how effective Bartolo Colon has been. Other than the big three in the back of the pen and Colon, here’s how many appearances and innings the other relievers have:
- Jon Niese – 2 appearances, 0.2 IP
- Hansel Robles – 1 appearance, 1.0 IP
- Erik Goeddel* – 1 appearance, 0 IP
- Sean Gilmartin* – 0 appearances
Note: Gilmartin replaced Goeddel on the NLCS roster.
Overall, the Mets have not needed to go deep into the bullpen. However, I would still be loathe to reduce the number of available pitchers. First, Steven Matz is not going deep into games. If this continues and one other starter falters, the Mets bullpen is a disaster for the rest of the World Series. Second, it’s not necessary.
Salvador Perez used to be elite in throwing out runners. Just last year he threw out 42% of would be base stealers. That was tops in the AL. That percentage has dipped to 31%. In this postseason, baserunners have been successful six of seven tries against Perez, including three in the ninth inning last night.
The long story, short is you can run on Perez. You just need to pick your spots. Accordingly, you don’t need to deplete a bigger team need. With the way the Mets ran in the NLCS, they don’t need a super pinch runner. They just need to continue what they’re doing.
That means unfortunately they don’t have a need for EY in the World Series roster.
With the Mets winning the pennant on October 21st, they will have six off days prior to the start of the World Series. If you read the newspapers, the Mets are in trouble. Here are reasons why I disagree:
The Mets Had a Similar Layoff before the NLDS
With the regular season ending on a Sunday and the NLDS beginning on a Friday, the Mets had four days of rest. When Game 1 came around, they took quality at bats against Clayton Kershaw. If you want to point out the Mets didn’t score a lot of runs, I’d remind you it was Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
Also, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard benefitted from the extra rest. In Game One, deGrom struck out 13. In Game Two, Thor struck out nine. For a team built on pitching, anything that gets them more time to be at their best is a net positive.
The Royals Have a Layoff
Yes, the Mets swept, and the Royals won in six games. However because the ALCS started first, the Mets only have two extra days rest. If a layoff is that much of a negative, it is going to affect both teams. At least the Mets had extra time off for treatments, workouts, and to figure out logistics.
Yoenis Cespedes
As we all remember, Yoenis Cespedes left Game 4 of the NLCS with a left shoulder injury. I don’t care if he was golfing, doing push-ups, or helping Keith Hernandez move, he has a shoulder injury requiring a cortisone shot. Any extra rest you can get him right now is good.
Note, I did not include David Wright here because rest may actually be a detriment even if baseball activities exacerbate spinal stenosis. He was there for the optional workout session, and he seems to be keeping loose.
The Numbers Work Both Ways
Many are pointing out that teams with long layovers don’t fare well in the World Series. They point to five of the last six teams with long layoffs losing the World Series. One of those teams was last year’s Royals. Let me pose a rhetorical question here: did the Royals lose due to the layoff or due to the greatness of Madison Bumgarner?
Fact is, the numbers aren’t as conclusive as many say they are. In fact, teams with s layoff as long as the Mets have had are 8-7 in the World Series. That indicates to me the wins and losses are more indicative of talent than anything else. If that’s truly the case, I like the Mets chances.
Terry Collins
For all the negatives Terry Collins brings, he has managed the clubhouse perfectly. He may not push the right buttons in game, but he does put his players in a position to succeed. I really believe if anyone can find a way to make this long layoff work, it’s him.
Conclusion
If the Mets use the time properly, this layoff could be an enormous benefit, rather than being a detriment. They’re going to Kansas City early, and they’re preparing for this World Series. The Mets have earned this time off, and if they perform how I think they can, they’ll earn their layoff until pitchers and catchers.
Try as he might, Juan Uribe will not be on the World Series roster. Despite Uribe participating in today’s voluntary workout, it does not appear like he will be available to play in the World Series.
I give him credit. He’s trying to make it difficult for the Mets to leave him off the roster a third time. He’s fighting to get there after exacerbating his already present chest injury in an unnecessary pinch hitting appearance. He had good swings in the cage, which should at least give the Mets some pause to debate using him as a PH/DH.
That role right now is being taken up by Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer gives the Mets a little more versatility because he can play corner OF and 1B. In reality, Uribe only is a third baseman in his career, and the Mets are not sitting David Wright. Uribe played some second this year, but he’s not displacing Daniel Murphy or Lucas Duda (assuming you shifted Murphy to first).
Additionally, with Yoenis Cespedes balky shoulder the Mets really need the insurance of Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Nieuwehuis can effectively play all three OF positions, run well, and has some pop in his bat. His versatility and into use when Cespedes had to leave Game 4 of the NLCS. Overall, Nieuwenhuis is the better option from a versatility standpoint even if Uribd is healthy.
Also it’s not like Uribe is a terrific postseason performer. He has hit .204/.251/.338. So, he’s not going to play, but he can still contribute. He’s a great locker room guy. He’s been a leader since day one with the Mets. He’s been here before twice.
He also did all he could to get on the field even though he had two World Series rings. He’s showing the young guys what it takes. This is the best way he can contribute to a World Series victory. He’s doing a great job of it.
With the Mets in the World Series, his job isn’t done yet.
In many ways, 1980 is a very important marker for the New York Mets. I’m not using this year because this is the year Nelson Doubleday (RIP) purchased the Mets. Rather I’m using this date to create a demarcation in Mets fandom.
Those fans born between January 1, 1980 – October 27, 1986 are a distinct group. Most likely you are part of a group who went to their first Mets game with their father at Shea Stadium. Your childhood home with its ramps and neon figures are gone. As a result, this same group probably brought their son/daughter to their first game at Citi Field.
As your first Mets game was at Shea Stadium in the 80’s, this was what you knew the song “Meet the Mets” to be:
It blared on the loudspeakers outside Shea. It was part of the intro to the WFAN games. Speaking of which, up until this past year, you only knew of the Mets on WFAN. Now, they’re on WOR, and you’re version of “Meet the Mets” has disappeared.
You also grew up with Tim McCarver when he was good. You mostly grew up with Fran Healey, who was never quite as bad as advertised. You knew and loved Bob Murphy, but Howie Rose and Gary Cohen are your guys. You love Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling as players, but if you’re being honest, you really know them more as broadcasters.
You were raised with four divisions, no Wild Card, and no Interleague play. It was baseball when it was more pure, but in some ways, it seems less fun in retrospect. The rivals of your youth all moved to the NL Cental. In their place was the never lose the division Braves.
Mostly, it’s been cruel to be born in this timeframe. The Mets won a World Series in your lifetime, but it was a World Series of which you have little to no recollection. It’s a cruel twist of fate for something so prominent in your team’s and baseball’s history occurred when you were alive, and you really can’t remember it. At least not all of it.
Your only true World Series experience was the Subway Series, and the Mets lost it to the hated Yankees. To make matters worse, Mike Piazza made the last out on what seemed at first glance to be the game tying homerun, and Derek Jeter was the World Series MVP.
Thsnkfully, things are looking up now. We saw Generation K falter, but now we have the stud muffins succeeding. We seem to have the team that can have long sustained success like those 80’s teams. However, we’re now old enough to enjoy it.
We now have a Mets team in the World Series that’s the only show in town. No sharing the spotlight. This is our moment. This is the World Series we get to enjoy and remember. So if you’re from Long Island, New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens, and Connecticut, Lets Go Mets!
That’s the cheer for the New York Mets!
For the first time in baseball history, the World Series is about to feature two expansion teams. For the uninitiated, here’s the complete list of baseball’s expansion teams:
1961: Angels and Rangers (Senators)
1962: Astros (Colt .45s) and Mets
1969: Brewers (Pilots), Nationals (Expos), Padres, Royals
1977: Blue Jays and Mariners
1993: Marlins and Rockies
1998: Diamondbacks and Rays
Looking over these teams, there are only nine World Series titles amongst them all. Furthermore, there are only 20 World Series appearances in this group. Extrapolating further, these teams have combined for 75 playoff appearances.
Through all of that, the Angels are the only franchise with an overall winning record. The Astros have the most playoff appearances. With all of that, the Mets are the most successful expansion franchise.
The Mets five pennants are more than any other franchise. Royals are second with four. The Mets are tied with the Blue Jays and Marlins for most World Series wins. The Mets trail only the Astros (10) and Royals (9) in playoff appearances (8).
The goal for any team is to win the pennant and the World Series. The Mets have done that more than any expansion team. However, if the Mets lose to the Royals, the mantle would be shifted to Kansas City. This is but one of a dozen or so subplots to this World Series. With that said, as of right now, the Mets are baseball’s best expansion team.
Lets Go Mets!
After a hard fought game with very questionable calls, the Royals are going to their second straight World Series. Seriously, there was once again bad umpiring and replay.
This was ruled a homerun:
And this was called a strike:
That changed the AB from 3-1 with runners on second and third with one out to a 2-2 count.
If this happened to the Mets, I would be screaming bloody murder right now. I feel bad for the Blue Jays fans right now. That team, those fans, and the game of baseball deserved better. Congratulations to the Blue Jays on a great year. To Blue Jays fans, you have my sympathy. You didn’t deserve this after 22 years of waiting.
Note, I’m not saying the Royals were not the better team or that their victory is tainted. I’m says they got lucky in this game.
That scares me as a Mets fan. Not only is this Royals team on a mission, but now, they’re getting calls like this. The Royals are a great team, and it should be an interesting World Series. I’ll do my prediction later, but I think you know where I’m going.
When Steven Matz was first called up it was a phenomenon. He won his first start going 7.2 innings allowing five hits, two earned, three walks, and six strikeouts. He went 3-3 at the plate with a double and four RBIs. The start was so good his grandfather also became a legend:
His second start was equally as impressive. He won that game too going 6.0 innings allowing two hits, none earned, two walks, and eight strikeouts. After that game, he was diagnosed with a torn lat and shut down for three weeks.
He did come back from the lat year making four September starts. In those games, he averaged 5.1 innings with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.455 WHIP. These were not poor numbers, but they certainly weren’t the Matz we all saw in July. He then injured his back. After a good Instructional League start, he was put on the NLDS roster and named the Game 4 starter.
Predictably, his numbers again dipped after a long layoff. He lost what could’ve been the clincher. He threw 85 pitches over five innings allowing six hits, three earned, two walks, and four strikeouts. He was lined up for the clincher in the NLCS. He went 4.2 innings allowing four hits, one earned, two walks, and four strikeouts. Bartolo Colon had to come in and get him out of the jam.
In the postseason, Matz is 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.448 WHIP. He’s only averaging 5.0 innings. I’ve heard he’s pitched well considering the layoffs. I’ve heard the Mets didn’t catch a popup in the fifth inning in Chicago. You know what these are? Excuses. It covers up the fact that he hasn’t been that good. If the other three starters weren’t as dominant, he would be killing the bullpen.
So who should start in his place? I would argue Colon, which is not something I ever thought I would say. He’s made four appearances. In the first, he induced a double play grounder, but we know what happened next. Since then, he’s pitched 5.1 innings allowing three hits, one earned, one walk, and six strikeouts. In these postseason, he has a 3.38 ERA and a 0.750 WHIP.
I say this even though Colon has been good in the pen and was tattooed by the Blue Jays earlier this year. However, that game was Toronto. I’m hoping the colder weather and a friendlier ballpark would help him in the World Series.
I still think Matz could stay on the roster. It may be helpful to have another lefty in the pen. Additionally, he’s been fine in the beginning of games. Let him come in and air it out; put him in a position to succeed.
I do not think the Mets will make a change. I can understand why. I can still see Matz turning it around. I hope he does because the Mets are going to face a much tougher opponent in the World Series. He’s going to have to return to July form.
He better because the Mets will need him.